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- Nintendo Wii U GamePad vs. tablets / game controllers: fight!
- Xiaomi Box taps the Chinese smart TV market on the cheap, flirts with AirPlay (hands-on)
- Engadget's 2012 holiday giveaway: win one of 14 phones from AT&T
- Slickdeals' best in tech for November 14th: Canon 5D Mark II, 27-inch Dell display and 1TB portable HDD
- Social Jobs Partnership launches Facebook app, 1.7 million positions to be filled
- Everspin throws first ST-MRAM chips down, launches commercial spin-torque memory era
- Nook app comes to Windows 8 with clean Paper-like design
- Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: digital cameras
- PSA: T-Mobile's Windows Phone 8X, Lumia 810 on sale today
- Sony to release XAVC 4k video spec, licensees include Apple, Adobe
- Microsoft reveals Windows Embedded 8 and Windows Embedded Compact 2013 road map
- Xiaomi Phone 2 review: high-end specs in a surprisingly affordable package
- Samsung Galaxy S III for T-Mobile USA receives its Jelly Bean update
- AT&T Pantech Magnus (P9090) reappears after fall vacation
- Google TV gets voice search and a quick guide to make content discovery easier than ever
- Samsung Galaxy Camera review: a 21x compact shooter brought to life by Android
- Verizon and Sprint detail LTE expansion plans
- Verizon brings wireless monitoring service to Lowe's Iris smart home system
- EarthLink completes fiber broadband rollout in Eastern Tennessee
- Western Digital My Net router leaps to 802.11ac speeds, gets a bridge to keep it company
- Jellyfish-mimicking device could snatch cancer cells right out of the bloodstream
- Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 is fit for a queen -- The Queen, in fact
- Elliptic Labs develops touchless gesture control for Windows 8, assuages our fear of fingerprints (video)
- Visa's V.me digital wallet service graduates from beta with 53 banks, 23 retailers on board
- Skype disables password reset page to deal with email-based security 'vulnerability' (update)
- Dish Network's Hopper gets an off-air digital TV tuner, software update packing new features
- Logitech Alert security cameras get OS X support for mindful MacBook owners
- Panasonic will cut another 10,000 jobs by March, won't dodge a $10 billion annual loss
- Gartner: smartphone sales up 47 percent in Q3, Android's OS market share increases (updated)
- Google touts improved Flash Player security in Chrome for Mac, says it's safer than ever
- Google updates Transparency Report, pledges compliance to the US of A
- ASUS powerline adapter has four Gigabit LAN connectors, one of which gets VIP treatment
- BBM 7 beta is open now, adds Voice feature for free calls over WiFi
- Scosche is next up with Lightning accessories, brings chargers for iPads and iPhones alike
- McLaren to supply EV groundwork for Formula E cars, take pro racing electric
- Western Digital boosts entire MyBook Studio line with USB 3.0, adds 4TB model to the mix
- Alleged 4-inch Samsung Galaxy Axiom leaks, could be headed to US Cellular
- D'oh: Google Voice force-closing text messages for Android 4.2 users
- Microsoft warns gamers DirectX 11.1 is Windows 8-only
- Otterbox acquires screen protector manufacturer Wrapsol, promises more high-quality accessories
| Nintendo Wii U GamePad vs. tablets / game controllers: fight! Posted: 14 Nov 2012 10:53 AM PST
The Nintendo Wii U GamePad -- aka "that tablet-looking controller from Nintendo" -- is a strange beast. Perhaps that 6.2-inch resistive screen out front made you think it's a tablet? It's not a tablet. Perhaps those dual analog sticks and slurry of buttons made you think it's a game controller? It's certainly not just a game controller. Of course, that's not stopping us from making both comparisons. Below you'll find a hybrid of our usual "fight!" structure, with one gallery dedicated to comparing the Wii U GamePad against its distant tablet-based cousins, and another comparing the GamePad to its controller side of the family. Wondering just what we think of the GamePad and Nintendo's new console? We'll have a full review of the Wii U -- and its bizarre hybrid controller -- early next week. We've got some early impressions of what's already impressed us, and an extra close look at the Wii U game discs as well, if you just can't wait. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xiaomi Box taps the Chinese smart TV market on the cheap, flirts with AirPlay (hands-on) Posted: 14 Nov 2012 10:30 AM PST
The Apple TV may not be officially available in China, but there are already plenty of cheap Android TV dongles and set-top boxes over there to keep the folks occupied. That said, many of them don't offer a satisfying multimedia experience, so even for a latecomer like Xiaomi, there's still space for competition. Having just launched the much anticipated Xiaomi Phone 2, the Chinese startup recently announced that it had acquired digital content provider Duokan for some time, and the first fruit is this conveniently named Xiaomi Box. Even with the bundled one-meter HDMI cable, the pebble's priced at a competitive ¥399 (about $64) and we've been told it'll be available in mid-December. Better yet, it claims to be compatible with AirPlay right out of the box! Read on to see if that's the case with our pre-production unit.
We were lucky enough to have an Apple TV at the launch event for a quick size comparison, and it turned out the Xiaomi Box is basically a flatter but more rounded version of Apple's counterpart. Just a warning: we actually became rather fond of stroking the Xiaomi Box's smooth curved top. As for the hardware inside the nicely crafted polycarbonate shell, it's a pretty neat bundle for the price: a Cortex-A9 800MHz processor, 1GB RAM, HDMI output, RJ-45 socket, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and a micro-USB port for OTG host. The spec sheet lists 720p or 1080p video output (the former by default), along with playback compatibility for a range of video codecs: H.264, VC-1, WMV-HD, MPED1/2/4 (up to 1080p at 30 fps) and Real7/8/9 (up to 720p at 30 fps). It can also handle audio as well: MP3 (64kbps to 320kbps), WMA (64kbps to 320kbps) and APE / FLAC (no more than 1,500Kbps). As teased earlier, the interesting thing is that in addition to DLNA and Miracast, the Xiaomi Box is also compatible with Apple's AirPlay. Xiaomi packages this trio of protocols as "MiLink." But just as expected, we could only stream non-protected content from iTunes to our Xiaomi Box during our test, but that's still rather fun and handy, nonetheless. As for our Miracast-enabled Xiaomi Phone 2 (any Xiaomi Phone with MIUI v2.9.29 and above will do), once connected to the same network as the Xiaomi Box, we could then stream our photos and supported videos to it -- it's just a matter of tapping the extra icon in the native gallery app or video player. Don't worry, we haven't forgotten about the Xiaomi Box's native UI and content. As you can see, the menu's grid layout is rather elegant and easy to navigate with the slim remote control. The software was non-final at the time of our hands-on, but the general framework was already there: you can browse content under recommended highlights, categories, charts or your subscribed shows and stored favorites. There's also a dedicated page for apps, but so far it only shows various video and audio portals (such as PPTV, Sohu, Tencent and Phoenix), as well as a PopCap section with only a few games so far. Given that this device is made solely for the Chinese market (hence the lack of English interface right now), it's certain that Google's Play Store won't make a presence here; and since there was no obvious way for us to install other regular Android apps, this means Xiaomi will likely have total control over what can be loaded onto the box. But the good news is that the selection of multimedia content -- both local and foreign -- is rather decent. Even Dexter, The Big Bang Theory and Mad Men are available in 720p quality for free, courtesy of Sohu (and presumably under a legit deal behind the scenes). Obviously, it's still too early to see what Xiaomi will get out of its little box, but being able to tie in some of China's best content providers while also offering three types of local network streaming capabilities, as well as its famed weekly software updates, the $64 Xiaomi Box easily gives the competition a run for their money. Perhaps one day we'll even see the same business model reach to other regions, but for now, we can only dream. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's 2012 holiday giveaway: win one of 14 phones from AT&T Posted: 14 Nov 2012 10:00 AM PST
We're on the cusp of holiday retail madness, and if you know what's good for you, you'll make use of our comprehensive gift guides. Shopping for friends and family may be top priority, but we know you have a gadget wish list of your own. With that in mind, we've teamed up with AT&T to give away one of the carrier's hottest phones for each guide that goes up -- that's 14 devices total. To enter the contest, leave a comment on each of our guides. We're accepting entries until December 31st, at 11:59 ET, so make sure you get your "pick me!" in for your chance to win a sweet new handset to ring in the new year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 09:37 AM PST 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. If you haven't ventured past the break to investigate one of these deal roundups in the past, today is the day you might want to do so. Beyond the jump lies arguably the best group of links that we've posted to date. How good? Well, the Canon 5D Mark II, a 27-inch Dell display, a 1TB Western Digital portable hard drive and a handsome discount on Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 all visit the list. Interested? Take a look quickly before deciding to part with your funds, because these offers are likely to be gone in a jiffy. Grab this duo from BuyDig.com (1) (2). Use the rebate form found here. This deal is available from Amazon. Snag one of these from Costco. This offer is available from J&R. Grab a couple of these from NewEgg. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Social Jobs Partnership launches Facebook app, 1.7 million positions to be filled Posted: 14 Nov 2012 09:15 AM PST
We've all heard stories about people losing jobs over their Facebook activity, but the Social Jobs Partnership is an initiative aimed at achieving the reverse. The project sees the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the DirectEmployers Association and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies working with Facebook to launch the Social Jobs Application today. The app helps recruiters reach Facebook's considerable audience, while also introducing a professional stream to the site. Prospective employers can list vacancies by industry, location, and skill, and there's already a bunch of recruitment sites on board, including BranchOut, DirectEmployers Association, Work4Labs, Jobvite and Monster.com. At launch, there are 1.7 million jobs up for grabs. A NACE survey recently highlighted that many recruiters are already leveraging the social platform to find staff, so a partnership to further facilitate the process seemed a natural progression. Missing the daily challenge of a 9-to-5, or just fancy a different one? Head down to the source, and update that resumé (but be sure to check your photo privacy settings first). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Everspin throws first ST-MRAM chips down, launches commercial spin-torque memory era Posted: 14 Nov 2012 08:50 AM PST
Who says scientific breakthroughs never amount to anything? Everspin has followed up on research developed by IBM, TDK and German researchers years back and released the first commercial spin-torque magnotoresistive RAM (ST-MRAM) onto the market. The technology works by taking advantage of electron "spin" to store data in a magnetic, rather than electronic state, providing non-volatile memory that doesn't wear out. The company said the first chips were about 50 times the cost of flash memory by size, but where a typical NAND module can perform about 800 iOPS, ST-MRAM is capable of 400,000 -- making it ideal for SSD caching and other demanding applications. Everspin has started shipping working samples of the 64MB DIMMS in a DDR3 form factor, saying that future versions will scale to gigabyte capacities and faster speeds -- keeping Moore's Law hurtling inexorably forward. Check the PR after the break for the company's spin on it. Everspin debuts first Spin-Torque MRAM for high performance storage systems MRAM leader sampling 64Mb DDR3 ST-MRAM; engaging with partners to prepare design and manufacturing ecosystems CHANDLER, Ariz. – Nov. 12, 2012 – Everspin Technologies leads the industry in commercializing the first Spin-Torque Magnetoresistive RAM (ST-MRAM), a new type of high performance and ultra-low latency memory that is expected to transform storage architecture and help drive the continuous evolution of Moore's Law. ST-MRAM is a performance-optimized Storage Class Memory (SCM) that bridges the role of today's conventional memory with the demands of tomorrow's storage systems by providing non-volatility, high endurance and ultra-low latency. The 64Mb device is the first product in Everspin's ST-MRAM roadmap that is planned to scale to gigabit density memories with faster speeds. Select customers are now evaluating samples of Everspin's EMD3D064M 64Mb DDR3 "The properties of ST-MRAM are particularly appealing to the enterprise SSD market because of its ability to enhance and complement flash memory technology," said Joseph Unsworth, research vice president at Gartner. "The commercialization of this technology is an important industry milestone that should continue to drive SSD proliferation in data center and in-memory computing architectures." The first semiconductor memory that combines the speed and endurance of DRAM with the non-volatility of Flash, ST-MRAM gives designers of high performance storage systems the ability to achieve ultra low latency, increase reliability with high cycling endurance and protect data in the event of power loss. One example of potential use is in the area of cloud storage-even as more users and content are added, faster and consistent data storage access is a necessity. "Existing memory technologies face significant challenges to deliver the right balance of performance, power consumption, and reliability as they scale to smaller process geometries," said Jeff Janukowicz, research director for Solid State Storage and Enabling Technologies at IDC. "The commercialization of the first 64Mb Spin-Torque MRAM is an industry milestone along the path to broader use of more varied non-volatile memory technologies to improve storage device reliability, and to increase performance." Everspin's proprietary Spin-Torque technology uses a spin-polarized current for switching. Data is stored as a magnetic state versus an electronic charge, providing a non-volatile memory bit that does not suffer wear-out or data retention issues associated with Flash technology. The EMD3D064M 64Mb STMRAM is functionally compatible with the industry standard JEDEC specification for the DDR3 interface, which delivers up to 1600 million transfers per second per I/O, translating to memory bandwidth of up to 3.2 GBytes/second at nanosecond class latency. The product is offered in an industry standard WBGA package aligned with the DDR3 standard. "Data has transcended from being a buzzword to where it's an invaluable commodity. At the heart of the data revolution is the issue of how to store, manage and retain it securely, efficiently and cost-effectively. Our first ST-MRAM product has the potential to carry today's high performance storage systems to greater heights," said Phill LoPresti, president and CEO of Everspin Technologies. "We are collaborating with select customers to allow them to evaluate and take advantage of Spin-Torque MRAM technology sooner and to gather feedback that will help us finalize our 64Mb DDR3 ST-MRAM for production." ST-MRAM gives system designers the benefit of persistent, high endurance storage or memory for applications that demand better reliability and that need the performance boost of DDR3 speed. The 64Mb density MRAM provides an ideal entry point for non-volatile buffer and cache memory in solid state and RAID storage systems as well as storage appliances. The 64Mb device will complement existing low cost memory technologies, reducing overall system cost and complexity. ST-MRAM ecosystem Everspin is manufacturing ST-MRAM on its 200mm production line in Chandler, Arizona and is collaborating with industry leaders to establish 300mm MRAM tools and additional fab capacity. Everspin is also working with design partners to ensure that the required tools and support are in place to drive the rapid adoption of ST-MRAM, including the necessary memory controllers, memory modules (DIMMs) and evaluation platforms. Availability Everspin is shipping working samples of the EMD3D064M 64Mb DDR3 STMRAM to select customers and will announce details on broad availability in 2013. In addition, Everspin is offering ST-MRAM non-volatile random access memory modules in industry standard configurations, and PCIe FPGA platforms are available now allowing customers to start designs. For more information, visit http://everspin.com/spinTorqueMRAM.php About Everspin Technologies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nook app comes to Windows 8 with clean Paper-like design Posted: 14 Nov 2012 08:31 AM PST
Barnes & Noble's Nook readers are top notch -- there's no argument about that. The application part of that equation however, is pretty messy. The web app is integrated into the B&N site and keeps the UI clean and minimal. The Mac and PC clients on the other hand go with forest green highlights, grays and a busy sidebar for navigation, while the Android and iOS apps get bright blues and lots of gradients. And lets not even bring the Nook Tablet and Color into this. Basically, they're all completely different, confusing and rather poorly designed. The company's new Windows 8 app on the other hand appears to take cues from the Paper interface of the Nook HD which, while not exactly stunning, is certainly a huge step in the right direction. It also brings a certain amount of consistency to the ecosystem across platforms, something that's been sorely missing. The current version is a little basic, as it appears the app lacks notation, look up and social sharing features, but it will let you pin content to your Start Screen as a live tile. Download it now at the source and check out the PR after the break. Introducing NOOK® for Windows 8 Free Reading App Offers Seamless Access to Vast Selection of Digital Books, Magazines, Newspapers and Comics on Windows 8 First Digital Product from Barnes & Noble's New NOOK Media Subsidiary, Free App Now Available for Download NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NOOK Media LLC, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today announced the highly anticipated NOOK for Windows 8 app, available to Windows 8 PC and tablet customers through the Windows Store. The free app combines NOOK's award-winning reading experience with shopping directly from the app, so customers can discover, explore and read a massive selection of books, magazines, newspapers and comics from any Windows 8 tablet or PC. With live tiles, NOOK for Windows 8 customers can easily get right back to their last read title, be alerted to the arrival of new issues of their magazines and newspapers, or even pin a favorite book or magazine to the Windows 8 Start screen. NOOK for Windows 8 includes NOOK's signature new "paper" user interface and all-new shopping experiences including innovative NOOK Channels™. "Our intent was to create a great digital reading and content buying experience for millions of users on Windows 8, and by working closely with Microsoft on the app we've accomplished that." "NOOK delivers a comprehensive digital reading experience in a Windows Store app. Barnes & Noble took advantage of the new Windows user interface to combine an immersive reading experience with the ability to easily browse, search and purchase from their extensive content catalog. As consumers continue to embrace digital reading, the NOOK app is a strong addition to the Windows 8 experience," says John Richards, senior director of Windows App Marketing for Microsoft Corp. A Growing and Diverse Digital Catalog: The fully integrated NOOK Store™ offers NOOK for Windows 8 customers access to one of the world's largest digital content collections featuring: More than 3 million books including bestsellers, new releases, classics and more Award-Winning Digital Reading Experience: Consistent with the excellent digital reading experience found on NOOK tablets and Readers, NOOK for Windows 8 customers will enjoy a multitude of tools for both reading and finding their next great read. Customers can easily personalize the reading experience by choosing from a selection of crystal-clear and razor-sharp fonts available in various styles and sizes, quickly navigate to different pages or chapters, add bookmarks, and more. Easy to Use Interface: Offering intuitive digital reading and content discovery, NOOK for Windows 8 is NOOK's first free Reading app to be designed with a "paper" interface created to minimize distractions and encourage deep content interaction and enjoyment. Reflecting a set of books and magazines laid out on the coffee table at home, the core layout of each customer's "Daily Shelf" lets them easily find their latest read or a new issue of their favorite magazine or newspaper. Customers can easily navigate through this interface on a wide range of Windows 8 tablets using the fast and fluid Windows 8 touch experience. Seamless Shopping and Reading: Elevating the shopping experience to new digital heights, NOOK for Windows 8 customers can browse over 3 million books, magazines, and newspapers through NOOK's expansive digital content catalog, learn more about the book (including details and reviews) right from within the app, and tap to purchase and begin reading in seconds. And because the shopping experience is integrated into the app, there's no need to launch an external browser or visit a Web page to download or complete a purchase. Unparalleled, Curated Recommendations: NOOK for Windows 8 also delivers a new level of personal shopping to the browsing and reading experience through new NOOK Channels™, a pioneering recommendation system that combines the knowledge of Barnes & Noble's booksellers with advanced algorithmic technology to create a curated discovery experience targeted specifically to each individual's interests and sensibilities. Generating a rich stream of content that includes everything from the latest bestsellers as well as backlist gems and offbeat treasures, customers can browse and shop Channels that will expand their passions for the authors, characters and subjects they love, from Paranormal Romance, War Stories, and Books to Talk About to Jane Austen & Heirs, The New Classics, History by Plot and Books Every Kid Should Know. Updates Streamed Instantly to the Start Screen: NOOK for Windows 8 features live tile image integration that delivers real-time updates right on the device's Start screen, including the customer's current read, specific progress within a book or magazine, latest periodicals or pre-ordered titles recently delivered to customers' Library, and more. Access Reading Content Anywhere: Like all free NOOK Reading apps, purchased content is safely stored through NOOK® Cloud, making it easy for customers to access digital books, magazines and more wherever they go. Using NOOK Sync™ technology, NOOK for Windows 8 automatically syncs a customer's last page read across all of their devices. Start reading a magazine on a Windows 8 PC or tablet and seamlessly dive back in on a NOOK device or smartphone to keep reading virtually anytime, anywhere – all without losing the page. NOOK for Windows 8 is now available to download for free in the Windows Store on all Windows 8 PCs and tablets. Customers can learn more about NOOK for Windows 8 at www.nook.com/nookforwindows8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: digital cameras Posted: 14 Nov 2012 08:00 AM PST Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. We've also teamed up with AT&T to give away one hot smartphone with each and every guide, so scroll to the end for today's prize, then leave a comment to submit your entry! For digital cameras, 2012 has been an interesting year indeed. IFA in Berlin brought the first compelling Android-powered model, the Samsung Galaxy Camera, while Photokina delivered a handful of full-frame DSLRs and Sony's jaw-dropping Cyber-shot RX1. As smartphone cameras have evolved, dedicated snappers have, too -- this year's models are far more powerful than any we've seen before, and if you've been holding out for a significant advancement, now's the time to buy. We've sorted the top models for every budget, which you'll find gathered in our guide just past the break. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSA: T-Mobile's Windows Phone 8X, Lumia 810 on sale today Posted: 14 Nov 2012 07:41 AM PST
After what's seemed like an interminable wait, Microsoft's freshly baked Windows Phone 8 devices are finally beginning to flood the US market. And if you happen to be a subscriber on lady Magenta, well then, mark today as the day you can claim the 8X or Lumia 810 as your own -- the latter being a network exclusive. While you won't have your pick from amongst the vibrant color options we've seen so heavily promoted, you will get to choose between HTC's signature device (in California Blue) packing 16GB of storage for $199 or Nokia's all-black low-ender for $149, both available on a two-year contract with a $50 mail-in rebate. Not sure whether or not you should make the leap to WP8? Then be sure to check out our full review of Redmond's mobile OS -- it might help force your hand. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony to release XAVC 4k video spec, licensees include Apple, Adobe Posted: 14 Nov 2012 07:12 AM PST
Sony has announced that it'll release an SDK to 4k developers this month for its recently launched XAVC video format used by the new F5 and F55 CineAlta camcorders. The new specification uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video compression, which allows up to 12-bit color depth, 60 fps shooting speed at 4k and 180 fps in HD. So far, fourteen companies including Adobe and Apple have signed on as licensees, and Sony says the format may come to consumer products as well. Details of the program along with an SDK will arrive this month, just in time for a possible Ultra HD onslaught. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft reveals Windows Embedded 8 and Windows Embedded Compact 2013 road map Posted: 14 Nov 2012 06:32 AM PST
You, the consumer, probably don't care too much about Windows Embedded 8 and Windows Embedded Compact 2013. But businesses and OEMs, they're pretty psyched. The next generation of Microsoft's light-weight OS offerings will bring the improved touch and gesture support of Windows 8 to low power platforms like car computers and kiosks. In all five versions of Windows Embedded 8 will be available: Standard, Pro, Industry, Automotive and Handheld. The latter of which is built around Windows Phone 8 as opposed to the desktop system. The Industry and Handheld editions are expected to land in January, with Pro and Standard to follow in March. Compact 2013 doesn't have a solid release window yet beyond Q2 of 2013. If you're an impatient builder of connected devices you can download a release preview of Windows Embedded 8 Standard at the more coverage link. Microsoft Extends Windows 8 to Intelligent Systems, Provides Details on Next Wave of Enterprise Tools and Technology Nov. 13, 2012 REDMOND, Wash. - Nov. 13, 2012 - Microsoft today unveiled its product road map for Windows Embedded 8 and Windows Embedded Compact 2013, both of which build on the company's vision for intelligent systems first announced last fall. Microsoft also made the Windows Embedded 8 Standard release preview available for download. Microsoft is committed to helping harness the potential of the Internet of Things by connecting devices to software and services in the back end or in the cloud, transforming that data into actionable operational intelligence. In describing the opportunity, Windows Embedded General Manager Kevin Dallas calls out Microsoft's "big transition" from being a software company to a devices and services company. "Faced with the explosion of business data, enterprises are looking for better alternatives to help them unlock the information inside," Dallas says. "Microsoft's broad set of technologies and products make it uniquely qualified to help address this problem. We're working with our partners to create solutions that extend across the full breadth of Microsoft technologies and provide customers with the clarity they need to harness big data." The release schedule includes the Windows Embedded 8 family of device operating systems, each with a distinct feature set that includes the building blocks for an intelligent system across hardware, software and services. Windows Embedded 8 is the family of device operating systems, including Windows Embedded 8 Standard, Windows Embedded 8 Pro and Windows Embedded 8 Industry. Each version has a distinct feature set that includes the building blocks for an intelligent system across hardware, software and services - namely, the ability to manage devices and identities, the presence of connected devices, the availability of rich, touch-enabled experiences, having devices that are secure, and the ability to analyze data. Intelligent Systems in Action: Hospitality Windows Embedded 8 supports a growing range of applications, device form factors, architectures and system requirements. In parallel, Windows Embedded Compact 2013 will support small footprint devices that require flexible hardware, the use of touch- and gesture-based inputs and hard, real-time support. Windows Embedded Compact 2013 will be generally available in the second quarter of 2013, and, along with Windows Embedded 8, will feature support for Visual Studio 2012. Together, both provide the tools that enterprises need to harness the value of data living on the edge of their networks. The value of this insight is immeasurable, such that intelligent systems are considered essential for the growth of today's enterprise; IDC forecasts the market for intelligent systems will exceed US$1.4 trillion by 2016.[1] A Cohesive, Multiplatform Solution With Windows Embedded 8, Microsoft is also incorporating the same level of imagination as it did in the latest version of its desktop operating system. Partners and enterprises will benefit from many of the same features found in Windows 8 - most notably, the use of touch and gesture, which will bring a richer, more natural experience to specialized devices such as POS systems, medical devices and in-car technology. And, with support for Visual Studio 2012, they can use their existing investments to build intelligent, seamless experiences that span a variety of platforms - from hardware to software and services. Windows Embedded 8 Standard (Release preview available now; general availability in March 2013) Windows Embedded 8 Standard is a flexible, modular, version of Windows 8 that gives enterprises and partners the freedom to choose which parts of the operating system they need for their unique requirements. Devices can also be locked down to block certain gestures and deliver a more secure and differentiated user experience. Windows Embedded 8 Pro (General availability in March 2013) Like its predecessor, Windows 7 for Embedded Systems, Windows Embedded 8 Pro delivers the full power and familiarity of the Windows operating system. Enterprises and partners can create quick-turn, industry-certified solutions, without concern for application and device compatibility. Windows Embedded 8 Industry (Community technology preview and details on timing will be available in January 2013) Historically, Windows Embedded POSReady has targeted retail point-of-service (POS) solutions. Moving forward, Microsoft will deliver the power of Windows 8 technologies to these and other scenarios requiring fixed experiences with enhanced lockdown, branding and the other benefits of Windows Embedded 8 - including peripheral support to other industry-specific scenarios, such as manufacturing and healthcare, in addition to POS. Windows Embedded 8 Handheld (More information will be available in early 2013) The next generation of Windows Embedded Handheld will be based on Windows Phone 8 technologies. Microsoft is working with a handful of partners to bring new features and capabilities to the enterprise handheld device market. Windows Embedded 8 Automotive (More information will be available in early 2013) Microsoft is working with a group of preselected partners on the next generation of Windows Embedded Automotive, which will be based on Windows 8 technologies. Extending the Windows Platform With Windows Embedded 8, Microsoft is building security, identify and manageability features into the platform. With the release of System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Service Pack 1 (SP1) in September, the capabilities of Windows Embedded Device Manager are being integrated into a centralized network management portal. Windows Embedded Rollout November 13, 2012 The Windows Embedded platform also extends to Microsoft's data analysis and server OS products through the availability of Microsoft SQL Server for embedded systems, released in April of this year, and Windows Server 2012 for embedded systems, released earlier this fall. "The ultimate objective of intelligent systems is to unlock the value of data, and it's clear that there's a huge opportunity," Dallas says. "Between the range of experience, talent and technology that we have in play, I'm convinced that Microsoft and its community of partners are uniquely qualified to take the lead." For more information, please visit the Windows Embedded website. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xiaomi Phone 2 review: high-end specs in a surprisingly affordable package Posted: 14 Nov 2012 06:00 AM PST
As mobile phones have become more powerful, prices for many flagship models have managed to linger were they always were -- at the top end. The Xiaomi has always been one exception, though. Last year, this Beijing startup launched its very first namesake phone at just CN¥1,999 ($320), which was rather impressive given that this was the first Chinese device to feature the 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon MSM8260 chip (not to be mistaken with the Krait-based MSM8260A). This stimulated two fronts of the smartphone war: the price-per-performance ratio kind, and the cheap-as-hell kind. With regards to performance, we're looking at competitors like Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo and good old Meizu; while the price battle involves taking on MediaTek-powered devices under various new brands -- many of which have done so well that they've now set up stores in Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei area. Needless to say, Xiaomi is now facing a greater challenge -- one that barely existed a year ago. But on the brighter side of things, the company now has three Android devices spanning two price tiers: two editions of the Xiaomi Phone 1S for ¥1,299 ($210) or ¥1,499 ($240), and the quad-core Xiaomi Phone 2 -- the star of this review -- for ¥1,999, which is well below its ¥2,350 ($380) raw cost, according to CEO Lei Jun. There's no doubt that Xiaomi could recoup some of the costs from its vast range of accessories, and with the imminent launch of the Xiaomi TV set-top box next month, it's clear that the company's hoping to profit from content. Still, as mama said, it's the first impression that counts (especially for consumers outside China, anyway), so read on to see how we coped with Xiaomi's second-gen flagship phone. Hardware
What makes Xiaomi tick is that it's always been at the forefront of delivering top specs at surprisingly low prices, and this time it seems to have outdone itself. Discounting its earlier pre-production units, the Xiaomi Phone 2 is the fourth retail device to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064, a 1.5GHz quad-core Krait SoC complemented by 2GB of RAM and the powerful Adreno 320 GPU. Right now, the device comes in 16GB and 32GB flavors, though sadly, the old microSD slot is nowhere to be found. There's 5GB of MI Drive cloud storage if you want to count that in, but that's not quite in the same league as ASUS' 50GB or Baidu's 100GB offerings. Alternatively, you can plug in an external drive via a USB OTG adapter. On a more positive note, Xiaomi's thrown in a superb 4.3-inch, 720p gapless IPS display from Sharp and JDI, similar to the one on the Xperia acro S. There's also an improved 8-megapixel BSI camera sensor with f/2.0 aperture and video stabilization. Even the front-facing camera -- which was absent on the Xiaomi Phone 1 -- has a 2-megapixel BSI sensor. To power all these, there's a removable 2,000mAh (7.4Wh) battery underneath the swappable back cover, and soon users can also purchase the thicker 3,100mAh (11.47Wh) mammoth cell with its special cover. There's no LTE radio here, but you do get DC-HSPA+ (WCDMA 850/1900/2100) along with FM radio, Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11b/g/n WiFi plus WiFi Display.
Xiaomi's latest flagship device takes a rather different design approach compared to its predecessor. For starters, the phone's default look features a glossy white back cover that contrasts with the black front face. Particularly with the near-straight sides suddenly curving to the flat back of the cover, it reminds us of the Meizu MX and MX 4-core. That said, Xiaomi's six other color options -- magenta, cyan, lime green, yellow, orange and purple -- look much nicer than Meizu's pale crystal covers. To be nitpicky, though, we hope Xiaomi eventually offers matte covers to rid the cheap plastic feel. Plus, the coating would cover the ripples around the logo and the openings. Regardless, the phone felt solid thanks to the secure cover fitting, and this was still the case even after we've peeled off the cover multiple times to change the mini-SIM card (which is located underneath the battery). Let's talk about the keys and ports. Below the display you'll find three shiny capacitive buttons for menu, home and back. But, unlike most Android phones these days, Xiaomi didn't implement a backlight this time around. No big deal, perhaps, but it's just not as convenient as what we're used to seeing on most other Android phones these days. Thankfully, there's still an LED indicator -- it's right below the home button instead of next to the earpiece. As for physical keys, they're all on the right-hand side of the phone: there's a volume rocker followed by a power button, both metallic and nicely crafted. It's a slightly weird arrangement compared to most other phones, but we got used to it very quickly. But what about the old two-stage multifunctional MI key towards the bottom of the volume rocker? To our disappointment, Xiaomi decided that it's no longer needed, which we're certain our very own Myriam would disagree to. You can still set the volume rocker as shutter buttons (as well as zoom buttons, for that matter), but obviously they won't be as handy as a real two-stage shutter key. What's left are the usual 3.5mm headphone jack at the top, a micro-USB port (MHL and OTG supported) at the bottom and a secondary microphone on the back for noise suppression (which we'll talk about later). Software
Xiaomi started off as a team that built MIUI, a heavily customized Android ROM, to cater to various flagship devices, so obviously the meat of its own phones lies within the software. In fact, when we first wrote about Xiaomi Phones, many readers erroneously accused Xiaomi of stealing MIUI, when in fact they were staring right at the ROM's creator. In short, MIUI brings the iOS home screen experience to Android, in the sense that all the apps are spread across the home screens instead of the usual Android app drawer. At the same time, the OS also allows highly flexible personalization. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if nothing else it's a good way to bring people out of their iOS comfort zone. Other than that, MIUI has preserved most parts of the native Android UX for Ice Cream Sandwich and beyond. Plus, users are promised weekly OTA updates. The Xiaomi Phone 2 ships with Jelly Bean-based MIUI so the same rule applies, but as with many Android phones in China, it doesn't come with any Google services due to local regulations. Fortunately, you can still get the Play Store app from Xiaomi's market app, and from there onwards you can get back Gmail, Google Maps (the phone comes with Baidu Map instead), Google Search (which includes Google Now), YouTube and various other apps from Mountain View. Obviously, the lack of an app drawer means you can't toggle Google Now by swiping across the non-existent app drawer button; but if you want to replicate a similar experience, you can hold down the menu key and then set this as the default way to toggle Google Now.
As before, the latest version of MIUI still lets you keep a bunch of quick toggles (such as screen rotation, WiFi, torch, data connection and guard mode) on the Android notification tray, and better yet, this time the default layout is page mode instead of compact mode. In page mode, the notification tray is split into two tabbed pages, one for just notifications and the other for just toggles. Whereas in compact mode, you get everything on one page, but naturally you don't see as many toggles at a glance -- you have to scroll the row of toggles horizontally to see more. Again, users are free to rearrange these toggles at will. Such flexibility is what made us fall in love with MIUI in the first place. Having said that, somehow Xiaomi left out the toggle for WiFi tethering, but it shouldn't be too hard to add it back. Fans of MIUI should already be familiar with its library of funky themes. These aren't just skins that you slap onto the icons and home screens, as many themes also offer unique lock screens and handy toggles, as pictured above. Like a lock screen but prefer a different set of icons, fonts and ringtones? No problem: for each theme, you can select which of its particular features you want to apply. New this time is something called free launcher, an interactive interface with common functions portrayed by graphical objects. As of this writing, there were only two themes that came with a free launcher: the default Study Room theme and the Angry Birds Space theme. These are rather self-explanatory -- you get a panoramic study room in 2D (remember Microsoft Bob?) or a level in the Angry Birds Space game, as pictured below. For us this was amusing initially, but the novelty quickly wore off as we got fed up with having to constantly scroll around to find what we wanted. Nor was it easy to immediately identify some of the icons in the Angry Birds free launcher. Another problem with themes is that some of them clash with the text color and therefore render the text invisible in certain apps, so users may have to experiment with elements from other themes when they see this. At the end of the day, this feature is great for showing off, but not so good for everyday use. MIUI comes with a host of other handy tools, most of which exist for the sake of privacy (SMS filters and caller blacklist), security (antivirus and app permission monitor) and network usage monitoring (monthly bandwidth reminder and prompt for large file downloads). These are particularly important for users in China, where spam messages, unsolicited calls and infected apps are the norm. Additionally, the carriers there aren't very generous with 3G data usage -- you'd be looking at a $140 per month tariff for a 3GB allowance on China Unicom. Even $46 per month would only get you 950MB, and $25 per month gets you 500MB. With this in mind, it's no wonder the Xiaomi Phone 2 comes preloaded with stringent settings, such as a prompt for every file or app download that exceeds 10MB. We've only managed to disable the prompt for file downloads in Downloads under Tools, so hopefully Xiaomi can also add such an option for Play Store downloads. Similarly, the assistant can't recommend a nearby restaurant unless you mention the location. Here's another amusing one: we asked what activities we had that day and the response was, "I'm enjoying the greatness of life." Thanks? Despite all this, you can still ask the assistant to stream music (powered by Baidu Music), make a joke, call or send someone text messages (though it can't recognize English names), ask for directions and set up reminders. Just don't expect a huge amount of freedom with your commands -- you gotta stick to the script. There's plenty of room for improvement here, and Xiaomi can start by changing that UX to avoid upsetting Apple. MIUI is also about the small details, some of which have been around for a while. For instance, if you want to move an icon from one home screen panel to another, you can hold your finger on it until it hovers, and then use another finger to scroll to your desired panel. (In fact, if you have one of the latest HTC phones, you can do the same.) You can also organize all the home screen panels by pinching with three fingers on any panel, at which point you'll see a preview of your six to nine panels at a glance, and you can rearrange them or set your main panel as you desire. Another old but neat feature that can be easily overlooked is that when you're in the lock screen, you can hold down the home key to use the LED light as a torch. Last but not least, here's a new addition that impressed us the most: there's now a "misoperation prevent mode" feature which uses the proximity sensor to detect whether the phone is in your pocket or bag, and if that's the case, it prevents any input on the touchscreen should the power button be accidentally triggered. This is enabled by default so you can leave it as it is, but if it isn't working out for you (which we can't imagine it would), it can also be overridden (by holding the back and volume up keys) or even switched off entirely. While there's no drawer to house all the apps and widgets in MIUI, Xiaomi has kept the same widget selector from the Gingerbread days -- you can either pinch the home screen with two fingers or hit the menu key and select "Edit Widgets" to enter widget mode. While selecting your widgets, you'll notice that each of them has a few dots below it to indicate how many tiles it takes up, which is pretty handy and considerate. In the same mode, you can shake the phone in order to tidy up icons on a home screen. While there still isn't an option to sort the icons in alphabetical order, there are several other useful settings for the launcher: you can toggle between a 4 x 4 grid and a 4 x 5 grid, change the transitional effect (classic, crossfade, tumbling, page, cascading, rotation or 3D cube) as well as the wallpaper alignment (scrollable, center, left or right).
For multimedia entertainment, the bundled music app does a pretty good job: you can sort the music by artists, albums, folders and playlists, plus it automatically looks up synchronized lyrics for those who want to sing along. There's also a sleep timer which can be set from one minute all the way up to 90 minutes. Our favorite part of the app is the integrated search engine for Baidu Music, which has a surprisingly large library with both local and foreign music (they even have PSY's Gangnam Style accompanied by Chinese lyrics), and it works outside mainland China. By default, you can only stream music over WiFi, but if you have a reasonable 3G data allowance, you can manually enable streaming over cellular network in the app's settings. On the other hand, the native video player isn't as exciting but it'll handle your usual AVI, MP4 and RMVB files -- you'll have to open them through the file explorer app. If you need to view any MKV files, you'll still need to rely on third-party apps like MX Player and PPTV (which is now very popular in China as it also offers a vast range of movies and local TV shows for streaming). One multimedia feature that Lei Jun's rather proud of is the Dolby Mobile certification. You can find these three settings all the way down at the bottom of the Sound menu under system settings: off, music mode and movie mode. These actually work rather well with the phone's loudspeaker on the back, but not so much with our own earphones. But then again, it's probably all subjective, so new users should just bear in mind that the Dolby music mode is enabled by default. Camera
Xiaomi says that its quad-core phone uses a second-gen 8-megapixel BSI sensor, which turns out to be either a Sony IMX175 (as used by some of the Galaxy S III) or a Samsung S5K3H7. Our particular unit had the former, according to Supercurio's Voodoo Report (thanks for the help, Brian Klug from AnandTech!). Of course, ultimately, it all comes down to the optics -- an f/2.0 five-element lens -- as well as the sensor's software tuning, and we're happy to report that the camera on the Xiaomi Phone 2 does pretty well overall. The picture above was actually captured in HDR mode, and if Xiaomi can go easy with the default saturation level for HDR then it'd be a perfect shot. This issue was more apparent when we attempted to do HDR shots of the Shanghai skyscrapers at night, but hey, you can count that as an intentional effect. We do have a few niggles with the Xiaomi Phone 2's camera. For instance, we occasionally noticed some slight underexposure in outdoor shots. At night, we sometimes saw a fair amount of noise in the dark regions (and this gets worse in HDR shots), but at least the details on lit subjects are still preserved, as illustrated below -- it shares a similarly impressive low-light performance with the HTC One X. Several readers have asked whether they'd miss much if they went for the more readily available Xiaomi Phone 1S, so we decided to compare its camera quality with the Xiaomi 2's camera samples. A quick look in a Voodoo Report revealed that the 1S is preloaded with drivers for the Sony IMX105 and Samsung S5K3H2 (both of which are also utilized by the Galaxy S II, according to Klug from AnandTech). Our particular 1S is equipped with the Sony sensor, so it's no wonder that its images look similar to the ones we took at the same spots -- provided that they were well-lit -- with our Xiaomi Phone 2. Notice that we said "similar" and not "identical" as the newer phone does produce slightly sharper images, and it really showed off its higher sensitivity when we compared dark shots from both devices. The Xiaomi Phone 2 also manages up to eight frames per second in burst mode (we got up to about 15 continuous shots, with super fine quality setting), whereas the 1S supports neither burst mode nor HDR. Apart from those performance differences, the cameras on both phones otherwise offer the same set of features: panorama mode, sound shutter (to trigger the shutter with sound), filter effects, white balance, skin tone enhancement, redeye reduction and various other advanced settings. As on the Optimus G, you can also capture 1,920 x 1,088 stills (yes, it's 1,088 for some reason) while recording 1080p video on both the 1S and 2, but if you absolutely must take full resolution stills while recording video, then you'll have to consider either the One X or the PadFone 2. We didn't have much problem with video capture on the Xiaomi Phone 2. As you'd expect, the highest resolution is 1080p, and we've seen captured clips rated at 25 fps and with a video bit rate of up to 7.3 Mbps. This is a bit less than the One X's 10 Mbps but it still does the job. Even on a dark street at night, the camera maintained the same frame rate instead of dropping frames for the sake of exposure compensation -- which was what the first Xiaomi Phone suffered from. The one bug we noticed in our clips is that there's a somewhat infrequent random crackling noise, but chances are it can be fixed via an OTA update.
On top of a satisfactory video camera performance, Xiaomi added fast-motion (from 2x up to 250x) and slow-motion (60 or 90 fps capture) modes, and both kinds of clips play back at a fairly smooth 30 fps sans audio. Then there's also a video stabilization feature that's actually disabled by default, and we soon knew why this was the case: the digital process creates a huge amount of distortion even with the help of the phone's gyroscope. But for stationary shots, the stabilization does provide a certain amount of benefit for some. Anyhow, the option's there for you. See for yourself in the sample clips below. 1080p:
1080p with digital stabilization:
Slow motion (90 fps capture; skip to 0:35 for the juicy part):
Performance and battery life
With a quad core APQ8064 SoC on board, it's no surprise that the Xiaomi Phone 2's benchmark scores and graphics performance come close to that of the PadFone 2 and the Optimus G, so we won't go into too much detail here. Also, we've rarely experienced a hiccup on the phone, nor did it crash during our time with it -- unlike the engineering sample we had beforehand. The only concern here is that under normal power mode (instead of performance mode or power saving mode), our review unit only lasted four hours in our standard video loop test (where we set the screen brightness to 50 percent, use 3G data only but leave WiFi on, and keep Twitter, Gmail and Facebook running in the background). As for real-life battery performance, we managed to get about 6.5 hours of normal usage, mostly on 3G. That's better than that four-hour showing, but still ranks behind competing devices. Hopefully this will improve over time -- the engineers probably just need to consider heavier 3G usage, as opposed to the more common and readily available 2G in China. As for audio input performance, the Xiaomi Phone 2 boasts Audience's earSmart technology for dual-mic noise suppression, but the end result we got had a big impact on the volume, and some early adopters of this phone have also experienced the same problem during phone calls. In the same scenario (in the middle of a Hong Kong shopping mall), our PadFone 2 produced a tinny but easily audible voice recording, whereas our Xiaomi Phone 1S came out with a more natural recording but still with effective noise suppression. For some bizarre reason our One X's noise suppression failed to kick in (presumably a bug of some sort), but in this case we shall keep its audio clip as a reference. You can hear all four sample audio clips below. Xiaomi Phone 2:
Xiaomi Phone 1S:
ASUS PadFone 2:
HTC One X (AT&T, noise suppression disabled):
Wrap-up More InfoWe gotta hand it to Xiaomi for delivering such an amazing package for this price. These guys have yet again proven that they aren't here to make quick money with cheap components -- they should really be charging us twice as much for that spec, let alone their generous bundle of software features plus their commitment to weekly updates. Sure, the software and performance aren't perfect (especially the voice assistant interface, battery performance and the weird English here and there), but they can be fixed, and the rest of it is already stable and also highly customizable. Simply put, you'd be a fool to pass on any opportunity to pick up this phone. Now, it's a given that the next step for Xiaomi is to spread the hype beyond China, with Taiwan already confirmed to be the next stop, possibly followed by some European countries early next year. The biggest challenge now is that the company is seemingly struggling to keep up with demand, which is giving competitors the opportunity to accuse it of artificially stirring up hype, as well as letting them catch up with similar products in the meantime. As outsiders, we don't know the truth behind the shortage, but what's certain is that entering those new markets would require massively scaling up production. Only then can they worry about setting up new retail channels, which should be a doddle anyway if the local carriers are fighting over partnership deals. Now, let's see where that Xiaomi set-top box will take the company next. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy S III for T-Mobile USA receives its Jelly Bean update Posted: 14 Nov 2012 05:44 AM PST
Sprint was the first major US carrier to start delivering Jelly Bean to Galaxy S III owners, but it no longer stands alone now that the T-Mobile edition is officially receiving its update. If you're part of the initial crop deemed eligible on Magenta's network, a check either over-the-air or through Kies should put Android 4.1.1 on the Samsung flagship. T-Mobile's version of the upgrade delivers the expected dashes of Google Now and Project Butter as well provider-specific fixes for WiFi calling. Don't worry if there isn't an immediate notice, as carrier-linked OS updates usually take weeks to get everyone on the same page; the main question is when all the other big US networks will follow suit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T Pantech Magnus (P9090) reappears after fall vacation Posted: 14 Nov 2012 05:27 AM PST
A blast from the recent past, Pantech's Magnus has leaked again -- this time with the screen switched on. We've already gleaned that a 8-megapixel, quad-band LTE, MSM8960 dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor and NFC are all part of the AT&T-bound package, while those onscreen buttons suggest Android 4.0 -- at the least. While the Twitter-based evleaks decided to obscure the calendar widget (and the probable launch date), we doubt it'll much longer before AT&T offers a full explanation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google TV gets voice search and a quick guide to make content discovery easier than ever Posted: 14 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST
Thought Google TV emptied its bag of tricks with that nifty new YouTube feature that lets folks shoot videos from their phones to their Googlefied TVs with a single tap? Think again, friend. GTV's far from a one-click pony, and today the platform's getting voice search and a new quick guide to make finding your favorite shows, movies and videos a more painless experience. Voice search allows users to now access channels and apps by simply speaking their names into either a Magic Remote or Android phone with the GTV remote app -- it's rolling out to folks with LG Google TVs this week, while other GTV hardware should get the update in the coming months. Searching by show titles and movie genres is supported, and it returns results from YouTube, live TV, Netflix and more. Plus, the system can also answer natural language queries with results from the web, too. In addition to voice search, GTV has renamed its TV & Movies application and added a quick guide version of the app to let folks find other video content without having to navigate away from what they're watching. Called PrimeTime, the quick guide is a less obtrusive means for finding shows, videos and movies. It still uses the suggestion engine to make recommendations based upon viewing habits, and, of course, the full PrimeTime app experience is still available. We got to chat with Google TV's Director of Product Management, Rishi Chandra, about the updates, so join us after the break to hear what he had to say. As it turns out, these two additions to the GTV platform are all about reducing friction in the UX. In other words, Chandra is aiming to make it easier for users to both find and access content they want to watch. Voice control provides simple, direct access to videos from myriad sources and allows users to cut through the layers of menus and guides prevalent in most current television UIs. Meanwhile, the PrimeTime quick guide gives users a more intuitive (and visually attractive) guide with which to find the latest Bond movie or Spongebob episode. And, because the voice recognition's done on the back end and the PrimeTime app leverages Google's Knowledge Graph, the system will continue to improve as Google better understands users' desired content and the types of questions being asked. Intrigued? There's more from Rishi and a demo of voice search below.
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| Samsung Galaxy Camera review: a 21x compact shooter brought to life by Android Posted: 14 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST
There were no heckles, boos or crickets for Samsung's reps back at IFA. But it's fair to say that the atmosphere following its unveiling of the Galaxy Camera was as muted as it was polite. It didn't help that most journalists in that meeting room were there primarily to see the Galaxy Note II, which was undoubtedly the show's headline act. It was also worrisome that Nikon had recently released a half-hearted Android camera of its own -- the Coolpix S800c running on lowly Gingerbread. And finally, some folks in the room -- ourselves included -- may have been put off by Samsung's talk of "convergence," in reference to the fact that the Galaxy Camera has a micro-SIM slot for HSPA+ cellular data. After all, the whole notion of converged hardware has lost the sheen it once had. Hybridized, perhaps. Modular, maybe. But please, not a camera-phablet. Here's the thing, though: the Galaxy Camera is not a converged device. It's a camera, plain and simple. It just happens to be one that's hooked up (in a multitude of ways) to the glorious world of Android. More specifically, we're looking at full-throttle Jelly Bean sitting astride the same optically stabilized 21x zoom lens and almost half-inch 16-megapixel sensor that have already been deployed in Samsung's WB850F WiFi camera. These are components which far exceed anything you'd find in even the most image-conscious smartphone. If you want to put a label on it, it's probably more meaningful to describe all this as software convergence. The same OS and cloud-connected apps that have so radically transformed phones, tablets and TVs are now also being deployed in a camera -- and there's no reason why they shouldn't be just as invigorating in this new role. At the very least, don't dismiss this device as a curiosity until you've read our take on it. Hardware Just so we're clear: the Galaxy Camera has more heft than a regular compact, and it feels nothing like a phone. The 35mm maximum thickness (with the lens closed) means it'll just about fit into a breast pocket or baggy shorts, but the 305g weight may compel you to invest in a case, belt clip or strap. At the very least, you'll want to attach the bundled wrist strap, because even with a Gorilla Glass screen there's no way this camera will withstand a fall -- and its surfaces are scarily smooth indeed. In fact, the lack of protruding dials and buttons is one of the biggest differences between this and its non-Android cousin, the WB850F. As you'll see later, most camera controls are handled via the huge 4.8-inch touchscreen display, such that the physical realm only includes a power / standby button, pop-up flash button and combined zoom knob and shutter release.
Of course, there's also a bunch of ports and other inputs. These include a mic at the top of the camera and a speaker on the left side below the flash button, which together allow you to use the camera like a VOIP phone. On the right side we have a 3.5mm audio jack and a handy micro-USB port for charging the device from the mains or a travel charger. Finally, on the underside of the camera you also get a tripod mount and battery compartment flap, which opens slightly too easily if the device is left to tumble about in your bag. Open that flap and you'll find the SIM slot -- which is, if you have a data plan, provides a uniquely direct way of sharing your photos when you're out of the reach of WiFi. Sure, that SIM slot is interesting -- but it's just one of many ways to get images in and out of the device. Whereas regular cameras generally shoot on full-size SD cards, the Galaxy Camera can shoot to its own 4GB of internal storage or to a microSD card that can readily be transplanted to a smartphone or tablet with its own data plan. More conveniently, since the Galaxy Camera also has WiFi, you could simply tether it to your smartphone or MiFi -- which is actually how we preferred to use the device. If you happen to own a phone that does WiFi Direct, then you can also beam photos and video straight from the camera at very high data rates. All of these connectivity options boil down to the same question: why would you spend extra for a SIM with a data plan that only works for this camera? No doubt some professionals and power users will decide to invest in a dedicated SIM, if they're likely to need to file photos over the internet daily and to tight deadlines. Over time, remote control apps for the camera may also be developed that will benefit from a direct cellular data connection -- and frankly it's impossible to anticipate all the ways in which this hyper-connected camera could be put to use. But nevertheless, for regular use the SIM slot feels like an unnecessary expense. One of the biggest joys of this camera for us was actually using it to browse, edit and share photos while at home or in a hotel, in which case the camera was simply connected to the local WiFi network. If a version of the Galaxy Camera without a modem would have been cheaper, then that's a missed opportunity to make the device more mainstream. Display One feature that will cause little debate is the big, bright and extremely rich HD Super Clear LCD. It's only when you start taking photos through a window of this size -- perhaps on a Galaxy S III or a Galaxy Note II -- that you realize how much a large screen helps with framing and composition. Moreover, the 1,280 x 720 panel does a good job of fending off direct sunlight, which means you won't especially miss the presence of an electronic viewfinder -- even though the Galaxy Camera feels almost large enough to have contained one. One unusual omission is auto-brightness, which means you'll occasionally find yourself burning the battery with a stack of lumens that you don't necessarily need. As you'll see when we delve into the camera's software interface, this huge display is essential for taking creative control of the camera, since pretty much every aspect of an exposure is dictated by tapping the screen. It's also a requisite of making full use of Android -- not only the ability to play back and edit your photos easily, but also having a decently sized onscreen keyboard with which to type in captions, messages and so on. In other words, this heavy, power-hungry component isn't only justified by the photography, but also by what you're going to be doing with your photographs after you've taken them. All told, the panel on the Galaxy Camera isn't the best we've seen for all-round use, because it's entirely geared towards brightness and outdoor viewing. When displaying text, either the pixel or sub-pixel density makes the characters slightly hazy at their edges. Compared to the HTC One X's LCD panel, for example, the irregular placing of the dots actually makes this look strangely like a PenTile display. However, this component is intended for viewing images rather than words and it does an excellent job. Image quality What do we stack the Galaxy Camera up against? Although it's priced right at the top end of what a compact camera should cost, much of that outlay is going on the display, quad-core processor and connectivity options. If we were to remove these costly elements, we'd end up with the WB850F, which has the same 21x zoom lens and 1/2.33-inch sensor, and which currently sells on Amazon for just $260. This simple fact tells us much of what we need to know: the Galaxy Camera's image quality is going to jar with its $500 price tag. When we look at the samples, that's exactly what we find. The auto mode often failed to sufficiently correct white balance, leaving us with excessively cold outdoor images and pinky-orange indoor ones. Noise affected pretty much every shot to some degree, even at ISO 100, and it became a serious issue beyond ISO 800 due to the overcrowding of those 16 million pixels on the sub-half-inch CMOS chip. Considering that you can get an APS-C Nikon D5100 with a kit lens and the same resolution for $580 these days, or a pedigree fixed-lens compact like the Fujifilm X10 for $550, or a Sony NEX-5N mirrorless ILC for $480, it's impossible for the Galaxy Camera's relatively cheap photographic components to put up a fight. On the other hand, you could say that's an uneven contest. After all, aside from Samsung's habitual overpricing of its cameras, the money that goes on the non-photographic aspects of the Galaxy Camera is hardly being wasted -- it's just being invested in a different set of talents. If we shift the comparison to smartphones like the Galaxy S III, it's obvious that the Galaxy Camera is in a different league than any traditional mobile device. Combined with the long lens, the larger sensor opens up a world of different shot opportunities and also allows some shallow depth of field. It has better dynamic range and tends to capture and preserve more data per shot, even after you correct for the difference in resolution -- for example the 16-megapixel image of the tomatoes above weighed 4.2MB on the Galaxy Camera and only 1.7MB on the 8-megapixel Galaxy S III. Although the video data rate is broadly the same across both devices, at just over 2 MB/s, the optical stabilization in the Galaxy Camera means that data is used to capture detail rather than the chaotic motion of camera wobble, and the resultant video is actually very good. The stabilization also helps with stills -- we were able to pull off 1/10s low-light shots with virtually no visible shake. The only slight issue with video recording is that audio volume dips noticeably when you engage the zoom, which is something you'll hear in the video below.
Ultimately, we have to conclude that image quality is good enough for the intended audience -- people who are more interested in getting up close to a subject and capturing a moment, and then tweaking and sharing the resulting image, rather than creating something particularly polished. Many of the images from this camera will even be deliberately subjected to low-fi filters and effects before they're shared on Instagram and other platforms, so raw quality just isn't going to be what counts. Performance and battery life Bear in mind that you'll need to divvy up that battery capacity between Android usage and actual photography. We were able to drain the battery in just four hours after snapping 115 photos and three minutes of HD video, alongside some heavy editing and sharing over WiFi tethering and WiFi direct. Reducing the amount of browsing and general screen use made a huge difference, especially when we powered off the screen between each shot. This approach gave us 146 shots and 6 minutes of HD video and we still had 40 percent of the battery left. Depending on how you're likely to use the Galaxy Camera, you can count on either charging it every day like a power-hungry smartphone, or carrying a USB power pack or spare battery. Fortunately, the battery is identical to that in the original Galaxy S II, so buying $10 spares should be a cinch. The upside of all of this wattage is that you're getting an extremely fast and fluid widescreen Jelly Bean experience. We had one crash, and a couple of strange slow-downs, but for the most part every aspect of the camera ran as quickly as the GS III. The processor also allows you to launch the camera app and take a shot within two seconds of tapping the button. It can also pull off a confirmed four frames-per-second at full-res with fixed focus and a maximum burst of 20 shots.
Software Let's get back to that original question: why bother having Android on a camera? When it's implemented properly, as Samsung has achieved here, the answer to that question is something you feel as soon as you switch on the device. Instead of some clunky traditional camera interface, you'll be welcomed by your own, deliciously customizable environment. Favorite shots can be deployed as wallpaper; slideshow widgets can cycle through your recent photos and those of your friends; your most commonly used image editing and sharing apps can be positioned where you need them; the default keyboard can even be switched to one of your choice, making it easier to tag, rename and caption photos you intend to put online.
The overall effect is to make you feel more creative and more connected to photography, to the point where Samsung's marketing about a "new visual communication era" actually has a ring of truth to it. It's hard to explain, but there's just something fundamentally different and exciting about looking at people's Instagram shots on a device that is so powerfully equipped for taking pictures of your own, with no other hardware or file transfers getting in the way. On a side note, it would have been nice to use the zoom within the Instagram app, especially since Samsung said the app was being tweaked to allow that, but there's no sign of such a feature. Twiddling the zoom now only changes device volume, as it does anywhere except within Samsung's own camera app. That's right -- there's no "camera mode" as such. To take a shot you simply launch the camera app, whose icon is permanently positioned on the lower-left corner of each home screen. Alternatively, you can press the shutter release to get the same effect. Either way, it takes less than two seconds for the lens protector to flip open, the barrel to pop out and for the camera to be able to focus and pull off a shot. The shooting interface itself is simple and uncluttered, but heavily geared towards auto and scene-based photography. The main controls are located on the left side of the screen, which displays the current mode, a dial for choosing a different mode, as well as onscreen triggers for movie recording and shutter release (which behaves identically to the physical shutter release but is sometimes more convenient). Auto mode is pretty good, but we found that it often misjudged color balance and tended towards overexposure. Any discontent with Auto's results will lead you to the second easy-to-use mode, known as Smart. This brings together no fewer than 15 separate shooting styles -- not just scene-based profiles (e.g., Macro, Silhouette, Landscape), but also capture modes (Continuous Shot, Best Shot, HDR / Rich Tone), stitching options (Panorama, Best face) and effects (like Beauty face, which claims to smooth out imperfections). This might sound bewildering, but it quickly makes sense to organize things this way, and more importantly each Smart mode is pretty effective at getting the result you're looking for. Finally, if you're still not satisfied with what Smart mode can do, then you'll need to resort to the least intuitive of the three modes: Expert, which obliterates the screen with a range of onscreen dials covering P / S / A / M mode, ISO, exposure compensation, aperture and shutter speed. Depending on which priority mode you pick, one or more of these dials will be greyed out and inaccessible, because it's under the camera's control. In full Manual, the exposure compensation dial will be inaccessible and used to display the degree to which, by the camera's reckoning, you are over- or under-exposing. Overall, it's a logical system that stays faithful to how proper cameras work, and it's essential for creative control, but compared to physical dials it's still very tricky to hit good manual settings quickly or in response to changing conditions -- not least because the preview of the shot is obscured by all the dials and, well, there's just so much tapping. When it comes to looking back at your shots, the stock gallery app is no different to that on Samsung's latest smartphones and tablets, but it proves its worth on this device. When you're looking at a single image, there are just four main image-related buttons along the top right of the screen and they're all well thought out. The Share button brings up a list of all the installed apps that can be used to share or exploit a photo -- for example, if you install Evernote on the camera then this button will give you the option of creating a note out of the photo you're looking at. The second button is a shortcut to the method of sharing you used last -- so if you mostly use Facebook to share a picture, then the second button will likely be the Facebook logo. The third button is a quick and painless Delete, while the fourth button brings up an extensive menu that covers pretty much everything else you'd want to do with a photo: including basic crop, rotate and rename functions, and opening the photo in one of the two bundled editing apps to carry out more complicated refinements (there's Photo Wizard which is smart and easy to use, or Paper Artist which is for mostly gimmicky effects). Of course, you can use any app you like to tailor your images -- the entire Android ecosystem is at your disposal.
It should be clear by now that the software on this camera isn't just a bonus -- it's the Galaxy Camera's defining feature, and it's so engrossing that it's hard to go back to the closed-off, one-trick ways of a traditional shooter. But things hopefully won't stop there: now that Samsung has signaled its willingness to let third-party developers design apps specifically for this camera module, we can envisage a multitude of ways in which it could be made better suited to a range of niche users -- from tech bloggers to realtors, location scouts and untold others who'll want automated scripts for resizing, watermarking and filing photos; remote control apps; and who knows what else. Of course, that'll only happen if the popularity of this camera reaches a tipping point. And, as we've seen by now, there are serious limitations to this device -- namely its price, image quality and battery life -- that may prevent that from happening. Wrap-up More InfoThis is a tricky thing to evaluate. On the one hand, if we had $500 to spend on a camera of this size, we'd be more likely to spend it on a sophisticated mirrorless model that delivers better image quality. Alternatively, if we needed a cheap compact, we might opt for the Samsung WB850F, which has WiFi connectivity and the same lens and sensor as the Galaxy Camera, but costs half the price. The fact that we're paying so much money to dupe expensive components already used in smartphones, and that we'd have to spend at least $10 per month extra to get a basic data plan and make use of that SIM slot, all weighs heavily against the Galaxy Camera as a practical purchase. If the device were smaller and lighter, perhaps with a 4.3-inch panel and a shorter zoom, and if it was priced only slightly higher than a regular non-Android compact (perhaps at $300 or $350), we could imagine it being more mainstream. But alas, that's not what we're looking at right now. On the other hand, it wouldn't be right to just dismiss something that is so much fun to use. The combination of decent compact camera hardware and the latest version of Android is not only powerful; it's also seriously enjoyable, and it may result in the casual photographer spending far more time perfecting and sharing their pictures than they ever did before. We see it like this: Unless you're a dedicated hobbyist or you're taking photographs for your job, the creativity involved in editing and sharing a photo tends to be a fragile thing. The slightest inconvenience in switching out an SD card, or the boredom of waiting for a file to transfer, could be enough to make someone quit the task at hand and do something more urgent. So, if you've got a wad of notes to spare and you're intent on preserving and sharing the type of photos and videos that even the best smartphone can't achieve, the Galaxy Camera is bound to be rewarding. (Note: you can find the full sample images of Thailand here.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verizon and Sprint detail LTE expansion plans Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:46 AM PST
The great 4G race is upon us and two of America's major contestants are working on expanding their respective reach. In an effort to extend its existing lead, LTE frontrunner Verizon announced that it will light up Butte, Montana; Mount Vernon, Illinois; Grand Junction, Colorado; Rock Springs, Wyoming and several parts of Southern Arizona on November 15th. Not to be outdone by Big Red, Sprint also announced plans to serve up fresh baked LTE to nine new territories, including Minneapolis, Minnesota; Oakland, California; Fort Smith, Arkansas and Bloomington, Indiana. Swing by the source links below for a complete list of future red and yellow LTE recipients. Sprint Adding 4G LTE to Nine Additional Cities in Coming Months OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 13, 2012 - Continuing its aggressive push to deliver an enhanced top-tier network experience for customers, Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today that its 4G LTE network build is progressing in nine additional cities within its nationwide 3G footprint. Work has begun on the 4G LTE Network in the following additional areas: - During the pre-launch phase, Sprint customers with capable devices may begin to see 4G LTE coverage in these areas and are welcome to use the network even before it officially launches. Sprint plans to announce commercial availability of 4G LTE in these cities in the coming months, followed by continued enhancements in coverage, performance and reliability. Ultimately, Sprint's 4G LTE coverage is expected to largely match the existing nationwide 3G footprint. Sprint has announced more than 125 cities where Sprint 4G LTE is on its way, including Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Memphis, Tenn.; Miami; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C. To find out more about which markets currently have Sprint 4G LTE and which markets are coming next, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE. Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and currently offers service in 32 cities1. As part of its overall network strategy, Sprint is also doing a complete overhaul of its 3G infrastructure so that customers can enjoy better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage, and fewer dropped/blocked calls. These enhancements are now available to customers in several markets across the country, with significant deployment in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., and will continue to improve in the weeks and months ahead. With these enhancements to Sprint's 3G network, the company's prepaid customers, on Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, will also benefit and can expect to see better coverage, improved network reliability and voice quality resulting in up to 20 to 30 percent fewer dropped and blocked calls. Unlimited + Sprint 4G LTE = Game-changing wireless offer for customers In today's competitive wireless market, the value of unlimited has never been more apparent and Sprint is clearly a leading choice in wireless. Customers with capable devices can combine Sprint's all-new 3G and 4G LTE networks and enjoy unlimited data while on the Sprint network. Data usage continues to increase and consumers value Truly Unlimited data because it's simple and straightforward – while on the Sprint network there is no metering, no throttling, and no need to share data, which increases the likelihood of a surprise monthly bill because of overage charges. Coupled with unbeatable plans and fast devices, Sprint has been working hard to deliver the best customer experience in the past few years. The 2012 American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries measured, over the last four years. And Sprint has been ranked Highest in Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full-service Wireless Providers three times in a row by J.D. Power and Associates. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verizon brings wireless monitoring service to Lowe's Iris smart home system Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:32 AM PST
If you're haunted by dreams of left-on irons and stoves while trying to holiday, Verizon has announced it'll team up with Lowe's to help you wirelessly correct any carelessness. The operator is bringing a USB modem to Lowe's Iris smart home system, letting you monitor and manage your house remotely from a smartphone, sans WiFi or broadband. That'll let you track family members (or intruders) and control thermostats or appliances via smart plugs. Lowe's kits start at $180, so if you'd rather hear "are we there yet?" instead of "is the house on fire yet?" on your next trip, tap the PR after the break. Lowe's and Verizon Team Up for an Even Smarter Home Verizon USB Modem enhances Iris Offering by Providing Wireless Connectivity and Peace of Mind for Remote Home Management NEW YORK – November 13, 2012 – Lowe's and Verizon announced on Tuesday (Nov. 13) that customers of the home improvement retailer's Iris™ smart home solution, a 2012 CES Innovations Honoree, will now be able to use Verizon's world-class wireless network for remote monitoring and management of their homes. Available to U.S.-based Iris customers beginning Nov. 21, Verizon will be Lowe's exclusive provider of wireless connectivity, employing the nation's most reliable wireless network to deliver additional peace of mind and control when customers are away from their homes. Launched in July, Iris allows homeowners to monitor and control their homes from anywhere via a smartphone or tablet. The new Verizon wireless connection available via USB modem will connect to the Iris Smart Hub, eliminating the need for homeowners to have a wired broadband connection. The USB modems will be sold on Lowes.com. "Lowe's is a highly respected retailer in the marketplace and a valued customer, and this is a great opportunity to be the exclusive wireless provider of its award-winning Iris smart home solution," said Scott Eason, vice president of retail and financial services, Verizon Enterprise Solutions. "The trend and expectation from consumers is to be connected to all facets of their lives no matter where they are, and visibility into the home front is invaluable." Kevin Meagher, Lowe's vice president of smart home, said: "Wireless connectivity is of great value to our Iris customers who would like the freedom to manage and monitor their home without a broadband connection and with the peace of mind that connectivity to their home won't be lost should their Internet connection become interrupted. Verizon has worked with Lowe's for many years, and the extension of this relationship demonstrates our joint commitment to keeping our customers connected to the things most important to them whenever and wherever they choose." This new wireless addition to the Iris Smart Home solution expands a 14-year relationship between Lowe's and Verizon that includes wireless, wireline and hosting solutions, in addition to professional services consulting. Lowe's offers three different Iris starter kits that can all be paired with the Verizon wireless USB modem to facilitate connection with the Iris Hub for remote home monitoring and management: Iris Safe & Secure ($179) - Provides peace of mind to homeowners by using motion and contact sensors to monitor the home when away. Receive an email, text or call when alarm events happen at home or when the children arrive home from school. The kit includes an Iris Hub, motion sensors, a keypad and door, window and cabinet sensors. Iris Comfort & Control ($179) - Combines the convenience of home automation with the ability to save on energy costs in the home. In addition to the Iris Hub, this kit includes a thermostat which makes programming simple with an intuitive user interface and remote control of home settings through the Iris app. The kit also includes a smart plug that can remotely control devices in the home and report back on a current and historical energy usage. Iris Smart Kit ($299) - Combines the features of Comfort & Control and Safe & Secure in a single kit to deliver a full smart home solution. The kit includes an Iris Hub, a motion sensor, a smart plug, a key pad, a range extender, a smart thermostat and two window, door and cabinet sensors. Both Lowe's and Verizon will be participating in the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas. Lowe's will be showcasing the next generation of Iris products and services, including the Verizon Wireless USB Modem. About Lowe's About Verizon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EarthLink completes fiber broadband rollout in Eastern Tennessee Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:14 AM PST
Anyone familiar with the unglamorous circumstances of Elvis Presley's passing might agree he needed a little more fiber in his diet. That would've been the case if 'the King' was of this generation, as the state he called home is pretty well wired these days, and even more so now EarthLink has completed its "Eastern Tennessee Broadband Project." Over 500 miles of fiber optics have been installed in "underserved areas," offering up to 10 Gbps speeds to businesses and institutions, with some 'last mile' providers already claiming their stake. Bon appétit, Tennessee . [Image credit: Royce DeGrie / Getty Images]
EarthLink Completes Final Phase of Eastern Tennessee Broadband Project ATLANTA, GA- November 13, 2012 - EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK), a leading IT services and communications provider, today announced the conclusion of its Eastern Tennessee Middle Mile Fiber Broadband Project and the completion of a more than 500 mile fiber optic broadband network connecting previously underserved communities across the eastern part of the state. In all, EarthLink deployed 15 Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM)-capable Points of Presence (POPs) in the state, from which it can provide long-haul DWDM service up to 10 Gigabits, plus metro service in Nashville and Memphis. EarthLink's Tennessee Broadband project was funded by $9.4 million in federal stimulus by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) to reach communities designated as underserved by Connected Tennessee, an independent non-profit organization that develops and implements effective strategies for technology deployment, use and literacy in Tennessee. With this new Eastern Tennessee network in place, EarthLink can now offer its full suite of EarthLink Business IT and communications services to businesses and community anchor institutions in these previously underserved areas. EarthLink Carrier will also provide broadband interconnection to other carriers including last mile providers at speeds up to 10Gbps. Signed agreements are already in place between EarthLink and Morristown Fibernet for 1000M of dedicated Internet access and Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperativefor one GigE of IP transport from Cookeville to Huntsville , AL . Phase One of the network completion, announced in March, 2011, included a 343-mile overbuild of an existing diverse fiber optic route from Nashville to Knoxville, and the addition of a new diverse fiber optic route from Knoxville to Chattanooga. The Phase Two network expansion, completed in June of 2011, included deployment of a fiber optic route from Knoxville to Bristol, Tennessee. Point of Presence (POP) sites along the route include: Knoxville, TN; Morristown, TN; Johnson City, TN; and Bristol, TN. The final Phase Three of the project involved five network interconnection points including Cookeville, Oak Ridge, Cleveland, Sweetwater and Morristown, TN. "For this traditionally underserved region of Tennessee, EarthLink's new broadband network will enable businesses and community organizations such as medical providers and schools to better serve their constituencies," said Jim O'Brien, EarthLink Executive Vice President of Infrastructure Engineering and Operations. "Businesses of all sizes, as well as carrier and last mile service providers, will benefit from improved access with broadband speeds up to 10 Gigabits per second. We hope that access to this high-capacity network can serve as an engine for economic growth in the region." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Digital My Net router leaps to 802.11ac speeds, gets a bridge to keep it company Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:00 AM PST
Western Digital only just broke into the networking field this spring, but it's already settling in as a regular with a quick performance upgrade. The company's fledgling My Net router line is making the leap to bleeding-edge 802.11ac WiFi through the release of the AC1300 (above), which sees the expected boost to a quick 1.3Gbps and supposedly outpaces its rivals with a unique horizontal 3-by-3 antenna layout. Whether or not that lead is real or just marketing bluster, WD isn't as concerned about the symbolic link to its storage brand this time around -- it's relegating any hard drive sharing to two USB 2.0 ports and relies on either the fast wireless or four gigabit Ethernet ports for local media. Going with the AC1300 will carry a typical 802.11ac premium at $190, but there's also a more focused $150 My Net AC Bridge (pictured after the break) for those who just need four or fewer of their Ethernet devices linked over extra-speedy WiFi. WD UNVEILS BLAZING FAST 802.11AC WIRELESS ROUTER AND BRIDGE FOR MAXIMUM WI-FI SPEEDS AND ENTERTAINMENT STREAMING A leading product testing and analysis organization, The Tolly Group, conducted performance testing of the My Net AC1300 router and My Net Bridge amongst comparable products on the market today. Results show that the My Net AC1300 router is faster than leading competitive products averaged across ranges of 30 to 75 feet, demonstrating the strongest performance in providing stable wireless speeds over long distances, and cutting out buffering and lag times to provide a smooth HD entertainment streaming experience throughout the home. "The recent introduction of our My Net family of routers brought several new breakthroughs to the market, including our acclaimed FasTrack prioritization technology, amazingly simple setup and the My Net N900 Central router with storage," states Scott Vouri, general manager for WD's connected life solutions group. "The My Net AC1300 and My Net AC WiFi Bridge build on those breakthroughs, setting a new standard for wireless speeds and delivering maximum HD streaming performance for our customers, while driving multiple devices on the home network at the same time." WD's exclusive FasTrack prioritization technology and next-generation AC Wi-Fi work together in the My Net AC1300 router to deliver crystal-clear high-definition streaming content to gaming consoles, media players, smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, computers and other Wi-Fi connected devices at speeds up to 3 times faster and with more reliable coverage, than wireless-N Wi-Fi. With dual-band performance up to 450 + 1300 Megabits per second (Mbps) and FasTrack technology, the My Net AC1300 features 802.11n wireless technology on the 2.4 GHz band and 802.11ac wireless technology on the 5 GHz band. Both bands work simultaneously to significantly reduce streaming delays and interference with the multitude of Wi-Fi devices connected to the network. The My Net AC1300 achieves its blazing throughput and exceptional signal quality via a unique horizontal 3x3 antennae array design. The acclaimed simple setup process of the first generation of My Net routers is even easier on the new My Net AC1300 router. No CD or installation software is required. Setup is as easy as plugging in the new router and running the integrated automatic setup via the web browser on any smartphone, tablet or PC. Additionally, the My Net Dashboard makes it easy to customize, monitor or change settings on the network, by providing access to parental controls, Internet security settings, network name and password settings, all in one easy view. My Net AC1300 includes four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired devices such as media players or network attached storage, as well as two USB 2.0 ports to easily add external storage such as My Book® or My Passport® hard drives, shared printers, and scanners. Additionally, My Net AC1300 is Universal Plug and Play (UPnP®) certified for easy detection and connection of Wi-Fi devices, as well as Windows 8 certified for seamless support of the new Microsoft operating system. With the new My Net AC Bridge, customers can convert up to four devices like a smart TV, game console, Blu-ray disc™ player and media player from wired-Ethernet to wireless and get blazing-fast AC Wi-Fi speeds for the ultimate HD entertainment experience. This reduces the amount of network cabling needed in the home without sacrificing the throughput Ethernet provides. The My Net AC Bridge is easily setup by simply pushing the WPS buttons on the bridge and the My Net AC1300 router (or other brands' AC routers). My Net™ AC1300 Router and My Net™ AC Bridge are available now at select U.S. retailers and online at wdstore.com. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $189.99 USD for My Net AC1300 and $149.99 USD for My Net AC Bridge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jellyfish-mimicking device could snatch cancer cells right out of the bloodstream Posted: 14 Nov 2012 03:32 AM PST
If you think the picture above looks like droplets of blood being snared in a sticky tentacle, then you have a scarily active -- but in this case accurate -- imagination. It's actually a microfluidic chip that's been coated with long strands of DNA, which dangle down into the bloodstream and bind to any cancerous proteins floating past -- directly imitating the way a jellyfish scoops up grub in the ocean. If required, the chip can release these cells unharmed for later inspection. According to the chip's designers at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, the catch-and-release mechanism can be put to both diagnostic and therapeutic use in the fight against Big C, and can also be used to isolate good things, like fetal cells. The next step will be to test the device on humans -- at which point we may owe an even greater debt of gratitude to our gelatinous friends. [Image credit: Rohit Karnik and Suman Bose] Catch and Release: Marine Animals Inspire Researchers to Invent a Device that can Detect, Capture and Release Rare Cancer Cells BOSTON, MA-A research team at Brigham and Women's Hospital has developed a novel device that may one day have broad therapeutic and diagnostic uses in the detection and capture of rare cell types, such as cancer cells, fetal cells, viruses and bacteria. The device is inspired by the long, elegant appendages of sea creatures, such as jellyfish and sea cucumbers. The study will be published online on November 12, 2012 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The device, a microchip, is inspired by a jellyfish's long, sticky tentacles that are used to capture miniscule food flowing in the water. The researchers designed a chip that uses a three-dimensional DNA network made up of long DNA strands with repetitive sequences that-like the jellyfish tentacles-can detect, bind and capture certain molecules. In this study, Karp and his team tested the chip using a DNA sequence that had a specific affinity to a cell-surface protein found abundantly in human cancer cells. The researchers engineered the device to efficiently capture a higher quantity of cancer cells from whole blood patient samples at much higher flow rates compared to other methods that use shorter DNA strands or antibodies. "The chip we have developed is highly sensitive. From just a tiny amount of blood, the chip can detect and capture the small population of cancer cells responsible for cancer relapse," said Weian Zhao, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow from the Karp lab who is now faculty at the University of California, Irvine, and first study author. In addition to using the device for blood-based cancers, it may find application to isolate cells that break away from solid tumors and travel through the bloodstream. "What most people don't realize is that it is the metastasis that kills, not the primary tumor," said Karp. "Our device has the potential to catch these cells in the act with its 'tentacles' before they may seed a new tumor in a distant organ." Moreover, unlike other methods, the device was able to maintain a high purity of the captured cells that could easily be released and cultured in the laboratory. "One of the greatest challenges in the treatment of cancer patients is to know which drug to prescribe," said Karp. "By isolating circulating tumor cells before and after the first round of chemotherapy is given, we can determine the biology behind why certain cells are resistant to chemotherapy. We can also use the isolated cells to screen drugs for personalized treatments that could boost effectiveness and hopefully prevent cancer relapse." The primary support for this research was from the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization postdoctoral fellowship and the National Institutes of Health (HL097172 and HL095722). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 is fit for a queen -- The Queen, in fact Posted: 14 Nov 2012 03:09 AM PST
The Queen always keeps up with the latest technology, and today she'll try to squeeze a Galaxy Note 10.1 into her handbag. The tablet represents a "digital time-capsule," and will be loaded with multimedia clippings -- submitted by people from all over the world -- detailing history during her reign. A total of 60 video, audio and text entries were selected from 80,000 (150GB-worth), but all of that data will eventually be added to an online archive called the "Diamond (re)Collection." The project was orchestrated by The Royal Commonwealth Society, which briefly considered using an iPad, but ultimately decided Samsung's slate was the more regal (even if it is less cool). It leaves us wondering -- will the next Royal Decree be signed with an S-Pen? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:32 AM PST
The rise of touchscreen Windows 8 PCs isn't a happy occasion for anyone who's been carefully keeping PC screens clean: years of slapping wayward hands have been undermined by an interface that practically begs us to smudge up the display. While we suspect it's really aiming for ease of use, Elliptic Labs may have heard that subliminal cry for cleanliness while producing its new Windows 8 Gesture Suite, a touchless control system built for a very touch-focused platform. The company's newest take on ultrasound control can pick up 3D hand motions near the display and invoke all of Windows 8's edge swipes and scrolling without the extra effort (or grease) of putting skin to screen. The method doesn't need a one-to-one map of the screen and can work even in pitch darkness, which leaves adoption mostly dependent on hardware support rather than any wary users -- despite immediate availability for the SDK, PCs need extra microphones and transducers to drop the touch layer. If computers with the Gesture Suite arrive in the hoped-for 12 to 14 months, though, we can get back to obsessing over a fingerprint-free LCD while saving some physical strain in the process. Elliptic Labs Launches First Commercial Touchless Gesturing Technology Using Ultrasound, Designed for Electronic Devices and Windows 8 Windows 8 Gesture Suite and SDK Available PALO ALTO, Calif. – November 13, 2012 – Science fiction and futuristic movies stepped into reality today as a result of powerful new touchless gesturing technology from Elliptic Labs (www.ellipticlabs.com) based on ultrasound. Enabling consumer electronic devices to respond to natural hand movements all around a screen, Elliptic's breakthrough technology is the first of its kind commercially available and has been incorporated in the Windows 8 Gesture Suite, introduced today. See video here. Elliptic is the leader in ultrasonic touchless gesturing for consumer electronic devices. Its patented, low-power, responsive new technology is superior to the limited, camera-based approaches on the market. The Windows 8 Gesture Suite enables a touchless version of all touchscreen gestures in the new operating system. Combined with Elliptic's SDK, the technology gives OEMs the flexibility to create disruptive new ways to interact with devices. Elliptic's ultrasound technology uses sound waves and microphones to detect movement, similar to how radar detects objects. The technology is not limited to detecting movement within camera view - it detects natural hand movements that extend beyond the camera, surrounding a device screen. "Microsoft's new Metro interface changes how consumers interact with the operating system and the design is a perfect fit for touchless gestures. Elliptic's Windows 8 Gesture Suite gives users a touchless version of the gestures they already know from a touchscreen," said Tobias Dahl, CTO and founder of Elliptic Labs. "The future of technology lies in moving from touchscreen to gesture recognition, but to date, using cameras has proved limiting and unnatural to users," he said. "Ultrasonic gesture technology uses sensors to deliver its capabilities and extends gesture-space to all sides of the screen, ensuring that the technology is robust and - unlike cameras - can be used in dark and bright light. Our Elliptic Windows 8 gestures gives users full control of the new interface by simple intuitive gestures in 3D space, enabling a more natural and efficient way to work." Ultrasonic touchless technology uses up to 95% less power than current camera image-based gestural systems, making it an attractive option for device manufactures around the world. Elliptic provides a Starter Kit for laptops; an out-of-the box solution that allows customers and partners to get started with ultrasound-based gestures without designing hardware. It also comes with an SDK that incorporates natural gestures into devices and delivers an extensive range of example applications. With the SDK, customer and partners can create disruptive new ways to interact with devices and applications beyond Windows 8. The set of controls allows using gestures for scrolling, selecting, rotating objects and controlling menus. Elliptic's software is in high demand by large OEM, ODMs and component and chip manufactures that are looking to integrate new capabilities allowing consumers to interact with tablets, ultrabooks and smartphones. Availability Elliptic's Windows 8 Gesture Suite, Starter-Kit and SDK are available immediately. For more information, contact sales hello@ellipticlabs.com or visit www.ellipticlabs.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Visa's V.me digital wallet service graduates from beta with 53 banks, 23 retailers on board Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:57 AM PST
After roughly a year since its unveiling, Visa's digital payment platform V.me has emerged from beta with support from a total of 53 banks, including PNC and U.S. Bank, and 23 retailers. If V.me has escaped your memory thanks to the proliferation of electronic payment options, you'd be forgiven. For those in need of a refresher, the service lets users check out at participating online stores using a one-click solution that remembers credit card details from multiple providers (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa) in addition to billing and mailing addresses. Visa's Global Head of eCommerce, Jennifer Schulz, told TechCrunch that the firm is planning on making mobile apps and bringing the service to checkout terminals next year. How does the company plan on standing out from the sea of options? Visa's banking on its brand-name and ability to spread the service far and wide. If V.me has piqued your interest, leap past the break to catch the full list of supported banks and retailers. [Image credit: Philip Taylor, Flickr] More than 50 Financial Institutions Adopt V.me by Visa, Simplifying Online Holiday Shopping Tweet this: More than 50 financial institutions adopt V.me by #Visa, simplifying online holiday shopping for as many as 55 million people #digitalwallet FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) today expanded the reach of V.me by Visa, landing more than 50 additional financial institution partners. V.me, Visa's new digital wallet service, frees online shoppers from having to repeatedly enter account number, bill-to and ship-to information at checkout. This will change the way tens of millions of people shop and pay by making online checkout simple and secure. Account holders will be able to make payments online using V.me and check out simply by entering a username and password. These relationships bring the addressable base of cardholders to as many as 55 million, allowing account holders to easily enroll Visa and other U.S.-issued payment cards through V.me and begin shopping online from a PC, tablet or mobile phone. Consumers can visit www.V.me to enroll and shop immediately at any of the 23 top eCommerce retailers live with V.me, including 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Shoebuy.com, cooking.com, Rakuten Buy.com, Blue Nile, and many more. "Whether you're shopping for holiday gifts or shopping for yourself, V.me is now available to anyone in the U.S. looking for a more simple, secure, and personal online shopping experience," said Jennifer Schulz (@Jen_Schulz), global head of eCommerce, Visa. "V.me is built around a single concept, to help people shop online simply and securely. We understand that need and believe our long-standing relationships with financial institutions, merchants and acquirers put Visa in a strong position to deliver the very best digital wallet experience." Visa is working closely with the brands below to drive consumer adoption by allowing people to sign up through their issuer, on a merchant checkout page or online directly at www.V.me. 53 financial institution partners offering V.me: A + Federal Credit Union, Affinity Bank, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, America First Credit Union, Arvest Bank, Bank of Tennessee, BB&T, BBVA Compass, Cabela's World's Foremost Bank, Capitol Federal Savings Bank, CEFCU (Citizens Equity First Credit Union), Commerce Bank, Commonwealth Credit Union, Community Credit Union of Florida, Credit Union of Colorado, CSCU, Deere Employees Credit Union, Digital Federal Credit Union, Directions Credit Union, First Financial Bank of Ohio, Greater Texas Federal Credit Union, IBC Bank, ICBA, Listerhill Credit Union, Members 1st Credit Union, Mercantile Bank of Michigan, Meritrust Credit Union, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, Motorola Employees Credit Union, New Mexico Educator Federal Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, Pentagon Federal, PNC, PSCU, Royal Credit Union, SCE Federal Credit Union, State Employees Credit Union of Maryland, StellarOne Bank, Susquehanna Bank, Synovus Bank, TCF Bank, The Members Group, Union Bank & Trust, University Federal Credit Union, U.S. Bank, Xceed Financial Federal Credit Union, and more. 23 merchant partners offering V.me: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, 88Hours.com, Beach Camera, Bidz.com, Blue Nile, Buy.com, BuyDig, Cooking.com, CozyBoots.com, Events.Shoebuy.com, Modnique.com, MovieTickets.com, OpticsPlanet, PacSun.com, Rangefinders, Scentiments.com, Shoebuy.com, Shoplet.com, StudentUniverse, Zoostores.com, and more. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Skype disables password reset page to deal with email-based security 'vulnerability' (update) Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:42 AM PST
Skype has taken down its password reset page as it deals with a password reset exploit that can give suspicious types access to your account with only your email address. The issue was first spotted on Russian forums months earlier, but TNW has since been able to replicate the same, apparently easy to reproduce, vulnerability. Before Skype withdrew its password reset page, the only way to avoid the problem was to change your email address to something unknown by anyone. According to Skype's Heartbeat status blog, it's now investigating the issue further. Update: Skype has released a second statement: "Early this morning we were notified of user concerns surrounding the security of the password reset feature on our website. This issue affected some users where multiple Skype accounts were registered to the same email address. "We suspended the password reset feature temporarily this morning as a precaution and have made updates to the password reset process today so that it is now working properly. We are reaching out to a small number of users who may have been impacted to assist as necessary." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dish Network's Hopper gets an off-air digital TV tuner, software update packing new features Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:02 AM PST
If recording satellite television using one of Dish Network's Hopper systems left you longing for something a little more terrestrial, there's good news: the firm just unveiled an off-air digital tuner that's compatible with its marsupial-themed hardware. For those eager to record broadcasts picked up with an antenna, the OTA dongle is already available for $30 from Dish's online store. A freshly released software update not only adds support for the hardware, but also brings a raft of new features to the Hopper. With the update, users can now pair Bluetooth audio devices with the DVR, gaze at album art on SiriusXM channels and recover deleted recordings from a recycle bin that saves nixed footage for 48 hours. The box's "Prime Time Anytime" feature now supports standard definition local channels, and a new "What's Hot" section clues users into what other folks are watching locally and nationwide. For nitty gritty details, screenshots and impressions of the OTA module, tap the source links below. Thanks to reader Dave for the screenshot! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Logitech Alert security cameras get OS X support for mindful MacBook owners Posted: 14 Nov 2012 12:00 AM PST
Logitech's Alert camera system has given security to Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows users alike, yet there's been a conspicuously Mac-shaped void in support. Logitech is plugging that hole with a native OS X version of its Alert Commander app. So long as Alert system owners are running Snow Leopard or later, they'll have an Orwellian view of live and pre-recorded video feeds from as many as six of the HomePlug-connected cameras. The control extends to 16 motion-sensitive zones, digital zoom, backups and desktop notifications for when an intruder disturbs the peace. As the app itself is a free Mac App Store download, the only cost left is a recent camera array like the Alert 750n to keep track of home from a MacBook Air. Logitech Introduces Mac OS X Support for the Logitech Alert Security System New Mac Version of Alert Commander Will Allow You to Configure, Control and View Logitech Alert Security Cameras from Your Mac Computer NEWARK, Calif. - Nov. 14, 2012 - Today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) expanded its Logitech® Alert™ software lineup by introducing Logitech Alert Commander for Mac® OS X, a powerful desktop application that turns your Mac computer into a video security command center, allowing you to configure, control and view your Logitech Alert digital video security system from a Mac, a capability already available on a Windows-based computer. For Mac enthusiasts who want easy and reliable video surveillance, the new Mac software works with all Logitech Alert security cameras. The Alert Commander for Mac is now available to download for free from the Mac App Store and supports Mac OS version 10.6.8 and higher. Logitech Alert is a complete video security system in a box, featuring an easy installation process, powerful software, free remote viewing and free iOS™, Android™ and BlackBerry™ apps. Whether you're at home or on the go, Logitech Alert helps protect your property and your loved ones, offering true peace of mind so you can feel safe. With Logitech Alert Commander for Mac you can view live and recorded video from your cameras in HD resolution, and back up recorded video from your cameras to your Mac. Account and security settings also make it easy for you to control digital pan, tilt and zoom of cameras, set up motion zones for individual cameras, and create and manage e-mail and mobile-phone motion alerts or desktop notifications of important events. Logitech Alert Commander for Mac supports up to six Logitech Alert security cameras, giving you the flexibility to place additional cameras in more locations in and around your home. All Logitech Alert security cameras offer high quality HD video (960 x 720 @ 15fps), a 130-degree wide-angle lens that delivers twice the viewing area when compared to standard cameras, and a built-in DVR that records motion events to an included 2GB MicroSD™ card – even when the Mac is turned off. Several Logitech Alert models also include powerful night vision, making it easier to identify people and other objects more clearly, day or night. "We've heard the increasing requests for an Alert Commander for Mac, and are proud that Logitech Alert is one of the first security solutions to help people who use Mac keep their homes protected," said James Lopez, general manager of digital video security at Logitech. "Now, people with Macs can keep a watchful eye on their home, office or vacation residence and rest assured knowing it's safe. We think peace of mind should be just an arm's reach away – regardless if you're using Mac or Windows – which is also why we provide free online viewing accounts to our customers." Logitech Alert uses HomePlug® networking, which makes installation easy and removes the need to run wires or bother with tricky network configuration. Simply plug your camera into a power outlet, and HomePlug uses your existing electrical wiring and outlets to connect your camera to the network and transmit video securely. Pricing and Availability Logitech Alert Commander for Mac® OS X is available now for free download from the Mac App Store for users running Mac OS 10.6.8 and higher. The Logitech Alert 750e Outdoor Master System, Logitech Alert 750n Indoor Master System, Logitech Alert 700e Outdoor Add-On Camera, Logitech Alert 700n Indoor Add-On Camera, and the Logitech Alert 700i Indoor Add-On Camera are available in the U.S. and Europe for a suggested retail price of $349.99, $299.99, $279.99, $229.99, and $199.99, respectively. For more information please visit www.logitech.com or our blog. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panasonic will cut another 10,000 jobs by March, won't dodge a $10 billion annual loss Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:11 PM PST
Despite the recent uptick in its profits and the fact that it has already deleted 36,000 names from its payroll, Panasonic says it'll have to cut another 10,000 jobs by March of next year. The maker of the Lumix GH3, huge 8K plasmas and much else that is desirable, is steadily facing up to the reality that a fifth of its 100 business units are bleeding cash. But depressingly, even with this major restructuring and continuing efforts to sell off unwanted units, the Japanese old-timer still expects to lose $10 billion during this accounting year and fail in its goal to achieve a five percent profit margin within the next three years. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gartner: smartphone sales up 47 percent in Q3, Android's OS market share increases (updated) Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:10 PM PST
Third quarter figures from Gartner are out, reporting worldwide mobile phone sales slowed again in Q3 2012. Smartphones, however, showed a 46.9 percent increase in sales over the same period last year, with 169.2 million units sold. As you would imagine, Apple and Samsung sold the most, accounting for almost half of all worldwide smartphone purchases. Nokia sales declined during the quarter, and with only 7.2 million of its smartphones filling customers' hands, its ranking in this segment plummeted from third to seventh (although Gartner expects sales of the new Lumia devices should soften the fall in Q4). In contrast, Apple had a solid quarter, with sales up 36.2 percent year-on-year, which is expected to continue into the fourth quarter as the iPhone 5 launches in more markets. Samsung didn't do too bad either, increasing sales by 18.6 percent year-on-year thanks to its Galaxy range (although it's important to note this figure is for total phone sales, not just smartphones). In the OS wars, Android continued to grow its market share up to 72.4 percent, with iOS taking the second spot with 13.9 percent. Stalwart RIM made a leap into the top three with its BlackBerry OS, as aging Symbian saw its usage decline further. If you want to pour over the figures yourself, check out the source below. Update: We've tinkered with the post to remove some confusion between total mobile phone sales and smartphone sales. None of the figures have been changed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google touts improved Flash Player security in Chrome for Mac, says it's safer than ever Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:45 PM PST
Needless to say, Adobe hasn't had the best of times when it comes to the overall reliability of its Flash Player on Apple-made devices -- so much so that Steve Jobs took it upon himself to write some thoughts about it a couple of years ago. Thanks to Google, though, Adobe can proudly say it's famed Flash Player is now more secure than it's ever been -- well, at least on Chrome. According to Google, both companies have been working closely since 2010 to find ways to improve the security aspects of the famed plug-in, noting that some of the most recent enhancements can now be found in the latest Stable release of the browser -- in which a novel plug-in architecture is used, allowing Flash to run "inside a sandbox that's as strong as Chrome's native sandbox." The Flash plug-in improvements within Chrome aren't just for Mac users, however, as Google has said Adobe's Player is now fully sandboxed on Windows, Linux and, of course, its own Chrome OS as well. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google updates Transparency Report, pledges compliance to the US of A Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:14 PM PST
Curious as to how well Google plays with the governments of the world? Well, you need look no further than the company's latest Transparency Report, which details instances of content removal and user data requests over a six month span. And in this latest issuance, Mountain View's pulling the curtain back once again, revealing its rate of compliance alongside the actual number of individual account access requests it's received. Topping out the list with the highest amount of private / public cooperation is none other than the United States at a near fully submissive 90-percent, with Japan and Denmark following closely behind. There's no need to dole out the conspiracy theories just yet though -- the majority of these events are linked to criminal investigations and copyright infringement complaints. Still, it's an eye-opening glimpse into the life of our personal data and the price you pay for free services. Check out the source below to parse the granular bits of privacy data on display. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASUS powerline adapter has four Gigabit LAN connectors, one of which gets VIP treatment Posted: 13 Nov 2012 09:28 PM PST
ASUS has made a strong case for the future of powerline networking with its new PL-X51P/PL-X52P powerline adapters (the PL-X51P is a single unit while the PL-X52P is a two-adapter bundle). They're the first in the market to have four -- that's right, four -- Gigabit LAN connectors each. If that wasn't enough, one of them is actually a designated VIP port designed to push whatever's connected to it to the top of the bandwidth priority list, presumably so you can speed up the download of that totally legal copy of Game of Thrones on one computer while smacking gnomes around in World of Warcraft on another. The adapters have an extra outlet each so you can still use the socket while an integrated noise filter helps compensate for powerline fluctuations. There's also 128-bit AES encryption and ASUS promises speeds of up to 500Mbps. The model seen here looks to be Europe/Asia only due to the shape of the plug; we've yet to see one suitable for the US. Similarly, there's no word on pricing, but we'll be sure to update you with more information once we find out. ASUS PL-X51P and PL-X52P 500Mbps Powerline Adapters Launched Ideal for clutter-free network expansion, the devices use existing power plugs to drive fast online access, featuring four Gigabit LAN connectors with a dedicated VIP port ASUS PL-X51P and PL-X52P powerline adapters enter the market as part of a new trend that makes use of prevalent power plugs to offer easy-setup networking that covers entire homes and offices. Doubling the utility of electrical outlets without creating additional clutter, they offer high speed 500Mbps data rates, four Gigabit LAN ports, VIP bandwidth prioritization, and a smart energy-saving standby mode. With their extra-outlet noise filtering design, the compact PL-X51P and PL-X52P deliver on the promise of uncompromising powerline connectivity, giving customers access to wider coverage with no additional infrastructure. The PL-X51 includes one powerline adapter, while the PL-X52P ships as a two-adapter bundle. Great alternative to conventional networking Fastest powerline performance available Quad LAN ports and priority VIP management Smart energy-saving standby lowers electric bills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBM 7 beta is open now, adds Voice feature for free calls over WiFi Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:39 PM PST
RIM's BlackBerry 10 launch isn't scheduled until January 30th, but BBM faithful can try out a new feature on their existing handsets -- voice calling. Brand new for BBM 7 it lets users bypass the text chat their thumbs have been used to and directly talk via the service, as long as they're connected to a WiFi network, no 3G / 4G allowed. That connection restriction takes some of the shine off, but BlackBerry users traveling to / living in far locales with minute-restricted SIM cards or less reliable infrastructure make make the most use of it. Voice allows for direct initiation of calls, switching from text chat to a call, using both in split screen and has an indicator to let users know when their friends are open for a chat. That's not the only BBM 7 upgrade however, as the service is now deeply integrated with one BlackBerry ID, which backs up their profile, groups and contacts for easy switching to a new device. Currently BBM 7 is available in beta for BlackBerry OS 6 or higher smartphones, with support for BlackBerry 5 planned "at a future date." If you're interested, hit the Beta Zone to sign up for access at the link below, or check out the press release after the break for more details. BBM Now Lets You Have Voice Chats for Free Over Wi-Fi November 13, 2012 WATERLOO, ON – For the times when you want to hear a friend's laughter instead of reading LOL, BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) is taking the social networking experience to a whole new level with an exciting new feature called BBM Voice. Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced BBM version 7, a free update for the globally popular mobile social network, which will allow customers to make free voice calls to other BBM customers around the world over a Wi-Fi® connection*. BBM is a fast, convenient and inexpensive service for BlackBerry® customers that gives them the ability to instantly chat with a friend, family member or colleague, and know when their message has been delivered, and read. With the new version of BBM, customers have a new option – they can talk with their BBM contact across the globe for free over a Wi-Fi connection. In an instant, customers can switch between texting and talking, or talk and text at the same time. For consumers, especially in developing markets, the BBM Voice feature offers an attractive way to talk with friends and family near and far, and staying in contact will be easier than ever as the holiday season approaches. For business customers, BBM Voice allows for enriched collaboration. "BBM is the quick, easy way to stay connected to the people that matter to you, and with today's announcement we're expanding the capabilities of the service for deeper social engagement and even greater collaboration, beginning with voice functionality," said T.A. McCann, Vice President of BBM and Social Communities at RIM. "The new BBM Voice feature is for when you're travelling and you want to call home without worrying about phone charges. It's for when you have news you can't wait to share, for quickly explaining complicated details, and collaborating with colleagues. Whenever your ideas are too big for text, there's BBM Voice." BBM Voice includes a number of convenient features. Customers can initiate a BBM Voice call directly, or instantly switch from a BBM text chat to talk, and back again. BBM version 7 with the new BBM Voice feature is currently available in Beta for BlackBerry smartphones running the BlackBerry® 6 OS or higher with support planned for smartphones running the BlackBerry 5 OS at a future date. The Beta can be downloaded for free from BlackBerry Beta Zone**. Customers can sign up to BlackBerry Beta Zone for free at www.BlackBerry.com/betazone. For more information about BBM, please visit www.blackberry.com/bbm. * BBM requires a BlackBerry service plan. The BBM Voice feature requires a Wi-Fi connection with access to the Internet and may not be available in all markets. ** BlackBerry Beta Zone is not available in all markets. About Research In Motion Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scosche is next up with Lightning accessories, brings chargers for iPads and iPhones alike Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:04 PM PST
If you've snagged one of Apple's new iThings complete with 30-pin dock connector-replacing Lightning ports, Scosche is the next manufacturer (after Belkin) to offer up a compatible line of accessories. The variety of car and wall chargers come in several 12W and 5W variants, with the more powerful ones pushing enough juice to quick charge those fourth generation iPads and iPad minis. Of course, while they can provide design alternatives like multiple ports that Apple's official hardware doesn't cover, there's not a price break coming with the cheapest strikeDRIVE car charger starting at $29.99, while the most expensive item listed is the strikeBase pro dual USB wall charger (pictured above) and lightning cable setup for $49.99. There's more details at the source link if you're interested in purchasing. Apple users let us know what your plan is -- making do with just the one new charger, slapping on a $29 adapter, or sticking with old hardware for now / switching to a new platform to avoid the new connector altogether? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| McLaren to supply EV groundwork for Formula E cars, take pro racing electric Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:28 PM PST
McLaren isn't a brand that most would associate with eco-friendly motoring. That very nearly makes it a surprise to see the supercar builder throw itself wholeheartedly into performance EVs with a new deal for Formula E racing: it's supplying all the motors, electronics and transmissions for Spark Racing Technology-made cars to be used in the pure-electric league's inaugural 2014 season. Full technical details await, but the championship's choice of noise-sensitive urban racetracks guarantees that we won't hear attempts to recreate an F1 engine's high-RPM buzz anytime soon -- we're more likely to hear the tire noise. We'll deal with any lost romanticism if it means giving Formula E, and performance EVs, a healthy dose of credibility. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Digital boosts entire MyBook Studio line with USB 3.0, adds 4TB model to the mix Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:52 PM PST
After bumping its Thunderbolt and regular MyBook line with a couple of extra terabytes, Western Digital turned its attention to its shiny MyBook Studio offerings to kick those up a notch too. WD's family of premium aluminum-clad drives finally gets USB 3.0 across the line, along with a new top-of-the-pack 4TB capacity model. All the Studio drives feature WD Security, seamless integration with Time Machine and a 3-year limited warranty. Pricing for the 1TB, 2TB, 3TB and 4TB drives are $159.99, $189.99, $239.99 and $299.99 respectively. Western Digital says they'll continue to offer older USB 2.0 and FireWire 800 models, just in case you're still struggling along with a storage-starved relic from the past. IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- WD®, a Western Digital company (NASDAQ: WDC), and a world leader in external storage and connected life solutions, today announced a new version of the My Book® Studio™ external hard drive. USB 3.0 capability is now extended to this family of My Book Studio hard drives and provides data transfer speeds up to three times faster than USB 2.0. WD has also introduced the addition of a massive 4 TB capacity in a single-drive configuration making it a perfect solution for backing up large amounts of digital content. The My Book Studio drive is designed with a premium aluminum enclosure and will be available in 1 TB, 2 TB, 3 TB and 4 TB capacities. The My Book Studio drive's features and benefits have made it a favorite among creative professionals and Mac computer enthusiasts, including working seamlessly with Apple® Time Machine, for protecting and backing up their valuable professional and personal content. The My Book Studio external hard drive includes WD Security™, which allows users to password protect their drive along with 256-bit hardware-based encryption for added security against unauthorized access to the drive and its contents. "WD's My Book Studio with USB 3.0 delivers extreme transfer speeds while maintaining the standard USB and FireWire connections computer users prefer," said Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager of WD's branded and CE products. "Its large capacity, combined with a premium aluminum enclosure, hardware-based encryption, and compatibility with Apple Time Machine, provide Mac users with a fast, secure and complete system for preserving their valuable content." Pricing and Availability PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1tdAm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alleged 4-inch Samsung Galaxy Axiom leaks, could be headed to US Cellular Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:20 PM PST
The always-informative evleaks has done it yet again. This time out it's not a Lumia 920 or some revealing press shots of the PadFone 2, though -- instead, what we have here is what appears to be a variant of Samsung's recently announced Galaxy Mini. According to evleaks, this 4-inch handset will be officially known as the Galaxy Axiom (model SCH-R830), and could very well end up on US Cellular, bringing with it a WVGA display alongside a decent dual-core, 1.2GHz MSM8960 CPU, LTE and Ice Cream Sandwich. Naturally, take this with a grain of salt, but given the messenger's recent track record, it also wouldn't surprise us if we hear something more official in the days to come. In the meantime, however, it looks as if the picture above will have to suffice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| D'oh: Google Voice force-closing text messages for Android 4.2 users Posted: 13 Nov 2012 05:44 PM PST
The growing pains associated with being an early adopter can sometimes be brutal, as Android's latest software bump doesn't appear to jibe too well with one of Google's most popular in-house apps. Prior to the Nexus 4's official release, word of a Google Voice texting bug began to circulate, but was written off as pre-release jitters. However, it appears that the issue is expanding beyond the search giant's newborn smartphone, as owners of the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus loaded with Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) are also experiencing crashes when attempting to compose a text message within Google Voice. While the app still works for phone calls, text messages are completely off limits. Hopefully, this issue can be fixed with an app update as opposed to a new Android software version altogether. In the meantime, if you're a heavy Google Voice user with Android 4.2 in your crosshairs, we suggest that you hold fire and wait until Google officially sorts things out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft warns gamers DirectX 11.1 is Windows 8-only Posted: 13 Nov 2012 05:07 PM PST
We hope there weren't too many PC gamers clinging to Windows 7 for dear life, because Microsoft isn't about to rescue them with a near-term DirectX update. The company's Daniel Moth (and supporting documentation) states that DirectX 11.1 is exclusive "for all practical purposes" to Windows 8-based platforms, including Windows RT and Windows Server 2012 -- you can't leap forward in media support without a full-on OS switch. None of the changes are large enough to trigger any immediate envy outside of the occasional fan of 3D glasses, but they could pose problems for conservative gamers in the long run if games and other visually intensive titles start demanding 11.1 as a baseline. There's no known plans to port the code back or release a harmonizing version, either. We can at least take comfort in knowing that Windows 8 upgrades are cheap enough to be low-hanging fruit for all but the most Metrophobic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Otterbox acquires screen protector manufacturer Wrapsol, promises more high-quality accessories Posted: 13 Nov 2012 04:34 PM PST
Sure, we may see acquisitions from big-name players in tech from time to time, but it's not every day that accessory makers announce new company purchases. Today, however, Otterbox has let it be known that it's scooped up Wrapsol, a film wrap manufacturer that's more commonly known for offering a slew of screen protectors for handsets, tablets and even laptops. Mum's the word on how much cash the Defender creator shelled out, but the company's CEO, Brian Thomas, appears to be quite content with its new property, saying that the addition of Wrapsol "enhances our ability to provide our customers and consumers an expanded variety of high-quality products." OTTERBOX ACQUIRES PROTECTIVE FILM WRAP MANUFACTURER WRAPSOL TO EXPAND WORLD-CLASS PRODUCT LINEUP FORT COLLINS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OtterBox®, the global leader in mobile technology protection and one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, has acquired Boston, Mass.-based Wrapsol and its family of premium protective film solutions for mobile devices. Wrapsol offers a variety of protective film wrap solutions including the rugged ULTRA, smudge-resistant CLEAN, durable ORIGINAL, discreet PRIVACY and non-slip GRIP PAD lines. "Wrapsol is a promising company with similar values and similar culture whose product aligns with the OtterBox mission of complete, premium device protection," said OtterBox President and CEO Brian Thomas. "Adding Wrapsol to the OtterBox portfolio of world-class protection significantly enhances our ability to provide our customers and consumers an expanded variety of high-quality products." "Joining the OtterBox family is a great opportunity for Wrapsol and its employees," said Wrapsol Vice President of Sales Brett Webster. "We're excited to integrate our product lines and give our employees a chance to join another world-class team." For more information about Wrapsol, visit www.Wrapsol.com. Information about OtterBox can be found at www.OtterBox.com. About OtterBox: Built upon fundamentals of hard work, innovation and perseverance, OtterBox is a leader in the production of premier protective solutions for global handheld manufacturers, wireless carriers and distributors. Incorporating creativity and cutting-edge design into every product, OtterBox creates durable cases that offer reliable device protection to complement any lifestyle. OtterBox was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colo. In 2010 OtterBox established an EMEA headquarters in Ireland and an APAC headquarters in Hong Kong. For more information, visit www.otterbox.com or call 888-695-8820. We've Got Technology Covered. About Wrapsol: Wrapsol is a leader in protective film solutions for today's most popular consumer electronics devices including phones, tablets and computers. Wrapsol helps consumers stay connected by protecting their mobile devices with the industry's strongest and easiest-to-apply protective film and non-slip Grip Pad. Committed to community and the environment, all Wrapsol device protection systems are engineered, manufactured and packaged at the company's Massachusetts headquarters and come in 100% recyclable packaging. For more information, visit www.wrapsol.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Samsung MV900F
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
Sony Alpha NEX-6
Canon EOS 6D
One of the new highlights of the tool bundle is the voice assistant, and yes, it's basically a shameless Siri-wannabe. Hold down the menu key at any time (unless you've assigned that to Google Now already) and you'll be greeted by a familiar-sounding tone plus a silver round button awaiting your vocal command. Alas, this service is only available in Mandarin, but even if the language is no issue for you, the level of intelligence offered here is far from what you'd get from Siri, S Voice or even Google Now. Let's say a simple question about the weather: the phone's incapable of assuming that you're asking about the weather at your current location, so it would always ask you to specify the city.
As it turns out, battery life is limited enough that you'll probably want to ration wireless connectivity and only use it as when you need it. With a duration of just six hours and 40 minutes, the Galaxy Camera doesn't last nearly as long as the GS III with WiFi, GPS and cellular data enabled. The gap between the 1,650mAh and 2,100mAh batteries is a big one, and it's likely that the GS III's HD Super AMOLED panel is also more power efficient, in part thanks to its lower brightness.
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