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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

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Volvo's 'Tech World' might be shape of things to come, but it's hard to tell

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:17 PM PDT

Volvo's 'Tech World' might be shape of things to come, but it's hard to tell


Volvo's 'Tech World' might be shape of things to come, but it's hard to tell
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Volvo, Videos Reveal just enough to keep things interesting. That's what Volvo's trying to do by launching a website highlighting its efforts to improve its technology related to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Volvo is producing its "Tech World" website to highlight advancements such as deriving fuel from "forest raw material," getting electricity from excess engine heat and creating systems that allow two vehicles to communicate with each other. The Swedish automaker notes that it has spent more than 13 billion Swedish krona ($1.85 billion U.S. at today's exchange rates) on research and development related to sustainable transportation advancements since 2011. Volvo says it is trying to walk the fine line between providing what's "beneficial for us, our customers and society" and not revealing "anything that will jeopardize our competitiveness." The company is offering a video about just these advancements below. Last year, Volvo debuted a battery-electric prototype of its C30 that the company estimated would be available for lease by the end of 2012.Continue reading Volvo's 'Tech World' might be shape of things to come, but it's hard to tellVolvo's 'Tech World' might be shape of things to come, but it's hard to tell originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Keepin' it real fake: four SIMs, two memory card slots, one identity crisis

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:17 PM PDT

Keepin' it real fake: four SIMs, two memory card slots, one identity crisis


Keepin' it real fake: four SIMs, two memory card slots, one identity crisis
It takes quite a bit for a KIRF smartphone to turn our heads these days, but this specimen spotted by one of our readers in an Indian newspaper checked off just enough boxes to get us to take notice. As you can see, the company behind it has merged a fairly faithful iOS knock-off operating system with a device reminiscent of something from Samsung's Galaxy line, but it didn't stop there. You'll also get no less than four SIM card slots and two memory card slots, not to mention an antenna to pull down some free over-the-air TV channels. Specs otherwise remain a bit of a mystery, but those curious enough to find out more can take one home for just over $60. [Thanks, Mahesh]Keepin' it real fake: four SIMs, two memory card slots, one identity crisis originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

BBC 'Live Restart' brings pause, rewind and 'start from beginning' to iPlayer li...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:17 PM PDT

BBC 'Live Restart' brings pause, rewind and 'start from beginning' to iPlayer live streams


BBC 'Live Restart' brings pause, rewind and 'start from beginning' to iPlayer live streams
On demand TV is great and all, but what if the program you're wanting is on right now? Previously -- in the UK at least -- you'd have to either catch the whole thing later, or accept you'd missed a bit, and watch the rest live. Starting today, however, iPlayer will let you rewind, pause, and even start live shows from the beginning. In fact with the "Live Restart" update, you'll be able to go back over the last two hours of scheduled TV, should you wish. The new features come as a result of the BBC switching to "HTTP chunked" streaming instead of RTMP, which breaks up the H.264 video feed into blocks, delivering them like regular web packets -- apparently improving scalability, adaptive bitrate playback and cost effectiveness, compared to Content Delivery Networks. All we want to know is will you be able to skip the ads? Oh wait.BBC 'Live Restart' brings pause, rewind and 'start from beginning' to iPlayer live streams originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | BBC Internet Blog | Email this | Comments

Cadillac CUE makes its way to XTS, navigates with ease in NYC (hands-on)

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:17 PM PDT

Cadillac CUE makes its way to XTS, navigates with ease in NYC (hands-on)


Cadillac CUE makes its way to XTS, navigates with ease in NYC (hands-on)
Navigating those mean Manhattan streets is an intimidating chore for any driver, with or without a battery of high-tech in-car aides. But after an introduction to Cadillac CUE, it's easy to see the benefit of such a comprehensive system. CUE isn't your typical in-dash GPS nav -- sure it can get you on your way just as well as any other navigation system, but a bounty of sensors and displays allow you to keep your eyes on the road and avoid collisions, while also providing the smartphone integration and media playback support you'd expect from a high-end 2012 automobile. The base system, included standard with 2012 and 2013 XTS and SRX models and available as an option with the ATS, is centered around an 8-inch, 800 x 400 capacitive touch LCD with anti-scratch, anti-glare and oleophobic coatings to keep the display in tip-top shape and completely viewable from both the driver and passenger seats. The display flips open to reveal a lit storage compartment with a USB port for connecting and charging your smartphone, while capacitive-touch buttons below the panel provide haptic feedback and a variety of control options (you can tap or slide your finger across to adjust volume, for example). Add-ons include a 12.3-inch, 1280 x 480 "instrument cluster" that provides speed and fuel information in a familiar readout, along with directions, phone call info and music selection. Also available is a slick heads-up display, which features a more subdued color pallet (compared to the vibrant LCDs) and outputs key info, including speed limits and collision warnings, while also minimizing ghosting thanks to a wedge-shaped windshield, which thins as you move from top to bottom. Two more USB ports in the center console let you sync up and charge two additional devices, while an AUX input enables older devices to pipe out tunes. Now, much of this may seem familiar -- we took a peek at CUE at last year's CTIA -- but this is the first time that we've actually had a chance to take the tech for a spin in a drivable 2013 Cadillac XTS, and New York City seems like the perfect venue for pushing the system to its limits. Inputting a destination is as simple as typing an address into Google Maps (though CUE uses a proprietary maps app based on NAVTEQ's database). As we drove from our office near Union Square to the Financial District, the car let us know when we were cutting things a bit too close, as seat vibrations alerted us to obstacles on either side. All the while, adjusting music and climate was simple as can be, and HUD-based directions gave us little excuse to look away from the busy road. After arriving at our destination, we slid on over to the passenger seat to film the action while an expert drove. If a new Caddy is in your future, you should be able to pick up a CUE-equipped car within the next few weeks. For now, you can jump past the break for a front-seat look as we cruise on through the 212.Gallery: Cadillac XTS with CUE hands-onContinue reading Cadillac CUE makes its way to XTS, navigates with ease in NYC (hands-on)Cadillac CUE makes its way to XTS, navigates with ease in NYC (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Cadillac CUE | Email this | Comments

Roller Coasters Versus Supercars

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:17 PM PDT

Roller Coasters Versus Supercars


Roller Coasters Versus Supercars
We've matched 5 of the fastest rides with their automotive equivalents.

Robot with tactile sensor is better at identifying materials than you are (but o...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:57 AM PDT

Robot with tactile sensor is better at identifying materials than you are (but only wants to help)


Robot with tactile sensor is better at identifying materials than you are (but only wants to help)
Researchers at USC's Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a robot capable of identifying materials, thanks to a tactile sensor. The so-called BioTac sensor mimics the human finger, with flexible robot skin layered over a liquid filling -- and the skin even has fingerprints to increase the robot's sensitivity to vibration. Researchers trained the robot to recognize 117 common materials, and by making "exploratory movements" to feel out textures it was able to correctly identify materials 95 percent of the time -- a higher accuracy rate than humans achieve. Still, though the robot is an ace at understanding textures, it doesn't possess the ability to decide which materials are preferable to humans. For this reason, the USC team says it will focus more on applications such as human prostheses and consumer product testing. Relax: your fingers are still worth something -- for now.Robot with tactile sensor is better at identifying materials than you are (but only wants to help) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USC Viterbi School of Engineering | Email this | Comments

Nissan Leaf goes on sale in Australia for a cool $52,000

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:26 AM PDT

Nissan Leaf goes on sale in Australia for a cool $52,000


Nissan Leaf goes on sale in Australia for a cool $52,000
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Pacific Region A year-and-a-half after it came to the U.S. and Japan, the Nissan Leaf is finally available in Australia, and at quite a price. Available now at 13 Nissan dealers across Australia, the all-electric car will cost $51,500 Australian dollars ($52,400 U.S. at today's exchange rates). Yowza. Even though Nissan says they are key to having electric cars succeed, there are no government incentives to bring the price down in Australia. In January 2011, the Australian government cancelled the Cleaner Car Rebate Scheme, saying it would instead use the $429.7 million ($437.4 million) to help rebuild infrastructure that had been damaged by catastrophic floods that hit Queensland in December 2010. Nonetheless, the Leaf has - or will have - some plug-in company Down Under, including the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Holden Volt (the rebadged Chevrolet) and the Renault Fluence Z.E. When the 2011 i-MiEV went on sale, it cost over $63,000 ($64,129), but that fell to $48,800 ($49,675) last fall. As is true in other markets, Nissan says the Leaf is just the first plug-in car it will sell in Australia. Nissan has been planning for the Leaf launch since at least last summer, working with Coulomb to install some DC fast chargers. Inside EVs reports that Nissan Australia home charging partner, Origin, will install Level 2 chargers for around $2,800 ($2,850). Starting July 1, Australians will also be paying a carbon tax on electricity of around 10 percent.Continue reading Nissan Leaf goes on sale in Australia for a cool $52,000Nissan Leaf goes on sale in Australia for a cool $52,000 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video)

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:26 AM PDT

Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video)


Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video)
Themes are nothing new for avid Gmail users -- after all, they've been around in some form or fashion since 2008. But starting today, Google's adding a personal twist. You know, personalization. We're told that a new Custom Themes section will be hitting inboxes the world over during "the next couple of days," with Light and Dark options there for your customizing pleasure. You can upload your own images directly, select from your Google+ photos or simply paste any image URL. Can't decide? Just cycle through the Featured Photos list instead of whittling down that Priority Inbox. Head on past the break if you're in need of inspiration.Continue reading Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video)Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Official Gmail Blog | Email this | Comments

Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:26 AM PDT

Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples


Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples
iPhone owners bummed that their Android-using friends were taking advantage of Google Offers they couldn't use can now level the playing field: an iOS port has just gone live. Much like its Google-native peer, the iPhone-optimized version can spot discounts in the neighborhood and will let you claim them on the spot. The chronically inattentive still get a lot of love in the process with both mentions of new offers and warnings for soon-to-expire deals. In keeping with Google Offers' current US-only focus, the app won't show outside of American borders just yet -- but if you've been thinking those yoga classes in Portland were a bit too dearly priced, your iPhone (and a well-timed sale) is now all it takes to set things right.Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Google Mobile Blog | App Store | Email this | Comments

D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 10:54 AM PDT

D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $100


D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $100
An April ship target may have come and gone, but that's not stopping D-Link -- the company's SharePort DIR-505 Mobile Companion is finally ready to join your side, beginning today. The $100 pocketable WiFi-enabled hub can serve a variety of wireless functions, making it an ideal choice for road warrior types hopping from hotel to hotel while longing for just a hint of consistency. In router mode, the SharePort pumps out an 802.11g/n WiFi signal, converting a lone Ethernet hook-up to a shareable connection. There's also a nifty repeater mode, for those rare check-ins met with a spacious suite upgrade, where a single access point won't get the job done. Or, if you're covered on the connectivity front, you can use the DIR-505 to link your USB hard drive with the web -- or, if all else fails, it'll at least charge your smartphone. Ready to hand over a Benjamin in exchange for a slab of all-in-one wireless goodness? Jump past the break and hit up our source link to make your purchase.Continue reading D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $100D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | D-Link | Email this | Comments

Vungle Creates $1M Fund To Lure Top Mobile Developers To Its New App Promotion P...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 10:54 AM PDT

Vungle Creates $1M Fund To Lure Top Mobile Developers To Its New App Promotion Platform


Vungle Creates $1M Fund To Lure Top Mobile Developers To Its New App Promotion Platform
Vungle is all about taking a unique and aggressive approach to promotion. After reading TechCrunch's post about AngelPad, Co-founders Zain Jaffer and Jack Smith bought targeted search and Facebook ads to reach the accelerator's founder Thomas Korte and his friends. The ads said they had an urgent message for the founder and included a link to their pitch for Vungle. And it worked ... they got in. At AngelPad, the co-founders went on to use their unique (spammy) promotional techniques on investors. That, too, worked out. Last month, Vungle closed a $2 million seed round from an all-star cast of investors. Naturally, the startup is now at it again, announcing today that it will be using its funding to launch a $1 million fund to woo developers to its "new mobile ad unit."

Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (vi...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 10:23 AM PDT

Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (video)


Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (video)
If one of the aims of the Raspberry Pi was to embody the "do-it-yourself" ethos, then it's already succeeded. Annoyed at the wait for the education-friendly board to arrive, the anonymous creator of the Gooseberry decided to build their own. Looking reasonably similar to its inspiration, it's packing a 1GHz AllWinner CPU, 400MHz Mali GPU, 512MB RAM and 4GB of onboard storage. It'll go on sale in the UK for £40 ($63) shortly, running Gingerbread and is capable of running HD video -- as demonstrated by the video we've got for you after the break.Continue reading Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (video)Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TG Daily, Liliputing | Gooseberry | Email this | Comments

Apple and Liquidmetal hug it out, lengthen their pact until 2014

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 10:23 AM PDT

Apple and Liquidmetal hug it out, lengthen their pact until 2014


Apple and Liquidmetal hug it out, lengthen their pact until 2014
The deal between Apple and Liquidmetal was originally supposed to be a short-term fling. Technically, it expired in February this year, less than two years after the couple first met. There must have been a spark, as the two have just decided to extend their licensing deal through to February 2014. Of course, simply having a deal isn't the same as putting it to use, and there's no certainty that we'll see anything exotic materialize out of it: the last time Liquidmetal's extra-sturdy alloy was used in an Apple product, it wound up in a SIM card ejector tool. Still, Apple must have found something it wants to make in order to keep its union going forward, whether it's another tiny pack-in with an iPhone or (once costs allow) something a tad larger.Apple and Liquidmetal hug it out, lengthen their pact until 2014 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MacRumors | SEC | Email this | Comments

Y!kes' app-enabled system transforms hotel accessibility: talking with hotel cha...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:52 AM PDT

Y!kes' app-enabled system transforms hotel accessibility: talking with hotel chains, launching this month on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and WP7


Y!kes' app-enabled system transforms hotel accessibility: talking with hotel chains, launching this month on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and WP7
We all knew opening one's hotel room door with a smartphone was just the beginning, didn't we? As the years have turned (and LodgeNet has inexplicably remained), a smattering of companies have seen the opportunity to connect savvy hotel guests to the properties they frequent. Y!kes is the latest to tune in, and its solution undoubtedly has the potential to change the way smartphone users interact with lodging venues. Designed as a hardware + software platform, the proximity-aware access system offers hotels the ability to tightly and specifically grant or deny access to one's phone. As an example, a hotel and guest both utilizing the system could see an elevator automatically choose one's floor upon entry, a door automatically unlock when a patron walks within range, a parking deck automatically have its gate raised, and a VIP lounge door automatically open if the credentials are programmed in. Going a step further, one could envision this system having the ability to alert a hotel when a guest lands at the nearest airport, thereby triggering a series of events that places fresh Perrier bottles on the desk, blue mood lighting in the bathroom, a thermostat adjustment to 74 degrees and whatever else that person has specified in their profile. Insane? Sure, but not at all outside of the realm of feasibility. Once a venue has installed the system, guests need only have the associated app -- available for Android, BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone and iOS -- running in the background on their device. If all goes as planned, he or she won't even have to drop by the check-in counter, and when the stay is over, they'll be able to bypass the check-out line as well. If you're curious about app availability, we're told that the iOS build will hit the App Store "this week," while the other three platforms will see launches "within 30 days." We asked the company if it was ready to announce any partnerships with hotel chains, and received the following reply: "As for integration, Y!kes is currently engaged in deep discussions with the top hotel chains and will have information pertaining to specific contracts in the near future." Needless to say, the jetsetters in the crowd will be keeping an ear to the ground for more.Continue reading Y!kes' app-enabled system transforms hotel accessibility: talking with hotel chains, launching this month on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and WP7Y!kes' app-enabled system transforms hotel accessibility: talking with hotel chains, launching this month on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and WP7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Yikes | Email this | Comments

6 Racing Tips for Daily Driving

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:52 AM PDT

6 Racing Tips for Daily Driving


6 Racing Tips for Daily Driving
Follow them and you'll become a more focused driver on public roads.

2012 Scion iQ

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:20 AM PDT

2012 Scion iQ


2012 Scion iQ
Filed under: MPG, Scion, In The AutoblogGreen GarageSmarter "Not so 'Smart' after all?" The older gentleman in the grocery store parking lot asked as I wheeled my loaded cart to the back of the 2012 Scion iQ. On the contrary, sir. After he finished chuckling and drove away, I successfully loaded $150 worth of groceries into the iQ's cargo area, including a pallet of 24 water bottles. And upon returning to my loft, I effortlessly backed the little Scion underneath the awning that covers the entrance to my building, keeping myself out of the rain while unloading my goods. Seems pretty smart to me. But that's not the only reason why I like the iQ. Once you get past the novelty of its you-can-park-me-anywhere size, you aren't left with a completely miserable little machine. The Scion's list of good virtues doesn't consist of a single, solitary bullet point, and during my week with the tiniest Toyota, I was determined to see if the iQ was more than just a smarter Smart. There's a smattering of excellent subcompact offerings available to Americans these days. To say we could all do without the ForTwo is a no-brainer. The iQ, however, certainly has potential.Continue reading 2012 Scion iQ2012 Scion iQ originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kodak sues Apple for allegedly interfering with patent sales, has little nostalg...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:20 AM PDT

Kodak sues Apple for allegedly interfering with patent sales, has little nostalgia for your QuickTake


Kodak sues Apple for allegedly interfering with patent sales, has little nostalgia for your QuickTake
Kodak may have recently obtained clearance to sell some patents and help dig itself out of bankruptcy, but it wants to be extra-certain Apple is nowhere near potential buyers if a deal goes down. The former camera maker is suing Apple in hopes of making the former collaborator drop challenges to the ownership of 10 imaging patents from the early 1990s, when the two were still buddy-buddy enough to design the QuickTake camera line together. Claims by Apple and patent transfer recipient FlashPoint Technology are purportedly just attempts to stall any patent sale as long as possible and spook buyers away, forcing Kodak to make some hard decisions about its own lawsuits. That's not to say Kodak is a doe-eyed innocent here: Apple has accused Kodak of trying to sweep any patent disputes under the rug with bankruptcy as the pretext. Although the lawsuit is just one part of a larger story, it could more definitively answer whether or not Kodak has enough bullets left in its patent gun. [Image credit: Mikhail Shcherbakov, Flickr]Kodak sues Apple for allegedly interfering with patent sales, has little nostalgia for your QuickTake originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments

Tencent Acquires Minority Stake In Epic Games, Maker of Infinity Blade, Unreal E...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:20 AM PDT

Tencent Acquires Minority Stake In Epic Games, Maker of Infinity Blade, Unreal Engine


Tencent Acquires Minority Stake In Epic Games, Maker of Infinity Blade, Unreal Engine
Chinese social networking giant Tencent took a minority stake in Epic Games, the maker of the very high-end Unreal gaming engine and smash hit mobile game Infinity Blade. It's yet another toe in Western waters for the Shenzhen-based company, which boasts more than 700 million users on its platform in mainland China. Last year, Tencent acquired Los Angeles' Riot Games. Tencent didn't disclose how much it paid for the stake in Epic. We had heard from multiple sources that they were competing with Warner Brothers over the deal. Tencent says that Epic will continue to operate independently and the deal should close in about one month.

iFixit tears down the new MacBook Pro's Retina display, finds a minor marvel of...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:20 AM PDT

iFixit tears down the new MacBook Pro's Retina display, finds a minor marvel of engineering


iFixit tears down the new MacBook Pro's Retina display, finds a minor marvel of engineering
We've already seen them go to town on the body of the MacBook Pro with Retina display, but the staffers at iFixit have seen fit to disassemble the 2880 x 1800 panel at the heart of the new beast. As they've since found out, it takes no less than a rethink of LCD construction to make that kind of resolution work in a laptop screen that's thinner than its ancestor. The unibody aluminum casing acts as the frame for the display, and the LCD becomes its own front glass; even the wireless antennas are threaded through the hinges to eke out that last drop of space. Combined, Apple's part layouts do make repair near-impossible -- the teardown gurus at iFixit ended up cracking the glass despite their knowledge. The team is nonetheless a little more forgiving on the lack of repairability here than with the computer underneath, noting that something had to give for Apple to have its high-resolution cake and eat it too. That just won't be much of a consolation if your MacBook Pro faceplants and requires a whole LCD swap.iFixit tears down the new MacBook Pro's Retina display, finds a minor marvel of engineering originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | iFixit | Email this | Comments

Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punc...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:48 AM PDT

Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video)


Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video)
The great philosopher, Huey Lewis, once mused that it was "hip to be square." And it looks like he might have been right. The nifty geometrically-named payment widget is fast gaining popularity, no doubt thanks to its simplicity and accessibility. The system's had basic loyalty functions for a while, but now, users of its Pay with Square app can rack up loyalty points for repeat visits, or certain spend amounts. That means no more scratching around trying to find that bent up punch card, just pay up and -- literally -- reap the rewards. New customers can also now be lured in with the ability for retailers to add first visit specials. Merchants also get an upgrade, including real-time in-app analytics and the ability to give on the spot discounts. Great news, of course, though we wonder if it'll extend to a free ride home?Continue reading Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video)Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink New York Times | iTunes, Google Play | Email this | Comments

Barnes & Noble's Q4 and FY 2012: revenue up, losses up, hopes Microsoft hurries up

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:48 AM PDT

Barnes & Noble's Q4 and FY 2012: revenue up, losses up, hopes Microsoft hurries up


Barnes & Noble's Q4 and FY 2012: revenue up, losses up, hopes Microsoft hurries up
Barnes & Noble has released its financial results for both the final quarter and full financial year of 2012. It's a picture of a company that's holding steady in the face of continued onslaught from its rivals, albeit with some hope on the horizon. In preparation for its as-yet-unnamed venture with Microsoft, the company has begun the process of spinning off its Nook and College businesses -- while sales from stores and BN.com now come under the umbrella term of "retail." On that front, it sold $1.1 billion worth of books in the quarter and $4.85 billion for the year -- down from $4.92 billion in 2011. Nook-wise, the company had turnover of $933 million, with device sales increasing 1 percent for the quarter and 45 percent of the year -- but had to eat a loss on taking back unsold Simple Touch readers. Content sales on its various devices increased 65 percent in the quarter and 119 percent in the year -- clearly showing where the market is headed.Continue reading Barnes & Noble's Q4 and FY 2012: revenue up, losses up, hopes Microsoft hurries upBarnes & Noble's Q4 and FY 2012: revenue up, losses up, hopes Microsoft hurries up originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink CNET | Barnes & Noble | Email this | Comments

LG backing off tablets for now, would rather circle smartphone wagons

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:16 AM PDT

LG backing off tablets for now, would rather circle smartphone wagons


LG backing off tablets for now, would rather circle smartphone wagons
LG has decided not to chip in any more tablets to the huge pile that's already out there, and will focus on smartphones instead. It hasn't exactly stormed the market anyway -- with recent tab offerings like the Optimus Pad LTE falling flat -- and has said that the move would free it up to improve its No. 4 spot on the world's cellphone charts. It insists the decision has nothing to do with Microsoft's recent Surface announcement, and says it doesn't compete in that particular sphere anyway. So that's that.LG backing off tablets for now, would rather circle smartphone wagons originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Slashgear | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments

Watch Out Pandora, Spotify Just Introduced A Free, Streaming Radio Service In Th...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:16 AM PDT

Watch Out Pandora, Spotify Just Introduced A Free, Streaming Radio Service In The U.S.


Watch Out Pandora, Spotify Just Introduced A Free, Streaming Radio Service In The U.S.
Music streaming service Spotify is rolling out a new feature for U.S. users today, which looks like a direct swipe at Pandora: it's introducing a free mobile radio service. The update is only available in the iOS versions of the app at present (iPhone and iPad), but gives free users access to unlimited music from Spotify's catalog of 16 million songs.

Twelve South launches redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone cases

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:16 AM PDT

Twelve South launches redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone cases


Twelve South launches redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone cases
During a visit to Twelve South's headquarters earlier in the year, we learned that its heralded BookBook lines would be getting a refresh for the iPad and iPhone. Today, we're able to actually talk about 'em. Both products are getting a gentle facelift, and better still, both products are shipping immediately to those interested. The star of the show is quite clearly the iPad edition, which has been "completely redesigned" in order to be some 33 percent thinner while weighing 358 grams. The interior is refreshed, too, with a rigid casing that hides a slip-in cover and a built-in stand. Reportedly in response to popular demand, a black and a red version are joining the classic brown edition, with each one constructed from leather and offering up a dual zipper system. The BookBook for iPad ($79.99) is built to support both the iPad 2 and the new Retina-equipped iPad, while the slightly tweaked BookBook for iPhone ($59.99; now available in brown and black) will comfortably house the iPhone 4 or 4S. Word hounds can find more where this came from in the PR past the break. Gallery: Twelve South redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone cases (2012)Continue reading Twelve South launches redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone casesTwelve South launches redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone cases originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Twelve South (BookBook for iPhone), (iPad) | Email this | Comments

Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 1...

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:44 AM PDT

Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 11 (video)


Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 11 (video)
Unity is about to give a jolt to the Linux gaming community with version 4.0 of its engine. The Penguin has been "underserved," according to the game engine company, so it'll now join the list of supported operating systems alongside Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, Xbox, PS3 and Wii. Developers will also get the new Mecanim system for making character animation easier, on top of DirectX 11 for Windows and Flash publishing options. Details are in the video after the break, but it's good news considering how Linux's namesake just decried the lack of love for the platform.Continue reading Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 11 (video)Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 11 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Phoronix | Unity 3D | Email this | Comments

Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet line

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:44 AM PDT

Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet line


Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet line
Microsoft has unveiled its new Surface, a reborn brand that now lives as two products. It was a showy event with a strong conclusion: at the unification of software and hardware lies great things. Microsoft has found that greatness with the Xbox 360. Can it do so again with a new series of tablets? Here's what we think.Continue reading Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet lineEditorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet line originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Mazda Skyactiv-D diesel to power Dempsey Racing LMP2 challenger at Le Mans

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:12 AM PDT

Mazda Skyactiv-D diesel to power Dempsey Racing LMP2 challenger at Le Mans


Mazda Skyactiv-D diesel to power Dempsey Racing LMP2 challenger at Le Mans
Filed under: Diesel, Mazda, Racing The Grand AM GX class isn't the only place where Mazda will be running its 2.2-liter turbocharged Skyactiv-D four-cylinder diesel next year: it will power the LMP2 contender fielded by Dempsey Racing, a team co-owned by actor Patrick Dempsey. Mazda will also provide the engine to other teams running in the class at Le Mans, in the American Le Mans Series and the World Endurance Championship. Mazda raced the 24 Hours of Le Mans for 18 years before winning in 1991, then took its rotary-powered 787B out of the running. Mazda was been providing its four-cylinder MZR engines for the past decade for teams like OAK Racing Pescarolo, but ceased development on those in 2011. The Skyactiv-D will replace the MZR series, and along with the non-running Lola-built LMP2 chassis (pictured) showed off at this year's Le Mans, is meant to mark Mazda's full-bodied return Le Mans after 22 years. The engines are being developed by Mazda in Japan and the U.S. as well as SpeedSource Engineering in Florida. Track testing should commence later this year, and it's frankly good to see Mazda making such moves in spite of its financial battles. Scroll down for a press release with more details.Continue reading Mazda Skyactiv-D diesel to power Dempsey Racing LMP2 challenger at Le MansMazda Skyactiv-D diesel to power Dempsey Racing LMP2 challenger at Le Mans originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Ventures Beyond Payments With Debut Of Customer Loyalty Punchcard Program

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:12 AM PDT

Square Ventures Beyond Payments With Debut Of Customer Loyalty Punchcard Program


Square Ventures Beyond Payments With Debut Of Customer Loyalty Punchcard Program
Mobile payments startup Square is introducing a heavily requested feature today with the launch of a customer loyalty punchcard program. New digital loyalty cards will be included in the updates to both the Square Register iPad app and the Pay with Square mobile application. With the updates, Square customers will receive a digital version of the traditional paper-based punchcard for each Square merchant they frequent. Merchants, in return, will be able to better track their loyal customers and will be able to entice them to come with special offers or discounts.

Light up seesaw makes Australia's Federation Square feel like a kid again (video)

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:12 AM PDT

Light up seesaw makes Australia's Federation Square feel like a kid again (video)


Light up seesaw makes Australia's Federation Square feel like a kid again (video)
Nothing makes us smile like combining our nostalgia for childhood with our current love of hacking up gadgets and electronics. So, we've got to hand it to the folks over at ENESS, a design group whose latest installation takes cues from the playground as well as the DIY scene. Details on what exactly went into the build are sadly scarce, but it seems safe to assume there's at least one accelerometer on the Tilt of Light somewhere. See, this seesaw is home to 33 rows of lights that react in real time to the motion of the lever. There are also four different "atmostpheres" to choose from (air, water, space and yogurt), which effect how the light behaves. Right now the glowing teeter-totter is sitting pretty in Melbourne, Australia as part of the Light in Winter program. You can see this marvel in action in the video after the break, or by making the trip to Federation Square before July 1st.Continue reading Light up seesaw makes Australia's Federation Square feel like a kid again (video)Light up seesaw makes Australia's Federation Square feel like a kid again (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ENESS | Email this | Comments

Oppo Finder goes up for pre-order, super-slimness can be yours July 1st

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:12 AM PDT

Oppo Finder goes up for pre-order, super-slimness can be yours July 1st


Oppo Finder goes up for pre-order, super-slimness can be yours July 1st
Oppo has been playing games with our thin-phone-obsessed hearts for awhile, but at last it's time to make a commitment to the Finder. Coming somewhat belatedly, pre-orders are now open for Chinese who want to make the 6.65mm-thick Android 4.0 phone their own. While there's just one version with 16GB of built-in space, it takes only ¥2,498 ($393) contract-free to get a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen, a dual-core 1.5GHz chip, an eight-megapixel rear camera and a 1.3-megapixel front shooter. If that sounds tempting, you won't have long to pull the trigger before the golden day: pre-orders stop on June 24th before a full-scale launch on July 1st. That won't make prospective Huawei Ascend P1 S buyers any happier at having lost phone thickness bragging rights, but it will mean just a couple of weeks' wait until we crown a new champion.Oppo Finder goes up for pre-order, super-slimness can be yours July 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Unwired View | Oppo | Email this | Comments