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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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GE launches eye-pleasing WattStation Wall EV charger in Europe

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:36 AM PDT

GE launches eye-pleasing WattStation Wall EV charger in Europe


GE launches eye-pleasing WattStation Wall EV charger in Europe
Every EV needs juice, but GE likes to dispense it in style, and it's sticking to that mantra with its new, wall-mounted version of the WattStation. The weather-resistant charging point has been launched in Europe, and is available for your home or business in a buffet of custom colors. The WattStation Wall plays nicely with type 1 / 2 plugs and type 2 / 3 sockets under the supervision of GE's smartphone app for monitoring usage and remote charging. A networked version is also due in early 2013 for businesses that want greater control and billing options through the WattStation Connect platform. The PR mentions it supports connections common to Europe, USA and Japan, so we assume it'll also be sticking to walls outside the Continent before too long. If you're not sold on the design, maybe the saving on garage floor space will persuade you -- unless you're set on a Hiriko, of course.Continue reading GE launches eye-pleasing WattStation Wall EV charger in EuropeFiled under: TransportationGE launches eye-pleasing WattStation Wall EV charger in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Ringya Lets You Snap Photos Of Paper Lists & Business Cards To Create Contact Gr...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Ringya Lets You Snap Photos Of Paper Lists & Business Cards To Create Contact Groups On iPhone


Ringya Lets You Snap Photos Of Paper Lists & Business Cards To Create Contact Groups On iPhone
If you've ever needed a better way to manage your contact lists directly on your iPhone, a new app called Ringya (yeah I know, kind of a dopey name, but stay with me here) can help. But what makes this Address Book replacement app interesting is one of the methods it supports for adding contacts to your groups: you can just take a picture of a contact list that's printed out on paper. That may seem like a niche use case (who uses paper?!), but it's actually surprisingly helpful. I've already found a handful of paper lists sitting around my house, and for business users, it's likely even more common.

HTC Windows Phone 8S hands-on: a bright Windows phone that holds promise (video)

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:06 AM PDT

HTC Windows Phone 8S hands-on: a bright Windows phone that holds promise (video)


HTC Windows Phone 8S hands-on: a bright Windows phone that holds promise (video)
HTC is making a two-pronged attack on Windows Phone 8, and while it may not match up to the specs on its new flagship, Windows Phone 8S by HTC (yes, that's the official moniker) has some charm all of its own. The screen is a pretty underwhelming Gorilla Glass-coated 4-inch WVGA LCD, with a similarly middleweight 5-megapixel camera peering out from the other side. Given that it's looking to be priced closer to the One V than the One S, we're not all that surprised. The phone itself is a good-looking slab, thanks to the breezy color schemes and while the build is certainly solid enough, we'd be hard-pressed to put it in league with the 8X, which felt at home in our hand from the start. The 8S is cocooned in a matte plastic finish, arriving in four different color options -- depending on carrier and territory. The two-tone color scheme, aside from a few color licks around the lens and ear piece, keeps the second color limited to the bottom edge and the detachable cap. This offers access to the microSD slot (upgrading the built-in 4GB of storage up to 32GB), but like the 8X, no access to the battery. Yep, these new Windows Phones look nothing like HTC's One series, and while the same design studio is responsible, this time, it took its inspiration from Microsoft's tile interface. There's a dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon S4 processor inside, but the phone wasn't quite ready to be put completely through its paces. While the software was still locked down, but you can take a video tour -- and read more of our hardware impressions -- after the break.Gallery: Windows Phone 8S hands-onContinue reading HTC Windows Phone 8S hands-on: a bright Windows phone that holds promise (video)Filed under: Cellphones, MobileHTC Windows Phone 8S hands-on: a bright Windows phone that holds promise (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Windows Phone 8X coming to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in November

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Windows Phone 8X coming to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in November


Windows Phone 8X coming to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in November
We just had a chance to see and handle the colorful Windows Phone 8X by HTC, but where will we find it in the US? On stage, the company told us that the new device will be heading to three major carriers: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. All three operators should be pushing the device out sometime in November, though we're still waiting to hear specifics on pricing -- and we also haven't been told details on the availability of the lower-end Windows Phone 8S. Check out our liveblog coverage of HTC's Windows Phone 8 launch event!Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileWindows Phone 8X coming to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in November originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Google, Amazon, Facebook and more confirmed as members of the Internet Association

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Google, Amazon, Facebook and more confirmed as members of the Internet Association


Google, Amazon, Facebook and more confirmed as members of the Internet Association
Pitching itself as the first trade alliance to represent the concerns of the online economy, the Internet Association lobbying group has just confirmed its member companies and policy platform. As suspected Amazon, Facebook, eBay, and Google are joined by other large tech firms, under the leadership of Capitol Hill advisor Michael Beckerman, to form the umbrella public policy organization. Citing its three main areas of focus as protecting internet freedom, fostering innovation and economic growth, and empowering users, the Internet Association will represent regulatory and political interests of its member companies, and their employees. There is no word on what the first freedom or innovation to benefit from the associations collaborative-clout will be, but while we wait to find out, you can lobby on the source link for the Mission- and Purpose-statement containing press release.Continue reading Google, Amazon, Facebook and more confirmed as members of the Internet AssociationFiled under: Internet, AltGoogle, Amazon, Facebook and more confirmed as members of the Internet Association originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Internet Association (Fact Sheet) | Email this | Comments

Scopely, The Mobile-Social Gaming Platform From AdSense’s Co-Creator, Raises $8.5M

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Scopely, The Mobile-Social Gaming Platform From AdSense's Co-Creator, Raises $8.5M


Scopely, The Mobile-Social Gaming Platform From AdSense's Co-Creator, Raises $8.5M
There are a handful of startups that are going to build mobile-social gaming platforms or die trying. Los Angeles' Scopely is one of the latest. The company, from AdSense Co-creator Eytan Elbaz, is closing $8.5 million in funding in a round led by Anthem Venture Partners. Over the past year, the company has grown to about 30, luring engineers with promises of $11,000 in bacon-wrapped cash and spear guns. (No joke. See the picture to the left. And they gave hires their own personal oil portrait too.)

HTC Officially Reveals The 8X: 4.3-Inch 720p Display, 1.5GHz Dual-Core Processor...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:06 AM PDT

HTC Officially Reveals The 8X: 4.3-Inch 720p Display, 1.5GHz Dual-Core Processor, Beats Audio


HTC Officially Reveals The 8X: 4.3-Inch 720p Display, 1.5GHz Dual-Core Processor, Beats Audio
HTC has been one of Microsoft's longest-standing mobile partners (think back to the Windows Mobile days), and today the Taiwanese company officially pulled back the curtains on the newest fruit of that partnership: the Windows Phone 8-powered HTC 8X. Let's get one thing out of the way up-front: the 8X is slated to hit the market in early November (just after Windows 8 gets its official release), but surprise surprise -- there's been firm word on exactly when it will launch, or how much it'll cost once it does. That said, HTC President Jason Mackenzie has just confirmed that the 8X and its little brother will soon hit AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

Former NVIDIA mobile chief Mike Rayfield lands at Micron Technology

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:05 AM PDT

Former NVIDIA mobile chief Mike Rayfield lands at Micron Technology


Former NVIDIA mobile chief Mike Rayfield lands at Micron Technology
Micron Technology is adding Mike Rayfield as the brains to its newly-doubled manufacturing brawn. NVIDIA's departing mobile chief was instrumental in producing Tegra 3, the hardware behind flagship devices like HTC's One X and Google's Nexus 7. He's been given the slightly misleading job title as VP of the company's Wireless Solutions Group, which, despite the name, produces DRAM, NAND and NOR Flash memory for the global smartphone market -- and given his track record, it's likely that we'll be seeing much more of Micron's memory in the years to comeContinue reading Former NVIDIA mobile chief Mike Rayfield lands at Micron TechnologyFiled under: CellphonesFormer NVIDIA mobile chief Mike Rayfield lands at Micron Technology originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink AllThingsD | | Email this | Comments

HTC announces Windows Phone 8S: a mid-range Microsoft handset for the fashion co...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:32 AM PDT

HTC announces Windows Phone 8S: a mid-range Microsoft handset for the fashion conscious


HTC announces Windows Phone 8S: a mid-range Microsoft handset for the fashion conscious
The Windows Phone 8 era is swinging into full effect. Nokia's big launch event was only a few short weeks ago, now HTC is enjoying its time in the spotlight with two handsets of its own. The Windows Phone 8S makes no mystery of its platform choice and, like the One S, indicates its midrange status with a simple alphabetic suffix. This four-inch phone will be shipping with HSPA on board. Unfortunately there's no word on an LTE edition of this rather handsome device. Spec-wise, the WVGA screen leaves us a little wanting, but we appreciate the combination of Super LCD and Gorilla Glass, which should make for a contrasty and scratch resistant panel. Under the hood is a dual-core S4 clocked at 1GHz, which is hardly a speed demon by todays standards, but should be enough to keep Microsoft's streamlined OS humming along nicely. The CPU is augmented by 512MB of RAM, which isn't any beefier than most Mango phones prepping for retirement. A paltry 4GB of storage is baked in, but thankfully HTC saw fit to include a microSD slot for expansion. Those rather modest internals should help the handset make the most of the 1,700 mAh battery at least. Sadly, the Taiwanese manufacturer decided to skip a front-facing cam on its entry level device and the sensor around back is only 5MP and limited to 720p video capture. At 10.28mm thick the 8S isn't the sleekest handset, but the tapered edges make look quite a bit thinner than that measurement would indicate. There's no denying the appeal of the two-tone polycarbonate bodies, regardless of comparative girth, which feature soft touch finishes in veritable rainbow of options. Pricing has yet to be announced, but you can expect the 8S to hit shelves in early November on a number of carriers. Full PR awaits after the break.Continue reading HTC announces Windows Phone 8S: a mid-range Microsoft handset for the fashion consciousFiled under: Cellphones, MobileHTC announces Windows Phone 8S: a mid-range Microsoft handset for the fashion conscious originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Windows Phone 8X by HTC: 4.3-inch 720p display, LTE, dual-core S4, available thi...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:32 AM PDT

Windows Phone 8X by HTC: 4.3-inch 720p display, LTE, dual-core S4, available this November


Windows Phone 8X by HTC: 4.3-inch 720p display, LTE, dual-core S4, available this November
Consider this Microsoft's ultimate blessing, or merely a way to guarantee household name recognition. Whatever the case, the company's next-gen Apollo OS is not only powering HTC's newest mobile movement, it's also the headliner. That's right, as clunky as it may initially seem, Windows Phone 8X is the official moniker of the OEM's brightly hued flagship series, an alphabetical denomination that puts it on premium standing with the One X line. And thanks to the loosened spec restraints made possible by WP8, this modern-minded, unibodied beaut reps a 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 Super LCD 2 display with Gorilla Glass 2 coating, dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor buffered by 1GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage, WiFi a/b/g/n, NFC and an integrated 1,800mAh Li-ion battery. There's also quadband radio support for GSM/GPRS/EDGE, HSPA/WCDMA (850, 900, 1900, 2100MHz) and, of course, LTE for stateside carriers. Though the 8X may share the same boldly colored, polycarbonate construction of its live-tiled Lumia frenemies, it also stands apart with the inclusion of two HTC-specific features: Beats Audio, replete with a built-in amplifier, and ImageChip for continuous shooting. And speaking of optics, this device's dual camera setup packs the combined punch of a 2.1-megapixel front-facer with 88-degree ultra-wide-angle lens and an 8-megapixel rear module with an f/2.0 lens accompanied by a single LED flash -- both capable of 1080p video capture. While the veil of mystery surrounding this latest tech industry collaboration may have just lifted, you'll still have to wait a bit before it heads to retail. After all, Microsoft's planning its own WP8 coming out party for late October -- a reveal that should finally give us a full look at the smartphone UI formerly known as Metro. With a ship date set for sometime this November, the 8X will be available in four distinct colors - California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Yellow -- on over 150 carriers worldwide. No word on final pricing as of yet. So, until then, sate yourself with this first taste. Official PR after the break.Continue reading Windows Phone 8X by HTC: 4.3-inch 720p display, LTE, dual-core S4, available this NovemberFiled under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileWindows Phone 8X by HTC: 4.3-inch 720p display, LTE, dual-core S4, available this November originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Windows Phone 8X by HTC hands-on: Microsoft's modern mobile OS personified in po...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:32 AM PDT

Windows Phone 8X by HTC hands-on: Microsoft's modern mobile OS personified in polycarbonate


Windows Phone 8X by HTC hands-on: Microsoft's modern mobile OS personified in polycarbonate
One thing's for sure: HTC's not playing it safe with the Windows Phone 8X. The flagship line, officially announced at its event in New York today, arrives emboldened not only by an array of lively hues, but also with the mark of the mighty Microsoft, itself. Yes, you need only glance at the handset's name to know this tapered, polycarbonate affair bears an intrinsic connection to the UI it aims to bolster; a symbiotic bond made all too apparent by the hard-edged, modern hull housing the equally modern, live-tiled WP8 OS. But a focus on fresh, eye-catching industrial design isn't the only tale being told by the OEM. There are specs to talk about -- compelling ones. Departing drastically from the Mango forbears that attempted to blaze a path, the 8X boasts internals that position it competitively with other contemporary smartphones, ushering WP 8 into the tech industry's here and now. In keeping with its high-end ilk, the device sports a 4.3-inch 720p Super LCD 2 display (341ppi) powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core S4 and complemented by 1GB RAM, NFC, 16GB of storage, as well as an integrated 1,800mAh battery. It should be clear from that rundown alone that this is not your Windows Phone device of yore. So, follow along as we wrap our fingers 'round its California Blue body and report back with some first impressions. Gallery: Windows Phone 8X hands-onContinue reading Windows Phone 8X by HTC hands-on: Microsoft's modern mobile OS personified in polycarbonateFiled under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileWindows Phone 8X by HTC hands-on: Microsoft's modern mobile OS personified in polycarbonate originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Live From HTC’s New York Press Event!

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:32 AM PDT

Live From HTC's New York Press Event!


Live From HTC's New York Press Event!
Here we are, in New York City, prepping for HTC's New York press event. Three phones are expected, all of which will run the very capable Windows Phone 8 OS. The invitation gave nothing away, simply asking us to "see what's next. And that we will. The lights are dim, with random barcode-esque graphics running across the screen. Perhaps that's a hint toward some NFC? Maybe? We'll have to wait and see.

Square competitor Groupon Payments launches today, promises lowest cost for reta...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:31 AM PDT

Square competitor Groupon Payments launches today, promises lowest cost for retailers


Square competitor Groupon Payments launches today, promises lowest cost for retailers
Popular deal website Groupon is venturing into the world of smart phone-based credit card payments today, launching the Groupon Payments initiative nationwide after a successful pilot program is the San Francisco Bay Area earlier this year. Groupon's boasting a guaranteed lowest cost pricing to merchants using Groupon Payments for credit card transactions -- MasterCard, Visa, and Discover will cost retailers 1.8 percent of credit card sales, plus a $0.15 per transaction fee, while American Express will cost three percent of credit card sales, plus a $0.15 per transaction fee. The biggest competition in the space comes from Square, headed by former Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, which charges a flat 2.75 percent rate on all transactions against all cards, though PayPal, Intuit, and Verifone all offer similar services. Today's news matches up directly with leaks we saw back in May, adding on that merchants will see the day's credit card purchases credited to their bank accounts overnight, rather than waiting two to three business days (per standard practice). Beyond credit card services, Groupon's Merchants app also accepts Groupon daily deals, which helps elucidate why Groupon would be interested in entering the mobile credit card payments market in the first place (beyond it being a lucrative market unto itself, of course). Interested parties can sign up over on Groupon's website, and snag the free payments app right here. Finally -- finally -- you'll be able to sell all those $10 gift certificates to Chili's you've been hoarding. Perhaps charge $5 a pop for their $10 value and ... is this a paradox? This might be a paradox.Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Internet, MobileSquare competitor Groupon Payments launches today, promises lowest cost for retailers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | BusinessWire | Email this | Comments

Vizio Co-Star review: how good a deal is this $99 Google TV box?

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:31 AM PDT

Vizio Co-Star review: how good a deal is this $99 Google TV box?


Vizio Co-Star review: how good a deal is this $99 Google TV box?
More Info Vizio Co-Star Google TV set-top box is up for pre-order, $100 brings it your way in August Vizio Co-Star teardown supplies the tech specs we never had Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV review And then there were two. We're talking about standalone Google TV boxes, folks, with the Vizio Co-Star recently joining Sony's NSZ-GS7. Both feature the same version of Google's software and come with a remote offering a full QWERTY keyboard and touchpad. But with Vizio's model selling for just $99, it's half the price of Sony's entry, so you might be wondering how extensive the differences are. Now that we've had a chance to test both, we're ready to weigh in. Read on to find out if that 50 percent price difference makes the Co-Star worth it. Continue reading Vizio Co-Star review: how good a deal is this $99 Google TV box?Filed under: Home Entertainment, HDVizio Co-Star review: how good a deal is this $99 Google TV box? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Live from HTC's NYC press event!

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:31 AM PDT

Live from HTC's NYC press event!


Live from HTC's NYC press event!
It's a fine autumn day in NYC. The air is cool, it's a little breezy and a certain Taiwanese manufacturer has invited us over to check out some cool new gadgets. What exactly does HTC have in store? Well, that's anyone's guess, but suspicions are focused on Windows Phone 8 and a certain leaked handset with the codename Accord. Check back in at the time below to get all the news as it happens live. September 19, 2012 11:00 AM EDTFiled under: Cellphones, MobileLive from HTC's NYC press event! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Evernote Pares Down, Soups Up Image Annotation App Skitch, Extends It To iPhone,...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:31 AM PDT

Evernote Pares Down, Soups Up Image Annotation App Skitch, Extends It To iPhone, iPod


Evernote Pares Down, Soups Up Image Annotation App Skitch, Extends It To iPhone, iPod
Last week it was revealed that personal data management app Evernote would integrating Skitch -- the image-editing app it acquired last year that has now seen 10 million downloads -- further into its service, grandfathering Skitch.com in the process. Today, the company showed off what that will mean, with the launch of Skitch 2.o, with new features like pixelation, instant integration with your existing Evernote account, and, for the first time, availability on iPhone and iPod touch. (That also puts it in closer quarters with Snapseed, the iPhone-based image editing app bought earlier this week by Google.)

Kobo Arc tablet hands-on (video)

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:00 AM PDT

Kobo Arc tablet hands-on (video)


Kobo Arc tablet hands-on (video)
When Kobo released the Vox, its first tablet, Engadget had just recently abolished review scores. In retrospect, that was a good thing for the company, as we didn't have very many nice things to say about it. The product suffered from short battery life, for one, along with sluggish performance and WiFi connectivity issues. It's no wonder, then, that Kobo is loathe to call its new Arc tablet a "follow-up" to the Vox so much as a "re-thinking." The tablet, which will go on sale in mid-November starting at $199, brings a faster 1.5GHz TI processor, a battery rated for 10 to 12 hours of runtime and a re-tooled software experience built on Ice Cream Sandwich. Is that enough to unseat the new Kindle Fire HD or the Nexus 7? That, friends, is a question best answered in our forthcoming review, but after a few minutes of hands-on time we can at least say that we're pleasantly surprised. Meet us past the break to find out why.Gallery: Kobo Arc hands-onContinue reading Kobo Arc tablet hands-on (video)Filed under: TabletsKobo Arc tablet hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

US Cellular will get Samsung Galaxy Note II in late October, will cost $300

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:00 AM PDT

US Cellular will get Samsung Galaxy Note II in late October, will cost $300


US Cellular will get Samsung Galaxy Note II in late October, will cost $300
We already knew that US Cellular would be getting its hands on the Galaxy Note II alongside the four national players in the US, but the company just came out with specific pricing and general availability. The device will go for $300 (after $100 mail-in rebate) and should be available in late October, though the carrier will open up its site for pre-orders starting today. If you're considering just waiting it out until they're in stores, pre-ordering the Note II comes with a perk: you won't have to bother with the mail-in rebate. USCC only appears to be offering the 16GB titanium gray option, but we'll still certainly take that over nothing at all. Check out the press release below.Continue reading US Cellular will get Samsung Galaxy Note II in late October, will cost $300Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileUS Cellular will get Samsung Galaxy Note II in late October, will cost $300 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USCC | Email this | Comments

Dice Holdings buys Slashdot, Freecode and SourceForge for $20 million

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:00 AM PDT

Dice Holdings buys Slashdot, Freecode and SourceForge for $20 million


Dice Holdings buys Slashdot, Freecode and SourceForge for $20 million
Dice Holdings, the unimaginatively named owner of technology jobs site Dice.com has purchased Geeknet's media business for a cool $20 million. The deal hands over control of the world-famous Slashdot, Freecode and SourceForge to the careers company, commencing the careers site's push into tech content. It leaves Geeknet with one remaining property, ThinkGeek, which will now be getting all of that company's attention -- hopefully to produce products that are even more lust inducing than Cave Johnson's portrait.Continue reading Dice Holdings buys Slashdot, Freecode and SourceForge for $20 millionFiled under: InternetDice Holdings buys Slashdot, Freecode and SourceForge for $20 million originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Slashdot | | Email this | Comments

NewzSocial Debuts A Social News Magazine For iPad That You & Your Friends Create

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:00 AM PDT

NewzSocial Debuts A Social News Magazine For iPad That You & Your Friends Create


NewzSocial Debuts A Social News Magazine For iPad That You & Your Friends Create
Just when you thought you had settled on your preferred news magazine for the iPad (be it Flipboard, Zite, Currents, or something else entirely), another new contender enters the ring. Today, the NewzSocial app is launching its own version of a social news magazine for iPad, but is offering a different take in order to stand out from the rest. In other magazines, you subscribe to read news from various sources (blogs, newspapers, online magazines, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) or you can pick from an editorially selected bundle of sources (like Flipboard offers with its sections on "Home," "Travel," "Photography," "Tech," etc.). But in NewzSocial, you, the reader, curate your own sections which can be as broad (healthy eating) or as narrow (Gluten-free recipes) as you want. And you can collaborate on these sections with friends.

Yahoo starts selling half of its Alibaba stake as promised, sends $3.65 billion...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 07:59 AM PDT

Yahoo starts selling half of its Alibaba stake as promised, sends $3.65 billion to giddy shareholders


Yahoo starts selling half of its Alibaba stake as promised, sends $3.65 billion to giddy shareholders
Anyone who's been holding on to Yahoo shares through thick and thin is about to reap the rewards of that patience. As the company promised, it's starting to sell back half its stake in Alibaba, closing the first stage of the deal with the equivalent of $7.6 billion in pure revenue. The struggling search and content firm 'only' pockets a net $4.3 billion after taxes and other overhead costs, but it won't even see that much in its bank account: it's purposefully sending $3.65 billion of that money to shareholders, both to inspire new confidence and (unofficially) to head off activist investors like Dan Loeb that might otherwise want a coup d'état. If share owners plan on using the second stage of the sale to fund a vacation to Maui, though, they'll need to wait. Yahoo's deal prevents it from selling half of its remaining 23 percent stake unless Alibaba files for an initial public offering, and there's no guarantee that investors will see another dime of the proceeds.Continue reading Yahoo starts selling half of its Alibaba stake as promised, sends $3.65 billion to giddy shareholdersFiled under: InternetYahoo starts selling half of its Alibaba stake as promised, sends $3.65 billion to giddy shareholders originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Huffington Post | Email this | Comments

LG’s Quad-Core Flagship Optimus G To Make U.S. Debut In Q4, We Go Hands-On

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 07:59 AM PDT

LG's Quad-Core Flagship Optimus G To Make U.S. Debut In Q4, We Go Hands-On


LG's Quad-Core Flagship Optimus G To Make U.S. Debut In Q4, We Go Hands-On
LG's new top-tier Optimus G certainly looks like a contender on paper -- its 4.7-inch HD IPS display, 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, 13-megapixel camera, and LTE support make sure of that -- but one thing the company hasn't been willing to talk about so far is U.S. availability. But it seems the company has just become just a bit more chatty. At a small press event in New York, LG representatives confirmed that the device will make its U.S. debut in Q4 2012, though exactly which carriers will sell the device is still up in the air for now.

StumbleUpon Revamps iOS App With Improved Navigation, Page Previews, And ‘Stumbl...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 07:59 AM PDT

StumbleUpon Revamps iOS App With Improved Navigation, Page Previews, And 'StumbleDNA'


StumbleUpon Revamps iOS App With Improved Navigation, Page Previews, And 'StumbleDNA'
StumbleUpon is releasing a new version of its iOS today — I've played with a little, and it's a good-looking, intuitive-feeling app that could make the content discovery service more addictive than ever. Cody Simms, the company's new vice president of product, tells me this is the first big product update since he joined the company in June, and it reflects three general ideas that StumbleUpon will be focusing on moving forward. First, it will be to giving users more of a personal identity within the service. Second, there will be them ways to "stumble" through content. Last, Simms aims to add more ways for users to find recommended content.

Slickdeals' best in tech for September 19th: an ASUS wireless router, keyboards...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 07:30 AM PDT

Slickdeals' best in tech for September 19th: an ASUS wireless router, keyboards and more


Slickdeals' best in tech for September 19th: an ASUS wireless router, keyboards and more
Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long. Everyone loves to save some hard-earned cash when it comes to those tech spending sprees. In today's batch of discounted tech links, Slickdeals offers up a bit of a gadget sampler. There's a duo of keyboards, a wireless router, a VoIP phone system and a gigabit networking switch that are ready to get cozy at your place if you're in the market. Don't sweat the rebates this time around, though, as all of these links come with coupon codes. Head on past the break to see the full list.Continue reading Slickdeals' best in tech for September 19th: an ASUS wireless router, keyboards and moreFiled under: Misc, Peripherals, NetworkingSlickdeals' best in tech for September 19th: an ASUS wireless router, keyboards and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Slickdeals | Email this | Comments

Nokia Lumia 920 makes PureView appearance at Photokina with anti-shake video dem...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 07:30 AM PDT

Nokia Lumia 920 makes PureView appearance at Photokina with anti-shake video demo (video)


Nokia Lumia 920 makes PureView appearance at Photokina with anti-shake video demo (video)
Sure, Nokia's recently announced Lumia 920 runs Windows Phone 8, but its banner feature is actually the PureView camera, which in some ways seems more capable than that of its 808 sibling. Company reps were on hand at the Carl Zeiss booth at Photokina demonstrating this latest handset's low-light abilities -- which are quite striking. Just as impressive, however, is the device's heralded stabilization feature, which captures an impressively smooth clip even with exaggerated hand shake. Considering the degree to which the Nokia rep was shaking, users with steadier hands shouldn't have any issue capturing excellent quality video. We were unable to view the clip on a computer, so our impressions are only based on what we saw on the LCD, but the feature was impressive nonetheless. We'll of course need to reserve formal judgement until we can conduct our own tests, but this PureView preview was certainly convincing, and quite encouraging -- especially the side-by-side clip comparing the 920 to a "US-based manufacturer's" smartphone. Catch it in full in the hands-on video after the break.Continue reading Nokia Lumia 920 makes PureView appearance at Photokina with anti-shake video demo (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, MobileNokia Lumia 920 makes PureView appearance at Photokina with anti-shake video demo (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Turtle Beach releasing entry-level Ear Force NLa, N11 stereo headsets for the Wi...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 07:29 AM PDT

Turtle Beach releasing entry-level Ear Force NLa, N11 stereo headsets for the Wii U faithful


Turtle Beach releasing entry-level Ear Force NLa, N11 stereo headsets for the Wii U faithful
Turtle Beach, the company that builds high-end audio gear for gamers immaterial of their bank balance is pushing out a pair of headsets for Nintendo's latest baby. The Ear Force NLa is an entry-level headset that's been customized to work with the Wii U GamePad, while the EarForce N11 is a little more serious -- with angled 50mm speakers with extended bass. Both units are also compatible with the company's DS and 3DS handhelds and will arrive in Q4 of this year, with the NLa setting you back $35 and the N11 a marginally heftier $50.Continue reading Turtle Beach releasing entry-level Ear Force NLa, N11 stereo headsets for the Wii U faithfulFiled under: Gaming, PeripheralsTurtle Beach releasing entry-level Ear Force NLa, N11 stereo headsets for the Wii U faithful originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Pentax's Q10 mirrorless shows its tiny sensor to the world, we give it the hands...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 06:53 AM PDT

Pentax's Q10 mirrorless shows its tiny sensor to the world, we give it the hands-on treatment (video)


Pentax's Q10 mirrorless shows its tiny sensor to the world, we give it the hands-on treatment (video)
It's tough to express just how much Pentax's new Q10 mirrorless looks like a toy camera until you see it in-person, so unless you're in Cologne this week, you're going to have to take our word for it. It's probably mostly its tiny size -- and the fire engine red probably doesn't help its case much in that respect, either. Still, in spite of its diminutive stature and weight, it does feel like a solid camera. All of these body image issues are thanks to its tiny 12.4 effective megapixel CMOS image sensor. Like its brethren, the Q, this interchangeable lens camera's got a retractable flash, which works whether it's extended or not. On the front, next to the lens, you'll find a knob which lefts you dial through four different effects. The Q10 also does full HD recording, five-fps shooting and, like the K-5 II, boasts improved autofocus over its predecessor. On the back, is a surprisingly large three-inch LCD. When it launches here in Europe next month, it'll run you €499 for a single lens kit and around €300 for the body alone -- compare that to $600 for the kit here in the States. Gallery: Pentax Q10 Mirrorless cameraContinue reading Pentax's Q10 mirrorless shows its tiny sensor to the world, we give it the hands-on treatment (video)Filed under: CamerasPentax's Q10 mirrorless shows its tiny sensor to the world, we give it the hands-on treatment (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

LG Optimus G hands-on redux (video)

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 06:53 AM PDT

LG Optimus G hands-on redux (video)


LG Optimus G hands-on redux (video)
By now, you should be well acquainted with LG's glass-clad Optimus G -- the Android device so nice the company introduced it twice. And while today's stateside splash narrows the focus on its US availability and Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC, there are still some software nuggets worth exploring. To help illustrate the powers of this quad-core Krait beast, we dug through the company's take on ICS with its colorful icons and heaping helpings of convenient shortcuts. Users can take advantage of a multi-tasking feature called QSlide which displays two full-sized apps on the same screen, enjoy up to five levels of zoom during streaming video playback or even wirelessly mirror their smartphone's content with Dual Screen Dual Play. Like other members of the LG mobile family (such as the Vu and Intuition) you'll also be able to take advantage of QuickMemo, which places a shortcut in the notification shade for quickly capturing a screenshot and marking it up with various drawing tools. For the self portrait-obsessed there's also Cheese Shutter, which lets you trigger the image capture simply by saying "cheese" instead of fumbling blindly for the virtual shutter button on screen. While the UI can be a little bit busy, even by Android skin standards, everything hums a long pretty smoothly thanks to the almost excessive power of the quad-core 1.5GHz chip and 2GB of RAM. But don't just take our word for it. Skip on past the break for a surface-level peek of the G in action.Continue reading LG Optimus G hands-on redux (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Software, MobileLG Optimus G hands-on redux (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

PassRocket Lets Any Business Create Loyalty Cards For Apple’s New Passbook App F...

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 06:53 AM PDT

PassRocket Lets Any Business Create Loyalty Cards For Apple's New Passbook App For Free


PassRocket Lets Any Business Create Loyalty Cards For Apple's New Passbook App For Free
When it rains, it pours. Today, Apple is rolling out the new version of its iOS 6 mobile operating system, and already we've come across several companies building apps poised to take advantage of one of the OS's most notable new features: Passbook. Another new app, called PassRocket, is designed for retailers and other small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) who want to be able to quickly and easily create their own passes and loyalty cards for their customers. But the big difference with this one is that it's free.

Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs hands-on (video)

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 06:53 AM PDT

Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs hands-on (video)


Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs hands-on (video)
Everyone loves a sequel, right? This here is the K-5 II, the new DSLR from Pentax, making an appearance on the show floor, here at Photokina in Germany, alongside the rather similar, if somewhat pricier K-5 IIs. Let's start with differences between the K-5 and the K-5 II, shall we? Megapixel-wise, we're still talking 16.2, though the II models have the new SAFOX X AF sensor, which delivers the promise of better low-light sensitivity and quicker auto-focus. On the rear, that 3-inch, 925k LCD promises a sharper image and better image angles -- both looked pretty good in our time with the camera. As for differences between the K-5 II and IIs? Well, you wouldn't be able to distinguish between the two, if it weren't for the difference model names on there front. So, what are you paying that extra $150 for? Well, the premium ditches the low-pass filter, promising sharp images (though you're loosing anti-aliasing in the process). On the top of both, you got a big monochrome display and a somewhat tricky function wheel that makes you press down a button to turn. Both of these guys are coming to a camera store near you next month for $1,200 and $1,350, respectively.Gallery: Pentax K5-II and K5-IIsContinue reading Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs hands-on (video)Filed under: CamerasPentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments