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Thursday, June 7, 2012

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FTC tells ITC that bans over standards-based patents aren't kosher, looks warily...

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 03:28 PM PDT

FTC tells ITC that bans over standards-based patents aren't kosher, looks warily at Motorola and Samsung


FTC tells ITC that bans over standards-based patents aren't kosher, looks warily at Motorola and Samsung
Most of the scrutiny over abuse of standards-based patents has come through European Union investigations of Motorola and Samsung. That attention might come to the US if the Federal Trade Commission has its way. It just sent a letter to the International Trade Commission arguing that companies should be blocked from landing bans if they base their disputes on standards. These kinds of blockades "deter innovation" and spur companies to try for much more of a cash windfall from a patent than it's really worth, the FTC argues. The letter doesn't directly accuse anyone of getting their fingers dirty, but there's little doubt that it's referring to Motorola (now part of Google) and Samsung: their varying ITC disputes against Apple and Microsoft are often based around standards patents for technologies like 3G and H.264 video, which aren't supposed to demand legal action except as a last resort. An angry FTC missive doesn't constitute a formal investigation that would actively worry either Motorola or Samsung, but it certainly fires a warning shot across the bow.FTC tells ITC that bans over standards-based patents aren't kosher, looks warily at Motorola and Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 18:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Ars Technica | CNET | Email this | Comments

Bloomberg: Apple to offer Baidu search to Chinese iPhone users

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 03:28 PM PDT

Bloomberg: Apple to offer Baidu search to Chinese iPhone users


Bloomberg: Apple to offer Baidu search to Chinese iPhone users
Apple is reportedly lining up Baidu to join the search engines available on iOS devices when the sixth iteration of the operating system is detailed next week. Baidu serves around 80 percent of queries in the country and the move will serve Cupertino's twin goals of placing Google at arm's length and gain more traction in Asia. It's not likely to replace Mountain View's place at the top of the menu, but users will be able to make a switch in the settings menu. Whatever happens, we'll be there to catch every revelation when Tim Cook takes to the stage next week.Bloomberg: Apple to offer Baidu search to Chinese iPhone users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments

Saab Will Aid Abandoned Owners

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 03:28 PM PDT

Saab Will Aid Abandoned Owners


Saab Will Aid Abandoned Owners
Saab Automobile Parts AB to supply abandoned Saab owners in America.

OnLive Multiview on an LG Google TV, eyes-on (video)

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:54 PM PDT

OnLive Multiview on an LG Google TV, eyes-on (video)


OnLive Multiview on an LG Google TV, eyes-on (video)
Between the giant screen gaming demos, the shiny new hardware and the ever-present booth babes, the Electronic Entertainment Expo may well be the short attention span capital of North America at the moment. How does one possible manage to up the ante on electronic attention deficit disorder? Nintendo and Microsoft have both made pretty admirable strives in that direction with the Wii U GamePad and SmartGlass, respectively, bringing a second screen to home game play. OnLive is helping move things along as well, by way of the MultiView feature, which brings several screens worth of content to a single display -- in other words, you have have other games taking up screen real estate while you're playing a game. OnLive's Spectate feature is nothing new, of course, letting you keep tabs on friends and scores of other players. MultiView, however, lets you watch that content while playing, the majority of the screen devoted to your own game, with this added footage in a sidebar. You can access the feature with the click of a button and chat with friends or coordinate with teammates. OnLive showed us the feature on an LG G2 Google TV -- the perfect opportunity for the company to highlight the new partnership. The 55-inch display also served as an ideal demo -- while the feature will also be available for mobile devices, you're really going to want a big screen, lest the whole thing become a little too cacophonous.Continue reading OnLive Multiview on an LG Google TV, eyes-on (video)OnLive Multiview on an LG Google TV, eyes-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Chevy Boosts Electric Range of Volt

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:54 PM PDT

Chevy Boosts Electric Range of Volt


Chevy Boosts Electric Range of Volt
A tweaked battery ekes out more EPA-rated electric miles for the 2013 Volt.

Teen Jailed for Texting-Related Crash

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:20 PM PDT

Teen Jailed for Texting-Related Crash


Teen Jailed for Texting-Related Crash
Sentencing after the fatal crash has continued to fuel controversy.

Facebook App Center for mobile leaks out on iOS, uses peer pressure to clinch th...

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:20 PM PDT

Facebook App Center for mobile leaks out on iOS, uses peer pressure to clinch the sale


Facebook App Center for mobile leaks out on iOS, uses peer pressure to clinch the sale
While Facebook said it would deliver a version of its App Center store for mobile, it was shy on how that would work. An early iOS tester (since confirmed by TechCrunch) apparently didn't want to wait for an official explanation and slipped out a handful of shots: they show a mobile-optimized store that will look familiar to anyone who's picked up an iPhone or an Android phone in the past few years, but with an appropriately social bent. Friends' recommendations come front and center, and are so prominent that they take precedence over the app description; we're wondering if Facebook isn't pressuring us into downloading apps like it's a schoolyard dare. Facebook is still reluctant to say when App Center will hit pint-size proportions for everyone, though the largely complete-looking test version gives us hope for a quicker launch.Facebook App Center for mobile leaks out on iOS, uses peer pressure to clinch the sale originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TechCrunch | Email this | Comments

A conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a b...

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 01:46 PM PDT

A conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living room


A conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living room
Microsoft SmartGlass hands-on Xbox SmartGlass: did Microsoft just render the Wii U controller obsolete? Microsoft's Marc Whitten: SmartGlass is the 'enabling technology' of IE on Xbox 360 What good is a surprise if you already saw it coming? When I mention to Microsoft's Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox Live and the man who has shepherded SmartGlass to its debut, that we kind-of-sort-of knew that his baby was set to be announced at E3 before the company got a chance to show do so, he lets out a frustrated laugh. "Yeah..." He'd hoped the unveiling at the company's pre-show keynote would be the first time we, and everyone else in the industry, got eyes on the fruit of his and his team's labors. But, when I tell him we were still genuinely surprised at the scope of SmartGlass, and genuinely impressed at the potential, he seems genuinely pleased and reminds us that what we've seen is "all just the beginning." Join us after the break for an exploration of what comes next for Microsoft SmartGlass.Continue reading A conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living roomA conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living room originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

2013 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid snapped almost completely exposed

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 01:13 PM PDT

2013 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid snapped almost completely exposed


2013 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid snapped almost completely exposed
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Honda, Spy Shots Look what our spies stumbled upon the other evening in Los Angeles: It's the 2013 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, sans cladding. While these night shots aren't the best quality, we have yet to see any more revealing images of the next-generation Honda family sedan. Forget for a minute that this Accord is clearly the plug-in hybrid variant - you can tell by the extra fuel filler door on the front fender - and just check out the grille and those headlights. Look familiar? It should, unless you missed the Honda Concept C at the recent Beijing Motor Show. We're glad to see that its more aggressive front fascia has been applied nearly lock, stock, and smoking barrel to the Accord. (Is there any Honda that more needs this shot in the arm?) But it does raise some questions about the first set of 2013 Accord spy shots we saw last week, which show the car wearing a different nose. Will Honda have two different looks for the new Accord, one for the Plain Jane sedan and another, more exciting front fascia for its green model? It's a strategy that Hyundai employs on the Sonata, but we certainly can't confirm such a theory yet. We do, however, have some evidence of what Honda will be doing to the rear end of the Accord, which is making it more aerodynamic via those squared-off bumper edges on either side of the car. The car snapped in the pictures also appears to have a little spoiler on the lip of the trunk, though again, we can't say whether these details are exclusive to the Accord Plug-In Hybrid or might make their way into all the Accord models. Either way, these images look promising, as they show a car that's both more attractive and dynamic than the eighth-generation Accord we've been living with since 2008.2013 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid snapped almost completely exposed originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

MPAA may let Megaupload users retrieve non-copyrighted files, does it for the Ar...

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 01:12 PM PDT

MPAA may let Megaupload users retrieve non-copyrighted files, does it for the Armed Forces


MPAA may let Megaupload users retrieve non-copyrighted files, does it for the Armed Forces
Megaupload's still immersed in hot water, but there are signs the legal temperature could be cooling... slightly. Don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet though, as a significant portion of that confiscated cache of cloud-stored files remains somewhat indefinitely under lock and key. A minor reprieve may be on the way, however, owing to a much more "sympathetic" MPAA which has asked the court to consider releasing non-illegally obtained content to previous users. And lest your evil eye be trained too heavily upon the Hollywood group behind the shutdown, the association's made it quite clear that, under the site's TOS, users were never guaranteed continued access to uploaded content anyway. The change of heart comes in response to a motion filed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, on behalf of a member of the U.S. military, petitioning the return of personal, non-IP infringing files. According to the now-defunct site's founder Kim Dotcom, that group of "legitimate" users comprised nearly 16,000 accounts utilized primarily to share photos and video with far away family and friends. Of course, should this retrieval request be granted, a requisite procedure will need to be put in place to filter out copyrighted media -- a system that's sure to pose countless headaches for those involved. Nothing's yet been decided so, for now, the fate of your lost files rests firmly in the court's hands. Such are the perils of the cloud.MPAA may let Megaupload users retrieve non-copyrighted files, does it for the Armed Forces originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TorrentFreak | Email this | Comments

Microsoft patent application could see a touchscreen tabletop that caters to the...

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:37 PM PDT

Microsoft patent application could see a touchscreen tabletop that caters to the eye of the beholder


Microsoft patent application could see a touchscreen tabletop that caters to the eye of the beholder
It's all about perspective. At least, that's what we've gleaned from a Surface skim (hard wink) of this Microsoft patent application. Filed back in December of 2010, the USPTO doc describes a touchscreen tabletop imbued with a "view-restrictive filter" that, presumably, projects content in an orientation specific to a user's viewing angle, switching between diffuse and transparent states. Unsure of just what that means? Imagine, then, an ordinary-looking glass conference table surrounded by suit-and-tie types that, at the flick of a finger, turns into multiple personal computing displays. Bear in mind, this is all conjecture based on some densely-worded legalese and the IP in question's still lingering in a governmental limbo. That said, there could come a day when the Office of the future (harder wink) could look a lot like this. In the tech industry, nothing's off the table (hardest wink).Microsoft patent application could see a touchscreen tabletop that caters to the eye of the beholder originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Apple snags broader design patent for the MacBook Air's wedge shape

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:02 PM PDT

Apple snags broader design patent for the MacBook Air's wedge shape


Apple snags broader design patent for the MacBook Air's wedge shape
It's not the first design patent related to the MacBook Air that Apple has received, but the one it managed to obtain from the USPTO earlier this week is certainly the broadest to date. As explained by The Verge, this one is intended to cover the laptop's distinctive wedge shape, or what's indicated by the solid lines in the illustrations included with the patent. That doesn't include things like the hinge, rear or sides of the device, but it would appear to give Apple some fairly solid ground to stand on should it choose to go after other laptop manufacturers using a "substantially similar" wedge shape (regardless of any other differences). Those interested can examine the full patent at the link below.Apple snags broader design patent for the MacBook Air's wedge shape originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Verge, USPTO | Email this | Comments

Cronus adapter lets you play Xbox 360 with a PS3 controller and vice versa (video)

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:02 PM PDT

Cronus adapter lets you play Xbox 360 with a PS3 controller and vice versa (video)


Cronus adapter lets you play Xbox 360 with a PS3 controller and vice versa (video)
There's nothing quite so enlightening as a solution to a problem you didn't realize you had. RaptorFire's booth, tucked away in the back corner of the LA Convention Center's South Hall was offering up just that, in form of Cronus, a little USB stick that the company promises will "change how you look at gaming." While the little USB adapter's functionality isn't quite so grandiose (same goes for the company's assertion that it's "the greatest invention in gaming since the controller"), the peripheral offers up an interesting proposition -- being able to control your Xbox 360 with a PlayStation 3 controller -- and the other way around. Oh, and Wiimotes are in the mix, as well. The Cronus is a black USB dongle with a small single digit display on the top and a USB input on the rear. Plug it into the console of your choice, sync it up and you should be good to go. We played a round of Battlefield 3, using an Xbox 360 controller on a PS 3 -- and things went smoothly. We didn't get a chance to actually try out the syncing process, but the device's manufacturer assured us that it's quite smooth, for what that's worth.Gallery: Cronus adapter lets you play Xbox 360 with a PS3 controller and vice versaContinue reading Cronus adapter lets you play Xbox 360 with a PS3 controller and vice versa (video)Cronus adapter lets you play Xbox 360 with a PS3 controller and vice versa (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Cronus | Email this | Comments

Hey Bloomberg, HTC Is Not Being Shut Out By Microsoft

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:02 PM PDT

Hey Bloomberg, HTC Is Not Being Shut Out By Microsoft


Hey Bloomberg, HTC Is Not Being Shut Out By Microsoft
At what point did Bloomberg start writing ridiculously sensationalistic and misleading headlines? It apparently started last night with the following: HTC Said To Be Shut Out Of Next Version Of Windows. Last I checked, HTC is in the business of making smartphones, not tablets. The four previous tablets built by HTC were likely built to appease the carriers. Regardless of whether or not HTC is allowed to build devices for Windows 8 proper, that won't be true for Windows Phone 8. The writing's been on the wall. It's not rocket science.

Dolby reveals Atmos launch locations, invites you to come and 'see' the sound

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:30 AM PDT

Dolby reveals Atmos launch locations, invites you to come and 'see' the sound


Dolby reveals Atmos launch locations, invites you to come and 'see' the sound
Dolby's Atmos is being rolled out to a few selected locations to show off the groundbreaking new technology. It lets sound mixers project sounds over your head and around you with pinpoint accuracy -- kinda making you wish it'd kept the "surround-sound" name in reserve for it, really. After the break we've got the list of where it's making its debut, some of which are public, some of which are private -- we wouldn't suggest you try to break into the Skywalker ranch's screening room, for example.Continue reading Dolby reveals Atmos launch locations, invites you to come and 'see' the soundDolby reveals Atmos launch locations, invites you to come and 'see' the sound originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Dolby | Email this | Comments

Google gives a sneak peek at Chrome for Windows 8's Metro UI, plans a test relea...

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:30 AM PDT

Google gives a sneak peek at Chrome for Windows 8's Metro UI, plans a test release soon


Google gives a sneak peek at Chrome for Windows 8's Metro UI, plans a test release soon
Google vowed that it would adapt Chrome to Metro back in March, and it's just now providing its first real look at the Windows 8 revamp. Don't expect a radical remake: it's Chrome, just in Metro. Even so, the very first test releases will support charms for sharing and other cross-OS features, and they will obey Snap View for tablet-friendly Windows 8 multitasking. Metro support will come in the next Dev channel release for those using the Windows 8 Release Preview. Those of us leery of running a pre-beta web browser on top of a beta OS will have to wait some months to see the finished result. That patience should be rewarded through better touchscreen support and refinements to the overall interface, so by the time the dissenting among us are ready to toss Internet Explorer 10 aside, Chrome will be waiting with open arms.Google gives a sneak peek at Chrome for Windows 8's Metro UI, plans a test release soon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google Chromium Blog | Email this | Comments

Rutter breaks electric ton for MotoCzysz at 2012 TT Zero

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 10:58 AM PDT

Rutter breaks electric ton for MotoCzysz at 2012 TT Zero


Rutter breaks electric ton for MotoCzysz at 2012 TT Zero
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Racing The electric ton, she is broken. The magical 100 mile per hour lap speed was shattered during the SES TT Zero when Michael Rutter officially completed a circuit of the Isle of Man's 37.73-mile Snaefell mountain course at an average 104.056 mph aboard the 2012 edition of the Team Segway MotoCzysz E1pc. Besides securing a place in history, Rutter and MotoCzysz also collected a check for £10,000 ($15,490 U.S. at today's rates). While he was first, he was not alone. John McGuinness crossed in 2nd on the Mugen Shinden with a 102.215 mph lap and Mark Miller completed the trinity with the other MotoCzysz E1pc, making the trip at an average 101.065 mph. Rob Barbour crossed the line on the TGM IOT entry in fourth, well below the ton, but at least he crossed. Proving that building a reliable electric racing motorcycle isn't easy, of the 18 bikes entered into the contest, only eight actually made it to the start line and only half of those finished. We can only hope the other teams are better prepared next year, as the performances from the top teams will surely increase. As it is, battery packs - really the most limiting factor - have increased from around 10 kWhs in 2009 to as large as 20 kWhs in this latest contest. While we'll have to wait a little longer for more complete video coverage of the event, we have a couple clips of fly-bys you can check out be simply scrolling below.Continue reading Rutter breaks electric ton for MotoCzysz at 2012 TT ZeroRutter breaks electric ton for MotoCzysz at 2012 TT Zero originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Solar Impulse completes transcontinental flight, runs out of complimentary peanuts

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 10:57 AM PDT

Solar Impulse completes transcontinental flight, runs out of complimentary peanuts


Solar Impulse completes transcontinental flight, runs out of complimentary peanuts
The Impulse solar-powered plane has successfully completed its first transcontinental journey. It took 19 hours to jet between Madrid and Morocco -- with the plane's 12,000 solar cells swallowing enough power to keep it going long into the night. Pilots Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg can now look forward to planning their next voyage: a round the world cruise penciled in for 2014.Continue reading Solar Impulse completes transcontinental flight, runs out of complimentary peanutsSolar Impulse completes transcontinental flight, runs out of complimentary peanuts originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge, BBC News | Solar Impulse | Email this | Comments

Samsung Joins The Linux Foundation

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 10:57 AM PDT

Samsung Joins The Linux Foundation


Samsung Joins The Linux Foundation
Samsung, the world's leading producer of mobile phones, on Tuesday became a Platinum member of the Linux Foundation. Just the seventh company to join at the Platinum level, Samsung will now have a seat on the Linux Foundation Board of Directors. Samsung has long been a participant with the global Linux community, and as the largest manufacturer of Android handsets they've been extremely successful at marketing Linux-powered devices to the masses. This announcement secures Samsung's commitment to Linux and Android. Almost all of the consumer electronic goods produced by Samsung can be powered by Linux, so it makes sense for them to join the Linux Foundation. They'll be in a position to steward embedded Linux development, contribute non-competitive advancements back to the global community, and enjoy the worldwide development efforts focused on Linux and Android.

Goodnight, Sweet $199 16GB BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 10:57 AM PDT

Goodnight, Sweet $199 16GB BlackBerry PlayBook


Goodnight, Sweet $199 16GB BlackBerry PlayBook
The 16GB BlackBerry PlayBook is no more. A rumor began circulating this morning stating that the low-end model was getting the ax and it was apparently true. In a statement released to Engadget RIM confirms and explains that 32GB and 64GB models offer a better value. This means that going forward the least expensive path to the PlayBook is through the $249 32GB model with the 64GB model running $50 more. The PlayBook took too long to mature. In its current state, thanks to BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, the PlayBook is a fine tablet complete with a very capable set of tools. But it took RIM too long to build the product to this state. Rather than launching the tablet with a core set of features, RIM outed the tablet and proceed to update the product over the following months. It wasn't until earlier this year, nearly 9 months after it launched, that the PlayBook finally became a viable product.

Snakebyte tablet gaming controller for Android and iOS hands-on

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 10:22 AM PDT

Snakebyte tablet gaming controller for Android and iOS hands-on


Snakebyte tablet gaming controller for Android and iOS hands-on
If you're a mobile / tablet gaming enthusiast, you may get tired of swiping your fingers across the Retina display or using the on-screen controls. Snakebyte is looking to lend a hand with its upcoming game controller for Android slates and the iPad, so we went hands-on here at E3. The accessory plays nice with tablet PCs running Gingerbread or Ice Cream Sandwich and Apple's portable device outfitted with any iCade-compatible apps. Dressed in a soft-touch coating, the peripheral feels great in the hand and the base is much like a PS3 controller. The unit connects via Bluetooth and pairing it with your mobile gaming device of choice is a breeze. When performing said set-up, you can select from five different modes to suit your needs including gamepad / controller, keyboard and mouse, solo keyboard, solo mouse and iCade mode (iOS-only). You'll always know which setting you've chosen thanks to an LED indicator on the front side of the kit. Touting eight hours of battery life, the gaming accessory charges via USB and will include a simple stand for your slate. Interested? You'll be able to snag one for $40 at the end of July. For now, though, take a peek at the gallery below for a closer look.Gallery: Snakebyte tablet gaming controller hands-onSnakebyte tablet gaming controller for Android and iOS hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Behold, Facebook’s New App Center Leaks Into iOS

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 10:22 AM PDT

Behold, Facebook's New App Center Leaks Into iOS


Behold, Facebook's New App Center Leaks Into iOS
Facebook is planning to launch a new mobile App Center in the coming days -- possibly at an app-themed press event that the company is holding this evening in San Francisco. In the meantime, we've just received a screenshot from an iPhone-using reader who appears to be seeing it live already. We are awaiting confirmation from Facebook, but the image looks legit. Similar to the interfaces that the company showed off in early May when it announced the App Center plans, you can see a left-hand navigation feature within Facebook's feature-heavy iOS app. Apps with unread notifications appear in the top section. If you click through, you see the App Center (and you'll note that the logo in the screenshot also matches what Facebook has previously released).

Tesla will sell 20,000 vehicles next year, CEO says

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT

Tesla will sell 20,000 vehicles next year, CEO says


Tesla will sell 20,000 vehicles next year, CEO says
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors, North America, USA News flash: Elon Musk is thinking big. The Tesla Motors founder has never been conservative with his hopes for his electric-vehicle company, and he didn't disappoint at Tesla's recent annual shareholder meeting, forecasting 2013 vehicle sales of the Tesla Model S sedan at 20,000 units, Automotive News reports. Musk went further, forecasting 35,000 sales in 2014, when Tesla adds the Model X crossover to its lineup. Additionally, Musk says Tesla can achieve positive cash flow with annual sales of just 8,000 vehicles. Tesla hasn't exactly been swimming in profits. It widened its first-quarter loss by 84 percent from a year earlier to $89.9 million as it ramped up production of the Model S. Musk, who said Tesla's 2012 revenue will more than double to somewhere between $560 million and $600 million, added that the Model S will debut in Europe and Japan in six months and will go on sale in China next year. To put Musk's 20,000-vehicle forecast in context, BMW moved about 50,000 units of its 5-Series vehicles in the U.S. last year, while Mercedes-Benz sold about 70,000 C-Class models. Still, the Model S's 20,000 sales would be about double what Audi sold of its slightly cheaper A6 last year. Tesla previously forecast Model S sales for 2012 at 5,000 units. The company said in May that a test of its longest-range Model S produced a single-charge trip of more than 300 miles, beating the company's goal. The Model S' starting price is $57,400, though getting a top-of-the-line version will cost nearly double that. The Model S may be pricey, but it's also popular. Tesla said earlier this week that it has already sold out if its top-of-the-line 'Signature' version, which costs $105,400.Tesla will sell 20,000 vehicles next year, CEO says originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sky+ rolls out a new HD guide starting today, keeps live, DVR and VOD TV level (...

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT

Sky+ rolls out a new HD guide starting today, keeps live, DVR and VOD TV level (video)


Sky+ rolls out a new HD guide starting today, keeps live, DVR and VOD TV level (video)
The last time we checked in on Sky+'s UI, the UK TV broadcaster was updating its set-top boxes around the time of the '08 Olympics and now it's starting to roll out a new look just in time for the 2012 Games. The new guide brings HD graphics with new colors and fonts, improved navigation by displaying listings for eight channels at once (up from six), the ability to sort DVR recordings by genre, and a new landing page that sorts content from various sources -- live, DVR or video on-demand -- by genre. More subtle changes include a now-translucent "search and scan" banner and retooled accessibility menu that puts audio options first. According to Sky the initial rollout will hit tens of thousands of Sky+HD boxes today and slowly grow to millions more by year-end. Check out a few screenshots in the gallery below or a video demo of the new features after the break for a first hand look, then let us know if they suit your viewing style.Gallery: Sky+ HD Guide update 2012Continue reading Sky+ rolls out a new HD guide starting today, keeps live, DVR and VOD TV level (video)Sky+ rolls out a new HD guide starting today, keeps live, DVR and VOD TV level (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sky Views, Sky Guide | Email this | Comments

Tactus' morphing smartphone and tablet display hands-on

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT

Tactus' morphing smartphone and tablet display hands-on


Tactus' morphing smartphone and tablet display hands-on
Tactus Technology, a small start-up out of Freemont, CA, made a big splash at this year's Society for Information Display (SID) conference. The company, which came to Boston, MA toting a single product, showcased an early prototype of its morphing touchscreen display. The screen, which looks and acts like all other smartphone and tablet displays, has a very special and unique feature: it can dynamically create and remove tactile keys on demand. Tactus utilizes a specially designed window that sits directly on top of a display's touch sensor -- which we're told can be fitted to almost any touchscreen -- that has specially designed channels. A "proprietary oil" is, at the behest of the underlying operating system, forced in and out of these channels to raise the display surface and create a tactile interface for the end-user. It's a concept that, much to the delight of ardent smartphone and tablet keyboard lovers, can provide a physical input experience without sacrificing screen real estate. Have a look at our hands-on gallery then saunter past the break to see this tactile touchscreen in action and read our impressions.Gallery: Tactus' morphing smartphone and tablet display hands-on - SID 2012Continue reading Tactus' morphing smartphone and tablet display hands-onTactus' morphing smartphone and tablet display hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Engadget Giveaway: win one of five Biscottis!

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT

Engadget Giveaway: win one of five Biscottis!


Engadget Giveaway: win one of five Biscottis!
No, we're not talking about giving away free cookies -- though nobody could really complain about that. Actually, we have five Biscotti TV phones up for grabs. This attachment hooks up to your TV and gives you the chance to make VoIP video calls via your HDTV. The other party can see you as well, courtesy of the built-in HD webcam. They're valued at $150 each, so it makes for a nice birthday present (or a solid addition to your own home, if you're the selfish type). You know the drill: read the rules, leave a comment and you're entered to win. Good luck!Continue reading Engadget Giveaway: win one of five Biscottis!Engadget Giveaway: win one of five Biscottis! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Yep. Developers Are Still Building For Apple’s iOS Over Android By A Factor Of 2...

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT

Yep. Developers Are Still Building For Apple's iOS Over Android By A Factor Of 2-to-1.


Yep. Developers Are Still Building For Apple's iOS Over Android By A Factor Of 2-to-1.
MG Siegler asked this question yesterday. Where are those awesome Android-exclusive apps that Google chairman Eric Schmidt said were coming? Not here yet, if you look at Flurry's data. The company, which has its mobile analytics service in 185,000 apps and 100 million unique devices, says that developers are still building for iOS over Android by a ratio of 2:1. This ratio is pretty much unchanged from a quarter ago. The main reasons for iOS' continued edge are that monetization is just that much easier plus there are fewer fragmentation issues. "Android delivers less gain and more pain than iOS, which we believe is the key reason 7 out of every 10 apps built in the new economy are for iOS versus Android," wrote the company's vice president of marketing Peter Farago in a post.

Veloster Turbo Starts Under $23,000

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT

Veloster Turbo Starts Under $23,000


Veloster Turbo Starts Under $23,000
The funky Hyundai hatch gets the power it needed in the first place.

7 Most Dangerous Vehicles in the US

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT

7 Most Dangerous Vehicles in the US


7 Most Dangerous Vehicles in the US
Low scores in crash tests land 7 vehicles on a list of treacherous rides.

MotoCzysz e-motorbike crackles past 100MPH at TT Zero for $15,000 prize

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT

MotoCzysz e-motorbike crackles past 100MPH at TT Zero for $15,000 prize


MotoCzysz e-motorbike crackles past 100MPH at TT Zero for $15,000 prize
Jitters over wet track conditions didn't stop MotoCzysz's Michael Rutter from becoming the first electric motorcycle rider at the Isle of Man's TT Zero to hit 100MPH -- aka the fabled "ton". He also snapped up the £10,000 ($15,400) prize offered by the island's government for the achievement, although two other riders also managed to zap the milestone. Being the first to do it was all that counted, though, and after coming close last year, it looks like MotoCzysz's recent doubling up on horsepower seemed to do the trick. Thanks to the boost, Rutter easily cruised past the mark at 104.056MPH. At this rate, a day at the races could become a pretty serene experience. [Thanks, John]MotoCzysz e-motorbike crackles past 100MPH at TT Zero for $15,000 prize originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Torque News | Email this | Comments