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- Sina Weibo exceeds 400 million users, sees increasing mobile traffic
- HTC Windows Phone 8X for T-Mobile: what's different?
- LG F240 possibly spied in benchmarks packing 1080p screen, Snapdragon S4 Pro
- Wii U gets midnight launch at Nintendo World Store on November 18th
- Insert Coin: XensrCase turns your iPhone into a state of the art 3D sports tracker
- GM promises two new smartphone apps to help keep your EV charged
- Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: tablets
- Sphero's Augmented Reality Engine gets fully realized in Sharky the Beaver (video)
- Taxi service apps could be hit by a proposed ban on GPS metering
- NTT DoCoMo readies first dual-mode HSDPA, LTE femtocell for December
- Kobo Arc available today in Canada and UK, coming to France on Monday
- Wii U's Nintendo TVii, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu Plus pushed to December (update)
- Distro Issue 66 is here with the Engadget holiday gift guide!
- HTC Desire X review: one last hurrah for a former flagship?
- JBL Power Up speaker and wireless charger combo now shipping, whimsically priced around $250
- Initial projects from 3net Studios include the world's first native 4K TV show
- Sony promises top-end handset to compete with GS III and iPhone, implies its existing flagship doesn't
- Seagate Wireless Plus drive appears at the FCC teasing next-gen WiFi storage for Android, iOS
- WSJ: Google in talks with Dish over wireless network partnership
- Google's Blogger app updated with iPad support, landscape composition mode, Google+ integration
- PlayStation 3 global sales hit 70 million, over 15 million Move controllers sold
- NPD: Digital game sales up 22 percent in Q3, almost the majority slice of a $2.87 billion pie
- Sharp Aquos SH930W reviewed early in Russia, mates Sharp's 1080p screen with a mid-tier phone
- Dropbox Chooser lets web apps attach files from the cloud
- iPad Mini, 4th generation iPad hit Sprint retail stores in limited quantities, (update: Verizon and AT&T, too!)
- Court approves addition of iPhone 5, Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note to Samsung v. Apple lawsuit
- GM and ABB repurpose used Chevy Volt batteries to provide home backup power
- Vudu brings HDX 1080p streaming and downloadable movies to PCs
- Ireland completes spectrum auction after analog shutoff, LTE rollout pegged for mid-2013
- Twitter brings content preview cards to Android and iPhone, lets us email tweets from the web
- Xbox celebrates ten years of Live, will give special-edition 360s to contest winners
- Netflix original series House of Cards gets its first trailer (video)
- AT&T announces new flat rate global talk and text plans, offers options for weary travelers
- Lytro to get Perspective Shift and Living Filters for more focus-shifting fun (video)
- Amazon adds Adobe's Photoshop Touch to Kindle Fire Appstore
- WSJ: Native iOS Google Maps app being tested externally with turn-by-turn navigation baked in
- Facebook users can now share via Android and iOS apps
- Firefox browser add-on lets us try Firefox OS in an all-Mozilla universe
- Scrabble board packs RFID technology, broadcasts tournaments online in real-time, costs 20,000 pounds
| Sina Weibo exceeds 400 million users, sees increasing mobile traffic Posted: 16 Nov 2012 10:36 AM PST
Microblogging site Sina Weibo , China 's answer to Twitter, reported a pretty dazzling statistic in its third quarter results: it now boasts over 400 million registered users. We can't be sure how many are active, of course, but it's still a vast number considering appeal is localized to the People's Republic. It also means Sina is winning the popularity contest with social media competitor Tencent, although it humbly acknowledges their services are somewhat different. The company's platform is still evolving, and it's only recently seen mobile usage exceed computers, so is shifting product focus accordingly. Sina's obviously doing something right, and that suits us just fine -- keep those news bites and juicy leaks coming. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC Windows Phone 8X for T-Mobile: what's different? Posted: 16 Nov 2012 10:00 AM PST
You've seen it twice before and you're bound to see it two more times yet. It's the Windows Phone 8X by HTC, Microsoft's signature ambassador to all things mobile and Live-Tiled, and it's now available on T-Mobile. As the carrier's sole WP8 flagship, it arrives with a bit of a stiff leg -- there's none of the flexibility exercised by AT&T's variant, as it comes in just one color (California Blue) and one 16GB storage configuration. At $199 on a two-year contract, the 8X is a pricier buy for T-Mobile's value-minded customers (especially with the $150 Lumia 810 also available). So although we've already passed judgment on both of its GSM twins, we're here to tell you how Magenta's version breaks from the pack. Although we view carrier customizations much in the way Lady Macbeth views her hands, Windows Phone brings a welcome change of pace, what with its staunch disavowal of OEM skinning. So, the software experience across WP8 devices is pretty consistent. Still, bloatware is alive and well. This particular 8X retains the small handful of standard HTC applications (Hub, Flashlight, Photo Enhancer and Converter alongside settings for Beats Audio and attentive phone) seen on the AT&T and global models. But where it diverges from its network-locked counterpart is in the number of carrier apps it hosts -- about eight in total -- encompassing 411 & More, Bonus Apps, Caller Tunes, My Account, Scout, Slacker Radio, T-Mobile TV and Zynga Games. Thankfully, at least, all of it can be uninstalled with a simple long-press. That's not new for Windows Phone, but it still excites us all the same. Of the three 8X variants in the wild, T-Mobile's hardware takes a hybrid design approach, melding facets of its siblings. On its front face, the 8X appears identical to the global version, bearing HTC's logo just beneath the earpiece. Flip it around and you'll find the minute tweak that marks it as a US model: the shifting of the Beats Audio logo upwards and, in its former place, the presence of T-Mobile's logo above the speaker grille. Superficially, that's pretty much it. If it weren't for a minor radio swap, the spec sheet for this 8X would read almost completely the same as its siblings: 4.3-inch 1,280 x 720 Super LCD 2 display, 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4, 1GB RAM, dual 2.1-megapixel front-facing / 8-megapixel rear cameras, and HTC ImageChip. But whereas all three variants sport a quad-band GSM / GPRS /EDGE radio, T-Mobile's unit adds AWS to its quad-band UMTS / HSPA+ radio (850, 1700, 1900, 2100MHz) and drops support for the 900MHz band just as AT&T did for its model. So, while both US variants will work around the world and can lay claim to 4G speeds in the states, only AT&T's will actually run on LTE. With an identical chipset and no OS customization to speak of, we weren't surprised to see this 8X notch similar benchmark results as its brethren. In fact, the very same can be said for its performance versus that other Windows Phone 8 flagship, the Lumia 920. Of course, the explanation for this lies in their under-the-hood similarities. But, as always, synthetic scores don't paint the whole picture. Indeed, there's something amiss in T-Mobile's variant that keeps it from achieving real-world performance parity with our past 8X reviews. In two specific instances, we encountered app freezes that resulted in a reboot; both spurred by the simple deletion of a photo from within the gallery. Note that we didn't have any other apps running at the time, so we're not quite sure what caused this hiccup, nor could we replicate it.
Pay little attention to that rundown score above. Two hours and 17 minutes is not the sort of rating you can expect from the 8X's 1,800mAh integrated battery. We suspect this result has more to do with WPBench being a native Mango app and not updated with the WP8 kernel in mind. That said, battery life shows no meaningful variance from the LTE demands of the AT&T model, both falling just 15 minutes shy of the global's longevity. As a daily driver, you can expect about a full day's charge from the handset -- potentially even longer with more conservative use. As a WP8 value proposition, there's no topping Nokia's aggressive Lumia 920 pricing on AT&T: $100 on-contract is tough to beat for the same specs or better. As an alternative gateway to Nokia's Apps that won't have you jumping carrier ship, there's always the Lumia 810 on T-Mobile. But what you get in custom software on the handset, you trade down for less competitive internals. Strike that option from the equation and you're faced with a choice of two 8X's. And with both AT&T and T-Mobile carrying the 16GB model for $199 on-contract, the only thing separating the two is your preference for AWS or LTE. If you'd rather have T-Mobile's low monthly service fees than AT&T's faster speeds, feel free to sign on the dotted line. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LG F240 possibly spied in benchmarks packing 1080p screen, Snapdragon S4 Pro Posted: 16 Nov 2012 09:41 AM PST
LG's Optimus G (and Nexus 4) might have been the resolution champion among non-phablet Android phones for only a brief moment before the HTC Droid DNA arrived, but there's clues surfacing that LG may fight its way back to a draw. Following hints through browser profiles, a set of results on GLBenchmark have appeared for an unconfirmed LG F240 wielding a 1080p screen resolution; given the allusions to Korean phone carriers like KT and LG's earlier decision to back away from tablets, we suspect that it's something pocketable. The F240 could otherwise be more of an evolution, if it's real -- the Adreno 320 graphics and 1.5GHz clock speed allude to the Optimus G's Snapdragon S4 Pro sticking around, and the biggest leap beyond the screen could be an upgrade to Jelly Bean (4.1, not 4.2). While benchmarks aren't entirely trustworthy without a tangible device to match, there's enough here to imply that HTC will have at least one major competitor in a very young category. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wii U gets midnight launch at Nintendo World Store on November 18th Posted: 16 Nov 2012 09:22 AM PST
Care to be one of the first to buy a Wii U this weekend? Then start layering on the outerwear, swallowing that pride and making your way to Nintendo's flagship Rockefeller Plaza store in New York City. Starting at midnight this Saturday, the company will begin selling its next-gen console along with other "premium items" to the extreme fanpersons in attendance. And as a special treat for whomever's waiting at the front of the line, NOA's prez, Reggie Fils-Aime, will be there to hand over that very first console - effectively doubling your bragging rights. So, if you like your launch day cold and a little bit crazy (yes, there will be folks walking around with Mii heads), November 18th's one to mark down in the calendar. November 16, 2012 10:00 AM Eastern Time First Wii U consoles go on sale in New York on Nov. 18 with midnight launch event WHAT: Consumers will have the chance to be among the first in the world to purchase the Wii U console when the clock strikes midnight on Nov. 18 at Nintendo World in New York's Rockefeller Plaza. Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime will be on hand to count down the launch and sell a new Wii U to the first consumer in line. Fans waiting in line will get premium items (while supplies last) during the event. Note that supplies are limited, and systems will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. More information about Wii U can be found at http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu. WHO: Adults, teens, tweens, parents, video game fans and consumers WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 WHERE: Nintendo World at Rockefeller Plaza VISUALS: Scores of fans lined up in front of Nintendo World for a chance to be among the first people in the world to purchase the new Wii U console | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insert Coin: XensrCase turns your iPhone into a state of the art 3D sports tracker Posted: 16 Nov 2012 09:03 AM PST In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. A lot of us use our phones to track our runs, bike rides and other outdoor activities. You've probably also noticed that GPS is not exactly the most accurate way of measuring your exercise (especially if you live in a city with a lot of tall, tightly-packed buildings). And, if you're less concerned with distance and time than you are with say... elevation, then your iPhone simply can't help you. A company called EpicSesh is hoping to turn your humble iOS device into a serious 3D sport tracker by packing a bunch of sensors in a sleeve called the XensrCase. Inside the rugged case is a highly accurate gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer and separate GPS module that samples motion data 400 times a second to create smooth records of your jumps, flips and tricks, as well as your distance and speed. There's also a companion app that pulls in the most relevant data and formats it appropriately for your sport of choice -- be it snowboarding or windsurfing. To get the product off the ground EpicSesh is looking for $100,000 in funding. To claim a XensrCase for yourself you'll need to pledge $150, though, that deal is only good for the first 100 devices. After they're gone you'll need to pony up $170 for one in blue. For now the case is available for the iPhone 5, 4S and 4 as well as the iPod touch. But we're hopeful an Android version of the same TruMotion tech is in the works. Head on after the break to see it in action and hit up the source link to pledge your support. Previous project update: That delightful little $99 "supercomputer" project, Parallella has finished its funding period and well exceeded its $750,000 goal. In total tinkerers pledged $898,921 to get the high-powered multi-core curiousity off the ground. Now it's all about awaiting delivery. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GM promises two new smartphone apps to help keep your EV charged Posted: 16 Nov 2012 08:34 AM PST
GM has already released an OnStar app that extends smartphone control to a range of vehicles, but it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that it has bigger mobile plans than that. It's now announced two new apps designed for EV owners -- one that will let you help find EV chargers on your route, and another that will let you pay for the charge with your phone. The first of those is an update to OnStar's existing RemoteLink app (presumably for both iOS and Android), which will be getting a new Spark EV Waypoint tab that'll let you enter a destination and then have a route configured that ensures you won't be stuck miles from the nearest charging station. GM says it will be available in time for the launch of the 2014 Spark EV. The second app, dubbed Park-Tap-Charge at the moment, is apparently still in the prototype stage, but GM promises that it will let you use your NFC-equipped smartphone to pay directly at the charging station, and also check information like the hourly rate of charging or the estimated time for a full charge before you pay. No word yet on when it will be available, though. A Battery of Apps: OnStar Debuts Future EV Solutions Since the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle launched in late 2010, drivers have been able to manage vehicle charging, including the option to charge during off-peak hours through the OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App. As GM expands its electric vehicle line-up next year with the 2014 Chevy Spark EV, more drivers will be able to manage and control electric-only functions from their phone. Spark EV Waypoint tab Because the Spark EV operates only on electricity, drivers will need to know if they can reach their destination on a single charge. The Spark EV Waypoint tab, which will be integrated into the RemoteLink app, can quickly determine that answer and plot a waypoint route with recommended charging stations if the route is beyond a single charge's range. "The Spark EV Waypoint tab aims to instill confidence in drivers who are not sure if they'll be able to reach their destination on a single charge," said Paul Pebbles, global manager, OnStar Electric Vehicle and Smart Grid Services. "It's also for drivers who know they'll be traveling beyond a single charge range." Once the destination is selected, based on the distance and battery life, the app will use the distance and remaining battery life to tell the driver one of four things: Destination is within the range of a single charge OnStar plans to make the Waypoint App available for the launch of the 2014 Spark EV. Park-Tap-Charge Prototype App With more electric vehicles on the market, the demand for public charging will grow as will the need to know how much charging away from home will cost. Where cost is tied to public charging, a new prototype app will allow EV owners to simply tap their smartphone against a charging station, which will automatically show payment options that, once accepted, will initiate the flow of electricity. This prototype app is currently named Park-Tap-Charge. "It's all about transacting through the app to create a very connected vehicle experience," said Pebbles. "This type of functionality contributes to an end-to-end solution for owners of the infrastructure and drivers." Prior to accepting payment, the app will show the hourly rate of charging, the estimated time for a full charge and the estimated cost of a full charge. The app leverages Near Field Communication technology, a way of contactless payment being implemented in smartphones today. Using a signal sent from an NFC-enabled phone to a charge station with an embedded NFC tag, drivers can automatically initiate payment from a previously connected account by tapping their smartphone to the station. The current version of the application is a concept and provides the base for driving a scalable and viable solution as more EVs hit the road. OnStar's Smart Grid research is made possible by the U.S. Department of Energy. OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology. With more than 6 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China, OnStar is currently available on more than 40 MY 2013 GM models, as well as available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road with OnStar FMV. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: tablets Posted: 16 Nov 2012 08:00 AM PST Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. We've also teamed up with AT&T to give away one hot smartphone with each and every guide, so scroll to the end for today's prize, then leave a comment to submit your entry! You have to admit -- there's something extra special about receiving tablets. Perhaps it's their sleek and portable designs, or maybe it's because they're best for watching movies and playing games rather than pounding out important memos on a deadline. Their rep as entertainment devices is already changing, though: we've seen slates with pen input and bundled keyboard docks burst onto the market this year, and Windows 8 is only boosting that corporate-friendly image. Wherever you fall on the work / play spectrum, we've got some great slate choices for you. Hop past the break to dive in. On the cheapApple iPad mini Following years of rumors, the mini is finally here. Does it live up to the enormous hype? Yes -- and it manages to surprise in some ways, too, with a unique anodized aluminum backing, impressive battery life and performance that trounces earlier-generation iPads. The $329 price is a notch higher than the competition, but you get what you pay for. In this case, that's superior build quality and access to the tablet-friendly App Store. Key specs: 7.9-inch (1,024 x 768) display, dual-core A5 processor, 16GB of internal memory, 512MB of RAM, weighs 0.68 pounds, rated for up to 10 hours of battery life. Price: $329 from Apple You might also like... Nexus 10The big brother to the Nexus 7 impresses with a stunning 2,560 x 1,600 display, great gaming chops and strong audio quality. The downside is middling battery life: we're talking about seven and a half hours when the competition delivers 10-plus. Price: $399 from Google Acer Iconia Tab A110Looking for a slate that offers Jelly Bean and a lightweight design on a budget? The 7-inch A110 delivers, and it runs a 1.2GHz Tegra 3 processor, to boot. Price: $230 on Amazon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sphero's Augmented Reality Engine gets fully realized in Sharky the Beaver (video) Posted: 16 Nov 2012 07:59 AM PST
Been keeping up to date with the quirky robotic ball named Sphero? We've been wondering when its Augmented Reality Engine would finalize into a full-fledged app since we first witnessed it as E3 as a simple 2D tech demo. Well, Today is the day that this Android and iOS-controlled ball makes it first official-release steps into the world of AR -- the engine has grown up, powering Orbotix's latest free app, Sharky the Beaver. While the game itself is still admittedly silly and demo-like since we saw an early adaptation in August, there's no question that the AGR is now is a polished state. As a refresher, unlike other implementations that require a stationary marker, Sphero serves as a one that can move around your area, while also relaying information about its position. The 3D character on screen rotates its directions as you spin Sphero, and, as you can see above, it even allows you to pick the ball up while it's being tracked. The frame-rate of tracking in the app itself looked very smooth, and we should the it does an admirable job keeping track of the ball, even if it ends up off-screen. At the point, gameplay is limited to flicking cupcakes on the ground that Sharky goes to automatically, and there's no word on if and when we'll see the features shown off in the early version (namely, the part where the Sharky part of the name was actually a key element, as you chased people on-screen to get their cupcakes). All in all, we're more curious than anything to see what else the folks at Orbotix will come up with in the realm of AR -- for more in the meantime, check out the our video hands-on after the break.
Sphero Augmented Reality: Sharky the Beaver from Sphero on Vimeo. Sphero Debuts Groundbreaking Augmented Reality App BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 16, 2012 - Orbotix, the makers of Sphero, the first robotic ball gaming system controlled by smartphones and tablets, today announced the release of their groundbreaking augmented reality app, Sharky the Beaver. "Using Sphero as the moving fiducial, games can now be created where characters come to life and roam around a user's house to interact with the real world environment," said Orbotix CEO Paul Berberian. While the concept has been around for many years, the technology has lagged due to limitations in processing power and computer vision algorithms. The solution typically is to use fiducials - identifiable fixed markers in the environment to provide clues on how to overlay virtual objects into a real world scene. These fiducials do not allow for dynamic game play, significant movement, or user interaction. Using Sphero as the moving robotic fiducial, with advanced proprietary algorithms and onboard sensor data from Sphero, Orbotix is able to offer an AR experience never seen before in any commercially available product - let alone in a game system. "The game play is other-worldly. You really embrace the character because of the realistic features, animations, and shadows that fit naturally into the scene. Plus it just works in virtually all environments," said Berberian. The app, Sharky The Beaver, overlays a virtual beaver on top of Sphero. As users drive Sphero with their iOS device, Sharky comes to life and runs around the environment looking for cupcakes. The user can also rotate their device into portrait mode to toss cupcakes at Sharky as he autonomously runs around. "While the initial gameplay is fairly basic, we felt it was important to give people an experience that seemed magical. Most people have never used AR, so Sharky will be their first experience and we didn't want to overwhelm their senses," said Orbotix co-founder and chief software architect Adam Wilson. "Sharky is so simple that everyone can bring him to life and not get caught up in how it works. The technology disappears and requires no setup - people can just play and enjoy this crazy little cupcake-munching guy running around their house." Sharky the Beaver is initially available for iOS and Sphero owners can download the app directly from the iTunes App Store today. Orbotix also plans to release their augmented reality SDK for Sphero in January 2013 so developers can create their own AR games and apps. Go behind-the-scenes at Orbotix and see a video of Sharky the Beaver in-action by viewing the blog post that Orbotix released today: http://sphe.ro/vfydn With 20+ apps now available, Sphero makes a great gift for this holiday season. It can be found at Target, Brookstone, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Stores. Sphero is also available at GoSphero.com and other online outlets. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxi service apps could be hit by a proposed ban on GPS metering Posted: 16 Nov 2012 07:34 AM PST
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| NTT DoCoMo readies first dual-mode HSDPA, LTE femtocell for December Posted: 16 Nov 2012 06:54 AM PST
LTE's frequent gotcha has been indoor coverage: as it often relies on high frequency ranges outside of the US, the signal can drop off quickly at home or in the mall. There have been LTE femtocells before to fill in the gaps, but NTT DoCoMo claims to have the first mini cell site that would cover our needs much more thoroughly. The Japanese carrier's new base station run simultaneous 112.Mbps LTE and 14.4Mbps HSDPA (sorry, no HSUPA upload speeds) on the 2GHz band to keep 3G data and voice working side-by-side with 4G, piping both through a wired broadband connection; there's no need to sacrifice the basics or legacy support just for a better LTE signal. NTT DoCoMo plans to sell the dual-mode femtocell to local homeowners, offices and stores in December. Sadly, there's no immediate word of plans for femtocells that support networks abroad, although the technology's existence gives us hope that we'll see it spread to other providers -- and that black holes in cellular coverage will be distant memories. DOCOMO Develops World's First Small-cell Base Station for 3G and LTE TOKYO, JAPAN, November 16, 2012 --- NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it has developed the world's first dual-mode small-cell base station, or femtocell, supporting 3G (W-CDMA) and LTE simultaneously for improved service coverage in indoor locations such as offices, shops and homes. The dual-mode femtocell will be commercially launched from December. DOCOMO's new femtocell, which weighs only 0.7 kg and measures just 18.5cm by 17.5 cm by 4.5 cm (H x W x T), provides 3G/LTE service coverage in a range of up to several tens of meters, depending on actual conditions. Its plug-and-play function automatically configures itself to the surrounding radio environment, enabling users to quickly enjoy wider, higher-quality and more cost-effective coverage simply by connecting the femtocell to a broadband fixed line. DOCOMO has been marketing 3G femtocells for improved indoor coverage since 2007. With the new dual-mode 3G/LTE femtocell, DOCOMO looks forward to providing enhanced indoor environments for voice and data mobile communication via its FOMA™ 3G and Xi™ (read "Crossy") LTE services. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kobo Arc available today in Canada and UK, coming to France on Monday Posted: 16 Nov 2012 06:22 AM PST
Kobo's Arc tablet is hitting stores for the first time in Canada and the UK today , leaving eager punters in the US of A wondering if they've been forgotten. In America 's hat, the 7-inch competitor to the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 is showing price tags of 200, 250 and 300 Canadian dollars for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, respectively. A WHSmith exclusive in the UK , £160 and £190 is what you'll need for the lesser two options, and we can't see a 64GB listing online just yet. French store Fnac will keep customers waiting til Monday, when they'll be able to swap €200 for an Arc avec 16 gigs -- its listings show no other sizes right now, barring a non-existent 8GB variant. Kobo hid a surprise for us in the announcement PR, too: it's already working on a Jelly Bean 4.1 update for the ICS tablet. If you're American and bummed you're not reading this on your own shiny new Arc, it's already passed inspection, so should be shipping before you know it. Kobo Arc Hits Shelves in Canada, United Kingdom and France IN CANADA at Indigo-Chapters, Best Buy, and Future Shop The Kobo Arc - 7" Android Tablet with Amazing Features Now Available at the Affordable Low Price Starting at just $199.99 for 16GB Discover the Kobo Arc, the best tablet for your holiday gift giving TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Kobo, a global leader in eReading with more than 10-million users, today announced that its much-anticipated 7" Android tablet, the Kobo Arc, has hit shelves across Canada and the United Kingdom today and will be heading to France on Monday. The Google-certified, Kobo Arc gives consumers access to more than 600,000 apps and comes in three storage configurations: 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. With the fastest 1.5GHz processor available in a 7" tablet, the Kobo Arc provides superior browsing and multi-media features to enhance the user experience including front-facing speakers, a durable high-resolution display, and Kobo's unique interface Tapestries to easily organize and display content. Starting at just$199.99, the Kobo Arc is the best option for customers looking for a fully-loaded 7" tablet this holiday season. Kobo Tapestries interface allows users to easily "pin" their favorite content in dynamic displays helping to keep much-loved content at the surface of the user experience. To further extend the user experience, the Kobo Arc Discovery Ribbon intelligently recommends both free and paid content - including webpages, articles, eBooks, music and movies - based on the content pinned to a Tapestry. The Kobo Arc is the only tablet that learns what its user likes, to recommend more of the content they love. Fully customizable, with colourful, interchangeable Snapbacks in Blue and Purple, the Kobo Arc is the only tablet available on the market today that is a true reflection of its user. "Finding new videos, websites and articles is something we can all admit to spending hours searching for," said Wayne White, EVP and GM of Devices Kobo. "With Kobo Arc, we have developed new ways for users to easily and more importantly, quickly, discover new information, resources and entertainment based on their interests rather than their purchase history. We want people to be surprised and delighted by Kobo Arc each time a recommendation is made based on their personal interests and tastes." Kobo Arc Fast Facts:
With the Kobo Arc, Kobo continues to build on its open philosophy which encourages more people to read anytime, anyplace and on the device they choose. The company's eReading platform automatically syncs people's libraries across devices from the Kobo Arc, to its E Ink eReaders, to the free apps for virtually any desktop, tablet, eReader or smartphone. With more than 10-million users across 190 countries, Kobo offers more choice than ever before with its new Family of eReaders, growing catalogue of more than 3-million eBooks, and content in 60 languages. The Kobo Arc will be available for $199.99 (16GB), $249.99 (32GB) and $299.99 (64GB). Check out Chapters-Indigo,Bestbuy.ca, Futureshop.com, WHSmith, and Fnac for more information or to order online. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wii U's Nintendo TVii, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu Plus pushed to December (update) Posted: 16 Nov 2012 05:47 AM PST
When Nintendo's Wii U launches this weekend, it won't arrive with most of its primary multimedia features -- namely, Nintendo TVii, Amazon Instant Video, or Hulu Plus. All were said to come pre-loaded on the new console, but reviewers found out early that a launch day patch would enable the functionality. As it turns out, that patch will actually arrive at some point in December, bearing Nintendo TVii, with the rest of the apps arriving "in the coming weeks" (no hard date is given for any of the apps). The console is still expected to launch with Miiverse, Nintendo Network, and backwards compatibility with the Nintendo Wii -- none of which is currently enabled on the Wii U (presumably still arriving in some form of day-one patch). We've reached out to Nintendo to see if those things are still planned for launch. Update: Netflix reps tell us the app will be available "when Wii U ships," but won't be part of Nintendo TVii "until Q1." Nintendo's Wii U Console Introduces How U Will Play Next Wii U GamePad to Change the Way People Play, Browse, Share and Communicate NOTE: Multimedia available here The Wii U Basic Set will be available at a suggested retail price of $299.99 and includes a white Wii U console with 8 GB* of internal storage, one white touch-screen GamePad controller, AC adapters for both the console and controller, a sensor bar and an HDMI™ cable. The Wii U Deluxe Set will be available at a suggested retail price of $349.99 and its components are black. This set includes all elements from the Basic Set, as well as the Nintendo Land game, increased internal storage totaling 32 GB*, a console stand, a GamePad stand and a GamePad charging cradle. People who purchase the Deluxe Set also will be enrolled in the Deluxe Digital Promotion, which allows Deluxe Set owners to earn points when they purchase downloadable games and then redeem those points for codes that earn them credit toward even more fun digital content in the online Nintendo eShop. For more information about the Deluxe Digital Promotion, which is available for a limited time, please visit http://ddp.nintendo.com. "Wii U is an 'everyday' connected device – offering a combination of games, entertainment, online connectivity and social activity that will make people want to interact with it daily," said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. "Never before have so many features been packed into one game console, at any price. Our substantial lineup of games offered at launch has something for everyone on your shopping list." Wii U offers completely new and unexpected game play, entertainment experiences and unique online interactions: Wii U GamePad: The controller features a 6.2-inch touch screen that redefines how people interact with their games, their entertainment and one another. It comes with dual analog sticks and traditional buttons for gaming. The GamePad is wirelessly connected to the console, providing a perfectly integrated second-screen experience with the TV, no matter how it's being used. Different players can enjoy different experiences in the same game, depending on which controller they opt to use. Players can even move select games from the TV to be played on the GamePad or use the GamePad as a TV remote control. Remember that Wii U features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about the many Wii U features and details about all the current and upcoming games, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu. A network update is required for some features. * 1 GB = 1 billion bytes. Usable internal memory limited due to system software. About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4 billion video games and more than 637 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distro Issue 66 is here with the Engadget holiday gift guide! Posted: 16 Nov 2012 05:30 AM PST
If you've yet to compile a wish list of your own, or begin to cross names off of that dreaded shopping list, the latest edition of our weekly is primed to lend a hand with both of those tasks. In this issue, we've compiled over 100 devices and other wares that are sure to bring a bit of joy to the holiday season. In addition to the aforementioned collection, Eyes-On ogles a high-end AirPlay speaker, Visualized tracks election results and Box Brown returns to remind us of the horrors of holiday shopping. There's literally a ton of gadget goodness this time out, so grab a copy via the usual methods to start perusing. Distro Issue 66 PDF This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC Desire X review: one last hurrah for a former flagship? Posted: 16 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST
Before we go into more detail on HTC's Desire X, cast your memory back to a time before the outfit announced the "One" line of Android phones. You may remember names such as Wildfire, Sensation, Rhyme and, of course, Desire. Likewise, you may also remember a certain amount of company talk about its plans to simplify its Android offerings, and turn out phones at a slower, more considered pace. So, it was a little confusing when we first heard about the Desire X. HTC already had an affordable phone, the One V, but seemingly deemed it not affordable enough -- and the Desire C already fills the most entry-level position. With a 1GHz dual-core processor, a WVGA (800 x 480) display and a 5-megapixel camera, the specs are from the same era as the OG Desire, but with a slightly more current price: €299 in Europe. So, stripped of any "One" branding, but bearing a name that many will remember fondly, is the Desire X a good phone that's been reinvented, or just a throwback from HTC of old? We spent some time in its company to find out for ourselves. Hardware
If you examine the spec sheets of the original Desire and the Desire X, you'll see that in the two years or so that separate them, the screen has grown from 3.7 to 4 inches (capacitive buttons are still present on the X); there's 768, rather than 512MB of RAM; and the 5-megapixel camera resolution has remained the same. The clock speed hasn't changed either, but you're getting an extra core this time with the Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon chipset. Not everything is looking back to the past, though. The perimeter to the camera is made from ridged plastic that almost feels like a cut-out from a vinyl record. The phone's overall design takes some cues from the One line, which gives it a modern look and feel. Starting at the back, the removable battery cover has a matte, almost soft-touch finish, save for a plastic section surrounding the camera lens and LED flash. The perimeter of the camera is made from ridged plastic that almost feels like a cut-out from a vinyl record. Beneath this is an HTC logo embossed at 90 degrees, and a Beats audio badge along the base. To the left of this branding are some tiny drilled holes that cover the speaker. This rear shell also contains holes for the headphone jack, micro-USB port and mic, as well as the power / stand-by button and volume rocker. There isn't, however, an ingress for you to slip a fingernail under if you wish to remove it; instead you'll have to work something into the gap where there's a touch more leverage (mainly around the top). The bonus here is that it makes the phone look like one solid unit. The downside is that getting under the hood is a clumsy undertaking. Once you've found your way in, though, you'll find a 1,650mAh battery, plus full-size SIM and microSD slots. It's when you find your way back to the front of the device that its family lineage is most apparent. Aside from the tiny drilled speaker holes up top, and the Android 4.X-flavored capacitive buttons along the bottom, the resemblance to the Desire S is strong. There's the familiar two-tone bezel at the bottom, where the brushed-finish fascia presses itself next to the matte detail cover reaching around from the back, meeting on the phone's distinctive family chin. As you work upwards around the edges, that brushed finish carries on up the sides, and flanks the gloss black of the frame around the display with sharply cut edges. These edges are actually sharp enough to become uncomfortable with prolonged, firm gripping. It's that 4-inch super LCD display that is probably one of the more surprising elements of the phone. With a rather average 800 x 480 resolution, you might not be expecting much. But the non-PenTile screen is laminated, reducing glare and making colors really bright and vivid. That, in combination with the not overly large size means that, while there might be more pixel-dense displays around, what you're getting on the Desire X doesn't appear to be low-quality, or second-rate. Whites appear untainted and clear, but blacks render a little bright, with light coming through and a subtle bluish tone throughout. It's not to the point of distraction we must add, but it's noticeable when put side by side with another handset (a Galaxy Nexus or Acer CloudMobile, for example). You'll be pleased to hear that the vivid image reproduction also doesn't come at the expense of overbearing contrast levels either, with photos and videos appearing to have similar levels to viewing the same file on a desktop. The Desire X's radio will tune in to GSM / EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) and HSPA+ (900/2100), but there's also Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and single-band 802.11b/g/n plus support for DLNA. The built-in media player has a feature that will let you "select a player" for sharing with compatible devices. We tested this with a Samsung SmartTV on the same WiFi network, and the phone found it instantly. Once selected, the video we chose started playing, without us even touching the controls on the TV once. A little bit brutal perhaps, but it works. Camera
There's only one camera to concern yourself with here, and that's the 5-megapixel shooter on the back. It comes with HTC's dedicated ImageChip / BSI sensor, has an f/2.0 aperture and 28mm lens. There's autofocus, which seemed quick and responsive for photos (less so for video), but you can tap to focus too, should you want something in particular to get more attention -- or if the phone doesn't get there itself (this never happened to us in our tests). If you like to meddle with your pictures a little once you've taken them, the vintage, sepia, vignette effects et al are still here to help you get your filter fix. In the camera app itself, there are the same features that we've seen already on other phones with Sense 4.0. That means you get the ability to take stills while shooting video, and continuous shooting mode, just by keeping your finger down. The latter of those two features works pleasingly well, with images firing off quickly, popping up in the gallery right away. The settings, flash and "mode" menus remain on screen at all times, and let you jump to HDR, Panorama or any of the other scene presets (landscape, close-up and so on) with ease. If you like to meddle with your pictures a little once you've taken them, the vintage, sepia, vignette effects et al are still here to help you get your filter fix. As for the pictures themselves, we found them to be generally pleasing, with good low-light performance in HDR mode. Not everything was quite as sharp as we'd like when we were shooting at night in Auto mode, and colors were sometimes prone to looking washed out. But in more ideal conditions (say, a brightly lit room, with a static target) you'll definitely be able to produce some satisfactory shots. As for the video side of things, there's no HD shooting, sadly, with resolution still maxing out at WVGA, or 800 x 480. We took a few sample clips, as you'll see below, it's a fairly far cry from some of the more pixel-dense / 720p competition (this is one of the specifications where the One V wins out), you can still capture some serviceable video that'd be okay for sharing with friends, or for casual YouTube memories, but for more important memories, you'll be wanting to use something else.
Software Those not coming from an Android background at all will likely find it an easy in-road to the operating system's universe. As for that slathering of Sense, well, we already made our thoughts on it pretty clear in our review, but to recap, it's a clear improvement over previous incarnations. Rather than rake over the same likes and dislikes as before, we'll look at it from the perspective of the Desire X. The first thing to mention is that, while the UI generally feels cohesive, and blends in well with Android's native features, if you are used to stock Ice Cream Sandwich, Sense might slow you down at first. That's especially true on a phone such as this where there's relatively less processor punch (more on this later). If, on the other hand, you're migrating from other skinned versions of Android, or older iterations of Sense, then you're probably going to feel at home. Those not coming from an Android background at all will likely find it an easy in-road to the operating system's universe. Menu options are generally intuitively located, and features such as the lock screen widgets help it feel modern. There are some simple tweaks that we really enjoy, too, such as the mini-weather widget that appears in the calendar showing you how each day in the near future is expected to turn out, and the 3D rotating home screens add a little contemporary flavor. As already mentioned, those quick shortcuts from the lock screen will be a great time saver for many too. One minor quirk we noticed was that notifications for email took a long time to clear if, for example, you deleted new mail on a different device. You might think more messages have arrived and then check the phone, only to find it's the message you deleted nearly an hour ago. One last software feature that's worth mentioning is Beats audio mode. The collaboration between HTC and Dre's headphone brand has been going on for some time now, and has received mixed responses. The Desire X even has a Beats logo on its backside, so we thought we'd give it more than just a quick listen. We set some music playing, and then piped it through a PC, recording sections with Beats enabled, and again with the feature switched off. Our main takeaway? Beats makes things loud. Very loud. We wanted to see a little bit more of what was going on, so we inspected the waveform, and put a spectral analyzer on the track to see the changes in sound in real time, both are in the image below. As you can see, in the lower section it's instantly clear when Beats is activated (the thick part of the wave) and when it isn't. This thickness represents volume, and a good few decibels of it, too (around four to five). The top part shows a snapshot of the signal. The lower, stronger line is without the feature, and the taller, fainter one is the curve when Beats is on. It's pretty clear that there are big boosts around 100Hz and below (bass) and 1kHz (mid-high) ranges. This represents a curve you might introduce with a multi-band EQ on a home stereo if you wanted to crank up the bass, and balance with some "sparkle" higher up the spectrum. In short, it's juicing up the sound in a very similar way to other equalizer presets on other players. Great if you like it loud. In short, it's juicing up the sound in a very similar way to other equalizer presets on other players. Performance and battery life We spent a lot of our downtime thumbing at a range of casual games, and there's certainly nothing bad to report here, though it's not a device we'd recommend for anything more graphically intense. In our general use (i.e., outside games) we did experience the occasional flicker and screen glitch. Not all day, or all the time, but perhaps once or twice throughout the morning we'd catch it when changing between apps. When we repeated whatever we were doing in hope of reproducing the glitch, it never occurred twice in close proximity. To get a better idea of the phone's strong and weak points, we put it to the benchmarks to decide, as you can see below.
So, it's a mixed bag as far as numbers go, which roughly reflect our anecdotal experience, too: generally good, with the odd glitch in performance. As for the battery, with a 1,650mAh cell under the hood, and some potential savings to be made from the smaller screen, it managed a reasonable six hours and 33 minutes in our standard video rundown test (WiFi on, but not connected, and brightness fixed at 50 percent). In real-world use, we'd get well into the following day before we'd start getting nervous about finding a power point. If you're the sort that switches off overnight, then it might even last a full two days with moderate use. We already mentioned some aspects of the audio, but not everything is all about the Beats; you may also want to make the odd phone call or two. And if you do, then you'll enjoy them just fine. Voices sounded clear and crisp. As for data, again, we put the HSPA+ radios to test at various places around London, and found download speeds to be well within the normal range of what the O2 network had to offer in those areas (between 3 Mbps and 4 Mbps), with no obvious breaks in connection or service. Wrap-up More InfoWe liked the idea of HTC doing away with its confusing approach to phone releases, and seemingly random naming convention (Sensation? Explorer?). So, we're still a little curious as to why the Desire brand lives on. The Desire C is much lower spec, but confusingly, the low-but-premium One V gets bested by the Desire X on some key features (notably RAM and number of processor cores). So, is it all about design and build quality? Or old habits sneaking back in? Perhaps the Desire name is just too intertwined with HTC's heritage for the company to give it up fully. Whatever the reason, the Desire X exists. More importantly, should you want one? This is mainly a question for shoppers in European and Asian markets, particularly those looking to spend around £220 / €299 SIM free. If you are looking for a mid-sized phone, aren't wed to stock Android and doing things like taking casual snaps and playing fun games on the way to work, then you won't be disappointed with the Desire X. If you want a little more from all of those categories, you might soon find yourself asking a little too much from this phone. More pressing, is the issue of longevity. The phone might be able to keep up now, but as time -- and software requirements -- march onward, the Desire X could start to age very quickly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JBL Power Up speaker and wireless charger combo now shipping, whimsically priced around $250 Posted: 16 Nov 2012 04:24 AM PST
The fruit of JBL's partnership with Espoo, the Power Up wireless speaker and induction charger, has just landed at AT&T and Verizon. Aside from receiving your beats over Bluetooth, the 2 x 10-watt speaker can also charge Qi-compatible devices like the Lumia 920 and the Nexus 4. It uses TI's latest power chip for an enlarged charging area, and packs NFC for quick pairing. Unlike TDK's more portable option, the Power Up retains its power cable, but it does come in cheaper than its rival at $250. (Or, for some reason, $300 if you buy it at AT&T.) [Thanks, Brandon] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Initial projects from 3net Studios include the world's first native 4K TV show Posted: 16 Nov 2012 03:42 AM PST
3net, the joint venture from Sony, Discovery and IMAX that's a 3D channel and more recently a production studio, is ready to announce its first slate of content. While so far the channel has mainly sourced content from the three partners, the new slate of projects, with one that it says is the world's first native 4K project for TV. Called Space, it combines 3D and Ultra HD footage to explore the universe. Of course, at $20k~ a pop for Ultra HD TV sets and a lack of anyone broadcasting in the format so far it may be a bit early, but it will probably air in standard HD/3D at first and when the tech catches up, it will be ready. Other shows in the works include Marksmen, a 3D motion comic, documentary Frozen In Time: Our History in 3D, Wingsuit Warrior: Jeb Corliss vs. The World and travelogue series Daydream. Anyone that scrounged for HD in the early 2000s is probably familiar with this type of demo-ready content, and if you're one of the first with a 4K set, it will probably be in your library for a while before Hollywood is ready to sell you the same movies again, just in higher resolution. 3NET STUDIOS ANNOUNCES INITIAL PRODUCTION SLATE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 16 Nov 2012 02:37 AM PST
Sony Mobile's sales chief, Dennis van Schie, has gone on the record with a pledge that just about crosses the line from marketing to manifesto. Speaking to the Financial Times Deutschland, he said Sony "will create, in the near future, a flagship model that can compete with Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy S III." Such a claim doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement of the manufacturer's existing top-end offering, the fast yet flawed Xperia TL, but it does raise our hopes for CES, since FTD reports that the superphone in question will be presented in early 2013 at both the Las Vegas show and Mobile World Congress. On a related note, van Schie also promised that Sony's chaotic array of online storefronts would become better integrated by the end of 2013, with every user being able to use a single ID across all their devices to access content -- something that sounds simple, but evidently isn't. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seagate Wireless Plus drive appears at the FCC teasing next-gen WiFi storage for Android, iOS Posted: 16 Nov 2012 01:51 AM PST
Seagate has jumped into wireless mobile storage with both feet, launching the GoFlex Satellite (now just the Satellite) and even experimenting with an LTE-equipped drive for dedicated road warriors. The FCC has just revealed that Seagate isn't having second thoughts about its strategy anytime soon: a previously unknown Wireless Plus drive has popped up at the US agency carrying 2.4GHz WiFi and a considerably slicker design. We don't know much more, although a handily provided copy of the quick start guide makes clear that the Wireless Plus is still centered on Android and iOS device owners wanting to stream media beyond what's on their internal memory. FCC clearance won't give any clues as to capacities or a ship date, but it suggests that it won't be long before our mobile devices have some added headroom. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WSJ: Google in talks with Dish over wireless network partnership Posted: 16 Nov 2012 01:13 AM PST
Google's presence in the mobile market is strong, this much we know. What with the small matter of a hugely popular mobile OS, some pretty popular hardware, and fingers already in the network-provider pie. But what if there was just one more itch it needed to scratch, one big, wireless operator-shaped itch? Well, The Wall Street Journal asserts (via its anonymous sources) that talks between the big G and the recently spectrum-approved operator Dish are already taking place. The same report is also quick to play down the advancement of these meetings, adding that Dish is currently talking with a number of companies at an "exploratory stage." Dish's Chairman, Charlie Ergen, was confirming nothing either, simply teasing that some of the potential partners are companies "who would like to be in the industry." Of course, Dish might just be playing it cool, and Google sniffing around prospective mobile compadres isn't surprising at all. We'd imagine "would like to be in the industry" has been a mantra for some time. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google's Blogger app updated with iPad support, landscape composition mode, Google+ integration Posted: 16 Nov 2012 12:36 AM PST
Google's Blogger app has hit version 2.0, bringing a visual revamp and a handful of new features to its iOS and Android flavors, in addition to iPad support. Now, users can compose posts in landscape mode, share to Google+ and view scheduled post times. In addition to a grab bag of unspecified bug fixes, the update brings the app's total number of supported languages up to 30. Eager to start tapping out posts? Hit the source links below for the appropriate download. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PlayStation 3 global sales hit 70 million, over 15 million Move controllers sold Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:44 PM PST
Sony has announced that it's now sold over 70 million PlayStation 3 consoles -- matching the number of Xboxes sold according to Microsoft's latest financial report. Direct from the Japanese console maker, it also revealed that more than 15 million PlayStation Move motion controllers have been sold since its launch over two years ago. Meanwhile, the slightly aging (but constantly tweaked) base console is now approaching its sixth birthday, but there's no word yet on its hardware successor, with Sony preferring to focus on new connectivity features between the PS3 and its handheld relative. PlayStation®3 Sales Reach 70 Million Units Worldwide TOKYO, Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that the cumulative sales of the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system reached a milestone of 70 million units*1 worldwide as of November 4, 2012 – less than six years after the platform launched in 2006. SCE also announced that sales of the PlayStation®Move motion controller surpassed 15 million units*1 worldwide as of November 11, demonstrating continued growth and momentum of the PS3® platform. The PS3® system has delivered high quality, award-winning entertainment experiences since its launch. Throughout its lifecycle, the PS3® system has continued to evolve with more streamlined design, larger Hard Disk Drive (HDD) capacity, and new features through software updates. In September 2012, SCE launched the new PS3® system, which has a reduced volume and weight of more than 50 percent compared to the original PS3® model, and of 25 percent and 20 percent respectively compared to the slim PS3 model launched in 2009. The new PS3® has been well received by consumers around the world. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NPD: Digital game sales up 22 percent in Q3, almost the majority slice of a $2.87 billion pie Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:05 PM PST
Take one look at NPD's quarterly gaming sales report and it'll be hard to deny that digital distribution now carries the industry's momentum. For the months of July through September, digital sales were pegged at $1.4 billion, which represents a 22 percent increase over Q3 2011. In comparison, new physical sales declined by 16 percent year-over-year, which raked in $1.07 billion for the industry. It's only when the used and rental markets are taken into consideration -- which snagged $399 million in change -- that physical sales remain ahead of the digital game. A broader look at the video game industry reveals a bit of stagnation, as overall sales have declined by one percent when compared to Q3 2011. With that in mind, perhaps you'll consider making a few extra downloads this holiday season, just to nudge things along. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sharp Aquos SH930W reviewed early in Russia, mates Sharp's 1080p screen with a mid-tier phone Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:14 PM PST
Lest you think HTC has a complete lock on Sharp's supply of extra-dense 5-inch, 1080p screens for the Droid DNA and J Butterfly, Sharp itself is building a phone around the giant LCD. The Aquos Phone SH930W slightly rethinks the internals of HTC's new Android 4.1 flagship to make it more affordable, doubling the non-expandable storage to 32GB but scaling back to a dual-core, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3 and dropping the currently unsupported LTE. That cost-cutting will be vital, as the SH930W is headed to a more price-sensitive Russia first, in late November -- one of the few (if not only) times that Sharp has tailored a smartphone to a country other than its native Japan. The 22,000-ruble ($694) off-contract price in Russia could undercut mere 720p rivals that often cost 25,000 rubles ($789) or more. It's an odd phone by any account, and Mobile-review was curious enough to snag a pre-release SH930W for an early inspection. While the device under the microscope was running vanilla Android rather than the planned Feel UX and may easily have a fair share of buggy code, initial benchmarks seem to validate fears of a mismatch between the display and an underpowered chip: the S3 is fast enough for common tasks at that resolution, but chokes with playing 1080p video and certain 3D games. Anyone buying the extra-large Aquos Phone will mostly be choosing it for the good battery life, the camera and that killer price, the site says. We'll admit to being slightly disappointed at such a pedestrian fate for Sharp's screen so soon into its lifespan, although we suspect performance-minded Muscovites could get a chance at a much faster HTC Deluxe in the near future. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dropbox Chooser lets web apps attach files from the cloud Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:27 PM PST
When Dropbox decided to get all close and cozy with Facebook Groups, that was just the beginning. With its new Chooser tool any developer can integrate Dropbox for quickly and easily sharing files stored in the cloud. Rather than upload or attach files from your desktop you can simply link files from your online folders. And, since the attachment is actually stored with Dropbox, rather than copied to a site's own servers, every time you update a document it's automatically updated for everyone else too. The first site to integrate the new tool is task management service Asana. Check out the source for more info from both companies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:42 PM PST
Eager to size up Cupertino's latest tablets on the Now Network? Better call your local retailer -- Sprint is now offering the iPad mini and Apple's 4th generation revision at select brick and mortar locations. Existing smartphone customers who make the trek down to their local mini-mall will be able to add the slates to their account at a discounted rate, scoring a 1GB data plan for $15 per month or 100MB for $10. Sprint will also be enacting a waitlist system for customers who miss out due to the company's admittedly limited stock, asking customers to purchase a $50 gift card in exchange for a guaranteed device when the next wave of tablets hit stores. Check out the official press release after the break for Sprint's full announcement. Update: Looks like Verizon and AT&T have the mini on shelves starting today as well. Sprint to Offer iPad mini OVERLAND PARK, KS. – Nov. 16, 2012 – Sprint today announced it is now offering iPad mini, a completely new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner and 53 "iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad, combined with Sprint's 4G LTE network ************************************************************** AT&T Offers iPad Mini | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court approves addition of iPhone 5, Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note to Samsung v. Apple lawsuit Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:18 PM PST
Those looking for the light at the end of the legal tunnel may want to take a seat: Apple and Samsung's ongoing patent war just got a bit more crowded. Both sides are fighting to add hardware to their respective patent claims. The U.S. District Court in San Jose is approving these additions too, adding the iPhone 5 to Samsung's claims and approving the Apple's updated complaint to include the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S III. More devices could be added, too -- Judge Paul Grewal specifically warned Apple to "think twice" before opposing future amendments on Samsung's part, which might include the iPad mini and 4th generation slate. For better or for worse, never-ending litigation and sticky sales injunctions seem to becoming an unfortunate mainstay of the modern product cycle. We'll let you know when the ongoing battle poses a threat to your upgrade plans. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GM and ABB repurpose used Chevy Volt batteries to provide home backup power Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:46 PM PST
We've heard previously about GM's and others' plans to recycle and reuse electric vehicle batteries after they've outlived their automotive usefulness, and it looks like one of those possible solutions is making some considerable headway. GM and ABB, a company focused on power and automation technologies, have announced that they've successfully demonstrated an energy storage system built from five used Chevy Volt batteries, which would be capable of providing two hours of backup power for three to five average homes. As the companies note, while they're no longer suitable for use in an electric vehicle, the average end-of-life battery has only used up about 30 percent of its charge, the rest of which can go a long way in other applications (especially when a few of them are paired together). Of course, this is all still just at the demonstration stage, but ABB's Allen Burchett says this demo is an example of "how fast this research concept is turning into reality," and that the next step is to test out how the system will actually work on the power grid. GM and ABB demonstrate Chevrolet Volt Battery Reuse – world's first use of electric vehicle batteries for homes San Francisco, Nov. 15, 2012 – General Motors and ABB today showed the next stage in battery reuse, the repackaging of five used Chevrolet Volt batteries into a modular unit capable of providing two hours of electricity needed by three to five average American homes. The uninterruptable power supply and grid power balancing system was demonstrated during GM's Electrification Experience. The prototype unit provided 25 kW of power and 50 kWh of energy to power all the support lighting and audiovisual equipment in an "off-grid" structure used for the event. "GM's battery development extends throughout the entire life of the battery, including secondary use," said Pablo Valencia, GM senior manager of battery lifecycle management. "In many cases, when an EV battery has reached the end of its life in an automotive application, only 30 percent or less of its life has been used. This leaves a tremendous amount of life that can be applied to other applications like powering a structure before the battery is recycled." GM and ABB last year demonstrated how a Chevrolet Volt battery pack could be used to collect energy and feed it back to the grid and deliver supplemental power to homes or businesses. During today's demonstration, the energy storage system was run in a "remote power back-up" mode where 100 percent of the power for the facility came from Volt batteries through ABB's Energy Storage Inverter system. A similar application could one day be used to power a group of homes or small commercial buildings during a power outage, allow for storage of power during inexpensive periods for use during expensive peak demand, or help make up for gaps in solar, wind or other renewable power generation. These functions, along with frequency regulation on electric distribution systems, could someday be used by utilities to reduce cost to customers and improve the quality of power delivery. These applications are referred to as community energy storage to distinguish them from substation-size energy storage projects. "We showed today how fast this research concept is turning into reality," said Allen Burchett, ABB's senior vice president for Business Development in North America. "The ABB-GM Volt battery system is the world's first use of car batteries as possible back-up power for homes and other commercial uses. We will be installing it on the grid soon to complete the technical evaluation, and this will tell us all what smart grid applications are possible, like back-up power, reducing energy cost, strengthening utilities' distribution systems and storing surplus renewable energy." ABB's research center in Raleigh, N.C., conducted the research and development, and ABB's Medium Voltage business unit in Lake Mary, Fla., is managing the proof-of-concept testing, market research and product development. As the world's largest EV fast-charging company and leader in smart grid and energy storage, ABB works with other auto companies, battery manufacturers and utilities to help make electric power and industrial operations more productive and efficient. GM is focused on assuring battery systems used in future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles provide environmental and societal benefits beyond their use in the vehicle. Long before a battery is recycled, secondary use provides the opportunity to fully utilize the battery resource. GM is dedicated to waste reduction throughout its operations, and its worldwide manufacturing facilities combined recycle 90 percent of the waste they generate. Ensuring that batteries are part of reducing the environmental impact of its vehicles and operations is part of the company's roadmap to sustainability. For more information, multimedia material or to speak to ABB experts please click here. ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people. General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM's brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vudu brings HDX 1080p streaming and downloadable movies to PCs Posted: 15 Nov 2012 06:49 PM PST
While HDX video has been a trademark for the Vudu service for years, when it launched streaming and Vudu-to-go downloads for PCs last year, they were limited to standard definition. That's been corrected recently, as the service is now offering 1080p or 720p HDX video via the web. What you still won't get on the PC unfortunately is higher quality sound as it's still limited to stereo audio for now, and in our tests we weren't able to access the Flash streams on a phone or tablet. Just log into the website and you should be able to try it out for yourself, however you will need adequate internet speed and an HDCP-compliant display -- check out the details at the link below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ireland completes spectrum auction after analog shutoff, LTE rollout pegged for mid-2013 Posted: 15 Nov 2012 06:04 PM PST
The dust has settled after Ireland's recent spectrum auction, and wouldn't you know it, Vodafone, O2, Meteor and Three have picked up a combined 140MHz of paired spectrum across the 800, 900 and 1800MHz bands. According to the country's regulator, ComReg, the auction will effectively double the spectrum available in these bands and will allow for LTE deployment across Éire. For its part, O2 has committed to begin its 4G rollout in the first half of 2013. To ensure quick deployment, all license holders are required to make their new spectrum available to 70 percent of Ireland's population within three years. In all, the companies will pay €855 million ($1.09 billion) for spectrum rights until 2030, of which, €482 million is payable up front. Curiously enough, the country's 800MHz spectrum was freed up just last month after its analog shutoff. To find a complete breakdown of the situation, feel free to hit up the announcement from ComReg at the source link below. [Thanks, Neil] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twitter brings content preview cards to Android and iPhone, lets us email tweets from the web Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:22 PM PST
Twitter has been on a mission to bring more of its expanded tweet content to the mobile world, and most recently lavished attention on the iPad. It's carrying that campaign to a much wider mix of screens: an update to the Android and iPhone apps gives them article summary and photo preview cards whenever they either search for tweets or browse through the Discover tab, all without having to tap the post first. Photos in the reworked search have likewise moved to the top by default to help track down that elusive concert photo. Web users aren't being left out of Twitter's latest update frenzy, either. The social network is tucking an option into the "more" section of each tweet that lets us email a pristine-looking copy to anyone who isn't part of Twitter's flock. All of the features are available to try immediately in the relevant official clients, which should make life grand for those of us who want more than just a wall of text in our search results. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xbox celebrates ten years of Live, will give special-edition 360s to contest winners Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:43 PM PST
It's hard to believe a whole decade has passed since the birth of Xbox Live, but here we are. From its roots as an online multiplayer service, Live has grown into a full-fledged entertainment platform bringing users Achievements and Gamerscores, customizable avatars, entertainment services and apps like Xbox Music and SmartGlass. As part of the celebration, you can head over to Xbox.com to try to win a limited edition Tenth Anniversary Xbox 360 and pick up a free copy of Wreckateer. You can also save 50 percent on a number of games that include Fruit Ninja Kinect, Full House Poker and Peggle. After you've entered the contest and downloaded a few games, go ahead and put in an extra hour of Halo 4 today, because hey, that's the least you can do to celebrate a service that's given you ten years of joy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Netflix original series House of Cards gets its first trailer (video) Posted: 15 Nov 2012 03:49 PM PST
We're still a few months away from the debut of Netflix's new series House of Cards, but the streaming company has posted a trailer on its service and on YouTube giving us an early peek. You can check it out after the break, or head to the Netflix site and see the new page it's whipped up to promote the show that's accessible whether or not you subscribe to the service. That's also where it plans to add behind the scenes content, reviews and other promo material as the February 1st launch approaches. The trailer is brief, but the style and everything we can see of star Kevin Spacey as Congressman Francis Underwood has the feel of a high quality production. This path is already well worn by AMC, HBO, Showtime and others trying pump up value by adding exclusive new shows (Lilyhammer also aired on Norwegian TV) on top of existing catalog movie offerings. We'll see if the critics and subscribers put it on a par with shows like Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Dexter or Breaking Bad, and how viewers react to Netflix's strategy of making all the episodes available at once. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T announces new flat rate global talk and text plans, offers options for weary travelers Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:57 PM PST
A few months back AT&T made some changes to its international data plans and today old Ma Bell is at it again. The carrier's new text and call packages will take effect on November 16th and will offer flat rate pricing to globetrotters who often find themselves abroad. AT&T's Europe Travel plan offers minutes in increments of 30, 80 and 200 respectively priced at $30, $60 and $120 per month, with an overage rate of $1 per minute. For customers traveling elsewhere, the company's new Rest of World Travel setup features buckets of 15, 40 and 100 minutes of talk time also priced at $30, $60 and $120 a month, with an overage charge of $2 per additional minute. As for those who'd rather text than talk, AT&T's newest Global Messaging plan serves up 600 text, video and picture messages for $60 per month in over 120 countries. Finally, customers who have 300MB or 800MB international data add-ons will be able to use AT&T's WiFi International app to access up to 1GB of free WiFi data each month. Now take a breath and let all of that info marinate. Got it? Good. So, if you're a frequent flyer trying to save some won, euros or rupees, or whatever -- then be sure to check out the press release for a complete list of countries covered under these new plans. New AT&T Global Packages Make it More Affordable for Travelers to Call, Text, Tweet and Post Abroad On Nov. 16, AT&T Will Launch New Travel Minutes Calling Packages, A New Global Messaging 600 Package and New Wi-Fi Capabilities for Select Data Global Add-On Packages For anyone planning an international getaway, AT&T* today announced the launch of new discount roaming packages for calling and messaging, as well as new Wi-Fi capabilities on select AT&T Data Global Add-On packages. AT&T's latest international offerings, which go into effect Nov. 16, are designed to give customers more choice, more value and more reasons to keep in touch when traveling abroad. Calling: New AT&T Travel Minutes AT&T will soon launch a trio of Travel Minutes packages that offer significant cost savings when making or receiving calls while traveling abroad. Ideal for anyone planning a short stay abroad, the new packages offer tremendous value over pay-per-use rates and help keep wireless bills predictable by giving customers a bucket of minutes for one flat price when roaming in more than 220 countries. Joining the AT&T Canada and Mexico Travel Minutes package, which was introduced earlier this year but will now be available at a better value, are AT&T Europe Travel Minutes and AT&T Rest of World Travel Minutes. Customers planning a trip abroad, who would like the convenience of being able to place and receive calls at a discounted rate on the same number as they use at home, will simply select the appropriate Travel Minutes package based on the country or countries they will be visiting, and then select the amount of calling minutes that will best meet their needs.1 Canada and Mexico Travel Minutes, which covers voice calls made and received while traveling in Canada and Mexico, includes: 80 minutes of talk time for $30/month ($0.38 per minute effective rate) Europe Travel Minutes, which covers voice calls made and received while traveling in more than 40 European countries, includes: 30 minutes of talk time for $30/month ($1.00 per minute effective rate) Rest of World Travel Minutes, which covers voice calls made and received in most of the countries not covered by the other two packages, includes: 15 minutes of talk time for $30/month ($2.00 per minute effective rate) Messaging: New Global Messaging 600 Package Whether it's the standard "I wish u were here" text message or a more personalized and animated video message in front of some spectacular international landmark, being able to send a message from around the world to loved ones back home is definitely one of the perks of mobile technology. For those international travelers who want to share their adventures while on the go, AT&T is excited to introduce the new Global Messaging 600 package, which lets customers send 600 text, picture and video messages abroad for $60/month from more than 140 countries.2 The new Global Messaging 600 package, which replaces Global Messaging 500, offers significant savings when compared to international roaming pay-per-use messaging rates, which cost travelers $.50 per message sent for text messages and $1.30 per message sent for picture and video messages. In contrast, with the Global Messaging 600 package, customers just pay $.10 a message-regardless if it's a text, picture or video message. In addition to the Global Messaging 600 package, AT&T also offers Global Messaging 200 for $30/month and Global Messaging 50 for $10/month. Data: New Wi-Fi Enhancement to Select Data Global Add-On Packages In June, AT&T introduced its new lineup of Data Global Add-On packages that enable consumer and business customers to enjoy significant cost savings when accessing data in more than 140 countries.3 Beginning Nov. 16, customers who subscribe to either the 300MB or 800MB Data Global Add-On package will now be able to use the AT&T Wi-Fi International app to access up to 1GB of Wi-Fi each month, at no additional charge, at select AT&T International Wi-Fi hotspots. International travelers can now enjoy cellular data on the go and also take advantage of Wi-Fi connections where they are available. The AT&T Wi-Fi international app is compatible with most smartphone operating systems.4 At launch, the Wi-Fi hotspots will be available in major cities within 14 countries, with expansion continuing throughout 2013.5 AT&T's wireless customers enjoy a robust selection of world phones and international discount data, messaging and calling packages. With voice service in more than 225 countries, data coverage in more than 210 countries and ultra-fast 3G network services in more than 175 countries, AT&T customers can stay connected to the people, places and information that matters most when they travel abroad. For more information on AT&T international services as well as travel tips, visit www.att.com/global. *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. [1] The Europe Region is comprised of the following countries: Aland Islands (Finland), Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City. The Rest of the World Region is comprised of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica (Marambio Base), Antigua, Argentina, Armenia Republic, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, St. Eustatius & Saba, Bosnia Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia (Tahiti), Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia, Moldova, Republic of Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Northern Marianas Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Reunion, Russia, Rwanda, Republic of Samoa (Western), Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Pierre & Miquelon, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 2 Messaging allowance and overage rates apply to mobile-originated messages in more than 140 countries. Visit att.com/globalcountries for a list of included countries. Messages sent while roaming outside of included countries are billed at pay-per-use rate of $.50/msg for Text and $1.30/msg for Picture/video. Messages received while roaming will be deducted from the customer's domestic messaging package, or, if the customer does not have a domestic messaging package, the messages will be billed at $.20 for a text message, and $.30 for a picture/video message. 3 The AT&T Data Global Add-On packages provide discounted data rates in 140 countries. Outside of these countries, pay-per-use rates apply. Visit att.com/globalcountries for a list of included countries. 4 The AT&T Wi-Fi International application is available as a free download at iTunes and Google Play, and supports iPhone®/iPad® with iOS 4.0 or higher; Android smartphone with OS 2.2 or higher; and Android tablet with OS 3.2 or higher. 5 Wi-Fi hotspots will be initially available in the following locations: Argentina: Buenos Aires Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth Brazil: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, Brasília Chile: Santiago China: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, Dongguan, Foshan, Jinan, Shenyang, Huizhou, QingDao Colombia: Bogota France: Paris, Lyon, Lille, Saint Jean de Monts, Bordeaux, Marseille Germany: Berlin, Munich, Aachen, Cologne Hong Kong Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kobe, Kyoto Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, The Hague New Zealand: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch Spain: Madrid, Girona, Gijon, Malaga United Kingdom: London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Nottingham, Edinburgh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lytro to get Perspective Shift and Living Filters for more focus-shifting fun (video) Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:30 PM PST
Lytro has just announced a software update that expands upon the multidimensional elements of the little light-field point-and-shoot. The Lytro Desktop software will get two new features, dubbed Perspective Shift and Living Filters, both of which expand upon the device's focus-shifting capabilities. Perspective Shift lets you change the photo's center of perspective, while Living Filters are interactive image effects that range from cool to kooky. We had a chance to get an early look at these features, so join us after the break for our impressions and video of them in action. Essentially a fine-tuned version of the parallax-based 3D effect we saw in Hong Kong, Perspective Shift lets you change the POV of the shot after it's taken, thus allowing the entirety of the photo to be in focus -- a benefit in and of itself. Viewers can then click-and-drag the photo in any direction to get a freaky, yet cool three-dimensional experience -- we imagine this might be what the world looks like after one too many shots of tequila. To see if your friends agree, you can share the images to Facebook or Twitter from the Lytro website so they can get in on the interactive magic as well; check it out yourself in the demo below. Perspective Shift will be available for any previously taken Lytro snapshots, but not all photos are suited for the effect. Pictures of flat scenes or photos where the background isn't as prominent might not work, as they're poor candidates for discerning depth. Still, the Lytro software will try its hardest to make it work, and you might get a few surprising results despite subpar photo-taking skills. Perhaps most intriguing is the way Perspective Shift will work on an accelerometer-equipped device such as the iPad. Take a peek at our interview with Lytro's director of photography Eric Cheng below and you'll see him demonstrate the shifting of the image just by tilting the tablet around (note that you'll have to tap and drag the image to get it started). As for Living Filters, think of them as your usual photo filters, but on steroids. Instead of clicking to focus, you can click to filter certain parts of a photo with one of nine different effects: Carnival, Crayon, Glass, Line Art, Mosaic, Blur+, Pop, Film Noir and 8-Track. Below is Lytro's demo of Living Filters, and you can get full descriptions of each filter in the press release at the end of this post. We asked Cheng if future updates could have users fine-tune the filter selection even further à la Photoshop's clone tool, and while that's not outside the realm of possibility, he suggested that it might depend on third-party software makers like Adobe getting in on the action. He said that while Lytro could and would develop features like these on their own, the company would welcome a robust third-party ecosystem as well. According to Cheng, the problem, it seems, lies in educating the industry on the complexity of light-field photography, and how to tailor software to address its specific needs. For now, Lytro's making all their own software, but that might change depending on outside interest. Both Perspective Shift and Living Filters are bundled in a free Lytro Desktop software update that is slated to arrive starting December 4th. Lytro Unveils Perspective Shift and Living Filters · Crayon: Add a touch of color to a monochrome version of your picture. Click to focus and add color into your scene, or change your perspective and add color back into your scene as you explore. · Glass: Put a sheet of virtual glass into your scene. Everything in front of where you click will be unchanged, and everything behind will appear to be behind a piece of frosted glass. · Line Art: Reduce your scene to a grayscale outline, seeing more detailed lines where you refocus. · Mosaic: Create a tiled mosaic in the out-of-focus parts of your scene as you click or change your perspective. · Blur+: Significantly enhance the amount of blur in the out-of-focus parts of your scene. · Pop: Make parts of your scene pop out with extra detail and vibrancy when those areas are clicked. · Film Noir: Add a moody and stylized black and white look to your pictures, with a little bit of extra detail and color where you click. · 8-Track: Bring back the '70s with this filter that adds an aged, vignetted look to your pictures. Click to un-age parts of your scene and see them come back to life, disco suit not required. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amazon adds Adobe's Photoshop Touch to Kindle Fire Appstore Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:19 PM PST
Kindle Fire owners with a penchant for on-the-go image editing will want to take note: Adobe's Photoshop Touch is now live on the Appstore. The app, already a mainstay on iOS and Android's respective markets, has been optimized for Amazon's recent tablet lineup, scaling up for both the 7- and 8.9-inch form factors and retailing for the same $9.99 price. Unfortunately, it won't work for owners of the original Bezos-backed tab since it still runs on the Gingerbread kernel. Sorry early adopters, but that's the price you pay for progress. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WSJ: Native iOS Google Maps app being tested externally with turn-by-turn navigation baked in Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:05 PM PST
If Apple's homegrown mapping solution isn't quite cutting it, your navigation needs may soon be met by a native iOS Google Maps app. Citing an unnamed source, the Wall Street Journal says Page and Co. are distributing a test version of the fabled app to folks outside the firm, making good on their earlier commitment to bring Google Maps to iOS. The WSJ's source expects the app to be outfitted with turn-by-turn navigation, but didn't mention when it might finally see an official release. As it stands, the search giant is said to be putting the finishing touches on the app before submitting it for App Store approval. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Facebook users can now share via Android and iOS apps Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:42 PM PST
Yesterday, Facebook revealed that it was in the process of bringing its website's share feature to mobile apps for iOS and Android. Well, Zuckerberg's crew just made good on its promise, and has released version 5.2 of its app for both platforms. That means that folks using either app can now pass on their witty musings and puppy pictures to all of their online friends with a simple tap in their news feeds. Want in on the action? There are downloads to be had at the source links below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Firefox browser add-on lets us try Firefox OS in an all-Mozilla universe Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:24 PM PST
We've had the chance to experiment with early versions of Firefox OS for awhile -- just not in Firefox the browser, where you'd nearly expect it to have shown first. At least one person appreciates that seemingly natural fit. A new Firefox OS simulator add-on, r2d2b2g, lets us try Mozilla's upcoming mobile platform from within the company's own browser for everything that doesn't depend on native hardware, including the browser and Firefox Marketplace. The goal is ostensibly to let developers test truly optimized web apps, although the simulator is also a good excuse for the curious to try Firefox OS without the hassle of a dedicated client or a real smartphone. If you can get by the early state of the simulator and the Xzibit jokes that come with putting Firefox on your Firefox, the extension is already providing a glimpse of a web-focused mobile future to Linux, Mac and Windows users at the source below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:56 PM PST
Used to be, the Scrabble app was the techiest way to play the venerable vocabulary game, but the folks at Mind Sports have given the analog version some serious geek cred. In preparation for the Prague Mind Sports Festival, the organizers spent £20,000 building a Scrabble board with integrated RGB controlled LED lighting, nine embedded circuit boards and 225 RFID antennas (one per square). Plus, special game pieces were crafted containing RFID tags. Why? Well, the wireless tech combined with some purpose-built software lets tournament organizers broadcast games online in real-time -- the system reads the board in a mere 974 miliseconds. Those wishing to see the ultimate Scrabble system in action can do so when the tournament starts on December 1st, and there's more info in the PR after the break. World's Most Advanced and Expensive SCRABBLE™ System Unveiled PLYMOUTH, England, November 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Scrabble gets a technological makeover ahead of the Prague Mind Sports Festival Mind Sports (International), part of the Living it Loving it Ltd. group of companies has given SCRABBLE™ a 21st Century makeover resulting in the creation of arguably the most expensive and advanced tournament Scrabble system in the world! (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121115/574134 ) Costing in excess of £20,000 to produce, the system utilises custom built RFID technology in order to read the entire Scrabble board almost instantaneously (974 milliseconds), transmitting the information via unique software to viewers online. "Our goal was to help bring popular Scrabble tournaments to life, whilst reaching a wider audience by capturing tournament play in a technologically advanced and engaging manner," explains Dave Brannan, CEO, Mind Sports (International) and Living it Loving it Ltd. "This allows us to broadcast Scrabble in all its glory, interacting with viewers that share a passion for this iconic game and mind sports as a whole across the world." The Scrabble board consists of nine RFID circuit boards that house 225 RFID antennas, which read each individual Scrabble square. Each Scrabble letter tile has its own uniquely identifiable RFID tag embedded within (100 in total), with an RFID circuit board enclosed in each of the players tile racks to ensure that all information is captured and showcased to the online viewers. The tournament play software, created by leading UK developers The Site Doctor, extracts the information collected via the RFID readers and relays it on screen in an easy-to-follow, graphical display alongside the HD video footage of each player. Coupled with the online streaming of the tournament; fans of Scrabble will be able to easily track the action live as it unfolds from the venue - creating a front seat atmosphere from the comfort of their own homes. In addition to the technology integration, a great deal of work has also gone into the aesthetics of the new Scrabble system. The board's turntable unit has a carbon fibre finish and integrated RGB controlled LED lighting system in order to bring additional style and complete customisation to the table - a design which has quickly become a focal point of the festival following recent pictures being leaked via Twitter. Whilst at the festival the new system will also receive in-depth review from some of the biggest names in the industry. Attendance of current World Scrabble Champion, Nigel Richards, has recently been confirmed as well as Canadian expert, John Chew, and Rachel Riley from Channel 4's Countdown reporting from the event. For more information about the festival and debut of the new Scrabble system, please visit: http://www.PragueMindSportsFestival.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxi and car-sharing apps which quote for journeys based on GPS data could find themselves outlawed by regulators. Transport authorities across fifteen US and Canadian cities are looking at a set of rules that would prohibit anything except physical metering to calculate the cost of a trip. The proposals would also put the kibosh on demand pricing, whereby quotes automatically rise when more people are making bookings, and also on the use of drivers who don't have proper taxi licenses. Some of these practices are already banned in a number of states, and in fact three online transport services -- Zimride, SideCar and our old friend 
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