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Thursday, August 23, 2012

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Google+ expands custom URLs to 'thousands more' pages and profiles

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 02:27 PM PDT

Google+ expands custom URLs to 'thousands more' pages and profiles


Google+ expands custom URLs to 'thousands more' pages and profiles
If you're lacking the mental perspicacity to memorize that bizarre string that constitutes your Google+ profile (or business page) we've got some good news -- Google's continuing its roll-out of custom URLs to its most popular social network pages. You'll have to make sure that you stake a claim to your pre-approved URL when the box appears on your page -- fortunately it's pretty hard to miss, sticking out along the top of your well-known profile / page. Lesser known brands and 'personalities' will have to wait a little longer, but Product Manager Saurabh Sharma says that the custom URLs will continue to trickle down the system "in the future." Update: Our freshly customized +Engadget page is now up and running.Filed under: InternetGoogle+ expands custom URLs to 'thousands more' pages and profiles originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | Saurabh Sharma (Google+) | Email this | Comments

HTC Proto breaks cover, may give the world a ride on the Dragon

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 02:27 PM PDT

HTC Proto breaks cover, may give the world a ride on the Dragon


HTC Proto breaks cover, may give the world a ride on the Dragon
Rumors have been circulating that HTC was planning a mid-cycle replacement for the One V, the Proto, that would keep the line relevant in the face of some noticeably tougher competition. It may be more of a reality than a notch on the roadmap. As long as The Verge's press renders are authentic, the Proto should be an almost straightforward, international edition of the previously China-only Dragon line. The design would carry the less Legendary appearance as well as nip and tuck those areas where the One V is weakest, adding a much-needed second core to the 1GHz processor and a slightly larger 4-inch screen. HTC wouldn't be reinventing the wheel -- it would reportedly keep the same 5-megapixel camera, 4GB of storage and 7.2Mbps 3G as the smartphone's early 2012 prequel. If, where and when the Proto shows up is still left to the imagination, though. Next week's IFA show is a tempting target for a late 2012 release, but there's no hard and fast rule that any introduction has to coincide with a major event.Filed under: CellphonesHTC Proto breaks cover, may give the world a ride on the Dragon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Verge | Email this | Comments

RIM tries to patent system-generated blog entries, we quietly update our resumés

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:52 PM PDT

RIM tries to patent system-generated blog entries, we quietly update our resumés


RIM tries to patent system-generated blog entries, we quietly update our resumés
Research in Motion has applied to patent a system for automatically drafting a blog entry on your smartphone. In the examples, it would build out the bare-bones of an entry as soon as it hits a "trigger event," such as taking a picture at a pre-determined set of GPS co-ordinates. Presumably, all you'd have to do is fill in the witty caption below and hit send, saving you valuable minutes on your road-trip. Of course, it may not even be granted, so don't expect a CES trailer staffed solely with Bolds just yet...Filed under: Cellphones, InternetRIM tries to patent system-generated blog entries, we quietly update our resumés originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 4:45PM!

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:52 PM PDT

The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 4:45PM!


The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 4:45PM!
News? We got it. Tim and Brian are joined once again by Dana this week, taking advantage of our scenic view of the Huffington Post newsroom. It's just like that TV show, only with fewer Sorkinisms. Come join us at 4:45PM ET, after the break. August 23, 2012 4:45 PM EDTContinue reading The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 4:45PM!Filed under: PodcastsThe Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 4:45PM! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Ultimate fast charging tech could refill li-ion battery in a minute

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:10 PM PDT

Ultimate fast charging tech could refill li-ion battery in a minute


Ultimate fast charging tech could refill li-ion battery in a minute
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Asia If you're planning on investing in a DC fast charger to get your electric vehicle battery 80 percent juiced up in 30 minutes, you might want to stick with your Level 2 charger for a while longer. Korean scientists at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed a lithium ion battery that can be recharged 30 to 120 times (!) faster than li-ion batteries on the market today. What's your guestimate on how long a li-ion battery using that technology would take to recharge? How about this one: less than a minute! Li-ion battery packs have been getting smaller and lighter all the time, gaining more capacity and faster charging rates than previous versions. Breaking larger batteries into smaller individual cells has been making EV batteries better, but that technique only gets you so far. The new Korean method takes the cathode material - standard lithium manganese oxide (LMO) in this battery - and soaks it in a solution containing graphite. Then, by carbonizing the graphite-soaked LMO, the graphite turns into a dense network of conductive traces that run throughout the cathode. These networks of carbonized graphite effectively act like blood vessels, allowing every part of the battery to recharge at the same time - speeding up recharge rates to an unheard-of pace. These ultra-fast charging batteries aren't expected to be cheap, which is a problem since the li-ion battery packs currently used in EVs are already too expensive for most car shoppers. The research paper that describes the technology, "Carbon-Coated Single-Crystal LiMn2O4 Nanoparticle Clusters as Cathode Material for High-Energy and High-Power Lithium-Ion Batteries," sounds much too PhD-level and dry for anyone to read, but they show the technology moving forward. As cool as it is, if this innovation takes hold, many consumers will continue to look for EVs that carry this type of battery and have competitive market pricing. Don't expect to see that anytime soon.Ultimate fast charging tech could refill li-ion battery in a minute originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Executives At Mobile Platform Onswipe: Jumptap’s Jared Hand And AOL’s Rich B...

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:10 PM PDT

New Executives At Mobile Platform Onswipe: Jumptap's Jared Hand And AOL's Rich Bloom


New Executives At Mobile Platform Onswipe: Jumptap's Jared Hand And AOL's Rich Bloom
Onswipe, which optimizes websites for touch interface like the iPad, is announcing two big executive hires today — Jared Hand, who is the company's first chief revenue officer, and Rich Bloom, its first chief operating officer. CEO and co-founder Jason Baptiste that after a year focused on building product and signing up publishers, Hand and Bloom will lead the company's efforts to expand its business side. Hand, who was previously vice president of sales at mobile ad company Jumptap, will be hiring an ad team. That doesn't mean bringing on an army of sales people, Baptiste says — instead, the initial hires will focus on ad product and engineering.

DARPA to hold one-day cyberwarfare workshop, attendance not mandatory

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:10 PM PDT

DARPA to hold one-day cyberwarfare workshop, attendance not mandatory


DARPA to hold one-day cyberwarfare workshop, attendance not mandatory
Oh, the fruits of the global village are many: connecting strangers with fetishes, fostering culture through memes and engendering cyber attacks via remote since the late 20th century. It's the advanced decomposition of that latter rotten apple, however, that has DARPA -- the government's far-out research arm -- taking a proactive stance and casting an agency-wide intelligence net to shore up on future defense protocol. To do this, the DoD offshoot's holding a one-time workshop next month, dubbed Plan X Proposers' Day, with the aim of bringing personnel together to brainstorm and implement infrastructure specifically centered around cyberwarfare analysis and research. One area the project, which just received $110 million in funding, will specifically avoid is the creation of actual cyberweapons. So, yeah, while this effort's less Goldeneye and more of a strategic think tank initiative, it still warms the heart to know our nation's best, brightest and most secretive are hard at work protecting our digital butts.Filed under: InternetDARPA to hold one-day cyberwarfare workshop, attendance not mandatory originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Fast Company | Federal Business Opportunities (pdf) | Email this | Comments

911 Carrera S: 2012's Best Driver's Car

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:09 PM PDT

911 Carrera S: 2012's Best Driver's Car


911 Carrera S: 2012's Best Driver's Car
Motor Trend judges agree: Porsche takes the crown for driving excellence.

Reserve the Sharp AQUOS SH-10D on NTT DoCoMo from tomorrow, full launch next week

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:09 PM PDT

Reserve the Sharp AQUOS SH-10D on NTT DoCoMo from tomorrow, full launch next week


Reserve the Sharp AQUOS SH-10D on NTT DoCoMo from tomorrow, full launch next week
We knew the Sharp AQUOS SH-10D was due to hit NTT DoCoMo at some point this summer, and now we've got the full details. You can reserve yours through the carrier from tomorrow, and the proper launch will take place the following week on August 30th. The device will be available in the three colors you see above, and as it recently passed through the FCC, a trip to the US could also be in the cards. But unfortunately, that orange wallpaper is all too harsh a reminder of one that never ventured outside Japan.Filed under: CellphonesReserve the Sharp AQUOS SH-10D on NTT DoCoMo from tomorrow, full launch next week originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | NTT DoCoMo | Email this | Comments

Fisker Q&A sheds light, lots of light, on Karma problems, lots of Karma problems

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 12:02 PM PDT

Fisker Q&A sheds light, lots of light, on Karma problems, lots of Karma problems


Fisker Q&A sheds light, lots of light, on Karma problems, lots of Karma problems
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Fisker Despite what some media outlets are saying, the long list of questions and answers about the Fisker Karma now floating around (and available below) is not a leaked document. Instead, it is part of Fisker's ongoing customer service operations, Roger Ormisher, Fisker's head PR director, told AutoblogGreen. The Q&A is the result of Fisker's ongoing town hall meetings it holds via telephone with customers, where "we discuss everything that's going on with the car." The questions are collected, answers written down and then the list is sent out to all Karma owners, he said. Since the powertrain technology in the Karma is so new, Ormisher said, "this openness is about us developing relationships with our customers." To complement the Q&A, Fisker is thinking of setting up a physical owners council where they could come in and spend time with Fisker to discuss upgrades and changes. Thus far, Ormisher said, the Karma's software updates have been done free of charge and any future updates that affect integral parts of how the car works will continue to be free. There is a possibility that cosmetic upgrades could cost money, but no decision has been made on that. The Q&A says: Specific warranty issues that require flash updates will be performed under the normal terms of the Fisker warranty. ... In the future, software upgrades which improve functionality, navigation or other features may be made available and can be installed at the request of an owner by an authorized Fisker Retailer for a fee. What other information is in the Q&A? In short, Fisker knows there are problems. Lots of them. The Q&A says it is looking to "improv[e] the command center functionality and interface on all current Karmas." (This is why it's terrible right now.) It offers tips on how to get the command center car to respond more quickly. It says Fisker does not have any plans to mute the voice guidance when using navigation, even though customers are asking for it. It explains why the engine sometimes comes on in Stealth Mode. It says Fisker is "investigating the issues which are causing poor Bluetooth performance." Oh, and the problem with the A123 Systems battery packs will start to be fixed in the fourth quarter of 2012. Read the entire Q&A for yourself below.Continue reading Fisker Q&A sheds light, lots of light, on Karma problems, lots of Karma problemsFisker Q&A sheds light, lots of light, on Karma problems, lots of Karma problems originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Insert Coin: Connectify Dispatch lets you put all your internets together into o...

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 12:02 PM PDT

Insert Coin: Connectify Dispatch lets you put all your internets together into one big internet (video)


Insert Coin: Connectify Dispatch lets you put all your internets together into one big internet (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. If you've ever thought "Hey, my internet is pretty slow, maybe I can get a second line and combine them into one big, zippy connection!" then you're not alone -- those of us who are broadband-deprived need all the help we can get. But a quick tour through Google will show you the difficulty of doing that process, called "bonding," at home. So, Connectify has proposed Dispatch, software that lets you easily combine your WiFi, ethernet and 3G/4G into a single, fat pipe, at a reasonable cost. The company brings along wireless sharing know-how from its Hotspot product to the project, and promises that with every connection you combine, you'll get a corresponding bump in throughput. Also, the system will automatically failover to a good connection if one goes on the fritz, and even switch automatically between WiFi and 3G/4G to maximize speed and save money. To prove the tech, the company combined all the available open WiFi networks in a neighborhood along with a tethered Verizon mobile phone, and were able to create an impressive 85Mbs connection, as the video below the break shows. So far, Connectify has vacuumed up $30K for Dispatch toward the $50K objective, with about two weeks left. So, if you're desperate for more speed, or just want to trump your neighbor's bandwidth by stealing his WiFi and melding it with your ADSL, check the source to see how to pledge.Continue reading Insert Coin: Connectify Dispatch lets you put all your internets together into one big internet (video)Filed under: InternetInsert Coin: Connectify Dispatch lets you put all your internets together into one big internet (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

Amazon throwing press conference September 6th

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 12:02 PM PDT

Amazon throwing press conference September 6th


Amazon throwing press conference September 6th
We can't say we didn't see this coming, but we're certainly excited at the potential that Amazon's upcoming press event holds. The online mega-retailer is doing an press conference on Thursday September 6th, and while there's not a lot in the way of info for the California-based event, we're guessing the word "Kindle" might come up once or twice... What can we expect? A Fire sequel? Some illuminated e-ink readers? Time will tell -- but no matter what it is, you can bet we'll be there to cover it.Filed under: Tablet PCsAmazon throwing press conference September 6th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Remaking the Ford Mustang

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Remaking the Ford Mustang


Remaking the Ford Mustang
Next breed of pony car charts a fresh course

Microsoft wants to patent 'life streaming,' turn your whole life into Jersey Shore

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Microsoft wants to patent 'life streaming,' turn your whole life into Jersey Shore


Microsoft wants to patent 'life streaming,' turn your whole life into Jersey Shore
Imagine a reality TV show that's starring you, recorded by you and directed by Microsoft? That's the principle behind its most recently disclosed patent application, dreaming up a method to transmit data from a "life recorder" to a target device for safe keeping. The company pictures you using your smartphone (or other device -- just a shame the ideal one is Google's) to document your life, before it automatically catalogs, tags and uploads it to elsewhere for friends and family to enjoy. We're not sure if we want our friends from the Hockey Club seeing us freak out at Kelly Clarkson gigs, but hopefully there's an off switch.Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, WirelessMicrosoft wants to patent 'life streaming,' turn your whole life into Jersey Shore originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Microsoft wants to patent 'life streaming,' turn your whole life into Jersey Shore

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 11:29 AM PDT

Microsoft wants to patent 'life streaming,' turn your whole life into Jersey Shore


Microsoft wants to patent 'life streaming,' turn your whole life into Jersey Shore
Imagine a reality TV show that's starring you, recorded by you and directed by Microsoft? That's the principle behind its most recently disclosed patent application, dreaming up a method to transmit data from a "life recorder" to a target device for safe keeping. The company pictures you using your smartphone (or other device -- just a shame the ideal one is Google's) to document your life, before it automatically catalogs, tags and uploads it to elsewhere for friends and family to enjoy. We're not sure if we want our friends from the Hockey Club seeing us freak out at Kelly Clarkson gigs, but hopefully there's an off switch.Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, WirelessMicrosoft wants to patent 'life streaming,' turn your whole life into Jersey Shore originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Netflix inks deal with Weinstein Co.-owned Radius-TWC, films coming to watch ins...

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 10:51 AM PDT

Netflix inks deal with Weinstein Co.-owned Radius-TWC, films coming to watch instantly next year


Netflix inks deal with Weinstein Co.-owned Radius-TWC, films coming to watch instantly next year
Netflix will be expanding its streaming offerings a bit next year, thanks to a content deal struck with the Weinstein Company's Radius-TWC distribution label. The multi-year deal will be bringing films like the Sundance "sensation" The Bachelorette and the Tobey Maguire / Elizabeth Banks movie The Details to the service, along with Only God Forgives, Nicolas Winding Refn's followup to Drive. The fruits of the deal will hit Netflix's watch instantly early 2013. More information, meanwhile, can be found in the press release after the break.Continue reading Netflix inks deal with Weinstein Co.-owned Radius-TWC, films coming to watch instantly next yearNetflix inks deal with Weinstein Co.-owned Radius-TWC, films coming to watch instantly next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Facebook updates iOS app, says it's 'rebuilt from the ground up' to be twice as...

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 10:51 AM PDT

Facebook updates iOS app, says it's 'rebuilt from the ground up' to be twice as fast


Facebook updates iOS app, says it's 'rebuilt from the ground up' to be twice as fast
There's no visual overhaul as it just did yesterday with Facebook Messages, but Facebook has now announced an update for its iOS app that promises some fairly big improvements of its own. According to the company, the app was "rebuilt from the ground up," and is now twice as fast as the previous version. That includes a faster opening of the app itself, smoother and faster scrolling, and photos that are said to load "instantly" -- changes that are largely due to a switch from the old HTML5 code to iOS' native programming language. Unfortunately, we're not able to test those claims ourselves just yet, but Facebook says that the update (version 5.0) will be available later today. Update: The app is now available to download from the App Store, and it does indeed appear to be quite a bit speedier.Filed under: Internet, SoftwareFacebook updates iOS app, says it's 'rebuilt from the ground up' to be twice as fast originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Facebook, iTunes | Email this | Comments

ZTE-made Concord arrives at T-Mobile and Walmart, caters to the starter crowd at...

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 10:51 AM PDT

ZTE-made Concord arrives at T-Mobile and Walmart, caters to the starter crowd at $100 contract-free


ZTE-made Concord arrives at T-Mobile and Walmart, caters to the starter crowd at $100 contract-free
T-Mobile wants to offer as much of a lure to smartphone newcomers as to power users who might spring for its truly unlimited data, and the ZTE Concord might just be the right kind of bait. The truly 2010-vintage Android 2.3, 3.5-inch screen and 2-megapixel camera won't get anyone's pulse racing, but a $100 contract-free price is hard to ignore -- even for the sort who'd otherwise be looking for a just-does-calls flip phone. Accordingly, the carrier plans to put the Concord in front of audiences that would rarely care to set foot in a dedicated cellphone store. Walmart is selling the phone today for those comfortable with a Walmart Family Mobile plan. If you'd rather show fealty to T-Mobile itself, you'll have to swing through a Target store on or after August 26th.Continue reading ZTE-made Concord arrives at T-Mobile and Walmart, caters to the starter crowd at $100 contract-freeFiled under: CellphonesZTE-made Concord arrives at T-Mobile and Walmart, caters to the starter crowd at $100 contract-free originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Walmart | Email this | Comments

Pandora Android app update: new UI, song history and song lyrics for impromptu c...

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 10:51 AM PDT

Pandora Android app update: new UI, song history and song lyrics for impromptu cubicle concerts


Pandora Android app update: new UI, song history and song lyrics for impromptu cubicle concerts
If Pandora for Android is your go-to service for music streaming while you're out and about, you're in for a bit of a treat. The internet radio outfit has updated it's app for the Google OS with a number of enhancements that should make spinning those Music Genome Project selections even more satisfying. First, a redesigned UI and navigation takes some cues from the Android design standards in order to liven up the aesthetics. A retooled song history allows users to review, rate and bookmark their previously played tracks for future reference. When a particular artist is playing, album art can now be minimized to reveal bio information, song lyrics and Pandora's regular similar artist / track recommendations. If you're jonesin' to grab the new look for yourself, hit the source link below to update.Filed under: SoftwarePandora Android app update: new UI, song history and song lyrics for impromptu cubicle concerts originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Mobile Burn | Google Play | Email this | Comments

Survey says? California plug-in drivers like solar, love their cars

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 09:40 AM PDT

Survey says? California plug-in drivers like solar, love their cars


Survey says? California plug-in drivers like solar, love their cars
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, USA No surprise here: the Golden State is quite green when it comes to plug-in vehicles. California, which accounts for about one-tenth of both the U.S. population and registered vehicles, is home to more than a third of all domestic plug-in vehicles, the California Center for Sustainable Energy says in a new report. Better yet, almost 90 percent of plug-in owners use those vehicles as their primary rides. More than 12,000 Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius Plug-in vehicles - and other electric-drive models - have been sold in California, where around 1,000 plug-ins are being purchased each month, the report says. About 40 percent of plug-in owners also have solar-energy systems at home, while about a third charge their vehicles only at home. That said, the report indicates that access to publicly accessible charging stations is growing, with nine in 10 respondents saying they can find free charging either at work or some other location. California has long been considered a leader in the advanced-powertrain movement, with automakers like General Motors and Nissan including the state in its first U.S. sales markets for new models like the Volt and Leaf.Continue reading Survey says? California plug-in drivers like solar, love their carsSurvey says? California plug-in drivers like solar, love their cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gigabyte P2542G gaming laptop hands-on

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 09:40 AM PDT

Gigabyte P2542G gaming laptop hands-on


Gigabyte P2542G gaming laptop hands-on
While we managed to get our hands on Gigabyte's latest graphics card-toting Ultrabook back at CeBIT, we've just finished handling the P2542G (its high-end gaming sibling) at the laptop and motherboard maker's UK launch event. Packing a 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 display, it runs on an Ivy Bridge Core i7-3610QM, with a 2GB NVIDIA GTX 660M card to power PC gaming's latest and greatest. Add in a Blu-ray player and THX-certified dual-woofer sound system and you have the makings of pretty capable beast -- not to mention looking the part with a yellow paint job and dual exhaust vents along the back edge. Check out our impressions after the break and expect a hands-on video very soon.Gallery: Gigabyte P2542G gaming laptop hands-onContinue reading Gigabyte P2542G gaming laptop hands-onFiled under: Gaming, LaptopsGigabyte P2542G gaming laptop hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

News Discovery Startup Prismatic Is Ready For The Masses, Thanks To Its New iPho...

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 09:40 AM PDT

News Discovery Startup Prismatic Is Ready For The Masses, Thanks To Its New iPhone App


News Discovery Startup Prismatic Is Ready For The Masses, Thanks To Its New iPhone App
Prismatic co-founder and CEO Bradford Cross has taken a fairly measured approach to launching the company's news discovery service. The team has only been opening the service gradually, and Cross tells me he's basically treating the website as a place to test his ideas and develop the technology. Today, however, Prismatic is launching on the iPhone, and judging from both Cross' comments and my own experience playing with the app, this looks like the first time the service is ready to reach a large consumer audience.

Superstar chefs, foreigners traveling to Mexico to 'learn what's old'

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 09:40 AM PDT

Superstar chefs, foreigners traveling to Mexico to 'learn what's old'


Superstar chefs, foreigners traveling to Mexico to 'learn what's old'
Though the movement has been slow, Mexico in the last few years has with difficulty earned the respect enjoyed by an Italy or France as a destination for the world's foodies.

Your Table Is Ready: BuzzTable Makes The Restaurant Wait List Suck Less

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 09:40 AM PDT

Your Table Is Ready: BuzzTable Makes The Restaurant Wait List Suck Less


Your Table Is Ready: BuzzTable Makes The Restaurant Wait List Suck Less
You've been there before. You show up with your friends at a restaurant, but lo and behold, there are no tables available. You have to wait. Countless couples, trios, foursomes are called before you. "Were they here before us?" your friend whispers. "I don't know." In short, it sucks. But after flying under the radar since graduating from the ER Accelerator last year, BuzzTable is ready to come out of the restaurant pantry, as it were, and disrupt our dining experience.

Apple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Apple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel


Apple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel
Although they're called hearing aids, they can sometimes be as much of a hindrance as a help. Catch an unfamiliar accent and the attention might be on just parsing the words, let alone moving the conversation forward. Apple is applying for a patent on a technique that would take the guesswork out of listening by smoothing out all the quirks. The proposed idea would convert speech to text and back, using the switch to remove any unusual pronunciation or too-quick talking before it reaches the listener's ear. Not surprisingly for a company that makes phones and tablets, the hearing aid wouldn't always have to do the heavy lifting, either: iOS devices could handle some of the on-the-fly conversion, and pre-recorded speech could receive advance treatment to speed up the process. We don't know if Apple plans to use its learning in any kind of shipping product, although it's undoubtedly been interested in the category before -- and its ambitions of having iPhone-optimized hearing aids could well get a lift from technology that promises real understanding, not just a boost in volume.Filed under: Cellphones, WearablesApple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Apple posts OS X 10.8.1 update, mends your Mountain Lion

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Apple posts OS X 10.8.1 update, mends your Mountain Lion


Apple posts OS X 10.8.1 update, mends your Mountain Lion
There's a special moment in every operating system's life when it loses its innocent .0 status and grows up. It's OS X Mountain Lion's turn to mature, as Apple has just pushed out the 10.8.1 update for early adopters. Most of the fixes are for issues that plague specific use cases, such as audio output from a Thunderbolt Display or crashes in Migration Assistant. There are a few remedies that a wider audience might appreciate -- a fix for iMessages that don't send and an improvement to Exchange compatibility in Mail, for example. We don't yet know of any surprises lurking underneath, but it can't hurt to have a smoother-running Mac while we investigate.Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, SoftwareApple posts OS X 10.8.1 update, mends your Mountain Lion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink 9to5 Mac | Apple | Email this | Comments

Panasonic G5 mirrorless camera gets September 13th release date in Japan

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 08:21 AM PDT

Panasonic G5 mirrorless camera gets September 13th release date in Japan


Panasonic G5 mirrorless camera gets September 13th release date in Japan
We enjoyed our short time with Panasonic's new mirrorless G5 in our hands-on last month, even if it was a little on the porky side. And, if you hail from the Land of the Rising Sun and had your heart set on one of these 16-megapixel shooters, Panny's announced you'll get your chance from September 13th. We're getting dangerously close to missing the stateside launch target of August, but where the US website is showing the G5 as unreleased, availability on Amazon tells a different story. We're reaching out for confirmation on that -- as well as pricing -- and will update should we hear more.Filed under: Digital CamerasPanasonic G5 mirrorless camera gets September 13th release date in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Panasonic (1), (2), Amazon | Email this | Comments

Tesla confirms production of 100 Model S vehicles, 74 for customers

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 08:21 AM PDT

Tesla confirms production of 100 Model S vehicles, 74 for customers


Tesla confirms production of 100 Model S vehicles, 74 for customers
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Tesla Motors In the latest official Tesla blog post, George Blankenship, Tesla's vice president of worldwide sales and ownership experience has got some fresh Model S numbers for us. Specifically, the company has now made 100 production Model S vehicles, with 74 of those destined for reservation holders. The rest, Blankenship writes, are "being used for test drive cars, in-store displays, engineering tests and for service team training. We plan to continue to increase production in the upcoming weeks." That increased production target for the rest of the year is 5,000, with 20-30,000 in 2013. To put all these numbers in perspective, in early August, Tesla had only made 50 Model S vehicles, 29 for customers. Blankenship was one of the people who is now driving a new Model S. He writes, "And for those of you who are wondering, yes, my wife and I got our Model S on Saturday! It was delivered to our house at 10 a.m. sharp by one of our Tesla Delivery Experience Specialists. Some things really are priceless."Tesla confirms production of 100 Model S vehicles, 74 for customers originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Google mapping out Canada's Nunavut territory with local community, Street View...

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 08:21 AM PDT

Google mapping out Canada's Nunavut territory with local community, Street View trike


Google mapping out Canada's Nunavut territory with local community, Street View trike
Looking for somewhere remote, quiet and cold for retirement? You can't get much further out than Cambridge Bay -- hidden away in Canada's arctic Nunavut territory, this sleepy town is only reachable by plane, boat or Google Maps. Navigating its streets on the latter option is about to get a whole lot more detailed, too. The Maps team has started working with residents like Chris Kalluk to build what it hopes will be the most comprehensive map of the region to date. Mountain View's digital cartographers are training residents to use equipment like the Street View tricycle to take in the isolated territory's natural beauty while letting locals fill in the finer details (like roads, lakes and rivers) at community Map Up gatherings. "This is a place with a vast amount of local knowledge and a rich history," says Kalluk. "By putting these tools in the hands of our people, we will tell Nunavut's story to the world." Fittingly, the community's first mapping event saw local landmarks mapped out in both English and Inuktitut, one of the territory's official languages. Check the project out for yourself at the source link below.Filed under: Internet, SoftwareGoogle mapping out Canada's Nunavut territory with local community, Street View trike originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google | Email this | Comments

Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV

Posted: 23 Aug 2012 08:21 AM PDT

Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV


Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV
Chinese web titan Tencent and TCL Multimedia have torn the wraps off the Ice Screen, a jointly developed 26-inch smart TV with a 1,366 x 768 display that allows users to browse the web, access videos, music and games through QQ services. Under the hood, the Android-powered television houses a dual-core Cortex A9 1GHz processor, a Mali 400 GPU, 4GB of RAM and support for a memory card of up to 32GB in size. An IR remote and an app for devices sporting version 2.2 or higher of Google's OS can be used to control the tube, which can sit horizontally or vertically in its stand. On the connectivity front, the panel packs Wi-Fi, a pair of USB ports, HDMI and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You can plunk down ¥1,999 (roughly $315) for an online pre-order before its September 3rd launch. More details await in the press release after the jump.Continue reading Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TVFiled under: Home EntertainmentTencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Engadget Chinese | Email this | Comments