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Thursday, May 31, 2012

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NRG says $102 million EV station plan will create $185 million in spending

Posted: 31 May 2012 03:13 PM PDT

NRG says $102 million EV station plan will create $185 million in spending


NRG says $102 million EV station plan will create $185 million in spending
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, North America, USA NRG Energy, whose $122.5 million agreement to build a so-called "Electric Expressway" of electric-vehicle charging stations spurred a lawsuit against the state of California by smaller competitor Ecotality, says the agreement will produce about 80 percent more economic activity that it costs and that it doesn't hinder competition. The agreement, in which $102.5 million will be paid to NRG to build the charging stations and $20 million will be provided to state residents in the form of ratepayer refunds, will spur more than $185 million in economic activity and will create more than 1,500 jobs throughout the most populous U.S. state, NRG said, citing a study it commissioned to be written by Solution Mountain. The company, in a filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), also said that "any industry participant remains free to compete for every potential EV charging site in California, and nothing in the Settlement Agreement restrains that competition." NRG is planning to build at least 200 so-called Freedom Station EV chargers that will be able to deploy electricity at a rate fast enough to provide an EV with 50 miles of electric driving in as little as 15 minutes.Continue reading NRG says $102 million EV station plan will create $185 million in spendingNRG says $102 million EV station plan will create $185 million in spending originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

MSI GT70 gaming laptop kindly updated with GeForce GTX 675M graphics

Posted: 31 May 2012 03:13 PM PDT

MSI GT70 gaming laptop kindly updated with GeForce GTX 675M graphics


MSI GT70 gaming laptop kindly updated with GeForce GTX 675M graphics
We sure hope you like surprises, because we've got a good one for you. It seems as if MSI wasn't quite pleased with the killer graphics on its feature-loaded GT70 laptop and decided to give it a quick boost. Earlier today, the outfit announced its fresh gaming machine will now ship with NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 675M GPU instead of that already powerful GTX 670M found in our review unit. MSI says the change was driven by the company's beliefs that "exceptional performance starts with outstanding components," and, needless to say, we're certain you'd agree. In case you've yet to grab one of these for yourself, you can do so at the source below.Continue reading MSI GT70 gaming laptop kindly updated with GeForce GTX 675M graphicsMSI GT70 gaming laptop kindly updated with GeForce GTX 675M graphics originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 18:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MSI | Email this | Comments

Rumors give 2012 iPhone shiny new chip, 1GB of RAM, mystery iOS app

Posted: 31 May 2012 03:13 PM PDT

Rumors give 2012 iPhone shiny new chip, 1GB of RAM, mystery iOS app


Rumors give 2012 iPhone shiny new chip, 1GB of RAM, mystery iOS app
We've potentially seen a lot of the next iPhone's exterior; it may be the interior's time for a shakedown, as an unusually detailed rumor out of 9to5 Mac has claimed scads more about the processor and iOS 6. Going by the tips, the 2012 design would use an S5L8950X, a processor with unknown specs but likely a step ahead of what we've seen in the iPhone 4S (8940X) and new iPad (8945X). There would likewise be a new spin on the PowerVR SGX543 graphics from the iPad as well as 1GB of RAM -- which doesn't sound like much next to a 2GB Galaxy S III, but stands to produce a similar speed boost for a lightweight platform like iOS. As for iOS 6 itself, the software is supposedly using underlying code newer than recent OS X Mountain Lion builds and is dumping Google Maps, as some have claimed ever since iPhoto for iOS made that step in the spring. The new Maps app (possibly pictured here) is said to be rough, but the OS as a whole could be coming along so swimmingly that Apple might have no trouble shipping on time. As always, we're skeptical when so much detail is in flux. The rumor still jives with much more tangible behavior from Apple, such as its experimentation with 32-nanometer processors and a tendency for Apple to refine the chip from the current year's iPad for the iPhone months later. We may know the accuracy soon enough: more leaks are promised in the next two weeks, including an "entirely new iOS app."Rumors give 2012 iPhone shiny new chip, 1GB of RAM, mystery iOS app originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 17:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | 9to5 Mac | Email this | Comments

The Rumored iPhone 5′s Four Inch Front Panel Can Nearly Swallow An Old iPhone Whole

Posted: 31 May 2012 03:13 PM PDT

The Rumored iPhone 5′s Four Inch Front Panel Can Nearly Swallow An Old iPhone Whole


The Rumored iPhone 5′s Four Inch Front Panel Can Nearly Swallow An Old iPhone Whole
Another day, another iPhone 5 leak. This time we're looking at a four-inch long front panel of what appears to be a new iPhone. This panel suggests a longer, 16:9 style body and screen and lines up with previous news of a longer iPhone casing with a Micro USB port on the bottom. I'm very skeptical in regards to these videos simply because rapid prototyping and sourcing is getting so simple these days anyone can carve out a convincing iPhone shell and take some good footage of it. Am I skeptical enough to dismiss this outright, however? No.

Phoenix project wants to rise from the ashes of webOS with open source wings

Posted: 31 May 2012 03:13 PM PDT

Phoenix project wants to rise from the ashes of webOS with open source wings


Phoenix project wants to rise from the ashes of webOS with open source wings
It looks like webOS isn't going quietly into the mobile OS retirement home. While its journey to open-source continues, an eager cabal of developers, fans and designers have decided to reignite the ill-fated operating system under the banner of Phoenix International Communications. Focusing its efforts on transporting open webOS to existing devices, both HP-made and otherwise, Phoenix also wants throw in some new features and fixes -- presumably throwing in some extra software gems and UI tweaks. If it all goes to plan, the organization even wants to bring new webOS devices to market -- a heady dream, but you've got to admire their pluck. Any webOS devotees out there can pledge their allegiance (and assistance) to the cause at the source below.Phoenix project wants to rise from the ashes of webOS with open source wings originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Phoenix International Communications | Email this | Comments

XBMC audio engine gets big rewrite, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio hit you...

Posted: 31 May 2012 02:38 PM PDT

XBMC audio engine gets big rewrite, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio hit your media hub


XBMC audio engine gets big rewrite, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio hit your media hub
Fans of XBMC who've wanted their HTPCs to replace the higher-end components of a home theater setup, like Blu-ray players and higher-end receivers, are having their wishes fulfilled through a completely reworked sound system. AudioEngine, as it's called, can processevery stage of audio encoding and decoding, even with 7.1-channel formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. As the code uses more precise floating point math, the improvements can bolster heavily compressed audio and allow for upmixing from stereo to a native surround format. Sound should sync more closely to video and avoid any jarring interruptions from system sounds, too. The AudioEngine update is still limited to experimental nightly builds of XBMC, so don't be surprised if something goes awry, but it's slated as part of the main development track and should be a boon for just about any XBMC media junkie before long.XBMC audio engine gets big rewrite, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio hit your media hub originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 17:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink XBMC | XBMC nightly builds | Email this | Comments

LeMay: America's Car Museum

Posted: 31 May 2012 02:38 PM PDT

LeMay: America's Car Museum


LeMay: America's Car Museum
A first look at one of the largest car museums before its June 1 opening.

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 review

Posted: 31 May 2012 02:04 PM PDT

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 review


Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 review
What is a DJ? Everyone who considers him or herself one can probably give you a unique answer. Is everyone with a music collection and a sense for good timing a DJ, or does their music collection have to exceed a certain number of gigabytes or slabs of vinyl to be in the club (no pun intended)? Audio playback devices are certainly getting more plentiful and powerful on a large scale; anyone who's played with an iOS DJ app can tell you that. In the deeper end of the DJ pool, things aren't expanding at such a frantic pace. But every once in a while a new toy crops up that adds depth and breadth to the way music nerds play back music. Native Instruments' just-released Traktor Kontrol F1 is a blinking slab of rainbow-tinged hardware with an intense devotion to manipulating samples. While boxes from Roland and Akai have been defining genres for decades, this 16-pad add-on takes the sampling game to a new arena. Will DJ's want it? We feel it's safe to say they will. At $279, should they buy it? That question's a little more complicated.Continue reading Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 reviewNative Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

SparkFun launches ProtoSnap MiniBot for the budding roboticist

Posted: 31 May 2012 02:04 PM PDT

SparkFun launches ProtoSnap MiniBot for the budding roboticist


SparkFun launches ProtoSnap MiniBot for the budding roboticist
SparkFun struck a chord with many when it released the ProtoSnap series last year. The perforated perfboard housed not only a tiny Arduino compatible chip, but a small host of sensors and components that made assembling simple projects a snap (pun not only intended, but relished). Tomorrow, the company will begin selling the next member of its ProtSnap family -- the MiniBot. Just like its predecessors, the ProtoSnap MiniBot is based around an Arduino compatible microcontroller (specifically ATmega328) and features a number of components that can easily be detached when you're ready to move from prototype to a more permanent arrangement. The onboard selection components is fairly limited. The base is a relatively bare perfboard with a 9v battery holder on one side and two wheels connected to a motor on the other. Up front is two IR sensors that can be used for basic controls. Of course, it's simple enough to expand on the basic platform with any host of sensors and components, like servos or RF receivers. Ultimately it's up to your imagination and skill level, which is why SparkFun is primarily targeting the kits at the educational market. The company's new educational outreach program is making a big push to put the ProtoSnap MiniBot in classrooms across the country, starting with high schools and trade schools, as a bridge from more simplistic robotics kits to the more advanced projects tackled at the university level. The completely open source robotics platform will be available tomorrow for $74.95. As soon as we can get our mitts on one our own we'll return with a thorough hands on... one that reveals just how much smarter the average high school kid is than us.SparkFun launches ProtoSnap MiniBot for the budding roboticist originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 16:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

The Engadget Podcast, live at 5:00PM ET!

Posted: 31 May 2012 02:04 PM PDT

The Engadget Podcast, live at 5:00PM ET!


The Engadget Podcast, live at 5:00PM ET!
Spring weather has returned to New York City, and we've returned to our makeshift studio once again. Tim and Brian will joined by Terrence, for an in-depth beard comparison and maybe some tech talk.Continue reading The Engadget Podcast, live at 5:00PM ET!The Engadget Podcast, live at 5:00PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Honda First in Perceived Quality

Posted: 31 May 2012 02:04 PM PDT

Honda First in Perceived Quality


Honda First in Perceived Quality
Ford and Hyundai are most improved in brand quality study.

Fly Or Die: HTC Evo 4G LTE [TCTV]

Posted: 31 May 2012 01:29 PM PDT

Fly Or Die: HTC Evo 4G LTE [TCTV]


Fly Or Die: HTC Evo 4G LTE [TCTV]
I'm smack dab in the middle of my HTC Evo 4G LTE review (the full review will be up tomorrow), but as I judge, I felt the need to bring John Biggs into the mix for a little Fly or Die. Now, John is notoriously hard on Android phones, namely because they're all incredibly similar. The Evo 4G LTE is no different. I, on the other hand, think it brings some pretty strong design language to the table, which could be great for someone looking to stand out.

PowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on

Posted: 31 May 2012 01:29 PM PDT

PowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on


PowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on
PowerA's best known as a company that crafts controllers and accessories for console gaming systems, but at E3 this year the firm is announcing its first foray into the mobile space: a Bluetooth controller for Android. Called the MOGA, its got dual analog sticks and shoulder buttons, along with a fold-out, spring-loaded center portion that holds phones of all sizes in place while you get your game on -- not unlike Gametel's controller we saw at CES. The front of the device is glossy black plastic, while the rear is swathed in rubber, with ribbed portions on the grips to keep it firmly in hand.Gallery: PowerA Moga Bluetooth game controller press shots A companion app, available for free through the Google Play store, is also a part of the Moga experience. Called the MOGA Pivot app, it scans your phone for games compatible with the controller, lists them, and lets you launch them direct from the app. Not only that, it'll periodically update the games list as new games are acquired and it'll download patch kits automatically for existing games as they become compatible with the controller. Additionally, it's got a store (powered by Google Play) that'll let users download new compatible games, and titles in the Play Store will have a badge to let folks know which games work with Moga. Currently, the company has 14 games on board -- including Duke Nukem 3D, Virtua Tennis Challenge and Sonic CD -- and are in talks with some other big publishers, so more titles will be supported in the coming weeks and months. We got a sneak peek at the MOGA ahead of E3 and talked with the folks from PowerA about their newest bit of kit, so join us after the break for our impressions.Gallery: PowerA Moga Bluetooth game controller hands-onContinue reading PowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-onPowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 16:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Archive of Jobs videos makes iTunes go all things Steve

Posted: 31 May 2012 01:29 PM PDT

Archive of Jobs videos makes iTunes go all things Steve


Archive of Jobs videos makes iTunes go all things Steve
The mark that Steve Jobs left on the industry is a deep one, indeed. But aside from regular product announcements, we didn't see all that much of the Apple founder. Jobs's appearances at the All Things Digital conference certainly do a little to remedy the late-executive's notoriously private nature, and now you can watch them all from the comfort of your own Apple-branded media player. All Things D has released Jobs's six lengthy interviews in video and audio format via iTunes.Archive of Jobs videos makes iTunes go all things Steve originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink All Things D | iTunes | Email this | Comments

California's low-emission vehicle rules enhancing market for ZEV credits

Posted: 31 May 2012 12:56 PM PDT

California's low-emission vehicle rules enhancing market for ZEV credits


California's low-emission vehicle rules enhancing market for ZEV credits
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Tesla Motors, Legislation and Policy The California Air Resources Board's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate has already created so-called "compliance cars." The corollary is a growing market for ZEV credits. That is, a way for companies who aren't selling enough ZEVs (which, in this case, include pure electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and ultra-low emission plug-in hybrids) can buy credits from companies who have sold too many. Wait, that sounds funny. Who have sold more ZEVs than CARB requires them to. Unsurprisingly, Nissan and Tesla are the two companies with the most credits to offer, while Chrysler and Honda might be in the position to need to buy some. Andy Palmer, a Nissan executive vice president, told Bloomberg recently that Nissan is "in a fortunate position of having positive credit," but hasn't yet publicly announced exactly what it plans to do with the credits. Tesla has already sold some credits to Honda and an unnamed automaker. The rules don't requite public disclosure of price or number sold. If an automaker doesn't earn or buy enough credits, it has to pay a fine. According to Bloomberg, the number of credits a company earns per vehicle depends on its range and recharge time. A Leaf is worth three, a Model S equals seven. The ostensible point of the ZEV rules is to increase the number of ZEVs on the road. Since California's rules are in effect in 12 states total, the expectation is that the largest six automakers will sell 60,000 ZEVs there through 2014 and then a total of 1.4 million by 2025. That's the intent, but if you want to know how CARB's rules play out in the real world, just read this and then this - oh, and this - and you'll understand.California's low-emission vehicle rules enhancing market for ZEV credits originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Google's Sundar Pichai confirms that offline Google Drive 'coming in five weeks,...

Posted: 31 May 2012 12:56 PM PDT

Google's Sundar Pichai confirms that offline Google Drive 'coming in five weeks,' hints at ad-supported Chromebook


Google's Sundar Pichai confirms that offline Google Drive 'coming in five weeks,' hints at ad-supported Chromebook
During the closing session here at D10 in California, Google's on Senior Vice President of Chrome & Apps Sundar Pichai was joined by Susan Wojcicki (SVP of Advertising at Google) at Walt Mossberg. Sundar was able to drive the majority of the conversation in the realm of Chrome and Chrome OS, and quite a few interesting nuggets were dropped. For one, he made an offhand comment that "offline Google Drive [is] coming in five weeks," a clue that it'll be revealed and launched in full at Google I/O next month. On the topic of Chrome's browser market share, he reckoned that around a third of the world's desktop browser use is now done on Chrome, noting that percentages are far, far higher in the consumer realm as compared to enterprise, where lots of companies mandate that employees still use Internet Explorer at work. Oh, and Sundar also stated that it's "not lost on [Google] that it can use advertising to provide better value propositions [for Chromebooks] as well. In other words, Google's at least evaluating an ad-supported Chromebook. Looking for more? A fair amount of the back-and-forth is transcribed after the break.Continue reading Google's Sundar Pichai confirms that offline Google Drive 'coming in five weeks,' hints at ad-supported ChromebookGoogle's Sundar Pichai confirms that offline Google Drive 'coming in five weeks,' hints at ad-supported Chromebook originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

ASUS throws up two more Computex teasers, hints at dual-OS and dual-side devices...

Posted: 31 May 2012 12:56 PM PDT

ASUS throws up two more Computex teasers, hints at dual-OS and dual-side devices (video)


ASUS throws up two more Computex teasers, hints at dual-OS and dual-side devices (video)
After the rather vague teaser from three days ago, ASUS is back with two new videos to highlight its surprises at Computex next week. The first one comes with the tag line "All-in-one is no longer in one," with the money shot being the Windows 8 logo and the Android mascot showing up on two water droplets after they separated. This dual-OS and possibly dual-body concept reminds us of the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid that never really materialized on the market (at the time of publishing this article, Lenovo's product page still embarrassingly says "This laptop is not available to purchase yet"), so we certainly hope ASUS won't fall into the same pit with its upcoming mysterious product. The second teaser, titled "When two sides unite," features a suspended cardboard with "Tai" printed on the left of the white side, and "Chi" on the right of the black side. After a finger smears a dot of paint on the "i" on both sides, the cardboard starts spinning to show a flickering image of "Tai Chi." Our money's on a laptop with a dual-side touchscreen on the lid (the smearing being the hint for touch input), thus saving the need of extra mechanical parts to make a convertible device (and out goes the Eee Pad Slider). Ultimately it depends on whether the cost of such double-sided displays like LG's would be feasible for ASUS to realize this idea; or worse yet, this could be just a matter of slapping two display panels back to back à la Samsung SCH-W999, which might not make sense when you take both weight and cost into consideration. Well, we shall find out the truth in a few days. Check out the video clips after the break.Continue reading ASUS throws up two more Computex teasers, hints at dual-OS and dual-side devices (video)ASUS throws up two more Computex teasers, hints at dual-OS and dual-side devices (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ASUS | Email this | Comments

Microsoft confirms upgrade path and pricing for Windows 8

Posted: 31 May 2012 12:21 PM PDT

Microsoft confirms upgrade path and pricing for Windows 8


Microsoft confirms upgrade path and pricing for Windows 8
We've just gotten a thorough look at the Windows 8 Release Preview, and Microsoft has now also finally confirmed what the upgrade path will look like for those buying PCs before the OS is officially released later this year. Microsoft will be rolling out a Windows Upgrade Offer in no less than 131 markets starting June 2nd, which will let anyone who buys an eligible Windows 7-based PC upgrade to Windows 8 Pro upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 -- that offer will be valid through January 31th, 2013. Upgrade offers for those who already own a Windows 7-based PC will also be announced in the "coming months," but there's no details on those just yet.Microsoft confirms upgrade path and pricing for Windows 8 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Microsoft | Email this | Comments

Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressions

Posted: 31 May 2012 12:21 PM PDT

Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressions


Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressions
More Info Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview detailed impressions Windows 8 Release Preview coming 'first week of June' Microsoft reveals more multi-monitor improvements in Windows 8 Release Preview (video) Until now, it seemed like Microsoft was gearing up to unveil the almost-final Windows 8 Release Preview in the first full week of June, just in time for what is sure to be the world's premier Ultrabook trade show. As it turned out, though, the folks in Redmond couldn't contain their jubilation any longer: the company is now rolling out the Release Preview several days ahead of schedule. The update, free to anyone who wants to try it, offers a few notable enhancements, including a trio of new apps, a "Flip ahead" browser gesture, Flash support and a couple of updated multi-monitor features. A few heavy hitters like Wikipedia and Box.net are also using the occasion to debut apps in the Windows Store. And the OS is now available in 13 languages. Mostly, though, this update brings performance and stability fixes, along with granular tweaks like being able to pin stocks to the Start screen. Certainly, a two-hour press conference was not necessary this time around. Ready to upgrade from the Consumer Preview? Just remember that you'll need to a do a clean install, which means unless your user account is tied to a Microsoft ID you're going to lose your personal settings. Got it? Good. Get your download on now, and then meet us past the break for some early impressions and a video walk-through of the new features.Gallery: Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressionsContinue reading Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressionsWindows 8 Release Preview detailed impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Microsoft | Email this | Comments

Amazon to start collecting sales tax in New Jersey beginning July of next year

Posted: 31 May 2012 12:21 PM PDT

Amazon to start collecting sales tax in New Jersey beginning July of next year


Amazon to start collecting sales tax in New Jersey beginning July of next year
Taxes. Taxes. Taxes. That's what you folks living within the Garden State will have to pay on Amazon purchases starting July 2013. The recent news -- which is likely to cause some of you to throw a minor temper tantrum -- comes shortly after Jeff Bezos & Co. settled with the Texas government to also begin collecting sales tax in that state. Similar to the Lone Star deal, though, Amazon's agreed to create about 1,500 full-time jobs by building a couple of distribution centers in New Jersey -- and let's face it, job creation is always good news. Sorry, but looks like the Jersey Shore crew will have to spend a couple extra bucks the next time they place an order for that weekly stock of tanning lotion.Amazon to start collecting sales tax in New Jersey beginning July of next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Forbes | State of New Jersey | Email this | Comments

Skype CEO Tony Bates confirms 250m monthly users, talks Microsoft partnership an...

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:46 AM PDT

Skype CEO Tony Bates confirms 250m monthly users, talks Microsoft partnership and future plans


Skype CEO Tony Bates confirms 250m monthly users, talks Microsoft partnership and future plans
Skype CEO Tony Bates just took the stage here on the final day of D10, and he got right into the news delivery mindset: as of now, there are 250 million monthly connected users. Said Bates, "When we closed [the Microsoft deal], we had 170 million monthly users, so haven't skipped a beat in terms of momentum." Continuing on when asked from Kara Swisher about integration with Microsoft, Bates said: "I'm not going to talk about future products, but I'll steal a line from Tim Cook. We're going to double-down on integration with Windows 8, and we're doing to double-down on secrecy." Specifically, he mentioned that there'd be some "great integration points" with Windows 8, noting that Skype is viewed as an "experience, with most folks viewing it as a Swiss army knife, regardless of where and how it's used." Kara followed up with a question on Kinect, and Bates did his best to dodge the question by re-referencing intent on Windows 8 and Windows Phone -- there wasn't a peep mentioned in either direction on if it'd end up there. Kara asked what his most important smartphone platform was, and Bates said: "I wouldn't classify it as one most important. As far as download numbers, it's absolutely iPhone, but Android is gaining momentum. Our top priority is mobile; we made two acquisitions in that space. The Android marketplace -- as many know -- is quite fragmented, and this was a big challenge for us from an engineering standpoint. This team in the Qik acquisition really helped us there. I'm very hopeful -- Windows Phone is very exciting for me because of that people-centric nature." Kara pushed to see if Windows Phone would get a "special" version of Skype, and Bates simply said that he "hopes they can add value." Given that both Windows Phone and Skype now live under the same roof, though, we're guessing that he's underselling things in the effort of "doubling-down on secrecy."Continue reading Skype CEO Tony Bates confirms 250m monthly users, talks Microsoft partnership and future plansSkype CEO Tony Bates confirms 250m monthly users, talks Microsoft partnership and future plans originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 14:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

TC/Gadgets Webcast: WWDC Expectations, E3 Excitement, And The Death Of The Spec

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:46 AM PDT

TC/Gadgets Webcast: WWDC Expectations, E3 Excitement, And The Death Of The Spec


TC/Gadgets Webcast: WWDC Expectations, E3 Excitement, And The Death Of The Spec
Quite a bit hangs on the horizon in the world of gadgets. E3 is right around the corner, as is WWDC (Apple's Developer conference), and while hardware gets cooler and cooler, the spec does not. John, Matt and I discuss this and more in this week's TC/Gadgets webcast.

Microsoft outs Windows Server 2012 release candidate ahead of big Windows 8 reveal

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:46 AM PDT

Microsoft outs Windows Server 2012 release candidate ahead of big Windows 8 reveal


Microsoft outs Windows Server 2012 release candidate ahead of big Windows 8 reveal
Today marks the much-anticipated debut of Microsoft's Windows 8 Release Preview, and just ahead of that unveiling Redmond has posted the server edition of the new OS. Now available for download, the Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate includes a made-over Server Manager and replaces the Start Menu with the Metro UI. Moreover, Microsoft has reportedly removed legacy code that would allow users to boot into the classic desktop Start Menu. Windows Server 2012 will also feature the new Resilient File System for handling heavy-duty data and managing shared storage across machines. Applications that run on the current Windows Server 2008 should be compatible with this new versionMicrosoft outs Windows Server 2012 release candidate ahead of big Windows 8 reveal originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Microsoft TechNet | Email this | Comments

PSA: Verizon Galaxy Nexus' Android 4.0.4 update is rolling out now

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:46 AM PDT

PSA: Verizon Galaxy Nexus' Android 4.0.4 update is rolling out now


PSA: Verizon Galaxy Nexus' Android 4.0.4 update is rolling out now
Verizon said it was pushing out the Android 4.0.4 upgrade for its edition of the Galaxy Nexus, and it meant business: we've received tips and reports that some owners have been getting the update over the air within the past day. The long-overdue update upgrades the calendar and sorts out problems with email as well as the 4G device itself. It will likely take a few weeks before every Galaxy Nexus owner on Big Red is up to speed, but there's no doubt that many of them will just be happy to have caught up to the One True Nexus in features and fixes. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]PSA: Verizon Galaxy Nexus' Android 4.0.4 update is rolling out now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Central | Verizon (PDF) | Email this | Comments

Lit Motors C1 two-wheeled encased motorcycle prototype rolls, rocks!

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

Lit Motors C1 two-wheeled encased motorcycle prototype rolls, rocks!


Lit Motors C1 two-wheeled encased motorcycle prototype rolls, rocks!
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Videos Nothing makes us green geeks giddy like the emergence of a vehicle with revolutionary potential. The C1 from Lit Motors is one such mode of transport. Looking at the original mock-up, we can easily imagine a future with streets full of these enclosed motorcycles, some autonomous and networked, efficiently taking their owners from A to B in a tidy, space-saving fashion. That dream is still a ways off, but the San Francisco-based company behind this brilliant idea has just taken its first giant step forward with the completion of a proof-of-concept prototype. Though it resembles something sent back in time from a future slightly more dystopian than the one we were musing about earlier, the raw metal shell contains the basic bits that fulfill the promise of a self-balancing two-wheeler: it drives forward - and in reverse - and doesn't fall over. True, it can only safely be driven up to ten miles per hour and, for now, just the rear wheel contains a motor (from EnerTrac). Also, the flywheels used in this version put out 266 pound feet of torque instead of the 1,300 lb-ft that the final specifications call for, so the vehicle gently sways when stopped. Still, considering that the Lit team accomplished this on a $200,000 budget, we can't help but be enthusiastic about the vehicle and look forward eagerly to the next, more functional, iteration. While we go to the fridge for another glass of kool-aid, scroll down for video from Wired going over the machine and taking it for a bit of a test drive. Scroll a bit further and you'll also find footage of Lit's founder Daniel Kim tentatively trying it out himself.Continue reading Lit Motors C1 two-wheeled encased motorcycle prototype rolls, rocks!Lit Motors C1 two-wheeled encased motorcycle prototype rolls, rocks! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

How-to: Build a multi-talented HTPC for (roughly) $1,000

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

How-to: Build a multi-talented HTPC for (roughly) $1,000


How-to: Build a multi-talented HTPC for (roughly) $1,000
More Info Our 2009 HTPC build The one from 2006 Something completely different This is an auspicious year for building an HTPC or indeed any type of sub-$1,000 rig. Intel's new Ivy Bridge processors are about to exert a nice downward pressure on last year's finest, despite the fact that Sandy Bridge still holds up well for many people's needs -- and much the same can be said of AMD's Llano APUs following the arrival of Trinity. In fact, thanks to the market's regular churn, the HTPC parts we look at after the break could easily fall below their $1,019 total bill before you even pick up your screwdriver. (Okay, so we went slightly over $1,000. It's a free country.) On the other hand, you'd have to be mildly loopy to drop serious cash on a PC that's solely for media consumption. Times have changed since our last build in 2009, and they're unrecognizable compared to the time before that. These days, even ARM-powered smartphones can handle 1080p in and out, nettops with Blu-ray drives can be had for $500 and even totally silent fanless HTPCs are available for around $1,000 (albeit with very modest specs). From that perspective, this is might actually be a terrible time to persuade people that spending a grand on a plain old home-built HTPC makes sense -- and that's why, after the break, we're not even going to try.Continue reading How-to: Build a multi-talented HTPC for (roughly) $1,000How-to: Build a multi-talented HTPC for (roughly) $1,000 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

iFixit reveals Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight's magic -- with lasers

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

iFixit reveals Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight's magic -- with lasers


iFixit reveals Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight's magic -- with lasers
Turns out the secret to the new Nook's patent pending magic glow isn't so magic after all. Nope, it utilizes the wonder of diffraction. Yep, the driving force behind this marriage-saving device is science! Says iFixit in its latest teardown, The display assembly contains the front glass, digitizer, and array of GlowLight LEDs, all fused together into one component. The glass over the E-ink screen takes the light from the eight LEDs and evenly distributes it across the screen. How did the site discover the pending patentness after peeling back the e-reader's layers? Why, lasers, of course, beaming one through the aforementioned glass, which diffracted the green light before it hit a wall, proving once and for all that science can be fun. And ripping gadgets apart, naturally.iFixit reveals Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight's magic -- with lasers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | iFixit | Email this | Comments

Banjo For iOS Becomes More Photo-Friendly Thanks To Update

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

Banjo For iOS Becomes More Photo-Friendly Thanks To Update


Banjo For iOS Becomes More Photo-Friendly Thanks To Update
Banjo, the slightly creepy social discovery app that shows you who's doing what nearby, has been updated today with a handful of new tweaks for its iOS version. Sorry Android folks -- you'll have to sit this one out for the time being. Here's a quick recap if you've never messed with Banjo before. Banjo pulls in geo-tagged pictures and updates from all of the major social platforms (think Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare and the like), and splays them all onto a map (or into a list) so users can see what's going on around them.

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-First Drive

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:14 AM PDT

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-First Drive


2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-First Drive
It's a better Impreza, but it's still not revolutionary.

HTC EVO 4G LTE hitting Sprint stores on June 2nd

Posted: 31 May 2012 10:42 AM PDT

HTC EVO 4G LTE hitting Sprint stores on June 2nd


HTC EVO 4G LTE hitting Sprint stores on June 2nd
With the phones no longer locked up in customs, the HTC EVO 4G LTE has already shipped out to pre-orderers last week, but it still hasn't been made available in your local Sprint store or third-party affiliate. That will all change this Saturday, June 2nd, as the Now Network has announced that the device will launch "in most retail channels." If you're hoping to grab one, just make sure you get to sleep early on Friday night so you can enjoy your new toy well-rested.HTC EVO 4G LTE hitting Sprint stores on June 2nd originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments