Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

New Kindle comes with microphone, seeds of possibility

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/new-kindle-comes-with-microphone-seeds-of-possibility/

Amazon's new Kindle has plenty of desirable features -- like a month-long battery, double the storage and a more responsive screen -- but some exciting new additions weren't highlighted on the press release. Diving through the official User's Guide for just such unheralded items, the Kindle World Blog discovered the unit will come with a second English dictionary, a PDF contrast adjustment and... a microphone. As you can see immediately above, that last won't be accessible out of the box -- and may just lead to audio annotations down the road -- but the hacker community (or more legitimately, Kindle developers) could do very interesting things with the discovery. We hesitate to even mention for fear the feature will get pulled, but we're dreaming of Skyping across that free 3G connection already.

New Kindle comes with microphone, seeds of possibility originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Casio EX-S200 and EX-Z800 point-and-shoots spontaneously appear with 'super resolution' zoom

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/casio-ex-s200-and-ex-z800-point-and-shoots-spontaneously-appear/

We're not quite sure when they'll arrive or for how much -- we haven't heard a peep out of Casio -- but Digital Photography Review is reporting a pair of new pocket shooters from the Japanese company. Both the Casio EX-S200 (pictured) and the EX-Z800 are your standard 14.1 megapixel compacts with 720p video recording and 4x optical zoom, as well as the Exilim Engine 5.0 processing the company introduced this year and the supposedly fire-and-forget Premium Auto mode. We doubt you'll find any surprises in the spec sheet or even figure out a good reason to choose between the two, but the S200 is slightly thinner, has an autofocus assist lamp and an instant-on Quick Mode. Meanwhile, the Z800 is slightly lighter and shorter in both directions. Oh, and in case you're curious, that "super resolution zoom" is just marketing speak for a 6x digital zoom plus algorithms that will hopefully reduce image degradation -- you're still blowing up those pixels. PR after the break.

Continue reading Casio EX-S200 and EX-Z800 point-and-shoots spontaneously appear with 'super resolution' zoom

Casio EX-S200 and EX-Z800 point-and-shoots spontaneously appear with 'super resolution' zoom originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's faster EcoGreen F4EG hard drive does 2TB for less

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/samsungs-faster-ecogreen-f4eg-hard-drive-does-2tb-for-less/

Samsung latest 3.5-inch EcoGreen desktop hard disk does with three platters what its F3EG did with four: obtain a 2TB capacity. That's 667GB per platter for what Samsung calls the world's highest areal density, environmentally friendly hard disk drive on the market. Specifically, this 3.0Gbps SATA disk with a 32MB buffer brings a 19 percent improved standby performance and requires 23 percent less power in standby mode than its EcoGreen F3EG. Better yet, it does all this for $60 less (just $119.95) when it ships to the US and EU markets in early September.

Continue reading Samsung's faster EcoGreen F4EG hard drive does 2TB for less

Samsung's faster EcoGreen F4EG hard drive does 2TB for less originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech announces Alert series of high-def security cameras, we go hands-on (updated with video!)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/logitech-announces-alert-series-of-high-def-security-cameras-we/

Logitech announces Alert series of high-def security cameras, we go hands-on

While it's not too difficult to see what's going on inside your DVR from anywhere in the world these days, keeping an eye on what's happening inside your house is sadly a little bit more complicated. Sure, there are solutions, but few are entirely plug and play -- and those that are tend to be far from affordable. Logitech's new Alert system is certainly easy to set up and, at around $300, won't exactly break the bank. Announced today and available later this month it's a simple, albeit somewhat limited, solution for home security and remote monitoring of... well... anything you can point a camera at. And, with mobile apps for iPhone, Blackberry, and Android, you can do that monitoring from just about anywhere. Click on through for the full details, some early impressions, and a little sample video.

Gallery: Logitech Alert Digital Video Security system

Continue reading Logitech announces Alert series of high-def security cameras, we go hands-on (updated with video!)

Logitech announces Alert series of high-def security cameras, we go hands-on (updated with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry 9800 slider for AT&T slips through FCC: ready for 11AM announcement

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/blackberry-9800-slider-for-atandt-slips-though-fcc-ready-for-11-0/

Can't say we didn't see this one coming but it looks like RIM's BlackBerry 9800 slider was just blessed by the FCC on AT&T frequencies. While the FCC documents refer to it as a "BlackBerry smartphone model RCY71UW," there's no mistaking the backside wireframe that forms a perfect match when superimposed onto our earlier exclusive pics. Besides, there's also liberal mention of several associated "MultiSourceDeclaration_9800_" documents throughout the FCC's test results. So what have we got then? Well, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n, GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/1900, UMTS II (1900), V (850) are all go with the GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800 MHz bands and UMTS I (2100) bands listed for international use. And yeah, it's been tested with the slider open and closed. Come back for the live reveal when the RIM / AT&T event kicks off at 11:00AM eastern.

BlackBerry 9800 slider for AT&T slips through FCC: ready for 11AM announcement originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 05:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NEC outs versatile E231W monitor with 1080p resolution and green aspirations

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/nec-outs-versatile-e231w-monitor-with-1080p-resolution-and-green/

You know that the 16:9 display ratio is here to stay when even NEC's business monitors -- long the bastion of old school sensibilities -- start offering it as a standard feature. At least the Japanese company has also had the decency to include a DisplayPort on its latest 23-incher, with a full 1080p resolution and ambient light sensor adding to the feel of modernity. The E231W isn't moving things along much further than the well-liked EA231W of last year, but it does consume less power (28W) and up-front cash ($299) than its senior sibling. 250 nits of brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 4-way adjustability (height, tilt, swivel, and pivot), and a 3-year warranty round off the energy-efficient package. Availability of this latest MultiSync monitor is scheduled for later this month, and you'll find the full PR after the break.

Continue reading NEC outs versatile E231W monitor with 1080p resolution and green aspirations

NEC outs versatile E231W monitor with 1080p resolution and green aspirations originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Digital Storm Black|OPS series brings NVIDIA 3D Vision for triple-headed 3D gameplay

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/digital-storm-black-ops-series-brings-nvidia-3d-vision-for-tripl/

Digital Storm Black|OPS series brings NVIDIA 3D Vision for triple-headed 3D gameplay

It's time to step up to triple-screen 3D gaming, son. NVIDIA has been teasing us with 3D Vision Surround capability in its GPUs for months, and now Digital Storm wants to put it on your desk with its latest Black|OPS line of gaming rigs. For a starting price of $2,670 you can get yourself a rig with dual NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 graphics cards in SLI powering three 23-inch 3D LCDs from Asus. Naturally, though, the price goes way up from there with just a few clicks on those customization boxes. Can you resist their siren call?

Continue reading Digital Storm Black|OPS series brings NVIDIA 3D Vision for triple-headed 3D gameplay

Digital Storm Black|OPS series brings NVIDIA 3D Vision for triple-headed 3D gameplay originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IBM scientists study deep-sea mud juice with atomic force microscope, find orchid juice (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/ibm-scientists-study-deep-sea-mud-juice-with-atomic-force-micros/

IBM scientists study deep-sea mud juice with an atomic force microscope, find orchid juice (video)

The discovery of novel chemical compounds is a huge part of modern pharmaceutical research. The problem is, there aren't too many novel places left on the globe left to look. One of the least studied is at the deepest place on Earth, the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and that's just where researchers at the University of Aberdeen found some mud to play with. However, they weren't able to accurately identify the compounds found in the pile of trench goop they were analyzing. A call to scientists at IBM Zurich resulted in an opportunity to play with their atomic force microscope, a device that uses a tiny probe with a tip that that actually "feels" the surface of whatever you're looking at. With this the team was able to determine the nature of the compounds being generated by bacteria in the mud: cephalandole A, also generated by the Taiwanese orchid Cephalanceropsis gracilis. Now, instead of getting your significant other a beautiful orchid for some special occasion you can fill a vase with mud and romantically explain how they both generate the same basic compounds.

[Thanks, Chris]

Continue reading IBM scientists study deep-sea mud juice with atomic force microscope, find orchid juice (video)

IBM scientists study deep-sea mud juice with atomic force microscope, find orchid juice (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Torch is official, launching August 12th on AT&T for $200

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/blackberry-torch-goes-live-on-atandts-site/

It hasn't been announced just yet -- we're expecting that shortly at a New York event today -- but the long-rumored BlackBerry Torch (née 9800) just went live on AT&T's site offering the opportunity to sign up for a notification when you can buy the thing. Major features include a 5 megapixel cam with flash, full QWERTY on a portrait slide, 802.11n support, and -- of course -- BlackBerry 6 with an all-new browsing experience and a host of other features that should help position RIM within earshot of its less-stodgy rivals. You've also got 4GB of storage onboard paired with a 4GB microSD card in the box, 512MB each of ROM and RAM, a quadband 3G radio that'll travel well around the globe, a 480 x 360 touchscreen display (same resolution as the Bold 9700) measuring 3.2 inches, the typical optical trackpad down below, and an interesting new Media Sync feature that'll let you sync your media library right over WiFi -- something various third parties have tried over the years, but has rarely been offered as an out-of-the-box capability. Interested? It'll hit AT&T and third-party retail locations and websites on the 12th of the month for $199.99 on contract. Follow the break for RIM's introductory videos and the press release.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Gallery: RIM BlackBerry Torch

Continue reading BlackBerry Torch is official, launching August 12th on AT&T for $200

BlackBerry Torch is official, launching August 12th on AT&T for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Torch first hands-on! (update: video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/blackberry-torch-first-hands-on/

We just got a quick hands-on with the BlackBerry Torch -- unfortunately our unit wasn't powering on. We're headed back for more in just a second and there's video on the way, but check the gallery for some hardware shots and some Droid X / iPhone 4 head-to-head action right now!

Update: We went back in for round two with a functional device -- the hardware is quite nice, and the keyboard feels similar to the Tour / Bold. Software-wise, we're still waiting to play with BlackBerry 6 in-depth, but it definitely feels like the OS overwhelms the hardware a little when it's really cranking -- for example, the phone basically locked up while it loaded Engadget in the new Webkit browser, but when it was done loading it responded smoothly to panning and zooming.

Update 2: We've got video, people. It's a little scattershot in scope, but it should illustrate the basic feel of the new OS. You can find it below the fold.

Gallery: BlackBerry Torch first hands-on!

Gallery: BlackBerry Torch hands-on 2

Continue reading BlackBerry Torch first hands-on! (update: video)

BlackBerry Torch first hands-on! (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Telus launching North America's first 42Mbps dual carrier HSPA+ network

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/telus-launching-north-americas-first-42mbps-dual-carrier-hspa/

Australia's Telstra already claimed the title of World's First on this one, but Telus up in Canada isn't far behind, becoming the first carrier in North America to push HSPA+ up to 42Mbps through the magic of dual carrier technology. The concept, of course, is nothing new -- remember those "Shotgun" two-line 56k landline modems back in the day? Dual carrier isn't much different, employing two HSPA+ connection simultaneous to get an effective max theoretical throughput of 42Mbps. Telus has already wrapped up lab trials, but it expects to offer the blazing speeds to customers some time in the first quarter of 2011 with the launch of the first compatible devices -- USB modems at first, we'd presume -- and since Bell shares the network with Telus, we'd imagine that they're in cahoots on this as well. Rogers, ball's in your court. Follow the break for the full press release.

[Thanks, Zach]

Continue reading Telus launching North America's first 42Mbps dual carrier HSPA+ network

Telus launching North America's first 42Mbps dual carrier HSPA+ network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft teases something 'flat' and 'touchy'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/microsoft-teases-something-flat-and-touchy/

Microsoft Hardware was a bit of a late-comer to Twitter, but it sure is making up for lost time -- it's just posted a pair of intriguing tweets teasing as yet unannounced product. The first is simply the phrase "Don't be so touchy...flat is where it's at," while the second is the tiny image you see above. What is it? A trackpad would certainly fit the description, and you can sort of see what could be the side of one if you flip that image around -- although that's still just speculation at the moment. Considering it's coming from the Microsoft Hardware division, however, it seems likely that it's a peripheral of some sort and not something like a tablet PC. Feel free to leave your best guess in the comments below.

Update: As commenter edoles has pointed out, there's also a second image in Microsoft Hardware's Twitpic account, which was actually added six days ago. Check it out after the break, along with a composite of the two images pieced together courtesy of ChrissSk.

Continue reading Microsoft teases something 'flat' and 'touchy'

Microsoft teases something 'flat' and 'touchy' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google finally enables same-browser, multiple account Gmail sign-in

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/google-finally-enables-same-browser-multiple-account-gmail-sign/

Hardcore Gmail users have been waiting for quite a few things from Google, but few are higher on the must-have list than this. In the past few hours, the Big G has quietly enabled some accounts with a multiple account sign-in option, which -- as you'd surmise -- allows users to sign into more than one Gmail account within the same browser. In the past, users had to use all sorts of tricks (or worse still, a secondary browser solely for their secondary email account) in order to view various identities at once, but now it's as easy as selecting the option and tagging a drop-down menu. Sadly, committing to this sort of sorcery has its drawbacks: Offline Gmail and Calendar will both be disabled (and this doesn't work on mobile devices), and there's no time table as to when those kinks will be worked out. For now, most of you will have time to think it over as you wait for your account(s) to be activated -- everyone else has no excuse for twiddling their thumbs.

Google finally enables same-browser, multiple account Gmail sign-in originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cricket's new tiered data plans seem like a model for the industry to us

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/crickets-new-tiered-data-plans-seem-like-a-model-for-the-indust/

Here's something we can all agree on: data caps are a bummer, especially now that we've all got smartphones capable of gobbling literally gigabytes a day. Unfortunately, they seem to be a necessary evil in this crazy supply-versus-demand world of capitalism we all call home, particularly in light of the spectrum crunch the FCC keeps warning us about. Or are they? One great band-aid rarely explored by North American carriers is the concept of bandwidth throttling, whereby you don't have a hard cap that results in overage -- instead, you just get slapped with a lower data throughput if you blow past your quota. That's what regional value carrier Cricket is doing with the launch of its new data plans today, offering buckets of 2.5, 5, and 7.5GB for $40, $50, or $60, respectively, at maximum speed on its EV-DO network -- but additionally, the quota is on a rolling 30-day basis, which means you can potentially free up some of that bucket each and every day of the month (depending on your usage patterns). If you exceed your cap, you risk falling down to a lower speed where you "may only be able to do basic email and web browsing." The downside is that this represents a $10 increase in the cost of Cricket's 5GB plan -- and bandwidth throttling still isn't fun, of course -- but at least you can keep using your modem without the dread looming in the back of your mind that you're going get a 20-page bill at month's end.

Cricket's new tiered data plans seem like a model for the industry to us originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, August 02, 2010

AdWeek: Consumers call the shots -- you might as well embrace that reality - http://bit.ly/aBOegI

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