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- Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 review: a more modular keyboard for the gaming crowd
- Nexus 4 backordered, expected to ship within three weeks
- Evernote 5 for Mac exits beta, is now live in the Mac App Store
- SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video)
- HP's Todd Bradley isn't impressed by Surface, doesn't see it as competition
- Northeastern University's haptic ball-racket system is one pricey game of paddle ball
- HTC Deluxe press render reportedly leaks, spreads Droid DNA worldwide
- Nokia Lumia 810 for T-Mobile review
- PSA: Verizon returns to Windows Phone today, HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 822 go on sale
- Dish's AWS-4 wireless spectrum standards approved by 3GPP
- Box for Android 2.0 brings file previews, offline folders and more
- Spotify confirms web app in the works, currently in closed beta
- Goal Zero's Switch 8 solar charger bundle now available for $100
- Apple applies for patent that scales content to match face distance, save us from squinting
- Google wants to change your reality with Ingress, a mobile game played out in real life
- Editorial: Why America's most popular gaming genre likely won't work on Nintendo's new console
- Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 review
- Belkin bulks up iPad mini with $80 Portable Keyboard Case
- Engadget Eurocast 005 - 11.15.2012
- Kindle Fire HD 8.9 ships today, 4G version to follow next week
- LG Google TVs now have integrated OnLive cloud game streaming
- TomTom unveils location based services, portal to help put developers on the map
- XBMC 12 'Frodo' Beta 1 appears, includes support for Android, Raspberry Pi, HD audio and more
- Star Trek: Enterprise Blu-ray release next year tipped as fans pick box art
- LTE: fast, global, silenced by a $650 radio jammer
- Voyager Mobile promises free global roaming with 'patent-pending' technology
- JBL intros first Lightning-equipped speaker docks, we go ears-on
- Cricket announces LTE-capable LG Optimus Regard, Galaxy S III coming later this month
- NC State University's WiFox could improve public WiFi performance by up to 700 percent
- Dropcam's iOS app goes big, now optimized for iPad
- Unity 4.0 now on sale with DirectX 11 support, Linux publishing preview, new animation tools and more
- Pinterest adds business pages, tacks on separate terms and tools
- Samsung's new 10nm-process 64GB mobile flash memory chips are smaller, faster, better
- Lenovo intros IdeaCentre Q190 HTPC, new C-series all-in-ones for the space-saving set
- Xcom Global starts renting Nexus 7 and 10 tablets, lets us keep the laptop at home
- Steve Wozniak to co-star with Danny Trejo in iOS action game, we hope there's a Segway level (update: Woz fills us in)
- Facebook adding share feature to its iOS and Android apps
- University of Montreal detects an orbitless planet, shows that stars don't have an iron grip (video)
- Square reaches $10 billion in payments per year, stays ahead of a growing pack
- Samsung Stratosphere II makes IRL appearance at Best Buy for $100
| Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 review: a more modular keyboard for the gaming crowd Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:00 AM PST
More InfoAs a vital component of every desktop and notebook computer ever produced, the mild-mannered keyboard rarely stands out. Most keyboards are simple -- if they input text, they're at least doing something right. Gaming keyboards tend to be a little more complex, touting extra features designed to give the player a leg up in-game. Mad Catz's S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 keyboard hopes to do just that, packing in a touchscreen, a handful of detachable components, alternate key caps and a software suite to help leverage the whole package. With far more bells and whistles than the average input device, it certainly caught our eye. Is it unique enough to warrant its $300 price tag? Read on to find out. Look and feel In general, keyboards are fairly predictable: 26 letters squeezed between a handful of punctuation keys, essential buttons and the occasional number pad. The hardware is usually completed by a dull rectangle frame, a fragile palm rest and some light branding. With us so far? Well, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 keeps the requisite keys, of course, but plays fast and loose with the standard blocky design: this is a modular, edgy-looking beast. It isn't the first time we've seen the Catz's industrial style, either -- the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 borrows its sharp lines, matte surfaces and metal undercarriage from the company's Rat line of mousing peripherals. The keyboard apes the Rat lineup's flair for transformation as well, featuring three swappable palm rests (one of which hosts a horizontal scroll wheel and a customizable button), a removable four-toggle function strip and a detachable starboard side for isolating the unit's 10-key, arrow and navigation buttons. Holding this motley collection of components together is a touchscreen hub nicknamed "V.E.N.O.M.," which hosts two USB ports, a handful of productivity apps and up to 36 programmable macros (more on that later). This, too, can be detached -- though the keyboard won't function without it -- and can be relocated exclusively to the floating numpad, cutting the standard alphabet out of the equation for gamers that want a more compact input device. The QWERTY section of the keyboard can scrape by equally well without the 10-key section, and even retains most of the orphaned island's functionality through the use of Fn hotkeys. The peripheral's palm rests snap in with simple plastic tabs. Once locked in the connection feels solid, but installing or removing the rests feels dicey -- a broken plastic fastener could render an otherwise comfortable palm rest worthless. Nothing broke, thankfully, but then again we were exceedingly careful. Fortunately, the rest of the setup doesn't feel nearly as flimsy: the remainder of S.T.R.I.K.E. 7's parts latch on to the strong metal offshoots of its undercarriage. Black and red mini-USB cables link the active components to the V.E.N.O.M. console, which pipes out the peripheral's input to the PC. The black WASD and arrow keys can be swapped out for two alternative sets, too, featuring light indentation or bright red accents. Despite its swappable components, detachable island and fancy touchscreen hub, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 is first and foremost, a keyboard. All other input options aside, the peripheral's standard keys need to stand on their own. That's more complicated than it sounds -- keyboard bias can run hot in the PC gaming community, and not just any slab of alphabetic toggles will do. There are several factors to consider when choosing a gaming device, but the basic factions divide into two larger categories: membrane and mechanical. The S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 falls into the former camp, but tries to appease the latter by matching actuation force with Cherry MX Blue mechanical switches while attempting to mimic the feel of MX Brown switches. The end result is a soft-landing board that responds to reasonably light touch. The membrane bubbles supporting the key caps are quite springy, too, and manage not to feel thick and spongy like some cheaper keyboards. The keys offer a small amount of travel before registering a press, but not so much as to make quick double-tap actions difficult. Gamers clocking their actions-per-minute will be happy to hear the keys can sustain up to seven simultaneous inputs, easily hurdling most ghosting concerns. It's quite suitable for normal typing as well -- it easily became this editor's daily driver for nearly a month. Mechanical diehards may miss the harder, tactile feel they're used to, but most gamers won't be disappointed -- the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 is a solid example of membrane input done right. Touchscreen and software We mentioned the "V.E.N.O.M." console earlier -- the keyboard's brains, touchscreen and USB hub. Virtually every piece of the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 snakes its way to this touchable control center, making it an essential piece of the greater setup. The unit looks like a mid-'90s sci-fi device, with levers jutting out of the body and buttons to control PC audio, switch between programmable profiles and return to the home screen. Twelve toggles dance across the V.E.N.O.M.'s small display -- two for additional volume and media controls, a trio of time-keeping apps (a clock, a stopwatch and a page with three countdown timers), a toggle to disable the keyboard's Windows key, a backlight control page, a journal, a TeamSpeak menu, an app launcher and a macro screen. It quickly becomes apparent that only a handful of these channels will get much use. Touchscreen lag, for instance, makes trusting the stopwatch and timer tools a tall order, and the memo application only saves the user's notes locally to the device, offering no way to export data to the PC should one want to save their mid-game musings. The on-screen volume and media controls fare better, however, allowing users to see and adjust levels for microphones, web browsers and general volume options directly on the keyboard itself. The screen works well enough when properly calibrated, but the V.E.N.E.O.M. is still a resistive, single-touch experience, and isn't as responsive as we would have liked. The hub also adds some stylish flair, allowing users to customize the keyboard's backlighting with 16 million colorful hues. The V.E.N.O.M.'s macro menu stands out as its best quality thanks to its emphasis -- like that of its host hardware -- on customization. Combined with the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7's companion software, the V.E.N.O.M.'s macro app offers 36 touchscreen toggles across three customizable profiles. Each macro can play back delayed and timed key presses, limited mouse actions and can be personalized with a custom icon. The utility is only limited by the time and effort a user wants to put into it. Unfortunately, compressing complicated commands into a one-touch macro isn't easy. Mad Catz tries to mitigate the effort with its standard profile editor, but the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7's myriad of sub-menus, icon editors and programmable modes overwhelms the dated software. It's a shame, too, when paired with Mad Catz's Rat mousing peripherals, the profile editor shines. Despite sharing the same design language, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7's editor simply offers more options than the program can handle, complicating what was once a simple and fairly intuitive piece of software. That's all well and good, but those arrow-adjacent buttons tease at a possibility that is blocked by a lack of software support: a one-handed WASD gamepad. By augmenting the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7's detachable numpad with the V.E.N.O.M. control unit, four-toggle function strip and active palm rest, users can build a standalone left-handed control unit that could have acted as a substitute for the standard WASD gaming setup -- the only problem is that the arrow keys can't be reprogrammed to represent their alphabetic counterparts. The surrounding C1-C5 buttons, on the other hand, can easily be tweaked to represent the WASD-adjacent keys, as can the toggles on the side bar and active palm rest. This hardware configuration is so obvious that the absence of software support is almost shocking. Tenacious gamers could of course go through the trouble of manually reprogramming in-game controls to use the arrow keys, but the exclusion of a simple software solution on Mad Catz's part baffles us. The competitionGamers in the market for a new keyboard won't find themselves wanting for options, but products boasting the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7's unique feature set can be harder to come by. Still, there are some alternatives. Razer's $250 DeathStalker Ultimate keyboard is an attractive alternative to the V.E.N.O.M. control unit, offering a gesture-friendly touchpad, a robust interface and 10 macro buttons, each sporting its own embedded LED display. It also offers a more evolved software solution, allowing gamers to reassign any key onboard to whatever function they choose. On the other hand, players who are picky about their keys might be turned off the DeathStalker's chiclet keyboard. Mad Catz also offers a S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 keyboard for $200, which is nearly identical to the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7, except it's missing that touchscreen. The "E.Y.E. command module" that takes its place offers a built-in timer, media buttons, three game modes and nine physical macro keys -- and it could be just the right compromise for gamers who don't need touch support on every single device in their home. Wrap-up Hardcore gamers know the hard facts: picking out a premium piece of kit can cost a pretty penny, and the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 is no exception. Should you be wooed by its hearty metal chassis and whimsical touchscreen, your wallet will be $300 lighter for the infatuation. That's steep -- even for a high-end gaming keyboard -- and it's hard to say whether it's worth the premium. Sure, the S.T.I.R.K.E. 7 boasts excellent build quality, fancy modular part-switching and membrane keys that are among the best non-mechanical actuators we've touched, but the touchscreen hub the unit positions as its selling point isn't worth the $100 premium it commands. Despite a small handful of applications, a program launcher and configurable macro settings, we found the V.E.N.E.O.M.'s touch-based experience was just a little too awkward and slow to work into our gaming routine. Unless you've got a particular affinity for touchscreen macro toggles, check out the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 instead -- it has all of old number seven's best features, and costs a third less, to boot. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nexus 4 backordered, expected to ship within three weeks Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:49 AM PST
We knew the Nexus 4 would be a no-brainer -- a quad-core phone with stock Android 4.2 and 720p display is a steal at $300 without a contract -- but the fact that the Play Store sold out in record time indicates that the masses have literally bought in to the idea as well. It appears, though, that the device was even more popular than even Google could have imagined: several of our readers who had successfully ordered a unit have just received an email from Google explaining that the product is backordered and is expected to ship out "within three weeks." To help ease the pain, Google has agreed to waive shipping charges and will make it easy for early adopters to cancel their order in case they find a unit at a local T-Mobile dealer. Head past the break to see the email in its entirety. Here's the email:
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| Evernote 5 for Mac exits beta, is now live in the Mac App Store Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:34 AM PST
Back at the beginning of the month, when Evernote 5 for Mac launched in beta, the app's creators warned users that they could suffer data corruption, data loss and other such indignities if they tried out the unfinished software. If you chose to wait, you probably made the right call: just two weeks later, a final, more stable version of the note-taking app is live in the Mac App Store. All told, version 5 has 100-plus new features, with some of the bigger ones including: a left pane showing tags, shortcuts and recent notes; a redesigned note list; and a predictive search feature called Type Ahead. It's free, so you don't have much to lose by checking it out (unless, of course, you find subtle UI tweaks enraging). Or, if you're really that cautious, we've embedded a short "What's new?" video after the break. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video) Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:20 AM PST
Microsoft's SkyDrive is now one of the centerpieces of the company's desktop and mobile platforms, but its relative newness has denied us some of the fine-grained control we've taken for granted from services like Dropbox. The cloud storage service just resolved two of those common power user gripes in one fell swoop through an update to the desktop client. To start, it's at last possible to limit SkyDrive syncing on Macs and Windows PCs just to specific folders -- that poor tablet won't reach its breaking point when someone creates a 5GB home video on the family desktop. Windows users alone see the second update, which integrates SkyDrive with right-click contextual menus for much faster sharing. Mobile customers aren't left out with the refresh, either. Both Android and Windows Phone 8 SkyDrive users get a long-due file search as well as the option to shrink photos when they go online. Updates for the four update platforms are available at the source link, although they should push out on their own over the next two days for those who aren't in a hurry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HP's Todd Bradley isn't impressed by Surface, doesn't see it as competition Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:59 AM PST
Microsoft was warned of how its homegrown tablet might impact OEM relationships, and even acknowledged the challenge itself, but HP doesn't see it the same way. In a recent interview, the head of HP's PC arm Todd Bradley repeated the company's unconcerned stance -- if a little more bluntly -- saying, "I'd hardly call Surface competition." He pinned it on "very limited distribution," and that the pricey tablet "tends to be slow and a little kludgey as you use it." His feelings on the OS were also unfavorable -- "I'm not a big [Windows] RT fan either, by the way." -- and he had some choice words for potential customers: "If you want to go to any of the 30 Microsoft Stores in the United States to buy one, I think you should probably do that." Needless to say, we don't think Todd's sold on the Surface, or worried about competitive tussles when HP adds consumer tablets to its line-up next year (did someone say fire sale?). For the whole transcript, which includes a perfectly worded non-comment about HP's future smartphone plans, see the source below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northeastern University's haptic ball-racket system is one pricey game of paddle ball Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:36 AM PST
We had the chance to check out a couple of student projects at Northeastern University's fantastically-named Action Lab during a trip to Boston this week. On our quick tour through the facilities, we were shown a haptic controller being used to simulate the act of carrying a cup full of coffee, in order to monitor how people adapt movements to deal with the fluid dynamics of a hypothetical hot beverage inside the equally theoretical cup. The team had all sorts of strange and fascinating controls bandied about the facilities for the purpose of monitoring reactions to movement, but the one that really caught our eye was the ball-racket system. The controller uses a hacked up ping pong paddle connected to an encoder that feeds its real world vertical position into a computer, so test subjects can participate in what looks like rudimentary Atari game of paddle ball. Also on the bottom is a breaking mechanism that applies force to the paddle when the "ball" makes contact, so it feels like the real thing. There's a video of the system in action after the break, and more information about the studies can be found in the source link below.
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| HTC Deluxe press render reportedly leaks, spreads Droid DNA worldwide Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:29 AM PST
When the HTC Droid DNA leaked out into the wild, we'd learned that the DLX codename was really shorthand for "Deluxe," a title that was also attached to non-Verizon models like the J Butterfly. If @evleaks is correct, that's because HTC fully intends to have a reference version of the Deluxe on the market: the frequent rumor source has posted what looks to be a press image of the international model. There isn't much of a surprise if you've seen the Droid DNA, as it preserves all the red trim while replacing the Verizon logo with HTC's own. Most other details are left out -- there's no release date or hardware differences to pick out -- but the image may be a clue that those of us who live outside of Japan and the US could get own 1080p phone before too long. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia Lumia 810 for T-Mobile review Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:00 AM PST
After a long wait, the next crop of Windows Phone handsets are beginning to trickle in, and just in time for the holidays. If you're familiar with our reviews of the HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 920, you already know that Windows Phone has some impressive contenders in its stable, but these flagship devices only tell half of the story. Now, we're given an opportunity to test the Lumia 810, a mid-range smartphone that's now available on T-Mobile. It's clear that T-Mobile isn't looking to start a price war here. At $150 after a rebate, the Lumia 810 costs more than Nokia's crown jewel, the Lumia 920, which you can find on AT&T for $100. Another telling sign: the phone also costs more than its siblings, the Lumia 820 for AT&T ($50) and the Lumia 822 for Verizon ($100). Naturally, you'll be able to recoup some of this with T-Mobile's lower monthly fees, but it goes without saying that T-Mobile is levying an early adopter tax on its subscribers. That said, for those sold on Windows Phone yet unwilling to jump ship, you're left to choose between the Lumia 810 and the more expensive HTC 8X. Along with its lower cost, Nokia holds an ace up its sleeve in the form of its home-brewed Windows Phone apps, which may be enough to sway customers away from HTC's flagship. Will the extra card be enough for a winning hand? Join us after the break as we explore the finer points of the Lumia 810. Hardware
If you like substantial handsets, you're going to dig the Lumia 810. For others, its shape may be a bit of a sticking point, as it's one of the chunkier smartphones we've come across in quite some time. Despite the relatively common 4.3-inch display size, Nokia's latest creation for T-Mobile is surprisingly large. To put things in perspective, the phone nearly matches the height and width of the HTC One X, and yet at 0.43 inch (10.9mm) deep, it's also quite a bit thicker. If you'd prefer a more compact Windows Phone, look to the HTC 8X instead, which is easily the more svelte of the two, despite the similar dimensions. Beyond its physical dimensions, the Lumia 810's substantial appearance is reinforced by its aesthetic design. Unlike most smartphones, which attempt to disguise their girth with curved or beveled edges, the Lumia 810 flaunts its thickness with clean edges and flat sides that are fused with the tapered rear casing. Overall, the handset is very comfortable to hold, and more importantly, it's easy to operate with one hand. You might notice, however, that it's a bit more difficult to slip into your pocket, given that thick profile. The Lumia 810 is a spiritual successor to the Lumia 800 and, when it comes to T-Mobile's offerings, the Lumia 710. From a design standpoint, however, it represents a fresh start for Nokia. Unsurprisingly, the phone has similar proportions as the Lumia 820 for AT&T and the Lumia 822 for Verizon. Still, without rounded sides or corners, the Lumia 810 is the most elegant of the bunch. The face of the phone is also spare: it's just a solid, expansive sheet of glass. It houses the front-facing 1.2-megapixel camera, ambient light and proximity sensors, an earpiece and the capacitive Windows Phone navigation buttons. Absent from the equation is a notification light, which is a distinct advantage of the HTC 8X. Situated in the middle of it all, of course, is that 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 (WVGA) ClearBlack AMOLED display. Unique to Nokia, the screen features a polarized filter that makes it easier to view content in direct sunlight, and in this regard, it really is a step above the competition. As another differentiator, it's also possible to manipulate the screen with your fingernails or even while wearing gloves. Yes, bare fingers are still ideal, but the utility here is hard to ignore. Overall, the display offers plenty of real estate for content, vibrant colors, deep blacks and superb viewing angles. There are a few downsides, however, as text appears surprisingly jagged within the web browser and the display's white balance is decidedly on the cool end of the spectrum. The rear cover of the Lumia 810 is, in fact, a complete shell that wraps around the sides of the device. As such, it also contains the volume rocker, power button and dual-stage camera shutter button, which are located on the right side of the shell. As a bit of good news, right-handed folks should have no trouble cranking up the volume or waking the device, as both buttons are within thumb's reach. On the bottom, you'll find a micro-USB port that's situated between two grilles, which conceal the loudspeaker on the left and the primary microphone on the right. Up top, you'll find a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack and an additional microphone for recording stereo sound. The phone's rear is quite spartan, containing a vertical camera pod -- complete with Nokia and Carl Zeiss badging -- along with a dual-LED flash. As a nod to those who easily get bored, the rear cover is completely interchangeable, and purchasers may choose between shells with different colors and textures, along with ones that support Qi wireless charging. For the most part, the Lumia 810's thickness is a differentiator, rather than a hindrance. It's also somewhat necessary, as the phone offers built-in support for the Qi wireless charging standard, which means it's compatible with Nokia's charging pillow from Fatboy. Once the rear cover is removed, you'll find a removable 1,800mAh battery that occupies a substantial amount of space. You'll also discover a micro-SIM tray and a microSD slot, along with an NFC antenna that's built into the rear shell. Beyond design, there are a few other differentiators between the Lumia 810, 820 and 822 versions. In terms of battery capacity, the Lumia 810 and 822 both sport 1,800mAh cells, whereas the 820 offers only a 1,650mAh option. It's a similar story for the front-facing cameras, as both T-Mobile and Verizon's phones are capable of capturing 1,280 x 960 imagery, while AT&T's version is limited to VGA quality. With respect to internal storage, Verizon's Lumia 822 takes the prize with 16GB built-in, whereas the Lumia 810 and 820 offer 8GB. This last consideration shouldn't be much of a deal-breaker, however, as all three phones accommodate up to 64GB of expandable storage. It's also worth mentioning that the HTC 8X doesn't have a microSD slot, which could be enough to make the Lumia 810 an easy choice for some T-Mobile shoppers. Nokia's inclusion of a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 in the 810 isn't much of a surprise, as it's part of the current Windows Phone reference platform. We'll discuss performance in greater detail a bit later, but with a 1.5GHz dual-core Krait CPU and an Adreno 225 GPU, you can rest assured that the Lumia 810 offers nimble performance. Naturally, the Snapdragon S4 also offers up a wide array of connectivity options, which include DC-HSPA+ access over the 850, 1700, 1900 and 2100MHz bands, along with 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0. For a more detailed breakdown, we've included a complete spec sheet for your perusal.
Performance and battery life It almost goes without saying that Windows Phone 8 and a Snapdragon S4 combine to offer excellent performance. As you might expect, benchmark scores place the Lumia 810 roughly in line with the Lumia 920 and HTC 8X, and real-world performance is every bit as solid. As is often the story for Windows Phone, many of the stock applications pop open nearly immediately, with the operating system's characteristic animations being the only delay. Nokia's own apps are also quite quick to load, although third-party titles such as Yelp and Weather Channel take a bit longer -- somewhere in the ballpark of two to three seconds. Internet Explorer 10 is usually quick to initially render pages, but complex sites sometimes require a decent amount of time to fully load. This would normally be a minor annoyance at most, but if you've become accustomed to panning and zooming through content as it's still loading, you're likely to experience stutters and longer-than-normal render times. So, despite the browser's excellent SunSpider benchmark scores, we're left with the impression that Internet Explorer needs a bit more polish to match the overall fluid experience of Chrome and Safari. In real-world use, the Lumia 810 is a generally competent performer, but there are areas where it still needs improvement. For example, while the camera app is quick to load, it generally takes three to four seconds to capture the first shot. Likewise, cold-booting takes somewhere in the 40-second range, which is about twice the time we've come to expect from modern smartphones. Perhaps its strongest point is that it grabs its GPS positioning from satellites nearly instantaneously. That's a nice touch, given the company's emphasis on location-aware apps. Those who demand excellent call quality can also rest at ease, as all of our calls were consistently clear and free of distortion. Likewise, those on the other end were similarly impressed with the clear call quality. As for battery life, we were easily able to squeeze more than two days out of the 810 with light to moderate usage, as the phone runs very efficiently in standby mode. In a more strenuous test -- which involved constantly snapping and uploading photos, messaging, browsing the web in sunlight and navigating throughout town -- the Lumia 810 chewed through half of its battery capacity after four hours. Meanwhile, the Lumia 810 survived for 2.5 hours in the WPBench battery torture test, which puts it directly on par with the Lumia 920 and HTC 8X. When it came time to juice up, we found that Nokia's micro-USB charger was able to take the battery from empty to full in two hours. From our experience, it generally takes longer to charge phones wirelessly, although we weren't able to test this with the Lumia 810.
Camera Nokia prides itself on stacking its phones with excellent camera hardware, but it also has a reputation for finicky setups that often require users to fine-tune the settings in order to capture the best possible shots. Fortunately, the 810's camera is on its best behavior; the phone is able to produce some impressive shots even in auto mode. The 810 combines an 8-megapixel sensor with a Carl Zeiss 26mm f/2.2 lens, which is accompanied by a dual-LED flash and a two-stage shutter button. By default, the camera is set to capture images at 16:9, though we generally prefer the optional 4:3 aspect ratio. When you choose to take a picture, the camera will activate the LED flash to help assist its focus, and from there, it takes a moment to lock in on the subject before snapping the actual shot. In this sense, the camera isn't the speediest, and its software offers no option for burst photography, but your patience will be rewarded with quality results. In all but the rarest cases, the Lumia 810 properly meters light and delivers accurate white balance. We're also particularly fond of the 810's tap-to-focus feature. Nighttime performance is generally adequate, but it pales in comparison to the low-light photography that's possible with the Lumia 920. We often found it necessary to stabilize the phone on a flat surface or rely on the flash -- otherwise, you risk capturing an unusable amount of blur. True photo junkies may cringe at the relatively limited options for fine-tuning photos, which is limited to ISO, EV, white balance and a selection of scene modes such as close-up, night, sports and backlight. Unfortunately, the interface also makes it difficult to preview the adjustments, as the options menu covers most of the screen. Nonetheless, the camera is very well-suited for casual photography, and users can further apply stylistic filters to their images with Nokia's Creative Studio app. Accessible from within the camera application, you'll also find shortcuts to Bing Vision, Cinemagraph, Panorama and Smart Shoot. Each of these apps are known within the Windows Phone ecosystem as Lenses, and you'll find the ability to install additional Lenses within the Windows Phone Store. You might already be familiar with Bing Vision, which allows users to capture QR codes and Microsoft Tags, and search for books, movies and albums by scanning the barcode or cover. Meanwhile, Cinemagraph is mostly for novelty sake -- it allows users to create moving images by recording brief scenes and then choosing specific areas of the scene to animate. The idea is to combine the quality of a still photo with the motion of a GIF, but as we quickly discovered during our review of the Lumia 920, the files are converted to a still JPG format when you attempt to share the animation via email, Twitter or Facebook. Needless to say, this oversight severely hinders Cinemagraph's appeal. Meanwhile, Panorama is a one-trick pony, but it's dead simple to use, and generally delivers excellent results. Out of all the Lenses, Smart Shoot is the most intriguing, as it incorporates features found in Scalado Rewind and Remove. Smart Shoot captures a series of images and then allows users to eliminate undesirable elements like cars or pedestrians. It's also quite handy for group shots, as you'll find the ability to choose the best faces from a handful of images and then combine them into the best possible photo. Smart Shoot is a bit finicky and still requires you to be on top of your game when taking pictures, but when it works properly, it's nothing short of magic. Video capture on the Lumia 810 is somewhat of a mixed bag. To the phone's credit, it records 1080p video with a high amount of detail and good audio quality that places an emphasis on minimizing background noise. Colors are generally accurate, although it's plain to see that the white balance shifts a few times during our short clip. This isn't nearly as distracting, however, as the overall jelly-like motion and jitters that are hard to avoid unless you're able to hold the phone perfectly still. Needless to say, the Lumia 810 lacks the fancy optical image stabilization technologies that you'll find in Lumia 920, and the difference is immediately apparent. For comparison sake, we've included sample videos from both the Lumia 810 and 920.
Software If you're unfamiliar with Windows Phone 8, we encourage you to read our full review, which delves into the benefits and drawbacks of Microsoft's latest mobile operating system. One particular sore point is its app ecosystem, as developers haven't rallied behind Windows Phone to the same extent as Android and iOS. Some of the official apps you won't find include Flipboard, Instagram, Meetup, MOG, Pandora, Pinterest, Redbox, Sonos, Spotify, Stitcher, TiVo and TuneIn. We hope to see this change in the near future, but for the moment, you may experience some growing pains of your own with Windows Phone 8. Unless you have a particular need for expandable storage, the HTC 8X is without a doubt the better Windows Phone on T-Mobile with respect to hardware. If you'll recall, however, we hinted at the beginning of this review that Nokia has loaded the Lumia 810 with its own assortment of useful apps, which may be enough to sway your decision in favor of the Nokia. We've already discussed some of these titles in the camera portion of our review, but you'll also find a number of location and navigation based apps, along with Nokia Music. First on deck is City Lens, which is Nokia's own version of Local Scout, but with a greater number of categories and an added augmented reality component. The app is fun and packs a certain "gee whiz" element, but it's also quite useful when you're looking to familiarize yourself with new surroundings. Oddly enough, City Lens demands that users calibrate the compass whenever loading the app, which is frustrating and seems a bit unnecessary. What's more, once you select a place of interest, you'll be kicked over to Nokia Maps, which takes a few seconds to load. Do this a few times and the wait times really begin to add up. As another frustrating point, Nokia Maps suffers from a lack of photos and reviews, which means that you'll probably need to turn to Foursquare or Yelp for genuine insight. City Lens shows a lot of promise, but it'll need a lot of polish to become a serious contender to other location-based discovery apps. While City Lens has a certain experimental feel to it, the Lumia 810 begins to shine with Nokia's navigation apps. Without mincing words, travelers and commuters alike should give serious consideration to a Windows Phone from Nokia, as Drive and Transit are two apps that could very well be worth the price of admission. Nokia Drive provides free, voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions, but as a unique twist, it's also capable of storing maps locally on the handset -- nothing short of a godsend for times when you navigate outside of mobile data coverage. Not only does this extend to maps for all 50 states, but you can also download maps from most countries across six continents. Nokia Drive also alerts users when they're speeding, and offers the ability to avoid potential nuisances such as toll roads, ferries, tunnels and unpaved roads. We used the app for a quick test drive and came away with the same impression of our full review: it's quick, competent and capable of replacing a dedicated GPS navigation unit. Nokia Transit does only one thing, but it does it really well. The app serves to guide users through their commutes and journeys with public transit, and it fills a much-needed void on Windows Phone. The app is easy to use, and thanks to its step-by-step maps and guidance, transfers are a breeze. Another nice perk: you can pin your most commonly used destinations to the home screen. Another fantastic app is Nokia Music, which combines a store, a service known as Mix Radio and concert listings into a single hub. It's worth pointing out that you'll also find the Xbox Music Store on the Lumia 810, which is part of the Windows Phone Store. Within Nokia Music, you'll typically find songs that sell between $0.99 and $1.29. Mix Radio is without a doubt the standout feature, however, which is similar to Pandora, but it turns things up to 11 by eschewing the ads and allowing users to download tracks for offline listening. The concert listings is certainly a welcome bonus, and as a nice touch, you'll often find links to purchase tickets from your phone. Other apps from Nokia include ESPN and Transfer My Data. The latter may be handy for new users, which seeks to import data from other phones via Bluetooth. If you're not a fan of any particular Nokia app, you'll be happy to know that you can uninstall anything you don't want. The same applies to apps that T-Mobile has loaded onto the Lumia 810, which includes 411 & More, CallerTunes, Slacker Radio and T-Mobile TV. You'll also find an app entry for Zynga Games, which merely serves as a shortcut to download the ad-free versions of Draw Something and Words with Friends. Wrap-up The Nokia Lumia 810 is an undoubtedly solid smartphone, but its ultimate undoing is the Lumia 920, a better device that costs less money. If you're unwilling to jump ship from T-Mobile, Nokia's custom software also throws a wrench in the equation, because you'll need to choose between superior hardware that does less (HTC 8X), or a relatively inferior smartphone that does more (Lumia 810). Alternatively, you could also wait for the Lumia 920 to break free of its six-month AT&T exclusivity. Or you could import the Canadian version, which just so happens to support T-Mobile's HSPA+ bands. So long as you're aware of the alternatives, we have no qualms recommending the Lumia 810. If you're wanting to snag the phone right away, however, you should prepare to swallow a bitter pill, because we don't expect its $150 price tag to last far beyond the holiday season. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSA: Verizon returns to Windows Phone today, HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 822 go on sale Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:36 AM PST
In some senses, we've been waiting for this moment since last May: Verizon is back to selling brand-new Windows Phone hardware. Starting today, the carrier is offering both the $200 HTC Windows Phone 8X as its flagship and the $100 Nokia Lumia 822 for the more cost-conscious. Both Windows Phone 8 devices have a slight spin on the stock formula. Verizon's 8X is currently the only variant of the phone that supports wireless charging, if you're in the position of choosing between Big Red's network and AT&T's; the Lumia 822's differences are more cosmetic, but they may appeal to those who aren't fans of the boxier 810 and 820. The only immediate caveat is a very monochromatic selection that won't improve until the blue and red 8X editions start shipping from next week onwards. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dish's AWS-4 wireless spectrum standards approved by 3GPP Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:17 AM PST
Dish has edged one step closer to its distant goal of having a 4G LTE network to call its own, receiving approval for its AWS-4 (40MHz) wireless spectrum standards by the 3GPP group. Dish used the announcement to air a few issues, including sending a plea to the FCC to get a move on and officially green light the frequency for use. The would-be wireless provider also sounded off on Sprint, which is asking the FCC to crop some of Dish's spectrum and add it to the H Block, making it a more attractive acquisition when auctioned off. If the FCC were to grant Spint's request, Dish wouldn't just lose airwaves, but the slow approval process would start anew with altered specifications. Unfortunately for the satellite TV outfit, Spint is far from the only potential competitor trying to delay Dish's network -- in fact, none seem particularly willing to welcome the new guy without some serious hazing. 3GPP Approves DISH Wireless Spectrum Standards DISH calls on FCC to resist Sprint's effort to delay wireless competition, billions in investment, tens of thousands of U.S. jobs ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 14, 2012 – The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) working group yesterday approved the technical specifications that govern 40 MHz of broadband-ready wireless spectrum controlled by DISH (called Band 23), despite the objections of Sprint Nextel Corporation over the last 12 months. DISH urges the FCC to do the same. Without 3GPP approval, wireless companies do not have the required technical blueprints needed to design and build everything from cellphone chipsets to broadband networks. With 3GPP's standards now approved, DISH is poised to enter the wireless business as rapidly as possible, assuming favorable FCC approval of rules that will allow DISH to use the spectrum (which is already approved for satellite and terrestrial service) more efficiently for terrestrial wireless services for smartphones, tablets and computers. "We applaud 3GPP for rightly concluding the Band 23 question," said Jeff Blum, DISH Senior Vice-President and Deputy General Counsel. "Now we call on the FCC to reject Sprint's proposals for AWS-4 rules that would re-open Band 23 and jeopardize DISH's ability bring its spectrum to market, and provide much needed wireless competition." Over the past several months, Sprint, which is in the process of being acquired by Japanese-controlled wireless carrier Softbank, has petitioned the FCC to drastically reduce the power levels of DISH's spectrum to further Sprint's desire to acquire the neighboring H Block spectrum, which today is essentially a vacant lot with no current licensees or users. Sprint's request would re-open DISH's 3GPP specifications, causing further delay to a process that DISH started more than 20 months ago – and further delaying billions of dollars of investment and the creation of tens of thousands of jobs. "Sprint's position on the H Block would render useless 25 percent of DISH's uplink spectrum -- so that Sprint is positioned to merely gain the exact same amount of spectrum," said Blum. "This is a zero-sum approach that does not result in a net spectrum gain for the American consumer and creates no new jobs. "Worse yet, it takes 5 MHz of spectrum out of the hands of a new market entrant and puts it in the hands of an incumbent that already has more than 200 MHz of wireless spectrum," said Blum. "This makes no sense at a time when the nation is enduring a spectrum crunch and would benefit from more wireless competition. "Our nation is in a spectrum crisis; we are running out of the very resource our wireless economy needs to sustain its incredible growth," said Blum. "Sprint's plan does not deliver new spectrum nor create U.S. jobs; it take usable spectrum from a new entrant – DISH -- and conveniently positions an entrenched incumbent, Sprint, as the beneficiary. "Sprint, through its actions at the FCC, is delaying wireless competition, billions of dollars of investment and tens of thousands of jobs that our economy needs. Said Blum: "DISH's position is consistent with more than 20 years of FCC precedent. The AWS-4 rulemaking should be completed with the power levels that were recommended by the FCC in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and supported by all commenters (other than Sprint), and which would not require DISH to effectively surrender 25 percent of its uplink capacity. The H Block should be subject to the same auction and rule making processes that have applied to other spectrum bands for decades. This approach will ultimately free up the H Block for its highest-and-best use based upon input from all interested parties, and will lead to more investment, more jobs, more competition and more spectrum for wireless consumers." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Box for Android 2.0 brings file previews, offline folders and more Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:00 AM PST
Cloud storage provider Box seems to be in overdrive lately, with a new Windows 8 app out and having announced improvements to its cloud platform and speedier uploads for businesses. Turning its attention now to Android users, Box has bumped up the app on Google's mobile OS to version 2.0, bringing in features like file previews for 75 different file types, offline folders that indicate when they're out of sync, and a feature-rich transfer manager. In addition, you can jump straight to the app when you tap on Box shared links, instead of having to fiddle around with the sign-in process on your mobile browser. The ability to add descriptions to files and folders should also come in handy for those with a meticulous streak. Convinced? The source link has the goods. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spotify confirms web app in the works, currently in closed beta Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:55 AM PST
There have been rumblings that Spotify would unveil a browser-based client. Well, the company has just confirmed to us that such a service is not only in the works, but is currently in beta testing. The trial version is being rolled out slowly to users over the coming weeks and months, though it may be sometime before the general public is granted access. The statement we received didn't specify an official launch date, the company simply said it "will have more information in Q1 of next year." We weren't able to squeeze too many details out of the spokesperson but, according to a report from The Verge, there is a basic set of features that mirrors what you see in the desktop app. That means a what's new section, simple search and Spotify Radio, though no support for apps at the moment. Now you'll just have to cross your fingers that you'll be one of the lucky few granted testing privileges sooner, rather than later. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goal Zero's Switch 8 solar charger bundle now available for $100 Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:31 AM PST
If you were put off by the price of Goal Zero's Sherpa, then here's something that might be more deserving of that slot in your backpack. The Switch 8 Solar Charging Kit costs $100 and bundles together a 2,200mAh battery and Nomad 3.5 solar panel. The manufacturer says that the 8-watt dynamite-shaped battery can be tanked up via sunlight in six hours, although this time can be reduced to four if you use a USB power source before you head into the wilderness. Interchangeable tips, which will be sold separately in the coming months, will allow compatibility with a variety of devices and also let you use the battery pack as a fan or flashlight -- no cranking or pedaling required. SWITCH 8 SOLAR RECHARGING KIT POWERS YOUR SMARTPHONE FROM THE SUN GOAL ZERO GIVES YOU CONTROL OVER THE LIFE OF YOUR SMARTPHONE SALT LAKE CITY – November 15, 2012 – Goal Zero's Switch 8 Solar Recharging Kit will keep your USB gear charged up wherever life may take you with just a little help from the sun. "It's not what our products do, but what they empower you to do," said Joe Atkin, President and CEO of the Utah-based company. "The Switch 8 Recharger is a great example of conveniently giving people the freedom to go anywhere and do anything without worrying about the battery life of their gear." One of the most unique aspects of this ultra-light power supply is the patent-pending technology that allows for interchangeable tips. The Switch 8 has the ability to change from a universal USB charger to a flashlight, fan or a cord-free charger with built-in tips for phones, such as iPhone, Droid, and 1,000s of other handheld devices. The Goal Zero Switch 8 Solar Recharging Kit is available now at REI retailers nationwide and REI.com for $99.95. Users can sign up for email alerts with info on new Switch 8 tips and accessories launching this winter and coming spring at www.goalzero.com/switch. Follow Goal Zero at twitter.com/goalzerosolar or facebook.com/goalzero for the latest news on all of the company's industry leading portable solar products and rechargers. About Goal Zero | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple applies for patent that scales content to match face distance, save us from squinting Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:14 AM PST
Most software has to be designed around a presumed viewing distance, whether it's up close for a smartphone or the 10-foot interface of a home theater hub. Apple has been imagining a day when the exact distance could be irrelevant: it's applying for a patent that would automatically resize any content based on viewing distance. By using a camera, infrared or other sensors to detect face proximity through facial recognition or pure range, the technique could dynamically resize a map or website to keep it legible at varying ranges. Although the trick could work with most any device, the company sees that flexibility as most relevant for a tablet, and it's easy to understand why -- iPad owners could read on the couch without needing to manually zoom in as they settle into a more relaxed position. There's no knowing the likelihood that Apple will implement an automatic scaling feature in iOS or OS X, let alone make it the default setting. If the Cupertino team ever goes that far, though, we'll only have our own eyesight to blame if we can't read what's on screen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google wants to change your reality with Ingress, a mobile game played out in real life Posted: 15 Nov 2012 06:58 AM PST
All the viral ads courtesy of Niantic Labs told us something was coming, and now its here -- an alternate reality game from Google called Ingress. The theme is one of worldwide mind control, and it'll be played out in real life, where you'll be a part of one of two teams which either embrace or fight "the power" -- The Enlightened or The Resistance, respectively. With a companion mobile app installed, you'll venture out into the world collecting energy known as "Exotic Matter" (XM), found at real locations. This can then be spent claiming, stealing or reinforcing "portals," which are positioned at key public places. Teamwork will be essential, as the goal is to create zones controlled by your faction, and attacking those occupied by the enemy. One team will eventually win, although this end point is expected to be a year to 18 months down the line. John Hanke of Niantic Labs said some of the inspiration for Ingress came from JJ Abrams, and hardcore Lost fans may remember a similarly cryptic internet 'game' focused around the show. The Ingress app is available on Google Play today, with an iOS version in the pipe, and if you want you play, sign up at the source below to request access. Your mobile device will provide you with an overview of your local battlefield when you're out and about, but a web client can keep you up to date on the global war while you're sat at a computer. Check out the video and app screenshots below, and if you're still confused as to what it's all about -- well, that's how they want you to feel.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Editorial: Why America's most popular gaming genre likely won't work on Nintendo's new console Posted: 15 Nov 2012 06:30 AM PST
When first-person shooters made the transition to consoles from PCs over a decade ago, they weren't very good. Or even just good. Despite being today's go-to genre for blockbuster console game franchises (Call of Duty or Halo ring any bells?), the first-person shooter got a rough start on consoles. Game developers -- used to the precision allowed by a mouse/keyboard setup -- had no idea how to design shooters with console gamers in mind. Early approximations like Nintendo 64's GoldenEye and Perfect Dark from Rare were held up as the gold standard for years, while PC gamers snickered and stuck with their superior control mechanics. Bungie's sci-fi shooter Halo: Combat Evolved heralded the launch of Microsoft's Xbox in 2001, and it marked the end of Nintendo's short-lived console FPS dominance. The first Halo game and its developer Bungie Studios are to thank for the modern console FPS -- a streamlined, slower version of its PC progenitor that stands on its own. In the decade since Halo: Combat Evolved launched, Bungie and many, many other game development studios have honed and perfected FPS gameplay on consoles, to the point where it's the leading sales genre in the US (for the past five years, with the exception of 2008, according to NPD). Nintendo, however, has taken a back seat in this genre -- starting with the GameCube and even more so with the Wii, Nintendo eschewed first-person shooters for the better part of the last decade. Beyond the company itself not publishing or developing within the genre (the lone exception being its Metroid series), third-parties mostly offered watered down ports for the last two Nintendo consoles. The problem wasn't just one of lacking outreach by Nintendo to third-party developers -- though that was instrumental in the case of the GameCube -- but one of control: the Wii controller is dramatically different from that of the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. The economics of development dictate creating a single game that's able to be published on several co-existing consoles, and the Wii controller means developers either create a game built solely for the Wii, or try to shoehorn in controls made for another console. Meanwhile, both Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation 2 controllers are, if anything, built for the first-person shooter. Dual analog triggers on the rear offer a meager, albeit meaningful, level of precision; pressure sensitivity helps to circumvent the lacking hyper-precision of a mouse/keyboard, offering one trigger to pull up a gun's sights, while the other is used to fire rounds. The importance of those analog triggers cannot be understated, in everything from the annual Call of Duty game to one-off entries like Bulletstorm -- pressure-sensitive triggers really matter when it comes to this genre. Sony and Microsoft clearly understand that, making the rear analog triggers all the more effective with the DualShock 3 and Xbox 360 gamepad. Nintendo, however, will remain out of the game with the Wii U (at least for now) -- the Wii U tablet controller and the Wii U Pro Controller both feature digital rear triggers. Rather than pressure-sensitive ones with gradation, they're essentially buttons. In the context of Nintendo's biggest first-party games -- Mario, Zelda, etc. -- this likely won't matter. If anything, my time with the Wii U's controllers has been overwhelmingly positive. But when Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 arrives next week, I'll have a chance to test my theory with a modern console shooter: the Wii U controllers are going to keep first-person shooters from gaining any traction on Nintendo's new system. And that's to say nothing of the racing genre, which is impacted even more greatly by the situation. Perhaps developers will figure out a creative solution employing the Wii U's tablet gamepad in place of analog triggers? Perhaps! Perhaps Nintendo will amend its triggers to appease FPS players like myself? Perhaps! As it stands, however, I'm worried that America's most popular gaming genre may once more be passed over by America's favorite console manufacturer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 06:00 AM PST
Make no mistake: Lenovo is taking this Windows 8 thing very seriously. The company's first-generation of Win 8 devices includes everything from a laptop / tablet hybrid to a classic convertible laptop with a swiveling display. Then there's the Yoga. This, too, is a convertible, in the sense that it can be used as a tablet. But it's not like any convertible you used back in the Win 7 era: the screen folds 360 degrees back, turning this Ultrabook into a giant, 13-inch slate. Because of that special hinge, though, you can also bend it into Downward Dog, to use a Yoga term ("tent mode," if you're nasty) or fold the keyboard underneath so that only screen is exposed. It was one of the most memorable things unveiled at CES, and it remains the most striking Windows 8 design we've seen to date. But what's it like to actually use it? And how does it fare as, you know, a plain old $1,000 Ultrabook? Let's find out. Look and feel The Yoga 13 looks like a slightly lower-end version of Lenovo's other Ultrabooks. At first glance -- i.e., before you start playing around with its foldable display -- the Yoga 13 looks like a slightly lower-end version of Lenovo's other Ultrabooks. Like the models that came before it, this has a book-inspired silhouette, with subtle scooping along the edges that's meant to evoke pages stuffed between two covers. Whereas the IdeaPad U300s Ultrabook is made of unibody aluminum, though, the Yoga 13 is coated in softer materials, including a rubbery lid and leathery palm rest. The final result isn't premium, per se, but the entire machine feels well-made nonetheless -- you won't notice any flex in the palm rest, or any other part of the system, for that matter. And besides, if the build materials seem ho-hum, we can at least assure you of this -- the entire machine, from the lid to the palm rest to the display, is impervious to scratches. After more than a week of testing the Yoga 13 and regularly tossing it in a bag with other items, it is still in pristine condition. Once you handle the machine for a few minutes, it's impossible not to notice how thin it is. We hear an awful lot about how touchscreens add to a laptop's weight, and we've used that as an excuse to explain why the Toshiba Satellite U925t and other Windows 8 convertibles feel a bit chunky. And yet, even with a capacitive touchscreen on board, the Yoga 13 measures just 0.67 inch thick, weighing in at 3.3 pounds. It looks thinner than competing notebooks, and it is. Interestingly, Lenovo retooled the power port for the sake of keeping the machine as thin as possible. What we have here, tucked on the right edge of the laptop, is a proprietary, rectangular power socket that looks kind of like a small USB port. (It's yellow on the inside, instead of blue, so you'll never actually mistake it for a USB 3.0 socket.) A proprietary adapter is a little annoying, we suppose, but it should only really be an issue for people who are upgrading from an older Lenovo system. For everyone else, this thin design should be well-worth the trade-off. Continuing our tour around the device, there are two USB ports (one 3.0, one 2.0), an HDMI socket, a volume rocker, a button for locking the screen orientation and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There's also an SD card reader -- clearly, Lenovo learned its lesson after leaving it off last year's U300s. We've been testing several Windows 8 convertibles lately, and this is clearly the most interesting take we've seen yet. Now for our favorite part, that thing that makes the Yoga, well, the Yoga: that awesomely flexible hinge. If we sound excited, it's because we've been testing several Windows 8 convertibles lately, and this is clearly the most interesting take we've seen yet. It's not just that the screen plays a neat parlor trick, folding all the way back into tablet mode. It's that the hinge feels so reassuringly sturdy -- firmly attached, but not stiff like the slider on the Toshiba Satellite U925t. Conveniently, the physical keyboard turns off once you push the display back far enough. You'll know it's been disabled because you'll see a touchscreen keyboard appear on-screen, letting you know you're officially in tablet mode. As we said when we reviewed the U925t and the Dell XPS 12, you wouldn't want to use a 3.5-pound, 12- or 13-inch laptop as a tablet for long periods of time -- they're just a little too unwieldy. It does help, though, that the Yoga 13 is as relatively thin and light as it is, and that so much of Windows 8 is controlled by swiping the edges of the screen. (In other words, it's just as easy to get at the Charms Bar on a 13-inch tablet as it is on a 10-inch one.) That said, there's something disconcerting about using the Yoga 13 in tablet mode: the keyboard remains exposed on the back side. True, the keyboard's disabled at that point, but it still feels odd to cradle the device in landscape mode, and to feel your fingers pressing against loose, flappy keys on the other side. For what it's worth, Lenovo is selling a $40 sleeve that can cover just the keyboard when you're using the device in tablet mode. It's a bit of a bummer that you have to buy this extra accessory to make the flappy keys go away, but at least you can use the sleeve as a proper case -- it's roomy enough that you can fit the entire laptop inside. In addition to that obvious tablet mode, though, you can fold the Yoga into a couple other poses. One is "tent mode," with the screen folded back, and the system standing upside down, with the hinge in the air. We don't imagine this is any more useful for movie-watching than simply using the Yoga as a plain old notebook. It does seem, though, that it could come in handy for presentations, especially if you'd rather use your fingers to control the action onscreen. If you like, you can also fold the keyboard back so that it's flat against your desk, with the display sticking straight up. That serves about the same purpose as tent mode. Keyboard and trackpad It's just not as comfy as some of Lenovo's other keyboards. As any Lenovo diehard will remind you, the keyboards on the company's IdeaPad laptops aren't quite the same as the ones you'll find on its ThinkPads, but they generally have a lot in common: the same U-shaped "smile" keys, with springy feedback and a generous amount of travel (see: the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and IdeaPad U310). That said, this doesn't feel like Lenovo's best work. Even after more than a week of use, we still found that the keyboard didn't register all of our presses -- fairly often, we had to hit the Backspace key and re-type whatever letter it was we meant to hit. Speaking of the Backspace button, it's awfully small, and can be hard to find with your finger if you're touch typing. Other major keys have been shrunken, too, including Enter, Caps Lock and Tab. It's a workable layout, for sure, and it's still better than what you'll find on most other Ultrabooks. It's just not as comfy a setup as some of Lenovo's other keyboards. In case you were wondering, the keyboard isn't backlit, which was true of last year's U300s as well. That's a little atypical for a notebook as expensive as this, but it doesn't really detract from the machine's usability, either. In case you couldn't tell, we're more concerned about the key travel and the size of the buttons. The Yoga 13 has a large glass trackpad that supports all the Windows 8 gestures you'd make on the touchscreen -- swiping in from the right to expose the Charms Bar, et cetera. For the most part this works well, though we did struggle a bit when it came to swiping in from the top of the trackpad to expose menu settings, and open tabs in IE 10. Additionally, classic multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling both work smoothly. Still, we ran into some trouble with single-finger navigation: often, the cursor would stop short on the screen before we arrived at whatever it was we meant to click. On the bright side, the trackpad's built-in button is easy to press, and makes but a quiet sound. Display and sound The beauty of having lots of Windows 8 review units lying around is that it's easy for us to compare all of those touchscreens side by side. Even amid so much competition, the Yoga 13 comes out looking pretty good. The 1,600 x 900, 300-nit IPS panel looks noticeably crisper next to more pedestrian 1,366 x 768 displays, though it's still not as stunning as the 1080p panels used on the XPS 12 and Acer Aspire S7. Then again, those two machines each have a higher starting price, so is anyone really surprised they come standard with nicer screens? Pixel count aside (and we do think 1,600 x 900 will be good enough for many people), the viewing angles are as broad as you'd expect on an IPS display: you shouldn't have any trouble working with the machine in your lap, or sharing the screen with a friend while you watch Netflix. We also found the touchscreen to be responsive -- it was generally quick to register our various taps and swipes. As we often say about ultraportable laptops, the audio quality is on the tinny side, but that distortion actually seems more subtle here. Sure, bass-heavy music won't sound quite the way the artists intended, but it's at least pleasant to listen to, which we can't say about every thin-and-light laptop that crosses our desks. Performance and battery life
Of the three configurations sold on Lenovo's site, we tested the middle one, with a 1.7GHz Core i5-3317U processor, the same one used in many other Windows 8 convertibles. It also had 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. If benchmarks are any indication, the Yoga 13 mostly performs on the same level as other Windows 8 Ultrabooks with similar specs. As with other Windows 8 notebooks, too, start-up time is less than 10 seconds (six seconds to the log-in screen, according to our stopwatch). Any difference in our PCMark and 3DMark scores is negligible, though SSD read speeds (as measured by ATTO) were nearly half what we recorded on the Toshiba Satellite U925t and Dell XPS 12.
When it comes to battery life, at least, we've been having something of an unlucky streak with Windows 8 convertibles. The Dell XPS 12 lasted five and half hours in our standard rundown test, while the Toshiba Satellite U925t crapped out 20 minutes sooner. The Acer Aspire S7 (not a convertible, but a touchscreen laptop) delivers absolutely abysmal runtime -- it managed just four hours and 18 minutes in the same test. The Yoga 13 falls into the same ballpark: it lasted through five hours and 32 minutes of video playback, with WiFi on and the brightness fixed at 50 percent. As you can see, that's better than all those other Win 8 machines we mentioned, but that's not saying much -- not when non-touch Ultrabooks can last six or even seven hours on a charge. The Yoga 13's battery life isn't bad, considering the category it's in, but we're holding out hope that the next generation of these devices offer better endurance, touchscreens be damned. Software Though Lenovo is guilty of including some bloatware on the Yoga 13, it's not nearly as heavy a load as you'll find on other Windows 8 machines, like the Toshiba U925t. One app, Lenovo Transition, is actually quite useful: it lets you decide which apps will automatically run at full-screen when you enter tablet-mode. There's a bunch of pre-sets and, as you'd expect, they're all programs you can use without a keyboard. These include Windows Media Center, PowerPoint and MS Paint, among others. To be clear, too, you can set different actions for different programs, meaning you could choose to just have Windows Media Player run at full-screen if that's what you wanted. Besides Lenovo Transition, you'll find tiles for Lenovo Support, Skype, Microsoft Office, Intel's AppUp store and Lenovo Cloud Storage, powered by SugarSync. Metro, er, Windows 8 apps include eBay, Evernote and the music streaming service, Rara.com. On the security front, Lenovo included a trial for McAfee Security Advisor. Like most other consumer PCs, the Yoga 13 comes with one year of parts-and-labor coverage. Configuration options and the competition We haven't seen another Windows 8 convertible with quite this versatile a design. Though the Yoga 13 has a list price of $1,110 and up, it's currently starting at $1,000 on Lenovo's own site. That's the Core i3 model, which also has 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. Each of the three main configs has 128GB of storage, in fact, except one has a Core i5 processor (that's $1,100) and the other packs a Core i7 chip (that goes for $1,300). The i5 and i7 versions also have eight gigs of RAM -- double what's offered in the base i3 model. All come with Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics. From what we can tell, there's no 256GB storage option for sale on Lenovo.com, so hopefully you can make do with 128 gigs. There's also an 11-inch Yoga coming, though it has an ARM chip and runs Windows RT, not Windows 8. In other words, it's a completely different class of product than the Yoga 13, even if it does have the same form factor. So far, we've been heavily comparing the Yoga 13 to the Toshiba Satellite U925t and the Dell XPS 12, and for good reason: both are similarly sized Ultrabooks that can be used in tablet mode. As flawed as the Yoga 13 is, we still think it's a better bet than the U925t, which offers even shorter battery life, and whose slider design makes for a compromised typing experience. It also has a lower-resolution display, despite the fact that it costs more. It's in the Dell XPS 12 that the Yoga 13 finds some stiffer competition. Though it's more expensive (the base model costs $1,200), it has a more pixel-dense 1080p display, as well as a comfortable backlit keyboard. We'll admit, though, the XPS 12's rotating, pop-out screen is not nearly as satisfying to use as the bendy hinge on the Yoga 13. Depending on your preferences, too, you might miss the ability to fold the machine into all the poses the Yoga is capable of. Still, as we said, when it comes to tablet mode, at least, the XPS 12 is more comfortable to use, since the keyboard is tucked away. As for performance, the two machines are mostly well-matched in battery life and overall speeds, though the XPS 12's SSD offers considerably faster read rates. The Yoga 13 is also likely to draw comparisons with the dual-screen ASUS TAICHI, though we confess we haven't had the chance to play with one for more than a few minutes. The 13-inch version, which goes on sale next month for $1,300 and up, is pricey even for a Windows 8 convertible. Then again, no one ever said a machine with two 1080p displays would be cheap. Wrap-up More InfoBack in January, when we first saw the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga at CES, we declared it to be one of the most memorable things to come out of the show. That was 10 months ago, though, and thanks to that gap, there's a bit of a discrepancy between our initial impressions and our reaction following a week of real-world use. As we've discovered, it's an imperfect product, with a flaky trackpad, relatively limited storage and a fairly mediocre typing experience (this is usually Lenovo's strong suit). What's more, without the optional sleeve to cover the keyboard, the Yoga is awkward to use in tablet mode, since your fingers press up against the exposed buttons. Still, the Yoga remains an intriguing specimen; we haven't seen another Windows 8 convertible with quite this versatile a design. And what a great design it is: as much as we complain about the keyboard, the hinge is sturdy and well-engineered. The entire package feels thin and light, despite the fact that touchscreens usually add heft. Even if you rarely flip the screen around, this is a solid Ultrabook in its own right. Sure, there are other Windows 8 PCs with sharper screens and even faster SSDs, but those cost about $200 more. Compared to the competition, then, this is still a good option. Left alone in its price class, it's an even stronger choice. Let's just hope Lenovo can quickly update that flaky trackpad. That's not too much to ask, right? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Belkin bulks up iPad mini with $80 Portable Keyboard Case Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:44 AM PST
If you decided to go small by getting an iPad mini but find yourself needing to do some serious work (like blogging, for instance), Belkin may have just the accessory: the Portable Keyboard Case. The removable chiclet-style keyboard marries up wirelessly with the 7.7-inch tab via Bluetooth and has "well spaced keys for its size," including custom iPad shortcuts, according to the peripheral maker. The battery lasts a whopping 155 hours between charges, and when the Starbucks staff finally kick you out, you can fold all your kit up into the built-in folio, complete with a camera-lens cutout. If that sounds like your cup of chai latté tea, hit the PR after the break. Playa Vista, Calif. – November 14, 2012 – Belkin today announced the launch of a new portable keyboard folio for the iPad mini. Designed to provide a better typing experience in a smaller package, the Belkin Portable Keyboard Case combines a removable keyboard and convenient folio in one slim, lightweight design. "Because the iPad mini enjoys most of the same features as a full-sized iPad, it only makes sense to offer a scaled down version of our award-winning keyboard folio for the iPad mini," said Jamie Elgie, senior director of product management at Belkin. "No matter the size of the device, people want an alternative to touchscreen typing that is comfortable, intuitive and accurate, and our new portable keyboard gives them that option." With a laptop-style keyboard and well-spaced keys for its size, the Belkin Portable Keyboard Case for iPad mini helps reduce typing mistakes common on tablets. It also connects simply via Bluetooth® wireless technology and has iPad mini-specific shortcut keys to easily control audio and video. The integrated folio offers sleek, low-profile protection with a smooth inner lining to protect against everyday wear and tear. When not in use, the keyboard folds flat into the case making it easy to pack away and go. Portable Keyboard Case for iPad mini (F5L145) - $79.99
Availability The Portable Keyboard Case for iPad mini is available for pre-order now on Amazon.com and will be available at Belkin.com and Walmart in November. It also will be available in Canada at Best Buy and Future Shop. About Belkin International, Inc. To learn more about Belkin, visit http://www.belkin.com/aboutus/. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget Eurocast 005 - 11.15.2012 Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:30 AM PST
Technology, it's a wonderful thing. Who would have thought we'd ever see magic cameras that let you play games and send your photos around the world in a heartbeat. Well, that future is here, and in this week's Eurocast, Sharif gives us the low down. Meanwhile James wants a better Photo Sphere, and the Queen of England gets a Nokia 820 courtesy of Jamie. Hosts: James Trew, Jamie Rigg, Sharif Sakr Producer: James Trew 00:34 - Samsung Galaxy Camera review: a 21x compact shooter brought to life by Android Hear the podcast Download the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes [RSS] Add the Engadget Eurocast to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. Contact the podcast Follow us / send questions on Twitter: @itstrew, @jmerigg, @shotsheriff This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kindle Fire HD 8.9 ships today, 4G version to follow next week Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:19 AM PST
Did you skip the iPad mini and Nexus 10? Were you looking for something a little more content-focused with a form factor in between the standard sizes? Well folks, it your lucky day, because the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is here! The larger of the Kindle brothers is now shipping, delivering its 1,920 x 1,200 display into the hands of shoppers for $299 to start. If you're looking forward to the LTE version, that will be shipping next week on November 20th as previously announced. Of course, that model will set you back a significantly heftier $499, though, we'd say that's still a steal considering the comparably equipped iPad (32GB of storage and 4G) goes for $729. While you wait for our full review check out the PR after the break. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" Ships Today The top-of-the-line Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G ships next week-comes with the groundbreaking 4G LTE data package, just $49.99 for the first year SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2012-- (NASDAQ:AMZN)-Amazon today announced that Kindle Fire HD 8.9"-the large-screen version of Amazon's best-selling HD tablet-ships today, just in time for the holiday shopping season. Customers can order their Kindle Fire HD 8.9" at www.amazon.com/kindlefirehd for $299. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" is also available at Best Buy starting tomorrow as well as additional retailers like Staples and Radio Shack in the coming weeks. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G will ship next week. "Kindle Fire HD has been Amazon's best-selling product worldwide since launch, and that was before we even started shipping the best tablet we've ever built," said Dave Limp, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "With the holiday season upon us, we're excited to make our $299 Kindle Fire HD 8.9" available early-we think customers are going to love web browsing, email, gaming, watching TV shows, reading magazines, and more on the large, stunning HD screen, with fast Wi-Fi and exceptional audio." Kindle Fire HD 8.9" is the top-of-the-line Kindle Fire. Features include: A vibrant 8.9", 1920x1200 resolution display at 254 ppi. Customers can learn more and order at www.amazon.com/kindlefirehd. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" is also available at Best Buy starting tomorrow and will also be available at additional retailers like Staples and Radio Shack in the coming weeks. About Amazon.com Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle Paperwhite is the most-advanced e-reader ever constructed with 62% more pixels and 25% increased contrast, a patented built-in front light for reading in all lighting conditions, extra-long battery life, and a thin and light design. The new latest generation Kindle, the lightest and smallest Kindle, now features new, improved fonts and faster page turns. Kindle Fire HD features a stunning custom high-definition display, exclusive Dolby audio with dual stereo speakers, high-end, laptop-grade Wi-Fi with dual-band support, dual-antennas and MIMO for faster streaming and downloads, enough storage for HD content, and the latest generation processor and graphics engine-and it is available in two display sizes-7" and 8.9". The large-screen Kindle Fire HD is also available with 4G wireless, and comes with a groundbreaking $49.99 introductory 4G LTE data package. The all-new Kindle Fire features a 20% faster processor, 40% faster performance, twice the memory, and longer battery life. Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LG Google TVs now have integrated OnLive cloud game streaming Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST
LG Smart TV owners may've noticed a new application pop up today on their G2 series sets, as OnLive's cloud game streaming app is being delivered via an over-the-air update today (first announced at E3 back in June) -- it seems that LG Smart TVs are the first to get Google TV's latest update. Beyond just viewing games, the app allows for actually playing them employing OnLive's wireless controller (sold separately). Per normal OnLive service, you can demo various games before buying them, and purchases on one OnLive account transfer across its many platforms (PC, Mac, Android tablets, the Microconsole, and LG TVs). The OnLive app can be found in the "Premium Apps" area, and it'll be pre-installed on future LG sets. Of course, it's a question of how long any of this will last, as OnLive's had a rough 2012 -- the company lost the vast majority of its staff and its former CEO back in August. It was subsequently spun off into a separate company to keep from defaulting on its many, many overdue loans. OnLive Builds Console-quality Gaming into LG Google TVs, No Console Required | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TomTom unveils location based services, portal to help put developers on the map Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST
Thanks to a certain fruit company and its cartographic woes, many folks are aware that TomTom provides mapping services to third-parties. Now the navigation company is offering cloud-based services like map display, routing, traffic and geocoding to all, alongside a developer portal with the tools to program them. That'll pit it against rivals like Nokia and Google in providing location data for fleet management, traffic planning or geolocation analysis apps, for instance. Naturally, there's a fee to be paid for all those goodies, but to get you hooked, the company's offering a 90 day free evaluation of its SDK and API. Need directions to the PR? Take the first left, then head after the break. TomTom launches Location Based Services platform for rapid application development New cloud-based platform gives developers access to TomTom location and navigation services Amsterdam, 15 November 2012 – TomTom today launches its new Location Based Services (LBS)Platform and Developer Portal. TomTom LBS provides developers with the content and tools to rapidly create location-enabled applications for a variety of commercial and consumer markets. Example apps that can be created include fleet management, route planning, traffic management and geospatial analysis. The cloud-based LBS Platform enables businesses to access TomTom's high quality location and navigation services including map display, routing, traffic and geocoding. In addition, the TomTom Developer Portal gives developers easy to use tools to build web and mobile apps using simple application programming interfaces (APIs) and Software Developer Kits (SDKs), with all supporting documentation. "In response to the increasing demand for top quality data and services, TomTom is offering a comprehensive, easy to use solution for adding location intelligence to applications," said Dan Adams, vice president of Location and Live Services at TomTom. "The launch of the TomTom LBS Platform is an important evolution. Now we can provide application developers with web-based access to high-quality location content worldwide." The TomTom LBS Platform and Developer Portal will grow in capabilities over time - Map Toolkit API providing access to:o Map display web service, which delivers WMS-style raster maps based on TomTom's flagship MultiNet map database. Tiles are pre-rendered The LBS Platform and Developer Portal, including a free evaluation API key, can be | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XBMC 12 'Frodo' Beta 1 appears, includes support for Android, Raspberry Pi, HD audio and more Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:24 AM PST
Development of the XBMC project has continued to roll along since Eden launched officially earlier this year, and now the first beta for v12 Frodo is live. Those who dive in will experience a slew of new features that have been trickling out in monthly builds recently, including support for HD audio formats like DTS-MA and Dolby TrueHD, live TV and PVR access plus versions for Android and Raspberry Pi. There's a long list of features to check out -- and known issues, this is a beta after all -- check out the official blog for all the details and to try it out yourself. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Star Trek: Enterprise Blu-ray release next year tipped as fans pick box art Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:14 AM PST
As Star Trek franchises go Enterprise may not be TOS or TNG, but it was the first one to be broadcast in HD way back in 2003. The Digital Bits points out that StarTrek.com is letting fans pick box art for Season One and Two sets that will see a release next year, and notes rumors all four seasons could ship before 2014. Since HDTV broadcasts didn't start until the third season this should be an extra treat for devoted followers, however the juiciest rumor listed is the possibility of an X-Files Blu-ray set next year from Fox -- stay tuned. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTE: fast, global, silenced by a $650 radio jammer Posted: 15 Nov 2012 03:32 AM PST
Oh gosh, we haven't been so panicked since our phones were hypothetically possessed by demons. And come to think of it, this is theoretically far, far worse. A research group at Virginia Tech is claiming that, due to the particular way 4G data is transmitted, an LTE base station can be sabotaged using lightweight equipment that costs as little as $650. Such a thing is possible because, unlike 2G and 3G, LTE depends on control instructions that occupy only a tiny fraction of the total signal -- and details of those specific frequencies have been openly published. According to the research group's director, Jeff Reed, a single malicious operative with a hot briefcase and a bit of know-how could take down "miles of LTE signals." If the attacker splashed out on an amplifier, they could cut off reception for thousands of people across a whole city or region. Reed stresses that there are no known instances of this happening yet, but also warns that he can see no "mitigation strategies" that can "cover it all." Let us pray that humanity's characteristic inability to agree on anything -- including a universal LTE standard -- will be our salvation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voyager Mobile promises free global roaming with 'patent-pending' technology Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:42 AM PST
Voyager Mobile has launched a new "worldwide" wireless service called Project Global Voyager, saying users on the plan "won't pay a penny of roaming charges." The brash new MVNO has only vaguely described how it works, saying that the technology is "completely network cloud based, with no special software residing on the individual handsets and devices." Though it hasn't revealed pricing yet, Voyager says the service will be available to businesses and consumers starting in 2013. Color us intrigued as to how they'll pull it off -- feel free to read the PR tea leaves after the break. Voyager Mobile announces Project Global Voyager, technology eliminates roaming charges internationally NOVEMBER 14, 2012, Knoxville, TN – Voyager Mobile has introduced its new international communications technology at the MVNOs Industry Summit USA 2012 in Dallas, Texas. Project Global Voyager is Voyager Mobile's exclusive, patent-pending global wireless technology that promotes cell phone usage across the world – without any roaming charges, period. During the keynote speech, John Mardini, President of Voyager Mobile, said, "It's technology that promotes collaboration between companies, vendors, employees, and customers wherever they may be in the world. It's technology that keeps a mom in touch with her son while he's backpacking throughout Europe. And, it's technology that keeps doctors in Africa in constant communication with their counterparts in the US." Project Global Voyager promotes international voice, SMS, and data worldwide on dual GSM and CDMA devices, without a penny of roaming charges. The technology is completely network cloud based, with no special software residing on the individual handsets and devices. Mardini said, "This is a true home network worldwide – one of the first of its kind, available for both retail and enterprise, and it's coming exclusively to Voyager Mobile in 2013." About Voyager Mobile Voyager Mobile revolutionized wireless in May 2012 with its unlimited wireless plans starting at $17 per month. Voyager Mobile is America's Lowest Cost Wireless Provider, offering nationwide 3G, 4G WiMAX, and 4G LTE wireless services on an expansive network reaching over 270 million people across the United States. Based in Knoxville, TN, Voyager Mobile's initiatives have changed the wireless industry through its Unlimited Wireless Plans and Low-Cost Prices, while promoting Shrinking Payments, Bring-Your-Friends, Voyager @ Home, and the industry-leading frequent talker program, Voyager Rewards. Voyager Mobile sells its products and services exclusively through its online store at www.voyagermobile.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JBL intros first Lightning-equipped speaker docks, we go ears-on Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:00 AM PST
That larger JBL speaker dock looks familiar, doesn't it? Near the end of September, Harman gave us a peak at it's latest consumer audio products. Curiously, however, a slew of new iOS-focused speaker docks were shown off, each lacking a Lightning connector. Today that's changed, as JBL has announced a duo of systems that are equipped with Lightning docks. To start, the larger system is dubbed as the OnBeat Venue LTE ($200). This unit is essentially a Lightning-enhanced version of the 30-pin loaded Venue we recently spent time with, featuring the same 30 watts of power and Bluetooth connectivity with Apt-X support. Like it's sibling, the dock can be set flush with the front, and better yet, you'll even be able to dock your iPad Mini into it. Sizing things down a bit is the OnBeat Micro, a $100 bedside system that'll play nice with the iPhone 5 and the new iPod Nano. While it doesn't benefit from Harman's Bluetooth know-how (a pricing consideration, as we're told), it's loaded with a rechargeable battery for quick bouts away from wall power. Based on a quick listening session, we can report that the Venue LT sounded very full and clear. Even with the optional bass- or vocal-boosts enabled, it didn't seem like the speakers were having trouble pushing out a high level of volume. The Micro on the other hand sounded decidedly tinny, which we're frankly not surprised about given the size. Both systems are compatible with JBL's MusicFlow app as well, giving you some extended options for tweaking the EQ. Both rigs felt fairly sturdy, but we were immediately able to notice some niggles with the Lighting connector. Our iPhone 5 and Harman's iPad Mini and iPod Nano clicked into place easily with the connector, but the hinge it's built on is very loose without any tension. A slight knock could potentially send an iOS device leaning forward, which would have us concerned in a party situation (the problem is more apparent on the Venue). Secondly, the docks won't play nice with common cases like Speck's CandyShell, so you'll need to have your devices naked before docking. JBL noted the quirks, stating that they have little control over the behavior of connector itself, as it's is supplied by Apple. JBL expects that the OnBeat Venue LT and Micro will be the only Lightning-packing speaker docks for at least the holidays, so check out the press release after the break for more details if you're interested. As for us? We'd say the Venue LT is definitely worth a look, but we'd just as easily pass on the Micro given the myriad options out there for smaller Bluetooth-equipped speakers. New JBL® Speakers Debut with Lightning Connectors for iPhone 5, iPad Mini and Updated iPad and iPods November 15, 2012 – For Immediate Release The JBL OnBeat Venue LT features a hidden Lightning dock connector behind the JBL logo at the speaker's base. Ideal for the iPad Mini and revised iPad with Retina display, HARMAN's exclusive TrueStream Bluetooth wireless streaming technology allows the JBL OnBeat Venue LT to connect with up to eight devices, providing additional device flexibility. The JBL OnBeat Venue LT includes the free, downloadable MusicFlow™ app, which allows users to create customized playlists, edit mixes, adjust volume and EQ settings, and browse album artwork. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cricket announces LTE-capable LG Optimus Regard, Galaxy S III coming later this month Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:24 AM PST
CDMA-based Cricket has announced its first LTE smartphones, launching the Optimus Regard this week, while that rather popular Samsung Galaxy S III will shake hands with the carrier's new 4G network on November 23rd. The Optimus Regard features a 1.2GHz processor, Android 4.0, 3.5-inch screen and 5-megapixel camera, with that humble spec sheet setting you back $250. Meanwhile, a few weeks later, Samsung's flagship will land priced at $550 off-contract. Cricket is offering both devices on its new Double Data plan that offers (for now, at least) double the monthly data allowance of its 3G plans. The $50 plan nets your 2GB of data, while $60 gets 5GB and $70 will offer 10GB of data. If you're mildly tempted by either the Galaxy S III or the humbler (cheaper) Optimus can read up on the full offering at the sources below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NC State University's WiFox could improve public WiFi performance by up to 700 percent Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:37 AM PST
If you've ever swallowed your pride and bit the bullet on hotel WiFi, you've probably felt the sluggish pull of other users dragging down your connection speed. Coffee shops, airports and other heavily impacted public hotspots can slow to a crawl as they try to mete out data to dozens of users sharing a single channel. All hope is not lost, however -- a team at NC State University are about to release a paper detailing a technology that could bolster WiFi data throughput performance by up to 700 percent. The team is calling their technology WiFox, and it's already made their local test network four times faster, on average. WiFox keeps track of the amount of traffic gumming up a WiFi channel and actively assigns priority access to avoid a traffic jam of data requests. Fixing sluggish hotspots should be a snap, too -- Student and lead author Arpit Gupta says WiFox could be "packaged as a software update that can be incorporated into existing WiFi networks." The full paper will be presented at ACM CoNext next month in Nice, France. Can't wait? Feel free to click on the source and ogle the paper's abstract. [Image credit: Charleston's TheDigitel, Flickr] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dropcam's iOS app goes big, now optimized for iPad Posted: 14 Nov 2012 11:43 PM PST
After establishing itself in the Android ecosystem with a native app, modern-day nanny cam outfit Dropcam has decided to optimize its service on the iPad, too. Users of the iPad 2, new iPad or the iPad mini can now view up to four Dropcam devices simultaneously, snap still images and receive real-time motion and audio alerts via SMS. Subscribers also have access to a cloud-based DVR service, which allows them to view, store and manage their recorded videos. So, whether you're trying to catch your roommate New Dropcam iPad App Lets People Keep an Eye on the Things They Care About From Anywhere New App Brings Full-Motion Video and Multi-Camera Viewing to iPad SAN FRANCISCO – November 14, 2012 – Dropcam, Inc., makers of Dropcam HD - the award-winning Wi-Fi video camera with cloud-based monitoring and DVR service - today released Dropcam for iPad in the Apple App Store. The free app enables Dropcam users to view live video streams of up to four cameras simultaneously as well as receive activity alerts and capture photos. Subscribers of the cloud-based DVR service can access their video timelines and create and share video clips from their iPads. "The iPad has fundamentally changed consumer expectations of software and media consumption so it's no surprise that our users were clamoring for a native app," said Dropcam CEO and Co-Founder Greg Duffy. "An iPad paired with a Dropcam is now, short of being there, the best way to check in on the people and places you care about." Customers simply log into their Dropcam account on an iPad to: View Four Cameras at Once: The Dropcam app has a full-motion multi-camera view of up to four cameras at a time. Users can now view multiple rooms, to keep an eye on the nursery, kitchen, living room, and entryway all from one screen. Dropcam is the only Wi-Fi video monitoring camera that offers truly simple, intuitive and fast setup with intelligent monitoring features so people can check in on the things they care about from anywhere in the world 24/7. Dropcam utilizes bank-level security to encrypt all video and stores it securely offsite in the cloud so users can rest assured that they are the only one with access their video. Dropcam HD includes night vision, digital zoom and two-way talk back so users can respond to what they're watching as it happens. Users can also set up email and push alerts triggered by Dropcam's motion and sound sensing technology. Dropcam HD is available on Amazon and dropcam.com for $149. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 10:42 PM PST
The Unity game engine and development platform has reached the 4.0 milestone and is now available for purchase with a slew of new features onboard. Headlining the update are DirectX 11 support, new animation tools and an add-on for publishing games to Flash. In addition, Tux is getting some love with a preview of a deployment option for publishing games to Desktop Linux. Sure, a landmark release might seem like a good time for Unity Technologies to cool its heels and slow down development, but a respite isn't on the roadmap. According to the firm's CEO, David Helgason, Unity 4 will see a faster paced schedule and more frequent releases than the platform previously had. Developers can snag a free version of the software or shell out at least $1,500 for a professional license. For more details on additions and improvements to the engine, hit the jump for the press release or tap the second source link below for the complete rundown. Unity 4.0 Launches San Francisco – November 14, 2012 – Unity Technologies, provider of the Unity multi-platform engine and development tools, is proud to announce Unity 4.0 is now available for download. Unity 4, announced in June, will consist of a series of updates designed to improve the product through an extensive improvement of existing tech and the rollout of new features. The first in a series of updates for Unity 4, this version includes significant additions such as DirectX 11 support and Mecanim animation tools. In addition users will have access to a Linux deployment preview and the Adobe® Flash® Player deployment add-on. "Unity 4 will see the addition of an incredible number of new, highly advanced, features and continuous improvement across the tech to be released in smaller, faster increments than Unity has seen in the past," said David Helgason, CEO, Unity Technologies. "It's an exciting time for Unity and the 4.0 release marks the beginning of a great new era for our technology." Mecanim – Stunning Character Animation DirectX 11 High-end Visual Capabilities for All Platforms Adobe Flash Player Add-on Linux Publishing Preview Unity 4 introduces many additional features and improvements, including: Unity 4 and the Adobe Flash Player add-on for Unity are now available for purchase at the Unity store (https://store.unity3d.com/). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pinterest adds business pages, tacks on separate terms and tools Posted: 14 Nov 2012 09:44 PM PST
Although businesses have had their wares spread out on Pinterest for some time now, the web-based collection repository has officially invited businesses to create their own accounts. Until now, commercial use was frowned upon in the site's terms of use, but merchants can convert those personal accounts to the newfangled status -- should they choose to take the plunge. Doing so enables access to buttons, widgets verification badges and other tools that won't be available to normal users. If you're hankerin' for more details, consult the source links below for the full rundown. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung's new 10nm-process 64GB mobile flash memory chips are smaller, faster, better Posted: 14 Nov 2012 08:49 PM PST
Even though Samsung only announced volume production of ultra-fast eMMC memory chips back in August, it's already upgrading to a newer generation of hardware. Moving from the previous 20nm process to 10nm, the new 64GB eMMC Pro Class 2000 has a 20 percent smaller physical footprint, and claims 30 percent advantages in both performance and manufacturing productivity. While its previous chips only starting taking advantage of JEDEC's eMMC 4.5 interface standard a few months ago, Samsung plans to approach the group next year to create a new standard that can handle this design. It has a write speed of 2,000 IOPS (input/output per second) and a read speed of 5,000 IOPS, besting the 1,500/3,500 numbers reported on the older hardware, and kicks up the bandwidth to 260 MB/s read and 50MB/s write. These chips went into production late last month and are destined for slim phones and tablets near you, even if they don't say Samsung on the outside. Samsung Introduces Advanced Memory Storage Solution for Slim Smartphones and Tablets Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced a next-generation 64GB embedded multimedia card (eMMC) using 10 nanometer (nm)-class* process technology. The new 64Gb NAND memory went into production late last month. Myungho Kim, vice president of Memory marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics noted, "The new high-speed, small form factor eMMC reinforces Samsung's technology leadership in storage memory solutions. We look forward to expanding our line-up of embedded memory solutions in conjunction with the new chip's design, in pursuing a system-level adoption of application processors and other key components that form the foundation for the most advanced mobile platforms. This will allow us to better attend to time-to-market demands enabling the design of more convenient features for next-generation mobile applications." Embedded memory is the key memory component in popular mobile applications such as smartphones and tablets. Advanced high-performance, high-density eMMCs allow users to access high-density and high-resolution content such as full HD video on their latest mobile devices and provide a better user experience for web browsing, gaming and running rich applications. Samsung is applying 64Gb high-performance NAND memory using its10nm-class technology to the new 64GB eMMC Pro Class 2000 memory solution. The new embedded memory solution exceeds the performance levels of the conventional 64GB eMMC Pro Class 1500 based on an eMMC 4.5 interface. The new high-speed eMMC will be submitted next year to the industry standards body JEDEC, (Joint Electron Engineering Council) for adoption as an industry standard. Samsung's next-generation 64GB eMMC Pro Class 2000 comes just five months after the company introduced its first embedded memory supporting the eMMC4.5 interface and delivers a 30 percent advantage in performance over that solution. The 10nm-class technology based NAND also is process compatible to Samsung's advanced 20nm-class* 64Gb MLC NAND, which was first available last May, improving manufacturing productivity by 30 percent. The new memory solution has a random write speed of 2,000 IOPS (input/output per second) and a random read speed of 5,000 IOPS. In addition, sequential read and write speeds are 260 megabytes per second (MB/s) and 50MB/s respectively, which is up to 10 times faster than a class 10 external memory card that reads at 24MB/s and writes at 12MB/s, greatly enhancing the smoothness of multitasking on mobile gadgets. Current mobile applications show a distinctive trend to slimmer designs and larger display screens, while using advanced multi-core processors and high density (2 Gigabyte) LPDDR2 memory for higher performance, with larger batteries for longer usage on a single charge. This new chip accommodates the increasing size limitations of mobile form factors at the component level. The 64GB eMMC Pro Class 2000 measures 11.5mm by 13mm, which represents a 20 percent reduction in size over the conventional embedded memory form factor (12mm by 16mm). For more information about Samsung memory, visit: www.samsungsemi.com or www.samsung.com/memory ### Samsung and the stylized Samsung design are trademarks and service marks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lenovo intros IdeaCentre Q190 HTPC, new C-series all-in-ones for the space-saving set Posted: 14 Nov 2012 08:01 PM PST
Most of Lenovo's big Windows 8 desktop push has centered on the mid-range and up. Happily, the company is at last swinging its attention to those who the entry-level crowd, and most of all those who want their PCs as tiny as the price. The highlight of the refresh for many could be the IdeaCentre Q190. It's leaving the Q180's Atom-based nettop roots behind -- while the home theater PC is still skinny at 0.89 inches thick when excluding a Blu-ray or DVD add-on, leaps to both a maximum Core i3 processor and an 8GB RAM ceiling give the Q190 enough grunt to smoothly handle more than just the basics this time around. Mini PC enthusiasts who wait patiently for a January release can buy in starting at $349. All-in-one lovers have no shortage of choices at the same time, as we're seeing no less than seven IdeaCentre C-series revamps. The C240 and C245 are mostly built as secondary PCs with respective Intel Celeron and AMD E2 chips as well as fixed-position, 18.5-inch screens; it gets more intriguing with the adjustable, 20-inch C340 and C345 variants as well as the Core i3 internals of the similarly styled 21.5-inch C440 and C445. A flagship C540 rules the roost with a 23-inch screen and Intel-only processor selections that peak at a Core i3. Despite Lenovo's full-scale assault on the category, only the $349 C240 and C245 will be shipping this month. We'll once again have to wait for January if we want to see the rest, although a tight pricing spread between $479 (for the C345) and $549 (for the C540) guarantees that we won't have to spend much to go bigger.
Lenovo Expands Home Entertainment with IdeaCentre Q190 – World's Smallest Full-Function Desktop PC – and Affordable Space-Saving C-Series All-in-One PCs New addition of Idea-branded Windows 8- based PCs with Affordable Performance, Space-Saving Design and Multimedia Features RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – November 15, 2012: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced the IdeaCentre Q190, the world's smallest full-function desktop PC – measuring just 22mm (0.86 inches) wide – and the latest additions to the C-Series all-in-one (AIO) family. With convenient space-saving designs that fit into any home, the IdeaCentre Q190 and C-Series AIOs offer affordable but powerful performance and multimedia features designed for immersive entertainment. "Lenovo is committed to making PC innovation accessible to all, and the IdeaCentre Q190 and latest C-Series AIOs deliver just that." said Ouyang Jun, Executive Director and General Manager, IdeaCentre Business Unit. "Whether it's the subtle, space-saving design of the Q190 that transforms your living room TV or monitor into a home theater, or the sleek look, powerful performance and family friendly features of the C-Series AIOs, Lenovo's latest desktop PCs are designed to meet the entertainment needs of any household." World's Smallest Full-Function Desktop PC: IdeaCentre Q190 The IdeaCentre Q190, the world's smallest1 full-function desktop PC at just 22mm (0.86 inches) wide, packs multimedia features that can turn any display in your home into an entertainment hub for videos, games, web browsing and more. With Full HD graphics, up to 7.1 surround sound2 and an optional Blu-ray Disc™ drive supporting 3D Blu-ray playback3, the Q190 doubles as a mobile home theater system. For perfect picture at any angle viewing, the Lenovo L-Series monitors, such as the LI2723s, the world's first edgeless and thinnest 27-inch IPS monitor4, serves as a great complement to the IdeaCentre Q190. This desktop PC also comes with an optional compact wireless multimedia remote with built-in mini backlit keyboard and mouse, so users can control the Q190 from the comfort of their couch. The IdeaCentre Q190 may be compact, but it is as powerful as a full-sized PC, with up to 2nd generation Intel® Core i3™ processors, Windows 8 Pro and up to 80 percent faster processing performance than IdeaCentre Q1805. Users will enjoy steady Web browsing and HD video streaming, speedy music and video downloads and stutter free multitasking, allowing users to play music, download files and surf the web simultaneously with ease. Affordable Space-Saving Home Computer: New C-Series AIOs Lenovo's new C-Series AIOs reshape the affordable home computer into a smart, space-saving all-in-one PC, combining great multimedia features and performance that make these ideal PCs for family use and home entertainment. All C-Series AIOs are equipped with the following: · Up to 1 TB HDD (Up to 2TB HDD for C540); allowing users to hold up to 250 HD movies, 320,000 photos or 200,000 songs Stylish Yet Affordable: C240/C245 The 18.5-inch Lenovo C240/C245 AIOs offer style and power at a very affordable price, starting at just $349. Equipped with an Intel® Celeron processor in the C240 and an AMD E2 dual core processor in the C245, these C Series AIOs offer smart multimedia features such as HD graphics and essential processing capabilities for great performance while using any application. With its space-saving design and pre-loaded children's educational apps and games, the C240/C245 is a smart choice for users looking for an affordable performance AIO for kids' rooms or extra small spaces. Built for Mainstream Family Use & Home Entertainment: C340/C440/C540/C345/C445 The Lenovo C340/C440/C540/C345/C445 are optimized for entertainment consumption with an adjustable screen display, Lenovo Dynamic Brightness System, which automatically adjusts screen brightness based on users' current surroundings and Lenovo Eye Distance System, which alerts users if they are too close to the screen. These AIOs fit into any home environment with a thin "journal" design, modeled after the pages of a journal or book, for a clean, simplistic look, and a unique aluminum stand that utilizes minimal desk space and allows users to slot the keyboard under the screen. The Lenovo C340/C440/C540 AIOs also provide an ideal marriage of performance and affordability. The stunning HD LED displays of the 20-inch C340/C345, 21.5-inch C440/C445 and 23-inch C540 are made for watching HD videos and movies. Users can choose the screen size that best fits their needs – whether that's surfing the web in the kitchen, creating a presentation in the home office or streaming video in the living room. With up to 3rd generation Intel® Core i3 processors, the C340/C440/C540 packs powerful performance and supports up to NVIDIA® GeForce® 615 2GB graphics, ideal for PC gaming fun. Equipped with up to AMD E2 dual core processor with AMD Radeon™ HD Graphics, the C345/C445 also offers mainstream performance for basic PC gaming and comes in an additional stylish color option – metallic red. Pricing and Availability The IdeaCentre Q190 desktop will be available in January with models starting at approximately $349. The IdeaCentre Q190 and C-Series AIOs will be offered through business partners and www.lenovo.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xcom Global starts renting Nexus 7 and 10 tablets, lets us keep the laptop at home Posted: 14 Nov 2012 06:54 PM PST
International data services give us the freedom to leave our carriers' roaming plans at home, but that's only so much consolation to travelers who have to lug a giant laptop or cater to a digitally savvy family. Xcom Global is gambling that some of us want more portable (or just additional) gear for our travels: it's offering daily rentals of the WiFi Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 as a complement to its usual hotspot deals. Paying $2 or $3 per day for the respective slates will give a big-screen fix to those who can't get by on smartphones alone. Although the Nexus 10 isn't available yet -- something to do with the tablet only just shipping -- Xcom Global is currently discounting the tablet rental rates to $1 and $2 to lure us in. Any reasonable extra fees might be worthwhile if they let us pack light. XCom Global Now Offering Nexus Tablet Rentals Starting at $1 Per Day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 05:47 PM PST
No, it doesn't entirely make sense to us, either. And yet, here it is: Apple co-founder (and Segway enthusiast) Steve Wozniak is going to feature in an iOS game with action star Danny Trejo. ITN FLIX's and React Games' lengthily-worded Danny Trejo's Vengeance (Woz With A Coz) will have Woz trying to rescue his wife with Trejo's help, plowing through enemies with guns and, naturally, machetes. We're working to find out just what prompted the use of Woz's image for an out-of-character role -- other than an attempt at drumming up press for the game's Thanksgiving launch and a somewhat related 2013 movie, of course. There's no telling whether the title will be as fun as its concept is outlandish, although we might be swayed if Vengeance goes full circle with Woz and includes a Breakout mini-game. Update: We got in touch with Woz, who notes that both he and his wife Janet offered themselves on a volunteer basis for the game, including voice work. A friend who knows the producer recommended the involvement, he says. As to how well it plays? While Woz can't say much before the game arrives, his top-level view is that it's "entertaining and FUN." That piques our interest, at least a bit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Facebook adding share feature to its iOS and Android apps Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:59 PM PST
The house that Zuck built is reportedly in the process of bringing its desktop site's share feature to mobile, which will allow Facebook users to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University of Montreal detects an orbitless planet, shows that stars don't have an iron grip (video) Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:14 PM PST
Astronomers have long theorized that there are many planets that have drifted away from their home stars, whether it's a too-loose gravitational pull during the planet's formation or a stellar tug-of-war. We've never had a reasonable chance of locating such a wanderer until today, however. The University of Montreal believes it has spotted CFBDSIR2149, an awkwardly-named gas giant four to seven times larger than Jupiter, floating by itself in the AB Doradus Moving Group of young stars. Scientists made the discovery first by pinpointing their target through infrared images from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, and later using the Very Large Telescope to deduce that the object was both too small to be a star as well as hot and young enough (752F and under 120 million years old) to fit the behavior of a planet orphaned early into its existence. With CFBDSIR2149's nature largely locked down, the challenge now is learning just how common such lonely examples can be; when it's much easier to focus on the stars while hunting for planets, finding any more strays could prove to be a daunting task. Loading player... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Square reaches $10 billion in payments per year, stays ahead of a growing pack Posted: 14 Nov 2012 03:32 PM PST
It was just this spring that Square had reached a grandiose $5 billion per year payment rate and cemented its position at the top of the mobile payment processing field it practically started. Any attempts to catch up just got a lot harder now that the startup has crossed the $10 billion mark, only half a year later. A fifth of that new rate came in the past two months and hints that the company isn't about to slow down anytime soon. The increase doesn't have any clear driver, apart from wider media exposure, but founder Jack Dorsey notes that this doesn't include the Starbucks deal that took effect just days ago. We know the rocket-like pace won't last forever; all the same, the record-high levels of business undoubtedly give Square a lot of competitive padding when a deluge of recently established alternatives are still getting started. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Stratosphere II makes IRL appearance at Best Buy for $100 Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:42 PM PST
Remember the Samsung Stratosphere II that got all sorts of official the other day? Well, a little birdie just fed us a few more details to flesh out this tale, including our first pics of an actual device and not just some press renders. In addition to the QWERTY keyboard and dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, we can also tell you this guy sports 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a 5 megapixel camera. If the paltry internal storage has you hemming and hawing, you can take solace in the microSD slot. The one spec that has us a tad concerned is the smallish 1,800mAh battery, but we'll reserve judgement there until we see it in action. Interestingly, the street date is blank in Best Buy's inventory system, so we have no idea when you'll be able to pick this guy up. Heck, it could be on shelves now in some stores, though we sincerely doubt that, as it's yet to make an appearance on Verizon's site. But, when it does you'll be able to snag one for $100 with a two-year contract, which is $30 less than the announced pricing from Big Red. Check out the gallery below for a bit more.
[Thanks, Anonymous] |
Worse, still, is the software's unrealized potential. As is, the profile editor can only reprogram the macro keys Mad Catz added to the standard keyboard layout -- 36 touchscreen macros, four function bar buttons and five toggles that surround the arrow keys.
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