Subscribe:

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Shops Online

Shops Online

BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 03:26 PM PDT

BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on


BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on
RIM's attempts to get a cellular-equipped version of the BlackBerry PlayBook have been troubled, to say the least. The company signalled its intentions around Mobile World Congress last February, only to watch as carriers backed off -- partly as RIM focused its attention on LTE, and partly after carriers grew skittish over sales of the WiFi version. A year and a half later, we finally have an LTE version, and with a faster 1.5GHz processor to boot. But do 4G data and a processor bump make all the difference? And does the upgrade stand a realistic shot in a competitive field that has moved on since the original PlayBook? We'll find out in our hands-on. Gallery: BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTEContinue reading BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-onFiled under: Tablet PCs, WirelessBlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:47 PM PDT

BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on


BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on
RIM's attempts to get a cellular-equipped version of the BlackBerry PlayBook have been troubled, to say the least. The company signalled its intentions around Mobile World Congress last February, only to watch as carriers backed off -- partly as RIM focused its attention on LTE, and partly after carriers grew skittish over sales of the WiFi version. A year and a half later, we finally have an LTE version, and with a faster 1.5GHz processor to boot. But do 4G data and a processor bump make all the difference? And does the upgrade stand a realistic shot in a competitive field that has moved on since the original PlayBook? We'll find out in our hands-on. Gallery: BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTEContinue reading BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-onFiled under: Tablet PCs, WirelessBlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Chinese Manufacturers, Carriers And Developers Form an Alliance to Block Apple’s...

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:09 PM PDT

Chinese Manufacturers, Carriers And Developers Form an Alliance to Block Apple's Siri in China


Chinese Manufacturers, Carriers And Developers Form an Alliance to Block Apple's Siri in China
Chinese companies don't view Siri in a favorable light, hence the creation of the Speech Industry Alliance of China (SIAC). They are willing to offer an alternative that is supposed to work better with Mandarin and Cantonese. In fact, iOS 6 will include a new version of Siri that understands and speaks Mandarin and Cantonese. It is a threat for Chinese mobile phone manufacturers, carriers and speech recognition software developers and it needs to be addressed. One of the key points behind that new strategy is that developing speech recognition for multi-tone oriental languages is very hard. Apparently, according to early tests of Mandarin and Cantonese support in iOS 6 beta, it is still lacking and the alliance hopes to take advantage of that.

Consumer Reports calls out "Five Popular Cars To Avoid," including Prius C

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:09 PM PDT

Consumer Reports calls out "Five Popular Cars To Avoid," including Prius C


Consumer Reports calls out "Five Popular Cars To Avoid," including Prius C
Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota Those crusaders of shopping empowerment over at Consumer Reports have put together a list of five cars to avoid, even if their sales numbers suggest otherwise. CR points out that just because a vehicle is making a lot of buzz and ringing cash registers, that doesn't necessarily make it a wise choice for buyers. According to the report, these are vehicles that either tested poorly or have been experiencing poor reliability in their new car surveys. Perhaps of little surprise is the presence of the Honda Civic on this list. The latest Civic has been getting dinged by auto critics left and right, and CR specifically points to a "Choppy ride, noisy cabin, vague steering, and mediocre interior quality" as reasons for its inclusion on the list. Its a good thing, then, that a short-term update is its way. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Consumer Reports once again voices its disapproval of the Toyota Prius C. We knew they weren't in love with it when they reviewed it back in May, and apparently the passage of time hasn't softened their opinions of Toyota's least-expensive hybrid. Check out the gallery of all five cars that Consumer Reports is telling buyers to avoid and then weigh in with your thought in Comments.Consumer Reports calls out "Five Popular Cars To Avoid," including Prius C originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Klipsch revamps Image One series headphones, intros first Bluetooth variant

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:09 PM PDT

Klipsch revamps Image One series headphones, intros first Bluetooth variant


Klipsch revamps Image One series headphones, intros first Bluetooth variant
As if updating and expanding its in-ear headphone lineup wasn't enough, Klipsch has gone ahead and unveiled its revamped Image One on-ear set here at Irving Plaza in NYC. As we're told, the new Image One is acoustically similar to its predecessor, but now it has a more stylish and robust design that should hold up better over time. Notably, the headphones only have a single cable leading into the left earcup (rather than splitting into both cups like the original), and the leather earpads are now of the flat variety. Beyond that, the earcups can still fold flat and into the headband for storage in a stuffed bag, and an Apple-certified inline remote / mic will help you control your music and calls on the go. Best of all, pricing still remains set at 150 bones. Rather than just tweaking the original, however, Klipsch has decided to finally enter the wireless headphone game by offering a $250 Bluetooth-equipped variant for those who hate cords. This version looks nearly identical, with the subtle tweak of having the playback controls positioned as buttons on the outside of the right earcup. The cans sport a built-in rechargeable battery, yet the set only gains 10 grams of weight (180 grams total) on top of its wired sibling -- should the battery die, a detachable cable allows for passive functionality. What's more, audiophiles will pleased to know that aptX and A2DP support is baked-in for high-quality lossless audio streaming. If your ears are already tingling with excitement, the updated Image One and Image One Bluetooth are set to hit shelves by the end of the month. We're already putting both sets of cans through their paces here at the event, so check back soon as we'll be updating this post with our initial impressions.Continue reading Klipsch revamps Image One series headphones, intros first Bluetooth variantFiled under: WearablesKlipsch revamps Image One series headphones, intros first Bluetooth variant originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Microsoft reportedly settles on 'Windows 8' as replacement for 'Metro'

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:09 PM PDT

Microsoft reportedly settles on 'Windows 8' as replacement for 'Metro'


Microsoft reportedly settles on 'Windows 8' as replacement for 'Metro'
We've already heard that Microsoft was temporarily using "Windows 8-style UI" as a substitute for "Metro" now that the latter is on the outs, and it looks like may now have a permanent replacement. According to some unnamed sources speaking to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft has decided to simply use "Windows 8" as a name for all things once known as Metro. That means "Metro-style applications" will now be known as "Windows 8 applications," and that the "Metro user interface" will now be the "Windows 8 user interface." What's more, Foley also notes that the phrase "Windows 8 apps" has already turned up on the promo page for Lenovo's new ThinkPad Tablet 2, which also indicates that the traditional Windows 8 apps will simply be known as "desktop" apps to distinguish the two. We'll keep you posted if we hear more on the change from Microsoft itself.Filed under: SoftwareMicrosoft reportedly settles on 'Windows 8' as replacement for 'Metro' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ZDNet, Lenovo | Email this | Comments

Chilly Chair uses static electricity to raise your arm hair, force an 'emotional...

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 02:09 PM PDT

Chilly Chair uses static electricity to raise your arm hair, force an 'emotional reaction' (hands-on video)


Chilly Chair uses static electricity to raise your arm hair, force an 'emotional reaction' (hands-on video)
Hiding in the back of the SIGGRAPH Emerging Technologies demo area -- exactly where such a project might belong -- is a dark wood chair that looks anything but innocent. Created by a team at the University of Electro-Communications in Toyko, Chilly Chair, as it's called, may be a reference to the chilling feeling the device is tasked with invoking. After signing a liability waiver, attendees are welcomed to pop a squat before resting their arms atop a cool, flat metal platform hidden beneath a curved sheath that looks like something you may expect to see in Dr. Frankenstein's lab, not a crowded corridor of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Once powered up, the ominous-looking contraption serves to "enrich" the experience as you consume different forms of media, be it watching a movie or listening to some tunes. It works by using a power source to pump 10 kV of juice to an electrode, which then polarizes a dielectric plate, causing it to attract your body hair. After signing our life away with the requisite waiver, we sat down and strapped in for the ride. Despite several minutes of build-up, the entire experience concluded in what seemed like only a few seconds. A projection screen in front of the chair lit up to present a warning just as we felt the hairs jet directly towards the sheath above. By the time we rose, there was no visual evidence of the previous state, though we have no doubt that the Chilly Chair succeeded in raising hair (note: the experience didn't come close to justifying the exaggerated reaction you may have noticed above). It's difficult to see how this could be implemented in future home theater setups, especially considering all the extra hardware currently required, but it could potentially add another layer of immersion to those novelty 4D attractions we can't seem to avoid during visits to the amusement park. You can witness our Chilly Chair experience in the hands-on video after the break.Gallery: Chilly Chair hands-onContinue reading Chilly Chair uses static electricity to raise your arm hair, force an 'emotional reaction' (hands-on video)Filed under: Household, ScienceChilly Chair uses static electricity to raise your arm hair, force an 'emotional reaction' (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | SIGGRAPH | Email this | Comments

A guide to Slackware and Arch Linux: getting your hands dirty with Linux

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 01:35 PM PDT

A guide to Slackware and Arch Linux: getting your hands dirty with Linux


A guide to Slackware and Arch Linux: getting your hands dirty with Linux
Back in 1991, a computer science student named Linus Torvalds announced on a newsgroup that he was creating a "hobby OS." That hobby was Linux, and today it's much more than a tinkerer's operating system, with availability on all manner of hardware and a seemingly unlimited array of flavors, or "distributions." Maybe you're new to Linux, or maybe you're itching to graduate from Ubuntu to something with a little more geek cred. Whatever the case, we're going to take the sting out of all those command prompts, using two great distros as examples.Continue reading A guide to Slackware and Arch Linux: getting your hands dirty with LinuxFiled under: SoftwareA guide to Slackware and Arch Linux: getting your hands dirty with Linux originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Warner Music Group says streaming services now account for 25 percent of digital...

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 01:01 PM PDT

Warner Music Group says streaming services now account for 25 percent of digital revenue


Warner Music Group says streaming services now account for 25 percent of digital revenue
We've been seeing plenty of evidence that streaming music services like Spotify, Pandora and Rdio are pulling in more folks than ever, and we now also have a good idea of how that growth is affecting the bottom lines of music labels. In its third quarter earnings report, Warner Music Group revealed that streaming services now account for a full 25 percent of the digital revenue for its recorded music group. As AllThingsD reports, that translates to 8 percent of Warner Music's total revenue for the quarter, or about $54 million in all. What's more, that growth in streaming appears to be a net plus for the company all around, as it's apparently not cutting into traditional sales of digital music (at least, not yet), and is also bigger than the decrease in sales of physical media.Filed under: InternetWarner Music Group says streaming services now account for 25 percent of digital revenue originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink AllThingsD | Warner Music Group | Email this | Comments

Apple reportedly price matching iPhone discounts from carriers and other retailers

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 01:01 PM PDT

Apple reportedly price matching iPhone discounts from carriers and other retailers


Apple reportedly price matching iPhone discounts from carriers and other retailers
According to a leaked screengrab hosted up at MacRumors, Apple retail shops now have the authority to price match carrier and rival retail discounts on iPhone. Specifically, the note informs employees that prices from Best Buy, "carriers," Radio Shack and Target can be matched, with $49.01 seeming to be the savings across the board. Curiously, places like Wirefly, Amazon, Negri Electronics and even Walmart aren't mentioned, so we wouldn't recommend trying to work the price down based on ads seen from any of those. The note also mentions the iPhone 4 and 4S exclusively, and we're fairly sure this sort of goodwill won't ever been applied to iPad, Mac hardware or pretty much any other Apple kit. Of course, crazier things have happened. We've reached out to Apple for comment, and will update this article should it choose to reply.Filed under: CellphonesApple reportedly price matching iPhone discounts from carriers and other retailers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MacRumors | Email this | Comments

Porsche Preps Wagon Concept

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 01:01 PM PDT

Porsche Preps Wagon Concept


Porsche Preps Wagon Concept
Panamera-based shooting-brake to preview at the Paris Motor Show.

General Motors invests in NanoSteel, hopes to lighten its load

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 01:01 PM PDT

General Motors invests in NanoSteel, hopes to lighten its load


General Motors invests in NanoSteel, hopes to lighten its load
What's the simplest way to improve fuel efficiency? Build a lighter car, of course. That's GM's plan, at least, and it's taking its first step toward a more efficient future by investing in a nano-structured materials design firm called NanoSteel. "Over the next several years, light-weighting of vehicles will be a major focus area to improve fuel economy." GM's Jon Lauckner said of the deal. The nano-structured Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) GM's betting on has the potential to shave excess pounds off of a vehicle without sacrificing structural integrity. It's easier to work with too, and can be shaped and cut without being heated. The size of GM's contribution to the cause hasn't been disclosed, but NanoSteel CEO Dave Paratore seems encouraged by the partnership, stating that it will allow them to "accelerate the final phases of development" for its nano-structured AHSS. Maybe together, the two firms can meet President Obama's 2025 mileage goal. Read on for the official press release.Continue reading General Motors invests in NanoSteel, hopes to lighten its loadFiled under: Misc. Gadgets, TransportationGeneral Motors invests in NanoSteel, hopes to lighten its load originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wired | | Email this | Comments

OTA Update Center encourages PC-free upgrades for custom Android ROMs

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 12:17 PM PDT

OTA Update Center encourages PC-free upgrades for custom Android ROMs


OTA Update Center encourages PC-free upgrades for custom Android ROMs
Over-the-air firmware updates are mainstays for most smartphone platforms, but custom ROM builders have rarely had such a luxury, even with Android. The OTA Update Center wants to shoulder that noble burden. Along with simply hosting the updates to prevent outrageous bandwidth bills, the Center enables everything an Android ROM creator might need, such as update checks, on-device firmware flashing and wiping either a cache or all user data for the more dramatic upgrades. In practice, the real perk is the cost: it's free to use, so everyone from hobbyists to seasoned teams can take advantage. While the list of those either using or planning to use the OTAUC isn't public, we're hoping it leads to a few more experimental builds of CyanogenMod and other ROMs that can now get the same tender loving care as the official code.Filed under: CellphonesOTA Update Center encourages PC-free upgrades for custom Android ROMs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink XDA-Developers, The Verge | OTA Update Center | Email this | Comments

Gartner reports Western Europe desktop shipments down, portable PCs up in Q2 2012

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:45 AM PDT

Gartner reports Western Europe desktop shipments down, portable PCs up in Q2 2012


Gartner reports Western Europe desktop shipments down, portable PCs up in Q2 2012
When it comes to technology and the end of a financial quarter, you can bet your wage there'll be an analyst report or two letting you what's what. And according to Gartner's latest estimates for Western Europe, PCs didn't fare too well in Q2 of this year, with a 2.4 percent decrease in shipments compared with the same period in 2011. Consignments of mobile PCs (read: not tablets) grew by 4 percent, while desktops floundered, dropping 12.8 percent. Of this, a minor growth of 0.4 percent was recorded in consumer PCs, while the professional market decreased by 5.3 percent. Among the big hitters, HP remained at the top of the pile despite losing some market share, and Acer remained in second position with a mild increase in the same. ASUS put in a healthy performance, moving the company up to bronze medal position, while Dell dropped off the podium to fourth. The vendor statistics for the whole region were echoed in France in Germany, but during the quarter Apple managed to break into the top five in the UK market. Meike Escherich, principal analyst at Gartner, attributes the overall performance to economic uncertainty in the region, as well as lackluster demand in the wait for Windows 8 machines. We don't want to spoil all the fun, so a comprehensive breakdown of the numbers awaits you at the source link.Filed under: Desktops, LaptopsGartner reports Western Europe desktop shipments down, portable PCs up in Q2 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TechCrunch | Gartner | Email this | Comments

MIT Media Lab's Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-o...

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:45 AM PDT

MIT Media Lab's Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-on video)


MIT Media Lab's Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-on video)
Glasses-free 3D may be the next logical step in TV's evolution, but we have yet to see a convincing device make it to market that doesn't come along with a five-figure price tag. The sets that do come within range of tickling our home theater budgets won't blow you away, and it's not unreasonable to expect that trend to continue through the next few product cycles. A dramatic adjustment in our approach to glasses-free 3D may be just what the industry needs, so you'll want to pay close attention to the MIT Media Lab's latest brew. Tensor Displays combine layered low-cost panels with some clever software that assigns and alternates the image at a rapid pace, creating depth that actually looks fairly realistic. Gordon Wetzstein, one of the project creators, explained that the solution essentially "(takes) the complexity away from the optics and (puts) it in the computation," and since software solutions are far more easily scaled than their hardware equivalent, the Tensor Display concept could result in less expensive, yet superior 3D products. We caught up with the project at SIGGRAPH, where the first demonstration included four fixed images, which employed a similar concept as the LCD version, but with backlit inkjet prints instead of motion-capable panels. Each displaying a slightly different static image, the transparencies were stacked to give the appearance of depth without the typical cost. The version that shows the most potential, however, consists of three stacked LCD panels, each displaying a sightly different pattern that flashes back and forth four times per frame of video, creating a three-dimensional effect that appears smooth and natural. The result was certainly more tolerable than the glasses-free 3D we're used to seeing, though it's surely a long way from being a viable replacement for active-glasses sets -- Wetzstein said that the solution could make its way to consumers within the next five years. Currently, the technology works best in a dark room, where it's able to present a consistent image. Unfortunately, this meant the light levels around the booth were a bit dimmer than what our camera required, resulting in the underexposed, yet very informative hands-on video you'll see after the break.Gallery: MIT Media Lab Tensor Displays hands-onContinue reading MIT Media Lab's Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-on video)Filed under: Displays, Home EntertainmentMIT Media Lab's Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MIT Media Lab | Email this | Comments

Mitsubishi "temporarily suspends" making electric Peugeot Ion, Citroen C-Zero

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:10 AM PDT

Mitsubishi "temporarily suspends" making electric Peugeot Ion, Citroen C-Zero


Mitsubishi "temporarily suspends" making electric Peugeot Ion, Citroen C-Zero
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Mitsubishi, Citroen, Peugeot Despite some popular deals available for limited times and long-distance adventures, the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot Ion were never big sellers. Now, Mitsubishi has decided that it's not worth it to build the electric vehicles for PSA any more.Automotive News reports that overall slow sales of the two electric cars - for the first half of 2012, 852 Ions and 935 C-Zeros were sold - mean an indefinite hiatus for the European jellybeans. A Mitsubishi representative told AN that, "This is a matter of PSA adjusting its orders to market demand. ... Our production total is lower than what we had originally hoped for." The Ion and C-Zero are both rebadged versions of the i-MiEV that Mitsubishi makes in Japan. Christine Jew, senior specialist, product communications, for Mitsubishi Motors North America, told AutoblogGreen that, "Yes, supply to PSA has been temporarily suspended, however production and sales of i-MiEVs around the world continues as usual. Therefore, this does not affect U.S. production of the i-MiEV."Mitsubishi "temporarily suspends" making electric Peugeot Ion, Citroen C-Zero originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony Xperia tablet reappears in new photos, adds a few more details

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:10 AM PDT

Sony Xperia tablet reappears in new photos, adds a few more details


Sony Xperia tablet reappears in new photos, adds a few more details
While most of the intrigue about Sony's next tablet evaporated in a barrage of leaked slides, a few press renders offer us a closer look at the Tablet S replacement. Proudly emblazoned with the Xperia brand, the tablet steps closer to Sony's smartphone family, with a texturized backing likely to keep fingertips happy. We've included a second picture after the break, showing that a substantial bezel is still part of the design and confirming that we'll be playing with Android 4.0, if not Google's very latest OS. XDA-developers has a few more images to show off at the link below.Continue reading Sony Xperia tablet reappears in new photos, adds a few more detailsFiled under: Tablet PCsSony Xperia tablet reappears in new photos, adds a few more details originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Unwired View | XDA-developers | Email this | Comments

Samsung files for patent on safe taxi service, we hope we never fully test it

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:10 AM PDT

Samsung files for patent on safe taxi service, we hope we never fully test it


Samsung files for patent on safe taxi service, we hope we never fully test it
Anyone who often relies on taxi service to get around, as good as it can be, has likely had a driver who was less than courteous -- and in the worst cases, outright scary. Samsung wants to keep passengers safe, and drivers honest, through a just-published patent application for an end-to-end taxi service. On a basic level, it's a taxi finder with a rating system: the mobile app in the patent can hail a nearby cab based on the driver's "kindness" rating and verify that it's the right vehicle with a short-range wireless link, not unlike an even more genteel version of Uber. It's when passengers hop inside that Samsung's implementation takes on a more distinct shape. If the driver puts customers or the whole cab in danger, a passenger-activated SOS mode flags the car's location to get the police on the scene before it's too late. We don't know how likely Samsung is to implement such a system, although it has been actively developing more advanced backseat technology and filed the US patent in February, a year after its Korean equivalent. We do know this is one of the few patents we'd rather not completely experience first-hand -- the only crazy taxis we're comfortable with sit inside game consoles.Filed under: TransportationSamsung files for patent on safe taxi service, we hope we never fully test it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Google Translate For Android Gets Pumped Up With Picture Translations

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:10 AM PDT

Google Translate For Android Gets Pumped Up With Picture Translations


Google Translate For Android Gets Pumped Up With Picture Translations
As is their wont, the folks at Google pushed out a nifty new update for its Translate for Android app earlier today, and it packs a handful of new goodies for the lexically inquisitive to play with. The feature that's gotten the most love is the app's new camera support (seen above). Curious users can snap photos of foreign text from directly within Google Translate, and furiously swipe their fingers over the specific tidbits to be translated.

Engadget Podcast 305 - 08.09.2012

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 11:09 AM PDT

Engadget Podcast 305 - 08.09.2012


Engadget Podcast 305 - 08.09.2012
Robots are so advanced these days that they even know how to make themselves prevalent during otherwise-humdrum news weeks to get themselves extra-featured on important and widely-listened-to technology audio programs. Almost live, from Portland, it's the mechanized takeover of The Engadget Podcast. Don't worry: the worst they can do is crush you underfoot. Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian HeaterProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Orbital - Never 02:28 - Microsoft launches Outlook.com, a new email service with limited ads, unlimited storage and built-in Skype 06:58 - Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 official: Windows 8, NFC and a fingerprint reader, arrives in October 11:30 - RIM chief: we looked 'seriously' at Android, didn't want to join the herd 14:32 - Apple seizes on Samsung internal document as proof of mimicry 18:53 - CE-Oh no he didn't!: Acer's JT Wang tells Microsoft to 'think twice' about Surface 23:24 - NASA's Curiosity Mars landing successful, first pictures trickling in (video) 27:42 - WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the project (video) 31:16 - Stompy gets off the ground with a Kickstarter: buy a ride on a 2-ton hexabot 33:33 - Cranial Drilling Device puts a hole in skulls, not brains 34:52 - Rethinking the robot hand at Harvard (video) 35:54 - TakkTile turns digital barometers into open-source robot touch sensors 37:22 - SLIPS liquid repeller is inspired by carnivorous plants, enemy to insects and graffiti artists alikeHear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace. Download the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast Send your questions to @tim_stevens. Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005) E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot comFiled under: PodcastsEngadget Podcast 305 - 08.09.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Using The iPhone’s Front-Facing Camera, Cardiio Measures Your Heartrate

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 10:34 AM PDT

Using The iPhone's Front-Facing Camera, Cardiio Measures Your Heartrate


Using The iPhone's Front-Facing Camera, Cardiio Measures Your Heartrate
It's still relatively early in mobile health, although there are glucose monitors that can be tacked onto iPhones, heart rate and sleep monitoring apps and of course, plenty of exercise and diet-tracking products. Now that many basic product concepts have been laid out, it's time for iteration. Enter Cardiio, a startup and graduate of the Rock Health incubator. Founded by a team of Ph.Ds out of MIT's Media Lab, the company has built a $4.99 heart rate monitoring app that doesn't require you to touch the iPhone's camera. It actually doesn't require any contact aside from holding the phone so that the front-facing camera captures your face. From that, Cardiio's sensors can pick up minute changes in the color of your face that indicate heart rate.

TiVo Premiere 4 confirmed early, promises a 4-tuner DVR for the masses

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:59 AM PDT

TiVo Premiere 4 confirmed early, promises a 4-tuner DVR for the masses


TiVo Premiere 4 confirmed early, promises a 4-tuner DVR for the masses
TiVo owners who've wanted to record any more than two shows at a time or use more recent technology like MoCA have had to look towards the wallet-busting Premiere XL4, at least if they didn't happen to rely on a cable provider bundling the Premiere Q. Thankfully, TiVo has told Zatz Not Funny that a more affordable Premiere 4 option is on the way. The new DVR will still require QAM digital cable or FiOS TV for its tuners to sing, but its 500GB of space will likely lead to a significant price cut versus the 2TB-touting XL4 -- if also a whole lot of deleted old shows. MoCA, an eSATA port and a single CableCARD slot will carry over, so there's few other penalties in store for those who pass on the XL4 flagship. We don't have any official word on the launch strategy so far, although one loose-lipped rep has floated the rumor of a release within the next one to two months at $250 price tag. If true, the Premiere 4 will go a long way towards satisfying TV junkies who are more concerned about catching every show in a crowded prime time slot (and a lower cost) than digging through months-old archives.Filed under: Home EntertainmentTiVo Premiere 4 confirmed early, promises a 4-tuner DVR for the masses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Zatz Not Funny | Email this | Comments

Amazon Cloud Player now lets you play content on your Sonos system, helps get th...

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:59 AM PDT

Amazon Cloud Player now lets you play content on your Sonos system, helps get the party started


Amazon Cloud Player now lets you play content on your Sonos system, helps get the party started
Along with letting us know it had pleasantly updated its Cloud Player with 256 Kbps matched files, Amazon also briefly mentioned that Sonos compatibility would be coming sometime "soon." Well, it turns out you won't have to wait much longer to blast those jams on your HiFi wireless speakers, as the online retailer's announced its Cloud Player can now be used with any Sonos system. Naturally, the experience will be enhanced by using one of Amazon's apps, including those on iOS and, of course, its own Kindle Fire -- though you're not limited to these, as there are plenty more ways to stream content. Sound good? You can give it a try yourself now, or check out the meaty presser after the break if you're interested in perusing over the official notes.Continue reading Amazon Cloud Player now lets you play content on your Sonos system, helps get the party startedFiled under: Home Entertainment, Wireless, SoftwareAmazon Cloud Player now lets you play content on your Sonos system, helps get the party started originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Amazon | Email this | Comments

Engadget's back to school guide 2012: e-readers

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:26 AM PDT

Engadget's back to school guide 2012: e-readers


Engadget's back to school guide 2012: e-readers
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 flippin' through the pages on our e-readers -- 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 the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Most of us are still walking around hunchbacked from years of carrying heavy textbooks in our overstuffed backpacks. Thankfully, an e-reader can significantly lighten the loads for students everywhere. Sure, we've still got a ways to go before electronic devices can replace textbooks altogether, but in the long run, they could significantly impact the postures of backpack wearers all over. Jump past the break for our recommendations, and another opportunity to enter our back to school giveaway. Simply leave a comment at the bottom to be entered to win, and head over to our giveaway page for more details. Continue reading Engadget's back to school guide 2012: e-readersEngadget's back to school guide 2012: e-readers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Blink Twice: New Car Look-Alikes

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:26 AM PDT

Blink Twice: New Car Look-Alikes


Blink Twice: New Car Look-Alikes
Big-mouth grilles, portholes – when is a design cue more than a trend?

Watch Audi's R8 E-Tron quickly and quietly round the 'Ring in 8:09

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:51 AM PDT

Watch Audi's R8 E-Tron quickly and quietly round the 'Ring in 8:09


Watch Audi's R8 E-Tron quickly and quietly round the 'Ring in 8:09
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Audi, Racing Silent but deadly fast. The Audi R8 E-Tron may set the record for a production EV on the Nurbürgring in June, but the video of Marcus Winkelhock won't win any awards for its sound track. During the eight minutes, nine seconds of driving, the car offers hardly any sound. Gone is the thunder of Audi's V8 or V10 revving through every corner. Instead, it's tire squeals and wind noise. The 375-horsepower electric engines hardly make a sound. But that time is certainly not slow, falling just five seconds short of the R8 with a V8. Audi promises that this car, which arrives later this year, will be identical to the one that raced on the famed German course. Though, as we pointed out before, it will have its speed limited to 125 mph. It should also have a range of 135 miles.Scroll down to see the entire lap.Continue reading Watch Audi's R8 E-Tron quickly and quietly round the 'Ring in 8:09Watch Audi's R8 E-Tron quickly and quietly round the 'Ring in 8:09 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

YouTube video editing brings in real-time previews, trims UI down to the basics

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:51 AM PDT

YouTube video editing brings in real-time previews, trims UI down to the basics


YouTube video editing brings in real-time previews, trims UI down to the basics
YouTube's video editing suite is officially a toddler in human years, so it's about time that it grew a little more beyond learning how to walk and talk. By far the most conspicuous sign of maturity is a new real-time preview that shows edits and filter options as you play -- you'll now know if that effects filter at 1:37 is festive or just gaudy. The overall interface is also a little more buttoned-down with a simpler interface that cuts back on unnecessary clutter. YouTube has been rolling out the editor update in recent hours and may have wrapped up by the time you're reading this, which we'd take as a cue to start producing that streaming masterpiece.Filed under: InternetYouTube video editing brings in real-time previews, trims UI down to the basics originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | YouTube Creators | Email this | Comments

Google to pay $22.5 million to settle FTC charges over tracking cookies in Apple...

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:51 AM PDT

Google to pay $22.5 million to settle FTC charges over tracking cookies in Apple's Safari browser


Google to pay $22.5 million to settle FTC charges over tracking cookies in Apple's Safari browser
Google has agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle its dispute with the FTC, over the company's role in bypassing browser settings in Apple's Safari web browser. Although it stated that it wouldn't use tracking cookies or targeted ads to the web browser, a loophole was discovered that allowed them, violating a previous privacy settlement between the FTC and Google.Filed under: InternetGoogle to pay $22.5 million to settle FTC charges over tracking cookies in Apple's Safari browser originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FTC | Email this | Comments

Quick Spin: 2013 Dodge Dart

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:16 AM PDT

Quick Spin: 2013 Dodge Dart


Quick Spin: 2013 Dodge Dart
Dodge finally offers a refined, competitive compact sedan.

OUYA console pre-order now available for non-backers starting at $109, slated to...

Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:16 AM PDT

OUYA console pre-order now available for non-backers starting at $109, slated to ship in April


OUYA console pre-order now available for non-backers starting at $109, slated to ship in April
Miss out on your chance to snag the Android-based gaming console during OUYA's Kickstarter tour-de-force? Worry not, friends. The outfit has opened up pre-orders it promised for those who didn't take the plunge initially via on its website. While you will have to wait another month to get your mitts on a kit of your very own, the second round of advance purchasing will set you back $109 for US customers and $119 for those abroad. Included in the aforementioned price tag is the console, a single controller and the requisite shipping costs. Hit up the source link below to part with your funds and begin the waiting period.Filed under: GamingOUYA console pre-order now available for non-backers starting at $109, slated to ship in April originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Slashgear | OUYA | Email this | Comments