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Engadget News |
- Warner Bros. to ditch 28-day release delay for rental stores?
- Visualized: Nikon's Small World microscope photography contest winners
- Nexus 7 with North American 3G passes through the FCC, might spoil the surprise
- PSA: Windows 8 available to buy starting tonight
- Amazon debuts Kindle Windows 8 app
- DARPA's Pet-Proto robot climbs, balances, jumps, comes to get you
- Flipboard for Android gains audio, lets us tune into SoundCloud from our Samsung
- Can Pals help kids get their voices heard (video)
- Celebrate Windows 8 day with this livestream of Microsoft's launch event (video)
- Apple camera RAW update for OS X supports Canon EOS M, Nikon D600, compulsive photography
- Jelly Bean rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S III on Sprint beginning today
- AMD, Intel and RSA team up, form the Cyber Security Research Alliance
- Sony Xperia TL comes to AT&T on November 2 for $99 with a two-year contract
- SwiftKey Flow keyboard takes the fight to Swype with predictive gestures (video)
- Nintendo 3DS to get Recochoku music streaming and download service in Japan, launches in December
- iFixit tears down 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, rates it two grumpy kittens for repairability
- China goes from zero to 200 million 3G users in only three years
- Sprint sells 1.5 million iPhones, 1 million other smartphones, but makes a net loss of $767 million
- Canon announces Q3 2012 results: operating profit down 42 percent to $908 million
- Pocket brings its 'read it later' service to Mac App Store, keeps its free status
- Nexus 4 appears early at Carphone Warehouse, October 30th release date
- Honeywell unveils Dolphin 70e Black: a ruggedized smartphone that can take a wallop
- Audi R8 e-tron won't see public sale, will be used for internal evaluation only
- Engadget Eurocast 002 - 10.25.2012
- TSMC's 28-nanometer process pays off as it rakes in $1.68 billion profit in Q3
- Sharp announces first TVs with Moth-Eye technology: the AQUOS XL series
- Panasonic Lumix GH3 launches on December 13th, but pricing remains a mystery
- New Kindles start shipping today in Europe, Lovefilm launches on Kindle Fire
- Open webOS-powered HDTVs said to be on the way from... LG?
- Verizon, AT&T put Samsung's Galaxy Note II on pre-sale for $300 with a two-year contract
- Message from Me offers dispatches from early education, we go eyes-on (video)
- Huawei Ascend Y heads to US Cellular, is available now for $30 on contract
- Samsung 2012 Smart TVs get Amazon Instant Video streaming app, synchronicity with your Kindle Fire
- LaCie intros Porsche Design drive for Macs with SSD and USB 3.0, helps the speed match the name
- Sprint rolls out new 4G tablet data plans November 11th, likely just in time for new(er) iPad, iPad mini
- System76 debuts Sable Complete all-in-one PC with Ubuntu pre-installed
- Google Trekker goes to the Grand Canyon, takes Street View souvenirs back home
- Samsung Galaxy Note II for Verizon hands-on
- Skype 6.0 lands with Microsoft and Facebook account integration, Retina support
- Razer's gaming tablet drops by the FCC, leaves handles at home
| Warner Bros. to ditch 28-day release delay for rental stores? Posted: 25 Oct 2012 10:40 AM PDT
Warner Bros. may have doubled its 28-day embargo on new releases for kiosk operators (even if they side-step it), but endangered bricks-and-mortar rental stores could be treated to the exact opposite. A rumor coming from Home Media Magazine's unnamed sources suggests the WB is going to ditch the embargo for these locations altogether, starting on October 30th. We have no idea why this break would be offered to the relic stores, although we doubt they care if it gets a few more bodies through the door. Warner Bros. has a recent habit of quiet implementation, but just to be sure, we've reached out for confirmation and will update you if-and-when we hear more. |
| Visualized: Nikon's Small World microscope photography contest winners Posted: 25 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT
3D render? The latest submission to deviantART? No, that's a microscopic photo of the blood-brain barrier in a live zebrafish embryo taken by Dr. Jennifer Peters and Dr. Michael Taylor at 20X magnification, and it's the latest winner of Nikon's annual Small World Photomicrography Competition. Not surprisingly, the runners-up in the contest (drawn from some 2,000 submissions) are just as impressive -- hit the links below for a look at all of them. Those interested in having themselves featured next year (and taking home up to $3,000 in Nikon gear) have until April 30th to get their submissions in for the next competition. |
| Nexus 7 with North American 3G passes through the FCC, might spoil the surprise Posted: 25 Oct 2012 09:53 AM PDT
At this rate, there might not be much new to show in Google's playground. ASUS has passed a ME370TG tablet through the FCC's approval process -- which sounds ordinary, until you remember that the current Nexus 7 is the ME370T. The G, from all appearances, refers to 3G: there's an Intel XMM 6260 chipset inside supplying HSPA that would work for all North American GSM carriers, and most likely beyond. We don't know whether any of the rumored capacity changes will carry over, or even if this tablet will necessarily surface at Google's October 29th event, but the filing and recent out-of-stock notices suggest more than ever that the reference Android tablet is near a significant makeover. |
| PSA: Windows 8 available to buy starting tonight Posted: 25 Oct 2012 09:42 AM PDT
Microsoft's stunning new operating system is finally ready for public consumption, starting tonight. The new OS is launching globally in more than 140 markets and in over 37 languages and you'll be able grab either Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro (not to mention the Microsoft Surface), from 12.01am local time at participating US retailers including Amazon, Best Buy and Staples. Meanwhile, Microsoft will also be offering up its Windows 8 upgrade online. Anyone looking to upgrade their PC (and you'll be able to from XP to version 7) will need to stump up $40 -- just keep that source link below bookmarked for later. Better still, if you've bought a Windows 7 machine since June 2, you'll be able to download Redmond's latest OS for the discounted rate of $15, so make sure to pay a visit to our second source link below. Windows 8 Arrives Microsoft Corp. today announced the global availability of its popular Windows operating system, Windows 8. Beginning Friday, Oct. 26, consumers and businesses worldwide will be able to experience all that Windows 8 has to offer, including a beautiful new user interface and a wide range of applications with the grand opening of the Windows Store. As a result of close work with hardware partners, more than 1,000 certified PCs and tablets, including Microsoft Surface, will be available for the launch of Windows 8 - making it the best lineup of PCs ever across the Windows 8 and Windows RT ecosystem. "We have reimagined Windows and the result is a stunning lineup of new PCs," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "Windows 8 brings together the best of the PC and the tablet. It works perfect for work and play and it is alive with your world. Every one of our customers will find a PC that they will absolutely love." |
| Amazon debuts Kindle Windows 8 app Posted: 25 Oct 2012 09:40 AM PDT
With all the hubbub surrounding today's Microsoft event, who can blame Amazon for wanting to get in on the action? The mega-retailer used the opportunity to announce the Windows 8 version of its popular reading app. Interested parties can download the thing for free from the Windows Store, giving them access to the company's selection of 1.5 million titles. The app is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese and offers up good old Amazon features like Whispersync. Amazon also used the opportunity to announce that Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung will be pre-loading the app on their devices. More information can be found in the source link below. |
| DARPA's Pet-Proto robot climbs, balances, jumps, comes to get you Posted: 25 Oct 2012 09:07 AM PDT
While Boston Dynamics' Cheetah has already premiered, speeding along on its robot-friendly treadmill, we've now got a better glimpse at how the similarly DARPA-funded
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| Flipboard for Android gains audio, lets us tune into SoundCloud from our Samsung Posted: 25 Oct 2012 08:46 AM PDT
Flipboard on iOS has had audio for some time, giving users the chance to go all high-brow as they listen to NPR while browsing the news on their iPad. It's Android's turn to adopt that cultured stance: an update to Flipboard on its newer platform includes the full, listen-in-the-background Audio category channel selection, whether it's thoughtful public radio snippets or spotlights on podcasts and artists. SoundCloud mavens get the biggest fill, both through a direct link to their account as well as a list of specialized channels. Anyone who can already use Flipboard for Android just needs to hit Google Play to add the new audio dimension; Kindle Fire and Nook owners should see a fully tailored experience in a matter of days. |
| Can Pals help kids get their voices heard (video) Posted: 25 Oct 2012 08:27 AM PDT
Message from Me isn't the only way Carnegie Mellon's CREATE Labis helping kids communicate. The lab's Hear Me team has come up with Can Pals, a clever twist on the tin can phone that helps students share their stories with the world. Kids record their non-fictional tales on computers or via mics brought in by the Hear Me team, who will edit and upload them to the site and transfer them onto the electronic cans. Afterwards, kids can draw a picture or add some text to a label, which is adhered to the outside. The Hear Me team then brings them to another school, where the stories are shared with other students, who can pull off the labels and respond to the speakers. The group has also designed CanEX displays that are already at some businesses around town, letting customers catch a glimpse into the lives of local children. CREATE calls it an "empowerment tool for advocacy" -- we can't help but refer to it as This American Life or The Moth for kids. Either way, pretty cool.
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| Celebrate Windows 8 day with this livestream of Microsoft's launch event (video) Posted: 25 Oct 2012 08:13 AM PDT
Microsoft's big coming out day for Windows 8 is finally upon us. In celebration, Redmond's throwing a launch party for its newest OS update on New York City's Pier 57. You may not be able to join in on the fun in person, but we've got this handy stream beyond the break should you wish to play along virtually, and it's starting any minute. Update: Some folks are having issues with the primary stream, and if you're one of those folks, you may wanna redirect your browser here for an alternative feed. Update 2: The stream is back, this time with a focus on the Surface RT. Follow along below! |
| Apple camera RAW update for OS X supports Canon EOS M, Nikon D600, compulsive photography Posted: 25 Oct 2012 07:58 AM PDT
Not every update Apple makes to its RAW support in OS X merits attention, but when a new revision covers several of the biggest camera launches of the year in one fell swoop, we'll have our eyebrows raised. The company's not very elegantly titled Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 4.01 supports the unprocessed photos from Nikon's 'starter' full-frame DSLR, the D600, as well as a handful of hotter mirrorless cameras like the Canon EOS M, Nikon 1 J2, Panasonic Lumix G5 and Sony NEX-F3. Those who aren't keen on swapping lenses still get native RAW support for higher-end compacts like Canon's PowerShot G15 and Sony's Cyber-shot RX100. Provided you're running the necessary OS X Lion or Mountain Lion, Apple just gave you free rein to pick a cutting-edge camera and shoot (in full detail) to your heart's content. |
| Jelly Bean rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S III on Sprint beginning today Posted: 25 Oct 2012 07:35 AM PDT
Sprint's the first US carrier to get the long-awaited Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S III. Featured as an OTA update, your device may start seeing it as early as today. Don't worry too much if this doesn't happen right away; experience has shown us that these large-scale OTA rollouts can be a lengthy process spanning the course of a couple weeks. Feel free to shout out in the comments if your device has already prompted you for the update. The press release is found below. Sprint First U.S. Wireless Carrier to offer Jelly Bean to Samsung Galaxy S III Customers, Today, Sprint became the first U.S. wireless carrier to offer the Android™ 4.1.1, Jelly Bean, update to The update is available as an over the air update. When your Galaxy S III is eligible for the update, it Jelly Bean offers users a smoother, faster and more fluid experience with expanded feature functionality, Samsung also added new capabilities to Galaxy S III, including: With the Jelly Bean update, Galaxy S III will also add support for some exciting new accessories. |
| AMD, Intel and RSA team up, form the Cyber Security Research Alliance Posted: 25 Oct 2012 07:07 AM PDT
Sure, it's not the first elite cybercrime-fighting team we've heard of, it's also not everyday you hear the likes of Intel, Lockheed Martin and AMD buddying up on research. The companies are looking to address the "complex problems" in cyber security, with the private, non-profit group (which also includes Honeywell and RSA/EMC) aiming to work somewhere between government-funded security research and commercial products already out there. The Cyber Security Research Alliance is already in talks with NIST, and plans to launch a security research symposium early next year. The CSRA will also start tracking cyber security R&D, "prioritize" those aforementioned challenges, and hopefully come together for the greater good. Leading Technology Companies Announce Creation of Cyber Security Research Alliance Industry leaders AMD, Honeywell, Intel, Lockheed Martin, and RSA/EMC form research consortium to focus on "grand challenges" for cyber security and next generation technologies Washington, DC - October 24, 2012 - Today, leading technology companies announced the creation of the Cyber Security Research Alliance (CSRA). The CSRA is a private, non-profit research consortium formed in response to the growing need for increased public-private collaboration to address complex problems in cyber security. The founding members of the CSRI are Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Honeywell, Intel Corporation, Lockheed Martin, and RSA/EMC. President Obama has prioritized cyber threats as one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation and a dependency to America's economic prosperity in the 21st century. CSRA seeks to achieve coordinated industry participation to address national cyber security research and development (R&D) imperatives and bridge the gap between government funded R&D and commercially available products and solutions in cyber security. CSRA will focus on challenges that are bigger than any one company, consortium, sector or nation and ensure that government, industry and academia collaborate on in-depth problem understanding and definition. "The CSRA is organized to leverage expertise, from member companies and partners in government and academia," said Lee Holcomb, president of the CSRA and vice president of strategic initiatives, Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions. "Together we hope to create viable, game changing cyber security solutions." The CSRA is discussing with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) the arrangement for a joint cyber security research symposium in early 2013 to connect researchers and early adopters from across the private, academic, and government sectors. "Putting into practice the exciting cyber security innovations that emerge from research requires active partnerships between government and industry and also among private sector stakeholders," said Chuck Romine, Director of NIST's Information Technology Laboratory. "The emergence of CSRA can strengthen both kinds of partnerships and we look forward to working with this new organization to promote a trustworthy cyberspace for our nation and its citizens." Initially, CSRA will focus on building the organization and developing viable collaboration models. Activities and focus areas for the organization will include: Prioritizing the "grand challenges" in cyber security through the collaboration of all stakeholders |
| Sony Xperia TL comes to AT&T on November 2 for $99 with a two-year contract Posted: 25 Oct 2012 06:30 AM PDT
We've already gotten our collective mitts on Sony's Xperia TL, and come November 2nd, you'll be able to do the same by plunking down $99.99 and inking a two-year contract with AT&T. In case you need a refresher, the LTE handset runs a skinned build of Ice Cream Sandwich, packs a 1.5GHz dual-core S4 processor, 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, NFC and a 4.6-inch 720p display powered by the firm's Mobile BRAVIA Engine. Since Sony's smartphone flagship is lucky enough to call itself the official James Bond phone, it'll come stuffed with behind the scenes footage of the upcoming film Skyfall and Bond-themed ringtones, wallpapers and more. For the full lowdown on the Xperia TL's arrival on Big Blue, hit the jump for the press release. Sony Xperia TL available from AT&T beginning Nov. 2 DALLAS, Oct. 25, 2012 – Beginning Nov. 2, AT&T* will give everyday people the chance to live like James Bond with the launch of the Sony Xperia™ TL for $99.99 with a two-year agreement. Featured in the upcoming 007 film, Skyfall, Xperia TL features Sony's best HD capture and viewing experiences and the ability to share content across multiple devices through One-touch connectivity with near field communication (NFC). A look at Xperia TL's features in action is available in this video. The Xperia TL's 13-megapixel primary camera brings even the smallest of details to life. This high resolution fast capture camera takes quality images swiftly with its quick launch feature, going from standby mode (sleep) to first shot in just 1.5 seconds, making sure life's unexpected moments are not missed. Plus, both the rear and front-facing cameras deliver HD recording capabilities for vivid video capture on the go. Xperia TL offers Sony's best HD viewing on a smartphone with a superb 4.6-inch HD Reality Display (1280 x 720), powered by the Mobile BRAVIA® Engine for razor sharp clarity and brilliance. The viewing experience on Xperia TL is accentuated by a stylish, sleek form factor that emphasizes the display. For those looking to take their content from their smartphone screen to the TV screen, Xperia TL connects through HDMI with MHL support or wirelessly through DLNA. To make enjoying content across devices even easier, Xperia TL supports One-touch connectivity with NFC. Now, you can conveniently and instantaneously enjoy your music and photos across an array of NFC enabled devices by simply touching one to another to establish a wireless connection without a cumbersome pairing process. To get started with the One-touch experience, Xperia TL comes with one Xperia SmartTag in the box. Using NFC technology, Xperia SmartTags let you perform a variety of customizable functions for different locations and situations. Featured in the upcoming James Bond cinema release Skyfall, Xperia TL will be used in the film by 007 himself. As the official Bond phone, it will come preloaded with exclusive Bond content which includes behind the scenes footage, interviews, clips, wallpapers, ring tones, and more. |
| SwiftKey Flow keyboard takes the fight to Swype with predictive gestures (video) Posted: 25 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT
SwiftKey must be keen to finish its bout with Swype, as it just went for the knockout. It's launching SwiftKey Flow, an extension of its Android keyboard that blends SwiftKey's familiar word prediction with the hold-and-swipe gestures we most commonly associate with the company's arch-rival. Speed-minded typists now just have to glide across the virtual keys and let go as soon as Flow makes a correct guess. They don't have to pick a typing mode and stick with it, either, as both gestures and the usual taps will work at the same time. Prospective testers will want to sign up today for the SwiftKey Flow beta starting in the next few weeks. Everyone else, though, might want to watch from the bleachers -- the new parallels between SwiftKey and Swype just made this fight infinitely more entertaining. SwiftKey Flow Brings Gesture Input to Android's Best-Selling Keyboard London, UK -- Oct 25, 2012 - The team behind Android's best-selling keyboard today unveils SwiftKey Flow, a new typing approach that combines the mind-reading capabilities of SwiftKey's engine with the ability to glide your finger across a phone's screen to type words. The new feature harnesses the unrivaled predictive power of SwiftKey to give a completely new take on continuous input, offering real-time prediction as a user begins to 'flow' a word on the keys. This allows the word to be inputted by simply letting go of the screen as soon as the word is predicted, saving valuable time and effort. The user is also able to select relevant next-word predictions based on SwiftKey's knowledge of their writing habits. SwiftKey Flow has been engineered to simultaneously support both the traditional multi-touch tapping style as well as gliding. This empowers the user to seamlessly switch between the two modes as they please, 'flowing' a quick text if they only have one hand free, or tapping out a longer note with both hands at speed. Add the fact that SwiftKey constantly predicts the next word in a sentence and the user may not even have to tap or flow at all for some words. A video of SwiftKey Flow in action is available on the SwiftKey blog, and the app's team plan to start beta testing it with their VIP community within weeks. Anyone wishing to take part is encouraged to sign up at http://www.swiftkey.net/flow SwiftKey CEO Jon Reynolds said: "We know our users have different tastes and habits - this way they'll get to choose what style of writing suits them best without compromising the power of the predictions. We've been hard at work on SwiftKey Flow over the last year and it's great to finally be able to give you a sneak peek. I'm confident our users will be blown away once they get their hands on it." SwiftKey Flow is the latest innovation from the London-based company, which recently celebrated hitting 15 million downloads of its original SwiftKey app. A No.1 best selling app on Google Play in 30 countries, SwiftKey is available in 44 languages and counting. Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence, SwiftKey Flow learns as it is used to build a personalized prediction profile specific to each user. This can be improved by giving the keyboard access to a user's SMS, email, Facebook and Twitter archives. When writing a text, email or tweet, the profile is used to correct typos in context, predict a word as it is being traced, or suggest the most likely next word in a sentence. SwiftKey correctly predicts 30 percent of next words before any characters are entered, and 84 percent of next words are correctly predicted after just two characters. The engine is so powerful, it is capable of predicting in up to three languages at once. |
| Nintendo 3DS to get Recochoku music streaming and download service in Japan, launches in December Posted: 25 Oct 2012 05:51 AM PDT
Today's early Nintendo Direct broadcast didn't have much in the way of new hardware pricing or surprises, but it did reveal a new music service for 3DS users in Japan. The handheld will soon be able to stream, download and play music from Recochoku, a mobile-centric site that specializes in ringtones and track downloads. Users should be able to take their pick from over 1 million titles, priced at around 250 yen. Any songs bought on your 3DS can also be transferred to your (compatible) keitai of choice. |
| iFixit tears down 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, rates it two grumpy kittens for repairability Posted: 25 Oct 2012 05:39 AM PDT
You know the drill (er, screwdriver): someone releases a shiny new gadget and the internet tears it apart, both figuratively and literally. iFixit did the latter like clockwork, getting its tools on the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. As with its older sibling, the notebook didn't do all that well on the repairability scale, scoring a two out of 10 -- slightly better than its predecessor's lowly one. Why so low? You can blame a glued battery, proprietary screws, soldered RAM and a display assembly that's "almost impossible to take apart." There are, however, plenty of pictures of a tiny kitten, which should help to ease the pain... |
| China goes from zero to 200 million 3G users in only three years Posted: 25 Oct 2012 05:25 AM PDT
Considering that China 3G network trials only started in anger in 2009, and that the figure stood at 100 million users just last year, a new report from Sina Tech that the number now stands at 202.6 million is fairly mind boggling. The launch was delayed to begin with, as operators used an alphabet soup of different wireless technology and early results were mixed at best. But the popularity of certain devices along with the advent of microblogging sites like Weibo helped the service quickly gain traction after that, and now more people there use cellphones to surf the web than computers. We'll have to wait and see if 4G goes as well -- after some early waffling, the government seems to have some newfound enthusiasm for it. [Image credit: Wikimedia Commons] |
| Sprint sells 1.5 million iPhones, 1 million other smartphones, but makes a net loss of $767 million Posted: 25 Oct 2012 04:05 AM PDT
Sprint's latest financials show that while the network is slowly stemming the flow of cash from its veins, it's not quite there in terms of turning a profit. The country's third biggest carrier suffered a $767 million net loss and an operating loss of $231 million -- much less than the $629 million operating loss it had in Q2, but on-par with the $208 million lost in the same period last year. The business did manage to bring in total revenues of $8.8 billion, but had to take a hit on a $397 million write-down on costs related to Network Vision and the continued pain of the Nextel shutdown. On the customer size, it added a further 900,000 users, sold 1.5 million iPhones and a further 1 million "LTE smartphones" in the quarter. Those with long memories will know that the company sold the same number of Apple handsets in the last two quarters, with around 40 percent going to new customers then as now. However, churn, the deadly enemy of all carriers, increased to 1.88 percent, up from 1.69 percent in Q2. The network did manage to coax 59 percent of former Nextel customers to stay tied up with Big Yellow, which may account for it selling nearly 1.2 million Direct Connect devices. While it's hardly a rosy estimation of Sprint's financial health, this report doesn't take into account Softbank's $20.1 billion buy-out or the regained controlling stake in Clearwire -- so we're expecting the next financial announcement to contain some more exciting news. Update: During the conference call, Dan Hesse was asked about adopting a shared data plan to rival Verizon and AT&T, but unlike the last call, he was dismissive of the idea. |
| Canon announces Q3 2012 results: operating profit down 42 percent to $908 million Posted: 25 Oct 2012 04:01 AM PDT
Canon just released its Q3 2012 earnings reported, and things aren't looking peachy right now for the camera maker: revenue is down 13 percent to $10.3 billion from last Q3 last year, while profit tumbled by 42 percent. The Japanese company directed the blame toward the "negative impact of economic deterioration" in Europe and emerging markets like China, as well as the strong yen (again). DSLR sales fell over last year, with Canon mentioning that its launch of new models like the EOS 5D Mark III didn't help to shore its camera figures up. Other units within the company didn't fare much better, with printer sales falling and business-to-business numbers flatlining. The company doesn't see a bright fourth quarter either, and is projecting that sales will stay in lockstep with the sluggish economy, resulting in a 6 percent decline in operating profit for the year. It may not want to count so much on the new mirrorless offering pulling it out of the mud, though -- it got fairly mixed reviews. |
| Pocket brings its 'read it later' service to Mac App Store, keeps its free status Posted: 25 Oct 2012 04:00 AM PDT
We know Pocket has had a strong presence on iOS, Android and other platforms for quite some time now, but today the service formerly known as Read it Later announced it is now making its way to a bigger Cupertino screen. Naturally, Pocket's new application isn't much different than its mobile versions, meaning it'll offer the same offline access, save-for-later features as it currently does on the mobile front but with a more "native Mac experience" -- of course, this includes the ability to sync across multiple devices, stream videos and share tidbits via those cherished social networks. What's more, Pocket won't be charging a dime for its novel and handy OS X app, though this shouldn't come as a surprise given the outfit's somewhat recently adopted no-cost model -- still, it's a gesture most people will certainly appreciate, and one you Mac folk can start enjoying now by downloading from to the desktop-based App Store. Pocket Launches Official Mac App Leading "Save for Later" Service Comes to Mac, Adding More San Francisco, CA, October 25, 2012 – Pocket, the industry's leading save-for-later service with more than 6 million users on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire and the web, is excited to announce the launch of Pocket for Mac. The new app brings the best of Pocket to the Mac, making it the only save-for-later service with an official native Mac experience. Pocket for Mac can be downloaded for free from the Mac App Store at getpocket.com/mac. Pocket lets users quickly save articles, videos, recipes and more, wherever they discover it-on the web or from over 300 top apps including Flipboard, Twitter, Pulse and Zite. Once saved to Pocket, the content is accessible on any device-phone, tablet or computer. Pocket for Mac brings the full feature set of the popular Pocket iOS and Android apps to the Mac -including offline access to saved content from anywhere. Pocket for the Mac also includes instant syncing across all devices, keyboard shortcuts, viewing of streaming video, the ability to share found content, and great organizing and search features. "The new Pocket for Mac brings the best in class save-for-later experience directly to the Mac, making it easier than ever to view content on any device or platform," said Nate Weiner, Founder and CEO of Pocket. About Read It Later, Inc |
| Nexus 4 appears early at Carphone Warehouse, October 30th release date Posted: 25 Oct 2012 03:45 AM PDT
Whoa there! The next Nexus just got an early reveal over at UK retailer Carphone Warehouse. Delivery is currently pegged for October 30th and apparently it's got brand new Android 4.2 (or Android 4.1.2 -- the listing mixes in both). The preorder screen confirms plenty of details we've already heard, including that 4.7-inch 1,280 x 768 display, Snapdragon S4 processor and 8-megapixel camera. Unfortunately, at least according to the phone seller, there's only 8GB of storage and no microSD card slot. Other curious parts include a "360-degree camera", whatever that is, and an on-screen render that's been previously been identified as a custom ROM. Diving into the supposed feature list, we're intrigued to see whether "gesture typing" will form a part of Google's new Android build -- the Carphone Warehouse compares it to Swype's finger-dragging input method. Price-wise, it looks like you could get the handset for free on contracts over £31 per month, with both O2 and Vodafone named as prospective networks for the device in the UK -- but no news here on whether the 4G-capable EE will offer an LTE iteration. Excited? Good, because we're going to hear plenty more on this next week. Update: And the page has been pulled. Hopefully, to iron out some of those suspect features... |
| Honeywell unveils Dolphin 70e Black: a ruggedized smartphone that can take a wallop Posted: 25 Oct 2012 03:41 AM PDT
Honeywell's pulled back the curtains on its Dolphin 70e Black smartphone for folks in jobs where hardware needs to endure some rough and tumble. Pricing or detailed specs weren't revealed, but the handset packs a 4.4-inch capacitive touch screen, an area-imaging scanner, up to 12 hours of battery life, weighs in at 7 ounces and measures up at 0.75-inches thick. Boasting an IP67 rating on its resume, the phone is dust-proof and can survive a dunk in water. When the ruggedized device ships in February, it'll come pre-loaded with your choice of unspecified versions of Windows or Android. Honeywell's New Rugged Enterprise Hybrid Device Brings Smart Phone Looks, Ease of Use to Field Professionals, Logistics, Health Care and Retail Workers Miami and Fort Mill, S.C. – Oct. 23, 2012-Consumer smart phones don't last long in many field-based work environments – not because service contracts are too short, but because the phones aren't tough enough to withstand drops on concrete, lack adequate battery life or don't have enterprise scanning capabilities. Today's mobile workers have a new option: Honeywell's (NYSE: HON) first-ever rugged Enterprise Hybrid Device (EHD), the Dolphin 70e Black. The rugged smart device was created for traditional auto-identification and data capture customers who want something sleeker and lighter than a typical AIDC industrial device, but need something tougher than a consumer-grade phone. The Dolphin 70e Black is targeted to meet the needs of the growing mobile workforce, which is projected to reach 1.3 billion by 2015 (source: IDC). Field professionals can go from the warehouse to the job site and provide better, faster service because of the enhanced communication capability of the smart device. A nurse in a hospital can downsize from carrying a phone, pager and scanner to a single device that goes from triage to office. For retail workers, the device can access product information, look at inventory or be used to call another employee inside or outside the store for assistance. "Honeywell has decades of experience in rugged design manufacturing and we are proud to introduce the AIDC industry's newest rugged hybrid device," said John Waldron, president of Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. "Dolphin Black reflects two device trends in today's industrial world: consolidation and consumerization. Workers and enterprises are looking for a single device that can do the work of several. They also want their devices to be as intuitive and easy to use as their personal mobile phones and tablets, but rugged enough to survive the environment of today's mobile professional." Input from many of Honeywell's customers guided the Dolphin 70e Black's development and led to many of the features to improve enterprise productivity, security and durability. Among them are: IP67 rating allows for submersion in water and is completely dust-proof "Our GeoLogistics and navigation software solutions are used by thousands of logistics workers globally. We had the opportunity to test our CoPilot Live Professional navigation solution on a beta version of Dolphin Black, and from a developer perspective, we were tremendously impressed with the implementation of our application. Our customers value accuracy and efficiency in a convenient form factor and with the Dolphin Black's lightning quick performance and stunning product design, Honeywell is in a strong position to meet our customers' needs," said Dan Popkin, vice president of business development of enterprise solutions at ALK Technologies. The Dolphin Black will begin shipping with Windows operating systems and Android™ operating systems in February 2013. |
| Audi R8 e-tron won't see public sale, will be used for internal evaluation only Posted: 25 Oct 2012 03:12 AM PDT
It's time to put your dreams of owning Audi's R8 e-tron to bed -- the German automaker won't be shipping the electric car to dealerships, according to a Wired source. The record setting vehicle's sales plans were apparently axed due to driving range concerns and a new focus on plug-in hybrid vehicles. We followed up with a contact of our own, who confirmed that the R8 would be produced only in small numbers, and only for internal use, at that. The R8 may be dead, but its core achievements should appear in future vehicles, we're told -- including its lightweight construction, AMOLED rear-view mirror and battery management system. |
| Engadget Eurocast 002 - 10.25.2012 Posted: 25 Oct 2012 02:30 AM PDT
New week, new set of high profile product releases and service details. As you might have heard, Apple launched a new tablet, Microsoft's Surface and Windows 8 finally see the cold light of day, and Dan wants more data, but isn't sure if he wants to pay so much for it. Also on the agenda is the latest in 3D printing, the financial woes of a mobile giant, and a curious punishment dished out after a patent dispute ruling. Another seven days in the world of the Engadget Eurocast it is then. Hosts: Dan Cooper, James Trew, Mat Smith 00:32 - Apple announces 7.9-inch iPad mini with a 1,024 x 768 display, A5 CPU and optional LTE for $329 Hear the podcast Download the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [RSS] Add the Engadget Eurocast to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. Contact the podcast Follow us / send questions on Twitter: @danielwcooper, @itstrew, @thatmatsmith This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| TSMC's 28-nanometer process pays off as it rakes in $1.68 billion profit in Q3 Posted: 25 Oct 2012 02:11 AM PDT
Everything is relative, so when a chip foundry like TSMC (which produces gear for the likes of NVIDIA) has a bad quarter, that means it only made a $1 billion in profit. Today's numbers reveal that the company has managed to rescue its halting fortunes after turning over $4.8 billion and making a tidy $1.68 billion in profit. The cause of this upswing was that orders for its coveted 28-nanometer process doubled in the period -- repaying some of the $8.5 billion spent developing it and keeping profits just a little over that of its close pal, Qualcomm. TSMC Reports Third Quarter EPS of NT$1.90 Issued by: TSMC Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C., October 25, 2012 -- TSMC today announced consolidated revenue of NT$141.38 billion, net income of NT$49.30 billion, and diluted earnings per share of NT$1.90 (US$0.32 per ADR unit) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. Year-over-year, third quarter revenue increased 32.8% while both net income and diluted EPS increased 62.2%. Compared to second quarter of 2012, third quarter of 2012 results represent a 10.4% increase in revenue, and a 17.9% increase in both net income and diluted EPS. All figures were prepared in accordance with R.O.C. GAAP on a consolidated basis. In US dollars, third quarter revenue increased 9.5% from the previous quarter and increased 29.5% year-over-year. Gross margin for the quarter was 48.8%, operating margin was 37.2%, and net margin was 34.9%. Shipments of 28-nanometer process technology more than doubled during the quarter and accounted for 13% of total wafer revenues. 40-nanometer accounted for 27% of total wafer revenues, and 65-nanometer was 22%. These advanced technologies accounted for 62% of total wafer revenues. |
| Sharp announces first TVs with Moth-Eye technology: the AQUOS XL series Posted: 25 Oct 2012 01:49 AM PDT
Sharp may look like it's in trouble, but that's not stopping it bringing new displays to the market, including today's announcement of the AQUOS Quattron 3D XL TV line. Behind the mouthful of acronyms, these LED-backlit LCD panels are the first to feature Sharp's Moth-Eye technology, designed to reduce glare and pump out bright colors, as well as a deep black. The company's 'four primary color' tech is partly responsible for the rich output, which squeezes a yellow sub-pixel in with the standard R, G and B. All the panels run at 1,920 x 1,080, as you'd expect, sport a 10 million to 1 contrast ratio and use five speakers to deliver audio. Prices aren't fixed, but the 46-, 52- and 80-inch models will be released in Japan on December 15th, while the 60- and 70-inch variants will come slightly earlier, on November 30th. You're going to have to be quick on launch day, though -- only 10,000 units are expected to be available in the first month. |
| Panasonic Lumix GH3 launches on December 13th, but pricing remains a mystery Posted: 25 Oct 2012 01:39 AM PDT
Panasonic's forthcoming mirror-less multimedia wonder has been given a release date. Yep, the Lumix GH3, with its 'unlimited recording time' and magnesium alloy build, will arrive in the Land of the Rising Sun just over a month from now. While the Japanese press release doesn't specify pricing, you can expect this Lumix to arrive in body-only and two lens kit variants, one with a 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom lens, and another with a f/4.0 - 5.8 rig. Behind those optic options (not to mention the ability to capture 72Mbps 60p video), you'll be getting a 16-megapixel sensor, splash-proof shell and a flip-out OLED touchscreen alongside a 614K-dot viewfinder. If that leaked video sample piqued your interest, check out the full spec rundown at the source below. |
| New Kindles start shipping today in Europe, Lovefilm launches on Kindle Fire Posted: 25 Oct 2012 01:00 AM PDT
As promised, Amazon has started shipping its latest Kindles on the other side of the Atlantic, with the Kindle Paperwhite as well as the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD making the trip. Amazon's branded video services did not make the trip, so Lovefilm is filling in, offering a free month to buyers of either Fire tablet. Despite the switch in names, the Kindle Fire / Fire HD Lovefilm app will support features owners have gotten used to in the US like Whispersync pause / resume across devices, watch list and X-Ray for Movies that brings in extra info about any actors or scenes that are being watched. The Kindle Fire 8GB is available for £129/€159, while the Fire HD in 16GB or 32GB editions costs £159/€199 and £199/€249, respectively. The Kindle Paperwhite isn't invited to the video party, but it starts at £109 for the basic model or £169 with 3G. |
| Open webOS-powered HDTVs said to be on the way from... LG? Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:37 PM PDT
If you were wondering what was next for webOS now that it's gone all open source on us, webOS Nation chimes in with word that Gram is working with LG to bring it to connected HDTVs. Several names from the HP / Gram team are dropped as being involved in the effort, which reportedly was under way even before HP revealed it would spin the project off as an independent. Of course, when we actually saw Open webOS 1.0 it was already stretching to fill the space of an HP TouchSmart computer screen (project architect Steve Winston specifically mentioned hotel kiosks as a possibility, a market LG is all over) so it makes sense that larger displays have been a target. With LG supposedly both looking to replace its existing NetCast smart TV platform and unhappy with Google TV based on its rate of adoption and Google's terms, engineers have been working to port the software to its dual-core L9 chipset. In the past LG has pursued voice and motion control, the aforementioned Google TV integration and even Plex support to make its smart TVs more appealing, and has founded the Smart TV Alliance for cross platform apps. We only have to wait until CES 2013 to see if webOS is next up to power its efforts, stay tuned. |
| Verizon, AT&T put Samsung's Galaxy Note II on pre-sale for $300 with a two-year contract Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:52 PM PDT
Samsung's Galaxy Note II played coy at first by only hanging out with the European crowd, but now that it's here, it's the life of the US carrier party. The two biggest, AT&T and Verizon, have now glommed the phablet and each are offering it for pre-sale in all its quad-core Exynos, 5.5-inch glory for $300 under a two-year contract. We just handled Verizon's variant, but weren't sure of a sale date, and AT&T's version, which we saw earlier was already expected for pre-order today. When Sprint's copy of the handset arrives later today, that'll round out the Note II's major US carrier dance card -- so you'll be able to grab it at whichever plucks on your heart (or purse) strings. [Thanks to all who sent this in] |
| Message from Me offers dispatches from early education, we go eyes-on (video) Posted: 24 Oct 2012 09:49 PM PDT
What do you get when you attach a point-and-shoot, display, microphone, RFID reader and a bunch of big buttons to a clear plastic box and stick it all in a classroom with a bunch of three- to five-year-olds? Carnegie Mellon's CREATE Lab calls the creation Message from Me. It's a way of engaging early education students with technology, developing language and social skills and helping keep parents abreast of their school day activities. The tool encourages kids to record a thought or take a picture and send it to a parent by pulling a card with their face on it down from the wall and scanning on the RFID reader. Parents can get updates via text message or email from kids who are often unable to pass along such information at the end of the day. According to the lab, the machines have already been installed in nearly a dozen schools in the Pittsburgh area -- and from the looks of the boxes on the floor in the CREATE Lab, plenty more are on the way.
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| Huawei Ascend Y heads to US Cellular, is available now for $30 on contract Posted: 24 Oct 2012 08:53 PM PDT
Despite being involved in a recent national security controversy in the US, Huawei isn't quite ready to slow down its plans to bring as many handsets as possible over to Stateside shores. Today, the Chinese company is making its Gingerbread-packing Huawei Ascend Y available to US Cellular subscribers, giving folks who want to keep spending to a minimum yet another Android option on the regional carrier. The Ascend Y itself boasts a 3.5-inch, 480 x 320 screen, which is paired alongside a 3.2-megapixel rear camera and, for audiophiles, DTS Envelo -- a technology "for virtual surround sound to enhance audio experience." The Huawei Ascend Y is up for grabs now at a decent price of $30 (with a two-year contract, of course), though the carrier's site currently has it listed for a mere one cent. No word on how long this promo will last, so those of you interested may want to check out the source link below right about now. U.S. Cellular Unveils Huawei Ascend Y The Huawei Ascend Y Makes it Easy to Stay Connected at an Attractive Price PLANO, Texas, October 24, 2012: U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) and Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, recently launched the Huawei Ascend Y, a smart phone that makes it easier than ever to stay connected with friends and family. The Ascend Y, which is ideal for customers who need a multi-functional, easy to use device, comes equipped with standard Android™ features including the intuitive Android 2.3 operating system, Google Maps, Navigation, Gmail, YouTube and SWYPE input. The Huawei Ascend Y comes with a 3.5-inch screen, at 480 x 320 pixels, which provides a clear and vibrant display. The Ascend Y also has a 3.2 megapixel camera/camcorder to capture all of life's moments and share them with those who matter most. In addition, the Huawei Ascend Y comes equipped with DTS Envelo™ technology for virtual surround sound to enhance audio experience. "The Huawei Ascend Y is perfect for the social and always connected consumer," said Michael Chuang, Executive Vice President of Sales with Huawei Device USA. "The feature rich device provides more than 4.8 hours of talk time and 12.7 days of standby time which is perfect for multitasking. The Huawei Ascend Y builds on the success of the Ascend range of smartphones and delivers on Huawei's commitment to make technology accessible for more people globally." The Huawei Ascend Y is currently available to U.S. Cellular customers. The phone retails for $29.99 with a 2 year agreement. |
| Samsung 2012 Smart TVs get Amazon Instant Video streaming app, synchronicity with your Kindle Fire Posted: 24 Oct 2012 07:49 PM PDT
Samsung just sweetened the streaming video pot for current and would-be owners of its modern Smart TVs. Viewers who've been craving Amazon Instant Video can download an app today to watch movies and TV shows through their 2012 set's internet link, in the event options for Blockbuster, Hulu Plus, Netflix and Vudu weren't already enough. It's not necessarily a cut-and-dried port, either -- Samsung is flaunting a redesigned interface tuned for big-screen distances and quick access to queuing, recommendations and captioning. Amazon junkies who wanted a larger canvas than their Kindle Fire HD now can't get much larger. Samsung Adds New Amazon Instant Video App to the Growing Streaming Lineup on Samsung Smart TVs Amazon Instant Video offers more than 140,000 movies and TV episodes to rent or purchase and more than 30,000 titles on Prime Instant Video available to Prime members at no additional cost RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, is proud to announce that Amazon Instant Video now joins the rapidly growing library of streaming content featured on Samsung TVs. Available for immediate download via Samsung Apps to any 2012 Smart Samsung TV, Amazon Instant Video will deliver access to a huge library of over 140,000 movies and commercial-free TV shows – many in HD. In addition, Amazon Prime members can watch more than 30,000 titles on Prime Instant Video at no additional cost. The brand new app – launching for the first time on Samsung 2012 Smart TVs – has a completely redesigned user interface that is optimized for a living room experience. It also supports advance streaming technologies, and features including Your Watchlist, closed captions, and tailored content recommendations. Amazon Instant Video joins the impressive roster of streaming content available to view on Samsung Smart TVs – no set-top box required – including Hulu Plus, Netflix, Blockbuster, YouTube, Vudu, AOL On, Vimeo, BBC News and many others. "Streaming video content has emerged as the killer app for our Smart TV platform. In addition to our current line-up of big brands, Amazon Instant Video has been one of the most commonly requested services from our customers," said Eric Anderson, Vice President of Content and Product Solutions, Samsung Electronics America. "We are very proud to say that today we deliver on that request – along with a brand new UI available for the first time on Samsung TVs." "Our goal is to provide consumers with the best video content on a large amount of connected devices and we are very excited to offer our customers the ability to rent, purchase or subscribe to movies or TV episodes directly through their Samsung TV," said Anthony Bay, VP of Worldwide Digital Video for Amazon.com. "Amazon Instant Video looks fantastic on Samsung TVs, and this new version of the app makes it a delight to lean back and enjoy videos with ease." To access the Amazon Instant Video app on a Samsung 2012 TV, customers need to only download the app to Samsung Smart TV and register. Movies and TV episodes that already have been purchased or rented from Amazon.com will appear automatically in Your Video Library on the Amazon Instant Video app for Samsung Smart TV. |
| LaCie intros Porsche Design drive for Macs with SSD and USB 3.0, helps the speed match the name Posted: 24 Oct 2012 06:53 PM PDT
Porsche Design may not be directly involved in building German supercars, but there are certain expectations to be met, aren't there? LaCie is rolling out a new version of its Porsche Design hard drive skewed towards Mac owners that should offer more of the performance you'd associate with the automotive brand. The P'9223 Slim SSD is a third thinner than its ancestor but carries the option of a 120GB SSD that makes the most of the USB 3.0 port. If all runs well, nearly any Mac launched in 2012 can shuttle data along at a brisk 400MB per second. Demanding Mac fans will need to pay $150 for the flash-based edition to have the P'9223 feel truly Porsche-like; others only have to spend $100 if they're content with the Volkswagen pace of a 500GB spinning drive. LaCie Announces Thinner, Faster Porsche Design Drive for Apple Fans October 24, 2012 Today LaCie, together with Porsche Design, announced the P'9223 Slim SSD. This product is the latest extension of the Porsche Design portfolio and the fastest LaCie USB hard drive to date. It combines USB 3.0 speeds with an optional SSD to maximize performance, and its sleek form factor echoes the aluminum exterior of Apple's MacBook Pro® and MacBook Air®. BUILT FOR SPEED Designed with Apple® enthusiasts in mind, the LaCie P'9223 Slim SSD version is up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The USB 3.0 interface is bus-powered and delivers 400MB/s transfer speeds. This allows a photographer to move large photo files in no time while in the field. Thanks to UAS* support, this product gets even better speeds on the latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or MacBook Pro with Retina Display running the most recent version of OS X® Lion or Mountain Lion. SLIM, SOLID ALUMINUM The LaCie P'9223 Slim is the thinnest 2.5-inch storage device from LaCie – 30 percent thinner than the previous edition. The slim design, sturdy aluminum and SSD technology allow creative professionals to slip the drive in a laptop bag without worrying about accidental drops. PARTNERS SINCE 2003 Since 2003, LaCie and Porsche Design have worked closely to deliver products that are technically inspired, delivering flawless functionality in its purest form. Each company complements the other, with technical influence from LaCie, together with an exclusive design and luxury brand presented by Porsche Design. AVAILABILITY The Porsche Design Slim P'9223 is available in 120GB SSD and 500GB HDD through the LaCie Online Store and LaCie Partners starting at $99.99. For more product information, visit visit www.lacie.com. |
| Posted: 24 Oct 2012 06:24 PM PDT
As a carrier trailing Verizon and AT&T in terms of subscribers and now 4G coverage, Sprint has made it a habit to undercut the other two on value. While its upcoming tablet-specific data plans won't necessarily be cheaper, they do promise up to 20 percent more data for the same price and still do not require a contract. Sure to come in handy now that it's offering the fourth generation iPad and iPad mini on its network, they are 300MB/$14.99, 3GB/$34.99, 6GB/$49.99, or 12GB for $79.99. There are also $10 and $15 offers for customers that also have Sprint smartphones that offer 100MB and 1GB of data, respectively, and activation fees for all 3G/4G tablets are being waived for a limited time. As you'll recall, Verizon and AT&T's offerings include 2GB/$30 (3GB/$30 on AT&T), 5GB/$50 and on Verizon, 10GB/$80 packages. Even if you're not an Apple user these plans apply for all 4G capable slates, with Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 specifically mentioned. For those planning to pick up one of the latest iPads with wifi + cellular capability however, their mid-November launch date may have narrowed slightly , since these plans go into effect November 11th. Check the press release after the break or a post on its Sprint Community blog for more info. Starting on Sunday, Nov. 11, Sprint will introduce a variety of new, aggressively priced rate plans for 4G LTE-enabled tablets that offer customers up to 20 percent more data than Verizon or AT&T for the same price. These new rate plans will be available to all Sprint 4G LTE tablets and require no contract. |
| System76 debuts Sable Complete all-in-one PC with Ubuntu pre-installed Posted: 24 Oct 2012 06:21 PM PDT
Sure, it's not too much trouble to install Ubuntu on the all-in-one PC of your choice, but those looking for an out-of-the-box option now have a new one to consider courtesy of System76. The company has today added the Sable Complete to its Linux-minded line-up, an all-in-one PC that starts at $799 and comes pre-installed with the recently released Ubuntu 12.10. As for hardware, that base model offers a 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 display (behind edge-to-edge glass), a 2.9GHz Core i5 3470S processor, integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500, 4GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. Those looking for an optical drive can add a slimline model for $45, and you'll also somewhat curiously have to shell out an extra $35 for built-in WiFi. Naturally, there's also a number of other configuration options available that can push the price well over $1,000. You can check out those and get a closer look at the system at the source link below. |
| Google Trekker goes to the Grand Canyon, takes Street View souvenirs back home Posted: 24 Oct 2012 05:21 PM PDT
You might remember Google's unveiling this spring of the Street View Trekker, a seeming cross between a backpack and Van de Graaff generator that lets the mapping team produce 360-degree imagery where even trikes dare not tread. The portable camera ball is just going on its first trip, and Google has chosen the most natural destination for a novice tourist -- the Grand Canyon, of course. Staffers with Trekkers are currently walking trails along the South Rim of the canyon to provide both eye-level points of reference for wayward hikers as well as some breathtaking, controllable panoramas for those who can't (or won't) make it to Arizona. Once the photos make it to Street View sometime in the undefined near future, it'll be that much easier to turn down Aunt Matilda's 3-hour vacation slideshow. |
| Samsung Galaxy Note II for Verizon hands-on Posted: 24 Oct 2012 04:40 PM PDT
So far we've had the opportunity to review the global edition of the Samsung Galaxy Note II -- as well as get our hands on three of the five variants known to be making their way to the US -- but tonight we got our first official look at Verizon's particular flavor. Not that it's much different than the rest of the crowd: it's loaded with the same specs we've seen on the N7100 model (5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED display at 1,280 x 720, 3,100mAh battery and a quad-core Exynos processor clocked at 1.6GHz), with the exception of Verizon-specific LTE bands, and have the same button layout that we've come to expect. Of course, there's that hideous Verizon logo on the main button, but that's the only visual difference we could spot. Software-wise, Verizon's version of the Note II contains the built-in apps we've gotten accustomed to with its Android phones: VZ Navigator, My Verizon Mobile, and Mobile Hotspot. The device we picked up was running Jelly Bean, like its counterparts from other carriers. Sadly, no pricing or availability is yet available for the Note II on Verizon, with reps at the Samsung event we're at saying that it's up to Verizon to loose that news. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. |
| Skype 6.0 lands with Microsoft and Facebook account integration, Retina support Posted: 24 Oct 2012 04:18 PM PDT
You're probably saying to yourself, "didn't Skype just get a Windows 8-friendly refresh?" Why yes, yes it did. But Skype 6.0 here isn't limited to Windows RT slates, instead it's designed for more traditional Windows systems and even has a similarly numbered OS X counter part. There's a number of notable changes here, including the ability to sign in directly with your Facebook or Microsoft account. (If you've got a Live Messenger, Hotmail or Outlook.com account, then you've got a Microsoft account.) The most visible changes, however, will be the "flattened" Don't-call-it-Metro-friendly UI on Windows and the addition of Retina display support on OS X. There's a few other minor changes, including some additional localizations, which you can read about at the source. And heck, since you're already there, might as well download Skype too. |
| Razer's gaming tablet drops by the FCC, leaves handles at home Posted: 24 Oct 2012 03:41 PM PDT
Looking for a gaming tablet you can really grab? Don't look at the latest FCC filings then -- Federal regulators appear to have snagged some exclusive hands-on time with Razer's upcoming Project Fiona, and its trademark handlebars are nowhere in sight. The nunchuck-esque controllers we saw at CES didn't make it in the FCC's label location outline (seen above), but an attached accessory list makes note of a Razer-branded controller, powered by a 2800mAh battery, hinting that this prototype's gamepads might well be independent or detachable. The same document lists a 5600mAh battery for the tablet itself, as well as a model number: RZ09-0093. The Federal documents show a heavily redesigned device, falling in line with Razer's recent community campaign: CEO Min-Liang Tan has been asking fans to help design Project Fiona on his Facebook page. Over the past several weeks, the community has weighed in on accessories, price, CPU / GPU configurations and more. This FCC prototype may not be the final design, but if nothing else, it's proof that the device is evolving. Check out the Government's inside scoop for yourself at the source link below. |
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