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- Ubuntu lands on Nexus 7 slates with Canonical's one-click installer
- Google postpones October 29th event over Hurricane Sandy worries
- Butlers, lunar rovers, snakes and airboats: the best of Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute
- Introducing Engadget's next giveaway: Five iPhone 5s in five days!
- Oakley unveils Airwave ski goggles equipped with Recon's MOD Live heads-up display, iOS app
- Clearwire moves forward with Huawei in network upgrades after federal consultation
- 9-gigapixel image of the Milky Way reminds us just how small we truly are
- Reebok-CCM partnering on impact-sensing flexible sports cap, hopes to improve real-time injury analysis
- ASUS unveils RT-N12HP WiFi router with extra-long antennas: compensating for anything?
- HTC One X sees Jelly Bean rollout in Taiwan and Singapore, One S update reportedly coming soon
- Microsoft's Sinofsky says Windows 8 PCs can undercut Apple's 'recreational' iPad mini
- LG E960 support manuals confirm Nexus 4 name, 8GB and 16GB configurations
- NYT: Google actively trialing same-day delivery from retail for the chronically impatient
- Windows 8 upgrade diary: the buying experience
- Xbox SmartGlass now available in Google Play, brings console integration to Android
- Sony intros Virtual Book Club, enlists 'Breakfast Club' alum
- Google Maps adds natural terrain by default outside of satellite views, reminds us the world isn't flat
- Samsung Galaxy S III mini radios get probed by FCC
- Windows 8 is in stores today -- are you buying a copy?
- Microsoft offering free Media Center upgrade to Windows 8 Pro users until January 31st 2013
- Visualized: Inside Moog's Sound Lab
- Engadget's Seattle reader meetup is next week!
| Ubuntu lands on Nexus 7 slates with Canonical's one-click installer Posted: 27 Oct 2012 11:03 AM PDT
If you'd rather not let your Nexus 7 live out its life as a Jelly Bean-toting device, Canonical's freshly minted Ubuntu Nexus 7 Desktop Installer can help. Instead of allowing Ubuntu to ride shotgun with Android, the installer requires unlocking the device's bootloader, which wipes the slate clean. Once the Nexus 7 is unlocked, started in fastboot mode and connected to an Ubuntu machine, the one-click installation software takes care of the rest. Roughly 10 to 15 minutes later, your tablet will be running full-blown Ubuntu. Since development is currently focused on getting the core of the desktop OS up and running, there's no tablet-specific Unity UI to see here. However, Raring Ringtail is set to flesh out the mobile experience with an emphasis on sensors, memory footprint and battery life, among other features. Those who regret ousting Google's confection-themed operating system can simply reload their device with stock Android. For the entire walk through, hit the first source link below. [Thanks, Keith] |
| Google postpones October 29th event over Hurricane Sandy worries Posted: 27 Oct 2012 10:56 AM PDT
We hope you weren't basing your calendar around Google's big Android event on October 29th. The company has confirmed to us that it's postponing the event to an as yet undetermined point in the future due to Hurricane Sandy, whose East coast arrival will follow so closely before the New York City gaterhing that Google isn't willing to take the chance on its big day. If you're experiencing a sense of déja vu, you're not alone -- Google delayed last year's event revealing the Galaxy Nexus out of respect for the late Steve Jobs. While it's not what we'd call an auspicious start to Google's holiday launches, we can at least hope for an abundance of riches when the company is ready once again. The full statement waits below.
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| Butlers, lunar rovers, snakes and airboats: the best of Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute Posted: 27 Oct 2012 09:45 AM PDT
How was your week? We got to spend a couple of days trekking around the Carnegie Mellon campus in Pittsburgh, PA to check out some of the latest projects from the school's world renowned Robotics Institute -- a trip that culminated with the bi-annual induction ceremony from the CMU-sponsored Robot Hall of Fame. Given all the craziness of the past seven days, you might have missed some of the awesomeness, but fear not, we've got it all for you here in one handy place -- plus a couple of videos from the trip that we haven't shown you yet. Join us after the break to catch up.
We've seen CMU's modular snake robot pop up every so often, but it still never ceases to amaze us. The 'bot was put through its paces during our visit, demonstrating different pre-programmed "gaits," which allow it to perform different moments, including mimicry of real world counterparts, such as the sidewinder rattlesnake. The 'bot is made up of a series of modules that are identical, save for the front and the last, each containing a number of different features like temperature gauges, accelerometers and their own processing units, so they can easily be swapped out.
We've also seen these magnetic levitation interface devices from Butterfly Haptics before, but we weren't going to turn down an opportunity to play around with the things. The Maglev 200 features a handle levitated by a magnetic field, letting the user move it around in three dimensions. The company demonstrated some possible use cases such as remote bomb disposal and surgery.
A circuit kit "designed for young hands" is at the center of the Children's Innovation Project. Another form of community outreach being helmed by CMU's CREATE Lab, the project aims at teaching school children the fundamentals of electricity, letting them configure kits and "remix" electronic toys. Robot Hall of Fame inducts Big Dog, PackBot, Nao and WALL-E (video) A Tour of Astrobotic Technology's lunar rover lab at Carnegie Mellon (video) Romibo therapeutic robot, eyes-on (video) Robotic butlers, bartenders and receptionists at Carnegie Mellon (video) Hummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kids (video) Platypus airboats have a Nexus S for a brain, we go eyes-on (video) Message from Me offers dispatches from early education, we go eyes-on (video) Can Pals help kids get their voices heard (video) AirBot and WaterBot help localize pollution data collection (video) |
| Introducing Engadget's next giveaway: Five iPhone 5s in five days! Posted: 27 Oct 2012 08:21 AM PDT
A lot of you out there have been anxiously awaiting the holidays, and -- more importantly -- an excuse to get your hands on the latest iPhone. In fact, the demand is so high that Apple is still experiencing inventory shortages. We don't want that little niggle getting in your way, of course, so we've teamed up with five different companies to get you set up with an iPhone! So here's the deal: beginning Monday, we will begin one new iPhone 5 contest every day through Friday. Some of the contests will feature the actual phone (carrier branding may vary), while others will offer an Apple Store gift card to cover the cost of buying one without a contract. You can enter each individual contest once, giving you five separate opportunities to win over the course of the next week. So be on the lookout starting Monday, and make sure you come back every day to increase your chances of winning! Below you'll find the companies involved, so that way you know exactly who to thank for your new toy. This post is not a contest, by the way, so leaving a comment here won't enter you to win. Just make sure you're back here bright and early on Monday -- believe us, there will be plenty of other awesome news to check out that day while you're here. Note: this next week is going to be a pretty hectic one, so we're going to keep each contest open for five days rather than the usual two. |
| Oakley unveils Airwave ski goggles equipped with Recon's MOD Live heads-up display, iOS app Posted: 27 Oct 2012 06:44 AM PDT
Remember late last year when Recon Instruments introduced its MOD Live Android-enabled heads-up display for the likes of ski goggles?Joining the ranks of other optics makers, Oakley's partnered with the company to seamlessly integrate the augmented-reality unit into its own goggles, dubbed Airwave. It's not just another shell for the system, either, as Oakley will be providing a companion app that'll work with iOS -- which seems to be first official instance as such since Recon itself said it would be coming earlier this year. The MOD Live itself is otherwise the same right-eye positioned system (providing a perceived 14-inch display at five feet away) we've seen for almost a year now, so don't expect to get the clearest picture if you're left eye dominant or use contact lenses for distance. Furthermore, there's still GPS for tracking friends / navigation, and Bluetooth to work with a water-resistant wrist remote that allows you to control your smartphone and the display itself. Of course, this also means Recon's Android SDK will also be workable, as will your Contour camera. If you're interested in Oakley's spin on the MOD Live, the Airwave will hit Apple stores on October 31st for $600 in your choice of black with a black Iridium lens, or a white with black graphics and a "fire" colored variant of the lens -- yes, they're interchangeable just like most of Oakley's other specs. If you're curious for further details in the meantime, check out the simulation video and press release after the break. Now, how about those full-on smart glasses to take on Google Glass as the company's CEO mentioned in April?
OAKLEY INTRODUCES AIRWAVE GOGGLE WITH HEADS-UP DISPLAY Unrivaled Optics Performance Meets State-of-the-Art Technologies FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., Oct. 31, 2012 – Oakley, Inc. today announced the release of a revolutionary new snow goggle called Airwave. It combines the company's best goggle technologies with a heads-up display developed by Recon Instruments, integrating GPS, Bluetooth®, and more with a host of onboard sensors to bring new possibility to the alpine experience. And for the first time, Oakley's performance optics are available in select Apple® stores and Apple.com. "Our icon defines the leading edge of performance innovation, and the new Airwave goggle brings alpine sports into the future with a stunning array of capabilities," said Oakley CEO Colin Baden. "It utilizes cutting-edge electronics to give skiers and riders instant access to a world of information. Airwave represents the power and possibility of technology, and it comes with world-class optical performance, comfort and protection engineered over decades of Oakley innovation." With Airwave, alpine sports enthusiasts can access a full range of information transmitted directly to the eye. Snowboarders and skiers can view jump analytics, pinpoint their location on a resort map alongside navigational information, and even locate and track others in their group.* Additional sensor information includes distance traveled, altitude, speed and vertical descent data. Pairing with a smartphone allows immediate viewing of incoming calls and text messages, and music playlists on a Bluetooth-enabled device can be easily accessed and controlled by the glove-friendly wireless remote that can be strapped to the user's body or goggle depending on their preference.** Airwave is compatible with both Apple® and Android® operating systems. Low Energy Bluetooth connectivity allows the goggle to interface with the wearer's smartphone, heart rate monitor and more. The Oakley Airwave App, available at http://www.oakley.com/airwave, offers wide-ranging capabilities to reinvent the alpine sport experience and will be upgraded frequently for even more features. All these attributes are in addition to Oakley goggle innovations including SwitchlockTM Technology that makes the process of lens changing quick and hassle-free, allowing the wearer to take advantage of the company's wide array of premium performance lens tints that optimize vision for environmental conditions. The heads-up display is designed for an unobtrusive view, and semi-flush lens geometry ensures wide peripheral vision. F3 anti-fog technology is paired with a dual-vented lens design to help keep vision clear. Oakley Plutonite® lens material filters out 100% of all UV, and Iridium® lens coatings balance light transmission. "Oakley is dedicated beyond reason to exceed the limits of possibility, and Airwave will let winter sports enthusiasts do the same with technology that offers the ultimate in performance, convenience and capability," Baden concluded. A unisex design, the Oakley Airwave goggle will initially be available in two SKUs. The first has Gun Metal / Black coloration and is matched with a Black Iridium® lens engineered for improved contrast in moderate to bright sunshine. The second features a White frame embellished with Factory Text graphics, and its Fire Iridium® lens provides enhanced comfort in bright sun. Both lenses improve visual contrast and boost depth perception. Accessory lenses are available in a range of performance tints. Oakley Airwave is available for purchase at Oakley Stores and Oakley.com; Apple.com and Apple Stores in North America, Europe and Japan; SunglassHut.com; ReconInstruments.com; and select retail locations including a range of resort destinations. Visit Oakley.com to learn about the new Airwave alpine goggle and discover more about the company's performance and lifestyle innovations. |
| Clearwire moves forward with Huawei in network upgrades after federal consultation Posted: 27 Oct 2012 05:37 AM PDT
China's Huawei has found itself followed by a cloud of suspicion from governments and national security agencies, both in America, and futher afield. A recent announcement from Clearwire stating it will use the firms hardware in a network upgrade, however, could see some sunshine of confidence finally poking through. Reuters reports that the service provider consulted several technical departments from various federal agencies before making the decision. Clearwire already uses some Huawei equipment in its infrastructure, and it's in these areas that the hardware will be used for upgrades. The firm went on to assure that, overall, less than 5 percent of its LTE budget involves Huawei gear, and irrespective of origin, all vendors are subject to approval from US government approved third parties. |
| 9-gigapixel image of the Milky Way reminds us just how small we truly are Posted: 27 Oct 2012 03:41 AM PDT
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but this just leaves us speechless. Pictured above is a compressed 108,500 x 81,500 pixel image of 84 million stars across central parts of the Milky Way. Taken by the VISTA survey telescope at the ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile, this 9-gigapixel photo is the result of thousands of individual images being meshed together. If it were printed out at the average resolution of a standard book it would measure a mind-boggling 9 x 7 meters. Using three separate infrared filters, VISTA is able to see through dust fields that normally obscure the view of an optical telescope. By studying this monumental image, astronomers hope to gain a better understanding of how galaxies form and evolve. If you'd like to take a look at this galactic work of art in its entirety, you can do so by visiting the source link below. (Image credit: ESO/VVV Consortium) 84 Million Stars and Counting - VISTA creates largest ever catalogue of centre of our galaxy 24 October 2012: Using a whopping nine-gigapixel image from the VISTA infrared survey telescope at ESO's Paranal Observatory, an international team of astronomers has created a catalogue of more than 84 million stars in the central parts of the Milky Way. This gigantic dataset contains more than ten times more stars than previous studies and is a major step forward for the understanding of our home galaxy. The image gives viewers an incredible, zoomable view of the central part of our galaxy. It is so large that, if printed with the resolution of a typical book, it would be 9 metres long and 7 metres tall. "By observing in detail the myriads of stars surrounding the centre of the Milky Way we can learn a lot more about the formation and evolution of not only our galaxy, but also spiral galaxies in general," explains Roberto Saito (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Valparaíso and The Milky Way Millennium Nucleus, Chile), lead author of the study. Most spiral galaxies, including our home galaxy the Milky Way, have a large concentration of ancient stars surrounding the centre that astronomers call the bulge. Understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way's bulge is vital for understanding the galaxy as a whole. However, obtaining detailed observations of this region is not an easy task. "Observations of the bulge of the Milky Way are very hard because it is obscured by dust," says Dante Minniti (Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile), co-author of the study. "To peer into the heart of the galaxy, we need to observe in infrared light, which is less affected by the dust." The large mirror, wide field of view and very sensitive infrared detectors of ESO's 4.1-metre Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) make it by far the best tool for this job. The team of astronomers is using data from the VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea programme (VVV), one of six public surveys carried out with VISTA. The data have been used to create a monumental 108 200 by 81 500 pixel colour image containing nearly nine billion pixels. This is one of the biggest astronomical images ever produced. The team has now used these data to compile the largest catalogue of the central concentration of stars in the Milky Way ever created. To help analyse this huge catalogue the brightness of each star is plotted against its colour for about 84 million stars to create a colour–magnitude diagram. This plot contains more than ten times more stars than any previous study and it is the first time that this has been done for the entire bulge. Colour–magnitude diagrams are very valuable tools that are often used by astronomers to study the different physical properties of stars such as their temperatures, masses and ages. "Each star occupies a particular spot in this diagram at any moment during its lifetime. Where it falls depends on how bright it is and how hot it is. Since the new data gives us a snapshot of all the stars in one go, we can now make a census of all the stars in this part of the Milky Way," explains Dante Minniti. The new colour–magnitude diagram of the bulge contains a treasure trove of information about the structure and content of the Milky Way. One interesting result revealed in the new data is the large number of faint red dwarf stars. These are prime candidates around which to search for small exoplanets using the transit method. "One of the other great things about the VVV survey is that it's one of the ESO VISTA public surveys. This means that we're making all the data publicly available through the ESO data archive, so we expect many other exciting results to come out of this great resource," concludes Roberto Saito. Notes The image used in this work covers about 315 square degrees of the sky (a bit less than 1% of the entire sky) and observations were carried out using three different infrared filters. The catalogue lists the positions of the stars along with their measured brightnesses through the different filters. It contains about 173 million objects, of which about 84 million have been confirmed as stars. The other objects were either too faint or blended with their neighbours or affected by other artefacts, so that accurate measurements were not possible. Others were extended objects such as distant galaxies. The image used here required a huge amount of data processing, which was performed by Ignacio Toledo at the ALMA OSF. It corresponds to a pixel scale of 0.6 arcseconds per pixel, down-sampled from the original pixel scale of 0.34 arcseconds per pixel. A colour–magnitude diagram is a graph that plots the apparent brightnesses of a set of objects against their colours. The colour is measured by comparing how bright objects look through different filters. It is similar to a Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram but the latter plots luminosity (or absolute magnitude) rather than just apparent brightness and a knowledge of the distances of the stars plotted is also needed. The transit method for finding planets searches for the small drop in brightness of a star that occurs when a planet passes in front of it and blocks some of its light. The small size of the red dwarf stars, typically with spectral types K and M, gives a greater relative drop in brightness when low-mass planets pass in front of them, making it easier to search for planets around them. More information The team is composed of R. K. Saito (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile; The Milky Way Millennium Nucleus, Chile), D. Minniti (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Vatican Observatory), B. Dias (Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil), M. Hempel (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), M. Rejkuba (ESO, Garching, Germany), J. Alonso-García (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), B. Barbuy (Universidade de São Paulo), M. Catelan (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), J. P. Emerson (Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom), O. A. Gonzalez (ESO, Garching, Germany), P. W. Lucas (University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom) and M. Zoccali (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile). The year 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It is supported by 15 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory and two survey telescopes. VISTA works in the infrared and is the world's largest survey telescope and the VLT Survey Telescope is the largest telescope designed to exclusively survey the skies in visible light. ESO is the European partner of a revolutionary astronomical telescope ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. ESO is currently planning a 40-metre-class European Extremely Large optical/near-infrared Telescope, the E-ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky". |
| Posted: 27 Oct 2012 01:34 AM PDT
While the whack of two helmets might be an unavoidable part of some high intensity sports, knowing a little more about what's going on during those impacts can mean the difference between a time out, and time in hospital. Reebok-CCM Hockey and electronics form MC10 have just announced that they are developing a wearable cap that will register the strength and severity of head impacts during games. The project is actually aimed at all sports and age-groups, and uses high-performance electronics reshaped into an ultra-thin, breathable, flexible system that technology partner, MC10, expects to also be much more affordable. The cap will allow quick analysis through the use of different colored readouts, illustrating the strength of impact. The product won't be commercially available until next year however, but we're already thinking of potential worthy collaborations. Reebok-CCM and MC10 to Launch Revolutionary Sports Impact Indicator Product will be Available to Consumers in Early 2013 Montreal, Canada and Cambridge, MA, October 24, 2012 – Reebok-CCM Hockey and MC10 Inc. today announced that early next year a revolutionary new wearable sports impact indicator that identifies impacts to the head during play, will be made commercially available to consumers. The impact indicator, which was developed through the collaboration of Reebok's Advanced Concepts group and award winning electronics company MC10, is designed to direct athletes on a pathway to assessment to determine if medical treatment or rest is needed before resuming play. Head impact injuries, also known as traumatic brain injuries, are a serious public health issue according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sports-related head injuries are a recognized problem in both contact and non-contact sports, and for athletes of all ages and skill levels – from the student athlete to the elite athlete. For this reason, the product is specifically designed for players of all ages and skill levels, not just for professionals. It provides players, parents, coaches and trainers with a visual measurement of force of impact, essentially serving as an extra set of eyes on the ice – or any other playing field. "As one of the leading equipment manufacturers in the world, we are focused on not only improving the performance of amateur and professional athletes, but also doing whatever we can to protect players from possible injury," said Philippe Dubé, General Manager of Reebok-CCM Hockey. "As we know, head injuries are of the greatest concern today, and there is still much to be learned in this area. This product is a significant step forward in this process and we're very excited to be able to make it available to consumers for the first time next year." MC10 reshapes high-performance electronics into ultra-thin systems that stretch, bend and flex seamlessly with the body. The impact indicator, MC10's first commercial product, relies on conformable technology to capture important impact data while being virtually seamless to wear. The technology is housed inside a thin, breathable mesh skullcap that fits comfortably under any helmet. "Conformal biometric sensors are changing the game for both the elite and the student athlete," said David Icke, CEO of MC10. "MC10's sports products give athletes the enhanced sensing they need to optimize peak performance, while safely preserving the benefits and spirit of game play." Over the past few years, Reebok-CCM Hockey has made it a major priority to increase player safety in the sport of ice hockey, and has committed to a product development approach that places safety at the core of its product creation philosophy, with research at the forefront of the equipment. In 2011, Reebok-CCM introduced the Safety Revolution Program, the company's commitment to improving player safety today and in the future. The company has also partnered with the University of Ottawa's Neurotrauma Impact Science Laboratory. Through highly advanced laboratory tests and simulations, this joint research and development partnership is helping the company gain further knowledge on impact management which ultimately will result in the creation of safer equipment as the game of hockey continues to evolve. |
| ASUS unveils RT-N12HP WiFi router with extra-long antennas: compensating for anything? Posted: 27 Oct 2012 12:03 AM PDT
If getting long-range WiFi is a perpetual battle, ASUS just started a nuclear war. Its fresh RT-N12HP router carries a pair of (thankfully removable) high-gain, 9dBi antennas and a separate signal amplifier that can jointly boost the range of the router's 802.11n wireless up to 300 percent versus challengers that reach the same 300Mbps peak speed. Beyond that, the hotspot mostly claims sheer flexibility as its virtue with support for as many as four separate WiFi networks and a fast toggle between pure router, access point and repeater modes. Once ASUS confirms that we can grab the N12HP in specific countries, it'll likely deliver a good signal from corner to corner in most any home -- and invite some Freudian interpretations. ASUS Launches the RT-N12HP Wireless-N300 High-Power Router Well-suited to home and small business customers with up to 300% wider Wi-Fi coverage thanks to 9dBi antennas and integrated transmission power amplifier To serve home and office users who need wider wireless coverage, the ASUS RT-N12HP high-power wireless-N300 router employs detachable 9dBi antennas and a unique hardware signal power amplifier. It extends Wi-Fi range by up to 300%, at the same time offering 3-in-1 utility as a router, access point, and range extender. The user-friendly interface also supports up to four separate networks, with different bandwidth and access privileges. High-power technology generates up to 300% wider wireless coverage The RT-N12HP utilizes a custom hardware architecture that augments wireless transmission and signal quality with detachable 9dBi high-gain antennas and a discrete signal power amplifier. These create a major increase in 802.11n wireless coverage, up to 300% longer-range compared to standard N300 routers. At the same time, the improved hardware ensures a more stable and consistent signal. The RT-N12HP is therefore a highly viable choice for homes and small businesses that want complete coverage via a single networking device. Flexible EZ Switch 3-in-1 mode selection: router, access point, and range extender Included in the user-friendly interface, EZ Switch offers a quick software tool that alternates between the RT-N12HP's three main operating modes. With a single touch, customers can select standard router usage, access point mode (adding Wi-Fi to an existing wired-only modem/router), or range extender mode, where the RT-N12HP works in conjunction with another wireless router to expand coverage even further. Multiple networks on one router for diverse guest access settings The RT-N12HP supports up to four distinct networks, or SSIDs. It uses dynamic bandwidth allocation, giving administrators the ability to control each network's access privileges and bandwidth quota. This means the primary network can operate alongside guest networks while experiencing minimal slowdown. The RT-N12HP also allows customers to offer guests at home or the office internet access with graded privacy and usage rights. For example, the primary host/administrator network can have full access rights with priority bandwidth, while guest SSIDs may have controlled access and bandwidth. The flexible design means passwords do not have to be shared, and facilitates easier parental controls. Setup is once more via the intuitive interface, taking mere minutes to accomplish. |
| HTC One X sees Jelly Bean rollout in Taiwan and Singapore, One S update reportedly coming soon Posted: 26 Oct 2012 10:29 PM PDT
We've known for months that HTC intends to upgrade the One X to Jelly Bean, but now it appears the update is finally going live, at least for folks in Taiwan. Members of the XDA Developers forum are chiming in about a 352.87MB OTA update that's available within both HTC's home country and Singapore, which brings Android 4.1.1 and HTC Sense 4+ to the One X. Jelly Bean's appearance for the handset matches an earlier report from Engadget Chinese of an incoming update promised by HTC Taiwan. According to PocketDroid, general manager of HTC North Asia, Jack Tong, announced that One X users within Asia will see the update begin to roll today, and that the One S will also receive Jelly Bean a tad later. We've reached out to HTC to verify Mr. Tong's comments, and for clarification of specific regions throughout Asia. [Thanks, Ryan] |
| Microsoft's Sinofsky says Windows 8 PCs can undercut Apple's 'recreational' iPad mini Posted: 26 Oct 2012 08:55 PM PDT
It just wouldn't be a major Apple launch if there wasn't a Microsoft executive calling out his old rival, would it? In a chat with AllThingsD, Windows division lead Steven Sinofsky has expressed doubts that Apple's iPad mini is really a cost-effective pick against the just-launched Windows 8. It's a $329 "recreational tablet" when there are work-ready Windows 8 laptops that cost $279, he says. He added that there are at least a few touchscreen Ultrabooks that could undercut the non-touch MacBook Air on price, and he ascribed the difference as much to "engineering" as the cost-cutting measures you'd expect. Sinofsky was naturally just as keen to champion the advantages for work that Windows RT tablets like the Surface have when competing more directly with iPads, alluding to that Office bundle which hopefully keeps us more productive than a copy of Documents To Go. The company President would certainly disagree with Apple chief Tim Cook's view that Surface is a confused product, calling it a "PC for everyone" that just doesn't have to be used all the time. He makes valid points on the sheer value for money that you can get from both Windows PCs and tablets, although it would only be fair to mention that he didn't touch on the currently low Windows RT app selection, or if the OS was exactly what the market wanted -- we'd do well to remember that Microsoft alumni have a spotty track record when it comes to predicting Apple's destiny. |
| LG E960 support manuals confirm Nexus 4 name, 8GB and 16GB configurations Posted: 26 Oct 2012 07:31 PM PDT
The information leaks ahead Google's Android event next week continue to flow, with the latest thanks to support manuals on LG's Australian and UK websites. While we're already familiar with the phone's hardware thanks to a detailed Belarusian review, the manuals confirm it is going to be called the Nexus 4, and that along with the 8GB version we've seen there will definitely be a 16GB edition available. As you can see above, it also includes an induction coil for wireless charging and excludes any microSD slots for additional storage. This all comes after two separate Nexus 10 leaks earlier today, as well as a report by Wired of a lost Nexus 4 recovered in a San Francisco bar (sound familiar?) last month. Hit the source link below to check out the LG E960 PDF for yourself (you may need to select the "show all" radio button), although there's only a few diagrams and support info waiting within. [Thanks, Tim aka Zurginator] |
| NYT: Google actively trialing same-day delivery from retail for the chronically impatient Posted: 26 Oct 2012 04:58 PM PDT
Rumors have floated for the better part of a year that Google has been prepping a same-day delivery service that would pressure eBay and make even Amazon Prime seem pokey. If we're to believe a pair of New York Times contacts, it's much closer to reality. Google staffers and their close connections are supposedly in the midst of testing the extra-fast shipping option in San Francisco with at "at least one" major clothing chain participating alongside local shops. Most details are still missing, including the price premium for waiting mere hours as well as the implied mobile option; Google certainly isn't talking on the record. We're almost hoping that the story is bogus, as the last thing we need is one less reason to step outside. |
| Windows 8 upgrade diary: the buying experience Posted: 26 Oct 2012 03:41 PM PDT
There were balloons. There were streamers. There were brand new Ultrabooks, members of staff unfurling banners, and -- once other customers started to arrive -- there was even a vibe of genuine excitement for today's official launch of Windows 8 in the UK. But whichever aisle I scanned, nowhere was to be found what I had come to buy: a Windows 8 disc for desktop upgraders. It was a faltering start, but it was also strangely symbolic of my mission -- namely, to explore what Microsoft's latest operating system can do for regular desktop folk. People who, in other words, aren't yet looking to invest in touch-enabled monitors or laptops or all-in-ones; who rarely get the chance to lean back with a media-consumption tablet; and who simply want to upgrade their traditional tower PC before getting on with their lives. Read on past the break and you can begin this potentially short, hopefully sweet journey with me, starting with a quick rundown of my test rig (which also happens to be my mission critical work computer) and an anti-climactic revelation about whether, in the end, I ever found the software box I was looking for. There it was. Concealed in a plastic security carton on a poorly lit section of shelving, somewhere between Random Accountancy Software and Pass Your Driving Test on CD-ROM. It was bluntly titled "Windows 8 Pro," and I assumed it was the upgrade edition even though the word "upgrade" wasn't mentioned anywhere on the packaging. I bought it for fifty hard-earned British notes ($80) after lots of umm-ing and ahh-ing over the fact that Currys -- one of the biggest electronics chains in the UK -- didn't stock the more expensive System Builder OEM version that can be installed on a blank-slate drive, and which I had originally thought I might buy. Anyway, having made my purchase, I was abruptly sent on my way by an employee who objected to me taking photos, but even if that little incident hadn't happened, my primary emotion as I left the store would still have been the same: uncertainty. To understand why, you only have to glance at my existing rig, and particularly the storage section at the end: Processor: currently an old Sandy Bridge i5 running on a Gigabyte motherboard, but soon to be upgraded to Ivy Bridge (and with a separate AMD-based system in the works too) Cooler: Gelid Tranquillo Rev. 2 RAM: 8GB of Crucial XMS3 Graphics card: AMD Radeon HD 7970 on a Sapphire board Sound card: ASUS Xonar Phoebus Case: NZXT Switch 810 Display: three 1080p ViewSonic VX2336S LED monitors arranged as an Eyefinity group (which I honestly use mainly for blogging purposes, but which also permits the occasional spot of Metro 2033 when I feel like being petrified). Storage: a 1TB Samsung 5,400 rpm hard disc (primary) and a brand new SanDisk Extreme 240GB SSD (secondary) My plan is to install Windows 8 Pro as an upgrade, but set it to dual-boot from the SSD -- effectively migrating my active system over to the superior flash storage while keeping Windows 7 Ultimate and all my data on the spinning drive in case things go haywire. At this point, I have no idea if this is even possible with the product I just bought, but I'm about to find out. So, stay tuned for the next installment, in which I'll tackle the installation process from end-to-end. |
| Xbox SmartGlass now available in Google Play, brings console integration to Android Posted: 26 Oct 2012 03:09 PM PDT
Hot on the heels of the Dashboard update for the Xbox 360, Microsoft's SmartGlass integration is now a reality for Android users. The companion app branches out from the earlier My Xbox Live app for Android and allows direct control of some console features from Google-powered gear. While Windows Phone users will find the tightest integration of all, the Android port still lets users steer through the Dashboard, input text, browse the web (with zooming), search for local content, and control media playback. Players can still chat with their friends and modify their Xbox profile if they're not planning to lurk around the system all day. The interface is strikingly similar to past releases (including Android) and still demands at least an 800 x 480 screen for admission -- sorry, Wildfire S fans. You'll find a full roster of features after the break, and can hit up Google Play at the source link below for your own remote. Jon Fingas contributed to this report.
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| Sony intros Virtual Book Club, enlists 'Breakfast Club' alum Posted: 26 Oct 2012 02:33 PM PDT
Need to talk about books, but hate going over to other people's homes? Move over Oprah, because Sony's helping virtualize the whole experience with Readers Book Club, a virtual book club that lets reader chat with authors via Twitter and Facebook. Also on the slate are discounts and downloadable extra. The club kicks off next month, but you'll have to wait until March for some one-on-one time with Molly Ringwald.
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| Posted: 26 Oct 2012 02:02 PM PDT
Everyone knows that Google prides itself on mapping accuracy. If you hadn't checked beyond the base maps in the past few years, though, you'd have thought the terrain was charted in the "here be dragons" era -- it's been as flat as a board. Take a second look today. Google has overhauled Google Maps worldwide to show hills, deserts and lush zones by default, as well as label the geographical features that hadn't previously been identifiable in a sea of white. The map overhaul isn't so nuanced enough as to remind us how steep the hills can be in San Francisco, but it will remind us that Gobi refers to more than just a chipset. |
| Samsung Galaxy S III mini radios get probed by FCC Posted: 26 Oct 2012 01:29 PM PDT
The Samsung Galaxy S III mini (aka the GT-i8190) may have a Napolean complex, carrying as it does the name of its bigger sibling while endowed with a garden-variety 4-inch, 800 x 480 screen and other downmarket specs. But that didn't stop the inevitable FCC rendezvous, where its array of 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, GPS, GLONASS, FM, Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) and NFC radios were waved through (and lack of 4G confirmed). That means the new runt of the Galaxy litter should be free to travel to Europe soon for €439 retail -- but there's still no word on when smaller form-factor lovers stateside will be able to grab it. |
| Windows 8 is in stores today -- are you buying a copy? Posted: 26 Oct 2012 01:00 PM PDT
That special moment has come which usually rolls around only once every three years: Microsoft has released a new version of Windows. For the version 8 update, though, the stakes are higher than ever. Redmond isn't just trying to convince legions of existing Windows users that they should break their PC update cycles. It's trying to reclaim a foothold in a tablet space that's now dominated by Apple and Google -- and it's dipping into self-designed computers for the first time with a Surface tablet that theoretically represents Microsoft's perfect vision. But how well is Windows 8 resonating with you? Did you download a copy as soon as the servers were warmed up, or do you see it as a calamity that restricts a perfectly good platform? Sound off in our poll and in the comments below. [Image credit: Steven Sinofsky, SkyDrive] |
| Microsoft offering free Media Center upgrade to Windows 8 Pro users until January 31st 2013 Posted: 26 Oct 2012 12:27 PM PDT
Home theater PC enthusiasts weren't too thrilled when Microsoft announced that it was stripping Media Center and its codecs for DVD playback and broadcast TV from Windows 8 in favor of a paid add-on. The folks from Redmond are offering a temporary reprieve, in an effort to reward early adopters. Windows 8 Media Center Pack is for free to customers who purchase Windows 8 Pro... at least until January 31st 2013. This promo requires that you enter your product key at the company's website in order to receive your free upgrade. Sadly, when the discount period for Pro upgrades ends, so too does the ability to score Media Center for free. Microsoft never revealed the price for its Media Center Pack, only referring to it as "economical." While we appreciate affordable software, there's nothing more cost effective than a freebie. [Thanks, Neal] Update: As commenters (and tipsters) have pointed out, the Media Center upgrade is available to non-Pro users for $9.99 or €9.99, respectively. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
| Visualized: Inside Moog's Sound Lab Posted: 26 Oct 2012 11:56 AM PDT
As touring acts grow weary from their travels across the US of A, Moog has a spot for them to get re-energized. Inside the synth maker's North Carolina headquarters sits a room that's decked out with the company's analog tech and effects (including a Model 15 synthesizer) -- waiting for musicians who are on the road to stop by for a visit. It's here in the Sound Lab where the likes of Mutemath, Phantogram, OK Go and Ra Ra Riot grab their Moog gear of choice to re-imagine some of their existing tracks. For a look at all of the sound-scaping tools on display, mosey into the gallery below for a virtual visit. |
| Engadget's Seattle reader meetup is next week! Posted: 26 Oct 2012 11:30 AM PDT
Hard to believe, but the Engadget Seattle meetup is finally here -- or it will be in a mere matter of days. We've got full guest and waiting lists for our SIC event, so we fully expect to see a whole lot of you at The Showbox come next week for some gadget talk and sweet giveaways. Need directions or other information? Click the source link below, and we'll see you soon! |
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