Subscribe:

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Shops Online

Shops Online

Switched On: Trading places

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 02:36 PM PDT

Switched On: Trading places


Switched On: Trading places
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. If widespread rumors hold true, the coming weeks will see two of the most successful tablet vendors invade each other's screen size turf. Apple, which once rebuked the 7-inch tablet as unfit for normally proportioned human hands, appears ready to try its own hand at an iPad rumored to be on the larger side of the 7- to 8-inch range. Amazon, which lagged its bookselling rival Barnes & Noble in bringing out a color tablet, stands ready to introduce an infernal successor to the Kindle Fire that may include a display that is close to 9-inches or larger. It's not quite the first ride along the screen size escalator for either company. For Apple, a smaller iPad would fill in the iOS screen size gap between the iPhone and iPad. For Amazon, also rumored to be working on a phone, a larger color tablet would revisit the ground it explored to lackluster results with the Kindle DX. That product hasn't kept up with even e-paper-based e-readers with advances such as touchscreens and side-lighting, both of which are found in the latest Nook Simple Nook.Continue reading Switched On: Trading placesFiled under: TabletsSwitched On: Trading places originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Star Wars Episodes II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in Se...

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 02:36 PM PDT

Star Wars Episodes II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in September and October 2013


Star Wars Episodes II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in September and October 2013
Before Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace came back to the theaters earlier this year converted for 3D, the plan was to bring the other five movies to theaters one at a time each year, but that has apparently changed. At the Star Wars Celebration VI event in Orlando (where we first found out about the Blu-ray release two years ago) Lucasfilm announced that Episodes II and III in 3D will be released in theaters back to back in fall of 2013, arriving September 20th and October 11th, respectively. Missing so far from the announcement? A reason for the back-to-back release or any word on Blu-ray 3D plans. In lieu of more details, although it means Attack of the Clones will come back later in the year than Phantom Menace did, with any luck this accelerated schedule is a good omen for the original trilogy's return. Of course, we'll have to wait and see what magic can be worked with those older film and special effects elements, however IGN apparently found an early preview of the Episode II 3D footage to be promising. [Thanks, Rachael]Filed under: Home Entertainment, HDStar Wars Episodes II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in September and October 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Star Wars (Facebook), Star Wars (Twitter) | Email this | Comments

Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile r...

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 01:57 PM PDT

Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording


Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording
More Info Blue Microphones outs Tiki, Spark Digital and Mikey Digital; looks to feed your mobile recording habit Blue Microphones Tiki USB mic now available at Best Buy, coming to Apple stores July 15ths Apogee MiC review In recent years, mobile and compact recording gear has, like so many other gadget types, become smaller and smaller in stature. We've seen add-ons for smartphones and tablets that aren't much larger than a quarter, along with mobile mics that boast USB compatibility. The Blue Microphones Tiki continues the trend, offering the same premium aesthetics we've come to expect from the company, along with top-notch audio quality. The Tiki is said to perform at its best with Skype-style video chats and voice recording, thanks in part to an intelligent mute and noise isolation features. Let's be honest, though. Purchasing a USB microphone for the sole purpose of video chatting will be a tough sell for most folks. People like podcasters will expect a bit more functionality from a peripheral like this. Luckily, the unit boasts a "Natural Recording Mode" that promises instrument-tracking capabilities as well. But does the Tiki handle online banter, voice recording and guitar sounds well enough to warrant a $60 purchase? And exactly how smart is the intelligent mute? Read on to see what we discovered when we gave this flash drive-sized microphone the full-on review treatment.Gallery: Blue Microphones Tiki reviewContinue reading Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recordingFiled under: PeripheralsBlue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

AT&T Vacation Blackout Further Affirms Next iPhone’s September 21 Launch Date

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 01:23 PM PDT

AT&T Vacation Blackout Further Affirms Next iPhone's September 21 Launch Date


AT&T Vacation Blackout Further Affirms Next iPhone's September 21 Launch Date
We've received yet another bit of evidence confirming the next iPhone's September 21 launch. According to an AT&T sales rep, AT&T staff has been given a vacation blackout from September 21 to September 30, just like Verizon employees. Our source also mentioned that blue carrier employees are undergoing training for an "iconic release." Sounds like the next-gen iPhone to me.

LG Intuition spied in press shots, leaves one piece of the puzzle left to go

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 11:32 AM PDT

LG Intuition spied in press shots, leaves one piece of the puzzle left to go


LG Intuition spied in press shots, leaves one piece of the puzzle left to go
The LG Intuition may be one of Verizon's more poorly-kept secrets of recent memory. Apart from LG itself having confirmed that an Optimus Vu rebranding is due for the US within weeks, there's been pricing and even an uncannily detailed FCC filing to fill in the gaps. Why not throw official press images into the mix? From the renders DroidDog has managed to obtain, the Intuition is a bit more than just a one-for-one port of the original Korean phablet. While Verizon's influence is light outside of that attention-grabbing logo, there's a switch-up in the navigation keys to reflect that Android 4.0 will be there from the beginning -- a nice break from the ancient-feeling Android 2.3 layout of the original. About the only question left at this stage is that of the exact release date. There's a September 15th mention in one of the images, but we all know how dates in press imagery can be misleading.Filed under: Cellphones, MobileLG Intuition spied in press shots, leaves one piece of the puzzle left to go originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 14:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Pocketnow | DroidDog | Email this | Comments

How Free Apps Can Make More Money Than Paid Apps

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 11:32 AM PDT

How Free Apps Can Make More Money Than Paid Apps


How Free Apps Can Make More Money Than Paid Apps
Editor's note: John Manoogian III is co-founder and CTO at 140 Proof, a venture-backed startup for targeted Twitter advertising. While building apps for Apple and Android app stores can be highly lucrative ventures for developers, one of the hardest decisions an app developer has to make is how to get the app to pay for itself. Often the "monetization strategy" — shorthand for "how will this app make money?" — is left for last. It's hard enough to get discovered by consumers among the millions of already existing apps, not to mention convince people to buy it. People increasingly prefer free, ad-supported apps for their tablets and smartphones, yet many developers still aren't sure how to tackle the free vs. paid issue. Deciding when to charge for your app, and when to try an ad-supported model, is one of the hardest decisions developers must make.

Insert Coin: SmartThings wants to connect your dog, mailbox and kitchen cabinets...

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 11:32 AM PDT

Insert Coin: SmartThings wants to connect your dog, mailbox and kitchen cabinets to the internet


Insert Coin: SmartThings wants to connect your dog, mailbox and kitchen cabinets to the internet
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. Sometimes you just can't remember if you turned off the toaster oven before leaving the house. Sitting at work, you might wonder, "is my house burning down?" or "should I go home and check?" You could run home, of course, or you could just link that croissant cooker up to the internet and switch it off from your phone. SmartThings promises to let you do just that, offering a system that connects everyday physical objects to a cloud-based control center. The project aims to provide users with a bevy of end-devices -- automatic door locks, thermostats, humidity sensors, presence sensors, power outlet switches and more -- that connect to a router-like SmartThings hub. From here the user can easily see and control these devices on the SmartThings mobile app. That alone would be pretty handy -- but the SmartThings team decided to take it a step further by building SmartApps, that is, applications for further customizing how SmartThings devices (and the user) interact with the every day objects they're attached to. The platform is going to remain open, too, allowing owners and developers to build custom applications to fit their needs. Better still, the project is on a tight time line, and aims to put its product in backer hands by December -- of course, it'll have to reach its $250,000 Kickstarter goal first. Check out the team's pitch after the break, or hit up the source link below for more details.Continue reading Insert Coin: SmartThings wants to connect your dog, mailbox and kitchen cabinets to the internetFiled under: MiscInsert Coin: SmartThings wants to connect your dog, mailbox and kitchen cabinets to the internet originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

How much does Sesame Street cost in today's market?

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 11:32 AM PDT

How much does Sesame Street cost in today's market?


How much does Sesame Street cost in today's market?
If you're like us, you've at least wondered what it would be like to live in the brightly colored neighborhood. Instead of sitting around wondering, we decided put our Sesame Street knowledge to use and figured it out.

Nine airport restaurants: local eats before liftoff

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 10:47 AM PDT

Nine airport restaurants: local eats before liftoff


Nine airport restaurants: local eats before liftoff
Enjoy local tastes without leaving the airport.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: a locomotive that runs on hydrogen, honey detective a...

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 07:16 AM PDT

Inhabitat's Week in Green: a locomotive that runs on hydrogen, honey detective and a 30 mph-capable hover bike


Inhabitat's Week in Green: a locomotive that runs on hydrogen, honey detective and a 30 mph-capable hover bike
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. Inhabitat is always on the lookout for new and interesting innovations, but some of the things that flashed across our screens this week truly defy the rules of physics. Take, for example, the story of 51-year-old Chinese man Sun Jifa, who lost both of his arms in an explosion and built his own bionic hands out of scrap metal. Building functional prosthetic limbs is one thing, but doing it without the aid of fingers? That's downright mind-blowing. We were also pretty excited to hear that a California-based tech company has developed a working hover bike that travels up to 30 mph. It isn't quite ready for a high-speed chase in the forest a la Star Wars, but it still looks pretty cool. And in another amazing development, a team of Harvard researchers has figured out a way to store 70 billion books in a space the size of your thumbnail.Continue reading Inhabitat's Week in Green: a locomotive that runs on hydrogen, honey detective and a 30 mph-capable hover bikeFiled under: Misc, ScienceInhabitat's Week in Green: a locomotive that runs on hydrogen, honey detective and a 30 mph-capable hover bike originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Japan's first coin-op EV charging machine costs a pretty penny

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 05:31 AM PDT

Japan's first coin-op EV charging machine costs a pretty penny


Japan's first coin-op EV charging machine costs a pretty penny
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Japan May we some day see a desperate electric vehicle driver begging the local drugstore to break a dollar so he can get home? Maybe, at least in Japan. What's believed to be the world's first coin-operated electric-vehicle charging machine is being produced by Fuji Electric, Green Car Reports says, citing Japan For Sustainability. The machines allow those without smart cards or pre-registration agreements to get some EV juice by plugging the machine with change. The system allows the machine's owner to charge what they want - folks pay per kilowatt hour. Given the cost of the machine, though, the prospect probably won't come cheap. The coin-op machine costs about $7,300 more than a typical EV charging machine. That's a lot of quarters.Japan's first coin-op EV charging machine costs a pretty penny originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Raspberry Pi lands MPEG-2 and VC-1 decoding through personal licenses, H.264 enc...

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 04:49 AM PDT

Raspberry Pi lands MPEG-2 and VC-1 decoding through personal licenses, H.264 encoding and CEC tag along


Raspberry Pi lands MPEG-2 and VC-1 decoding through personal licenses, H.264 encoding and CEC tag along
Making the Raspberry Pi affordable involved some tough calls, including the omission of MPEG-2 decoding. Licensing fees alone for the video software would have boosted the board's price by approximately 10 percent. Now, after many have made media centers with the hardware, the foundation behind the project has whipped up a solution to add the missing codec. For $3.79, users can purchase an individual MPEG-2 license for each of their boards on the organization's online store. Partial to Microsoft's VC-1 standard? Rights to using Redmond's codec can be purchased for just under two bucks. H.264 encoding is also in the cards since OpenMax components needed to develop applications with the functionality are now enabled by default in the device's latest firmware. With CEC support thrown into the Raspbmc, XBian and OpenELEC operating systems, a single IR remote can control a Raspberry Pi, a TV and other connected gadgets. If you're ready to load up your Pi with its newfound abilities, hit the source link below.Filed under: MiscRaspberry Pi lands MPEG-2 and VC-1 decoding through personal licenses, H.264 encoding and CEC tag along originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 07:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Raspberry Pi | Email this | Comments

NASA to launch mini lab, test for cancer and disease in space

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 01:53 AM PDT

NASA to launch mini lab, test for cancer and disease in space


NASA to launch mini lab, test for cancer and disease in space
It's hard to find a good specialist on earth, let alone when you're floating 240 miles above it. That's why NASA will test the Microflow, a breadbox-sized device that instantly detects cancer and infectious diseases, and can even sense the presence of rotten food. The Canadian-made device is a "flow cytometer," which works by analyzing microparticles in blood or other fluids and replaces hospital versions weighing hundreds of pounds. Here on Earth, the device could let people in remote communities be tested more quickly for disease, or permit on-site testing of food quality, for instance. It will be particularly advantageous in space, however, where Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield will test it during his six-month ISS mission, allowing crew to monitor, diagnose and treat themselves without outside help. Now, if we could just get it down to a hand size, and use some kind of radio waves instead -- oh wait, that's not until Stardate -105352.Continue reading NASA to launch mini lab, test for cancer and disease in spaceFiled under: Misc, ScienceNASA to launch mini lab, test for cancer and disease in space originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gizmodo | NASA | Email this | Comments

Personal Energy Orb Aruino project knows you haven't been exercising, cripples y...

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 12:31 AM PDT

Personal Energy Orb Aruino project knows you haven't been exercising, cripples your computer


Personal Energy Orb Aruino project knows you haven't been exercising, cripples your computer
Spending too much time indoors? You need a Personal Energy Orb, a glowing Arduino powered ball that allows you to trade physical exertion for a tolerable mouse speed. Developed by two students at the University of Munich for a physical computing course, the PEO connects to a bike-mounted revolution counter to note how far a user rides, counting the total distance toward usable time on a computer. A fully "charged" green orb will allow a user to use their PC unhindered -- but a spent red orb will drag Windows' cursor sensitivity settings to its lowest. The idea, the project's creators say, is to annoy the user off of the computer and back on to their bike. It sure sounds aggravating to us. Check out the full homework assignment at the source link below, complete with goals, follies and Python scripts.Filed under: MiscPersonal Energy Orb Aruino project knows you haven't been exercising, cripples your computer originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PSFK | Sketching with Hardware | Email this | Comments

LG teases that Optimus G will have 768p gapless display, long-lifespan battery

Posted: 25 Aug 2012 11:20 PM PDT

LG teases that Optimus G will have 768p gapless display, long-lifespan battery


LG teases that Optimus G will have 768p gapless display, long-lifespan battery
LG must know that word of the Optimus G has been spoiled, even if it's not quite ready to put all its cards on the table. While it's only acknowledging the phone's identity under a 'G' codename, the Korean electronics giant is willing to talk a lot about what's under the hood. Among the truly new revelations: that uncommonly wide 1,280 x 768 screen, now called the G2 Touch Hybrid Display, is a 30 percent thinner gapless panel that puts the LCD right near the glass in a way that just might be familiar to HTC One X owners. We don't know for certain if it's one of those newly-shipping in-cell touch panels, but that name certainly suggests LG is setting aside a few of those cutting-edge LCDs for itself. There's also a treat in store for those who work their phones to the bone -- a newly refined battery can go through 800 full recharge cycles before it gives up the ghost, or about 60 percent more than we've seen in the past. Combine these with the quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro we already knew was coming, and the Optimus G could be quite the technology showcase for both LG's native South Korea as well as the US through a possible Sprint model.Filed under: Cellphones, MobileLG teases that Optimus G will have 768p gapless display, long-lifespan battery originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | LG Newsroom (English), (Korean, translated) | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: best robot cleaner for stone tile floors?

Posted: 25 Aug 2012 08:19 PM PDT

Ask Engadget: best robot cleaner for stone tile floors?


Ask Engadget: best robot cleaner for stone tile floors?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Anthony, who needs some robotic help keeping his stone floors clean. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "We have stone tile floors in the kitchen and two kids. What wet floor cleaning robot would help us keep the floor clean, navigate the kitchen and handle the uneven stone floor tiles and grooves?" We love original and different questions like this, the more original and different the better, so let's help this gentleman out. It's the old story of the high-tech being flustered by the stone age, but what's the solution? Is it the iRobot Scooba, with its squeegee apparatus tucked underneath, or something else? Why not share your considerable experiences in the comments below.Filed under: HouseholdAsk Engadget: best robot cleaner for stone tile floors? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 23:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Mobile Miscellany: week of August 20th, 2012

Posted: 25 Aug 2012 06:32 PM PDT

Mobile Miscellany: week of August 20th, 2012


Mobile Miscellany: week of August 20th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week was a bit slow, but we've managed to dig up a couple interesting MeeGo tidbits, along with an excellent utility for Nexus 7 / OS X users -- something to help you in the pursuit of slack. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of August 20th, 2012.Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of August 20th, 2012Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software, MobileMobile Miscellany: week of August 20th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 21:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

IDC: iPhone wait cuts Apple's China phone share by nearly half, Lenovo seizes th...

Posted: 25 Aug 2012 05:24 PM PDT

IDC: iPhone wait cuts Apple's China phone share by nearly half, Lenovo seizes the opportunity


IDC: iPhone wait cuts Apple's China phone share by nearly half, Lenovo seizes the opportunity
There's a lot of talk of a new iPhone coming soon, and the Chinese know it. IDC researchers estimate that Apple's share of smartphones in the country was sliced almost in half during the second quarter, to 10 percent, as expectations and rumors led the local population to wait for the big update. Better competition also played a part in denting iPhone shipments, although it's not Apple's chief rival Samsung who's responsible. Rather, it's China's own Lenovo that had the most impact. It broke into the double digits with a second-place 11 percent share thanks to recently started indirect sales of its Android-dominated lineup, while Samsung saw its own share dip slightly to 19 percent. Chinese companies ZTE and Huawei bracketed Apple at third and fifth. We wouldn't be surprised if the balance of power shifts in about a month, but the impacts to Apple and Samsung alike show just how tough it can be to stay on top in one of the fastest-growing markets on Earth -- especially one with so many local brands.Filed under: Cellphones, MobileIDC: iPhone wait cuts Apple's China phone share by nearly half, Lenovo seizes the opportunity originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments