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Sunday, July 15, 2012

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Switched On: Android's TV Triple Threat

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 02:32 PM PDT

Switched On: Android's TV Triple Threat


Switched On: Android's TV Triple Threat
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Just two years ago, Google TV paved a way for Android to enter the television via integrated sets, Blu-ray players, dedicated TV add-ons and pay TV set-top devices. For now, the product may almost be as much of a hobby for the purveyor of questionable eyewear as Apple TV is for Apple, Google's mobile OS competitor. But it's clear that the platform isn't all things to all couch potatoes; the last several weeks have seen the launch of two new, contrasting approaches to getting Android on the big screen in the home.Continue reading Switched On: Android's TV Triple ThreatFiled under: Home Entertainment, SoftwareSwitched On: Android's TV Triple Threat originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Going directly downwind faster than wind, Blackbird again breaks records

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 01:56 PM PDT

Going directly downwind faster than wind, Blackbird again breaks records


Going directly downwind faster than wind, Blackbird again breaks records
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Etc., LightweightOnce again, reports are out about a vehicle powered solely by the wind that can outrun the wind. And once again, we expect continued debates on the subject. Rick Cavallaro and his merry band of enthusiasts recently improved the upwind and downwind speeds of their Blackbird, their DDWFTTW (directly downwind, faster than the wind) vehicle, according to Wired. Using New Jerusalem Airport in Tracy, CA as the testing ground, the vehicle hit an upwind velocity of 2.01 times wind speed, which is counterintuitive until you consider the vehicle's design of having two large turbine blades catching that wind and propelling the wheels. Better yet, Wired reported that the Blackbird reached downwind speeds of 2.86 times wind velocity. Going downwind, the process is reversed, in that the rolling wheels spin the propeller, which further drive the vehicle. Cavallaro and his cohorts have been at this for at least a couple of years, claiming as far back as June 2010 that the Blackbird's downwind speed could hit three times wind velocity. They're getting close to that mark. Remember, this isn't a direct sail thing, and no perpetual motion is being claimed. Still, there are plenty who doubt the veracity of the DDWFTTW claims. Discuss.Going directly downwind faster than wind, Blackbird again breaks records originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Is Instagram real estate's next frontier?

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 01:56 PM PDT

Is Instagram real estate's next frontier?


Is Instagram real estate's next frontier?
The value of having professional photos taken for your house listings has been thoroughly documented. A well-composed photo using professional quality equipment can make a huge difference in how potential buyers perceive your listing, as the Wall Street Journal reported two years ago.

Richard Branson confirms Virgin Galactic's first space tourism flight will launc...

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 01:24 PM PDT

Richard Branson confirms Virgin Galactic's first space tourism flight will launch next year with him on board


Richard Branson confirms Virgin Galactic's first space tourism flight will launch next year with him on board
Richard Branson has long said that he'd be on board Virgin Galactic's first commercial space tourism flight, and he's now confirmed that will take place sometime next year with his two adult children along for the ride (a bit of a delay from the company's original 2011 target). That trip will of course be made with the company's SpaceShipTwo craft, which has already completed a number of test flights, and which is capable of flying 100 kilometers (or just over 60 miles) above the Earth for a planned two and a half hour flight with five minutes of weightlessness. As the AP notes, some 529 people have already signed up for the $200,000 per person rides into space, each of whom will have to take part in a week of training prior to their trip. Booking's can still be made on Virgin Galactic's website.Filed under: TransportationRichard Branson confirms Virgin Galactic's first space tourism flight will launch next year with him on board originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | AP (Yahoo News), Virgin Galactic | Email this | Comments

C-Spire debuts pre-paid tablet and hotspot plans

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 11:45 AM PDT

C-Spire debuts pre-paid tablet and hotspot plans


C-Spire debuts pre-paid tablet and hotspot plans
As far as regional carriers go, C-Spire is a pretty big deal. Which makes it all the more surprising that the company hasn't offered standalone pre-paid data plans until now. The southern cellphone network now has three tiers of pre-paid access for your tablet or Mi-Fi, beginning with a $15 100MB package that expires after a week. $30 nets you 300MB over two weeks, while the top tier grants you a whole month's access and 1GB of data -- but will set you back a rather steep $50. Of course, there's always post-paid solutions for the more demanding, that start at $20 for 1GB per-month and go up to $50 for 5GB. For more, check out the PR after the break.Continue reading C-Spire debuts pre-paid tablet and hotspot plansC-Spire debuts pre-paid tablet and hotspot plans originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PhoneArena | | Email this | Comments

France's ANDRA developing a million-year hard drive, we hope our badly-written b...

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 11:13 AM PDT

France's ANDRA developing a million-year hard drive, we hope our badly-written blogs live in perpetuity


France's ANDRA developing a million-year hard drive, we hope our badly-written blogs live in perpetuity
Us humans have been quick to embrace digital technology for preserving our memories, but we've forgotten that most of our storage won't last for more than a few decades; when a hard drive loses its magnetism or an optical disc rots, it's useless. French nuclear waste manager ANDRA wants to make sure that at least some information can survive even if humanity itself is gone -- a million or more years, to be exact. By using two fused disk platters made from sapphire with data written in a microscope-readable platinum, the agency hopes to have drives that will keep humming along short of a catastrophe. The current technology wouldn't hold reams of data -- about 80,000 minuscule pages' worth on two platters -- but it could be vital for ANDRA, which wants to warn successive generations (and species) of radioactivity that might last for eons. Even if the institution mostly has that pragmatic purpose in mind, though, it's acutely aware of the archeological role these €25,000 ($30,598) drives could serve once leaders settle on the final languages and below-ground locations at an unspecified point in the considerably nearer future. We're just crossing our fingers that our archived internet rants can survive when the inevitable bloody war wipes out humanity and the apes take over. [Image credit: SKB]Filed under: Storage, ScienceFrance's ANDRA developing a million-year hard drive, we hope our badly-written blogs live in perpetuity originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Slashdot | Science | Email this | Comments

Fujifilm sues Motorola over broad camera and phone patents, claims RAZRs and Xyb...

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 10:03 AM PDT

Fujifilm sues Motorola over broad camera and phone patents, claims RAZRs and Xyboards are at fault


Fujifilm sues Motorola over broad camera and phone patents, claims RAZRs and Xyboards are at fault
Motorola won't have had much of a break following the dismissal of a key Apple lawsuit, after all. In a low-profile move, Fujifilm has sued Motorola for allegedly violating four particularly broad patents on camera and phone technologies -- we're talking basics such as transmitting data outside of a cellular network. The camera designer has supposedly been pushing for a licensing deal since April of last year without much success, and it's asserting that "at least" a wide swath of Motorola devices released both before and after that time are the key offenders, including the RAZR MAXX and Xyboard lines. The complaint is scarcely into the docket and makes it difficult to gauge just what kind of chance Fujifilm has to win in court; we just know that Motorola's (and now Google's) patent lawsuit headache is developing into more of a migraine.Filed under: Cellphones, Digital CamerasFujifilm sues Motorola over broad camera and phone patents, claims RAZRs and Xyboards are at fault originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink FOSSpatents | Complaint (PDF) | Email this | Comments

Inhabitat's Week in Green: origami Yoda, high-speed rail line and a self powered...

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 09:30 AM PDT

Inhabitat's Week in Green: origami Yoda, high-speed rail line and a self powered building


Inhabitat's Week in Green: origami Yoda, high-speed rail line and a self powered building
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. It's been a great week for two of our favorite things over at Inhabitat: LEGOs and Star Wars. First, a group of LEGO builders from LEGOLAND Windsor built the tallest LEGO tower ever, snatching the title back from South Korea and returning it to the UK. Then, using 152,455 LEGO bricks, Rolls-Royce built a half-size replica of the jet engine that powers the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In one of the most ingenious LEGO constructions ever built, LEGO pro Rene Hoffmeister built a barrel organ that plays the Star Wars theme song. And in other Star Wars news, we reported on the renovation of Luke Skywalker's boyhood home in Tatooine (actually it's in Tunisia). And finally, we shared a photo of this 7-centimeter-tall origami Yoda -- the most adorable bit of Star Wars memorabilia ever made.Continue reading Inhabitat's Week in Green: origami Yoda, high-speed rail line and a self powered buildingInhabitat's Week in Green: origami Yoda, high-speed rail line and a self powered building originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

PSA: Sprint LTE goes live today, honest and for true

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 08:56 AM PDT

PSA: Sprint LTE goes live today, honest and for true


PSA: Sprint LTE goes live today, honest and for true
Sprint's decision to take its LTE live in Kansas City marked a short prelude to a full orchestral performance -- the carrier's upgraded 4G network is now official. Kansas City and St. Joseph in Kansas, as well as 13 urban areas in Georgia and Texas, are taking the leap past WiMAX speeds as of today. Senior network VP Bob Azzi has warned the Kansas City Star that the current LTE access is still mostly for use outside until it expands to the 3G network's range, although he adds that there will be a coverage map available from July 16th onwards to let EVO 4G LTE, Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S III owners know when their phones reach full potential. Just remember that the real party starts in 2013, when Sprint hopes to both flick on voice over LTE and ramp up to extra-speedy LTE-Advanced. [Thanks, Alex]Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessPSA: Sprint LTE goes live today, honest and for true originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Kansas City Star | Email this | Comments

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins: “We Will Continue To Make The People That Use A BlackBer...

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 08:56 AM PDT

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins: "We Will Continue To Make The People That Use A BlackBerry Successful"


RIM CEO Thorsten Heins: "We Will Continue To Make The People That Use A BlackBerry Successful"
Blackberry's future is the tech debate du jour, with pundits on either side promising either a BB10 renaissance or a slow-motion tailspin. While the jury was still out, we had a few moments to speak with RIM CEO Thorsten Heins about RIM's way forward and where BB10 was going to put the company when it launches. He was unsurprisingly forthright and more than accommodating even when we asked him the questions any BB fan would ask today: Why should I buy a new Blackberry device? TC: In this interview we wanted to see what was in store for the consumer, what RIM is doing to maintain the energy that a lot of the BlackBerry users currently have, especially at work or in academia. What do you see as the best way forward for those folks? Thorsten Heins: What we are doing right now is, if you look at the installed base, specifically in enterprise, corporate and consumers worldwide, there is still a lot of phones running BlackBerry 5, mainly in Asia-Pacific. So we are still working on a program to upgrade the installed base to BlackBerry 7, which from today's view and perspective still is competitive, and I think an exciting platform.

Motorola Atrix HD now on sale at AT&T: $100 on contract for LTE, 720p and ICS

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 08:56 AM PDT

Motorola Atrix HD now on sale at AT&T: $100 on contract for LTE, 720p and ICS


Motorola Atrix HD now on sale at AT&T: $100 on contract for LTE, 720p and ICS
Well, lookie here. It didn't take long for Motorola's latest Atrix variant to go from unveiled to launched, as the Atrix HD is now on sale at AT&T for a wallet-pleasing $99.99 on contract. Sign the dotted line for two years, and you'll be getting a 4.5-inch Android superphone, complete with Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), a true 720p display, Kevlar-infused backing, a "splash resistant" casing and an LTE radio. Those who indulge quickly are set to grab a gratis Vehicle Dock for "a limited time," and you'll also enjoy the first Moto handset to bring the outfit's Circle Widget to the homescreen -- which is engineered to take owners directly to their AT&T account info, displaying data usage, battery status and more. The phone's listed right now in AT&T's smartphone section in Titanium and Modern White, but the link to buy it seems deactivated for the moment. Still, it's all square to go on sale today, so keep a close eye on the source link if you're dead-set on an upgrade. Psst... you can learn more about the Atrix lineage through our original Atrix 4G and Atrix 2 reviews.Filed under: CellphonesMotorola Atrix HD now on sale at AT&T: $100 on contract for LTE, 720p and ICS originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | AT&T | Email this | Comments

Nokia and AT&T cut Lumia 900 price to $50, sweeten the Windows Phone 7.8 pot

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 08:56 AM PDT

Nokia and AT&T cut Lumia 900 price to $50, sweeten the Windows Phone 7.8 pot


Nokia and AT&T cut Lumia 900 price to $50, sweeten the Windows Phone 7.8 pot
Early Lumia 900 adopters might feel spurned knowing that their devices won't get any near-future upgrades beyond Windows Phone 7.8, but AT&T and Nokia are hoping that some new customers just need a little incentive to forgive the OS ceiling. As of now, the Lumia 900 has taken a permanent price cut to $50 on contract, whether it's one of the early color options or pretty in pink. Although the price drop might not take power users' eyes off of the Windows Phone 8 prize, it could make the Lumia 900 a low-hanging fruit for more than a few newcomers.Filed under: CellphonesNokia and AT&T cut Lumia 900 price to $50, sweeten the Windows Phone 7.8 pot originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Nokia | AT&T | Email this | Comments

Xbox 360 Halo 4 bundle fights new enemies, packs familiar hardware on November 6th

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 08:56 AM PDT

Xbox 360 Halo 4 bundle fights new enemies, packs familiar hardware on November 6th


Xbox 360 Halo 4 bundle fights new enemies, packs familiar hardware on November 6th
It's widely considered a tradition: Microsoft readies a new Halo game, and a new Xbox 360 bundle swings by stores to mark the occasion. The Limited Edition Halo 4 Xbox 360 follows that pattern, with a special (if minor) twist. No one will be shocked by the new Halo-themed artwork or the inclusion of a Halo 4 copy in the 320GB system's box, but the ring of light on both the console and its two matching gamepads will drop the Xbox 360's green glow in favor of a distinctive bright blue. At $400, the console arriving November 6th will aim chiefly at the hardest of hardcore sci-fi shooter fans -- although murmurs of an upcoming successor console could make the Halo 4 pack an unofficial swan song for Microsoft's market dominator. Consider the stand-alone $60 special edition wireless controller for a less expensive way to say goodbye.Filed under: GamingXbox 360 Halo 4 bundle fights new enemies, packs familiar hardware on November 6th originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 10:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Joystiq | Major Nelson, Amazon | Email this | Comments

Sony Xperia tipo sidles into the FCC, inspires yawns

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 07:13 AM PDT

Sony Xperia tipo sidles into the FCC, inspires yawns


Sony Xperia tipo sidles into the FCC, inspires yawns
Another day, another FCC filing. This time, though, the documents on offer aren't tipping us off to the impending arrival of some wunderphone -- it's just Sony's recently outed Xperia tipo. The diminutive 3.2-incher -- set for an official Euro bow this August -- is no screamer with its 480 x 320 TFT display and lone 800MHz Snapdragon CPU. The ICS handset's real claim to fame is its availability in single- and dual-SIM flavors. And based on the radios outlined in the corresponding Commission docs -- GPRS/EDGE/GSM 850 and 1900; WCDMA 850 and 1900 -- this modest phone could see a low-end berth on AT&T. Excited? Neither are we. Still, you can peruse the user manual, take a tour of the phone's inner workings and parse through dense legalese at the source link below.Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessSony Xperia tipo sidles into the FCC, inspires yawns originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 09:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

Enova Systems gets de-listing letter from NYSE

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 06:03 AM PDT

Enova Systems gets de-listing letter from NYSE


Enova Systems gets de-listing letter from NYSE
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in Looks like Enova Systems' single-charge range is about to run out. The California-based maker of electric-drive vehicle controller systems last week received a de-listing notice from the New York Stock Exchange because it didn't meet certain financial criteria. Enova was cited for a combination of continuing losses and too low of a stockholders' equity amount. Last year, Enova's revenue dropped 23 percent from 2010 levels, to $6.62 million, and the company took a $6.98 million loss. The company's cash balance had dwindled to $1.36 million at the end of March, down from $3.1 million at the end of last year. Late last month, the company said CEO Michael Staran and Chief Operating Officer John Mullins resigned. During the past half-dozen years, the company was collaborating with a number of electric-drive vehicle entities, but failed to make serious headway in terms of sales. In 2010, Enova said it was making an electric drivetrain for Daimler truckmaking unit Freightliner and walk-in van body maker Morgan Olson. The MT-EV was said to have a 100-mile single-charge range. Also in 2010, Enova also said it was working with EV-component supplier Remy International at developing an electric-drive system. Back in 2006, Enova said it was developing power-control units for the now-defunct EV maker Think.Continue reading Enova Systems gets de-listing letter from NYSEEnova Systems gets de-listing letter from NYSE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

NIF sets record with 500 TW laser shot, lab-based nuclear fusion not far behind

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 03:44 AM PDT

NIF sets record with 500 TW laser shot, lab-based nuclear fusion not far behind


NIF sets record with 500 TW laser shot, lab-based nuclear fusion not far behind
In an effort to recreate the fusion reaction that occurs in start formation, the National Ignition Facility in Livermore, CA has been building up to some extremely powerful laser shots. Back in March, researchers fired off 411 terawatts, and we know that kind of power doesn't come cheap. NIF's latest test shot, fired July 5th, set a new record with 192 lasers producing more than 500 trillion watts of peak power and 1.85 MJ of ultraviolet laser light. Mind you, that's more than a thousand times more energy than the United States uses at any given moment, not to mention a hundred times more power than other lasers can fire consistently. More record-setting shots are sure to come, and in addition to enabling research on harnessing nuclear fusion, NIF's mega-lasers are helping inform the design of new laser facilities being built in China, Japan, Russia, France and the UK.Filed under: ScienceNIF sets record with 500 TW laser shot, lab-based nuclear fusion not far behind originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 06:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Phys.org | | Email this | Comments

Adidas miCoach out now on European Xbox 360s and PS3s, connects to cameras and o...

Posted: 15 Jul 2012 01:18 AM PDT

Adidas miCoach out now on European Xbox 360s and PS3s, connects to cameras and own hardware


Adidas miCoach out now on European Xbox 360s and PS3s, connects to cameras and own hardware
Those looking to hone their own olympian body in preparation for this year's Games can grab Adidas' miCoach title for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Tapping into both consoles' respective motion-sensing cameras (and Adidas' own sensors and units), there are six sports to dabble in, with over 400 different exercises that can be synced with existing miCoach accounts. There's also a raft of Adidas-emblazoned athletes to takie you through those motions. The games are priced up at £21 (around $32) a piece in the UK, but American indoor athletes can expect their version to arrive around July 24.Adidas miCoach out now on European Xbox 360s and PS3s, connects to cameras and own hardware originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 04:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | Amazon UK (1), (2) | Email this | Comments

Lexar XQD memory cards announced, will duel with Sony for Nikon D4's attention

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 11:31 PM PDT

Lexar XQD memory cards announced, will duel with Sony for Nikon D4's attention


Lexar XQD memory cards announced, will duel with Sony for Nikon D4's attention
Nikon's D4 is currently the only belle at the XQD ball, and until now, Sony was its only memory suitor. However, Lexar's just arrived with a new line of cards to compete for the D4's affections. The Fremont-based company says it collaborated with Nikon to build the PCI Express-based memory, and that they'll hit the market sometime in the third quarter of 2012 -- with no mention of specs or prices so far. Unfortunately, that means we don't know how Lexar's offerings will stack up against Sony's H-series or S-series cards already on the market. That said, while you wait for more details about Lexar's new cards, feel free to check out the lovely data the D4 will be putting on 'em when they arrive.Filed under: Digital Cameras, StorageLexar XQD memory cards announced, will duel with Sony for Nikon D4's attention originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 02:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Nikon Rumors | Lexar | Email this | Comments

Twilio Evangelist Builds Popular Phone-Powered Rolling Robot, Hints Flying Bot I...

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 10:23 PM PDT

Twilio Evangelist Builds Popular Phone-Powered Rolling Robot, Hints Flying Bot Is Next


Twilio Evangelist Builds Popular Phone-Powered Rolling Robot, Hints Flying Bot Is Next
So here's something you may have seen floating around on Hacker News or elsewhere, but we thought it was cool enough to share in case you're looking for something to do with your weekend. After all, there are few of us who don't love stories that end with robots. Especially robots controlled by phones. Robots have indeed fascinated many of us since childhood, and thanks to modern technology, those imaginations and tinkerings of yore are now increasingly becoming reality. Thankfully, in the hands of those smarter (and less inclined to hatch plots to take over the world) than I.

LG selected to develop 60-inch flexible OLED by 2017

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 09:17 PM PDT

LG selected to develop 60-inch flexible OLED by 2017


LG selected to develop 60-inch flexible OLED by 2017
While regular consumers are still wait for the first big screen OLED display to make it to big box stores, Korea's Ministry of Knowledge Economy has chosen LG to lead the a consortium charged with developing a 60-inch flexible OLED by 2017. Part of the Future Flagship Program, its goal is to generate exports and create jobs by promoting next-generation technologies. The idea is that these flexible displays could be used in windows displaying information say at a bus stations or other public places like a store. So while it appears the focus is currently on commercial applications, we for one have our hopes that we'll one day be able to roll down a giant OLED screen where most might expect the screen for a projector.Filed under: DisplaysLG selected to develop 60-inch flexible OLED by 2017 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 23:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink OLED-Info | The Korea Herald | Email this | Comments

Google Takeout introduces transfer tool for Google+ circles, merges your work an...

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 08:03 PM PDT

Google Takeout introduces transfer tool for Google+ circles, merges your work and personal life


Google Takeout introduces transfer tool for Google+ circles, merges your work and personal life
Those who extol the virtues of keeping one's personal and professional life separate probably never had to juggle two Google+ accounts. Folks saddled with a Google+ profile for both their personal Gmail account and their organization's Google Apps account can now migrate circles, blocks and other information from one account to another using Google Takeout. The new tool won't eliminate your double digital life completely, however -- content such as posts, profile information and comments don't migrate. The process takes time, too, kicking off with a seven day waiting period before restricting the user's Google+ access for 48 hours while Takeout boxes up the data. Still, this should make managing Circles across multiple accounts a little simpler. Check out the official Google help page at the source link below.Filed under: SoftwareGoogle Takeout introduces transfer tool for Google+ circles, merges your work and personal life originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 22:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gigaom | Google | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: best tablet, software and case for a child with a developmental di...

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 07:28 PM PDT

Ask Engadget: best tablet, software and case for a child with a developmental disorder?


Ask Engadget: best tablet, software and case for a child with a developmental disorder?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from is from Kim, who wants to help her four-year-old play games and communicate in the home. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm looking at getting a tablet for my four-year-old, developmentally delayed daughter. She uses an iPad with her therapist to play games and say what she wants, but I'm not sure if I should get the same for the home. Is there an Android alternative that's as useful in our special circumstances, and is it compatible with a sturdy, water-proof case for it?" For our two cents, we'd say that in such circumstances, continuity is probably an important factor to take into account. However, we're also aware that some of the specialist apps run into the hundreds of dollars, which few can easily afford, so let's turn the question over to our community. Do you have experience in the area, or perhaps you've already been in this situation? Either way, why not share what you know?Filed under: Tablet PCs, SoftwareAsk Engadget: best tablet, software and case for a child with a developmental disorder? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 22:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

MobiTV Pulls Its IPO: Unfavorable Market Conditions, Or Unfavorable Business Model?

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 06:55 PM PDT

MobiTV Pulls Its IPO: Unfavorable Market Conditions, Or Unfavorable Business Model?


MobiTV Pulls Its IPO: Unfavorable Market Conditions, Or Unfavorable Business Model?
At the end of August, mobile TV and video platform MobiTV filed its S-1 and announced its plans for a $75 million initial public offering. Founded in 1999, the company had been one of the early movers in the movement to bring live and on-demand TV to mobile devices, which led to partnerships with NBC, ESPN, Disney, CBS, and a bunch of other sizable media companies. The company closed over $100 million in outside investment in their time, had partnered with the big four carriers, and revenue was on the rise, so it seemed like a company on the road to a successful IPO, right? Wrong.

Mobile Miscellany: week of July 9th, 2012

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 06:20 PM PDT

Mobile Miscellany: week of July 9th, 2012


Mobile Miscellany: week of July 9th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Motorola debuted the RAZR V in Canada and the Sony Xperia Ion was spotted at Rogers -- curiously, the phone has yet to be formally announced for the carrier. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of July 9th, 2012.Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of July 9th, 2012Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, SoftwareMobile Miscellany: week of July 9th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 20:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Google posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's changelog, explores its latest dessert in...

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 05:15 PM PDT

Google posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's changelog, explores its latest dessert in detail


Google posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's changelog, explores its latest dessert in detail
We've certainly delved into Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's new features, but Google itself is just now giving us a full exploration of its update's sugar-laden heart through an official changelog. While Google Now, the updated camera app and other core components easily get their due, the checklist also has a decidedly more buttery feel than one would think -- key individual apps like Calendar now have more elegant transitions to go with the leaps and bounds in Android's overall speed. The breakdown even goes into corners that Google scarcely illuminated during the Google I/O keynote, such as accessibility and the finer nuances of the new keyboard. If you're the sort whose Jelly Bean fever has you checking for that Galaxy Nexus upgrade so often that you're nearly punching a hole in the screen, Google has your (no doubt temporary) placebo.Filed under: CellphonesGoogle posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's changelog, explores its latest dessert in detail originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 19:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google | Email this | Comments

Utah researchers create 'Spintronic' LED, claim it's 'brighter, cheaper' and eco...

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 04:08 PM PDT

Utah researchers create 'Spintronic' LED, claim it's 'brighter, cheaper' and eco-friendly


Utah researchers create 'Spintronic' LED, claim it's 'brighter, cheaper' and eco-friendly
Spintronics? Not exactly a new term 'round these parts, but University of Utah physicists are applying it in a unique way that may eventually make TVs look even sharper than they do today. The entity is trumpeting a new "spintronic" organic light-emitting diode (that's OLED, for short) that's said to be "cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the kinds of LEDs now used in television and computer displays, lighting, traffic lights and numerous electronic devices." Z. Valy Vardeny is even going so far as to call it a "completely different technology," and better still, a prototype has already been made. The professor expects that the newfangled tech -- which produces an orange glow today -- will be able to product red, blue and white spin OLEDs within a few years. It's a lot to wade through, but here's our question: will these things make the Galaxy S XI impeccably visible in outdoor sunlight? (Please say "yes.")Filed under: Displays, ScienceUtah researchers create 'Spintronic' LED, claim it's 'brighter, cheaper' and eco-friendly originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink ArsTechnica | University of Utah | Email this | Comments

Does the Toyota 2000GT SEV foretell an electric sports car? [w/video]

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 03:35 PM PDT

Does the Toyota 2000GT SEV foretell an electric sports car? [w/video]


Does the Toyota 2000GT SEV foretell an electric sports car? [w/video]
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Solar, Toyota, UK The totally awesome Toyota 2000GT SEV unveiled earlier this year was the result of what was called the "Crazy Car Project," undertaken by the Toyota Automobile Association. While no doubt some thought that converting the iconic car, of which only 353 examples were made, to run on solar power a bit insane, perhaps there was a method to their madness. While the CCP website says the solar-powered variant was built for the purpose of "making people feel an excitement of driving and to have a chance to think about our earth in an innovative way", a report over at Autocar suggests that the automaker is actually using it as a platform to test out certain ideas. Ideas like a manual transmission mated to an electric motor, for example. With an eye toward building an all-electric city car and, eventually, a sports car, the Japanese automaker is considering using the old-fashioned stick to inject more driving joy into the electric experience. While there certainly is an argument to be made for packaging a gear shifter in certain EVs - especially those with lower-voltage systems - we hope Toyota engineers also consider the high-voltage/high-regen route, which can mimic some aspects of the manual feel and also provide for better efficiency and performance. To get a sense for what driving the 2000GT SEV is like, scroll down for video of it making a recent run up the Goodwood track. And before you ask, that noise seemingly emanating from the electric drivetrain is on purpose. Controlled by iPad via wifi, its HALOsonic system produces sounds to provide feedback for the driver. Though it could mimic galloping horses or tweeting birds, we believe the spaceship setting is being used in this clip.Continue reading Does the Toyota 2000GT SEV foretell an electric sports car? [w/video]Does the Toyota 2000GT SEV foretell an electric sports car? [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Alt-week 7.14.2012: Bleeping sheep and ATLAS art

Posted: 14 Jul 2012 03:34 PM PDT

Alt-week 7.14.2012: Bleeping sheep and ATLAS art


Alt-week 7.14.2012: Bleeping sheep and ATLAS art
Alt-week peels back the covers on some of the more curious sci-tech stories from the last seven days. While there might not quite have been the epic science news that we had last week, that doesn't mean that there isn't plenty going on in the world of Alt. In this installment we get to see how CERN tricks out its offices, how one farmer tries to keep his flock, and learn about how the military will be high-tailing around the planet in just a few years. This is alt / week.Continue reading Alt-week 7.14.2012: Bleeping sheep and ATLAS artFiled under: ScienceAlt-week 7.14.2012: Bleeping sheep and ATLAS art originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments