|  |  |  | | | | | Engadget | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | They've taught them how to flip pancakes and shoot arrows, and now they're teaching humanoids to erase your whiteboard. That's right, the same folks who brought you iCub in a feathery headdress are back at it with Fujitsu's HOAP-2, a humanoid robot that looks like it's related to the Jetsons' maid, and can wipe a dry erase board clean via upper-body kinesthetic learning. While scientists force the robot's arm through a number of erasing movements, an attached force-torque sensor records the patterns, allowing HOAP-2 to mimic its previous actions, and voilà! You've got a blank slate. Sure, this little guy looks perfectly harmless in comparison with the bow-and-arrow-wielding iCub, but replace that eraser with a switchblade and the human race is in a whole world of hurt. Continue reading Fujitsu's HOAP-2 robot wipes whiteboards clean -- humankind next in line? (video) Fujitsu's HOAP-2 robot wipes whiteboards clean -- humankind next in line? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  Plastic Pals |  Peter Kormushev | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Lenovo's ready to get specific with dates now that Google's got itself an honest to goodness tablet OS. A company spokesman said that its LePad tablet -- first announced by that name back in June 2010 but previewed at CES all the way back in January 2010 -- will ship in its home country of China in March before making its way to the global stage in June. Unfortunately, Lenovo isn't saying anything about final specs or which countries are first on its list -- we already knew it was coming to the US in 2011. The company's also not talking price. Last time we saw LePad in January it was sporting Android 2.2 with a custom "LeOS" skin riding a 1.3GHz Snapdragon processor and 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 pixel display with a price just north of $500. Question is: will Lenny set it free with vanilla Honeycomb or will it feel compelled to apply the LeOS skin in order to avoid becoming just another Android tablet? Lenovo LePad set for a global June LeLaunch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | PCWorld | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Shimon, who clearly longs for the best of both worlds. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"I am looking to replace my 17-inch MacBook Pro. I am looking for a 17-inch ultraportable laptop, or as close as I can get to one. Key features: light, thin, good battery life, high resolution screen, no lap burn, no noisy fan and doesn't break the bank. Thanks!" Seems as if Mac / PC isn't an issue, so we're assuming they're all on the table. Considering that he's leaving a 17-inch MBP, what else out there can compare given the needs? Any suggestions from 17-inch laptop owners out there? Go on, answer away in comments below -- you've got the time (and screen real estate) to spare. Ask Engadget: what's the thinnest, lightest, sleekest 17-inch laptop? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Apple unveiled its new app store subscriptions earlier this week with a decent amount of controversy and even an official statement from Rhapsody saying it would not comply with the new regulations. The new policy requires any company offering subscription services to offer the same service, at the same price (or less) through Apple, with Apple skimming 30 percent off the top. It also no longer allows apps to have links to external sites where purchases can be made. Now, reports the Wall Street Journal, antitrust enforcers in the US are having a preliminary look into the new arrangement. So, what does that mean? Well, these kinds of pre-investigations are pretty common, so it could mean nothing at all. Or, it could lead to a more formal investigation into if the policy violates antitrust laws. When asked for comment on the story, unsurprisingly, no one at Apple, the FTC, or the Justice Department would comment. We'll keep our eyes on this one and let you know if anything more exciting happens.US Justice Department and FTC looking into Apple's new subscription policy originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Wall Street Journal | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We don't mean to sound negative or anything, and we're not 3D naysayers by any means. But the news that the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming production of Siegfried will include mind-blowing 3D background effects is, well, mind-blowing. While you're undoubtedly familiar with 3D effects, you may not be acquainted with Wagner's 1876 opera which portrays the story of Sigurd, a hero of Norse mythology. Robert Lepage, the director of the operation, expects theater-goers to find themselves engulfed in a three-dimensional world of his creation, which will be projected on the 45-ton set. Lepage, who is directing Wagner's entire Ring cycle at the Met, worked with Geodezik -- famous for the stage shows of famed opera performers Pink and Justin Timberlake -- to create the show's effects. The 3D you'll be seeing if you hit the theater won't be like the technology you're familiar with, however, as it makes use of fractals, and the moving parts of the set to 'trick' your eyes into seeing in three dimensions. We don't want to say this sounds like a bad idea until we've seen if of course, but we've got our reservations. Hit up the New York Times link to see one rather small image of the set.
[Image: Lincoln Center]The Met's upcoming opera to boast glasses-free 3D effects that nobody requested originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Gizmodo | New York Times | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | After DirecTV, Comcast has been among the most aggressive in pushing 3D programming, so it's no surprise to receive word that it's begun scheduling round-the-clock 3D content on the Xfinity 3D channel just days after DirecTV launched 3net alongside ESPN 3D and its own n3D network. While viewers can tune in to see what's playing (mostly some documentaries and varied computer animated content) right now, the official kick off comes this weekend on February 20th when it airs the 2011 Tim Horton's Classic outdoor NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames, followed closely by a Kings of Leon concert in Germany presented from MTV's library. After early 2010 featured a sparse category of one-off 3D events it looks like the channel guide is at least starting to fill up, as to whether or not anyone is watching, Comcast also announced it's served up over 1 million views of 3D shows and movies over video on-demand with more sports, music and movies to come. Continue reading Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Dell means business with its upcoming Windows 7 slate, if the whispers we're hearing are true -- we have it on good authority that the Rosemount will be a Latitude. An inside source says that the 10-inch tablet will not only sport Dell's storied business brand but will be geared towards enterprise through and through, with features like serviceable components (including a removable battery), software encryption and the ability to perform a remote wipe, and that it'll have a dual-digitizer to support both touch input and a stylus for fine details. We don't know about performance or battery life quite yet, but the slate will reportedly use an Atom chip, specifically Intel's Oak Trail, so we'll let you imagine the possibilities.
[Thanks, Anonymous]Dell Rosemount tablet will have Intel's Oak Trail inside, stylus, removable battery and remote wipe originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Wish you had your Xoom tablet already? Yeah, us too. We can't get you there, but thanks to Droid Live you can at least pore over every page of the thing's manual. 64 pages, actually, covering everything from how to turn it on to, well, how to turn it off again. Looking for other excitement? You'll find a hipster on a bench on page 10, what appears to be Joanna Newsom on page 30, and a disgustingly happy couple on page 33. Oh, and lots and lots of details bout Honeycomb too. Check it out!
[Thanks, Andy]Motorola Xoom manual now available for download, ready to expose the ins and outs of Honeycomb originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Droid Life | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Verizon just began trials of its Home Phone Connect service in New York and Connecticut in December, but it looks like it's already ironed out any kinks there might have been, as it's now made the service available across the entire U.S. As with the trial, it will run you $19.99 a month for unlimited domestic calling or $9.99 a month to share minutes on your existing family plan, each option of which will let you make calls using any old landline phone that's connected to the Home Phone Connect base station (included for free with a two-year contract). You'll also, of course, get all the usual features you'd expect from a phone service, including caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, voice mail, and 911 service. Hit up the source link below for all of the fine print. Verizon makes Home Phone Connect service available nationwide originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Yahoo! News | Verizon | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal seemed pretty sure that an iPhone nano was inbound, but the New York Times' anonymous sources dispute that tale -- the paper writes that "Apple is not currently developing a smaller iPhone," and that the company is "not planning to introduce a smaller iPhone anytime soon." While the publication doesn't outright deny the existence of such a device at any point in the story, it does quote an anonymous Apple executive as saying that it doesn't make sense for the company to create multiple iPhone form factors at any given time, and an anonymous Apple engineer as saying that cheaper components, not a smaller size, would make for a cheaper overall price.
One thing's for sure: either Apple's making one, or it's not.
In related news, the Times' sources corroborate the idea that Apple will make MobileMe free, and says that the next full-sized iPhone is nearly complete. Rock on.NYT: Apple considering a cheaper iPhone, but not a smaller one right now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | New York Times | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We'd heard rumors that Motorola's Atrix 4G would cost $150, but after AT&T priced the handset at $200 we figured they were all for naught. The Shack begs to differ: it's just revealed it will sell the modular Tegra 2 superphone on Feburary 22nd for that original $150 price. That's with a two-year contract, of course, and a data plan on top, but that means you'll shave $50 off the sum AT&T is asking, or $20 off the combo deal with the (somewhat disappointing) laptop dock. Still, if history's any judge, we don't expect savings like this to be exclusive to RadioShack for long.
[Thanks, Andrew F.]RadioShack offers Atrix 4G for $150 on launch day, undercutting AT&T? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | RadioShack (Facebook) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Welcome to the wonderful world of smartphones, Chevrolet. The company has just announced (on our very show, no less) a system it calls MyLink. It's a definite competitor to things like Ford's AppLink and the recently unveiled Toyota Entune system. Offering compatibility with iOS, BlackBerry, and Android it allows for a driver to interact with apps running on their smartphones using controls in their car. Connectivity is totally wireless for the last two, with data going over Bluetooth, but as of the current version iOS devices need to be physically tethered to the car. That's a bit of a bummer.
Currently there are only two compatible apps: Stitcher and Pandora, the latter maintaining its status of the world's most popular infotainment app. Naturally, more are coming. Drivers can interact with the apps using voice, courtesy of Nuance, or using the touchscreen displays found in the Volt and Equinox, the first cars that will offer this system and which will also offer PowerMat charging, meaning you can not only stream tunes wirelessly but also charge your device. No word yet on cost or what option packages this system will be available in, but we'll be bringing that to you as soon as we can. Until then, enjoy the video demo after the break.
Chevrolet launches MyLink smartphone integration for 2012 Volt and Equinox originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We're not sure how they feel in lands where fiber optic connections flow like wine, but in most of the developed world a up to 42 megabit per second internet connection feels mighty fine. Fine enough, in fact, that it can make sense to share it with your peers, and that's why Netgear's new MBR1310 and MBR2000 routers are here. They're quad-band DC-HSPA+ units that dole out that precious 3G data over 802.11n WiFi or via four 10/100 wired ethernet ports, with the MBR2000 adding ADSL2+ for a wired backup option. If you're lucky enough to be working with LTE in Europe, there's the MBR1517 as well, virtually identical to the model announced for Verizon but presumably with different carrier support. No word on when, where, or how much any of these fallback connectivity options will cost. PR after the break. Continue reading Netgear unveils a pair of 42Mbps HSPA+ routers, and one for LTE Netgear unveils a pair of 42Mbps HSPA+ routers, and one for LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink HotHardware | Netgear | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Humans, keep your eyes tuned to this post -- because at 7:00 PM ET, we'll be starting The Engadget Show live, with GM's head engineer Micky Bly (the man responsible for the Volt) and a never-before-seen GM announcement exclusive to the Engadget Show! We'll also have Engadget auto editor Tim Stevens, a very special guest from IBM's Watson team, hot new devices, crazy giveaways, and much more! We've also got amazing chiptune music from Note! and visuals from Batsly Adams. You seriously don't want to miss it.
Continue reading The Engadget Show Live! with GM Volt engineer Micky Bly, Watson's creators, new products and much more! The Engadget Show Live! with GM Volt engineer Micky Bly, Watson's creators, new products and much more! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Just as we lay to rest the ghost of a phantom Tegra 2 chip inside the LG Revolution, here comes the specter of another unconfirmed appearance for NVIDIA's dual-core application processor, this time inside Samsung's Galaxy S II. If you'll recall, we were initially informed by Samsung's PR crew that their new Android flagship would run on NVIDIA's hardware, however a subsequent correction informed us that the processor inside would in fact be Samsung's own Exynos. Now, it turns out, both might be true. AnandTech have come across some benchmark results showing a GT-i9103 with Tegra 2 listed as its grunt provider, while Pocket-lint and others have noted that Samsung's own spec sheet for the Galaxy S II states that the dual-core Exynos "may not be applicable in some regions." The likeliest scenario here is that Samsung hasn't yet reached sufficient volumes with its own processor production and will rely on NVIDIA's Tegra 2 for handsets outside its critical markets -- much in the same vein as it replaced Super AMOLED with Super Clear LCD screens in Russia and some other territories. Don't fret too much, though, performance disparities between the two aren't likely to be overly significant. Samsung's Galaxy S II to have a Tegra 2 version? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Engadget Spanish | AnandTech | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Clear your calendars everybody, because tonight at 7:00pm ET, the Engadget Show is back in a big way! GM's head engineer Micky Bly (the man responsible for the Volt) will be on hand for some frank conversation about the future of cars and a bunch of mind-blowing demos to go with it. Oh, and GM says they have a big announcement that they will be making exclusively on the Engadget Show, so be a part of tech history and come join us, won't you? Engadget auto editor Tim Stevens will be joining the fun and we'll also have a very special guest from IBM's Watson team, fresh off the game-show-playing supercomputer's three-day run on Jeopardy. It will be a night to remember, with some incredible chiptunes music by Note! with visuals from Batsly Adams. As usual, we'll be streaming live at 7:00PM from SIR's Stage 37 (a new venue!) and we've got around 350 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis if you want to join us in person. Also, trust us when we say that the giveaways for this taping are going to absolutely blow. your. mind.
REMINDER: The Show will be taking place in a lovely new venue, the SIR Stage37 (ie. not the TimesCenter or Cooper Union), located in Manhattan at 508 West 37th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.
Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Also, because of the nature of the space, we won't be able to do assigned seats so the seats will be first-come, first-served as well (we know, just after you got used to assigned seating!). Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know:
- There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free
- The event is all ages
- Ticketing will begin at the SIR Stage37 at 5:00PM on Thursday, February 17th, doors will open for seating at 6:15PM, and the show begins at 7:00PM
- We can't do assigned seating in this venue, so remember that your ticket guarantees you entry into the show, but where you sit is up to you.
- You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
- Seating capacity is limited (we've got room for approximately 350), and once we're full, we're full
- The venue is located at 508 West 37th St, between 10th and 11th Avenues. (map after the break)
- The show length is around an hour
If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.
Subscribe to the Show:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.The Engadget Show returns tonight with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson's creators, new products, and much more! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | It's been a good four years since we reported anything on Route 66, but with a new collaboration with TomTom on the horizon, these bearers of PNDs have once again sparked our interest. At the heart of the partnership is a new Android app, appropriately titled Route 66 Maps + Navigation, that brings augmented reality to GPS navigation -- specifically, a feature called Follow Me that allows real drivers to follow virtual cars turn for turn. Follow Me uses your smartphone or tablet's camera to display real-time video of the road ahead, and places a virtual 3D car directly in front of you on your route -- the car's rear lights indicate when to turn right or left. Maps + Navigation also includes simultaneous voice directions in 57 languages, up-to-date TomTom maps of 100 countries with 3D graphics, and multitouch gesture control. You can get your hands on the app via Android Market soon, or check out the rather cheesy demo video after the jump. Continue reading Route 66 Maps + Navigation brings AR to the road, keeps drivers' eyes on their phones (video) Route 66 Maps + Navigation brings AR to the road, keeps drivers' eyes on their phones (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Telematics News | Route 66 | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  We haven't heard a ton out of Skype since its acquisition of Qik last month, but executives from the two companies have finally done a bit of talking at Mobile World Congress this week. As you might expect, any actual merger of the two applications is still a ways off, but Skype has revealed that it plans to share some of its technical expertise to improve the quality of Qik video calls on Sprint and T-Mobile devices, and Skype exec Rick Osterloh also said that we should "watch out for some announcements" when it comes to AT&T. Considering Skype for iPhone already does video calls on AT&T, we assume that means we should look for video calling to come to Android phones on the carrier as well. In the longer term, PC Magazine reports that the "new vision" for Skype and Qik involves Skype's video call technology being used alongside Qik's video mail, video sharing and live streaming abilities, although the companies aren't providing any timeline for when any of that might happen.Skype hints at video calling for Android users on AT&T, promises improvements to Qik originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | PC Magazine | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Back in late 2008, Ericsson boldly predicted that 2012 will be the year of LTE; and fast forward to today, one year shy of the big one-two, said company's joint venture with Sony is already teasing its first LTE device. In a recent interview with Fierce Wireless, Sony Ericsson CTO Jan Uddenfeldt talked about SE's renewed focus on the US market, and how its relationship with Google helped securing its first-ever deal with Verizon. While emphasizing that SE's been in the CDMA business for years in Japan, Uddenfeldt also referred to the TD-LTE demonstration with ST-Ericsson and China Mobile at MWC, which featured a prototype LTE device developed by his own gang. Looks like SE's all set to enter the game, but the question is when will we see its first LTE device on the market? Uddenfeldt said "pretty soon," and he further fuels speculation by mentioning a potential collaboration with Sony on some Android tablets (maybe the S1?). Oh, such a teaser this man is.Sony Ericsson CTO: first LTE device coming 'pretty soon,' also considering Android tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Fierce Wireless | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Oh, sure -- iOS had it first, but the Android flavor of MapQuest's mobile app has OpenStreetMaps. How d'ya like those apples ? The aforesaid app has just found its way into the Android Market, and as with the iPhone version, it's 100 percent free to download. Unlike most other alternatives, this one provides gratis voice guidance / turn-by-turn navigation, voice search, a map toolbar, walking / driving directions, live traffic flow information and a couple of "major" new adds. Those are OpenStreetMap (OSM) data -- useful for allowing consumers to use the app internationally -- as well as the ability to directly report errors onto the map. Check out the source link to learn more, and head on over to the Market (if you're rocking v1.6 and up) to get your download on. Happy trails, as they say. Continue reading MapQuest for Android brings free turn-by-turn navigation, OpenStreetMap support to Google lovers MapQuest for Android brings free turn-by-turn navigation, OpenStreetMap support to Google lovers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Android Market | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  We've already heard Sprint do some talking about LTE at Mobile World Congress this week, but the company's Senior Vice President of Networks, Bob Azzi, has now gone even further in an interview with PC World, where he seems to have suggested that a switch to LTE is all but inevitable. In fact, Azzi is reported to have said that "with the spectrum holdings we have, WiMAX is not an option," and he further went on to note that even with Sprint's majority stake in Clearwire, it still only has "indirect ownership" of Clearwire's spectrum holdings. So what's it going to do? Azzi suggested that an LTE network which complements its current WiMAX network might be the answer, and he even suggested that we could see tri-band LTE phones with a WiMAX radio "velcroed on." He did, of course, point out that no decision has been made just yet, simply stating that "the question is how to keep growing," and that "it's about having a plan."Sprint talks seriously about LTE, suggests it could complement WiMAX originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | PC World | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | There is another solution for Android owners disappointed that their phone or tablet may never support Netflix's official DRM specs, now that PlayOn has unleashed a version of its mobile app (already on iOS) for the platform. The free app uses Adobe Flash so it's limited to devices running Android 2.2. (Froyo) and above, but like Plex, coupled with a computer running the server software, it brings online video streams from almost any source including Watch Instantly, Hulu, ESPN3 and more over 3G or WiFi. Barring any kind of Roku-style bannination existing users should download the app and get going immediately, while new users can give the server a 14-day free trial before deciding whether or not to pay the $39.99 first year subscription fee -- check out the press release and video trailer after the break. Continue reading PlayOn app for Android 2.2 and above means Netflix, Hulu for all PlayOn app for Android 2.2 and above means Netflix, Hulu for all originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Android Market | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NEC has debuted its first Android netbook, the humbly-named LifeTouch Note, in Japan. Spec-wise, the Note runs Android 2.2, has an NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU, up to 8GB of memory, a 7-inch backlit (800 x 480 resolution) resistive touchscreen LCD, GPS, WiFi, SD and SDHC slots, and a 2 megapixel webcam. There will also be a 3G variety for a little extra cash, of course. Other than that, there's no word of when this will be available in Japan, but we do know that it start at around ¥45,000 (that's somewhere in the neighborhood of $540). Video demo is after the break, hit up the source for a huge, attractive gallery. Continue reading NEC busts out an Android Netbook, the LifeTouch Note NEC busts out an Android Netbook, the LifeTouch Note originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Akihabara News | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We're becoming somewhat repetitive in our writing about SSDs -- every next one is that extra little bit faster or better and the crown just keeps exchanging hands -- but we couldn't be happier for it. Solid state storage is still one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of modern technology, a fact evidenced perfectly by the recent introduction of OCZ's Vertex 3 Pro drive. It touts a mad 550MBps maximum read and 500MBps maximum write speeds, mostly thanks to the brand spanking new SandForce SF-2500 controller chip it has onboard. It's been put through the benchmarking wringer by a number of sites today and the resulting conclusion has been lucid and unequivocal: the Vertex 3 Pro is the new champion among standalone 2.5-inch SSDs. AnandTech goes so far as to say it's "the first drive that really needs a 6Gbps interface." The V3Pro isn't yet on sale and the hardware looked at it in these previews was not final, but the next generation of SSDs looks to be keeping the breakneck pace of development that's characterized the storage medium so far. Lovely! OCZ Vertex 3 Pro hits the test bench, sets the new single-drive speed benchmark at 550MBps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | AnandTech, Hot Hardware, Legit Reviews | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Not interested in picking up an NFC-enabled smartphone? No matter -- Morpho's got you covered. The outfit was demonstrating a newly finished Simlink NFC keyfob here at Mobile World Congress, intended to provide contactless payment capability for those who lack it in their existing mobile. Rather than stopping at just payments, this dongle also supports frequent flier cards, membership accounts and pretty much any other members-only situation that may ever use NFC check-ins and registration. There's even a WiFi module here and an onboard web server, enabling any WiFi-enabled phone to immediately see your most recent transactions as well as what data / cards you have stored on the device. We're told that the onboard battery can last around a week if you don't use it continuously, and a simple micro-USB connector is responsible for charging. The only unfortunate part is the size -- it's hardly inconspicuous, but we're guessing revision two will lose quite a bit of weight. This particular model should go on sale by the end of Q4, with pricing to be determined. Head on past the break for a brief demonstration, you big spender, you.
Continue reading Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob brings wireless payments, card management to the everyman (video) Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob brings wireless payments, card management to the everyman (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | If you live in California you're blessed with a lot of things, including weather patterns that seem to get stuck in a rut an awful lot. Another treat you'll find is an additional $5,000 rebate on cars that are rated AT-PZEV -- that's Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle, those having very low emissions and hybrid-like technology. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt failed to score that rating because its batteries are not rated for 10 years and 150,000 miles, part of the AT-PZEV rules, but GM is apparently looking to fix that next year with a version of the Volt that will qualify. It's unclear whether all Volts will be upgraded or whether it'll be an option -- and if an option how much that will cost -- but a total of $12,500 in rebates on the Volt would certainly make that $41,000 MSRP a lot more palatable. 2012 Chevy Volt could be eligible for an extra $5,000 off in California originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Autoblog Green | care2 | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We've seen IP cams before, inexpensive ones like the DCS-930L from D-Link that get the job done with no frills, rather fancier ones like the Logitech Alert system that offer a premium feel -- at a premium cost. But nothing quite like this. It's the Swann DVR4-2600, a system that comes with four separate cameras, each offering a "high resolution" VGA that are about 10 years past a time when VGA could reasonably be called "high resolution." They do, at least, offer 65 feet worth of night vision and all-weather functionality. There's also a 500GB DVR included that can be connected directly to a TV or accessed remotely from a plethora of mobile apps covering everything from Android and iOS to Windows Mobile 6 and Symbian. You can get e-mails whenever your prisoners guests move and, the pièce de résistance, the kit includes four theft deterrent stickers. If those don't keep the crooks away, maybe the rottweiler* will. Full details in the PR below.
*Rottweiler not included. Continue reading Swann DVR4-2600 kit is 4 cameras and 500GB worth of remotely-accessible home security overkill Swann DVR4-2600 kit is 4 cameras and 500GB worth of remotely-accessible home security overkill originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Well now, leave it to Panasonic to dump a pile of camcorders at once, ensuring every domestic niche is covered. We have five separate models, so bear with us as we break out some bullets:
- HM-TA20 - This is a Flip-style upright design with a lens on one side and, on the other, an LCD with a big red button beneath it. But, it's durable, offering three meters of waterproof protection and a durable, dust-proof case. It'll do 1080p footage, offers no optical zooming, but does have a night mode that drops it down to 15fps to help it perform well when the lights go out. It can be used as a webcam, too.
- HM-TA2 - This is basically the TA20 minus the heavy-duty bits. Best to keep it dry. Comes with a tripod for self-portraits. Perfect for your new MySpace profile pic!
- HX-WA10 - Another durable one, waterproof to three meters, dust and shockproof, captures 16 megapixel stills and records 1080p footage, too. It offers a pistol-style grip and a flip-out, three-inch touchscreen. It's pictured after the break.
- HX-DC10 - This is basically a WA10 that doesn't like the water, or the dust, or being dropped.
- HX-DC1 - Another step down the cost ladder, this one backing down to 14 megapixel stills and losing some of the high-tech trickery of the others. Its three-inch LCD isn't touchable.
Panasonic didn't grace us with prices for any of these, nor release dates. But, hey, who needs details like that?Continue reading Panasonic unveils a suite of camcorders of all shapes, sizes, and depths Panasonic unveils a suite of camcorders of all shapes, sizes, and depths originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Digital Photography Review, CrunchGear | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sony Ericsson shook up MWC before it had even begun this year by introducing the Xperia Play -- the world's first PlayStation Certified phone -- alongside a pair of new members of its Xperia line of smartphones, the midrange Neo and QWERTY-sliding Pro. Taken together with the Xperia Arc that debuted at CES in January, this little bunch of Android Gingerbread runners will form SE's principal attack on the ever-fickle smartphone consumer's wallet this year. We can't yet tell you which of them might be the one for you, but we can certainly provide a gallery stuffed full of side-by-side pictures to help you visualize the differences, both big and small, between the four new Xperias. Enjoy!
Sony Ericsson Xperia family portrait at MWC 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | If you think of baldness as a disease then you'll want to pay close attention to some research that's being conducted in collaboration with teams from UCLA, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and the Oregon Health and Sciences University. The group seems to have accidentally stumbled on the cure for baldness while researching the relationship between stress and the gastrointestinal tract. The teams were testing the effects of a peptide called "astressin-B" on mice genetically engineered to be hyper-stressed (and bald as a result). Miraculously, the bald mice regrew the lost hair and the respect of women who drive Minis. They even maintained the re-hair for up to four months after receiving just one dose a day for five consecutive days -- that's 20 percent of a mouse's two-year lifespan. Oh sure, the regrowth was on their backs but we're sure they'll sort our your preference for location by the time this begins human trials. Baldness cure is no reason to quit a'stressin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | PopSci | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Let's hope Sony's new streaming music service -- just launched today for the US, Austrlia, and New Zealand -- isn't as unwieldy to use as its "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity" moniker suggests. The service features six million tracks from Sony Music Entertainment, Universal, EMI, and Warner and is available on Sony's own devices including the PS3, Blu-ray disc players, Bravia televisions, and VAIO PCs. It'll also be available on Android smartphones soon with an iOS app coming later this year, assuming Apple's new subscription debacle doesn't derail Sony's plans. A basic membership provides an interactive radio experience for $3.99 per month while a premium $9.99 per month service gives subscribers on-demand access to the Music Unlimited library with the ability to manage your music through playlists and the like. Sony also provides a useful service that scans your local library and playlists to "jump start" the organization of your Music Unlimited collection. Wonder how it'll work on the NGP and PlayStation tablet? Sony Music Unlimited now streaming tracks to the US originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 07:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink All Things Digital | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | If you get just five spam text messages a day then consider yourselves lucky, as a Chinese mobile user could easily amass at least 30 messages daily, according to Cloudmark. Fortunately, said company has been working with GSMA and various network operators on building an SMS spam reporting system, which should help drastically reduce worldwide cellphone spam. The idea is rather simple: in a multi-country trial that ended last December, participants from AT&T, Bell Mobility, SFR, Sprint, Vodafone, Korea Telecom, and the Korean Internet & Security Agency forwarded suspect spam to "7726," which is short code for "spam." Cloudmark's cloud-based system would then be able to identify and block these messages in the future, be it scams, linkbaits, or just ads from perverse companies. While this sounds like a perfect solution, it's not entirely clear how much this service would cost the operators, but hey, it's never too early to start a petition if you need it that badly. GSMA and Cloudmark cooking up an SMS spam reporting system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 07:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | PC World | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Talk about your cross promotions. The Rinderknecht-built Rinspeed BamBoo concept electric car looks to be the stuff of a gadget nerd's dreams. Unfortunately, that dream resembles a dystopian future envisioned by a Neal Stephenson novel whereby everything we own is sponsored, slathered in corporate logos. But hey, it's just a concept, and production vehicles never look like the original idea so anything goes... and we mean anything. To start with, the breadbox-inspired dash features a Siemens VDO display with a docking station in the glovebox for the new HTC Flyer tablet. The BamBoo dash is flanked by flowery JBL GreenEdge speakers and the starter key is styled after a Swiss army knife. And if we're not mistaken, there's a webcam extended off a stalk from the center of the dash. An interesting piece of work right on down to the cluster of old school throw switches for the wipers, lights, hazards, etc. But that's just the cockpit.
The radiator grill has been replaced by an internet-connected "identiface," developed by Daimler subsidiary MBtech, whereby the occupant can display any number of messages to onlookers from Facebook or Twitter, for example, or even the radio station preset you're currently jamming. The inflatable rear seats are removable as is the inflatable waterproof roof developed by Tecnotex that doubles as a beach blanket. The whole kit is powered by a 54 kW electric motor capable of a 120km/h top speed and battery capable of pushing the sporty golf cart some 105 kilometers before requiring a recharge from an RWE intelligent charging station. Look for it to make its big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. Until then, head over to Autoblog to feast on their gallery of images with a few choice shots added below.
[Thanks, Tim]Continue reading Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world's largest HTC Flyer dock Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world's largest HTC Flyer dock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Autoblog | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The last we heard of a reasonably sized Sony OLED display was way back in June, even though it was just the panel itself rather than a full package like the XEL-1 OLED TV. But yesterday, Sony unveiled a couple of new OLED monitors for its Trimaster EL professional range: on the left we have the BVM-E250 25-incher, accompanied by the BVM-E170 17-inch sibling on the right. The "Super Top Emission OLED" panels on both models boast an RGB 10-bit driver, 100 cd/m2 standard luminance, 1920 x 1080 resolution, plus an impressive 178-degree viewing angle both vertically and laterally. We'll save the rest of the technical details for you video nuts in the press release (along with a video) after the break, but let us warn you that these don't come cheap: the E250 will be available in mid-April for around ¥2.4 million ($28,910), and the E170 in June for around ¥1.3 million ($15,710). Continue reading Sony announces 17-inch and 25-inch Trimaster EL professional OLED monitors Sony announces 17-inch and 25-inch Trimaster EL professional OLED monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink AV Watch, MacWorld, OLED-Display | Sony | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | According to Company Town, Redbox prez Mitch Lowe informed analysts yesterday that its upcoming online movie service would be subscription-based like Netflix and Hulu Plus instead of charging per-movie like iTunes, Zune or Amazon VOD (we can guess why.) Users would pay the monthly fee to stream to various devices (perhaps to the new iPhone and Android apps) and access discs at the kiosks. Lowe mentioned Redbox would have a partner in the service and while previous rumors pointed to CinemaNow, the Seattle Times suggests Walmart/Vudu and Amazon, rumored to be launching a subscription service of its own this month, as possibilities. Meanwhile, in its existing disc based business, word is Disney has decided to raise the amount it charges Netflix and Redbox for each DVD to the full wholesale price, although they'll still be available the same day the DVDs go on sale. Redbox is planning a Netflix-like subscription streaming movie service, could partner with Amazon or Walmart originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink The Hollywood Reporter | Company Town (1), (2) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We were somewhat taken aback when Kno confirmed its textbook tablet had been delayed without a word on when production would resume, but the company now says pre-orders will experience up to two months' delay before they ship out, and not all of them will. eBookNewser and CrunchGear report that shipments could be delayed until as late as April 14th, and that the first shipment will be restricted "to a limited number of students and teachers." Kno still hasn't provided a reason for the delay, but we think that the newly closed-off website says a lot. "You now need an invitation to get a Kno," it reads, "There aren't enough to go around." Kno says some tablets will ship within 60 days, doesn't explain pre-order delay originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink CrunchGear | eBookNewser | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Toyota has been showing off an electric vehicle concept based on its iQ ultra-compact for a couple of years now, but it looks like it's finally worked up enough confidence to actually put it into production. The first step down that road will occur at the Geneva Motor Show next month, where Toyota will show off a "near-production" prototype of its iQ EV (not necessarily the actual name), which is apparently much like its FT-EV concept, but with an improved lithium-ion battery pack that promises a range of 105 kilometers (or 65 miles) on a single charge. Assuming all goes as planned, the car will then be put into production following some additional testing later this year, and Toyota will reportedly begin leasing it to consumers at some point in 2012 -- Europe seems to be first in line for the car, but it will apparently be headed to North America as well. Toyota to show off iQ EV prototype, put it into production next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Gas 2.0 | PhysOrg | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Things tend to get messy for the competition when Apple decides to direct its vast cash reserves on "very strategic" components. Especially when Cupertino starts waving around stacks of dough in the range of $3.9 billion to $7.8 billion. Just look at what Apple did to NAND supplies as the flash-based iPod rose to dominance for reference. Today DigiTimes is reporting that Apple is occupying close to 60 percent of the global touch panel production capacity resulting in a "tight supply" for the competition. Specifically, DigiTimes' sources at upstream component makers claim that tablet PC makers are unable to ship enough product to match orders due to component shortages. The primary culprit, according to the rumor rag, is the shortage of touch panels "due to Apple holding control over capacity." The issue is especially troublesome for second-tier tablet hopefuls who must compete with the likes of HP, RIM, Motorola, HTC, Samsung, LG, Dell (everyone but Sony) for the scraps. As a result, Apple should be able to more easily meet iPad demand in 2011, according to DigiTimes, while its competitors struggle to keep up. Apple creating touch panel shortages for tablet competition? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | DigiTimes | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |
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