Subscribe:

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Shops Online

Shops Online

EVs do more environmental harm than good, author argues

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 02:27 PM PDT

EVs do more environmental harm than good, author argues


EVs do more environmental harm than good, author argues
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Manufacturing/Plants, Transportation Alternatives, Legislation and Policy, North America, USAWell, here's one guy who might not win too many popularity contests around the People's Republic of Berkeley. A visiting scholar at U.C. Berkeley has published a book that argues that electric vehicles hurt the environment more than they help it and that EVs are more of a marketing symbol than a way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, Wired reported.Author Ozzie Zehner, who titled his book "Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism," writes that the production of the copper, aluminum and rare-earth metals required to make an EV and its motor's magnets create more pollution than what would be saved after those cars hit the road, according to the publication. Zehner, a former General Motors employee, also argues that EV prices aren't likely to fall much further because the technological advances related to their production have already been achieved. The book casts a vote for public-transportation improvements as a better way for governments to help the environment than funding electric-drive technology. Naturally, people such as author Nick Chambers and Green Car Reports editor John Voelcker took issue with Zehner's arguments, Wired reported. Among other points, both Chambers and Voelcker predicted further substantial drops in battery-pack prices, while Voelcker said that much research is being conducted on using non-rare-earth metals in electric motors, which would further cause the environmental impact of making an EV to drop.EVs do more environmental harm than good, author argues originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fly Or Die: Samsung Galaxy S III

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 02:26 PM PDT

Fly Or Die: Samsung Galaxy S III


Fly Or Die: Samsung Galaxy S III
I said in my review that the Samsung Galaxy S III is the phone you've been waiting for, and the same holds true in this latest episode of Fly Or Die. John and I took a look at the various specs, namely the NFC-style features and S-Voice, and we both walked away with a warm, fuzzy feeling. To put it quite bluntly, the Galaxy S III is far and away the best Android phone you can buy today. Sure, the plastic back panel is a bit "chintzy," as John would say, but that's irrelevant when you look at the value in this phone.

Jolla promises MeeGo will live on, plans new smartphone to reward the faithful

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 02:26 PM PDT

Jolla promises MeeGo will live on, plans new smartphone to reward the faithful


Jolla promises MeeGo will live on, plans new smartphone to reward the faithful
More than a few N9 aficionados felt their hearts sink when important MeeGo team members left Nokia this week, putting the fate of the entire swipe-friendly platform in doubt. Recently-founded Jolla was clearly watching, as it confirmed just in the nick of time that it's planning to carry the torch further. The Finnish startup, which includes important members of the N9 team as well as veterans of the unofficial MeeGo community, not only plans to iterate on MeeGo but to build its very own smartphone with that foundation. Those attached to Nokia's interpretation of MeeGo will have to adapt to a few changes: Jolla's work is based on the related, partly HTML5-driven Mer Project and will have a "brand new UI" to go with the new hardware. It won't be a literal N10 as a result, but we'll find out just what direction Jolla is taking soon -- it's been working on the phone since late 2011 with plans to show its work later this year. As long as some of the N9's spirit carries forward, we have a hunch that a lot of fans won't mind the absence of a Nokia badge.Continue reading Jolla promises MeeGo will live on, plans new smartphone to reward the faithfulJolla promises MeeGo will live on, plans new smartphone to reward the faithful originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 16:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Handheld Blog | Jolla (LinkedIn), (Twitter) | Email this | Comments

Is The Lumia 1001 Nokia’s First Windows Phone 8 Device?

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 01:52 PM PDT

Is The Lumia 1001 Nokia's First Windows Phone 8 Device?


Is The Lumia 1001 Nokia's First Windows Phone 8 Device?
With Windows Phone 8's launch fast approaching, it not exactly a surprise to hear that Nokia is slaving away on some new hardware. The Nokia Lumia 910 -- which some suspect is a Lumia 900 meant for T-Mobile USA -- was recently spotted thanks to Nokia's Remote Device Access service, but that's not all the Finnish company seems to have in the works. A new device called the Nokia Lumia 1001 was also detected by one of Nokia's remotely-accessible phones, and its significant model number jump could mean it's the company's first Windows Phone 8 device.

PSA: Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ up for sale again at Google Play store, ships in '2-3 we...

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 12:43 PM PDT

PSA: Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ up for sale again at Google Play store, ships in '2-3 weeks'


PSA: Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ up for sale again at Google Play store, ships in '2-3 weeks'
And just like that it's back. Following a yesterday's temporary stay of the ban on Google's HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus by Judge Koh, the soon-to-be Jelly Bean-loaded device is again up for sale at the Play store -- and a bit early than expected. If you'll recall, Google notes that Android 4.1 apparently mitigates the issues brought up within the dispute by Apple, which has until July 12th to issue a response on the matter. Orders are slated to ship in "two to three weeks," so we'd suggest you grab one quick while its fresh and tasty to ensure your taste buds get the latest Android sugar fix. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]PSA: Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ up for sale again at Google Play store, ships in '2-3 weeks' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google Play store | Email this | Comments

UserVOD Helps Mobile Developers (Virtually) Look Over Users’ Shoulders

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 12:11 PM PDT

UserVOD Helps Mobile Developers (Virtually) Look Over Users' Shoulders


UserVOD Helps Mobile Developers (Virtually) Look Over Users' Shoulders
It must be something in the air. A few weeks ago, ClickTale released a version of its visitor recording and activity heatmap product for the mobile web. On Thursday, we wrote about Delight.io's service for recording user sessions in mobile apps. And now a startup called UserVOD is announcing the public beta of, yes, a product for recording user sessions in mobile apps. Co-founders Zahi Boussiba and Yani Douek were previously working together on a mobile social shopping app called ShopTalk. One of the challenges they discovered was the fact that all the feedback was written or verbal, which could sometimes be hard to understand, and didn't really convey the full user experience.

RIM's Thorsten Heins answers Globe & Mail readers' questions, is 'absolutely com...

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 11:39 AM PDT

RIM's Thorsten Heins answers Globe & Mail readers' questions, is 'absolutely committed' to new timeline


RIM's Thorsten Heins answers Globe & Mail readers' questions, is 'absolutely committed' to new timeline
RIM CEO Thorsten Heins did a fair bit of talking to the media following the company's latest dose of bad news (in addition to penning his own op-ed), and he's now gone one step further by responding to some readers' questions for The Globe & Mail. While there's expectedly not a whole lot in the way of surprises, he did talk a bit more about the reasons for the BlackBerry 10 delay, noting that he "could still see some of the seams," and appears to have ruled out any further delays, saying that he is "absolutely committed" to the new timeline. He's also assured folks that the company will continue to support BlackBerry 7 devices "into the future," but reiterated that upgrading those devices to BB10 was out of the question. You can find all of his answers (10 of them) at the source link below.RIM's Thorsten Heins answers Globe & Mail readers' questions, is 'absolutely committed' to new timeline originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Globe & Mail | Email this | Comments

Nokia Lumia 910 pops up in developer tool, has us chasing phantoms

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 09:55 AM PDT

Nokia Lumia 910 pops up in developer tool, has us chasing phantoms


Nokia Lumia 910 pops up in developer tool, has us chasing phantoms
The often rumored Nokia Lumia 910 has proven to be an ephemeral spirit so far. If the company's Remote Developer Access tool is an indicator, though, it may become corporeal before too long. A Nokiapoweruser reader has spotted the phone's name hanging out as one of the selectable devices. Unfortunately, we're not getting much more than that: there's no hardware specifications lurking about that we know of. Earlier rumors had it being a slight spin on the Lumia 900 with a 12-megapixel camera and even a Verizon edition, but the lack of hard evidence outside of the name may leave us all wondering for some time yet as to what Espoo's flagship might get in a refresh. We won't be shocked if any future overhaul waits for Microsoft's latest and greatest platform to arrive. [Thanks, Nish]Nokia Lumia 910 pops up in developer tool, has us chasing phantoms originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Nokiapoweruser | Email this | Comments

Engadget emblem in Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor makes uncontrollable VTs more st...

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 07:42 AM PDT

Engadget emblem in Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor makes uncontrollable VTs more stylish


Engadget emblem in Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor makes uncontrollable VTs more stylish
Fans of the Steel Battalion series will remember fondly showing off that massive, 40 button controller to their friends and, for a time, feeling like the most hardcore gamer on the planet. Those days are sadly gone, that amazing controller not compatible with the Xbox 360, but of course these days you are the controller. Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor is the latest, Kinect-powered entry to the series and if you look around you'll find the above, your very own Engadget logo that you can plaster all over your Vertical Tank. While we've had limited time with the game, we have to echo the sentiment of our friends over at Joystiq who conclude that the controls are, well, broken to put it mildly. But hey, dig that logo!Gallery: Engadget logo in Steel Battalion: Heavy ArmorEngadget emblem in Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor makes uncontrollable VTs more stylish originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Steel Battalion Emblem Pack download | Email this | Comments

Better Place-charged vehicles surpass 1 million kilometers driven

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 06:35 AM PDT

Better Place-charged vehicles surpass 1 million kilometers driven


Better Place-charged vehicles surpass 1 million kilometers driven
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Europe/EU, Middle East Those who scoff at the metric system may belittle any publicity related to kilometers covered instead of miles, but we're still pretty impressed.Better Place, which is trying to build out an infrastructure for electric vehicles based on the cell phone model of leased batteries that are swapped out, says it's vehicles have surpassed one million kilometers (625,000 miles) driven by using battery-swapping stations in Israel and Denmark. The company, which has an agreement with French automaker Renault to use its Fluence Z.E. EVs for the project, is delivering about five new cars per day to Israeli customers for the purpose of trying out the process. Better Place operates 55 switching stations in Israel and Denmark that have processed about 15,000 battery swaps. As of late January, Better Place, which was founded in 2007, had raised about $750 million in funding. At that time, Bloomberg reported that the company would likely go public within two years to get more funding in order to expand its battery-swapping infrastructure as more people buy electric vehicles. Read more in the press release below.Continue reading Better Place-charged vehicles surpass 1 million kilometers drivenBetter Place-charged vehicles surpass 1 million kilometers driven originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Verizon Galaxy S III has locked bootloader (but it's been rooted anyway)

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 05:27 AM PDT

Verizon Galaxy S III has locked bootloader (but it's been rooted anyway)


Verizon Galaxy S III has locked bootloader (but it's been rooted anyway)
Based on Samsung's hacker-friendly track record, you'd generally expect one of it smartphones to come with an unlocked bootloader, making it easy to update or tweak with unofficial ROMs. That's not the case with Verizon's imminent version of the Galaxy S III, however. As the folk at XDA know only too well, this particular iteration of Sammy's flagship comes with a sealed bootloader, which makes it resistant (though not impervious) to hackery. Of course, Sammy has nothing to gain from snubbing the modding community in this way, so it stands to reason that VZW pushed the Korean manufacturer to supply them with a locked bootloader -- despite the fact that all other variants have been left open. We've reached out to Big Red for comment, but in the meantime a clever soul over at Rootzwiki claims they've already found a workaround for root access. (At this point, though, we'd better provide our usual disclaimer: be very careful before you poke around in there, because going up against a locked bootloader can be risky. The apparent safety of modern life is just a shallow skin atop an ocean of blood, guts and bricked devices.)Verizon Galaxy S III has locked bootloader (but it's been rooted anyway) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 08:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | XDA Developers Forum, Rootzwiki | Email this | Comments

BitTorrent Torque alpha puts file seeds on the web, makes desktop apps look stale

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 03:43 AM PDT

BitTorrent Torque alpha puts file seeds on the web, makes desktop apps look stale


BitTorrent Torque alpha puts file seeds on the web, makes desktop apps look stale
Almost without fail, BitTorrent downloads have had to spread through a dedicated client, whether it's on the desktop or a router. Thankfully, BitTorrent Torque has just come in alpha form to liberate the peer download service from its software chains. All that's needed now is a web browser that can parse a JavaScript app. Going the new route gives some freedom to enable sharing that hasn't always been practical: among the tricks in the company's Torque Labs are drag-and-drop sharing, conversion of torrents into traditional downloads and easing the burden on a server for video streaming. The alpha stage leaves Torque with awhile to go before it's ready for the limelight, but experimenters can hit the source link to start tinkering with distributed file sharing today.BitTorrent Torque alpha puts file seeds on the web, makes desktop apps look stale originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 06:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink BitTorrent Blog | BitTorrent Torque | Email this | Comments

Georgia Tech scientists developing biology-inspired system to give robot eyes mo...

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 01:29 AM PDT

Georgia Tech scientists developing biology-inspired system to give robot eyes more human-like motion


Georgia Tech scientists developing biology-inspired system to give robot eyes more human-like motion
Having difficulty getting your robot parts to work as planned? Turn to nature -- or better yet, look inside yourself. After all, where better to find inspiration than the humans that the machines will one day enslave, right? Researchers at Georgia Tech have been working to develop a system to control cameras in robots that utilizes similar functionality as human muscle. Says Ph.D. candidate Joshua Schultz, The actuators developed in our lab embody many properties in common with biological muscle, especially a cellular structure. Essentially, in the human eye muscles are controlled by neural impulses. Eventually, the actuators we are developing will be used to capture the kinematics and performance of the human eye. The team recently showed off their work at the EEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics in Rome. When fully developed, they anticipate that the piezoelectric system could be used for MRI-based surgery, rehabilitation and research of the human eye.Georgia Tech scientists developing biology-inspired system to give robot eyes more human-like motion originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TG Daily | Georgia Tech | Email this | Comments

Google TV Needs To Decide: Platform Or Closed Ecosystem

Posted: 07 Jul 2012 01:29 AM PDT

Google TV Needs To Decide: Platform Or Closed Ecosystem


Google TV Needs To Decide: Platform Or Closed Ecosystem
There is no debating that consumer adoption of Google TV is extremely disappointing. Logitech has dropped out of the business, several online publications including this one have declared the platform dead. While some new OEMs like Vizio, Sony, and LG have launched new devices with Google TV, it's not clear that any meaningful customer adoption will come as a result of these deals. I believe there is one big reason it hasn't taken off. It's that Google TV is straddling a dual-strategic approach when it needs to pick one strategy and double down on it.

Apple pulls out of EPEAT green registration, may not be able to sell computers t...

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 11:44 PM PDT

Apple pulls out of EPEAT green registration, may not be able to sell computers to federal agencies


Apple pulls out of EPEAT green registration, may not be able to sell computers to federal agencies
Apple has withdrawn all its laptop and desktop computers from the EPEAT environmental rating system, including older MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. According to iFixit, who recently tore down a MacBook Pro and its retina screen, that's likely related to a design direction favoring smaller, lighter notebooks and longer battery life. Doing so required them to glue the cells to the aluminum shell, making it impossible to recycle the case and other parts -- iFixit couldn't pull the batteries out without spilling the (highly toxic) battery guts all over. Cupertino's decision means that many federal agencies might not be able to buy those products, since 95 percent of its electronics purchasing must conform to the EPEAT standard. On top of that, many educational institutions that require the certification would also need to opt out of Mac purchases, as well as large corporations like HSBC and Ford. Currently, iPhones and iPads are exempt from that certification, but considering recent ads from Apple specifically touting its conformance to EPEAT, the company might have some 'splaining to do. [Image credit: iFixit]Apple pulls out of EPEAT green registration, may not be able to sell computers to federal agencies originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 02:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink WSJ | iFixit | Email this | Comments

Japanese group transmits electricity through 4-inch concrete block, could power...

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 10:05 PM PDT

Japanese group transmits electricity through 4-inch concrete block, could power cars on roads


Japanese group transmits electricity through 4-inch concrete block, could power cars on roads
The decision to invest in an electric vehicle would be much easier to justify if the car in question offered unlimited range. That appears to be the concept behind a Toyohashi University research group's wireless power prototype, which can successfully transmit electricity through a 10 centimeter-thick concrete block. During a demonstration in Yokohama, Japan, the team sent between 50 and 60 watts of power through a pair of concrete blocks to two tires, which then juiced up a light bulb (you can see the rig just above). The project is called EVER (Electric Vehicle on Electrified Roadway), and could someday be used to keep cars moving along a highway without any need to pull over for a recharge, thanks to a constant stream of electricity coming from below the road. There are some serious obstacles to overcome before EVER can get some wheels turning -- namely, a need to pump nearly 100 times the current maximum load through concrete that's twice as thick as what they've managed today, not to mention improving undisclosed efficiency levels -- but the group reportedly said that it's up to the task, making us fairly optimistic that such a solution could one day get us from A to B without petrol. Until then, you'll probably want to plan out a pit stop or two before you leave the garage.Japanese group transmits electricity through 4-inch concrete block, could power cars on roads originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TechOn, The Verge | Toyohashi University of Technology | Email this | Comments

Samsung finds exploding Galaxy S III was due to 'external source', owner says it...

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 08:55 PM PDT

Samsung finds exploding Galaxy S III was due to 'external source', owner says it was a 'mistake'


Samsung finds exploding Galaxy S III was due to 'external source', owner says it was a 'mistake'
Remember the melted Samsung Galaxy S III that surfaced in an Irish forum a few weeks ago? Samsung said they were looking into it and, along with a third party investigation, have decided it occurred as a result of "external energy" being applied to the device, not anything from within the phone itself. The damage is apparently consistent with the phone going in the microwave. The original poster dillo2k10 has posted an update on Boards.ie, indicating it was a mistake by someone else in an attempt to recover the phone after it got wet. The Samsung Tomorrow post linked cites a report from Fire Investigations UK finding that the phone itself was not responsible for generating the heat that caused the damage, so GSIII owners (and the pockets of their skinny jeans) should be able to breathe easier.Samsung finds exploding Galaxy S III was due to 'external source', owner says it was a 'mistake' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Samsung Tomorrow, Boards.ie | Email this | Comments

nTelos starts selling iPhone without contract, Apple's prepaid sphere grows a li...

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 08:55 PM PDT

nTelos starts selling iPhone without contract, Apple's prepaid sphere grows a little larger


nTelos starts selling iPhone without contract, Apple's prepaid sphere grows a little larger
Virginia's nTelos was part of a big regional carrier push for the iPhone in April. At the time, though, the only real option at the carrier was to spring for one of the company's full-fledged smartphone plans, usually on-contract -- not a bad value at $80, but a tougher case to make when there's Cricket and Virgin Mobile iPhones available with a cheaper rate. As of today, nTelos is offering a much sweeter deal for the commitment-phobic. If the $550-plus full price of an iPhone 4 or 4S stays palatable, the option is now open to go prepaid at $55 a month for unlimited voice, messaging and data with nTelos' FRAWG Nationwide Unlimited Everything plan. You'll still want to reside in the state for nTelos to truly make sense, but if you regularly cheer the Hokies with pride, going the Apple route just got a lot more flexible. [Thanks, Garrett]nTelos starts selling iPhone without contract, Apple's prepaid sphere grows a little larger originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | nTelos | Email this | Comments

100 million smartphone owners in China getting free VoIP through messaging app W...

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 07:50 PM PDT

100 million smartphone owners in China getting free VoIP through messaging app Weixin


100 million smartphone owners in China getting free VoIP through messaging app Weixin
If you're in China and use a free chat app called Weixin on Android or iOS, you're about to get no-charge VoIP as well thanks to an imminent update. The company is set to join the likes of Skype, Viber and Korea's Kakao Talk in providing free cellphone calls to the nation and ought to make a huge splash given the massive 100 million user install base. The Tencent-owned service is also adding Bluetooth support, a matching VoIP web service and a complete redesign of its site, according to TechNode. There's no release date yet or word on whether the English version WeChat will get it, but if so, it might make those pricey cellphone calls to friends and family overseas a lot freer.100 million smartphone owners in China getting free VoIP through messaging app Weixin originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TNW | TechNode | Email this | Comments

Mozilla giving Thunderbird the (effective) axe, leaving its fate to the community

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 06:42 PM PDT

Mozilla giving Thunderbird the (effective) axe, leaving its fate to the community


Mozilla giving Thunderbird the (effective) axe, leaving its fate to the community
Mozilla's Thunderbird mail client just hasn't enjoyed the same level of stardom as its Firefox cousin. Their developer must be feeling this discrepancy more than most, as the company has confirmed plans to take the organization out of active Thunderbird development. The shift is officially being spun as an adaptation that lets the Foundation center its energy on Firefox OS and the usual browser plans, but when Mozilla proper will only be handling bug fixes and security updates for a client that's "not a priority," we'd say it's putting Thunderbird on ice. Accordingly, leaked details from TechCrunch show Mozilla moving some of the team out of the project at some point; any new features will have to come from the community, which suggests the future upgrade schedule will be more than a bit unpredictable. The writing is on the wall soon enough that existing owners could have food for thought well before a final strategy is due in early September.Mozilla giving Thunderbird the (effective) axe, leaving its fate to the community originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TechCrunch | Lizard Wrangling | Email this | Comments

Google Nexus 7 tablet gets mid-July arrival dates from Staples in US and Canada

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 05:32 PM PDT

Google Nexus 7 tablet gets mid-July arrival dates from Staples in US and Canada


Google Nexus 7 tablet gets mid-July arrival dates from Staples in US and Canada
It's no secret that both the 8GB and 16GB variants of Google's Nexus 7 have been set to ship in two to three weeks from pre-orders placed at its Play store. While retailers like Gamestop are also remaining mum on specifics, Staples has stepped up with actual arrival dates on its US and Canadian websites for the 16GB model. Apparently, fast fingers within the United 50 that lay out $250 to reserve one of the Jelly Bean-loaded slates by July 10 can expect it to arrive as early as the 13th -- that said, Staples notes that this "limited quantity" of initial stock is set to ship "between July and July 17th. Heading to Staple's site for the Great White North, the tablet is listed to hit shelves in-stores and online on the 23rd for 259 Canadian dollars, however, there's no word on when online orders might ship. We'd still advise you to take these dates with some NaCL at this point, but it's likely a safe to bet that you'll have yours before August if you place an order soon.Google Nexus 7 tablet gets mid-July arrival dates from Staples in US and Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | Staples (US), (Canada) | Email this | Comments

BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is an efficient use of 340 hp

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 04:57 PM PDT

BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is an efficient use of 340 hp


BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is an efficient use of 340 hp
Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, BMW We've learned to expect that hybrid vehicles will produce lower emissions and fuel-consumption scores than their standard gasoline-burning siblings. What we generally don't expect, however, is for that same hybrid to be quicker to 60 than its turbocharged brother or for it to make more overall horsepower. Such is the case with the BMW ActiveHybrid 3, which offers up 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque from its 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six and electric motor combination - useful gains from the 300 hp and 300 lb-ft in the 335i. Those added ponies allow the Hybrid 3 to hit 62 miles per hour in just 5.3 seconds, a .2-second improvement, according to the automaker, over the thirstier 335i.BMW says the Hybrid 3 can travel up to 2.5 miles on electricity alone at speeds of up to 46 miles per hour, though not at the same time, of course, and fuel efficiency of about 40 miles per gallon on the EU test cycle. Expect the U.S. EPA figure to vary from that figure. A lithium ion battery pack resides in the trunk, and it's made up of 96 individual cells with a rated output of 675 Wh. Power is sent to the rear wheels from the dual drivetrain through an eight-speed automatic gearbox that shares its outer casing with the 55-hp electric motor. Naturally, there's a rather prominent badge on the C-pillar displaying the car's fuel-saving credentials, as you can see in our image gallery above. Full details can be found in the press release below, but there's still no word on when we can expect to see the ActiveHybrid 3 in the States or what it may cost if and when it arrives.Continue reading BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is an efficient use of 340 hpBMW ActiveHybrid 3 is an efficient use of 340 hp originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Prometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of delet...

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 04:56 PM PDT

Prometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenes


Prometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenes
While Ridley Scott's Prometheus is still in theaters, it's been available for preorder on Blu-ray 3D since before the flick debuted, and now Amazon France has exposed the full list of extras on the way. The bad news, pointed out by Movies.com and Prometheus Forum, is that those anticipating a classic Ridley Scott Director's Cut to fill in plot holes appear to be in for a disappointment -- while there are 15 minutes of extended / cut scenes, there's no indication that you'll be able to watch the movie with them reinserted. There are a lot of other extras, including a director's commentary, extensive making-of featurettes, many of the short viral videos that were posted previously and production materials, along with a Second Screen iPad app. The specific set listed includes the other Alien flicks, but since we're sure you've already snagged the Anthology with its MU-TH-UR interactive mode you'll probably be looking for a more limited release. The release date for the set remains October 9th, hit the source link for the listing or check out the full list of features and a trailer after the break.Continue reading Prometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenesPrometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Movies.com, Prometheus Forum | Amazon France | Email this | Comments

PSA: Samsung Galaxy S III for AT&T now in stores

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 04:56 PM PDT

PSA: Samsung Galaxy S III for AT&T now in stores


PSA: Samsung Galaxy S III for AT&T now in stores
Samsung's current US trinity is now complete: the AT&T Galaxy S III is sitting on store shelves. After the somewhat bumpy launch, it's possible to traipse by any of Big Blue's stores and pick up the Android 4.0 flagship in marble white or pebble blue for $200 on a contract. It's the definitive GSM version for the US, with LTE giving it an edge over the HSPA+ T-Mobile model; we just wish there was an AT&T variant with 32GB of storage built-in, although that's nothing a microSD card won't fix. We just need to wait for US Cellular and Verizon to complete the launch and put Nature UX in seemingly every pocket.PSA: Samsung Galaxy S III for AT&T now in stores originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | AT&T | Email this | Comments

JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 04:22 PM PDT

JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC


JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC
JBL is known for its portable speakers, but an FCC filing has revealed that it's willing to make speakers that are almost inconspicuous. The Soundfly BT would represent your everyday Bluetooth speaker save for the very uncommon ability to optionally plug directly into a wall outlet, skipping the power cord. Shades of the previous-generation AirPort Express, anyone? There's not much mystery in other areas, but the 20W stereo output is unusually powerful for something small enough to hang off of a hotel room's power port. Between the manual and live photos, about the only riddles left are the Soundfly BT's official release date and price.JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

3-Series Hybrid Comes With a Turbo 6?

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 04:22 PM PDT

3-Series Hybrid Comes With a Turbo 6?


3-Series Hybrid Comes With a Turbo 6?
The ActiveHybrid 3 will be serious fun to drive, but why no turbo 4 instead?

3-Series Hybrid Comes With a Turbo 6?

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 03:48 PM PDT

3-Series Hybrid Comes With a Turbo 6?


3-Series Hybrid Comes With a Turbo 6?
The ActiveHybrid 3 will be serious fun to drive, but why no turbo 4 instead?