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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

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Tac Motors will have MotoCzysz make electric-SUV powertrain

Posted: 30 May 2012 03:17 PM PDT

Tac Motors will have MotoCzysz make electric-SUV powertrain


Tac Motors will have MotoCzysz make electric-SUV powertrain
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, South/Latin America Brazil-based Tac Motors has reached an agreement for electric motorcycle maker MotoCzysz to make the electric powertrain for Tac's new electric SUV, the eStark. The agreement is worth about $27 million and will involve MotoCzysz making 3,600 powertrains - each about the size of a suitcase - per year for the new four-wheel-drive model. The eStark is particularly suited for electric-drive because of its light weight due to fiberglass panels and plastic covering. No specifics were disclosed in regards to power of single-charge range, though the system, called the D1g1tal Dr1ve, will include components such as an oil pump, heat exchange system and other electronics. The Stark, whose conventional version is powered by a Fiat turbodiesel, is about 161 inches long, or about two feet longer than a Suzuki Samurai, in case anyone remembers those.Continue reading Tac Motors will have MotoCzysz make electric-SUV powertrainTac Motors will have MotoCzysz make electric-SUV powertrain originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 30 May 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Death To The Dock Connector? Apple Is Looking For A Connector Design Engineer

Posted: 30 May 2012 03:17 PM PDT

Death To The Dock Connector? Apple Is Looking For A Connector Design Engineer


Death To The Dock Connector? Apple Is Looking For A Connector Design Engineer
Could Apple really be looking to end their longstanding affair with the 30-pin Dock Connector? It's been a move that's been rumored for years, and a job opening at Cupertino for a Connector Design Engineer adds a bit of fuel to that fire. This person will be "responsible for managing multiple connector designs and developments in support of the iPod product lines." It goes on to describe that this task will "involve adaptation of existing connectors or complete new designs." It's apparently important enough to Apple that they've got another, very similar listing on their jobs page.

Spotify director Sean Parker: Apple tried to keep Spotify out of the United States

Posted: 30 May 2012 03:17 PM PDT

Spotify director Sean Parker: Apple tried to keep Spotify out of the United States


Spotify director Sean Parker: Apple tried to keep Spotify out of the United States
Daniel Ek (co-founder of Spotify) and Sean Parker (Director at Spotify) just took the stage here at D10, with Walt Mossberg asking the two about the company's impact in America, negotiations with record labels and -- perhaps surprisingly -- its links with Apple. Outside of confirming that there's still around 10 million Spotify users in the States (with around three million of those being of the paid variety), the duo also confirmed that it's working daily to improve the catalog. Said Ek: "We're up to 18 million songs, growing at 10,000 or 20,000 songs per day -- it's very much a growing catalog." Walt was curious as to why iTunes had upwards of 30 million tracks, and why all of the services simply don't have the same library, but both players were quick to brush off the topic and pivot directly to the importance of playlists. Ek stated: "If you look at iTunes, the vast majority of songs haven't been purchased by anyone -- it's driven by hits. We see 80 percent of our whole catalog listened to." Following that, Parker contributed: "The playlist is now the CD. It used to be a few songs were wanted by the consumer, and the rest of it was garbage. It's the new mixtape, but accelerated on a massive scale." As it turns out, Spotify actually sells "bundles" (which are glorified playlists) as pay products in Europe, and when Walt asked why these weren't available in America, Parker obliged: "We just haven't released it yet." In other words, they're coming soon.Continue reading Spotify director Sean Parker: Apple tried to keep Spotify out of the United StatesSpotify director Sean Parker: Apple tried to keep Spotify out of the United States originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Second-gen IOIO in the works: embraces the wireless revolution, cuts cost

Posted: 30 May 2012 03:17 PM PDT

Second-gen IOIO in the works: embraces the wireless revolution, cuts cost


Second-gen IOIO in the works: embraces the wireless revolution, cuts cost
Ytai Ben-Tsvi's IOIO board is quite the hit with the Android-hacking DIY crowd. But, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement on the $50 dev board. A second-gen version is in the works that adds the ability to connect to a computer as a USB device (not just as a host) or via Bluetooth, without the need for a intermediary controller like an Arduino. Perhaps most exciting for those interested in tinkering with DIY Android phone accessories, is the plan to cut the price of the new IOIO. How much less the next version will cost isn't clear yet, but even just $5 could make a major difference. For more details check out Ytai's blog post at the source link.Second-gen IOIO in the works: embraces the wireless revolution, cuts cost originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 17:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Make | Ytai Ben-Tsvi | Email this | Comments

Intel teams up with DeviceScape for automatic public WiFi, will hook up your Ult...

Posted: 30 May 2012 02:44 PM PDT

Intel teams up with DeviceScape for automatic public WiFi, will hook up your Ultrabook in the background


Intel teams up with DeviceScape for automatic public WiFi, will hook up your Ultrabook in the background
We all know the coffee shop WiFi routine: crack open the laptop, visit a splash page, and dutifully wait until you're logged in before you get to Twitter. Through a new deal between Intel and DeviceScape, you won't even have to think about it. Intel's Smart Connect tool will soon automatically sign in your Ultrabook to a curated list of quality, open WiFi hotspots, even if the PC is fast asleep. This last trick might need Windows 8's Connected Standby mode to live up to Intel's expectations, but the dream is to have your email and social feeds updated and waiting before that laptop or tablet screen has even blinked into life. Intel is leaving some gaps in the story, such as whether or not gadget owners will pay a premium for the fast access. We'd guess that Intel is counting on higher computer (and more importantly, processor) sales to make up the difference.Intel teams up with DeviceScape for automatic public WiFi, will hook up your Ultrabook in the background originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink GigaOM | | Email this | Comments

South Korea's FTC reportedly raids Google again over lack of cooperation

Posted: 30 May 2012 02:44 PM PDT

South Korea's FTC reportedly raids Google again over lack of cooperation


South Korea's FTC reportedly raids Google again over lack of cooperation
Google might be in trouble for how it handled an earlier raid by South Korean officials over antitrust concerns. Insiders claimed to AllThingsD that the country's Fair Trade Commission stormed Google's Seoul offices again on May 28th after the company allegedly stonewalled the investigation in suspicious ways. Among the accusations, Google supposedly deleted files and asked staff to work from home rather than face inquiries. The FTC's goal was still to answer complaints from local search firms Daum and NHN that Google was unfairly making it difficult to use a non-Google search engine in Android. Google still says it's cooperating with regulators, but the assertions if they're accurate would paint a different picture. They certainly don't alleviate pressure in the US over similar subjects.South Korea's FTC reportedly raids Google again over lack of cooperation originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 17:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | AllThingsD | Email this | Comments

Nest expands its reach, begins shipping Learning Thermostat to Canada

Posted: 30 May 2012 02:11 PM PDT

Nest expands its reach, begins shipping Learning Thermostat to Canada


Nest expands its reach, begins shipping Learning Thermostat to Canada
The Nest Learning Thermostat has certainly generated plenty of buzz -- and not just by thermostat standards -- but it's so far only be available to those in the United States. That's finally starting to change today, though, with Nest announcing that is has now begun shipping the thermostat to Canada. Those interested will initially only be order the device through Nest's own website, where it will set Canadians back the same $249 -- they can also take advantage of the "Nest Concierge" program to get the unit professionally installed for $119, with additional installations running $25 each (all still in US dollars). Still no word on any Canadian retailers that will be carrying the device.Continue reading Nest expands its reach, begins shipping Learning Thermostat to CanadaNest expands its reach, begins shipping Learning Thermostat to Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Canada.com | | Email this | Comments

Flipboard Officially Opens Up Their Android Beta To Interested Testers

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:36 PM PDT

Flipboard Officially Opens Up Their Android Beta To Interested Testers


Flipboard Officially Opens Up Their Android Beta To Interested Testers
Well, that was quick. The news of an impending Flipboard Android beta only began making the rounds earlier this morning, and now the Flipboard team has opened up the beta process to anyone interested in taking the plunge. Users interested in taking the pre-release version of the app for a spin can mosey over to Flipboard's Android landing page, where they can sign up for the beta and wait patiently to receive a download link in their inbox. The confirmation email mentions that the waiting period could stretch up to 24 hours, though we're hearing that plenty of people are receiving their download links without too much of a delay.

The Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of...

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:36 PM PDT

The Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of the Video Game


The Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of the Video Game
E3 is rapidly approaching, but why wait until then for some hot video game action? We've got a veritable electronic entertainment expo of Engadget Show goodness coming at you this month, including an interview with the directors of the award winning documentary, Indie Game: The Movie. We've also paid a visit to the Smithsonian to check out the museum's Art of the Video Game exhibit and took a look the insanely awesome Fifth Avenue Frogger arcade machine hack. We've also got a look at the newly reborn Chinatown Fair arcade in Manhattan and E3 predictions with with Joystiq's Ben Gilbert. And, as always, we'll have the month's latest and greatest gadgets, including the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Sprint, the HTC Evo 4G LTE, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 , the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 and two new iCade creations. Can you handle all of that? Good! Check out the video after the break. Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian HeaterGuests: James Swirsky, Lisanne Pajot, Ben Gilbert and Tyler DeAngeloProducer: Rob SamalaDirector: Michelle StahlExecutive Producers: Brian Heater, Joshua Fruhlinger and Michael Rubens Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 033 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 033 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show - 033 (Small) Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (MP4). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (MP4). [RSS MP4] Add the Engadget Show feed (MP4) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically. [HD RSS] Get the Engadget Show delivered automatically in HD. [iPad RSS] Get the Engadget Show in iPad-friendly adaptive format.Continue reading The Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of the Video GameThe Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of the Video Game originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Google's Steve Lee talks about the history and future of Project Glass

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:36 PM PDT

Google's Steve Lee talks about the history and future of Project Glass


Google's Steve Lee talks about the history and future of Project Glass
Details on Google's Project Glass haven't been the easiest thing to come by since the wearable computing effort was announced earlier this year, but Google execs have been getting a bit more talkative and eager to give demonstrations as of late. You can now add product lead Steve Lee to that list, who's given a fairly wide-ranging interview to Fast Company on the project's origins and its future. Not surprisingly, he confirmed that the early prototypes were a fair bit bulkier -- starting a laptop in a backpack -- and that even the current prototypes are still "very early," although they do handle more than just photos (he gives Maps as one example). Lee does see photo-taking as a "key aspect" to the device, though. He also cast some doubt on initial reports that the devices would be available this year for between $250 and $600, saying that would be "pretty aggressive timing," but he also noted that he "wouldn't be on this project if it was like a five-year endeavor." As for the future, he says that contact lenses with the technology is a natural evolution but a definite "long-term thing," and that a nearer term goal is to "serve everyone and make this is a universal device," adding that they've "prototyped lots of different form factors to accommodate all those folks." All of that comes just from the first part of a two-part interview, though -- the rest is promised later this week.Google's Steve Lee talks about the history and future of Project Glass originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 16:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Fast Company | Email this | Comments

Marchionne: We're only making Fiat 500 EV because California's forcing us

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Marchionne: We're only making Fiat 500 EV because California's forcing us


Marchionne: We're only making Fiat 500 EV because California's forcing us
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Fiat, North America It's a near-endless tale, the story of the all-electric Fiat 500. Whether you're looking back at 2010, 2011 or earlier in 2012, there's been reports and claims and stories. Today, there's more.Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne recently spoke to the media about his companies' fuel-efficiency efforts, saying that hybrids and natural gas-powered vehicles will be coming by 2017. On the electric front, the Fiat 500 EV will be introduced in North America later this year, Marchionne said, admitting the car was being built for two main reasons: first, because California's ZEV mandates require it and, second, so Chrysler engineers learn more about electric powertrains. That sure makes it sound like Chrysler is years behind other companies, given that others have EVs on the market already. We know that Chrysler made a splash with the ENVI vehicles in 2008, but it's been relatively quiet since then. The Fiat EV is not going to be a financial windfall. Marchionne recently said (again) that Fiat "will lose money on every car we make." The car could lose Fiat as much as $10,000 per vehicle.Marchionne: We're only making Fiat 500 EV because California's forcing us originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple I up for auction: buy a bit of Apple history for the bulk of your net worth

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Apple I up for auction: buy a bit of Apple history for the bulk of your net worth


Apple I up for auction: buy a bit of Apple history for the bulk of your net worth
Attention Apple lovers: here's your chance to get your hands on an original piece of company history, but the past has proven that you better have a lot of extra cash lying around. Sotheby's auction house is offering a working Apple I computer, which is the original design that was built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak back in 1976 -- by hand. It's expected to fetch between $140,000 - 180,000, and those dollars buy you a mobo, cassette interface and the original BASIC manual to get you programming partying like it's 1979. This isn't the first Apple I to hit the auction block, but with only 200 of the things in existence, the winning bidder will join the upper echelon of Apple enthusiasts. So, if you've got cash to burn and fancy yourself the ultimate fanboy, head on down to the source link for the full details.Apple I up for auction: buy a bit of Apple history for the bulk of your net worth originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Luxury Launches | Sotheby's | Email this | Comments

China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly


China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly
Apple's current iPad is already cleared for China in WiFi trim, but those of us who've wanted to roam through Kunming on care-free 3G haven't had any officially approved choices. That's ending soon, as the Chinese government just gave the cellular version (A1430) the all-clear. Like in most parts of the world, Apple's slate won't use LTE given the lack of any established network in the area; HSPA's as good as it will get. The clearance is slightly odd given that the State Administration for Industry and Commerce is leaning in Proview's direction when it comes to iPad trademark ownership. With the iPad still legally available in the country, though, it's safe to say that official 3G iPad carrier China Unicom is happy to prepare for a rush of customers who want to buy a cellular iPad without using the zipline delivery method.China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Engadget China | TENAA, WSJ | Email this | Comments

PayPal mobile payments hit the UK, filling your closet just went wireless (video)

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

PayPal mobile payments hit the UK, filling your closet just went wireless (video)


PayPal mobile payments hit the UK, filling your closet just went wireless (video)
PayPal's mobile payments have been on a whirlwind American tour this year, but they haven't had a chance to cross the border so far. Someone must have finally stamped the company's passport, since it's now an option for UK residents to pay using the InStore app for Android or iOS. A trio of fashion outlets -- Coast, Oasis and Warehouse -- can soon scan an on-screen barcode to take payment for that posh new shirt instead of requiring ye olde wallet. As it is in the US, there's no need for any NFC magic or even an Internet connection to clinch the deal, and there's still the same access to discounts and refunds as for paper- and plastic-wielding buyers. A total of 230 shops will take your PayPal credit starting May 31st, although they won't stop your potential fashion mistakes.Continue reading PayPal mobile payments hit the UK, filling your closet just went wireless (video)PayPal mobile payments hit the UK, filling your closet just went wireless (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | PayPal InStore | Email this | Comments

Aaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his wr...

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Aaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his writing


Aaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his writing
You don't have to look far to get a grasp on who Aaron Sorkin is -- he wrote A Few Good Men, The American President, The West Wing, Moneyball and The Social Network, for starters -- and he showed up at D10 to talk creative media, how the digital age impacts his writing and his impending movie about late Apple CEO Steve Jobs. While not involving hard technology news, the interview was exceedingly refreshing, and it delved deep into the world of tech as it impacts his upcoming show about a fictional newsroom (The Newsroom on HBO). The highlights included a frank quote that whoever ends up playing Jobs in his movie -- not to be confused with the one already in production with Ashton Kutcher -- will have to be "good, and intelligent." He also confessed to being fully engaged in the "three screens" movement, but wasn't too prideful to admit that he taps into the brain of his 11-year old daughter for lots of technological help. Pretty wild for a guy that many would label "genius." For more from the interview, head on past the break.Continue reading Aaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his writingAaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his writing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celeb...

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration


Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration
Oh, we know you've been waiting for this one. Earlier today, Archos announced its kid-friendly Child Pad tablet is finally up for grabs -- which was bound to happen after having passed the FCC's meticulous inspection. In case your brain needs a quick refresh, those $129.99 get your little ones a 7-inch, 800 x 480 screen, Android 4.0, an unpretentious 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of built-in storage (expandable by way of microSD). Obviously, kids are unlikely to focus on the specs side of things, so Archos has done a decent job of including pre-loaded tidbits such as apps, games and "exclusive" Alvin and the Chipmunk 3 content in order to keep them entertained. If you're feeling like this is the one for your child, then hit the source link below to get your order in.Continue reading Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebrationArchos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Archos | Email this | Comments

Google Voice’s New Update Lets Users Manage Anonymous Calls

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Google Voice's New Update Lets Users Manage Anonymous Calls


Google Voice's New Update Lets Users Manage Anonymous Calls
For all its faults, Google Voice has gotten to be pretty solid with regard to how it routes calls from different groups of people, and today the search giant has gussied up the service even more. According to the official Google Voice blog, a new update now gives users more control over what to do with people who hide their phone numbers when they call. But let's back up a minute here.

Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings'

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings'


Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings'
More Zagat goodness from our friends at Google today. The restaurant guide's scores, summaries, reviews and ratings have "made their way" onto the Android version of Google Maps. Clicking Local in the "latest version of the app" brings up a list of local restaurants, searchable by category. You can also "check out reviews" and scores from folks in your Google+ circles and leave your own reviews. The Zagat-enabled version of the app is available now for $0. Check out a video "after the break."Continue reading Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings'Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Droid Life | Google Play | Email this | Comments

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 makes a splash Stateside, offers a lightweight slice of And...

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 makes a splash Stateside, offers a lightweight slice of Android 4.0 for $349


Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 makes a splash Stateside, offers a lightweight slice of Android 4.0 for $349
Lenovo has offered few hints (if unsubtle ones) that the IdeaTab S2109 was on the way, but it's now in the US in earnest. As we saw early on, some of the Android 4.0 tablet's specs read like those of an iPad 2, down to the 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 IPS panel, 1.3-pound weight and ever so slightly thicker 8.9mm unibody shell. Lenovo is catering more to the movie-watching set, though: a four-speaker system and 1080p video over micro-HDMI make us see it as a couch-surfer's Netflix machine. We're a bit less enthused with the aging dual-core, 1GHz TI OMAP 4430 inside, but we won't complain about the $349 asking price. If the balance is appealing, both Lenovo and Office Depot will be ready to serve it up in early June.Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 makes a splash Stateside, offers a lightweight slice of Android 4.0 for $349 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Lenovo | Email this | Comments

Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech indus...

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech industry immature


Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech industry immature
Intellectual Ventures' CEO and founder Nathan Myhrvold, who previously spent some 14 years at Microsoft Research, took the stage here at D10, and as predicted, his interview with Walt Mossberg was quite the invigorating one. You may know the man and his company for its vicious patent trolling -- or, what appears to be patent trolling. In essence, a lot of its business comes from acquiring patent portfolios, and then licensing and / or suing companies to "enforce" them. Naturally, Nathan has a radically different perspective than most sane individuals on the matter, insisting that the system isn't necessarily broken, and that "making money from enforcing patents is no more wrong than investing in preferred stock." The talk centered predominantly around how Intellectual Ventures operates, what it does, and if its CEO feels that the "rat's nest of lawsuits" -- as Walt put it -- was getting out of control. Despite saying that his company has hundreds of people working on new inventions to help deliver medicines in Africa (in response to a question from the crowd on whether his outfit was truly helping people), he confessed that suing to enforce patents was simply another method of capitalism working. Care to take a ride on the crazy train? Head on past the break for a few choice quotes from the interview.Continue reading Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech industry immatureIntellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech industry immature originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Canadian carriers put Galaxy S III launch on June 20th, back dual-core 1.5GHz ch...

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:03 PM PDT

Canadian carriers put Galaxy S III launch on June 20th, back dual-core 1.5GHz chip for LTE models (update: Snapdragon, 2GB RAM official)


Canadian carriers put Galaxy S III launch on June 20th, back dual-core 1.5GHz chip for LTE models (update: Snapdragon, 2GB RAM official)
Canadian carriers flocked to the Galaxy S III before we'd barely even left our seats in London to try it, and it looks like they're also more than a little eager to provide launch details ahead of their American counterparts. Telus and Videotron have both confirmed the leaked June 20th release date, and Telus has gone so far as to reinforce suspicions that LTE models will use the Snapdragon S4 instead of the Exynos 4 Quad -- it expects the phone to use a "1.5GHz dual-core processor," which sure sounds like Qualcomm's latest to us. The same carrier has nailed down pricing at $160 on a three-year contract for a 16GB version and $210 for a 32GB model. Other carriers like Bell and Rogers are still a bit commitment-phobic, although that earlier Best Buy tip makes us think they'll fall into line before long. Update: Samsung's own release has swung our way, and it's providing a slew of details that should closely relate to the US launch. As expected, that's a Snapdragon S4 inside, although we now know that the 2GB of RAM of the NTT DoCoMo version will at least be making its way to Canada as well. The LTE version for Bell, Rogers, Telus and a handful of regional carriers is known as the SGH-i747, while the fabled SGH-T999 stops at 42Mbps HSPA+ and is the edition that Mobilicity, Wind and Videotron will get, since it supports 1,700MHz 3G. There's no mention of a 64GB Canadian Galaxy S III, so you'll still have to import if you frown heavily upon microSD cards.Continue reading Canadian carriers put Galaxy S III launch on June 20th, back dual-core 1.5GHz chip for LTE models (update: Snapdragon, 2GB RAM official)Canadian carriers put Galaxy S III launch on June 20th, back dual-core 1.5GHz chip for LTE models (update: Snapdragon, 2GB RAM official) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MobileSyrup | Telus, Videotron | Email this | Comments

10 Most Expensive Cars to Own

Posted: 30 May 2012 01:02 PM PDT

10 Most Expensive Cars to Own


10 Most Expensive Cars to Own
Luxury used cars are out there, but be prepared to pay down the road.

2013 Toyota Prius C doesn't get much love from Consumer Reports

Posted: 30 May 2012 11:24 AM PDT

2013 Toyota Prius C doesn't get much love from Consumer Reports


2013 Toyota Prius C doesn't get much love from Consumer Reports
Filed under: Hybrid, ToyotaConsumer Reports has panned the 2012 Toyota Prius C in a new video review that urges car shoppers to get a used regular Prius over the new baby model, "it's a much better car overall," said Mike Quincy in the review. The problems Toyota ran into in creating the Prius C appear to be in making it cheaper, according to Consumer Reports. The list of adjectives during the video review included: "lackluster," "hard plastic," "cheap materials," "dead steering" and "slow." Toyota may see those words as misplaced modifiers compared to the glowing recommendations the larger mainstream Prius has received in its decade-long Synergy drive to becoming the eco-poster child for hypermiling greenies out to save the Earth and ride in California HOV lanes with a single person aboard. (HOV access for most gas-electric hybrids has been discontinued in the Golden State.) While the Prius C may start at $18,995, its price climbs quickly and its value does not, Consumer Reports said. A new regular Prius starts at $24,000. However, the bad news from Consumer Reports hasn't hurt Prius C sales, which began in April. During its first month, Toyota sold 4,782 Prius C models, outpacing the other Prius variant, the family-minded Prius V, as well as the subcompact Yaris, which donates its platform for the Prius C.Scroll down to watch Consumer Reports' full Prius C video review or read more at the source link.Continue reading 2013 Toyota Prius C doesn't get much love from Consumer Reports2013 Toyota Prius C doesn't get much love from Consumer Reports originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 30 May 2012 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

ZTE teases 6.2mm-thick 'Athena,' crams in 720p IPS display and Cortex-A15 chip

Posted: 30 May 2012 11:24 AM PDT

ZTE teases 6.2mm-thick 'Athena,' crams in 720p IPS display and Cortex-A15 chip


ZTE teases 6.2mm-thick 'Athena,' crams in 720p IPS display and Cortex-A15 chip
Never mind Huawei's 6.68mm-thick Ascend P1 S or Oppo's 6.65mm-thick Finder, because the record's about to be beaten yet again by another Chinese manufacturer. Codenamed "Athena," this mysterious ZTE phone's been getting a fair bit of attention on Sina Weibo with its 6.2mm slimness claim, all thanks to a keen terminal device strategy director from the company. While Mr. Lu hasn't delved into specifics, what we know so far is that Athena will feature a 720p display, Cortex-A15 chip (a source of ours said it will be multi-core) and up to 64GB of internal storage, as well as a "Miflavor UI" -- something that we've already previewed on the Era at MWC -- to go on top of Android 4.0. Lu also hinted that there will be several color options, but we're more than happy to nab that black kevlar edition in the above shot (and someone should tell Motorola to take a look at this). Two more pictures after the break to keep you busy for the time being.Continue reading ZTE teases 6.2mm-thick 'Athena,' crams in 720p IPS display and Cortex-A15 chipZTE teases 6.2mm-thick 'Athena,' crams in 720p IPS display and Cortex-A15 chip originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | @viastar (Sina Weibo) (1), (2), (3) | Email this | Comments

Lenovo LePhone K800 launches, officially brings Medfield to China

Posted: 30 May 2012 11:23 AM PDT

Lenovo LePhone K800 launches, officially brings Medfield to China


Lenovo LePhone K800 launches, officially brings Medfield to China
At CES 2012, Lenovo was the first to announce a Medfield-powered smartphone: the K800. And while it was the first to be unveiled, it couldn't beat the Lava Xolo X900 to market. Lenovo's not too worried about that, however, as the K800 has arrived in China right on schedule, having originally aimed for a Q2 launch and later refining the timeframe to the end of May. The fruits of Intel's labor can be had for the grand 'ol retail price of RMB 3,299 ($524), which gets you a 1.6GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, Android 2.3, a 4.5-inch 720p display, an 8MP rear camera and 16GB of internal storage. We haven't heard any news of the phone reaching across the Pacific, but we're sure that won't stop the most insistent of you from grabbing a unit through alternative methods, right?Lenovo LePhone K800 launches, officially brings Medfield to China originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Intel | Email this | Comments

Google Chromebooks bring the cloud to the plane with 12 free Gogo sessions

Posted: 30 May 2012 10:49 AM PDT

Google Chromebooks bring the cloud to the plane with 12 free Gogo sessions


Google Chromebooks bring the cloud to the plane with 12 free Gogo sessions
Need a dozen or so extra reasons to pick up a new Samsung Chromebook? How's about 12 free in-flight WiFi sessions from GoGo? Granted, it's probably not enough reason alone to pick up the browser-based notebook, but it should help sweeten the deal a bit. The deal, which kicks in after May 31st, will have you flying the friendly web on some 1,500 Gogo-sporting planes.Continue reading Google Chromebooks bring the cloud to the plane with 12 free Gogo sessionsGoogle Chromebooks bring the cloud to the plane with 12 free Gogo sessions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 13:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Logitech outs Apple-friendly Wireless Solar Keyboard K760, we go hands-on

Posted: 30 May 2012 10:15 AM PDT

Logitech outs Apple-friendly Wireless Solar Keyboard K760, we go hands-on


Logitech outs Apple-friendly Wireless Solar Keyboard K760, we go hands-on
Earlier this May, Logitech unveiled its Solar Keyboard Folio for the new iPad and iPad 2, and the accessory maker is rounding out the month by adding another sun-powered peripheral to its stable. Like the Keyboard Folio, the just-announced Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 works with iPads, but it's also compatible with Macs and iPhones. The K760 has Bluetooth for pairing up to three devices at a time, and it features Mac-specific keys such as Brightness, Command and Eject. Users should get about three months of use after the keyboard is fully charged up via sun or indoor light. We got to do a bit of typing with the K760, and are happy to report that it's a fairly well-built little grid. The deck feels solid, and the keys have a decent depth to them when pressed. Plus, the spun metal power button and the silver flake paint job lend a premium appearance. It'll cost $80 when it goes on sale next month, and you can get a closer look at what those dollars will buy in our gallery below. Head past the break for the full PR.Gallery: Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 Michael Gorman contributed to this reportContinue reading Logitech outs Apple-friendly Wireless Solar Keyboard K760, we go hands-onLogitech outs Apple-friendly Wireless Solar Keyboard K760, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Logitech, Blog Logitech | Email this | Comments

Zynga CEO Mark Pincus says 'no thanks' to console gaming, isn't worried about a...

Posted: 30 May 2012 10:15 AM PDT

Zynga CEO Mark Pincus says 'no thanks' to console gaming, isn't worried about a life detached from Facebook


Zynga CEO Mark Pincus says 'no thanks' to console gaming, isn't worried about a life detached from Facebook
Zynga CEO and founder Mark Pincus just took the stage here at D10, and in a wide-ranging conversion with Kara Swisher, he sidestepped conversation about Words With Friends and Farmville long enough to touch on the murky world of console gaming. In a bid to quell any potential surprises at E3 next month, Mark said outrightly that his company is not interested in getting into the console world. "We're aiming for you," he said while pointing at Swisher. "We're going after the mainstream market. There's too much friction [in the console world]." He also made clear that he tries to not look too far ahead of where the world really is. When talking about the undeniable shift to mobile, he made clear that there's still a huge amount of desktop traffic on Zynga's games -- "lots of people play while bored on conference calls at work," he quipped. It's an interesting viewpoint in a world where PSN and Xbox Live Arcade has given independent developers all new distribution platforms to reach users, but it also highlights the outfit's intrinsic attachment to Facebook in particular.Continue reading Zynga CEO Mark Pincus says 'no thanks' to console gaming, isn't worried about a life detached from FacebookZynga CEO Mark Pincus says 'no thanks' to console gaming, isn't worried about a life detached from Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

ICANN stops taking custom domain names at 7PM ET, details the TLD explosion June...

Posted: 30 May 2012 10:15 AM PDT

ICANN stops taking custom domain names at 7PM ET, details the TLD explosion June 13th


ICANN stops taking custom domain names at 7PM ET, details the TLD explosion June 13th
ICANN anticipated that we'd see the first fruits of its open season on top-level domains (TLDs) roughly a year after the hunt began; sure enough, it's winding down applications tonight. If you have the $185,000 plus $25,000 per year to make a domain your own, you've got until midnight GMT (7PM ET) to get that custom spin on the web. Don't think that you'll get the rubber stamp right away, though. ICANN plans to detail the requests on June 13th and consider any objections over similarity or multiple bids for the same name. If all goes smoothly, the first generic TLDs will be active within nine months, while those who face a fight could be waiting roughly one to two years. We're just hoping someone had the courtesy to pick up .gadget for us -- not that ICANN's worried about a gap in registrations after taking $352 million in fees and over 2,000 applications so far.ICANN stops taking custom domain names at 7PM ET, details the TLD explosion June 13th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink AFP (PhysOrg) | ICANN | Email this | Comments

Mary Meeker: “Mobile Monetization Has More Going For It Than Early Desktop Monet...

Posted: 30 May 2012 10:15 AM PDT

Mary Meeker: "Mobile Monetization Has More Going For It Than Early Desktop Monetization Had"


Mary Meeker: "Mobile Monetization Has More Going For It Than Early Desktop Monetization Had"
We've heard a lot about how monetizing mobile content is difficult in the context of Facebook's IPO. A lot of the company's growth is coming from mobile, after all, but it's currently very hard to make money of this mobile traffic. At AllThingsD's D10 conference today, Kleiner Perkins partner Mary Meeker released her annual overview of Internet trends and she, too, highlighted this mobile monetization problem.