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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Sony patents vein reading system for accessible computers, toilets

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 02:37 PM PDT

Sony patents vein reading system for accessible computers, toilets


Sony patents vein reading system for accessible computers, toilets
In a sign of just how backed up our patent system is, Sony was finally awarded a series of claims for a vein-reading mouse it filed back in January of 2009. The idea is to use an image of the blood vessels in your index finger as an authentication system. But, instead of unlocking a PC, the identity would be associated with a set of preferences -- automatically boosting contrast and text size on a screen for the elderly. While the patented claims apply exclusively to computer mice, Sony envisions vein readers everywhere, personalizing and simplifying life for the aging... even in the bathroom. Another embodiment of the system involves scanning a persons finger as they turn the doorknob to the lavatory. Once authenticated, data is sent to the toilet which automatically lifts the seat, then adjusts the force and angle of the bidet based on your preferences. Once again, Japan proves why its winning the race in toilet technology.Sony patents vein reading system for accessible computers, toilets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Joule of Denial: Optimal Energy sails into the sunset

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Joule of Denial: Optimal Energy sails into the sunset


Joule of Denial: Optimal Energy sails into the sunset
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Africa The dream of having a practical electric vehicle from South Africa has ended. At least, for now. Optimal Energy, which first trotted out its Keith Helfet-designed Joule at the 2008 Paris Motor Show has announced that it is shutting down. Though it was originally expected to go on sale in 2010, plans were delayed by the world financial mess that made capital hard to come by. Production was then supposed to go ahead by 2014, but, after being unable to work out a R7 billion ($857.8 million at today's rates) deal with government agencies, that has also become impossible. More recently, Optimal has shifted its focus, with a proposal to use the technology it had developed into producing an electric bus. Sadly, that project would have also relied on government help to get started and, in the end, was deemed too risky. While CEO Kobus Meiring is saddened by the loss of his company, he still sees electric vehicles as having a bright future. We concur, and hope that South Africa will eventually have its own share of homegrown plug-in vehicles.Joule of Denial: Optimal Energy sails into the sunset originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Insert Coin: GameDock lets your iPhone interface with a TV and controllers, game...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Insert Coin: GameDock lets your iPhone interface with a TV and controllers, game it old school


Insert Coin: GameDock lets your iPhone interface with a TV and controllers, game it old school
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. With its GameDock, Cascadia Games has a new twist on iOS arcade play -- it lets you use your TV and two classic controllers. While retro games are popular on iPhones right now, an intense session can go haywire if your digits slip around on the tactile glass, and head-to-head play is literally that if you're sharing a small device with a foe. That aforementioned situation inspired the GameDock, which turns into a full-blown console when you plug in and pair your iPhone, iPad or iPod using Bluetooth, then connect your TV, along with a couple of USB game controllers. Just like that, you and a buddy are playing big-screen Asteroids, Centipede and 100 or so other iOS games that work with iCade. With 43 days remaining, just shy of 10 grand has been upped toward the $50K goal, so check the source if you want to revel in the gaming days of yore -- eye or thumb strain-free.Continue reading Insert Coin: GameDock lets your iPhone interface with a TV and controllers, game it old schoolInsert Coin: GameDock lets your iPhone interface with a TV and controllers, game it old school originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

Virtual Currency Monetization Company Sponsorpay Gets 32M Uniques In June, 300%...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Virtual Currency Monetization Company Sponsorpay Gets 32M Uniques In June, 300% Mobile Growth This Year


Virtual Currency Monetization Company Sponsorpay Gets 32M Uniques In June, 300% Mobile Growth This Year
Sponsorpay, a leading cross-platform mobile app monetization and user acquisition company, told us today that they have seen 300% growth in mobile business since January of 2012. Janis Zech, co-founder and chief revenue officer, also said Sponsorpay had 32 million unique visitors on mobile products in the month of June. While declining to share the exact user growth rate, Zech said there has been a faster growth rate for users than for the mobile platform revenues.

Qualcomm enlists Samsung, UMC to help meet 28nm Snapdragon S4 demand

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Qualcomm enlists Samsung, UMC to help meet 28nm Snapdragon S4 demand


Qualcomm enlists Samsung, UMC to help meet 28nm Snapdragon S4 demand
Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 chipset is certainly hot (well, not too hot), but it looks like demand is expected to grow even further, causing the San Diego-based SoC maker to turn to allies in the east to help beef up supply. According to China Economic News Service, United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) and Korea-based Samsung will join Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to manufacturer the 28nm chips beginning later this year, in an attempt to increase S4 availability ahead of the Windows RT launch. The article cites Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs as saying that a shortage is expected to continue, due to the complicated techniques necessary to manufacturer 28nm chips, and that the company may consider adding its own manufacturing plant in the future. All in all, it doesn't seem like a terrible position for QCOM to be in. Full details are at the Taiwanese source link below.Qualcomm enlists Samsung, UMC to help meet 28nm Snapdragon S4 demand originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | China Economic News Service | Email this | Comments

Key MeeGo team members leave Nokia, N9 owners swipe away a few tears

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 01:32 PM PDT

Key MeeGo team members leave Nokia, N9 owners swipe away a few tears


Key MeeGo team members leave Nokia, N9 owners swipe away a few tears
This week will be remembered as a volatile one if you're a MeeGo fan. Just hours after Nokia posted the PR 1.3 update for N9 owners, the company's MeeGo development lead Sotiris Makyrgiannis and other team members have confirmed that they're leaving for greener pastures. The split appears to be an amicable one, with the crew largely going to CloudBerryTec to write mobile apps (including for MeeGo) and consult on software even as they share fond memories. What's left is a lot of doubt over the fate of the swipe-driven OS itself. Nokia promised years of support for the OS as a side project following the big leap to Windows Phone, but it also hadn't mentioned the possibility of important staff departures, either. We've reached out to the company for a fuller answer -- if it turns out that MeeGo development is winding down, the staff shift could be the end to completely in-house OS creation at a company that was once defined by its custom platforms.Key MeeGo team members leave Nokia, N9 owners swipe away a few tears originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink GSMArena, My Nokia Blog | Sotiris Makrygiannis (Twitter), Maemo.org | Email this | Comments

Sprint's white EVO 4G LTE reportedly set for July 15th release, BOGO on Epic 4G...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 12:59 PM PDT

Sprint's white EVO 4G LTE reportedly set for July 15th release, BOGO on Epic 4G Touch in tow


Sprint's white EVO 4G LTE reportedly set for July 15th release, BOGO on Epic 4G Touch in tow
Are you a Sprint customer with a penchant for LTE technology and white handsets? If so, listen up. Intel leaked to blog TechnoBuffalo seems to indicate that the Now Network's very first LTE-toting albino handset will be hitting store shelves on July 15th; obviously, we're talking about HTC's latest spin on the EVO, the EVO 4G LTE. The white set, much like its hued brethren already in market, will set you back $200 with a signed two-year commitment, or can be had for $550 contract-free. As an added bonus, it looks like Sprint will also be serving up a buy-on-get-one-free offer on Samsung's Epic 4G Touch. Purchasing one 4G Touch -- scheduled to get Ice Cream Sandwich in the near future -- for $99 on-contract will allow you pick up a second set for the always attractive price of $0. Any takers?Sprint's white EVO 4G LTE reportedly set for July 15th release, BOGO on Epic 4G Touch in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TechnoBuffalo | Email this | Comments

Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video)

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 12:28 PM PDT

Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video)


Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video)
Proper home automation systems can cost upwards of $10,000, and while budget alternatives can't touch the level of integration you'll enjoy with a behemoth rig, all but the most sophisticated of homeowners can squeak by with a simple timer setup -- or the modern equivalent. Belkin's WeMo duo utilizes two types of plug-in modules paired with an iOS 5+ app, which you'll use to set macros, control lights and schedule on/off times. A Switch module can turn on and off a lamp, fan, coffee maker, television or heating appliance from a connected iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You can also set a seemingly unlimited number of detailed schedules for each device, all from the comfort of your WiFi-equipped touchscreen handheld. You can integrate the optional Motion device with a set of macros as well, configuring your lights to turn on once you step through the foyer, or your coffee maker to launch a brew as you walk through your bedroom door. We wired up a lamp in a New York City apartment to give WeMo a go, and things generally worked as advertised. Setup is fairly straightforward -- simply plug in a module, select its corresponding SSID broadcast from iOS then launch the free app to force the device onto your home WiFi network. You'll need to repeat the process to add each gadget or sensor, but once you do, you'll be able to config and control any connected gadget from anywhere on the network, or beyond. The system theoretically supports remote access without any additional setup (modules are registered to the app) but we weren't able to power up the lamp while on 3G during multiple attempts. That detail aside, we'd be happy to welcome WeMo into our home, though the absent Android app throws in a speed bump for sure. You have two options for adding WeMo -- there's a Switch + Motion kit available for $100, which includes a power control and motion sensor, or you can opt for the Switch solo for $50. Then, simply add as many outlet controllers as you wish, at 50 bucks a pop. You can see that first combo in action in our hands-on video after the break.Gallery: Belkin WeMo for iOS hands-onContinue reading Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video)Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion home automation system for iOS hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Belkin | Email this | Comments

Acer says it's 'moving away from the lower end' in Europe, leaving cheaper lapto...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 12:28 PM PDT

Acer says it's 'moving away from the lower end' in Europe, leaving cheaper laptops to Packard Bell


Acer says it's 'moving away from the lower end' in Europe, leaving cheaper laptops to Packard Bell
This certainly doesn't come as a huge surprise given where Acer has been focusing its attention as of late, but it looks like the company is truly intent on shedding its image as a low-cost brand -- at least in Europe. Speaking with TechRadar, an Acer spokesperson said that "it can be a slightly conflicting message," referring to it also offering computers under its Packard Bell brand, and that "Acer is moving away from the lower end." In this case, Acer is defining low-end as under £400, or roughly $600, although it says there will be some crossover. The spokesperson further added that "Acer will become more premium," also noting that "we try to separate the two brands as far as possible, so the average consumer has no idea that the two brands are associated." What that means for Acer in North America (where the Packard Bell brand is long gone) remains to be seen, but we've reached out to the company for comment.Acer says it's 'moving away from the lower end' in Europe, leaving cheaper laptops to Packard Bell originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Trusted Reviews | TechRadar | Email this | Comments

EU clears resales of used software, shoots down Oracle's new-sales-only dreams

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 11:53 AM PDT

EU clears resales of used software, shoots down Oracle's new-sales-only dreams


EU clears resales of used software, shoots down Oracle's new-sales-only dreams
One advantage American technology fans can celebrate is the right to resell software. After the initial purchase, they're usually cleared to pass along any apps or games as long as the technology itself allows. Europeans haven't had that (legal) option to date, but the EU's Court of Justice has just ruled in a case against Oracle that they will going forward: no matter what the license says, those in EU countries can resell their downloaded apps as long as they don't try to keep a working copy for themselves. The new owner doesn't even have to shuffle over a local example and can go straight to the source. We can't imagine that Oracle and other companies averse to used software are jumping for joy, although copy protection and a lack of digital resale mechanisms might help them simmer down and let us treat our apps like we do our gadgets. [Image credit: Maciej Bliziński, Flickr]EU clears resales of used software, shoots down Oracle's new-sales-only dreams originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink New Scientist | EU Court of Justice | Email this | Comments

Intel appeals record-setting $1.45 billion antitrust fine... from 2009

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 11:18 AM PDT

Intel appeals record-setting $1.45 billion antitrust fine... from 2009


Intel appeals record-setting $1.45 billion antitrust fine... from 2009
It's been more than three years since being slapped with a record-setting €1.06 billion (roughly $1.45 billion) antitrust fine by the EU, and Intel is finally getting around to putting an appeal in motion. The request for a reversal is going to the second highest court in the union, the General Court in Luxembourg, where Intel's lawyers plan to argue that the evidence used to convict the company was "profoundly inadequate." The Commission that levied the fine was also criticized the European Ombudsman for failures in record keeping and procedure during the original investigation. However, the prosecution is sticking steadfast to its argument that rebates handed out by Chipzilla were clearly a clever ploy to hide its anti-competitive practices. Should the hearing not go Intel's way, there is one last stop on its journey -- the EU's Court of Justice. A loss there would require the rather sizable fine be paid.Intel appeals record-setting $1.45 billion antitrust fine... from 2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink ZDNet | Reuters | Email this | Comments

Carnegie Mellon smart headlight prototype blacks out raindrops for clearer view...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 10:45 AM PDT

Carnegie Mellon smart headlight prototype blacks out raindrops for clearer view of the road


Carnegie Mellon smart headlight prototype blacks out raindrops for clearer view of the road
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon have developed a prototype smart headlight which blots out individual drops of rain or snow -- improving vision by up to 90 percent. Made with an off-the-shelf Viewsonic DLP projector, a quad-core Intel Core-i7 PC and a GigE Point Grey Flea3 camera, the Rube Goldberg-esque process starts by first imaging raindrops arriving at the top of its view. After this, the signal goes to a processing unit, which uses a predictive theory developed by the team to guess the drops' path to the road. Finally, the projector -- found in the same place as the camera -- uses a beamsplitter like modern digital 3D rigs. Used in tandem with calculations, it transmits a beam with light voids matching the predicted path. The result? It all stops light from hitting the falling particles, with the cumulative process resulting in the illusion of a nearly precipitation-free road view -- at least in the lab. So far, the whole process takes about a hundredth of a second (13 ms) but scientists said that in an actual car and with many more drops, the speed would have to be about ten times quicker. That would allow 90 percent of the light located 13 feet in front of the headlights to pass through, but even at just triple the speed, it would give drivers a 70 percent better view. To see if this tech might have a snowflake's chance of making it out of the lab, go past the break for all the videos.Continue reading Carnegie Mellon smart headlight prototype blacks out raindrops for clearer view of the roadCarnegie Mellon smart headlight prototype blacks out raindrops for clearer view of the road originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PhysOrg | Carnegie Mellon | Email this | Comments

The most expensive internet in America: fighting to bring affordable broadband t...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 09:38 AM PDT

The most expensive internet in America: fighting to bring affordable broadband to American Samoa


The most expensive internet in America: fighting to bring affordable broadband to American Samoa
"You could argue that there's some value in it." That's New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, speaking candidly during a recent interview at D10 in California. The topic of conversation? Widespread WiFi, and whether or not the government should be the one thinking about its future ubiquity. More specifically, if WiFi hotspots should be treated like "roads or water supply," as aptly stated by AllThingsD's Kara Swisher. This obviously isn't the first time such an idea has crossed the minds of those connected to Washington, D.C. Muni-Fi (municipal wireless networks) projects were all the rage a few years back, but one spectacular failure after another swiftly extinguished that momentum. In more modern times, America (as well as other nations) has sought to solve the "rural broadband" problem, bringing high(er)-speed internet connections to places with a higher bovine population than human. But bringing broadband to places like rural North Dakota seems like an easy chore to a small, but passionate, group of 60,000 sitting some 4,770 miles from San Diego, California. American Samoa may be an unincorporated US territory located closer to pure bliss than the hustle and bustle of Wall Street, but it's no doubt being taken into consideration in recent mapping projects aiming to pinpoint the areas most lacking in terms of digital infrastructure. Unbeknownst to most mainlanders, this fragile island chain is home to the most expensive internet in America, and the political issues surrounding it are astonishing. Head on past the break to learn more on what I discovered.Continue reading The most expensive internet in America: fighting to bring affordable broadband to American SamoaThe most expensive internet in America: fighting to bring affordable broadband to American Samoa originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | American Samoa Broadband Map, One Economy | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy Chat brings Nature UX to the messaging crowd

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 09:04 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Chat brings Nature UX to the messaging crowd


Samsung Galaxy Chat brings Nature UX to the messaging crowd
We didn't have to wait long to find out what Samsung would do with the GT-B5330 we saw just a day ago: meet the much more elegantly-titled Galaxy Chat. The finished product is Samsung's first phone outside of the Galaxy S III to carry the Nature UX layer, but takes it in a very message-happy direction with a QWERTY keyboard, a bundled copy of Quick Office and a dedicated key for ChatON that reminds us of the BlackBerry Curve 9320's BBM shortcut. Not that you'd confuse the two otherwise, as the Galaxy Chat's 3-inch, 480 x 320 touchscreen and 4GB of built-in storage (plus a microSD slot) are decided steps up. About our only letdowns relative to the category are the 2-megapixel, flashless camera at the back and the difficulty some will have in getting their hands on Samsung's first keyboard-touting Android 4.0 phone. Unlike the global blitz we saw with the Galaxy S III, the Chat is launching in Spain this month and will exclude some large swaths of the Earth when it goes worldwide later on, leaving out Africa, North America and Russia.Samsung Galaxy Chat brings Nature UX to the messaging crowd originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Samsung | Email this | Comments

iPad mini rumors resurface like so many leftovers, have production start in Sept...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 08:31 AM PDT

iPad mini rumors resurface like so many leftovers, have production start in September


iPad mini rumors resurface like so many leftovers, have production start in September
There have been rumors of a shrunken iPad since time immemorial, so you'll have to forgive us if we look at most fresh claims with a jaded eye. Still, when both Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal hear that Apple is close to producing a tablet with an 8-inch or smaller screen, there might be some fire to go with the smoke. What details that exist are unsurprisingly thin outside of the dimensions, although Bloomberg understands that there won't be a Retina display like in the current 9.7-inch slab. That's not a shock given the size and likely cost concerns -- we're more interested in the talk of nearing production plans with an uncanny level of synchronicity. The Wall Street Journal has caught murmurs that volume production ramps up in September, while its business paper rival Bloomberg thinks that an announcement could come "by October." We still won't be shocked if these are just wild misinterpretations of an upsized iPod touch or become nothing but vapor. Should they pan out, however, our good friend the Nexus 7 could feel some heat this fall.iPad mini rumors resurface like so many leftovers, have production start in September originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 11:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal | Email this | Comments

Sky Sports iPad app, Sky Go for iOS and Android refreshed with more content and...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 07:59 AM PDT

Sky Sports iPad app, Sky Go for iOS and Android refreshed with more content and features


Sky Sports iPad app, Sky Go for iOS and Android refreshed with more content and features
BSkyB has been busy pushing updates to several of its apps, starting with the Sky Go player. On both iOS and Android, the big new addition is access to Anytime+ video on demand from the Movies and Entertainment category, covering Sky1, Sky Living, Sky Atlantic and Sky Arts 1. On Android, v2.0 of Sky Go brings the ability to manage ones account directly via the app, move the app to the SD card and other bug fixes. What it does not do, yet, is expand the (short) list of compatible devices, although the listing promises Ice Cream Sandwich support later this month. Meanwhile, the Sky Sports app for iPad has a new update too, adding a guide, split screen view for F1 races and the ability to remotely set recordings and reminders from the tablet. All the updates are available at their respective app stores, the links can be found below.Sky Sports iPad app, Sky Go for iOS and Android refreshed with more content and features originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 10:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Digital Lifestyle (1), (2) | Sky Go iOS, Sky Go Android, Sky Sports for iPad | Email this | Comments

UK judge rules HTC doesn't violate Apple's patents, invalidates Cupertino's claims

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 07:25 AM PDT

UK judge rules HTC doesn't violate Apple's patents, invalidates Cupertino's claims


UK judge rules HTC doesn't violate Apple's patents, invalidates Cupertino's claims
Well, Apple had a few legal victories over the last couple of weeks, but it's just been handed a significant defeat by Judge Christopher Floyd. The UK court handed down a ruling that HTC does not violate four Apple patents, including the infamous slide-to-unlock claim. What's more, the judge ruled that three of the four patents in question were not valid, among them the aforementioned unlocking design. The only one of the four patents that stood at the end of the day was related to scrolling through images in the photo management app, but HTC did not infringe upon the claim. This follows the ITC refusing an emergency ban on HTC products in the US. Don't think you've heard the last of slide-to-unlock, however. As HTC, Apple and Samsung have repeatedly shown, they're just as interested in competing in the court room as they are on store shelves (if not more so).UK judge rules HTC doesn't violate Apple's patents, invalidates Cupertino's claims originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 10:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments

Honda N600-derived retro city car revealed?

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 06:21 AM PDT

Honda N600-derived retro city car revealed?


Honda N600-derived retro city car revealed?
Filed under: MPG, Honda, Lightweight, Japan A spate of images depicting what looks like a new kei car from Honda have jumped online. The diminutive five-door looks to have borrowed its lines from the N Concept 4 the Japanese automaker first showed off at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. That funky little machine lifted design elements from the much-loved Honda N600 of yore. This development comes as no surprise, as Honda officials told us in November that the concept's warm reception would lead to a production model. These black-and-white shots look to be lifted from patent filings, though there are no solid details available. That hasn't stopped the web from guessing about everything from final dimensions to what's under the hood. Japan has strict regulations governing what can actually be considered a kei car, which means this retro-looking creation will likely be no more than 133 inches long and 58 inches wide. Also in-line with kei-class regulations, the vehicle will likely boast a 660cc VTEC four-cylinder engine good for around 64 horsepower, though we won't know for certain until Honda reveals the official details on the finished product. Don't expect to see this machine on our shores, however. With its diminutive size and output, odds are this one will stay reserved for the Japanese market.Honda N600-derived retro city car revealed? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Netflix users clock-in more viewing hours than ever: over one billion in June

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 06:21 AM PDT

Netflix users clock-in more viewing hours than ever: over one billion in June


Netflix users clock-in more viewing hours than ever: over one billion in June
Despite all Netflix's misgivings up until early this year, the service has got its users watching more video than over. CEO Reed Hastings recently took to Facebook to announce that subscribers have watched over one billion hours of content in a single month, for the "first time ever." As Tech Crunch points out, that's about one hour of video-viewing per day against the five hours that the regular ole tube garners. Hastings also mentioned he's excited about the service's exclusive rights to House of Cards and Arrested Development, declaring that they'll help to "blow these records away." If you'll recall, back in January the company claimed 26 million streaming subscribers worldwide, compared to just over 10 million who opted for discs -- it'll be very interesting to see how these fluctuate given its newer takes on content.Netflix users clock-in more viewing hours than ever: over one billion in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 09:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TechCrunch | Reed Hastings (Facebook) | Email this | Comments

Sony PRS-T2 Reader drops by the FCC, teases e-book lovers ahead of launch

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 05:47 AM PDT

Sony PRS-T2 Reader drops by the FCC, teases e-book lovers ahead of launch


Sony PRS-T2 Reader drops by the FCC, teases e-book lovers ahead of launch
We can always count on the good ole Federal Communications Commission for a sneak peek at the latest wireless-communicating gadgets ahead of launch. Sometimes our probes are met with full-on spec sheets and user manuals to peruse, while often we're greeted with a simple model name and number, and perhaps a hint of said wireless capabilities in a test report. That's what we have today -- most of the information available is listed in that product label above, including confirmation that we're looking at a Sony Reader with the model number PRS-T2. Additionally, the report reveals that the device will sport 802.11b/g/n WiFi (but not 3G), along with a microSD slot for external storage. For now, that's all we have to share, but you're welcome to do some digging of your own at the FCC link below.Sony PRS-T2 Reader drops by the FCC, teases e-book lovers ahead of launch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 08:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Digital Reader | FCC | Email this | Comments

Samba launches ad-supported mobile data in the UK, makes you dance for your inte...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 05:14 AM PDT

Samba launches ad-supported mobile data in the UK, makes you dance for your internet


Samba launches ad-supported mobile data in the UK, makes you dance for your internet
Want mobile data, but without the pesky monetary cost? Samba, a new virtual network in the UK offers just that, in a model similar to the Blyk virtual operator before it. You'll need to stump up for a SIM (£2.99,) and an optional dongle, then sit back and soak up a few adverts to earn some internet "credit." The MVNO uses Three's network, but keeps a record of your browsing as part of the deal (which, claims the BBC, you can prevent from being used for marketing purposes). To get online you'll need to install a browser plug-in, or iPad app which will send you off to the commercials before sending you on your digital way. While technically free, it'll cost you about two-and-a-half minutes of your time a day to get about 517 megabytes of data in a month. Additional credit can be earned through partner deals, or straight up cash if you just want to get on sans adverts. The "free"-dom doesn't extend to what you can browse though, with some sites (those deemed offensive, or in breach of copyright) being off-limits. Still, if this sounds like a decent trade-off, or a good backup plan, head down to the source after these messages...Samba launches ad-supported mobile data in the UK, makes you dance for your internet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 07:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Samba, BBC | Email this | Comments

ACTA rejected by European Union vote

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 04:41 AM PDT

ACTA rejected by European Union vote


ACTA rejected by European Union vote
European Parliament has rejected the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, by a heady 478 to 39, with 146 votes abstaining. While this doesn't mean ACTA can't become a reality elsewhere, it's a smack in the face for companies looking to crack down on internet-based copyright infringement. If ACTA had passed, its definition was so broad that it would mean the use of copyright images on websites could become an illegal act.ACTA rejected by European Union vote originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 07:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink ZDNet | EU Parliament (Twitter), AP | Email this | Comments

Virgin Media WiFi in London goes deeper underground, 41 stations now hooked up

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 04:09 AM PDT

Virgin Media WiFi in London goes deeper underground, 41 stations now hooked up


Virgin Media WiFi in London goes deeper underground, 41 stations now hooked up
While it's been in the pipes for a while, and some lucky stations got an early arrival, Virgin Media has confirmed that 41 stations in total are now lapping from the bowl of sweet, sweet free WiFi. Considering that a million tweets, Facebook updates, and emails were delivered in the first week, and over 100,000 commuters have logged on in the last four, appetite for the service is high. While use is free at the moment, and TFL travel info will remain without charge, non Virgin Media customers will have to start paying up, once the Olympic Games are over. By then the full expected 120 stations should be plugged-in and switched on. For the current list of connected stations, head past the break.Continue reading Virgin Media WiFi in London goes deeper underground, 41 stations now hooked upVirgin Media WiFi in London goes deeper underground, 41 stations now hooked up originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 06:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Stuff | | Email this | Comments

Netgear's R6200 802.11ac router visits the FCC

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 03:36 AM PDT

Netgear's R6200 802.11ac router visits the FCC


Netgear's R6200 802.11ac router visits the FCC
A router, is a router, is a router, right? Well, things get a little bit more interesting when they're of the 802.11ac variety at least. Netgear's R6200 won't sit at the top of its WiFi heap when it hits shelves, but the 1,200Mbps dual band offering will be nothing to sneeze at. And, best of all, it's almost here... we think. When it was announced in mid May we were given a vague Q3 shipping date. As we enter the third quarter, Uncle Sam has given the wireless base station a stamp of approval, moving it one step closer to a spot in your home. Unfortunately, the FCC filing doesn't reveal any surprises or even a nifty tear down but, if you're wondering just how much radiation it'll be pumping through your airwaves, check out the source.Netgear's R6200 802.11ac router visits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 06:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

Nike and O2 team up to offer Priority Sports hub: Nike+ running app becomes O2 e...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 03:03 AM PDT

Nike and O2 team up to offer Priority Sports hub: Nike+ running app becomes O2 exclusive


Nike and O2 team up to offer Priority Sports hub: Nike+ running app becomes O2 exclusive
Get your fill of freebies and discounts from O2's exclusive Priority Moments service? Then you might be interested in where the UK carrier's headed next -- the running track. Nike's decided to team-up with the operator and, with its Nike+ tech, offer a new app hub that ties into the UK's very hectic summer of sport. Priority Sports launched today in Nike Town, London, replete with the likes of marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe ready to talk up the new service. The app will offer up videos, fitness advice and even more Nike-centric editorial content. Accessible on iPhone and Android, there will be priority access to new Nike products -- including the odd exclusive trainer -- and free entry to exclusive events tied into the scheme, the first of which is happening this Sunday. Perhaps more importantly, the Nike+ GPS running app (alongside companion services) will launch exclusively on O2 in the UK, starting today. The app will remain O2-only until the end of the year. New services will include training sessions alongside Nike-sponsored athlete and the whole app will include embedded social network connectivity to Facebook. The app hasn't gone live just yet on those app stores, but we'll add those links when they do. Developing...Nike and O2 team up to offer Priority Sports hub: Nike+ running app becomes O2 exclusive originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 05:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Youview TV platform and set-top box coming to UK stores this month

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 01:58 AM PDT

Youview TV platform and set-top box coming to UK stores this month


Youview TV platform and set-top box coming to UK stores this month
The BBC's iPlayer has become too successful. It either needs to calm down or be put on a more level playing field with 'on demand' services from the other big UK broadcasters -- and it's going to be the latter. Youview -- which has nothing whatsoever in common with YouTube except its name and the fact that it also does video -- is an aerial-based PVR set-top box that allows catch-up viewing, and we've just heard it will arrive in UK stores towards the end of this month. It'll bring together programs from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, using infrastructure and other contributions from BT, Arqiva and TalkTalk, and it'll target a British viewers who want their telly on demand but who don't yet depend on a Smart TV, games console or other converged device, and who haven't already pre-ordered Google TV.Youview TV platform and set-top box coming to UK stores this month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 04:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy Beam, Galaxy Ace 2 resurface, get proper launches in Singapore an...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 01:58 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Beam, Galaxy Ace 2 resurface, get proper launches in Singapore and Taiwan


Samsung Galaxy Beam, Galaxy Ace 2 resurface, get proper launches in Singapore and Taiwan
Samsung has been quiet on the subject of its second-generation Galaxy Beam and the Galaxy Ace 2 ever since they showed together in Barcelona this February, but the two just reemerged as close buddies for an initial launch in East Asia. The Galaxy Beam receives the grandest introduction, as it's coming to Singapore on July 7th followed by a more nebulous mid-July release for Taiwan residents. Those craving tiny, dual-core TouchWiz will have no choice but to flock to Singapore and pick up an Ace 2 at the end of the month. There's no word on where else they'll go on their respective world tours, although the cash outlay is strictly in the middle of the pack: we're looking at S$648 or NT$16,900 ($513 or $566) off-contract for a Galaxy Beam, while its more diminutive cousin carries a S$438 ($352) price tag on similar terms.Samsung Galaxy Beam, Galaxy Ace 2 resurface, get proper launches in Singapore and Taiwan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 04:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Samsung (translated), CNET | Email this | Comments

CERN confirms existence of new particle consistent with Higgs boson, rewrites th...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 12:54 AM PDT

CERN confirms existence of new particle consistent with Higgs boson, rewrites the standard model


CERN confirms existence of new particle consistent with Higgs boson, rewrites the standard model
Physics' big announcement had more in common with a leaky product launch than the serious business of re-writing the science books. But slack asset management aside, it's official: a new boson has been observed within 5 standard deviations of accuracy. The highly anticipated announcement came this morning direct from CERN's press conference (via ICHEP in Melbourne), and is the result of an intense, ongoing search for the elusive particle. This is still a preliminary result, but by far the strongest case yet for the existence of the elusive Higgs. Developing...CERN confirms existence of new particle consistent with Higgs boson, rewrites the standard model originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 03:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | CERN (webcast) | Email this | Comments

BBC launches updated, interactive live video player ahead of Olympics; lines up...

Posted: 04 Jul 2012 12:54 AM PDT

BBC launches updated, interactive live video player ahead of Olympics; lines up 'summer of 3D'


BBC launches updated, interactive live video player ahead of Olympics; lines up 'summer of 3D'
As the London Olympics creep closer, BBC is unveiling more of the technology it plans to use to bring the Games home to UK viewers. In the last few days it's shown off both the new live video player shown above, as well as a new Facebook app in beta for BBC Sport. The interactive live video player is built to deliver up to 24 HD streams during the Olympics, along with alerts for key events and extra information and stats. It will work on computers and tablets that support Flash, and for those notable ones that don't, there's a stripped down version for mobiles and iPads that loses the extra interactivity. The BBC Sport Facebook app will also be able to stream the Games, but also let you see if any of your friends are watching the same stream or what sport is the most popular. Finally, the Beeb has lined up what it's calling the "Summer of 3D" with a lineup that includes Planet of the Dinosaur, Last Night of the Proms, Wimbledon and the Olympics. There's a lot going on, hit the source links or check the press releases after the break for the highlights.BBC launches updated, interactive live video player ahead of Olympics; lines up 'summer of 3D' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 03:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | BBC Internet blog (1), (2), BBC Media Centre | Email this | Comments

CERN update on its search for Higgs boson starts at 3AM ET (video)

Posted: 03 Jul 2012 11:47 PM PDT

CERN update on its search for Higgs boson starts at 3AM ET (video)


CERN update on its search for Higgs boson starts at 3AM ET (video)
The cat would appear to be out of the bag, but if you must find out about the status of the Higgs boson search ASAP, check the video stream (embedded after the break) as CERN scientists reveal whatever it is they've found. The webcast is scheduled to kick off at 2:55AM ET, as a prelude to this year's ICHEP particle physics conference in Melbourne.Continue reading CERN update on its search for Higgs boson starts at 3AM ET (video)CERN update on its search for Higgs boson starts at 3AM ET (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 02:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | CERN | Email this | Comments