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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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Sony takes SOEmote live for EverQuest II, lets gamers show their true CG selves...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Sony takes SOEmote live for EverQuest II, lets gamers show their true CG selves (video)


Sony takes SOEmote live for EverQuest II, lets gamers show their true CG selves (video)
We had a fun time trying Sony's SOEmote expression capture tech at E3; now everyone can try it. As of today, most EverQuest II players with a webcam can map their facial behavior to their virtual personas while they play, whether it's to catch the nuances of conversation or drive home an exaggerated game face. Voice masking also lets RPG fans stay as much in (or out of) character as they'd like. About the only question left for those willing to brave the uncanny valley is when other games will get the SOEmote treatment. Catch our video look after the break if you need a refresher.Continue reading Sony takes SOEmote live for EverQuest II, lets gamers show their true CG selves (video)Filed under: Gaming, SoftwareSony takes SOEmote live for EverQuest II, lets gamers show their true CG selves (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | SOEmote | Email this | Comments

Throwaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balance

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Throwaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balance


Throwaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balance
NFC is used primarily for enjoyable activities, like buying things, sharing content and making QR codes feel old. But Japanese company Elecom is looking to change all that with a compact keyboard that exploits NFC for productivity. The silicon menace requires a companion app and is compatible with Android phones running Gingerbread (2.3.4) and up. If the bundled case had you sold on the peripheral, you may want to reconsider. The retail price is a sizeable 18,690 yen (approximately $240), and what's worse, the battery is neither rechargeable nor replaceable, so you'll have to bin it after the stated six months to a year of life. Still interested? Then head over the break for a video demo from Norwegian co-development company one2TOUCH.Gallery: Elecom NFC keyboard press shotsContinue reading Throwaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balanceFiled under: Cellphones, PeripheralsThrowaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Akihabara News | Elecom (1), (2), one2TOUCH | Email this | Comments

Hiriko, MIT's updated two-seat, all-electric foldable prototype, bound for carsh...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Hiriko, MIT's updated two-seat, all-electric foldable prototype, bound for carsharing


Hiriko, MIT's updated two-seat, all-electric foldable prototype, bound for carsharing
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Europe/EU Despite the name, it's not Japanese. That's one of the first surprises about the Hiriko, an urban battery-electric two-seat vehicle that a Basque consortium of auto suppliers is looking to start selling to municipalities for carsharing purposes starting next year, according to the New York Times.Hiriko Driving Mobility Group, which is working with the Spanish government and MIT (which has been working on the concept since at least 2007) and has an $87 million budget, unveiled its first version of the EV in January and has made about 20 vehicles for testing purposes. Hiroko will come in three versions: the Fold (standard), Alai (convertible) and Laga (truck). The company will target cities such as Barcelona, Berlin and San Francisco for potential purchases.As we've reported, all of models will be small and will be able to get smaller. The Hiriko will be about eight feet long, about a foot shorter than the Smart ForTwo, and has a hinged body that allows it to shrink its length to about five feet - that's shorter than a typical bicycle. Additionally, all of the vehicle's four wheels will be able to rotate at a 60-degree angle, which is great for both parking and doing donuts. As for the name, Hiriko is actually a loose translation of a Basque term meaning "from the city."Hiriko, MIT's updated two-seat, all-electric foldable prototype, bound for carsharing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Federal appeals court says warrantless wiretapping is legal

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Federal appeals court says warrantless wiretapping is legal


Federal appeals court says warrantless wiretapping is legal
A federal appeals court has ruled today that the US government can tap into Americans' communications without worrying over frivolous things like "being sued" by its people. In what most sane civilians will probably see as a depressing loss of protection, a three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that citizens can sue the United States for damages stemming from the use of information collected via wiretap, but not for the collection of information itself. In typical pass-the-buck fashion, Wired reports that Judge Michael Daly Hawkins and Judge Harry Pregerson added the following: "Although such a structure may seem anomalous and even unfair, the policy judgment is one for Congress, not the courts." Alrighty. For those unaware, the back and forth surrounding this issue extends back to Congress' authorization of the Bush spy program in 2008, and more specifically, a pair of US lawyers and the now-defunct al-Haramain Islamic Foundation -- a group that was granted over $2.5 million combined in legal fees after proving that they were spied on sans warrants. The full report can be found in the PDF below.Filed under: InternetFederal appeals court says warrantless wiretapping is legal originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wired | US Court of Appeals [PDF] | Email this | Comments

Samsung accused of, denies employing child labor through Chinese contractor

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Samsung accused of, denies employing child labor through Chinese contractor


Samsung accused of, denies employing child labor through Chinese contractor
Despite improvements, working conditions are still a sore point in China -- and China Labor Watch wants to emphasize that no company is exempt from scrutiny. The rights advocacy group claims that, on top of pushing mandatory overtime and poor overall conditions, Samsung contractor HEG Electronics has allegedly been employing at least seven underage workers at a Huizhou plant making phones and DVD players. Not surprisingly, Samsung has been quick to defend itself, asserting that it found "no irregularities" in two separate inspections this year and that it plans a third as a response to the new accusations. Who's telling the truth is still up in the air, although China Labor Watch is taking aim only after going undercover; it's long been suspected that contractors whitewash their labor practices when they see corporate inspectors coming from a mile away. If there's any substance to the allegations, Samsung may be the next tech giant taking action to mend a bruised public image.Filed under: Cellphones, Home EntertainmentSamsung accused of, denies employing child labor through Chinese contractor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Bloomberg | China Labor Watch | Email this | Comments

Supermarket launches trial virtual stores in UK airport, readies fresh milk for...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Supermarket launches trial virtual stores in UK airport, readies fresh milk for your return


Supermarket launches trial virtual stores in UK airport, readies fresh milk for your return
UK supermarket Tesco has decided to bring its virtual supermarket screens (successfully trialled in South Korea last year) to Gatwick Airport. There's ten touchscreens in total, dotted around the departure lounge, with eager shoppers able to make a preemptive grocery strike with their smartphone. On-screen barcodes for around 80 items can be scanned by compatible -- that is, Android and iOS -- devices and added to your shopping basket. Following online payment, your bounty of food can then be assigned a delivery date up to three weeks in advance. The virtual shelves will stay up for two weeks; the UK retailer hasn't commented on further roll-out or extension plans. However, in an airport, during summer vacation, is probably the last place we'd muse on what we're going to eat on our eventual return. If you're wondering exactly how to shop with a four-foot touchscreen, Tesco walks you through it at the source link below.Filed under: Cellphones, InternetSupermarket launches trial virtual stores in UK airport, readies fresh milk for your return originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink BBC News | Tesco | Email this | Comments

Man angers neighbors, land in court after telling people to throw paint at his h...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Man angers neighbors, land in court after telling people to throw paint at his house


Man angers neighbors, land in court after telling people to throw paint at his house
We've seen some bad paint jobs on houses before, but this one might be the worst.

AMD launches its next-gen FirePro graphics card lineup, we go hands-on at SIGGRA...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

AMD launches its next-gen FirePro graphics card lineup, we go hands-on at SIGGRAPH (video)


AMD launches its next-gen FirePro graphics card lineup, we go hands-on at SIGGRAPH (video)
Just as you've cozied up with "Tahiti" and "Cape Verde," AMD has returned to grow its "Southern Islands" family of graphics cards with four fresh FirePros, offering up to four teraflops of graphics computing power. That spec can be found in the company's new W9000, which is capable of four TFLOPs single precision and one TFLOP double precision with a price tag just shy of $4,000. That behemoth of a card offers 6GB of GDDR5 RAM and requires 274 watts of power. More humble members of the fam include the W8000, which has the same form-factor as the higher-end W9000, but eases back on the specs, consuming 189 watts of power and carrying a $1,599 price tag. We had a chance to take a closer look at both cards at SIGGRAPH, and while they packed a significant amount of heft, you'll likely never take a second look once they're buried away in your tower rig. Fans of smaller housings (and price tags) may take notice of the W7000 and W5000, which are both considerably more compact and require less power to boot, with pricing set at $899 and $599, respectively. Those cards were also on hand for our demo, and can be seen along with the top two configs in our gallery below. You can also sneak a closer peek in the hands-on video after the break, and glance at the full specs over at our news post from earlier today.Gallery: AMD FirePro W9000, W8000, W7000 and W5000 hands-onContinue reading AMD launches its next-gen FirePro graphics card lineup, we go hands-on at SIGGRAPH (video)Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, PeripheralsAMD launches its next-gen FirePro graphics card lineup, we go hands-on at SIGGRAPH (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | AMD | Email this | Comments

22 Cars Americans Love Most

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:54 PM PDT

22 Cars Americans Love Most


22 Cars Americans Love Most
The top models in J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 APEAL study.

Canon EOS 7D v2 firmware tested: increases burst capacity, gives manual audio co...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:14 PM PDT

Canon EOS 7D v2 firmware tested: increases burst capacity, gives manual audio control


Canon EOS 7D v2 firmware tested: increases burst capacity, gives manual audio control
You don't get to unbox anything or have that new-camera smell, so how much does the Canon 7D v2 firmware really transform the now three year-old model? The answer depends a bit on what you do with it, but for most users the Japanese maker deserves kudos from bringing new functionality to the model. Two changes stand out in particular, the first being a bump in the number of burst RAW images from 15 to 25, a boon for action shooters. The other biggie is manual audio level adjustment, saving videographers from the whims of automatic audio levels. Other tweaks include in-camera rating, resizing and editing of images; a max auto ISO setting; GPS compatibility; file name customization; time zone settings; and faster magnification scrolling and control screen adjustment during playback. To test the burst and audio functions, we got our own mitts on the firmware. Prior to updating, we put the rapid-fire 8 fps camera it through the wringer and grabbed about 16-18 RAW frames in a burst. With the v2 firmware we caught exactly 25 frames before it halted, and did it again numerous times with only an occasional stutter. As for audio, the new manual setting is still a far cry from dedicated sound level dials -- on the 7D you'll need to preset the audio before filming, and are stuck with that level until you hit 'stop' again. Still, it beats the previous automatic way, which was so unusable that it forced many pros into buying external audio recorders to get anything decent. A quick test confirmed the new adjustment worked well, giving usable audio in most conditions with both internal and external mics while requiring just a little fiddling beforehand to set levels. While hardly turning your 2009-era beast into an all-new DSLR, the new functionality brings the software in line with newer models, and still keeps the 7D near the top of the APS-C heap in many categories. Swapping out the sensor would be the only way to bump the one area where it now lags, low-light performance -- but you can't expect everything from a $1,500 shooter.Filed under: Digital CamerasCanon EOS 7D v2 firmware tested: increases burst capacity, gives manual audio control originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Canon Europe, Canon USA | Email this | Comments

Can healthy cheese taste good?

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:14 PM PDT

Can healthy cheese taste good?


Can healthy cheese taste good?
The latest in the war on saturated fats and sodium is apparently being waged on cheese, and it just may be a losing battle.

Can healthy cheese taste good?

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 01:40 PM PDT

Can healthy cheese taste good?


Can healthy cheese taste good?
The latest in the war on saturated fats and sodium is apparently being waged on cheese, and it just may be a losing battle.

T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q review: two budget-friendly phones, one aging OS

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 12:17 PM PDT

T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q review: two budget-friendly phones, one aging OS


T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q review: two budget-friendly phones, one aging OS
More Info Leaked T-Mobile roadmap outlines Ice Cream Sandwich updates, new myTouch devices T-Mobile's next myTouch to come from Huawei? T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q coming August 8th for $50, we go hands-on Gone are the days when $50 got you a flip phone that could make calls, send texts and shoot super-low-quality thumbnails. T-Mobile's myTouch offerings aim to provide all the functionality of a top-tier smartphone, coupled with the kind of hardware and software top-tier handsets were offering a year or two ago. After letting HTC and LG have a go at the myTouch series, T-Mobile tapped Huawei to design its latest devices, the myTouch and myTouch Q, a garden-variety slab and a full QWERTY slider, respectively. This time around, the carrier chose phones with more expansive 4-inch, 800 x 480 displays, among other improvements to the design and internals. Unfortunately, software wasn't considered in the upgrade: both of these run the aging Android 2.3 OS. Suffice to say, skinned Gingerbread is likely to turn off some shoppers, but it's still worth asking if people on a budget might appreciate these devices when they go on sale Wednesday for $50, post-rebate. So are there any redeeming qualities to speak of, if not the software experience? Read on to find out.Gallery: T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q reviewContinue reading T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q review: two budget-friendly phones, one aging OSFiled under: CellphonesT-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q review: two budget-friendly phones, one aging OS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Radio astronomy pioneer Sir Bernard Lovell dies at 98

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 12:16 PM PDT

Radio astronomy pioneer Sir Bernard Lovell dies at 98


Radio astronomy pioneer Sir Bernard Lovell dies at 98
Astronomy just lost one of its vanguards, as Sir Bernard Lovell has died at 98. The UK-born scientist was best known as a cornerstone of radio telescope development. While he wasn't the first to leap into the field, he established the University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory to study cosmic rays in 1945 and organized the construction of what would ultimately be called the Lovell Telescope -- a radio telescope so large and useful that it's still the third-largest steerable example in the world, 55 years after it was first put into action. His work helped track some of the earliest spacecraft and was instrumental in confirming the first discovered pulsars and quasars. On top of his most conspicuous achievements, Sir Lovell played an important role in developing airborne radar during World War II and was lauded for having scientific curiosity long after he hung up his Jodrell director's hat in 1980. Science will be poorer without him. [Image credit: NASA; thanks, Darren]Filed under: ScienceRadio astronomy pioneer Sir Bernard Lovell dies at 98 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | BBC | Email this | Comments

Ford Touts Speed of C-Max Hybrid

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 12:16 PM PDT

Ford Touts Speed of C-Max Hybrid


Ford Touts Speed of C-Max Hybrid
Ford says C-Max Energi plug-in will hit 85 mph on battery power alone.

Nissan's Paris-bound EV concept could fill out CUV niche

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 11:40 AM PDT

Nissan's Paris-bound EV concept could fill out CUV niche


Nissan's Paris-bound EV concept could fill out CUV niche
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Paris Motor Show The types of pure electric vehicles available on the market are quite limited. For now, we've got compact and midsize cars and high performance sports cars. More are coming, but that's it today unless you want to get a conversion. What if you were looking for an official, electric SUV or a crossover utility vehicle (CUV) to transport your family, groceries, and camping gear?Nissan is getting ready to fill that niche and will be unveiling an all-electric compact SUV concept at this year's Paris Motor Show in late September. Details are limited, but we hear that this unnamed EV, possibly an X-Trail replacement, could be an evolution of the Hi-Cross hybrid concept that was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show this year (pictured). As for power, it might use the powerful 80-kilowatt motor found in the Nissan Leaf. Beyond that, who knows. There will be competition in this new EV segment. Toyota recently unveiled the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV, a CUV destined for limited production later this year. Tesla will also bring out a crossover compact luxury CUV, the Model X, in late 2013. Mitsubishi plans to roll out its second electrified vehicle in the near future - a plug-in hybrid SUV. Looks like any complaints about the lack of electric SUVs/CUVs on dealer lots will only hold water for a short while.Nissan's Paris-bound EV concept could fill out CUV niche originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Windows 8 built-in games now called Xbox Windows, Microsoft's naming synergy con...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 11:40 AM PDT

Windows 8 built-in games now called Xbox Windows, Microsoft's naming synergy continues


Windows 8 built-in games now called Xbox Windows, Microsoft's naming synergy continues
Were you among those who jumped for joy when Windows Explorer got its new moniker? Good news, nomenclature fans, for Redmond has decided to label its new OS' built-in games and titles obtained from the Windows Store as "Xbox Windows." Along with the new branding, venerable Windows titles like Minesweeper, Solitaire and Mahjong will also offer Xbox Achievements, so you can bulk up your Gamerscore while wasting time at work. Full details of the achievement and point totals can be found at the source links below.Filed under: Gaming, SoftwareWindows 8 built-in games now called Xbox Windows, Microsoft's naming synergy continues originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge, Eurogamer | Xbox 360 Achievements, (2), (3) | Email this | Comments

Microsoft Office RT may lack macros, add-ins, other features

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 11:07 AM PDT

Microsoft Office RT may lack macros, add-ins, other features


Microsoft Office RT may lack macros, add-ins, other features
Well, the good news, as you already know, is that Office RT will be preloaded on all Windows 8 RT tablets -- at least in preview form. The bad news, even if you spring for the full version, you may be dealing with a limited product. Word on the street is, that in order optimize performance and battery life, Microsoft pulled a number of features from the ARM-friendly version of its productivity suite. Among the missing features is support for macros, third-party add-ins and VBA scripts. A small number of other features are also reportedly on the chopping block, but without a final product to put our fingers on, it's not clear which ones are getting axed.Filed under: Tablet PCs, SoftwareMicrosoft Office RT may lack macros, add-ins, other features originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Verge | Email this | Comments

Less Than A Month After Its Mini-Pivot, Tripl Pushes Its New iOS App Out The Door

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 11:07 AM PDT

Less Than A Month After Its Mini-Pivot, Tripl Pushes Its New iOS App Out The Door


Less Than A Month After Its Mini-Pivot, Tripl Pushes Its New iOS App Out The Door
After the team at social travel startup Tripl had a change of heart last month, they eventually came to a weighty conclusion -- now that their focus had shifted away from connecting travelers with friends that happened to be nearby, they had to redo the iOS app they had been working on for months. Now, just a few weeks later, Tripl has pushed that new (and free) iOS app out into the wild for users to muck around with. In case you aren't yet familiar with the new Tripl, the service is all about giving users a glimpse into where their friends are at any given moment by pulling in photos and check-ins from Facebook and other social networks -- quite a treat when you're usually cooped up indoors for most of the day like me.

ARM's Mali-T604 makes official debut, we get a first look at the next-gen GPU (h...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 11:07 AM PDT

ARM's Mali-T604 makes official debut, we get a first look at the next-gen GPU (hands-on video)


ARM's Mali-T604 makes official debut, we get a first look at the next-gen GPU (hands-on video)
Think those are some pretty slick graphics in your Galaxy S III? Samsung's latest smartphone packs some mighty graphics prowess of its own, thanks to the Mali-400 MP GPU, but once you spend a few minutes with the Mali-T604, the company's next-generation chipset, the improvements become quite clear. After seeing the Mali-T604 in action, as we did at SIGGRAPH today, the capabilities leave us hopeful for the future, and perhaps feeling a bit self-conscious about the silicon currently in our pockets. The reference device on hand was operating in sync with a variety of unnamed hardware, protected from view in a relatively large sealed box. We weren't able to squeeze many details out of ARM reps, who remained mum about the demo components, including clock speed, manufacturer and even fabrication size. What we do know is that we were looking at a quad-core Mali-T604 and dual-core ARM Cortex-A15 processor, with a fabrication size in the range of "28 to 40 nanometers" (confirming the exact size would reveal the manufacturer). Clock speed is also TBD, and the early silicon on demo at the show wasn't operating anywhere close to its top end. In order to experience the T604, we took a look at three demos, including Timbuktu 2, which demonstrates elements like self shadowing and depth of field with OpenGL ES 3.0, Hauntheim, which gives us an early look at physics simulation and HDR lighting with OpenCL, and Enlighten, which rendered silky smooth real-time illumination. You can see all of the demos in action after the break, and you can expect T604-equipped devices to make their debut beginning later this year -- ARM says its working with eight manufacturers to get the licensed tech to market as early as Q3.Gallery: ARM Mali-T604 hands-onContinue reading ARM's Mali-T604 makes official debut, we get a first look at the next-gen GPU (hands-on video)Filed under: Cellphones, Displays, Gaming, Tablet PCsARM's Mali-T604 makes official debut, we get a first look at the next-gen GPU (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Spotify's latest update brings iOS 6 support, fixes Facebook login woes

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Spotify's latest update brings iOS 6 support, fixes Facebook login woes


Spotify's latest update brings iOS 6 support, fixes Facebook login woes
Whether it's for Android or iOS, there's no doubt Spotify's devs are always hard at work. Today, the famed music streaming service has pushed out yet another update to its application on iDevices, bringing support for Cupertino's sixth major release of that popular OS, otherwise more commonly known as iOS 6. Additionally, Spotify's also bundled in a slight tweak that allows iPad users to view more stations within the app, while other unknown stability improvements and a fix for issues with Facebook login are also in tow. As usual, the refresh (version 0.5.4) is up for download at no cost, and you can snag it straight from the App Store on your Apple slab or the link down below.Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs, SoftwareSpotify's latest update brings iOS 6 support, fixes Facebook login woes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | App Store | Email this | Comments

Ford C-Max Hybrid officially gets 47 mpg across the board; Energi hits 85 mph in...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Ford C-Max Hybrid officially gets 47 mpg across the board; Energi hits 85 mph in EV mode


Ford C-Max Hybrid officially gets 47 mpg across the board; Energi hits 85 mph in EV mode
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, MPG, Ford Two new announcements about Ford and its upcoming C-Max line of vehicles arrived today, emphasizing the vehicles' efficiency and electric performance. For the C-Max Hybrid, the previously predicted miles per gallon rating of 47 mpg is now official, per the EPA, and will apply across the board. That means city, highway and combined mileage ratings are all 47. As anyone Ford can reach with a PR blast knows, this beats at least one of the mpg numbers for the Toyota Prius V by seven mpg. The world's most popular hybrid lineup, in V guise, gets 44 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway and 42 combined. The standard Prius Liftback version, of course, gets 51 city, 48 highway and 50 combined. More interesting, perhaps, is the news that the plug-in Energi model will be able to go up to 85 miles per hour in all-electric mode. Once again, Ford is hammering the Prius comparison, saying that speed is "more than 20 mph higher than Toyota Prius plug-in." The C-Max Hybrid can go up to 62 miles an hour in EV mode. To engage EV mode in the C-Max Energi, Ford uses a "unique EV mode button allows customers to deliver electric power on-demand." We're not sure what makes it unique (other plug-ins have powertrain mode selector buttons), but it does have three modes: EV Now (where the car is only moved by battery power, as long as it's available), EV Auto (normal operation, with both battery and gas engine used for propulsion) or EV Later, a "battery-saving mode that reserves the pack power for later use." (Think of the Chevrolet Volt mountain mode.) The Energi goes on sale in limited areas this fall and nationwide in early 2013. Oh, Ford also says, "With a fully charged battery, C-MAX Energi is rated at 195 horsepower, versus 188 horsepower for Toyota Prius." It's pretty clear which competitors Ford is going after here, isn't it?Continue reading Ford C-Max Hybrid officially gets 47 mpg across the board; Energi hits 85 mph in EV modeFord C-Max Hybrid officially gets 47 mpg across the board; Energi hits 85 mph in EV mode originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft and Sharp strike licensing deal for use of exFAT technology in Android...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Microsoft and Sharp strike licensing deal for use of exFAT technology in Android-based devices


Microsoft and Sharp strike licensing deal for use of exFAT technology in Android-based devices
Microsoft already has licensing agreements with the companies accounting for the vast majority of Android devices on the market, but it's not done just yet. The latest to come on board is Sharp, which has signed a deal that will allow it to use Microsoft's Extended File Allocation Table file system (otherwise known as exFAT) on its Android-based devices -- that's a slightly more specific agreement than most others, where the contents haven't been disclosed. While Sharp isn't exactly a major smartphone player here in North America, it is in Japan, where it had a market share of 17.5 percent in 2011 (second only to Apple). As with other similar deals, this agreement with see Microsoft receive royalties on all Sharp Android devices sold, although neither party has commented on the specific terms. You can find the official word after the break.Continue reading Microsoft and Sharp strike licensing deal for use of exFAT technology in Android-based devicesFiled under: Cellphones, Tablet PCsMicrosoft and Sharp strike licensing deal for use of exFAT technology in Android-based devices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Plextor M5 Pro bulges SSD envelope with 94K IOPS and 540MB/s

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Plextor M5 Pro bulges SSD envelope with 94K IOPS and 540MB/s


Plextor M5 Pro bulges SSD envelope with 94K IOPS and 540MB/s
Plextor's newly launched M5 Pro is angling to be the top dot on the SATA III SSD spec charts -- and looks like it will mostly succeed. The Marvell Monet controller lets the unit hit a continuous 540 MB/s read and 450 MB/s write speeds for the larger models, as well as a hefty 94,000 read and 86,000 write IOPS. Those figures would put it ahead of or alongside most of its competitors except in steady write speeds, but Plextor claims that hustle is not the model's only trick. It also makes use of "True Speed" tech to minimize performance drops with age, uses 128-bit error correction to eliminate data inaccuracy and offers 256-bit full-drive encryption. The 128GB, 256GB or 512GB drives will be available mid-August for prices that have yet to be determined, but it's likely to be well north of its budget namesake, the M5S. You'll find the full PR after the break.Continue reading Plextor M5 Pro bulges SSD envelope with 94K IOPS and 540MB/sFiled under: StoragePlextor M5 Pro bulges SSD envelope with 94K IOPS and 540MB/s originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Mobile App Monetization Startup Inneractive Raises $3.5M For Continued Global Ex...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Mobile App Monetization Startup Inneractive Raises $3.5M For Continued Global Expansion


Mobile App Monetization Startup Inneractive Raises $3.5M For Continued Global Expansion
Mobile app monetization exchange inneractive has closed on $3.5 million in new financing, the company is announcing today. The round was led by Evergreen Ventures Partners, and saw participation from both existing private investors and new investors from the U.S. and Europe. The company, which integrates over 120 ad providers from 200-plus countries into a one-line SDK, now has thousands of developers using its monetization platform on iOS, Android, RIM and Windows Phone. The company also offers SDKs for non-smartphone platforms like J2ME, Bada, Symbian and others, but without the one-line implementation.

Apple lands patent for NFC-ready shopping app, could make impulse spending an iP...

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Apple lands patent for NFC-ready shopping app, could make impulse spending an iPhone tap away


Apple lands patent for NFC-ready shopping app, could make impulse spending an iPhone tap away
Apple has been filing more than its fair share of NFC-related patents, but it was just granted what could be one of its more important wins at the USPTO. The design for an "on-the-go shopping list" app would help buyers find and pull the trigger on deals through every tool an iPhone has at its disposal, whether it's taking a snapshot of goods with the camera, punching in the UPC code by hand or tapping an item for an NFC-based "touch scan." We'll admit that we're a bit disappointed at how NFC is used, however. As with an earlier filing, the very short range wireless is kept largely to price comparisons and adding products to a list for a purchase from a store clerk later on, rather than closing the deal outright as we've seen with Google Wallet. The original 2008 filing date will also have seen a lot of water flowing under the bridge; there's no guarantee that any enthusiasm for NFC from the iPhone 3G era will have transferred to the present day. Accordingly, we would be careful about drawing any connections between iOS 6's Passbook and Apple's ideas from four years ago -- even if Apple has regularly been a never-say-never sort of company.Filed under: CellphonesApple lands patent for NFC-ready shopping app, could make impulse spending an iPhone tap away originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Microsoft patents contextual ads in e-books, whether we like it or not

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Microsoft patents contextual ads in e-books, whether we like it or not


Microsoft patents contextual ads in e-books, whether we like it or not
We have ad-supported e-reading today, but the ads always sit on the periphery at most. That makes us more than slightly nervous about a newly-granted Microsoft patent for contextual e-book ads. The development would make the pitch based on not just targeted pages but the nature of the book in question: a sci-fi novel might try to sell lightsabers, and characters themselves might slip into the ads themselves if there's a fit. Promos could be either generated on the spot or remain static. Before anyone mourns the end of unspoiled literature, just remember that having a patent isn't the same as using it -- Microsoft doesn't have its own dedicated reading app anymore, let alone any warning signs that it's about to pepper our digital libraries with marketing. If the Newco partnership results in copies of War and Peace bombarded with Black Ops II ads, though, we'll know where to place the blame.Microsoft patents contextual ads in e-books, whether we like it or not originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Spotify app hits Kindle Fire, brings mobile radio and 320kbps listening

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Spotify app hits Kindle Fire, brings mobile radio and 320kbps listening


Spotify app hits Kindle Fire, brings mobile radio and 320kbps listening
Love your Kindle Fire, but find yourself habitually cursing its lack of Swedish music streaming services? Great news, Spotify's now available through everyone's favorite $200 Amazon tablet, bringing with it free custom radio stations, social functionality like the ability to view friends' playlists and 320kbps listening. Interested parties can download the app from the source link below.Filed under: Tablet PCs, SoftwareSpotify app hits Kindle Fire, brings mobile radio and 320kbps listening originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Amazon | Email this | Comments

Source says Dodge to ditch NASCAR

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:25 AM PDT

Source says Dodge to ditch NASCAR


Source says Dodge to ditch NASCAR
Penske pull-out doomed the program.

Engadget's back to school guide 2012: tablets

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:25 AM PDT

Engadget's back to school guide 2012: tablets


Engadget's back to school guide 2012: tablets
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're leaning back with our tablets -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of August we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- you can hit up the hub page right here! Your back may be straining from the textbooks, laptop, gym gear and lunch in that dangling overstuffed messenger, but you're still gonna want to save room for one more item -- a tablet. After all, while you can surf, tweet, play games and watch video from your other devices, there's nothing like doing it from a simple glass window that sits in the palm of your hand. As the hardware gets more powerful, these devices are rapidly becoming versatile enough to let you justify leaving the laptop at home on less-intensive days, so why not check out our picks of the finest devices you should be using and abusing before, during and after class. Continue reading Engadget's back to school guide 2012: tabletsFiled under: Tablet PCsEngadget's back to school guide 2012: tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments