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Friday, October 12, 2012

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UK government joining the club to rethink EV incentives

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 03:46 PM PDT

UK government joining the club to rethink EV incentives


UK government joining the club to rethink EV incentives
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, UK Government incentives can be an important boost for new technologies moving from the testing ground to mainstream markets, but incentives are not guaranteed to achieve intended results - and there's no promise a government can maintain support. In an era of budgetary pressures (such as now), incentives can become easy targets. The United Kingdom is scrutinizing its electric vehicle incentives. Similar debates are taking place in the US and France. California, for example, cut its EV rebates in half recently to deal with budget and economic constraints. According to a parliamentary report, the £11 million spent on a government program to encourage the use of plug-in EVs benefited only a "handful" of consumers, many of them affluent families who used the government grants to help fund second cars. The House of Commons Transport Committee is questioning whether that was a good use of public funds. The UK's Department of Transport offers grants up to £5,000 (approximately $8,065 US at current exchange rates) for the purchase of an electric car as part of its emissions reduction strategy. The program has also funded a network of more than 1,600 public charging points across the country. The government was expecting to see tens of thousands of EVs on British roads by 2015, and independent forecasts think it could hit six figures by 2020. So far, the numbers haven't been good - 1,052 eligible cars were registered last year, up from 111 in 2010. As for charging stations, only 500 of the 1,600 units have been installed so far, which could be another barrier for adoption. Government EV incentives have been in place in major markets around the world, including China, India and Japan. There has yet to be a country celebrating victory on this front, but it's still early in the game. Experts say that it's going to take sticker price reduction, charging station ubiquity, driving experience and more "keeping up with the Joneses" social influence to succeed. Until then, government incentives are being urgently requested by automakers and industry associations.UK government joining the club to rethink EV incentives originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

If Instagram Were More About Words Than Things, You’d Have Whims for iOS

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 03:45 PM PDT

If Instagram Were More About Words Than Things, You'd Have Whims for iOS


If Instagram Were More About Words Than Things, You'd Have Whims for iOS
Instagram is huge because it's a network made of people who are passionate about taking pictures of things that they see and then dropping a cool filter on them to enhance their vision. It caught on immediately with everyone from geeks to Starbucks baristas. Since then, many companies have tried to duplicate the magic that Instagram used to sell itself to Facebook, but have failed. Today, an app called Whims is trying something completely different, but extremely familiar. The social network iOS app lets you express yourself with words, colors and fonts only. There's no pictures, there's no videos...just you and your thoughts.

Windows 8 now available to try at Best Buy

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 03:45 PM PDT

Windows 8 now available to try at Best Buy


Windows 8 now available to try at Best Buy
Microsoft's already opened up the floodgates with Windows 8 pre-orders, and it looks as if those still on the fence now have a sandbox to goof off in. Pictured above is a trio of Windows 8 notebooks from a Best Buy located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and we actually called around to confirm with several other stores that a similar setup had been erected in their locales. Nah, we can't make October 26th get here any faster, but at least you know where to head if you're looking for a sample.Filed under: Laptops, Software, MicrosoftWindows 8 now available to try at Best Buy originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink WinSource | | Email this | Comments

Sprint bringing LTE to San Francisco and over 20 more cities 'in coming months'

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 02:48 PM PDT

Sprint bringing LTE to San Francisco and over 20 more cities 'in coming months'


Sprint bringing LTE to San Francisco and over 20 more cities 'in coming months'
We can't say we're exactly surprised Sprint would be bringing its 4G LTE waves to one of the biggest markets on the West Coast, but there's nothing like hearing it straight from the horse's carrier's mouth. Earlier today, Sprint announced its developing Long Term Evolution network will be hitting San Francisco (and some surrounding areas) in the "coming months." That's not it, however, as the Now Network also let it be known that it will be flipping the switch in more than 20 other new markets, including Fort Wayne, IN, Emporia, KS, Greenwood, MS, Joplin, MO as well as Napa and Petaluma in California. At this very moment, it's unclear what Sprint's definition of "in coming months" is, but at least folks living around these areas now have some reassurance that they, too, will be enjoying some faster speeds on one of those LTE-equipped devices. The full list of lucky markets can be found inside the presser below.Continue reading Sprint bringing LTE to San Francisco and over 20 more cities 'in coming months'Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileSprint bringing LTE to San Francisco and over 20 more cities 'in coming months' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sprint | Email this | Comments

Toyota really loving that plugging-in feeling with Prius PHEV

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 01:51 PM PDT

Toyota really loving that plugging-in feeling with Prius PHEV


Toyota really loving that plugging-in feeling with Prius PHEV
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota Huh?Toyota is looking to boost awareness and potential sales of its Prius Plug In by launching a social-media campaign that involves getting points for plugging in and recharging an iPhone. We think. The campaign's minute-long video, available below, shows a few folks in various stages of ecstasy plugging in their phones, after which a voice repeats the tagline "Fun to Charge." The game, called "Plug-In Championship," is supposed to "bring to life" the fun of recharging a Prius PHEV. Green Car Reports explains that gamers can score points, share their experiences with social-network friends and maybe buy more Prius PHEVs, though that website is as confused about the whole thing as we are. With 7,734 U.S. vehicles sold year to date, the plug-in Prius is the lowest-selling of the four Prius variants, but has still outsold the all-electric Nissan Leaf by about 2,500 vehicles this year.Continue reading Toyota really loving that plugging-in feeling with Prius PHEVToyota really loving that plugging-in feeling with Prius PHEV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Alcatel announces One Touch Evo 7 ICS tablet in Europe, doesn't say when it's co...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 01:51 PM PDT

Alcatel announces One Touch Evo 7 ICS tablet in Europe, doesn't say when it's coming


Alcatel announces One Touch Evo 7 ICS tablet in Europe, doesn't say when it's coming
Just as we had talked about Alcatel not necessarily being known for its hardware offerings, the company's now announcing its first "modular" tablet, the One Touch Evo 7. As the moniker adequately implies, the Ice Cream Sandwich slate boasts a 7-inch display (mum's the word on the resolution), which is paired alongside an unnamed processor that's clocked in at 1GHz, 1GB of RAM and a microSD slot is available to take care of up to 32GB of storage needs. While the One Touch Evo 7 is set come out of the box with WiFi capabilities only, Alcatel says a 3G option will be available as a separate bundle via a "removable 3G module." -- a fitting fact given some of the slate's additional characteristics, such as detachable colorful frames. Unfortunately, Alcatel made no mention of when it plans to release its One Touch device, but we'll let you interested Euro folk know as soon as those details come out.Continue reading Alcatel announces One Touch Evo 7 ICS tablet in Europe, doesn't say when it's comingFiled under: TabletsAlcatel announces One Touch Evo 7 ICS tablet in Europe, doesn't say when it's coming originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Unwired View | Alcatel | Email this | Comments

HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE update to bring global roaming, Isis wallet

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 01:51 PM PDT

HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE update to bring global roaming, Isis wallet


HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE update to bring global roaming, Isis wallet
HTC's Droid Incredible 4G LTE gave us a pleasant surprise by providing a capable Android phone that didn't have to be supersized. It's gone largely untouched since its mid-year introduction, though, which makes a new and imminent update all the more important. The upgrade's biggest trick is support for Isis mobile payments that more officially throws Verizon's hat into the NFC payment ring. Anyone living beyond Isis' coverage will still want to check for the update when it's ready -- the patch switches on global roaming, allows remote technical support, makes Tango video chats useful and improves LTE connection quality. No matter what you're looking for, Verizon's tendency to start over-the-air updates within days of posting documentation leaves a likely short wait before the most recent Droid Incredible gets a breath of fresh air.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC, VerizonHTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE update to bring global roaming, Isis wallet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Droid-Life | Verizon (PDF) | Email this | Comments

Netflix app for Windows 8 now available for download

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 12:55 PM PDT

Netflix app for Windows 8 now available for download


Netflix app for Windows 8 now available for download
Microsoft confirmed some time ago that a Netflix app would be available for Windows 8, and it turns out it's available well before the big October 26th launch date. Netflix announced today that the app is now available for donwnload from the Windows Store for those who've already upgraded to the OS. Expectedly, the app matches the overall style of Windows 8, and Netflix says that it's also made the app more efficient to cut down on both CPU and battery usage. It's quick to point out that this is only the first version of the app, though, noting that it has "more updates and ideas in the pipeline for later this fall."Continue reading Netflix app for Windows 8 now available for downloadFiled under: Internet, HD, MicrosoftNetflix app for Windows 8 now available for download originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Nokia finishes offloading Vertu, rumors claim Vertu plans a matching switch to A...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 12:54 PM PDT

Nokia finishes offloading Vertu, rumors claim Vertu plans a matching switch to Android


Nokia finishes offloading Vertu, rumors claim Vertu plans a matching switch to Android
Nokia has ended one of the more significant chapters in its tumultuous history: the Finnish phone giant has finished divesting Vertu to private equity firm EQT VI, shedding direct control of the definitive luxury phone brand. The formal switch lets Nokia keep a 10 percent stake and move 1,000 staffers to the newly independent company. Where Vertu goes next may be more intriguing, however. There's no official word on any change of direction, but that hasn't stopped tipsters from claiming to TechCrunch that there's a big shakeup ahead. Supposedly, former Nokia VP Anssi Vanjoki will finally get the phone maker CEO position he's been looking for through a Vertu spot, and he won't simply follow in his former employer's footsteps -- upcoming Vertu phones may use Android, not Windows Phone. While it's a very unconfirmed rumor, a switch-up wouldn't be completely surprising when Vertu is still an all-Symbian house that needs more than just a few extra jewels to stay relevant.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, NokiaNokia finishes offloading Vertu, rumors claim Vertu plans a matching switch to Android originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | Nokia, TechCrunch | Email this | Comments

Engadget's Seattle reader meetup is this month! More tickets available!

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 12:54 PM PDT

Engadget's Seattle reader meetup is this month! More tickets available!


Engadget's Seattle reader meetup is this month! More tickets available!
Yep, we sold out of tickets to our upcoming Seattle Interactive Conference meetup, but fear not: we've found a whole new stash. If you're out in the Emerald City on October 29th, you can join in on the fun, meet Engadget editors, interact with fellow readers and win some fabulous prizes. Get added to the list by signing up for tickets right here. Oh, and if you're interested in sponsoring the event, there's still time. Just drop us a line at drop us a line at sponsors [at] engadget [dot] com, and for more information on SIC, check out the source link below.Filed under: AnnouncementsEngadget's Seattle reader meetup is this month! More tickets available! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Seattle Interactive Conference | Email this | Comments

First EcoCentre selling China-built NEVs opens near LA

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 11:57 AM PDT

First EcoCentre selling China-built NEVs opens near LA


First EcoCentre selling China-built NEVs opens near LA
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), China The Eco has landed. In this case, the first US EcoCentre, which specializes in selling neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) made by China-based Liuzhou Wuling Special Purpose Vehicle Manufacturing Co., has opened for business, Plug In Cars reports. The EcoCentre, which is operated by Lincoln and Jaguar dealer Ramon Alvarez, is in Irvine, CA, near Los Angeles, and also sells Coda Automotive electric vehicles. The NEVs, which have a top speed of 25 miles per hour and a single-charge range of up to 40 miles, range in price from $9,995 for the EcoE mini car to $17,995 for the EcoVan. Alvarez first announced his intention to sell the EVs in July at the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers conference in Las Vegas. The cars might be small, but his hopes are big. He told Plug In Cars that he expects, "conservatively," to sign up dealers to open as many as 200 EcoCentres open in five years.First EcoCentre selling China-built NEVs opens near LA originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Velti Report: With iPhone 5 and iOS 6, Apple Reclaims Ad Marketshare, While Phot...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 11:57 AM PDT

Velti Report: With iPhone 5 and iOS 6, Apple Reclaims Ad Marketshare, While Photos Apps Decline


Velti Report: With iPhone 5 and iOS 6, Apple Reclaims Ad Marketshare, While Photos Apps Decline
The September mobile ad report from Velti is dominated by the launch of the iPhone 5 and iOS 6. For one thing, after two months where Android seemed to be gaining on iOS in mobile ad impressions, iOS saw a 5 percent increase. Actually, the iPhone 5 also played a big role in Velti's last report — even though it wasn't available yet, the company was making predictions based on previous Apple launches. And indeed, the company says iOS saw a similar increase after the launch of the iPhone 4S. Apple's mobile operating system now claims 72 percent of total impressions, while Android has 38 percent.

ASUS TAICHI 21 and VivoBook X202 go up for US pre-orders, spoil the party a bit...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 11:57 AM PDT

ASUS TAICHI 21 and VivoBook X202 go up for US pre-orders, spoil the party a bit early


ASUS TAICHI 21 and VivoBook X202 go up for US pre-orders, spoil the party a bit early
Just because ASUS has planned a grand October 23rd event to outline its US Windows 8 lineup doesn't mean we can't get an advance peek. Pre-orders have officially kicked off for at least two touchscreen PCs that also give us a very good feeling for the hardware we'll see at our doors. The dual-screened TAICHI 21 is naturally the star of the show, but it will cost you: a base version of the 11.6-inch hybrid with a 1.7GHz Core i5, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD starts at $1,300, while an uprated model with a 1.9GHz Core i7 and a 256GB SSD will set early adopters back by $1,600. We'd say the VivoBook X202 is more likely to get some purchases sight-unseen at $600 for an entry laptop with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, a 1.8GHz Core i3, 4GB of RAM and a conventional 500GB hard drive. Both of the systems should arrive in tandem with Windows 8's October 26th launch and compound the traffic jams for couriers and retailers on what could be a very busy day. [Thanks, Donny]Filed under: Laptops, ASUSASUS TAICHI 21 and VivoBook X202 go up for US pre-orders, spoil the party a bit early originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ASUS | Email this | Comments

Boy trapped by Lexus trunk

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 11:00 AM PDT

Boy trapped by Lexus trunk


Boy trapped by Lexus trunk
An accidental discovery that could save lives.

Alleged LG Nexus 4 reviewed by Belarusian tech site

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 11:00 AM PDT

Alleged LG Nexus 4 reviewed by Belarusian tech site


Alleged LG Nexus 4 reviewed by Belarusian tech site
Well, the Belarusian tech site Onliner.by made waves yesterday by publishing the clearest photos yet of the alleged LG Nexus, the E960. Now the site has published a quick and dirty review of the unannounced phone, which may go down as one of the worst kept secrets in smartphone history. An editor at the site claims to have scored a prototype version of the handset, and as such, any judgements made should be taken with a grain of salt. There were plenty of bugs, including serious issues with Android Beam, which in our experience has never really worked as well as advertised anyway. This model also only comes packing 8GB of storage, which will most certainly change before launch given its lack of a microSD slot. The site found that both the screen and the 8-megapixel camera were a vast improvement over the Galaxy Nexus, however benchmarks showed that while it's quad-core Snapdragon outpaced last-year's Nexus, it didn't put up the staggering numbers many were expecting. For the complete review hit up the source. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Cellphones, MobileAlleged LG Nexus 4 reviewed by Belarusian tech site originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Onliner.by (translated) | Email this | Comments

iPod nano review (2012)

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 11:00 AM PDT

iPod nano review (2012)


iPod nano review (2012)
If you think Apple is getting a little predictable with its yearly device refreshes, you probably haven't been charting the progress of its iPod nano. While most products in the Apple line receive an update every 12 months or so, few have experienced the kind of annual reinvention of the nano. It's a rare example of the company drastically re-thinking a product with such regularity -- or of simply not really knowing what to make of it. Depending on how you look at it, this new seventh-generation iPod nano is either the latest, most optimal design of the long-running series, or it's Apple's latest shot in the dark. Even the cynics will have to agree this is a pretty good shot, thinner than ever and packing more functionality than in the past -- including Bluetooth 4.0. It sure doesn't make much of a wristwatch, but is the latest littlest iPod worth the $149 price of admission to its 16GB capacity? Read on to find out.Gallery: iPod nano review (2012)Continue reading iPod nano review (2012)Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, AppleiPod nano review (2012) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

2013 Cadillac XTS: First Drive

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 11:00 AM PDT

2013 Cadillac XTS: First Drive


2013 Cadillac XTS: First Drive
Cadillac jumps back into the large-car market and turns up the luxury.

Rogers, CIBC may launch Suretap NFC-based payments on October 15th, require a un...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 10:03 AM PDT

Rogers, CIBC may launch Suretap NFC-based payments on October 15th, require a unique SIM


Rogers, CIBC may launch Suretap NFC-based payments on October 15th, require a unique SIM
Rogers and Canadian bank CIBC struck a deal for NFC-based mobile payments back in May, long enough ago that it was starting to fade out of the public consciousness. The alliance may be near refreshing our memory with a commercial launch in the cards. MobileSyrup has reportedly scored internal documents that has the two launching their e-commerce collaboration on October 15th under a slightly catchier Suretap name. Unfortunately, the text also suggests that the initial launch will require at least as much hoop-jumping from customers as for the original Google Wallet plans. Avoiding a traditional wallet will demand a BlackBerry Bold 9900 or Curve 9360 on Rogers, a CIBC MasterCard, nearby stores with PayPass terminals, a CIBC app and now a special NFC-enabled SIM card -- a set of criteria that disqualifies almost everyone, especially when there's supposedly a $50 ceiling on transactions. It remains a step forward for mobile payments in a country that has had very few options to start with, but we'd only anticipate widespread adoption once there's a much wider selection of devices and banks.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, RIMRogers, CIBC may launch Suretap NFC-based payments on October 15th, require a unique SIM originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MobileSyrup | Email this | Comments

International Telecommunication Union: worldwide mobile subscriptions hit six bi...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 10:03 AM PDT

International Telecommunication Union: worldwide mobile subscriptions hit six billion in 2011


International Telecommunication Union: worldwide mobile subscriptions hit six billion in 2011
Last year, the UN's International Telecommunication Union (ITU) told us there were five billion mobile subscriptions worldwide at the close of 2010, and now it's reporting that at the end of 2011, that figure hit a staggering six billion. China and India account for one billion a piece, and it brings us ever closer to having the equivalent of one subscription for every person on the planet. (According to the CTIA, there are already more cellular plans in the US -- around 322 million -- than there are inhabitants.) In a stat-heavy release from the ITU, it also ranked the most advanced telecoms countries, with South Korea placing first, Japan eighth and countries in Europe filling the remaining spots. Interestingly, the number of global mobile broadband subscriptions now outnumbers fixed ones by two to one, and mobile internet services showed the biggest growth rates in 2011: 40% worldwide and 78% in developing markets. The ITU attributes the latter figure to the relatively high price of fixed access in these countries, and the increasing availability of mobile alternatives. The CTIA also commented on mobile broadband use, reporting that from July 2011 to June this year, Americans consumed 104 percent more data -- no doubt due, in part, to people taking advantage of expanding 4G coverage. As usual, we've given you the cheat sheet, so if you'd like the full reports and have got a thing for statistics, there's plenty more in the source links below. [Image credit: Chris Jordan] Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Internet, MobileInternational Telecommunication Union: worldwide mobile subscriptions hit six billion in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Ars Technica | ITU, CTIA | Email this | Comments

Ford Adds Growl to the Focus

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 10:02 AM PDT

Ford Adds Growl to the Focus


Ford Adds Growl to the Focus
The 'Symposer' adds an in-cabin roar when the car accelerates.

Source: Former Nokia Vet Anssi Vanjoki Will Be CEO Of EQT-Owned Vertu, Android T...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 10:02 AM PDT

Source: Former Nokia Vet Anssi Vanjoki Will Be CEO Of EQT-Owned Vertu, Android To Replace Symbian


Source: Former Nokia Vet Anssi Vanjoki Will Be CEO Of EQT-Owned Vertu, Android To Replace Symbian
Word has come through that Nokia has completed its sale of luxury phone brand Vertu to EQT VI. But TechCrunch has heard sources that Anssi Vanjoki, the 20-year Nokia veteran who resigned back in 2010, will be named the new CEO of Vertu.

Bad boy Bourdain gets roasted

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 10:02 AM PDT

Bad boy Bourdain gets roasted


Bad boy Bourdain gets roasted
It's comeuppance time for Anthony Bourdain. And by his tally, he deserves his lickings.

13 Wonderfully atypical home office chairs

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 10:02 AM PDT

13 Wonderfully atypical home office chairs


13 Wonderfully atypical home office chairs
Trade boring fabric, unsightly legs and dull casters for stylish home office seating you'll be proud to perch on.

Tesla gets $10 million from California for Model X production

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 09:07 AM PDT

Tesla gets $10 million from California for Model X production


Tesla gets $10 million from California for Model X production
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Tesla Motors The Golden State is providing some green for the Tesla Model X. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors $10 million to expand its Fremont, CA, plant to accommodate production for the Model X SUV. Tesla, which currently employs around 3,000 people, will add more than 500 jobs to build the Model X. Production is expected to start in 2014, and Tesla itself is investing $50 million getting ready for Model X production. Tesla unveiled a prototype of the Model X, complete with its "falcon-wing" doors, in February. The CEC's grant was part of $20 million in awards for "clean transportation" projects within the state. Details on these grantees are available below, but readers will likely be most interested in the $1.8 million that Zero Motorcycles received to "expand the company's full electric motorcycle production capacity." There's also $300,000 for a compressed natural gas (CNG) station that will refuel CNG-powered garbage trucks.Continue reading Tesla gets $10 million from California for Model X productionTesla gets $10 million from California for Model X production originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget Podcast 313 - 10.12.2012

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 09:07 AM PDT

Engadget Podcast 313 - 10.12.2012


Engadget Podcast 313 - 10.12.2012
If you're looking for the latest news on desktops, hi-fi home stereo components, or landline-enhanced telephonic equipment, you won't find it on this edition of the Engadget Podcast. We're all portable: cameras, phones, and computers that you can take with you anywhere you please are our specialty this week. Oh, except that new Playstation, which is so slim we tried to slip it in our pockets on the way to the gym so we could play Lollipop Chainsaw on the elliptical. Didn't work out so well.Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater, Dana WollmanProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Orbital - Never 01:20 - iPod touch review (2012) 16:18 - Samsung Galaxy S III mini pops up, we go hands-on (video) 20:39 - Samsung confirms October 24th event is for the US Galaxy Note II, removes what doubt was left 21:12 - Samsung Galaxy Note II review 22:43 - LG's rumored Nexus, the E960 Mako, poses for Belarusian glamour pics 28:08 - LG Optimus G for Sprint hands-on (update: video) 30:25 - T-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fall 31:53 - Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 shipping this month for $1,099, ARM-powered Yoga 11 coming in December 33:05 - Acer Iconia W510 preview: as Acer moves into the Windows 8 era, it returns to its netbook roots 37:52 - Sony Alpha NEX-6 sample shots and video 39:06 - Sony Cyber-shot RX1 sample images and video 40:45 - Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 priced at $649 and up, still on track to ship this month 43:13 - Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx: an 11.6-inch Windows 8 hybrid arriving in December for $600 and up 46:16 - Lenovo announces ThinkPad Edge Twist, a business-oriented convertible coming this month for $849 53:45 - PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?Hear 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 Follow us on Twitter: @bheater, @danawollman 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 313 - 10.12.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Researchers turn to 19th century math for wireless data center breakthrough

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 09:07 AM PDT

Researchers turn to 19th century math for wireless data center breakthrough


Researchers turn to 19th century math for wireless data center breakthrough
Researchers from Microsoft and Cornell University want to remove the tangles of cables from data centers. It's no small feat. With thousands of machines that need every bit of bandwidth available WiFi certainly isn't an option. To solve the issue, scientists are turning to two sources: the cutting edge of 60GHz networking and the 19th century mathematical theories of Arthur Cayley. Cayley's 1889 paper, On the Theory of Groups, was used to guide their method for connecting servers in the most efficient and fault tolerant way possible. The findings will be presented in a paper later this month, but it won't be clear how effectively this research can be applied to an actual data center until someone funds a prototype. The proposed Cayley data centers would rely on cylindrical server racks that have transceivers both inside and outside the tubes of machines, allowing them to pass data both among and between racks with (hopefully) minimal interference. Since the new design would do away with traditional network switches and cables, researchers believe they may eventually cost less than current designs and will draw less power. And will do so while still streaming data at 10 gigabits per second -- far faster than WiGig, which also makes use of 60GHz spectrum. To read the paper in its entirety check out the source.Filed under: Wireless, Networking, Science, Alt, MicrosoftResearchers turn to 19th century math for wireless data center breakthrough originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wired | On the Feasibility of Completely Wireless Datacenters (PDF) | Email this | Comments

Dropbox Responds To Tumblr’s Photoset App With New Photo-Focused Update On Android

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Dropbox Responds To Tumblr's Photoset App With New Photo-Focused Update On Android


Dropbox Responds To Tumblr's Photoset App With New Photo-Focused Update On Android
Well, that didn't take long. Almost immediately after Tumblr announced Photoset, its brand-new standalone iOS application for photo-sharing, Dropbox updated its Android app with similar functionality. In the new release, Dropbox has added a Photos tab to the app, which allows you to view all the photos and videos you've uploaded to Dropbox, and then easily share them.

Google Play Store gets good cop / bad cop APK update, will add wish lists and ma...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Google Play Store gets good cop / bad cop APK update, will add wish lists and malware scanner


Google Play Store gets good cop / bad cop APK update, will add wish lists and malware scanner
A recent scan by Android Police through the latest Google 3.9.16 APK for its Play Store has revealed that wish lists are coming along very well, thank you, and that Mountain View will likely introduce a malware scanner soon too. The latter hasn't appeared on our radar before, and it looks like the search giant will soon be able to scope all the apps you've already installed and also bar the door to any suspicious-looking software before it can sully your smartphone or slate, unless you specifically request otherwise. So, perhaps you'll feel a bit safer once the Google Play portal is being watched from both sides.Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, GoogleGoogle Play Store gets good cop / bad cop APK update, will add wish lists and malware scanner originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Police | Google Play | Email this | Comments

Bob Lutz joins GM-backed NanoSteel

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 08:06 AM PDT

Bob Lutz joins GM-backed NanoSteel


Bob Lutz joins GM-backed NanoSteel
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, LightweightNanoSteel Company, a nano-structured steel materials designer, has announced that one of the most quotable characters in the auto industry, Bob Lutz, has joined its board of directors. The 10-year-old, Providence, RI-based company says that it "has achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of nano-structured sheet steel with exceptional strength and ductility" for the automotive industry. In other words, it could one day make lightweight material to improve vehicle efficiency while still offering many of steel's traditional benefits. In August, General Motors announced that GM Ventures was investing in NanoSteel. Lutz brings about 50 years of experience in the automotive sector, having served in design and marketing executive positions for General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, and BMW. He's more recently known for championing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles - the Chevrolet Volt and Via Motors pickup truck - and was also enthused about electric scooters a while ago. Lutz thinks NanoSteel fits well with his passion for efficiencies and advanced technologies. "The company's innovative approach has the potential to offer the most natural progression for automakers to stick with their most trusted material - steel - and at the same time enjoy exceptional properties that support the design of next generation fuel efficient vehicles," Lutz said in a statement (available below). He also said he likesf that NanoSteel's production method could drive efficiencies across the supply chain. Lutz works as an industry consultant, and there hasn't been any word lately about him taking another top management position with the Big 3. One thing seems to be true about the opinionated 80-year-old Bob Lutz: he won't be retiring anytime soon.Continue reading Bob Lutz joins GM-backed NanoSteelBob Lutz joins GM-backed NanoSteel originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Georgia Tech receives $900,000 grant from Office of Naval Research to develop 'M...

Posted: 12 Oct 2012 08:06 AM PDT

Georgia Tech receives $900,000 grant from Office of Naval Research to develop 'MacGyver' robot


Georgia Tech receives $900,000 grant from Office of Naval Research to develop 'MacGyver' robot
Robots come in many flavors. There's the subservient kind, the virtual representative, the odd one with an artistic bent, and even robo-cattle. But, typically, they all hit the same roadblock: they can only do what they are programmed to do. Of course, there are those that posses some AI smarts, too, but Georgia Tech wants to take this to the next level, and build a 'bot that can interact with its environment on the fly. The project hopes to give machines deployed in disaster situations the ability to find objects in their environment for use as tools, such as placing a chair to reach something high, or building bridges from debris. The idea builds on previous work where robots learned to moved objects out of their way, and developing an algorithm that allows them to identify items, and asses its usefulness as a tool. This would be backed up by some programming, to give the droids a basic understanding of rigid body mechanics, and how to construct motion plans. The Office of Navy Research's interest comes from potential future applications, working side-by-side with military personnel out on missions, which along with iRobot 110, forms the early foundations for the cyber army of our childhood imaginations.Filed under: Robots, AltGeorgia Tech receives $900,000 grant from Office of Naval Research to develop 'MacGyver' robot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink GizMag | Georgia Tech | Email this | Comments