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Sunday, May 27, 2012

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Nano vacuum tubes could give a second life to the guitarist's best friend

Posted: 27 May 2012 02:53 PM PDT

Nano vacuum tubes could give a second life to the guitarist's best friend


Nano vacuum tubes could give a second life to the guitarist's best friend
Pretty much the only place you see vacuum tubes any more is inside a quality audio amp. But, once upon a time, they were the primary ingredient in any piece of electronic equipment, including computers. The glass tubes have since been replaced with the smaller, less fragile and cheaper to manufacture silicon transistor. There are, however, disadvantages, to transistors. For one, electrons tend to move more slowly though the semiconductors, and two, they're highly susceptible to radiation. The second of those problems doesn't affect us much here on Earth, but for NASA it poses a major obstacle. Engineers have finally managed to combine the advantages of both vacuum tubes and silicon transistors, though, in what has been dubbed "nano vacuum tubes." They're created by etching tiny cavities in phosphorous-doped silicon, bordered on three sides by electrodes that form the gate, source and drain. The term "vacuum tube" is slightly misleading however, since there is no true vacuum in play. Instead, the source and drain are separated by just 150 nanometers, making it highly unlikely that flowing electrons would run into stray atoms. In addition to their space-worthy hardiness, they can also potentially operate at frequencies ten-times as higher than silicon transistors, making them a candidate to push terahertz tech from experimental to mainstream. For more, check out the source link. [Image credit: Shane Gorski]Nano vacuum tubes could give a second life to the guitarist's best friend originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink DVICE | ScienceNOW | Email this | Comments

How The Future of Mobile Lies in the Developing World

Posted: 27 May 2012 02:53 PM PDT

How The Future of Mobile Lies in the Developing World


How The Future of Mobile Lies in the Developing World
In less than three decades, the mobile phone has gone from being a status symbol to being a ubiquitous technology that facilitates almost every interaction in our daily lives. One month after the world's population topped 7 billion in October 2011, the GSM Association announced that mobile SIM cards had reached 6 billion. A 2009 study in India illustrated that every 10 percent increase in mobile penetration leads to a 1.2 percent increase in GDP. Yet patterns of mobile phone use in developing countries are vastly different from what you see on the streets of New York, San Francisco, and Berlin. This is a market underserved by technologists and startups. This is where the majority of future growth lies, and Silicon Valley has yet to realize the huge economic opportunities for network operators, handset developers, and mobile startups. Where are these opportunities?

Ex-Sierra Club chair: U.S. EV makers should adopt cell-phone sales model

Posted: 27 May 2012 01:45 PM PDT

Ex-Sierra Club chair: U.S. EV makers should adopt cell-phone sales model


Ex-Sierra Club chair: U.S. EV makers should adopt cell-phone sales model
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, North America, USA Makers of electric vehicles geared towards U.S. consumers would be wise to adopt a sales model similar to that of mobile phones, in which drivers would pay a set fee for unlimited electric charging, ex-Sierra Club Chairman Carl Pope wrote in an editorial for EV World. Pope suggested that automakers should provide a six-year recharging contract to EV buyers who'd then pay $150 a month for recharging privileges. That would pencil out to about equal to refueling costs of a 25-mile-per-gallon car that's driven 15,000 miles a year, but at a relative bargain of $3 a gallon, Pope wrote. Such a program would help minimize up-front vehicle purchase costs - a major issue since electric vehicles often cost much more than similarly profiled gas-powered cars - as opposed to using an estimate of total lifecycle costs to sway purchasers. Currently, the Mitsubishi i is the lowest-priced full EV on the market, and it starts at $29,125. Pope says the U.S. automotive industry risks losing its technological leadership in electric-vehicle development by not adopting such a plan because the U.S. has lower gas prices and requires longer driving distances than a country like France, putting EVs at a competitive disadvantage compared to other countries. The thing is, Better Place is already trying to make a cell-phone-like plan work for EVs, but it is not having tremendous success in the U.S.Ex-Sierra Club chair: U.S. EV makers should adopt cell-phone sales model originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 27 May 2012 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Facebook reportedly back to building phones, recruiting former iPhone engineers

Posted: 27 May 2012 01:45 PM PDT

Facebook reportedly back to building phones, recruiting former iPhone engineers


Facebook reportedly back to building phones, recruiting former iPhone engineers
If the HTC Status' dedicated Facebook button fell shy of satisfying your obsessive social networking needs, sit tight: the house of Zukerberg may be building a slab of tech just for you. According to the New York Times Bits blog, those old Facebook phone rumors are making a comeback. A handful of Facebook employees and engineers familiar with the matter reportedly say that the firm is collecting former Apple engineers, specifically, ones that worked on the iPhone and iPad. Like Zuckerberg said, mobile is the company's top focus, and one employee says the man at the top is afraid of getting overlooked in a sea of apps. "Mark is worried that if he doesn't create a mobile phone in the near future that Facebook will simply become an app on other mobile platforms." Facebook has focused on deep integration with other devices for some time, but a dedicated handset could take the freshly public company in new directions. Reports suggest that the rumored device is still in its infancy, and there's no word on form factor or OS, of course. Up for some speculation? Check out the source link below for Bits' full take.Facebook reportedly back to building phones, recruiting former iPhone engineers originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | New York Times (Bits) | Email this | Comments

NBC lays out 2012 London Olympics broadcast plan on TV, internet, apps and in 3D...

Posted: 27 May 2012 12:04 PM PDT

NBC lays out 2012 London Olympics broadcast plan on TV, internet, apps and in 3D (video)


NBC lays out 2012 London Olympics broadcast plan on TV, internet, apps and in 3D (video)
Love it or hate it, we're stuck with NBC as our Olympics broadcaster in the US, and the company recently laid out its full plans for the 2012 Olympics in London this summer. The good news first: NBCOlympics.com will live stream every single event (they'll even be on YouTube, and in the UK the BBC has its own plans) for the first time ever including streams of each of its channels, encompassing 3,500 total hours and the awarding of all 302 medals. The bad news is that if you're not a cable subscriber, many of those hours will not be available to you, and even if you are, you're looking at a (likely convoluted) authentication sign-in process. That's a little bit of pain, sure, but it should mean what we've been asking for -- the ability to watch all Olympics events as they happen, not tape delayed for prime time after viewing grainy bootleg streams over the internet. Also new for the internet are multiple streams for the same event, so for example, viewers can select a particular gymnastics apparatus or track and field event at will. On mobile devices, NBC also has plans for two different apps on phones and tablets, with one that brings live video streams and another with highlight clips. It didn't specify what platforms they would be available for, but we'd assume the usual suspects (iOS, Android) will be first up. On pay-TV cable, satellite and telco providers it's also providing dedicated channels for basketball and soccer, although it's up to your provider to pick them up. The same goes for the 242 planned hours of 3D coverage it's producing in partnership with Panasonic, which will unfortunately air on 24 hour tape delay, just like the HD broadcast was back in 2004 (we've got chips.... and salsa!). For the full breakdown of all 5,535 hours of coverage across NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, Telemundo and everything else check out the press release after the break, plus an Olympics preview trailer. While there are some limits for cord cutters, sports fans with pay-TV should be ready to experience the best Olympics coverage ever with the ability to watch what we want, instead just what's on the TV schedule.Continue reading NBC lays out 2012 London Olympics broadcast plan on TV, internet, apps and in 3D (video)NBC lays out 2012 London Olympics broadcast plan on TV, internet, apps and in 3D (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 14:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | NBCOlympics.com | Email this | Comments

Solid state solar panels are more affordable, say researchers, don't leak

Posted: 27 May 2012 09:48 AM PDT

Solid state solar panels are more affordable, say researchers, don't leak


Solid state solar panels are more affordable, say researchers, don't leak
Researchers at Northwestern University have found one way to stop a leak: get rid of the liquid. A new variation on the Grätzel solar cell replaces a short-lived organic dye with a solid alternative. The molecular dye the solid substance replaces was corrosive, at risk of leaking and only lasted about 18-months -- by replacing it, researchers plan to pave the way for a more affordable (and less toxic) alternative. Northwestern's new design flaunts a 10.2-percent conversion efficiency, the highest ever recorded in a solid-state solar cell of its type -- but that's still only half of what traditional sun collectors can do. Researchers hope to improve conversion in the long run, but expect that the cost reduction alone will be enough to get the party going. It may not be the greenest solar technology we've ever seen, but who are we to judge?Solid state solar panels are more affordable, say researchers, don't leak originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 12:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gizmag | Northwestern University | Email this | Comments

One more place to play Farmville or one more reason to quit Facebook?

Posted: 27 May 2012 08:06 AM PDT

One more place to play Farmville or one more reason to quit Facebook?


One more place to play Farmville or one more reason to quit Facebook?
Perhaps there aren't enough places for you to play Words With Friends or FrontierVille, who are we to judge? Maybe what the world needs right now is playable Angry Birds in your Facebook news feed. Instead of just an invitation to join Cow Clicker, maybe you need to be able to play it straight from the homepage. Well, now you can. And that's all we have to say about that.One more place to play Farmville or one more reason to quit Facebook? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 10:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Facebook | Email this | Comments

Frontrow has arrived to let you take and share photos from YouTube livestreams

Posted: 27 May 2012 06:57 AM PDT

Frontrow has arrived to let you take and share photos from YouTube livestreams


Frontrow has arrived to let you take and share photos from YouTube livestreams
YouTube's been beefing up the tools for its users lately, adding an audio editor, stabilization and color correction tools, and even ways for live-streaming productions to empty our wallets. Now, an outfit from the land of Oz has created an application that uses YouTube's live-streaming capabilities to allow those watching to grab pictures of live-stream and share them. Called Frontrow, it'll make its debut streaming the Vivid LIVE music festival currently going on at the Sydney Opera House. The app doesn't just let you take simple snapshots, either, users can zoom in and out and apply image filters to grab that perfect image of Florence + the Machine while watching them via WiFi a world away. Hit the more coverage link and check the video after the break for more.Continue reading Frontrow has arrived to let you take and share photos from YouTube livestreamsFrontrow has arrived to let you take and share photos from YouTube livestreams originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 09:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Official YouTube Blog | Email this | Comments

IBM names Coda a 'GOOD' company

Posted: 27 May 2012 05:52 AM PDT

IBM names Coda a 'GOOD' company


IBM names Coda a 'GOOD' company
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, USA, Coda Automotive Well, it can't be a bad thing to be mentioned in the same breath as the Green Bay Packers, though last year would've been better timing. Electric-vehicle maker Coda Automotive was named in an IBM-led survey as one of 40 so-called "GOOD" companies for its innovations, environmental emphasis and social responsibility. Coda was recognized among mid-sized (that is, 100 to 1,000 workers) companies as representing a combination of sustainable and creative business practices that further diversity and social good. Other notable companies on the list include Cascade Engineering, Patagonia, Zipcar and, yes, the Green Bay Packers, winners of the 2011 Super Bowl. Coda, which opened its Los Angeles headquarters late last year, sold its first Coda Sedan EVs in March. The company sells the Sedan with an official 88-mile single-charge range for $39,900. Coda late last month reached a deal with China-based Great Wall Motors to make a vehicle for Europe, China and North America that would undercut most other electric vehicles, pricewise.Continue reading IBM names Coda a 'GOOD' companyIBM names Coda a 'GOOD' company originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 27 May 2012 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pure updates Evoke Mio radio with six new colors, thinks you need a new shade fo...

Posted: 27 May 2012 05:18 AM PDT

Pure updates Evoke Mio radio with six new colors, thinks you need a new shade for summer


Pure updates Evoke Mio radio with six new colors, thinks you need a new shade for summer
Do you really think a black FM radio -- or even worse, one in an off-season shade of grape --- can get you through the summer? Radio maker Pure wants to correct your errant ways. The company is expanding its Evoke Mio radio line with six new "on-trend" color options. The radio is already available in black, teal, grape and cherry, and now Pure is adding pepper, mustard, paprika, sage, rose and seagrass shades. While the colors are new, the specs are the same as on the original model: there's digital and FM radio, space for 30 presets, an auxiliary input for a PMP and an auto-dimming OLED panel. The new Pure Evoke Mio collection will go on sale in June for £130 (it's unclear if the radios will head stateside as well).Pure updates Evoke Mio radio with six new colors, thinks you need a new shade for summer originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 08:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Pocket-lint | | Email this | Comments

Indie Game: The Movie: The Worldwide Release: June 12th

Posted: 27 May 2012 04:10 AM PDT

Indie Game: The Movie: The Worldwide Release: June 12th


Indie Game: The Movie: The Worldwide Release: June 12th
What, you didn't think those games appeared on Xbox Live through some act of magic, did you? No, they're the product of insanely small teams working insanely long hours, at the risk of their well-being, social lives and, in some cases, personal hygiene, in order to bring you a downloadable break from Call of Duty. Indie Game: The Movie is a beautifully shot, occasionally heartwarming and perpetually fascinating look at the intersection of art and technology currently being explored by indie game developers, focusing on the creators of Fez, Braid and Super Meat Boy. We managed to get a sneak peak of the Sundance documentary, courtesy of filmmakers James Swirsky and Lisanne Pajot, who appeared on the most recent episode of the Engadget Show -- and now you can join in on the fun: the film is getting a worldwide web release on June 12th, by way of iTunes, Steam and the official movie site. If you can't wait until then, however, you can pre-order the movie now for $10 in the source link below.Continue reading Indie Game: The Movie: The Worldwide Release: June 12thIndie Game: The Movie: The Worldwide Release: June 12th originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Joystiq | Indie Game: The Movie | Email this | Comments

1Mpad is Malaysia's first branded tablet, delivers 7 inches of Gingerbread for $315

Posted: 27 May 2012 03:02 AM PDT

1Mpad is Malaysia's first branded tablet, delivers 7 inches of Gingerbread for $315


1Mpad is Malaysia's first branded tablet, delivers 7 inches of Gingerbread for $315
So you've decided that it's time to make a tablet part of your life, but a lack of star-spangled slabs has prompted you to defer the purchase. Malaysians now face no such dilemma, due in no small part to the 1Malasyia Pad -- the country's first branded tab. The 1Mpad will reportedly soon be marketed to students (1.4 million of them, in fact), but 5,000 of the 7-inch Gingerbread devices are now being offered up to deep-pocketed locals, priced online at a rather-ambitious 999 Malaysian ringgits (about $315). Manufactured by MalTechPro Sdn Bhd, the 1Mpad will be offered to students at a to-be-determined discounted rate, making it the first such device to be available using a student discount card. At its current high list price, the tablet doesn't appear to be a fantastic deal, shipping with 3G broadband and the 1Malaysia Messenger application, which will serve as an IM service of sorts for sending text, pictures, video and voice recording to other 1Mpad owners. Still, if you have the cash to spare for an early taste of what Malaysian students may some day be using to surf the web, you can hit up the source link after the break for a bit more info. [Thanks, Joe]1Mpad is Malaysia's first branded tablet, delivers 7 inches of Gingerbread for $315 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 05:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | BorneoPost | Email this | Comments

Solar-powered Son-X Octavia now bringing 'interactive sound' to school playgrounds

Posted: 27 May 2012 01:54 AM PDT

Solar-powered Son-X Octavia now bringing 'interactive sound' to school playgrounds


Solar-powered Son-X Octavia now bringing 'interactive sound' to school playgrounds
While initially announced in the summer of 2011, the Son-X Octavia has been working its way into reality ever since. As of this month, though, the solar-powered "interactive sound device" is now shipping to schools in Europe. For those unfamiliar, the coconut-esque device straps onto a conventional swing set in order to keep kids outside -- using technology to prevent kids from becoming supersaturated with technology, if you will. The company has designed it with tight school budgets in mind, making it completely wireless, self-contained and easy to install. Once in place, swingers can activate three aural games, each of which act to "awaken the natural curiosity in children to explore the possibilities through activity." Not surprisingly, it's designed to be upgraded over time, with new titles to be made available on USB drives. The outfit's still not offering 'em direct to consumers, but those with B2B connections can grab one for €499 ($624).Solar-powered Son-X Octavia now bringing 'interactive sound' to school playgrounds originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 04:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Son-X Play, Hags | Email this | Comments

Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video,...

Posted: 27 May 2012 01:20 AM PDT

Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging


Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging
After taking a few years to get off of the ground, MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) technology is now found in many modern phones as well as HDTVs from LG, Toshiba and Samsung. Now, Silicon Image has announced its second generation of chips to go in those devices with enhanced features. MHL if you'll recall, lets mobile devices connect to HDTVs via HDMI, while passing power and control signals along with the video. According to Silicon Image its new chips, the SiI8240 MHL transmitter (for phones, tablets, cameras and laptops) and SiI9617 MHL Bridge (for HDTVs, monitors and projectors) and dual-mode IP core (like the one in Samsung's Galaxy S II) upgrade the previous generation's capabilities with the ability to pass 1080p video at 60Hz (up from 30Hz) and charge up to twice as fast. There's a few more details in the press releases after the break, if you're wondering whether or not your phone / HDTV is down with MHL then check the specs or hit the Wikipedia link below.Continue reading Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster chargingSilicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 03:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video,...

Posted: 27 May 2012 12:47 AM PDT

Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging


Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging
After taking a few years to get off of the ground, MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) technology is now found in many modern phones as well as HDTVs from LG, Toshiba and Samsung. Now, Silicon Image has announced its second generation of chips to go in those devices with enhanced features. MHL if you'll recall, lets mobile devices connect to HDTVs via HDMI, while passing power and control signals along with the video. According to Silicon Image its new chips, the SiI8240 MHL transmitter (for phones, tablets, cameras and laptops) and SiI9617 MHL Bridge (for HDTVs, monitors and projectors) and dual-mode IP core (like the one in Samsung's Galaxy S II) upgrade the previous generation's capabilities with the ability to pass 1080p video at 60Hz (up from 30Hz) and charge up to twice as fast. There's a few more details in the press releases after the break, if you're wondering whether or not your phone / HDTV is down with MHL then check the specs or hit the Wikipedia link below.Continue reading Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster chargingSilicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 03:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Microsoft posts Windows 8 app porting guide roundup, forgets to include BASIC

Posted: 26 May 2012 11:06 PM PDT

Microsoft posts Windows 8 app porting guide roundup, forgets to include BASIC


Microsoft posts Windows 8 app porting guide roundup, forgets to include BASIC
Let's say you're a developer eager to convert your apps for Windows 8 as soon as possible. Where do you start? Microsoft Developer Evangelist Jennifer Marsman is very much aware that you might be at a loss, so she has done the rather large favor of rounding up every porting guide the company has to offer in one handy place. Some of these are pure design guides, like a previously spotted iPad-to-Metro layout article, but others dig deep into converting code for the land of home tiles and charms. The focus is on porting from the web and Windows Phone 7, so we wouldn't work up hopes of bringing your high school computer class project to Metro. Still, Marsman is looking for more guides from readers; if you've developed just the technique to convert 10 PRINT "HELLO WORLD" 20 GOTO 10 into a tablet-native Windows 8 app, return the generosity and leave pointers at the source link.Microsoft posts Windows 8 app porting guide roundup, forgets to include BASIC originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 02:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MSDN Blogs | Email this | Comments

LG celebrates three million LTE phones sold worldwide, shockingly finds high spe...

Posted: 26 May 2012 09:26 PM PDT

LG celebrates three million LTE phones sold worldwide, shockingly finds high speed data is awesome


LG celebrates three million LTE phones sold worldwide, shockingly finds high speed data is awesome
LG has hitched its mobile fate to the future of LTE high speed data equipped phones basically since the technology was introduced and today it announced the fruits of its labor: three million LTE phones sold to date worldwide. While some will quibble over shipped / sold to end-user counting methods, or how this compares to figures recently touted by competition like Samsung and Apple, we need only look at LG's most recent earnings report to see the positive impact its LTE-infused lineup has had. According to LG, most of the gains have been in South Korea and North America so far, although it plans to have LTE phones in 20 countries by the end of the year. After kicking off the LTE frenzy with the Revolution last year on Verizon, it's talking up the combination of LTE and HD LCD screen features in its Optimus LTE phone, already a million seller in Korea just as its successor, the Optimus LTE II arrives on shelves.LG celebrates three million LTE phones sold worldwide, shockingly finds high speed data is awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 23:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | LG Korea | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: best sub-$200 super-powerful router?

Posted: 26 May 2012 07:44 PM PDT

Ask Engadget: best sub-$200 super-powerful router?


Ask Engadget: best sub-$200 super-powerful router?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Richard, who needs a router capable of handling all of his not-inconsiderable household traffic. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm looking into buying a router than can handle Netflix streaming to my Blu-Ray player, a wireless printer, two smartphones, a tablet, an always-on desktop, external HDD and an Airave signal booster. My Linksys WRT45G can't handle two data-heavy connections at the same time, so I have to restart it when it drops. I'll need something hefty, but under $200 would be ideal, if it's got a USB 3.0 connection for my HDD, even better. Distance isn't as important as stability and capacity, since I've got a single-level 3 bedroom house. Thank you!" Several of our staffers are fans of Netgear's N900, a dual-band unit that can certainly handle everything you'd care to throw at it, although it does only have USB 2.0 ports. There's always Amped's R20000G, but whilst we know its signal strength is good, we don't know how well it could handle a hefty load. But that's just our first thoughts, plenty of you out there will know the answer, so celebrate the long weekend and share your knowledge in the comments below.Ask Engadget: best sub-$200 super-powerful router? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 22:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Mobile Miscellany: week of May 21st, 2012

Posted: 26 May 2012 07:11 PM PDT

Mobile Miscellany: week of May 21st, 2012


Mobile Miscellany: week of May 21st, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, it was revealed that the HTC EVO 4G LTE likely supports simultaneous voice and data connections on Sprint's network, Samsung's Galaxy Ace 2 landed at Three in the UK and Vertu revealed a refresh to its Constellation series of luxury phones. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 21st, 2012.Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of May 21st, 2012Mobile Miscellany: week of May 21st, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 21:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Cox TV Connect live TV streaming app for iPad updated with new grid guide UI

Posted: 26 May 2012 06:04 PM PDT

Cox TV Connect live TV streaming app for iPad updated with new grid guide UI


Cox TV Connect live TV streaming app for iPad updated with new grid guide UI
Cabler Cox Communications joined in on the live TV streaming to iPad craze by releasing its own Cox TV Connect app late last year, and recently updated it to version 1.1.0. With the upgrade comes the new look shown above, so while it originally featured a more... unique look for TV listings (as seen after the break) this version has programming sorted in the traditional grid-style guide shown above. Also mentioned is the ability for users to view and sort TV listings for all channels, although they'll still need the separate Cox Mobile Connect apps for things like DVR scheduling. Grab the new version at the iTunes link below, assuming you get your TV and internet service at the right place.Continue reading Cox TV Connect live TV streaming app for iPad updated with new grid guide UICox TV Connect live TV streaming app for iPad updated with new grid guide UI originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 21:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | iTunes | Email this | Comments

Motorola shows off Ice Cream Sandwich on a Droid RAZR, sprinkles in Webtop 3.0

Posted: 26 May 2012 05:31 PM PDT

Motorola shows off Ice Cream Sandwich on a Droid RAZR, sprinkles in Webtop 3.0


Motorola shows off Ice Cream Sandwich on a Droid RAZR, sprinkles in Webtop 3.0
Although Motorola outed its Android Ice Cream Sandwich rollout plans back in February, we've only seen leaked glimpses of what its skinned version the OS would be like for its handsets. That's changed recently thanks to Motorola's Japanese website, where a new ICS landing page features nine demo videos showcasing the software on a Droid RAZR. Among the clips, which highlight features from updated icons to a revamped lockscreen, there's also a detailed look at the LapDock-friendly Webtop 3.0 UI. Sadly however, there isn't any new word on the rollout schedule past the update Moto detailed on the 18th. You can treat yourself to some of the eye candy by clicking past the break, and you'll find all the vids by hitting the source link below -- but do keep in mind that most of clips aren't voiced in English.Continue reading Motorola shows off Ice Cream Sandwich on a Droid RAZR, sprinkles in Webtop 3.0Motorola shows off Ice Cream Sandwich on a Droid RAZR, sprinkles in Webtop 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 20:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge, Droid Life | Motorola Japan (translated) | Email this | Comments

Visualized: Samsung's PIN pop-up stores take London

Posted: 26 May 2012 04:57 PM PDT

Visualized: Samsung's PIN pop-up stores take London


Visualized: Samsung's PIN pop-up stores take London
Samsung deflated a few enthusiast tires when its "one more thing" Galaxy S III reveal turned out to be a pop-up retail plan. No matter now, as those great mobile expectations have shifted to the device's imminent launch, a debut the company's only too happy to showcase. Starting May 29th, PIN glass housings, like the one you see above, will begin to populate commercial centers in and around London, letting eager consumers gets hands-on with the ICS handset's nature-made design. Westfield's Shepherd's Bush and Old Spitalfields Market will be the first two UK locations for this temporary retail presence, with larger 7-by 7-meter versions, as well as a smattering of overseas appearances to follow in the coming months. In the meantime, check out our full review to get yourself well-acquainted with this flagship follow-up.Visualized: Samsung's PIN pop-up stores take London originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 19:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Samsung Mobile (Google+) | Email this | Comments

Groupon reportedly experimenting with Square competitor

Posted: 26 May 2012 04:25 PM PDT

Groupon reportedly experimenting with Square competitor


Groupon reportedly experimenting with Square competitor
Square, PayPal, Intuit, Verifone -- the mobile payments field (and we're not talking wallets here) is seriously crowded already. So, the question is then, why on Earth would Groupon want to join the fray? We're not entirely sure, but VentureBeat is reporting the coupon service is preparing to do just that. According to a source within the company, Groupon is testing card-reading dongle and payment platform with surprisingly aggressive pricing. According to the insider, transaction fees will be 1.8 percent, on top of a $0.15 base charge. By comparison, square charges a flat 2.75 percent. Interestingly, the source also claims that Groupon is handing out, not just free readers, but free iPod touches to plug them into. The move makes obvious sense since the company snatched up Kima Labs, makers of TapBuy, in February. Besides, it could easily integrate its discount offers with the platform as a value added service. None of this is confirmed just yet but, we certainly wont be surprised if this rumor pans out.Groupon reportedly experimenting with Square competitor originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 18:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | VentureBeat | Email this | Comments

Oppo's super-skinny Finder smartphone gets many more details, should reach pre-o...

Posted: 26 May 2012 03:21 PM PDT

Oppo's super-skinny Finder smartphone gets many more details, should reach pre-orders June 6th (video)


Oppo's super-skinny Finder smartphone gets many more details, should reach pre-orders June 6th (video)
The last time we saw Oppo's 6.65mm-thick smartphone, it was playing hard to get: we didn't see much more than its svelte profile. Oppo is now being a little more forthcoming, both officially and otherwise. It's now teasing the device as the Finder, and some escaped details explain just how it's getting to that Ascend P1 S-busting dimension as well as where it sits in the smartphone pantheon. TGBus understands the Finder should use a familiar-sounding 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen -- much thinner than an LCD -- as well as a dual-core 1.5GHz processor of an unspecified make and the virtually pre-requisite 8-megapixel rear and 1.3-megapixel front cameras. The lot should run on a customized version of Android 4.0. If all goes to the still somewhat unofficial plan, the Finder could be ready for pre-orders on June 6th at a not-insignificant ¥3,999 ($631) off-contract. We're mostly waiting on in-store dates and the possibility of snapping one up without a long flight to China.Continue reading Oppo's super-skinny Finder smartphone gets many more details, should reach pre-orders June 6th (video)Oppo's super-skinny Finder smartphone gets many more details, should reach pre-orders June 6th (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 18:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MICgadget | TGBus (translated) | Email this | Comments