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At a size of just 100 nanometers, it may not be much to look at, but a new type of microwave oscillator developed by researchers at UCLA could open the door to mobile communication devices that are smaller, cheaper and more efficient. As PhysOrg reports, unlike traditional silicon-based oscillators (the bit of a device that produces radio-frequency signals), these new oscillators rely on the spin of an electron rather than its charge to create microwaves -- a change that apparently bring with it a host of benefits. That includes a boost in signal quality, and a dramatic reduction in size. The new nanoscale system is fully 10,000 times smaller than current silicon-based oscillators, and can even be incorporated into existing chips without a big change in manufacturing processes. As with most such developments, however, it remains to be seen when we'll actually see it put into practice.
UCLA researchers develop nanoscale microwave oscillators, promise better and cheaper mobile devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 05:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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 Computers are normally limited by the fixed nature of their chipsets: once the silicon is out of the factory, its capabilities are forever locked in. The City College of New York and University of California Berkeley have jointly developed a technique that could break chips free of these prisons and speed along quantum computing. They found that hitting gallium arsenide with a laser light pattern aligns the spins of the atoms under the rays, creating a spintronic circuit that can re-map at a moment's notice. The laser could be vital to quantum computers, which can depend heavily or exclusively on spintronics to work: a simple shine could get electrons storing a much wider range of numbers and consequently handling many more calculations at once. Research is only just now becoming public, however; even though gallium arsenide is common in modern technology, we'll need to be patient before we find quantum PCs at the local big-box retail chain. Despite this, we could still be looking at an early step in a shift from computers with many single-purpose components to the abstracted, all-powerful quantum machines we've held in our science fiction dreams.
CCNY, UC Berkeley develop lasers that could rewrite quantum chips, spin those atoms right round originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 04:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | CCNY, Nature | Email this | Comments |
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Some internet purveyors make a big fuss over having public WiFi. It's not often that they go out of their way to help you find that WiFi, however, and that's where CableVision's recently posted (but just now official) Optimum WiFi Hotspot Finder comes in. If you're one of the cable company's Optimum Online subscribers, the currently iOS-only app will pinpoint the 35,000 access points that you can call a home away from home. As we'd hope, the app both finds hotspots nearby for an immediate fix or drills down to specific hotspots if you're just that determined to find a restaurant with a data pipe. The app and WiFi access are both free -- apart from that small matter of the cable account, of course -- and will no doubt help iPad and iPhone owners for whom Optimum WiFi's 15Mbps speed is an oasis in a sea of pokey 3G.
Cablevision launches iOS app to track down Optimum WiFi hotspots, keep you off the 3G sauce originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 04:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | App Store | Email this | Comments |
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Raspberry Pi's journey to reach owners has been a lengthy one, but Greg Holloway is preparing to send his board on a longer voyage -- one across the Atlantic. Nestled inside a tupperware tub, the RaspberryPi is the brains of FishPi, an autonomous vessel guided by GPS and a compass that measures 20 inches from bow to stern. Currently in proof-of-concept form, the craft uses a 40 mm rotating propeller and draws juice from batteries powered by a 130 watt solar panel. Producing kits for students, enthusiasts and professionals is the goal of the project, but testing and development are still on the docket. While the Linux-laden launch isn't ready for the high seas quite yet, you can sail to the source for the technical breakdown or check it out at the Nottingham Hackspace Raspberry Jam next month.
FishPi sets course for the open sea, captained by a Raspberry Pi originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink  The Verge | RaspberryPi | Email this | Comments |
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When we initially did our Nook Tablet / Kindle Fire battle royal, the choice between the devices for comics fans largely came down to the preference between the Marvel and DC universes. The lines, however, are blurring. Thanks to today's announcement, Justice League fans should find as much to love in the Nook Tablet and Color as Avengers devotees. DC has brought more than 100 graphic novels to the aforementioned devices and Android tablets running the Nook app. Barnes & Noble also used the opportunity to announce the new Zoom View feature, which lets readers focus on individual panels -- functionality that sounds fairly similar to what Comixology offers in its own popular app. For more information about Crisis on Infinite Nooks, check out the press release after the break.
Continue reading DC Comics arrive on Nook Tablet, Barnes & Noble lets you watch, zoom the Watchmen
DC Comics arrive on Nook Tablet, Barnes & Noble lets you watch, zoom the Watchmen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 02:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It isn't hard to get an Android 4.0 phone under $200 if you're willing to sign your life away with a contract. Getting one that's worthwhile at that same figure contract-free, however, requires some jumping through hoops. MediaTek must be an acrobat, as it just released the MT6577, a chip design for the most entry level of smartphones. The part's frugal focus doesn't keep it from stuffing in a dual-core, 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, a PowerVR SGX series 5 for graphics and an HSPA modem for 3G. Those specifications would only have been cutting-edge in 2011, but they're very speedy for a starter device in 2012 -- fast enough to drive Google's OS on a 720p screen while supporting 1080p video. The MT6577 is a drop-in replacement for its MT6575 ancestor, and it's accordingly going to be used very quickly by "leading global customers" this summer. Knowing MediaTek's most recent clients, that could soon lead to a sea of very affordable phones from Gigabyte, ZTE and others that have no problems eating an Ice Cream Sandwich.
Continue reading MediaTek MT6577 helps push dual-core Android 4.0 smartphones under $200 contract-free
MediaTek MT6577 helps push dual-core Android 4.0 smartphones under $200 contract-free originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 02:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft's been dishing out details on all kinds of goodies we'll see in Windows 8, and the Photos app is the latest to get the behind the scenes treatment from the Building Windows 8 blog. If you downloaded the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, then you got to check out a trial version of Photos -- and its four-column Metro UI that can access your local pics, plus those from Facebook, Flickr and SkyDrive. In the Release Preview, Microsoft's given users who install the SkyDrive desktop app -- regardless of OS -- the option to have all their photos archived automatically in the cloud. That means all those photos are then accessible via the Photos app on any Windows 8 device. The app's also gained the ability to import photos directly, and sharing them's gotten easier as the Share charm now lets you send them as attachments or SkyDrive links. Want to know more? A fuller accounting of the Photos app awaits at the source, as does a video showing off all the fresh features.
Microsoft dishes details on Windows 8 Photos app originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 01:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Building Windows 8 | Email this | Comments |
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The problem with laser weapons is this -- they need a lot, a lot of power. Seriously. Some of those big, plane-mounted prototypes choke down enough juice to power a whole city. Not so with the Laser-Induced Plasma Channel weapon being developed by researchers at Picatinny Arsenal. While still using plenty of electricity, this more moderately specced laser is just powerful enough to strip electrons off the air molecules around it generating a thin filament of plasma. Its not the high-intensity laser pulse that does the damage, though. Instead, the channel of plasma is used as a conduit for a high-voltage blast of electricity. That laser-assisted bolt of lightning could disable vehicles, people and even IEDs. There are plenty of obstacles, including making the weapon rugged enough for battlefield use and reliable enough to keep the plasma channel from leading the blast of electricity back into the laser and damaging it. Now, if only we could find the video that still above was taken from.
LIPC weapon combines lasers and lightning, proves soldiers are a bunch of nerds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | U.S. Army | Email this | Comments |
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Ematic has a tendency to release a lot of tablets, so what's one more? In the case of the eGlide Pro X, quite a bit. The newly shipping model uses a 9.7-inch, 4:3 ratio display that will be quite familiar to some, but which is still quite rare in the narrower, 16:10-happy world of Android 4.0. It's thankfully more than just superficials that get the boost. We'd say that the Pro X is just that slightly more pro than its XL Pro ancestor through a faster 1.2GHz processor and a doubled 8GB of built-in storage. A microSD slot, HDMI, Kobo's book app, and Ematic's own Google-replacing software all show their familiar faces. The $220 price currently makes this latest of eGlides a good bargain, but we have a hunch you might want to wait until Google I/O -- you never know what you might get.
Ematic unwraps 9.7-inch eGlide Pro X tablet, widens its Android 4.0 horizons in a literal sense originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 23:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Fans of the Indiana Jones series already got the good news in March that the flicks are finally coming to Blu-ray this year, and now we know when. Paramount has set September 18th as the release date, and also finally revealed cover art for the set, seen above... yeah, that's really it. No matter how cartoony it is (or how mind-numbing Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was) we're sure some will still be lining up when it ships. For their trouble, they can expect a "meticulously restored" edition of Raiders of the Lost Ark, after a process supervised by director Steven Spielberg and sound designer Ben Burtt. This has included a 4K scan of the original negatives, as well as a revisiting to the original audio mix, with music tracks and sound effects that had previously only been used in mono upgraded to stereo surround for the 5.1 DTS-HD MA track. Check after the break for a press release with more details on the restoration and a trailer for the boxed set, or head to Amazon where the price is currently sitting at $90 to preorder.
Continue reading Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures Blu-ray set hits shelves September 18th
Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures Blu-ray set hits shelves September 18th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 23:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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If you're reading this, then you're probably always looking ahead at what technology might bring next. Tomorrow at 10AM ET, US Congress members of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will be doing that too. The specific segment of the market being discussed is video and on the docket to testify is a who's who of the video business. The old guard, NCTA and the MPAA, is being represented by Michael Power -- yes, the previous Chairman of the FCC -- and Michael O'Leary, respectively. On the other side are representatives from Dish Network, Sky Angel, Netflix, Roku and Public Knowledge. So yeah, this could get interesting. The NCTA has already starting posturing on its blog, Cable Tech Talk, with a post highlighting all the wonderful changes in the video distribution industry in the past 20 years -- however, curiouslyy, the upwardly creeping price of the average bill wasn't mentioned. Of course a subcommittee hearing is just the first of a very long process towards real change, and while we'd be shocked if any of our ideas are implemented anytime soon, it's good to see some movement in Washington on a topic we care about.
Congress to hold a hearing tomorrow on the Future of Video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 22:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | House.gov | Email this | Comments |
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 Thought Samsung was out of the woods when it defeated Apple's attempt to prevent it from selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 stateside? Well, Apple appealed that decision and was given a second crack at banning Sammy's slate last month -- and it looks like Cupertino made the most of the opportunity, as Reuters reports that Judge Koh has granted Cupertino's request to enjoin the sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Details are scarce at the moment, but we do know it's only a preliminary injunction, meaning if Samsung's ultimately victorious in the case, the injunction will lift and it'll be free to peddle its wares once again. Still, it's certainly bad news for the Korean company, but given its expansive stable of other slates still on sale combined with its recent economic performance, we're sure Samsung can weather the storm while the courtroom fireworks continue.
Update: All Things D got a copy of Koh's order, and we just gave it a quick read. Turns out that she granted the injunction due to the strength of the merits of Apple's case and the unlikelihood that Samsung would invalidate Apple's design patent -- the court already held that the 10.1 is "virtually indistinguishable" from the iPad's design and likely infringes Apple's design patent. Furthermore, Judge Koh held that, because Apple and Samsung are direct competitors in the tablet space and "design mattered more to customers in making tablet purchases," Apple would be irreparably harmed by further 10.1 sales. Those two factors outweighed any hardship suffered by Samsung, and thus she struck the Galaxy Tab 10.1 from US shelves.
Judge Koh stops US sales of Galaxy Tab 10.1, puts a smack down on Samsung (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments |
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Thought Samsung was out of the woods when it defeated Apple's attempt to prevent it from selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 stateside? Well, Apple appealed that decision and was given a second crack at banning Sammy's slate last month -- and it looks like Cupertino made the most of the opportunity, as Reuters reports that Judge Koh has granted Cupertino's request to enjoin the sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Details are scarce at the moment, but we do know it's only a preliminary injunction, meaning if Samsung's ultimately victorious in the case, the injunction will lift and it'll be free to peddle its wares once again. Still, it's certainly bad news for the Korean company, but given its expansive stable of other slates still on sale combined with its recent economic performance, we're sure Samsung can weather the storm while the courtroom fireworks continue.
Update: All Things D got a copy of Koh's order, and we just gave it a quick read. Turns out that she granted the injunction due to the strength of the merits of Apple's case and the unlikelihood that Samsung would invalidate Apple's design patent -- the court already held that the 10.1 is "virtually indistinguishable" from the iPad's design and likely infringes Apple's design patent. Furthermore, Judge Koh held that, because Apple and Samsung are direct competitors in the tablet space and "design mattered more to customers in making tablet purchases," Apple would be irreparably harmed by further 10.1 sales. Those two factors outweighed any hardship suffered by Samsung, and thus she struck the Galaxy Tab 10.1 from US shelves.
Judge Koh stops US sales of Galaxy Tab 10.1, puts a smack down on Samsung (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments |
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On the eve of its I/O event, Google is continuing to roll out new features, one of which is expanded functionality for its ubiquitous +1 sharing buttons that can be found all over the web (and on this site). For users that are a member of its platform preview test group, other than clicking once to +1 something, or clicking again to share it on Google+, now on mouseover it will display recommended pages as seen above. According to the corresponding blog post, it pulls in related content and stuff shared by friends, and will only display selections from the same domain or subdomain as the page the button is on. Google anticipates this will go live to all users "in the next few weeks", if you can't wait until then hit the more coverage link below to join the preview and give feedback on how well it's working.
Google adds same-site recommendations to +1 buttons, but only for platform preview testers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Google+ Developers Blog | Email this | Comments |
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Nintendo's new 3DS XL was just revealed last week, but we didn't have to wait long for the plus-sized handheld to get put through its paces. Puissance Nintendo got its game on with Nintendo's newest, and if Google's translation is to be believed, the added screen real-estate is, naturally a welcome addition, and the panel is plenty bright and has excellent viewing angles. Additionally, any negative effects from the bigger pixels present in the display -- it's the same resolution as its baby brother -- have apparently been ameliorated by an anti-aliasing filter of some sort. As for folks concerned about gripping the 3DS XL, fear not, as ergonomics are reportedly spot on, with an even weight distribution that feels no heavier than a standard 3DS. Still not ready to rush out and grab one in August yet? Head on past the break to see the XL in action, and pop on over to the source link to see if the full French spill will persuade you.
Continue reading Nintendo 3DS XL caught on video, gets groped abroad
Nintendo 3DS XL caught on video, gets groped abroad originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Kotaku | Puissance Nintendo (translated) | Email this | Comments |
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Many Apple fans on the opposite side of the Pacific from Cupertino haven't had much of a choice to shop from iTunes, even though they've had the App Store for some time. There's now a much better sense of balance: Apple just flicked the switch on the iTunes Store for music and movies in a dozen countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region. The company singles out our own Richard Lai's Hong Kong as well as Singapore and Taiwan, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam are also getting the media catalogs, which include local content along with the international hits. It's a full catch-up as well, with iTunes in the Cloud re-downloads and iTunes Match subscriptions available in every new country. If you're a huge Andy Lau fan but wanted his albums from the most iPhone-friendly store possible, the wait is over.
Apple opens iTunes Store in Hong Kong, Taiwan and 10 other Asia-Pacific territories originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Apple | Email this | Comments |
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It's lights, camera, action cam over at Sony's blog. The company is giving the world a teaser of a new "hi-def wearable video camera" that looks to be an answer to the GoPros and Contours of the world. Sony offered up a handful of shots, including one of the camcorder encased in rugged plastic, mounted atop a helmet. According to the blog, the lightweight camera features SteadyShot image stabilization and an ultra-wide angle lens from Carl Zeiss. Sony's promised more info to come, naturally, until then, you can peep more shots in the source link below.
Continue reading Sony teases ruggedly handsome 'action camera,' has GoPro in its sights
Sony teases ruggedly handsome 'action camera,' has GoPro in its sights originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Sony Blog | Email this | Comments |
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From Barcelona to Hanover to Vegas and Taipei, we've seen our fair share of low-end Android tablets, some of which actually offer a bit of promise, and get it done for under 200 bucks. And while even a few sub-$100 models have littered the exhibition hall floors, they're most often mere vaporware, never actually making their way to US and European retailers and online shops. The Matrix One, for its part, could actually get the nod of approval from big box execs, however -- according to company reps, at least. And it wouldn't be a half-bad option at $99, shipping with Android 4.0.3, a 2-megapixel webcam, 1.5GHz Cortex A8 processor and an 800 x 480-pixel 7-inch capacitive display. Those specs also make their way to a nearly identical $149 flavor, which ups its budget counterpart's 512MB RAM and 4 gigs of storage to 1GB and 16GB, respectively, while keeping the other components intact.
While that display won't best any brand-name slab on the market, it's certainly usable, even in bright sunlight, as we experienced today at CE Week in New York City. The tablet performed just fine during our quick demo, which included navigating through some menus and watching a few HD video clips. The built-in speaker on the rear won't come close to filling a room (or even a noisy car, perhaps), but a headphone jack will let movie fans and youngsters alike appreciate content a bit more, especially if traditional tablets are priced out of reach. There's also an HDMI port for outputting 1080p video to a TV, along with one full-size USB port, a mini-USB connector for syncing and updates, a power port and a micro-SD card slot, for adding up to 32 gigs of extra storage.
You'll also find a built-in mic and a two-megapixel webcam (no rear-facing shooter, however). All in all, the 11.1-ounce package is quite polished, especially given the price. We won't likely be adding the Matrix One to our personal collection, but if a $99 tablet is on your must-have list, this wouldn't be a bad choice -- let's just hope it does indeed pop up in stores, perhaps as soon as the tablet's ready to ship at the end of next month. There's a gallery below if you'd care to take a closer look, and do jump past the break as well -- that's where you'll find our hands-on video, with a lively Manhattan soundscape to boot.
Continue reading Matrix One is a $99 ICS tablet that could ship to retailers next month... but probably won't (hands-on)
Matrix One is a $99 ICS tablet that could ship to retailers next month... but probably won't (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It's been quite some time since we've heard from Improv Electronics, maker of writing tablets such as the Boogie Board Rip. The company was on hand at CEA today to tease its latest device, the Boogie Board Jot, which like the Rip sports a reflex LCD display that doesn't require power to record your scribbles. In fact, the device only uses energy when you hit the eraser button, which means the battery should get you through some 50,000 erases.
Unlike the Rip, this model has no on-board storage, which explains the cheaper $40 price. Another new feature is the redesigned stylus, which acts as a stand for the device when docked in the onboard slot. Improv Electronics will launch the Jot in September, but you can catch some of those back-to-school vibes in our hands-on video below the break.
Continue reading Boogie Board Jot eWriting pad hands-on (video)
Boogie Board Jot eWriting pad hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Polaroid. The brand is iconic, to put it lightly. In the post film age however, the company has fought to stay relevant without completely sacrificing its identity at the altar of the digital photography gods. The solution has been cramming printers inside the bodies of its shooters (and partnering with questionably talented celebrities), hoping to recreate the experience of instantly coping a glossy copy to hang or hand out, while co-opting the benefits of the megapixel. The Z2300 is the latest in its effort to claim a chunk of the casual photography market. This 10 megapixel printer cam produces 2 x 3-inch prints that are also stickers in about 30-45 seconds. It's not quite as quick as the Polaroids of old, but at least you don't have to shake em.
Continue reading Polaroid Z2300 hands-on
Polaroid Z2300 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We've seen more than a few energy monitors, but how many of them offer a pretty light show on the side? The EnergyBuddy -- first unveiled as a prototype at CES but just now inching toward a full launch -- is a complete home energy-tracking system brought to you by Cali-based startup FutureDash. Starting at $99, it keeps tabs on users' energy consumption with a square-shaped gadget that connects to your network via WiFi or Ethernet. The square glows red, yellow or green depending on how much electricity you're guzzling, and you have the ability to specify what qualifies as acceptable usage.
Naturally, the EnergyBuddy has a few peripherals in tow. A sensor installed at your electrical panel communicates with the rest of the system, and so-called Smart Plugs let you track the energy consumption of individual devices. The iPhone, iPad and desktop apps also offer some pretty in-depth stats, including dollars per hour spent on energy and a chart detailing consumption throughout the day. FutureDash is currently pushing the product on crowd-funding site Indiegogo, and though availability is TBD, you can take a peek at the system in our hands-on video below.
Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
FutureDash EnergyBuddy hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Remember that low-end Xperia handset that surfaced earlier this month with a one-way ticket to China? Well that 4-inch ICS device, the Neo L, has just made its many assets known for the folks at the FCC, stripping down to its internal skivvies and leaving nothing to the (lawyer's) imagination. There aren't any surprises here -- no LTE or AWS support, but it does sport radios for EDGE / GPRS (850MHz, 1900MHz), GSM (850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz) and WCDMA (900MHz, 2100MHz). So, the good news is that if you have your eye on this Sony-made Android lightweight, then it should play nice with AT&T and T-Mobile. Whether it'll ever officially joins those carriers lineups remains to be seen, but don't let a little thing like that stop you from importing away. Hit up the source to trawl the mobile dissection at your leisure.
Sony Xperia Neo L peels back the covers for FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments |
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Apple data centers are popping up like spring flowers: following its North Carolina, Oregon and California plans, it's now pitching a fourth data center in Sparks, Nevada, just outside of Reno. The enigmatically named Project Jonathan hub is expected to light up before the end of the year if it's given the green light. Not surprisingly, Apple is promising jobs for the area, although the company is choosing the location for a reason: it's hoping for tax breaks on top of the advantages that previously led it to funnel some of its money through Nevada. We'll have a better idea as to the fate of the data center when Apple argues for the project on June 27th, but it's reasonable to think Apple is eager to make the Sparks location a reality. The more capacity and reliability it can build into iCloud and iTunes, the better.
[Image credit: Amy Meredith, Flickr]
Apple pitches data center near Reno, gambles iCloud will pay off among other puns originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink GigaOM | Reno Gazette-Journal | Email this | Comments |
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Sony promised us a YouTube app for the PlayStation Vita this month, and although it's just sliding under the wire, that app is here. The viewer as it hits the console will play videos over 3G and WiFi as well as in HD quality, if you've got the bandwidth to burn. Most of the basics for favorites and searches are covered, including a small player that will let you hop between clips. There's no mention of subscriptions for those perpetually addicted to Maru or Ray William Johnson, however. That quirk aside, the free app is due to swing by the PlayStation Store any moment now, so fire up your Vita and get ready to watch game strategy videos distracting pet clips on that OLED-packing handheld.
YouTube for PS Vita now ready, will help you watch more kitties than Killzone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | PlayStation Blog | Email this | Comments |
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We're happy to chat up our Facebook friends on the web, but empowering them to track us down in person makes that virtual social experience feel a bit too real. Perhaps that was the reasoning behind the mysterious disappearance of the company's new Find Friends Nearby feature, which bit the dust yesterday just as quickly as it first appeared. During its hours-long tenure, the new tracking tab didn't give precise friend location information, but did provide a list of buddies in an undisclosed vicinity, making it possible for some not-so-top-tier contacts to realize that you're still in Tulsa, and didn't actually make that move to Timbuktu. Whatever the reason, Find Friends Nearby is now very much lost, but it could theoretically make its return at any point in the future. For now, you'll need to return to keeping an eye on acquaintances the old-fashioned way.
Facebook's Find Friends Nearby feature falls off the map, leaves buddy locating to other social apps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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 This is the week of Google I/O and we're kicking the show off with a look at the new Sony NSZ-GS7 set-top box. We've also got some bad news for Windows Media Center fans, good news for Super Hi-Vision, and promised for the future of displays from laser projectors and OLED. Finally, we'll find out who has never watched Friends, why we should be excited for the new Hitchcock Blu-ray releases and what to watch this week.
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)
Producer: Trent Wolbe
00:17:07 - Google TV goes international, Sony NSZ-GS7 set-top box up for preorder in the US and UK
00:26:38 - DirecTV quietly shifts n3D channel from 24/7 to part-time broadcasts
00:29:13 - Sony, Panasonic OLED partnership is official, aims for mass production in 2013
00:31:39 - UK 2012 Olympics Super Hi-Vision tickets are available, grab a seat for some Ultra HDTV
00:32:50 - Two more nails in the coffin for Media Center, start-up options and tuner certification
00:39:18 - LG and Philips / TP Vision announce Smart TV Alliance for cross platform TV apps
00:41:27 - Sony, Sumitomo push laser projectors forward with a new, more powerful green laser diode
00:43:01 - Hulu Plus Android app tweaked for 7-inch, high res screens, officially supports more devices
00:44:00 - TiVo releases Android app, countless tablets to be lost under couch cushions
00:45:17 - Cartoon Network's iPhone and iPad app adds a live TV feed, for authenticated customers
00:49:53 - Sonos Sub review
00:52:02 - Friends: The Complete Series Blu-ray set arrives November 13th for just under three bill
00:54:56 - Hitchcock classics Dial M for Murder (3D) and Strangers on a Train come to Blu-ray October 9th
00:57:10 - Must See HDTV (June 25th - July 1st)
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Engadget HD Podcast 305 - 06.26.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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At certain point in every geek's life, their mother gives up and stops yelling at them to sit up straight. If the lack of constant reminders to maintain good posture has you slouching and hunching, there are countless technological substitutes. Even a few nice DIY ones. But we've got to give Ellen Sundh props for the simplicity of her solution. While similar projects rely on accelerometers, which can be difficult for the budding hobbyist to work with, to monitor the angle of your body, Bad Posture sticks with a simple bend sensor to keep tabs on your spinal cord. The flexible plastic is arranged vertically in a fabric belt that also houses an Arduino, a Wave Shield from Adafruit and a push button for calibration. Sit at your optimal angle, press the button and you're ready to go. Bend too much and the Wave Shield plays a warning -- "bad posture!" Check out the video after the break to see it in action.
Continue reading Bad Posture tells you to sit up straight, replaces your mom with an Arduino
Bad Posture tells you to sit up straight, replaces your mom with an Arduino originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Adafruit | Sundh.com | Email this | Comments |
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We've had some indication that podcasts would be receiving an app of their own with iOS 6, but it looks like we won't have to wait that long after all. Apple has just released a new standalone app dubbed simply "Podcasts," which is available for iOS devices running version 5.1 or later. It expectedly offers a variety of ways to browse and discover podcasts among the thousands available (including a new Top Stations feature that groups select podcasts by category), as well as the ability to either stream episodes or download them for offline use. The app is also optimized for the iPad in addition to the iPhone, and it's thankfully able to sync podcasts with iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC (just be sure to upgrade to iTunes 10.6.3 first). No charge for this one, either.
Apple releases its own Podcasts app for iOS devices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Nokia 808 PureView has a 41-megapixel camera sensor. But you knew that. The crystallization of five years of imaging R&D has landed, and the timing couldn't have been better for Nokia. Alongside uncomfortable financial reading, its move to Windows Phone hasn't exactly set the smartphone world alight just yet. It's seemingly established itself as the go-to WinPho choice for American customers thanks to some aggressive pricing, but with news that the next iteration of Windows Phone won't come to the Lumia 900, many will hold out for Nokia's next handset. Whatever that device will be, it's likely to bring the same PureView technology we've got here on the Nokia 808 PureView -- a Symbian-based handset whose software has seen better days. However, OS be damned, it still blew away attendees at this year's Mobile World Congress. Impressive stuff, given that it's the same show where HTC's admirable One series debuted.
That huge sensor is paired with a new five-element Carl Zeiss lens and a refreshed flash with double the strength of the one on the Nokia N8 -- the existing cameraphone champ. But behind the technical bullet points, it's how Nokia maximizes the 41-megapixel sensor, oversampling with those pixels to create improved 5-, 8- , 3- and 2-megapixel images, reducing noise and improving low-light performance. However, when it comes to software, Symbian Belle (with Feature Pack 1 in tow) lags behind the likes of Android, iOS and Windows Phone in user experience and app provision. Similarly, the chunky handset flies in the opposite direction of the trend for slim smartphones. Is that camera module really all Nokia thinks (and hopes) it is? What's more, is Symbian relevant enough for such future-facing goodness? Let's find out.
Continue reading Nokia 808 PureView review: the future of mobile imaging, wrapped in smartphone's past
Nokia 808 PureView review: the future of mobile imaging, wrapped in smartphone's past originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC is going on something of a certification tangent: it's following its PlayStation Suite approval with its own program, HTC Connect. Home AV equipment with the label promises to lift the standards for streaming media to or from one of HTC's devices. The rubber stamp will be limited at first to DLNA audio and video, but it should eventually include just about anything that doesn't involve a wire, such as Bluetooth, in-car media, NFC and wireless speakers. There isn't an immediate deluge of partners. HTC has scored a rather big ally, however: Pioneer's DLNA-ready receivers and wireless speakers this year, and beyond, will flaunt the HTC Connect badge. Don't brag about the media credentials of your One X just yet. Although the Connect seal of approval won't be needed for media streaming anytime soon, it will only be coming to the One series through an upgrade in the months ahead.
Continue reading HTC Connect certifies AV gear for your One series phone, Pioneer lines up
HTC Connect certifies AV gear for your One series phone, Pioneer lines up originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Time was, secretaries executive assistants were tasked with the chore of summing up a meeting's minutes so the less focused suits could play catch-up afterwards. Not so with this vision of the automated boardroom as put forth by a newly awarded Microsoft patent. Filed back in February of 2006, the doc outlines a computer-based method for recording live audio and video (including presentation slides), a system of monitoring a user's computer activity and tracking moments of attention loss. Sounds like Redmond's crafting an enterprise version of "gotcha!," but it's not so sinister. The proposed recorder would actually make recommendations based on the moments your focus drifted off, replete with full A/V playback and even the ability to hone in and amplify an individual speaker's voice. It's easy to see how this theoretic tech could wind up worming its way out of concrete towers and integrating into classrooms of the future (and even homes). For now, content yourself with the full-on legalese available at the source link below.
Mirosoft patents recording device to curb shortened attention spans originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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 At this year's Uplinq conference, Qualcomm hit Android developers with some exciting news. In the coming months, the chip maker will deliver a Snapdragon software development kit (SDK) that will provide devs with access to the "next-generation technology and features" embedded in its processors. Through APIs, the kit will allow application architects to leverage facial processing, burst camera capture, surround sound recording, echo cancellation, sensor gestures, low power geofencing and indoor location capabilities. Initially, the SDK will only be available for the S4 8960 wafer, but Qualcomm hopes to include more models over time. Head past the break to have a gander at the full press release.
Continue reading Qualcomm to deliver Snapdragon SDK to Android developers
Qualcomm to deliver Snapdragon SDK to Android developers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Cisco won't be the fastest out of the gate with an 802.11ac WiFi router, but it's certainly one of the most ambitious. The dual-band Linksys EA6500 and a companion, single-band Universal Media Connector network bridge hike the bandwidth up to 802.11ac's 1.3Gbps peak, each of them carrying their own quartet of gigabit Ethernet jacks. A pair of USB ports on the EA6500 should make sharing storage that much faster as well. If you ask Cisco, however, the real highlight is the new Cisco Connect Cloud app platform. Not unlike Novatel's MiFi apps, the software helps either manage the router itself (think parental controls) or tap into other devices around the home, including AirPlay sharing and remote camera monitoring. There's even a new SimpleTap hardware integration platform that will pair third-party WiFi gear like Onkyo receivers to a router through Android and iOS smartphone apps. Eventually, that should include a gentle NFC-based nudge.
A Linksys Developer Community is starting now with six app developers already lined up, and support is due for any access point Cisco deems worthy of the Smart Wi-Fi Router name. That said, you'll have to wait awhile if you want the 802.11ac tag attached to that router at the same time. The currently-without-a-price EA6500 doesn't hit shops until early August; you'll have to wait until September for the equally priceless Universal Media Connector.
Continue reading Cisco rolls its first Linksys 802.11ac WiFi router and bridge, kicks off Connect Cloud app platform (video)
Cisco rolls its first Linksys 802.11ac WiFi router and bridge, kicks off Connect Cloud app platform (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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After a brief stretch in beta followed by some vague teasing, Firefox's native Android app update is finally set to hit Google Play. While there are a raft of other bells and whistles -- a new welcome page, curvy Australis tabs, Flash and HTML5 support, for starters -- the company is giving the browser's newfound speed the MVP treatment. That rapidity is as good a place as any to start a quick hands-on, especially since the native browser lag on our older Galaxy S handset often makes us want to hurl it through a pane of glass. Mozilla claims it built Firefox to a new benchmark it developed called Eideticker, resulting in an overall browser experience twice as fast as the stock Android one. As advertised, initial loading is quasi-instant, and navigation, zooming and tab switching seemed smooth as well, even on the two-gen old phone.
Feature-wise, preferences and other desktop settings imported easily with Firefox Sync's shared password system, and the unfortunately named "Awesome Page" is the new home screen shown above, from which it's fairly simple to launch your preferred sites. Flash and HTML5 generally displayed correctly despite a few minor rendering bugs, and appearance-wise, the curved tabs and other design touches make it one of the more elegant Android browsers we've played with. We were disappointed that the browser didn't detect and display mobile sites by default, but the installation of the Phony 3.2 add-in allows mobile site detection based on the criteria of various android browsers, and seems to work well. We also didn't like that tabbed browsing now requires two taps, unlike the previous version, but we imagine that the new way was required for the increased speed. Overall, Firefox is a welcome addition to the Android ecosystem -- we bet you're just as eager to start browsing as we are, so stay tuned for the app to hit Google Play later today, or jump past the break for a quick speed demo from the kind folks at Mozilla.
Continue reading Native Firefox Android browser adds speed, Flash, HTML5 and a fresh look (hands-on)
Native Firefox Android browser adds speed, Flash, HTML5 and a fresh look (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Google Play | Email this | Comments |
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Remember the Vizio VAP430 Stream Player that we tried during CES? Half a year later, the Google TV hub is getting full launch details, just in time for Google I/O. Along with receiving the much more elegant title of Co-Star Stream Player, the set-top box now bakes in OnLive streaming game support -- the Co-Star could, in theory, replace a game console for any American with a good broadband connection. Whether or not playing Just Cause 2 on a TV is in the cards, the hub ticks all the 2012 Google TV checkboxes, including a hybrid keyboard and remote, 3D-capable 1080p video and DLNA media sharing. Before you rush to the local big-box store to pick one up, be warned that pre-orders don't start until July, and then only on Vizio's website. The $100 price, however, will make it considerably easier to wait.
Continue reading Vizio's Google TV box emerges as the Co-Star Stream Player, goes up for pre-order in July with OnLive gaming
Vizio's Google TV box emerges as the Co-Star Stream Player, goes up for pre-order in July with OnLive gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It's not me, it's you. The US Army's dalliance with Boeing's A160 Hummingbird drone got one step closer to Splitsville after the military branch issued a stop-work order for the project. Initially scheduled to see action in Afghanistan starting this July, the chopper-drone turned plenty of heads thanks to a DARPA-developed Argus-IS imaging system with a 1.8-gigapixel camera capable of spying on ground targets from 20,000 feet. The honeymoon period between the Army and the A160 is apparently over, however, thanks to a host of issues. These included wiring problems as well as excessive vibration that caused an A160 to crash earlier this year due to a transmission mount failure. The problems not only increased risk and caused delays, but also led program costs to helicopter out of control -- a big no-no given Uncle Sam's recent belt-tightening. In the meantime, the Army is reportedly checking out the K-MAX, though it's important to note that this unmanned chopper specializes in cargo and doesn't have the A160's eyes.
US Army breaking up with A160 Hummingbird drone-copter, says it's too high maintenance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 07:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Wired | InsideDefense.com (Subscription required) | Email this | Comments |
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