|  |  |  | | | | | Engadget | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Thought your SATA SSD chugged along real nice? Think again. Fusion-io has just released an SDK that will allow developers to bypass all the speed draining bottlenecks that rob NAND memory of its true potential (i.e. the kernel block I/O layer,) and tap directly into the memory itself. In fact, Fusion-io is so confident of its products abilities, it prefers to call them ioMemory Application Accelerators, rather than SSDs. The SDK allows developers native access to the ioMemory, meaning applications can benefit from the kind of hardware integration you might get from a proprietary platform. The principle has already been demonstrated earlier this year, when Fusion-io delivered one billion IOPS using this native access. The libraries and APIs are available now to registered members of its developer program, hit the more coverage link to sign up. Continue reading Fusion-io SDK gives developers native memory access, keys to the NAND realm Fusion-io SDK gives developers native memory access, keys to the NAND realm originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  Storage Review |  Fusion-io | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  A shimmy and a shake could be all it takes to launch apps in the future, that's if this latest patent application ever pans out. Filed back in October of 2011, the folks over at Google are looking to make accelerometers useful for more than just screen orientation. According to the claims, after a training phase wherein this hypothetical program would associate specific application launches with geographic location data, your Pavlovian smartphone could then automate workflows and effectively anticipate your needs. Essentially, you'd have a mobile device that would know what to run wherever you were, hinging upon how you hold it. At least, that's the schematic covered in this USPTO document. Will it ever see the light of day? Hard to tell. Mountain View's just a-brimming with those 20 percent time projects. Google patent application keeps track of your moves to automate mobile actions originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  After raising the price of its NFL Sunday Ticket package last season, this year DirecTV is dropping it back down for current subscribers, to just $199. Of course, most of the impetus for the price drop is probably because so many current subs are people who signed up for the service last season with Sunday Ticket as a freebie, but we're sure regular customers will gladly keep the cash in their pockets. Another change for the 2012 season is the NFL Sunday Ticket Max package, which includes all the extras of SuperFan and To-Go (RedZone Channel, streaming to iOS and Android mobile devices, Short Cuts, VOD highlights, etc.) extras as a part of the bundle for an extra $100 to existing customers, or for $299.95. There's no word on any additional game consoles or internet only packages yet, but at least with the lockout a distant memory, football fans have all offseason to decide if they want to shell out for it. Continue reading DirecTV drops NFL Sunday Ticket price for current subscribers DirecTV drops NFL Sunday Ticket price for current subscribers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | DirecTV | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  We've seen smartphones with keypads that can spin away from the screen before (see the Motorola Flipout), but RIM seems to have something slightly different in mind with this patent application that was filed back in 2010 and just published today. It describes a device with a keypad that's coupled at one corner, but which can remain operable in at least two positions, or potentially three. That could include a position, for instance, where the screen is partially covered by the keypad and a second where it's below the screen, or one where the keypad can remain below the screen both in portrait and landscape modes -- or even flipped behind the device with the keys still accessible. Of course, it is still just a patent application, so we wouldn't recommend pinning your hopes on this as RIM's next big thing. RIM patent application describes rotating keypad that can be used in more than one position originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Key Google employees were in attendance this week at the 2nd annual Open Network Summit in Santa Clara, CA to discuss some significant changes, including the implementation of OpenFlow -- an open-source technology designed to change the way that data is used, transferred and managed -- and is supposed to significantly reduce costs by a projected 20-30 percent, increase efficiency, and better organize the massive amounts of data that the company handles on a daily basis. Google said it went public at the summit with hopes of provoking change all over the internet by disclosing that it has recently made some of the most significant modifications to its network infrastructure since setting up shop in the days of The Backstreet Boys and Furbies, aka 1998. Extensive information is available at the source links. Google talks specifics about its network infrastructure, hopes to inspire the rest of the internet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | NY Times Bits Blog | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  This is why companies have to be careful in their external communication: if a spokesperson reveals relevant details about an anticipated product, the news is going to be reported. Such a situation happened just two days ago, when Microsoft employee Nuno Silva went on the record -- on video, nonetheless -- to say that all current Windows Phone handsets would receive the upgrade to Apollo. Not so fast. Silva has since retracted his statement and now insists that his remarks only extend to apps. Yep. What he meant to say was that existing Windows Phone applications should work with the new operating system. Beyond that clarification, however, the company has no new information to share regarding the upgrade potential of current Windows Phone handsets. Makes you wonder if anyone in the company knows for sure. Microsoft official admits he misspoke regarding Windows Phone 8 updates originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | MSDN Blogs | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  "The site is closed temporarily." Never a good sign, indeed, and particularly not when it's plastered across Chumby's own webstore. For over two days now, that's the message given to anyone attempting to buy hardware from the company, and it looks as if the Chumby we knew may be counting down its final days. A scrappy upstart attempting to bring its Chumby OS to the masses via injections into larger OEMs, the outfit saw little to no uptake across a wide variety of products; Sony nixed the Dash earlier this year, and Insignia turned its back quite some time ago. To be fair, Chumby had stopped manufacturing its own branded hardware in 2011, with the outfit's Duane Maxwell confirming the outright death of Chumby's store in a forum posting today. According to him, there was "no point in keeping the store around once inventory was exhausted," though hardcore loyalists can still snag a NeTV from adafruit. Other forum members have noted that all support emails now seem to be headed into the Great Beyond, and while the actual network that Chumby OS relies on remains alive at the moment, there's no guarantee it'll last. Interestingly, at least two individuals instrumental in the building of Chumby are now working at Media Navi -- both Alison Fay and Michael Coleman have moved Chumby-related job listings to "Past" in their LinkedIn profiles. We'll be reporting more as we get it, but in the meanwhile, we'd recommend giving your favorite Chum a warm hug. His / her heart may not be beating for too much longer. [Thanks, Jonathan] Chumby halts hardware sales, long-term support looking mighty unlikely originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Chumby Store, Chumby forums (1), (2) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  If you've ever mistaken your wireless bill for your phone number, only to discover a dollar sign in front of all those digits, you're far from alone. The CTIA estimates that one in six mobile subscribers have experienced bill shock, but thanks to the efforts of the nation's wireless carriers -- along with a bit of help from the FCC -- consumers will start to receive notifications of any potential overages, along with alerts when the threshold has been crossed. The program is still in its infancy, but the FCC has launched a website to track wireless carriers' implementation of the notification system, which will alert consumers to any voice, data, SMS or international roaming charges. Carriers have until October 17th to have alerts for at least two of these categories in place, and will have until April 17th of next year to implement all four. Consumers may track the monthly progress of individual carriers at the FCC's bill shock website, but for a current peek at their progress, just hop the break. [Bill shock photo via Shutterstock] Continue reading FCC begins tracking wireless carriers' implementation of bill shock notifications FCC begins tracking wireless carriers' implementation of bill shock notifications originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Phone Scoop | FCC | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Looks like Canada just scored another mobile credit card payment system within its borders. It was back at CES when Intuit revealed its updated GoPayment dongle for our neighbors up north, and now the company's announced that the service has officially launched in the region. Once you're application is approved, you'll get the card reader for free without any contract -- and best of all, GoPayment works on a "pay-as-you-go" basis (3.3 percent if you enter the digits, 2.7 percent with a swipe). It's currently purposed for iDevices with a free downloadable app, accepting Visa and Mastercards, but Intuit notes that Android and BlackBerry compatibility is in the works. With services NetSecure and PayPal also claiming space in the country, we're still left to wonder when Square -- essentially the godfather of this type of thing -- will finally be joining the card-swiping party in the great white north. If you're curious for all the details or wanting to apply for yourself, head on down to the source link below. [Thanks, Mike] Intuit GoPayment goes live in Canada, more rectangular than Square originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Back in January, we got our first glimpse of BryteWerks' Model One projector, albeit in render form only. Well, today at DEMO, we finally saw the thing in person and uncovered a bit more info about its innards. It still pumps out 11,000 lumens and throws images on the wall in 1920 x 1200 resolution, but it turns out to have a range of Intel silicon at its disposal: everything from a humble 1.6GHz Atom up to a 3.6GHZ Core i7. There are also multiple storage options, as the Model One comes with an Intel 320 SSD (60 or 120GB) -- where the OS resides to ensure super fast boot times -- and up to a 2TB HDD, so you have plenty of room for all your media. Speaking of the OS, it turns out the projector/HTPC has two: a customized version of XBMC and Windows 7, plus a custom GUI (currently in development) to make calibrating the projector dead simple. Because the projector's 1200-watt metal halide bulb generates so much heat, the internal chassis is built of aluminum and houses the components into four individually cooled chambers. That way, all the PC parts can stay cool on the bottom even while the projector's running full bore. We got to see a hand-built prototype in person, and the Model One strikes an imposing, if elegant figure. It's roughly a foot and a half square cube, with a black brushed metal exterior devoid of any branding or other ornamentation, save for the silver ring around the lens. The power, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 and four RCA connections are situated in the black plastic feet to keep cord clutter to a minimum, and the lens up front is magnetically attached to make swapping it out a simple affair. We got to speak with its creator, Justin Evans, about the genesis of the device, and he informed us that he's but a humble filmmaker who's trying to help out independent theaters, film festivals, filmmakers, and consumers. His goal was to create a projector that's both easy to use and cheap as chips (comparatively speaking) to enable film editing on the big screen and make high quality movie projection available to the masses. Given that the Model One is set to start shipping in six to eight weeks at an asking price of $2999, we'd say he's hit the mark -- assuming the image quality is as good as he says it is, and the build quality of the production model's up to snuff, of course. Here's hoping we get to see the thing in action sometime soon. Continue reading Eyes-on Brytewerks Model One high-def projector and HTPC combo Eyes-on Brytewerks Model One high-def projector and HTPC combo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | BryteWerks | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  With the Space Shuttle now officially grounded, NASA has been researching alternatives for ferrying astronauts from Earth to the International Space Station, orbiting some 230 miles above the planet. One such vehicle has made its way from Boeing's HQ to the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, where a full-size model is on display for conference attendees. Externally, the spacecraft appears very similar to the reentry modules of yesteryear, measuring 14.5 feet with room for up to seven people. The craft is designed to make its way through the atmosphere mounted to an Atlas V rocket, and is rated for up to 10 roundtrip missions. As is typical with spacecraft, it looks like astronauts won't be traveling with first-class accommodations -- things will likely feel quite cozy when the CST-100 is at capacity -- but such conditions come with the territory. There's no date set for delivery, but the craft could be making its way to space as early as 2015, and has reportedly been tested in the Nevada desert as recently as this month. Boeing CST-100 capsule could shuttle astronauts to ISS, shows off its innards in Colorado Springs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Spaceflight Now, Space.com | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Windows on ARM really opens up the world of Windows to some great hardware. So great in fact that you'll probably have to buy one yourself if you want one to use at work. But a time will come where you'll want to get your work email and maybe even an app or two. You might already realize that by adding an ActiveSync email account to your tablet opens your new device up to restrictions by your system administrator -- like requiring a lock screen password or the ability to remotely wipe it - and in the Windows x86 world, your company uses things like an Active Directory (AD) Domain and its Group Policies to lock things down. But, AD isn't an option for Windows RT. According to the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft has instead built in the ability to connect to the company network to access apps, while at the same time, gives the admin the ability to control all the familiar AD security settings like bad password attempts, complexity requirements and can even verify your anti-malware software status. Of course if you leave the company or just want to use your tablet without entering a password, you can always break the tie and regain control of the security. How your company will control your Windows RT Tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Building Windows 8 | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  We already chewed the cud on these 20.3-megapixel shooters in the early hours of this morning, but Samsung knows we have multiple stomachs for this kind of thing so it invited us in for a little hands-on time. Now, it's worth reiterating that these cameras are far from cheap: the DSLR-rivalling NX20 costs $1,100 with the kit lens, the compact NX210 costs $900 and the wee NX1000 has yet to be priced but could likely come in at around $700. Even so, now that we've had the pleasure of meeting each one individually, there are a few key selling points that make them stand out, and which could potentially turn Samsung into more of a challenger in this game. What selling points, exactly? Oh, only things like big APS-C sensors, AMOLED displays and built-in WiFi across the board. If any of that appeals, read on for more. Continue reading Samsung's NX20, NX210 and NX1000 mirrorless camera trio, hands-on Samsung's NX20, NX210 and NX1000 mirrorless camera trio, hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  We're not done with the AT&T prototypes yet. After putting our rears in the seat of a Porsche 911 and turning our questionable English into even more questionable Spanish, Ma Bell gave us a glimpse at some super rough devices fresh from the labs. The first one we got our hands on, really didn't need us to put our hands on it. ShadowPuppets sticks a webcam to a pico projector (literally... with gaffers tape) to create a touchless "multitouch" interface for your phone. Rather than have friends gather around your tiny iPhone display or force a person to awkwardly reach across you and tap on your handset, this concept lets anyone simply cast shadows to control the interface. It's not terribly dissimilar from a number of other projects out there, except it's specifically geared at turning smartphone interaction into a social experience. The demo required the assistance of an Alienware laptop, and the pinch to zoom function was a little wonky to say the least. Still, it was pretty easy to see how this might prove useful in daily life. The other concept on hand was the haptic feedback steering wheel the company dreamed up with help from Carnegie Mellon. While the research may sound compelling, the device it self couldn't be any rougher around the edges... literally. The design consisted of roughly cut chunks of foam taped (this time with packing tape, we believe) haphazardly to a game controller. On each piece of foam was a tiny vibrating actuator connected to an Arduino that dangled below in a vaguely menacing tangle of cables. The sensation as the vibrations travel in circular patterns (clockwise to indicate a right turn, counter clockwise for left), was strange to say the least. But, as the cycles sped up and the turn approached we grew less uncomfortable with the feeling of a vibrating steering wheel. And we actually found the increasing tempo an easier way to discern when a turn was approaching than hearing a robotic voice shout out, "turn left in 500 feet." Check out the gallery above for some not so glamorous shots of the future of tech. Hands-on with AT&T Labs prototypes: ShadowPuppets and haptic steering wheel originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  You know what ASUS' Zenbooks needed, right? Like, even more than a cushier keyboard or Ivy Bridge refresh? The Malibu Beach House treatment, obviously. For those of you in dreary 'ol Blighty waiting for an Ultrabook with tropical coloring (but no sequins), take note: ASUS is going to start selling its candy-colored, oh-so classy Zenbooks in the UK. Specifically, that includes the 13-inch UX31 in hot pink, and the 11.6-inch UX21 in Rose Gold. Both will be available by the end of April, with the UX31 available through PC World and Curry's, and the UX21 through Littlewoods and Argos. Find the PR after below, and pay no mind to the lady editor behind the curtain doing a facepalm. Continue reading ASUS to sell pink and gold Zenbooks in the UK, where good taste is alive and well ASUS to sell pink and gold Zenbooks in the UK, where good taste is alive and well originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  "That's a wrap!" Finally, an appropriate use for that industry cliché, since, ya know, we really are at a motion picture / television conference. As our first trip to the National Association of Broadcasters' annual event in Las Vegas fires its last frame, we're going to roll to the credits, honoring all those products that enabled us to justify spending a week in Sin City on the company dime. From Canon's 4K-capable 1D C (that'll sadly run you far more than $4k) to RED's Dragon sensor upgrade set to render "obsolescence obsolete," there's plenty to look forward to in the world of cinematography. We also happened upon a few consumer-facing gadgets, including Ceton's new DVR companion apps for Android and iOS, that Lenscaster SLR lens mount for iPad and a new Dolby 3D standard that could help propel glasses-free 3D into mass production. That's but a small sampling of the gadgets at NAB 2012, however, so jump past the break for all our hands-ons from the show. Continue reading NAB 2012 wrap-up NAB 2012 wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  We got to fiddle with Mozilla's HTML5-based mobile OS, Boot to Gecko, for the first time a couple of months ago, and found it to be a promising platform, but one that wasn't ready for prime-time. However, it appears that Brazilians on Telefonica will get the first crack at buying BtG phones, and the handsets are set to go on sale by the end of this year or in early 2013. The good news -- for our South American readers, at least -- came from Gary Kovacs, Mozilla's CEO, who made the announcement in Sao Palo today. Unfortunately, Kovacs failed to say what kind of hardware will run the web-based OS, but Pablo Larrieux, the chief innovation officer of Telefonica Vivo, indicated that the handsets will be unlocked and priced to move: they'll cost as much as a featurephone.
[Thanks, Henrique] [Brazil flag photo via Shutterstock.] Mozilla: Brazilians to get first phones running Boot to Gecko originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | ZTop (translated) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Just in case a constantly increasing unread messages counter is providing enough details about the flow of messages to your inbox, the Official Gmail Blog points the Gmail Meter tool for detailed monthly activity breakdowns. A Google Apps script developed by Romain Vialard, it can show you stats on volume, daily traffic, traffic pattern, email categories, time before first response, word count and thread lengths, providing an even deeper dive than Google's own Account Activity dashboard. Setting this up on ones account requires setting up a Google docs spreadsheet and then installing the script on it and requesting a report, there's a YouTube video embedded after the break and a tutorial linked below to help you along. On the plus side, now when someone asks "why haven't you responded to my email yet?", you can show them they're still well within the average time before first response window. Continue reading Gmail Meter brings detailed analytics to your inbox Gmail Meter brings detailed analytics to your inbox originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Official Gmail Blog, Tutorial | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Just in case a constantly increasing unread messages counter isn't providing enough details about the flow of messages to your inbox, the Official Gmail Blog has pointed out the Gmail Meter tool for detailed monthly activity breakdowns. A Google Apps script developed by Romain Vialard, it can show you stats on volume, daily traffic, traffic pattern, email categories, time before first response, word count and thread lengths; providing an even deeper dive than Google's own Account Activity dashboard. Setting this up on one's account requires setting up a Google docs spreadsheet and then installing the script on it and requesting a report, there's a YouTube video embedded after the break and a tutorial linked below to help you along. On the plus side, now when someone asks "why haven't you responded to my email yet?", you can show them they're still well within the average time before first response window. Continue reading Gmail Meter brings detailed analytics to your inbox Gmail Meter brings detailed analytics to your inbox originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Official Gmail Blog, Tutorial | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  While its parent company goes through a dramatic reinvention, Sony Music's scraped together $2.2 billion to lead a consortium that's just bought EMI's music publishing business. While it'll sell off the three Virgin and Famous Music labels to avoid competition concerns, the company will gain access to three million songs from artists like Frank Sinatra, Jay-Z and Adele. It won't affect the day-to-day running of EMI's record label, which is a separate entity, but it will make Sony the biggest music publisher in the world. It's hard not to envisage a future in which the company's influence in the way we buy and listen to music becomes even greater -- especially given that EMI led the charge in abandoning DRM all those years ago. What crisis? Sony Music buys EMI's back catalogue for $2.2 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  By rights, Brammo's street-fighting Empulse should have gotten here quicker, but at least we now have a firm launch date. Sporting an all-new six-speed gearbox in place of the one-speed original, Brammo's spec sheet shows a 121-mile city range (or 56 miles on the highway), 100+ MPH maximum hustle and a re-juicing time of 3.5 hours in fast-charge mode. We're not sure if the price has budged from the original $14,000 estimate, but if you want to see what that ballpark sum might get you, the video after the break is all yours. Continue reading Brammo's 100MPH Empulse coming May 8th, spooks electrons with six-speed gearbox Brammo's 100MPH Empulse coming May 8th, spooks electrons with six-speed gearbox originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Autoblog Green | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Who would've thought the scholars over at St. John's U. would be the ones to unintentionally reveal an unannounced Lenovo laptop? In this particular case, the star of the informal unveiling is a certain 14-inch ThinkPad T430, which we imagine is just one of many notebook refreshes we're going to see once Intel goes official with Ivy Bridge. Of course, the main attraction here is the T430's Core i5-3210 CPU, that's paired alongside 6GB of RAM, a 500GB, 7200RPM hard drive and a 6-cell battery -- at least in this specific model. Much to our disappointment, however, we couldn't spot any info related to pricing or availability, though the university's laptop program home page makes it seem as if it's up for grabs now. So, those hitting the books at the Big East school can head to the source below and see if you can claim one of these for yourself. Lenovo ThinkPad T430 with Ivy Bridge surfaces on university website originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Notebook Italia | St. John's University | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Remember that QNX-loaded Porsche 911 we sat down with (in?) at CES? Well, it's back and it learned a few new tricks en route to New Amsterdam York City. The car-friendly software company got its hooks into AT&T's Watson Speech API and used it to power a new voice-command system for it's own take on the "virtual assistant." Using the new speech recognition tool and Ma Bell's LTE network QNX was able to pull up websites, find a Starbucks (though, in New York City you'd have to be blind to not find one) and place calls. All in all, the demo wasn't too different from what we saw in Vegas in January -- in fact, we wouldn't be surprised to find out that Porsche was also utilizing Watson, long before it was announced. For a familiar, but still interesting demo, check out the video after the break. Continue reading QNX's Watson-connected Porsche 911, hands-on (video) QNX's Watson-connected Porsche 911, hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  We're sure some of you aren't as interested in the Windows 8 versions destined for workplace drudgery as you are the home editions, but admit it, the IT guy inside of you is a little curious. As detailed in an official blog post, the new unique feature in Windows 8 Enterprise is Windows To Go, which we think of as Windows on a stick. Basically it allows you to run your corporate image on a home PC or other personal devices -- the opposite of that USB disk you carry to work with portable versions of your favorite unsanctioned apps. Also new is the ability to automatically sideload internal Metro apps as well as enhancements to the virtual desktop client. Of course Windows 7 Enterprise features like DirectAccess, BranchCache and AppLocker are still there, but some features like BitLocker are now available in the Pro version of Windows 8 too. If you were thinking you might like these at home, don't forget that Enterprise is only sold with Software Assurance (Microsoft's perpetual upgrade program), but that does bring extra abilities too, like a free Virtual Desktop Access license -- you didn't think you got that for free did you -- and the optional Companion Device license that extends your VDI and Windows To Go rights to four more personal devices. Now, if it just included the ability to boot directly to the desktop, then most corporation's biggest concern with Windows 8 would be appeased. Microsoft reveals the fourth version of Windows 8: Enterprise originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Windows Team Blog | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Dear MMO players, Sony's getting worried about your indoor tan. Really. The electronics giant's even gone so far as to file a patent application to get you out of your parent's basement and into the great outdoors. Alright, so the move isn't altogether altruistic -- it's more of a means to a promotional end -- but from the looks of this USPTO doc, the company's outlined a method to create a program that would encourage gamers to head into the daylight for organized events where everyone knows your online name. Of course, there'd be rewards and other incentives (trophies, perhaps?) on hand to coax you out of that Snuggie and help foster a sense of community. Not to worry, though, Bunim / Murray haven't got their MTV-friendly reality cams targeted on this concept, yet. Sony patent application aims to put names to faceless MMO players, organize real-world meetups originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Colin Giles, Nokia's executive vice president of sales, has announced that he's stepping down. It follows the company's dour financial results for Q1 and will lead to a restructuring of the company's sales organization, aiming to strip layers from what's currently in place. Giles has been with Nokia since 1992 and was heavily involved in the company's movements in China and the larger Asia market. However, he had only been involved in Nokia's Leadership Team for just under a year. He will stay with the team until June 30 and cites a desire to be closer to his family following his departure. Announced through Nokia's official channels, the process aims to "ensure greater customer focus" -- we suppose that will involve more than just white polycarbonate. Nokia head of sales resigns, department aims to reduce 'layers of management' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Nokia | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  The Lumia 610 is a colorful thing,
going on sale, in the Firery Ring.
Bound by tepid desire,
it's about to launch in the Ring of Fire. It's about to launch in the burning Ring of Fire.
Sales are down, down, down,
and the burning platform feels higher.
But it's going on sale, sale, sale,
in the the Ring of Fire.
And also China. The full press release is after the break. Continue reading Nokia Lumia 610 headed to the (Pacific) 'Ring of Fire' in coming months for €189 Nokia Lumia 610 headed to the (Pacific) 'Ring of Fire' in coming months for €189 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Translation apps aren't exactly the newest or sexiest thing in the world of technology, but we've got to hand it to AT&T with whipping up a rather impressive demo. The company showed off a next gen version of its AT&T Translator app, which may one day allow people to communicate in real time regardless of their spoken language. The app uses the carrier's new Watson Speech API, in this case via a VoIP call on a pair of iPads, to not only transcribe dialog, but translate it from English to Spanish (and vice-versa) then play it back in the target tongue using a computer generated voice. This isn't like the Google Translate app on your phone -- the translation happens in near real time, with only a slight latency as your words are fed through the system. The demo wasn't without its hitches (the room was noisy and filled with bloggers totting wireless devices), but it went more or less as planned and our gracious hosts were able to complete a call requesting a taxi cab. One day AT&T hopes to make this a standard feature of its services, eliminating the language barrier once and for all. To see the app in action check out the video after the break. Continue reading AT&T Translator app hands-on: smashing the language barrier (video) AT&T Translator app hands-on: smashing the language barrier (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  If you've ever tried to jam a regular SSD into your Mac, then you'll know that many off-the-shelf drives feel like they're tailored and tested for, ahem, someone else. Not so with OWC's Mercury Accelsior, which claims to be the only Mac bootable and Mac supported PCIe SSD on the market. Regardless of which platform you use it with, however, the dual-SandForce card promises some neat tricks with its 24nm Toshiba Toggle NAND. Sequential read and write speeds are around 50 percent higher than what you'd get from a regular SATA III drive, with the cheapest 120GB model ($360) offering 758MB/s reads and 743MB/s writes. Random performance is notched up too, with around 100K IOPS in both directions. The 960GB version costs a coldly precise $2,096, but still -- a potential side order for when the Mac Pro line finally gets another refresh? Continue reading OWC's Mercury Accelsior PCIe SSD is Mac bootable, strictly neutral OWC's Mercury Accelsior PCIe SSD is Mac bootable, strictly neutral originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink 9to5 Mac | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Sometimes, two dimensional photos, even those taken by a 41-megapixel sensor, simply aren't enough to accurately depict a three dimensional object. Enter Arqball Spin, a free app that lets anyone with an iOS device create high-quality 3D models of whatever they like. Using the iPhone's camera, the app takes a series of images and uses some software black magic to create the finished product. The model, or "spin", can be cropped and adjusted (brightness, saturation and contrast) like a regular photograph, plus users can create custom annotations to identify or comment on specific parts of the "spin" as well. Viewers can then rotate the model 360 degrees and zoom in on any part that piques their interest. While it's currently an Apple-centric affair, support for DSLRs and other hi-res cameras (by uploading videos to the company's website for processing) and other mobile platforms is in the pipeline. The app works best if the object is situated on Arqball's stage, which rotates at an optimal three RPM -- the stage isn't available yet, but the company's going the Kickstarter route to get the capital needed to start manufacturing. Those who pitch in now can grab a stage for $60, and it'll cost $20 more if you want to wait until it's on sale. Of course, the app still functions if you want to hold your iPhone or iPad and walk around your subject, but you won't get near the quality result that you can when using the stage. Because the "spins" are hosted on Arqball's servers, they can easily be embedded on any website via HTML. By making photo-realistic 3D modeling so easy and accessible, Arqball sees this technology as a perfect fit for online retailers, educators, and, ahem, even gadget reviewers. While the app holds obvious commercial appeal, the company's not counting out casual users, and hopes to see a future filled with user-created 3D content. We got to see the app in action, and walked away thoroughly impressed with both the speed of the app and the detailed models it produces -- but you don't have to take our word for it, see a sample spin and our hands-on video after the break. Continue reading Hands-on with Arqball Spin, the app that lets you create interactive 3D models Hands-on with Arqball Spin, the app that lets you create interactive 3D models originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Arqball, Kickstarter | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sometimes, standard two dimensional photos, even those taken by a 41-megapixel sensor, simply aren't enough to accurately depict a three dimensional object. Enter Arqball Spin, a free app that lets anyone with an iOS device create high-quality 3D models of whatever they like. Using the iPhone's camera, the app takes a series of images and uses some software black magic to create the finished product. The model, or "spin", can be cropped and adjusted (brightness, saturation and contrast) like a regular photograph, plus users can create custom annotations to identify or comment on specific parts of the "spin" as well. Viewers can then rotate the model 360 degrees and zoom in on any part that piques their interest. While it's currently an Apple-centric affair, support for DSLRs and other hi-res cameras (by uploading videos to the company's website for processing) and other mobile platforms is in the pipeline. The app works best if the object is situated on Arqball's stage, which rotates at an optimal three RPM -- the stage isn't available yet, but the company's going the Kickstarter route to get the capital needed to start manufacturing. Those who pitch in now can grab a stage for $60, and it'll cost $20 more if you want to wait until it's on sale. Of course, the app still functions if you want to hold your iPhone or iPad and walk around your subject, but you won't get near the quality result that you can when using the stage. Because the "spins" are hosted on Arqball's servers, they can easily be embedded on any website via HTML. By making photo-realistic 3D modeling so easy and accessible, Arqball sees this technology as a perfect fit for online retailers, educators, and, ahem, even gadget reviewers. While the app holds obvious commercial appeal, the company's not counting out casual users, and hopes to see a future filled with user-created 3D content. We got to see the app in action, and walked away thoroughly impressed with both the speed of the app and the detailed models it produces -- but you don't have to take our word for it, see a sample spin and our hands-on video after the break. Continue reading Hands-on with Arqball Spin, the app that lets you create interactive 3D models Hands-on with Arqball Spin, the app that lets you create interactive 3D models originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Arqball, Kickstarter | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  In what may be the first notable instance of a product actually losing the "i" in favor of building out its own persona, Barobo's iMobot is not only not going by Mobot, but it's also up for pre-order. The modular robotics platform can be claimed for $269.95 (with extension plates and the like available as optional extras), and we're told by the company that these will be on the move by August at the latest. Moreover, a grant has been secured to provide "at least $500,000 over the next two years to Barobo, with potential for up to another $500,000 in matching funds if the company can make sales and attract venture capital." Folks involved with the project are hoping to see Mobot used as a tool for teaching robotics as early as third grade, and given the choice of tinkering with one of these or fiddling with a TI-83 Plus... well, you know. For those unaware of Mobot's potential, head on past the break for a freshly cut video. Continue reading Barobo's Mobot goes up for pre-order, slinks toward your impressionable children (video) Barobo's Mobot goes up for pre-order, slinks toward your impressionable children (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Barobo, UC Davis | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Just a couple of days ago, Canadian carrier WIND quietly outed its soon-to-be Nokia Lumia 710, and now it's Bell's turn to follow suit by teasing an upcoming device of its own. Unlike WIND, however, Bell isn't flaunting a Mango-flavored handset, but instead a Gingerbread-loaded Samsung Galaxy S II HD LTE. As you may have guessed by the "LTE" stuffed in its relatively long dub, this Sammy slab will be able to surf through the Mobility network's Long Term Evolution waves. Sadly, the product page isn't showing us just how much cash you'll have to unleash, or how "soon" we can expect it to hit shelves around the True North. No worries, though, since Bell does have a signup page waiting for you to kindly place your name on it. Samsung Galaxy S II HD LTE listed as 'coming soon' on Bell Canada's site originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Mobile Syrup | Bell Mobility | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Verizon is rembering how to turn to subscribers into cash, reporting consolidated revenues up 4.6 percent year-over-year to $28 billion, and earnings of $1.7 billion -- boosting earnings-per-share by 15 percent. By comparison, revenues were $27 billion in Q1 2012, and a mere $18 billion last quarter, which resulted in a $2 billion net loss. Big Red's performance is now as strong as ever, with subscriber numbers up five percent to 93 million, and with 47 percent of those customers using insanely profitable devices called smartphones. And that new $30 upgrade fee hasn't even kicked in yet. Continue reading Verizon's vitals: quarterly revenue up five percent to $28 billion, earnings of $1.7 billion Verizon's vitals: quarterly revenue up five percent to $28 billion, earnings of $1.7 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Killer Technology -- formerly known as Bigfoot Networks -- has certainly come a long way from its days as a scrappy startup, and now the outfit's taking one more step towards ping domination with the introduction of two new products. Qualcomm Atheros is actually doing the honors, as it formally reveals the Killer Wireless-N 1202 WiFi module with Bluetooth as well as the Killer E2200 gigabit Ethernet controller. Each one is aimed at DIYers and OEMs, enabling machines based on them to automatically classify and prioritizing gaming, video and audio network data -- a bit of behind-the-scenes black magic that's said to "provide a superior, uninterrupted online entertainment experience." As you'd expect, both will include the Killer Network Manager software on associated rigs, giving end users a borderline ridiculous amount of control over how bandwidth is used. We're told that the 1201 will ship next month, while the E2200 is available now; pricing remains a mystery on both, though. Killer Wireless-N 1202 and E2200 Ethernet controller launch, aim to squash your ping times originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Killer Technology | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |
