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Friday, May 25, 2012

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BMW's 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 improves fuel economy by some mysterious amount

Posted: 25 May 2012 03:13 PM PDT

BMW's 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 improves fuel economy by some mysterious amount


BMW's 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 improves fuel economy by some mysterious amount
Filed under: Hybrid, BMW Anybody out there who knows how to multiply 114 percent by "impressive improvement" gets a prize. In the meantime, we're just going to have to accept the fact that the 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 will get better fuel economy than its predecessor. As it is, we know that the German automaker's 7-series hybrid gets a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that provides the same horsepower - 315 - as the prior version's V8. In all, the car's hybrid powertrain puts out 348 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque, providing a 0-to-60 mile per hour acceleration time of 5.5 seconds. The hybrid can also go as fast as 37 miles per hour in all-electric mode. As for fuel economy, well, what we do know is that the old version got an EPA-rated 20 miles per gallon, the same as BMW's 2012 740Li, and that the new ActiveHybrid 7 gets 14 percent better fuel economy than the new 740Li. Also, the car's fuel economy marks "an impressive improvement" over the 2012 version, according to Bimmer. So we have that going for us.Continue reading BMW's 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 improves fuel economy by some mysterious amountBMW's 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 improves fuel economy by some mysterious amount originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

ZBoard electric skateboard sneakers-on (video)

Posted: 25 May 2012 03:13 PM PDT

ZBoard electric skateboard sneakers-on (video)


ZBoard electric skateboard sneakers-on (video)
We spotted the dudes behind the ZBoard at TechCrunch Disrupt earlier this week, but we weren't content to just ride the electric skateboard up and down the halls of Pier 94. We asked them to take a walk with us to Washington Square Park so we could take the board for a spin in a more realistic setting -- also, any excuse to skip out of work a bit earlier to go skating in the park on a sunny Friday afternoon is hard to turn down. We initially asked them to meet us at one of New York City's many skate parks, but they balked at the suggestion -- after all, it's more of a commuting board than anything else. It's big and fairly heavy, so attempting to go vert with the thing is pretty much out -- grinding and kickflips are likely off the table, too. Co-creator Geoff Larson told us he managed to get the thing up on two wheels, but that's about the limit of trickery at the moment -- we're sure that'll change pretty quickly, as soon as more boards make their way into the hands of the public. In the meantime, the ZBoard is all about getting around, giving you about 10 miles on a single charge. Larson added that one skater said he planned to use his ZBoard to make the long trip to the skatepark and back, carrying his manual board along for the ride. Join us after the break for some sneakers-on impressions.Gallery: ZBoard electric skateboard hands-onContinue reading ZBoard electric skateboard sneakers-on (video)ZBoard electric skateboard sneakers-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

BMW Opens Second Chinese Plant

Posted: 25 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT

BMW Opens Second Chinese Plant


BMW Opens Second Chinese Plant
Expects to quadruple production for the world's largest car market.

HTC EVO 4G LTE gives it up, gets rooted on its first day on the town (video)

Posted: 25 May 2012 02:39 PM PDT

HTC EVO 4G LTE gives it up, gets rooted on its first day on the town (video)


HTC EVO 4G LTE gives it up, gets rooted on its first day on the town (video)
It's a rite of passage for newly released Android überphones: the inevitable root. Just one day after Sprint managed to get its flagship device out of customs and into subscribers' hands, comes a one-click solution for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X users. By running a simple script compiled by XDA member Zedomax, EVO 4G LTE owners will be able to install both busybox and superuser hassle-free, giving them the admin privileges required for nearly unrestricted tinkering. Bear in mind, this underground workaround won't unlock that HTC bootloader, so a future filled with custom ROMs is still slightly out of reach. Ready to claim mastery of your device? Then click on the source below for the requisite downloads and hand-holding video how-to's.Continue reading HTC EVO 4G LTE gives it up, gets rooted on its first day on the town (video)HTC EVO 4G LTE gives it up, gets rooted on its first day on the town (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 17:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Community | XDA developers | Email this | Comments

Growing Up Geek: Alexis Santos

Posted: 25 May 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Growing Up Geek: Alexis Santos


Growing Up Geek: Alexis Santos
Welcome to Growing Up Geek, an ongoing feature where we take a look back at our youth and tell stories of growing up to be the nerds that we are. Today, we have our new editor, Alexis Santos. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something emblazoned with an all too familiar logo while driving along a county road seven months ago. Though my mind could have been playing tricks on me, I doubled back and pulled over to confirm what I had seen. There, in the brush, was what I had suspected: a slightly faded Nintendo Entertainment System box. Upon further inspection, the packaging was unscathed and complete with its original foam inserts, plastic bags, twisty ties and K-Mart price sticker. Having rescued the nigh mint condition box, I rushed home to place it atop my entertainment center. There was no doubt I was a geek before that moment, but it became clear that following my geeky impulses could have interesting results.Continue reading Growing Up Geek: Alexis SantosGrowing Up Geek: Alexis Santos originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

PSA: Samsung giving free Olympics tickets to early Galaxy S III buyers at London...

Posted: 25 May 2012 02:05 PM PDT

PSA: Samsung giving free Olympics tickets to early Galaxy S III buyers at London store, hopes you'll vault the queue


PSA: Samsung giving free Olympics tickets to early Galaxy S III buyers at London store, hopes you'll vault the queue
Are you a Londoner so taken with the Galaxy S III that you want to pre-order one before you've even held an in-store dummy unit? Samsung wants to give you a little something something for your eagerness: namely, Olympics tickets. The first 50 who pre-order the giant phone and pick it up at the Westfield Stratford City store on May 29th will get free passes to watch the home team run and leap its way towards a few medals. If you're hoping to claim the reward, though, be prepared to get into the kinds of lines that Samsung skewered in ads just a few months ago. Customers are being asked to show an hour ahead of the 6PM on-sale moment, and the limited slots for ticket winners could easily Samsung repeat its sale-driven Australian lineups in the northern hemisphere. There's no word yet on whether or not the promo will make the leap to Mobile Pin pop-up stores, but we wouldn't be surprised if Samsung spreads the perks around.PSA: Samsung giving free Olympics tickets to early Galaxy S III buyers at London store, hopes you'll vault the queue originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 16:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Central | | Email this | Comments

TinyTap App Lets Kids Create Customized iPad Books & Games

Posted: 25 May 2012 01:33 PM PDT

TinyTap App Lets Kids Create Customized iPad Books & Games


TinyTap App Lets Kids Create Customized iPad Books & Games
TinyTap is a new iPad application designed for kids which introduces a different angle on the "record-your-own-voice" storybooks craze, by offering a playable book or game you and your kids can customize with your own photos, camera shots, music, narration, and more. The resulting creations can then be shared with family and friends. And, for a little inspiration, the built-in TinyTap store offers a collection of pre-made games which kids can customize with their own voice and actions.

Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!

Posted: 25 May 2012 01:33 PM PDT

Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!


Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!
Get ready to be taken to a dreamworld of mobile podcasting as Myriam and Brad hit up the mics. Or is it a dreamworld of rants? Either way, it'll be magical. May 25, 2012 5:00 PM EDTContinue reading Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 16:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Testing the Technology-Laden Caddy

Posted: 25 May 2012 01:33 PM PDT

Testing the Technology-Laden Caddy


Testing the Technology-Laden Caddy
We try Cadillac's new vibrating seat alerts and touch-capacitive CUE system.

He Drives, She Drives

Posted: 25 May 2012 01:33 PM PDT

He Drives, She Drives


He Drives, She Drives
The 5 most sought-after vehicles for women and men.

Hamtramck Chevy Volt plant getting 200 new workers to make 2013 Malibu

Posted: 25 May 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Hamtramck Chevy Volt plant getting 200 new workers to make 2013 Malibu


Hamtramck Chevy Volt plant getting 200 new workers to make 2013 Malibu
Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants, Chevrolet, GM They're not all for the Chevrolet Volt, but 200 new jobs are coming to General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck plant in July. GM is adding the positions to the factory because the overall production rate will increase once the facility starts making the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, sources "familiar with the situation" told the Detroit Free Press. Those same sources told the paper that there is now a shortage of Volts in California, following a four-week shutdown (originally scheduled for five weeks). Another shut-down - this one for three weeks - is still on the calendar for June before the new Malibu comes on board, the sources said. GM is having decent months of Volt sales, selling 1,462 in April after moving a record 2,289 in March. GM introduced the Eco version of the Malibu (made in Kansas City) first, and the Hamtramck plant will only be building the standard versions for that launch later in the summer.Hamtramck Chevy Volt plant getting 200 new workers to make 2013 Malibu originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 25 May 2012 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

MoPub Launches A “Buy It Now” Private Marketplace For Mobile Advertisers

Posted: 25 May 2012 12:57 PM PDT

MoPub Launches A "Buy It Now" Private Marketplace For Mobile Advertisers


MoPub Launches A "Buy It Now" Private Marketplace For Mobile Advertisers
MoPub, an ad serving startup for smartphone apps, is announcing a new way for its publishers to offer their inventory to advertisers — a private marketplace limited to select publishers and advertisers. Basically, the market creates a more direct relationship, where publishers get more control and predictable pricing, while advertisers get early access. Advertisers will get first look a publisher's inventory — MoPub compares the marketplace to a eBay's Buy It Now model, where buyers can skip the auction process and just purchase an item at a set price (in this case, an ad impression). They also get access to special data like demographics, geography, and in-app purchase history.

Netgear passes On through FCC with new router, name

Posted: 25 May 2012 12:57 PM PDT

Netgear passes On through FCC with new router, name


Netgear passes On through FCC with new router, name
What's in a name? Well, from the looks of this FCC filing, it could be something quite significant for everyone who knows the Netgear appellation. This N300R router has emerged from the commission's Washington enclave bearing On Networks branding, along with a spiffy new logo and less boxy look. We found that the new handle was trademarked by the company back in February, so maybe we'll see a corporate rebranding or this is the genesis of a new marque. As far as we're concerned, it can call itself whatever it pleases, as long as it still lets us roam free.Netgear passes On through FCC with new router, name originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 15:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC, Justia Trademarks | Email this | Comments

InstaCRT puts all other photo filter apps to shame (video)

Posted: 25 May 2012 12:24 PM PDT

InstaCRT puts all other photo filter apps to shame (video)


InstaCRT puts all other photo filter apps to shame (video)
To hell with Instagram. Seriously. It's not that we don't understand the appeal of the photo filter standard bearer, it's just that it lacks a cleverness and visceral quality that InstaCRT has in spades. See, rather than simply recreate retro effect with some software trickery, InstaCRT actually uses the aging titular tech to achieve its goals. The concept, while clever, is actually pretty simple: you take a photo on your iPhone using the InstaCRT app, it's then uploaded to the developer where all the magic happens. Your image is displayed on a tiny 1-inch CRT (harvested from an old-school VHS camcorder) in the company's office, a picture of your photo is then taken with a fancy DSLR, and the resulting image is sent back to you. The results are monochrome, loaded with scanlines and just slightly distorted -- offering a sense of physicality that other photo filter apps just can't match. However, as clever as the concept is, it's equally innefficient and, as more people start using the app, the wait between snapping a pic and getting the finished product back, gets longer and longer. (We had to wait almost four minutes for the image above.) Still, we can't help but fall in love with InstaCRT... at least until the next photo filter app hits the market. Don't miss the video after the break, and hit up the source link to buy it now for $1.99 and see how fast we can crash the developer's servers.Continue reading InstaCRT puts all other photo filter apps to shame (video)InstaCRT puts all other photo filter apps to shame (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 15:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | InstaCRT, InstaCRT (iTunes App Store) | Email this | Comments

Comcast Xfinity TV Player app brings VOD streaming to Android devices

Posted: 25 May 2012 11:49 AM PDT

Comcast Xfinity TV Player app brings VOD streaming to Android devices


Comcast Xfinity TV Player app brings VOD streaming to Android devices
After introducing video on-demand streaming for mobile devices on the iPad early last year and iPhone last May, Comcast has finally extended the courtesy to Android users as well. Unlike its iOS counterpart however, on Android there's a separate Xfinity TV Player (simply labeled "Player" in the launcher) app from the Xfinity TV remote control app. It's a free download from Google Play for devices running Android 2.3 or higher and when we checked it out just now it was smooth but plain looking, although it a native tablet interface at launch is a nice touch. Beyond the usual VOD selections (including HBO Go and more) there's also support for Comcast's Streampix subscription service within the app as it promised back in February. One odd quirk noted by Android Police is that on rooted devices the app apparently requests root permissions, but still works if they are denied (could be worse). There aren't many other details available yet, if you want to try it out grab your Comcast account info and hit the source link to give it a shot.Comcast Xfinity TV Player app brings VOD streaming to Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink @Xfinity_TV (Twitter) | Google Play | Email this | Comments

Cisco drops Cius tablets after the BYOD crush, plans upgrade to Android 4.0 out...

Posted: 25 May 2012 11:49 AM PDT

Cisco drops Cius tablets after the BYOD crush, plans upgrade to Android 4.0 out of kindness


Cisco drops Cius tablets after the BYOD crush, plans upgrade to Android 4.0 out of kindness
Cisco had grand plans for a Cius tablet on every fast-paced executive's desk, but those dreams appear to have been dashed not long after getting off the ground. Senior VP OJ Winge says the company will "no longer invest" in the design, leaving the already rather creaky Android 2.2-based, 7-inch tablet to an eternal slumber outside of occasional specialized orders. It's not hard to see what hastened the Cius to its early demise, as Winge pins it on companies and customers encouraging a BYOD (bring your own device) strategy that likely brought more than a few iPads and beefier Android tablets into the space Cisco wanted to occupy. Before existing Cius owners start videoconferencing with themselves out of sheer despondence, though, there's a silver lining: the company now expects to take the Cius' firmware all the way from Android 2.2 to 4.0 in one fell swoop near the end of the summer. You may not be living Cisco's 2010-era vision, but at least you'll have Chrome for Android.Cisco drops Cius tablets after the BYOD crush, plans upgrade to Android 4.0 out of kindness originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Ars Technica | Cisco Blog, Cisco Support Community | Email this | Comments

Insert Coin: PressurePen stylus lets you make all kinds of lines on your tablet

Posted: 25 May 2012 11:49 AM PDT

Insert Coin: PressurePen stylus lets you make all kinds of lines on your tablet


Insert Coin: PressurePen stylus lets you make all kinds of lines on your tablet
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. If you're like Charles Mangin, you love your iPad or Android tablet, but wish it was a little more Wacom-esque. But why wait for hardware manufacturers to bring the styli to you? Mangin has concocted the PressurePen, a pressure-sensitive stylus that plugs into a tablet's audio jack. The peripheral sends a tone to the tablet based on how far the tip of the pen is pushed in. The tone affects the thickness of the pen stroke, helping you alternate the sizes of lines more naturally than on a standard tablet. Mangin is shooting for $10,000 over on his Kickstarter page, with a little under a week and around $4,000 left to go. Those who pledge $60 or more will get a PressurePen to call their own. Mangin will also be open sourcing the plans for the pen, so those with access to a 3D printer will be able to make their own shell at home. Video of a PressurePen prototype in action after the break.Continue reading Insert Coin: PressurePen stylus lets you make all kinds of lines on your tabletInsert Coin: PressurePen stylus lets you make all kinds of lines on your tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Technabob | PressurePen, Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

NASCAR working with EPA to conserve energy while burning lots of fuel

Posted: 25 May 2012 11:15 AM PDT

NASCAR working with EPA to conserve energy while burning lots of fuel


NASCAR working with EPA to conserve energy while burning lots of fuel
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Legislation and Policy, Racing Think of it as a "do as we say, not as we do" scenario. Stock-car racing organization NASCAR and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are going to work together to help the environment by using NASCAR's marketing punch to push more environmentally sustainable behavior. Not addressed? Running a bunch of cars at full speed around an oval for a few hundred miles. NASCAR and the EPA reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU), in which NASCAR will push products that have the EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) label. The racing organization will also encourage suppliers to move towards cutting energy use and use more sustainable products for manufacturing. NASCAR is also pushing for concessionaires to conserve water, cut waste and encourage recycling. Last month, NASCAR featured its first all-electric pace car with a Ford Focus Electric at the Richmond 400. Overall, though, the cars still burn a heck of a lot of fuel.Continue reading NASCAR working with EPA to conserve energy while burning lots of fuelNASCAR working with EPA to conserve energy while burning lots of fuel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Facebook could be looking to buy Opera browser

Posted: 25 May 2012 10:43 AM PDT

Facebook could be looking to buy Opera browser


Facebook could be looking to buy Opera browser
Since its IPO earlier this month, Facebook has wasted no time in expanding its empire -- it's already purchased the Karma mobile gifting service and launched a standalone camera app -- and talk about the social network's next steps doesn't seem to be quieting down. The latest rumor, from Pocket Lint, says Facebook is looking to buy the Opera browser as part of its larger effort to compete against Google, Mozilla and other internet mammoths. According to a source at Opera Software who spoke with Pocket Lint, the company is shopping around for potential buyers and has even imposed a hiring freeze. While it's not too hard to believe that Facebook is readying its horse to enter the browser race, this rumor is just that: a rumor. But given the social network's tendency to whip out new features at warp speed, we should have something more solid than speculation soon -- if the Opera purchase story has any legs, that is.Facebook could be looking to buy Opera browser originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | Pocket Lint | Email this | Comments

Supercomputer gets a memory boost with 380 petabytes of magnetic tape

Posted: 25 May 2012 10:43 AM PDT

Supercomputer gets a memory boost with 380 petabytes of magnetic tape


Supercomputer gets a memory boost with 380 petabytes of magnetic tape
Remember the Cray XK6 at the University of Illinois that drives the National Science Foundation's Blue Waters project? Well, it looks like it's getting a little memory upgrade, sorta. We're not talking a slick new SSD here, or even a sweet NAS, all that computational power requires nothing less than... tape. Okay, so it's actually a full storage infrastructure, and some of it -- 25 petabytes no less -- will be disk-based. The rest -- a not insignificant 380 petabytes -- will be the good old magnetic stuff. The idea is that the disk part will be used for instant access, with the tape section serving as "nearline" storage -- something between an archive and online solution. Spectra Logic is providing the tape, and says it'll take a couple of years to implement the whole lot. Once complete, the system will support the supercomputer's lofty tasks, such as understanding how the cosmos evolved after the Big Bang and, y'know designing new materials at the atomic level. And we thought we were excited about out next desktop.Supercomputer gets a memory boost with 380 petabytes of magnetic tape originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 13:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Ars Technica | | Email this | Comments

Best Memorial Day Car Deals

Posted: 25 May 2012 10:43 AM PDT

Best Memorial Day Car Deals


Best Memorial Day Car Deals
This weekend is important for travelers and car dealers alike.

Exec, The YC-Backed Mobile App For Instantly Doing Your Errands, Raises $3.3M

Posted: 25 May 2012 10:09 AM PDT

Exec, The YC-Backed Mobile App For Instantly Doing Your Errands, Raises $3.3M


Exec, The YC-Backed Mobile App For Instantly Doing Your Errands, Raises $3.3M
Exec, a mobile app that instantly gets people to do your errands, has raised $3.3 million, according to an SEC filing. The company's co-founder Justin Kan, who is also behind Justin.tv, Twitch.tv and SocialCam, is getting back to us on who invested in this round. What's Exec? It's kind of comparable to TaskRabbit, because you can call on people to run your errands from an app. But Exec doesn't require a bidding process and it calls up 'Execs,' or people to do your tasks, instantaneously. It also has a flat rate of $25 an hour. Exec covers all sorts of errands -- deliveries, chores, cleaning, even art. One 'Exec,' who cleaned my house once, has also coached YC founders on their pitches for Demo Day. Seriously. The filing only shows Exec's team on it, so it's hard to tell who the firms or angels in the round are. Again, like we said, Kan's getting back to us within the hour, so hopefully we'll have an update then.

ViewSonic teases 22-inch Android ICS 'tablet,' promises more at Computex

Posted: 25 May 2012 10:09 AM PDT

ViewSonic teases 22-inch Android ICS 'tablet,' promises more at Computex


ViewSonic teases 22-inch Android ICS 'tablet,' promises more at Computex
Have we finally found a tablet match for the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note? ViewSonic sent around a teaser for its "Touch and Connect" series prototypes, including a 22-inch "smart business tablet monitor," powered by what appears to be Ice Cream Sandwich. The giant touch-enabled device will be joined by a Windows 8 multi-touch display, new cloud computing solutions, high-end laser projectors and some interactive electronic billboards -- all set to make their debut on June 5th at Computex. More details will no-doubt be forthcoming in Taipei, so do stay tuned. And you may want to hold off on those giant tablet acquisitions in the meantime -- we have less than two weeks to wait for what could just be the largest mainstream tablet to date.ViewSonic teases 22-inch Android ICS 'tablet,' promises more at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 12:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Sony pushing ICS to more devices next week, confirms Xperia Play won't be upgraded

Posted: 25 May 2012 09:35 AM PDT

Sony pushing ICS to more devices next week, confirms Xperia Play won't be upgraded


Sony pushing ICS to more devices next week, confirms Xperia Play won't be upgraded
Owners of the Xperia Play, it's time to curl up with a teddy bear and your favorite ice cream -- just as long as it's not in sandwich form. After the sudden and unexplained disappearance of the "PlayStation Phone" from the Android 4.0 upgrade list yesterday, Sony has followed it up with a full confirmation accompanied by the usual explanation. As you may have already guessed, the manufacturer tells us that after extensive testing, it was determined that "a consistent and stable experience, particularly with gaming, cannot be guaranteed for this smartphone on Ice Cream Sandwich... in this instance the ICS upgrade would have compromised stability." Sony went on to discuss that it received similar feedback from the developer community after releasing a beta ROM. Still, after being told repeatedly that the entire 2011 smartphone lineup would receive the update, we can't help but be a bit heartbroken by the news. In the same breath, however, Sony also updated its timeline for the rest of the lineup that is still on schedule to receive upgrades to Ice Cream Sandwich: the Xperia arc, neo, mini, mini pro, pro, active and Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman will begin receiving their refreshes next week. The Xperia S is still on track for an end of June rollout, with the Xperia P closely following it and the Xperia U sometime in the third quarter. It's just unfortunate that the good tidings must be balanced out by equally horrible news, depending on which device you own.Sony pushing ICS to more devices next week, confirms Xperia Play won't be upgraded originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 12:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sony | Email this | Comments

On Alfas, Miatas and Memories

Posted: 25 May 2012 09:35 AM PDT

On Alfas, Miatas and Memories


On Alfas, Miatas and Memories
Mazda set to build the next Alfa Romeo Spider. Me, I'm just remembering.

Driving an EV is like paying a buck a gallon, eternally

Posted: 25 May 2012 09:00 AM PDT

Driving an EV is like paying a buck a gallon, eternally


Driving an EV is like paying a buck a gallon, eternally
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, MPG, USA For those nostalgic for mullets, the Cosby Show and Oakland A's dominance, the Nissan Leaf may be for you. Those late 1980s hallmarks harken back to the days of $1-a-gallon gas, and that's what you're in for - forever - if you drive a battery electric vehicle, says Green Car Reports, citing a study from Natural Resources Defense Council staff member Max Baumhefner. Baumhefner found that, while oil and gas prices fluctuate because of various supply shocks and political shenanigans, electricity prices stay relatively constant, meaning that the cost of juicing up an EV isn't going to change much. Additionally, our friends at Green Car Reports found a Union of Concerned Scientists study that estimated that EV drivers can save as much as $1,200 a year in the form of lower refueling costs when compared to gassing up conventional vehicles. Either way, the study addresses the very topical issue about how much more it costs to buy an plug-in vehicle or a hybrid, and how quickly it takes to pay off the extra chunk of cash in the form of refueling savings. The subject is topical enough for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to launch a new webpage on FuelEconomy.gov to calculate how long it takes to pay off the higher price tag of most hybrids (electric vehicles haven't yet been added to that page). Many of the better-selling hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, take about five years to pay off, while hybrid SUVs often take about half that time because of the more drasctic savings compared to the their gas-guzzling counterparts.Driving an EV is like paying a buck a gallon, eternally originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 25 May 2012 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy S III review

Posted: 25 May 2012 09:00 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S III review


Samsung Galaxy S III review
More Info Samsung Galaxy S III is official: 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display, quad-core Exynos processor and gesture functions Samsung Galaxy S III preview: hands-on with the next Android superphone (video) Samsung Galaxy S III software impressions (video) It's a strange feeling, receiving such a keenly anticipated phone to review. The hubbub of launch events, hands-on previews and heated debates suddenly dies away, leaving you with one small and intensely silent cardboard box. In this instance, the packaging contained the "marble white" version of the Galaxy S III (not the more daring "pebble blue") alongside one burning question: apart from all the hype, do this handset's paper credentials translate into a product that is worthy of serious cash and a 24-month commitment? Those credentials are certainly more subtle than those of other recent devices. There's no unusual camera, stand-out display or unibody build. Instead, we get an abstract design statement about the phone being "inspired by nature" alongside a list of incremental hardware improvements such as a quad-core processor, as well as fresh additions to Samsung's customized Android 4.0 skin. As it turns out, these specs forgo immediate swagger in favor of creating a solid workhorse of a smartphone that is intent on attracting a long-term following. Read on and you'll discover just how it pulls that off. Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S III reviewContinue reading Samsung Galaxy S III reviewSamsung Galaxy S III review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 11:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Toshiba bows out of netbooks in the US, sees Ultrabooks as the wave of the future

Posted: 25 May 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Toshiba bows out of netbooks in the US, sees Ultrabooks as the wave of the future


Toshiba bows out of netbooks in the US, sees Ultrabooks as the wave of the future
The pace of netbook launches has visibly slowed between the dual-pronged pressures of tablets and ultrabooks, and at least for Americans, it's about to get a lot slower. A Toshiba executive has warned that there aren't any plans to bring more netbooks to the US; the NB510's presence at CES this year is now as close as Yankees will get to any more Atom-powered notebooks from the outfit. Instead, all of Toshiba's enthusiasm for ultraportables in the country will be spent on Ultrabooks like the Portege Z835. It's a sad day for those who like their computers tiny, especially as it hikes the minimum price for a super-light Toshiba laptop to $800, but it's hard to ignore a rapidly declining market. We also imagine that Toshiba will gladly steer you to one of its Excite tablets if you're looking for the basics in a small shape.Toshiba bows out of netbooks in the US, sees Ultrabooks as the wave of the future originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 11:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Liliputing | Email this | Comments

Apple introduces "free app of the week," kicks things off with Cut the Rope: Exp...

Posted: 25 May 2012 07:55 AM PDT

Apple introduces "free app of the week," kicks things off with Cut the Rope: Experiments


Apple introduces "free app of the week," kicks things off with Cut the Rope: Experiments
Amazon has been offering a free app of the day for a while now, but that offer is good for Android users only. Well, Apple seems to have caught on to the fact that iOS users like to save money too, as it's debuting a "free app of the week" offer. Cupertino kicked off the new promotion yesterday via Twitter, where it announced that the game Cut the Rope: Experiments will be the first free download. Click on through to the source link, and you'll see that the Appstore indeed lists the title as "free for a limited time."Apple introduces "free app of the week," kicks things off with Cut the Rope: Experiments originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 10:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Pocketnow | @AppStore | Email this | Comments

Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance

Posted: 25 May 2012 07:21 AM PDT

Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance


Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Legislation and Policy, USA According to the 2012 U.S. Automotive Industry Survey and Confidence Index by Booz & Co., alternative vehicle powertrains may take up as much as 10 percent of the total market by 2020, but only if the federal government continues to support development. Without a helping hand from Uncle Sam, only 30 percent of the researchers, executives and consumers who participated in the survey believe alternative-fuel machines will be able to carve out that small slice of the market. Specifically, federal tax incentives for potential buyers could help push the technology forward in the future. According to Wards Auto, further development faces a double hurdle. First, additional urban planning is required to demonstrate plug-in hybrids and EVs will be viable options for buyers, but at the same time, government agencies also need to see fuel cell and battery costs come down before being willing to pony up for chargers or incentives. Even so, 70 percent of those surveyed said they were more confident about future hybrid demand than they were in 2011. Take a look at the full survey results here.Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 25 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments