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- Platypus airboats have a Nexus S for a brain, we go eyes-on (video)
- Corning touts 1 billion Gorilla Glass devices: that's a lot of face-saving surfaces
- Huawei gives Australia peeks at its network hardware and code to regain trust
- Verizon's HTC DLX may be called Droid DNA, Windows Phone 8 devices get tentative prices
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to receive the Dolby Atmos treatment
- CyanogenMod code fixed to prevent unlock gestures from being logged locally on handsets
- Nano-machines built to mimic human muscle could help power cyborgs, keep the OSI budget down
- Hummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kids (video)
- ESRB now supports Windows 8, introduces cost-free questionnaire for rating digital games
- Slickdeals' best in tech for October 24th: Canon EOS Rebel DSLR bundles and refurbished 3rd-gen iPads
- Square launches in Canada, streamlines payments on the world stage
- Eton announces Boost line, lets you crank your way to a charged phone
- Broadcom's 2012 Q3 sees $2.13 billion sales turn into a $220 million profit
- Over 60 Barnes & Noble locations victims of PIN pad tampering, customer data at risk
- Robotic butlers, bartenders and receptionists at Carnegie Mellon (video)
- Apple Store now has Lightning to HDMI and VGA adapters at $49 a pop, souped-up iPad charger
- Samsung TecTiles 3.0 update offers more options for NFC tagging, now available in Play Store
- Samsung Galaxy Note II for T-Mobile review
- Dutch court rules that Samsung didn't infringe on Apple multi-touch patent
- Nuance Dragon Mobile Assistant launches on Android, but only on ICS for now
- AT&T sells 4.7 million iPhones and 1.4 million other smartphones, makes $3.6 billion profit in Q3
- MIT researchers use algebraic equation that improves WiFi and LTE data streams: boosts speed, reduces network congestion
- EU antitrust commission charges Microsoft over browser selection 'breach'
- Mad Catz announces the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 keyboard for pro gamers, pre-order now for $200
- Samsung Galaxy Note II for T-Mobile now available for $370 on contract
- Digital Storm Bolt stuffs full-power graphics into a mini gaming desktop, stretches laws of physics
- Nintendo reports continued first-half losses for 2012, is waiting on the Wii U
- Kindle Paperwhite and two Fires up for pre-order in Japan, Kindle Store opens there tomorrow
- HP fills in pricing and availability details for its sprawling Windows 8 line-up
- Best Buy listing reminds us that the LG Spectrum 2 is still on its way to Verizon
- Rara.com expands to iOS, Windows 8 and more countries
- LG records a 'solid' $138.57 million net profit for Q3, keeps the positive trend going
- IBM announces Smarter Energy Research Institute, aims to improve energy grids (video)
- Nikon 1 V2 unveiled: 14.2 megapixel ILC shoots 15fps stills for $899.95 in November
- Nikon 1 V2 mirrorless camera hands-on! (video)
- Robot Hall of Fame inducts Big Dog, PackBot, Nao and WALL-E (video)
- eFun's Nextbook Premium 10SE tablet with ICS now available for $280
- Canon's upcoming 5D Mark III firmware update brings uncompressed HDMI output support, enhanced AF functionality
- Boeing tests microwave missile that knocks out electronics, represents our worst nightmare (video)
- Google delivers search app for Windows 8 with a touch of tablet optimization
| Platypus airboats have a Nexus S for a brain, we go eyes-on (video) Posted: 24 Oct 2012 12:11 PM PDT
Here's another extremely cool offshoot of the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute. Platypus LLC build autonomous robotic airboats that can be deployed for a wide range of usages including environmental data and monitoring hard-to-reach spots after natural disasters like flooding. The hull of the boat looks a good deal like a boogie board, built from polyurethane. On top, you'll find a propulsion fan assembly, just behind a hard plastic electronics compartment that houses internals like the Arduino board. That microcontroller communicates via Bluetooth with a smartphone that sits in the front of of the boat, safely cocooned inside an Otterbox case. The models we saw this week were carrying Nexus S handsets -- relatively cheap solutions bought second-hand off of eBay. Just about any Android phone should do the trick, but in the case of this project, where phones can get wrenched loose or just outright pilfered, cheaper is certainly better. Platypus' proprietary app helps control the boat autonomously, using the handset's camera to provide situational awareness. Sensors mounted on the boat, meanwhile, offer up information on oxygen and PH levels, temperature and more.
The boats have already been deployed to a number of locations, including a trip to the Philippines, which saw five crafts participating in flood response. You check check out more information on the project and a number of case usage videos in the source link below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corning touts 1 billion Gorilla Glass devices: that's a lot of face-saving surfaces Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:50 AM PDT
You could argue that toughened glass is the cornerstone of the modern mobile industry: without the knowledge that our touchscreen phones and tablets could survive the everyday risks of scratches and minor drops, many of us would be terrified of leaving home with a glass-covered mobile device in our hands. Corning now has evidence to prove just how important that silicate can be. In addition to the mostly upbeat third quarter fiscal results you'll find after the break, the firm brags to us that more than one billion devices have shipped with some variant of Gorilla Glass in place, spread across 33 major brands and 500 individual models that are occasionally very immobile. We can't give Corning all the credit when alternatives like Dragontrail exist, but numbers like these make it hard to dispute that millions of gadgets have been spared an untimely end (or a flimsy plastic display) by some clever primate chemistry. Corning Announces Third-Quarter Results Record sales of Corning® Gorilla® Glass CORNING, N.Y., October 24, 2012 – Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) today announced its results for the third quarter of 2012. Third-Quarter Summary Sales were $2.04 billion, up 7% from quarter two and down 2% year over year. Display Technologies total glass volume, from Corning's wholly owned business and Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd., was up by a low-double digit percentage, as expected. Price declines remained moderate. Specialty Materials sales were up 23% sequentially and 21% year over year, driven by strong growth in Corning® Gorilla® Glass volumes, and much higher than expected. Telecommunications sales decreased 6% sequentially and 7% year over year, and were lower than expectations. Quarter Three Financial Comparisons
*These are non-GAAP financial measures. The reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP measures is provided in the tables following this news release, as well as on the company's investor relations website. Reflecting on the company's third-quarter performance, Wendell P. Weeks, chairman, chief executive officer, and president, said, "We were pleased with Corning's overall performance this past quarter as we grew sales and earnings sequentially, and exceeded our expectations for the period. "We are making progress on our goal to improve Corning's overall profitability. We had our strongest quarterly sales to date for Corning Gorilla Glass. Our Display Technologies segment continued to stabilize its earnings with another quarter of moderate LCD glass price declines. However, weakening global economic conditions worked against our sales results in Telecommunications and Environmental Technologies." Weeks referenced Corning's entry into new supply agreements with industry-leading LCD display manufacturers this past quarter. "These new customer agreements will assist us in maintaining Corning's market position at specified levels and contain mechanisms that establish a relationship between Corning's glass price and the market's glass price. We believe these new agreements will allow us to manage our capacity more efficiently and enable us to continue improving our cost position," he said. Third-Quarter Segment Results Sales in the Display Technologies segment were $763 million, a 19% sequential increase and 6% year-over-year decline. Glass price declines for LCD were moderate, as expected. Telecommunications segment sales were $523 million, declining 6% sequentially and 7% year over year. The decline was driven by lower sales in North America and Europe, partially offset by growth in China. North American sales were impacted by certain project delays and a winding down of U.S. stimulus spending on optical cable in support of telecommunications infrastructure projects. European sales were impacted by a softening in market demand. Specialty Materials segment sales were $363 million, a 23% sequential and 21% year-over-year increase driven by Gorilla Glass sales in the handheld and information technology device markets. Sales of semiconductor products were down sequentially and year over year. Environmental Technologies segment sales were $233 million, a 6% sequential and year-over-year decline. Following the summer's seasonal manufacturing shutdowns, higher light-duty diesel product sales were offset by lower sales of heavy-duty diesel filters and substrates. Orders for heavy-duty emissions products declined substantially as truck demand slowed significantly in the third quarter and manufacturers began to manage inventory. Life Sciences segment sales were $155 million, down 4% sequentially and up 1% year over year. The company expects its acquisition of the majority of the BD Discovery Labware unit to be completed this year, pending regulatory approvals. When complete, the acquisition will be integrated into Corning's Life Sciences business segment, providing a much broader portfolio of high-quality laboratory research products and expanded global market reach. Dow Corning Corporation's equity earnings were $48 million, down 21% sequentially, driven primarily by the absence of two non-recurring gains in the second quarter, and a higher tax rate. Dow Corning's equity earnings were down 46% on a year-over-year basis, driven by severe weakness in the solar polysilicon market. Corning's gross margin for the quarter was 43%, up slightly over the previous quarter. The company ended the second quarter with $6.4 billion in cash and short-term investments. Corning continued to purchase outstanding common stock throughout the quarter, and expects to complete its stock repurchase program in the fourth quarter. Looking Forward "In quarter four, we will build on the great strides we have made toward achieving positive momentum in our LCD glass business," James B. Flaws, vice chairman and chief financial officer said. "It was nearly one year ago that our LCD business experienced an upset that significantly reduced our profitability. Since then, we brought our glass capacity in line with demand, made significant progress in moderating LCD glass price declines, and established new supply agreements with key customers." The company has the following fourth-quarter expectations: In Corning's wholly owned display business and Samsung Corning Precision, total glass volume is expected to be consistent to down low-single digit percentage sequentially, depending on the level of normal seasonal inventory correction expected from panel manufacturers. Corning anticipates price declines for the fourth quarter will be slightly higher than the previous two quarters. Telecommunications segment sales are anticipated to be consistent with third-quarter performance. Normal seasonal declines are expected to be offset by continued demand for optical fiber and cable products in China. Specialty Materials segment sales are anticipated to be consistent with the record performance of the third quarter. Gorilla Glass sales are expected to remain strong in the fourth quarter. Environmental Technologies segment sales are expected to be even to down slightly from the previous quarter. In the Life Sciences segment, Corning forecasts sales to be down about 5% sequentially, driven by normal seasonality. Corning's tax rate is anticipated to be approximately 19% in the fourth quarter, and for the year in total. "The weakening economy is affecting sales in many of our businesses, with several not achieving the growth expectations we set for the year. We believe these economic headwinds will persist next year. In order to deliver on our plan to grow earnings, we are likely to implement selected cost reductions in the areas of project spending, capital expenditures, and fixed costs, which may include modest headcount reductions," Flaws said. "Once the restructuring plan is determined, we anticipate taking a pretax charge of up to $50 million in the fourth quarter to cover the cost of that restructuring." "We are executing our strategy to improve profits and deliver new growth opportunities, despite these challenges," Flaws said. "Gorilla Glass, now available on more than one billion consumer electronics devices around the world, has been a resounding success for Corning, and we continue to bring other new technologies to market. We are excited about the development of Corning® Willow™ Glass, an ultra-slim flexible glass that we believe could revolutionize the shape and form of next-generation consumer electronics technologies, and we are experiencing success introducing new high-speed wireless connectivity solutions that greatly expand bandwidth capabilities in large venues such as stadiums and arenas. Moreover, we continue to supplement our organic growth with strategic acquisitions that expand our product offerings and increase our market access," he said. Flaws added, "These positive prospects, combined with Corning's continuing strong operating cash flow and declining capital spending, gave the board of directors confidence to increase the company's dividend payout by 20% earlier this quarter. "Corning is executing the strategy we laid out to investors at the beginning of the year, and we believe our future is very bright." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huawei gives Australia peeks at its network hardware and code to regain trust Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:29 AM PDT
Huawei has had an image problem lately among countries skittish about trusting a Chinese telecom giant with the backbone of networks that its home government might like to snoop. The company's Australian chairman John Lord thinks that's just paranoia, and he's planning radical transparency in the country to recover what trust he can after Huawei lost a National Broadband Network deal. The firm is willing to give the Australian government "unrestricted" access to both networking hardware and source code to prove that there's no espionage afoot. Lord even likes the idea a domestic inspection agency that would greenlight equipment across the industry. All of the proposals represent a one-way conversation, however -- Canberra hasn't said if it's receptive enough to drop the cold attitude. There's a distinct chance that any successful return to favor wouldn't come soon enough to recover the most lucrative contracts, which could make any Australian change of heart a Pyrrhic victory. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verizon's HTC DLX may be called Droid DNA, Windows Phone 8 devices get tentative prices Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:17 AM PDT
Verizon is one of the more common proponents of silly Android device names, in part through its insistence on that "Droid" prefix for some hardware. When its smartphone badges practically demand a pause for breath, you know there's a problem. Android Central's purported copy of a Minimum Advertised Pricing list could show that there's hope for the carrier yet. The chart shows the HTC DLX (6435LVW) skipping the rumored Droid Incredible X name in favor of Droid DNA -- and that's it. No superlatives, no arbitrary "4G LTE" tags to remind us of the network we already know we're using. The 5-inch phone might have even been a reasonable launch, as the MAP shows a $200 contract price that would potentially take effect just before Thanksgiving. Want more? Other smartphones are on the supposedly leaked MAP list as well, primarily focusing on Windows Phone 8 gear: the as yet unconfirmed Nokia Lumia 822 shows up with a $100 price and a mid-November release window, while Verizon's take on the Windows Phone 8X is present with a $200 price and similar timing. Those who'd rather go for a Samsung phablet than HTC's aren't left out, either. The Verizon edition of the Galaxy Note II is on the list with a $300 price and availability that starts immediately -- rather convenient, that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to receive the Dolby Atmos treatment Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:08 AM PDT
The CinemaCon crowd may not have been keen on 48fps footage of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, but we defy anyone to say they don't want the best sound possible. A select few will get just that, as Dolby and Peter Jackson's own Park Road Post Production have announced the film will be mixed for the speaker-packed Atmos technology. If you're lucky enough to live near one of the select establishments it's installed in, we doubt you'll be grumbling about the immersive audio, even if the frame rate makes those orcs look unsettlingly real. October 24, 2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to Feature Dolby Atmos Mix SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) and Park Road Post Production today announced that director Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), will be mixed in Dolby® Atmos™ to deliver a more natural, realistic soundtrack that moves sound around and above audiences, helping to transport them into the world of Middle-earth. "I strive to make movies that allow the audience to participate in the events onscreen, rather than just watch them unfold. Wonderful technology is now available to support this goal: high frame rates, 3D, and now the stunning Dolby Atmos system," said Peter Jackson, co-writer, director, and producer of The Hobbit trilogy. "Dolby has always been at the cutting edge of providing cinema audiences with the ultimate sound experience, and they have now surpassed themselves. Dolby Atmos provides the completely immersive sound experience that filmmakers like myself have long dreamed about." Academy Award®-winning trio Christopher Boyes, Michael Hedges, and Michael Semanick (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) will be creating the Dolby Atmos mix at Park Road Post Production. Dolby Atmos is a new audio platform that revolutionizes the experience of sound in entertainment. It allows sound designers and mixers a new level of creative control and ensures that cinema audiences will experience the full impact of their mix regardless of theatre configuration. "It's an inspiring time in cinema, with Peter Jackson taking moviemaking to new frontiers with Dolby's next-generation audio solutions," said Doug Darrow, Senior Vice President, Cinema, Dolby Laboratories. "When The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theatres equipped with these Dolby technologies, audiences will be transported into the journey with the lifelike realism the creative team envisioned." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CyanogenMod code fixed to prevent unlock gestures from being logged locally on handsets Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:47 AM PDT
If you're one of the root-and-ROM brigade, it's also likely that you have a keen eye on what goes on under the hood of your mobile OS. It might, then, come as a surprise to users of CyanogenMod, that a line of code could have been logging your phone-unlock gestures and patterns. Gabriel Castro, a developer involved in the project, was surprised to spot the rogue logging, that seems to have been part of an update regarding grid sizes for screen locks in August. While there is no serious compromise to users (gaining access to the log file would involve a lot of work, and direct access to the phone) it will certainly be considered an unwelcome addition by many, and a reminder that open-source relies heavily on trust. The issue has been resolved in an update, so if you're at all unsettled at the thought, perhaps now is the time to get the latest build. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nano-machines built to mimic human muscle could help power cyborgs, keep the OSI budget down Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:26 AM PDT
At today's prices, building a Six Million Dollar Man would cost around $31 million. Of course, being a TV show means the Office of Scientific Intelligence doesn't have too many bionic employees, but that might not the case in the future. Nicolas Giuseppone and a team at the Université de Strasbourg and CNRS have created thousands of nano-machines to replicate the movement of human muscle fibers. Weaving them all together, the machines are able to make a coordinated contraction movement that stretches and contracts. For the moment, the supramolecular polymers can only stretch a matter of micrometers, but in the future they could be used to create artificial muscles, small robots or even materials that can move. Hopefully it'll also give us the power to leap tall buildings, so we'll be outside practicing our sound effects. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kids (video) Posted: 24 Oct 2012 09:54 AM PDT
It's an Arduino -- you know, for kids. Or, as BirdBrain Technologies' chief robot design Tom Lauwers put it, a "pre-Arduino." It's never too early to get kids into robot building -- or so goes the thought process behind this nectar-loving kit. At its center is a custom controller that can be used to manipulate a slew of different sensors, motors and lights, a number of which are included in the box. Getting started is extremely simple -- don't believe us? Check the video after the break, in which Lauwers connects two wires to get the whole process underway. The kit's also reasonably priced at $199 a piece. On top of the controller, you get a handful of LEDs, two vibration motors, four servos and light, temperature, distance and sound sensors. The kits are currently available through the company's site (click on that source link). Lauwers tells us that his company (which you may remember from last year's MakerFaire NYC) is working on a slightly more affordable option priced at around $130, which scales back a bit on the in-box components. Check out a conversation with Lauwers -- and a pretty awesome cardboard dragon -- below.
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| ESRB now supports Windows 8, introduces cost-free questionnaire for rating digital games Posted: 24 Oct 2012 09:31 AM PDT
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board has a huge responsibility -- to rate and regulate the entire medium of video games -- but only has so many resources with which to do so. With the rise of digital delivery, it's become increasingly difficult to fulfill the task of rating every single title that comes out, but the ESRB is betting on a new initiative that'll help streamline that process. The new "Digital Rating Service" employs an online questionnaire to determine a wide variety of criteria, beyond just age-appropriateness: content, interactivity, and privacy settings (whether or not it shares your data). As the name implies, the DRS specifically applies to digital delivery services: Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network (on PS3 and Vita), PlayStation Certified devices, Nintendo's eShop (on the Wii, DS, and 3DS), and Windows 8. That last one sounds new because it is -- Windows 8 games are now part of the ESRB's rating system. In addition to the new initiative and new platform, the ESRB is also adding more guidance to its game ratings. "Shares Info," "Shares Locations," and "Users Interact" are all now part of ESRB guidance, per the changing nature of digital, portable games. The ESRB says its new system will help to streamline its rating process for both itself and game creators, and this will resultant in faster ratings for consumers. ESRB EXTENDS NO-COST RATING SERVICE TO ALL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 24 Oct 2012 09:07 AM PDT Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long. If you're hoping to cross a few names off that holiday shopping list a full two months early, today may be the time to do just that. Canon EOS Rebel T3i and T4i DSLR bundles top the list of tech links today and both include lenses and a PIXMA 9000 Mark II printer for outputting all of those shots that you're sure to capture. If the imminent arrival of a new iPad doesn't bother you too much, refurbished units that carry the 3rd-generation moniker and lack a Lightning connection get a handsome discount this time around as well. Slide past the break before these deals are gone for all of the particulars. And keep an eye on those rebate forms. Grab this bundle from B&H Photo. Use the rebate form found here. Snag this package from Adorama. Use the rebate form found here. This deal is available from Apple. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Square launches in Canada, streamlines payments on the world stage Posted: 24 Oct 2012 08:42 AM PDT
For all of Square's fast growth, it's been exclusively the domain of US shopkeeps; others had to scrounge for an alternative, if there was one at all. The payment pioneer clearly isn't content to isolate itself or anyone else, as it's making its international debut with support for Canada. Locals can immediately request the free Mobile Card Reader and swipe credit cards with an Android or iOS device at the same flat, 2.75 percent rate that more experimental American stores know very well. Complete equality isn't available to Canucks just yet, as Square Wallet won't be available until 2013, but the access remains a step forward for Canadian merchants that don't want to be tied down to a terminal any more than their southern neighbors. Square Arrives in Canada Canadians Can Now Accept Credit Cards and Run Their Business Using Square on Their Mobile Device SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 24, 2012) - Square, the company making commerce easy for everyone, today announced availability in Canada. Square enables anyone, anywhere in Canada to accept credit cards, run and grow their business. Square's free Mobile Card Reader plugs into the headphone jack of an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Square Register is the free app that enables anyone to safely and securely accept credit card payments with one simple, low transaction rate of 2.75% per swipe, with no hidden fees. Funds from swiped payments are available the next business day, eliminating the wait for cash flow. Canada is Square's first market outside the US. Over 2 million individuals and businesses can already accept credit cards with Square, and Square is processing over US$8 billion in annualized payments. "We are focused on making commerce easy for everyone. Square builds free tools for local businesses of all sizes and types to thrive," said Alyssa Cutright, VP of International for Square. "We're thrilled to introduce Canadian businesses and their customers to the most seamless and enjoyable way to do business." Square Register serves as a free full point-of-sale system for businesses to accept payments, track inventory, and monitor daily reports, empowering them to make smart decisions for their business. Square Register also helps businesses attract new customers with tools to create customized loyalty and rewards programs as well as showcase themselves in the Square directory. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eton announces Boost line, lets you crank your way to a charged phone Posted: 24 Oct 2012 08:19 AM PDT
Is your cell phone dead and there's nary an outlet in sight? It's not an issue if you're feeling zesty and also toting a BoostTurbine hand charger, which Eton just announced as part of its new portable charger lineup. The BoostTurbine2000 and 1000 model numbers denote the mAh of the batteries in each device, which can borrow volts from a conventional outlet, then transfer up to a full or half charge (respectively) to most smartphones. In a pinch, though, you can pop out the hand-crank and grab about 30 seconds of call time for each minute of sweat equity, according to the company (depending on your motivation, natch). The BoostTurbine2000 will set you back $59 while the 1000 model will run $49, and both are now available at Eton's store. The company also outed a new line of regular plug-in portable chargers -- it's all in the PR after the break. Etón Corporation Announces the Boost Line Mobile Charging Solutions New collection of portable chargers provide users with on-the-go power when they need it most PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Etón Corporation (www.Etoncorp.com), a leading creator of high-performance, green-powered consumer products, announces the preorder availability of the Etón Boost Line, a collection of portable chargers that provide on-the-go power for mobile devices. The first products in the line – the BoostTurbine Series and the BoostBloc Series – are available for preorder on the Etón webstore. "Our messages of empowerment through safety, mobility and eco-consciousness are reflected in the BoostTurbine and BoostBloc Series, and we're not done there – stay tuned for additional products to join the Boost Line soon." "At Etón, we take our products a step further than the rest when it comes to providing convenience, power and sustainability," said Esmail Amid-Hozour, CEO of Etón Corporation. "Our messages of empowerment through safety, mobility and eco-consciousness are reflected in the BoostTurbine and BoostBloc Series, and we're not done there – stay tuned for additional products to join the Boost Line soon." BoostTurbine Series Leading the pack is the BoostTurbine Series, durable, portable chargers equipped with a hand-turbine power generator to serve as a "back up for your back up solution." Literally providing users with never-ending power, both products in the line - the BoostTurbine2000 (2000mAh) and BoostTurbine1000 (1000mAh) - feature a rechargeable lithium battery. Unlike other backup battery solutions on the market that eventually lose power and need a charge, the BoostTurbine products can provide power without a power source. When the BoostTurbine's internal battery runs out of power and no outlet is in sight, simply rotate the hand turbine to create power. The BoostTurbine2000 and 1000 are completely self-contained power solutions that are fast and efficient; with only one minute of cranking, the hand turbine power generator can produce enough power for a quick call or a few critical texts. The BoostTurbine2000 provides a full charge to most smartphones when fully charged and the BoostTurbine1000 will provide a 50 percent charge to most smartphones when fully charged. Each BoostTurbine model is made of tough-but-lightweight aluminum in a sleek and elegant design, and is compact enough to fit in a pocket. The BoostTurbine1000 is available in black, while the BoostTurbine2000 is available in black, red, white, and silver. Additional features include a Micro-USB DC input to use with most smartphone chargers (cable included), a standard USB port for charging any mobile device, and an LED charge indicator to monitor the battery charge level. The BoostTurbine2000 is offered to consumers with an MSRP of $59 and the BoostTurbine1000 is offered with an MSRP of $49. BoostBloc Series The BoostBloc Series is a collection of portable charging blocks with internal lithium batteries to provide convenient power while on the go. The series consists of the BoostBloc6600, BoostBloc4000 and BoostBloc2000; each equipped with either a 6600mAh, 4000mAh or 2000mAh rechargeable lithium battery, respectively. Ranging from cube, square and rectangle shapes, they give most smartphones up to three times the charge with the ability to simultaneously charge a tablet in select models. BoostBlocs have a Micro-USB DC input to use with most smartphone chargers (cable included) and a standard USB port for charging any mobile device. Users can easily check the remaining charge on the BoostBloc by shaking it to reveal the LED light indicators. Models in the BoostBloc Series include: - BoostBloc6600 – Fully charges most smartphones three times and can charge a smartphone and tablet simultaneously with dual output USB ports. Available for preorder with an MSRP of $99. Additional Etón BoostLine products will join the BoostTurbine and BoostBloc collections in 2013. The Etón BoostTurbine2000 and BoostTurbine1000, along with the full BoostBloc Series, are now available for preorder on the Etón webstore. For more information on Etón Corporation and its products, visit www.etoncorp.com. About Etón For more than 26 years, Etón Corporation has developed and manufactured products that enable people to be informed, entertained and safe. Our vision is to emphasize design, performance and use of nature's energy to power durable products that will provide information, entertainment and protection anywhere. For more information on Etón Corporation, please visit www.etoncorp.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadcom's 2012 Q3 sees $2.13 billion sales turn into a $220 million profit Posted: 24 Oct 2012 07:56 AM PDT
Broadcom Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Q3 GAAP Results Total Revenue: $2.13 billion (up 8.7% year-over-year, up 8.0% quarter-over-quarter) Q3 Non-GAAP Results Product Gross Margin: 52.1% Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM), a global innovation leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, today reported unaudited financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2012. "Broadcom delivered record quarterly revenue and operating cash flow in Q3 driven by strength across all of our business segments," said Scott McGregor, Broadcom's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We also achieved key company milestones including our first quarter above $2 billion in revenue and our first quarter of Mobile and Wireless revenue above $1 billion. Despite challenging market conditions, Broadcom's product pipeline is stronger than ever, positioning us for continued success in the communications semiconductor space." Net revenue for the third quarter of 2012 was $2.13 billion. This represents an increase of 8.0% compared with the $1.97 billion reported for the second quarter of 2012 and an increase of 8.7% compared with the $1.96 billion reported for the third quarter of 2011. Net income computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for the third quarter of 2012 was $220 million, or $.38 per share (diluted), compared with GAAP net income of $160 million, or $.28 per share (diluted), for the second quarter of 2012 and GAAP net income of $270 million, or $.48 per share (diluted), for the third quarter of 2011. In addition to GAAP results, Broadcom reports adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share, referred to respectively as "non-GAAP net income" and "non-GAAP diluted net income per share." A discussion of Broadcom's use of these and other non-GAAP financial measures is set forth below. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, appear in the financial statements portion of this release under the heading "Unaudited Schedule of Selected GAAP to Non-GAAP Adjustments." Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2012 was $476 million, or $.79 per share (diluted), compared with non-GAAP net income of $435 million, or $.72 per share (diluted), for the second quarter of 2012 and non-GAAP net income of $473 million, or $.81 per share diluted, for the third quarter of 2011. Conference Call Information The financial results included in this release are unaudited. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Over 60 Barnes & Noble locations victims of PIN pad tampering, customer data at risk Posted: 24 Oct 2012 07:21 AM PDT
Book retailer Barnes & Noble this morning revealed that 63 of its stores have been victims of PIN pad tampering, following an internal investigation of "every PIN pad in every store" (just under 700 locations). B&N calls the tampering, "a sophisticated criminal effort to steal credit card information, debit card information, and debit card PIN numbers," and warns customers who may have swiped their cards at affected locations to alter debit card PINs as a precaution, as well as to keep an eye on credit card statements for false charges. B&N specifically note that its company database hasn't been breached, and purchases made through the B&N website, its Nook e-reader, and the Nook mobile apps are unaffected. According to the company, the PIN pads were implanted with "bugs" that allowed the recording of credit card numbers and PINs. To be extra safe, B&N disconnected all of its PIN pads on September 14 and is only allowing credit card purchases directly through cash registers. For a full list of affected stores, head past the break. Barnes & Noble Detects Tampering With PIN Pad Devices at Stores NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes & Noble (BKS) has detected tampering with PIN pad devices used in 63 of its stores. Upon detecting evidence of tampering, which was limited to one compromised PIN pad in each of the affected stores, Barnes & Noble discontinued use of all PIN pads in its nearly 700 stores nationwide. The company also notified federal law enforcement authorities, and has been supporting a federal government investigation into the matter. Barnes & Noble has completed an internal investigation that involved the inspection and validation of every PIN pad in every store. The tampering, which affected fewer than 1% of PIN pads in Barnes & Noble stores, was a sophisticated criminal effort to steal credit card information, debit card information, and debit card PIN numbers from customers who swiped their cards through PIN pads when they made purchases. This situation involved only purchases in which a customer swiped a credit or debit card in a store using one of the compromised PIN pads. The company emphasized that its customer database is secure. Purchases on Barnes & Noble.com, NOOK and NOOK mobile apps were not affected. The member database was also not affected. None of the affected PIN pads was discovered at Barnes & Noble College Bookstores. Barnes & Noble is continuing to assist federal law enforcement authorities in this matter. In addition, the company is working with banks, payment card brands and issuers to identify accounts that may have been compromised, so banks and issuers can employ enhanced fraud security measures on potentially impacted accounts. The criminals planted bugs in the tampered PIN pad devices, allowing for the capture of credit card and PIN numbers. Barnes & Noble disconnected all PIN pads from its stores nationwide by close of business September 14, and customers can securely shop with credit cards through the company's cash registers. Barnes & Noble said it is committed to providing customers with a safe shopping environment. Tampered PIN pads were discovered from stores in the following states: CA, CT, FL, NJ, NY, IL, MA, PA, RI. A complete list of specific stores follows. Debit Card Users: Change the PIN numbers on their debit cards Review their statements for any unauthorized transactions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robotic butlers, bartenders and receptionists at Carnegie Mellon (video) Posted: 24 Oct 2012 07:03 AM PDT
At school like Carnegie Mellon, it sort of figures that you'd find robots just about everywhere, performing the sorts of tasks we've traditionally left to us more fleshy types. In the two days we've spent on campus, we've seen 'bots do just about everything -- some far more autonomously than others. Take Roboceptionist -- the robotic secretary was one of the first intelligent beings we encountered upon arriving on the premises, artificial or otherwise, greeting us from a wooden kiosk near the entrance to Newell-Simon Hall. The receptionist's creators named him Marion "Tank" Lefleur -- but don't call him "Marion." It's really a sort of a "Boy Named Sue" scenario, and calling him by his birth name is a surefire way of getting on his bad side. When he's not getting irritated, Tank's tasked with helping you find things on campus -- people, halls, food -- by way of a small keyboard. He's got a surprisingly complex backstory that informs his answers. Ask him how his mom and dad are doing and you're bound to get some fairly bizarre responses -- same with more straight forward questions about finding a place to eat on campus, for that matter.
Tank's not the first Roboceptionist to to greet visitors at the entrance to these hallowed halls, taking to reigns from Valerie, who, according to her makers "is on the road with her Streisand cover band." Tank's creators put him out front to help increase real world engagement, though they've discovered that such interactions tend to be extremely short lived in such a scenario, and as such are hard at work on GameBot, a robot placed in a nearby lobby that challenges students to games of Scrabble -- though he, unfortunately, isn't quite ready to be shown off here.
Then there's HERB -- that's Home Exploring Robot Butler -- who's been busy at work cooking TV dinners in a corner kitchen on campus for a few years now. HERB's got two Barrett WAM arms perched atop a Segway bottom and image and range sensors that help him navigate around the Carnegie kitchen. He'll open the microwave, drop food in, cook it up and deliver it to you. HERB's an attempt to bring robot automation to a home setting, but it's clear from the demos we saw that he's still got a ways to go before we're ready to let him handle our Hungry-Man dinners.
If there's one major issue with the Search-based Planning Laboratory's Robotic Bartender, meanwhile, it's speed. The lab is utilizing Willow Garage's diverse PR2 'bot to serve up snacks and refreshment. Visitors to the lab can choose a beverage -- Coke or Sprite -- on a tablet, and the robot will go to action, grabbing a can in one hand and some graham crackers in the other, utilizing its laser range finders and array of seven cameras to build a 3D map of the room, so it doesn't bump into anything as it goes about doing its job -- as evidenced by the sped up video above, however, this guy won't be replacing the real thing any time soon. It also hasn't quite mastered the fine art of mixology. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple Store now has Lightning to HDMI and VGA adapters at $49 a pop, souped-up iPad charger Posted: 24 Oct 2012 06:38 AM PDT
We noticed during the iPhone 5 launch that Apple had a big caveat with its Lightning to 30-pin adapter: no video or iPod out support. Now that the new iPads are here with that same connector, the problem's been partially rectified -- for a sum. Namely, you can grab the Lightning to VGA or digital AV (HDMI) adapters for a rather princely $49, though there's no sign of any iPod support yet. If you're still holding out for generic models instead, you may want to rethink that plan, as there's a control chip inside each, and so far only Apple holds the authentication keys. Also, a new $19 12W USB power adapter (which connects directly to the Lightning port) has also appeared for the 3rd and 4th generation iPads, bumping the previous version's 10W -- meaning your slate might get charged a bit quicker. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung TecTiles 3.0 update offers more options for NFC tagging, now available in Play Store Posted: 24 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT
Samsung's NFC tagging app -- known as TecTiles -- made its official debut in June, but the company isn't putting a halt to its progression anytime soon. This morning Sammy announced version 3.0 of the app, which includes various enhancements that allow for better customization. Among the new features, you can choose from a larger selection of settings that can be programmed into the tags, and you'll also have the ability to send pre-written emails to a specified address, update your Google+ status, store a history of your profiles, customize preloaded profiles and create private tags that can only be read by your phone. The new refresh is ready to go in the Play Store, so head on over to download it for free -- provided, of course, you've forked over $15 for a pack of five tags. The press release, along with a full list of supported devices, can be found past the break. Samsung Mobile Expands NFC Capabilities with TecTile™ Version 3.0 Samsung TecTile originally launched alongside the Samsung Galaxy S® III as an introduction to the user-friendly capabilities of NFC beyond mobile payments. With the U.S. launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note® II, TecTile programmable NFC tags and the TecTile 3.0 mobile application can now automate everyday smartphone functions on Samsung's newest iconic device. "As the clear leader in NFC-enabled smartphone deployment in the United States, Samsung is committed to developing and advancing this promising mobile technology," said Kevin Packingham, chief product officer of Samsung Telecommunications America. "Samsung TecTile tags combined with the TecTile 3.0 application simplifies the way consumers interact with their mobile device and greatly enhances the overall user experience." With the largest user base of NFC-enabled devices in the United States, Samsung continues to broaden the use of NFC technology for consumers and businesses by continually expanding and evolving the capabilities of the TecTile mobile application. o Toggle between Play/Pause settings on Music Player, or play a specific track o In addition to integration with LinkedIn®, Facebook® and foursquare®, program a TecTile to update a Google+ status, start a Google Talk conversation, check in on Google Places or on Glympse™ location sharing · Samsung Galaxy S III on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon · Samsung Galaxy Note® on AT&T and T-Mobile · Samsung Galaxy S® II on T-Mobile · Galaxy Nexus TM on Verizon, Sprint and GSM Unlocked · Nexus TM S ® 4G on Sprint · Nexus TM S® on AT&T and T-Mobile · Samsung Galaxy S® Blaze® 4G on T-Mobile · Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate™ on AT&T · Samsung Galaxy S® Relay™ 4G on T-Mobile · Samsung Galaxy Victory™ 4G LTE on Sprint | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy Note II for T-Mobile review Posted: 24 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT
More Info The Samsung Galaxy Note II is coming to America, and unlike its predecessor, it's not being as quiet about the move. In a completely unprecedented feat, the mammoth smartphone not only won over the hearts of four national American carriers and one regional network, it did so without having to make sacrifices in its design, specs or even its name. This is a considerable amount of progress when taking into account the fact that only two mobile operators adopted the original Galaxy Note -- the inaugural phablet, if you will -- and they did so months after its global launch. Heck, T-Mobile released its variant of the Note just three months ago, which likely will be a sour point to early adopters for a long time to come.
Background Take a quick look at any of the five Galaxy Note II models destined for the US, and then sneak a peek at the N7100 we had the opportunity to review a few weeks ago. Looking at the two from the front or the sides, you won't be able to tell a difference. Flip the phone over, and there's only one telltale sign: the branding. Indeed, Samsung has continually increased its influence over US carriers with each successive flagship device. If you were impressed by the fact that the American editions of the Galaxy S III remained so close in design to its global counterpart, you'll be blown away by what Samsung was able to accomplish with the Galaxy Note II. Fast-forward several months to the US debut of the Galaxy Note II. Surely it will have been tweaked to the whimsy of the carriers, right? Wrong. With the exception of a few carrier-specific limitations (T-Mobile's AWS or Sprint's embedded SIM are prime examples) and the usual smattering of bloatware, what you see on the N7100 is what you get on every single American iteration -- all the way down to the 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos chipset and other silicon parts. Hardware In case you didn't have the chance to venture over to our in-depth review of the global Samsung Galaxy Note II, it's definitely worth a look -- but we'll be happy to go over some of the smartphone's hardware here regardless. We'll cover minor differences between the N7100 and T-Mobile's units later in the review, but for now we're content in stating that the two phones are almost completely identical with only a few carrier-specific modifications. As a result of its thinner and narrower frame, one-handed use isn't quite as difficult on the Note II since our medium-sized digits were able to reach across the entire width of the screen. It's still a bit of a stretch, which means your hands will thank you for the extra exercise, but Samsung also manages to alleviate the concern a bit by introducing features that recognize you're not going to be able to use both of your palms at the same time. The onscreen keyboard and dialpad, for example, can scrunch over to either side for easier use when only one hand is available. When looking at the T-Mobile Note II, you aren't going to notice any change in how the display looks from the global edition. Just like its overseas counterpart, the phone sports a 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels and density of 267ppi. On paper, this is a slight downturn from the original Note, which crammed more pixels (1,280 x 800) into less space, but the sequel is actually a smidge better. We go into a little more detail in our N7100 review, but here's the CliffsNotes version: the old HD Super AMOLED display used a PenTile matrix, while Samsung's latest attempt offers a moderate upgrade to a non-striped BGR layout. This is an interesting compromise between RGBG and RGB, and it fortunately results in a better viewing experience. Granted, we doubt casual observers will notice the difference, but when closely viewing the two side by side, we could see more pixels on the older device. Darks are a little darker on the second-gen model, and colors are just a bit more saturated, too. The viewing angles on the new Note are also great for watching movies, but they're not that much different from the original. With the brightness cranked up above 75 percent, daylight reading was perfectly feasible without straining our eyes. The back of the phone is essentially the only place that offers mention of carrier branding; T-Mobile's logo sits prominently below the 8MP camera and LED flash, with the external speaker and the words "Galaxy Note II" in big print near the bottom (this is different from the N7100, which only featured a Samsung logo at the top). Prying open the back cover reveals the 3,100mAh removable battery hanging out with microSDXC and micro-SIM slots, as well as contacts for NFC and wireless charging.
Software As we mentioned already, the hardware is largely the same aside from a scant few carrier-specific tweaks. But what about the firmware, which is typically subject to various heaps of bloatware and other network-favored changes? We'd ask you to wipe that surprised look off of your face, but let's be real: you don't have one right now. No shocker exists here; while we can expect the same TouchWiz UI running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean across the board, every carrier gets a little bit of say in which applications and features are added onto its firmware.
One of the areas that will take some getting used to is gesture control. Samsung came up with some pretty clever stuff just by taking advantage of the various sensors used in the Note II. This isn't new territory for the company, as we've already seen most of them employed in the GS3. For instance, you can scroll to the top of a screen by double-tapping the top edge of the phone (one of our favorites); tilt to zoom in and out of the screen in the gallery or browser; pan the phone to move icons on the main screen; shake your phone to look for updates; turn over the phone to mute sounds; directly call whatever contact is displayed on the screen; and more. They're quite fancy and chances are you may only find a few of them to be actually useful, but the options are all there just in case you want them. New to the Jelly Bean TouchWiz experience are a couple new modes. There's Blocking Mode, which is similar to "Do Not Disturb" in iOS 6. For a specific timeframe of your choosing -- 11 PM to 6 AM, as an example -- you can set up a whitelist of allowed contacts and disable certain notifications that come from anyone not on that list. This is a great idea for anyone that doesn't want to wake up several times a night to incoming emails and other non-essential notifications. Another new feature that comes along with Android 4.1 is the much less useful Easy Experience Mode. In a nutshell, this mode is Samsung's way of introducing first-time smartphone users to the confusing world of TouchWiz. When activated, you're taken into a new launcher that offers customizable pages and large easy-to-read widgets. Aside from that, there's not much to differentiate it from TouchWiz, and ultimately ends up feeling more gimmicky than beneficial. Samsung has built in a few features that utilize the phone's front-facing camera in a very innovative fashion. Smart Stay, which we highlighted in our review of the GS3, prevents the screen from going dim while you read it. Meanwhile, Smart Rotation (new to the Note II and Jelly Bean) will keep the screen orientation the same so long as your face is vertically aligned with the camera -- even if your body is tilting at an angle. As an example, you can read something on your phone while lying in bed without worrying about the screen moving to landscape mode. Popup Video makes an appearance here and it looks even better on the large screen than what we experienced on the Galaxy S III. Choose a video you want to watch, press the popup button on the bottom-right corner of the screen and the movie hovers over half of the display (and you can pinch-to-zoom to adjust the size however you'd like), leaving you free to take care of other tasks while you watch your favorite flick. Other apps take advantage of this multitasking capability, such as Popup Note (activated with your S Pen) and Popup Browser. On a similar note, the Note II is the first device to feature Samsung's new Multi-Window mode. A long-press of the back button brings up a hideable side menu containing several apps, including YouTube, ChatOn, Gmail, Maps, Internet and so on. Drag and drop one of the apps onto the top half of the screen, and repeat the process to put a second app on the bottom half. As you likely figured, this gives you the opportunity to truly multitask with some of your most-used programs. Features like this do a great job of making use of the ample screen real estate, and in our review of the N7100 we found that the quad-core processor helped keep things amazingly smooth in this dual-monitor-type setup. T-Mobile did its fair share of decorating TouchWiz with its own stash of ornaments. The usual littering of carrier support apps (T-Mobile My Account, Name ID, TV, Visual Voicemail and so on) are present, as well as a few other programs and home page widgets, but -- to the company's credit -- they can all be disabled. You also get access to a complimentary 50GB of Dropbox storage space for the next two years. Now for a few pieces of bad news: Carrier IQ is enabled, FM radio isn't supported, and, as mentioned earlier, the Multi-Window feature we raved about in our N7100 review doesn't work... at least, not yet. S Pen On the original Galaxy Note, the pen was certainly mightier than the finger. While we can't say it with a surety, the first "phablet" likely wouldn't have been the breakout hit that it was without the assistance of the S Pen, the "don't call it a stylus" stylus that took advantage of the Note's Wacom digitizer. Samsung's taken things another step with its sequel, throwing in a new Wacom slab with greater pressure sensitivity and a pen with much more functionality. Let's dive into the thick of what the S Pen can do on the new Note. The most significant feature gifted to the latest phablet is the hovering functionality. This will be familiar to anyone who has used a Wacom tablet or Bamboo Pad in the last few years. The phone can sense when the pen is just above it, and it will indicate this by showing off a cursor over the exact spot where the stylus is floating. This opens up a whole bunch of possibilities, many of which encompass the Note II's Air View feature. You can scroll up and down through a list or website when you hover the pen over the top or bottom of the screen; you can point it at your inbox or calendar and a popup box provides more details about that particular email or a list of the appointments you have on that given date; hold it over an icon you've never seen and a little box (tooltip) peeks out to tell you what that button does; and you can point your pen at a thumbnail of a photo or video and a larger version of your selection will pop up. (By the way, the preview mode of the Note II's video player shows GIF-like thumbnails of your entire movie collection.) Speaking of the button, there's plenty more you can do with it when the pen is touching the screen. Press and hold to produce an editable screenshot (handy for maps, websites and other things you want to add notes or drawings to before sending it along to a colleague). You can also press and tap the screen twice to bring up Popup Note, or you can clip a specific part of the screen by pressing and circling around the area you want. Diving into it even more, you can hold the button while drawing gestures: an up arrow brings up the menu, a left arrow mimics the phone's back key and zipping the pen straight up the screen will pull up Quick Command. As we mentioned earlier, the hardest part is mastering the lengthy list of various gestures and commands that your S Pen is capable of producing. In another unique addition to the S Pen experience, the Note II is capable of sensing when the stylus has been taken out of its cradle. It realizes you intend to use the pen, and automatically launches a special home page with several S Pen friendly options. You can also have the phone activate Popup Note once the pen departs the holster, if you desire. On top of this, you're able to tell the device to sound a notification whenever it senses that the pen has drifted too far away from its home. Camera Samsung cameras need very little introduction, since the company's top-end modules typically do a great job of speaking for themselves. The company has opted to go with 8MP sensors ever since the days of the Galaxy S II and -- despite not moving forward in the megapixel war -- it continues to crank out some of the best cameras in the market. The module on the Galaxy Note II (global and T-Mobile) is identical to the one found on the GS3, which means you're up for just about the same experience. Burst shot mode is also available, but there's one limitation that causes some frustration: you can't use the shutter button to lock exposure or focus when this mode turned on. It can be switched off in the settings, of course, but you can't use a toggle switch as one of the customizable shortcuts on the sidebar.
We got exactly what we expected out of the T-Mobile Note II -- nearly identical results as the Galaxy S III and global Note II with very minor differences coming from firmware changes. The resulting images were very well detailed with little noise and weren't overly saturated, especially when compared to the previous Note. We were also satisfied with the dynamic range in our photos, as well as HDR performance. Lowlight shots, when using the Note II's new shooting mode dedicated to the cause, were also among the best we've seen on a phone. We couldn't pick out much noise in the pictures, it does an amazing job of collecting backlight and the LED flash is bright enough to produce natural colors. Performance and battery life It was pretty easy to see how we felt about the performance of the Note II in our review of the global edition, because there really wasn't anything negative to say about it. The device sports a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos 4412 CPU that is supplemented by a Mali-400MP GPU and 2GB RAM. Its only true competitor at the moment is the Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro, which also offers up ridiculously amazing performance (as seen in our review of the LG Optimus G). It's not too often that we feel the need to use Google's choice of words in describing our experience, but using the Note II is definitely buttery smooth, and was an absolute joy to use. Multitasking, Popup Video, the full S Pen experience and everything in between went without a hitch, delivering solid output without stuttering, lags, delays or bugs that are indicative of a subpar processor.
Pricing and comparison As we mentioned earlier, the benefit of having a flagship phone offered on all four major carriers (and one regional network as well) is that you don't have to worry about switching to a different company if you're a happy customer. Because of this, we get to focus on how the Galaxy Note II sizes up to its competition within each network, rather than judging whether or not it's worth making the jump to somewhere else. T-Mobile's version of the Galaxy Note II goes on sale today, and you can choose a couple different options: either you can go for the Equipment Installment Plan, which involves an out-of-pocket down payment of $249 and 20 monthly payments of $20 thereafter (available in retail stores), or just go for the classic plan (online and retail) and shell out $369 in exchange for a full two-year commitment. If contracts or monthly installments really aren't your scene, you can grab it at full retail for $649. It's only available in a 16GB option, and T-Mobile hasn't announced any intentions to add a 32GB flavor. This certainly puts the Note II on the absolute top pricing tier, but this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who just looked at the spec sheet. In T-Mobile's case, this will be the first (and so far, only) quad-core device offered by the company. Your only other choices in the company's premium smartphone lineup are the Samsung Galaxy S III ($229 for 16GB, $279 for 32GB) and -- to a lesser extent -- the HTC One S ($150) and Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G ($150). In other words, Sammy completely owns T-Mobile's upper tier of smartphones. This means that unless you are looking for a QWERTY device, these two devices are your only options; once you narrow it down to that pair, the only factors will be size, power and the amount of interest you have in the S Pen. (Windows Phones are certainly a competitive possibility as well, though we can't speak much on the selection or OS until we know the official details.) Wrap-up For now, this review of the Galaxy Note II is a dynamically changing one. We've only had the opportunity to get a feel of how T-Mobile's version of the device holds up against not only the rest of the carrier's lineup but the N7100 as well, but we've been quite happy to see that very few things have actually been tweaked in the migration to the US. As we mentioned earlier, we'll continue to update this review as we receive the other variants in the mail. But we're confident that our assessment of the global Note II still stands valid with T-Mobile's edition -- and because of this, it currently sits smugly as our top choice in its lineup. That is, unless the size is just too intimidating for you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dutch court rules that Samsung didn't infringe on Apple multi-touch patent Posted: 24 Oct 2012 05:34 AM PDT
Once again, a decision has been made on an Apple versus Samsung patent dispute. This time, it's a Dutch court in the Hague, ruling that Samsung does not infringe on a Cupertino patent relating to certain multi-touch commands that the Korean firm implements in some of its Galaxy phones and tablets. This isn't the first time that the Netherlands-based court has found in favor of Samsung, and Apple had already lost a preliminary injunction on this same patent last year. Reuters also reports that the Hague court's decision comes in the same week that the International Trade Commission is expected to decide about further patent disputes between the two firms, which went in favor of Apple the last time around. At the very least, this long and bumpy ride isn't over yet. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nuance Dragon Mobile Assistant launches on Android, but only on ICS for now Posted: 24 Oct 2012 05:00 AM PDT
Dragon Go! has been given the elbow, with the slightly more professional sounding Dragon Mobile Assistant taking its place. Nuance has expanded on its predecessor's verbal commands, with new functionality for maps (you'll be able to bark direction requests at the new app and it'll plan the route), alongside a hands-free wake-up feature activated by saying "Hi Dragon" -- we hope you have a high embarrassment threshold. Other Siri-esque features include weather updates and dictated SMS and email responses. The beta app can be downloaded below, although compatibility is limited to Android Ice Cream Sandwich and above for now. Nuance is promising more features and increased availability later this year. Nuance Reveals Dragon Mobile Assistant Immediately Downloadable in Beta for Android, Dragon Delivers Elegant, Intelligent Mobile Assistant Experience Burlington, Mass. – October 24, 2012 – Nuance Communications, Inc. today announced the beta availability of Dragon Mobile Assistant for Android. Dragon expands the natural language understanding and artificial intelligence capabilities first showcased as part of the successful Dragon Go! application. The Dragon Mobile Assistant sends texts, makes calls, sets appointments, and delivers direct access to open content on the mobile web from more than 200 content providers. "Consumers loved the original Dragon Go! and wanted even more", said Michael Thompson, executive vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile, "So we totally redesigned the experience in a conversational way and added the most popular personal assistant features." · "Schedule a meeting for 2 p.m. tomorrow with John Smith" · "Get directions to the New England Aquarium" · "How's the weather look this week?" · "Send out a new Tweet, I can't believe that finish to the game!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 24 Oct 2012 04:50 AM PDT
AT&T's third quarter figures have shown that the network certainly has a handle on this "selling smartphones" malarkey. In the last three months, it's managed to ship 6.1 million smartphones, of which 4.1 million were iPhones -- which has helped the company to maintain a turnover of $31.5 billion, just $0.1 billion below the previous quarter. Notably, net profits tumbled to $3.6 billion, down from $6.8 billion in Q2, but that's easily explained away with a $3.8 billion share buyback scheme and the company's continued cost of building new LTE infrastructure. It's also managed to squirrel away $6.5 billion in cash under the mattress for a rainy day. Digging into those numbers, it's been able to add a new 678,000 new wireless customers to its business, making a total of 105.9 million users on its network. 44.5 million of those people, or 63.8 percent of 'em, are now smartphone users, and AT&T said it had a "record sales quarter" with Android and Windows Phone handsets. It also coaxed 200,000 new U-verse TV subscribers and 613,000 high-speed internet users to sign up with Ma 'Bell. If you'd like to see Ralph de la Vega give you his personal take on the company's rosy financials, then head on past the break -- but be warned, at no point does he swim through a pool of money screaming "I'm king of the world!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 24 Oct 2012 04:15 AM PDT
Dodging the issues of spectrum auctions and more cell towers, researchers at MIT have discovered that they can use an algebraic equation to improve data speeds by reducing dropped packets. It's these dropped packets that can build up congestion across a wireless network, as devices attempt to recoup these missing data nuggets. But instead of sending typical packets, MIT's Research Laboratory of Electronics created an equation that describes a series of packets. If a packet fails to deliver, then the receiving device is apparently able to "solve" the missing chunk, with the processing load on phones, routers and base stations apparently negligible. The tech, which can also seamlessly transition a data stream between wireless internet and LTE, has already been tested on WiFi networks over at MIT; when two percent of data packets were dropped, speeds were boosted from 1Mbps to 16Mbps. If five percent of packets were being lost, the researchers then saw bandwidth increase from 0.5Mbps to 13.5Mbps. Companies are apparently already licensing the tech, although MIT isn't revealing more on this just yet. Muriel Medard, project lead, said that there were currently "very severe inefficiencies that should be remedied before you consider acquiring more resources" -- namely more spectrum and hardware, although the gains seen in these early tests are yet to be replicated in real life. There's more on the science and development at the source link below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EU antitrust commission charges Microsoft over browser selection 'breach' Posted: 24 Oct 2012 03:27 AM PDT
European regulators have charged Microsoft for not giving Windows 7 users a choice of internet browsers when they install the OS. Although this is only an initial step towards a fine for the software maker, Microsoft agreed with the European Commission to offer browser choices to its Windows users over three years ago, avoiding a heavy antitrust penalty. Unfortunately, while Microsoft acknowledged the "technical error", this wasn't before the European Commission picked up the issue -- the EU's antitrust watchdog said in July that Microsoft had not complied with the order from February 2011. According to a Reuters report earlier this year, and echoed in the EU's statement below, the fine could amount to as much as 10 percent of the Redmond company's global turnover. Update: Microsoft has issued a statement on the EU charge, received by The Verge.
Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Microsoft on non-compliance with browser choice commitments The European Commission has informed Microsoft of its preliminary view that Microsoft has failed to comply with its commitments to offer users a choice screen enabling them to easily choose their preferred web browser. In 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft (see IP/09/1941). The sending of a statement of objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation. In its statement of objections, the Commission takes the preliminary view that Microsoft has failed to roll out the browser choice screen with its Windows 7 Service Pack 1, which was released in February 2011. From February 2011 until July 2012, millions of Windows users in the EU may not have seen the choice screen. Microsoft has acknowledged that the choice screen was not displayed during that period. In December 2009, the Commission had made legally binding on Microsoft commitments offered by the US software company to address competition concerns related to the tying of Microsoft's web browser, Internet Explorer, to its dominant client PC operating system Windows (see IP/09/1941, MEMO/09/558 and MEMO/09/559). Specifically, Microsoft committed to make available for five years (i.e. until 2014) in the European Economic Area a "choice screen" enabling users of Windows to choose in an informed and unbiased manner which web browser(s) they wanted to install in addition to, or instead of, Microsoft's web browser. The choice screen was provided as of March 2010 to European Windows users who have Internet Explorer set as their default web browser. The Commission had opened proceedings to investigate the potential non-compliance with the browser choice commitments on 16 July 2012 (see IP/12/800). Background on the commitments decision In light of the reactions to the market test, the Commission concluded that the commitments would remedy its competition concerns and made the commitments legally binding on Microsoft in December 2009 (see IP/09/1941, MEMO/09/558 and MEMO/09/559), pursuant to Article 9 of the Antitrust Regulation No 1/2003. More information about the browser choice commitment is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/consumers/web_browsers_choice_en.html Procedural background The Commission takes a final decision only after the parties have exercised their rights of defence. If a company has breached commitments made legally binding by way of an Article 9 decision, it may be fined up to 10% of its total annual turnover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mad Catz announces the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 keyboard for pro gamers, pre-order now for $200 Posted: 24 Oct 2012 03:02 AM PDT
There are keyboards, and then there are Mad Catz keyboards... and now, the company's constructed a new pro peripheral to rest your wrists on -- the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5. Just like the other mission control center we saw a few months ago, it features a modular design allowing various layouts, high-performance keys with customized backlighting, and 21 programmable macro buttons. The main difference here is the touchscreen component of the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 has been substituted for the "E.Y.E. OLED Command Module," which is used for easy access to keyboard functions, quick-launch triggers, and can display respawn timers for coordinating those second-specific attacks. Cash-strapped pros will be pleased to hear the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 is cheaper than its predecessor, and you can head to the source link to sacrifice $200 on a pre-order now. Mad Catz won't tell us what alien race is supplying the keyboards, nor an exact shipping date -- all we know is that they're expected "very soon." MAD CATZ® ANNOUNCES S.T.R.I.K.E.™ 5 PROFESSIONAL GAMING KEYBOARD Modular Design and OLED Command Module Enhance Competitive Gaming San Diego – October 23, 2012 – Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. ("Mad Catz") (NYSE MKT: MCZ) announced today the S.T.R.I.K.E.5 Professional Gaming Keyboard for PC. Now available in limited quantities on the Mad Catz store, the S.T.R.I.K.E.5 has been designed with the competitive gamer in mind, featuring a modular design and OLED Command Module placing gamers at the heart of the experience. "Our range of S.T.R.I.K.E. keyboards has captured the imagination of passionate gamers and we are pleased to expand the range with the newly announced S.T.R.I.K.E.5." said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "The S.T.R.I.K.E.5 is part of our strategy to grow our market share with best in class products for all gamers." The S.T.R.I.K.E.5 features a modular design allowing gamers to rearrange the configuration of the keyboard modules to better suit their preferred method of play. Alongside dedicated buttons for macro commands and media controls, the unique E.Y.E.™ OLED Command Module functions as the brains of the keyboard, allowing gamers to adjust multiple aspects of their gaming environment including speaker/microphone volume, backlighting brightness, multiple Respawn Timers and a game, website and application launcher. Additional information and purchase options are available at: www.madcatz.com/strike5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy Note II for T-Mobile now available for $370 on contract Posted: 24 Oct 2012 02:12 AM PDT
T-Mobile may be a bit late to the Samsung Galaxy Note II party, but the mega-sized 5.5-inch smartphone has now landed in its online store for $370 on contract. You'll need to commit yourself for two years to get that price, but if you can manage it, the quad-core packing handset looks to be ready to ship in Marble White or Titanium Gray shades. Its presence in the store slid under the radar with few other details or fanfare, but if you've been eying a T-Mob variant of the phablet with bad intent, check the source to see how to grab it. [Thanks, Amon] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Digital Storm Bolt stuffs full-power graphics into a mini gaming desktop, stretches laws of physics Posted: 24 Oct 2012 02:01 AM PDT
Attempts to create truly small gaming desktops usually involve at least some kind of performance hit. Even HP's category-bending Firebird, one of the few stand-out examples, had to use toned-down graphics to succeed in a tiny enclosure. Digital Storm might have broken the trend towards sacrifice with its new Bolt desktop: although it's just 3.6 inches wide and 14 inches tall, the Bolt can cram in as much as a GeForce GTX 680 and will even let gamers upgrade the graphics like they would in a full-size PC. The seemingly logic-defying (if also finger-defying) case still allows room for as much as an overclocked 4.6GHz Core i7, 16GB of RAM and storage options that meld a spinning hard drive with up to two SSDs and a DVD burner. Digital Storm isn't even setting an absurd base price, but it's in the cost that we finally see the catch to the miniaturization tricks. The $999 entry-level Bolt carries a modest 3.1GHz Core i3, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive and GeForce GTX 650 Ti, while it takes a staggering $1,949 to get a fully decked-out Core i7 system with a GTX 680. Those prices might be worthwhile for anyone who has ever strained while lugging a traditional tower to a game tourney. Digital Storm Unveils Bolt – The World's Thinnest, Most Powerful & Future-proof Gaming PC Custom designed chassis provides thin form factor and future upgradability; while a 4.6GHz overclocked CPU delivers furious performance Fremont, Calif. - (October 23, 2012) – Digital Storm, the predominant name in computer system integration and engineering, proudly introduces its slimmest custom designed gaming computer ever - Bolt. With Bolt, Digital Storm gives gamers exactly what they've craved: a powerful and affordable gaming PC without the need of a bulky desktop tower. When conceptualizing the Bolt, Digital Storm engineers found no chassis on the market that met their design criteria, so they designed their own brand new chassis from the ground up. Every aspect of the Bolt from: cooling, performance, and upgradability were ingeniously designed to the highest possible standards. The Bolt boasts a slim yet aggressive profile that is only 3.6" wide and 14" tall. The Bolt's thin chassis is designed to effectively dissipate heat allowing it to house the latest and fastest components on the market, bucking the trend of sacrificing performance for a smaller footprint. No other thin form factor tower houses as much power as Bolt because no other system can handle the type of bleeding edge hardware and overclocking that Bolt does. Bolt's high performance CPU cooling solution, with five copper heat pipes, unlocks even more gaming performance with processor overclocks of up to 4.6 GHz with Intel's i7 3770K CPU. Bolt also supports up to 3 hard drives: 2 SSDs and 1 mechanical for incredible storage flexibility. "Gaming PCs have always been housed in massive towers, but we've seen that more and more consumers are moving towards smaller and more efficient machines," said Rajeev Kuruppu, Digital Storm's Director of Product Development. "We wanted to develop a slim affordable gaming PC that could play the latest titles, while still being a powerful desktop PC that kept future upgradability in mind." Prior to shipping to the customer, each Digital Storm system undergoes a rigorous 72-Hour Stress-Test. Digital Storm technicians stress-test and benchmark the system via industry standard testing software coupled with a proprietary testing process that detects components which can be prone to future failure. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nintendo reports continued first-half losses for 2012, is waiting on the Wii U Posted: 24 Oct 2012 12:59 AM PDT
Nintendo's reported its financial results for the first of half of the year, and things are still a little rocky. Net sales in the last six months have decreased 6.8 percent compared to the same point last year, while net income continues to drop, this time by 27,996 million yen. As of September 2012, Nintendo has now sold over 22 million 3DS units (three million more since last quarter), while the Wii remains just shy of the 100 million milestone, settling at 97.2 million units sold. Nintendo looks to be in a similar position to last year, with customers still waiting for the company's next big console to appear -- and the gamesmaker hoping they will. Laying blame at the strong yen, the company has dramatically cut its forecast for the rest of the year, down from 20 billion ($250 million) to 6 billion yen ($75 million), pinning its hopes on 3DS sales ahead of the Wii U's global launch later this year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kindle Paperwhite and two Fires up for pre-order in Japan, Kindle Store opens there tomorrow Posted: 23 Oct 2012 11:54 PM PDT
Amazon's just announced that it's bringing the entire Kindle family to Japan. The basic Paperwhite is now available to pre-order for 8,480 yen (around $106) from the online retailer, with the 3G version arriving at a slightly pricier 12,980 yen (approximately $162) -- both will start shipping November 19th. Obviously you're going to need stuff to read, so the Kindle Store is opening its doors tomorrow and shelves are stocked with over 50,000 Japanese language books (including 10,000 for free) and more than 15,000 manga titles. Amazon's tablet range is heading to Japan as well, with the Fire costing 12,800 yen (approximately $160) and the 7-inch Fire HD setting wallets back 15,800 yen (almost $200). You'll have to wait a bit longer for these two, however, as shipping is slated to begin December 19th -- hopefully arriving in time to fill those stockings. Amazon.co.jp Introduces Japanese Kindle Store and Kindle Paperwhite, the First Japanese-Language Kindle Japanese customers can now buy Kindle Paperwhite, the world's most popular e-reader and the most advanced e-reader ever constructed: higher resolution, 62% more pixels 25% higher-contrast than the previous generation Kindle, unique built-in front light, 8 weeks of battery life and an even slimmer and sleeker design-only ¥8,480 on Amazon.co.jp New Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi + 3G-the top-of-the-line Kindle with free 3G wireless-only ¥12,980 New Kindle Store on Amazon.co.jp offers the largest selection of the most popular books, including over 50,000 Japanese-language Kindle books, the largest number of Oricon best sellers and over 15,000 manga titles Kindle books are "Buy Once, Read Everywhere"-Introducing free Japanese Kindle reading apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android phones and Android tablets TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2012-- (NASDAQ: AMZN)-Amazon.co.jp today announced that the new Kindle Paperwhite-the world's most popular e-reader-is coming to Japan. Kindle Paperwhite offers 62% more pixels and 25% higher contrast compared to the previous generation Kindle, a unique built-in front light for reading in all lighting conditions, a beautiful new manga experience, up to 8 weeks of battery life, and a thin and light design for just ¥8,480. Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi + 3G-the all-new top-of-the-line Kindle e-reader with free 3G wireless-never pay for or hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot-is just ¥12,980. The new Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi + 3G are available starting today for pre-order at www.amazon.co.jp/kindlepaperwhite and will begin shipping on November 19. Amazon also today announced the Kindle Store on Amazon.co.jp, offering customers the largest selection of digital best sellers in Japan, with the most titles from this week's Oricon top 100 books, top 50 bunko, and top 100 manga lists and a total of over 50,000 Japanese-language Kindle books including over 10,000 free Japanese titles and a broad selection of works from a wide range of leading Japanese authors and publishers. In total, the store offers over one million titles, including the largest selection of best sellers in English and other languages. For fans of manga, Kindle delivers the best experience, rendered beautifully on Kindle Paperwhite, and with the largest number of manga best sellers and over 15,000 manga titles overall. The Japanese Kindle Store will launch on October 25. "After twelve years of selling print books on Amazon.co.jp, we are excited to offer the millions of Amazon.co.jp customers the new Kindle Store, with the largest selection of the books people want to read, the largest selection of Oricon best sellers in books, bunko, and manga, and over 50,000 Japanese-language titles-all available to anyone with a Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire, Android phone, Android tablet, iPhone, or iPad," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. "Kindle Paperwhite is the Kindle e-reader we have always wanted to build-it has 62% more pixels and 25% higher contrast than the previous generation Kindle, built-in front light, perfect for reading in bed or in sunlight, even thinner, with 8 weeks of battery life." New Japanese Kindle Store-Largest Selection of Best Sellers The leading best seller selection in the Japanese Kindle Store includes popular book titles such as "Mitsukuni Den," "Tsunagu," and "Jinsei Ga Tokimeku Katazuke No Maho 2" and works from authors such as Arimasa Osawa with his entire "Shinjukuzame" series, and Yusuke Kishi with the special limited edition of his best-selling fiction "Shinsekai Yori" only available at Amazon, with a total of 68 exclusive titles. Manga titles include the latest best seller series "Magi," "Termae Romae," and the world-famous "Neon Genesis Evangelion," of which the latest volume # 13 comes out on Nov. 2 and is available for digital pre-order only at Amazon. The 50,000 Japanese-language titles come from a wide range of publishers small and large, including Bungeishunju, Gentosha, Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shinchosha, Shogakukan and Shueisha, all of whom have worked with Amazon to make their titles available in the Kindle Store. Kindle Paperwhite-The World's Most Advanced E-Reader Reviews of Kindle Paperwhite are overwhelmingly positive and reinforce that Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader in the world: "So, do all of these features add up to the best e-reader out there? In a syllable: yep. Amazon was clearly focused on creating the best possible reading experience with the Paperwhite, and it's delivered." – Engadget Kindle Paperwhite is a Service Kindle Paperwhite is more than just a device-it's a service. When a customer orders a Kindle Paperwhite, it arrives pre-registered to their Amazon account and greets them by name. All of the customer's Kindle content is there waiting for them to download and start reading-no long set-up process, and no syncing with a cable. Kindle Paperwhite also comes with instant access to the Kindle Store right from the device, including all of the features customers love about shopping on Amazon-personalized recommendations, customer reviews, one-click purchasing and more. Whenever customers shop on Amazon.co.jp, buy a Kindle, or buy Kindle content, they know that they are also getting Amazon's world-class customer service. Customers have been shopping on Amazon.co.jp for 12 years, and they continue to do so because of the unparalleled, end-to-end customer experience. Most Advanced E-Reader Display, 62% More Pixels, 25% More Contrast Kindle Paperwhite's display is the most advanced e-reader display ever constructed. Featuring a 212 ppi display, Kindle Paperwhite has 62% more pixels than the previous generation Kindle, making text in books crisp and clear at any size. Images are sharper, richer and show even more detail. Kindle Paperwhite's screen has 25% higher contrast than the previous generation Kindle-the blacks are blacker, and the whites are whiter. Because Kindle Paperwhite uses electronic ink rather than an LCD display, customers can read anywhere, even in bright sunlight, without glare. Innovative Built-In Light Backlit LCD displays direct light up through the display into the user's eyes. Kindle Paperwhite's patented front-lit display guides light underneath an anti-glare layer and down toward the display, away from the reader's eyes. This allows a reader to read for hours without eye fatigue or strain. The screen brightness is easily adjusted for reading in any light. The Paperwhite display provides an unparalleled reading experience in the dark and in direct sunlight. Breakthrough Battery Life Kindle Paperwhite's built-in front light is designed to be used at all times-both in daylight and in a dark room-for the clearest, crispest reading experience. In order to use the light at all times, Kindle Paperwhite requires exceptional power management to maintain the battery life that customers love about Kindle. Amazon's light guide technology precisely diffuses the light across the screen and only requires four LEDs to light the entire screen (unlike LCD screens which can use up to 50 LEDs). The light guide is so efficient that Kindle Paperwhite has a remarkable 8 weeks of battery life, even with the light on at all times. No Setup Required, Simple and Easy-to-Use Kindle Paperwhite comes automatically pre-registered so customers can immediately start enjoying their existing Kindle library or shop for new content, with no set-up required. Free 3G Kindle Paperwhite's free domestic 3G connection through NTT DoCoMo means customers don't have to hunt for or pay for a Wi-Fi hotspot-they simply download and read books anytime. Amazon pays for the 3G connection on Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi + 3G, so customers pay no monthly fees and sign no annual contracts. Built-In Wi-Fi Kindle Paperwhite comes with built-in Wi-Fi, letting readers discover new content at home or on the go. Books in 60 Seconds Find a book and start reading in seconds with our fast, free wireless delivery. No computer required to download content. New Touch Technology Kindle Paperwhite's new capacitive touch technology is uniquely integrated into the Paperwhite display, allowing for a thinner design for Kindle Paperwhite and even better touch accuracy. Slim and Sleek Design At just over 9.1mm thin and weighing 213 grams, Kindle Paperwhite is thinner than a magazine. The bezel height between the side of the device and the display itself is 77% thinner, making it incredibly easy to read with one hand. Hand-Tuned Fonts Every font on Kindle Paperwhite is hand-tuned for maximum readability. The Amazon typography team worked at the pixel level to ensure consistency of stroke thickness and shape profiles across all individual glyphs, aligning each size to the pixel grid of the new Paperwhite display. This allows for unprecedented sharpness of fonts. Kindle Paperwhite's higher resolution display portrays all of the fine details even in complex characters, which would not render well on a lower resolution e-reader display. Manga Kindle Paperwhite brings the exclusive Kindle Panel View experience to Manga. Finely-tuned image processing algorithms render each image beautifully while keeping page turns responsive. Each image is carefully rendered to recreate and improve on the manga experience on paper. The high resolution display combined with the higher contrast on Kindle Paperwhite allows the display of beautiful manga pages. A user can read Manga just like a book, or select Kindle Panel View to zoom in and enjoy the details of each page. Unparalleled Interoperability-"Buy Once, Read Everywhere" With the free Kindle reading apps, customers can read their Kindle books on the largest number of devices or platforms. The Kindle reading apps will be available for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android phones and Android tablets starting October 25. Whispersync Amazon's Whispersync technology synchronizes a customer's last page read, bookmarks and annotations across all of their devices, so they can always pick up where they left off. Top-Rated, World-Class Customer Service Whenever customers shop on Amazon.co.jp, buy a Kindle, or buy Kindle content, they know that they are also getting Amazon's world-class customer service. Customers have been shopping on Amazon.co.jp for 12 years, and they continue to do so because of the unparalleled, end-to-end customer experience. Time to Read Time to Read is a new feature for Kindle Paperwhite that helps readers know the amount of time it will take them to finish a chapter or a book. This feature is smart-it personalizes the time for each customer based on their reading speed and is constantly updated as the reader's speed and habits change. With Time to Read, it's never been easier to decide when to start a new chapter or finish the chapter you're reading. Features Built Just for Readers Each Kindle offers a variety of font styles and sizes, so customers can easily customize their reading experience. Kindle Paperwhite also comes with access to both a Japanese dictionary and an English to Japanese translation dictionary in addition to instant lookup and translation of words, Real Page Numbers, support for bookmarks and annotations, and more. Dictionary Lookups To ensure a streamlined dictionary experience for Japanese customers, when a book is downloaded, Amazon provides pre-analyzed information that improves the word lookup experience. This allows for faster access to dictionary lookups and features such as translation, Wikipedia and sharing. Worry-Free Cloud Storage Customers' Kindle books are automatically backed up in the cloud, so they can re-download their books wirelessly for free. Sharing Customers can share highlighted sections, notes and meaningful quotes on Facebook and Twitter directly from Kindle without leaving the book. Parental Controls Parental Controls allow parents to restrict access to the Kindle Store, Cloud Archive and the Experimental Web Browser so they can give their Kindle to a child worry-free. Beautiful Leather Covers with Auto Wake and Sleep Covers for Kindle Paperwhite feature a premium textured leather exterior and a subtle woven nylon interior to provide the lightest and thinnest form of protection. The integrated magnetic clasp ensures the cover remains securely closed while in a backpack, handbag, or briefcase. The cover automatically wakes Kindle Paperwhite upon opening and puts it to sleep when closed, making it easy to dive right back into the book. Pricing and Availability The new Kindle Paperwhite is available for pre-order today for only ¥8,480 and ships on November 19. For more information visit www.amazon.co.jp/kindlepaperwhite. The new top-of-the-line Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi + 3G is also available for pre-order today for only ¥12,980 and ships on November 19. For further information visit www.amazon.co.jp/kindlepaperwhite3G. Kindle Paperwhite will be available at a variety of retailers in addition to Amazon.co.jp, including: K's Holdings, Bic Camera, Joshin Denki, and Kitamura, as well as at a variety of TSUTAYA bookstores. For high resolution images and video of the all-new Kindle family, visit www.amazon.com/pr/kindle. Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire Now Available for Pre-Order at Amazon.co.jp, Shipping December 19 Kindle Fire HD-latest generation of the world's best-selling 7" tablet-with a stunning customized HD display, the fastest Wi-Fi, exclusive Dolby audio, powerful processor and graphics engine, 11 hours of battery life, and 16 GB of storage-all backed by the best content ecosystem, the best cross-platform interoperability, and the best customer service-now available on Amazon.co.jp for only ¥15,800 Kindle Fire also available with a faster processor, twice the memory, and longer battery life than the previous generation Kindle Fire, at a breakthrough price-only ¥12,800, the lowest price of any full-featured tablet Both Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire offer instant access to Amazon's vast selection of over 22 million books, manga, apps, games and songs, plus web browsing, email and more TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2012-- (NASDAQ:AMZN)-Today, Amazon.co.jp is excited to announce that the all-new Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD are coming to Japan, giving Japanese customers access to Amazon's vast selection of over 22 million books, manga, apps, games and songs, plus web browsing, email and more. Kindle Fire for ¥12,800 and Kindle Fire HD for ¥15,800 are available for pre-order today and will begin shipping December 19. Kindle Fire HD is already the #1 best-selling item in the world for Amazon. Kindle Fire HD is the latest generation of the world's best-selling 7" tablet. Features include:
Amazon.co.jp is also introducing an all-new upgraded version of the best-selling standard definition Kindle Fire with a faster processor, twice the memory and longer battery life than the original Kindle Fire-all for an even lower breakthrough price-only ¥12,800. Meet the all-new Kindle Fire family at www.amazon.co.jp/kindlefirehd. "Kindle Fire HD is already the #1 best-selling item in the world for Amazon, and we're thrilled to make it available for the first time in Japan. It features a stunning customized HD display, the fastest Wi-Fi, exclusive Dolby audio, powerful processor and graphics engine, 16 or 32 GB of storage and 11 hours of battery life," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. "Not only does Kindle Fire HD feature the most advanced hardware, it's also a service. When combined with our unmatched content ecosystem, unmatched cross-platform interoperability, and standard-setting customer service, we hope people will agree that Kindle Fire HD is the best 7" tablet available anywhere, at any price." World-Class Hardware Stunning Customized HD Display The Kindle Fire HD features a stunning HD display with 1280x800 resolution that delivers deep, detailed contrast and rich, natural color. Kindle Fire HD starts with excellent resolution, but that is only the beginning-Amazon also added customized features that reduce glare and improve color saturation at any viewing angle. Most tablet displays are made up of two pieces of glass-an LCD on the bottom and a touch sensor on the top, separated by an air gap. This air gap allows light to come through the touch sensor and reflect off the LCD, which causes added glare for the user. Kindle Fire HD solves this air gap problem by laminating the touch sensor and the LCD together into a single layer of glass, creating a display that's easy to view even in overhead light, and reducing glare by 25% relative to iPad 3. Like many tablets, Kindle Fire HD uses in-plane switching (IPS) to improve color reproduction. However, displays that only use IPS still appear washed out at various angles, such as when laid sideways in bed, flat on a table, or propped up in a case. Kindle Fire HD features an Advanced True Wide polarizing filter that is applied directly to the LCD panel. This results in a display that shows the same deep contrast and rich, detailed color from any angle. High-End Laptop-Quality Wi-Fi HD content has much larger file sizes than standard definition content. Files of this size require the very latest in Wi-Fi technology to download HD content quickly and reliably-anything else results in buffering, slow downloads and dropped connections. Many Wi-Fi enabled devices only use the 2.4 GHz wireless frequency. This frequency is crowded since it is used by everything from other tablets to microwave ovens, baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, not to mention the neighbors' Wi-Fi networks. Kindle Fire HD circumvents this congestion with state-of-the-art dual-band Wi-Fi. Kindle Fire HD can switch automatically between the 2.4 GHz network and the newer, less crowded 5 GHz network, resulting in better range and less interference. In addition, dual antennas and Multiple In/Multiple Out (MIMO) allow for higher bandwidth and longer range. The new Kindle Fire HD is the first tablet to market with all three of these latest generation Wi-Fi technologies-dual-band support, dual antennas, and MIMO. This is the first time this state-of-the-art Wi-Fi technology has been offered in a tablet, resulting in 40% faster throughput compared to iPad 3. Powerful World-Class Processor-Snappy and Smooth An HD display and HD content must be driven by a powerful processor and optimized software. Kindle Fire HD features a world-class processor and the new Imagination Technologies graphics engine for lightning-fast HD graphics and excellent fluidity. Combining the latest generation processors with significant customization of the Kindle Fire software by Amazon engineers results in a snappy and smooth experience for the user. Dual Stereo Speakers and Exclusive Dolby Audio-The New Standard for Tablet Audio Customers shouldn't need to wear headphones to get excellent sound from their tablet. Kindle Fire HD solves this by combining dual stereo speakers with the exclusive Dolby Digital Plus audio engine-the standard in high performance audio-to offer a world-class audio experience. Dolby's audio suite for Kindle Fire HD includes technology used to adjust volume, optimizes the audio profile automatically based on what a customer is doing. All of these pieces combine to create an exceptional audio experience that results in clearer, crisper and balanced sound quality. 11 Hours of Battery Life Kindle Fire HD is optimized to deliver high performance without sacrificing battery life, delivering over 11 hours' worth of battery life. Thin and Light Even with a customized display, a powerful processor, extra speakers and dual-band/dual-antenna Wi-Fi, the new Kindle Fire HD is extremely light and thin. In fact, Kindle Fire HD weighs only 395 grams and is just 10.3 mm thick. Kindle Fire HD is small enough to take everywhere and light enough to hold easily and comfortably in one hand. Connect with Bluetooth and HDMI Kindle Fire HD supports Bluetooth, enabling customers to connect their wireless Bluetooth headphones or Bluetooth speakers to listen to songs. HDMI out makes it easy for customers to connect the Kindle Fire HD to their big-screen TV to enjoy their favorite HD photos. Stay in Touch with Front-Facing HD Camera The new Kindle Fire HD features a front-facing HD camera. Skype created a customized app tailored for Kindle Fire HD that is ready to use out of the box for free HD video calls at home and abroad. Kindle Fire HD makes it easy for the over 250 million customers already using Skype to get in touch with friends and family. Beautiful Leather Covers Covers for Kindle Fire HD feature a premium textured leather exterior in a variety of colors and a subtle woven nylon interior to provide the lightest and thinnest form of protection. The integrated magnetic clasp ensures the cover remains securely closed while in a backpack, handbag, or briefcase. The cover wakes Kindle Fire HD automatically upon opening and puts it to sleep when closed, making it easy for the customer to dive right back into whatever content they're enjoying. Amazon's Vast Content Ecosystem, the Best Cross-Platform Interoperability and World-Class Customer Service All the Content-Over 22 million Books, Apps, Games, Songs and Manga Kindle Fire offers customers a vast selection of digital content. The new Japanese Kindle Store, which will launch on October 25, offering customers the largest selection of digital best sellers in Japan, with the most titles from this week's Oricon top 100 books, top 50 bunko, and top 100 manga lists and a total of over 50,000 Japanese-language Kindle books including over 10,000 free Japanese titles and a broad selection of works from a wide range of leading Japanese authors and publishers. In total, the store offers over 1.4 million titles, including the largest selection of best sellers in English and other languages. Kindle Fire comes automatically pre-registered so customers can immediately start enjoying their digital content purchased from Amazon or shop for new content immediately. Top-Rated, World-Class Customer Service Whenever customers shop on Amazon.co.jp, purchase a Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD, or buy Kindle content, they know that they are also getting Amazon's world-class customer service. Best Cross-Platform Interoperability with "Buy Once, Enjoy Everywhere" With apps available on the largest number of devices and platforms, Kindle makes it easier than ever to access content anytime, anywhere. With the new Kindle reading apps launching October 25, customers can read and sync their Kindle books across iPad, iPhone, and Android phones and tablets. All New Features Ideal for Gaming In addition to hardware that's perfect for gaming, such as stunning customized HD displays, fast Wi-Fi and large on-device storage, the Kindle Fire HD also offers HD Games, gyroscope and accelerometer for full tilt and turn controls, as well as social gaming features including group leaderboards and achievements. Whispersync for Games One of the biggest frustrations of mobile gaming is that when customers switch devices or delete and re-install the game on the same device, they have to start a level over or go back to the beginning of the game. To solve this problem, Amazon extended its Whispersync technology to gaming with Whispersync for Games. Whispersync for Games syncs a customer's place in the game and saves unlocked levels, so even if they get a new device, the progress is backed up in the cloud. Cloud-Accelerated Silk Browser The new Kindle Fire family uses a new version of Amazon Silk with the unique "split browser" architecture that leverages the computing speed and power of Amazon Web Services to deliver content faster. The new Amazon Silk browser has a completely re-engineered core Webkit engine that contributes to faster page loads. Customers can experience full-screen browsing, reading view, and improved browsing with most-visited, trending and recommended sites all available from a single screen. All New Productivity Features The new Kindle Fire family features world-class Microsoft Exchange integration, with fine-tuned performance on many of the most critical e-mail functions. For example, typical Exchange accounts sync with the oldest emails first, ending with the most recent emails-Kindle Fire, however, syncs with newer emails first, then with older emails instead, giving customers faster access to the most recent emails they are looking for. Kindle Fire also features a new calendar app, making it easy for customers to stay connected and keep track of their schedules. The new e-mail client offers support for the world's most popular email providers-including Gmail, Microsoft Exchange, Hotmail and more. Customers can email spreadsheets, PDFs, Word docs and other documents directly to their Kindle Fire, or upload documents from their PC or Mac using Amazon Cloud Drive. For customers who depend on corporate access on the go, they can connect to a VPN for secure enterprise access using one of a variety of apps from the Amazon Appstore. Photos Brought to Life Customers' favorite photos come alive in stunning high-resolution on Kindle Fire HD. Fire's mosaic view arranges personal photos beautifully, and customers will be delighted to see their best shots on their TV with HDMI out. Kindle Fire lets customers easily import their photos from Facebook and because their photos are securely stored in Amazon Cloud Drive, they never have to worry about losing their favorite pictures. New Latest Generation Kindle Fire-Only ¥12,800 The new Kindle Fire, also available for pre-order starting today, comes with all the content, seamless integration with the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, and a brilliant 7" touchscreen, as well as with a faster processor for 40% faster performance, twice the memory and longer battery life than the original, first-generation Kindle Fire. Pricing and Availability The all-new Kindle Fire HD with a stunning HD display, the fastest Wi-Fi, exclusive HD audio with two stereo speakers and Dolby Digital Plus, 16 or 32 GB of storage and powerful world-class processor-all backed by Amazon's vast content ecosystem, the best cross-platform interoperability and the best customer service is ¥15,800. Kindle Fire HD is available for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.co.jp/kindlefirehd and ships on December 19. The new, latest generation Kindle Fire with a faster processor for 40% faster performance, twice the memory and all the new features is only ¥12,800, and is available for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.co.jp/kindlefire and ships on December 19. Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD will be available at a variety of retailers in addition to Amazon.co.jp, including: K's Holdings, Bic Camera, Joshin Denki, and Kitamura. For high-resolution images and video of the all-new Kindle Fire family, visit www.amazon.com/pr/kindle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HP fills in pricing and availability details for its sprawling Windows 8 line-up Posted: 23 Oct 2012 11:45 PM PDT
HP has just announced pricing and availability for its burgeoning Windows 8 lineup of hybrid PCs, notebooks, all-in-ones, desktops and business PCs. The company seem to be wooing every niche out there with a huge (and confusing) array of products running the newfangled OS, and though we already knew the score on many, the picture is now (almost!) complete. The 11.6-inch Envy x2 hybrid (shown above), powered with an Intel Clover-Trail flavored Atom processor will come on the scene on November 14th starting from $850, for instance, and we also have the scoop on the HP Envy TouchSmart Ultrabook 4, HP Phoenix h9 desktop PC and HP Pavilion dm1 (with new 4G connectivity) after the break. Finally, HP still hasn't released pricing or details on its once-mysterious ElitePad 900 business tablet, but they did say that customers who nab one early next year will receive a 50GB Box cloud storage account, gratis. To see the company's entire range, along with dates and prices, the PR is also after the fold.
HP Delivers Comprehensive Windows 8 PC Portfolio PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 24, 2012 HP today announced availability and pricing details for its new lineup of consumer and business PCs that are designed to work with Windows 8. The new HP products, ranging from stylish notebooks and desktops to a tablet, leverage premium materials and a purposeful design philosophy to deliver a distinct HP look and feel. Unique form factors, including a hybrid PC with a detachable screen, a business tablet with functionality-boosting HP Smart Jackets and an ultrathin all-in-one (AiO) desktop, enable users to take advantage of Windows 8 along with HP innovations such as HP TouchSmart technology. They also offer HP Connected Photo powered by Snapfish by HP(1) and HP Connected Music powered by Meridian(2) for convenient access to photos and music. "HP's portfolio of ultrathin notebooks, sleek all-in-ones and high-performance business PCs is designed to meet the needs of customers anticipating the release of the Windows 8 OS," said James Mouton, senior vice president and general manager, Personal Computer Global Business Unit, HP. "Consumers and organizations now can choose from a broad range of HP PCs featuring multitouch displays, versatile form factors, sleek designs or customizable solutions that address their needs." HP consumer notebooks The HP consumer notebook portfolio featuring Windows 8 includes a hybrid PC and notebooks with slim and sophisticated designs, multitouch display technology, strong performance and great value. The HP ENVY x2 is a powerful, ultrathin hybrid PC that delivers the power of a notebook and the freedom of a tablet in one stylish, lightweight device. A notebook that doubles as a tablet, the HP ENVY x2 has a detachable screen that becomes a full tablet when separated from the keyboard via a seamless magnetic latch. The HP ENVY x2 includes a vivid 11.6-inch diagonal high-definition (HD)(4) touch display, Beats Audio, an HD webcam plus an 8-megapixel camera, and near field communication (NFC) technology that lets users share content, including photos, contacts and URLs, with a simple tap. Expected to be available in the United States on Nov. 14, starting at $849.99. The HP SpectreXT TouchSmart UltrabookTM is a premium Ultrabook featuring a 15.6-inch diagonal multitouch Radiance Full HD(4) IPS display, strong performance and a sophisticated all-metal design. Measuring 17.9 millimeters (mm) thin, this Ultrabook is HP's first notebook with Intel® Thunderbolt technology,(5) providing blazing-fast transfer of music, movies and data to external devices. Expected to be available in the United States in December, starting at $1,399.99. The HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 features a 14-inch multitouch HD(4) display, a booming subwoofer with Beats Audio and optional AMD graphics with 2 GB of graphics memory. Currently available for preorders in the United States, starting at $799.99. The HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14 and Pavilion Sleekbook 15 PCs are available in sparkling black and ruby red and provide the performance and easy applications consumers need every day-now in an ultrathin style. Currently available in the United States, starting at $499.99 and $579.99, respectively. The HP ENVY m4 notebook PC delivers the perfect balance of mobility, performance and entertainment in a thin and light package. Currently available in the United States at Best Buy, starting at $899.99. The HP Pavilion dm1 now offers up to 200 MB of free data per month for two years of fast 4G mobile broadband service operating on the T-Mobile network-all with no contracts or commitments.(6) Currently available in the United States, starting at $499.99. HP consumer all-in-one PCs and consumer desktops HP's new consumer desktops include AiO and tower PCs featuring the latest multitouch technology and offering head-turning designs and powerful performance. The HP ENVY 23 and ENVY 20 TouchSmart AiO PCs deliver 10-point multitouch technology, 23- and 20-inch diagonal HD(4) displays, and excellent performance for working, playing and staying connected. The HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart and HP ENVY 20 TouchSmart AiO PCs are currently available in the United States, starting at $999 and $799, respectively. The HP SpectreONE is a thin and elegant AiO PC featuring a 23.6-inch nontouch flush-glass full HD(4) display, a unique curved back and NFC technology, making it an entertainment powerhouse. Expected to be available in the United States in November, starting at $1,299. The nontouch HP Pavilion 20 AiO delivers performance, an attractive space-saving design and intuitive features to keep users connected to family and friends, all at a great value. Currently available in the United States, starting at $449. The HP ENVY Phoenix h9 desktop PC delivers a powerful computing experience for users who enjoy creating digital content and immersive gaming. Currently available in the United States, starting at $899. Delivering outstanding performance, versatility and value, HP's business PC portfolio maximizes productivity for businesses and government organizations of any size. The HP ElitePad 900 is a true tablet for business that balances a beautiful design with enterprise-grade features, serviceability and support. The ultrathin and lightweight Windows 8-based tablet(7) also features optional HP ElitePad Smart Jackets,(8) which add connectivity options and longer battery life along with specific add-ons that customize the tablet for specialized uses. HP ElitePad 900 customers also receive a free 50GB Box account, to make it simple to share, access and collaborate with their files.(9) Expected to be available in the United States in January 2013. Pricing will be announced closer to the commercial availability date. The HP EliteBook Folio 9470m Ultrabook is ultrathin, lightweight and efficient. With enterprise docking capabilities and a swappable battery, the EP EliteBook Folio is built for the on-the-go professional. The HP ElitePad Folio 9470m Ultrabook is expected to be available in the United States on Oct. 26, starting at $1,049. HP announced touch-enabled notebooks on Aug. 30, AiO and desktop PCs on Sept. 20, additional consumer notebooks and commercial PCs on Sept. 20, and an enterprise-ready tablet on Oct. 1. HP support HP is providing customers an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers. They include: HP Support Assistant is an on-product tool that provides a one-stop shop to help maintain the PC and avoid or resolve problems using automated updates and self-help options. HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world's largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Buy listing reminds us that the LG Spectrum 2 is still on its way to Verizon Posted: 23 Oct 2012 11:09 PM PDT
A few months back an anonymous tipster gave us a candid look at the Verizon-bound LG Spectrum 2, but after a couple more sightings here and there, the trail eventually went cold and Big Red's unannounced smartphone fled back into seclusion. However, a recent website posting by Best Buy has brought this mobile Sasquatch out of hiding and back into the mainstream media. While this listing is mostly a refresh confirming our source's shared specs, it notes the Spectrum 2's unsubsidized price as $650. Now, before you would-be buyers start directing your browser to the retailer's webpage in hopes of making a quick purchase, it should be noted that the device is listed as "sold out online." Still, we can't help but notice the pictured device's homescreen carries a date of November 3rd, which could be a nod to when the Spectrum 2 might officially show up on store shelves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rara.com expands to iOS, Windows 8 and more countries Posted: 23 Oct 2012 10:21 PM PDT
Rara.com has been mighty busy since its luddite-friendly music streaming service launched at the end of last year, and now it's reporting the outcome of those 10 months of toil. In addition to an improved web experience and new Android widget, an AirPlay-compatible app for iOS is now available, with software for Windows 8 arriving alongside its launch. Rara's 18 million tracks haven't only invaded other platforms, but other countries, too -- residents of Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa and Portugal have joined the party, bringing the total number of compatible countries to 27. Lenovo is also getting a piece of the action, as a worldwide agreement means Rara software will now come pre-installed on the manufacturer's Android tablets and Windows 8 gear. Want to hear more about Rara's recent accomplishments? Then head for the PR after the break. rara.com music streaming apps come to iPhone, iPad and Windows 8 in 27 countries · 7 new countries announced today; Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa, Portugal. rara.com now live in 27 countries · rara.com apps for Windows 8, iOS and Android provide ad-free on-demand mobile and tablet access to over 18 million tracks from just £/€/$1.99 per month* · rara.com announces global agreement with Lenovo; rara.com apps preloaded on Lenovo Windows 8 tablets, convertibles PCs plus Android mobiles and tablets · rara.com licensed catalogue grows to 18 million tracks with new label deals with global rights agency Merlin and leading independent digital distributors The Orchard, INgrooves Fontana, Believe Digital and VidZone Digital Media · rara.com marketing campaign kicks off across US, UK, Sweden, Germany, Spain and Australia
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| LG records a 'solid' $138.57 million net profit for Q3, keeps the positive trend going Posted: 23 Oct 2012 09:32 PM PDT
LG Electronics has reported its earnings for Q3 2012, notching its third straight quarter of positive income with a net profit of 157 billion won ($138.57 million) and "solid" performances from its home theater and mobile businesses. Revenue is down from the same period last year, but seeing as it's actually making money this time around it's probably still reason to celebrate. On the mobile side of the aisle it reports an operating profit of $19.42 million with slightly higher sales than Q2, mostly thanks to those LTE smartphones it's been rolling out. Its home entertainment biz noted a rise in LCD sales, with 3D TVs and LED-lit models growing from last quarter in most markets. Looking towards the future it's obviously going all-in on the Optimus G (although our interests run towards the Nexus G that should debut next week), and also looks for its Ultra HD television to raise its standing as a premium brand. Check the press release after the break and PDF linked below for more numbers if that's your thing. LG ANNOUNCES THIRD-QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS Company Reports Third Consecutive Quarter of Solid Net Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IBM announces Smarter Energy Research Institute, aims to improve energy grids (video) Posted: 23 Oct 2012 09:01 PM PDT
IBM is no stranger to energy concerns, and now its founded the Smarter Energy Research Institute in partnership with Canada's Hydro-Québec, the Netherlands' Alliander, and the US' DTE Energy to help build a better grid. The partnership will leverage Big Blue's computing and analytic oomph to help the utility companies predict and detect anomalies within infrastructure, identify areas of the grid that need to be developed, integrate new energy sources and increase efficiency among other improvements. What's this mean for you? For one, power outages should be less frequent and shorter lived when they do occur. Thanks to the distributed nature of the project, research will be spread throughout IBM's worldwide network of research labs. If you'd like to hear more details straight from the folks involved, hit the jump for a video and the full press release. IBM Establishes the Smarter Energy Research Institute to Advance the Utility of the Future Hydro-Québec (Canada), Alliander (Netherlands) and DTE Energy (USA) Join as the First Members YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY - 25 Oct 2012: - IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the launch of the Smarter Energy Research Institute, a new industrial research collaboration model aimed at accelerating innovation across the global energy and utilities market. Hydro-Québec (Canada), Alliander (Netherlands) and DTE Energy (USA) join as the first members. The Smarter Energy Research Institute is a first-of-a-kind collaboration between corporate research and the energy and utilities industry to transform leading energy companies through the use of predictive analytics, system optimization and advanced computation to deliver better services to their customers. Combining IBM Research's expertise in the areas of mathematical sciences, computer science and high-performance computing with the deep-power engineering and operational know-how of the participating members, the Institute will focus on five core innovation tracks to pursue joint research and where shared investments, knowledge and capabilities will benefit every member. Each company will identify and be active in up to two tracks that match their business and operational priorities. The areas include:
The Smarter Energy Research Institute launches with Hydro-Québec, Alliander and DTE Energy as the first members who operate large energy networks in Canada, the Netherlands and the United States and bring extensive knowledge and expertise in operating and advancing smart grids. Each member has a strong commitment in investing in future technologies and working collaboratively by combining the best of industrial research with the deep knowledge of the energy and utilities industry that drive innovation across the market. Hydro-Québec is one of the world's largest hydroelectric power producers and the only North American electric utility to operate its own research center (IREQ). "This is an important milestone for the industry and for Hydro-Québec as we intensify our efforts to improve grid performance and stability. Joining forces with IBM Research, which has a world-class department of mathematics researchers at its disposal, will help lead the efforts of our combined resources to address the next phase in smart-grid transformation," said Jean Lessard, Director Technology Innovation, IREQ Hydro-Québec. Alliander is a major Dutch energy distributor and specialist in renewable energy, sustainability, technical innovations, and complex power systems in the Netherlands, serving more than three million customers in the region. "There is no other research-led consortium like the Smarter Energy Research Institute in our market and we believe that by bringing advanced research closer to areas of high industry importance, we can compress the time from research to implementation and business value," commented Rob Maathuis, Director of Asset Management at Alliander. DTE Energy is an investor-owned diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services across the United States. DTE Energy's largest operating subsidiaries are Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, and Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. (MichCon), a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. "Participating in this Institute allows us to utilize advances in predictive analytics to optimize the operation of our key assets and improve the reliability of our electric grid," said Vince Dow, Vice President Distribution Operations, DTE Energy. Creating a Smarter Energy Environment Expected outcomes of this research include equipping members with the ability to improve planning and reliability of operations through the use of prediction and optimization in the areas of outage and asset management. For example, the creation of coupled-predictive models allow for understanding, days in advance, the impact that a storm would cause on the electrical grid and preemptively position crews and resources to facilitate restoration efforts. A shift from "fixed" to "condition-based" maintenance plans based on model-driven asset failure predictions have the potential to deliver significant value creation opportunities for energy and utilities. In the area of renewable and distributed energy resources, which are prone to extreme variability, members can leverage predictive and optimization technologies, increasing the accuracy of their forecasts to balance the supply and demand of electricity and take measures that ensure system reliability. Using advanced computational techniques capable of analyzing streaming data from sensors across the grid in near real-time enable more dynamic monitoring of the entire power system across large geographic areas, and offers the potential to reach even higher levels of performance and cost-effectiveness through improved situational awareness. As a result, members can better navigate the transforming energy and utilities environment, collecting insights from the vast amount of information pervading their networks and systems, add further intelligence to the smart grid and uncover new ways that improve business and operational outcomes. "Our mission is about bringing research and the energy industry closer together to work jointly on areas critical to the industry's transformation, and for members to become major beneficiaries in extracting value from the information and communication technology revolution. Working collaboratively across disciplines, institutions and geographies has been proven time and again at delivering superior innovation results" said Dr. Dario Gil, the Smarter Energy Research Institute's Director, and Director of Energy and Natural Resources for IBM Research. Innovation Model The Smarter Energy Research Institute represents a new form of collaborative innovation for the energy and utilities industry and is modeled after programs that IBM has successfully implemented with clients in other areas, placing scientists with members from other disciplines and industries, working side-by-side to research and develop new breakthroughs. Members will focus on specific research projects with IBM scientists aimed at solving some of the industry's biggest challenges. These are caused in part by technology advancements that increase complexity across networks, by participatory networks that allow customers to consume and generate power and by the need to integrate renewable forms of energy safely and reliably into the grid. The Institute is also an extension of IBM's long-term alliance with the energy and utilities industry as it moves forward through its most challenging transformation. In 2003, IBM co-founded the US-based GridWise Alliance that advocates for grid modernization, and in 2007, IBM formed the Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition (GIUNC),a coalition of players in the energy and utilities market, which is helping accelerate the adoption and use of smart grid technologies and bringing digital intelligence to current systems. As part of their participation, each member obtains usage rights for all the innovations (e.g. algorithms, software, patents) created by every participant of the Institute. By working together and sharing the results of projects being undertaken across the Institute, members can benefit from the collection of new analytics-driven solutions throughout their enterprises. The Smarter Energy Research Institute operates out of the global network of IBM Research labs, while simultaneously leveraging additional research and infrastructure operated by the members. It is equipped with state-of-the-art computational infrastructure to pursue its innovation agenda. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nikon 1 V2 unveiled: 14.2 megapixel ILC shoots 15fps stills for $899.95 in November Posted: 23 Oct 2012 09:01 PM PDT
It was just over a year ago when Nikon first dipped its toe into mirrorless waters with its first two 1 System cameras, the V1 and J1. Now, the company has released the V1's successor, the aptly named V2. Like its elders, the V2 has a 1200fps slo-mo capture mode, a 3-inch LCD display on the back, a high-res (1.4 million dot) electronic viewfinder, and does 1080/30p and 1080/60i video capture (Alas, 4K recording capability didn't make the cut). Unlike the V1, the V2 comes in only black or white and uses an upgraded 14.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 160-6,400. It also packs a new Expeed 3A image processor in tandem with Nikon's Advance Hybrid AF to deliver higher speed shooting. That autofocus system is comprised of 73 phase detect sensors and 135 contract detect sensors, which enables the V2 to capture stills at up to 15fps for 45 continuous frames -- and it can shoot 60 frames continuously using fixed focus. The camera itself looks quite a bit different from its brethren, with a magnesium chassis, a bulked up grip and a built-in flash, plus command and shooting mode dials up top. It's a layout not unlike Sony's NEX-7, with one dial enabling easy switching between auto and manual exposure modes and a second providing access to secondary shooting controls like exposure compensation. The camera also has a stereo mic on board along with an external mic jack for recording audio. Would-be V2 owners can grab one with a 10-30mm kit lens for $899.95, and Nikon will add 30-110mm glass to that package for $250 more when it goes on sale in late November. Want to know more? Check out our hands-on with the V2 to see the new shooter in action, and Nikon's full PR awaits after the break. STRIKING THE BALANCE OF PORTABILITY, PERFORMANCE AND SHOOTING PREFERENCE, THE NEW NIKON 1 V2 PROVIDES USERS WITH NEW WAYS TO BE CREATIVE AND EXPRESSIVE Nikon Continues to Enhance the Powerful Nikon 1 System with the Addition of Photographer-Friendly Features, Connectivity and Accessories MELVILLE, N.Y. (October 24, 2012) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the new 14.2-megapixel Nikon 1 V2, the latest addition to the revolutionary Nikon 1 Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lens System. Designed for the creative consumer who seeks stunning images and HD video, the V2 incorporates a myriad of new features aimed at improving the shooting experience, including a new ergonomic grip for familiar handling, a built-in flash and the addition of a Command Mode Dial to provide easy access to features and controls. Nikon also introduced the new SB-N7, an optional compact speedlight that offers versatile lighting possibilities for Nikon 1 V1 and Nikon 1 V2 shooters. The new Nikon 1 V2 is designed to be compact and delivers astoundingly rapid Autofocus (AF) and shooting response, incredible image quality, sharp Full HD video and advanced yet easy-to-use shooting options. The V2 offers a new 14.2-megapixel CX-format super high-speed CMOS sensor that has been engineered to allow for amazing image quality that exhibits eye-catching colors, rich hues and striking detail. The upgraded sensor combined with the blazing fast Advance Hybrid AF system allows users to shoot up to 15 frames-per-second (fps) while maintaining full AF tracking that allows the capturing of fast moving subjects. Other new and noteworthy features include versatile and fun shooting modes such as Best Moment Capture Mode and the new Live Image Control that lets a user preview their creative vision, pre-capture. "The recent additions to the Nikon 1 System, including the new V2, demonstrate Nikon's dedication to delivering a camera system that meets the needs of creative and expressive consumers looking for an easy-to-use camera that is portable enough to take on any life adventure," said Bo Kajiwara, Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Customer Experience. "With a grip and control layout that is familiar to photographers, the V2's incredible speed, versatility, ease of use and portability can be used in various situations to shoot amazing images and sharp HD video." Enhanced Design Lets Creative Freedom Flow The new V2 sports an enhanced design that includes a comfortable traditional grip as well as a textured camera body and thoughtfully placed mode dials. With easy access to the new top-placed Command Dial, V2 shooters will be able to make camera adjustments quickly and easily, even when framing photos in the camera's 1.4-million-dot electronic viewfinder. The camera also includes a new Direct Setting Control that enables quick access to settings in manual exposure modes (P,S,A,M), so that settings can be changed without taking an eye off the electronic viewfinder or the high-resolution 921,000-dot 3.0-in LCD display. To get creative in challenging light, a built-in pop-up flash supplies extra lighting when capturing images in low-light situations or to provide a fill flash to eliminate shadows. The camera also features a Nikon 1 i-TTL hot shoe port, affording the use of optional lighting and camera accessories with the Nikon 1 V2. Though compact and portable, the new Nikon 1 V2 boasts incredible performance and features that will be easily embraced by all levels of photographers. In addition to the 14.2-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor, the camera also includes the new EXPEED 3A image processing engine, both specifically designed to produce still images and HD video with stunning clarity and color. Additionally, the new EXPEED 3A has improved image-signal processing capability as well as high-speed readout. A wide ISO range (160-6400) allows the V2 to perform brilliantly in tough lighting conditions, while the highly responsive Advanced Hybrid Autofocus (AF) system provides users with superfast shooting speeds, allowing them to capture fast action with crisp focus, whether at a football game or dance recital. The Nikon 1 V2's 73 point AF array ensures accuracy and super precise focus, even on moving subjects. The camera also provides high-speed continuous shooting with continuous Auto focusing letting users capture approximately 15 fps up to 45 frames. High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 60 fps for up to 40 frames is also possible. Get Creative with Advanced Features The new Nikon 1 V2 offers various shooting modes and controls that will help photographers flex their creative muscle while providing new ways to be expressive in still images and HD videos. With the new top-placed Mode Dial, V2 users will be able to access the camera's Auto Mode as well as full manual controls on the fly. The camera is also equipped with an Enhanced Motion Snapshot Mode, which users can utilize to capture fleeting moments with a short, slow-motion movie sequence in addition to a single defining still image. A Motion Snapshot can be saved as a four second MOV file and JPEG image file separately or it can also be saved as a 10 second movie file without a separate JPEG image file, making it easy to share with others. Furthermore, Motion Snapshots can be combined into a continuous slideshow seamlessly within the camera. The Nikon 1 V2 also includes Best Moment Capture Mode, an advanced creative mode that allows individuals to use Slow View to slow down a moment they are capturing, in real time. By simply pressing the shutter button halfway down when focused, users can capture live action (approx. 1.33 seconds), while the view of the subject is displayed at five times slower than normal speed (approx. 6.66 sec). The action is replayed repeatedly as long as the shutter-release button is half-pressed. Fast action sports and events are transformed to slow motion right on the LCD screen, letting the user capture once-in-a- lifetime moments with confidence. Additionally, original Nikon 1 features like Smart Photo Selector are still available on this new camera, and are accessible through the Best Moment Capture Mode. When using Smart Photo Selector, V2 users can capture up to 20 shots with a single press of the shutter button, and the camera will then automatically select the five best images to keep based on factors such as exposure, focus and facial recognition. The Nikon 1 V2 also includes an Advance Movie Mode that allows for the simultaneous shooting of 1080p Full HD video and high-resolution stills of the same subject or scene. Slow motion movies at both 400 fps and 1200 fps can also be captured, plus full manual exposure controls are accessible while in Advance Movie Mode. Image effects and image-creation functions such as in-camera HDR and the innovative Live Image Control allow users even more ways to customize their photos. Live Image Control gives users the ability to see end-result images before capture by incorporating effects of various camera settings on a scene. With Live Image Control, real time adjustments to motion control, brightness control, Active D-Lighting and background focus are seen on the LCD screen or the electronic viewfinder prior to capture to help ensure the user's creative vision is fulfilled. Expanding the Reach of the Nikon 1 V2: Accessories for the Nikon 1 System The V2 is compatible with the optional WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter1. When connected to the WU- 1b, the camera can shoot high quality images and movies and transfer them to smart devices, making it easy to stay connected and share content wirelessly to social networks. Users of the free Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility application for AndroidTM2 platform smart devices as well as iPhone® and iPad®3 mobile digital devices will also have the ability to remotely control the camera from a smartphone or tablet. Like the other Nikon 1 system cameras, V2 shooters will have access to a growing lineup of incredible 1 NIKKOR lenses, Nikon 1 accessories, as well as F-Mount NIKKOR lenses when connected to the FT-1 Mount Adapter. These lenses and accessories will allow individuals to build a system that truly complements their creative lifestyle. Alongside the Nikon 1 V2, the new optional SB-N7 speedlight will inspire shooters to take their creative vision to new heights with an extremely versatile yet compact and lightweight flash unit. When connected to the Nikon 1 accessory port of the V2, the SB-N7 will provide opportunities to explore lighting options including i-TTL support. Additionally, the flash head tilts up to 120 degrees for situations that call for bouncing the flash output. The new speedlight is easy-to-use and travel friendly, and also uses common AAA batteries. The speedlight provides a guide number of 18 meters/59 feet (at ISO 100), as well as a supplied external wide flash adapter for wider shooting coverage. Price and Availability The Nikon 1 V2 camera with the 10-30mm lens will be available in late November 2012 for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $899.95*. The SB-N7 speedlight will be available in January 2013 and will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of $159.95*. For more information on the V2 and SB-N7 or other Nikon 1 series products, please visit www.nikonusa.com. Nikon to Develop Three New 1 NIKKOR Lenses for the Nikon 1 Advanced Camera with Interchangable Lens System TOKYO, JAPAN – Today, Nikon Corporation announced the development of three new lenses for the Nikon 1 Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lens System. These lenses will be welcomed additions to the current lineup of popular 1 NIKKOR lenses, and will provide system owners a breadth of new NIKKOR optics to explore new shooting perspectives. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nikon 1 V2 mirrorless camera hands-on! (video) Posted: 23 Oct 2012 09:01 PM PDT
If you followed the launch of Nikon's J2 interchangeable-lens compact recently, then waking up to today's announcement of a higher-specced V2 probably won't come as a huge surprise. Nevertheless, whereas the J2 was frustratingly incremental compared to the J1, the V2 will likely represent a more significant upgrade when it lands on shelves at the end of November. For a start, the magnesium alloy camera has been bestowed with a sizable grip, which makes a vast difference to its ergonomics -- it feels much more secure and manageable in the hand, without hurting the small and lightweight appeal of this form factor. Nikon has found room for a pop-up flash too, which is certainly nice to have. The mode dial has moved to the top of the camera and now includes the four main shooting modes (P/S/A/M) -- a change which, in one fell swoop, helps the entire remainder of the control system to become more intuitive and accessible. A new processing engine allows the camera to shoot 15 fps with continuous focus (versus 10 fps with the V1), with Nikon claiming that AF speed has been improved as well. And as for the bad news? It's waiting for you after the break. If you've been put off by the small sensors in Nikon's 1 System, then there's nothing to change your mind here. We're looking at a revamped but still tiny CX sensor, this time with the resolution bumped up to 14 megapixels (instead of 10) -- a move that likely won't do much for the camera's overall image quality or low light performance relative to APS-C or Micro Four Thirds shooters. There's also a couple of software features that risk being thrown into the gimmick bucket. This includes the guided interface, which lets you make photographic adjustments without necessarily understanding how you're changing shutter, aperture and ISO -- a strange inclusion on a camera that costs $900 with a kit lens. Finally, there's a new best shot mode called Slow View, which captures a full-res ultra slow-motion video clip of your subject and then plays it back on the LCD. You're meant to watch this video on a loop and then press the shutter when you see the frame you want, at which point all the other images get deleted. It looks fancy and may come in handy on occasion, but didn't feel to us like a very reliable way of picking a good, sharp image -- we'd still use the more traditional best shot mode for that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robot Hall of Fame inducts Big Dog, PackBot, Nao and WALL-E (video) Posted: 23 Oct 2012 08:41 PM PDT
It's the sort of ceremony that's so magical it can only occur on even-numbered years. Inventors, educators, entertainers, college students and media folk gathered at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA tonight for the 2012 inductions to the Robot Hall of Fame, a Carnegie Mellon-sponsored event created to celebrate the best of our mechanical betters. This year, the field included four categories, judged by both a jury of 107 writers, designs, entrepreneurs and academics and the public at large, each faction constituting half the voting total. The show kicked off, however, with the induction of 2010 winners, the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers, the da Vinci Surgical System, iRobot's Roomba, the Terminator and Huey, Dewey and Louie, a trio of robots from 1971's Silent Running. The first 'bot to secure its spot in the class of 2012, was the programmable humaoid Nao, from Aldebaran Robotics, which beat out the iRobot Create and Vex Robotics Design System in the Educational category. The PackBot military robot from iRobot took the Industrial and Service category, beating out the Kiva Mobile Robotic Fulfillment System and Woods Hole Oceanographic's Jason. Boston Dynamic's Big Dog ran over some stiff competition in the form of Willow Garage's PR2 and NASA's Robonaut to win the Research title. And WALL-E triumphed over doppelganger Johnny Five and the Jetsons' Rosie in the Entertainment category. Relive the festivities in four minutes after the break.
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| eFun's Nextbook Premium 10SE tablet with ICS now available for $280 Posted: 23 Oct 2012 08:24 PM PDT
In a market slightly populated by some great well-priced tablets, and one that eFun is quite familiar with, the company decided now was a good time to add yet another slate into the mix. And while the Premium 10SE is slightly pricier than, say, the entry-level Nexus 7 model, eFun's latest Ice Cream Sandwich slab does sport a larger 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 display. Still, the Premium 10SE won't impress many with the rest of its run-of-the-mill internals, which include a 1GHz CPU alongside 1GB of RAM, 8GB of built-in storage (expandable via microSD) and a front-facing 0.3-megapixel shooter -- it's also worth mentioning that eFun is kind enough to bundle in 25 eBooks at no extra cost. The Premium 10SE is available now for $280, though you can save a little cash by heading to your local Radio Shack or Hastings shop, where the Nextbook tablet's priced at a more affordable $250. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 23 Oct 2012 07:54 PM PDT
Proud owners of that sleek and relatively powerful Mark III will be happy to know Canon has just announced a firmware update for its flagship 5D model. The Japanese camera maker is touting this upcoming release as one that will bring clean HDMI-out support to the EOS shooter, which should be great for folks who would like to monitor their recordings in real time. Additionally, Canon's improved the Mark III's AF functionalities yet again; this time out by enabling the unit's auto focus system to adequately adjust to the type of lens that it is paired with. Unfortunately, it looks like users will have to wait a little while to install the new firmware, as the company won't be making it available until April of next year -- at which point it can be grabbed from the soon-to-be bookmarked source link below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boeing tests microwave missile that knocks out electronics, represents our worst nightmare (video) Posted: 23 Oct 2012 07:23 PM PDT
Forget bombs or the robopocalypse. In our minds, the most fearsome weapon is the one that disables our gadgets. That's what makes Boeing's newly tested Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) scarier than most projectiles. The missile bombards targets underneath with microwaves that shut down computers, power systems and just about anything electrical in their path. Thankfully, CHAMP's invisible payload arrives in discrete bursts and arguably makes it the world's most advanced (and likely expensive) non-lethal weapon: the prototype can target multiple individual buildings without ever having to detonate and hurt someone. Boeing is still developing CHAMP in a multi-year program and doesn't have guarantees that it will become military ordnance, which gives us enough time to accept that saving lives is far, far more important than the risk we'll have to stop fiddling with our technology. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google delivers search app for Windows 8 with a touch of tablet optimization Posted: 23 Oct 2012 06:42 PM PDT
It's not a finished, Windows 8-tuned Chrome build, but we'll take it. Much as Google has been catering to iOS users who don't have its search completely baked into the platform, there's now a dedicated Google Search app for the Metro-inclined. Ignore the desktop OS foundation; the Windows 8 app is much closer to the touchscreen-oriented mobile version with its oversized search box, service shortcuts, an emphasis on voice recognition and finger-friendly instant previews of the results. Although incorporating Google search on a Surface will undoubtedly rankle Microsoft's Bing team, the app could be the ticket for many tablet owners who live in Google's cloud without using its hardware. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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