Subscribe:

Friday, June 29, 2012

Shops Online

Shops Online

Crowd-funded group building asteroid-mapping telescope, saving Earth (video)

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 02:39 PM PDT

Crowd-funded group building asteroid-mapping telescope, saving Earth (video)


Crowd-funded group building asteroid-mapping telescope, saving Earth (video)
Just when you're numbing to robot, zombie and nuclear apocalypse scenarios, some old-fashioned asteroid paranoia pops up to surprise you. The B612 Foundation, which gets funding from, well, anyone, has just announced plans to launch Sentinel, a space telescope which will wander the vacuum cataloging asteroids in our inner solar system. Their goal is to track asteroid orbits and predict large impacts up to 100 years in advance, giving us plenty of time to find a solution (or enjoy our final days). Construction doesn't start til late fall, with the launch expected in around five years, so it won't be any use in disproving the 2012 doomsday believers out there. You can find out more about the project and donate to the foundation at the source link, or jump past the break for a video explanation, Aerosmith not included.Continue reading Crowd-funded group building asteroid-mapping telescope, saving Earth (video)Crowd-funded group building asteroid-mapping telescope, saving Earth (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Adafruit | B612 Foundation | Email this | Comments

Recon goggles gain Facebook integration and augmented reality at Google I/O (han...

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Recon goggles gain Facebook integration and augmented reality at Google I/O (hands-on video)


Recon goggles gain Facebook integration and augmented reality at Google I/O (hands-on video)
Remember that Android SDK Recon Instruments finally unveiled for its heads-up display goggles? Well the company was showing off the fruits of its labor here at Google I/O 2012 with two demos -- specifically two-way Facebook integration and augmented reality using a Contour camera. In the first demo, the goggles are paired over Bluetooth with an app running on an Android phone. Each time you jump while snowboarding or skying, the accelerometer data from the goggles is sent to the handset which posts a graphic to Facebook showing the distance, height and duration of your flight. Any comments made to the post are then immediately relayed back to the heads-up display. The second demo uses a Contour camera attached to the goggles and paired via Bluetooth. As you look around, the output from the camera appears on the heads-up display augmented with labels showing the location and distance of the nearby train stations based on the compass and GPS data from the goggles. Pretty cool, eh? Check out the gallery below and hit the break for our two hands-on videos.Gallery: Recon Instruments at Google I/O 2012Continue reading Recon goggles gain Facebook integration and augmented reality at Google I/O (hands-on video)Recon goggles gain Facebook integration and augmented reality at Google I/O (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Rdio goes minimalist, tries another redesign on for size

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Rdio goes minimalist, tries another redesign on for size


Rdio goes minimalist, tries another redesign on for size
Finally get settled into the last Rdio redesign from just a few months ago? Well, we're afraid you've got a bit more adjusting to do. The streaming music service has now rolled out another sweeping visual overhaul of its website and desktop apps -- one that ditches the former iTunes-like appearance for a far more minimalist look, although all of the key elements remain in the same places as before. Naturally, that brings with it yet another software update for the desktop apps, although there's no word on any changes for its mobile apps just yet.Rdio goes minimalist, tries another redesign on for size originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Rdio | Email this | Comments

LG Optimus L7 review: a beautiful, entry-level Android 4.0 smartphone with LG's...

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 01:31 PM PDT

LG Optimus L7 review: a beautiful, entry-level Android 4.0 smartphone with LG's new UI 3.0


LG Optimus L7 review: a beautiful, entry-level Android 4.0 smartphone with LG's new UI 3.0
Consider your last trip to the car dealership. Let's say you saved up and hit up BMW. While you might've looked at -- or even test driven -- the M3, there's a good chance that your better judgment (and your budget) led you to drive off of the lot with a 328i. Sure, it's only got a four-cylinder engine inside, but the car offers great handling and good gas mileage. Better yet, you didn't have to spend an atrocious amount of money to get behind the wheel. The same goes with mobile phones. While it's fun to dream of owning a One X, a Galaxy S III or an Optimus 4X HD, they're called superphones for a reason: they cater to power-hungry individuals with a fair amount of disposable income. Like supercars, they're designed to bring people into the store, even if shoppers ultimately leave with something else in hand. More Info LG shows off UI 3.0 for Ice Cream Sandwich devices, says it's 'unobtrusive and simple' LG Optimus L-style series hands-on LG busts out a trio of L-series phones in the run up to MWC Enter the LG Optimus L7. Positioned at the higher end of the company's entry-level lineup, it aims to be the 328i of smartphones. Sure, no one's lining up to drool over it, but LG is aiming for this to be a practical choice with just enough elegance and pizzaz to keep consumers grinning. Of course, that sweet spot is difficult to achieve, and we've seen plenty of smartphone manufacturers miss the mark in attempting to balance performance and amenities with a palatable price. So, does the Optimus L7 rise to the challenge? We've spent the past week with it as our daily driver, and we're ready to make the call. Read on for the answer.Gallery: LG Optimus L7 reviewContinue reading LG Optimus L7 review: a beautiful, entry-level Android 4.0 smartphone with LG's new UI 3.0LG Optimus L7 review: a beautiful, entry-level Android 4.0 smartphone with LG's new UI 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Toyota Recalls 154,000 More Cars

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 01:31 PM PDT

Toyota Recalls 154,000 More Cars


Toyota Recalls 154,000 More Cars
The 2010 Lexus RX is now part of the 2009 floormat recall.

Ford C-Max Hybrid will get 47 mpg, better than Toyota Prius V

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Ford C-Max Hybrid will get 47 mpg, better than Toyota Prius V


Ford C-Max Hybrid will get 47 mpg, better than Toyota Prius V
Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Ford, North America, USA It won't only start out cheaper than the Toyota Prius V, it will also be more fuel efficient. Ford is claiming its C-Max Hybrid, which goes on sale later this year, will get 47 miles per gallon. The family-size member of the Prius family? It is rated by the EPA to get 44 mpg city, 40 highway and 42 combined, and Ford says the C-Max Hybrid will get "at least" three miles per gallon better than that. In all, Ford will have eight models that will get at least 40 mpg highway for 2013, which the automaker says will be more than any other automaker. Six of its models will either be hybrids or plug-ins. Ford's made no secret that it's targeting the Prius V with the gas-electric C-Max, trying to position the model as a more fuel-efficient, less expensive alternative. The C-Max Hybrid's $25,995 base price for the C-Max Hybrid is $500 less than the base Prius V. Ford started taking orders for the 2013 model-year C-Max Hybrid last month. Ford is looking for the C-Max Hybrid to spur hybrid sales that so far this year have lagged behind last year's numbers. Through May, Ford sold 7,521 hybrids in the U.S., down 44 percent from 2011. Ford Escape Hybrid sales were down 76 percent from the year before.Continue reading Ford C-Max Hybrid will get 47 mpg, better than Toyota Prius VFord C-Max Hybrid will get 47 mpg, better than Toyota Prius V originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5pm ET!

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5pm ET!


Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5pm ET!
Regular time, regular place. Wait, what? For such a hectic and crazy week as this, it's equally astounding to think that we'll be doing the Engadget Mobile Podcast the usual way -- Friday afternoon at 5pm. Just like last week, this is definitely one you don't want to miss: Google announced a couple things, RIM broke a few hearts and we reviewed a few devices. Tune in and enjoy Myriam and Brad waxing poetic about the wild week that was wireless! June 29, 2012 5:00 PM EDTContinue reading Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5pm ET!Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5pm ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Tagstand Hits 1M Actions, Launches New Tag Writer To Bring NFC To The Mainstream

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Tagstand Hits 1M Actions, Launches New Tag Writer To Bring NFC To The Mainstream


Tagstand Hits 1M Actions, Launches New Tag Writer To Bring NFC To The Mainstream
Google is making a serious push with NFC on Android. As we detailed last night, Android product management director Hugo Barra revealed yesterday that Google is now shipping 1 million NFC-equipped devices every week. Beyond Google Wallet, the company announced some cool new features to Android Beam at I/O on Wednesday, including giving users the option to share video through NFC or pair their phones to other NFC-enabled devices just by tapping it. Last night, Google showcased Beam's new functionality with two apps, Paper Camera and Tagstand's Task Launcher. Y Combinator-backed Tagstand, in particular, has been on a mission to make NFC more of a mainstream technology and is starting to pick up steam as a result.

Cracking the Nexus Q, Google's 25-watt amplified obsession

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:57 PM PDT

Cracking the Nexus Q, Google's 25-watt amplified obsession


Cracking the Nexus Q, Google's 25-watt amplified obsession
"We're missing a nut," says a bemused Matt Hershenson, former Danger founder and now Google's director of hardware for Android, pointing at a vacant spot on an exploded photo of the Nexus Q. Its parts are strewn out across a white background, perfectly arranged in a linear pattern that starkly contrasts with the spherical nature of the thing. "Wow, you're right," agrees Joe Britt, engineering director at Google and another former Danger founder. "It's like the illuminators, you know, the monks who used to draw up the codexes." Hershenson picks up the reference without missing a beat: "Everybody needs to make at least one mistake. Nothing can be perfect." That goes against everything else we've been learning from the pair, who spend 45 minutes walking us through every detail of what went into the development of the new Nexus Q. They worked hand-in-hand with engineers and designers and materials experts, ensuring everything from the bearings to the LEDs were, well, perfect. But there is one thing, something larger, that many have said is a crucial flaw in this illuminated device: pricing. Will people pay $299 for a high-concept, low-functionality social media streamer? Join us after the break for how the Q came to be, and why Britt and Hershenson think it will be a success.Gallery: Nexus Q hands-onContinue reading Cracking the Nexus Q, Google's 25-watt amplified obsessionFiled under: Misc. GadgetsCracking the Nexus Q, Google's 25-watt amplified obsession originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

IRL: Bose SoundLink, DropCopy and Worldmate Gold

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:23 PM PDT

IRL: Bose SoundLink, DropCopy and Worldmate Gold


IRL: Bose SoundLink, DropCopy and Worldmate Gold
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Happy Friday, folks. This week in real life, Brian invests in the Bose SoundLink after his pet rabbit destroyed his previous setup (no, really), while our own Andy Bowen explains why he'd rather use the DropCopy app than DropBox, much less AirDrop. And Darren, who racked up frequent flier miles this week traveling out to Google I/O, details the virtues of Worldmate over TripIt. Bunnies! Apps versus apps versus more apps. All that, just past the break.Continue reading IRL: Bose SoundLink, DropCopy and Worldmate GoldIRL: Bose SoundLink, DropCopy and Worldmate Gold originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Jelly Bean port passes the butter to the Galaxy S III, ROM flashing required

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Jelly Bean port passes the butter to the Galaxy S III, ROM flashing required


Jelly Bean port passes the butter to the Galaxy S III, ROM flashing required
It took only one day for devs to unleash Jelly Bean 4.1 from its server confines and out into the eager underbelly of Android's community. And those enterprising hackers haven't wasted any time getting that buttered up OS running on Galaxy Nexus handsets (yes, even for Verizon subs). Now, good news is also on the way for any consumers who forsook the pure Google path in favor of Samsung's TouchWizzed way. That's right, a (mostly) working port has been made available to Galaxy S III (I9300) users that should see about 80 percent of that point upgrade's features successfully implemented. Feel free to take it for a test run if you're skilled in the ways of flashing, but bear in mind you'll lose access to the camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, storage and audio. It goes without saying that this build is far from the perfect ROM for a daily driver, but if you're curious to check it out first-hand, there's no harm in trying. Hit up the source below for the step-by-step how-to.Jelly Bean port passes the butter to the Galaxy S III, ROM flashing required originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | XDA Developers | Email this | Comments

Sony drops VAIO T from free PlayStation offer, hikes real cost of entry to $970

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Sony drops VAIO T from free PlayStation offer, hikes real cost of entry to $970


Sony drops VAIO T from free PlayStation offer, hikes real cost of entry to $970
Remember how it seemed too good to be true that Sony's back to school promo would let you buy a VAIO T and get a free PlayStation 3 or Vita worth a third of the value of the Ultrabook you just bought? Well, it was. Sony has quietly dropped the $750 laptop from the PCs that qualify for the deal, raising the real qualifying price to $970 for a 15.5-inch VAIO S. Some will cry foul at being denied such a killer bargain without warning, but it's easy to see why Sony backed out: that's a lot of gear to give away for little in return. Dreams of heading to class with an ultraportable in hand and a PS3 at the dorm will have to be postponed, then, even if it's still an ample discount. [Thanks, Gabriel]Sony drops VAIO T from free PlayStation offer, hikes real cost of entry to $970 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sony | Email this | Comments

Mercedes B-Class E-Cell will get Tesla powertrain

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:15 AM PDT

Mercedes B-Class E-Cell will get Tesla powertrain


Mercedes B-Class E-Cell will get Tesla powertrain
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mercedes Benz, Tesla Motors, Daimler Unveiled at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class E-Cell Plus was meant to be a preview of the German automaker's first range-extended electric vehicle. Along with a battery pack to power it for 100 kilometers (62 miles), it was also to feature a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline-burning engine to give it an additional 400 kilometers (248.5 miles). Indeed, a production version was to be shown this past April at the New York Auto Show. Well, scratch all that. Maybe. If a report over at Automobilwoche is correct, the E-Cell Plus is losing the dino-juice burner and going all-electric. Not only that, they say that the entire powertrain will be supplied by the Tesla Motors. The reason for pulling the plug on the engine? According to an unnamed spokesperson, zero-emissions vehicles get better ratings and higher incentives than vehicles with a range extender. As the B-Class E-Cell is supposed to be sold in the U.S., this is an important point.News of a deal with Daimler to supply an entire powertrain for an upcoming vehicle came to light last November, but there have been rumors it might be for an A-Class. One thing we do know: Tesla expects this program to be much larger than its previous Smart ED arrangement or it supply agreement for the Toyota Rav4 EV. While we wait for an official announcement from Daimler to clear up the situation, let us know in the comments if you'd prefer a Mercedes E-Cell or a Tesla Model S with similar range.Mercedes B-Class E-Cell will get Tesla powertrain originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Maingear Pulse 11 review: a small and surprisingly powerful gaming laptop

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:14 AM PDT

Maingear Pulse 11 review: a small and surprisingly powerful gaming laptop


Maingear Pulse 11 review: a small and surprisingly powerful gaming laptop
More Info Alienware's M11x is no more, bigger is apparently better Maingear's Pulse 11-inch gaming laptop has designs on M11x mourners Origin PC joins the 11-inch, rebadged gaming laptop party, outs the EON 11-S Gaming laptops are strange beasts. While they may have been lugged all the way to the LAN party, they aren't too much fun to use on a plane. That was, until the advent of Alienware's 11-inch M11x, which kept the fast internals at the expense of weight and battery life. When it was unceremoniously yanked by parent company Dell, it left a gap in the market for people who really did need a gaming laptop on the go. Fortunately, Clevo stepped in with its W110ER, an 11-inch laptop that companies like Maingear and others have tweaked to sell as their own. Packing an Ivy Bridge CPU, NVIDIA's Kepler-based GeForce GT 650M and the same 1366 x 768 display as the M11x, it's obviously trying to step into Alienware's shoes. So, is this the new standard-bearer for small-yet-powerful gaming laptops? Does it really blow us away with its power? Will you want to part with a minimum of $999 to get hold of one? Read on to find out. Gallery: Maingear Pulse 11 reviewContinue reading Maingear Pulse 11 review: a small and surprisingly powerful gaming laptopMaingear Pulse 11 review: a small and surprisingly powerful gaming laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

New system lets you type with your brain using MRIs

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:14 AM PDT

New system lets you type with your brain using MRIs


New system lets you type with your brain using MRIs
This isn't mind reading, per say. Instead Bettina Sorger, Joel Reithler, Brigitte Dahmen and Rainer Goebel at Universiteit Maastricht have figured out a way to monitor the flow of blood in the brain and associate the images captured using an MRI with the letters of the alphabet. The whole system takes about an hour to learn and configure for each individual. Trials focused on healthy individuals, but clearly its the paralyzed and people suffering from diseases like ALS that have the most to gain. Sorger hopes to enable "locked-in" patients to finally be able to communicate with the outside world by thinking out letter at a time. Obviously, patients aren't going to be able to install an MRI in their homes, none-the-less lug one around with them. The data collected could be used to finely tailor less accurate but more portable systems for patients that monitor electrical or light signals. If you're interested in the real nitty-gritty you can check out the complete research paper at the source link.New system lets you type with your brain using MRIs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gizmodo | Current Biology, University of Maastricht | Email this | Comments

Google Pumps Up Jelly Bean’s Face Unlock Feature With A New ‘Liveness Check’

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:41 AM PDT

Google Pumps Up Jelly Bean's Face Unlock Feature With A New 'Liveness Check'


Google Pumps Up Jelly Bean's Face Unlock Feature With A New 'Liveness Check'
Back when Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was first introduced in Hong Kong last year plenty of us jaded tech folk took a shine to its new Face Unlock feature, which allows users to unlock their devices with their front-facing cameras. Of course, we now know that it isn't terribly secure — a picture of your face was apparently good enough to fool it — but Google seems to have made Face Unlock just a bit more secure in their early Jelly Bean release.

HP plans to hold off on building ARM-based Windows tablets, focus on x86 instead

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:41 AM PDT

HP plans to hold off on building ARM-based Windows tablets, focus on x86 instead


HP plans to hold off on building ARM-based Windows tablets, focus on x86 instead
Whether it's put off by Microsoft's own push into tablets with Surface or just taking a wait-and-see approach, HP has now confirmed that it won't be among those offering ARM-based Windows 8 (or RT) hardware when the OS makes its long-awaited debut later this year. That possibility was first reported by SemiAccurate earlier today and has now been backed up by Bloomberg, which has the official word straight from HP spokesperson Marlene Somsak. She noted that HP will instead be focusing solely on x86-based devices, a decision that she says was "influenced by input from our customers," adding that the "robust and established ecosystem of x86 applications provides the best customer experience at this time and in the immediate future." What's more, Somsak went on to say that HP's first Windows 8 tablet will focus on the business market, which certainly lines up with the leaked device pictured above that surfaced a few months back.HP plans to hold off on building ARM-based Windows tablets, focus on x86 instead originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments

BMW and Toyota sign deal to collaborate on sports car and EV technology

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:40 AM PDT

BMW and Toyota sign deal to collaborate on sports car and EV technology


BMW and Toyota sign deal to collaborate on sports car and EV technology
There's not a lot of specifics to be had on this one just yet, but BMW and Toyota have inked a new deal that will see them collaborate on far more than the batteries they've already agreed to work on together. According to the automakers, the new arrangement will see them focus on four key areas: a fuel cell system, powertrain electrification, lightweight technologies and, last but not least, joint development of the "architecture and components for a future sports vehicle." Unfortunately, neither party is offering much indication about the types of vehicles we might see as a result. BMW's Norbert Reithofer said only that the goal of the partnership is to "further strengthen our competitive position in sustainable future technologies," while Toyota's Akio Toyoda notes that "BMW and Toyota both want to make ever-better cars," and that he's "excited to think of the cars that will result from this relationship." Continue reading BMW and Toyota sign deal to collaborate on sports car and EV technologyBMW and Toyota sign deal to collaborate on sports car and EV technology originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Autoblog Green | | Email this | Comments

Flickr brings in Nokia map data for precise geotagged photos, Instagram shots ju...

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Flickr brings in Nokia map data for precise geotagged photos, Instagram shots just got eerily accurate


Flickr brings in Nokia map data for precise geotagged photos, Instagram shots just got eerily accurate
Open Street Map has been helping Flickr display geotagged shots for some time. That crowdsourced map data has led to more than a few photos being located in a gray blob, however, which is why Yahoo just struck a deal to put Nokia maps into as many nooks and crevices of the world as possible. The addition will make sure that Instagram photo tour of Africa is often accurate down to the street corner, not to mention give a slightly Finland-tinged look to the maps themselves. Open Street Map isn't going away, but it's now being used only for those areas where regular coverage is spotty or non-existent. The images already apply to any existing and upcoming uploads -- there will be no question that self-portrait was taken in Tanzania.Flickr brings in Nokia map data for precise geotagged photos, Instagram shots just got eerily accurate originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | Flickr Blog | Email this | Comments

2013 Honda Fit EV [w/video]

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:08 AM PDT

2013 Honda Fit EV [w/video]


2013 Honda Fit EV [w/video]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Honda, First DriveReminding Us That EVs Are Becoming Less Of A Compromise The 2013 Honda Fit EV, the Japanese automaker's highly anticipated answer to the Nissan Leaf, is quick, agile and actually quite fun to drive. Its cabin is roomy, outward visibility good and its styling is anything but odd. The platform is impressively safe, it has decent range and Honda says it is the most efficient vehicle the EPA has ever tested. So, what's the problem? Let's call it a lack of volume. Honda is only releasing 1,100 of these little blue hatchbacks over the next two model years in the States, and all of them will be delivered on contracted three-year leases. Making matters more frustrating for those who want to forget about internal combustion, only California and Oregon are in the launch plans with five other preselected East Coast markets opening shortly thereafter. Statistically speaking, the Honda Fit EV will initially be scarcer than a Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 (the Italians are estimating a production run of approximately 4,000 worldwide). But thankfully, Honda brought a handful of pre-production Fit EVs to Southern California and offered us a drive. We ran acceleration tests, dodged cones on a slalom course and then did some real-world driving. Dwelling on its pending shortage, it was almost frustrating that we enjoyed ourselves so much.Continue reading 2013 Honda Fit EV [w/video]2013 Honda Fit EV [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

ASUS' Cedar Trail-loaded EeeBox EB1030 nettop keeps your desk clean, thumbs green

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:08 AM PDT

ASUS' Cedar Trail-loaded EeeBox EB1030 nettop keeps your desk clean, thumbs green


ASUS' Cedar Trail-loaded EeeBox EB1030 nettop keeps your desk clean, thumbs green
We've seen a fair share of space-saving nettops pass through our very own crowded halls, so what's one more to add to the list? Especially when it's one being flaunted as the most eco-friendly, energy-efficient PC. That's exactly what ASUS thinks of its EeeBox EB1030, which aside from sporting a relatively minimalist design (as is usually the case with nettops), it's also boasting Intel's latest batch of Cedar Trail CPUs. To go along with those Atom processors (1.86GHz), ASUS is making this mini machine as configurable as it could get, giving users the option to load it with up to 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive combined with 32GB of SSD goodness. Ports-wise the unit's pretty standard, offering options such as an HDMI, VGA, microphone, audio jack, card reader and four USB two-dot-ohs. Of course, the amount of cash you'll have to shell out will depend on the setup of choice, with pricing set to start at €296, or around $370 in American dollars. Gallery: ASUS EeeBox PC EB1030ASUS' Cedar Trail-loaded EeeBox EB1030 nettop keeps your desk clean, thumbs green originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Notebook Italia | ASUS | Email this | Comments

Shanghai Automotive Opens US Office

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Shanghai Automotive Opens US Office


Shanghai Automotive Opens US Office
Chinese automakers test the waters of the US market.

Google Analytics Goes Mobile With App Analytics And An Android App

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:07 AM PDT

Google Analytics Goes Mobile With App Analytics And An Android App


Google Analytics Goes Mobile With App Analytics And An Android App
Google is announcing a big addition to Google Analytics today — Mobile App Analytics. As with the social media-focused reports launched earlier this year, the interest in mobile analytics is obvious — if anything, it may seem that Google is a little late in chasing these trends. In this case, Product Manager JiaJing Wang says the goal was to create a "holistic app analytics." While there are other mobile analytics services out there, Wang says none of them really tracks all of the data that's relevant to an app developer, so they end up stitching different services together into a "disparate and taxing experience."

PSA: The end of MobileMe is nigh, time to move on or move out

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 09:34 AM PDT

PSA: The end of MobileMe is nigh, time to move on or move out


PSA: The end of MobileMe is nigh, time to move on or move out
The death knell for MobileMe has been ringing for some time, but if you've had your hands on your ears, hoping it'd go away, sadly this isn't the case. Tomorrow sees the service hang up its storage-boots for the last time, before being brutally put down released to pasture. If the 20GB olive branch Apple offered wasn't enough to turn you onto iCloud, then this is your last call to pack up your virtual things, and make sure the door doesn't hit you on the way out. And while breaking up is never easy to do, there are plenty more fish in the sea.PSA: The end of MobileMe is nigh, time to move on or move out originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MobileMe | Email this | Comments

Microsoft lists 180 countries in Windows Phone 8 Marketplace, says apps can filt...

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Microsoft lists 180 countries in Windows Phone 8 Marketplace, says apps can filter by screen size


Microsoft lists 180 countries in Windows Phone 8 Marketplace, says apps can filter by screen size
Now that the dust has settled on the big Windows Phone 8 hoedown, Redmond is filling in the details of all its announcements. To wit, it just released a list of the 180 countries that will get access to its WP marketplace and developer app hub. That number is a big jump from the 63 markets and 38 app hubs of today, and with in-app purchasing coming soon, Microsoft emphasized that point -- along with the 100,000 apps in stock -- to developers. The software giant also added that the marketplace will filter apps by phone screen resolution and "other key characterstics," allowing easier targeting of users. To see if your country made the cut, check the source for the very long list.Microsoft lists 180 countries in Windows Phone 8 Marketplace, says apps can filter by screen size originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Windows Team Blog | Email this | Comments

World's smallest 4K USB 3.0 camera delivers 21 frames per second, fits in pockets

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 08:59 AM PDT

World's smallest 4K USB 3.0 camera delivers 21 frames per second, fits in pockets


World's smallest 4K USB 3.0 camera delivers 21 frames per second, fits in pockets
After proving that a 1080p webcam on USB 3.0 was possible, to the surprise of none, Point Grey's latest addition is a little more impressive, This "ice-cube sized" camera can pipe 4,096 x 2,160 images through that capacious USB 3.0 port, using Sony's new IMX1221 Exmor R sensor. Thanks to its size, the camera is geared toward business-centric applications, including broadcasting and high-resolution optical inspection -- which goes some way to explaining the $945 retail price. The full technical spec sheet waits in the press release, right after the break.Continue reading World's smallest 4K USB 3.0 camera delivers 21 frames per second, fits in pocketsWorld's smallest 4K USB 3.0 camera delivers 21 frames per second, fits in pockets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Point Grey | Email this | Comments

Orbotix’s Sphero Is Rolling Into An Apple Store Near You

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Orbotix's Sphero Is Rolling Into An Apple Store Near You


Orbotix's Sphero Is Rolling Into An Apple Store Near You
It's been a few months since Orbotix's pearlescent smart ball finally started making its way out into the real world, and the team behind it has just announced that another major retailer will be carrying their slightly-pointless gadget. Move over, Brookstone -- the Sphero is now available in Apple's online store and in a handful of their carefully-crafted altars of consumerism.

Government-backed movie streaming service coming to China in Q4, bringing Paramo...

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 08:26 AM PDT

Government-backed movie streaming service coming to China in Q4, bringing Paramount titles along


Government-backed movie streaming service coming to China in Q4, bringing Paramount titles along
Government-helmed China Movie Channel's site M1905 announced this week that it's joining forces with Jiaflix -- a consortium comprised of Hollywood-types like former Columbia exec Sid Ganis -- to launch a movie streaming service in China. The still unnamed offering is set to stream both Chinese and international films, including a deal struck with Paramount that will bring the studio's back catalog and future releases to the service. The fruits of the partnership are set to launch in the fourth quarter of this year, bringing streaming to a number of platforms, including smartphone and tablets. Jiaflix and China Movie Channel added that they'll have a plan in place to combat potential piracy through the service, but have yet to spell out what such a plan of action would entail.Continue reading Government-backed movie streaming service coming to China in Q4, bringing Paramount titles alongGovernment-backed movie streaming service coming to China in Q4, bringing Paramount titles along originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Reuters | | Email this | Comments

Delta expanding Gogo in-flight WiFi to select international flights beginning in...

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:51 AM PDT

Delta expanding Gogo in-flight WiFi to select international flights beginning in 2013


Delta expanding Gogo in-flight WiFi to select international flights beginning in 2013
Delta Airlines isn't a stranger to offering WiFi on many of its domestic US flights, but using Gogo's air-to-ground connection setup has essentially kept it from taking off over the seas. That's all set to change come 2013, however, as 150 of Delta's long-haul aircraft will make use of all those high-bandwidth Ku-band capacity satellites that Gogo has been acquiring over the past few months. The updated setup will ensure that you can update your Facebook status over the likes of the Atlantic, but it won't be fully rolled-out until about 2015. By that time, the airline estimates it'll be operating around 1,000 Gogo-equipped aircraft worldwide -- not too shabby. If anything, the wait to hit 10,000 feet is surely going be more interesting for all the international work-a-holics out there. Hit up the press release after the break for more details in the meantime.Continue reading Delta expanding Gogo in-flight WiFi to select international flights beginning in 2013Delta expanding Gogo in-flight WiFi to select international flights beginning in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Gigabyte launches Aivia Xenon dual-mode touchpad mouse

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:51 AM PDT

Gigabyte launches Aivia Xenon dual-mode touchpad mouse


Gigabyte launches Aivia Xenon dual-mode touchpad mouse
When our eyes first landed upon the device from Gigabyte you see above, it took them a few seconds to work out exactly what they were looking at. There's a reason for that, though, as the Aivia Xenon -- as it is known -- lives a double life. By day, it's an ordinary PC mouse, with support for multi-touch gestures. By night (well, and day too, if you choose) it's a portable touchpad. The hybrid device offers 1000DPI resolution, can be used up to 10 meters away (for presentations etc.) and comes with software that lets you create custom gestures. If you have two birds, but only space for one stone, head down to the source link for more info.Gigabyte launches Aivia Xenon dual-mode touchpad mouse originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink M.I.C. Gadget | Gigabyte | Email this | Comments