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Thursday, August 2, 2012

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Rovi lands Google Fiber patent license deal, keeps program guides flowing

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 02:49 PM PDT

Rovi lands Google Fiber patent license deal, keeps program guides flowing


Rovi lands Google Fiber patent license deal, keeps program guides flowing
Rovi considers itself the master of TV program guides everywhere -- even if some disagree -- so it's almost inevitable that the company would negotiate a new patent license with Google. The deal puts all of Google Fiber's TV interfaces in the clear, whether it's the set-top box near the TV or the less traditional interfaces found on the web and the Nexus 7 remote. Considering Rovi's existing connection to Google TV, the new pact may cement the company and its partner in Mountain View as surprisingly close friends.Filed under: Home EntertainmentRovi lands Google Fiber patent license deal, keeps program guides flowing originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink AllThingsD | Rovi | Email this | Comments

Automated Safety Systems to Be Rated

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 02:49 PM PDT

Automated Safety Systems to Be Rated


Automated Safety Systems to Be Rated
IIHS may revise its car ratings to test automated systems' effectiveness.

Onyx Ashanti's beatjazz music machine does everything, looks good too (video)

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 02:14 PM PDT

Onyx Ashanti's beatjazz music machine does everything, looks good too (video)


Onyx Ashanti's beatjazz music machine does everything, looks good too (video)
Onyx Ashanti has sent us over a demo of his beatjazz controller, and we have to marvel at the direction he's taken with this custom electronic music machine following more modest efforts. Onyx's 3D-printed interface receives inputs from a voice / breath-operated synth in the headgear, while the two handheld controls incorporate accelerometers, joysticks and pressure-sensitive buttons. Using this kit and his own software, Onyx is able to create live digital music with an amount of control you would only expect from desktop-based production software. We've embedded two videos for your attention after the break -- a demo of his latest flashy build complete with lightsaber-like effects, and an earlier live performance that really shows what the beatjazz controller can do.Continue reading Onyx Ashanti's beatjazz music machine does everything, looks good too (video)Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, WearablesOnyx Ashanti's beatjazz music machine does everything, looks good too (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Onyx Ashanti | Email this | Comments

Electric vehicle fan says solar-powered EVs cut monthly driving costs in half

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 02:14 PM PDT

Electric vehicle fan says solar-powered EVs cut monthly driving costs in half


Electric vehicle fan says solar-powered EVs cut monthly driving costs in half
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, BMW, Honda The solar panels are a big help. Our friend Peder Norby says his family's monthly transportation expenses for his two electric cars - a BMW ActiveE and Honda Fit EV are about half those for the two gas cars he and his wife used to drive. Norby calculates that the ActivE and Fit EV cost a combined $1,082 a month in lease payments and insurance, compared to $2,031 in monthly expenses for the now-sold 2005 Volvo S60R and 2005 Infiniti G35. The Norby's previous $450-a-month in refueling costs have been completely eliminated by the fact that the couple's house is solar-powered. The EVs also create savings in the form of zero repair and maintenance expenses (the EVs are virtually new) and lower insurance costs. The couple, which this year paid off their six-year-old solar-power system through their lower utility bills, brag that they've driven "52,000 miles powered by sunshine."Electric vehicle fan says solar-powered EVs cut monthly driving costs in half originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Boeing prepares to deliver United's 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (...

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 02:14 PM PDT

Boeing prepares to deliver United's 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video)


Boeing prepares to deliver United's 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video)
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is the hottest bird in aviation, and while the American-made airliner has already taken flight with passengers aboard, it has yet to land with US-flag air carrier livery along the fuselage. Japan's All Nippon Airways was the first to take delivery, with the premier pair making their way from the assembly line in September of 2011. Last year Japan Airlines made its first scheduled voyage across the Pacific in a Dreamliner of its own, and we were fortunate enough to fly roundtrip on a domestic ANA flight leaving from Tokyo a few months later. But now the 787 is making its way to an American carrier. As the first US airline to operate the plane, United Airlines is about to take delivery of its first of 50 Dreamliners, which will join the carrier's fleet to service both existing and new routes, such as Denver to Tokyo, which is set to launch in late March of next year. We traveled to Boeing's Everett, Washington factory today for a first look at United's aircraft. While the Dreamliner looks physically identical to ANA's plane, the on-board experience is decidedly different from what we saw in Japan. Though the Dreamliner has a very similar layout to United's bigger 777, it feels roomier thanks to larger windows with dimmable shades, expanded overheard bins and higher ceilings. There's plenty more to see, though, so jump past the break for a video tour of United's new mid-size flagship, and a closer look in photos. Gallery: United Dreamliner interiorContinue reading Boeing prepares to deliver United's 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video)Filed under: TransportationBoeing prepares to deliver United's 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

KDE 4.9 arrives, wants to show off its stability

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 01:32 PM PDT

KDE 4.9 arrives, wants to show off its stability


KDE 4.9 arrives, wants to show off its stability
While its austere naming structure may not endear itself to alliteration fans, KDE 4.9 has arrived with a raft of improvements designed to impress Linux users. It's the first release since the formation of the KDE Quality team, tasked with improving the overall slickness of the OS. You'll find changes to Plasma Workspaces, the application stack, the Dolphin file manager and Okular, which can now save and print PDF files. If you're eager to upgrade, the source code is available at the source link and is dedicated to Claire Lotion -- a KDE contributor who passed away earlier this year.Filed under: SoftwareKDE 4.9 arrives, wants to show off its stability originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Ars Technica | KDE, Download KDE 4.9 | Email this | Comments

Google takes one giant leap: now lets you Street View the Kennedy Space Center

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 01:32 PM PDT

Google takes one giant leap: now lets you Street View the Kennedy Space Center


Google takes one giant leap: now lets you Street View the Kennedy Space Center
Today's a stupendous day for lovers of the one and only National Aeronautics Space Administration -- nearly half as great as when we took you inside Kennedy Space Center shortly after it had opened its fascinating doors to the public. At any rate, Google announced earlier that its captivating (and sometimes troubling) Street View technology had made its way into NASA's KSC, allowing people to check out what the compound is all about and what sort of sensational machinery lies inside. With Mountain View's doings, you can now find your way around different spots within the Space Center, including the Launch Firing Room, Vehicle Assembly Building and, as seen above, the Space Shuttle Launch Pad. There's a video past the break if you're interested in a quick preview, otherwise you can give it a go yourself by clicking the more coverage link below.Continue reading Google takes one giant leap: now lets you Street View the Kennedy Space CenterFiled under: Misc. Gadgets, Science, InternetGoogle takes one giant leap: now lets you Street View the Kennedy Space Center originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google | Email this | Comments

Editorial: HTC's departure from South Korea proves a tough fight for foreign brands

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 01:32 PM PDT

Editorial: HTC's departure from South Korea proves a tough fight for foreign brands


Editorial: HTC's departure from South Korea proves a tough fight for foreign brands
HTC's closure of its South Korean office may seem yet another blow to the company this year, but don't be alarmed: we saw it coming. It's a given that Peter Chou's gang is cutting back in response to its recent weak performance, but the more interesting takeaway here is the fact that the South Korean smartphone market is one tough nut for foreign brands to crack open. Just walk into any carrier shop in Seoul and you'll see the shelves dominated by devices from Samsung, LG and Pantech. If you're lucky, you may spot the odd Sony, Motorola and HTC phones cowering in a corner. So why is that the case? Let's take a look at the how it all started.Continue reading Editorial: HTC's departure from South Korea proves a tough fight for foreign brandsFiled under: CellphonesEditorial: HTC's departure from South Korea proves a tough fight for foreign brands originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Valve says NVIDIA's the best, Steam and Left 4 Dead for Linux coming along nicely

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 12:24 PM PDT

Valve says NVIDIA's the best, Steam and Left 4 Dead for Linux coming along nicely


Valve says NVIDIA's the best, Steam and Left 4 Dead for Linux coming along nicely
The godfather of Linux, Linus Torvalds, may think that NVIDIA is "the worst," but Valve respectfully disagrees. The company has been working closely with the manufacturer, as well as AMD and Intel, to boost performance of its hardware under the open source OS. The developer clearly has an interest in getting the best from those companies as it works to port Left 4 Dead 2 and Steam to Linux. That close partnership is already bearing impressive fruit as Valve claims its co-op zombie shooter now performs better on Ubuntu than it does under Windows 7 using a GeForce GTX 680. The first Open GL Linux version managed a measly six frames per second, while the Direct X powered Microsoft one was topping 270. Only a few months later, and Left 4 Dead 2 is hitting 315fps on the 32-bit version of Precise Pangolin, outperforming even the Open GL Windows port which sits at 305fps. Of course, it's relatively well established that Ubuntu has lower overhead and running Direct X only compounds the issue, though, its unparalleled driver support can't be denied. While it's not completely fair to compare performance on a 32-bit OS to a 64-bit one, Valve is proving that gaming on Linux need not be some proof-of-concept exercise. Linus can flip NVIDIA the bird all he wants but, through its work with Valve, it may be doing more to bring Linux to the mainstream than anyone previously has.Filed under: GamingValve says NVIDIA's the best, Steam and Left 4 Dead for Linux coming along nicely originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink bit-tech | Valve | Email this | Comments

ARM claims new GPU has desktop-class brains, requests OpenCL certificate to prov...

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 12:24 PM PDT

ARM claims new GPU has desktop-class brains, requests OpenCL certificate to prove it


ARM claims new GPU has desktop-class brains, requests OpenCL certificate to prove it
It's been a while since ARM announced its next generation of Mali GPUs, the T604 and T658, but in the semiconductor business silence should never be confused with inactivity. Behind the scenes, the chip designers have been working with Khronos -- that great keeper of open standards -- to ensure the new graphics processors are fully compliant with OpenCL and are therefore able to use their silicon for general compute tasks (AR, photo manipulation, video rendering etc.) as well as for producing pretty visuals. Importantly, ARM isn't settling for the Embedded Profile version of OpenCL that has been "relaxed" for mobile devices, but is instead aiming for the same Full Profile OpenCL 1.1 found in compliant laptop and desktop GPUs. A tall order for a low-power processor, perhaps, but we have a strong feeling that Khronos's certification is just a formality at this point, and that today's news is a harbinger of real, commercial T6xx-powered devices coming before the end of the year. Even the souped-up Mali 400 in the European Galaxy S III can only reign for so long.Continue reading ARM claims new GPU has desktop-class brains, requests OpenCL certificate to prove itFiled under: Cellphones, Tablet PCsARM claims new GPU has desktop-class brains, requests OpenCL certificate to prove it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

MindSnacks Nabs $6.5M From Sequoia To Bring Fun Educational Games To Your Mobile...

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 12:24 PM PDT

MindSnacks Nabs $6.5M From Sequoia To Bring Fun Educational Games To Your Mobile Device


MindSnacks Nabs $6.5M From Sequoia To Bring Fun Educational Games To Your Mobile Device
MindSnacks, the DreamIt Ventures accelerator grad that has become known for its addictive educational games for iOS (that feature an ever-present slug), announced today that it has raised $6.5 million from Sequoia Capital. Back in 2010, Jesse Pickard, Jeff Evans and Andy Mroczkowski initially founded MindSnacks as a way to help their friends and fellow gamers turn their Angry Birds and Temple Run addictions into something with a little bit more long-term value. Frustrated with the lack of options in language learning, they launched an educational app that used the addictive mechanics of mobile gaming to teach people those fundamental vocabulary, reading, writing and comprehension skills in their language of choice.

How to landscape for fire safety

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

How to landscape for fire safety


How to landscape for fire safety
Landscaping, it turns out, can be an important measure in wildfire protection.

Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners


Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners
Filed under: Hybrid, ToyotaToyota has announced that it will recall a total of 778,000 units that may have been manufactured with improperly-tightened nuts on the rear suspension. The manufacturer says around 760,000 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 models and 18,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid units may have fasteners that were not torqued to the correct specification during alignment. If that's the case, excess wear could occur and pave the way for rust and separation, which in turn could cause an accident. Toyota says the company is currently working on a solution. Once available, the manufacturer will notify owners and ask them to make an appointment to bring the vehicle by the closest dealer for a free repair. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced earlier this month that it was investigating RAV4 models for this very issue after receiving complaints of tie rod failures due to rust. You can view the full press release from Toyota below.Continue reading Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fastenersToyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Updated Verizon Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean binaries added to AOSP

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Updated Verizon Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean binaries added to AOSP


Updated Verizon Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean binaries added to AOSP
CDMA variants are, invariably, the redheaded stepchildren of the Nexus line. That is to say, those units nearly always trail behind their GSM counterparts where updates and official support are concerned. But it appears Google's picking up the pace, having just released the latest Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean (JRO03H) binaries for Verizon-branded handsets three weeks after welcoming Toro devices back into AOSP. What does this mean for the average user? Not much, since there's no real way to gauge whether or not this signals an imminent carrier-sanctioned OTA rollout, although it does bode well for those prospects. But for rooted users, the new addition is a boon, as it should pave the way for devs to cook up even more stable ROMs for your flashing enjoyment. So, that's the good news. The bad? Well, if you're on the Sprint side of the LTE Nexus divide, your handset's still not invited back to the party -- indefinitely.Filed under: Cellphones, SoftwareUpdated Verizon Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean binaries added to AOSP originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Droid-Life | Google Developers | Email this | Comments

Lua Goes From A Manhattan Basement To $2.5M In Seed Funding From IA Ventures

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Lua Goes From A Manhattan Basement To $2.5M In Seed Funding From IA Ventures


Lua Goes From A Manhattan Basement To $2.5M In Seed Funding From IA Ventures
It all started in a basement in Manhattan. The guys from Lua (which you may remember from the TechStars NYC Demo day a few months back) had the opportunity to meet with none other than Fred Wilson after a few friendly connections got them in touch. Wilson came to their basement "office," and sat down to give them about an hour's worth of feedback. It was then that Lua got the idea to apply for TechStars and take the leap. And it would seem that leap (with the help of Mr. Wilson) has paid off, as the company just announced a $2.5 million seed round led by Roger Ehrenberg's IA Ventures. Angels Aaron Stone of Apollo Global Management, Strauss Zelnick of Take-Two Interactive Software, John Maloney (former Tumblr president). The Dark Knight Rises producer Charles Roven also participated in the round.

Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headpho...

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around?


Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around?
You do know that Parrot makes more than just the AR.Drone, right? It was at CES earlier this year that we first caught a glimpse of -- and subsequently began geeking out about -- the Parrot Zik by Starck. For those unfamiliar, these headphones are jam-packed with enough technologies to make even the geekiest audio lovers smitten. Priced at about $400, they feature Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth connectivity, on-board capacitive touch-control, active noise cancellation, head detection, a jawbone sensor for speech and Parrot's audio-enhancing DSP app for iOS and Android -- not to mention a striking design by the renowned Philippe Starck. This isn't the first time Parrot and Mr. Starck have worked together, but this does mark their debut in the portable audio market (as opposed to home-based speaker systems). In the case of this review, not one, but two Engadget editors spent some time testing the product. So, do they impress? More importantly, are they worth the $400 asking price? You know the drill: meet us after the break where we'll lay it all out. Gallery: Parrot Zik by Starck reviewContinue reading Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around?Filed under: WearablesParrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Archos Child Pad gets capacitive screen upgrade, minor price hike to $140

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Archos Child Pad gets capacitive screen upgrade, minor price hike to $140


Archos Child Pad gets capacitive screen upgrade, minor price hike to $140
Parents who've already purchased Archos' 7-inch Child Pad may be feeling somewhat miffed, as its screen's been upgraded from resistive to capacitive just two months after launch. There's no such thing as free multi-touch, so you'll have to fork out another ten bucks on top of the original asking price for the new version of the ICS slate, bringing the total to a cent under $140. Other internals are identical, so customers can still expect a 1GHz ARM processor, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of expandable storage, with some exclusive chipmunk-based content to boot. Just remember to let the kids have a go once in a while.Filed under: Tablet PCsArchos Child Pad gets capacitive screen upgrade, minor price hike to $140 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

The Engadget Podcast is live today at 1:45PM ET!

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

The Engadget Podcast is live today at 1:45PM ET!


The Engadget Podcast is live today at 1:45PM ET!
Why are we going even earlier this week? Scheduling issues? The element of surprise? Broken clocks? Only Tim, Brian and Terrence know for sure -- and perhaps you will as well, if you tune in at 1:45PM ET. August 2, 2012 1:45 PM EDTContinue reading The Engadget Podcast is live today at 1:45PM ET!Filed under: AnnouncementsThe Engadget Podcast is live today at 1:45PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Michael Barnes wins joint TTXGP/FIM ePower round on solar power

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Michael Barnes wins joint TTXGP/FIM ePower round on solar power


Michael Barnes wins joint TTXGP/FIM ePower round on solar power
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Racing The eGrandPrix TTXGP and FIM ePower electric motorcycle racing series have, once again, held a joint round at California's fabulous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in front of the huge crowds assembled for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. The result? A commanding win for Michael Barnes aboard the solar-powered Barracuda Lightning bike.Lightning Motorcycles missed the last TTXGP race in Portland, OR after participating in the TT Zero on the Isle of Man. Its triumphant return was made more striking when it appeared wrapped in the colors of its new sponsor, Barracuda Networks, and the announcement that it would be bringing its own solar array to provide power for the team's two machines. In qualifying, Barnes came within a couple seconds of the lap record set last year by Steve Rapp. Then, starting from pole position, he continued his dominance, holding the lead through the entire nine laps. Only Team Icon Brammo's Steve Atlas could even get close, finishing just under three seconds behind him on the Empulse RR. Also aboard a Brammo, Eric Bostrom landed on the low step of the podium after crossing the finish line 12.8 seconds behind Barnes. Although his fourth place result was, no doubt, less than he'd hoped for, Münch Racing's Matthias Himmelmann seemed his usual jovial self (at least, judging by the photos on the team's Facebook page). While his teammate Katja Poensgen rode the same machine that's taken her to the top of the ePower individual standings, he was piloting the latest evolution of the German brand's TTE racer, complete with a Wittenstein motor and new battery. If the team returns Stateside for the World Championship in Daytona, we expect this bike to present a more formidable challenge after the team has a bit more time to bring it up to its potential. While we were somewhat disappointed Team Segway MotoCzysz didn't show up with its latest TT Zero-winning machine, we were heartened by the appearance of the Virginia Tech Bolt in the TTX75 class. Competing in its second TTXGP race this season, the university team has worked hard to put this bike together and gone to great lengths (literally!), driving across the country to do battle. The experience has, apparently, inspired them to reach for greater heights and we expect to see them contend in the top class with a new bike in 2013.Michael Barnes wins joint TTXGP/FIM ePower round on solar power originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

HTC Rezound finally ready to receive Android 4.0 update

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

HTC Rezound finally ready to receive Android 4.0 update


HTC Rezound finally ready to receive Android 4.0 update
Just a couple days short of its latest deadline, the HTC Rezound now appears to be ready to be knighted with Ice Cream Sandwich via an OTA update. Verizon has taken to its official site to publish upgrade instructions and benefits, indicating that the rollout has begun. Once your install is complete, you should find yourself gazing at Sense 3.6 and its many associated features. These types of refreshes usually take a couple weeks to reach its entire consumer base, so don't fret if your particular device doesn't ping you with a notification while you're jamming to your Beats today.Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessHTC Rezound finally ready to receive Android 4.0 update originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Police | Verizon | Email this | Comments

Alabama lifts ban on selling bastard-named beers

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Alabama lifts ban on selling bastard-named beers


Alabama lifts ban on selling bastard-named beers
Dirty Bastard and Backwoods Bastard beers can now join Fat Bastard wine on store shelves in Alabama.

A simple primer to understanding steak

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

A simple primer to understanding steak


A simple primer to understanding steak
Wagyu, Angus or Piedmontese beef? Porterhouse, shell or flatiron steak? Do you know your beef?

Denon intros Cocoon Home and Portable AirPlay docks, will transform songs into m...

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Denon intros Cocoon Home and Portable AirPlay docks, will transform songs into musical butterflies


Denon intros Cocoon Home and Portable AirPlay docks, will transform songs into musical butterflies
Denon's got a snazzy new pair of iPhone speaker docks to show the world -- the Cocoon Home and Cocoon Portable. The Home features AirPlay streaming from iPhones, iPods, Mac and PCs through 100 watts of total power. Its 25-percent smaller sibling has 50 watts of power and battery life of up to five hours. Both docks will be hitting this summer for $599 and $499, respectively. We're crossing our fingers for a Steve Guttenberg spokesman deal. Full press details after the break.Continue reading Denon intros Cocoon Home and Portable AirPlay docks, will transform songs into musical butterfliesFiled under: Home EntertainmentDenon intros Cocoon Home and Portable AirPlay docks, will transform songs into musical butterflies originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Denon (1), (2) | Email this | Comments

You Are What You Fleet

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 11:48 AM PDT

You Are What You Fleet


You Are What You Fleet
Five rental cars to love or laugh at.

Embracing geotagging: how to journal your trips (and contribute to Google Earth)...

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT

Embracing geotagging: how to journal your trips (and contribute to Google Earth) with snapshots


Embracing geotagging: how to journal your trips (and contribute to Google Earth) with snapshots
Geotagging. It's not exactly a long, lost art, but it's certainly not something most folks bother to do after a trip. Avid travelers, hikers and the general outdoorsy crowd have been embracing the feature for years, though, and it's actually seeping into the mainstream without most individuals even noticing. How so? Smartphones. Given the proliferation of iPhones, Android handsets and Windows Phone devices making their way onto the market -- coupled with the explosive use of geo-minded social networks like Path, Instagram and Foursquare -- an entire generation is now growing up in a geotagged world. Phone users have it easy; so long as there's a data connection and an embedded GPS module (commonplace in modern mobile devices), there lies the ability to upload a photo with a patch of metadata embedded. Snap a shot at a national park, upload it, and just like that, viewers and friends from around the world now have an idea as to what a specific place on the Earth looks like. Solmeta N3 geotagging module review Columbia's GPS Pal app for Android and iOS Casio Exilim EX-H20G (with Hybrid GPS) review For travel hounds like myself, that's insanely powerful. I'm the kind of person that'll spend hours lost in Google Earth, spinning the globe around and discovering all-new (to me, at least) locales thanks to the magic of geotagging. It's sort of the photographic equivalent to putting a face to a name. By stamping latitude, longitude, altitude and a specific time to any given JPEG, you're able to not only show the world what you saw, but exactly when and where you saw it. It's a magical combination, and with GPS modules finding their way into point-and-shoot cameras -- not to mention external dongles like Solmeta's magnificent N3 (our review here) -- there's plenty of opportunity to start adding location data to your photos. For more on the "Why would I want to?" and "How would I best display 'em?" inquiries, let's meet up after the break. Gallery: Embracing geotagging: iPhoto, Picasa and PanoramioContinue reading Embracing geotagging: how to journal your trips (and contribute to Google Earth) with snapshotsFiled under: Digital Cameras, GPSEmbracing geotagging: how to journal your trips (and contribute to Google Earth) with snapshots originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Aereo unveils free trial and new prices for its NYC-based internet TV service (v...

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT

Aereo unveils free trial and new prices for its NYC-based internet TV service (video)


Aereo unveils free trial and new prices for its NYC-based internet TV service (video)
Broadcast-streaming startup Aereo is busting out tweaked price plans and a free trial for New Yorkers to try the service gratis for an hour a day. $8 per month will buy you unlimited access, live pause, rewind and 20 hours online DVR, while $12 a month doubles your storage allocation to 40 hours. Annual customers can pay $80 (plus tax, naturally) to get a deep discount off the monthly price, but for the commitment-phobic viewer, 24-hours access can be purchased for a dollar, or you can try the service for an hour each and every day without need of a sign up. Unfortunately, due to legal wrangling, it's only available within the boundaries of New York City on any iOS, OS X, AppleTV or Roku devices. There's PR and Video after the jump if you're yet to be convinced -- but think, now you catch all of Good Morning America as you walk down Broadway.Continue reading Aereo unveils free trial and new prices for its NYC-based internet TV service (video)Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablet PCs, InternetAereo unveils free trial and new prices for its NYC-based internet TV service (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Time Warner Cable lost 169,000 subscribers, spares DirecTV's blushes

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT

Time Warner Cable lost 169,000 subscribers, spares DirecTV's blushes


Time Warner Cable lost 169,000 subscribers, spares DirecTV's blushes
TWC pushed out its second quarter results, showing it's following the trend of shedding customers without hurting the bottom line. It took in $5.4 billion in revenue for the three month period -- with more cash coming from selling higher tiers of service to existing users -- leaving it with a net profit of $452 million. The company reported that it lost 169,000 residential video subscribers but gained 104,000 back across its high-speed data and voice businesses, which it described as "organic decline," but looks more like cord-cutting to us.Filed under: Home EntertainmentTime Warner Cable lost 169,000 subscribers, spares DirecTV's blushes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | BusinessWire | Email this | Comments

App Analytics Firm Xyologic Goes Consumer With New Search Engine, Gets Backing F...

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT

App Analytics Firm Xyologic Goes Consumer With New Search Engine, Gets Backing From Gaming, Music Heavies


App Analytics Firm Xyologic Goes Consumer With New Search Engine, Gets Backing From Gaming, Music Heavies
A big step up for Xyologic, the app analytics firm out of Berlin: it's announcing a significant round of funding from Signia Venture Partners, the investment vehicle led by gaming entrepreneur Rick Thompson (Playdom); Klaas Kersting (Gameforge), and Soundcloud founder Eric Wahlforss; and it is setting its sights on the consumer market with the beta launch of a new app search engine -- the first, it claims, aimed at mainstream users and specifically at searching for mobile games across the whole of an app store. The beta launch of the Xyo app store today covers only Android apps, which a user accesses through a browser, but Matthaus Krzykowski, co-founder of Xyologic, says that the plan is to use some of the new funding to extend that to iOS and other platforms in the very near future, as well as launch mobile apps with the same functionality. He will not comment on the amount of the funding, but it's first significant investment in Xyologic after a bootstrapped launch. TechCrunch understands from a separate source that it is in the range of seven figures.

O2 announces Pocket Hotspot device, wants to keep you connected at all times

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT

O2 announces Pocket Hotspot device, wants to keep you connected at all times


O2 announces Pocket Hotspot device, wants to keep you connected at all times
O2 hasn't exactly given many options to those looking for an internet-sharing mobile device, but today the Euro telco's announcing a miniature Pocket Hotspot that should solve some of those troubles. The company's promising max download speeds of around 22Mbps and 6Mbps up -- though, needless to say, that's going to depend heavily on the 3G coverage area. Still, at £60 (one-off cost), this Pocket Hotspot could be a good choice for folks interested in MiFi-like features. Just don't try and sneak one in to any event at London 2012, you know they're not allowed.Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, WirelessO2 announces Pocket Hotspot device, wants to keep you connected at all times originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Inquirer | O2 | Email this | Comments

Developer sues Tesla over proposed New Mexico Model S plant

Posted: 02 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT

Developer sues Tesla over proposed New Mexico Model S plant


Developer sues Tesla over proposed New Mexico Model S plant
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Tesla Motors New Mexico may be The Land of Enchantment but at least one developer from the state is less than charmed with Tesla Motors. The electric-vehicle maker has been sued by Rio Real Estate Investment Opportunities for what the developer says was an agreed-upon deal for Tesla to produce its Model S battery-electric sedan in New Mexico, according to Gigaom. Tesla allegedly reached an agreement in early 2007 to have Rio Real Estate build a 150,000-square-foot factory for Tesla and lease it out to the automaker for $1.35 million a year for 10 years. Instead, Tesla decided to start Model S production in California after reaching an agreement with Toyota in 2010 to make the cars at General Motors' old NUMMI plant in the San Francisco Bay Area. We asked, but Tesla spokeswoman Shanna Hendriks told AutoblogGreen that the company doesn't comment on pending litigation. Tesla, which in June started deliveries of the Model S, said last week that its second-quarter loss widened by 84 percent to $106.5 million because expenses jumped and revenue fell as the company geared up for the car's debut.Developer sues Tesla over proposed New Mexico Model S plant originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments