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Saturday, June 23, 2012

6/23 Engadget


     
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D-Link unveils Cloud Router 1200 and 2000, dishes out WiFi in tube form
June 23, 2012 at 9:14 AM
 

DLink unveils Cloud Router 1200 and 2000, dishes out WiFi in tube formWe'll admit: one of the biggest appeals for us in D-Link's new Cloud Router 1200 and 2000 is that tube shape, which is a nice break from the amorphous blobs we're used to as our WiFi routers. Not to say that there aren't convincing technical reasons to like them. Both will let you remotely administrate the 802.11n router's devices from an Android or iOS app, and they both carry four gigabit Ethernet jacks as well as a USB port for some network media storage. The differences lay exclusively in the wireless support, where the single-band 1200 caters to the frugal set at 300Mbps and the simultaneous dual-band 2000 hums along at 600Mbps. Thankfully, the prices of the just-shipping access points are both about right for what you get: the Cloud Router 1200 is a cheap and cheerful $60, and the 2000 won't strain the wallet much more at $100. You can catch the full details of our new cylindrical overlords friends after the break.

Continue reading D-Link unveils Cloud Router 1200 and 2000, dishes out WiFi in tube form

D-Link unveils Cloud Router 1200 and 2000, dishes out WiFi in tube form originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Jun 2012 01:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Camera Extras hits Lumia 900 in US and China, offers four new ways to capture candids
June 23, 2012 at 7:22 AM
 

Nokia Camera Extras arrives for Lumia owners in US and China, gives you four new ways to capture candids

Although Nokia's Camera Extras app was scheduled to hit Lumia 900 smartphones sometime next week, owners in the US and China will be pleased to know they they can get it now. Nokia has officially pushed the free app into the Windows Phone Marketplace for both regions, giving Mango-flavored Lumia users four new options for capturing photos. Along with a much-needed self-timer, you'll find three other modes: Panorama, Action Shot (for photographing fast-moving subjects) and Smart Group Shot (selects the best faces from a sequence of frames). Don't fret if you don't have a 900 or live outside of the aforementioned either -- Nokia plans to release the Scalado-bred software for all Lumia smartphones worldwide in July. Hit up the links below for more info, and be sure to let us know how it works for you in the comments.

Nokia Camera Extras hits Lumia 900 in US and China, offers four new ways to capture candids originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 23:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink WMPoweruser, SymbianTweet  |  source@NokiaUS (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments
   
   
iPhone 4 and 4S now available to purchase outright at Cricket for $399 and $499
June 23, 2012 at 6:37 AM
 

iPhone 4 and 4S now available to purchase outright at Cricket for $399 and $499

There's nothing quite like the pent-up anticipation for an Apple product arrival, and yes, that extends even to customers of Cricket, who lined up this morning for their first chance to score an iPhone from the prepaid carrier. While both the iPhone 4 and 4S must be purchased outright -- for $399 and $499 respectively -- sales were said to be "brisk" today, which can be partially attributed to Cricket's $55 per month plan. For the monthly layout, customers can take advantage unlimited calling, messaging and data, although they'll need to contend with throttling for any usage past 2.3GB. Next up, Virgin Mobile is similarly situated to receive the iPhone on June 29th. Think there'll be any lines?

iPhone 4 and 4S now available to purchase outright at Cricket for $399 and $499 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 22:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E-book price fixing trial set for 2013: Apple, Macmillan and Penguin prepare for courtroom brawl
June 23, 2012 at 5:55 AM
 

E-book price fixing trial set for 2013: Apple, Macmillan and Penguin prepare for courtroom brawl

The Justice Department meant business when it accused Apple and five other publishers of price-rigging e-books, and are officially taking Cupertino and two publishers to court. In a hearing on Friday, Judge Denise Cote set a bench trial for June 3, 2012, putting Apple, Macmillan and Penguin Group on the defense. The government's allegations focus largely on agency pricing, which sees booksellers taking a 30 percent cut of each sale in lieu of buying the books at wholesale and setting their own prices. Apple and Macmillan have already denied the Justice Department's claims, of course -- but that wasn't on the stand, was it?

E-book price fixing trial set for 2013: Apple, Macmillan and Penguin prepare for courtroom brawl originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla Model S first drive: the sports sedan goes electric
June 23, 2012 at 5:20 AM
 

DNP EMBARGO  Tesla Model S first drive the sports sedan goes electric video

It's no secret that we have a few automobile enthusiasts in our midst here at Engadget, and we're pretty sure there are some in the audience as well -- you know who you are. Still, you don't have to be a car nut to appreciate all the innovation and technology that's gone into Tesla's sophomore vehicle -- the Model S electric sedan. So strap yourselves in and hold on to your kneecaps: you're about to ride along with us as we drive the Model S for the very first time. Excited? We are too -- hit the break for our impressions and stay tuned for our video.

Continue reading Tesla Model S first drive: the sports sedan goes electric

Tesla Model S first drive: the sports sedan goes electric originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Judge dismisses Apple vs. Motorola in its entirety, companies unable to prove damages
June 23, 2012 at 4:58 AM
 

Judge dismisses Apple vs. Motorola in its entirety, companies unable to prove damages

After tentatively shutting down (and reviving) Apple and Motorola's legal spat, Judge Richard Posner has put the lid on the case once and for all, dismissing it in its entirety this evening. Neither company was able to satisfy the Judge's call for proof of damages, causing him to dismiss the case and block both firms from refiling claims. "It would be ridiculous to dismiss a suit for failure to prove damages and allow the plaintiff to refile the suit so that he could have a second chance to prove damages." Posner said, "This case is therefore dismissed with prejudice; a separate order to that effect is being entered today." Posner's dismissal with prejudice means that Apple and Motorola's claims cannot be brought before the court again. Guess they'll have to find something else to fight over, eh? Check out the Judge's full opinion after the break.

Continue reading Judge dismisses Apple vs. Motorola in its entirety, companies unable to prove damages

Judge dismisses Apple vs. Motorola in its entirety, companies unable to prove damages originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Verge  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Firefox teases something 'big' coming for Android next week
June 23, 2012 at 4:08 AM
 

Firefox teases something 'big' coming for Android next week

There's been a steady flow of betas for Firefox's Android offering and now the official Twitter account promises something "big" on the way next week, along with this image. The size declaration plus a lack of updated features (specifically Flash support) on tablets so far has us looking there for something new, although the image clearly shows a phone with the words "Fast. Smart. Safe." Also curious is an update for the Firefox beta on Android today which the Twitter account also admonishes those looking for an early preview of next week's news to check out. Finally, there's the timing, as Firefox's main browser rival Chrome has been rumored to be taking over as the standard bearer in Android Jelly Bean next week during Google I/O. Leave all relevant speculation or information in the comments below.

Firefox teases something 'big' coming for Android next week originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  source@Firefox (Twitter), Firefox Beta (Google Play)  | Email this | Comments
   
   
FCC Fridays: June 22, 2012
June 23, 2012 at 3:00 AM
 

FCC Fridays June 22, 2012

We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there individually, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!

Continue reading FCC Fridays: June 22, 2012

FCC Fridays: June 22, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony patent filing for glasses would share data face to face, carry more than a hint of Project Glass
June 23, 2012 at 2:11 AM
 

Sony patent filing for glasses would scan realworld tags, carry more than a hint of Project Glass

Google might not realize it, but Project Glass isn't alone in the patent race these days. Sony has quietly applied for a patent on a familiar-looking smart glasses system whose advantage over Mountain View would be an emphasis on things in twos. Eyepieces are the most obvious, but Sony is also keen on sharing data between two friends: transmitters on a pair of glasses would send personal info through a likely very uncomfortable glance at someone else with the same eyewear. If your friends are more than a little weirded out from sharing by staring, the proposed glasses could still pick up information from visual tags on posters, products and virtually anything else. There's even the obligatory connection to a watch for sharing data with the rest of the world. Whether or not the patent leads to Sony head-mounted technology more advanced than a personal 3D TV is still up in the air, especially with Google currently hogging the spotlight... not that existing, more conservative designs have ever stopped Sony from rolling out wild concepts before.

Sony patent filing for glasses would share data face to face, carry more than a hint of Project Glass originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Patent Bolt  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Engadget Mobile Podcast 143 - 06.22.2012
June 23, 2012 at 1:30 AM
 

Listen intently as Microsoft's deepest, darkest press announcements are unraveled and demystified before your very ears: Myriam and Brad, live and pre-recorded from a hotel room in San Francisco, confront the cipher of the great riddles of the mobile Beyond.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)

00:02:30 - Samsung Galaxy S III review shootout: AT&T vs. Sprint
00:39:45 - Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover (update: video!)
00:50:58 - Microsoft introduces Windows Phone 8 for fall release, incompatible with current devices
01:25:00 - BlackBerry 10 hands-on (video)

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Engadget Mobile Podcast 143 - 06.22.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EngadgetMobile_Podcast_143.mp3 (MP3 Audio, 58.2 MB)
   
   
Engadget Podcast 299 - 06.22.2012
June 23, 2012 at 1:15 AM
 

Microsoft BOB makes its humble return on the Engadget Podcast this week. It's an "if you don't know, don't ask" situation.

Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater, Dana Wollman
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Orbital - Never

00:03:40 - Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet: meet the new Surface for Windows RT
00:05:00 - Microsoft announces Surface for Windows 8 Pro: Intel inside, optional pen input
00:06:15 - Microsoft Surface tablets: the differences between Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro models
00:14:15 - Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover (update: video!)
00:16:00 - Microsoft one ups other tablet 'smart' covers with Surface's Touch Cover and Type Cover
00:19:50 - Microsoft introduces Windows Phone 8 for fall release, incompatible with current devices
00:21:00 - Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 share lots of code, NT kernel
00:23:30 - Microsoft confirms no upgrade path to Windows Phone 8, unveils 7.8 for legacy devices
00:26:14 - Windows Phone 8 to support multi-core CPUs, HD resolutions, SD cards and NFC
00:27:13 - Windows Phone 8 to use Nokia map data with built-in turn-by-turn navigation (update: deals too)
00:29:00 - Lumia 900 owner vents Windows Phone 8 frustrations, Stephen Elop responds
00:30:40 - Windows Phone 8 introduces new Start screen
00:37:15 - Microsoft brings NFC payments and loyalty cards to Windows Phone 8
00:40:12 - Microsoft demos support for NFC-enabled ads, business cards in Windows Phone 8
00:40:42 - Microsoft brings true, background multitasking to Windows Phone 8
00:42:36 - Microsoft unveils Internet Explorer 10 for Windows Phone, very similar to the desktop
00:43:05 - MS teases Windows Phone 8 enterprise features: Company Hub, encryption, secure boot, IT management
00:52:55 - MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012)
01:01:40 - RIM reportedly firing up to 6,000 in $1 billion savings drive
01:03:30 - Samsung Galaxy S III is hot: bursts into flames and melts through its own casing
01:05:49 - Fitter, Happier: an eight week exercise in using technology to help lose weight
01:08:35 - Reading Rainbow launches iPad app, we go hands-on (video)
01:13:39 - Listener Questions



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Engadget Podcast 299 - 06.22.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget_Podcast_299.mp3 (MP3 Audio, 50.1 MB)
   
   
Former Apple UI designer joins Facebook to lead product design team
June 23, 2012 at 12:58 AM
 

Former Apple UI designer

It remains to be seen exactly what he'll be involved with, but Facebook's new Product Design Manager brings quite a background with him to the job. Until just a few months ago, Chris Weeldreyer was a UI Design Manager at Apple (a role held for over eight years) where, as The Next Web reports, he was responsible for the company's iWeb and Numbers software, and has been named in a number of Apple's patent applications. Before that, he worked in both hardware and software product development, having held positions at Frog Design, Pentagram and Cooper. No word from either company on the move, but Weeldreyer himself made the move official on his LinkedIn page -- and, of course, his Facebook profile.

Former Apple UI designer joins Facebook to lead product design team originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Next Web  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Apple hits HTC with counterclaim lawsuit for failure to FRAND license 4G patents
June 23, 2012 at 12:23 AM
 

Apple hits HTC with counterclaim lawsuit for failure to FRAND license 4G patents

It's been far too quiet on the litigation front here at Engadget lately, but thankfully Apple's broken our courtroom news dry spell with a freshly filed counterclaim in the Eastern District of Virginia federal court. FOSS Patents reports that Apple's target is HTC, who Apple claims has abused two patents essential to the 4G/LTE wireless standard by using them in a legal action against Cupertino. In doing so, Apple asserts HTC breached its FRAND licensing obligations. The counterclaim was filed in response to an HTC-initiated complaint in the ITC, and comes hot on the heels of Apple's recent win in that case where it managed to exclude some Google patents that the Taiwanese firm borrowed to take Apple down. Will this new legal action meet the same success? We'll have to wait for lady justice to do her thing to find out, but in the meantime you can check out the source link for more.

Apple hits HTC with counterclaim lawsuit for failure to FRAND license 4G patents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alan Turing's breakthrough machine gets a loving Lego tribute (video)
June 22, 2012 at 11:42 PM
 

Alan Turing's breakthrough machine gets a loving Lego tribute

In the world of technology, having one of your inventions rendered in Lego form is the equivalent of a musician being parodied by Weird Al -- it's a sign you've truly made it and tribute to your influence. So, we're more than a little surprised to see that it's taken this long for the Turing Machine to be lovingly built from plastic bricks. The heart of this simple logic device is a Lego Mindstorms NXT set, but the soul is in Alan Turing's genius -- a man who was before his time and unjustly persecuted for failing to properly fit into society's molds. Dutch researchers Jeroen van den Bosand and Davy Landman built the device as a tribute to Turing, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this Saturday. If you're in Amsterdam you can see the machine yourself at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica's Turings Erfenis exhibit. Or, you can watch the short explanatory video after the break.

Continue reading Alan Turing's breakthrough machine gets a loving Lego tribute (video)

Alan Turing's breakthrough machine gets a loving Lego tribute (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PSFK  |  sourceecalpemos (Vimeo)  | Email this | Comments
   
   
HTC confirms it's closing offices in Brazil, halting direct sales as well
June 22, 2012 at 10:52 PM
 

HTC confirms it's closing offices, halting direct sales in Brazil

We don't have great news to share with Brazilian Android fans as the week winds to a close. After AndroidPit's initial word, we've since received extra confirmation from a spokesperson that HTC is closing its office in Brazil "after careful analysis of [its] business." The company wouldn't get any closer than that for reasoning, although the country's high tariffs on technology imports may play a part: they were high enough for Foxconn to open a Brazilian plant just so Apple could keep selling iPads and iPhones at comfortable prices, and HTC hasn't been making phones in Brazil for some time. There's also the matter of fighting to stay profitable in a market where Apple and Samsung are the only real money makers. HTC is vowing to keep up post-sale support, which we appreciate, but it's also stopping all direct sales in the process. As such, the only way you'll get a One S in Sao Paulo from now on is to go through an importer and take the added hit to the pocketbook.

HTC confirms it's closing offices in Brazil, halting direct sales as well originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC teases voice control and/or dog translator for Sense
June 22, 2012 at 10:27 PM
 

HTC teases voice control and/or dog translator for Sense

HTC might be over selling it a bit with the top secret stamp, and the foot note sort of indicates that your next One device wont be interpreting Fido's barks. So, really, that only leaves one logical conclusion -- HTC is working on a voice control app. It shouldn't come as any surprise if you've been paying any attention to to mobile landscape these past few years. Google kicked off the party with Voice Actions and Apple gave the speech recognition tech some personality with Siri. Now Samsung has S-Voice and LG has Quick Voice... what's a Taiwanese manufacturer to do? Presumably make your own speech-driven virtual assistant. When will it debut, what will it be called? Who knows, but judging from the image above it seems safe to assume that HTC's new tool will be delivered as software update to at least some existing handsets.

[Thanks, Naman]

HTC teases voice control and/or dog translator for Sense originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remembering Alan Turing at 100
June 22, 2012 at 10:00 PM
 

Celebrating Alan Turing at 100

Alan Turing would have turned 100 this week, an event that would have, no doubt, been greeted with all manner of pomp -- the centennial of a man whose mid-century concepts would set the stage for modern computing. Turing, of course, never made it that far, found dead at age 41 from cyanide poisoning, possibly self-inflicted. His story is that of a brilliant mind cut down in its prime for sad and ultimately baffling reasons, a man who accomplished so much in a short time and almost certainly would have had far more to give, if not for a society that couldn't accept him for who he was.

The London-born computing pioneer's name is probably most immediately recognized in the form of the Turing Machine, the "automatic machine" he discussed in a 1936 paper and formally extrapolated over the years. The concept would help lay the foundation for future computer science, arguing that a simple machine, given enough tape (or, perhaps more appropriately in the modern sense, storage) could be used to solve complex equations. All that was needed as Turing laid it out, was a writing method, a way of manipulating what's written and a really long ream to write on. In order to increase the complexity, only the storage, not the machine, needs upgrading.

Continue reading Remembering Alan Turing at 100

Remembering Alan Turing at 100 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Satechi introduces Portable Energy Station to add some power to your travels
June 22, 2012 at 9:28 PM
 

Sat

Peripherals maker Satechi has introduced the Portable Energy Station, a 10,000 mAh battery that'll solve some of your power woes on the go. The 1 Amp USB port will recharge nearly all of your smartphones and PMPs, while a second 2 Amp port will maintain pace with your iPad or other hefty tablet. Despite that capacious battery, it's a slender 7.4 ounces and should tuck neatly into your bag -- once you've picked it up for $50, that is.

Satechi introduces Portable Energy Station to add some power to your travels originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TUAW  |  sourceSatechi  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i delivers scans to Android or iOS, spreads a little cloud love as well
June 22, 2012 at 8:54 PM
 

Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i delivers scans to your Android or iOS device, spreads a little cloud love as well

Fujitsu's original ScanSnap S1300 earned a soft spot in our hearts -- no mean feat for a scanner -- so it's with piqued interest that we catch word of a direct upgrade. The S1300i is all about serving those of us who might never send scan results to a printer. Android and iOS aficionados now only have to send the results to a relevant mobile app, skipping the usual computer-to-phone shuffle. That stack of receipts can also go skip devices entirely and go straight to the cloud, whether it's Dropbox, Evernote, Google Docs, Salesforce Chatter or SugarSync. However that paper gets converted to digital, it'll be accomplished about 50 percent faster, or 12 double-sided, color pages every minute. All the extras lift the price price even higher, though: $295 is a lot to ask for a scanner. Even so, if that stack of bills is high enough to trigger an avalanche, it might be worth the premium to avoid being snowed in.

Continue reading Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i delivers scans to Android or iOS, spreads a little cloud love as well

Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i delivers scans to Android or iOS, spreads a little cloud love as well originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Moving from Cupertino to Mountain View? Samsung's here to help
June 22, 2012 at 8:23 PM
 

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/22/cupertino-to-mountain-view-ios-to-galaxy/ Moving? We all have our reasons, but if you're transferring your stuff from iOS to a Galaxy device, Samsung and Media Mushroom are there to help with the Easy Phone Sync app. The free software installs on your Galaxy product and a PC or Mac, then shleps your stuff wholesale -- media, contacts and all -- from iTunes over to your chosen Samsung Android slate or phone. It even lets you continue to use iTunes to manage music, photos and videos, while keeping everything sync'd up with the non-Cupertino devices. We're sure that Samsung is just trying to lend a hand, and doesn't have any (ahem) other purposes in mind. Check the PR after the break to see for yourself.

Continue reading Moving from Cupertino to Mountain View? Samsung's here to help

Moving from Cupertino to Mountain View? Samsung's here to help originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Maps Coordinate: keep tabs on your team, dish the work out fairly (video)
June 22, 2012 at 7:56 PM
 

Google Maps Coordinate keep tabs on your team, dish the work out fairly video

If you're a mobile / field worker, and are tired of getting hauled across town to jobs, when there are others nearer by, you might want to point your senior in the direction of Google Maps Coordinate. Sounding like a blend of Latitude, Maps and Google + (Circles,) it's a web tool and mobile app that should help central operations organize their teams out in the field. Of course there's the usual location sharing, plus options for recording and collecting (user defined) data, allocating staff to teams or groups, job and task allocation plus history for analytics. Google says any business can sign up (currently $15 per employee,) plus there's an API if the stock options don't fit your custom needs. Either way, you can kiss goodbye to those two-hour secret lunchtime golf sessions.

Continue reading Google Maps Coordinate: keep tabs on your team, dish the work out fairly (video)

Google Maps Coordinate: keep tabs on your team, dish the work out fairly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 11:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGoogle Lat Lon Blog  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Facebook rolls out comment editing, embraces your change of heart
June 22, 2012 at 7:24 PM
 

Facebook rolls out comment editing, embraces your change of heart

Facebook has long betrayed you by forwarding your drunken wall ramblings in an email for posterity. Previously, though, the only way to limit further public shame was to try to delete the comment altogether. Now, it looks like the loose fingered have been given a reprieve, as the social giant is rolling out the ability to edit your ill-thought missives long after the fact. Even better, this seems to extend back to those written in the past. Don't think you can be sneaky though, as an "edited" link will appear below, letting everyone see the thread history. So even if you change your opinion, that indecision remains for all to see.

Facebook rolls out comment editing, embraces your change of heart originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 11:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web  |  sourceFacebook  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Canon shows how its Mixed Reality makes virtually anything look real (video)
June 22, 2012 at 6:58 PM
 

Canon's Mixed Reality makes anything virtually look real video

Remember that Canon Mixed Reality project? For those torn between cold, hard real world, and the sickly sweet virtual one? Due for release this month, Canon's been showing off its purpose-built HMD in real (or is it virtual?) use to DigInfo. Using those stereo cameras and a "free-curve" prism -- along with high-speed image processing -- we get a glimpse at how it generates life-size virtual objects in real-time. While this could benefit a number of scenarios, Canon points to industrial design, where mock-ups are commonly used. This system allows designers to run through virtual versions first, before committing to more time intensive physical models. Working on something where this could be handy? Canon also says there will be an SDK for developers coming soon. Head past the virtual break for the real video tour.

Continue reading Canon shows how its Mixed Reality makes virtually anything look real (video)

Canon shows how its Mixed Reality makes virtually anything look real (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Maps live traffic updates served up to seven new regions, 19 more get 'expanded coverge'
June 22, 2012 at 6:27 PM
 

DNPReady for yet another dose of news related to Google Maps? The service's live traffic update functionality has been expanded yet again, and now seven more cities including the likes of Mexico City and Greater Johannesburg, South Africa can join in on the action. Better yet, 19 other major areas that already get traffic information are receiving "expanded coverage" for their roads. Naturally, all of the new goods are accessible through Google's various Maps apps by simply enabling the traffic layer. If you're eager to start scouting the traffic flow, you can hit up source link below to find out whether your locale is on the list.

Google Maps live traffic updates served up to seven new regions, 19 more get 'expanded coverge' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge, Android Community, Android Police  |  sourceGoogle Lat Long Blog  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Distro Issue 46 arrives with the Retina-wielding MacBook Pro, Microsoft events and Minority Report
June 22, 2012 at 6:00 PM
 

Distro Issue 46 arrives with the Retinawielding MacBook Pro, Microsoft's big week, and Minority Report

Now that it's officially summertime, you're going to need some options for that annual reading list. As you plot your escape from the season's rising temps, allow us to offer a cool copy of our weekly for your browsing pursuits. Since it first broke cover at WWDC, we've had time to put the MacBook Pro with Retina display through its paces and our detailed findings snagged top billing this week. Also on the review front, we take a long look at both the latest MacBook Air and the ultra-convertible ASUS Padfone. In this week's feature, our own Donald Melanson takes a look back at the futuristic tech of Minority Report for the film's 10th anniversary. As you might've heard, Microsoft hosted two events of its own this week. Being the tech-minded folk that we are, we offer thoughts from our editors on the Surface tablets and the 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone 8 from a few days back. Don't worry, we'll give you a closer look and a few impressions of the aforementioned slates as well in "Hands-on." Grab those flip-flops and snag yourself a spot in the shade, because this week's e-magazine is a short download away.

Distro Issue 46 PDF
Distro in the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Google Play Store
Distro APK (For sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

Distro Issue 46 arrives with the Retina-wielding MacBook Pro, Microsoft events and Minority Report originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceiTunes, Google Play  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Falling SSD prices might give you a swift boot (up) sooner than you think
June 22, 2012 at 5:40 PM
 

DNP Falling SSD prices might give you a swift boot up sooner than you think

Solid state drives are the one piece of gear that can turn a dog computer into a cheetah, and it looks like you may not have to scrape much longer to get one. Floods in Thailand made prices for their spinning-plattered brethren climb, but many SSD models like those from Crucial, OCZ and Intel have fallen up to 65 percent in the last year. Lower NAND prices, along with cheaper and better controllers from Sandforce and Indilinx have no doubt contributed to the boon for performance-hungry consumers. All of that means that a 256 GB drive which cost $500+ in June 2011, now runs less than $200 -- and at $.82 / GB, it turns from a near-luxury good to at least a thinkable proposition for many.

Falling SSD prices might give you a swift boot (up) sooner than you think originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 09:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Tech Report  | Email this | Comments
   
   
ASUS N56VM laptop gets Ivy Bridge processor, Kepler GPU for Japan launch
June 22, 2012 at 4:55 PM
 

ASUS N56VM gets Ivy Bridge processor, Kepler GPU for Japan launch

ASUS' N- and K-series notebooks may have debuted under the discerning eyes of Milano fashionistas, but it looks like an already refreshed version will arrive in Japan stores first. The ASUS N56VM benefits from recent hardware refreshes from both Intel and NVIDIA, with a Core i7-3610QM 2.3GHz processor and NVIDIA's GeForce GT 630M running the graphics-heavy show. This is joined by a 15.6-inch (1920 x 1080) screen, 8GB of RAM, Blu-ray drive and a 750GB hybrid SSD, while connectivity includes four USB 3.0 ports and a combination memory stick / SD card slot. The notebook is set to arrive this Saturday in Japan, with prices starting from 99,800 yen ($1,240).

It's accompanied by two lower-spec K55A and K55VD models, with the major difference between them being the addition of an NVIDIA GeForce GT 610M in the latter. Otherwise, the two pack the same 15-inch WXGA (1366 x 768) screen, Core i5-3210M 2.5GHz processor and 750GB HDD. The laptops also house a pair of USB 3.0 ports, with an SD card slot and a single USB 2.0 port in reserve. The K55A is priced at 59,800 yen ($744), while the K55VD starts at 69,800 yen ($869), with both arriving alongside the N-series model tomorrow.

ASUS N56VM laptop gets Ivy Bridge processor, Kepler GPU for Japan launch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 08:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceEngadget Japanese (translated)  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Apple's App Store hits 32 more countries, focuses on Africa and Asia
June 22, 2012 at 4:32 PM
 

Apple's App Store hits 32 more countries, focuses on Africa and Asia

Given everything else that went on during Apple's WWDC keynote, Tim Cook barely had time to mention the continued global roll-out of the App Store. According to MacRumors, the store's world tour has added an additional 32 countries today, with the majority in either Africa or Asia, although parts of South America and Eastern Europe are also along for the ride. iOS users looking to Cut The Rope in Chad, or hurl Angry Birds in Albania can hit up their respective App Store now.

Apple's App Store hits 32 more countries, focuses on Africa and Asia originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 08:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMacRumors  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Eurocom Monster 11.6-inch notebook: Ivy Bridge, Kepler, 16 GB RAM, multiple personalities
June 22, 2012 at 3:58 PM
 

eurocom-monster-11-6-inch-notebook-ivy-bridge-kepler

Mobile gamers and server pros aren't exactly cut from the same cloth, but Eurocom is targeting them both with its Clevo rebadged, 11.6-inch, sub-four-pound Monster notebook. That idea is crazy enough to work, since a fully spec'd model will have an Ivy Bridge Intel Core i7-3920XM processor, 16GB of DDR3-1600 of RAM, a 240GB SSD or 1GB Hybrid drive, and on-board NVIDIA GT 650M graphics running at 850MHz. The 1366 x 768 screen might be a touch undersized for gamers, but they could let that slide since the processor can be safely overclocked up to a decent 3.8GHz. As for business pros, the company claims the Monster could be used as a portable server, run multiple VMs of Windows and Linux, or high-end engineering apps like MatLab. As usual with Eurocom, you can configure the system in dozens of ways, including matte or glossy screen, Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge processors and multiple RAM or disk setups. Pricing and delivery dates weren't given, but if it's up your alley, check the PR and your wallet -- or hit up Ned in accounting.

Continue reading Eurocom Monster 11.6-inch notebook: Ivy Bridge, Kepler, 16 GB RAM, multiple personalities

Eurocom Monster 11.6-inch notebook: Ivy Bridge, Kepler, 16 GB RAM, multiple personalities originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joyride to joystick: Atari controller custom-built from car seat adjuster (video)
June 22, 2012 at 3:24 PM
 

Joyride to joystick: Atari controller custom-built from car seat adjuster (video)

So you've survived the robot revolution and you're waiting for either a full-blown apocalypse, or Mr. Anderson. But how are you going to kill time when our new masters are eating controller PCBs for breakfast? With a steampunk joystick, of course. Jason Torchinsky from Jalopnik has done just that, making an Atari 2600 controller by repurposing a power seat control switch panel from a 1980s Oldsmobile. It's no Avenger Controller Elite, but it certainly does the job, and due to a standardized wiring layout it's functional on other hardware of the same era. And for all you MAME heroes, Jason says it would be no more complicated to hook it up to a PC or Mac using a USB keyboard encoder. Follow the source link for a neat walkthrough of the project and jump over the break to see a video of the seat switch in action, shot in the mancave of yesteryear.

Continue reading Joyride to joystick: Atari controller custom-built from car seat adjuster (video)

Joyride to joystick: Atari controller custom-built from car seat adjuster (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceJalopnik  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Sony pumps $994 million into building stacked CMOS that lets smartphones record HDR Video
June 22, 2012 at 2:57 PM
 

Sony increases production on its stacked CMOS sensor, plans to make us all cameraphone Kubricks

Sony is pumping 80 billion yen ($994 million) into its Nagasaki Technology Center, the home of its innovative stacked CMOS. Unlike traditional versions, the image sensor and circuit are mounted on top of one another, rather than side-by-side across a supporting substrate. The tweak means it shaves valuable millimeters from its body while producing far clearer images and, best of all, HDR Video. With the investment (and some Government subsidy) the company aims to pump out 60,000 wafers per month by the end of 2013. Given that both Samsung and Apple both use Sony's imaging equipment in their flagships, we can hope that the 13-megapixel units find their way into the next generation of handsets.

Continue reading Sony pumps $994 million into building stacked CMOS that lets smartphones record HDR Video

Sony pumps $994 million into building stacked CMOS that lets smartphones record HDR Video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 06:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kobo eReader Touch Edition packs bags for Japan, books flight for July
June 22, 2012 at 2:38 PM
 

Kobo eReader Touch Edition packs bags for Japan, books flight for July

Rakuten's $315 million buyout of Kobo will bear some e-reader fruit come July. The e-tailer's CEO and chairman, Hiroshi Mikitani, announced plans to release the Kobo eReader Touch Edition in Japan next month for 10,000 yen (on par with its $130 US sticker price). Timing is key, of course -- murmurs of the Kindle Touch's Japanese debut haven't escaped Mikitani's notice. "As a Japanese company, we cannot lose (to overseas rivals)," he told The Asahi Shimbun. Rakuten hopes to use the e-reader to export Japanese content, and aims to have 50,000 titles available by the end of 2012. Pre-orders kick off on July 2, with more details to come next month.

Kobo eReader Touch Edition packs bags for Japan, books flight for July originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 06:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge  |  sourceThe Asahi Shimbun  | Email this | Comments
   
   
AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition review roundup: a big, bad bruiser of a graphics card
June 22, 2012 at 2:12 PM
 

AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition roundup review a big bad bruiser of a graphics card

You know the routine: we looked this revamped card's spec sheet a few hours ago, so now it's time to find out how it fared in independent tests and whether it's worth the $499 outlay. On the face of it, this powerhouse of a card ought to be a champ, since it comes $50 cheaper than the original's launch price (although that non-GHz Edition has now dropped to $449) and brings crucial improvements in clock speed and memory bandwidth. In practice? Well, it wins -- but only on points. Read on for more.

Continue reading AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition review roundup: a big, bad bruiser of a graphics card

AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition review roundup: a big, bad bruiser of a graphics card originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 06:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All-carbon solar cell draws power from near-infrared light, our energy future is literally that much brighter
June 22, 2012 at 1:52 PM
 

Fully carbon solar cell can power up from infrared light, our future is literally that much brighter

What's this orange-like patch, you ask? It's a layer of carbon nanotubes on silicon, and it might just be instrumental to getting a lot more power out of solar cells than we're used to. Current solar power largely ignores near-infrared light and wastes about 40 percent of the potential energy it could harness. A mix of carbon nanotubes and buckyballs developed by MIT, however, can catch that near-infrared light without degrading like earlier composites. The all-carbon formula doesn't need to be thickly spread to do its work, and it simply lets visible light through -- it could layer on top of a traditional solar cell to catch many more of the sun's rays. Most of the challenge, as we often see for solar cells, is just a matter of improving the energy conversion rate. Provided the researchers can keep refining the project, we could be looking at a big leap in solar power efficiency with very little extra footprint, something we'd very much like to see on the roof of a hybrid sedan.

All-carbon solar cell draws power from near-infrared light, our energy future is literally that much brighter originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 05:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMIT Technology Review  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Valve announces Steam for Schools, helps teachers create educational Portal 2 levels
June 22, 2012 at 1:21 PM
 

Valve announces Steam for Schools, helps teachers create educational Portal 2 levels

Who ever said being a scientific guinea pig couldn't be educational? With Steam for Schools, teachers can now use Portal 2's level editor to create lessons focused on boosting critical thinking, spatial reasoning and problem solving skills. Announced at the Games for Change festival in New York City, the educator edition of Steam comes with a free copy of Portal 2 and the Portal 2 Puzzle Maker. Students and teachers alike can use the tools to create puzzles, but distribution is handled by teachers alone. (That's right, kids -- no level sharing unless the teach says so.) An accompanying website serves as a gathering place for teachers to collaborate, and aims to provide sample lesson plans centered on science, technology, engineering and math. If you're an educator who can't wait to bring a Portal-assisted physics lesson to life, see the links below to sign up for the ongoing beta. Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to "study."

Valve announces Steam for Schools, helps teachers create educational Portal 2 levels originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 05:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceTeach With Portals, Learn With Portals  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx Android 4.0 update incoming: roll-out starts June 22
June 22, 2012 at 12:58 PM
 

Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx get Android 40 update rollout starts June 22

Looking likely to sneak through in time for Motorola's Q2 deadline, Verizon has published support documents covering an Ice Cream Sandwich update for both the Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR Maxx. This preamble is typically followed by an update just days later and features the same build number that leaked out earlier this week. The refresh adds a four-way lockscreen shortcut, refreshed notifications, global roaming, a smart actions app update and plenty more Android 4.0 holo design riffs. Hit up the source for the documents and a handful of video tours.

[Thanks Anonymous]

Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx Android 4.0 update incoming: roll-out starts June 22 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 04:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMotorola  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Penguin slinks back into e-book lending for New York City libraries, with a possible catch
June 22, 2012 at 12:11 PM
 

Penguin slinks back into ebook lending for New York City libraries, with a possible catchYou might say Penguin has had a rocky relationship with libraries. That looks to be on the tentative mend, as the publisher and 3M have together cut deals with the Brooklyn Public Library and New York Public Library to bring Penguin's e-book catalog back as part of a test program. Under the terms of the one-year project, the libraries will pay retail-level prices once a year to keep any given e-book available, no matter how many times it's virtually borrowed by residents in the boroughs. The book publisher is taking a page from its delay-happy movie industry friends when it comes to new releases, though: fresh titles won't show up at the library until they're six months out from first sale. You won't be reading the latest Clive Cussler novel right away, then, and 3M's lack of relevant formatting means no Kindle borrowing just yet. Even so, it's good to know that we'll soon have no trouble borrowing Penguin's edition of The Mayor of Casterbridge without having to hop on the subway first.

Penguin slinks back into e-book lending for New York City libraries, with a possible catch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 04:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PaidContent  |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Radiolab releases Android, iOS app, invites you to join the sound collage
June 22, 2012 at 11:31 AM
 

Image

We're not going to go so far as stating conclusively that Radiolab is the best program on your dial right now, but it's certainly a prime contender for that title. The Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich-hosted WYNC show frames scientific topics in a fascinating and understandable manner accessible to even the most unscientifically minded among us. The program now joins the ranks of public radio shows that crossed over into the world of mobile apps, arriving on Android and iOS. For $2.99, you get access to every episode of the show, audio and video bonuses and news pertaining to the program. The app's also heavy of interstitial animations (as evidenced by the video below) and lets users submit audio recordings and end-credit readings for inclusion on the show.

Continue reading Radiolab releases Android, iOS app, invites you to join the sound collage

Radiolab releases Android, iOS app, invites you to join the sound collage originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch, Radiolab  |  sourceGoogle Play, iTunes  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Sony and Panasonic to announce OLED HDTV partnership next week?
June 22, 2012 at 10:50 AM
 

Sony and Panasonic to announce OLED HDTV partnership next week

With Samsung and LG (still) poised to introduce their OLED HDTVs later this year, rumors that Sony and Panasonic will join forces are heating up. Japan's Nikkei is following up its initial report last month with word from the usual unnamed sources that the two are "close" to a deal and could announce a partnership as soon as next week. Both have been busy developing technology for the screens, and according to the report Panasonic may be planning to start mass production in 2015. If this deal happens we'll see if it works out better for Sony than its ill-fated S-LCD tie-up with Samsung, as well as what it could mean for that sweet Crystal LED prototype we saw at CES this year.

Sony and Panasonic to announce OLED HDTV partnership next week? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 02:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Reuters  |  sourceNikkei (registration required)  | Email this | Comments
   
   
Samsung files patents for robot that mimics human walking and breathing, ratchets up the creepy factor
June 22, 2012 at 10:14 AM
 

Samsung robot patent filings would mimic human walking and breathing, wouldn't eliminate the creepy factor

As much as Samsung is big on robots, it hasn't gone all-out on the idea until a just-published quartet of patent applications. The filings have a robot more directly mimicking a human walk and adjusting the scale to get the appropriate speed without the unnatural, perpetually bent gait of certain peers. To safely get from point A to point B, any path is chopped up into a series of walking motions, and the robot constantly checks against its center of gravity to stay upright as it walks uphill or down. All very clever, but we'd say Samsung is almost too fond of the uncanny valley: one patent has rotating joints coordinate to simulate the chest heaves of human breathing. We don't know if the company will ever put the patents to use; these could be just feverish dreams of one-upping Honda's ASIMO at its own game. But if it does, we could be looking at Samsung-made androids designed like humans rather than for them.

Samsung files patents for robot that mimics human walking and breathing, ratchets up the creepy factor originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 02:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceUSPTO (1), (2), (3), (4)  | Email this | Comments