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Thursday, June 24, 2010

HP buys Melodeo, brings Nutsie music streaming service into the fold

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/hp-buys-melodeo-brings-nutsie-music-streaming-service-into-the/

Well, it looks like HP's year of acquisitions isn't showing any signs of letting up just yet -- it's now reportedly bought Melodeo, the parent company of the Nutsie music streaming service, for between $30 and $35 million. While the service doesn't exactly have the name recognition of the now Apple-owned Lala, Nutsie's mobile applications (for iPhone, Android and Blackberry) have reportedly been downloaded more than two million times, and the company already has partnerships with a range of carriers and cellphone companies including Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. As TechCrunch reports, however, what might be most interesting is what the company has in store for Nutsie 3.0 -- it will apparently let you copy your entire iTunes library to the cloud and access any song on demand (it currently offers a more limited service that only offers a shuffle mode). We'll let you take the Palm / WebOS speculation from there.

HP buys Melodeo, brings Nutsie music streaming service into the fold originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G screens go head-to-head under the microscope

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/iphone-4-and-iphone-3g-screens-go-head-to-head-under-the-microsc/

We got up pretty close to the iPhone 4's retina display in our review, but we can't say we got quite as close as PhD candidates Ryan White and Bryan Gauntt of Penn State University, who have kindly provided us with some images of the screen under a microscope (along with an iPhone 3G for comparison). According to their measurements, the iPhone 3G's pixels measure 13 x 40 microns, while the iPhone 4's measure 6.5 x 20 microns, which adds up to exactly four times as many pixels. As impressive as sounds that sounds, however, it's the pictures that really tell the story -- hit up the gallery below to check them out.

Gallery: iPhone 4 vs. iPhone 3G under the microscope

iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G screens go head-to-head under the microscope originally appeared on Engadge t on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SD cards branded with an upper-case 'I' are faster, yo

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/sd-cards-branded-with-an-upper-case-i-are-faster-yo/

Since they're theoretically capable of 300 megabyte per second transfer rates, we knew SDXC cards wouldn't stay slow forever. How will we separate wheat from chaff when faster models do appear, though? You're looking at it. This week, the SD Association unveiled the UHS-I specification for SDXC and SDHC cards capable of transferring data at up to 104 megabytes per second -- reportedly fast enough to record HD videos in real time. Why the association chose the phrasing "up to" is a little iffy, as we thought the point of such specifications was quality control, but considering how many Class 4 and Class 6 SD cards we've tossed that didn't match up to spec, we suppose we'll make do with a ballpark estimate... until the inevitable UHS-II makes the rounds. PR after the break.

Continue reading SD cards branded with an upper-case 'I' are faster, yo

SD cards branded with an upper-case 'I' are faster, yo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LCDs can be transformed from e-waste to infection fighters, says new research

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/lcds-can-be-transformed-from-e-waste-to-infection-fighters-says/

Researchers at the University of York have discovered a possible use for discarded LCDs which should come as a relief to anyone familiar with the world's rampant e-waste problem. According to the report, which will be presented today at the Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference in Washington, D.C., a process of heating, then cooling and dehydrating the PVA (polyvinyl-alcohol, the key component of LCDs) with ethanol produces a surface area of mesoporous material with great potential for use in biomedicine. The resultant product's anti-microbial properties can now be enhanced by adding silver nanoparticles, producing something which is anti-bacterial and can kill things like E.coli. The potential application of course, is that hospital surfaces could be made of it in the future. This is just one (major) step in a long-term project, so don't expect to see it in real life anytime soon.

LCDs can be transformed from e-waste to infection fighters, says new research originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/kleer-teams-up-with-mercedes-benz-to-untether-in-car-headphones/

We hate wires. We can't count the number of times that our headphones were unceremoniously yanked from our heads (or ear canals) because the wire got snagged while ordering our Brazilian man-servant about. Kleer solved this problem years ago but still haven't broken into the mainstream thanks in no small part to the preponderance of low-cost (and low-quality) Bluetooth headphones. That could change with the visibility provided by a new partnership with Mercedes to replace line-of-site infrared technology the company had been using. The deal will equip 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class models with Kleer's proprietary, low-power, CD-quality digital wireless audio emitted from a pair of video screens on the back of the seats. Occupants wearing the Mercedes-provided Kleer headphones or any compatible pair can then select which audio stream their headphones receive without interfering with Bluetooth or WiFi connected devices. Win, win.

Gallery: Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Continue reading Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Graphene rolled out in 30-inch sheets, makes for one durable touchscreen (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/graphene-rolled-out-in-30-inch-sheets-makes-for-one-durable-tou/

Whether they're slated to power terahertz chips or transparent electrodes, graphene sheets have garnered tremendous excitement, but the scientific community has had great trouble making the single-atom-thick pencil lead lattices large enough for industrial use. Thankfully, the same South Korean scientists who brought us 10 centimeter film never abandoned their post, and now Sungkyunkwan University has composited 30-inch sheets of the stuff and prototyped a working touchscreen panel as well. Using a modified version of the popular chemical vapor disposition (CVD) technique that grows the graphene on top of copper foil, they were able to produce a four-ply graphene stack with 90 percent transparency, plus resistance and durability reportedly superior to the dwindling indium supplies currently used in displays. Now let's see some 300mm wafers, eh? Watch one of the world's first graphene digitizers make its video debut after the break.

Continue reading Graphene rolled out in 30-inch sheets, makes for one durable touchscreen (video)

Graphene rolled out in 30-inch sheets, makes for one durable touchscreen (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:17:00 EDT. Pl! ease see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marshal's new media drive is no laughing matter, plays Blu-ray and DVD ISOs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/marshals-new-media-drive-is-no-laughing-matter-plays-blu-ray-a/

Yes, it's just a hard drive that plays 1080p content, but this one can connect to your PS3; according to some machine translated Japanese, Marshal's new "Media Joker" can also act as an external hard drive for your Sony game console or a Toshiba REGZA TV. While you won't be able to install games on the up-to-2TB hard drive that you'll provide yourself, the black box can notably play Blu-ray ISOs -- though that, the company carefully cautions, will surely void your warranty. The case admirably provides most all ports you could want, including component, composite, both flavors of S/PDIF, HDMI 1.3, LAN, an SD card slot and a pair of USB sockets, and supports a host of audiovisual formats, the full list available at the more coverage link. Find it retailing for ¥16,800 (about $184) this Saturday in some neon-lit corner of Japan.

Marshal's new media drive is no laughing matter, plays Blu-ray and DVD ISOs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/toshiba-looking-to-standardize-wireless-memory-cards-crash-eye/

Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party

We're big fans of Eye-Fi's wireless memory cards, which enable you to toss that card reader out the window and download all your pictures wirelessly. So far Eye-Fi is about the only player in that little niche, but Toshiba's looking to blow it wide open with charmingly titled "Standard Promotion Forum for Memory Cards Embedding Wireless LAN," which could be given the equally catchy abbreviation SPFfMCEWLAN (a name that is, thankfully, subject to change). Toshiba's forum, which also includes Singapore-based flash company Trek 2000, will look to create a standardized 8GB SDHC card with integrated 802.11b/g, able to transfer JPEG and RAW images either from camera to a server or directly to another camera. Toshiba is hoping other camera and flash manufacturers will join in the standardization fun and we certainly do too -- just like we hope they move past 8GB quickly.

Continue reading Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party

Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google setting up music store later this year, looking for search and Android synergy

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/google-setting-up-music-store-later-this-year-looking-for-searc/

Remember that chart that pointed out the differences between Google, Apple and Microsoft? Well, it's looking increasingly like Google is intent on filling any and all gaps in its portfolio. Those good old unnamed sources have been talking, originally to CNET last week and to the Wall Street Journal today, and disclosing Google's supposed intent to introduce its very own music store. This would initially encompass a web store where you can stream or download tracks, with a search tie-in that'll get your money into Google's pocket in the fastest possible way. Subsequent plans are said to include Android integration in 2011 -- something that Google rather nonchalantly demoed at its I/O conference last month. Of course, none of this is as yet confirmed, but it looks like Apple and Google will be competing across yet another front -- hold on tight.

Google setting up music store later this year, looking for search and Android synergy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stop paying Kim Kardashian $10,000 per tweet; sheâ€™s NOT Influential; nor are most celebrities for that matter -- http://bit.ly/dszRUu

Monday, June 21, 2010

Add Safari Reader-Like Powers to Firefox and Chrome [Add-ons]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5568752/add-safari-reader+like-powers-to-firefox-and-chrome

Add Safari Reader-Like Powers to Firefox and Chrome The Safari 5 feature that's caught the web's attention is the Reader button, which strips down articles and blog posts into an ad-free, highly readable format. Two add-ons for Firefox and Chrome do a good job of recreating that convenience.

Add Safari Reader-Like Powers to Firefox and Chrome If you missed our round-up of what's new in Safari 5, the short explanation of Reader is that, while many bookmarklets have come along to offer a simplified, less-cluttered reading experience, Safari is the first major browser to go ahead and offer that kind of feature by default, as an address bar button. If you're a fan of bookmarklets, and your bookmarks aren't too cluttered to lose them in, we recommend the tools from arc90's Readability, the Instapaper Text bookmarklet, and the Readable app for highly customized formatting.

But maybe you want your Firefox or Chrome rig to offer that kind of button-click functionality. You're in luck. First off, here's the Top 10 feature we'll try our reading tools out on—click the image for a larger view:

Now here are two add-ons for Firefox and Chrome, and a look at how they do at getting all minimalist with the text and pics. Click any of the images below, too, for a larger view

Readability (Firefox)

Baris Derin rolled the Readability bookmarklet into a full-fledged add-on for Firefox, but also added in a pretty neat auto-scrolling feature for the true lean-back-and-read experience. Readability tends to keep more of the text and formatting in and around the page, but strips out all the marketing and navigation material. It places an "R" button in the lower-right status area of Firefox, which isn't the most convenient spot for our use, but some may prefer having it hidden away until needed. Notice the transparent icons, too, that provide printing, email, and refresh functions for live-updating posts.

iReader (Chrome)

Mhd Hejazi's iReader is directly inspired by Safari's Reader function, offering the same kind of pop-out white box that darkens the rest of the page, a button right in the address bar, and very, very minimal decoration—as you can see, it pared down our Top 10 feature quite a bit. There are also keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac to activate iReader, and options to change the background opacity, font and formatting, and add a "Send with Gmail" link to your articles. Neat stuff.

Both add-ons are free downloads. Know of another reading/simplifying extension that gets the job done? Tell us about it in the comments. Thanks to emmikkelsen for the inspiration!

Readability [Add-ons for Firefox]
iReader [Google Chrome extension gallery]

EyeTV iPad App Streams Live TV Over Wi-Fi and 3G [Apps]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5568836/eyetv-ipad-app-streams-live-tv-over-wi+fi-and-3g

EyeTV iPad App Streams Live TV Over Wi-Fi and 3G Elgato's EyeTV app has let you stream live or recorded television to the iPhone for a while now, but today the service has finally been optimized for the iPad.

EyeTV 1.1—a universal app, meaning it's made for both iPhone and iPad—is free if you're an existing EyeTV user, and costs $5 otherwise. You'll also need a Mac running EyeTV software and configured with a compatible TV tuner, and apparently you'll need a Core 2 Duo processor if you want to stream live television.

It still may not be a big screen, but watching TV on the iPad certainly makes more sense than on the iPhone. Although I'd recommend streaming over Wi-Fi if at all possible. [EyeTV]

Elgato Updated EyeTV App Now Support Streaming to iPad
San Francisco, Calif. - June 21, 2010 – Elgato announces the immediate availability of version 1.1
of their popular EyeTV app for iPhone which brings live TV streaming over Wi-Fi or 3G
connections to the iPad. In updating the EyeTV app to support the iPad, Elgato optimized the app to
take advantage of the iPad's much larger, high resolution screen and its superb video playback
capabilities. The result is beautiful full-screen playback - on the patio or on-the-go. EyeTV 1.1 is a
"Universal App" which works on both iPhones and iPads, and is a free update for existing owners.
Turn an iPad into the ultimate portable television The EyeTV app running on the iPad or iPhone
works in tandem with the user's Macintosh at home to stream high quality live or recorded TV
anywhere. In addition, the app gives full access to EyeTV's program guide for finding something to
watch and the ability to remotely schedule upcoming shows for recording.
Setting up EyeTV for iPhone/iPad is easy: On a local Wi-Fi network no configuration is needed.
When connecting from elsewhere, Elgato's' free "My EyeTV" locator service can automatically find
the path to the Mac back at home.
Requirements
EyeTV for iPhone is a universal app and requires a Mac computer running EyeTV 3.4 and
configured with a compatible TV tuner device. Streaming live TV requires an Intel Core 2 Duo
processor. For sending the live signal over a 3G connection, Elgato recommends the Elgato
Turbo.264 HD which enables "adaptive streaming" for the best picture possible under varying
network speeds.
Availability
EyeTV for iPhone 1.1 is available from the App Store at a price of $4.99. The update is free for
existing EyeTV for iPhone customers. EyeTV 3.4 is available as a free update for EyeTV 3 users.
Elgato EyeTV tuners are available at the Elgato Online Store (www.elgato.com), at Apple retail
stores and from local Mac resellers.

RockPlayerBase Plays DivX, AVI, and Other Videos You Want on Android [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5568839/rockplayerbase-plays-divx-avi-and-other-videos-you-want-on-android

RockPlayerBase Plays DivX, AVI, and Other Videos You Want on Android Android: By default, Android phones can only handle a small number of video types, and leaves your ripped and downloaded files in the dust. RockPlayerBase, on the other hand, nimbly plays DivX, AVI, XviD, MKV, and other file types.

The bad news is that RockPlayerBase isn't available in the Android Market just yet, but is widely available in beta form if you poke around on Google—the via link below, Android Community, and others have posted media hosting links. It's a very minimal application—it launches with a file browser, then jumps into a player when you've picked your file, with simple play controls and timeline scrubbing. You'll see the frames-per-second count in the upper-right corner, but you can kill it by clicking the DivX button once or twice.

RockPlayerBase is, at the moment, a free download for Android phones running 2.1 and above only. Be sure to grab it before your next flight.

[via OMG Android]

Largest Sheet Of Graphene Produced, Can Be Used For Flexible Touchscreens [Graphene]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5568889/largest-sheet-of-graphene-produced-can-be-used-for-flexible-touchscreens

Graphene, the ridiculously thin, strong, electrically conductive, and flexible miracle material, might be coming to your touchscreens. And when it does, "you could theoretically roll up your iPhone and stick it behind your ear like a pencil."

Graphene has had scientists in a tizzy for years but the biggest problem was the process of making it. Scientists would literally have to shave off atom-thin flakes and chemically dissolve chunks of graphite in order to create the miracle material. Imagine trying to make something with pencil shavings, yeah, not so easy. At most, scientist could only deliver "flecks of graphene".

But thanks to recent breakthroughs, researchers at Samsung and Sungkyunkwan University in Korea have produced a continuous layer of pure graphene the size of a television using a roll-to-roll process to spool graphene on top of a polyester sheet:

A sheet of copper foil is wrapped around a cylinder and placed in a specially designed furnace. Carbon atoms carried on a heated stream of hydrogen and methane meet the copper sheet and settle on it in a single uniform layer. The copper foil exits the furnace pressed between hot rollers, and the graphene is transferred onto a polyester base. Silver electrodes are then printed onto the sheet.

Being able to build graphene at such size would make it much more appealing for mass production and have graphene eventually trickle into your touchscreens and flat panel displays.

A flexible touchscreen using graphene to make the screen's transparent electrodes has already been developed and already outclasses the current material, indium tin oxide. Where indium tin oxide is expensive and brittle, graphene is cheaper, stronger, faster and flexible. Maybe when this miracle material comes to fruition, we'll finally accept calling devices magical. [Technology Review]

WiFi-only Nook surfaces in Barnes and Noble database, costs $149?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/20/wifi-only-nook-surfaces-in-barnes-and-noble-database-costs-149/

We knew it was coming, but not how soon, and we'd only guessed at a price. Today a tipster sent over this screenshot, however, clearly showing a Nook WiFi on Wednesday for $149. While internal databases aren't the most reliable source for release dates even assuming the screenshot is legit, we'll know for sure in just days. The question now is how Kobo stacks up.

Update: Google's dropping some $149 - $199 hints about the new Nooks in its sponsored ads as well. See a sample after the break. [Thanks, Joseph]

Continue reading WiFi-only Nook surfaces in Barnes and Noble database, costs $149?

WiFi-only Nook surfaces in Barnes and Noble database, costs $149? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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