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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

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NPD Q1 2012: Apple still king of the mobile computing hill thanks to iPad

Posted: 22 May 2012 02:40 PM PDT

NPD Q1 2012: Apple still king of the mobile computing hill thanks to iPad


NPD Q1 2012: Apple still king of the mobile computing hill thanks to iPad
NPD DisplaySearch is declaring Apple to be the undisputed champion of the mobile PC business for the first quarter of the year. The fruity phone flinger shipped (shipped, not sold) 17.2 million mobile PCs in the time, a figure that contentiously includes the iPad. Second place was taken by HP, which packed off 8.9 million units -- enough to put it at the top of the Laptop-only chart. It's a familiar story over on the tablets leader-board, too. Cupertino pushed out 13.6 million iPads to maintain first place, while Samsung took the silver medal after packing off 1.6 million of its numerous Galaxy slates. Surprisingly, Amazon only needed to ship 900,000 Kindle Fires to take third, although given that the bookseller never discloses its numbers, we have to take that last number with a dash of disbelief.Continue reading NPD Q1 2012: Apple still king of the mobile computing hill thanks to iPadNPD Q1 2012: Apple still king of the mobile computing hill thanks to iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 17:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Dell profit drops 33 percent in Q1, both home and corporate sales take a hit

Posted: 22 May 2012 02:40 PM PDT

Dell profit drops 33 percent in Q1, both home and corporate sales take a hit


Dell profit drops 33 percent in Q1, both home and corporate sales take a hit
Dell hasn't been having the greatest of years, and the blows are still as heavy as ever in Round Rock's fiscal Q1. Its net profit dipped a steep 33 percent to $635 million, while its overall revenue was down four points to $14.4 billion. Unlike in Q4, the PC builder couldn't point to strong enterprise sales as its savior, either: while its enterprise services' revenues were up two percent, its Large Enterprise group dropped by three points. Outside of small business sales and China, Dell's segments took hits as a whole, with the consumer group down a flinch-worthy 12 percent. The Texas firm is keen to stress that it's morphing into an "end-to-end IT provider" that downplays home sales, but without too many signs of strength in pleasing the suits and ties, we wouldn't count on investors being happy after they read the full details below.Continue reading Dell profit drops 33 percent in Q1, both home and corporate sales take a hitDell profit drops 33 percent in Q1, both home and corporate sales take a hit originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 17:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Dell | Email this | Comments

Motorcycle Deaths Remain High

Posted: 22 May 2012 02:40 PM PDT

Motorcycle Deaths Remain High


Motorcycle Deaths Remain High
Repealed helmet laws, boom in bike sales contributed to fatalities.

3D printing gets more flexible with Nylon extrusion

Posted: 22 May 2012 02:40 PM PDT

3D printing gets more flexible with Nylon extrusion


3D printing gets more flexible with Nylon extrusion
3D printing with ABS and other plastics that have a low-melting point are old hat. And, with the price of entry dropping below the $500 mark, soon enough anyone will be able print their own pirated 45s. Instructables user [taulman] has has taken it upon himself to push the DIY polymer extruder scene in a new direction -- Nylon. The slick and bendable Nylon 6 melts at 320 degrees celsius, roughly 100 degrees higher than the more common and brittle ABS. The flexible nature of nylon has some obvious advantages, particularly when printing tubing or even an iPhone case. What's more, gears and bearings created from the synthetic don't need to be lubricated. But, this isn't the end game for [taulman]. The resourceful DIYer plans to keep working on his high-temperature system until he can build custom creations from Delrin and Polycarbonate. The obvious downside here, is that higher temperatures require more power and more rugged components that could drive up cost. But, we'd say it's a small price to pay for being able to print your own Otterbox. Check out the video demos after the break.Continue reading 3D printing gets more flexible with Nylon extrusion3D printing gets more flexible with Nylon extrusion originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 17:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Instructables | Email this | Comments

Cheap £149 PC and broadband bundle gives the UK something to smile about

Posted: 22 May 2012 02:06 PM PDT

Cheap £149 PC and broadband bundle gives the UK something to smile about


Cheap £149 PC and broadband bundle gives the UK something to smile about
Charitable entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox has teamed up with Microsoft, TalkTalk, and Simplify Digital to bring a cheaper option for cash-strapped folks in the UK. Starting today, you can buy a refurbished computer with broadband service for a year (with a 40GB monthly cap) for as little as £149 ($240) -- and that price drops even lower for people on state benefits. The "Go On UK" initiative also throws in a WiFi router and Windows 7 to further spread that non-profit love around the nation -- just like we have going on in the US.Cheap £149 PC and broadband bundle gives the UK something to smile about originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 16:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Telegraph | getonlineathome.org, go-on-uk.org | Email this | Comments

Scientists develop rewritable digital storage built into DNA; biological binary...

Posted: 22 May 2012 02:06 PM PDT

Scientists develop rewritable digital storage built into DNA; biological binary exists


Scientists develop rewritable digital storage built into DNA; biological binary exists
We've seen DNA flirt with computing and storage before, but a biological system that can record digital data? That's something different. Stanford researchers used natural enzymes to create rewritable data storage built directly into living cells' DNA. The enzymes can flip DNA sequences back and forth, enabling a programmable, binary-like system where the DNA section is a zero if it points in a particular direction and a one if it points the other way. (Color coding indicates which way a section of genetic code is facing.) The so-called recombinase addressable data (RAD) module can store one bit of information without consuming any power, and in addition to letting scientists switch DNA sequences, it allows them to count how many times a given cell has doubled. That capability could come in handy for studying how cancer spreads, and could even give scientists the ability to "turn off" affected cells. The next step for the scientists will be upping the storage capacity to a byte, which will reportedly take a good ten years. That gives you plenty of time to study up on that science -- for a start, check out a more detailed account of the research in the source link.Scientists develop rewritable digital storage built into DNA; biological binary exists originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TG Daily | Stanford University School of Engineering | Email this | Comments

Samsung Chromebox gets a premature outing, $330 price tag (video)

Posted: 22 May 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Samsung Chromebox gets a premature outing, $330 price tag (video)


Samsung Chromebox gets a premature outing, $330 price tag (video)
Samsung has been almost completely silent regarding its Chromebox since its CES outing, so we were taken aback when we were tipped off that it was hiding in plain sight on TigerDirect's web store. Sure enough, a product listing provides a lot more detail about the tiny Chrome OS desktop than Samsung gave us in January, including its use of a 1.9GHz, dual-core Celeron B840, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 16GB solid-state drive and six (not five) USB ports. We haven't seen mention of the promised wireless keyboard and mouse bundle, although the retailer's configuration might reflect a stripped-down trim level: at $330, it's a lot less than the $400 we were quoted at the start of the year. We wouldn't count on the store listing staying up -- at least, not until Google I/O -- but you can get a whirlwind tour of the Chromebox's core features through the hilariously awkward video below, which strips out the price if you're not watching from TigerDirect itself. [Thanks, Pete]Continue reading Samsung Chromebox gets a premature outing, $330 price tag (video)Samsung Chromebox gets a premature outing, $330 price tag (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 16:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TigerDirect | Email this | Comments

Pricing added to 2013 Ford Fusion configurator, "Luxury Package" costs more on h...

Posted: 22 May 2012 01:30 PM PDT

Pricing added to 2013 Ford Fusion configurator, "Luxury Package" costs more on hybrid


Pricing added to 2013 Ford Fusion configurator, "Luxury Package" costs more on hybrid
Filed under: Hybrid, Ford We've noticed that 2013 Ford Fusion configurator has been updated with dollar values for each of its four models, however, we're not so sure the pricing is that black-and-white. Ford has also updated the disclaimer at the bottom of the page, to read, "Prices and features are for survey purposes only and are subject to change and features may become unavailable at the time of vehicle introduction." In other words, don't get too fixated on the numbers, as they're not locked down yet. And by playing with the configurator, you're likely serving as a FoMoCo lab rat - after all, this is the company that never met a focus group it didn't like. It's worth noting that Ford has not issued an official press release on pricing yet. But for now, it seems like the base Fusion S will start at $22,495, though we're not sure whether that includes destination or not. Stepping up to the SE at $24,490 will upgrade the steel wheels to alloys, add heated, lighted mirrors with turn signal indicators, and get you body color rocker panels. Inside, the SE has a power driver's seat and a better stereo, and backseat passengers get an armrest and their own HVAC ducts. The SE also allows you to order other stuff, including navigation and start/stop, or opt for a different engine than the base-spec 2.5-liter four-cylinder with automatic transmission. The 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is available with a manual or automatic on the SE for $25,290, while the start/stop-equipped version (automatic only) is $25,585. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost with automatic is $26,745 when ordered in SE trim. Ford lists a number of different packages and options, but they seem to be offered on a sliding scale, such that the packages are more expensive on the lower-priced models. For instance, the Luxury Package with leather and heated seats, among other equipment, is $1,505 on the 1.6-liter EcoBoost but only $1,050 on the 2.0-liter EcoBoost. On the SE Hybrid, which starts at $27,995 and is equipped with a non-EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a CVT, the same Luxury Package is listed at $2,000. Apparently if you're saving all that money on gas, you can afford to pay double the guy with the most powerful engine. At the top of the Fusion price list, of course, rests the Titanium, which offers a lot of the optional stuff standard for $30,995. It's also the only way to get all-wheel drive, which will set you back $32,995. Note that the Titanium is exclusively powered by the 2.0-liter EcoBoost and is not available with a manual, so you won't be configuring your Fusion as a dual-use weekend rally car. But then again, Ford will likely change this all tomorrow.Pricing added to 2013 Ford Fusion configurator, "Luxury Package" costs more on hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 May 2012 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Verizon's ZTE-built Jetpack 890L 4G hotspot ships May 24th, promises globetrotti...

Posted: 22 May 2012 01:30 PM PDT

Verizon's ZTE-built Jetpack 890L 4G hotspot ships May 24th, promises globetrotting for $20


Verizon's ZTE-built Jetpack 890L 4G hotspot ships May 24th, promises globetrotting for $20
Verizon has just finished trotting out the last of its known 2012 Jetpack hotspots through the arrival of the ZTE-made model we saw back at CES in January. Now carrying a bit more Verizon red on the surface and a bit less Chinese in the name, the Jetpack 890L can share its 4G LTE sugar with as many as 10 WiFi devices at once. There's no removable battery like its Novatel-made Jetpack cousin, but you do get Global Ready (read: HSPA) roaming abroad. We're most liking the price. At $20 on a contract after a $50 mail-in rebate, the 890L will be the most frugal way to board the LTE hotspot train once it reaches stores on May 24th.Continue reading Verizon's ZTE-built Jetpack 890L 4G hotspot ships May 24th, promises globetrotting for $20Verizon's ZTE-built Jetpack 890L 4G hotspot ships May 24th, promises globetrotting for $20 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 16:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Electronista | Verizon | Email this | Comments

Meta Watch announces new dev kit with added iOS support, Bluetooth 4.0

Posted: 22 May 2012 01:30 PM PDT

Meta Watch announces new dev kit with added iOS support, Bluetooth 4.0


Meta Watch announces new dev kit with added iOS support, Bluetooth 4.0
Can't wait for the Pebble E-Paper Watch to ship this fall? The Meta Watch developer system that we first saw last year just got a major upgrade, and could serve as an acceptable stand-in for now, with the arrival of both iOS support and Bluetooth 4.0 to the $199 connected wearable. The device includes a 96 x 96-pixel sunlight-viewable LCD, six programmable buttons, an accelerometer, vibrating motor, ambient light sensor and a black or white strap. The developer platform Meta Watch is available through Texas Instruments now for $199. Hit up the source link after the break to make it your own.Meta Watch announces new dev kit with added iOS support, Bluetooth 4.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 16:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gizmodo | Meta Watch Blog, Texas Instruments | Email this | Comments

'12 Jaguar XF Portfolio: Flash Drive

Posted: 22 May 2012 01:30 PM PDT

'12 Jaguar XF Portfolio: Flash Drive


'12 Jaguar XF Portfolio: Flash Drive
MSN Autos Editors take a spin in the powerful Jaguar XF.

Xfinity Voice 2Go bridges the gap between mobile, VoIP and home phones

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:56 PM PDT

Xfinity Voice 2Go bridges the gap between mobile, VoIP and home phones


Xfinity Voice 2Go bridges the gap between mobile, VoIP and home phones
Comcast took the opportunity at The Cable Show 2012 to introduce some new features for its Xfinity Voice service, dubbed Voice 2Go. The end goal is to bring the perks you enjoy with your smartphone to your landline. It all starts with an app that's available on iOS and Android (in both phone and tablet-friendly formats) that functions similarly to Google Voice. The Xfinity Connect Mobile app allows you to send and receive texts on your mobile device through your home phone number and forward incoming calls to multiple devices, including your cellphone, so you'll never miss a call again. What's more, your Xfinity account can be used to place VoIP calls from any connected device over WiFi, 3G or 4G. For more check out the video after the break.Continue reading Xfinity Voice 2Go bridges the gap between mobile, VoIP and home phonesXfinity Voice 2Go bridges the gap between mobile, VoIP and home phones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 15:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Comcast | Email this | Comments

Scientists use metal and silicon to create invisibility cloak (no, you can't wea...

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:56 PM PDT

Scientists use metal and silicon to create invisibility cloak (no, you can't wear it)


Scientists use metal and silicon to create invisibility cloak (no, you can't wear it)
In the quest to achieve that much-desired invisibility cloak, scientists have redirected light, used heat monitoring and even gone underwater -- with varying degrees of success. The latest attempt at this optical illusion is from engineers at Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania, who have developed a device that can detect light without being seen itself. When the ratio of metal to silicon is just right, the light reflected from the two materials is completely canceled out. The process, called plasmonic cloaking, controls the flow of light to create optical and electronic functions while leaving nothing for the eye to see. Scientists envision this tech being used in cameras -- plasmonic cloaking could reduce blur by minimizing the cross-talk between pixels. Other applications include solar cells, sensors and solid-state lighting -- human usage is conspicuously absent on that list.Scientists use metal and silicon to create invisibility cloak (no, you can't wear it) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Nanotechnology Today, TG Daily | | Email this | Comments

HTC refreshes Android update timeline, details which devices won't get Ice Cream...

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:56 PM PDT

HTC refreshes Android update timeline, details which devices won't get Ice Cream Sandwich


HTC refreshes Android update timeline, details which devices won't get Ice Cream Sandwich
Normally we rejoice when we see a manufacturer share updates with us on when Ice Cream Sandwich will be coming to its legacy devices, but HTC's latest blog post leaves us with mixed emotions. First, the decent news: we now have a slightly more specific timeline for each phone, with the targeted deadlines now updated to show specific months rather than quarters. And yes, there's bad news to go along with it: it's also added a list of devices that won't make the cut to receive Ice Cream Sandwich. That's right, HTC laid down the law for several phones and tablets, stating that "in general, devices with 512MB ROM or less will not be upgraded to Android 4.0." Unfortunately, this means that owners of the ChaCha, Salsa, Wildfire S, Explorer "and others" will remain hopelessly stuck on Gingerbread -- without the help of unofficial builds and custom ROMs, at least. But that's not all: HTC also mentioned that the Flyer, EVO View 4G and the Jetstream won't be jumping up to Ice Cream Sandwich either. This has to be rather disappointing to anyone who shelled out $700 for the Jetstream on a two-year contract in September. One consolation to the heartbreaking news is that at least you no longer have to hold your breath and wait to hear it -- and HTC pledges to continue offering maintenance updates to the shunned devices -- but it's still a hard pill to swallow no matter which way you look at it. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]HTC refreshes Android update timeline, details which devices won't get Ice Cream Sandwich originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 15:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Police | HTC | Email this | Comments

With Mobile App Cardify, The Founder Of Ad.ly Takes On His Next Challenge: Impro...

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:56 PM PDT

With Mobile App Cardify, The Founder Of Ad.ly Takes On His Next Challenge: Improving Customer Loyalty


With Mobile App Cardify, The Founder Of Ad.ly Takes On His Next Challenge: Improving Customer Loyalty
Earlier today, David Lee of SV Angel said that one of the hottest areas to watch in tech right now is the area of mobile commerce and companies that can "close the loop" between online and offline transactions. Today sees the launch of Cardify, a mobile app and merchant dashboard that aim to solve that challenge from the direction of customer loyalty. The idea behind Cardify, a contestant in the TC Disrupt Startup Battlefield, is this: the need to identify and engage customers is a priority all businesses, but existing loyalty solutions are not delivering the goods. Traditional punch cards are messy and don't add much value for either the business or customer. Solutions with more technology to them, such as QR codes, can be tedious.

Clueful Scans The Apps On Your iPhone, Tells You Which Ones Are Doing Naughty Th...

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:55 PM PDT

Clueful Scans The Apps On Your iPhone, Tells You Which Ones Are Doing Naughty Things With Your Data


Clueful Scans The Apps On Your iPhone, Tells You Which Ones Are Doing Naughty Things With Your Data
Remember address book-gate? Locationgate? I-don't-know-what-my-apps-are-doing-on-my-phone-gate? (Oh, that last one might not be a real thing.) Regardless, we're living in age where companies are pushing us to rethink the boundaries between what we consider private, personal information and what should be public. The resulting backlash is an overreaction(-gate) when we discover that some of the data we presumed to be ours alone was actually being stored, accessed and shared by others...in many cases, "others" being mobile app developers. Well, leave it to a security firm to capitalize on the privacy scare trend. And by capitalize, I mean launch a $4 app that tells you what the apps on your phone are doing. Introducing Bitdefender's Clueful.

Appcelerator Partners With Geoloqi To Bring Location Services To Its 1.6 Million...

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:55 PM PDT

Appcelerator Partners With Geoloqi To Bring Location Services To Its 1.6 Million Developers


Appcelerator Partners With Geoloqi To Bring Location Services To Its 1.6 Million Developers
Geoloqi, the Portland, Ore.-based location platform, today announced that it is partnering with the popular mobile app development platform Appcelerator. Thanks to this partnership, Geoloqi is now available to the 1.6 million iOS and Android developers who have signed up for Appcelerator's Titanium 2.0 platform. With this, Appcelerator developers can now easily create location-based apps on the company's JavaScript-based Titanium 2.0 app building platform.

Sony-made Google TV units will come with Plex as standard

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:55 PM PDT

Sony-made Google TV units will come with Plex as standard


Sony-made Google TV units will come with Plex as standard
Plex has inadvertently announced that its excellent media center software will be baked into Sony's forthcoming range of Google TV devices. A customized version of its app for the platform arrived on Google Play, declaring that it was only available for download on "late model 2012 Sony internet TVs." When pressed on the matter, Plex revealed that it'll arrive pre-installed on the second generation gear, expected to arrive in Europe by September.Sony-made Google TV units will come with Plex as standard originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 15:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink GigaOM | Google Play | Email this | Comments

New OmniVision 16-megapixel camera sensors could record 4K, 60 fps video on your...

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:21 PM PDT

New OmniVision 16-megapixel camera sensors could record 4K, 60 fps video on your smartphone


New OmniVision 16-megapixel camera sensors could record 4K, 60 fps video on your smartphone
Nokia has reportedly been dreaming of PureView phones with 4K video; as of today, OmniVision is walking the walk quite a bit earlier. The 16-megapixel resolution of the OV16820 and OV16825 is something we've seen before, but it now has a massive amount of headroom for video. If your smartphone or camcorder has the processing grunt to handle it, either of the sensors can record 4K (3840 x 2160, to be exact) video at a super-smooth 60 fps, or at the camera's full 4608 x 3456 if you're willing to putt along at 30 fps. The pair of backside-illuminated CMOS sensors can burst-shoot still photos at the bigger size, too, and can handle up to 12-bit RAW. Impressive stuff, but if you were hoping for OmniVision to name devices, you'll be disappointed: it's typically quiet about the customer list, and mass production isn't due for either version until the fall. On the upside, it could be next year that we're feeding our 4K projectors with Mr. Blurrycam smartphone videos.Continue reading New OmniVision 16-megapixel camera sensors could record 4K, 60 fps video on your smartphoneNew OmniVision 16-megapixel camera sensors could record 4K, 60 fps video on your smartphone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | OmniVision | Email this | Comments

Forget Those Scraps Of Paper, SnipSnap Lets You Save And Share Coupons From Your...

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:21 PM PDT

Forget Those Scraps Of Paper, SnipSnap Lets You Save And Share Coupons From Your iPhone


Forget Those Scraps Of Paper, SnipSnap Lets You Save And Share Coupons From Your iPhone
There was a time when I would watch shows like Extreme Couponing with a sense of morbid amusement — there was clearly plenty of money to be saved by clipping bits of dead plant matter out of a newspaper, but the process of keeping track of or remembering them when I go to the store has always stymied me. That may no longer be the case, if Ted Mann and his Philadelphia-based team have anything to say about it. They've just released a new iOS app called SnipSnap that's meant to simplify the process of snipping, saving, and even sharing those money-saving scraps of paper.

AMEX and Zynga team up for themed card, replace cash back with FarmVille rewards

Posted: 22 May 2012 12:20 PM PDT

AMEX and Zynga team up for themed card, replace cash back with FarmVille rewards


AMEX and Zynga team up for themed card, replace cash back with FarmVille rewards
Have you ever judged a friend's financial savvy based on the rewards yield of the cards in their wallet? Now you won't have a choice. For those of you that abhor free flights, detest comped hotel rooms and net severe displeasure from earning cash back, AMEX may finally have your plastic match. It's called the Zynga Serve Rewards card -- yes, the same Zynga that's behind time-sink cash cows like FarmVille, CityVille and CastleVille (?!) -- and it enables you to accrue "Zynga Farm Cash," which as you might imagine provides no financial gratification in the physical world. "FarmVille players now have the ability to plant an interactive Serve Money Tree in their Farms which will give them the ability to level up in game and earn Zynga Farm Cash for virtual awards redemption." We can't make this stuff up. The co-branded prepaid card is tied to a US currency-filled bank account, debit or credit card, and rewards will be assigned for your first five purchases of $25 -- at launch, with further incentives to come later this year. On top of that limitation, there's also a fairly outrageous fee structure (which effectively translates to 2.9 percent of each transaction when the account is funded with another credit card), detailed in full at the source link. Well, at least the card is colorful. Go tell that "Serve Money Tree" that water's on the way!Continue reading AMEX and Zynga team up for themed card, replace cash back with FarmVille rewardsAMEX and Zynga team up for themed card, replace cash back with FarmVille rewards originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | AMEX Serve, Zynga Serve | Email this | Comments

Purported fifth-gen iPod touch panel slips out, show a tall 4.1-inch screen that...

Posted: 22 May 2012 11:46 AM PDT

Purported fifth-gen iPod touch panel slips out, show a tall 4.1-inch screen that's possibly iPhone-bound


Purported fifth-gen iPod touch panel slips out, show a tall 4.1-inch screen that's possibly iPhone-bound
It's been a long, long time since Apple undertook a significant redesign of the iPod touch, which hasn't been looked at since 2010 and received just a splash of white last year. A possible front panel part leak we've just seen could overturn all that -- and hint at the 2012 iPhone's direction in the process. If we go by the claims of MacRumors' supplier friends, the media player would be growing up, but not out, with a taller 4.1-inch screen. We're skeptical, as the white part (black on the inside) seems almost too good to be true -- we haven't seen anything similar elsewhere in the unofficial parts market. Still, having heard murmurs of larger iPhone screens and knowing Apple's own tendency to base the iPod touch on whatever iPhone flavor is new this year, we could be looking at iPhones and iPods growing for the first time since 2007. There's also some as yet unconfirmed next-gen iPhone parts included by the source, although we'd hesitate to call them smoking guns unless they're put together in Apple-like form later in the year.Purported fifth-gen iPod touch panel slips out, show a tall 4.1-inch screen that's possibly iPhone-bound originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MacRumors | Email this | Comments

Google goes Moogle, celebrates Moog's birthday with interactive doodle

Posted: 22 May 2012 11:46 AM PDT

Google goes Moogle, celebrates Moog's birthday with interactive doodle


Google goes Moogle, celebrates Moog's birthday with interactive doodle
It's time to surrender another afternoon to an interactive Google doodle. The search engine has outdone itself in celebration of the late-Bob Moog's birthday. The electronic music pioneer was born on May 23rd, 1934. Seeing as how the anniversary isn't until tomorrow, the doodle hasn't actually hit our Google front page. Thanks to the magic of timezones, however, you can check it out on some of the company's many international sites, as our colleagues at Engadget Japanese pointed out. Google's really outdone itself here, you can play the synth doodle by tapping on the keys with your cursor, or by hitting the numbers on your keyboard. Naturally, there are plenty of knobs to fiddle with, and you can also record your musical experiments for posterity. Get switched-on with the music awesomeness in the source link below.Continue reading Google goes Moogle, celebrates Moog's birthday with interactive doodleGoogle goes Moogle, celebrates Moog's birthday with interactive doodle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Engadget Japanese | Google Japan | Email this | Comments

Nokia axes Skype client on Lumia 610, claims user experience wasn't 'up to par'

Posted: 22 May 2012 11:46 AM PDT

Nokia axes Skype client on Lumia 610, claims user experience wasn't 'up to par'


Nokia axes Skype client on Lumia 610, claims user experience wasn't 'up to par'
It took nearly a full month, but Nokia has finally been convinced that Skype is indeed incompatible with low-memory Windows Phones. In reaching out to a spokesperson, the company confirmed to us that it has decided to yank the official client from the Marketplace on the Lumia 610. The device -- which utilizes a scant 256MB of RAM -- originally allowed the service to be downloaded despite Skype's claims that 512MB was the minimum amount of memory required for the app to function properly. The internet phone service, as it turns out, was correct: Nokia, stating that the user experience is "workable" but not "up to par with Nokia's and Skype's expectation," has pulled the plug on any future downloads. Users who managed to snag the app before it disappeared can still enjoy (or hate, depending on your experience) it on their Lumia 610, but until Skype is able to lower the memory restrictions, it looks like everyone else is out of luck. Head below for the full translated statement.Continue reading Nokia axes Skype client on Lumia 610, claims user experience wasn't 'up to par'Nokia axes Skype client on Lumia 610, claims user experience wasn't 'up to par' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink WMPowerUser | WeLoveWP (translated) | Email this | Comments

Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car

Posted: 22 May 2012 11:13 AM PDT

Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car


Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car
Filed under: Green Culture, MPG It seems like it was just a few years ago that car manufacturers used to laugh at us when we'd ask why a new model didn't get any better fuel economy than its outgoing predecessor. "Car buyers don't care about fuel economy," was the refrain, "They certainly won't pay for it." A few years of three- and four-dollar-per-gallon gas has apparently changed that attitude. According to a new study by Consumer Reports, 37 percent of respondents said fuel economy was now their leading consideration in car shopping, topping all others by a landslide. Quality was the second-most-important factor at 17 percent, while safety was mentioned by 16 percent, and value by 14 percent of shoppers. Two-thirds of respondents said they expected their next new vehicle to beat their current one on fuel economy. And yes, it is the economy, stupid, as 90 percent of those surveyed said high gas prices were the reason why they wanted a more fuel-efficient vehicle. None of this is too surprising, given what has been going on both in the auto industry and in the larger economy since the economic meltdown of 2008. But we still kind of wonder how performance managed to rate number one with just six percent of those surveyed? Is that it then, there are six times as many tee-totalers than auto enthusiasts out there in the world? CR says that it called 2,009 people across the country to get its results, obtaining 1,702 responses from adult car owners. Scroll down to read the full press release.Continue reading Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a carSurvey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

DICE to require 64-bit OS for some 2013 games, that Windows ME box in the den is...

Posted: 22 May 2012 11:13 AM PDT

DICE to require 64-bit OS for some 2013 games, that Windows ME box in the den isn't cutting it


DICE to require 64-bit OS for some 2013 games, that Windows ME box in the den isn't cutting it
We're entering a world of mainstream 64-bit computing -- whether we like it or not. Just weeks after Adobe started requiring 64-bit Macs for CS6, DICE's Rendering Architect Johan Andersson has warned that some of his company's 2013 games using the Frostbite engine will need the extra bits as a matter of course. In other words, it won't matter if you have a quad Core i7 gaming PC of death should the software be inadequate; if you're still running a 32-bit copy of Windows 7 come the new year, you won't be playing. The developer points to memory as the main culprit, as going 64-bit guarantees full access to 4GB or more of RAM as well as better virtual addressing. Andersson sees it as a prime opportunity to upgrade to Windows 8, although 64-bit Vista and 7 (and presumably OS X, if and when Mac versions exist) will be dandy. Just be prepared to upgrade that Windows XP PC a lot sooner than Microsoft's 2014 support cutoff if you're planning to run the next Battlefield or Mirror's Edge.DICE to require 64-bit OS for some 2013 games, that Windows ME box in the den isn't cutting it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Eurogamer | Johan Andersson (Twitter) | Email this | Comments

Google's self-driving cars will return to roots, tour California

Posted: 22 May 2012 11:13 AM PDT

Google's self-driving cars will return to roots, tour California


Google's self-driving cars will return to roots, tour California
Thanks to a new law passed in California, Google's driverless cars might soon be stuck in its traffic with all the other hapless commuters. Although they won't hit the highway yet, like they can in Nevada, the bipartisan bill will allow bureaucrats to craft safety and performance standards -- letting the robotic rigs roll (with licensed minders) in the near future. Joining Hawaii, Florida, Arizona and Oklahoma with similar legislation, the state hopes to reduce carnage on the roads caused by human error, and is backed by Google, the California Highway Patrol and various civic, auto and tech clubs. Of course, given that it was birthed in Google's Mountain View X lab, it's only natural that the autonomous EV should be allowed to roam free on its home turf.Google's self-driving cars will return to roots, tour California originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 13:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Wired | Email this | Comments

Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96

Posted: 22 May 2012 10:40 AM PDT

Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96


Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96
Eugene Polley, inventor of the wireless remote control has passed away aged 96. Working for Zenith Electronics, he developed the FlashMatic control in 1955, using beams of light directed at photo-sensors in a television to change channel or volume. Like all pioneering technology it had some quirks -- it couldn't distinguish between the light from the remote and direct sunlight, causing inadvertent channel changes during summer days. Dr. Robert Adler (1913 - 2007) superseded the technology with his ultrasonic "clicker," but Polley's system would be reborn with the advent of infra-red remotes. He subsequently went on to work on the push-button radio and helped to develop the video disc -- the predecessor of DVD. Both men were honored with Emmy Awards in 1997 and countless other plaudits for their engineering achievement, as well as knowing that a sizable proportion of the planet use their work on a daily, nay hourly basis. Our thoughts are with his family.Continue reading Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96Eugene Polley, co-creator of the wireless TV remote, passes away aged 96 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 13:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink David Allen Green (Twitter) | | Email this | Comments

Motorola shows three all-touch Android 4.0 phones in China, we see a possible Ve...

Posted: 22 May 2012 10:07 AM PDT

Motorola shows three all-touch Android 4.0 phones in China, we see a possible Verizon model


Motorola shows three all-touch Android 4.0 phones in China, we see a possible Verizon model
It turns out that Motorola didn't want to wait until the Google deal closed -- or, for that matter, an American launch -- to undertake a significant revamp of its phone line. A quiet Chinese event last week is now known to have brought us three RAZR-derived, all-touch phones for the three carriers in the Asian country: the XT885 for China Unicom (pictured at left), XT889 for China Telecom (center) and MT887 for China Mobile (right). Other than the network types and pretty bits, you're mostly looking at the same device, where the highlight is an official dip into Android 4.0 waters that drops the physical navigation in favor of more Nexusish on-screen keys. Don't expect a revolution in performance over last fall's roster given that they still have 1.2GHz dual-core processors, eight-megapixel rear cameras and 4.3-inch, 540 x 960 displays. The trio arrives in China on June 2nd; Motorola is likely more worried about popping champagne than giving out US launch details right now, but earlier leaks give us a strong hunch that the MT887 could hit Verizon as the uncannily similar (if still very unofficial) Droid Fighter before too long.Motorola shows three all-touch Android 4.0 phones in China, we see a possible Verizon model originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Droid-Life | Mobile.163.com | Email this | Comments

Zimride’s Lyft Is Going To Give Uber Some Lower-Priced Competition

Posted: 22 May 2012 10:07 AM PDT

Zimride's Lyft Is Going To Give Uber Some Lower-Priced Competition


Zimride's Lyft Is Going To Give Uber Some Lower-Priced Competition
If you're like me and you live in San Francisco where cabs are few and far between, Uber has been a godsend. But the marketplace for on-demand transportation is about to get a lot more interesting. That's because there are a few startups that will be doing on-demand, ride-sharing at a much more affordable price point over the next few months. Zimride, which has been around for a few years, will be one of them. They're coming out of the gate with a product called Lyft today. It's still in beta (so just friends and family). But basically you can use the app to request a driver immediately and get a ride anywhere in the city for a price that's competitive to or even cheaper than a cab.