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- IBM creates consistent electron spin inside semiconductors, takes spintronics one twirl closer
- Yamaha YHT-697 home theater in a box brings AirPlay, iPad connectivity to the masses
- Microsoft licensed design patents at issue in Apple v. Samsung, Surface lovers breathe sigh of relief
- Microsoft trumpets Windows RT OEM partners, lists ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung
- Life on Mars: One week of Curiosity
- LG Optimus Vu coming to wide-minded Americans by summer's end
- Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming
- WSJ: Google set to acquire Frommer's from Wiley, add trusted travel reviews
- Armchair Darwinians discover new insect species on Flickr
- Imo rolls out free voice calling for iOS users, hopes you'll use it to talk about free voice calling
- Engadget Giveaway: win one of four Nexus 7 tablets, courtesy of NVIDIA!
- Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE up for pre-order, hitting Sprint August 19th for $200
- ARM and Globalfoundries hammer out deal to promote 20nm mobile chips
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi gets taste of Ice Cream Sandwich in the US
- Paid Twitter wannabe App.net hits $500K target with time to spare
- Fisker issues second statement about self-combusting Karma
- Amateur archaeologist finds possible pyramids using Google Earth
- 'Stained glass' nanotechnology capable of printing up to 100,000 dpi
- Google, Mozilla and Wikimedia projects get Maya language translations at one-day 'translathon'
- Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q leaks in August 15th-dated press shot, keeps terrible name
- Neo Geo X Gold gets worldwide December release date, $200 price tag
- AOL HD connected TV app is now AOL On for Samsung, Roku and Sony; TiVo coming soon
- Adafruit builds Raspberry Pi-powered light painting rig, takes trippy photos
- Motorola to cut its workforce by 20 percent, shutter a third of its offices worldwide
- Samsung refreshing Series 7 Gamer with 3D display, AMD Radeon HD 7870M
- Next iPhone's motherboard possibly spotted with a dash of extra wireless
- How would you change the Sony Z Series Walkman?
- Refresh Roundup: week of August 6th, 2012
- NAA verifies new US record for human-powered helicopter flight (video)
- Switched On: Surface damage
- RadioShack Mobile leak suggests Cricket Wireless-based MVNO on the way
- Visualized: DeLorean hovercraft cruises around McCovey Cove, wins the internet
| IBM creates consistent electron spin inside semiconductors, takes spintronics one twirl closer Posted: 13 Aug 2012 11:41 AM PDT A fundamental challenge of developing spintronics, or computing where the rotation of electrons carries instructions and other data rather than the charge, has been getting the electrons to spin for long enough to shuttle data to its destination in the first place. IBM and ETH Zurich claim to be the first achieving that feat by getting the electrons to dance to the same tune. Basing a semiconductor material on gallium arsenide and bringing the temperature to an extremely low -387F, the research duo have created a persistent spin helix that keeps the spin going for the 1.1 nanoseconds it would take a normal 1GHz processor to run through its full cycle, or 30 times longer than before. As impressive as it can be to stretch atomic physics that far, just remember that the theory is some distance from practice: unless you're really keen on running a computer at temperatures just a few hops away from absolute zero, there's work to be done on producing transistors (let alone processors) that safely run in the climate of the family den. Assuming that's within the realm of possibility, though, we could eventually see computers that wring much more performance per watt out of one of the most basic elements of nature. IBM Scientists "Waltz" Closer to Using Spintronics in Computing - IBM Research is the first to synchronize electron spins and image the formation of a persistent spin helix. - Spintronics could enable a new class of magnetic-based semiconductor transistors resulting in more energy efficient electronic devices. Until now, it was unclear whether or not electron spins possessed the capability to preserve the encoded information long enough before rotating. Unveiled in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Physics, scientists from IBM Research and the Solid State Physics Laboratory at ETH Zurich demonstrated that synchronizing electrons extends the spin lifetime of the electron by 30 times to 1.1 nanoseconds -- the same time it takes for an existing 1 GHz processor to cycle. Today's computing technology encodes and processes data by the electrical charge of electrons. However, this technique is limited as the semiconductor dimensions continue to shrink to the point where the flow of electrons can no longer be controlled. Spintronics could surmount this approaching impasse by harnessing the spin of electrons instead of their charge. This new understanding in spintronics not only gives scientists unprecedented control over the magnetic movements inside devices but also opens new possibilities for creating more energy efficient electronics. The Spintronics Waltz A previously unknown aspect of physics, the scientists observed how electron spins move tens of micrometers in a semiconductor with their orientations synchronously rotating along the path similar to a couple dancing the waltz, the famous Viennese ballroom dance where couples rotate. Dr. Gian Salis of the Physics of Nanoscale Systems research group at IBM Research – Zurich explains, "If all couples start with the women facing north, after a while the rotating pairs are oriented in different directions. We can now lock the rotation speed of the dancers to the direction they move. This results in a perfect choreography where all the women in a certain area face the same direction. This control and ability to manipulate and observe the spin is an important step in the development of spin-based transistors that are electrically programmable." How it Works IBM scientists used ultra short laser pulses to monitor the evolution of thousands of electron spins that were created simultaneously in a very small spot. Atypically, where such spins would randomly rotate and quickly loose their orientation, for the first time, the scientists could observe how these spins arrange neatly into a regular stripe-like pattern, the so-called persistent spin helix. The concept of locking the spin rotation was originally proposed in theory back in 2003 and since that time some experiments have even found indications of such locking, but until now it had never been directly observed. IBM scientists imaged the synchronous 'waltz' of the electron spins by using a time-resolved scanning microscope technique. The synchronization of the electron spin rotation made it possible to observe the spins travel for more than 10 micrometers or one-hundredth of a millimeter, increasing the possibility to use the spin for processing logical operations, both fast and energy-efficiently. The reason for the synchronous spin motion is a carefully engineered spin-orbit interaction, a physical mechanism that couples the spin with the motion of the electron. The semiconductor material called gallium arsenide (GaAs) was produced by scientists at ETH Zurich who are known as world-experts in growing ultra-clean and atomically precise semiconductor structures. GaAs is a III/V semiconductor commonly used in the manufacture of devices such as integrated circuits, infrared light-emitting diodes and highly efficient solar cells. Transferring spin electronics from the laboratory to the market still remains a major challenge. Spintronics research takes place at very low temperatures at which electron spins interact minimally with the environment. In the case of this particular research IBM scientists worked at 40 Kelvin (-233 C, -387 F). This work was financially supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation through National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Nanoscale Sciences and NCCR Quantum Science and Technology. The scientific paper entitled "Direct mapping of the formation of a persistent spin helix" by M.P. Walser, C. Reichl, W. Wegscheider and G. Salis was published online in Nature Physics, DOI 10.1038/NPHYS2383 (12 August 2012). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yamaha YHT-697 home theater in a box brings AirPlay, iPad connectivity to the masses Posted: 13 Aug 2012 11:16 AM PDT Yamaha has outed a new high-end home theater in a box to ensure that whatever audio / visual device you use, it'll sound amazing. The YHT-679BL includes an Ethernet port for internet radio, networked music and pulling down AirPlay tunes. It's got an iOS, Android and Kindle Fire-compatible app and there's even a USB port up front that'll charge your device as you use it. Offering 4K HDMI and pass-through 3D video, the unit's clad in piano-gloss black, while a 6.5-inch, 100W subwoofer will add some floor-shaking to the two tower and three satellite speakers that are included. It'll set you back $650, plus whatever it costs to get some soundproofing done once your annoyed neighbors are done with you. Yamaha YHT-697BL Home Theater in a Box System Delivers Market Leading Mix of Performance, Value and Design -Robust system boasts AirPlay, Apple connectivity, iOS/Android/Kindle Fire app control, dramatically styled tower speakers and HDMI 4K and 3D video pass-through- BUENA PARK, Calif. - Yamaha Corporation of America, AV Division, today introduced the YHT-697BL, the latest entry to its formidable line of home theater in a box (HTiB) systems. Offering a refined take on the category, this system features a powerful 5.1-channel receiver with AirPlay and a front panel USB port for direct connectivity to iPhones, iPads, iPods and USB drives. The speaker package consists of dramatically styled glossy black front tower speakers, compact surround and center speakers and a powerful 6 ½" 100W multi-range subwoofer. The YHT-697BL features HDMI 4K and 3D video pass-through with Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Yamaha's proprietary CINEMA DSP 3D audio to ensure that the system will deliver superior home theater experiences for years to come. "The ubiquity of portable devices, like music players, smart phones and tablets, makes it essential that Yamaha HTiB systems deliver a higher level of performance and flexibility than consumers expect in this category," said Tom Sumner, senior vice-president, Yamaha Corporation of America. "Our YHT-697 is the sophisticated entertainment hub that marries exceptional audio and video quality with seamless connectivity and control features." The YHT-697BL system features a network receiver with AirPlay that enables music to be streamed wirelessly from the latest versions of iTunes stored on Macs, PCs and compatible Apple iPad/iPhone/iPod touch devices. This system also delivers music content from Internet radio and DLNA-certified devices. The free top rated Yamaha AV Controller App, available for iOS (iPad/iPhone), Android and Kindle Fire devices, offers control over the system's AV receiver and access to music stored on smart phones and tablets. The app is designed to provide a portrait or landscape mode interface, depending on the device, for easy visibility and use. Style is the hallmark of the YHT-697BL, as evidenced by its two glossy black curvilinear front channel towers and three compact, wall-mountable surround and center channel speakers. All speakers have 2-way drivers that deliver rich lows, clear dialog and expressive vocals. The 100W subwoofer features Yamaha's proprietary Advanced YSTII technology to ensure the highest levels of sound pressure and overall performance. For easy operation while viewing movies or television, the system offers an advanced multi-language on-screen display that overlays onto HD and 3D video signals to depict system control and setup prompts. Data, such as song titles, from connected iPads, iPhones, iPods or USB drives is shown on the receiver's attractive on-screen display. Connected Apple devices also charge automatically for later use when the receiver is powered on. The YHT-697BL offers a full complement of HD Audio format decoding, including Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. CINEMA DSP 3D with 17 DSP programs enables users to adjust the listening experience precisely to their preferences. High performance 192/24 Burr Brown DACs for stereo and 5.1-channel output provide absolute sonic transparency. SILENT CINEMA makes it possible to hear large-scale surround sound through ordinary headphones. Yamaha integrated its improved YPAO system calibration into the YHT-697BL to ensure more accurate room measurements by confirming that the subwoofer is fully responding before making audio adjustments. Four SCENE mode buttons automatically power on the appropriate components and make system adjustments for specific entertainment options. ECO mode reduces the system's power consumption by 20 percent, with extremely low power consumption in standby mode and Auto Power Down that can be set for 2, 4, 8 or 12 hours. The YHT-697 is currently available for MSRP $649.95. It joins the rest of the line's models that were introduced earlier this year, including the YHT-897BL (MSRP $849.95), YHT-797BL (MSRP $799.95), YHT-597BL (MSRP $649.95), YHT-497BL (MSRP $479.95) and YHT-397BL (MSRP $449.95). For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, AV Division, P.O. Box 6660, Buena Park, CA 90620; telephone (714) 522-9105; or visit http://4wrd.it/YAMAHAYHT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 13 Aug 2012 10:46 AM PDT Last week, we found out about Apple's offer to license a bundle of IP -- including its iPhone and iPad design patents -- to Samsung back in 2010. Today, Reuters reports that Apple proposed a similar deal to Microsoft, and the folks in Redmond took them up on the offer. Details of the license itself are scarce, but the deal did, naturally, include an provision expressly prohibiting iDevice copies. So, for folks figuring that Microsoft might face a litigious future similar to Samsung's, think again. Looks like Ballmer and friends had the foresight to buy the rights to those rounded corners, edge-to-edge glass and black bezels on their forthcoming Surface tablets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft trumpets Windows RT OEM partners, lists ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung Posted: 13 Aug 2012 10:25 AM PDT Following sharp comments from Acer's JT Wang surrounding Microsoft's decision to compete with vital OEM partners in the tablet space, Mike Angiulo -- the vice president of Microsoft's Ecosystem and Planning team -- has stepped to the plate with a resounding "thank you" to those very associates. Aside from praising those who will be helping to make Windows RT more than a passing fad, the company affirmed that ASUS, Dell, Samsung and Lenovo will all be shipping ARM-based products with the aforementioned operating system onboard. This pretty much confirms that the Yoga will indeed ship as a WinRT variant, and it also makes clear that Dell's hard work for a spot in the lineup paid off. Exact model details aren't being disclosed, nor are ship dates, but it's becoming abundantly clear that Microsoft is working overtime behind the scenes to give its allies equal footing come October 26th. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life on Mars: One week of Curiosity Posted: 13 Aug 2012 10:00 AM PDT Is there life on Mars? NASA's latest mission to the red planet might well answer that question, or perhaps the more pertinent question, was there life on Mars. At 10:02 AM EST on November 26th last year, the space agency's Mars Science Laboratory (to give the mission its full name) set off on its eight-month journey to the red planet. The most advanced equipment ever sent to the planet -- and the biggest-ever rover -- should allow exploration of some of the most interesting regions, over far larger distances than ever previously covered. On arrival, after negotiating a tricky landing, the mobile laboratory (that's Curiosity) will spend a Martian year (687 Earth days) analyzing rock samples and seeking evidence of conditions suitable for microbial life or -- we can live in hope -- actual evidence of the same. After the break, we take a look at some of the key events over the first seven days on the planet's surface. The descent At 01:32 AM EDT on August 6th, the rover Curiosity successfully negotiates its descent to the surface of Mars, landing at the foot of a mountain within Gale Crater. Just a few minutes after landing, the first tantalizing images start to make their way back to earth.
Initial checks Once safely on the planet's surface, more patience is required as the rover has to perform health checks and assess its tilt before it can tackle the fun part of roving the landscape looking for samples. Day one, or "Sol 0" as the team refer to it, is when we start seeing the first images return to earth, 5MB in total. The two main Mastcams were developed by Malin Space Science Systems, and while the specs may seem humble for a $2 billion project -- two megapixels and 8GB of Flash memory -- Mike Ravine from the firm explains to dpreview that these specifications have to be set in stone long in advance (2004 in this case). And due to the UHF communication setup, only about 30MB of data can be returned each day. Even this is shared between various systems. Wondering about the focal lengths? Mastcam-34 has a 34mm lens, or a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 115mm. Meanwhile, Mastcam-100 sports a 100mm lens (343mm equivalent). If you want to know more about all the cameras on board, Wired has created a handy Photo-Geek's Guide. Finding its feet As health checks continue, Curiosity sets about getting more familiar with the lay of the land. Gale Crater is its current home, and today the rover will raise its mast, and perform tests on the high-gain antenna. This is also the day when the first color image is received back home, showing the rocky landscape in all its famed red glory. How does a rover find its way around such a distant land? In no small part, it's thanks to ECU Alum Scott Maxwell, who not only writes the software that drives the rover; he is one of the crew that controls it also. Pretty good bragging rights we'd say. Soaking up the view The MSL team wakes up Curiosity on Sol 2 with a dose of The Beatles' "Good Morning Good Morning." Overall status of the rover continues to be good, and full-frame images begin relaying back via the Mars Descent Imager (MARDI). Today is when we also see the first 360-degree panorama. It's patched together from thumbnails, and is black and white, but it gives us the first chance to imagine the full landscape. Sol 3 is ushered in to the tune of "Good Morning", this time from the musical "Singin' in the Rain." Today, the flight team uploads some files to the rover's remote electronics unit memory -- we're not sure of the connection speeds they got -- in preparation for a forthcoming upgrade. The main Mastcams appear to be working well, and completes 360-degree and calibration checks. Meanwhile, the science team starts mapping off a 150-square-mile area within Gale Crater. OTA updates An over-the-air update is a tense moment even when you're right next to the router, let alone when you're millions of miles away. We're confident the NASA team knows what they're doing though, and don't expect Curiosity to become the world's most expensive brick. The "brain transplant" will retool some of the redundant main computers to make them more useful for forthcoming sections of the mission. In fact, from the start, Curiosity was designed to receive periodic updates as its task requirements change. This particular update enables the rover to better check for obstacles, which will let it drive longer distances and avoiding any costly collisions. That's an insurance claim we'd love to see.
Want to see more pictures, or continue following the journey? Head over to the Mars Science Laboratory's dedicated sub-site for all the latest. [All images courtesy of NASA] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LG Optimus Vu coming to wide-minded Americans by summer's end Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:35 AM PDT If you're enamored with the 4:3 ratio of the Optimus Vu but remain disappointed that there isn't an American model to call your own, LG is bringing some sunshine to your day. The Korean company has confirmed plans to port the LTE-equipped version of the extra-wide phablet to the US sometime during the third quarter of the year -- in other words, anytime between now and the end of September. Thanks to our friends at the FCC, we even know that it's headed to Verizon first, if not exclusively. Most of the other details are scant. The timing makes it likely that Android 4.0 will ship with Big Red's edition as a matter of course; LG's me-too Q Voice interface won't speak English until 2013, however. We mostly know that, between LG's American plans and Samsung's next Galaxy Note, the Great PDA Revival of 2012 is still very much in full swing. [Thanks, FT] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:00 AM PDT Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're getting our game on -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! It's time to balance out that daily grind at school with some well-deserved leisure. Fortunately, many of our choices walk that fine line between work and play -- if you're willing to stump up some more cash beyond a normal laptop, you could get something capable of handling the latest PC titles. Some of our other choices may be a harder sell in the education stakes, but we all need some stress relief, right? And with bigger consoles nearing the end of their life cycles, there's never been a more wallet-friendly time to get involved. Jump in after the break for our favorite gaming choices. If all your money's been earmarked for learnin', then you should certainly enter our sweepstakes. Leave a comment after the break for a chance to win, and visit our giveaway page for all the details. On the cheap
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Curiosity on its descent to the planet's surface.
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WSJ: Google set to acquire Frommer's from Wiley, add trusted travel reviews
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 08:48 AM PDT
Update: As it turns out, Google will reportedly be keeping the print staff on board, moving the team to its NYC offices. Online editors are less fortunate, however, with layoffs having already begun.
Armchair Darwinians discover new insect species on Flickr
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 08:41 AM PDT
Entomologist Shaun Winterton has discovered a new species of Malaysian Lacewing from the comfort of his computer. Idly browsing Flickr, he came across Guek "Kurt" Hock Ping's snap of an insect taken while hiking in the Malaysian jungle, which bore an unfamiliar black-and-blue pattern along its wings. When his colleagues couldn't identify the markings, he realized he was staring at a new species and hurriedly emailed the photographer -- who, a year later, had captured one of the elusive creatures. Sent to Simon Brooks at the Natural History Museum, the suspicion was confirmed. The armchair explorer named it Semachrysa jade after his daughter and promptly used Google Docs to co-author the paper with Guek and Brooks on opposite ends of the world. If your mom complains that you're spending too much time on your computer, you can tell her you're searching for strange life-forms and old civilizations with a straight face.
[Image Credit: Guek "Kurt" Hock Ping, Flickr]
Imo rolls out free voice calling for iOS users, hopes you'll use it to talk about free voice calling
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 08:24 AM PDT
Imo has no doubt gotten a bit of boost in the last couple of months, when Meebo finally shuttered its Messenger offering ahead of its social-boosting Google integration, and now the service is getting a bit more robust for iOS users. The instant messaging aggregator (AIM, Google Talk, Facebook chat, et al.) is bringing free voice calling to iPhones running iOS version 3.1 and higher, a feature already available on its Android offering. Interested parties can check out a press release and not particularly informative video of the new feature after the break.
Instant Messaging App imo.im Announces New Free VoIP Calling Feature for iPhone
imo.im, the instant messaging client that connects users to 11 of the top third-party messaging services, announced today the availability of free voice calling for iOS users. Currently available on Android devices, iOS device owners can now make voice calls to contacts using the app through Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G Internet connections. imo.im's free voice calling eliminates the cost of mobile minutes without any loss in the quality of the connection and, when connected to Wi-Fi, requires no data usage.
iPhone users running iOS version 3.1 or higher can make voice calls in addition to connecting to top instant messaging services such as Facebook, AIM and Skype by downloading the update through the Apple App Store.
imo.im has emerged as a top instant messaging client, with more than 4 million mobile downloads and 700,000 daily users delivering an average of 50 million messages per day. imo supports private chat conversations and group chats and provides the ability to share multimedia files, send voice IMs and conduct quick chat history searches. Concurrent sessions allow users to continue conversations even while switching devices, such as from desktop to mobile and even between mobile platforms.
"At imo, our mission has always been to provide one place for family and friends to stay connected and maintain their close relationships no matter where they are located," said Ralph Harik, CEO of imo. "The availability of free voice calling for iPhone users is a critical development for users looking to keep those valuable lines of communication open while saving on their mobile costs."
Engadget Giveaway: win one of four Nexus 7 tablets, courtesy of NVIDIA!
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 08:01 AM PDT
We declared Google's new flagship tablet, the ASUS-made Nexus 7, to be the best slate that $200 can buy -- as well as one of our top choices for students -- and while it's hard to beat the price, we're going to give four of them away regardless! This week's contest is all thanks to NVIDIA, the folks behind the quad-core Tegra 3 that powers the Jelly Bean tablet and turns gaming into a smooth and pleasant experience. These little guys are definitely worth a grab, so add a comment to enter!
The rules:
- Leave a comment below. Any comment will do. Duplicate entries will be filtered out and discarded, so adding additional comments won't increase your likelihood of winning.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. For anyone in the United Kingdom, we will feature UK-only contests on occasion.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. Four winners will receive one (1) new Google Nexus 7, valued at $200 each.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. NVIDIA, Google, ASUS and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honor warranties or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until August 14 , 2012 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE up for pre-order, hitting Sprint August 19th for $200
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 07:35 AM PDT
Sprint subscribers aching to get their thumbs on some QWERTY keyboarding, LTE action won't have to wait much longer. The carrier announced today that Motorola's verbose Photon Q 4G LTE will be hitting the network on Sunday, August 19th, carrying a $200 price tag. The handset's packing a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, Ice Cream Sandwich and an eight megapixel rear-facing camera. Interested parties can pre-order the Photon Q, et al. today. More information can be found in the press release after the break.
Calling All QWERTY Fans! Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE from Sprint Available Aug. 19 for $199.99; Pre-Order Begins Today
Offering a device packed with features to provide the ideal work-life balance, Sprint (NYSE: S), the only national wireless carrier offering truly unlimited data for all phones while on the Sprint network1, today announced the Sunday, Aug. 19, availability of the first 4G LTE-enabled smartphone from Sprint with a full QWERTY keyboard and international roaming capabilities, Motorola PHOTON™ Q™ 4G LTE. Motorola PHOTON Q will cost $199.99 (excludes taxes) with a new line of service or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement.
Motorola PHOTON Q will be available for pre-order beginning today at www.sprint.com/photonq. Customers who pre-order Motorola PHOTON Q will begin receiving their smartphone as early as two days before the device goes on sale – while supplies last.
"At Sprint, we recognize there is a large group of our customers that love the ease of a physical QWERTY keyboard," said David Owens, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. "By bringing a device like Motorola PHOTON Q into our portfolio, we are able to give these customers the option of a physical keyboard plus international roaming capabilities to stay connected while traveling abroad."
Motorola PHOTON Q features a slide out PC-like QWERTY keyboard for double-thumb efficiency. Each laser-cut key is outlined in LED lights so users can see what they're doing, even in the dark. It also has a dedicated number row for maximum typing efficiency and accuracy.
Combined with a large 4.3-inch ColorBoost™ display, Motorola PHOTON Q offers the largest screen currently available on a 4G LTE smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard. Its 8-megapiexal rear-facing camera with 1080p capture and playback along with an HD front-facing camera produce a high-quality multimedia experience that provides the perfect blend of business and pleasure with blazing speed on the Sprint 4G LTE network2.
Additional key features on Motorola PHOTON Q include:
1.5GHz dual-core processor
Android™ 4.0.4, Ice Cream Sandwich
ULE Platinum Certification, the highest level of environmental performance recognized by sustainable requirements established by UL Environment and Sprint
SMARTACTIONS™, the free Motorola app that helps extend battery life and intelligently automates routine, everyday tasks so that smartphones can do more for consumers
Mirror mode when connected with HDMI cable (sold separately) to view images, files and movies on a larger screen, like your TV at home
Sprint ID, offering an innovative way to personalize an Android-powered smartphone with apps, widgets, ringtones and more all, in a single download
NFC support to share links, apps, YouTube™ clips and more with Android Beam™
Sprint Professional Grade designation making it business ready with full corporate security, including remote wipe, pin lock and data encryptionMotorola PHOTON Q customers can enjoy an unlimited data experience with Sprint Everything Data plans. Sprint's Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $79.99 per month for smartphones – a savings of $20 per month versus Verizon's comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB web (excludes taxes and surcharges).
Customers across the country are beginning to benefit from Network Vision – an all-new network from Sprint, which offers enhanced 3G service – with a stronger wireless signal, faster data speeds, expanded coverage and better in-building performance – and 4G LTE, with faster data speeds for data applications.
ARM and Globalfoundries hammer out deal to promote 20nm mobile chips
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 07:16 AM PDT
Sure it's British, but ARM's mobile empire is being built through careful alliances rather than conquest. The chip designer's latest deal with Globalfoundries, which mirrors a very similar agreement signed with rival foundry TSMC last month, is a case in point. It's designed to promote the adoption of fast, energy-efficient 20nm processors by making it easy for chip makers (like Samsung, perhaps) to knock on Globalfoundries' door for the grunt work of actually fabricating the silicon -- since the foundry will now be prepped to produce precisely that type of chip. As far as the regular gadget buyer is concerned, all this politicking amounts to one thing: further reassurance that mobile processor shrinkage isn't going to peter out after the new 32nm Exynos chips or the 28nm Snapdragon S4 -- it's going to push on past the 22nm benchmark that Ivy Bridge already established in the desktop sphere and hopefully deliver phones and tablets that do more with less juice.
ARM and GLOBALFOUNDRIES Collaborate to Enable Next-Generation Devices on 20nm and FinFET Process Technologies
ARM processor, GPU and Physical IP technology-based solutions optimized to accelerate production in critical mobile markets
MILPITAS, Calif. & CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GLOBALFOUNDRIES and ARM today announced a multi-year agreement to jointly deliver optimized system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for ARM® processor designs on GLOBALFOUNDRIES' 20-nanometer (nm) and FinFET process technologies. The new agreement also extends the long-standing collaboration to include graphics processors, which are becoming an increasingly critical component in mobile devices. As part of the agreement, ARM will develop a full platform of ARM Artisan® Physical IP, including standard cell libraries, memory compilers and POP™ IP solutions. The results will help enable a new level of system performance and power-efficiency for a range of mobile applications, from smartphones to tablets to ultra-thin notebooks.
The companies have been collaborating for several years to jointly optimize ARM Cortex™-A series processors, including multiple demonstrations of performance and power-efficiency benefits on 28nm as well as a 20nm test-chip implementation currently running through GLOBALFOUNDRIES fab in Malta, N.Y. This agreement extends the prior efforts by driving production IP platforms that will enable customer designs on 20nm and promote rapid migration to three-dimensional FinFET transistor technology. This joint development will enable a faster time to delivering SoC solutions for customers using next-generation ARM CPUs and GPUs in mobile devices.
GLOBALFOUNDRIES plans to develop optimized implementations and benchmark analysis for next-generation, energy-efficient ARM Cortex™ processor and ARM Mali™ graphics processor technologies, accelerating customers' own SoC designs using the respective technologies. The comprehensive platform of ARM Artisan Physical IP for GLOBALFOUNDRIES' 20nm-LPM and FinFET processes and POP IP products provide fundamental building blocks for SoC designers. This platform builds on the existing Artisan physical IP platforms for numerous GLOBALFOUNDRIES' process technologies including 65nm, 55nm and 28nm, as well as the Cortex-A9 POP technology for 28nm SLP, now available for licensing from ARM.
"This early engagement promotes the rapid adoption of ARM and GLOBALFOUNDRIES technologies in future SoCs for several important markets," said Simon Segars, executive vice president and general manager, Processor and Physical IP Divisions at ARM. "Customers designing for mobile, tablet and computing applications will benefit extensively from the energy-efficient ARM processor and graphics processor included in this collaboration. By proactively working together to enable next-generation 20nm-LPM and FinFET process technologies, our mutual customers can be assured a range of implementation options that will enable two more generations of advanced semiconductor devices."
ARM POP technology accelerates the core hardening for ARM's Cortex-A series CPUs with market-leading performance, power and area. POP IP products are comprised of three critical elements necessary to achieve an optimized ARM core implementation. First, it contains Artisan physical IP standard cell libraries and memory cache instances that are specifically tuned for a given ARM processor and foundry technology. Second, it includes a comprehensive benchmarking report to document the exact conditions and results ARM achieved for the processor implementation across an envelope of configuration and design targets. Finally, it includes the detailed implementation knowledge including floor plans, scripts, design utilities and a POP Implementation Guide, which enables the end customer to achieve similar results quickly and with lower risk.
The GLOBALFOUNDRIES 20nm-LPM technology is a comprehensive, cost-effective platform, delivering up to 40 percent performance improvement and twice the gate density of 28nm. Since it will offer a range of transistor capabilities, 20nm-LPM will serve a broad range of power and performance points across high-volume market segments. By offering a full scaling of the transistor and metal pitch, the resulting 20nm-LPM devices will be highly competitive in cost and area to suit the requirements of next-generation devices.
This collaboration also extends to GLOBALFOUNDRIES' FinFET-based process technology. By anticipating this process technology from the beginning, the partners will jointly optimize both the physical IP and process technology to assure a rapid migration path from 20nm-LPM. As a result, this collaboration will result in a range of implementation solutions available sooner and at lower risk than ever before.
"ARM technologies are at the heart of many of the world's highest volume product categories, and we believe will only grow in importance for our customers in the years ahead," said Mike Noonen, executive vice president, worldwide marketing and sales at GLOBALFOUNDRIES. "By leveraging our implementation knowledge and applying it to a next-generation, energy-efficient ARM processor and graphics processing unit, we believe we can jointly offer a compelling differentiation to our mutual customers that will power innovation into the next two generations."
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi gets taste of Ice Cream Sandwich in the US
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 06:55 AM PDT
Samsung was widely (if unofficially) expected to upgrade the Galaxy Tab line to Ice Cream Sandwich this summer. Thankfully, that wasn't just wishful thinking on the part of a few fans. Numerous Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi owners in the US have reported receiving an official push to Android 4.0.4 shortly after getting out of bed on Monday. The new TouchWiz, Chrome support and more are all welcome -- just don't anticipate any unique twists from the upgrade. In some respects, we're likely getting a Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with a Tegra 2 processor. The only real uncertainties are when the rest of the eligible Galaxy Tab line will make the leap as well as the possibility of Jelly Bean; hopefully, it's not the end of the update road for some of Samsung's earliest tablet adopters in the country.
Paid Twitter wannabe App.net hits $500K target with time to spare
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 06:31 AM PDT
Paid Twitter-style service App.net has achieved its self-imposed $500,000 funding goal with almost two days still left on the clock. The social platform is the brainchild of Dalton Caldwell, who said he wanted to spawn a service dedicated to users instead of advertisers. It was originally pitched to Facebook, but the two companies came to loggerheads when it clashed with the social network's own App Center -- inspiring Caldwell's Kickstarter-style campaign. Though the software is still in alpha, over 10,000 backers have paid $50 for an annual membership or put down $1,000 for support, developer tools and a meeting with the founder. The company will now start working on its terms of service, letting users offer feedback and discover new features -- and if you wanna be @John instead of @JohnFDoe99427 on the new service, you may want to pony up, quick.
Fisker issues second statement about self-combusting Karma
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 06:10 AM PDT
Fisker's inability to catch a break is matched only by its vehicles' worrying reliability record. The company has issued another statement after a parked, thankfully empty Karma EV opted for some self-immolation in a Californian parking lot last Friday. It currently doesn't believe the cause was its (previously recalled) Lithium-ion battery, exhaust routing or electrical components, having learned that the ignition zone was outside the engine compartment, in front of the driver's side front tire. We've got the full text after the break, meanwhile we're considering doing a lot more walking.
"Fisker engineers, working with independent investigators from Pacific Rim Investigative Group, have begun preliminary examination and testing on the Karma involved in a fire in Woodside, California Friday, August 10.
Evidence revealed thus far supports the fact that the ignition source was not the Lithium-ion battery pack, new technology components or unique exhaust routing.
The area of origin for the fire was determined to be outside the engine compartment. There was no damage to the passenger compartment and there were no injuries.
Continued investigative efforts will be primarily focused within the specific area of origin, located forward of the driver's side front tire.
Further details will be announced after a full report is completed."
Amateur archaeologist finds possible pyramids using Google Earth
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 05:43 AM PDT
While most Google Earth hobbyists are satisfied with a bit of snapping and geotagging, some have far loftier ambitions. Satellite archaeologist Angela Micol thinks she's discovered the locations of some of Egypt's lost pyramids, buried for centuries under the earth, including a three-in-a-line arrangement similar to those on the Giza Plateau. Egyptologists have already confirmed that the secret locations are undiscovered, so now it's down to scientists in the field to determine if it's worth calling the diggers in.
'Stained glass' nanotechnology capable of printing up to 100,000 dpi
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 04:52 AM PDT
Researchers in Singapore have managed to create high-resolution color images several times sharper than typical methods using a metal-laced nanometer framework. While normal inkjet and laser jet printers can reel out up to 10,000 dots per inch, this nanotech-based technique has a theoretical limit of around 100,000 dpi. The technique is closer to lithography than typical modern printing, and could pave the way for future high-resolution reflective color displays and high-density optical storage. Scientists crafted precisely patterned metal nano structures, and designed the surface to specifically reflect the intended color. According to project leader, Dr Joel Yang, "The team built a database of color that corresponded to a specific nanostructure pattern, size and spacing," with an ultra-thin metal film spread across the image activating these "encoded" colors. Looks like yet another reason to upgrade our dull fleshy retinas.
Google, Mozilla and Wikimedia projects get Maya language translations at one-day 'translathon'
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 03:47 AM PDT
Twenty native speakers of Yucatec, Mexico's most widely spoken Mayan tongue, met last Thursday to help bring the language to Google, Mozilla and Wikimedia projects. The event, dubbed Mozilla Translathon 2012, was organized to provide translations for Firefox, Google's Endangered Languages Project, the WikiMedia software that powers Wikipedia and 500 crowdsourced articles, to boot. Finding the right words, however, can often be a tricky proposition. "There are words that can't be translated," Mozilla's Mexico representative Julio Gómez told CNNMéxico. "In Maya, file doesn't exist. Tab doesn't exist." Gómez continues to explain that the group may keep foreign words as-is, or find other terms to represent the same ideas. In addition to software localization, it's believed that the effort could allow Maya speakers to "recover their identity and their cultural heritage," according to Wikimedia México president Iván Martínez. If you'd like to peruse wiki articles in the indigenous language, check out the source links below.
Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q leaks in August 15th-dated press shot, keeps terrible name
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 02:48 AM PDT
Remember Samsung's Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch for Sprint? Think that name was a mouthful? Well here's a press shot of -- wait for it -- Samsung's SGH-T699 aka. Galaxy S Blaze Q, a QWERTY slider for T-Mobile that's been leaked before. Beyond the terrible name, the August 15th mention on the screen appears to confirm the previous launch date rumors. Spec-wise, the phone is expected to pack a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage. There's also mention of 1080p video capture and a 720p display -- the latter being unlikely in light of the large amount of bezel surrounding the screen (Samsung's smallest HD Super AMOLED display is 4.65-inches across). Our guess is that T-Mobile's just complementing Samsung's existing Galaxy S Blaze 4G with a mid-range QWERTY slider, but we'll find out soon enough.
Neo Geo X Gold gets worldwide December release date, $200 price tag
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 01:57 AM PDT
Just when you were wondering if it was all just vaporware, the Neo Geo X has finally received a worldwide release date of December 6th after missing its original Q2 window. The 20th anniversary reboot of the retro gaming system -- now branded the Neo Geo X Gold -- has a suggested retail price of a cent under $200, and for that you get the handheld and the newly detailed peripherals shown above -- a joystick and a charging dock that doubles as TV out (via HDMI or RCA). The specs have changed somewhat since the initial announcement and the handheld is now showing off a 4.3-inch LCD, a little bigger than the 3.5-inch previously announced, while the list of pre-installed titles looks just as healthy as it originally did -- see the source link for the full list.
NEOGEO X GOLD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM Announced for Worldwide Distribution
Tommo Inc. sets release date and price for revolutionary gaming "system within a system"
Los Angeles, Calif. - August 13, 2012 - Tommo, Inc., in partnership with SNK PLAYMORE, today confirmed that the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system is scheduled for a worldwide release this December. Following the 20th anniversary of the ground breaking NEOGEO AES console, the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system provides players with all of the features of a home arcade and the convenience of a handheld gaming device. The NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system is set for a worldwide release on December 6, 2012 for a suggested retail price of $199.99 (USD).
The NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system comes complete with the NEOGEO X Station, the NEOGEO X Handheld with 20 pre-loaded NEOGEO classic titles, and the NEOGEO X Joystick. In addition to coming pre-loaded with 20 NEOGEO classic titles, the NEOGEO X Handheld device features a crisp 4.3" LCD display, an expandable game card slot, internal stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for a personal gaming experience you can take anywhere. The NEOGEO X Handheld device works with the NEOGEO X Joystick and NEOGEO X Station to charge the handheld device and transfer the action directly to a television set or monitor, via HDMI or A/V out, for a true arcade experience right at home.
The full list of NEOGEO X Handheld pre-installed games is as follows:
3 COUNT BOUT
LEAGUE BOWLING
ART OF FIGHTING II
MAGICIAN LORD
ALPHA MISSION II
METAL SLUG
BASEBALL STARS II
MUTATION NATION
CYBER LIP
NAM 1975
FATAL FURY
PUZZLED
FATAL FURY SPECIAL
REAL BOUT - FATAL FURY SPECIAL
THE KING OF FIGHTERS '95
SAMURAI SHODOWN II
KING OF THE MONSTERS
SUPER SIDEKICKS
LAST RESORT
WORLD HEROES PERFECT
"Great game consoles don't die; they're just reborn in much more affordable and convenient packages," said Tommo CEO Jonathan Wan. "The NEOGEO X GOLD is a love letter to one of my favorite consoles of all time, and working with SNK PLAYMORE to acquire the NEOGEO license, Tommo Inc. looks to provide gaming and entertainment enthusiasts with a classic arcade experience both at home and on the go."
Distribution of the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system for European and Asian territories will be handled exclusively by BLAZE and Success Company. North American distribution of the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system will be handled exclusively by Tommo, Inc..
For the latest news as it is released, and for additional information regarding the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system, please visit: www.NEOGEOX.com.
AOL HD connected TV app is now AOL On for Samsung, Roku and Sony; TiVo coming soon
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 01:19 AM PDT
Last summer the AOL HD app launched on the Boxee, Roku, Yahoo Connected TV and DivX platforms, and now it's moving to 2.0 as well as changing names, to AOL On. Rolling out now to the Samsung Smart TV, Roku, and Sony platforms, with TiVo Premiere DVR access due "in the coming weeks" after a beta test ends, it's a free ad-supported app that pulls from a library of 380,000 or so videos, including some from Engadget (you may have noticed the logo in the corner). v2.0 brings a refreshed UI and videos from not only AOL sites like this one, Moviefone and TechCrunch, but also other sources like Reuters, AP, CNET and BBC. We gave the new channel a shot on Roku and were able to browse around easily enough although the most recent episode of The Engadget Show hadn't popped up yet -- we'll get someone on that. There's another screenshot and press release after the break, or you can just check the channel store of your nearest set-top box or connected HDTV to see if it's popped up there yet.
The AOL On Network Releases Latest Connected TV App;
Launches on TiVo® Premiere DVRs
App Includes Ad-Serving Capabilities, Enabling Advertisers to Reach Connected TV Viewers Across The AOL On Library of Premium Video Content
NEW YORK – AUGUST 10, 2012 – The AOL On Network today announced the launch of version 2.0 of its connected TV app. Formerly known as AOL HD, The AOL On app will feature ad-serving capabilities at launch, and will boast a wide selection of rich, high-definition video content drawn from The AOL On library of more than 380,000 short-form videos. Already available on seven of the leading connected TV platforms, the update will be made available to three of these platforms: Samsung Smart TVs, Roku and Sony. Currently in beta, TiVo joins the lineup of supported platforms. Subscribers will receive access to the AOL On app in the coming weeks on TiVo Premiere DVRs.
"Our subscribers look to us to provide them with the best entertainment from cable and the web together in one place," saidTara Maitra, SVP, Content and Media Sales for TiVo. "We're always looking to expand our content offerings to improve their experience and The AOL On app helps us do just that. The impressive array of entertaining and informative videos is a perfect complement to our existing catalogue of TV, movies and music."
The upgraded AOL On app boasts a newly redesigned, cutting-edge user interface. In addition to AOL original content from properties like Moviefone, Engadget and HuffPost Entertainment, the app will feature high-definition videos from the AOL On Network's premium content partners like Reuters, AP, BBC, Newsy, Entertainment Tonight, Sugar, E!, Splash News, CNET and Gourmet TV. New content will be added on a daily basis.
"One of the primary barriers to mainstream adoption of connected TVs has been the lack of good content," said Rob DelaCruz, General Manager, Connected TV and Mobile Video, The AOL On Network. "By drawing from The AOL On Network's massive video library, we're able to address this issue with a steady stream of fresh, relevant content that speaks to the topics our viewers are interested in now."
The newly upgraded app will also feature ad-serving capabilities, enabling AOL advertisers to reach consumers across a variety of connected TV platforms. Campaigns will be executed via pre-roll ad units across AOL On's premium, brand-safe content.
"Demand among advertisers for connected TV inventory is incredibly high," said Ran Harnevo, Senior Vice President, Video, The AOL On Network. "With this launch, we're delivering on our promise of giving advertisers the tools to reach consumers across every screen in a high-quality, curated environment."
About TiVo
Founded in 1997, TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO) developed the first commercially available digital video recorder (DVR), and today TiVo is a global leader in advanced television service offering products on multiple platforms and devices. TiVo offers its service directly to consumers, and also distributes its technology and services through solutions tailored for cable, satellite and broadcasting companies. Since its founding, TiVo has evolved into the ultimate single-solution media center by combining its patented DVR technologies and universal cable box capabilities with the ability to aggregate, search and deliver millions of pieces of broadband, cable and broadcast content directly to the television. TiVo also continues to weave itself into the fabric of the media industry by providing interactive advertising solutions and audience research and measurement ratings services to the television industry www.tivo.com .
TiVo and the TiVo Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. © 2012 TiVo Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About AOL
AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a brand company, committed to continuously innovating, growing, and investing in brands and experiences that inform, entertain, and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.
Adafruit builds Raspberry Pi-powered light painting rig, takes trippy photos
Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:21 AM PDT
Taking long exposure photographs at night and painting within them using an iPad may be old hat, but building your own light painting rig? That could earn you some serious geek cred, and according to Adafruit, it isn't even all that hard. In a new walkthrough, the team fashioned such a contraption using a Raspberry Pi, a python script with under 60 lines of code, some open source software and a handful of electronic components. Not satisfied with the typical light wand, they decided to spice things up with a circular fixture built from PVC pipes and a hula hoop to hold the ribbon of LEDs. After being attached to a bike and paraded around at night, it created the 3D effect in the masterpiece above. If you're itching to make your own works of art, check out Adafruit's tutorial at the source link below.
Motorola to cut its workforce by 20 percent, shutter a third of its offices worldwide
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 11:15 PM PDT
When Google acquired Motorola Mobility, Larry Page said the move would help "supercharge the Android ecosystem," but first, the firm needs to reorganize. That seems to be starting -- the company just announced that it will be closing a third of its 94 offices and laying off 20 percent of its workforce, including 40 percent of its vice presidents. The move will scale back its presence in Asia and India, says the New York Times, and will center its operations in Chicago, Sunnyvale and Beijing. The new, smaller Motorola will be working on less devices too, focusing on releasing a few high quality handsets each year as opposed to several dozen. Less phones means less parts, of course, and the firm says it will be dropping some suppliers and will be buying half as many components as a result. We're all for the new Moto's less-is-more approach and the potential it has to breed a new Nexus device, but Google's already made it clear that it isn't playing favorites with OEMs. Either way, it's a start.
Samsung refreshing Series 7 Gamer with 3D display, AMD Radeon HD 7870M
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 10:07 PM PDT
If Samsung's first dedicated gaming laptop wasn't built to your liking, you're about to get another option -- the Series 7 Gamer is due for a refresh. The company's Samsung Tomorrow blog pegs the new build as the Series 7 Gamer Yellow 3D, which outshines the subtle design we praised in our review of the last model with -- you guessed it -- a bright yellow finish. Style aside, the new oversized notebook will swap out its current GPU for an AMD Radeon HD 7870M and, as the name implies, a 14.3-inch SuperBright (400 nit) 3D LED display. The new configuration will also split its twin drive bays between a 1TB HDD and a fast-booting 128GB SSD. There's no word yet on international availability, but folks in Sammy's homeland can pick up the rig on August 14th for 2.99 million Won, which rings up to about $2,643 here in the states. Check out the official announcement at the (translated) source link below.
Next iPhone's motherboard possibly spotted with a dash of extra wireless
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 08:17 PM PDT
We may well have seen the next iPhone's back shell, front panel, SIM tray and even its cabling. Why not round it out with what might be the motherboard? A WeiPhone forum goer who slipped out the iPhone 4S' board last year is back with the 2012 update's potential new heart. While the tipster hasn't been courteous enough to do a side-by-side with the older component, repair shop iDeviceGuys notes to 9to5 Mac that the newer part isn't just a carbon copy; that smaller SIM slot (what you see in the middle) is one of the bigger giveaways. The real treat may be the extra wireless antenna connections. They aren't any surefire signs of 4G, but the antenna links suggest Apple isn't content with what the iPhone 4S has to offer. We're mostly left wondering about what's under that shielding -- it's a mystery as to whether or not the next iPhone's processor speed bump is a mountain or a molehill. Barring one more peek, we could get the full scoop next month.
How would you change the Sony Z Series Walkman?
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 07:20 PM PDT
Sony's Walkman Z had a frustratingly delayed journey to western shores, and when it arrived it offered a solid, if uninspiring portable media player. It certainly bested the competition in some areas, but the easily-chipped bodywork and closed-off Walkman apps that wouldn't play nice with Google Music didn't help those already invested in the rival service. Still, those you were desperate to avoid buying an iPod Touch who splashed out on one of these, how did you find it? If Kaz Hirai was asking your opinion on how to build the world's greatest Walkman PMP, what would you say?
Refresh Roundup: week of August 6th, 2012
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 06:24 PM PDT
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Official Android updates
- Toshiba Thrive: Just a few weeks ago, Toshiba dropped the bomb that its Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Thrive tablet would be postponed until early fall. Now we've a bit of good news to share, as the company has beaten that projection by more than a month. Along with Android 4.0, the latest update brings better performance, new camera functions and improved connectivity to the Toshiba Thrive. [Android Central]
- LG Optimus L-Style series: New to LG's lineup of entry-level smartphones is its QuickMemo app, which will be made available globally via a maintenance release by the end of Q3. [LG]
- Sony Xperia P: According to Sony, the much-awaited update for its middleweight smartphone will arrive between August 15th and 25th. In addition to the new OS, users will find a refreshed Sony app selection, a new lock screen and resizable widgets. [The Inquirer]
- Samsung Nexus S: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) is now available to Nexus S users via Vodafone in Australia. [Android Central]
- T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide: This minor update won't take users beyond Froyo, but it does bring security and stability improvements. Unfortunately, the refresh won't be made available over-the-air. [Android Police]
- T-Mobile G2: Like the myTouch 3G Slide, the G2 is eligible for an update that must be downloaded from HTC. Similarly, the new bundle of software is said to bring improved security and stability. [Android Police]
- HTC: Apparently, all eligible devices that've yet to receive their promised update to Android 4.0 can expect this bit of software love to come by the end of the month. [MobileSyrup, Android Police]
Other platforms
- Nokia 808 PureView: Options for "Facebook share" and "YouTube share" are now available for download to 808 PureView owners in the US. [The Nokia Blog]
Refreshes we covered this week
- Motorola starts Android 4.0 upgrades for international RAZR owners
- CyanogenMod 9 now stable on every supported device, get your fix today
- HTC One X gets Android 4.0.4 update today: enhances camera app, adds menu functionality to multitasking button
- CM9's first stable release lands for GSM Galaxy Nexus
- OTA Update Center encourages PC-free upgrades for custom Android ROMs
- HTC G1 auditions CyanogenMod 10, runs Jelly Bean at a snail's pace (video)
- Google's revamped voice search coming to iOS, tackles Siri on her home turf
- Google Now hits some rooted devices, adds topping to your Ice Cream Sandwich
- HTC Sense 4.1 reportedly leaked with custom ROM, One X owners taste the future
NAA verifies new US record for human-powered helicopter flight (video)
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 04:45 PM PDT
A team at the University of Maryland has been taking human powered flight to new heights. Or, rather, lengths, by setting a new US record for flight duration of 49.9 seconds with its Gamera II rotorcraft. The benchmark event actually took place in June, but only received the all important plaudits from the National Aeronautic Association on August 9. Gamera II builds on its predecessor (unsurprisingly, Gamera I) by featuring improved transmission, rotor design and a redesigned cockpit. Not content with smashing the previous craft's record of 11.4 seconds, the team plans to fly a further refined version of the copter with longer blades and other fine tuning later this month. The 49.9 second flight has also been submitted to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale for World, rather than American-record verification. The guys at Maryland might want to keep an eye over their shoulders though, as it looks like someone else already has their eyes on that prize. Video evidence after the break.
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 02:30 PM PDT
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
As Switched On discussed a few weeks ago, and as Microsoft noted in its recent 10-K filing, it is an unavoidable truth that the company getting into the hardware market will cause conflict with its partners. The extent of that conflict, though, depends on many variables and Microsoft can -- and must -- take steps to ameliorate it.
Recently, Acer CEO JT Wang has stepped up his rhetoric against the company's most important operating system provider entering the PC hardware market with its Surface tablet, but as the objections have become more forceful, they've also become more perplexing. The company says that it may be forced to explore alternatives if Microsoft proceeds, but Acer is not only one of the many companies already producing Android tablets, but one of the two producing Chrome hardware. (If it has a keen interest in MeeGo or Tizen, I'm sure its fellow Taiwanese rival ASUS can share how that worked out.) Even more curious is Acer's assertion that Microsoft is "no good at" hardware. If that is so, why worry?
Faced now with competing against Microsoft, did HP pull the plug on webOS too soon?
Neither Dell nor HP has been as active as Acer in the tablet market in the post-iPad era. As for Dell, it may be more reticent because Surface is a consumer-first play and the company is stronger in the enterprise space. The business PC market is also very fertile ground for HP, but the company remains the leader in the consumer Windows hardware market and has been striving to court the high-end with its Envy line that has expanded from laptops to printers. It is the Windows vendor that has the most to lose from Surface's success.
Faced now with competing against Microsoft, did HP pull the plug on webOS too soon? Might a TouchPad, which would have easily been in its second generation by the time Surface ships, have been a worthy competitor? Even in the height of its doubling down on webOS, HP never wavered in its support of Windows. On the other hand, even if webOS had met with more success it might have been an effective hedge against Microsoft doing exactly the kind of thing it is doing now. Of course, HP could still hop into the Android market as Acer has, and might even have more success than its PC rivals there, but it has shown little interest in doing so as it focuses its tablet efforts on Windows 8 and competing with Microsoft on that front.
It would indeed be ironic for HP if its webOS overtures helped to spur Microsoft to create its own hardware to compete with the Silicon Valley pioneer. But from a business standpoint, the evaluation is nothing so poetic. The revenue HP will gain from Windows 8 will be far greater than what it could have garnered from webOS. And its share of revenue lost in competition with Surface hardware will be far less than it would have spent trying to build a competitive ecosystem.
Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) is principal analyst at Reticle Research, an advisory firm focused on consumer technology. Views expressed in Switched On are his own.
RadioShack Mobile leak suggests Cricket Wireless-based MVNO on the way
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 01:26 PM PDT
Tired, perhaps, of juggling mainstream cellular carriers, RadioShack may be launching its own wireless branding. According to a tip we've received, the Shack is gearing up to launch RadioShack Mobile, a no-contract MVNO based on Cricket Wireless. A pair of leaked screenshots (above and after the break) seem to show a RadioShack Mobile-ready HTC One V listing and a snippet of an accompanying product page that promises low monthly rates without the shackles of a 2-year agreement. The Cricket connection? That can be found under the page's "getting started" section, which lists an activation number that pipes into Cricket's customer service line. Details on pricing and plans are scarce, but we're being told that RadioShack Mobile is expected to mirror Cricket's existing offerings, and may also offer the Huawei Mercury, the Huawei Pillar and a 4.3-inch Android device from Alcatel. We contacted RadioShack for a statement and were told that it couldn't comment on rumors or speculation.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
Visualized: DeLorean hovercraft cruises around McCovey Cove, wins the internet
Posted: 12 Aug 2012 12:27 PM PDT
What do you get when you multiply a crazy Make project with a Kickstarter fund? You get the answer to our childhood dreams, that's what.
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