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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

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Cee Lo Green latest A-list Fisker Karma owner

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:00 PM PDT

Cee Lo Green latest A-list Fisker Karma owner


Cee Lo Green latest A-list Fisker Karma owner
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Hybrid, FiskerFisker just landed another celebrity to its growing goodie mob of fans. Pop star Ce eLo Green joins the A-list of Fisker Karma owners. "We would like to welcome @CeeLoGreen to our family of #FiskerKarma owners," the Atlanta dealership posted to Twitter, showing off the "Lady Killer" singer just chilling with his new car. Green, best known for singing on Gnarls Barkley's mega-hit "Crazy" and showing up for awards shows in unpredictable outfits, joins the A-list of stars who've become Fisker Karma owners (with Justin Bieber and Leonardo DiCaprio receiving the most recognition). More recently, Green has been coaching, and performing, on the hit NBC series, "The Voice." Fisker Automotive has been skilled at getting celebrities behind the wheel - and the paparazzi have been chasing after them. This kind of attention could reduce marketing costs during a time when funds are needed to build the next car in the pipeline and deal with recalls of the current model. It's tougher to find that kind of public celebrity list for the Tesla Model S or Roadster, the BMW i3 or for EVs in the $30-to-low-$40,000 range. Certainly, George Clooney was an early adopter of the Roadster and Jay Leno is known for driving his Chevy Volt, but their names don't seem to stick to those cars as closely as Bieber's and DiCaprio's do to Fisker. So, what is it about the Fisker? Is it simply the stylish plug-in hybrid sports car's image? is it Fisker's marketing savvy? Or maybe display booths at auto shows that stand out from the rest? Who knows, but Fisker of Atlanta Tweeted that CeeLo "didn't want to be subjected to the range of battery only we r not ready 4 all electric yet." Will all this celebrity love be enough free marketing enough to land the company on a solid foundation? We'll see.Cee Lo Green latest A-list Fisker Karma owner originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

AMD Trinity review roundup: good bang for your entry-level buck

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:00 PM PDT

AMD Trinity review roundup: good bang for your entry-level buck


AMD Trinity review roundup: good bang for your entry-level buck
It's never easy playing second fiddle, but AMD is trying their best to keep Intel on their toes with its latest line of Trinity desktop chips. We were introduced to the Trinity last week, but now the official reviews are in from the usual specialist sites. The consensus seems to be that it provides solid performance for the price. The Trinity A10-5800K is in the same class as the Core i5 but sells at $130 on NewEgg, which is the going rate for the Core i3-3220 (Guess those price leaks were true). Hot Hardware notes that both the A10-5800K and the A8-5600K offer improved performance and decent overclockability, stating that it offers "roughly a 10 percent kicker in CPU performance" and "15 - 17 percent increase in GPU performance." As for power consumption, Anandtech claims the Trinity isn't quite as good as the Core i3, but "compared to Llano, Trinity is a bit more efficient" so it looks like there's improvement from past AMD chips. TechSpot points out the Trinity also requires a new Socket FM2 motherboard. Like most reviews, Hot Hardware recommends the Trinity chips as a solid choice for those who want an entry-level system. However, those hungry for power are probably still going to go Intel. Legit Reviews states that the AMD Trinity will do just fine for everyday use and some light gaming, leaving the pricier Intel chips for performance-chasers. Definitely peruse the links below for more details before considering a purchase. Read - Hot Hardware Read - Tom's Hardware Read - AnandTech Read - Legit Reviews Read - Benchmark ReviewsFiled under: DesktopsAMD Trinity review roundup: good bang for your entry-level buck originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Sandia Labs' MegaDroid project simulates 300,000 Android phones to fight wireles...

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:00 PM PDT

Sandia Labs' MegaDroid project simulates 300,000 Android phones to fight wireless catastrophes (video)


Sandia Labs' MegaDroid project simulates 300,000 Android phones to fight wireless catastrophes (video)
We've seen some large-scale simulations, including some that couldn't get larger. Simulated cellular networks are still a rare breed, however, which makes Sandia National Laboratories' MegaDroid project all the more important. The project's cluster of off-the-shelf PCs emulates a town of 300,000 Android phones down to their cellular and GPS behavior, all with the aim of tracing the wider effects of natural disasters, hacking attempts and even simple software bugs. Researchers imagine the eventually public tool set being useful not just for app developers, but for the military and mesh network developers -- the kind who'd need to know how their on-the-field networks are running even when local authorities try to shut them down. MegaDroid is still very much an in-progress effort, although Sandia Labs isn't limiting its scope to Android and can see its work as relevant to iOS or any other platform where a ripple in the network can lead to a tidal wave of problems.Continue reading Sandia Labs' MegaDroid project simulates 300,000 Android phones to fight wireless catastrophes (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Alt, GoogleSandia Labs' MegaDroid project simulates 300,000 Android phones to fight wireless catastrophes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink New York Times | Sandia National Laboratories | Email this | Comments

Demolition on hold for Wright house in Phoenix

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:00 PM PDT

Demolition on hold for Wright house in Phoenix


Demolition on hold for Wright house in Phoenix
The city of Phoenix and a developer who was poised to demolish a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home have reached an agreement that will put any work on hold while a search continues for a buyer.

Modbook Pro gets priced at $3,500, as pre-orders begin

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:27 PM PDT

Modbook Pro gets priced at $3,500, as pre-orders begin


Modbook Pro gets priced at $3,500, as pre-orders begin
No one ever said a modded MacBook Pro was gonna be cheap. Last week Modbook announced that it would be going ahead with pre-orders on the Modbook Pro today, but didn't really touch on pricing. As ordering begins, the company's attached a $3,500 starting price tag for the honor of controlling your 13.3-inch Mac with a pen. The Modbook Pro, which is set to start shipping in the middle of next month, runs Mountain Lion and features a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 processor (upgradable to a 2.9GHz i7) and memory and storage up to 16GB and 480GB, respectively. If you're aching to get your hands on one of these Frankensteinian tablets, you'll have to plunk down a $500 deposit.Continue reading Modbook Pro gets priced at $3,500, as pre-orders beginFiled under: Laptops, TabletsModbook Pro gets priced at $3,500, as pre-orders begin originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Huawei Ascend P1 LTE takes a tour through the FCC with AT&T-capable 4G and beyond

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:54 PM PDT

Huawei Ascend P1 LTE takes a tour through the FCC with AT&T-capable 4G and beyond


Huawei Ascend P1 LTE takes a tour through the FCC with AT&T-capable 4G and beyond
Huawei hinted last week that the Ascend P1 LTE would travel beyond British shores; it just didn't say where. Based on a new FCC filing, North America is sounding like a good (if very broad) destination. The regulator has cleared a version of the Android 4.0 hardware packing AT&T-friendly 700MHz LTE frequencies as well as AWS support that could suit it to Canadian LTE providers and future T-Mobile deployments. We've likewise noticed AWS-based 3G join the usual 850MHz and 1,900MHz approvals for North American HSPA providers. With such broad coverage, it's difficult to narrow down just the exact carriers that could embrace the Ascend P1 LTE if it launches on this side of the Atlantic. Whatever the choices, it's clear that Huawei is hedging its bets.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, AT&T, T-MobileHuawei Ascend P1 LTE takes a tour through the FCC with AT&T-capable 4G and beyond originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

Nissan drops Leaf lease rates to just $219 a month

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:23 PM PDT

Nissan drops Leaf lease rates to just $219 a month


Nissan drops Leaf lease rates to just $219 a month
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan How strange is it to report yet another drop in Nissan Leaf leasing prices? About as strange as an Associated Press writer quoting a guy named Reuter.Nissan, which at one time was charging customers $349 a month to lease the all-electric Leaf, has recently dropped that rate to as low as $219 a month, according to the AP. Customers can get that rate if they agree to a 32-month lease with $2,999 down. In June, Nissan dropped its monthly lease rate to $289 a month for a 39-month lease; it subsequently decreased the rate to $249 a month. The latest price cut comes after slow demand for the first mass-produced EV sold in the U.S. 2012 Nissan Leaf sales in the U.S., through September, at 5,212 units, were down 28 percent from a year earlier, even though September's sales were the best in 12 months. Nissan spokesman David Reuter told the AP that Leaf sales had been hampered by expanding distribution to all 50 states and away from areas like California, where the most Leafs are sold. Reuter also estimated that about 70 percent of Leafs are purchases outright, while 30 percent of the cars are leased. U.S. production is scheduled to start in Tennessee in December.Nissan drops Leaf lease rates to just $219 a month originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Razer's Project Fiona gaming tablet may see the light of day if enough of you wa...

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:22 PM PDT

Razer's Project Fiona gaming tablet may see the light of day if enough of you want it


Razer's Project Fiona gaming tablet may see the light of day if enough of you want it
Gaming peripheral manufacturer Razer isn't backing down on its "Project Fiona" gaming tablet, despite keeping it locked away for the past nine months. The company is, however, assessing interest in the concept -- first revealed at CES 2012 -- by asking fans to "Like" its Facebook page. If the page exceeds 10,000 likes/shares within a week, CEO Min-Liang Tan says, "we'll work on making the concept a reality and launch the product." He also says Razer's whittled down concepts for the device, though he's open to "suggestions for specs, form factor, pricing, features," and even "etc." It doesn't sound like it'll make its previously planned "second half of 2012" launch window, but we've asked Razer for more info. As it stands, the device sports a 10.1-inch multitouch high def screen, an Intel Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor, an unknown (but allegedly beefy) GPU, and two nunchuck-esque controllers mounted to either side of the screen. It's also said to run Windows 8 -- make no mistake, this is a PC in the form of a tablet. But you still have the power to change it! Do us a favor and don't request rear touch capabilities.Gallery: Razer's Project Fiona hands-onFiled under: Gaming, Handhelds, Tablets, MobileRazer's Project Fiona gaming tablet may see the light of day if enough of you want it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Facebook | Email this | Comments

Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:22 PM PDT

Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well


Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well
When Paul Allen isn't busy writing memoirs or suing everyone, he's... providing insightful operating system commentary? While "software reviewer" isn't normally part of his job description, Allen has seen fit to dissect Microsoft's Windows 8 interface and learn how the company he co-founded is getting along without him. It's coping gracefully, thank you. The industry pioneer has decided the OS has a lot of promise for tablets, where the touch interface and legacy Windows support could provide the best of both worlds. He doesn't spare his former coworkers from criticism, though: he warns that the split between the Windows 8-style UI and the traditional desktop is potentially confusing, notes the absence of useful Android and iOS features like touch-friendly app folders, and doesn't find the conventional Windows interface very practical with fingers alone. It's hard to ignore the soft spot Allen likely has towards the platform he fostered for years, but his preview still offers a unique perspective on what many of us will see in three weeks.Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Software, MicrosoftPaul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Time | Paul Allen | Email this | Comments

Facebook lets Americans try promoting their posts, won't let you escape sacchari...

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:50 PM PDT

Facebook lets Americans try promoting their posts, won't let you escape saccharine updates


Facebook lets Americans try promoting their posts, won't let you escape saccharine updates
Visiting your Facebook news feed can feel like a chat with parents eager for grandkids -- it's sometimes a flood of engagements, weddings and baby photos. Whether you enjoy it or not, that not-so-subliminal messaging is about to get more prominent with a US trial for promoted posts among everyday users. Just as with earlier deployments, American socialites can click a link to push a given post higher in others' news streams and get feedback on just how many have taken a peek. The testing is limited to those with under 5,000 friends and subscribers to keep the celebrities and social media experts on the sidelines. However, anyone with a quiet life might want to duck and cover for the next few days while more sentimental friends push all their sugary updates to the top.Filed under: InternetFacebook lets Americans try promoting their posts, won't let you escape saccharine updates originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Facebook | Email this | Comments

Car prices soar, incentives plummet

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:50 PM PDT

Car prices soar, incentives plummet


Car prices soar, incentives plummet
Sales are up and so are stickers.

Tep Wireless review: another great option for international mobile hotspot rentals

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:18 PM PDT

Tep Wireless review: another great option for international mobile hotspot rentals


Tep Wireless review: another great option for international mobile hotspot rentals
Traveling is great -- nay, amazing. And travel that requires a passport can be even more fulfilling for those willing to open their minds to new cultures (and, perhaps, deal with entirely too much security screening). But here's the thing -- travel is a lot better, generally speaking, with an internet connection within arm's reach. Things are never more likely to go awry than when you leave your comfort zone (or, you know, home nation), and we here at Engadget have been investigating the best methods for maintaining a connection whilst abroad for the better part of our lives. To date, you've got a smattering of options: rent a MiFi from XCom Global, pick up a rental SIM from iPhoneTrip, pray that you can find a shop that rents data SIMs upon your arrival or pony up for whatever absurd roaming fees that your home operator deems fit. All of the above options have their pros and cons, but the good news here is that your choices are expanding. As the market for ubiquitous connections continues to grow, another player has recently entered the market. Tep Wireless began as a hotspot rental service that mainly looked after those traversing the United Kingdom, but recently, it expanded its coverage umbrella to include some 38 countries across Europe and 50 nations total. This here editor recently had the opportunity to cross through four of those on a single journey, with a Tep hotspot in hand the entire way. Care to see how things turned out? Let's reconvene after the break. Continue reading Tep Wireless review: another great option for international mobile hotspot rentalsFiled under: Cellphones, MobileTep Wireless review: another great option for international mobile hotspot rentals originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Tep Wireless | Email this | Comments

Nokia Xpress brings cloud-based compression to the Lumia line (video)

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:18 PM PDT

Nokia Xpress brings cloud-based compression to the Lumia line (video)


Nokia Xpress brings cloud-based compression to the Lumia line (video)
Nokia refreshed its web browser for the Asha line with the outing of the 308 and 309 last week and now it's spreading the love to Lumia. Announced today via the company's Beta Labs site, Nokia Xpress leverages the cloud to compress internet data up to 85 percent, help users keep tabs on their consumption habits and even reformats favorited sites into a magazine-like layout. The Windows Phone app also enables users to make "smart searches" for content across Bing and YouTube with a simple tap of a selected term, as well as translate the contents of a foreign language page easily from the settings menu. Unfortunately, the app isn't yet available on the Marketplace, so for the time being, you'll have to download it direct from the source below.Continue reading Nokia Xpress brings cloud-based compression to the Lumia line (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software, Mobile, NokiaNokia Xpress brings cloud-based compression to the Lumia line (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Nokia Beta Labs | Email this | Comments

Murata Walking Measurement System hands-on

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 12:17 PM PDT

Murata Walking Measurement System hands-on


Murata Walking Measurement System hands-on
Sure, Nike+ will track your gait and help you tell your friends just how that couch-to-2K training is working for ya, but wouldn't it be nice if it your shoes were smarter? That's partly what Murata is enabling with its Walking Measurement System, on display at CEATEC 2012. It's a piezoelectric sensor that sits in the sole of your shoe and detects pressure at different points. The readings from this sensor, transmitted over low-power Bluetooth 4.0, could enable a number of applications including precise shoe fitting for runners, posture detection for dancers and even golf swing analysis for duffers. Murata had this built into a lovely pink Asics sneaker that was a bit too small for us to try on, but we did try squeezing another sensor that fed its data in real-time to an app running on iPhone. Cool concept? For sure, but for now it's just that and nothing more.Gallery: Murata walking measurement system at CEATEC 2012 Mat Smith contributed to this report.Filed under: WearablesMurata Walking Measurement System hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Get your ticket for Engadget's Seattle reader meetup!

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:45 AM PDT

Get your ticket for Engadget's Seattle reader meetup!


Get your ticket for Engadget's Seattle reader meetup!
Will you look at the calendar? It's already October. That means it's nearly time for Engadget to descend upon the Emerald City as part of the Seattle Interactive Conference. We'll be holding a meetup the first night of the show, with a handful of our editors on hand to talk gadgets, interact with readers and giveaway some cool prizes from some of the top companies in the industry. If you're around the 206 on October 29th, we'd love to have you. You can make sure you'll be added to the list by signing up for tickets here. And maybe if you ask real nice, maybe we'll celebrate Halloween early by forcing Terrence to wear a costume -- we're open for suggestions. 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: AnnouncementsGet your ticket for Engadget's Seattle reader meetup! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Seattle Interactive Conference | Email this | Comments

Nintendo releasing three new 3DS XL bundles in Japan

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:45 AM PDT

Nintendo releasing three new 3DS XL bundles in Japan


Nintendo releasing three new 3DS XL bundles in Japan
If you live in Japan and aren't already red-shelling on a Pokémon or risqué edition 3DS XL, maybe one of these three new bundles will inspire you. For the minimalists: the Monster Hunter Tri G bundle complete with all-black 3DS XL (known as the LL in Japan), releasing November 1st for 21,800 yen (approximately $280). Following one week later (on the 8th) is the Animal Crossing: Jump Out bundle with white and pattern handheld, setting you back 22,800 yen (approximately $290). And, for the same price, the pièce de résistance of the trio -- a New Super Mario Bros. 2 bundle with black and embellished red XL, expected November 15th. If you're the importing type, or just want to see how good the Japanese got it, then check out the gallery below and pick your favorite.Gallery: Japanese 3DS XL bundlesFiled under: Gaming, Handhelds, NintendoNintendo releasing three new 3DS XL bundles in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Engadget Japan | Nintendo (Japanese) | Email this | Comments

Tapbots Founder Paul Haddad On App.net, Netbot, And What Twitter’s New API Means...

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:45 AM PDT

Tapbots Founder Paul Haddad On App.net, Netbot, And What Twitter's New API Means For Tweetbot


Tapbots Founder Paul Haddad On App.net, Netbot, And What Twitter's New API Means For Tweetbot
App.net, the Dalton Caldwell startup that pivoted from being essentially an About.me for apps, and towards being a paid Twitter alternative, today got a boost on the software side thanks to the introduction of Netbot by Tapbots. Netbot, as any Tapbots fan will likely immediately recognize, is essentially a modified version of Tweetbot for iPhone and iPad, but one that works with App.net instead.

2013 Sentra Starts at $16,770

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:44 AM PDT

2013 Sentra Starts at $16,770


2013 Sentra Starts at $16,770
Lowest-priced trim includes a six-speed manual and a 130-hp engine.

Michelle Obama beats Ann Romney in cookie contest

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:44 AM PDT

Michelle Obama beats Ann Romney in cookie contest


Michelle Obama beats Ann Romney in cookie contest
he race between President Obama and Mitt Romney isn't the only one that's close. Michelle Obama and Ann Romney also squared off ... on cookie recipes.

Amazon adds closed captions to select Instant streams

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:11 AM PDT

Amazon adds closed captions to select Instant streams


Amazon adds closed captions to select Instant streams
Amazon is finally catching up to the rest of the streaming industry and adding closed captions to some of its Instant Video selections. For the moment the library of CCed content is pretty slim, with only 169 shows and 74 movies, but we'd expect that to grow pretty quickly. That does put the burgeoning media giant quite a bit behind competitors like Hulu and Netflix, who have been catering to the hearing impaired for some time. For now, captions are only available when streaming from Amazon's website, but the company promises to expand support to "additional devices" soon. For more info check out the Amazon help page at the source and the email notice forwarded to us by a tipster after the break. [Thanks, Linda]Continue reading Amazon adds closed captions to select Instant streamsFiled under: Home Entertainment, HD, AmazonAmazon adds closed captions to select Instant streams originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Amazon | Email this | Comments

Archos Arnova GBook gets quiet introduction, reveals its humble powers

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:11 AM PDT

Archos Arnova GBook gets quiet introduction, reveals its humble powers


Archos Arnova GBook gets quiet introduction, reveals its humble powers
Its routine FCC appearance from a few months back hinted that it would be officially launching sooner rather than later -- and today, our dear friends, marks the day the GBook formally joins the Archos Arnova family. The 7-inch, Ice Cream Sandwich tablet / eReader likely won't excite many with its run-of-the-mill spec sheet, which consists of a 1GHz Cortex A8 CPU, 1GB RAM, 4GB of built-in storage, 1080p video playback and a meek screen resolution of 800 x 480. In addition to those features, the company's placing a lot of focus on the device's eReading capabilities, announcing it'll offer support for any EPUB and PDF files -- including "those using Adobe DRM." Speaking of which, folks will have to purchase all content from Archos' own store, given that the GBook does not posses the required credentials to access Google Play. Meanwhile, pricing and availability deets are still unknown, but we'll be sure to keep you in the loop as soon as we find out. In the meantime, there's some eye candy down below for you to freely enjoy. Gallery: Archos Arnova GBook press shotsFiled under: TabletsArchos Arnova GBook gets quiet introduction, reveals its humble powers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Notebook Italia | Arnova | Email this | Comments

Motorcycles safer without a helmet?

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:11 AM PDT

Motorcycles safer without a helmet?


Motorcycles safer without a helmet?
Change to Michigan law has surprising result.

The Founders Of Rocket Internet’s Square Clone Payleven On Technology And Taking...

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:39 AM PDT

The Founders Of Rocket Internet's Square Clone Payleven On Technology And Taking Mobile Payments Mass Market


The Founders Of Rocket Internet's Square Clone Payleven On Technology And Taking Mobile Payments Mass Market
The Samwer brothers, their Rocket Internet investment vehicle and their portfolio of e-commerce companies have been some of the harder-to-penetrate parts of the European startup ecosystem. They often don't reveal official funding figures for their landscape of businesses and have been publicity shy in other ways, too. So it was with some surprise that I was asked yesterday, in the middle of a crowded apps trade show in London, if I wanted to meet with two of the three co-founders of Payleven, the Rocket-incubated mobile payment startup -- one of the many companies, like Square, that have developed a way of attaching a device to a phone to turn it into a card reader -- to talk shop.

John Hodgman on the death of publishing and being a Mac trapped in a PC's body

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:05 AM PDT

John Hodgman on the death of publishing and being a Mac trapped in a PC's body


John Hodgman on the death of publishing and being a Mac trapped in a PC's body
I'm fully prepared to complete every sentence I utter about John Hodgman in the future with the qualifier "is a delight." Author, comedian, professional voice actor, celebrity spokesperson -- Hodgman keeps the sort of schedule that would make even the most hardened globe-trotting blogger ball up into the fetal position. When we finally nailed him down for an interview on the Engadget Show last month, we asked him to meet us at the General Society for Mechanics and Tradesmen in midtown Manhattan. It's a place not far from Times Square that our producer Ben discovered while shooting a segment about the annual meeting of the Corduroy Appreciation Club, a group of menswear enthusiasts who meet each year on 11 / 11 -- the date most closely resembling corduroy. It's a strange and beautiful old space that dates back to the early 19th century, as a resource for apprentices of a society that can, in turn, be traced back to 1785. It seems to serve a different purpose now, a couple of older gentlemen shuffling in and out of the library during the three hours we spend there, each staying quiet, seated alone at a small table, reading novels and history books from off the shelves. For today, however, it'll serve as John Hodgman's own private library, the tongue-in-cheek backdrop for his long-awaited Engadget Show interview. Ben and I go back and forth a bit, prior to his arrival, debating whether or not he'll embrace the silly premise. He agrees immediately after traveling in from Brooklyn, offering up a single, key caveat: it's actually the annex to his own private library. The cameras roll and without missing a beat, he slips into his deranged millionaire persona, a character that has popped up a bit over the past few years, as Hodgman has wrapped up his trilogy of "complete world knowledge," the last entry of which, "That is All," was released in paperback and audiobook forms this week. "This," the mustachioed author explains, "is the end of world knowledge." It's a journey that began in 2005, with the publication of "The Areas of My Expertise," an almanac of sorts compiling the comedian's knowledge of "matters historical, matters literary, matters cryptozoological and hobo matters," to name but a small cross-section. Hodgman was a self-described former professional literary agent at the time, first making a splash amongst the literati some five years prior with the publication of the column "Ask a Former Professional Literary Agent" for uber-hip San Francisco publisher McSweeney's.Continue reading John Hodgman on the death of publishing and being a Mac trapped in a PC's bodyFiled under: AltJohn Hodgman on the death of publishing and being a Mac trapped in a PC's body originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Nokia's Lumia 510 might have been spotted catching the noonday sun

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:05 AM PDT

Nokia's Lumia 510 might have been spotted catching the noonday sun


Nokia's Lumia 510 might have been spotted catching the noonday sun
If a rolling stone gathers no moss, then the rumors surrounding Nokia's ultra-low-budget Lumia 510 have grown very mossy indeed. The folks over at GSMArena have snagged this glare-a-riffic snap of the prospective handset catching some rays in the finest of blurrycam traditions. Their tipster is also reiterating the specs we've seen before, talking up a Windows 7.8 handset with 256MB RAM, 800MHz CPU and 5-megapixel camera that's destined to stand between the Asha and Lumia 610 at the lower end of its smartphone pantheon. For those who prefer blurry pictures that move, My Nokia Blog has turned up a brief hands-on video of the phone -- check it out after the break.Continue reading Nokia's Lumia 510 might have been spotted catching the noonday sunFiled under: Cellphones, Mobile, NokiaNokia's Lumia 510 might have been spotted catching the noonday sun originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | GSMArena, My Nokia Blog | Email this | Comments

Engadget Mobile Podcast 154 - 10.03.2012

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:05 AM PDT

Engadget Mobile Podcast 154 - 10.03.2012


Engadget Mobile Podcast 154 - 10.03.2012
This edition of the Engadget Mobile Podcast finds the Engadget Mobile Podcasters at a super-geeky Finnish summer camp. Click the "play" button for a recap of the hottest trends in a land where it's almost always -- even during summer camp -- very, very cold, like rally racing, optical image stabilization, and fabricating GIFs out of nothing but pure magic. Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad MolenGuest: Joseph VolpeProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International) 00:05:45 - Engadget visits Nokia House wrap-up: Stephen Elop Q&A, Lumia 920 camera tests and more 00:38:30 - LG Optimus G: hands-on with Korea's latest powerhouse (video) (updated) 01:09:27 - LG Intuition review: Optimus Deja Vu with a Verizon LTE twist 01:12:40 - AT&T 4G LTE adds Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Galaxy Express and Galaxy Rugby Pro to lineup 01:18:39 - HTC's Windows Phone 8X vs. the competition: fight! 01:20:50 - Windows Phone 8S by HTC hands-on: a bright Windows phone that holds promise (video) 01:21:15 - Windows Phone 8X by HTC hands-on: Microsoft's modern mobile OS personified in polycarbonate 01:23:45 - Windows Phone 8X by HTC: 4.3-inch 720p display, LTE, dual-core S4, available this November 01:30:50 - Motorola RAZR i: hands-on with the 2GHz Android phone (video) 01:32:00 - Motorola announces Intel-powered RAZR i, launches in Europe next month 01:35:23 - Sony Xperia T review: a new 4.6-inch smartphone flagship that isn't quite new enough 01:35:43 - Sony Xperia TL joins AT&T's 4G LTE lineup as official James Bond phone 01:41:30 - Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G review: T-Mobile's QWERTY slider falls flat 01:46:45 - Tim Cook apologizes for Maps mess 01:51:00 - iPhone 5 review 01:55:20 - iOS 6 review 01:58:28 - Verizon CFO buries his head in the sand, claims unlimited data is 'going by the wayside' 02:01:48 - RIM: first BlackBerry 10 devices to focus on mid-range and up, entry-level may be ready in 2013 Hear the podcastSubscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.Follow us on Twitter@tnkgrl @phonewisdom @engadgetmobile @richardlaiFiled under: Podcasts, MobileEngadget Mobile Podcast 154 - 10.03.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

How to stage a successful open house

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 10:05 AM PDT

How to stage a successful open house


How to stage a successful open house
If you want to increase your chances of closing the deal, here are some tips on how to throw a great open house.

Slickdeals' best in tech for October 3rd: 60-inch Panasonic Viera Plasma HDTV an...

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 09:31 AM PDT

Slickdeals' best in tech for October 3rd: 60-inch Panasonic Viera Plasma HDTV and more


Slickdeals' best in tech for October 3rd: 60-inch Panasonic Viera Plasma HDTV 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. Now that the NFL season is in full swing, a new HDTV could make weekend spectating a bit more enjoyable. In today's round of tech deals, a 60-inch Panasonic plasma display tops the list with a handsome $200 discount in tow. If you're not looking to invest quite that much, there are four other offers that will gladly accept your eager mouse clicks. Head on past the break to view 'em all, but be mindful of those coupon codes and rebate forms.Continue reading Slickdeals' best in tech for October 3rd: 60-inch Panasonic Viera Plasma HDTV and moreFiled under: Misc, Home Entertainment, Storage, NetworkingSlickdeals' best in tech for October 3rd: 60-inch Panasonic Viera Plasma HDTV and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Slickdeals | Email this | Comments

Mobile Game Developer Crowdstar Chooses A CEO From One Of Its Own

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 09:31 AM PDT

Mobile Game Developer Crowdstar Chooses A CEO From One Of Its Own


Mobile Game Developer Crowdstar Chooses A CEO From One Of Its Own
Mobile and social game developer Crowdstar is at it again with a new CEO at the helm. The company is promoting from within and giving Jeffrey Tseng, the general manager of products, the top slot. Peter Relan, who co-founded the company and has served as CEO for the past year and nine months, moves into an executive chairman role. This is a marked change from two years ago when the company hired a chief executive externally and brought in Niren Hiro, a veteran from AdMob, the mobile advertising company that Google acquired for $750 million. Hiro left the company amicably after less than a year. "The reality is that this is a company that's going to thrive under a product CEO," said Relan, who is a prolific investor in the gaming space that has backed companies like OpenFeint, iSwifter and HTML-focused Spaceport.io. "The last time we brought in an external CEO, he had more of a business development background and I'm completely sure what we need now is a product CEO."

CEATEC 2012 wrap-up: concept cars, eye-tracking tech and motion sensors galore

Posted: 03 Oct 2012 08:58 AM PDT

CEATEC 2012 wrap-up: concept cars, eye-tracking tech and motion sensors galore


CEATEC 2012 wrap-up: concept cars, eye-tracking tech and motion sensors galore
CEATEC, Japan's largest annual electronics show, is winding down here on the outskirts of Tokyo. We've spent the past two days scouring the halls of the Makuhari Messe, digging up no shortage of concept cars, eye-tracking technologies and even the odd Windows 8 device. The star of the show may have been Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo, with its gaze-controlled prototypes and real-time translation app, but there were plenty of other gadgets on hand to peak our interest -- even if many of them won't make it to market anytime soon. Have a look for yourself by browsing our complete CEATEC 2012 coverage past the break.Gallery: CEATEC 2012 wrap-upContinue reading CEATEC 2012 wrap-up: concept cars, eye-tracking tech and motion sensors galoreFiled under: Announcements, Misc, Robots, TransportationCEATEC 2012 wrap-up: concept cars, eye-tracking tech and motion sensors galore originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments