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Engadget Podcast 280 - 02.10.2012

Trent Wolbe — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:39:00 EDT

You can pretend you care about cameras, tablets, and browsers all you want. But we'll still know you're here for the Lazer Tag news.

Host: Brian Heater, Dana Wollman, Terrence O'brien
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Orbital - Never

00:02:35 - Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 review (global edition)

00:14:09 - Kodak to shutter digital camera production this year

00:23:40 - Nikon confirms 36.3-megapixel D800, we go hands-on
00:29:03 - Sony Alpha NEX-7 mirrorless camera review

00:34:21 - Apple announcing iPad 3 first week of March? Anonymous sources think so

00:41:00 - Microsoft celebrating leap year right by launching Windows 8 Consumer Preview at MWC

00:49:45 - Google Chrome browser arrives on Android (video)

00:55:30 - Hasbro reinvents Lazer Tag for the smartphone generation, lets you live out your Doom-fueled fantasies

01:03:14 - HTC admits its bulky, quick-dying LTE phones kinda suck

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Engadget Podcast 280 - 02.10.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mattel Apptivity hands-on (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:10:00 EDT

Mattel thinks it has the secret to succeeding where so many others have failed in bridging that divide between the virtual and the physical -- and it might be right. While plenty of other toy companies have tried pairing hunks of plastic with apps in the past, Mattel has gone the extra mile, incorporating its recognizable brands and partnering with top tier developers. Later this year the company will launch Apptivity, a line of toys made from conductive plastic that interact with iPad games -- some which you're already quite familiar with, like Cut the Rope, Fruit Ninja and, of course, Angry Birds. The games will get an update when the toys hit the market with new features and play modes specifically designed to utilize the physical pieces. Other brands, including WWE, Batman and Hot Wheels will also be part of the first batch of toys designed to be played with on your iPad screen.

None of the apps or the toys themselves were quite ready for prime time yet, but Hot Wheels, WWE, Fruit Ninja and Cut the Rope were all at least playble. The Apptivity mode in Cut the Rope and Fruit Ninja are pretty intuitive, but it took a bit of practice to get the hang of Hot Wheels. We had trouble finding the sweet spot on the screen that kept our car speeding along while leaving room to see upcoming obstacles. The line of toys will launch exlusively in Apple Stores in May with Hot Wheels (which will cost $20), followed by the rest in July. Check out the gallery below and the video after the break for a few more impressions.

Gallery: Apptivity

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Continue reading Mattel Apptivity hands-on (video)

Mattel Apptivity hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T doubling its upgrade fee to $36 on February 12th (update: confirmed)

Dante Cesa — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:52:00 EDT

What do you do after reporting "blow-out" earnings and instituting larger, pricier, data plans? If you're AT&T, why not go for the jugular by doubling upgrade fees? Per the above leaked memo, that's exactly what Ma Bell plans to do come February 12th, upping the existing $18 fee to a new high of $36. That might sound familiar, as it's much in the same vein as cross-town rival Sprint, who went through the same kerfuffle back in September. We've pinged AT&T about the the price hike and will update when we hear back.

Update: AT&T sent us the following statement confirming the increase:

Wireless devices today are more sophisticated than ever before. And because of that, the costs associated with upgrading to a new device have increased and is reflected in our new upgrade fee. This fee isn't unique to AT&T and this is the first time we're changing it in nearly 10 years.

AT&T doubling its upgrade fee to $36 on February 12th (update: confirmed) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barbie gets a camera implant to snap photos in style, we go hands-on

Edgar Alvarez — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:28:00 EDT

Speechless? We can't blame you and, although this fashionable shooter might not be up your alley, we're willing to bet your kids -- or any other young member of the fam -- would snatch her up in a heartbeat. Dubbed Barbie Photo Fashion, she might not be too computer savvy, but this stylish doll's got traits of her own to flaunt. Photo Barbie's carrying a 5-megapixel camera between her shoulder blades and a thumb-size LCD in her synthetic guts. She's got 15 built-in effects to give your pics a little sweet spice too. Speaking of, the $50 Barbie holds up to 100 shots and is powered by a rechargeable battery that should give you enough juice to get you through a few sessions. When it's time to charge up or unload your images, just jack into her tramp stamp mini USB port. Barbie was kind enough to join our photoshoot, so hit up the gallery below to check out the rest of the shots.

Gallery: Barbie Cam

Terrence O'Brien contributed to this report.

Barbie gets a camera implant to snap photos in style, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hertz charges into EV Plugless Power pilot program, can't say it three times fast

Brian Heater — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:58:00 EDT

Hertz has been offering up electric vehicles amongst its fleet of rental cars, and now it's getting ready to pull the plug. The company is teaming with Evatran to test out the those cool little Plugless Power discs, installing some at its corporate headquarters this month. Hertz, along with a number of other companies will be logging "feedback on daily usage routines, user interfaces, and any additional functionality needed." No word on when such technology might see wider distribution.

Continue reading Hertz charges into EV Plugless Power pilot program, can't say it three times fast

Hertz charges into EV Plugless Power pilot program, can't say it three times fast originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple sues Motorola over Qualcomm license, makes us dream of a world without lawyers

Terrence O'Brien — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:11:00 EDT

There are literally no words (at least no family-friendly ones) to describe the insanity that is the ongoing legal war between practically every player in the mobile scene. You can't lay the blame entirely at Cupertino's stoop either -- Motorola, HTC and Samsung all deserve plenty of our ire as well. The tablet and smartphone industry appears to be trying to sue itself out of existence, and Apple's filing today against Motorola Mobility in the US District Court of Southern California is just latest in a long line of legal ploys likely to inspire you to slam your head against a wall. The purveyors of all things "i" has accused Moto of breaching a licensing contract with Qualcomm when Moto hit Apple with four patent claims in Germany. That license covers wireless technology Qualcomm uses in its MDM6610 chip, and also purportedly covers Qualcomm's customers who purchase and use said chips. Naturally, that bit of silicon is a component in the iPhone 4S, so Apple argues that it's safe under the terms of the contract. Furthermore, Cupertino claims Motorola is barred from suing under the doctrine of exhaustion -- which is a legal defense that once a patented item is sold (i.e. when Moto licensed its technology to Qualcomm), the patentee's control over that item is exhausted and it can't sue anyone else for infringement.

So, this new suit filed in San Diego seeks to prevent Motorola from enforcing its claims in Deutschland. It also aims to keep Motorola from suing Apple for its use of Qualcomm components incorporating licensed Moto technology anywhere else. Confused? We won't lie, we are a little bit too, but all is revealed in the complaint found at the source link below.

Apple sues Motorola over Qualcomm license, makes us dream of a world without lawyers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!

Brad Molen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:50:00 EDT

Another week has come and gone, and another Engadget Mobile Podcast is ready to begin. Myriam Joire, Sean Cooper and Brad Molen are ready for the latest round of weekly mobile news and will get you caught up to speed... LTE speed. Join us at 5PM ET!

February 10, 2012 5:00 PM EST

Continue reading Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!

Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eurocom Panther 4.0 is the mirror universe's version of an Ultrabook

Daniel Cooper — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:27:00 EDT

Eurocom, like its chassis-brethren Maingear and Clevo, just lives to jam over-sized Sandy Bridge E hardware into mumpsy laptops. Find yourself in front of the Panther 4.0 and you'll be staring into a 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 display (you can choose between matte, glossy and 3D) as you work or game away on a choice of GeForce GTX 580M, Quadro 5010M or Radeon HD 6990M graphics kit. There's space for four terabytes of SATA 3.0 storage and 32GB of RAM. It's weighing in at 12.1lbs, so a quick warning to anyone whose muscles have atrophied with excessive Ultrabook usage: it's wise to do some reps down at the gym. When it arrives in March, it'll cost you $2649 for the base model -- from there, you can upgrade as far as your wallet / procurement budget will allow.

Gallery: Eurocom Panther 4.0 Press Images

Continue reading Eurocom Panther 4.0 is the mirror universe's version of an Ultrabook

Eurocom Panther 4.0 is the mirror universe's version of an Ultrabook originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Master Moves Mickey hands-on: challenges Bieber and TOSY to dance-off (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:59:00 EDT

Beethoven's Fifth or Michelangelo's Pietà it's not but, while Master Moves Mickey can't stand as a cornerstone of civilization, it can certainly throw down on the dance floor. The b-boy bot has a speaker hidden under its garb that kicks out the jams while this mechanical mouse break dances its little Disney trademarked heart out. He's got 15 different signature moves, carefully choreographed to eight different built-in tunes and loads of personality thanks to a collection of self-depreciating one-liners ready in case he loses his balance. And all this legendary performer needs to keep earning his urban cred is a six AA batteries, oh, and your money -- $70 of it to be specific. Master Moves Mickey should be hitting shelves in August. Check out the video after the break.

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Continue reading Master Moves Mickey hands-on: challenges Bieber and TOSY to dance-off (video)

Master Moves Mickey hands-on: challenges Bieber and TOSY to dance-off (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer CloudMobile phone wins design award, lets cat out of the bag

Mat Smith — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:32:00 EDT

Sometimes, you're just so darn full of pride you can get lost in the moment. We assume that's what Acer's done, having revealed possibly its trump handset weeks before the global mobile event, MWC, even starts. Its CloudMobile has won the iF design award for 2012, and the company just wanted everyone to know. So what can we expect to see later this month? Well, the phone will pack a 4.3-inch high-definition touchscreen, with a Dolby-branded speaker plate on the back, all wrapped in a sub-10mm "Sleeve DNA" contoured shell. Expect the device to be tightly integrated with Acer's cloud technology -- we grabbed a hands-on with this just last month -- using peer-to-peer connectivity to sync pictures, music and other files, while also offering up printer functionality. Pocket-Lint believes we'll see the device running Android 4.0 on arrival -- it's currently posited for a Q3 release. We'll be scouring the show floor for it when Mobile World Congress kicks off in earnest.

Continue reading Acer CloudMobile phone wins design award, lets cat out of the bag

Acer CloudMobile phone wins design award, lets cat out of the bag originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET | Pocket-Lint, Hexus | Email this | Comments

Apple seeks injunction against Samsung in California with newly acquired patents

Donald Melanson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:07:00 EDT

You can now add one more case to the long list of disputes between Apple and Samsung. As PaidContent reports, Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung in the Northern District of California federal court on Tuesday, seeking a temporary injunction on the basis of two patents it obtained in December. One of those reportedly concerns the autocorrect feature found on iPhones and iPads, but details on the case otherwise remain a bit light as the complaint itself is still under seal. We'll keep you posted as we get more information.

Apple seeks injunction against Samsung in California with newly acquired patents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Withings Smart Baby Monitor drops through FCC's chimney

Sharif Sakr — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:28:00 EDT

Baby monitors. If you're in the market for one (er, congrats) and you run an Apple-flavored household, then this Withings device looks sufficiently over-specced for your needs. It's been out in the UK for a couple of months already priced at £269 ($425), and judging from the FCC filing it's coming to the US too, where it'll face sibling rivalry from the likes of Samsung, Evoz and the Exmobaby bodysuit. The base station fixes to the side of the crib, hooks up over WiFi or Ethernet, and streams audio and three-megapixel video (with night-vision mode) over the web, so you can access it via the iOS app using 3G or any good internet connection -- not only when you're within range of your router. It's even said that if you turn the mic's sensitivity right up, you'll hear the sounds of your old life, calling to you.

Withings Smart Baby Monitor drops through FCC's chimney originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD outs cheap Athlon II X4 Llano-based processors, minus integrated graphics

Sharif Sakr — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:56:00 EDT

Given that superior integrated graphics was one of the key selling points of AMD's low-power Llano desktop chips, it might seem like a strange move to offer two new Athlon-branded variants that have been stripped of their GPUs. However, while one hand slaps your face, the other hand gives you more cash to spend on a proper graphics card for your ultra-cheap rig -- because both the Athlon II X4 641 and it's lower-power buddy, the 638, are priced at just $81. Go out and buy yourself something nice.

AMD outs cheap Athlon II X4 Llano-based processors, minus integrated graphics originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's NP700 gaming laptop goes up for pre-order with Ivy Bridge pride

Amar Toor — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:34:00 EDT

Jonesing for some more of Samsung's 17-inchers? Jones no more, because the Korean manufacturer has just put its NP700G7C gaming laptop up for pre-order. Packing 16GB of memory, this new Series 7 lappy made a brief appearance on Best Buy's website last month, but was quickly pulled. This time, though, it looks like it's for real, with Samsung touting its new "Gaming PC" on its very own website, alongside a $1,700 price tag. For that money, you'll get a 17.3-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and, most compelling, a taste of Ivy Bridge, courtesy of the laptop's third-generation Intel Core i7-3610QM quad-core processor, which clocks in at 2.3GHz. It's available now, at the source link below.

Samsung's NP700 gaming laptop goes up for pre-order with Ivy Bridge pride originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Droid 4 available on Verizon today for $200

Donald Melanson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:11:00 EDT

It can be tough to keep track of which Droid is launching when these days, but those waiting patiently for the Motorola Droid 4 will be glad to know that the QWERTY slider is available on Verizon today for $200 on-contract. That of course buys you a pass onto Verizon's LTE network, along with a 4-inch qHD display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, a 8-megapixel camera (paired with a lower-res front-facing cam), 16GB of storage and Android 2.3.5 for an OS. An Ice Cream Sandwich update is promised, but there's unfortunately no date for its release just yet. We'll have a full review of the phone shortly, but in the meantime you can check out our hands-on with the device from last month.

Motorola Droid 4 available on Verizon today for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix Android app adds onscreen volume slider, Facebook integration (where available)

Richard Lawler — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:47:00 EDT

Now that Netflix is available on most Android devices and even sporting a fresh tablet interface, what's there left to tweak? Plenty actually, and the company just pushed a new 1.7 version of the app that adds Facebook sharing and discovery in the countries where those features are enabled (read: not the US). Also new is a software volume slider for tablet users as shown above by Android Community, as well as tweaks for AV sync and resolution of some other tablet incompatibilities. HD streaming support for tablets will have to wait for another day, but for now users can grab the latest version from the Android Market at the link below.

Netflix Android app adds onscreen volume slider, Facebook integration (where available) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unknown HTC phone running ICS pops up, looks Incredible

James Trew — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:17:00 EDT

What's this we have here? Well, clearly it's an HTC phone, but it looks different to what we've seen before. If the pictures are to be believed, we're looking at an Android 4.0 device with HTC's Sense 4.0 on top. There's LTE on board, and what looks like Verizon's splash-screen, meaning there's every reason to believe this is destined for the US. The rest of the specs suggest it's packing a dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon processor, backed up by 1GB of RAM, Beats Audio and an 8-megapixel shooter. Given that the Rezound already purrs along on a 1.5GHz chip and that embossed backing looks oh-so familiar, it doesn't seem out of line to wager this is the next-gen Incredible with a bump in clock speed. What also catches our eye is the inclusion of hardware buttons, leaving open the possibility that this might just be a prototype after all. We're too not hopeful we'll learn much more before MWC, but we'll keep our eyes on the trail all the same.

Unknown HTC phone running ICS pops up, looks Incredible originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NEC Casio Medias LTE N-04D launches in Japan next week

Mat Smith — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:46:00 EDT

It was mere weeks since we saw NEC's last smartphone that will probably never take the plane ride away from Japan, but contrary to its recent financials, the company doesn't appear to be letting up. The NEC Medias LTE N-04D, arriving on NTT DoCoMo, is a little chunkier than its predecessor, but that 11.6mm shell manages to squeeze in 4G connectivity and a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor Along LTE credentials, the specification reads like the majority of Medias phones we've already seen recently. This includes a waterproof shell, 4.3-inch 720p LCD screen, mobile wallet and TV tuner. It'll also join the handful of smartphones compatible with Casio's Bluetooth-connected G-Shock, adding mail and call notifications to your wrist. The phone will arrive February 15th in the tangy orange and black guise seen above. Japanese residents can now preorder theirs (while the rest of us gaze on wistfully) at the source below.

NEC Casio Medias LTE N-04D launches in Japan next week originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Akihabara News | NTT DoCoMo | Email this | Comments

DarwinBot is a surrogate play partner for man's best friend

Terrence O'Brien — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:17:00 EDT

The problem facing Microsoft developer Jordan Correa and his wife was hardly an uncommon one. They both have full time jobs (that's not the problem), but they also have an adorable dog Darwin that is left alone for about eight hours each day. Correa decided to keep his pup active and virtually bridged their physical divide by building his own telepresence robot using Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio, a Kinect and a pile of other parts. Jordan can connect to his pup by dialing into the bot via Skype, allowing him to bark commands, pilot it around the house with an Xbox 360 controller and even play catch using the integrated ball launcher. The Parallax-powered platform can even dispense treats and autonomously retrieve the ball with a retractable arm. To see DarwinBot in action check out the video after the break.

Continue reading DarwinBot is a surrogate play partner for man's best friend

DarwinBot is a surrogate play partner for man's best friend originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phones 4u 'JUMP' plan lets you swap phones every six months, for a price

Daniel Cooper — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:44:00 EDT

Britons! Dedicated followers of fashion! If your clothes are loud (but never square) and you've just gotta keep up with the latest trends, then Phones 4u should be your next stop. The independent phone retailer is offering customers JUMP (short for "Just Upgrade my Phone"): a 24-month deal that'll let you upgrade your handset every six months. Rather than signing a vanilla deal with your carrier, you plump for a cheaper plan and then rent-to-buy the handset from the store. It's a little more complicated -- and costly -- than your average contract, so keep a calculator handy as you try to follow the math (sorry, 'maths') after the break.

Continue reading Phones 4u 'JUMP' plan lets you swap phones every six months, for a price

Phones 4u 'JUMP' plan lets you swap phones every six months, for a price originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Distro goes 'Beyond the Revolution' to explore tech in post-Mubarak Egypt

Christopher Trout — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:15:00 EDT

Nearly one year ago, dictator Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down after 18 consecutive days of protest by Egyptian citizens. Those demonstrations were organized largely through the use of social networking, cell phones and banned TV channels, a greater trend that permeated the revolutionary period now known as the Arab Spring. To mark the anniversary of Mubarak's ousting, Sharif Sakr traveled to Egypt to speak with five Egyptians about the role that technology plays in their lives today. This issue of Distro also features reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, Motorola's Droid RAZR Maxx, Sony's Alpha NEX-7 and a Q&A with the founder of the Ubuntu Project, Mark Shuttleworth. If you've been looking for a good reason to download an issue of Distro, look no further.

Distro Issue 27 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Android Market
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

Distro goes 'Beyond the Revolution' to explore tech in post-Mubarak Egypt originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show wrap-up

Zach Honig — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:47:00 EDT

It's never easy to leave Japan -- the friendly people, incredible food, cutting-edge tech, clean streets and efficient public transit network mean we never hesitate when given an opportunity to visit this incredible country. But sadly, our latest adventure has come to an end. This year's CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show brought thousands of photography fans to Yokohama, a metropolis just a short train ride away from Tokyo. And while CP+ is still primarily a Japanese trade show, it served as the global launching ground for dozens of top camera models, including the Nikon D800, Olympus E-M5 and Pentax K-01, just to name a few. Bag and tripod manufacturers could be found spattered amongst the Japanese camera giants, but overall this show was more about the latest cameras than gimmicky accessories. There was still plenty of entertainment to be found on the show floor, so scroll through our gallery below for an inside look at life at CP+, or jump past the break for a roundup of our hands-ons and related news stories. Sayonara!

Gallery: CP+ 2012 wrap-up

Continue reading CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show wrap-up

CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:11:00 EDT

You don't see many lenses pop up 'round these parts, but Sony's new 500mm f/4 G SSM optic is impressive enough to warrant some hands-on attention. We spotted the new A-mount telephoto mounted on an Alpha A77 at Sony's booth at CP+ 2012, and queued up for a chance to take some shots. The lens focused surprisingly quickly, especially given its massive 500mm fixed focal length. Moving from subject to subject at varying distances, we were typically able to achieve focus in a fraction of a second. Long lenses have traditionally been tricky on the focus front, but this guy handled it like a champ, with speeds that appeared to rival far shorter primes. The SAL500F40G, as it's to be known, will be hand built to order beginning in March, with a yet-to-be-confirmed (likely sky-high) price tag. Click on past the break to see just how quickly we can zero in on some wild CP+ show floor action.

Gallery: Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on

Continue reading Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video)

Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canadian gets PlayStation Vita early thanks to faith, good works

Sharif Sakr — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:24:00 EDT

Today's lucky beggar award goes to Graham Innes in Canada, who wrote in to tell us that he found a PlayStation Vita sitting on his doorstep. It wasn't a total surprise, since he'd ordered one from Amazon, but what's weird is just how soon it arrived -- the early-bird First Edition doesn't launch until February 15th and the general release is a whole week after that. We're not sure what Graham did to deserve this, but we do know from our Joystiq buddies that he's not the only one -- Amazon.ca has apparently sent out a few of these premature parcels. If the injustice burns, console yourself with the thought that Graham and his blessed compatriots probably can't access the store to download any games.

Update: Graham emailed again. He has store access. He has games. Joyousness.

Canadian gets PlayStation Vita early thanks to faith, good works originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N9 spotted running Ice Cream Sandwich, dual-boot in the works

Myriam Joire — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:37:00 EDT

This above is the first glimpse of Android 4.0 running on the Nokia N9. Yes, it looks like Ice Cream Sandwich is in being ported to the company's iconic handset by no other than Alexey Roslyakov and team NITDroid -- the folks who previously put Android on the Nokia N900. The project, which is still in its early stages, made significant progress after recently overcoming a framebuffer driver/HAL hurdle, allowing ICS to be displayed on the phone. In addition, a dual-boot solution is in the works letting Meego and Android 4.0 coexist on the device. We certainly can't wait to experience using Ice Cream Sandwich on some of the hottest white hardware around. Can you?

Nokia N9 spotted running Ice Cream Sandwich, dual-boot in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Steve Troughton-Smith (Twitter), Netbooknews | Alexey Roslyakov (Twitter), talk.maemo.org | Email this | Comments

German court dismisses Motorola's patent lawsuit against Apple

Amar Toor — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:30:00 EDT

Motorola suffered a setback in Germany this morning, after a Mannheim Regional Court struck down one of the company's several patent lawsuits against Apple. The patent in question, EP1053613, is considered essential to the 3G/UMTS wireless standard and, more specifically, pertains to a "method and system for generating a complex pseudonoise sequence for processing a code division multiple access [CDMA] signal." Motorola Mobility had argued that Apple's products infringed upon this patent, but Judge Andreas Voss today dismissed these claims, on the basis that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate Cupertino's violation. It's undoubtedly a welcomed victory for Apple, which had been suffering through something of a losing streak against Motorola, but their ongoing tug-of-war is far from over. Neither Motorola nor Apple have commented on the decision.

German court dismisses Motorola's patent lawsuit against Apple originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel settles antitrust lawsuit with New York attorney general, pays hardly anything

Amar Toor — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:00 EDT

Intel's three-year tussle with the state of New York finally came to an end yesterday, with a settlement of relatively harmless proportion. Under the arrangement, Intel will have to shell out a mere $6.5 million to resolve a 2009 antitrust lawsuit filed by then-attorney general Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, who has since ascended to the seat of governor, had accused the chipmaker of intimidating PC manufacturers and handing out billion-dollar kickbacks, as part of what he called a "systematic worldwide campaign" to assert its market dominance. The case has since been helmed by Cuomo's successor, current attorney general Eric Schneiderman, but its sails lost a lot of wind when U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark barred the state from seeking triple damages, limiting its claims to a three-year period, rather than the four-to-six that the state had been pursuing. As a result, Intel suffered only the slightest of financial blows.

According to Reuters, the $6.5 million sum represents just five hours worth of profit for the company, which reported a net income of nearly $13 billion last year. Intel was pleased with the news, pointing out that the agreement doesn't require it to admit any wrongdoing. Schneiderman, on the other hand, seemed notably less enthusiastic, with office spokeswoman Jennifer Givner telling reporters that the state's lawyers still think they have a case against Intel, but "in light of the court's decision believe that no purpose is served by pursuing the matter further."

Intel settles antitrust lawsuit with New York attorney general, pays hardly anything originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku adds BBC iPlayer channel as it starts shipping in the UK

Richard Lawler — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:41:00 EDT

Just as Netflix is nearly ubiquitous on media streaming platforms in the US, BBC's iPlayer is pretty much a default app in the UK so it's no surprise to see it show up on Roku's boxes just as they start shipping across the Atlantic. As detailed in the press release after the break, those shiny new Roku LT and Roku 2 XS hockey pucks are well on their way to punters who've shelled out £50 / £100, respectively, with over 40 available channels. Unfortunately, that announcement doesn't extend to global iPlayer support outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, so we'll have to catch up on Inside Men some other way.

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Roku adds BBC iPlayer channel as it starts shipping in the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wolfram Alpha Pro now available, $4.99 a month will let you throw almost anything at it for analysis

Donald Melanson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:07:00 EDT

Wolfram Alpha has made some fairly big strides in its few short years of existence, but the so-called computational knowledge engine has now rolled out what founder Stephen Wolfram says is the "the single most important development for Wolfram Alpha since the original website launched in 2009." That development is Wolfram Alpha Pro, a new premium service that will run you $4.99 a month (or $2.99/month for students) and give you access to a wealth of new options for both input and output. On the input end, you can now upload images, audio and other files (over 60 types in all) for automatic analysis and a detailed report -- according to Stephen Wolfram, the ultimate goal being "to do what a top data scientist would do if given the user's data." As for output, you'll now be able to take advantage of a number of richer download options, including the ability to interact with and tailor the reports to your liking. As you might expect, however, that's just scratching the surface -- you can get a detailed look at the new service at the links below, or take it for a spin yourself with a free trial subscription.

Continue reading Wolfram Alpha Pro now available, $4.99 a month will let you throw almost anything at it for analysis

Wolfram Alpha Pro now available, $4.99 a month will let you throw almost anything at it for analysis originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bluetooth SIG forms new working group focused on fitness gadgets

Donald Melanson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:44:00 EDT

We've been seeing Bluetooth make more and more inroads into fitness gadgets as of late, and it looks like the Bluetooth Special Interest Group is intent on seeing that trend continue. It announced the formation of a new Sports and Fitness Working Group today, which will be tasked with increasing the interoperability between wearable gadgets and other sensors and so-called "hub" devices like smartphones, TVs and gym equipment. That's a fairly natural fit for Bluetooth now, but it's taken until Bluetooth 4.0 for the standard to really emerge as a viable alternative to lower-power options like ANT+ (now commonly used in heart rate monitors and the like).

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Bluetooth SIG forms new working group focused on fitness gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rogers One Number service offers free computer-based calls and texting, unified inbox

Donald Melanson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:33:00 EDT

Got a Rogers wireless account? Then you can now take advantage of a new service that, for a change, won't cost you anything extra. While it's not quite a full-on Google Voice alternative, the company's new Rogers One Number service will let you make phones calls, video calls, and send and receive text messages for free from your computer (Windows or Mac), as well as let you maintain a unified inbox and contact list across all of your devices (assuming you use Gmail or Yahoo Mail). You're also able to switch a call from your cellphone to your computer without hanging up, and then turn that voice call into a video call if you choose, but your options are otherwise a bit limited on the mobile end; you can manage your contacts and such, but not use one number for multiple devices, or take advantage of free calling or texting. Rogers' demo video can be found after the break, and you can get a more in-depth look courtesy of MobileSyrup's hands-on at the link below.

[Thanks, Adam]

Continue reading Rogers One Number service offers free computer-based calls and texting, unified inbox

Rogers One Number service offers free computer-based calls and texting, unified inbox originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla unveils Model X SUV, wants to be your all-electric crossover

Dante Cesa — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:40:00 EDT

We're here at the Tesla Design Studio in Los Angeles, where Elon Musk just unveiled his startup's third vehicle: an SUV it calls the Model X. It's party piece is a pair of double-hinged "Falcon Wing" rear doors which apparently make loading people and things easier, as you reach into the car not over it. According to Musk they'll open in tighter spots than a traditional door, and swivel high enough to fit a standing human. Powered by an AWD variant of the Model S' drivetrain, it'll do 0-60MPH in 4.4 seconds in its most performant guise, a figure that matches the most brawny variant of Tesla's sedan, despite being a much larger vehicle. And because it's devoid of a space-hogging ICE, that front portion is a trunk, Musk lovingly calls the "Frunk." Per GigaOm, the seven-seater will cost in the $50,000 to $70,000 range, with first deliveries of the "Signature Series" arriving in late 2013 before mass production starts in 2014. If that sounds like your kind of beat, those interested can begin reservations on Tesla's website tomorrow at noon.

Update: Want to see the unveiling for yourself? Check out the video posted by Tesla, embedded after the break.

Gallery: Tesla Model X press shots

Gallery: Tesla Model X launch

Gallery: Tesla Model X eyes-on

Continue reading Tesla unveils Model X SUV, wants to be your all-electric crossover

Tesla unveils Model X SUV, wants to be your all-electric crossover originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 HDTV pricing leaks out for Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Samsung

Richard Lawler — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:58:00 EDT

The madness of CES 2012 is long over and now that we've seen all of the new HDTVs, it's time to find out when they're actually going on sale, and for how much. HDGuru has just dug up advertised pricing for some of the new models from Sony (BX, EX and HX lines) and Sharp (640, 745, 844, 847 and 945), while US pricing and ship dates for Panasonic's new plasmas have been revealed by Value Electronics. For Samsung, some of the new HDTVs have already showed up for preorders at retailers like Vanns, including the top of the line 75-inch ES8000 priced at $7,999, while a more reasonably sized 46-inch model is $2,699. Sony's prices range from $399 for the KDL-32BX320 to $2299 for the KDL-55HX750, while Sharp's range from LC-46-L540U for $1,099 to the LC-80LE844U for $6,499. Most of the ship dates are still TBA, although Panasonic is planning to unleash the ST50 later this month, followed by the UT50 and GT50, then the top of the line VT50 in May. While we wait for official announcements, you can hit the source links below for more details, and let us know if you've seen any other 2012 model information peeking out early.

2012 HDTV pricing leaks out for Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS WiFi iPad transfer hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:09:00 EDT

Sure, your iPad 2 has a camera, but that doesn't mean you should be using it to take pictures. One of the biggest point-and-shoot trends to pick up speed in 2012 is built-in WiFi, letting you capture higher quality stills and videos with your dedicated imaging device and transfer them directly to the web, or to a smartphone or tablet on the same WiFi network. The PowerShot ELPH 530 HS is Canon's latest pocket shooter to employ this feature, and the company had a few samples on hand at CP+ 2012 in Yokohama, Japan to demonstrate how it works.

We took the 530 HS for a cordless spin, connecting the iPad to the camera's Ad-Hoc (point-to-point) network and launching the Canon CameraWindow app. After a few seconds (and quite a few taps on the 10-megapixel cam's 3.2-inch LCD), we had the two devices communicating, with a final click sending the image from the ELPH directly to the iPad's screen. That seconds-long connection delay may be inconsequential when transferring a day's worth of photos, but it's a slight inconvenience if you're only trying to transfer a single image. The camera also includes built-in Twitter and Facebook upload functionality, though, bypassing the Apple middleman entirely. The $349 ELPH 530 HS won't be shipping until April, at which point you may be refreshing your tablet as well. Jump past the break for a quick video demo.

Gallery: Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS hands-on

Continue reading Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS WiFi iPad transfer hands-on (video)

Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS WiFi iPad transfer hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon PowerShot D20 ruggedized point-and-shoot camera hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:24:00 EDT

Remember the Canon PowerShot D10? The company's first ruggedized underwater cam was a solid snapper, but its bulky submarine-like design made it impractical for most surface-based shoots. The PowerShot D20 offers a drastic improvement over its predecessor in the appearance department, more closely resembling a compact point-and-shoot than a subaqueous vessel. We can't speak to the cam's image quality just yet, but assuming its on-par with the D10, we'd say the latest D model is worth some serious consideration as an upgrade, even for a reduction in footprint alone. The D20 includes a 12.1-megapixel HS (high-sensitivity) CMOS sensor, a bright 3-inch LCD and a 5x 28mm optically stabilized zoom lens. It's waterproof to depths of 10 meters (33 feet), can survive drops from a height of 1.5 meters (5 feet) and can operate in temperatures ranging from 14 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. There's also a top sensitivity of ISO 3200, and a built-in GPS.

We spent a few minutes with the D20 at Canon's booth at CP+ 2012 in Yokohama, Japan, and were quite impressed with the improved design. Naturally, it's a solid-feeling point-and-shoot, with protected components and airtight port covers. Company reps didn't bat an eye when we unintentionally tested the camera's durability with a mild drop. There's a standard-issue PowerShot interface, with a fairly straightforward menu structure, and the camera felt plenty snappy, focusing and firing off an image almost instantaneously. It's noticeably larger than the company's more compact land-limited models, but there's no reason you wouldn't feel just as comfortable using this to shoot your child's first birthday party as you would their first scuba lesson. The $349 PowerShot D20 won't be hitting stores until May, but you can jump past the break for a quick look in the meantime.

Gallery: Canon PowerShot D20 hands-on

Continue reading Canon PowerShot D20 ruggedized point-and-shoot camera hands-on (video)

Canon PowerShot D20 ruggedized point-and-shoot camera hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That's hot: Heat-based recording could boost magnetic drive speed, performance

Jason Hidalgo — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:08:00 EDT

Magnetic fields are pretty nifty for levitating stuff, carving sponge-like thingamajigs and, of course, data storage. But an international team led by the University of York in the UK has figured out a way to replace magnetic fields for the latter by using ultra-short heat pulses instead. Conventional thinking typically dictates that an external magnetic field is required to store data on a magnetic medium. By using heat, however, researchers were able to record terabytes of information per second in a way that is also more energy-efficient compared to current hard drive technology. As for the time it'll take for the tech to make it to market, well, we have a feeling it won't be as fast.

That's hot: Heat-based recording could boost magnetic drive speed, performance originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nanoshells trap light for more efficient solar panels

Terrence O'Brien — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:11:00 EDT

Scientists at Stanford are hard at work trying to improve the efficiency and durability of solar panels -- two key factors that have kept the Sun from becoming a more popular source of energy. Their latest effort involves nanocrystalline-silicon, a material that has proven resilient and highly conductive, but not very good at absorbing light. Their solution, nanoshells -- hollowed out spheres of silicon that trap and recirculate light much like a whispering gallery does sound. Balls of the crystalline material are dipped in silicon, then hydrofluoric acid is used to eat way the center of the sphere, leaving a path for light to enter. The shells trap the light, allowing more of it to be absorbed, and also reduces the effect of non-optimal angles on energy production. Hit up the source for a few more details.

Nanoshells trap light for more efficient solar panels originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint launches early upgrade promo, wants you to stay and chat awhile

Zachary Lutz — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:29:00 EDT

In an industry where customer churn can be likened to the fearsome troll under the bridge, Sprint has launched a program designed to keep its favored subscribers around for another two years. While not everyone is eligible -- those who've upgraded less than eight months ago, corporate outfits and those in collections need not inquire -- the program lets customers buy their way out of their current commitment and become eligible for a new, subsidized handset. The promotion begins February 12th and is set to run through the 14th of April, where the amount you pay correlates to the time since your last upgrade. So if you're currently pining for the Epic 4G Touch or the iPhone 4S, just give your local Sprint store a call this Sunday. They just may be able to hook you up.

Continue reading Sprint launches early upgrade promo, wants you to stay and chat awhile

Sprint launches early upgrade promo, wants you to stay and chat awhile originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scosche bassDOCK blasts Weezer from any iPad, available now for $150

Billy Steele — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:51:00 EDT

If you're having trouble wading through the pool of iPad dock prospects, we're about to add another to the mix. Scosche has announced that its bassDOCK for both iPad models is now shipping. The dock will blast "My Name is Jonas" from a pair of 1.6-inch stereo speakers and a 3-inch subwoofer. As you'd expect, the kit charges your Apple slate in a cradle that sports both landscape and portrait orientations alongside tilt positioning for the optimum viewing angle. If you find yourself needing to switch over to a smartphone to bump your tunes, the bassDOCK has a 3.5mm aux jack for just that purpose. The speaker dock is available now via the source link for $149.99 and a closer look awaits you in the gallery below.

Gallery: Scosche bassDOCK for iPad

Continue reading Scosche bassDOCK blasts Weezer from any iPad, available now for $150

Scosche bassDOCK blasts Weezer from any iPad, available now for $150 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google reportedly working on wireless home entertainment system to be sold under its own brand

Donald Melanson — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:09:00 EDT

Details are still fairly light at the moment, but The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Google could be about to make big push into the hardware business. Citing people briefed on the company's plans, the WSJ says that Google is now developing a home entertainment system that would stream music wirelessly throughout the home (including to web-connected devices and "Google-made speakers"), and be able to be controlled using a smartphone or tablet -- making it sound a whole lot like a Sonos competitor. What's more, unlike current Android and Google TV devices, this system will reportedly be marketed under Google's own brand. An attempt to really turn it up to eleven, perhaps?

Google reportedly working on wireless home entertainment system to be sold under its own brand originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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