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Monday, June 18, 2012

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Sprint's early 4G LTE network tested in controlled conditions, hangs with the bi...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 02:33 PM PDT

Sprint's early 4G LTE network tested in controlled conditions, hangs with the big boys


Sprint's early 4G LTE network tested in controlled conditions, hangs with the big boys
Sprint doesn't have much time to meet its goals and get its 4G LTE network up and running by mid-2012. The Now Network is definitely getting closer, though, and just gave PCMag the chance to test its fledgling LTE in Atlanta. Average speeds on the downlink sit squarely in between AT&T and Verizon, at 9 to 13Mbps, despite Sprint having to use 5MHz channels half as large as what AT&T can muster in some cities. Just don't expect to upload 4K videos from your phone anytime soon: the 2.2Mbps average upload rate is certainly faster than on WiMAX or T-Mobile's HSPA+ network, but it doesn't hold a candle to the 4Mbps or even 6Mbps of Sprint's bigger rivals. We'd likewise take the results with a large grain of salt. Even though Sprint is promising to focus on consistently good speed rather than bragging rights, the tests are in controlled conditions on a mostly unpopulated network. Our hope for now is just that the network goes live and that our EVO 4G LTEs live up to their potential.Sprint's early 4G LTE network tested in controlled conditions, hangs with the big boys originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | PCMag | Email this | Comments

Vodafone gets green light to buy Cable & Wireless, goes on a high-fiber diet

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 02:02 PM PDT

Vodafone gets green light to buy Cable & Wireless, goes on a high-fiber diet


Vodafone gets green light to buy Cable & Wireless, goes on a high-fiber diet
Vodafone has succeeded in its attempt to buy Cable & Wireless in a bid to become the UK's second largest telecoms company. The £1.04 billion ($1.6 billion) purchase had been at risk thanks to a C&W shareholder rebellion, but will will now go ahead barring regulatory approval. Big Red will take control of undersea cables that connect global telephone lines, a booming business division and a national fiber-optic network, which it'll use to boost its mobile data service -- sad news for anyone hoping the company would offer triple-play services on all that shiny fiber.Vodafone gets green light to buy Cable & Wireless, goes on a high-fiber diet originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments

Intel designs neuromorphic chip concept, our android clones are one step closer

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 02:02 PM PDT

Intel designs neuromorphic chip concept, our android clones are one step closer


Intel designs neuromorphic chip concept, our android clones are one step closer
Most neurochip projects have been designed around melding the brain and technology in the most literal sense. Intel's Circuit Research Laboratory, however, is betting that we might get along just fine with neuromorphic (brain-like) computers. By using valves that only have to respond to the spin of an electron, as well as memristors that work as very efficient permanent storage, the researchers believe they have a design that operates on the same spikes of energy that our noggins use rather than a non-stop stream. Along with simply using power levels closer to those of our brains, the technique allows for the very subtle, massively parallel computations that our minds manage every day but which are still difficult to reproduce with traditional PCs. There's still a long path to take before we're reproducing Prometheus' David (if we want to), but we've at least started walking in the right direction.Intel designs neuromorphic chip concept, our android clones are one step closer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MIT Technology Review | Intel proposal (Cornell University) | Email this | Comments

NEC LifeTouch L unveiled: Android 4.0 tablet keeps it thin and light (video)

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 01:29 PM PDT

NEC LifeTouch L unveiled: Android 4.0 tablet keeps it thin and light (video)


NEC LifeTouch L unveiled: Android 4.0 tablet keeps it thin and light (video)
Still looking for that perfect 10-inch Android tablet? Well here's another one slab aiming for your wallet. NEC's latest attempt is the LifeTouch L and lands in 16GB and 32GB sizes, with a business option (with unchanged hardware) on the sidelines. The consumer-facing models are set to arrive on July 5th, with a dual-core 1.5GHz processor running the Android 4.0-based show and despite a 10-inch (1280 x 800) display, it all weighs in at a gentle 540 grams (19 ounces). The tablet also slims down to just -- and we mean just -- under 8mm, or 7.99mm (0.31 inches) to be precise, putting it below even the svelte Toshiba Excite 10. If the substantially heavier 45,000 yen ($570) price tag doesn't make you balk, there's a brief product tour after the break.Continue reading NEC LifeTouch L unveiled: Android 4.0 tablet keeps it thin and light (video)NEC LifeTouch L unveiled: Android 4.0 tablet keeps it thin and light (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | NEC (translated) | Email this | Comments

What Happens When a Car Dies?

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 01:29 PM PDT

What Happens When a Car Dies?


What Happens When a Car Dies?
We speed a BMW 3-series toward its fate in the shredder.

Mitsubishi promises Outlander plug-in hybrid for Paris

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Mitsubishi promises Outlander plug-in hybrid for Paris


Mitsubishi promises Outlander plug-in hybrid for Paris
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Mitsubishi, Paris Motor Show We've been waiting since the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show - when Mitsubishi first talked about the PX-MiEV, a plug-in CUV concept - for some sort of real-world plug-in Outlander. It looks like we're finally going to get our wish during the 2012 Paris Motor Show this fall. Today, Mitsubishi released the not-very-revealing teaser image you see above, and it says the plug-in Outlander will "share its architecture with the soon-to-be-introduced New Outlander's ICE versions." Mitsubishi also claims the Outlander will "be the first permanent 4WD electric car in series production." The New Outlander PHEV will have three drive modes, all of which are 4WD: Pure (all-electric drive), Series (electric drive, supported by the gas generator) and Parallel (ICE engine supported by Twin Motor 4WD). Mitsubishi says the New Outlander PHEV will have a total driving range of 800 km (497 miles) and emit fewer than 50 grams of CO2 per kilometer. As previously noted, the PHEV version of the Outlander should arrive in the spring of 2013. Given the coming pack of plug-in crossovers (see: Tesla Model X, Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid, Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Amp's offerings), if Mitsubishi can get the cost comparatively low, the way the i is compared to the Nissan Leaf, without making it quite as spartan, this thing could carve out a niche for itself. For the moment, though, it sounds like Mitsubishi is only going to sell the new Outlander PHEV in Europe.Continue reading Mitsubishi promises Outlander plug-in hybrid for ParisMitsubishi promises Outlander plug-in hybrid for Paris originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Infinitec updates Pocket TV to 1GB RAM, settles on final design and reaffirms Oc...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Infinitec updates Pocket TV to 1GB RAM, settles on final design and reaffirms October shipments


Infinitec updates Pocket TV to 1GB RAM, settles on final design and reaffirms October shipments
It's another wondrous success story from within the walls of Kickstarter, but honestly, meeting its funding goal was just the start for Infinitec. The outfit's second product, the Pocket TV, is well on its way to becoming a commercialized reality, but backers will be pleased to know that a few changes are being made in order to address some of the most frequently voiced concerns. For starters, the company's doubling the included RAM from 512MB to 1GB. We asked its founders why it'd make such a change, and were told that the boost in memory would enable "snappier performance" throughout, and ensure that it'll handle "the next versions of Android" when updates become available. Wise move. Contrary to the belief of many, such a decision requires more than a simple tweak on a purchase order; Infinitec will be redesigning the final product to look like the item pictured above, and it's bringing on staff in order to adhere to its original shipment month of October. Hungry for even more? There's a minty fresh hands-on video just after the break.Continue reading Infinitec updates Pocket TV to 1GB RAM, settles on final design and reaffirms October shipmentsInfinitec updates Pocket TV to 1GB RAM, settles on final design and reaffirms October shipments originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

Intel christens its 'Many Integrated Core' products Xeon Phi, eyes exascale mile...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 12:26 PM PDT

Intel christens its 'Many Integrated Core' products Xeon Phi, eyes exascale milestone


Intel christens its 'Many Integrated Core' products Xeon Phi, eyes exascale milestone
Been wondering when the next big leap in high performance computing would hit? Well, Intel would like you to believe the time is now and the name of that revolution is the Xeon Phi. Formerly codenamed Knights Corner, the Many Integrated Core product is pushing the field of supercomputers into the era of the exaflop by squeezing a teraflop of performance into a package small enough to plug into a PCIe slot. The Phi brand will, at first at least, be applied to specialized coprocessors designed for highly parallel tasks. The chips are built using Intel's 22nm manufacturing process and 3-D TriGate transistors, piling in more that 50 cores in an effort to combat the inroads made by GPU companies like NVIDIA in the supercomputing space. For more info check out the presentation (PDF) and blog post at the source links.Intel christens its 'Many Integrated Core' products Xeon Phi, eyes exascale milestone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Intel | Intel (PDF), Technology@Intel | Email this | Comments

Face.com acquired by Facebook for an estimated $80 million+, facial tagging clea...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 12:26 PM PDT

Face.com acquired by Facebook for an estimated $80 million+, facial tagging clearly at the forefront


Face.com acquired by Facebook for an estimated $80 million+, facial tagging clearly at the forefront
Facebook already dropped the "the," so why not oversimplify and drop the "book," too? All jesting aside, Facebook is continuing its recent buying spree with the acquisition of Face.com for an estimated $80 - $100 million. The Israeli-based startup is being entirely scooped up by Zuckerberg's social network -- talent and technology included -- and it's fairly obvious that the company's heralded facial recognition IP is what Facebook is truly after. To date, Facebook's desktop tagging recognition is ho hum at best, and it's practically an afterthought on the mobile front; 'course, with Camerao. now being released, it's high time the company got serious about tagging on the go. For those wondering, Face's blog post on the matter seems to make clear that third-parties currently using its API will continue to be supported, and while there aren't specific plans being laid out, we're told that the "next steps are going to be exciting for all of us." In related news, it's tremendously unlikely that Barnes & Noble lets go of book.com in order to give Facebook the pleasure of owning both ends of the URL spectrum.Face.com acquired by Facebook for an estimated $80 million+, facial tagging clearly at the forefront originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink AllThingsD | Face | Email this | Comments

HTC Confirms Wi-Fi Connection Issues In Some Tegra 3-Powered One Xs

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 12:26 PM PDT

HTC Confirms Wi-Fi Connection Issues In Some Tegra 3-Powered One Xs


HTC Confirms Wi-Fi Connection Issues In Some Tegra 3-Powered One Xs
I can't imagine most U.S. HTC fans were glad to hear that AT&T's version of the One X would go without the quad-core Tegra 3 chipset, but now it seems as though they've dodged quite the bullet. Earlier today, HTC acknowledged that some of their Tegra-packing flagship devices were having issues with latching onto a Wi-Fi signal and announced that they've put together a fix for it. Sadly, it'll take more than a software update to remedy the issue (and besides, they already tried that).

Google completes buyout of Magnolia Broadband patents, puts a little extra prote...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 12:26 PM PDT

Google completes buyout of Magnolia Broadband patents, puts a little extra protection under its belt


Google completes buyout of Magnolia Broadband patents, puts a little extra protection under its belt
Magnolia Broadband revealed that Google was buying some of its patents at the start of June, but to say that its confirmation was brief would be an understatement. It's being more verbose now that the transaction has been cleared: Google now owns over 50 patents for beamforming wireless signals. Magnolia characterizes the techniques as important to making the best use of cellular connections, which could well be helpful to a company that just bought Motorola. Having said this, we can't help but think that the various patent battles of Google's recent acquisition may play a part; obtaining cellular-specific patents would give potential attackers a reason to think twice.Continue reading Google completes buyout of Magnolia Broadband patents, puts a little extra protection under its beltGoogle completes buyout of Magnolia Broadband patents, puts a little extra protection under its belt originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Lexus predicts ES 300h hybrid will sell 15,000 a year in U.S.

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Lexus predicts ES 300h hybrid will sell 15,000 a year in U.S.


Lexus predicts ES 300h hybrid will sell 15,000 a year in U.S.
Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus Just how popular is Lexus expecting the ES 300h hybrid to be? Popular enough to move 15,000 units a year once the sedan is debuts for the 2013 model year, Wards Auto reports. Toyota's Luxury badge says the hybrid version will account for about a quarter of the ES 300 sedans sold, largely because its mark-up will be less than those for Lexus's GS and RX hybrids, the later which sells for a $6,600 premium compared to the gas-powered version. Lexus unveiled the new version of the 300h at the New York Auto Show in April. The car will have 200 horsepower and will have an EPA rating of about 40 miles per gallon combined. Lexus is expected to set a price for the car in August.Through May, Lexus hybrid sales were up 38 percent from a year earlier to 13,197 units. Last year, Lexus sold 28,334 hybrids in the U.S., about half of which were CT 200h compacts.Lexus predicts ES 300h hybrid will sell 15,000 a year in U.S. originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Knight Foundation Bets Mobile Sensor Startup, Behav.io, Is The Future of Journalism

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Knight Foundation Bets Mobile Sensor Startup, Behav.io, Is The Future of Journalism


Knight Foundation Bets Mobile Sensor Startup, Behav.io, Is The Future of Journalism
"Our social networks are not Facebook," says Nadav Aharony, an Android project manager and one of the six winners of the Knight Foundation's $1.3 million in grants for media innovation. Instead of intentional online connections, his startup, Behav.io, looks at how peoples' location, network of phone contacts, physical proximity, and movement throughout the day can help us predict range of behaviors -- anything from fitness to app downloads to mass protests. The entire big-data mobile smorgasbord is based on an open source project he helped built at the MIT Civic Media lab, Funf, a public database of android-friendly software for turning cell phone toting-humans into willing lab rates of social experimentation.

Toshiba Excite 7.7 review

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Toshiba Excite 7.7 review


Toshiba Excite 7.7 review
More Info That 7.7-inch Toshiba tablet we saw at CES? It's called the AT270, and it runs Tegra 3 Toshiba announces Excite 10, 7.7 and 13 tablets, Thrive slates on their way out Toshiba pushes AT270 Tegra 3 tablet through the FCC, gets Excited In its sophomore attempt at cranking out Android tablets, Toshiba has unleashed the Excite series, a trifecta of thin tablet terror, upon Terran territory. The tiniest of the Thrive-topping trio is the Tegra 3-toting Excite 7.7, a close competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. It's portable, sports a gorgeous AMOLED display and packs plenty of processing power. Unfortunately for consumers, there aren't too many tablets this small with this nice a display, which means it'll be much easier for Toshiba to be noticed. Coming to the US on June 24th, the WiFi-only version of the 7.7 -- also known as the AT270 -- will be available for $500 with 16GB and $580 for 32GB. It's not the most flattering price tag, but the Tegra 3 and brilliant display help ease the pain your wallet may experience. But is it worth it? You know what to do: head on past the break for our detailed review. Continue reading Toshiba Excite 7.7 reviewToshiba Excite 7.7 review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Audi Brings Diesel to Q5 Crossovers

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Audi Brings Diesel to Q5 Crossovers


Audi Brings Diesel to Q5 Crossovers
SQ5 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel churns out 313 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.

X-37B finally touches down, completing its not-so-secret classified mission (video)

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

X-37B finally touches down, completing its not-so-secret classified mission (video)


X-37B finally touches down, completing its not-so-secret classified mission (video)
After more than a year of circling the globe, the US Air Force's X-37B has finally touched down at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The unmanned, reusable space plane spent 469 days in orbit, performing a number of experiments (many of which are classified) before finally ending its lengthy run Saturday. What exactly the military has learned from the extended orbital excursion is unclear, but, like the Mars rovers before it, the X-37B turned out to be far more robust than many had anticipated. Its mission was originally intended to last just nine months, but its operators managed to milk about six more months out of the craft. While we wait to find out what the next step is, enjoy the video of it landing after the break.Continue reading X-37B finally touches down, completing its not-so-secret classified mission (video)X-37B finally touches down, completing its not-so-secret classified mission (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | | Email this | Comments

DoubleDutch Debuts Pride, A Mobile-Only Yammer Competitor

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

DoubleDutch Debuts Pride, A Mobile-Only Yammer Competitor


DoubleDutch Debuts Pride, A Mobile-Only Yammer Competitor
Following its $2 million Series A this spring, enterprise-focused mobile startup DoubleDutch is today introducing a new app called Pride whose debut coincidentally arrives alongside reports that Microsoft is after a startup that could be Pride's competition: Yammer. Like Yammer, Pride is also focused on workgroup collaboration, but, like most of what DoubleDutch does, it's not just mobile-first, it's mobile-only.

InterDigital sells nearly 2,000 wireless patents to Intel, pockets $375 million

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

InterDigital sells nearly 2,000 wireless patents to Intel, pockets $375 million


InterDigital sells nearly 2,000 wireless patents to Intel, pockets $375 million
InterDigital (we interviewed its CEO last week) is selling off around 1,700 wireless patents and applications to Intel for $375 million. The company is making good on its promise to monetize its vast portfolio of IP, including technologies relating to 3G, WCDMA, HSDPA, HUSPA, LTE and 802.11 WiFi connections. It's a short in the arm for Intel's burgeoning wireless arm, which recently outed its first handset, the San Diego. It'll also strengthen the hand of the company in any litigation relating to the technology should the lawyers come knocking. So far it's not clear if the company is retaining an interest in the files its sold off, but we've reached out for comment and will let you know when we do. Update: The company let us know that it's not retaining any interest in the patents that it's selling off. It also mentioned that the 1,700-strong portfolio equates to around eight percent of the company's overall IP holdings -- a number that it generates roughly every 18 months.Continue reading InterDigital sells nearly 2,000 wireless patents to Intel, pockets $375 millionInterDigital sells nearly 2,000 wireless patents to Intel, pockets $375 million originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Reuters | | Email this | Comments

OPA: iOS And Android Level In U.S. Tablet Market, Penetration 47% By 2013, $2.6B...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

OPA: iOS And Android Level In U.S. Tablet Market, Penetration 47% By 2013, $2.6B Spent On Apps In 2012


OPA: iOS And Android Level In U.S. Tablet Market, Penetration 47% By 2013, $2.6B Spent On Apps In 2012
Apple has captured mindshare in the tablet market with its iPad, but when it comes to actual usage, in the U.S. it is actually neck-and-neck with its chief rival, Android, according to a new study out (direct link here) from the Online Publishers Association. The group found that while iPad ownership outweighed that of Android tablets in 2011 -- 72 percent to 32 percent -- this year those shares have evened out, at 52 percent vs. 51 percent, with a large part of that Android boost coming from the Kindle Fire. The other striking detail in the study is that U.S. tablet usage is growing fast. Currently tablet owners use their devices for 13.9 hours per week on average, with 74 percent using it daily, and some effective business models developing around that in both paid content and advertising. The OPA predicts that penetration will likely approach a tipping point by the end of next year: by 2013, it says 47 percent of consumers will own a tablet, up from a mere 11 percent in 2011: that's pretty impressive growth considering that even with smartphones taking a massive leap forward with the iPhone in 2007 it's taken nearly five years for the majority of U.S. consumers to own a smartphone device.

Celestica phases out BlackBerry-related production for RIM

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Celestica phases out BlackBerry-related production for RIM


Celestica phases out BlackBerry-related production for RIM
If you were looking for signs of a turnaround in BlackBerry market share through the production chain, you'll unfortunately have to keep looking. One of RIM's manufacturers, Celestica, is planning to phase out its production for the smartphone maker through the next three to six months. The contractor is expecting a relatively small cost of no more than $35 million US. Despite the apparent hit, the departure isn't necessarily a sign of mounting trouble for Waterloo: RIM already said that it wanted to streamline its processes to save money, and consolidating its production efforts certainly fits the bill. We'd expect any bounce back in manufacturing levels to come nearer to the BlackBerry 10 launch, when the company hopes to widen its audience once again.Continue reading Celestica phases out BlackBerry-related production for RIMCelestica phases out BlackBerry-related production for RIM originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

China conducts its first crewed spaceship docking, gives southeast Asia its plac...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

China conducts its first crewed spaceship docking, gives southeast Asia its place in space


China conducts its first crewed spaceship docking, gives southeast Asia its place in space
Believe it or not, the only countries to have docked a human-helmed spacecraft in the first 50 years of spaceflight were Russia and the US. That small community just got bigger, as China's Shenzhou-9 has successfully docked with the Tiangong-1 module put in orbit for just such a test. The link-up is being used for experiments in the short term, but it's a key step in a program that will ultimately lead to a full-fledged Chinese space station. On top the wider ambitions, the docking also marks a victory for gender-neutral space travel: Liu Yang, one of three crew members, is the country's first female spacefarer. China's space program has a long road ahead, but it's clear the International Space Station won't be alone for much longer.China conducts its first crewed spaceship docking, gives southeast Asia its place in space originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Space.com | Email this | Comments

Feds Expand Probe to 1.4M Toyotas

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Feds Expand Probe to 1.4M Toyotas


Feds Expand Probe to 1.4M Toyotas
Power-window switches may have caused fires on Camry, other models.

Sincerely Ink And Brit Morin’s Weduary Team Up On Wedding Invites Collection

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Sincerely Ink And Brit Morin's Weduary Team Up On Wedding Invites Collection


Sincerely Ink And Brit Morin's Weduary Team Up On Wedding Invites Collection
Sincerely, the startup behind photo and card-printing mobile apps Postagram, PopBooth, Sincerely Ink and Dotti, has partnered with Brit Morin's latest venture, Weduary, a service for designing social wedding websites. Through the new partnership, Weduary will now offer a special collection of wedding invitations and other wedding-related cards within Sincerely's flagship app, Sincerely Ink.

MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012)

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT

MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012)


MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012)
More Info Apple announces refreshed MacBook Air: Ivy Bridge processor, USB 3.0, shipping today The 2012 MacBook Air vs. the 2011 model: what's changed? ASUS Zenbook Prime UX21A preview The last time we reviewed the MacBook Air, we didn't have a whole lot to compare it to. Sure, there was the original Samsung Series 9, but it was more expensive, at $1,649, and ran off a standard-voltage processor, often at the expense of battery life. Companies like Lenovo and Toshiba already had deep experience making ultraportables, but those notebooks generally weren't as light, or as skinny, as the Air. A year ago, too, Ultrabooks, as we now know them were little more than a concept as far as the computer-buying public was concerned. Today, there are 110-plus Windows-based Ultrabooks on the horizon, leaving consumers with an overwhelming smorgasbord of thin, shockingly powerful laptops. Apple, for its part, has stuck with the same Air design we liked so much the first time around, though it's refreshed the lineup with speedier Ivy Bridge processors and traded those USB 2.0 ports for 3.0. Additionally, the Air can now be configured with more RAM and roomier storage. Oh, and the 13-inch version now starts at $1,200, down from $1,300. (The 11-inch version still goes for $999 and up.) That sounds promising, making an already-excellent laptop faster and less expensive. Still, with so many comparable products on the Windows side, we have to wonder, does Apple really continue to define the category or have other companies narrowed the gap? Let's find out.Gallery: MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012)Continue reading MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012)MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Whoops: Coda rep unplugs Ford Focus Electric driven by Forbes reporter

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Whoops: Coda rep unplugs Ford Focus Electric driven by Forbes reporter


Whoops: Coda rep unplugs Ford Focus Electric driven by Forbes reporter
Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Ford, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Coda Automotive And now a tale that could only take place in the 21st Century, complete with electric cars, Tweets and questionable actions. Forbes staffer Todd Woody recently had a Ford Focus Electric to review and was in Berkeley, CA at a cafe waiting for the car to charge up when his phone buzzed. It was a notification that the charging had been interrupted. When Woody went to investigate, the cord was instead plugged into a Coda Automotive sedan. A Coda that was decked out in manufacturer license plates and very obviously a dealer demo car. Woody Tweeted his displeasure. Turns out, the car belonged to the store manager for the Coda Silicon Valley dealer, who later emailed Woody to say he had assumed the Focus was finished charging since the light on the charger box itself was not on. The official Coda twitter account Tweeted a sort-of apology, saying "Didn't mean to cause any harm @CODASV must've been in a pinch. #needmorepublicharging." Now, Woody agrees with the need for more public charging, but he was in a pinch, too, with only 12 miles left in his pack. He writes that there needs to be more than just politeness to stop charging rage from happening more often: Twice in the past week I've rolled up to parking spots reserved for electric cars in San Rafael in Marin County that were occupied by gas-guzzlers, including a BMW blocking an electric car charger in an otherwise nearly empty parking garage on a Sunday afternoon. Coda isn't issuing an official statement on the matter, but Larkin Hill, the director of corporate communications for Coda Holdings, sent AutoblogGreen a comment, which you can find below.Continue reading Whoops: Coda rep unplugs Ford Focus Electric driven by Forbes reporterWhoops: Coda rep unplugs Ford Focus Electric driven by Forbes reporter originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tesla Roadster driver now halfway around the world, catching up with Citroen tea...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Tesla Roadster driver now halfway around the world, catching up with Citroen team (video)


Tesla Roadster driver now halfway around the world, catching up with Citroen team (video)
Human antagonists can bring far more stress to a journey than a ticking clock. Phileas Fogg learned that, and now Tesla Roadster owner Rafael de Mestre is discovering it too. He wants to be the first to drive a standard EV (i.e. not solar- or hydrogen-powered vehicle) around the world, and just like Jules Verne's hero he intends to do it in 80 days -- but he's not alone. Two Frenchmen in a little Citroen C-Zero (a sibling of the Mitsubishi i) have the same ambition, and although they've budgeted a comfortable eight months for their trip, they already have a three-month head start over de Mestre. As things stand, the Roadster is on a ship bound for China, while the Citroen duo are trundling up through Malaysia. Fortunately, de Mestra's figured out another bit of racing wisdom: the importance of demoralizing your enemies with YouTube clips like the one after the break.Continue reading Tesla Roadster driver now halfway around the world, catching up with Citroen team (video)Tesla Roadster driver now halfway around the world, catching up with Citroen team (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Autoblog Green | Email this | Comments

Engadget Giveaway: win a new iPad (32GB with AT&T), courtesy of Rebtel!

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 08:31 AM PDT

Engadget Giveaway: win a new iPad (32GB with AT&T), courtesy of Rebtel!


Engadget Giveaway: win a new iPad (32GB with AT&T), courtesy of Rebtel!
Nothing like a good post-Father's Day contest to get you fired up for the week, and this time we have a new iPad up for grabs. The offering is made possible by Rebtel, the largest independent VoIP provider. The service recently launched its own iPad-specific app, which will hook you up with calls and texts over WiFi and 3G. It's free to chat it up with other folks using Rebtel, while you can get ahold of everyone else at an inexpensive cost. As for other platforms, Android and Windows Phone clients are on the way later this year. As an added bonus, the service is also throwing in a credit of $100 to the winner (see rules for details). As always, head downward and leave a comment in order to win!Continue reading Engadget Giveaway: win a new iPad (32GB with AT&T), courtesy of Rebtel!Engadget Giveaway: win a new iPad (32GB with AT&T), courtesy of Rebtel! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Samsung Making Enterprise Push With “SAFE” Galaxy S IIIs

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 08:31 AM PDT

Samsung Making Enterprise Push With "SAFE" Galaxy S IIIs


Samsung Making Enterprise Push With "SAFE" Galaxy S IIIs
BlackBerrys may still be the corporate device of choice, but that won't be the case for much longer if Samsung has anything to say about it. Starting in July, Samsung's Galaxy S IIIs will sport the company's SAFE (Samsung Approved For Enterprise) branding in an attempt to ingratiate their shiny new Android handset with business types and IT admins. These enterprise-friendly devices will find their way to all five of the carriers that will sell the Galaxy S III (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular).

Samsung Galaxy S III gets enterprise-friendly version in the US, wears a Pebble...

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 08:31 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S III gets enterprise-friendly version in the US, wears a Pebble Blue business suit


Samsung Galaxy S III gets enterprise-friendly version in the US, wears a Pebble Blue business suit
When Samsung launches its all-out blitz on the US with the Galaxy S III, it'll be targeting boardrooms as well as pockets: the Android 4.0 flagship will be the company's first American phone certified for its SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise) program. Regardless of the carrier, the American Galaxy S III will handle 256-bit AES encryption as well as offer better support for Exchange, remote management and VPNs than what you'd normally find coming from a Google-powered device. Samsung describes it as a way to "defragment" Android for companies that want consistent guarantees of how the OS will behave in the office, and the firm is confident enough that it's offering trade-in discounts for those who want to swap an older device for the secure phone, whether or not it's part of a corporate deal. SAFE-ready examples should be arriving by July and could save you from having to bring an ancient company-supplied phone on summer vacation.Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S III gets enterprise-friendly version in the US, wears a Pebble Blue business suitSamsung Galaxy S III gets enterprise-friendly version in the US, wears a Pebble Blue business suit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Samsung Safe2switch, SAFE | Email this | Comments

Le Mans rule changes for 2014 announced, engine restrictions eased

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 07:59 AM PDT

Le Mans rule changes for 2014 announced, engine restrictions eased


Le Mans rule changes for 2014 announced, engine restrictions eased
Filed under: Diesel, Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, Racing The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has announced a number of rule changes for the 2014 race that open up the options for LMP1 racers and guide their technology closer to that of road cars, and that should also give fans even better racing than we're used to seeing. Probably biggest of all is loosening the restraints on engine design. Currently, gas engines are limited in size to 3.4 liters, while diesel displacement can be no more than 3.7 liters, with further turbocharger, supercharger and air restrictor regulation on top of that. Those are all gone - "The limitations of cylinders, restrictors and turbo pressures are removed." Before you get ideas of this turning into a Group B for Le Mans, the cars will be limited to an "energy allotment" per lap. A fuel meter will allow a diesel-powered car 3.99 liters per lap, a gas-powered car would get 4.95 liters per lap, from tanks that are about 12 percent smaller. All LMP1 cars will be required to have closed cockpits, within which the driver will sit a little further forward and slightly higher to provide more visibility and, it is hoped, cut down on accidents when lapping slower traffic. Weights have been reduced, from the current minimum weight of 900 kilograms to 830 kg for non-hybrids and 850 kg for hybrids, and according to the Speed TV report, "all factory entries will be required to compete with hybrid systems." The cars will also be thinnner. Another factory handicap (depending on how see it) is that "super-exotic materials" will be banned in order to force carmakers to use materials that apply to their mainstream vehicles and not just their supercars. The ACO believes these new rules will "encourage the development of powerful and spectacular cars and also the development of technologies that have real meaning for the everyday motorist." Sounds good to us.Le Mans rule changes for 2014 announced, engine restrictions eased originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments