Thursday, February 25, 2010

ASUS Eee PC 1018P, 1016P and 1015P prepping for a CeBIT debut

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/asus-eee-pc-1018p-1016p-and-1015p-prepping-for-a-cebit-debut/

Looks like there won't be a shortage of new laptops and netbooks next week at CeBIT, and if Blogeee is to be believed ASUS will be showing up with at least three new 10.1-inch Eee PCs. The most exciting of the bunch seem to be the executive-aimed 1016P and 1018P, which will both apparently have an aluminum chassis and 14 hours of battery life. The .7-inch 1018P is said to be the thinnest netbook ASUS has ever created, and sport an integrated fingerprint reader and USB 3.0. Uh, USB 3.0 in a netbook? We don't see why not. Finally there's the 1015P, which seems to just be an refresh of the 1005PE with a matte display and a wider touchpad. It sounds triple E exciting, but we promise to find out more on these little guys next week when we are live in Deutschland.

ASUS Eee PC 1018P, 1016P and 1015P prepping for a CeBIT debut originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Slashgear  |  sourceBlogeee  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Raidon announces HyBrid Disk SSD / hard drive combo

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/raidon-announces-hybrid-disk-ssd-hard-drive-combo/

Not interested in piecing together your own hybrid SSD hard drive with something like SilverStone's HDDBOOST kit? Then you might want to consider waiting for Raidon's upcoming HyBrid Disk drive, which promises all the same benefits with none of the hassle (apart from actually installing it in your computer, that is). Complete details on this one are still a bit light, but you will apparently be able to remove the SSD and use it on its own if you like, and then have its contents automatically backed up when you put it back in its enclosure. No word on pricing just yet either, but Raidon says the drives will first be available in an internal, 3.5-inch version in April, with an external version following later in the year.

Raidon announces HyBrid Disk SSD / hard drive combo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMacworld  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

AIST shows off see-through display prototype on video

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/aist-shows-off-see-through-display-prototype-on-video/

Face it, folks -- the days of windows being just windows are behind us. Before long, our panes will double as widget displays or makeshift televisions, and AIST has the prototype to prove it. The demonstration seems to utilize technology that's far different than that seen in Samsung's iceTouch PMP, but it's certainly no less exciting. According to DigInfo, AIST is developing florescent glass suitable for excitation by near-UV LEDs, and by combining this [borosilicate] glass with LEDs, it's possible to obtain transparent, flat light sources." Better still, we're told that the prevailing thought is that this here technology could be used to develop see-through displays as well as "light sources and displays that use solar cells without modification." Anxious to see what a transparent LCD could do for you? Hop on past the break, mash play and let your imagination run absolutely wild.

Continue reading AIST shows off see-through display prototype on video

AIST shows off see-through display prototype on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDigInfo  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Bacteria Colonies May Be Linked By Nanowires [Science]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/RJ06bKt765Q/bacteria-colonies-may-be-linked-by-nanowires

A bacterium on its own can't reach very far. And when stacked on the sea floor in a large colony, it may have access to either oxygen (top of the pile) or food (bottom of the pile).

So for the entire colony to thrive, the bottom and top layers must be choreographed in chemical reactions occurring across great expanses, allowing electrons from food consumption in the basement to react to oxygen from the rooftop.

A new study just published in Nature set to isolate the way bacteria pull of this stunt. The first guess, molecular diffusion, was found to be too slow for as dynamically as these colonies reacted in various testing. Now? It's believed the bacteria use interconnected nanowires, sharing electrons across expanses 20,000 times their individual size—though to be fair, there's no direct evidence proving the existence of said wires.

The implications for you, gadget lover? The possibility of one day using a really gross battery. [Nature via PopSci][Nanowire Image]



Read More...

Desktop PC components get rated for power efficiency, Intel rules the roost

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/desktop-pc-components-get-rated-for-power-efficiency-intel-rule/

Desktop PC components get rated for power efficiency, Intel rules the roost
With all the antitrust noise, threats to AMD, and conflicts with NVIDIA, it's hard to feel too charmed with Intel at the moment. But, if you're looking for the best combination of performance and power consumption possible, you'll have to swallow any animosity and put an Intel inside, with an efficiency piece at bit-tech.net finding that chips from that manufacturer were, on average, considerably more efficient than their AMD counterparts. That's just part of the story, the site testing everything from memory to power supplies and finding the best compromise of performance and efficiency. It's perhaps no surprise that high-efficiency PSUs trump older, hotter ones, but you might not expect to learn that desktop SSDs offer barely any improvement over their 5,400RPM platter-based brethren. Follow the article's advice and you can shed 104 watts without losing a single 3DMark point -- though you may shed quite a few dollars in the process.

Desktop PC components get rated for power efficiency, Intel rules the roost originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcebit-tech.net  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Steam Is Most Probably Coming to Macs [Unconfirmed]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Y6Bh303ztNQ/steam-is-most-probably-coming-to-macs

If you're a Mac user, you may not know about Steam. By Valve (makers of Half-Life and L4D) it's the greatest game distribution service in existence—like an iTunes for PC games. Now, it could be coming to Macs.

In Steam's latest beta release, a search through its files revealed a number of OSX-specific assets, like a Steam dock icon (among loads of others). Since there's no reason for OSX resources—that I should add, are specifically labeled "OSX"—to make their way into a PC product, it seems pretty certain that, yes, Steam is coming to Mac. Hooray!

Now, with Steam imminent, all the Mac platform needs is the actual games! [Steam Forums via Kotaku, who crafted the excellent lead shot]



Read More...

Honda shows off three-wheeled 3R-C concept vehicle

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/honda-shows-off-three-wheeled-3r-c-concept-vehicle/

Dig the idea of something like GM's P.U.M.A. personal transporter but wish it would make you want to say pew pew pew whenever you're driving? Then feast your eyes on the Honda 3R-C concept that's just been announced in advance of the Geneva Motor Show. Nothing even approaching a roll-out date, as you might expect, but the three-wheeled vehicle would apparently use a battery electric drivetrain mounted low in the chassis for improved stability, and it even includes a bit of room for storage in the front, along with a clear canopy that apparently shifts to a windshield to give the "pilot" a bit more headroom. Not much else in the way of details, unfortunately, but Honda might have a bit more to say after its official unveiling in Geneva next week.

Honda shows off three-wheeled 3R-C concept vehicle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAutoblog Green  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Pentax makes all-weather Optio W90 and superzoom X90 official

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/pentax-makes-all-weather-optio-w90-and-superzoom-x90-official/

Pentax is going for broke with its take on the rugged camera, the W90, which is unlikely to ever be confused for a svelte and stylish point-and-shoot. What it loses in looks, it gains in usability, however, as the 12.1 megapixel shooter can withstand shocks from a height of four feet, go nearly 20 feet under water, and withstand temperatures as slow as -10 degrees Celsius. The dustproofing is just topping on that rugged cake, though it still offers things like 720p / 30fps video recording and 5x optical zoom that are now considered standard camera specs. There are also three forms of shake reduction: one is post-processing of affected images, the second is by automatically increasing the ISO in low light conditions, and the third is the use of "exclusive software" during movie mode. We can't say any one of those will be as good as a well-implemented optical image stabilization, but at least they're there and might offer some assistance. As to the X90, it joins a growing band of 26x and above optical superzoomers, while adding the W90's 720p video mode and anti-shake plus its own sensor-shift stabilizer for good measure. Both shooters are expected in April, priced at $330 for the W90 and $400 for the X90, though we've noticed the former will show up a month earlier in the UK with a £270 ($417) price tag.

Pentax makes all-weather Optio W90 and superzoom X90 official originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceLets Go Digital (W90), (X90)  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Samsung's first Full HD 3D TV now available in the US, all 55 inches of it

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/samsungs-first-3d-tv-now-available-in-the-us-all-55-inches-of/

Hope you're ready to see the make believe world in a new dimension 'cause Samsung's first Full HD 3D set is now shipping Stateside. Amazon shows a pair of 55-inch UN55C7000 TVs with 3D 240Hz motion technology in stock with a $3,299.99 price tag and free delivery. Yeah, that's a day earlier than expected but we doubt anyone's complaining. Remember, you'll still have to drop another $150 or so on the shutter glasses if you ever plan to flip the switch from 2D to 3D mode; something you might want to do when actual 3D content starts to arrive.

Update: Looks like Sears is shipping now as well, including the 46-inch UN46C7000 little brother for $2,600.

Samsung's first Full HD 3D TV now available in the US, all 55 inches of it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAmazon  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Canon Rebel T2i / 550D demonstrates 1080p video mode, collects glowing early preview

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/canon-rebel-t2i-550d-demonstrates-1080p-video-mode-collects/

We seriously need to open up an Austrian branch of Engadget. After treating us to a titanium iPhone, the Governator's homeland is now playing host to the first professionally shot 1080p video with the new T2i / 550D from Canon. Nino Leitner has shot a moody short film with a pre-production unit and his conclusion has been that the video you can obtain from the latest prosumer shooter is indistinguishable from the output of the mighty Canon 7D. High praise indeed, but not altogether unexpected considering the T2i sports an all-new 18 megapixel sensor (that is "very similar" to the 7D's) and has had its 1080p recording upgraded to the requisite 30fps to make it a viable shooting mode. Skip past the break to have a look at his results or visit the source for Nino's in-depth preview. Nikon, you've been put on notice.

Continue reading Canon Rebel T2i / 550D demonstrates 1080p video mode, collects glowing early preview

Canon Rebel T2i / 550D demonstrates 1080p video mode, collects glowing early preview originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNino Film  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Crucial's 6Gbps RealSSD C300 goes on sale, costs as much as a decent laptop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/crucials-6gbps-realssd-c300-goes-on-sale-costs-as-much-as-a-de/

You've gone for the 64GB of quad-channel DDR7 RAM, you've got your Core i26 processor, and you're running a triple pack of those Radeon Ultra HD 9000 cards in CrossFire. But something's missing from your speed demon machine -- could a $799 SSD be the answer? Crucial would have you believe that, yes, splashing all your rent money on a 256GB storage drive is a totally worthwhile investment, and early reviews of the RealSSD C300 revealed it to be "holy mother of god" fast. So no qualms about its speed, but if your benchmark lust knows some budgetary bounds, you may want to consider the slightly more reasonable 128GB variant, which comes in at $499. Both are available right this minute direct from Crucial, so either go buy one or stop this torture and go distract yourself with something cheaper.

[Thanks, Rick]

Crucial's 6Gbps RealSSD C300 goes on sale, costs as much as a decent laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCrucial (256GB), (128GB)  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Convert Your Old Laptop into a Digital Projector [DIY Week]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/Qo5Vv3NmMZI/convert-your-old-laptop-into-a-digital-projector

Some people have an extra $1,000 just lying around to buy a digital projector. Unfortunately, most of the people that I know, myself included, do not. Here's how you can build your own digital projector on the cheap.

Ed. note: The following guide comes from DIYer Randy Sarafan's 62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics). Read more abour Randy's projects and his book below.

There is nothing worse than being broke and spending long nights on the couch eating cold leftover pizza and watching spaghetti westerns on a 15-inch tube TV. Okay, to be fair, you may like cold pizza, but a screen six feet larger surely couldn't hurt the situation, right? At the very least, you can give Clint Eastwood the justice he deserves, and you won't even need to rob a bank or hold up a stagecoach to make it happen. This DIY projector can be made for $150 or less (depending on how resourceful you are). Worst-case scenario, you may have to eat buttered noodles for an entire week to be able to afford it, but it's a doable short-term sacrifice for an extremely valuable long-term investment in large-scale entertainment.

A Brief Word on Safety
This project description is intended to provide you with ideas and techniques for repurposing electronic equipment that might otherwise be discarded. While the directions are intended to help you move in a step-by-step way toward the finished project, you should always use caution, sound judgment and common sense whenever handling electronic equipment. Be sure to always familiarize yourself with the safety warnings and instructions for any tools, equipment, and other materials you may use in any projects. And, if you are uncertain about your ability to safely perform any of the techniques described in this project selection, seek the advice of a professional.

Materials

  • LCD monitor or laptop with a broken backlight
  • Mini screwdriver set
  • Cardboard box, the same height as the projector bed
  • Overhead projector (available on eBay or Craigslist, or at Office Max)
  • Small fan
  • four 1/2" spacers
  • DVDs!

Make It

1. Case It
Remove the screen (LCD assembly) from the plastic laptop casing. (Some LCD screens are difficult or imposible to use because the circuit board is attached by a ribbon cable directly behind the screen. If this turns out to be the case with your laptop, fret not; you can still use other parts of the laptop to make an array of projects.)

Convert Your Old Laptop into a Digital Projector2. Remove the Backlight
Once the LCD assembly is free, carefully remove the backlight panel from the assembly. Be careful not to break any electrical connections. You should be left with a brownish glass panel that you can just barely see through.

3. Higher Ground
Use a box or pile of books to elevate the computer or LCD circuitry so that it is level with the bed of the overhead projector and the LCD can lay flat atop the projector bed. Place your 1/2" spacers under each of the screen's corners, to elevate the screen above the bed of the projector.

Note: The screen should be right side up or your image will be backward!

Convert Your Old Laptop into a Digital Projector4. Cool It
Place a fan next to the projector and position it so that it blows air between the LCD and the bed of the overhead projector.

5. Ready, Set . . .
Turn on both the projector and the computer. Once booted, insert your DVD.

6. Action!
Turn off the lights and focus the overhead projector. Pop some popcorn (kernels are supercheap!) and settle back for an evening of the masterworks of Sergio Leone.

Helpful Hint
For a sharper image, try covering up any large light leaks around the bed of the projector. Also, to protect the screen from yellowing over time from the heat of the projector lamp, you can install an IR and a UV filter inside your projector slightly above your lamp (but this will cost you a little extra hard-earned cash).

Randy Sarafan is a new-media artist who is currently a Virtual Fellow with the cutting-edge F.A.T. (Free Art and Technology) Lab; is a top project contributor and community manager at Instructables.com, the leading user-generated how-to website; and has contributed to Make magazine. His new book, 62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics) is available at Amazon.



Read More...

How Can I Ditch Cable and Watch My TV Shows and Movies Online? [Ask Lifehacker]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/8ZdrUUO6OTg/how-can-i-ditch-cable-and-watch-my-tv-shows-and-movies-online

Dear Lifehacker,
I'd love to get rid of cable and stream all my favorite TV shows right from the internet. What do I need to know before I take the plunge?

Signed,
Ready to Cut the Coaxial

Photo by sociotard.

Join the club! Some of us at Lifehacker HQ have already left or are ready to leave the cable company for 24/7 live TV streaming, too. We get this question all the time, and we've examined ditching the monthly bill in favor of watching programs online occasionally in the past, and we've also looked at ways to get your TV fix with apps like Boxee and Hulu, plus there are cool set-top devices like Roku and TiVo, but this is a good opportunity to get exhaustive. There are so many great options for catching a show here or there, but can you rely on them to replicate the cable TV experience? Well, yes and no.

If you're going to unplug from the cable company, prepare to exercise some patience when it comes to watching your favorite shows as soon as they air—it can take anywhere from a day to a week for them to appear online. Also, be ready to do some digging around to find who's streaming special events, sports, and other programming outside of the drama/sitcom variety. Let's take a look at ways to find certain types of programming without relying on your cable company.

Watch TV Online

You can watch most of your favorite network shows by simply streaming them directly from the networks' web sites. They're often available a few hours after they air, and regularly have additional goodies like behind-the-scenes footage or teasers for upcoming episodes. In addition to official network sites, more and more useful tools are popping up every day to help you get your TV fix online.

  • Clicker – Bookmark this site to help you figure out where your favorite shows are airing around the internet. It combs through what's available on Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming video sites, and is searchable by show or topic.
  • Hulu – This video streaming service offers the five most recent episodes of dozens of many of the most-watched shows on television. Episodes are available for 30 days after their air date, so this is a great way to catch up on any shows you've missed. It's also full of full seasons of older TV shows
  • CBS – Episodes from lots of current programming, as well as some oldies but goodies (MacGyver!)
  • NBC – Check out new episodes of current primetime, daytime, and late night programming, and some original online-only series like Office parody show Ctrl.
  • ABC – Episodes of current shows, including daytime programming and archives of specials like the American Music Awards
  • FOX – Full-length episodes of many popular shows, including Family Guy and Glee.
  • Netflix – Best for catching episodes of your favorite shows from last season or from the last decade. While Netflix doesn't typically offer recently aired episodes of popular shows, it's perfect for streaming episodes from previous seasons, or for getting your "Murder She Wrote" groove on. There's a monthly fee to subscribe to Netflix but once you're signed up, you can stream an unlimited amount of shows.
  • iTunes – You can pick up new episodes of shows on iTunes hours after they air on television, but be prepared to pay for the privilege. They'll usually set you back $1.99 per episode, or upwards of $30 per season. On the other hand, buying through iTunes means you can drop the shows on your iPod and watch them on the fly.
  • Amazon Video On Demand – Like iTunes, you'll pay for most of the television shows you get from this site. The upside is, you can watch programs on your computer or convert them to a format that's playable on a mobile device.
  • Gawker.TV - Okay, so our association aside (Gawker.TV is the all-video site of our blog network's namesake, Gawker), Gawker.TV was the go-to online destination we fired up every day during the recent Late Night debacle for comprehensive coverage of all the drama—and we didn't have to stay up all night to keep up with the latest. Gawker.TV isn't the only site out there that posts clips and synopses from shows and news events, but it's got a quick turnaround and can really fill a gap you miss when you don't have access to the regular cable lineup.

If you're nuts for Psych, The Daily Show, or other cable TV shows, Hulu's got you covered. Some programs take a week to turn up on the web site, though, so you'll have to exercise some patience and avoid spoilers for a few days. On the other hand, Hulu has a bunch of nice features that let you organize, queue, and search shows. There's a desktop app that works with standard Apple or Windows Media Center Remotes. If you're sporting Windows 7 on your computer, don't forget to check out the Hulu Integration app for Windows Media Center.

Watch Movies Online

  • Hulu – Unlike television shows, current popular movies generally will take a while to turn up on Hulu. If you like to channel surf for movies until something catches your eye, then this is a great place to start. There are zillions of flicks to choose from and they're all searchable by name or genre.
  • Netflix – Although much of the Watch Instantly movies at Netflix are titles that date back six months to a decade or more, there are a few newer movies if you hunt around a bit, and they've been improving their Watch Instantly service regularly. With unlimited streaming for subscribers and a handy queue feature to remind you of what movies you want to watch, this is a great substitution for paid movie channels from your cable company.
  • iTunes – As with television shows, you'll pay per movie at iTunes. Buy a flick for about $15 or rent it for 24 hours for about $3 ($4 if you want it in HD). Most movies are available at iTunes the same day as the DVD becomes available in stores.
  • Amazon Video On Demand -  Like iTunes, Amazon's offers lots of newly-released movies for purchase or rent. You'll find lots of independent and niche films here, as well as the option of pre-ordering flicks a few weeks before they become available.

Watch Sports Online

Watching professional sports without cable is a tougher nut to crack and, depending on the event, you may have no choice but to head to your local sports bar. Even with cable, however, there's no guarantee you'll be able to access your favorite team's game. Fortunately, professional sports associations are getting in on the online action and streaming some or all of their televised games via paid subscriber network.

  • MLB.TV – Baseball fans can watch every regular season game live or on demand, and more than 150 spring training games with no blackouts. Viewers also get access to game day audio, game archives, and real-time stats.
  • NFL Network – Though this is actually the National Football League's official cable channel, its website has a ton of post-game video footage for fans to check out. Due to licensing and TV restrictions, finding a legal way to live stream NFL football is next to impossible unless you live outside the US, but at least you can listen live to every game of the season with an NFL Field Pass.
  • NHL Game Center Live – Watch up to 40 live hockey games, including some of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with a subscription to this service. It streams live in HD (when available) and includes DVR functionality so you pause, rewind, and fast forward during games.
  • NBA All Access – Basketball fans can choose from two types of season passes: unlimited for access to all teams, or a league pass to follow only seven teams. Watch three games at once, and control the live action with full DVR controls.

Yes, subscriptions that let you watch professional sports still cost you some coin, but a one-time fee of $50 - $150 per season to catch your favorite games is better than paying $50 or more a month all year for cable. Of course, some events, like the Olympics, will have several viewing options to choose from.

Set-Top Boxes and Gadgets

Set-top devices like Roku and TiVo let you stream movies and some television shows directly from Netflix, Blockbuster, and similar subscription services. They're great options for scratching that movie itch, and perfect for times when you feel like browsing viewing options until something strikes your fancy.

  • Boxee Box - Whether you build your own cheap but powerful Boxee box or buy the pre-built Boxee Box once it's available, Boxee integrates a lot of the online TV sources listed above into one TV- and remote-friendly interface.
  • TiVo – The granddaddy of DVRs, a TiVo device is great for streaming programs from Netflix, Blockbuster, and Amazon Video On Demand. It connects to your home's TV antenna so you can watch free network programming, and the HD TiVo units will even pick up your local high-definition channels. The drawback is that on top of the price of the device ($200 and up), you'll need a monthly $12 subscription to access TiVo's best features.
  • Roku – This nifty little device streams a batch of different free internet channels like Blip.tv, Twit.tv, and even your Flickr photostream. You can also use it to access your Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand Accounts, making it a great alternative to a TiVo or other DVR. A new Roku will set you back anywhere from $80 - $120, depending on the model you choose.
  • AppleTV – This somewhat limited device lets you easily stream your iTunes media library right to your television. The $229 device will also stream content from YouTube, Flickr, and MobileMe. If you're willing to hack your AppleTV, you can put Boxee Media Center on it for some added functionality like view torrents fresh off the net.
  • PlayOn – If you've got an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3, this software download lets you wirelessly stream internet video content from Hulu, Netflix, and more right to your game box. It'll also pick up content from ESPN.com and CBS.com, or grab a free plugin to stream programming from The Weather Channel, Adult Swim, The Food Network, and more. PlayOn has a 14-day free trial, then you'll have to pop for $40 to keep it.

The Antenna Option

Finally, though you probably already know this, you can watch your home teams, local news, and, yes, even LOST without cable. In fact, these are the easiest types of shows to get because they're free and just require a TV antenna to capture. If you have an HD-ready TV, you can even pick up high-def channels. Not sure what kind of antenna gives you the most bang for your geographical buck? AntennaWeb will help you figure out which antenna works best for your house based on where you live, and even tell you which way to point it. But you're here to watch TV online, so let's get to it.

So, Coax, here's a few ways to get you started on the road to cable-free living. We'd love to hear more ideas from readers who've axed their cable, and we'll update this post as tips roll in.

Love,
Lifehacker



Read More...

Android App Store Is 57% Free Compared to Apple's 25% [Data]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Ok1sCW3xs90/android-app-store-is-57-free-compared-to-apples-25

App store analytics firm Distimo recently released a bunch of juicy info about the major mobile app stores, and the results are pretty interesting. For one, Android has a much higher proportion of free apps.

Apple and BlackBerry are pretty close with their app stores, offering free apps making up 25% and 24% of their respective stores. Android more than doubles that number with 57%. Of course, with the size discrepancy between the stores, Apple still offers up more free apps than Android's entire store, but it's still interesting to see the relative differences.

Surprisingly, the number of free apps doesn't drop the average price paid for paid apps down in android. Apple's average paid price is $3.62, while Android's is $3.27. BlackBerry, on the other hand, shoots way up with an $8.26 average. This is due to price variations across the app stores for the same app. IM+, for example, is $4.99 in Apple's store and a whopping $29.99 in BlackBerry's.

There's some other data about store sizes (spoiler alert: Apple's is way bigger than anyone else's), but this price and spending data was the new stuff to us. [Distimo via ReadWriteWeb]



Read More...

NVIDIA GeForce GT 340 highlights introduction of 300-series cards, none are powerful enough to matter

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/24/nvidia-geforce-gt-340-highlights-introduction-of-300-series-card/

Is there a tribunal where you can bring up marketing teams for crimes against common sense? NVIDIA's epic rebranding exercise knows no bounds, as the company has now snuck out its very first desktop 300-series cards, but instead of the world-altering performance parts we've always associated with the jump into the 300s, we're getting what are essentially GT 2xx cards in new garb. The GT 340 sports the same 96 CUDA cores, 550MHz graphics and 1,340MHz processor clock speeds as the GT 240 -- its spec sheet is literally identical to the 240 variant with 1,700MHz memory clocks. To be fair to the company, these DirectX 10.1 parts are exclusively for OEMs, so (hopefully) nobody there will be confused into thinking a GT 320 is better than a GTX 295, but we'd still prefer a more lucid nomenclature... and Fermi graphics cards, we'd totally like some of those too.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 340 highlights introduction of 300-series cards, none are powerful enough to matter originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista, Fudzilla  |  NVIDIA  | Email this | Comments

Read More...