|  |  |  | | | | | Engadget | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | To follow its announcement of updated Nokia Drive, Maps and Transport apps (and not to forget Creative Studio), the firm in Finland now has two more servings of software to crow about for its Lumia lineup -- okay, no more alliterations. We promise. Today, Nokia has announced an updated version of its music app, now dubbed -- simply enough -- Nokia Music 2.0, along with an entirely new beta package known as Nokia Play To. While the Music upgrade appears to include little more than minor revisions to the wording of certain functions, the Play To software will cater to users of DLNA equipment with its ability to stream photos and videos. Because it's only in beta form, the means to stream music hasn't yet arrived, but Nokia intends to bake this ability into a future revision of Play To. For those who'd like to be a Guinea pig for the Espoo crew, just check out Nokia's source link below. Nokia releases Play To beta, updates Music app for Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  WMPoweruser (1), (2) |  Nokia Beta Labs, Plaffo (translated) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Currently drowning in more cash than sense? Do you also call the land of the rising sun home? Excellent, as we've found the perfect camera just for you: the elusive white variant of Leica's M9-P. Restricted to only 50 units, the unicorn shooter will go on sale come June for a cool 2,620,000 yen (or around $31,770) -- a hefty premium over the regular (read: black and chrome) permutations which cost $7,995. Granted those pedestrian versions don't come wielding an insane f/0.95 50mm lens out of the box. And if this ridiculous combo is priced out of your league, you could always go after its cheaper, yet also delectable white predecessor -- although we'll hazard you're going to need more than just luck finding it. Leica's M9-P to be offered in unicorn-guise, $31,770 and Japan-only originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Electronista, The Verge | Watch Impress (translated) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rovio's furious fowl have fought menacing swine on traditional battlefields, foreign fronts and even through seasonal holidays -- outer space was obviously the next logical step. In case you somehow haven't heard, Angry Birds Space sees casual gaming's most perturbed feathered heroes escaping terra firma to, as always, reclaim their stolen eggs. Joystiq describes the title as a tweaked, but familiar affair with a new twist that literally changes the gravity of the situation -- challenging players with inventive stages built around planetoids that divert and redirect the birds' trajectories. Sure, it might not resurrect a dead horse, but the new mechanic, they said, is probably enough to keep your in-laws entertained. Hit the source link below check out Joystiq's full review. Joystiq: Your mother-in-law is going to love Angry Birds Space originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Joystiq | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | It may not yet be quite the massive cultural phenomenon that Angry Birds is, but Minecraft is certainly no slouch in the ranks of little-games-that-could, and it's now set to expand its reach even further. Microsoft confirmed today that Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition will be available for download on May 9th, with it setting you back 1600 Microsoft Points (or $20). That will apparently buy you a fairly full-featured version of the game, including a revamped crafting interface, "natural controller movements," a tutorial mode, and split-screen multiplayer in addition to multiplayer over Xbox Live. Hit the links below for a closer look at it and the rest of the games in Microsoft's "Arcade NEXT" promotion. Continue reading Minecraft heads to the Xbox 360 on May 9th, do not adjust your TV sets Minecraft heads to the Xbox 360 on May 9th, do not adjust your TV sets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Joystiq | Xbox Live, Major Nelson | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | It's hardly the first time we've seen Ice Cream Sandwich parading around on a phone that shipped with MeeGo, but for those waiting for a proper, (semi) stable release to try it on their own N9, heads-up. NITDroid forum administration e-yes has laid out alpha release numero uno, dubbed Project Mayhem, which brings Android 4.0.3 to one of the most beautiful pieces of handset hardware to ever exist. As for things "expected" to work? Dual-boot operation without reflashing, 3D drivers, multitouch, USB networking, Bluetooth, charging and a whole host of other niceties. There's a demo after the break for the nonbelievers, and those with plenty of time (and wits) can get to cracking down in the source link.
[Thanks, Bikfalvi]Continue reading NITDroid now available in alpha form, brings Android 4.0.3 to Nokia N9 (video) NITDroid now available in alpha form, brings Android 4.0.3 to Nokia N9 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | NITDroid | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Hot on the heels of a new Broadcom system that taps into the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in order to reduce first-lock times, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group has quietly adopted GNSS Profile 1.0 for GPS data sharing. According to Phone Scoop, the profile can be used by all devices boasting Bluetooth 2.0 and up, and it'll allow GPS-enabled products to share positioning data with another nearby product over BT. Specifically, "the GNSS profile specification defines the Serial Port Profile (SPP) based transport mechanism and associated service discovery record parameters needed to establish a service level connection between two devices," which should make GPS data sharing as easy as contact sharing of yesteryear. Practical applications? With a plethora of location-based social networking apps already on the market, we're certainly playing the wait-and-see game on this one. Bluetooth SIG embraces GNSS Profile 1.0 for GPS data sharing originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Phone Scoop | Bluetooth SIG | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Supercomputers at the forefront of medical practice? The notion is by no means a stretch of the imagination. Yet, research of this kind mostly goes unnoticed -- that is, unless the computational wizardry handholding these advancements belongs to Jeopardy!'s AI king. That's right, Watson, IBM's bold-face named powerhouse of silicon wizardry, will be made available as a development tool for oncologists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering to deliver "individualized cancer diagnostic and treatment recommendations" derived from the center's case note database. Drawing upon that raw processing power, field practitioners will purportedly have access to a wealth of the latest therapeutic advances which would, normally, take too long to spread outside of specialized facilities. The agreement is not the first of its kind, as this time last year IBM had announced a similar partnership with Columbia University, although no further news has come from that union. MSKCC, for its part, does have concrete plans to move its small pilot program forward, with a target launch set for later this year and plans to expand the project's reach by end of 2013. Jump past the break for the official presser. Continue reading Watson lends a helping hand to cancer research, partners with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Watson lends a helping hand to cancer research, partners with Memorial Sloan-Kettering originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink CNET | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Remember the Legend? That, now ancient, lip-laden Android device has found a rebirth of sorts in the One V -- HTC's entry-level bid for budget smartphone dominance. Initially unveiled at this past Mobile World Congress, the handset was up for a hardware hands-on only, as its unfinished Ice Cream Sandwich OS wasn't quite ready for primetime. That's all changed now as the gang over at MobileSyrup got to take the diminutive fella, destined for a Telus berth, and its Sense 4.0 UX for a test drive. As you'll see in the video below, the phone moves along briskly and without hesitance despite its lack of a dual-core setup. Even ImageSense, the camera tech announced in Barcelona that allows for simultaneous video and photo capture, runs uninterrupted. We'd be remiss if we didn't point out that this is still an early build. So, when the 3.7-incher finally hits the Canadian operator sometime in the next two months, that Googlefied ride could get even smoother. Continue reading HTC One V for Telus goes on the record with Sense 4.0 (video) HTC One V for Telus goes on the record with Sense 4.0 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | MobileSyrup | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Heads up, RIM. The bad news train is coming to your backyard and only Mr. Heins can get you off the track. It appears not even local loyalties are enough to bolster the BlackBerry brand back into its former hometown glory. According to research provided by Bloomberg and IDC, Waterloo's Canadian prospects are dimming, as that chunk of revenue, which amounts to about seven percent of its total earnings, has begun to wither, putting the company in second place behind Apple. Last year alone, iPhone shipments in the region outstripped BlackBerry by nearly one million and its recently reported fiscal performance isn't helping to brighten the picture, either. With its 3rd quarter domestic sales down 23 percent and US revenue plummeting by almost half, the once prominent king of the smartphone sector has a long uphill battle ahead. For the company's sake, let's hope its annual BlackBerry World showcase, less than two months away, and anticipated BB 10 devices can turn its financial frown upside down.
[Image credit via Life of an Architect]iPhone shipments overtake BlackBerry in Canada, RIM now runner-up in its hometown originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Electronista | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Well, that didn't take long at all. Hours after our Canon 5D Mark III review went live, we've received word that the camera is already available for purchase, and if you happen to live in New York City and can make it to B&H before 7PM, you could even take one home today! A call to the retailer confirmed that there are just three kits available, each with a 25-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens in the box for $4,299. If you're looking for a body-only version, you'll need to hang tight, but if you don't mind splurging on the pricey duo, now would be the time to cancel those Thursday night dinner plans in favor of some low-light NYC shooting. Canon 5D Mark III hits US retailers, available in stores today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | B&H | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  AT&T has violated the United States False Claims Act to the tune of "millions of dollars," according to a Department of Justice lawsuit filed this week. The DOJ alleges that the carrier intentionally neglected to authenticate users of the IP Relay service -- a tool utilized by hearing-impaired persons to type messages that communications assistants then read to callers. The service is also abused by individuals overseas to defraud U.S. businesses (think infamous Nigerian scams), which prompted the FCC to establish a law requiring telecom providers, including AT&T, to confirm the identity of registered users, which it apparently failed to do. This resulted in thousands of fraudulent users, representing some 95 percent of all calls, which AT&T received FCC payments for to the tune of $1.30 per minute. An AT&T spokesman was somewhat dismissive when speaking to the Associated Press, saying "as the FCC is aware, it is always possible for an individual to misuse IP Relay services, just as someone can misuse the postal system or an email account, but FCC rules require that we complete all calls by customers who identify themselves as disabled." But if the allegations are proven, there could be some pretty serious repercussions for Big Blue. DOJ PR is just past the break. Continue reading US DOJ sues AT&T for improper IP Relay billing, alleges millions in false claims to FCC US DOJ sues AT&T for improper IP Relay billing, alleges millions in false claims to FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink The Verge | Department of Justice | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Be still our beating heart. Just two weeks ago we heard Android 4.0 -- that upgrade lovingly referred to as Ice Cream Sandwich -- would be reaching the HTC Vivid "in the coming weeks." We even saw the update trickle in to select devices last week without any official notice from the mother ship. AT&T's finally ready to open the floodgates and pour the refresh out to the masses. This download in particular includes Sense 3.6, but throws in third-party Beats Audio support -- a feature that until now has only been seen in version 4.0. If you're packing a Vivid, just make sure you're hooked up to WiFi and head to the settings to get your download on. If it doesn't find the update yet, you also have the option to sideload it from your computer.
In the same breath, AT&T also made it known that it's still hard at work readying ICS for several other devices, and we can expect the updates to arrive "in the coming months." There aren't any surprises on the list of candidates: the Motorola Atrix 4G and Atrix 2, Pantech Burst and Element and the LG Nitro are all there, as well as a litany of Samsung devices like the Note, Galaxy S II, Skyrocket, Captivate Glide and Galaxy Tab 8.9. There's no more information yet, so the lucky owners of each one will just have to remain waiting on pins and needles for yet another undetermined number of months. Find the press release underneath. Continue reading AT&T rolls out Android 4.0 to HTC Vivid, other devices getting ICS in the 'coming months' AT&T rolls out Android 4.0 to HTC Vivid, other devices getting ICS in the 'coming months' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | To date, it seems that Mountain View has employed a loose definition of the term "integrated," neglecting to offer such Google Voice features as a unified messaging inbox, or an option to access voicemails without switching back to the dedicated app. Well we have some good news for those of you that haven't completely abandoned voice-based communication. The latest GV update adds a special topping to that Ice Cream Sandwich (sorry, Gingerbread men), letting you launch visual voicemails directly from your Android call log -- and bringing Voice integration a step closer to actually being integrated. You'll also have the power to slow down a message to jot down a callback number, or speed it up to get to the juicy stuff, like a callback number. Full details are at the source link below, or on your very own ICS handset after a quick trip to Play. Google Voice gets an ICS update, brings visual voicemail to the missed call log originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Google Voice Blog | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | T-Mobile USA CEO Philipp Humm sent word to his employees today that the company will be shuttering seven call centers, cutting a total of 3,300 jobs in the process. Affected employees will have the option of relocating to any of the 17 remaining call centers throughout the country, where 1,400 new positions will be available, essentially bringing the net job loss to 1,900. The call centers affected include Allentown, Pennsylvania; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Frisco, Texas; Brownsville, Texas; Lenexa, Kansas; Thornton, Colorado; and Redmond, Oregon -- so if you're based in one of those locations and want to stick with T-Mob, now would probably be the time to communicate your intentions. Other employees, including technicians and "front line" workers, will be able to stay put, though Humm did allude to further reductions, adding that "we will also be restructuring other parts of the company." You'll find the CEO's message in its entirety just past the break. Continue reading T-Mobile to eliminate 1,900 US call center jobs, says more 'restructuring' ahead T-Mobile to eliminate 1,900 US call center jobs, says more 'restructuring' ahead originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | The Verge | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.
At last! A story where it's actually appropriate to write "Will it blend?" in the comments! In this week's IRL, our very own Darren Murph takes a slightly different tack than usual, gushing about his new $400 fruit crusher. On an equally rough-and-tumble note, Brian brings his trusty Otterbox iPhone case into a Nevada sandstorm with 50 mile-per-hour winds, while Sharif tests out Sony's SmartWatch -- from the comfort of his London neighborhood, of course. Continue reading IRL: Sony SmartWatch, Otterbox Universal Defender case and a Blendtec blender IRL: Sony SmartWatch, Otterbox Universal Defender case and a Blendtec blender originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Thought all those shattered screens and iPhone 4 backplates would push Apple towards making mobile devices machined from aluminum like its laptops and tablets? Think again, friends, because a newly published patent application from Cupertino indicates the company is considering crafting portable computing devices out of glass. The app claims a "substantially seamless enclosure . . . extruded in its entirety with glass material" so that wireless signals can freely flow to and fro, along with a method for manufacturing such a device. Naturally, this is only an application, and it doesn't say exactly what kind of super-durable glass would make this a desirous design change. So, who knows if we'll ever see an all-glass exterior on an iPhone or iPod, but you can get a more in-depth peek at that potential future at the source link below. Additionally, you can get a glance at what'll be Android's new anthem should that glass-filled future come to pass. Continue reading Apple patent app portends gadgets made of glass Apple patent app portends gadgets made of glass originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We suppose Microsoft didn't have to make Windows 8 play nice with the new rash of extremely pixel-dense displays. But, that would be tantamount to OS suicide. So, we're not particularly surprised to hear that the latest and greatest Windows will support resolutions up to 2560 x 1440 on screens as small as 10.1 inches. That's a pretty impressive 291 pixels per inch. Of course, it's not quite as simple as it sounds. While in an ideal world, every UI element would be resolution independent, that's simply not the case and the infrastructure isn't there to support it. Instead graphical elements, including text, must be scaled to fill the available pixels. Microsoft's scheme will use 100 percent for standard density displays, 140 for HD and 180 for quad-XGA panels. Thankfully, the company was smart enough to include support for SVG files as UI elements, meaning that density and resolution independent future is at least one step closer. For loads more details hit up the source link. Shocker: Windows 8 will be 'retina' display friendly originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink TechCrunch | Building Windows 8 | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Shoot in the dark. That's essentially what you can do with the Canon 5D Mark III -- with a top sensitivity of ISO 102,400, what was once unfathomable could soon become an acceptable standard. While point-and-shoot manufacturers are adding WiFi and GPS, and tweaking algorithms in an effort to boost sensitivity beyond the 6400 mark, Canon and Nikon are making clear cases for a DSLR upgrade, by drastically improving image quality. The 5D Mark II had an excellent three-year run, but with its 22.3-megapixel sensor, 1.04M-dot 3.2-inch LCD, improved autofocus and high-performance video capabilities, Canon's latest full-frame DSLR is an entirely different beast, and a very compelling successor.
We spent two glorious weeks with a pre-production 5D Mark III before reluctantly shipping it back to Canon. The biggest benefit (for us, at least) has been high-ISO shooting. While the former 5D could theoretically handle ISO 25,600 captures as well, its native range topped out at 6400 -- venturing beyond that territory meant taking a hit on image quality, making it a seldom-used feature that benefited the camera's spec sheet far more than our low-light snap collection. With this latest iteration, we were able to capture sharp images in environments where there was far too little light to make out details with the naked eye, just as we have with the larger (and pricier) Nikon D3S. Our resulting scenes look like they were lit with sophisticated rigs, or in an environment that allotted far more natural light than was actually available. Low-light shooting is but one benefit of the Mark III, however, so join us past the break for a closer look in our field review. Continue reading Canon EOS 5D Mark III field review Canon EOS 5D Mark III field review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 
Don't you hate it when the biggest wars can be started over the smallest things? This time around, we're referring to this in a very literal sense, as Apple has been putting the heat on (no, not that kind of heat) against an alliance formed by Nokia, Motorola and RIM regarding nano-SIM standards. With the ETSI gearing up for a vote on various proposals next week, the two sides are locking horns, determined to prove theirs is the best. Last we heard, concerns were flying left and right that Apple was planning to move ahead with its nano-SIM unilaterally, snatch up a smorgasbord of patents along its path and seize control of the governing body by registering six subsidiaries to vote. Considering Nokia is the current vote leader and claims its design has "significant technical advantages," we can understand why the Finnish giant would be worried. But how, exactly, is its design any better off?
A Nokia representative gave some more clarity to The Verge about the perks its version offers. The company claims Apple's standard doesn't meet the ETSI-approved requirements, which if true would make it incredibly difficult -- in theory, anyway -- to win over votes. Also, unlike Cupertino's version, Nokia's card doesn't require a tray or drawer, which equates to more space, allows for more design innovations and decreases the cost of manufacturing in comparison. Lastly, Espoo also argues that its competitor's proposal wouldn't be backwards-compatible with micro-SIM slots. Sounds legit, but we'd love to hear the opposing team offer its rebuttal before next week's vote. As it stands, we doubt this is the last round in the war of words before everything is settled. For now, head over to the source to see the explanation in its entirety. Continue reading Nokia to Apple: don't cha wish your nano-SIM was hot like ours? Nokia to Apple: don't cha wish your nano-SIM was hot like ours? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | The Verge | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Just under two months after being officially unveiled, US Cellular's first LTE device is now shipping. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's a tablet taking the first journey out on the carrier's 4G superhighway, with Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 on sale today online and in stores for... well, entirely too much. Despite being nearly a year old, USCC's Tab 10.1 will sell for a staggering $499.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, though customers residing in one of its LTE markets will be able to grab it for a Benjamin less. Oh, and did we mention that a two-year agreement (with data plan) is still required? Yeah. Pardon us while we fire up the gravedigger -- we've seen this one before. Continue reading US Cellular's first LTE device ships, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 claims the honor US Cellular's first LTE device ships, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 claims the honor originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Samsung, US Cellular | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We're not sure what anniversary the 17th is but, if we had to guess, we'd say its the x86 anniversary. Google has just released Revision 17 of the Android SDK and ADT and its packing an array of improvements, most notably to the Lint build system and the emulator. While the new build rules, which check performance and guard against errors, are certainly welcome, it's the emulator that's got the headline grabbing changes. First off is the ability to run x86 system images in a virtualized environment (on Windows and OS X), and at near native speeds no less. There is also added support for webcams and sensors, as well as the experimental ability to control the emulator through a tethered android device. For more details, and to download it yourself, hit up the source link. Android SDK updated with big improvements to emulator and build system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Android Developers | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mobile World Congress, a debutante ball of sorts for the wireless industry, is an oddity; set against a landscape more famous for its modernist accents and marathon nightlife than propensity for forward-facing gadgetry. Yet every year, despite this cultural contrast, mobile's best, brightest and even little known descend upon Barcelona to showcase the incoming tide of next-gen wares. It's a wonder, then, that for all the bombast and spectacle, Samsung, a titan in the cluttered Android field, chose to occupy a sizable swathe of the event's booth real estate with a glut of mid-range and less-than-fresh devices. Save for one notable product.
Without the halo of its still secret unicorn, the Galaxy S III, to power the brand's visibility, the company turned the spotlight on its other flagship -- the Galaxy Note 10.1 -- as more of a rightful successor to its O.G. Galaxy Tab of the same size, not the recently debuted Tab 2 (10.1). Confused? That's understandable, but this broad-screened fella's outing marks a stark transition away from the Note as smartphone, established by its 5.3-inch forebear, to a concrete series of S-Pen equipped products. Its beefier dual-core 1.4GHz CPU and 1GB RAM notwithstanding, this is, for all intents and purposes, more of a gentle update than a full-on refresh, as most of the build, screen (1,280 x 800) and camera setup remains virtually unchanged.
Solidifying the unit's place atop the industry's top-shelf mantel, is its inclusion of Google's latest ICS OS (4.0.3), slathered here in a TouchWiz skin, and the addition of two pre-installed S-Pen apps: Adobe PS Touch and Ideas. So, software improvements aside, why should this tablet, an admitted work-in-progress that's lacking the finishing touches of a final production model, occupy a space on your finely tuned tech radar? Why should you devote a portion of your gadget-lusting heart to the promise of a killer device currently lacking any known pricing or availability? Well, to answer those questions, Samsung let us spend some brief, albeit quality time with the Note's in-development next of kin. So follow on after the break as we explore its digitizer-optimized nooks and crannies and whet your appetites for what's to come.
Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 preview (video) Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  As if there weren't already enough devices out there for connecting musical instruments to iDevices, Roland's unveiled its latest entrant to the fray over at this year's Musikmesse. Combining a duo of iOS apps and a Netgear-sourced USB dongle, the company's created what's dubbed as the Wireless Connect system. Essentially, by plugging the USB stick into a select number of the company's electronic instruments, you'll be able to jam out using your iDevice as a cord-free aid. With its updated app version of V-Drums Friend Jam, drummers can work on their chops and share the results over the web (alternatively, the current computer variant requires a wired connection). Additionally, the Air Recorder app allows you to hook up with its Synths and V-Accordions to record your playing, jam along with songs from your iPhone or both at the same time. Notably, you likely won't get much use out of Wireless Connect at your next gig, though, as it requires a LAN connection with access to the internet for full functionality. While there's not word on a pricing just yet, Roland plans to have the system on store shelves by the end of spring. Interested musicians can glance at the press release and instrument compatibility details planted just past the break. Continue reading Roland's Wireless Connect lets your iPhone and electronic instruments play nice sans cords Roland's Wireless Connect lets your iPhone and electronic instruments play nice sans cords originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Roland | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The idea of a lighted fretboard isn't a new one by any stretch (how do you think the Fretlight got its compound name?), but there's something to be said for not having to buy a brand new guitar for that functionality. The folks behind Tabber are working to make that a reality, having tested a number of prototypes for a product that you can simply slip over the neck of your axe for a quick tutorial. The company is looking to create a slicker version of the concept that it can bring to the market. Tabber's creators need your help to "transform the guitar industry," so naturally they've taken to Kickstarter, with a little under a month to hit their $45,000 goal. The Arduino-powered LED guitar instructor will connect to a mobile device via Bluetooth, accessing information to let you play along with songs, figure out chords and bend your fingers around some scales. Click the source link to send some cash Tabber's way, or to find out a bit more about the project. Continue reading Insert Coin: Tabber lights up your fretboard, shows you the way to rock Insert Coin: Tabber lights up your fretboard, shows you the way to rock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Kickstarter | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | To say it's been a rough year for Nokia would be a huge understatement. And things are only going to get worse before they get better. Case in point: the company just finalized an agreement to cut up to another 1,000 jobs (which we knew was coming), all at its plant in Salo, Finland. The cuts will not happen all at once, instead positions will be phased out over the course of the year, with most layoffs coming before the end of June. For those in Western Europe it's another batch of manufacturing jobs heading to Asia, for Nokia it's simply part of a restructuring plan designed to help it stop the bleeding. The staff that remains will focus on installing software that caters to European customers. After several quarters of bad news and the a complete shift in smartphone platforms it only makes sense that Nokia would find itself in dire straights. Still, in a country where unemployment hovers at around eight percent, we're sure no amount of national pride will make people feel better about losing more jobs. Nokia drops another 1,000 employees, Finnish plant focusing on software originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We've already seen what Thunderbolt's capable of when it's used in conjunction with a couple of high performance SSDs, but not everyone needs NAND to meet their external storage requirements. What many do deem essential, however, is a ton of room for system backups and multimedia, and Thunderbolt's ability to transfer bits and bytes in the blink of an eye makes it an alluring alternative to other connections. If you find yourself among those desiring such a solution, let us introduce you to LaCie's 2big Thunderbolt series external HDD. The 2big packs dual 3TB spinners on the inside for a grand total of 6TB, and comes from the factory in a software RAID 0 configuration to take full advantage of Thunderbolt's considerable capabilities. This aluminum desktop behemoth has a price to match its name and stature ($799), so we figured we'd put the 2big through its paces to let you know what kind of performance you'll be getting in return for all that cash. So, as the great Rod Roddy would say, come on down (after the break) and let's get to it.
Continue reading LaCie 2big Thunderbolt series external HDD review LaCie 2big Thunderbolt series external HDD review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NVIDIA's next-gen GPUs sure took their sweet time arriving, but the first of the Kepler crew is finally available in stores and its 28nm silicon is just itching to show off what it can do. You may be wondering what the 2GB GeForce GTX 680 brings to the gaming table, and whether it'll put an end to AMD's free run at the top of the food chain. Well, NVIDIA now claims it has "the fastest GPU in the world", with both lower power consumption and a 10-40 percent performance advantage over AMD's single-GPU rival, the Radeon HD 7970, at 1920 x 1080. How can it back up such a boast? Ultimately, everything hinges on independent benchmarks (coming soon in our review round-up), but in the meantime we need to look at NVIDIA's new architecture for clues. Intrigued? Then head on past the break.
Continue reading Kepler comes of age: NVIDIA unveils GeForce GTX 680 desktop GPU, 600M series for laptops Kepler comes of age: NVIDIA unveils GeForce GTX 680 desktop GPU, 600M series for laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The Pentagon left no room for argument last year when it declared cyber attacks a potential act of war. "If you shut down our power grid, maybe we will put a missile down one of your smokestacks," a military official reportedly remarked. Yikes. Before we start bombing chimneys, however, the Department of Defense plans to draft up some relevant guidelines, noting in a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing that it will be delivering a set of cyberspace-specific rules of engagement in the coming months. "We are working closely with the joint staff on the implementation of a transitional command and control model for cyberspace operations," said Madelyn Creedon, assistant secretary of defense for Global Strategic Affairs. In addition to setting ground rules for cyber-engagements, the DOD also plans to expand efforts to share classified information on possible threats with internet service providers and defense contractors. U.S. Department of Defense preps cyber rules of engagement, plans to work more closely with ISPs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Information Week | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The curious thing about the Acer Iconia Tab A510 is that it's been out in the open for months -- we've even handled it -- but for whatever reason, Acer's never publicly acknowledged it as the successor to last year's A500. When we got hands-on at CES, for example, it wasn't at Acer's suite, but NVIDIA's booth (this is Acer's first Tegra 3 tablet, don'tcha know). Well, the company's finally ready to come out and say, "Yes, we made this thing." The A510 is up for pre-order today in the US and Canada, with a price of $450. Though you can get it in black or white, it's available in one 32GB configuration for now. To recap, this is a quad-core slate with 1GB of RAM, a 10.1-inch (1280 x 800) display, 5-megapixel auto-focusing rear camera and a single-megapixel shooter up front. And though it loses the USB 2.0 port that made the A500 fairly distinctive, it gains a battery rated for 12 hours of video playback -- a good thing, since it'll have stiff competition from ASUS, Apple and Samsung in the endurance department. Acer also confirmed the tablet will ship with Android 4.0, with the company's usual light OS tweaks in tow. Still no word on when, exactly, it'll ship, but if you want to get a feel for it in the meantime be sure to hit up our hands-on from CES if you missed it the first time around.
Continue reading Acer Iconia Tab A510 with Tegra 3, Android 4.0 arriving in the US and Canada for $450 Acer Iconia Tab A510 with Tegra 3, Android 4.0 arriving in the US and Canada for $450 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  At last. A pair of companies decide that bickering (and spending) in the courtroom over patents just isn't worthwhile. In an era where it seems like every technology company under the sun is suing at least one other for nondescript "infringements," TiVo and Microsoft are laying aside their differences. Purportedly, both outfits have reached an agreement "under which both companies will dismiss pending litigation over patents." According to a regulatory filing, nary a patent right was granted to Microsoft by TiVo, but for whatever reason, the two have decided that both can continue operations without any more meddling. It all started early last year, when the folks in Redmond alleged that TiVo was infringing on four of its patents; predictably, TiVo slung one of its many patent-related suits in Microsoft's direction. Those looking to dive fully into the last chapter in this one can hit the links below; for the 99 percent, just scoot your eyes down to the next article and exhale in relief. So, Samsung, Apple -- you guys paying attention? Microsoft and TiVo agree to drop ongoing patent suits, we ask the world to follow originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink The Next Web | TiVo, The Wall Street Journal | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | So, before a company of the same name started making your e-readers, the Amazon was a river. And now, thanks to Google, you can take a boat ride down that body of water, without having to deal with all of those scary river monsters. In celebration of World Forest Day, Google has added a tour of the Amazon to the Street View functionality of Maps. Interested parties can travel down the river and hike along trails with 360 degree panoramic views, courtesy of some 50,000 photos nabbed with help from the Street View trike. Google Street View takes you to the Amazon, without all the pesky piranhas originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | The Official Google Blog | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | For too long Nielsen ratings have dealt with TV commercials and web ads as completely separate entities. Episodes of your favorite show streamed through a service like Hulu or from the channel's website often didn't get factored into the pricing and sales of television ads, and vice versa. That is about to change, however, as the media monitoring company has joined forces with GroupM to create Nielsen Cross-Platform Campaign Ratings. The new product will combine its Nielsen Online Campaign Ratings, which measures internet advertising, with its traditional TV monitoring service to create a medium-agnostic tool for creating media metrics. Hopefully, with a unified pool of data and better monitoring services, content producers may be more likely to experiment with online distribution -- especially if they influence the flagship ratings. Check out the complete PR after the break. Continue reading GroupM and Nielsen work to combine online and TV metrics GroupM and Nielsen work to combine online and TV metrics originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | India's undoubtedly seen its fair share of cheap slabs, but if folks are willing to shell out a bit more than 2,000 or 2,900 rupees, they can end up snagging a better-specced piece of hardware. Priced at a modest 8,900 rupees (around $180), Zync's launching its Z990 7-inch slate, which claims to be the first to hit the Indian market with Android four-dot-oh on board. Alongside Big G's fresh treat are a TFT, 800 x 480 display, 1.2GHz CPU with 1GB of RAM, plus HDMI and microUSB ports. Naturally, and perhaps most importantly, the Z990 has the credentials to let you get all your favorite content via Google Play. Zync's got the tab up for grabs, and you can pop one in your cart now by heading over to the Letsbuy shop, linked down below to make it easier for you. Zync unveils budget-friendly Z990, says it's India's first ICS tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 03:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Techsnapr | Mobiletor.com, Letsbuy.com | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |
