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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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Chrysler adding 8-speed transmissions this year; 9-speeds are coming

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 03:21 PM PDT

Chrysler adding 8-speed transmissions this year; 9-speeds are coming


Chrysler adding 8-speed transmissions this year; 9-speeds are coming
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, MPG, Chrysler When it comes to adding transmission gears to boost fuel economy, Chrysler figures the more the merrier. For now. The U.S. automaker, which is controlled by Italy-based Fiat, will start installing eight-speed transmissions in some of its vehicles by the end of the year, with nine-speed trannies in store for 2013, Bloomberg News reported, citing Mircea Gradu, the automaker's vice president of transmission powertrain and driveline engineering. Eight- and nine-speed transmissions are said to boost fuel efficiency by about 15 percent relative to more conventional transmissions. There is a physical limit though. ZF North American President Julio Caspari told Automotive News earlier this month that the advancement of fuel efficiency through more gears has just about gone as far as it can go. He claimed that there is just an 11-percent difference between today's best transmissions and a theoretically perfect unit. Chrysler has sunk $1.3 billion in transmission technology since 2007, which, while substantial, is less than many other automakers have invested in electric-drive technology designed to also meet the goal of boosting fuel efficiency and meeting stricter regulatory standards.Chrysler adding 8-speed transmissions this year; 9-speeds are coming originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now 'actively investigating...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 03:21 PM PDT

Sony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now 'actively investigating' all Xperia updates


Sony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now 'actively investigating' all Xperia updates
Let's chalk this one up to something being lost in corporate translation. After a UK company rep issued a statement just days ago confirming the lack of an Android 4.1 upgrade path for certain 2011 Xperia handsets, Sony's delicately backtracking and claiming that public info was made "in error." While this official retraction may soothe previously irate owners concerns, it's still not an outright commitment to Jelly Bean, as the company's only now pledging to "actively [investigate]... upgrades for all devices" -- a carefully worded PR promise par excellence. To the Japanese electronics giant's credit, it has been pretty transparent and diligent about delivering ICS updates to its elder smartphone progeny, so we have plenty of reason to remain cautiously optimistic Google's newest OS will make the transition, too.Filed under: Cellphones, SoftwareSony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now 'actively investigating' all Xperia updates originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Engadget Spanish | Sony Mobile | Email this | Comments

The Top 6 Car Ads Ever on YouTube

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 03:21 PM PDT

The Top 6 Car Ads Ever on YouTube


The Top 6 Car Ads Ever on YouTube
Adweek's most popular ads of all time includes six car adverts.

How Much Truck Can I Get for…?

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 03:21 PM PDT

How Much Truck Can I Get for…?


How Much Truck Can I Get for…?
8 trucks at 8 price points. One should work for you and your budget.

Google Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use with...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:46 PM PDT

Google Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use without plugins


Google Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use without plugins
Some Retina MacBook Pro owners have been waiting for this day for six weeks: that promised Retina support in Google Chrome is now part of a finished, stable release. Chrome 21 is now crisp and clear for those who took the plunge on Apple's new laptop but would rather not cling to Safari for the web. No matter what hardware you're using, Google has rolled in its promised WebRTC support to let webcams and microphones have their way without Flash or other plugins. Other notable tweaks like wider support for Cloud Print and gamepads tag along in the update as well. If you're at all intrigued by the expanded hardware support in Chrome, Google has an abundance of details (and downloads) at the links below.Filed under: Internet, SoftwareGoogle Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use without plugins originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Google Chrome Blog | Google | Email this | Comments

Google postponing Nexus Q launch to 'make it better,' sending a free device to t...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:46 PM PDT

Google postponing Nexus Q launch to 'make it better,' sending a free device to those who pre-ordered


Google postponing Nexus Q launch to 'make it better,' sending a free device to those who pre-ordered
Apparently Google's strange little media streamer isn't quite ready for prime time -- not according to the company that made it, at least. The software giant has begun sending out a note to pre-orderers letting them know that the launch of the sphere has been delayed in order to "work on making it even better." The company adds that it's responding to user feedback from previewers who want it to "do even more than it does today." To show that there are no hard feelings, the company will be "extend[ing] [the] Nexus Q preview to our pre-order customers and send[ing] [them] a free device," according to Google. We asked the company to clarify that last bit, to make sure if meant exactly what we thought it meant, and sure enough they told us, "We are sending a free Nexus Q to any users who pre-ordered the device at no cost to them." Sometimes it pays to be an early adopter. No word on when the device will begin shipping, but the company promised it will be arriving "soon."Filed under: Home EntertainmentGoogle postponing Nexus Q launch to 'make it better,' sending a free device to those who pre-ordered originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Honda launches Jazz (Fit) Hybrid in Thailand

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:46 PM PDT

Honda launches Jazz (Fit) Hybrid in Thailand


Honda launches Jazz (Fit) Hybrid in Thailand
Filed under: Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, MPG, Honda, AsiaHonda announced the official debut of its Jazz Hybrid in Thailand, marking the Japanese automaker's continued efforts to broaden its hybrid-vehicle production outside of Japan. The hybrid version of the Jazz, known as the Fit in the U.S., is gaining popularity in Asian markets outside of Japan, hence the new production markets. Honda said the Jazz Hybrid, which pairs an 88-horsepower gas engine with a 14-horsepower electric motor, uses 4.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which equals about 50 miles per gallon. In the U.S., the EPA rates the most-efficient 2012 Fit, the 1.5-liter 5-speed automatic, at 31 combined mpg, 28 in the city and 35 on the highway. Earlier this month, Honda broke ground on a Malaysian factory line that will include Jazz Hybrid production. Honda's looking to more than double annual Jazz Hybrid sales in Malaysia to more than 10,000 units. The Nikkei reported in May that Honda would take Jazz Hybrid production to Thailand. The Thai auto industry, the world's 12th largest, took a massive hit with last year's flood that killed more than 800 people. Plants owned by both Honda and Toyota suffered damage, though both have since reopened.Continue reading Honda launches Jazz (Fit) Hybrid in ThailandHonda launches Jazz (Fit) Hybrid in Thailand originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Facebook working on 'save-for-later' feature, lets you like things privately

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:46 PM PDT

Facebook working on 'save-for-later' feature, lets you like things privately


Facebook working on 'save-for-later' feature, lets you like things privately
Ever wanted to flag a Facebook post for the future -- one you wouldn't want to be seen "liking" in the present? Well, the heads at Palo Alto are testing a way to make that happen: a save-for-later feature that'll allow you to add posts to a private feed. Saving is conducted on the sly, so you can create a slimmed-down stalking experience without alerting the posters. If you're prone to using the desktop version of the site, the option should appear alongside the familiar "Like", "Comment" and "Share" soon. A similar change should be available on the mobile site, with a press-and-hold mechanic doing the job in the apps for iDevices. There's no word on other platforms at the moment, but we'd be surprised if the update is confined to browser and iOS users. We know you're keen to start hoarding those embarrassing drunken status updates, so hopefully the update will be rolling out shortly.Filed under: InternetFacebook working on 'save-for-later' feature, lets you like things privately originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | iMore | Email this | Comments

Twitter responds to suspended reporter controversy, explains Trust & Safety poli...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:45 PM PDT

Twitter responds to suspended reporter controversy, explains Trust & Safety policies


Twitter responds to suspended reporter controversy, explains Trust & Safety policies
Well, you might not have heard about it from us, but by now you're likely familiar with the tale of British journalist Guy Adams and the controversy surrounding his suspended Twitter account. The Independent correspondent posted a number critical missives regarding NBC's Olympic coverage, one including the corporate email address of an executive at the network. Shortly there after his page went down. Adams has since had his account reinstated, but Twitter felt it necessary to clear the air about the circumstances regarding the temporary blockage. When the company's Trust & Safety receives a complaint that personal information is being distributed, its policy is to temporarily suspend the offending account. NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel filed such a complaint, and the social network now admits it was at the behest of members of its team working closely with NBC on its Olympic coverage. That, it acknowledges, was a mistake. Twitter says it does not actively monitor anyone's account and that the Trust & Safety team was unaware that Zenkel acted on the suggestion from the company's employees. Adams has since had his account reinstated and in a blog post Twitter has stated that it "should not and cannot be in the business of proactively monitoring and flagging content, no matter who the user is."Filed under: InternetTwitter responds to suspended reporter controversy, explains Trust & Safety policies originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Twitter | Email this | Comments

$125 MIPS-based Smart Tab 1 brings Jelly Bean on a budget to India

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:45 PM PDT

$125 MIPS-based Smart Tab 1 brings Jelly Bean on a budget to India


$125 MIPS-based Smart Tab 1 brings Jelly Bean on a budget to India
A MIPS-based tablet was the first slate to officially run Android Ice Cream Sandwich, and the processor technology will also beat the crowds to running the new Jelly Bean OS. It might be second to the Nexus 7, but Karbonn Mobiles' new Smart Tab 1, available to the Indian market only, runs Google's latest software -- and its MIPS-based JZ4770 SoC, clocked at 1.2GHz, allows for the low price of $125. The 7-inch Smart Tab 1 itself isn't new -- it debuted with ICS in July -- but current owners will receive an update, and new units will ship with Jelly Bean. Other specs include a 2-megapixel front shooter, HDMI support, 3G support through a USB dongle and up to 32GB of expandable storage via the microSD card slot. Head to the press release past the break for more info.Continue reading $125 MIPS-based Smart Tab 1 brings Jelly Bean on a budget to IndiaFiled under: Tablet PCs$125 MIPS-based Smart Tab 1 brings Jelly Bean on a budget to India originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Karbonn Mobiles | Email this | Comments

Zynga And Bump Delve Into Their Social-Mobile Future This Friday At The Facebook...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:45 PM PDT

Zynga And Bump Delve Into Their Social-Mobile Future This Friday At The Facebook Ecosystem CrunchUp


Zynga And Bump Delve Into Their Social-Mobile Future This Friday At The Facebook Ecosystem CrunchUp
Mobile usage is upending web empires, as Silicon Valley has come to realize over the last few years. And we'll have two companies smack in the middle of the shift present at our Facebook Ecosystem CrunchUp this Friday in Redwood City, Calif., sharing how they're surviving in this new world. Get your CrunchUp tickets here. Zynga, the dominant social game developer on Facebook, has been both building and buying its way into mobile gaming to adapt for this change. It's had a few wins, like the growth of its "With Friends" franchise, and some losses, like the decline of Draw Something's traffic. Bump, meanwhile, has been mobile-first since it launched in 2009. The company started out with an app that lets you swap contact information and other data by tapping two phones together -- and it's on track to hit 100 million downloads later this summer. And the company has just gone straight to the heart of mobile-social, with the launch of a new app called Flock that uses geofencing to help you share photos more easily (we came away impressed).

Nature Valley products not so natural, lawsuit claims

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:45 PM PDT

Nature Valley products not so natural, lawsuit claims


Nature Valley products not so natural, lawsuit claims
Two California moms are suing General Mills over Nature Valley's "all natural" marketing.

Stagedom: An iPhone App To Follow Updates From Your Favorite Musicians

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 01:30 PM PDT

Stagedom: An iPhone App To Follow Updates From Your Favorite Musicians


Stagedom: An iPhone App To Follow Updates From Your Favorite Musicians
Shahar Nechmad, who previously founded and ran web analytics company NuComony (which was acquired by LivePerson), has a new startup whose pitch, at least, is a little more fun. Stagedom aims to be the app where people can find new music, tour dates, videos, and other updates from their favorite artists. Nechmad admits that music tech is a pretty crowded field right now, but he says that particularly on mobile, no one has really created a unified experience to get everything you want from your favorite musicians — think of the way that most bands once treated Myspace pages as the de facto websites, offering everything that a fan might need. Now, a band's content is usually scattered across various social sites and services like YouTube. Some musicians create their own apps, but as Nechmad notes, "No one want to install 15 different apps." And on the artist side, you want to reach your casual fans too, not just the diehards who are most likely to install your app.

Lenovo unveils toughened ThinkPad X131e for education, hikes price to $499

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 12:56 PM PDT

Lenovo unveils toughened ThinkPad X131e for education, hikes price to $499


Lenovo unveils toughened ThinkPad X131e for education, hikes price to $499
Lenovo must have struck a chord with schools looking for some rough-and-tumble ThinkPads, as it's bringing out the ThinkPad X131e even while teachers are still drafting their course plans for the fall semester. The new model keeps that better-than-military ruggedness in an 11.6-inch laptop while freshening the choices of AMD E-series chips or their Intel-made Celeron and Core i3 challengers. Dolby Advanced Audio even gives the speakers boost when it's not a matter of all work and no play. Educators, in turn, get the usual options for extended support or customizing the laptops with a little school pride. There's a premium to pay for putting classrooms on the cutting edge, however: at $499, the new systems are $70 more costly than the launch price of the X130e portables they replace, which leaves quite a bit less money for notebooks of the paper variety.Continue reading Lenovo unveils toughened ThinkPad X131e for education, hikes price to $499Filed under: LaptopsLenovo unveils toughened ThinkPad X131e for education, hikes price to $499 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Lenovo | Email this | Comments

Verizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC for $1.25 million

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 12:56 PM PDT

Verizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC for $1.25 million


Verizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC for $1.25 million
In May of last year, our free ride came to an end. US carriers started blocking third party tethering apps in the Android Market. Not long after, the built in feature was turned off on most phones. Our fortune may be reversing, however. The FCC has ruled that Verizon violated the rules governing the C Block of LTE spectrum by preventing consumers from using any application of their choice. The end result: Big Red will have to open up its airwaves and allow customers to circumvent its $20 a month tethering plan using apps from the Play store -- so long as you're on a "usage-based pricing plan." Though it's not explicitly stated, we assume that means those of you lucky enough to be grandfathered in to the unlimited data plans are left out. In addition to unblocking apps such as PdaNet and Barnacle, Verizon must pay a $1.25 million settlement to put an end to the investigation. For a few more details of the plan put in place to ensure compliance with the ruling, check out the PR after the break.Continue reading Verizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC for $1.25 millionFiled under: Wireless, SoftwareVerizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC for $1.25 million originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink GigaOM | | Email this | Comments

Apple Lawyer Outs Internal Samsung Documents That Claim The iPhone Is “Easy To C...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 12:56 PM PDT

Apple Lawyer Outs Internal Samsung Documents That Claim The iPhone Is "Easy To Copy"


Apple Lawyer Outs Internal Samsung Documents That Claim The iPhone Is "Easy To Copy"
Today the incredibly high-profile patent war between Apple and Samsung got underway in the U.S. beginning with Apple's opening statements. And no punch was pulled — Apple's lawyer made a few hard-hitting claims in the courtroom, providing documents that show Samsung thought the iPhone was "easy to copy." Harold McElhinny (Apple's lawyer) also showed documents prepared by a Samsung executive that claim that the company was in a "crisis of design" because of the iPhone. The presentation also included images of Samsung's design evolution between pre-iPhone time and now. But despite the evidence, McElhinny's most crushing blow may have come in the form of a simple and well-known tech adage: "As we all know, it is easier to copy than to innovate. Apple had already taken the risks."

Energy Sistem beefs up its budget i8 slate with Ice Cream Sandwich inside

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 12:23 PM PDT

Energy Sistem beefs up its budget i8 slate with Ice Cream Sandwich inside


Energy Sistem beefs up its budget i8 slate with Ice Cream Sandwich inside
Low-cost tablets are a dime a dozen in the Android world, what with no name offerings from Ainovo to budget stalwarts like Archos. But there's always room for more competition and Energy Sistem seems intent on elbowing its way to a prominent place at the bottom. A mild update to its existing slate lineup, the Energy Tablet i8 keeps the same 8-inch LCD display and 1,024 x 768 resolution (in 4:3 aspect ratio) of its Gingerbread-baked predecessors, but this time packages it with Ice Cream Sandwich onboard. The tab also comes equipped with an Arm Cortex A8 processor clocked at 1GHz, VGA front-facing / 2-megapixel rear camera setup, 8GB of storage (expandable to 64GB via microSD), 1GB RAM, HDMI-out, a 3,800mAh battery and support for WiFi b/g/n. It's up for pre-order now on the company's site, with an official release slated for this August 23rd. But at €185 (about $227), you might be better off saving up a few extra bills and shelling out for the more premium Nexus 7. Official PR after the break.Continue reading Energy Sistem beefs up its budget i8 slate with Ice Cream Sandwich insideFiled under: Tablet PCsEnergy Sistem beefs up its budget i8 slate with Ice Cream Sandwich inside originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Pandora channel gets refresh, version 3.0 arrives on Roku

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:40 AM PDT

Pandora channel gets refresh, version 3.0 arrives on Roku


Pandora channel gets refresh, version 3.0 arrives on Roku
Pandora's music-sharing channel on Roku has been spruced up with a new station screen design and a few minor (but welcome) new features. Version 3.0 adds genre station functionality within a new grid interface, while the whole family (or at least up to five of them) can now connect their Pandora accounts to the same Roku hardware. For extended play, a new screen saver will display track details alongside album art and the renovated search will also display those album covers in results. Roku owners can expect their channel to auto-update in the next 48 hours, but anyone who hasn't yet sampled the delights of Pandora can pick up the free download from the streaming box's channel store.Filed under: Home Entertainment, SoftwarePandora channel gets refresh, version 3.0 arrives on Roku originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Roku | Email this | Comments

Legend of Zelda prototype cartridge goes to auction: $150,000 proves your loyalt...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:40 AM PDT

Legend of Zelda prototype cartridge goes to auction: $150,000 proves your loyalty to Hyrule (video)


Legend of Zelda prototype cartridge goes to auction: $150,000 proves your loyalty to Hyrule (video)
And you thought that Nintendo World Championships gold cartridge would make a nice start to the retirement fund. An eBay auction from tjcurtin1 is offering a prototype NES cartridge for the US release of The Legend of Zelda at a Buy It Now price of $150,000, or roughly ten times more than the typical final bid that Price Charting quotes for a typical NWC cart. While it looks like an unassuming yellow chunk of plastic, it's actually a Nintendo of America copy from February 23, 1987 -- half a year before the definitive action adventure reached the US market. The game still plays and can even save its game on the still functional, industry-first battery backup. Just remember that it's not necessarily going to reveal any design secrets from Shigeru Miyamoto or Takashi Tezuka: the seller warns that he can't see any practical differences between the early copy and the (also included) shipping version. Anyone well-heeled enough to buy the prototype is therefore going solely for the collector's value. But for those determined to be the coolest kid on any block about 25 years late, there's only one way to go.Continue reading Legend of Zelda prototype cartridge goes to auction: $150,000 proves your loyalty to Hyrule (video)Filed under: GamingLegend of Zelda prototype cartridge goes to auction: $150,000 proves your loyalty to Hyrule (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Joystiq | eBay | Email this | Comments

Is your problem gluten? Or faddish eating?

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:40 AM PDT

Is your problem gluten? Or faddish eating?


Is your problem gluten? Or faddish eating?
Gluten-free products are flying off grocery shelves, even some churches offer gluten-free Communion wafers.

Big Chevy closeout deals have 2013 Malibu Eco sitting on lots in favor of 2012 m...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

Big Chevy closeout deals have 2013 Malibu Eco sitting on lots in favor of 2012 models


Big Chevy closeout deals have 2013 Malibu Eco sitting on lots in favor of 2012 models
Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet First, the good news: The Chevrolet Malibu is selling at a great pace. Now, the bad news: It's the wrong Malibu. Dealer lots are filling up with 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco models as customers turn to the remaining 2012 models still there. After incentives are added up, the older Malibu costs about $6,000 less, Automotive News reported. Through June, General Motors has sold about 7,000 mild-hybrid 2013 Ecos, which get 25 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, since it launched in March. During the same time frame, Chevrolet has sold 100,000 2012 Malibus, which get 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Price trumps mileage. Is anyone surprised?Big Chevy closeout deals have 2013 Malibu Eco sitting on lots in favor of 2012 models originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Yahoo confirms Mail / Messenger outage, working on a fix

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

Yahoo confirms Mail / Messenger outage, working on a fix


Yahoo confirms Mail / Messenger outage, working on a fix
Google Talk and Twitter had their moments last week, and now it's Yahoo's turn. As noted by a flood of readers -- and confirmed by the company itself -- the exclamation marked mail service is currently experiencing some issues. Yahoo Mail is prompting users to accept its terms and then just sort of conking out. We reached out to Yahoo for comment and received the following response: Yahoo! Mail, Messenger and other areas of Yahoo! may currently be inaccessible or slow to respond to some users in certain locations. We are working to correct the issue and restore all functionality immediately. We know that this may have caused some inconvenience and we apologize to our users who might be affected. We'll update you when things are back to normal. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Internet, SoftwareYahoo confirms Mail / Messenger outage, working on a fix originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

China sending a probe to the moon next year to look for Moonbase Alpha

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

China sending a probe to the moon next year to look for Moonbase Alpha


China sending a probe to the moon next year to look for Moonbase Alpha
State news agency Xinhua is reporting that China is planning to launch a probe to the moon in the second half of 2013. The Chang'e-3, named after the Chinese moon goddess, will deposit a lander and rover on our natural satellite to survey its bumpy surface. It'll launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province and is a sign of the continuing ambition of the nation's space program -- after it deposited a crew on its Tiangong-1 space station two months ago.Filed under: Transportation, ScienceChina sending a probe to the moon next year to look for Moonbase Alpha originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Phys Org | Xinhua News | Email this | Comments

Lexus Unveils New LX 460 Flagship

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

Lexus Unveils New LX 460 Flagship


Lexus Unveils New LX 460 Flagship
Redesigned LS offers new sheet metal, safety features.

Amazon updates Cloud Player with 256 Kbps matched files, faster import, direct d...

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

Amazon updates Cloud Player with 256 Kbps matched files, faster import, direct delivery


Amazon updates Cloud Player with 256 Kbps matched files, faster import, direct delivery
Amazon's Cloud Player service just scored some major upgrades, including quality and import enhancements. Perhaps most notable is a new 256 Kbps option for matched files, including songs you imported before today. That bitrate, in MP3 format, is available for new tracks and albums added to the cloud -- a process that's been streamlined as well, with Cloud Player scanning your library and automatically offering up matched tracks, rather than requiring manual imports. In addition, music you buy in the Amazon MP3 Store will show up in your Player automatically, including past purchases (in cases where the site has the necessary rights). There's also an option to edit metadata directly, such as artist and album info, along with album art, or you can use the label information already in Amazon's catalog. Cloud Drive will also be less integrated with Player -- previous uploads will be moved to an "Archived Music" folder and won't count against storage caps, but will still be accessible and downloadable, while new imports will be stored in Player directly. You can upload up to 250 songs to Cloud Player for free, or pay a $25 annual fee to bump that cap to 250,000. Full details are at the source link below.Filed under: Storage, InternetAmazon updates Cloud Player with 256 Kbps matched files, faster import, direct delivery originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Amazon | Email this | Comments

Gmail for iOS adds option to save photos, becomes a smoother operator

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

Gmail for iOS adds option to save photos, becomes a smoother operator


Gmail for iOS adds option to save photos, becomes a smoother operator
Google's Gmail app for iOS has been docked by some potential adopters for feeling like a poor cousin to other native apps. It may be worth revisiting: the 1.3 update has just arrived with a much-requested ability to save common image attachments to an iOS device's photo collection. Should that not be enough, Google has smoothed out animations and scrolling for iPhone and iPod touch owners. The new version has pushed live for everyone, leaving just a quick download between us and saving our parents' vacation photos for posterity.Filed under: Cellphones, SoftwareGmail for iOS adds option to save photos, becomes a smoother operator originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink 9to5 Mac | App Store | Email this | Comments

The Lighter Car News

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

The Lighter Car News


The Lighter Car News
CVTs on the rise, GMC lives and nobody hates a Ferrari.

FreedomPop's $99 WiMax iPod touch case promises an iPhone without the bills (video)

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

FreedomPop's $99 WiMax iPod touch case promises an iPhone without the bills (video)


FreedomPop's $99 WiMax iPod touch case promises an iPhone without the bills (video)
FreedomPop's free-"4G"-for-all plans are clearer now that it's started taking pre-orders on its $99 iPod touch sleeve. The free data allocation has been halved to 500MB, with each additional gigabyte costing $10, with the company offering bulk discounts to heavy users. Marketing VP Tony Miller also told TechCrunch that the iPod sleeve wasn't a high priority until public clamor forced a shift in its plans, but said that an Android-compliant version of its gear was "on the roadmap." There's video after the jump.Continue reading FreedomPop's $99 WiMax iPod touch case promises an iPhone without the bills (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, InternetFreedomPop's $99 WiMax iPod touch case promises an iPhone without the bills (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TechCrunch | FreedomPop | Email this | Comments

Feds say devices can't detect kids left in hot cars

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:05 AM PDT

Feds say devices can't detect kids left in hot cars


Feds say devices can't detect kids left in hot cars
Advises not to leave them behind.

Samsung Music Hub launches on Galaxy S III stateside with free trial in tow

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 10:17 AM PDT

Samsung Music Hub launches on Galaxy S III stateside with free trial in tow


Samsung Music Hub launches on Galaxy S III stateside with free trial in tow
Samsung's come a long way from the days of its first Galaxy S device. Relying back then, out of necessity, on third parties like 7Digital and Kobo to provide a white label content platform. Time, fortune and the popularity of its Android devices has changed the company's tack and with the unveiling of the Galaxy S III, it's heading for a streamlined user experience that integrates hardware with in-house software. Although Music Hub has already launched overseas in several European countries as part and parcel of its latest flagship, that service is now finally ready for primetime in the US. Built upon the mSpot tech it acquired this past May, the company's freemium service combines the best of both worlds, offering non-paying users access to a digital storefront loaded up with millions of tracks from all four major labels (and some indies, too), a web-based player, as well as the ability to store purchased music remotely and offline for "registered devices." Whereas, the subscription version builds upon those gratis goods by adding personalized radio stations, free streaming and an iTunes-like "Scan & Match" feature to the mix for $10 monthly. Ever cognizant of the already crowded digital music platforms provided by rivals, Samsung's tricking out this stateside debut with some goodies for the curious: a 30-day trial and one free album of their choosing. It's a nice incentive, for sure, but with so many already entrenched in the musical realms of rivals -- iTunes, Google Play and Spotify, for starters -- adoption of this new ecosystem's going to be a hard sell indeed. Click on past the break for the lowdown on this me-too, mobile music offering.Continue reading Samsung Music Hub launches on Galaxy S III stateside with free trial in towFiled under: Cellphones, Wireless, SoftwareSamsung Music Hub launches on Galaxy S III stateside with free trial in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments