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Thursday, August 16, 2012

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Ford invests $135 million in electrified vehicles

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 03:31 PM PDT

Ford invests $135 million in electrified vehicles


Ford invests $135 million in electrified vehicles
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, FordFord may not have a dedicated hybrid or EV platform, but it does have a new "Electrification Center of Excellence" down the street from its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford announced yesterday that it now has some 1,000 engineers devoted to electrified vehicles, most of whom work "under one roof" at the facility. The 285,000-square-foot research and development lab used to be known as the Advanced Engineering Center, but has now been renamed the Ford Advanced Electrification Center. Ford has already hired 60 engineers to populate the effort this year, which carries a total investment of $135 million. That's a nice chunk of change to spend on battery tech. But to put it into perspective, consider that General Motors admitted to dropping some $750 million on the Chevrolet Volt.Scroll down to read the full press release.Continue reading Ford invests $135 million in electrified vehiclesFord invests $135 million in electrified vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Check 'N Chew Foursquare-enabled gumball machine hands-on (video)

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 03:31 PM PDT

Check 'N Chew Foursquare-enabled gumball machine hands-on (video)


Check 'N Chew Foursquare-enabled gumball machine hands-on (video)
When Tyler DeAngelo asked if we'd be interested in checking out his new project, we jumped at the opportunity. After all, we were pretty blown away with Fifth Avenue Frogger, his hacked arcade cabinet that incorporated real-time webcam footage of a busy Manhattan street into gameplay. His latest project, Check 'N Chew certainly has more apparent commercial applications, offering up a form of immediate gratification for social media users. The concept is fairly simple: check into Foursquare, get a gumball. DeAngelo has hacked an off-the-shelf gumball machine with a stepper motor, Arduino and an XBee radio. There's also a port on the rear of the machine that plugs into a wall to power it all. The Check 'N Chew communicates wirelessly with an ethernet-to-wireless gateway device. When someone checks into an authorized location, information is sent from DeAngelo's server to the gateway, and a gumball is dispensed. The whole process is quite speedy, only taking a couple of seconds from Foursquare check-in to gumball dispensing.Gallery: Check 'N Chew Foursquare-enabled gumball machine hands-on (video)Continue reading Check 'N Chew Foursquare-enabled gumball machine hands-on (video)Filed under: Misc. GadgetsCheck 'N Chew Foursquare-enabled gumball machine hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Check 'N Chew | Email this | Comments

Google enables Play Store delta updates, helps you conserve precious data

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 02:54 PM PDT

Google enables Play Store delta updates, helps you conserve precious data


Google enables Play Store delta updates, helps you conserve precious data
At Google's developer conference, the company announced that it would soon offer the ability to download delta updates in its Play Store, and we're starting to see the promise fulfilled before our very eyes. These delta upgrades, which save time and bandwidth when updating larger apps by only downloading the actual changes (rather than the entire program), were spotted earlier by Android Police and verified by our staff. While it may seem like a minor feature, you'll likely be happy that you don't have to think twice about updating your graphically-intense games when you're not within range of a hotspot. Head below for a video showing the delta updates in action.Continue reading Google enables Play Store delta updates, helps you conserve precious dataFiled under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs, SoftwareGoogle enables Play Store delta updates, helps you conserve precious data originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Droid-Life | Android Police | Email this | Comments

Judge rules Facebook users can share friends' profiles with the feds

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 02:21 PM PDT

Judge rules Facebook users can share friends' profiles with the feds


Judge rules Facebook users can share friends' profiles with the feds
It's not the backdoor access that the FBI has been pushing for, but US District Judge William Pauley III has now ruled that it and other law enforcement agencies are entitled to view your Facebook profile if one of your "friends" gives them permission to do so. As GigaOm reports, that ruling comes as part of a New York City racketeering trial, in which one of the accused, Melvin Colon, had tried to suppress evidence turned up on Facebook that led to his indictment. That information was obtained through an informant who gave investigators access to the profile, something that Colon had argued violated his rights against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment. In the ruling, Judge Pauley dismissed that claim, likening the Facebook access instead to a phone wiretap in which one person on the call allows the government to monitor it -- a practice that has been ruled constitutional. GigaOm also has the ruling in its entirety at the source link below for those interested.Filed under: InternetJudge rules Facebook users can share friends' profiles with the feds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | GigaOm | Email this | Comments

Why Bob Lutz is wrong about A123 Systems' new Chinese investor

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 02:21 PM PDT

Why Bob Lutz is wrong about A123 Systems' new Chinese investor


Why Bob Lutz is wrong about A123 Systems' new Chinese investor
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, China, USA A message to Bob Lutz, former General Motors vice chairman, and proponent of the Chevrolet Volt and Via Motors' plug-in electric vehicles. Regarding your guest column in Forbes lambasting the federal government for granting battery maker A123 Systems a Department of Energy grant and allowing a Chinese company to step in as an A123 investor/owner: Get over it! While A123 Systems is in a desperate situation with financial losses related to the Fisker Karma - which keeps having problems - when it comes to federal financial support and making deals with Chinese investors, there are a few things you left out. For example: your own management role at General Motors when the federal government executed a large ownership stake investment and required GM to strip down the dealership network. Whether or not the feds should stay out of corporate bailouts or grant DOE grants and loans to greentech companies may be worthwhile to debate, but it is unavoidably part of the landscape these days, for better or worse. Another irony is your criticism of A123 for cutting a deal with Chinese auto parts company Wanxiang since you say doing business with the Chinese government and corporations is bad for U.S. business and autonomy. You write: "If we can't get our act together soon, the country will 'go Chinese' company by company, institution by institution, industry after industry. There will be no need for a military conflict against an overwhelmingly superior force: the Chinese will simply buy the country, a little piece at a time." The U.S. is no longer the sole dominant force in global economics and military prowess. I think this is just another aspect of seeing the global auto industry, and the global economy, as it really is. Chinese automaker Geely Group stepped in when Ford stepped out in 2010, and Ford and General Motors have partnerships with Chinese manufacturers selling products to the rapidly growing China auto market. There's also the part about global automakers setting up production facilities in China and selling their own products in the market. Whether or not A123 Systems survives, the federal grant and Chinese investment do seem to be pretty logical in the context of what's been happening lately. There might even be a few positives to this situation, such as accessing a larger investment pool and market for green vehicles and technologies, as well as forging more peaceful relations with China.Why Bob Lutz is wrong about A123 Systems' new Chinese investor originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 02:21 PM PDT

The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!


The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!
Tim and Brian are back in New York and will be joined by Dana once again to discuss the week that was. The magic will happen at 5PM ET, after the break. August 16, 2012 5:00 PM EDTContinue reading The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

IRL: HTC One S, Columbia GPS Pal and the Eton Rukus Solar

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 01:44 PM PDT

IRL: HTC One S, Columbia GPS Pal and the Eton Rukus Solar


IRL: HTC One S, Columbia GPS Pal and the Eton Rukus Solar
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. This week in IRL, Jon Fingas takes what could be an unpopular stance, making a case for the HTC One S over the bigger, more lavishly specced One X. Meanwhile, Darren and Dan test some summer-appropriate tech, including a GPS app for outdoor sports and a solar-powered speaker dock.Continue reading IRL: HTC One S, Columbia GPS Pal and the Eton Rukus SolarFiled under: Misc. GadgetsIRL: HTC One S, Columbia GPS Pal and the Eton Rukus Solar originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Sony rules out PS Vita price cut in 2012, works to lower the price later

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 01:44 PM PDT

Sony rules out PS Vita price cut in 2012, works to lower the price later


Sony rules out PS Vita price cut in 2012, works to lower the price later
It's time to get realistic about the prospects of a PlayStation Vita price drop. Sony Worldwide Studios' head Shuhei Yoshida dampened the fires of speculation at GamesCom this week by telling Eurogamer that it was simply "too early" to slash the price on the gaming handheld -- it was only just launched this year for every active region beyond Japan, after all. That's not to say Sony is determined to keep the PS Vita at $249 forever. Much like what it did for the PS3, the company is working to bring down the price by streamlining part costs. The cuts might be necessary given the mismatch between the warm reception to the quad-core, OLED-packing hardware and the actual sales; Sony would "like to see more uptake" than what's been seen to date, according to Yoshida. In the meantime, we'll have to be content with bundles like the European LittleBigPlanet combo if we want to eke out a little more value at the game store counter.Filed under: Gaming, HandheldsSony rules out PS Vita price cut in 2012, works to lower the price later originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Ars Technica | Eurogamer | Email this | Comments

Square intros flat-rate payment option at $275 per month, hits small business sw...

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 12:33 PM PDT

Square intros flat-rate payment option at $275 per month, hits small business sweet spot


Square intros flat-rate payment option at $275 per month, hits small business sweet spot
Square is most often pitched as heaven for small businesses, but that 2.75 percent cut per transaction is sometimes a problem for stores that are too successful. Enter a new flat rate option. Shops that don't take more than $250,000 a year in Square payments, or charge more than $400 in a given sale, can instead pay a flat $275 per month regardless of how many swipes they take. The deal makes the most sense for businesses handling more than $120,000 a year through the reader, establishing a definite limit to its usefulness; this isn't exactly for a budding jeweler (or Starbucks). Even so, the simplicity of the rate might be very alluring for companies that aren't keen on surprise costs or working out the math, and it's a contrast to the half-steps towards flat rates taken by VeriFone and other, more traditional outlets going mobile.Continue reading Square intros flat-rate payment option at $275 per month, hits small business sweet spotFiled under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Tablet PCs, InternetSquare intros flat-rate payment option at $275 per month, hits small business sweet spot originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Square | Email this | Comments

ASUS Zenbook Prime faces teardown, affords a little expansion in an even smaller...

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 12:33 PM PDT

ASUS Zenbook Prime faces teardown, affords a little expansion in an even smaller space


ASUS Zenbook Prime faces teardown, affords a little expansion in an even smaller space
We often assume that Ultrabooks scarcely have any room to budge on the inside, and that's usually true. An iFixit teardown of ASUS' Zenbook Prime has proven that there's always an exception to the rule. Looking at a UX32VD with the same base layout as the UX31 we reviewed, the repair outlet finds that the upgraded Zenbook has both embedded and removable RAM: provided owners are still willing to perform some surgery, they can upgrade past the 4GB of included memory on their own terms. The repair team is a bit dismayed that there's a 5,400RPM hard drive spinning near the mini SSD -- how very 2011 -- but notes that it's equally swappable by those who want something faster. Whatever you think of the fully pieced-together ASUS PC, it's apparent there's a reward for those willing to take it apart.Filed under: LaptopsASUS Zenbook Prime faces teardown, affords a little expansion in an even smaller space originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | iFixit | Email this | Comments

The Honorable Judge Lucy Koh Accuses Apple’s Lawyer Of Smoking Crack

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 12:33 PM PDT

The Honorable Judge Lucy Koh Accuses Apple's Lawyer Of Smoking Crack


The Honorable Judge Lucy Koh Accuses Apple's Lawyer Of Smoking Crack
The best part of the entire Apple-Samsung patent war has been Federal Judge Lucy Koh. She's a smaller woman with straight, silk black hair, but she manages to make some of the wealthiest lawyers and highest level executives bow down. She's an Alpha, and not without a touch of humor, either. In fact, today she asked Apple's attorney if he was smoking crack. At least, that's what this tweet from NYT writer Nick Wingfield says. Apple's attorney responded with, "Your Honor, I'm not smoking crack."

Hipstamatic Out Of Film? Camera App Lays Off Engineers And Others

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 12:33 PM PDT

Hipstamatic Out Of Film? Camera App Lays Off Engineers And Others


Hipstamatic Out Of Film? Camera App Lays Off Engineers And Others
Is Hipstamatic, the iPhone photo app that was an early hit on the App Store, on the rocks? TechCrunch understands that Synthetic, makers of the app, has recently had to let go of much of its engineering staff, among others, as part of a wider restructuring as it looks for cash. A number of public tweets (embedded below) also point to people leaving. The news comes as a surprise, given that Synthetic says that it has been profitable since the second week after it launched. It is projected to make $22 million this year (from $10 million in 2011). Contacted for a response to the news, a spokesperson confirmed that Hipstatmatic is restructuring but nothing more: "Business is moving forward as usual, and we're heads down focused on making beautiful, creative and fun products for our community and the world." The company to date has never had VC backing.

Toshiba tries its hand at home theater audio with the SBX4250 Sound Bar

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 11:59 AM PDT

Toshiba tries its hand at home theater audio with the SBX4250 Sound Bar


Toshiba tries its hand at home theater audio with the SBX4250 Sound Bar
Toshiba has long been acquainted with the visual facets of home theater setups, and now the firm is entering the audio side of the equation with the SBX4250 -- the first in a line-up of sound bar speaker systems. Featuring SRS TruSurround HD and accompanied by a wireless subwoofer, the strip packs two tweeters and four speakers in a 3.6-inch tall, 2.2-inch deep and roughly three-foot long form factor. In addition to the included HDMI and optical audio inputs, the box boasts Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio from PCs, tablets, smartphones and other compatible devices. For those willing to part with $329.99, the 300-watt rig can already be snapped up online and at select brick-and-mortar establishments. Check out the glamour shots and the full press release below.Gallery: Toshiba SBX4250 Sound BarContinue reading Toshiba tries its hand at home theater audio with the SBX4250 Sound BarFiled under: Home EntertainmentToshiba tries its hand at home theater audio with the SBX4250 Sound Bar originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Toshiba | Email this | Comments

54.5 MPG CAFE rule implemention delayed, review will be completed 'soon'

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 11:26 AM PDT

54.5 MPG CAFE rule implemention delayed, review will be completed 'soon'


54.5 MPG CAFE rule implemention delayed, review will be completed 'soon'
Filed under: MPG, Legislation and Policy, USA Despite the positive public face, the behind-the-scenes discussions that resulted in the 2025 CAFE standards of 54.5 miles per gallon agreement were not easy. There might be more problems going on, since the Obama administration has pushed back implementation of the new rule - which affects model-year 2017 vehicles and later - to a later date. A self-imposed deadline meant the rule was supposed to be issued yesterday. No new date was given, but Lynda Tran, a spokeswoman for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, told Bloomberg that, "The rule is still undergoing interagency review and we expect that process to be completed soon." The administration has said the new efficiency requirements, which should result in real-world EPA figures of around 40 mpg, will save drivers money and have been upheld in court. Still, the rules have attracted the ire of some of the President's opponents. Without further clarification from Washington, we can't be sure what the hold up is. Anyone want to speculate?54.5 MPG CAFE rule implemention delayed, review will be completed 'soon' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nyko Power Grip for PlayStation Vita review: a $25 accessory that promises to do...

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 11:26 AM PDT

Nyko Power Grip for PlayStation Vita review: a $25 accessory that promises to double your battery life


Nyko Power Grip for PlayStation Vita review: a $25 accessory that promises to double your battery life
Gaming accessories come in all shapes and sizes --- replacement controllers, portable console suitcases, specialized mice, control augmenting nubs, you name it. Whatever your niche, you can bet there's a product out there to fill it. Nyko, in particular, has made a bit of a habit of fulfilling a particular need: manufacturing third-party battery accessories for all those short-lived handhelds. The outfit has such a solid track record in the category, in fact, that we had little doubt its PlayStation Vita Power Grip ($25) would live up to its life-giving hype -- but we decided to put it to the test all the same.Gallery: Nyko Power Grip for PlayStation Vita reviewContinue reading Nyko Power Grip for PlayStation Vita review: a $25 accessory that promises to double your battery lifeFiled under: Gaming, PeripheralsNyko Power Grip for PlayStation Vita review: a $25 accessory that promises to double your battery life originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Discover Partners With Google, Makes Adding Its Credit Cards To Google Wallet Ea...

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 11:26 AM PDT

Discover Partners With Google, Makes Adding Its Credit Cards To Google Wallet Easier


Discover Partners With Google, Makes Adding Its Credit Cards To Google Wallet Easier
Google Wallet, the company's NFC-based virtual wallet for Android, got a major update earlier this month when Google started giving its users the ability to use cards from Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Today, Google and Discover announced that they are now making it even easier for Discover customers to save their cards to Google Wallet. Discover now uses Google's Save to Wallet API to allow its cardmembers to save their credit card directly to their Wallet account from Discover's online account center.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti review roundup: impressive performance for around $300

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 10:51 AM PDT

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti review roundup: impressive performance for around $300


NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti review roundup: impressive performance for around $300
No one's saying that $300 is "cheap," but compared to the GTX 670 and GTX 680 before it, the newly announced GeForce GTX 660 Ti is definitely in a more attainable category. The usual suspects have hashed out their reviews today, with the general consensus being one of satisfaction. A gamechanger in the space it's not, but this Kepler-based GPU managed to go toe-to-toe with similarly priced Radeon GPUs while being relatively power efficient in the process. That said, AnandTech was quick to point out that unlike Kepler reviews in the past, the 660 Ti wasn't able to simply blow away the competition; it found the card to perform around 10 to 15 percent faster than the 7870 from AMD, while the 7950 was putting out roughly the same amount of performance as the card on today's test bench. HotHardware mentioned that NVIDIA does indeed have another winner on its hands, noting that it'd be tough to do better right now for three Benjamins. Per usual, there's plenty of further reading available in the links below for those seriously considering the upgrade.Filed under: Gaming, PeripheralsNVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti review roundup: impressive performance for around $300 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | AnandTech, HotHardware, Tech Report | Email this | Comments

Rhys Millen Sets Pikes Peak Record

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 10:51 AM PDT

Rhys Millen Sets Pikes Peak Record


Rhys Millen Sets Pikes Peak Record
Tops the 14,110-foot mountain under 10 minutes on a newly paved course.

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q may be renamed to equally awkward Galaxy S Relay 4G

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 10:51 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q may be renamed to equally awkward Galaxy S Relay 4G


Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q may be renamed to equally awkward Galaxy S Relay 4G
The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q might have missed the August 15th date mentioned in its leaked press shot, but a rumored name change would still put the future T-Mobile device in the running for the most convoluted phone name ever. Although there's a distinct lack of tangible evidence -- take this with a grain of salt -- the usually reliable TmoNews hears Samsung's TouchWiz-infused QWERTY slider will be called the Galaxy S Relay 4G when it ships. No, we're not feeling it, either. While there's no word on an updated release date, we'd at least like the earlier claims of a Snapdragon S4 to be true so that the phone is worthy of the respect the name isn't providing.Filed under: CellphonesSamsung Galaxy S Blaze Q may be renamed to equally awkward Galaxy S Relay 4G originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TmoNews | Email this | Comments

Pantech Flex teased for AT&T LTE, will be available in the 'coming months'

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 10:17 AM PDT

Pantech Flex teased for AT&T LTE, will be available in the 'coming months'


Pantech Flex teased for AT&T LTE, will be available in the 'coming months'
Well, this is one of the more... creative ways to tease a forthcoming product. Pantech is ready to show off its latest AT&T LTE device, the Flex, but it's taking to its popular Dew Tour to do so. Pantech is quite scant on specific information and isn't providing photos yet, but it did mention that the new device will be available in the coming months. Hopefully this is the handset we saw go through the FCC not too long ago, but we'll keep you posted as more information comes in. In the meantime, the Flex will be exhibited this weekend at the Pantech Beach Championships in Ocean City, MD. Check out the full press release after the break.Continue reading Pantech Flex teased for AT&T LTE, will be available in the 'coming months'Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessPantech Flex teased for AT&T LTE, will be available in the 'coming months' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Instagram 3.0 adds Photo Maps, infinite scrolling and speed improvements (video)

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 10:16 AM PDT

Instagram 3.0 adds Photo Maps, infinite scrolling and speed improvements (video)


Instagram 3.0 adds Photo Maps, infinite scrolling and speed improvements (video)
Wondering if that Facebook acquisition would slow down the pace of innovation at Instagram? Perhaps v3.0 will answer that. The famed photo sharing network -- now some 80 million users deep -- is detailing its latest user interface overhaul today, and geolocation is at the heart of it. Lining up with our own feelings on the benefits of geotagging and the usefulness of tagged photos from an archive / diary perspective, the newest edition of the app introduces a Photo Maps view. As the name implies, it overlays photos with a map underneath, giving people a far more visual look at what they were seeing at a given point on Earth (or Mars, assuming Curiosity hasn't reached its data limit this month). Beyond that, the app includes "multi-line caption editing, more streamlined photo uploading, speed improvements and infinite scroll," according to our pals at TechCrunch. Interestingly, the Twitter "Find Friends" feature has been yanked in the latest build due to Twitter shutting off its API to the company last month. If you're wondering about a master plan for Photo Maps, it's pretty simple; just as you'd tune into #nbcfail on Twitter to read the latest musings about the Summer Olympics, hovering over London in Instagram could give you a highly filtered look at what kind of photos are emerging from an event in real time. And really, who wouldn't want to see 807 sepia-infused 1:1 shots of Usain Bolt? Per usual, you'll find the demo vid after the break.Gallery: Instagram 3.0 on AndroidGallery: Instagram 3.0 on iOSContinue reading Instagram 3.0 adds Photo Maps, infinite scrolling and speed improvements (video)Filed under: Cellphones, SoftwareInstagram 3.0 adds Photo Maps, infinite scrolling and speed improvements (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TechCrunch, Apple App Store, Google Play, Instagram | Email this | Comments

Google+ update lets iOS open links in Chrome, Android join Hangouts on Air

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 10:16 AM PDT

Google+ update lets iOS open links in Chrome, Android join Hangouts on Air


Google+ update lets iOS open links in Chrome, Android join Hangouts on Air
If you've been dutifully checking your mobile app updates (you do check, right?), you may have noticed a Google+ upgrade slip through largely unannounced. That revision might be bigger than you think -- although its exact value depends entirely on the platform you're running. If you're an iOS user, you now have the choice to open web links in Chrome for iOS instead of Safari; it's not the same as changing the default browser, but it will keep Google fans firmly ensconced in their preferred ecosystem while they're using Apple devices. On the Android side, it's now possible to watch live Hangouts On Air sessions if friends aren't ready and waiting for a chat. Both versions now let teens join any kind of Hangout, and there's a raft of tweaks on either side of the fence. If you've been waiting for either of the two major features to jump in, the app downloads are waiting at the source links.Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs, SoftwareGoogle+ update lets iOS open links in Chrome, Android join Hangouts on Air originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Mobile Burn, The Next Web | App Store, Google Play | Email this | Comments

2013 Nissan Leaf will go 25% further, could cost a lot less

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 09:29 AM PDT

2013 Nissan Leaf will go 25% further, could cost a lot less


2013 Nissan Leaf will go 25% further, could cost a lot less
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan Months ago, we heard that the U.S. version of the 2013 Nissan Leaf would go farther per charge in cold weather thanks to a better heater. This was about the Leaf that will be made in Smyrna, TN starting later this year. A new report on Inside EVs (based on the Japanese language Sankei Biz site) says that the new Leaf, at least the version destined for sale in Japan, will have its range extended to over 250 kilometers (155 miles) in any weather. Of course, since that is on the lenient Japanese test cycle, it doesn't mean that U.S. drivers will get double their range (the Leaf is rated at 73 miles by the EPA). Instead, the new Leaf should get a range improvement of around 25 percent, which would translate to around 91 miles of EPA range, thanks to more efficient motors and better batteries in the new Leaf. More interesting - since we expect incremental improvements with each generation of vehicles, especially when EVs are concerned - is that Nissan is also considering an entry-level Leaf for release by the end of the year. If Sankei Biz is correct, this model would start at 2.5 million yen ($31,500 U.S. at today's exchange rates) compared to the current version's starting price of 3.7 million yen ($46,600). Inside EVs notes that, "A similar price reduction in North America, would price this new base Nissan LEAF at $26,600." Sankei Biz says the update are coming a year earlier than planned in order to boost sales. A before-incentive price of $26,600 would certainly do that, wouldn't it? We've asked Nissan for any sort of confirmation or denial of these reports and will update once we hear something.2013 Nissan Leaf will go 25% further, could cost a lot less originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Big Fish Casino Raises The Stakes With Real-Money Gambling On The iPhone

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 09:29 AM PDT

Big Fish Casino Raises The Stakes With Real-Money Gambling On The iPhone


Big Fish Casino Raises The Stakes With Real-Money Gambling On The iPhone
Would you like to bet on what may be the next big thing in games? Place a wager on real-money gambling, and you could be in for some good returns. Today, when games developer Big Fish launched a new iPhone app called Big Fish Casino, it announced it would raise the stakes in the UK by introducing real-money gambling into it (courtesy of well-backed gambling platform Betable) -- making this the first time that a real-money gambling game will be available in the App Store. This may be a first for the App Store, but it's part of a growing interest in real-money gambling. The news comes just one week after the introduction of the first real-money gambling app on Facebook (also in the UK) and at the same time that a report has emerged of Zynga lobbying hard to get in-game gambling cleared in the U.S., too.

HTML5 Gaming Gets Another Contender With Goko’s New Platform

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 09:29 AM PDT

HTML5 Gaming Gets Another Contender With Goko's New Platform


HTML5 Gaming Gets Another Contender With Goko's New Platform
HTML5 gaming is getting another wind this year with a new cohort of startup contenders. One of the latest is Goko, a Redwood City-based company that's trying to make it easy for game developers publish, monetize and distribute their HTML5-based work across multiple platforms including iOS, Android, Facebook and Google+. They're coming out today with a multiplayer version of a Settlers of Catan massive-multiplayer game called Dominion. They're also unleashing a software development kit for HTML5 game developers to build on the platform. "At a higher level, we're taking HTML5 content and we're distributing and publishing it out to different channels out on the web," said chief executive Ted Griggs.

Arduino-based SocialChatter reads your Twitter feeds so you don't have to (video)

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 09:29 AM PDT

Arduino-based SocialChatter reads your Twitter feeds so you don't have to (video)


Arduino-based SocialChatter reads your Twitter feeds so you don't have to (video)
If you prefer reading your RSS feeds without the backlight, there's hardware for that, and if you'd prefer not reading your Twitter feeds at all, there's now hardware for that as well. Mix an Arduino Ethernet board, an Emic 2 Text-To-Speech Module and the knowhow to put them together, and you've got SocialChatter -- a neat little build that'll read your feeds aloud. The coding's already been done for you, and it's based on Adafruit's own Internet of Things printer sketch with a little bit of tinkering so nothing's lost in translation. If your eyes need a Twitter break and you've got the skills and kit to make it happen, head over to the source link for a how-to guide. Don't fill the requirements? Then jump past the break to hear SocialChatter's soothing voice without all the effort.Continue reading Arduino-based SocialChatter reads your Twitter feeds so you don't have to (video)Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, InternetArduino-based SocialChatter reads your Twitter feeds so you don't have to (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Adafruit | Email this | Comments

Google Play gift cards show up for real, come in $10 and $25 flavors

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 08:56 AM PDT

Google Play gift cards show up for real, come in $10 and $25 flavors


Google Play gift cards show up for real, come in $10 and $25 flavors
Remember that Google Play gift card support we told you about just this morning? Well now things got real. Literally. The pic above shows one of the shrink-wrapped critters in a $25 denomination. Android Central claims they were sent a few different pictures, showing $10 varieties also -- and as we can see from the box -- they're good for music, movies, books, apps and (mysteriously) "more." So if you're after that hot new game, now's about the time to start dropping hints to your nearest and dearest.Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablet PCsGoogle Play gift cards show up for real, come in $10 and $25 flavors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Android Central | Email this | Comments

Creator Of BlindType, A Keyboard App For The Blind Acquired By Google, Reveals N...

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 08:56 AM PDT

Creator Of BlindType, A Keyboard App For The Blind Acquired By Google, Reveals New Keyboard App Called Fleksy


Creator Of BlindType, A Keyboard App For The Blind Acquired By Google, Reveals New Keyboard App Called Fleksy
Fleksy is a new keyboard replacement app for iOS, originally designed for use by the blind or partially sighted, which was created by co-founders Ioannis Verdelis and Kostas Eleftheriou of Syntellia. Kostas, you might recall, previously created a proof-of-concept app called BlindType, also targeting the visually impaired market, which he later sold to Google. Fleksy picks up where BlindType left off. It's no longer just an idea, but a fully formed product and technology. The app will eventually be built for all the top mobile platforms - Android, iOS and Windows Phone - but the co-founders wanted to start with an iOS release so people could try out what they've developed.

DOJ, FCC clear Verizon buyout of cable companies' spectrum, require giving up so...

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 08:22 AM PDT

DOJ, FCC clear Verizon buyout of cable companies' spectrum, require giving up some airwaves


DOJ, FCC clear Verizon buyout of cable companies' spectrum, require giving up some airwaves
Verizon has been fighting hard to get its acquisition of cable companies' wireless frequencies past legal hurdles, and it just surged over the most important of the bunch: both the Department of Justice and the FCC have signed off on the agreement. To get the $3.9 billion deal through the door, Big Red will have to offload some of its spectrum to other companies. The DOJ, meanwhile, is more concerned that Verizon is getting a little too cozy with Bright House, Comcast, Cox and Time Warner Cable in terms of marketing and reselling bundles that include cellular and cable access. Closing the deal also requires setting up a new joint venture in technology research. We're still working to learn the full details of the deal, but the spectrum handover will likely give a swift kick to Verizon's 4G capacity -- and anger a few rivals who wouldn't have wanted any handover to go through.Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessDOJ, FCC clear Verizon buyout of cable companies' spectrum, require giving up some airwaves originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink CNET | DOJ | Email this | Comments

Google teases hackers with $2 million in prizes, announces Pwnium 2 exploit comp...

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 08:22 AM PDT

Google teases hackers with $2 million in prizes, announces Pwnium 2 exploit competition


Google teases hackers with $2 million in prizes, announces Pwnium 2 exploit competition
The folks in Mountain View are starting to make a habit of getting hacked -- intentionally, that is. Earlier this year, Google hosted an event at the CanSecWest security conference called Pwnium, a competition that challenged aspiring hackers to poke holes in its Chrome browser. El Goog apparently learned so much from the event that it's doing it again -- hosting Pwnium 2 at the Hack in the Box 10th anniversary conference in Malaysia and offering up to $2 million in rewards. Bugging out the browser by exploiting its own code wins the largest award, a cool $60,000. Enlisting the help of a WebKit or Windows kernel bug makes you eligible for a $50,000 reward, and non-Chrome exploits that rely on a bug in Flash or a driver are worth $40,000. Not confident you can break Chrome? Don't let that stop you -- Google plans to reward incomplete exploits as well, noting that it has plenty to learn from unreliable or incomplete attacks. Check out the Chromium Blog at the source link below for the full details.Filed under: Internet, SoftwareGoogle teases hackers with $2 million in prizes, announces Pwnium 2 exploit competition originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google | Email this | Comments