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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

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Diablo III becomes fastest-selling PC game ever, deluge of broken PC mice likely...

Posted: 23 May 2012 02:43 PM PDT

Diablo III becomes fastest-selling PC game ever, deluge of broken PC mice likely to follow


Diablo III becomes fastest-selling PC game ever, deluge of broken PC mice likely to follow
Chalk one up for an at least temporary resurgence in PC gaming. Blizzard can vouch that Diablo III has set a new record for the fastest-selling PC game to date: at 3.5 million copies trading hands through Battle.net downloads or retailers in the first 24 hours, and 6.3 million after a week, that's a whole lot of people battling the biggest of Prime Evils in a very short time. Naturally, a Blizzard-obsessed South Korea is accounting for even more activity, where over 39 percent of play at local gaming houses can be pinned on the action RPG, and the tally doesn't even include the 1.2 million bonus copies coming through a World of Warcraft annual pass promo. Before console gamers start packing up their PlayStations and Xboxes in symbolic resignation, D3 isn't the record-setter for the most copies of any game sold in one day -- that distinction goes to Modern Warfare 3's 6.5 million copies spread across multiple platforms. That's still enough to spur on some furious clicking and possibly a glut of dead mouse buttons, but you'll be glad to know there are suitably-themed replacement mice waiting in the wings.Continue reading Diablo III becomes fastest-selling PC game ever, deluge of broken PC mice likely to followDiablo III becomes fastest-selling PC game ever, deluge of broken PC mice likely to follow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 17:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Creative teases Sound Blaster Axx with the most forced puns we've ever seen

Posted: 23 May 2012 02:43 PM PDT

Creative teases Sound Blaster Axx with the most forced puns we've ever seen


Creative teases Sound Blaster Axx with the most forced puns we've ever seen
It's been a long, long while since Creative spruced up its Sound Blaster audio hardware, so a teaser for something new certainly has us intrigued. The page mentions little beyond an Axx name and that there will be a "whole new generation" of the technology uncovered on May 30th. There's a contest to win whatever the device might be if you're astute enough to predict the future name, but this may be a softball question given the not-so-subtle hints. Between terrible puns about the "axx-traterestrial" coming and winners getting to "axx-perience" the technology first, we have a feeling that any name that doesn't put "Axx" front and center is out of the running.Creative teases Sound Blaster Axx with the most forced puns we've ever seen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 17:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Creative | Email this | Comments

2012 Kia Soul — Flash Drive

Posted: 23 May 2012 02:43 PM PDT

2012 Kia Soul — Flash Drive


2012 Kia Soul — Flash Drive
MSN Autos Editors take a drive in the updated 2012 Kia Soul.

Alfa Planning Miata-based Roadster

Posted: 23 May 2012 02:08 PM PDT

Alfa Planning Miata-based Roadster


Alfa Planning Miata-based Roadster
Fiat and Mazda expect to start a joint manufacturing partnership in Japan.

Mercedes A-Class going electric with Tesla's help; for real this time?

Posted: 23 May 2012 01:34 PM PDT

Mercedes A-Class going electric with Tesla's help; for real this time?


Mercedes A-Class going electric with Tesla's help; for real this time?
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mercedes Benz Reports of Mercedes-Benz and Tesla building an electric A-Class together are nothing new. In fact, a fleet of 500 A-Class-based E-Cells was built for Europe. Most recently, a Tesla earnings report revealed that Tesla was still working on an all-electric powertrain for an unnamed EV for Daimler, the evolution of a deal that began when Daimler invested in the Silicon Valley automaker in 2009. The two automakers also worked together on the Smart ED. So, what's this then in a Dutch website? A report on Groen7 says that "a source at Tesla" has revealed that the previously unnamed EV Tesla is busy with (among other things) is an updated, electric version of the new A-Class, one that will perhaps arrive in 2013. We had previously guessed the secret Tesla-Daimler deal would result in an all-electric B-Class, but being wrong there won't stop us from trying to predict the future again: the hints are present that this next A-Class EV will remain a small-scale project. We hope we're proved wrong. Mercedes A-Class going electric with Tesla's help; for real this time? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

HP cuts 27,000 jobs, profit tumbles 31 percent in Q2

Posted: 23 May 2012 01:34 PM PDT

HP cuts 27,000 jobs, profit tumbles 31 percent in Q2


HP cuts 27,000 jobs, profit tumbles 31 percent in Q2
Looks like rumors of major cost-cutting measures at HP are true: the company along with its fiscal Q2 results has just outlined plans to slash 27,000 jobs by the end of its fiscal 2014. The drop, or about eight percent of its workforce, is being offered an "early retirement" if it doesn't want to wait to be let go involuntarily. The move is intended to streamline HP's operations and save between $3 billion to $3.5 billion a year by the time the cuts are done. As for the results themselves, they explain all too clearly why the cuts are inbound: HP 's profit dropped a massive 31 percent to $1.6 billion, and its revenue dropped three points to $30.7 billion. CEO Meg Whitman touted the results as exceeding an earlier glum outlook, but with the enterprise, printer and services groups all dragging the company down, it's clear that HP is in the same boat as a struggling Dell.Continue reading HP cuts 27,000 jobs, profit tumbles 31 percent in Q2HP cuts 27,000 jobs, profit tumbles 31 percent in Q2 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

LG's 55-inch OLED TV gets official design, possible €9,000 price tag

Posted: 23 May 2012 01:34 PM PDT

LG's 55-inch OLED TV gets official design, possible €9,000 price tag


LG's 55-inch OLED TV gets official design, possible €9,000 price tag
LG has been coy about details of its 55-inch OLED TV since we saw its hyper-rich organic colors at CES, but it just nailed down a number of details at a Monte Carlo event. The 55EM9600 has seen its display base get a bit bigger now that the screen isn't being specially perched at a trade show, but moving more equipment to the base and using a carbon fiber back has let it shed an extra millimeter of thickness, down to 4mm (0.16 inches). The steadier footing puts all the AV connectors at the back, while a trio of USB ports sit on the side for those who often share media from their cameras and flash drives. LG wouldn't give our Spanish team definite release info about the OLED set, but there's been repeated murmurs of a European price of about €9,000 ($11,313) and a possible release as soon as July, just inside LG's official target of the second half of the year. Certainly not the most frugal TV you can buy at this size if that's true, then, but it'll certainly get everyone's attention -- now where's our US details? Gallery: LG 55EM9600 press shotsLG's 55-inch OLED TV gets official design, possible €9,000 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Engadget Spanish (translated) | | Email this | Comments

Kinect Accelerator company profiles: Freak'n Genius, GestSure Technologies, Kime...

Posted: 23 May 2012 01:00 PM PDT

Kinect Accelerator company profiles: Freak'n Genius, GestSure Technologies, Kimetric and Styku


Kinect Accelerator company profiles: Freak'n Genius, GestSure Technologies, Kimetric and Styku
Microsoft's Kinect Accelerator program kicked off over a month ago, but at the time we were only made aware of the participant start-ups' names, not their innovations. So, when Microsoft offered us the opportunity to talk with the folks behind four of the program's participants -- Freak'n Genius, GestSure Technologies, Kimetric and Styku -- we jumped at the chance. Join us after the break to see what this quartet of fledgling companies has planned to propogate the Kinect effect further than ever.Continue reading Kinect Accelerator company profiles: Freak'n Genius, GestSure Technologies, Kimetric and StykuKinect Accelerator company profiles: Freak'n Genius, GestSure Technologies, Kimetric and Styku originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 15:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Freak'n Genius, GestSure Technologies, Kimetric, Styku | Email this | Comments

Oxford makes big push into Bigfoot research, enlists Swiss zoologists for DNA study

Posted: 23 May 2012 01:00 PM PDT

Oxford makes big push into Bigfoot research, enlists Swiss zoologists for DNA study


Oxford makes big push into Bigfoot research, enlists Swiss zoologists for DNA study
The search for Bigfoot continues and, no, that's not a nod to a very special episode of Unsolved Mysteries. Though Harry and the Hendersons did its best to humanize that Himalayan monster of myth, a group of well-heeled European scientists are seeking to go beyond the Hollyweird fantasy to actually prove the creature's existence using advanced genetic techniques. Part of a collaborative effort between Oxford University and the Lausanne Museum of Zoology, the Collateral Hominid project aims to gather material from public and private cryptozoological collections for analysis to determine whether that elusive species branched off from bears or our neanderthal forebears. Project head Prof. Bryan Sykes hopes the research, the results of which will eventually make the rounds of peer-reviewed journals, will dispel skepticism that has surrounded this controversial creature by providing " a mechanism for... identification that is unbiased, unambiguous and impervious to falsification." Basically, these real-life Mulder & Scullys want incontrovertible DNA proof that these fantastic ape-like beings are simply the stuff of evolution. Whatever the case, the truth is most certainly out there, folks -- it's just likely encased in fossilized dung. [Image courtesy Worch.com]Continue reading Oxford makes big push into Bigfoot research, enlists Swiss zoologists for DNA studyOxford makes big push into Bigfoot research, enlists Swiss zoologists for DNA study originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 15:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PhysOrg | Oxford University | Email this | Comments

How-To: XBMC 11 the XBMCbuntu way

Posted: 23 May 2012 12:23 PM PDT

How-To: XBMC 11 the XBMCbuntu way


How-To: XBMC 11 the XBMCbuntu way
For all intents and purposes, the original Xbox, with its NVIDIA GPU, 8-10GB hard disk and custom Pentium III processor was a high-end PC for its time -- albeit, one that connected to a television. What Microsoft didn't realize back then, though, was that when you put that kind of hardware in the hands of hackers and enthusiasts, it's only a matter of time before people start doing more than just playing Halo. Fast forward to 2003, the year the Xbox Media Center was born. Nowadays, it's simply referred to as XBMC, since it runs on more than just your Xbox. In brief, XBMC is an open-source software solution that enables a plethora of media streaming capabilities on all sorts of devices. What once was limited to the original Xbox, can now be put to use on everything from a bare-bones Linux desktop to an Apple TV. In this how-to, we'll show you how to build a simple XBMC setup using XBMCbuntu. Catch us after the break for the full step-by-step.Continue reading How-To: XBMC 11 the XBMCbuntu wayHow-To: XBMC 11 the XBMCbuntu way originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Roku players add Dish international TV channels, become that much more exotic

Posted: 23 May 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Roku players add Dish international TV channels, become that much more exotic


Roku players add Dish international TV channels, become that much more exotic
Roku has already been turning its players into TV hubs, but it's been focused on US programming -- not so hot if you're an immigrant hoping to catch up on affairs back in the homeland. Dish is aiming to remedy that by offering its Dishworld service as an avenue for the media hub: owners can subscribe to over 50 channels without having to spring for a satellite package. The focus is heaviest on south Asia, with Bangladesh, India and Pakistan getting the most service -- including a few cricket channels for good measure. Arab channels like Al Jazeera and Brazilian channels like TV Globo Internacional join the fray as well. Roku 2 and Roku LT viewers living in the US can already subscribe to Dish's service in tiers that start at $20 a month, though Roku HD owners will have to sit tight until the summer to practice their Hindi.Continue reading Roku players add Dish international TV channels, become that much more exoticRoku players add Dish international TV channels, become that much more exotic originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

GameStop's annual EXPO opens up to general public, monitor tan required for entry

Posted: 23 May 2012 11:48 AM PDT

GameStop's annual EXPO opens up to general public, monitor tan required for entry


GameStop's annual EXPO opens up to general public, monitor tan required for entry
Outdoor concerts, European music festivals, keggers -- whatever your concept of summer fun is, GameStop's adding its own EXPO to the list. Previously the exclusive province of its own employee horde, the gaming retailer's opening up its annual conference to the pasty-faced public for the first time this year. You'll have to be a PowerUp Rewards member to get an invite for the video game-centric shindig, but after that, entry is merely a two-tiered level of commitment away -- general admission costs a mere $35, while the VIP perks'll ring up at a $100 premium. The happening's set to take place during the Dog Days of August -- the 29th to be exact -- in San Antonio, Texas, where interested gamers can gawk and, presumably, play upcoming releases, rub shoulders with notable industry types and just feel like a member of a greater geek community. Sure, it's no Lilith Fair Redux, but you gotta take what you can get. Official presser after the break.Continue reading GameStop's annual EXPO opens up to general public, monitor tan required for entryGameStop's annual EXPO opens up to general public, monitor tan required for entry originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Sonar Rolls Out “Here-Now” Mobile Social Network, Adds Status, Messaging, Notifi...

Posted: 23 May 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Sonar Rolls Out "Here-Now" Mobile Social Network, Adds Status, Messaging, Notifications


Sonar Rolls Out "Here-Now" Mobile Social Network, Adds Status, Messaging, Notifications
This time last year, Brett Martin took the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt in New York to launch Sonar, a mobile app that connects you to friends and other people nearby, based on your existing social networks. Fast forward to today and the Battlefield runner-up is rolling out a major update to its mobile app that will allow Sonar to finally become the "Here-Now" social network. The app previously focused on providing relevant information to users about others around them based on connections via Facebook, LinkedIn, Foursquare, and Twitter. Extremely useful for conferences like Disrupt, when you're at a party or maybe even starting a new job. So what's new? Aside from the usual under the hood tweaks, Sonar has crammed in Status, Sonar Presence, Notifications and Messaging. The status update serves as a hyperlocal broadcast tool for those within close proximity and even pushes out a notification to your friends when they're close by.

Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van

Posted: 23 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van


Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Nissan There are two ways automakers can go when producing a vehicle with electric propulsion - be it a hybrid or an outright EV: make it look the same as any other car, or make it stand out. Like Toyota (for example) did with the Prius, Nissan made the Leaf look (for better or worse) unlike a conventional sedan. But while Toyota answered the call for more space with the equally "distinctive" Prius V, Nissan has gone a different route in producing a bigger brother for the Leaf. That route is called the e-NV200, pictured above in concept form. And while the nose, unique shade of blue and electric powertrain are conceptually borrowed from the Leaf, the rest is nearly identical to the existing NV200 van that is being rolled out in New York as the city's new taxi of choice. Nissan has just announced the production of the e-NV200, set to start next year at the same plant in Barcelona, Spain, as the conventionally-powered NV200. As a result, Nissan will hire 700 more workers at the plant and invest some €100 million (U.S. $126 million at today's exchange rates). Details like projected cost and annual capacity are not to be found in the press release below, but Nissan does say the electric van will be built starting some time in fiscal year 2013. That means some time before the end of March 2014.Continue reading Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric vanNissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

HTC One XL coming to Germany, drags LTE with it

Posted: 23 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

HTC One XL coming to Germany, drags LTE with it


HTC One XL coming to Germany, drags LTE with it
In the US, Asia and Australia they've already had their fill of the HTC One XL. But, in Europe, they've had to make do with the lame ol' HSPA+ One X. That is, until now. German carrier Vodafone has announced that it'll be the first to bring the XL home, complete with triband LTE in tow. Just like the American "One X," the new Euro XL ditches the quad-core Tegra 3 for a 1.5GHz dual-core S4, primarily because the NVIDIA solution doesn't support LTE. Though, as an added bonus, we're sure it helps extend the life of that 1,800 mAh cell inside. Vodafone will get the handset first in early June in a nice matte black, while Deutsche Telekom and O2 Germany will score the device later -- potentially in white. If you want yours contract free, it'll cost you €699 from Vodafone or €659 from HTC.HTC One XL coming to Germany, drags LTE with it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Unwired | | Email this | Comments

Jury issues verdict in Android suit, finds that Google doesn't infringe Oracle p...

Posted: 23 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

Jury issues verdict in Android suit, finds that Google doesn't infringe Oracle patents


Jury issues verdict in Android suit, finds that Google doesn't infringe Oracle patents
It appears that the jury has come to a conclusion in the Oracle v. Google trial, determining the Android does not infringe Oracle patents. Judge William Aslup of the US District court for Northern California exonerated the search giant following a trial that lasted three weeks, ruling that Google did not infringe on six claims in US Patent RE38,104, along two claims in US Patent 6,061,520. Developing...Jury issues verdict in Android suit, finds that Google doesn't infringe Oracle patents originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | US District Court | Email this | Comments

AT&T begins refarming 2G spectrum in New York City

Posted: 23 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

AT&T begins refarming 2G spectrum in New York City


AT&T begins refarming 2G spectrum in New York City
As mobile operators continue to move toward the promised land known as "the future," it grows ever more important for them to make some room for it. AT&T announced today that it has started the process of refarming its 2G 1900MHz spectrum in New York City, which should alleviate some of the growing demand on the carrier's 3G and 4G networks within the city. AT&T isn't volunteering specific details on how long the transition will take, and it's only saying that the freed-up bandwidth will be used for high-speed services. There are still plenty of customers on 2G-only devices that will be affected by the transition -- they may still have service for now, but it will likely degrade as the process goes forward -- but the company is reaching out to them and offering alternative options, such as free 3G-capable phones. Let's just hope those don't come with fresh contracts attached. Drift your eyes below for the full press release.Continue reading AT&T begins refarming 2G spectrum in New York CityAT&T begins refarming 2G spectrum in New York City originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Fierce Mobile | Email this | Comments

Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE pre-orders begin shipping to eager subs

Posted: 23 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE pre-orders begin shipping to eager subs


Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE pre-orders begin shipping to eager subs
True to its word, Sprint's begun to issue shipping notifications for pre-orders of its beleaguered flagship, the EVO 4G LTE. Word of the impending device arrivals continue to flood our inbox, lending credence to that ambiguous "on or around" May 24th arrival date, no doubt restoring the faith of wary subs. Whether the Hesse-led co. can fulfill backorders of the sought-after Android handset is anyone, but customs' guess. So be it by blood pact, money under the table or the good graces of legal counsel, we're sure all parties involved are working frantically behind-the-scenes to make this handset's roll out an uninterrupted success. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE pre-orders begin shipping to eager subs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

GameFly to begin publishing smartphone apps, will launch its own Android game store

Posted: 23 May 2012 10:39 AM PDT

GameFly to begin publishing smartphone apps, will launch its own Android game store


GameFly to begin publishing smartphone apps, will launch its own Android game store
Having already made headway into the digital frontier last year, video game subscription service GameFly is now ready to expand its sphere of influence into the world of mobile. The company's aspiring for greatness, announcing this morning that it plans to begin publishing iOS and Android titles as early as this summer. And that's not all, folks: we can expect to see the GameFly GameStore, a gaming-oriented competitor to the Play Store and Amazon AppStore, sometime this fall. In addition to its goal of being the biggest and baddest kid on the block, GameFly intends to don the role of philanthropist, setting aside a fund to assist struggling devs who might just need a few extra bucks to finish the next mobile masterpiece. If you fall in this category, the company's already accepting submissions, so read through the press release below to get all the necessary details.Continue reading GameFly to begin publishing smartphone apps, will launch its own Android game storeGameFly to begin publishing smartphone apps, will launch its own Android game store originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Opening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive ac...

Posted: 23 May 2012 10:04 AM PDT

Opening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive accessory maker


Opening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive accessory maker
The year is 2009. In history books, it'll widely be recognized as the year that most of America -- heck, the world -- would prefer to forget. Job after job was lost, bank after bank fell, and humanity as we knew it plunged into "the worst recession since the Great Depression." It's also the year that Palm attempted a comeback with webOS, and as it turns out, the year that yet another accessory company was born. While such an occurrence may be forgettable on a macro scale, economic researchers and lovers of technology alike have reason to take notice -- and, indeed, ask questions. So, that's exactly what I did. Beyond growing a technology startup in a me-too field during the worst economy that I've personally been a part of, it's also not often that I find compelling consumer electronics companies far outside of New York City and San Francisco. Twelve South just so happens to be located in a nondescript nook in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina -- just a beautiful trip over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from historic Charleston. Three years after its founding, the company now fittingly counts a dozen employees on its roster, and despite entering a market flooded with iAccessory after iAccessory, it has somehow managed to grab its own slice of an increasingly large niche. As with all good success stories, this particular outfit has plenty of twists, turns and run-ins with Lady Luck to tell about; for those interested in seeing how the "stay small" mantra is keeping Twelve South firmly focused on the future ahead, take a peek beyond the break.Continue reading Opening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive accessory makerOpening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive accessory maker originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponets say SAE has 'the plug...

Posted: 23 May 2012 09:32 AM PDT

GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponets say SAE has 'the plug without the cars'


GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponets say SAE has 'the plug without the cars'
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, Nissan The battle lines are hardening. At issue here are the competing DC fast charge standards, CHAdeMO (which is established and works with the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i) and the new SAE Combo Charger (which is not yet available on any cars for sale, and won't be for a while). CHAdeMo is, mostly, supported by Japanese companies, while the SAE Combo plug gets its backing from U.S. and German automakers. The two sides are currently in a war of words, but an important one. Shad Balch, GM's manager of environment and energy policy, said during a recent public hearing in California that there should be a CHAdeMO embargo, "we need to make sure, especially because we're talking about taxpayer money, that ONLY those standards [i.e., the SAE combo plug] are installed going forward," Torque News reports. The crowd booed Balch, but he went on to say that, "there is a very small group of cars that use a non-standardized level 3 charging connector." We've heard that the first vehicle to get the SAE connector will be the Chevrolet Spark, sometime in 2013. At CHAdeMO's General Assembly 2012, held yesterday in Tokyo, the Asian team responded. According to Hybrid Cars, CHAdeMO president Toshiyuki Shiga (who is also the COO of Nissan) said, "in the U.S. and in Europe there is a movement to eliminate the CHAdeMO by making the combo a regional standard." At the event, the SAE Combo option was repeatedly called "the plug without the cars." GM and Balch are clearly fighting against Nissan's pure EV dominance, but they can't change the fact is that CHAdeMO is leading the way. Recently, at the SAE World Congress, Nissan was displaying some facts about CHAdeMO. As of the end of March 2012, 33 companies (including charging station suppliers) supported CHAdeMO and there were 1,071 CHAdeMO quick chargers installed around the world. Since the SAE Combo Charger is so new, there are no stations or cars that support it - yet - but most of the charging station companies we've talked to recently said they'll get behind whatever technology customers want. This war of words will likely determine which plug that is.GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponets say SAE has 'the plug without the cars' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T launches Samsung Galaxy Appeal GoPhone, available at Walmart on June 5th fo...

Posted: 23 May 2012 09:32 AM PDT

AT&T launches Samsung Galaxy Appeal GoPhone, available at Walmart on June 5th for $150


AT&T launches Samsung Galaxy Appeal GoPhone, available at Walmart on June 5th for $150
What's in a name? For the Samsung Galaxy Appeal, everything. The moniker of AT&T's new Android GoPhone fits the manufacturer's current legal situation perfectly, though admittedly its side-slider QWERTY-packing form factor is the least likely of Sammy's lineup to catch the attention of Cupertino's team of suits. Joking aside, the 4.3-ounce Appeal offers Android 2.3, a 3.2-inch HVGA (that's 480 x 320) display, 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7225A processor, 3MP rear camera and 512MB of RAM. It's also made with 80 percent recycled material and has a microSD port and 1,300mAh battery. The Appeal will begin its wireless sojourn on June 5th at Walmart for $150, and will pop up at other AT&T outlets beginning July 15th. Head below to find the legal team-approved press release.Continue reading AT&T launches Samsung Galaxy Appeal GoPhone, available at Walmart on June 5th for $150AT&T launches Samsung Galaxy Appeal GoPhone, available at Walmart on June 5th for $150 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Google Search for iPhone gets the 2.0 remake, full-screen search and swipes aplenty

Posted: 23 May 2012 09:32 AM PDT

Google Search for iPhone gets the 2.0 remake, full-screen search and swipes aplenty


Google Search for iPhone gets the 2.0 remake, full-screen search and swipes aplenty
Google gave its official search app an iPad remake late last year, and now it's smaller iPhone and iPod touch devices getting the new UI's treatment. As of Google Search App 2.0, the smaller iOS devices see a big emphasis on full-screen navigation, with an automatic full-screen mode and a dedicated full-screen photo search making the most of the limited display real estate. You can now swipe back to search results like you could with the iPad, and it's overall much faster in the app to hop between different search types as well as web apps like Calendar or Gmail. There's still something in it for you if you've already been deep into the iPad port's interface, as the tablet and the iPhone alike can now save photos directly to the iOS camera roll. You'll need at least iOS 4.2 to live in Google's non-Android mobile universe, but those that measure up can leap in through the source link.Google Search for iPhone gets the 2.0 remake, full-screen search and swipes aplenty originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MacStories, Official Google Blog | App Store | Email this | Comments

Gigabyte to unveil X11 on May 31st as lightest laptop ever, spooks us with talk...

Posted: 23 May 2012 08:58 AM PDT

Gigabyte to unveil X11 on May 31st as lightest laptop ever, spooks us with talk of 'sixth element'


Gigabyte to unveil X11 on May 31st as lightest laptop ever, spooks us with talk of 'sixth element'
Gigabyte is clearly hoping to carve out a name for itself in a very crowded ultraportable space; it sent us word of a media event for a new X11 laptop in its native Taipei on May 31st, just a few days ahead of Computex. The PC designer claims that the X11 will be the "lightest notebook on Earth," a pretty audacious claim considering the featherweight competition. Most of the braggadocio, we suspect, is rooted in the choice of material: Gigabyte is promising rather ominously to "conquer the 6th element," and unless it's financing the sequel to a Luc Besson movie, we're reasonably sure the firm means extra-light carbon fiber. Other details are scarce, including whether there's any relation to the U2442 Ultrabook due this summer. We'll know in just over a week.Gigabyte to unveil X11 on May 31st as lightest laptop ever, spooks us with talk of 'sixth element' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 11:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Tesla Model S Delivery Begins June 22

Posted: 23 May 2012 08:58 AM PDT

Tesla Model S Delivery Begins June 22


Tesla Model S Delivery Begins June 22
What's your opinion? Will the Tesla survive? Would you consider an EV?

Seagate to buy LaCie for $186 million, expand its storage empire

Posted: 23 May 2012 08:58 AM PDT

Seagate to buy LaCie for $186 million, expand its storage empire


Seagate to buy LaCie for $186 million, expand its storage empire
Seagate and LaCie have gotten friendly before -- the former company's drives are in the LaCie 2big Thunderbolt HDD, for instance -- but the storage makers are about to get even cozier. Today, Seagate announced its plans to buy a 64.5-percent share in the French company, which is currently valued at $186 million. The acquisition will combine the two outlets' product portfolios and, according to the press release, "accelerate Seagate's growth strategy in the expanding consumer storage market, particularly in Europe and Japan." The deal should go through by late 2012, and Seagate will bring over LaCie CEO Philippe Spruch to head the consumer storage products division.Continue reading Seagate to buy LaCie for $186 million, expand its storage empireSeagate to buy LaCie for $186 million, expand its storage empire originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 11:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Traffic Congestion Down in US Cities

Posted: 23 May 2012 08:58 AM PDT

Traffic Congestion Down in US Cities


Traffic Congestion Down in US Cities
Study links a bad economy to an overall 30 percent decline in traffic.

Social Bicycles announces availability by end of summer, we go hands-on (video)

Posted: 23 May 2012 08:23 AM PDT

Social Bicycles announces availability by end of summer, we go hands-on (video)


Social Bicycles announces availability by end of summer, we go hands-on (video)
When last saw the Social Bicycles (SoBi), there wasn't a heck of a lot to report on. The whole thing was little more than a concept, a Kickstarter page and an early prototype. Flash forward just under a year later, and it's beginning to look a lot like a real, consumer-facing product. The New York startup showed off its bike and a couple of apps today at TechCrunch Disrupt. The concept here is not too dissimilar from a Zipcar -- you locate a bike using the Android or iOS app, find it on the street, enter your PIN, pull out the lock and you're good to go. If you're feeling particularly enterprising, you can can pick up bikes to rent up for $1,300 a piece, if you order less than 50 or $1,100 per, if you go for more. The wireless data, meanwhile, runs $15 per bike, per month. The company has both consumer and business-facing apps. On the administrative side of things, you can track the bikes and set boundaries for return. Incentive programs are set up, giving customers credits, should they do something like get a bike from outside a designated hub and return it to one.Gallery: Sobi Social Bicycles hands-onContinue reading Social Bicycles announces availability by end of summer, we go hands-on (video)Social Bicycles announces availability by end of summer, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 11:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Mint.com App Update: Now Split Transactions

Posted: 23 May 2012 08:23 AM PDT

Mint.com App Update: Now Split Transactions


Mint.com App Update: Now Split Transactions
Mint.com iOS users now have the ability to create and (more importantly) edit budgets directly on their iPad/iPhone. Previously, editing functionality was only available at the main Mint website. Additionally, users can also split transactions, giving them a better more granular look at their financial picture. The main thrust of this update includes: Create and edit a budget while out and about: Set up budgets from your iPad or iPhone and edit them — wherever and whenever you want. Also, the new budget slider lets you set more realistic budgets in increments for more control of your finances. Split transactions: Shopping for multiple things from different budgets at one store. Get a more accurate view of your spending by easily separating out purchases from one transaction into different categories, right on your mobile device.

Amazon adds 'hundreds' of Paramount movies to Prime, signals a Clear and Present...

Posted: 23 May 2012 07:51 AM PDT

Amazon adds 'hundreds' of Paramount movies to Prime, signals a Clear and Present Danger to free time


Amazon adds 'hundreds' of Paramount movies to Prime, signals a Clear and Present Danger to free time
Amazon is keeping its pace of expanding Amazon Prime's video collection every few months, and today it's Paramount's turn to swell the ranks. Instant Video is getting 'hundreds' of Paramount's movies, including both relatively recent movies like Nacho Libre and Mission: Impossible III as well as back catalog titles like Breakfast at Tiffany's and Clear and Present Danger. As always, the movies are watchable anywhere you've got broadband, and they don't add a premium to the $79 yearly Prime subscription. Just be prepared to explain why you're watching Urban Cowboy on your Kindle Fire at the airport.Amazon adds 'hundreds' of Paramount movies to Prime, signals a Clear and Present Danger to free time originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Amazon Instant Video | Email this | Comments