Sponsored
Engadget News |
- Amazon adds closed captions to select Instant streams
- Archos Arnova GBook gets quiet introduction, reveals its humble powers
- John Hodgman on the death of publishing and being a Mac trapped in a PC's body
- Nokia's Lumia 510 might have been spotted catching the noonday sun
- Engadget Mobile Podcast 154 - 10.03.2012
- Slickdeals' best in tech for October 3rd: 60-inch Panasonic Viera Plasma HDTV and more
- CEATEC 2012 wrap-up: concept cars, eye-tracking tech and motion sensors galore
- Canon EOS M review: was Canon's first mirrorless ILC worth the four-year wait?
- Microsoft reportedly set to launch Xbox Music on October 26th, ad-supported option on tap
- BlackBerry PlayBook 2.1 update goes live with SMS, portrait email
- Rhapsody finds its way to yet more devices, in the form of LG, Panasonic and Samsung Smart TVs
- Presidential flamewars, er, debates start tonight at 9PM ET on YouTube
- Nissan NSC-2015 self-driving car with LTE and smartphone connectivity (test-ride with video)
- Panasonic shows off foldable Windows 8 Ultrabook hybrid, launches October 26 (hands-on)
- NHK demonstrates 8K 3D digital binoculars: 16x 'lossless' zoom at 1080p (hands-on)
- Alps Electric integrates motion sensors and eye detection into vehicle cockpit of the future (video)
- Deutsche Telekom and MetroPCS agree on $1.5 billion T-Mobile merger (updated)
- Eye-Fi releases 16GB Pro X2 wireless SD card, chops $20 from the price of the 8GB models
- Lockitron launches iPhone-controlled keyless lock that pings you when someone knocks (video)
- EE confirms 4G rollout will begin October 30th, 10 cities at launch, 16 by the end of the year
- Nokia Belle Feature Pack 2 pulled again due to reported user issues
- Sony Playstation Mobile store now live, offers cross-platform games and apps from $0.80
- AOC outs 'borderless' 27-inch IPS monitor, available now for $349
- Softbank to acquire competitor eAccess, expand LTE network by 50 percent
- Samsung teasing Galaxy S III Mini for October 11?
- Purported iPad Mini parts leak as WSJ reports production has started
- Logitech Harmony Touch remote officially announced, brings swipe, scroll and tap LCD for $249
- Nokia wants to sell off its headquarters in Espoo, Finland, move in as tenant
- Chrome Beta adds video engagement APIs, promises higher-quality video chats sans plugin
- Sony ships new Extra Bass headphone lineup to the US, delivers that Direct Vibe to your brain
- GOWEX bringing free WiFi to French rail stations, starting with Marseille
- Ceton announces slight delay for Echo WMC extender, Q DVR shelved indefinitely
- Engadget HD Podcast 318 - 10.02.2012
- Free Skype WiFi hits Ireland and the UK through Wicoms, steps up the quality of public hotspots
- Oregon Scientific MEEP! tablet ships for $150, gives kids a safe, exclamation-filled place to play
- Tokyo University of Science shows off robotic suit powered by pneumatic artificial muscles (video)
- Samsung P500 and i915 tablets for Sprint and Verizon, Galaxy Note II for Sprint reach the FCC (update: Note II for US Cellular as well)
- Zero Motorcycles reveals its 2013 models: Zero X dropped, FX drafted in
- Rdio begins paying artists $10 for every user they attract
- Sony's 2012 PlayStation torn down, shows its evolved roots (update: another teardown)
| Amazon adds closed captions to select Instant streams Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:07 AM PDT Amazon is finally catching up to the rest of the streaming industry and adding closed captions to some of its Instant Video selections. For the moment the library of CCed content is pretty slim, with only 169 shows and 74 movies, but we'd expect that to grow pretty quickly. That does put the burgeoning media giant quite a bit behind competitors like Hulu and Netflix, who have been catering to the hearing impaired for some time. For now, captions are only available when streaming from Amazon's website, but the company promises to expand support to "additional devices" soon. For more info check out the Amazon help page at the source and the email notice forwarded to us by a tipster after the break. [Thanks, Linda] Hello, Closed captions are now available for select Amazon Instant Video titles streamed on the Amazon.com website. Support for additional devices is coming soon. Customer feedback like yours is very important in helping us continue to improve the experience of using our digital video service. If you're interested in support for a particular device, please let us know! Please visit the following link to provide the information we requested: http://www.amazon.com/contact-us While browsing or searching the Amazon Instant Video store in your web browser, you can filter your view so that only those videos that include closed captions appear. You can also see the "CC" symbol on the video detail pages for supported videos. To browse for videos with closed captioning: 1. From your web browser, go to the Amazon Instant Video store. To search for videos with closed captioning: 1. From your web browser, go to the Amazon Instant Video store. Some foreign language videos are available in both dubbed and subtitled versions. You can find these by searching on "subtitle" in the Amazon Instant Video store. We look forward to seeing you again soon. |
| Archos Arnova GBook gets quiet introduction, reveals its humble powers Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:55 AM PDT Its routine FCC appearance from a few months back hinted that it would be officially launching sooner rather than later -- and today, our dear friends, marks the day the GBook formally joins the Archos Arnova family. The 7-inch, Ice Cream Sandwich tablet / eReader likely won't excite many with its run-of-the-mill spec sheet, which consists of a 1GHz Cortex A8 CPU, 1GB RAM, 4GB of built-in storage, 1080p video playback and a meek screen resolution of 800 x 480. In addition to those features, the company's placing a lot of focus on the device's eReading capabilities, announcing it'll offer support for any EPUB and PDF files -- including "those using Adobe DRM." Speaking of which, folks will have to purchase all content from Archos' own store, given that the GBook does not posses the required credentials to access Google Play. Meanwhile, pricing and availability deets are still unknown, but we'll be sure to keep you in the loop as soon as we find out. In the meantime, there's some eye candy down below for you to freely enjoy. |
| John Hodgman on the death of publishing and being a Mac trapped in a PC's body Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:00 AM PDT I'm fully prepared to complete every sentence I utter about John Hodgman in the future with the qualifier "is a delight." Author, comedian, professional voice actor, celebrity spokesperson -- Hodgman keeps the sort of schedule that would make even the most hardened globe-trotting blogger ball up into the fetal position. When we finally nailed him down for an interview on the Engadget Show last month, we asked him to meet us at the General Society for Mechanics and Tradesmen in midtown Manhattan. It's a place not far from Times Square that our producer Ben discovered while shooting a segment about the annual meeting of the Corduroy Appreciation Club, a group of menswear enthusiasts who meet each year on 11 / 11 -- the date most closely resembling corduroy. It's a strange and beautiful old space that dates back to the early 19th century, as a resource for apprentices of a society that can, in turn, be traced back to 1785. It seems to serve a different purpose now, a couple of older gentlemen shuffling in and out of the library during the three hours we spend there, each staying quiet, seated alone at a small table, reading novels and history books from off the shelves. For today, however, it'll serve as John Hodgman's own private library, the tongue-in-cheek backdrop for his long-awaited Engadget Show interview. Ben and I go back and forth a bit, prior to his arrival, debating whether or not he'll embrace the silly premise. He agrees immediately after traveling in from Brooklyn, offering up a single, key caveat: it's actually the annex to his own private library. The cameras roll and without missing a beat, he slips into his deranged millionaire persona, a character that has popped up a bit over the past few years, as Hodgman has wrapped up his trilogy of "complete world knowledge," the last entry of which, "That is All," was released in paperback and audiobook forms this week. "This," the mustachioed author explains, "is the end of world knowledge." It's a journey that began in 2005, with the publication of "The Areas of My Expertise," an almanac of sorts compiling the comedian's knowledge of "matters historical, matters literary, matters cryptozoological and hobo matters," to name but a small cross-section. Hodgman was a self-described former professional literary agent at the time, first making a splash amongst the literati some five years prior with the publication of the column "Ask a Former Professional Literary Agent" for uber-hip San Francisco publisher McSweeney's. (Macs) were technology that made sense to me because they seemed to want to bend to how a human thinks as opposed to asking a human to bend to how a machine thinks. The year following publication, Hodgman's buttoned-up visage scored him a spot as the Windows-powered antagonist to Justin Long's Mac, a white backgrounded ad campaign that generated a seemingly endless parade of 30-second spots. "There was zero question in my mind to audition for the series of ads, because I had been a user of Apple products early on," Hodgman tells me, seated behind an old grand piano that he'll end up playing with the soles of his shoes before the end of the shoot. "They were technology that made sense to me because they seemed to want to bend to how a human thinks as opposed to asking a human to bend to how a machine thinks -- which is exciting and fun for a lot of people, but not for me." He recounts a laundry list of Apple purchases from the past two decades with the unwavering confidence of a man who has clearly been asked the question once or twice before. At the height of his endorsement fame, such revelations might have proved a genuine shock, as with a story recounted on PRI's This American Life as "I'm Not a TV Star, But I Play One on TV" in which the walking PC visited an Apple Store in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood to pick up components, resulting in a self-described "general store-wide freakout."
It was around the time of those early purchases that the author, now playing the part of a deranged millionaire across various internet venues, was employed as a literary agent, utilizing company resources to discover that he was living in the past. "The best thing about my job in publishing," he explains, "aside from my friends and the authors I got to work with, was we got a T1 line in 1996 and I immediately became aware that we would not be having a revolution in publishing. It had already happened. Authors, writers were finding readers on their own without mediation of traditional agents and publishers like myself and no one was getting paid for it, but they were creating communities of readers and writers online that would eventually make a lot of the gatekeepers unnecessary." It was through that T1 line that the author became acquainted with Real World reject turned publishing mogul Dave Eggers, on whose Timothy McSweeney's Internet Tendency Hodgman's deranged authority figure would first begin to take shape. "At the same time that we were watching the book industry play the lyre while Rome burned," Hodgman explains, "the internet was making a writing career possible for me in a way that it never could before, and I was completely, utterly aware and energized by it. Of course I was stealing internet from the literary agency where I worked, and what I was doing was finding other writers who were doing things along the same lines as I dreamed of doing." Books are also coming to an end. They will still be published for a period of time in order to hold down newspapers in summer houses and to use as door stops. But for an author whose most recent book came out just this week on a Penguin imprint, it's perhaps a bit early yet to declare the traditional publishing industry dead. I shift the conversation abruptly from the end times predictions of "That is All" to the end of book publishing as we know it. "You mean the publishing apocalypse?" he asks. "that's true. Books are also coming to an end. They will still be published for a period of time in order to hold down newspapers in summer houses, and to use as door stops, obviously, in bathrooms, and to impress people that you want to impress on the subway, or on a date in the park, where dating vagrants go. "But for the most part, yes, as someone who used to work in book publishing, the whole landscape has been transformed. And I will say exactly why this is so: electronic books offer two major advantages: one, a lot of people would like to read books that they don't want to be seen reading, and don't want to have to move from apartment to apartment every time they get a new job in another city or graduate from college, or what have you. A lot of media that that I want to consume, I don't want to have to own forever and ever. It's not like real estate. And so, the disposability of electronic media is actually something that makes book people sad, but book readers happy. And then of course, there is the fact that if you buy a book in the real world, it's going to sit around making you feel guilty all the time, but now I can buy as many books as I want, and they go on my device, and I never have to think about them again." "Exactly," Hodgman responds. "It was a once grand and talented older class, Big Edie, a generation of Big Edies who use to sing so beautifully and now are just tired and deranged. And then a younger class of Little Edies who still yearn for what Big Edie had but can never have it, can't for whatever reason leave that house, and are wrapping themselves in drapes and afghans and calling them dresses. It was a house of delusion, but you know, sort of a, how do I put it, kind of a grand and poetic self-delusion." More children have read "Harry Potter" than there are children in the world. Do the math. Such poetry aside, there was still a sense of doom permeating the industry, even if it wasn't directly linked to the devices that would eclipse more traditional reading vectors in the not-so-distant future. "Even then, it was simply appreciated that the book industry was on the wane," Hodgman tells me. "At the time, it was people don't read anymore. Novels are done because people don't read anymore. Kids don't read, there's no new generation of readers. It's been disproved time and time again. Within five years, more children have read "Harry Potter" than there are children in the world. Do the math." But even as the adventures of a bespectacled boy wizard have proven that the world still has an appetite for the written word, one wonders if Hodgman still sees a place for the publishing world he abandoned a decade or so ago to great success. "Publishers, editors, agents all have one thing in common, aside from their love of cocktail parties," Hodgman explains. "It's an incredible taste and an ability to find and nurture authors. And so there's no reason to my mind, that this shouldn't be an enormous boon because authors don't want to have to go out there and publish it themselves. If they can get someone who will edit them, market them and send them out into the world and connect them with readers. And I think publishers should be able to do that. The ones who survive will be the ones who are able to do that." For more Hodgman, check out the latest episode of The Engadget Show. |
| Nokia's Lumia 510 might have been spotted catching the noonday sun Posted: 03 Oct 2012 09:46 AM PDT If a rolling stone gathers no moss, then the rumors surrounding Nokia's ultra-low-budget Lumia 510 have grown very mossy indeed. The folks over at GSMArena have snagged this glare-a-riffic snap of the prospective handset catching some rays in the finest of blurrycam traditions. Their tipster is also reiterating the specs we've seen before, talking up a Windows 7.8 handset with 256MB RAM, 800MHz CPU and 5-megapixel camera that's destined to stand between the Asha and Lumia 610 at the lower end of its smartphone pantheon. For those who prefer blurry pictures that move, My Nokia Blog has turned up a brief hands-on video of the phone -- check it out after the break.
|
| Engadget Mobile Podcast 154 - 10.03.2012 Posted: 03 Oct 2012 09:28 AM PDT  This edition of the Engadget Mobile Podcast finds the Engadget Mobile Podcasters at a super-geeky Finnish summer camp. Click the "play" button for a recap of the hottest trends in a land where it's almost always -- even during summer camp -- very, very cold, like rally racing, optical image stabilization, and fabricating GIFs out of nothing but pure magic. Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen 00:05:45 - Engadget visits Nokia House wrap-up: Stephen Elop Q&A, Lumia 920 camera tests and more Hear the podcast This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Slickdeals' best in tech for October 3rd: 60-inch Panasonic Viera Plasma HDTV and more Posted: 03 Oct 2012 09:02 AM PDT Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long. Now that the NFL season is in full swing, a new HDTV could make weekend spectating a bit more enjoyable. In today's round of tech deals, a 60-inch Panasonic plasma display tops the list with a handsome $200 discount in tow. If you're not looking to invest quite that much, there are four other offers that will gladly accept your eager mouse clicks. Head on past the break to view 'em all, but be mindful of those coupon codes and rebate forms. Grab one of these kits from NewEgg. Snag one for your living room from Amazon. This deal is available over at NewEgg. Take advantage of this offer from NewEgg using the rebate form found here. Grab this deal over at NewEgg. Use this rebate form. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| CEATEC 2012 wrap-up: concept cars, eye-tracking tech and motion sensors galore Posted: 03 Oct 2012 08:39 AM PDT CEATEC, Japan's largest annual electronics show, is winding down here on the outskirts of Tokyo. We've spent the past two days scouring the halls of the Makuhari Messe, digging up no shortage of concept cars, eye-tracking technologies and even the odd Windows 8 device. The star of the show may have been Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo, with its gaze-controlled prototypes and real-time translation app, but there were plenty of other gadgets on hand to peak our interest -- even if many of them won't make it to market anytime soon. Have a look for yourself by browsing our complete CEATEC 2012 coverage past the break.
Zach Honig contributed to this report. |
| Canon EOS M review: was Canon's first mirrorless ILC worth the four-year wait? Posted: 03 Oct 2012 08:00 AM PDT More InfoIt's here. Finally. Well, that is, if you happen to live in Japan. Canon's very first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera should be hitting shops the world over just as you begin to make room for that decked-out evergreen conifer, but the EOS M is already making the rounds in Canon's home country. It's available at select Japanese retailers for ¥109,900 (about $1,410, including sales tax). That lofty price will net you the EOS M in black, white or silver (the glossy red model remains elusive), complete with 55mm f/2 and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-M optics, a Speedlite 90EX external flash and the EF-M Lens Adapter, enabling full compatibility with any and all of your EF and EF-S lenses. The US variant, which comes bundled with only the black 22mm "pancake" STM lens, should run you $799 when it appears stateside beginning October 15th, though neither country's model carries a particularly competitive price tag, especially considering how diverse (and well-equipped) the mirrorless ILC market has become. You might argue that Canon is borrowing a play out of Nikon's book when it comes to pricing the EOS M -- had the camera offered full DSLR functionality, including an advanced user interface, a $799 sticker might be justified. But the company has crippled its new compact shooter so as to avoid cannibalizing its still-successful full-size APS-C DSLR lineup, which includes models ranging from the Rebel T3 (about $475) to the EOS 7D (about $1,350). Appropriately, the EOS M falls right in the middle in terms of capabilities, with the added benefit of a new, nearly pocketable design that should win over more than its fair share of amateurs. That said, there's a reason larger SLRs remain on the market, and Canon very much wants to retain that solid footing. The EOS M isn't for everyone, and that's by design. But is it the right pick for you? Join us past the break as we try it on for size. Hardware All cameras are not created equal -- not even all EOS Ms. Sure, each of the four compact flavors may carry the same 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 1,040,000-dot 3-inch touchscreen and arguably mediocre UI, but only one has a remotely premium shell. As you may have gathered from our walk-through video above, we're not talking about white. Or red, or even silver. Only the black model, which drops the glossy plastic housing in favor of a matte coat, offers the look and feel of an $800-plus mirrorless compact. As cheap and plasticky as its (relatively) colorful counterparts may be, the black version has a fantastic, slightly textured finish. That's not to say it'll necessarily be the SKU that flies off store shelves, but photographers who are at all serious about their work will likely steer clear of the other three. Color aside, there's a bit more bad news to get out of the way. Perhaps you've seen the dedicated mode dial that's become the trademark of anything premium at Canon. Even the new PowerShot SX160 IS has the familiar controller, and that model tips the till at just $199. So, does $800 and up deliver direct access to shooting modes, advanced or otherwise? No, it does not. And, well, we can't express our disappointment enough here -- not only does a mode dial simplify the process of selecting your primary shooting preference, it also serves to provide confirmation of your current pick, letting you know that you're in manual before you fire off a half dozen now-useless frames. The EOS M does provide this feedback on-screen, but it's just not the same, and the requisite triple tap to bounce between modes is inconvenient, to say the least. Canon could have done a heck of a lot better than this. Speaking of taps, you'll be using that touch-enabled display for far more than you may have assumed. The touch-to-focus (and expose/capture) option is nice, but it's easily outweighed by the need to touch the LCD to adjust ISO, for example. As a side note, the EOS M offers an image sensitivity range of 100 to 25,600 (up to 12,800 when capturing video) -- we'll get into that in further detail later on. There's also a 31-point AF system, continuous shooting modes of 4.3 frames-per-second with fixed focus on any lens or autofocus using an EF or EF-S lens, 1.7 fps with autofocus on the 18-55mm EF-M optic or 1.2 fps with autofocus on the 22mm EF-M lens, and 1080/30p and 24p, 720/60p and 50p and 640 x 480 shooting at 30 or 25 frames per second. Now, back over to those rather horrid controls. The EOS M's rear is akin to that of most Canon point-and-shoots, but given that this isn't a low-cost model, that layout has no business making an appearance here. At the top of the camera, there's a power toggle, a dial to select from auto, standard and movie modes, and a shutter release. There's also a full-size hot shoe (huzzah!) and stereo mics (yes, they're on the top and not the front, making them perfectly fine for narration but less than ideal for interviews). You can counteract that mic placement by adding your own audio capture device thanks to the standard microphone input jack that joins HDMI and USB connectors on the left side. Plus, since there is in fact a standard hot shoe, you will have somewhere to mount an external mic. Around back, just to the right of the LCD, is a thumb rest and adjacent video record button, followed by Canon's standard lineup of menu, playback, info and dial controls. There's also a five-way toggle that can be used to navigate menus, jump through images during review, and directly access shutter mode, exposure compensation and delete options. On the bottom, there's a standard tripod socket, an SD card slot and a battery compartment, complete with an 875mAh LP-E12 cell (replacements should run you about 75 bucks). You'll find the requisite shoulder strap in the box, this time with a nifty connector that simply slides onto the camera and locks into place with a thin coin or key, along with a USB cable, AC adapter and, in the case of our test model, a Japanese-language user manual. We mostly like the strap design, but because it's able to rotate when locked into position, it's very easy to end up with a bunch of tangles. What you won't find is a built-in electronic viewfinder, or even an optional attachment (there's no connector present, so it won't be coming in the future, either). The 3-inch LCD is quite sharp, at just over 1 million dots, but it's fixed in place, so there's no way to get it to tilt or swivel. We use this feature on the NEX-C3 on a daily basis, so not having it here really is a significant drawback, especially considering Canon's implementation on models like the PowerShot G12 (sadly its G15 successor does indeed drop this feature). The display's viewing angles are decent, even in bright light, but looking from above or below is really no match for a straight-on view. User interface
The EOS M surely isn't the first mirrorless camera to pack a touchscreen, and even though there are a handful of hardware controls, there's no way to completely eliminate the need to tap. While it's often inconvenient, you can get through most of the menus with a few clicks, but you'll likely find yourself tapping the LCD more frequently than you'd wish. There is a rather limited dial on the top -- options here are restricted to a full-automatic mode, an adjustable mode and video capture -- and while this switch will get plenty of use, we wish there were an option for accessing scene modes and manual, aperture and shutter priority in the same way. The movie position is also an unnecessary addition -- we would have much rather seen Canon follow the lead of other manufacturers and let you launch a shoot simply by tapping the video record button, rather than requiring you to first flip to movie mode, then hit that little red dot. You can still shoot stills in movie mode, but they're captured with a 16:9 aspect ratio, so you'll need to keep this in mind and flip back to one of the two other settings before you start snapping away -- unless, of course, you don't mind super-wide shots. The menu itself is a cross between Canon's point-and-shoot setup and its full-size DSLR offering -- settings are far more limited than what you'd find on the 5D, for example, though also more generous than what's available with most of the company's compact models. Options change depending on your current mode, which helps to reduce clutter, but adds confusion, since you can only tweak movie settings while in video mode, for example. There's also a fairly basic Custom Functions page, which is where you'll select such options as ISO expansion (to 25,600) and the AF-assist beam status. You can flip through the entire menu in the gallery above. Performance and battery life We've seen mirrorless cameras that pack absolutely fantastic focusing systems. Then, there are those that nearly drive us to tears, instantly tarnishing our opinion of otherwise capable models. We were devastated to see that the EOS M's focusing performance falls just shy of that latter grouping -- the cameras that just plain stink at bringing a subject into focus quickly. We feared as much during our hands-on this past summer, but Canon reps at the time reminded us that the flavor we were sampling was but a pre-production version. At that point, the M struggled with everything from the 22mm and 18-55mm EF-M kit lenses to a massive 400mm f/2.8 L. This time around, with our store-bought final model, we weren't able to test it alongside any of the company's tried-and-true heavy hitters, but both EF-Ms indeed fell far short. It's not the most sluggish focusing we've seen, but it's darn close. We did notice a slight speed boost in FlexiZone - Multi mode, so you'll probably want to opt for that if you don't need to choose a single point. Granted, focusing is perfectly accurate, but if you're looking for speed, it's time to pack up your bags and hurry along. If this move was intentional, Canon's message has been received loud and clear -- serious photographers can ogle at the company's compact creation all they like, but once they dig deep, they'll come running back home to their tried-and-true form factors, leaving the svelte M to more casual types. Canon surely could have done better here, but it didn't, and we can't help but think that call was made far up the food chain, amid some decidedly heated engineering debates. Battery life, meanwhile, is far from stellar. We were barely able to get through a full day on a charge, so you'll want to pick up spares before your next safari. Perhaps we've been spoiled by Canon's pro offerings, but this device won't suffice for more intense shoots unless you have backup nearby. The battery meter itself isn't terribly useful -- there are only three positions in the indicator with no remaining percentage, and we were completely dead shortly after the battery displayed two bars, after capturing just over 250 stills and 12 minutes of 720/60p video. Image quality
The shooting process itself may not be the EOS M's banner feature, but image quality is quite impressive, even in low light. As we mentioned, you can kick the ISO all the way up to 25,600, though we didn't find any need to venture beyond 6400 when using the camera's 18-55mm image-stabilized kit lens. Nighttime and day-lit shots alike looked fantastic, with sharp details even when viewing each 18-megapixel image at 100 percent zoom. You'll find all of our IQ samples at the more coverage link at the bottom of this page, and they're included in the gallery above as well, but let's take a peek at a select few right now. The M's f/2.0 prime kit lens not only enables low-light captures with faster shutter speeds, but it also yields beautiful bokeh, as you can see in this frame below. We focused on the shopper's reflection in the mirror for a pleasing soft focus effect in the foreground. Color balance, exposure and sharpness are superb. Don't let the muted colors fool you -- this scene was captured just as we saw it, with the t-shirt colors faded from many days under the bright Tokyo sun. The sharpness and exposure are excellent as well. This scene, shot through an open hotel window, yielded spot-on color accuracy and exposure. The camera's 18-megapixel sensor even let us make out text on a highway sign hundreds of feet away (see inset below). Night scenes are never easy, even for the most powerful DSLRs. The M tackled this Akihabara street with ease, in full-auto mode (we found this setting to be more accurate than aperture priority when shooting after dark or in low light). Dark laptops aren't easy to photograph, especially when displayed against a backlit surface, but the EOS M did excellent work here, with great color balance to boot. Some of the other images from this shoot had a pink hue, as you can see in our hands-on post (note that the main photo there has been color corrected, though all of the images presented here are untouched). This image of Toyota's Smart Insect prototype EV was shot at ISO 3200, and offered excellent color accuracy and limited noise, even when viewed at 100-percent. In fact, we spent a day shooting at CEATEC with the M fixed at ISO 3200, which came in handy in dimly lit booths, with great results overall. You can't properly test a mirrorless camera these days without shooting plenty of video, so we hit the streets of Tokyo to grab some footage in Harajuku, the subway and an Akihabara arcade in order to evaluate image quality and audio in a variety of situations. In video mode, ISO tops out at 12,800, and there's a full manual option that enables you to set aperture, shutter speed and sensitivity. When set to auto, exposure compensation is the only adjustable setting. You can also choose from one-shot or continuous focus -- if you opt for the latter, simply tap on the bottom left corner of the display to jump back to continuous, or press the shutter halfway to adjust focus once. You can shoot stills during recording by pressing the shutter fully, but the video will freeze for about one second, so you'll probably want to avoid that feature. We found the microphone to be excellent when used for narrations, even in noisy environments, but the top-mounted mics were less effective for interviews -- for these shoots, we'd recommend taking advantage of the M's audio input jack by adding an external mic. We also brought the camera along for a day of trade show hands-ons at CEATEC -- while focus was occasionally an issue, the STM kit lenses enabled silent focusing and smooth manual zoom. Catch our sample reel just below.
The competition If you do have a need for speed, the Olympus E-M5 ($999, body only) or the company's latest PEN kits, the E-PL5 ($700) and E-PM2 ($600), have certainly proven their worth on that front -- focusing performance is on par with top DSLR options, and you also get more advanced controls and a tilting LCD. For video buffs, Panasonic has made a huge push with its Lumix GH3, and while that option has yet to hit stores, you shouldn't have long to wait. Wrap-upWe like the Canon EOS M -- far more than we might have expected, given its mediocre performance during our hands-on -- but the company's first mirrorless ILC falls short on several fronts. Professional photographers can affix their pricey L lenses, which is nice, but the dismal focusing performance means SLRs will probably be far more appealing to these users. With the M, Canon is providing a digital camera bridge of sorts in the hopes of capturing the hearts (and wallets) of amateurs looking to step up from point-and-shoots. Indeed, this is far more versatile than what these beginners are used to, yet it's still built on a simple interface that isn't intimidating. Granted, this isn't what the pros had been hoping for, but Canon's DSLR series clearly isn't ready to free these users from their hefty housings, leaving the company's ever-strong professional lineup to live another day. |
| Microsoft reportedly set to launch Xbox Music on October 26th, ad-supported option on tap Posted: 03 Oct 2012 07:28 AM PDT We've known that it was coming for some time now, and today we have a report of an actual launch date for Microsoft's Xbox Music service. According to The Verge's sources, the rollout will coincide with the launch of Windows 8 on October 26th. What's more, the site is also reporting that the service will include a free, ad-supported option in addition to paid subscriptions -- rates for the latter leaked out last month. As expected, the service will be available on Windows Phone, Windows 8 and the Xbox 360 at launch, with iOS and Android apps said to be coming at a later date. |
| BlackBerry PlayBook 2.1 update goes live with SMS, portrait email Posted: 03 Oct 2012 07:12 AM PDT RIM's attention around its QNX-based platforms might revolve around BlackBerry 10 as of late, but don't think that it's leaving BlackBerry PlayBook users behind. A PlayBook 2.1 update is rolling out today that fills in some of the gaps left by 2.0 earlier this year. Habitual messagers can now start SMS text messages directly from the tablet when tethered through BlackBerry Bridge; they also get overdue support for a portrait view in email, calendars and contacts. If communication isn't the cornerstone of your life, you'll still find a few niceties such as Android App Player support for the camera and in-app purchases, device encryption that extends to personal data and wireless printing beyond the local network. For now, you'll have to be an owner of the original, WiFi-only PlayBook to leap on the 2.1 train today -- those who sprang for the usually carrier-bound PlayBook 4G LTE should get their upgrade within a month. |
| Rhapsody finds its way to yet more devices, in the form of LG, Panasonic and Samsung Smart TVs Posted: 03 Oct 2012 07:00 AM PDT These days it seems like Rhapsody has jumped across more platforms than the Super Mario Bros. The music streaming service is readying itself to make yet another big push in the form of Smart TVs, bringing its app to sets made by LG, Panasonic and Samsung. According to the company, this version was tweaked to bring a "visually rich" UI for big displays and quick playback. Also on board are radio stations, curated playlists and recommendations. It'll be arriving in the "coming months," along with an Xbox Live launch that's due out before year's end.
|
| Presidential flamewars, er, debates start tonight at 9PM ET on YouTube Posted: 03 Oct 2012 06:45 AM PDT Web video sites and civilized discourse have never been particularly compatible concepts, but that's not stopping YouTube from giving it a shot. Roughly a month ahead of the next US presidential election, YouTube be the host to the first of three presidential debates. You can tune into the first tonight at 9PM ET via the site's Elections Hub, courtesy of the folks at ABC news. Further debates can be streamed on the site on the 11th and 22nd at the same time, with then Vice Presidents getting their moment in the web video spotlight on the 11th. Click on the source link to tune in, but stay away from the comments if you're interested in retaining any faith in the political process, and or humankind. |
| Nissan NSC-2015 self-driving car with LTE and smartphone connectivity (test-ride with video) Posted: 03 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT NCC-1701 is the machine that took the world's imaginations to strange new worlds in the '60s. If Nissan has its way, NSC-2015 will be the machine that keeps us out of strange new parking lots. It's a concept car from Nissan, part of the CEATEC 2012 Smart Mobility Zero exhibit that has half the show floor covered by crazy electric-powered cars of all shapes and sizes. Nissan's Leaf is one of the more conventional looking ones, but the technology that lets it drive itself down the road is far from standard. We just took it for a spin, so please cruise down past the break to read how it went. From the outside, if you ignore the decals, the NSC-2015 looks like any other Leaf. That is to say, a bit unusual but far from unconventional. It's only the piercingly bright RGB LEDs built into the steering wheel that give you a clue something is amiss as it drives across the show floor slowly -- that and the fact that there's nobody sitting behind the steering wheel. Here at CEATEC the car is literally making the rounds, driving in circles around a stretch of concrete. Using a series of sensors, cameras and servos the car is able to turn the steering wheel plus activate the throttle and the shifter to navigate across this stretch of road, relying on the road markings painted on the floor to both keep it driving in a straight line and to have it stop, respectfully, at the crosswalk.
The idea is the car could drive itself down the street, find a parking spot and tuck itself in there -- and then return to you at the touch of a button. Not quite KITT-style but it could at least put some valets out of work. However, due to current legalities that's not entirely possible, as someone must be sitting behind the wheel. But, in a private parking lot it could at least navigate the aisles without you onboard. While all this is going on you can watch the status of the car remotely on a smartphone, as the car has an integrated LTE connection. You can see where the car is, where it's going and even get a notification whenever it has detected that someone is tampering with it. You can then bring up a full 360-degree view of what's going on around the car and, if you see something shady, set off a car alarm remotely. This was demonstrated on a Galaxy S III. Our test ride was short, just out and back with a U-turn and a few stops in the middle, but it was enough to leave us impressed -- especially since Nissan believes it could have the system in production cars by 2015. In this case it would primarily be used for driver assistance, automatically stopping if someone steps out in front of you. But, if Nissan can bring automatic, smartphone-controlled parking too, we think it'll be something worth getting excited about. Mat Smith, Ross Wang and Richard Lai contributed to this report. |
| Panasonic shows off foldable Windows 8 Ultrabook hybrid, launches October 26 (hands-on) Posted: 03 Oct 2012 05:51 AM PDT Found along the sidelines of Panasonic's CEATEC booth, the AX series Ultrabook is a foldable hybrid that will be arriving in Japanese stores later this month. Ready to launch with Windows 8 (both standard or Pro) built-in, the Ultrabook houses a 11.6-inch touch display at the ever-popular 1,366 x 768 resolution, although it feels a little on the thick side, and is unmistakably Panasonic in its styling. Connectivity options are legion, with two USB 3.0 ports on the right edge, accompanied by HDMI socket. On the other side, there's an SD card reader, ethernet, power, mic and headphone ports. The hinge seems suitably solid, and while that touchscreen isn't the most attractive we've seen on Windows 8 hardware, the keyboard felt pretty similar to existing business laptops and our fingertips had plenty of space. Otherwise, we were left to play with a Japanese iteration of Windows 8, which seemed nice and responsive in both tablet and notebook setups, although our playtime was limited. The AX series will launch in Japan on October 26th in three different permutations, starting with an Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 1.7GHz or 1.8GHz, and a Core i7 at 1.9GHz. There's 4GB of memory and a 128GB SDD in all three, while the hybrid bucks the trend by offering a removable battery, with both the faster Core i5 and the Core i7 models coming with an extra cell bundled in. That top-end processor will also arrive with connectable projector for business types. Check out our brief hands-on after the break, or hit the source for the full list of specs.
|
| NHK demonstrates 8K 3D digital binoculars: 16x 'lossless' zoom at 1080p (hands-on) Posted: 03 Oct 2012 05:32 AM PDT Alongside its Super Hi-Vision TV demonstrations, Japan's national broadcaster had some 3D goggles also taking advantage of that 8K resolution. With 16 times the pixels of typical 1080p content, these prototype binoculars provide the same multiple of zoom from an 8K feed -- that is 16x zoom without losing any of original data. We got to grips with a the master model here at CEATEC, and were able to pan up and down, as well as manipulate a lever to close in on views of both Mount Fuji and Tokyo's very recent Skytree tower. NHK mentions that it could see the devices being used to show off other sightseeing spots in the future, but we don't expect home installations any time soon. |
| Alps Electric integrates motion sensors and eye detection into vehicle cockpit of the future (video) Posted: 03 Oct 2012 05:21 AM PDT Residing in hall space a fair distance away from the likes of the Toyota and Sony, the automotive division of Alps Electric was demonstrating a forward-looking vehicle interface at CEATEC 2012. Connecting together the company's existing capacitive touch technology with motion sensors and eye movement cameras, the system centers on the multimodal commander -- that mysterious-looking orb located below the gear stick. Navigation through it can be done through waving your hand over the device, swiping or rotating the orb like a dial. This can then move through weather, music and map programs, which are all integrated into the car's touchscreen, while an overhanging motion sensor will also detect where your hand is headed. An Alps spokesman said that this means the system can try to predict your intentions, adjusting the UI before you reach for the controls. We've got a hands-on video from pretty busy showroom -- and more impressions -- after the break.
To demonstrate the overhanging motion sensor, a camera was positioned at the same point, visualizing a yellow box to show when the system detected movement toward the multimodal controller and a red box to show if hands were near the gearstick. Alongside a pair of capacitive handles, the steering wheel also housed its own eye detection sensors. These will monitor the driver's pupil dilation and, in its current iteration, offers to switch driving control from automatic to manual, if it deems that the driver is "excited." The gearstick, which remained hidden until the interface started, rose up just above the multimodal controller, and has its own system then gave assistance shifting gears, with only a light touch needed to change them. At the moment, the setup was still pretty rough around the edges, with an Alps employee keying in at least some of the commands during our demo, but we like the idea of integrating sensors that focus on the driver -- and that gently self-guiding gearstick. Tim Stevens contributed to this report. |
| Deutsche Telekom and MetroPCS agree on $1.5 billion T-Mobile merger (updated) Posted: 03 Oct 2012 05:13 AM PDT Apparently the "significant issues" that stood in the way of a prospective T-Mobile and MetroPCS deal couldn't have been too onerous. Just a day after acknowledging that talks were underway both boards have approved the deal according to the Wall Street Journal. Details of the deal haven't been officially announced yet, but Financial Times Deutschland are reporting that the two carriers will be combined into a single unit in which Deutsche Telekom will hold 74 percent of shares. MetroPCS will have a 26 percent stake in the company and receive a $1.5 billion check for its troubles. Expectations are that this will put the kibosh on a recent deal T-Mobile struck with Crown Castle to lease its mobile towers for $2.4 billion. The new larger carrier will maintain the T-Mobile branding with new CEO John Legere at the helm, though, it appears the deal is structured as a reverse merger. Meaning that MetroPCS is in essence taking over T-Mobile and not the other way around. Even with its combined subscriber base, the new T-Mobile will lag Sprint in the battle for AT&T and Verizon's table scraps. However, it will finally give Deutsche Telekom the graceful exit from the US market that its been so desperately seeking for some time. This merger with a much smaller competitor is unlikely to raise the ire of regulators and will allow the German company to reduce its involvement and investment in a slow controlled manner by selling off stocks. We're still awaiting official announcements from both companies and will update as the statements roll in. Update: Official PR from T-Mobile and a video statement from CEO Legere are now waiting for you after the break. There's a few new interesting details, including that MetroPCS's CFO will be holding on to his position post merger. Interestingly, even though the carriers will become one company, for the foreseeable future they will maintain separate pools of customers. However, we wouldn't be surprised to see that change as the LTE rollout accelerates and gives T-Mobile a true 4G offering. As Legere notes in the clip below, this is just the first step and the deal isn't expected to close until sometime during the first half of 2013. Update 2: As part of the strategy moving forward the new company plans to move customers off MetroPCS' CDMA network and on to T-Mobile's GSM frequencies for 3G service by 2015. The spectrum would then be repurposed to build out an LTE network. T-MOBILE USA AND METROPCS TO COMBINE, CREATING VALUE LEADER IN U.S. WIRELESS MARKETPLACE This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Eye-Fi releases 16GB Pro X2 wireless SD card, chops $20 from the price of the 8GB models Posted: 03 Oct 2012 05:00 AM PDT More Speed and Space, Eye-Fi Unveils 16GB Wireless Memory Card Improved Class 10 Speed Allows For Faster Performance; Right in Time for Holidays MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., October 3, 2012 - Eye-Fi Inc. (www.eye.fi), makers of the world's first wireless memory card, has announced today a new Eye-Fi Pro X2 16GB, Class 10 card that increases both storage and speed capabilities while continuing to deliver convenient, reliable wireless upload of photos and videos from cameras. The new 16GB card provides twice the storage capacity of the prior Pro X2 card, while the Class 10 performance delivers ultra-fast read and write speeds. That means more power and speed for the same retail price of $99.99. And, the new Pro X2, like Eye-Fi's other X2 series cards, enables you to wirelessly connect a camera to a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, or use an authorized WiFi network to move content directly to a computer. "Cameras have more megapixels, and pictures and videos are more demanding in terms of size. Moving to a 16GB, Class 10 card keeps up with these trends and delivers what our customers have been asking for," said Yuval Koren, CEO and co-founder of Eye-Fi. "Customers already know and love our Eye-Fi cards for instant wireless uploads, so the added space and faster speeds are a great addition, especially with the highest-volume photo days coming up." Anyone with the new 16GB, Class 10 card can immediately use Eye-Fi's popular features to: Eye-Fi Pro X2 16GB card is available for pre-orders that ship within the United States for $99.99 USD from Amazon.com. The card will also be available, within the coming weeks, for customers in Australia for $108.00 AUD and Japan for ¥9980. With the launch of the new Eye-Fi Pro X2 16GB card, the previous Eye-Fi Pro X2 8GB and the Eye-Fi Mobile X2 8GB will be reduced from $99.99 to $79.99 and $79.99 to $59.99, respectively, starting this month. For more information, visit www.eye.fi. |
| Lockitron launches iPhone-controlled keyless lock that pings you when someone knocks (video) Posted: 03 Oct 2012 04:40 AM PDT Lockitron has just outed a new cellphone-controlled keyless entry system, sporting a raft of new bells and wireless whistles. The WiFi-connected product mounts over your existing deadbolt "in seconds," according to the company, and lets you or those you trust control your lock from anywhere in the world by SMS or the internet. You can also unlock your door in person without lifting a finger if you have an iPhone 4S or 5, as the Lockitron will sense your approach using Bluetooth 4.0 -- a feature that may extend to NFC and Android devices in the future, too. To top it off, the system can notify you when a friend or relative returns home, and it has a knock sensor to let you know if someone's come by to visit. Lockitron exceeded its self-imposed minimum order limit by 250 percent in less than a day, so if you'd like to pre-order one at the current $149 price and get it for March 2013, hit the source. |
| EE confirms 4G rollout will begin October 30th, 10 cities at launch, 16 by the end of the year Posted: 03 Oct 2012 04:19 AM PDT EE has just confirmed that its 4G roll out will commence on October 30th in the UK. The announcement comes direct from CEO Olaf Swantee, and reveals both the official launch of the new EE brand in the UK, along with those much sought after 4G data services. There will be 10 cities included in the initial rollout, with another six to be added by the end of the year. Once that total of 16 has been reached, EE claims it should cover at least a third of the UK population. As you might expect, more towns and cities will get the LTE treatment throughout 2013, with EE claiming it should reach 98 percent population coverage by 2014. The announcement also took the opportunity to confirm the handsets that will be available at launch, which include the iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE, Nokia Lumia 920, Nokia Lumia 820, HTC One XL and the Huawei Ascend P1 LTE. Want to know if your city is one of the lucky ones, head to the more coverage link for full launch coverage details, complete with maps. |
| Nokia Belle Feature Pack 2 pulled again due to reported user issues Posted: 03 Oct 2012 04:17 AM PDT Like something from a school play, Nokia's Feature Pack 2 for Symbian Belle first bounded onto the stage prematurely, before being ushered back behind the curtain. Now, despite walking out at the proper time, it looks like it's fluffed its opening lines, and has been taken offline once more. The announcement came via a support discussion on one of Nokia's forum threads, with some users claiming they were unable to install it at all, or that some functions weren't working properly -- or worse, being unable to turn the handset back on -- for those that could. At the moment Nokia simply states that it has been pulled from servers, and it will advise once the update is back online. If you've been affected, head to the source for the official thread on the issue. |
| Sony Playstation Mobile store now live, offers cross-platform games and apps from $0.80 Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:42 AM PDT After what feels like a mighty long time since it was first announced, Sony's cross-platform PlayStation Mobile store is now up and running with an initial line-up of games (plus one lonely-looking app) for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Certified Android devices. That hardware category currently includes Sony's latest tablets and Xperias, plus HTC One-branded handsets -- check the source link for a full list and installation instructions. So far, we can access PSM on the Vita via a new tab on the PlayStation Store, and we know that readers are having luck on devices in the US -- including the Xperia Play -- but the One X (both global and AT&T) has only given us error messages. If you succeed or fail, please post your results below and we'll update accordingly. Update: Okay, there are definitely teething problems on HTC devices and we're reaching out for an explanation. Meanwhile, owners of the Nexus 7 and the Xperia Ion on AT&T bring happier tidings. [Thanks to Paul and all who've commented] |
| AOC outs 'borderless' 27-inch IPS monitor, available now for $349 Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:08 AM PDT Not to be outdone by ViewSonic's recent introduction of the 27-inch VX2770Smh-LED display, AOC's coming out with a large IPS monitor of its own. The i2757fh is being touted as a "borderless" panel, and the reason behind that claim is its slim 2mm bezel. Aside from those narrow characteristics, AOC's new 27-inch monitor also boasts a decent 1920 x 1080 resolution with 50,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 5ms response time, two HDMI ports and, naturally, the great viewing angles you get with an IPS unit. As far as pricing goes, AOC's slapping a not-too-shabby $349 tag on the i2757fh, but there is a Best Buy-only deal which knocks 50 bucks off of the original MSRP. Hit the break for an additional angled shot as well as official PR. AOC Announces Borderless 27" IPS Monitor; Now Available at Retailers Nationwide AOC's ultra-slim i2757fh HD monitor features a borderless appearance ideal for multiple monitor setups Fremont, Calif. – October 2, 2012 – AOC, the leader in monitor display technology, announces the retail availability of the i2757fh, a 27-inch IPS display with a 2 mm bezel that gives the monitor a sleek, borderless appearance. The monitor's widescreen IPS (in plane switching) panel also allows for more consistent, uniform color from all viewing angles, delivering amazingly sharp image quality. An iF Product Design Award winner, the monitor delivers uncompromising display technology coupled with an artistic design that features a metallic hook-shaped stand that allows for three different modes of viewing – as a photo frame without a base, as a standard function stand, and as a height-adjustable stand that detaches with the push of a button. The AOC 27-inch IPS Monitor is now available for $349 MSRP. AOC also offers the i2757fh at Bestbuy.com and the retailer's top 250 stores for a special price of $299.99. "The i2757fh model, part of AOC's 57 Series, combines an anti-glare IPS screen with a narrow bezel so that images seem to float without a distracting frame," said Chris Brown, AOC Marketing Manager. "The monitor's IPS technology and award-winning design deliver an unparalleled display experience to consumers." Designed to meet high environmental and technical standards, the i2757fh is made of eco-friendly materials such as arsenic-free glass and mercury-free panels. Also, the LED backlight panel requires 50 percent less energy than typical CCFL monitors. The i2757fh can display 16.7 million colors, while its 50,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio provides accurate color reproduction when displaying images with extreme differences between light and dark. The monitor also features ultrafast performance with a 5 ms response time, which allows pixels to change colors quickly to avoid streaking, blurring and ghosting in fast-moving scenes and video games. The monitor's dual HDMI ports support the latest DVD and Blu-ray players or gaming consoles, and it can also be connected to desktops or notebooks via VGA cable. Direct insert connectors face the rear, making it easier to connect the monitor to power and input sources. The monitor also includes built-in speakers for optimal desktop sound, and the multifunctional, detachable stand allowing for standard monitor or "photo frame" placement. Other bonus features include an Off Timer that shuts down the monitor automatically if desired, Screen+ software that divides the screen into four self-contained work areas for improved productivity, and Eco Mode, which enables the user to select five different optimized display settings (Text, Internet, Game, Movie and Sport). Specifications |
| Softbank to acquire competitor eAccess, expand LTE network by 50 percent Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:29 AM PDT Softbank isn't content with being Japan's third largest wireless provider, so its scooping up competitor eAccess for $2.3 Billion (or $1.8 Billion, if you ask Reuters) to claim the number two slot. Bringing the other carrier into the fold will give Softbank a total of 39 million subscribers and infuse its network with 50 percent more LTE base stations. Picking up the new customers and additional LTE capacity comes at a premium, however, as the firm will purchase eAccess' shares for roughly three times their value. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son expects to launch a new tethering service with the aid of the new-found resources come this December. Ink on the deal won't fully dry until February, but Son is already dreaming of the number one spot. "I never liked third place," Son said in a statement. "We fought for No. 2, and someday, we will be No. 1." You've been warned, NTT DoCoMo. [Image credit: Miki Yoshihito, Flickr] |
| Samsung teasing Galaxy S III Mini for October 11? Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:13 AM PDT Samsung has issued an invitation for a press event to launch something, and it's hard not to connect the dots with the tantalizing clues it's given -- though skepticism always reigns in the absence of fact. The large 'S' logo in the middle of the page is the first hint that it's likely to be some kind Galaxy S-class smartphone. The tagline offers the next clue: "Prepare for something small to make a big entrance," and elsewhere, "Ready for a little sensation?" Considering that the rumor mill has already churned out the idea of a Galaxy S III Mini -- as some don't cotton to the pocket-unfriendly 4.8-inch screen of the current model -- it's tempting to conclude a smaller version will be launched. However, we could also be looking at the Galaxy Ace 3, so don't forget to keep your expectations in check. [Image credit: Mobi Flip] |
| Purported iPad Mini parts leak as WSJ reports production has started Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:45 AM PDT Hey look, another round of purported iPad Mini parts has surfaced, this time courtesy of Ukrainian iPhone. Conveniently enough, the Wall Street Journal also happens to be reporting that its sources have confirmed "mass production" of the still unannounced slate has begun by Apple's "Asian suppliers." This time we're looking at an anodized black version of the familiar back plate, alongside a separate digitizer in white, hinting that we'll see the final device in the same colorways as the iPhone 5 . As 9to5Mac points out, the casing houses a SIM card tray, similar antenna spacers to the current iPhone crop and a layout akin to the current iPod Touch. WSJ further notes that its sources state this tab's LCD screen is indeed 7.85-inches, being sourced from both LG and AU Optronics. Naturally, pricing is almost definitely set to be cheaper than the full-size iPad -- here's to waiting for an invite to the supposed unveiling event set for this month. |
| Logitech Harmony Touch remote officially announced, brings swipe, scroll and tap LCD for $249 Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:00 AM PDT
The cat is already well out of the bag, but we finally have some official information about the new Logitech Harmony Touch universal remote. Its first addition to the line in a while, Logitech is pushing its center-mounted 2.4-inch color touchscreen with support for control by tapping, swiping or scrolling through up to 50 channel icons as a way to "unprecedented control" of your home entertainment system. We're still not entirely sure about the transport controls being placed so far up top or the usefulness of a screen focused on direct live channel access in the DVR and streaming age (check out our thoughts on this week's podcast), but it does bring the usual control of up to 15 devices and backlit keys. Just as we saw in the stores, the price is set at $249 and it controls only via IR, not RF like the pricier Harmony 900. Check out more info in the press release after the break (along with quick demo and how-to setup videos) or on Logitech's blog, fans of the new device should be able to find them released widely in the US and Europe this month.
New Logitech Harmony Touch Gives You Unprecedented Control of Your Home Entertainment Advanced Logitech Universal Remote Lets You Swipe, Scroll and Tap Using a Color Touch-Screen and 50 Customizable Icons NEWARK, Calif. - Oct. 3, 2012 Today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) announced the next generation of its award-winning line of Harmony® remotes, the Logitech Harmony® Touch. This premium advanced universal remote gives you customization with an intuitive color touch-screen for unprecedented control of your home-entertainment system. Designed to make finding your preferred entertainment as easy as possible, the Logitech Harmony Touch lets you add, remove and re-order up to 50 favorite channel icons from your respective cable or satellite provider right on its vibrant 2.4-inch color touch-screen. After simple online setup, you and your family can access all your favorite channels with a simple tap, swipe or scroll, removing the hassle of memorizing channel numbers and scrolling through lengthy on-screen guides. You can personalize the experience to quickly and easily find all of your favorite entertainment – from TV and movies to games and music – with one touch. "The Logitech Harmony Touch represents the next evolution for the universal remote," said Joerg Tewes, vice president of Logitech's digital home business group. "Today, people prize convenience and want home-entertainment systems that are impressive and easy to use. With this in mind, Logitech designed a remote that makes it simple for people to customize their experience, and feel in control of their systems like never before." This remote's ergonomically sculpted shape and streamlined button layout present a sleek, minimalist design that enhances the look of your living room. Plus, its low-profile keys are backlit so you can easily navigate your favorite entertainment, even in the dark. Pricing and Availability |
| Nokia wants to sell off its headquarters in Espoo, Finland, move in as tenant Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:14 AM PDT Just how deep do Nokia's financial woes go? According to Finnish journal Helsingin Sanomat and Reuters, deep enough that it's mulling the sale of Nokia House, its principal HQ located in Espoo, Finland. The company told the journals that it's looking to divest "non-core parts" of its business, "and that includes the headquarters," according to a spokesman. Since Nokia has lost billions just in the last two quarters alone, it is likely looking for cash wherever it can and its Espoo property is worth $250-400 million, according to Helsingin. However, the cellphone maker is adamant it would stay in its home country, and could remain a primary tenant in the sprawling complex after such a sale. If they do unload the property, we're just glad we recently got some souvenirs. |
| Chrome Beta adds video engagement APIs, promises higher-quality video chats sans plugin Posted: 02 Oct 2012 11:24 PM PDT After concentrating on gaming and visual improvements in previous releases of Chrome, the browser's latest focus appears to be in video engagement. The latest beta includes a PeerConnection API that lets developers create real-time video chat applications without a plug-in. This builds upon existing WebRTC integration with a new getUserMedia API that should result in higher-quality video, audio, and data communications. The Beta also bundles in track support for HTML5 video, letting developers add in subtitles, captions, and other metadata -- the above photo, for example, is a screencap of a bike ride video enhanced with Google Map and Street View data. Another nice addition is a MediaSource API which adjusts video quality based on computer and network environments, which should put an end to those agonizing waits while the dancing inmate version of Gangnam Style buffers. Those interested can get their mitts on the new Chrome Beta today. |
| Sony ships new Extra Bass headphone lineup to the US, delivers that Direct Vibe to your brain Posted: 02 Oct 2012 10:11 PM PDT If you'd like your Sony headphones to be a little less judgmental, we've got good news. The company's MDR-XB400, MDR-XB600 and MDR-XB800 Extra Bass headphones, along with the MDR-XB60EX in-ears, have arrived in the US for those who want low-end frequencies without the talent show branding. All four carry Sony's newer Advanced Direct Vibe to emphasize the sub-bass notes of "today's music styles" (read: electronic and hip-hop) as well as a serrated cord that keeps the cord tangling to a minimum. Working your way up the range mostly improves the frequency range, which starts at an already bass-heavy 5Hz to 22kHz in the XB400 and scales up to a tooth-rattling 3Hz to 28kHz for the XB800; you'll also see the sensitivity jump from 100dB/mW to 106. Provided you don't mind tweaking software to occasionally recover some treble, the entire collection is ready to wobble your head at prices that range from $60 for the starter XB400 headphones to $150 for the XB800. SONY UNVEILS NEW EXTRA BASS HEADPHONE SERIES Deep powerful bass for the ultimate music listening experience available in stores today SAN DIEGO, October 1, 2012 – Today Sony introduced its new Extra Bass headphone series, available in headband-type and in ear bud versions. This new line combines Sony's expertise in superior audio engineering, comfort, and style, while delivering an enhanced acoustic design. The range of sub harmonics is deeper than the more traditional line, ideal for today's music. "Sony's sound engineers are committed to providing an unprecedented level of audio performance," said Andrew Sivori, vice president of the Personal Audio Division at Sony Electronics. "Our new Extra Bass lineup of headphones delivers solid low frequency response, enhancing the signature of today's music styles." Powerful Sub Bass Reproduction Featuring the newly developed Advanced Direct Vibe Structure, the MDR-XB800, MDR-XB600 and MDR-XB400 headphones deliver extra bass reproduced with high-fidelity, appealing to music lovers seeking an impressive listening experience. The MDR-XB800 and MDR-XB600 headphones are designed for long-term wearing comfort with soft head cushions and seamless pressure-relieving ear cushions, providing a supportive, wrap-around feel. An effective acoustic seal allows for a high level of sound isolation, further reinforcing the headphones' powerful sub-bass reproduction. Featuring grooved serrations on the surface, the cords on Sony Extra Bass headphones provide an innovative design that eliminates friction between cable surfaces and reduces the source of frustrating tangles. Their unique folding design allows for hassle-free portability. Powerful, bass-filled in-ear headphones The MDR-XB60EX in-ear headphones were engineered with a unique acoustic design for a high level of noise isolation and exceptional bass response. Featuring oversized 13.5 mm drivers, these in-ear headphones also utilize the newly developed Advanced Direct Vibe structure to deliver rich bass, ideal for all popular music genres. The MDR-XB60EX Sony Extra Bass headphones are supplied with hybrid silicone rubber ear buds in four different sizes for a secure and tailored fit, along with uniquely designed noise isolation ear buds in three sizes. For portability, the headphones conveniently slip into their included carrying pouch. Featuring a durable flat cord with a serrated finish, the MDR-XB60EX headphones are designed to reduce tangles by eliminating friction between cable surfaces. Pricing and Availability The MDR-XB800, MDR-XB600, MDR-XB400 and MDR-XB60EX headphones will be available today at Sony Stores, online at http://store.sony.com, and at other authorized retailers nationwide at the following prices: MDR-XB800, $149.99; MDR-XB600, $99.99; MDR-XB400, $59.99 and MDR-XB60EX, $99.99. For images and information, please visit www.sony.com/news. |
| GOWEX bringing free WiFi to French rail stations, starting with Marseille Posted: 02 Oct 2012 09:17 PM PDT We take free WiFi at our transportation hubs for granted here in the US. (Heck, we've even got it deep in the bowels of NYC.) In other countries, it's not a given that you'll have high-speed broadband at your disposal while waiting for a train or plane. France is working on it though, with GOWEX signing a deal with the National Society of French Rail (SNCF) to bring wireless internet to rail stations across the nation. The first part of the puzzle will be the bustling Marseille St. Charles in the south of France. At some point in 2013 (though, the company refused to specify when) the switch will be flipped and tourists in and around the Marseille station will be able to enjoy 512Kbps internet for free. For a few more details check out the PR after the break. GOWEX signs an agreement with SNFC, biggest rail operator in France, to give Free WiFi in the Stations • This agreement, allow to millions of tourist that visit Marseille, the European culture capital 2013, will enjoy of a 24 hour Free WiFi service in the interior and the exterior of the station in Marseille St. Charles 2012-. GOWEX (GOW-MAB, ALGOW-NYSE Alternext), company leader in the development of sustainable WiFi Smartcities, has signed an agreement with the National Society of French Rail (SNCF) making a first step on the objective of changing the telecommunication scenery in France, through the generalization of Free WiFi "everywhere". This first station launch contract will permit today to GOWEX to provide Free WiFi in "Marsella St. Charles", the principal station of Marseille. Endorsed by their experience in developing WiFi Smart projects in Transport companies around the world, as the recently inaugurated in Metro de Paris, GOWEX has achieved their first agreement with a national transport company in France, SNCF principal rail operator in the country. That has over 100 million passengers in their high speed trains over a year. Also, the volume of activity makes them the second rail company in the European Union. Free WiFi and low cost travelling in Marseille This annual agreement makes the passengers at the station of "Marseille St. Charles" to be able to enjoy of a free 24 hours WiFi connection with a navigation speed 512 kbps, in the interior and in the outdoor esplanade. At the station of Marseille St. Charles, regular passengers and the over 10 million tourists are expected to visit the capital attracted by the programmed cultural variety schedule with the motive of the announcement of Marseille, the Culture capital 2013, will be able to navigate for free with their mobile devices in the station and in the Narvik square. Marseille, tourist epicenter during next year and the second most populated city in France, it's the ideal place to continue the growth trajectory of development of WiFi smart cities in France and in the World of GOWEX. Recently, SNCF has announced their low cost service of high speed trains (TGV) that operate in the axis Paris-Lyon-Marseille-Montpellier that will contribute to multiply considerable the volume of expected passengers for the next year, and consequently, the potential WiFi users in the station of St Charles. How to connect for free in the stations? To begin the navigation, the passengers will have to detect with their smart mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, netbooks etc.) the network WiFi_gratuit _gare_Marseille. Later on they will access to a validation page and after a quick registry, they will receive a sms and an email with the user and password that can navigate for free and unlimited 24 hour a day at a speed of 512 Kbit/s. With the same identifier/login name, users will have the chance of connecting in all of the available wireless free networks of GOWEX in public spaces or transportation companies in Bordeaux, Paris Buenos Aires or Madrid and in over 60 cities all around the World. There is also a mobile app called GOWEX Free WiFi with iOs and Android version that will allow localization and automatic connection to the hotspots of the company. Wireless Smart Transport During the last 2 years, the company has contributed to the generalization of the Free Wifi connection in transportation in the World through remarking projects in Europe, providing wireless coverage without cost to users in urban transportation, intercity and tourist in Madrid, in stations in the underground of Paris, in Latin-American providing a Free WiFi service in the Subte (underground), Metrobus in Buenos Aires, and in Asia will offer wireless internet connection in the high speed trains that cover the route Beijing-Shanghai with the agreement established with CRSCS (second engineering TIC in rail transport in China). "In GOWEX we are proud to be able to offer Free and unlimited WiFi in passenger's station in Marseille St. Charles. This initiative is an integrating part of the global strategy growth strategy of GOWEX, which consist in to impulse the recurrent income though the development of Wireless Smart cities and Wireless Smart transport, that has made us to obtain 19 WiFi project in transportation around the world," declares Jenaro García, CEO of GOWEX. |
| Ceton announces slight delay for Echo WMC extender, Q DVR shelved indefinitely Posted: 02 Oct 2012 08:37 PM PDT Ceton has, as promised, provided more information on upcoming hardware, however there's not a lot of good news to go around. The bad news is that the Windows Embedded-based Q DVR we were looking forward to will not launch this year. There's a possibility it may launch in 2013, however questions about whether Microsoft will continue to support Windows Media Center in future versions of its Embedded platform are keeping any potential launch plans in doubt. On a slightly brighter note, while the Echo Media Center extender is delayed slightly and the beta units have not yet gone out, Ceton still anticipates a release in time for the holiday season. Finally, there's a positive update on the suite of Media Center companion apps, which are now available on the B&N Nook and Kindle Fire HD as well as optimized for the iPhone 5. Relive our CES 2011 hands-on in video form after the break, we'll get started organizing a march on Redmond to make this happen. |
| Engadget HD Podcast 318 - 10.02.2012 Posted: 02 Oct 2012 08:07 PM PDT Get the podcast 09:16 - Logitech Harmony Touch remote pops up unannounced at Best Buy Hear the podcast This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Free Skype WiFi hits Ireland and the UK through Wicoms, steps up the quality of public hotspots Posted: 02 Oct 2012 07:40 PM PDT |
| Oregon Scientific MEEP! tablet ships for $150, gives kids a safe, exclamation-filled place to play Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:51 PM PDT For all the enthusiasm Oregon Scientific put into launching (and naming) its MEEP! tablet, the company has been a bit timid about getting the kid-friendly Android device into the market -- we're just seeing it go on sale eight months after it was first shown to the world. Now that the slate is here, it may be worth the patience from parents. The 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 chip, 512MB of RAM, 800 x 480 screen and 4GB of storage won't have the adults regretting their Kindle Fire purchases, but the MEEP! does come in a smash-resistant form with remote parental control and an allowance-based store that lets kids 'buy' apps with virtual coins. Oregon helps its case through the use of Ice Cream Sandwich, preloaded games like Angry Birds and a raft of accessories for games and music. The $150 asking price is just low enough that we can see a few families starting their youngest technophiles on a MEEP! before graduating them to bigger, badder tablets with less punctuation in the name. Oregon Scientific Introduces Innovative, Fully Loaded MEEP! Tablet Designed Just for Kids Accessories, Cloud-Based Parental Controls & Durability Set MEEP! Apart from the Competition Tualatin, OR – October 2, 2012 – Cutting edge technology, durability, interactive content, a design made just for kids and a full line of action-packed accessories. The MEEP! tablet from Oregon Scientific has it all. The new 7-inch, Android 4.0 ('Ice Cream Sandwich') tablet is Wi-Fi enabled and features the most rugged durability of any tablet on the market. With a protective and fun, bright orange silicon bumper, a recessed screen and a cutting-edge zForce® touch screen that won't shatter when dropped, MEEP! withstands wear and tear from the backseat or the playground to the schoolyard or the couch. MEEP! ($149.99) is currently available at all major national retailers including Toys "R" Us, Target, Best Buy, RadioShack, Kmart, Meijer, Boscov's, BJ's, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart.com, Kohls.com and QVC. |
| Tokyo University of Science shows off robotic suit powered by pneumatic artificial muscles (video) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:02 PM PDT What can one do with a robot suit? Well, it's certainly not limited to just lifting sacks of rice, but that was exactly what we got to do at CEATEC courtesy of Koba Lab from Tokyo University of Science. First seen in 2009, the magic behind this 9kg kit are the pair of pneumatic artificial muscles (aka McKibben artificial muscles) on the back, which are made by industrial equipment manufacturer Kanda Tsushin. When pressurized with air using electrical components from KOA Corporation, the lightweight, loosely-woven PET tubes contract and consequently provide support to the user's back, shoulders and elbows. As such, our arms were able to easily hold two more sacks of rice (making it a total of 50kg) until the demonstrator deflated the muscles. Check out our jolly hands-on video after the break.
|
| Posted: 02 Oct 2012 05:31 PM PDT When it rains, it pours. As if to clear the decks, Samsung has passed three devices through the FCC's scrutiny at the same time. Two, the SPH-P500 and SCH-i915, are LTE-equipped tablets respectively headed to Sprint and Verizon with a dash of mystery; their label images imply a pair of Galaxy Tab 2 variants, but both have previously been spotted in as yet unverified benchmarks that allude to much faster Snapdragon S4 processors instead of the Tab 2's TI chips. The SPH-L900's dimensions and dual-mode support make for a safer bet, pointing to what's likely the Galaxy Note II for Sprint. We're less concerned with the hardware details so much as when everything ships -- although we may get a clearer picture of the Sprint Galaxy Note II's fate around October 24th, the tablets aren't linked to any kind of public schedule, official or otherwise. Update: Not long after Sprint's Galaxy Note sequel arrived in the FCC, US Cellular's flavor -- the SCH-R950 -- also made it through the federal approval process. |
| Zero Motorcycles reveals its 2013 models: Zero X dropped, FX drafted in Posted: 02 Oct 2012 04:44 PM PDT The failing weather reminds us we're fast approaching the end of another year, but Zero Motorcycles wants to brighten our day with the announcement of its 2013 all-electric line-up. Immediately noticeable are the harder lines and healthy dose of matt black on the frames of the Zero S, DS, XU and MX refreshes. New to the team is the FX "Stealth Fighter" (pictured above), touting the fastest acceleration of any Zero moto to date and taking design cues from the late Zero X, which has been removed from the roster. As well as aesthetic improvements to the bikes, each Z-Force motor should produce up to 125% more power than previous iterations, and an optional CHAdeMO charging accessory will juice you up in around an hour. Companion iPhone and Android apps will also be available, allowing you to customize your ride's performance and review other info. The class of 2013 will be hitting retailers throughout January and February, with MSRPs of the basic spec models running from $7,995 to $13,995, depending on your wants and needs. Head over to the source link to review your hardware options and, more importantly, choose your color scheme. |
| Rdio begins paying artists $10 for every user they attract Posted: 02 Oct 2012 03:56 PM PDT Streaming music services have a bad reputation when it comes to paying their artists, who only earn a few cents each play. Rdio is trying to remedy that (and grow its subscriber base) by paying songsters $10 for every user they personally attract that stays around longer than a month. Brendan Benson, Scissor Sisters and Snoop Rdio Introduces New Way for Artists to Make Money from Streaming Music Artists will earn revenue from online fan engagement through Rdio Artist Program SAN FRANCISCO, October 2, 2012 – Rdio (www.rdio.com), the digital music service founded by Janus Friis, one of the creators of Skype, today announced the launch of the Rdio Artist Program. This first of a kind program offers a new way for artists to directly earn money from streaming music. Using Rdio, artists can easily share their own music and their music recommendations with fans. Fans will be able to instantly listen along with their favorite artists directly on the service and via Twitter, Facebook or other online properties. Artists will earn 10 USD for each new subscriber they attract to Rdio through social sharing - effectively rewarding them for fan engagement. "There is no art without artists," said Rdio's founder Janus Friis. "As part of this industry, we know a business that doesn't reward its most important contributors is a business that has to change. The innovation of the Internet should not be a barrier to the success of music artists; it should allow them to be even more successful." "All sorts of talented and innovative artists have found an audience for their music online," said Drew Larner, CEO of Rdio, "But it's incredibly hard to make a living doing it. The Artist Program offers artists a way to supplement their existing revenue streams by doing what they do naturally – connecting with fans. We're aligning our focus on social music discovery with our fundamental belief that artists deserve to get paid for their work. We view it as a significant step forward for artists, fans and streaming music." The Rdio Artist Program is active in all 14 countries where Rdio is available and any artist with an existing artist page is eligible to join. This program complements the licensing deals Rdio already has in place with labels and distributors for access to music on the service, adding an additional direct revenue channel to artists and providing a new element of transparency around the streaming music model. International recording artists Scissor Sisters, Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion, A-Trak, Chromeo and Brendan Benson – already fans of Rdio – are among the first artists to join the program. "Up-and-coming artists are the future – they're the lifeblood of the industry," said Snoop Dogg. "I love that any new artist can take advantage of this program. I'm a fan of Rdio already and it's cool to see them supporting artists like this." "I love Rdio. My wife and I use it all the time at home and on tour," said musician Brendan Benson, co-founder of Readymade Records and member of The Raconteurs. "I like that Rdio is giving back to musicians by compensating them directly through the Artist Program. It's really great that they are helping out the people who create music and I look forward to seeing how it evolves." Participating artists will receive access to a web-based tool to manage their Artist Program account. Benefits include: 10 USD for every new subscriber brought to the service (for at least one month) The Rdio Artist Program represents Rdio's commitment to supporting the artist community and the music industry as a whole. Working together with artists, labels and fans, Rdio strives to create a sustaining and engaging model that benefits everyone involved. For more information and to join the program, visit www.rdio.com/artistprogram |
| Sony's 2012 PlayStation torn down, shows its evolved roots (update: another teardown) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 03:03 PM PDT We've looked intensely at the outside of the redesigned PlayStation 3 ever since it was unveiled in Tokyo last month. Getting a look inside has proven unusually tougher, but French YouTube member K0st3yr has volunteered to do what few gamers dare and tear down Sony's updated console. As we've quickly learned, Sony hasn't chosen to radically rework the insides like Microsoft did with the slim Xbox 360. The Cell processor and its RSX graphics companion are still separate parts, and a similar power supply capacity suggests that neither of the main chips has been built on a more efficient manufacturing process. Instead, it's everything else that has been given the shuffle: a smaller Blu-ray drive and more clever overall construction appear to be the tickets to the 20 percent volume reduction compared to the last model. While the revealed internals might be disappointments to those who were hoping the PS3's possible sendoff would involve more of a bang than a whimper, they do hint that Sony might have breathing room if it wants to advance the design any further. Just have some popcorn and a grasp of French on hand if you'd like to have a peek at the three-part video dissection found after the break. Update: Not to be outdone, iFixit has conducted its own teardown. There aren't any shockers in the mix beyond improved repairability, but you'll find many of the components given their exact names as well as more explanations of what's been changed to shrink the PS3 a second time. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Engadget News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment