Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

T-Mobile offering Vibrant for $99, if you're quick about it

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/t-mobile-offering-vibrant-for-99-if-youre-quick-about-it/

If the Vibrant's $200 price tag on contract was the only thing keeping you planted on the fence, you might want to head over to T-Mobile's interwebs right this second seeing how they're offering a one-day special -- $99, online only -- which makes it $100 cheaper than AT&T's Captivate and $150 less than Sprint's Epic 4G. Any way you slice it, that's a killer carrier-direct price for a high-end Android phone with a 1GHz core and one of the best phone displays we've ever seen... and remember, it includes Avatar, which means you're getting this for the price of a few Avatar Blu-rays. Yeah, that's the way to look at it.

[Thanks, Aaron]

T-Mobile offering Vibrant for $99, if you're quick about it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon FiOS will stream live TV, VOD plus your own stuff to TVs, iPads & mobile devices soon (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/verizon-will-stream-live-fios-tv-video-on-demand-to-ipads-othe/

Despite whatever other tablets Verizon may have on the way, it showed off a new trick for FiOS TV at a press conference today by streaming live TV and video on-demand to the iPad. NewTeeVee grabbed the above picture of the app, which Chief Information Officer Shaygha Kheradpir says brings the same software from its set-top boxes to the iPad and other screens. That hasn't stopped potential licensing issues with offering video on off-TV devices, but Reuters reports the company doesn't expect to pay any additional fees to programmers, probably because the app will only work from subscriber's homes. While live TV streaming is a big draw, it also showed off a video on-demand app called FlexView due later this year for Verizon's new Android phones, the Blackberry Storm and Windows Mobile 6.5 (other platforms due later on, it willwork on other mobile networks as well) that would let videos purchased via the cable box or website be downloaded onto up to five different devices, while its Media Manager service will be refreshed with an update that lets users upload video to 70GB of cloud storage and then stream it to their PCs, TVs or mobiles. Reports indicate live TV streaming should be available early next year, we'll see if FiOS beats Cablevision to the punch.

Update: ZatzNotFunny pointed out a video of the demo posted by Steve Donohue on YouTube, check it out after the break.

Continue reading Verizon FiOS will stream live TV, VOD plus your own stuff to TVs, iPads & mobile devices soon (video)

Verizon FiOS will stream live TV, VOD plus your own stuff to TVs, iPads & mobile devices soon (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starbucks Reserve

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDieline/~3/lCw3q750pLY/starbucks-reserve.html

"Starbucks Reserve, a line of ultra-premium, single-origin coffees will launch this fall in select U.S. stores. Chosen by Starbucks coffee buyers for their unique flavors and rarity, Starbucks Reserve coffees will be offered in limited quantities and while supplies last in select stores within metropolitan markets including New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Boston, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Miami. The first offering, Galapagos San Cristobal, originated on San Cristobal, an island in the Galapagos Islands. The subtropical region's intense microclimate, rich volcanic soil and equatorial sun create ideal conditions for extraordinary coffee."

Shuffler.fm Plays a Continuous Stream of Songs Directly from Music Blogs [MP3s]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5615427/shufflerfm-plays-a-continuous-stream-of-songs-directly-from-music-blogs

Most music streaming services offer some kind of Wikipedia-style write-up on the artist that's currently playing. Shuffler.fm does one better, switching between music blogs in your chosen genre and streaming tracks from recent posts. In other words, it's a more music-nerd-y Pandora.

In practice, shuffler.fm sits as a music control bar at the top of each blog page, providing controls to skip back or forward, pause the playback, switch genres, or email, Tweet, or "Like" a track on Facebook. Like what you're hearing? The blog post likely centered around the artist, song, or event from which it came is right there in your browser tab. You get free music, a good vibe from patronizing smaller-scale music blogs, and you don't even need to create a free account to listen.

Shuffler.fm is a free service, and seems to require only a browser with Flash capabilities.

shuffler.fm [via BoingBoing]

Sandisk's 64GB integrated SSD is no bigger than a wafer-thin mint

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/sandisks-64gb-integrated-ssd-is-no-bigger-than-a-wafer-thin-min/

Sandisk's 64GB integrated SSD is no bigger than a wafer-thin mint

Think your mobile device couldn't eat another byte, that it's stuffed full of storage? Surely it has room for a tiny little thin SSD? This is Sandisk's solution for storage in portable devices, the creation of a new class of storage: integrated SSD, or iSSD. Designed to be soldered right onto a motherboard, this drive is the size of a postage stamp, weighs the same as a paperclip, and will be available in sizes ranging from 4 to 64GB. Read and writes clock in at 160MB/sec and 100MB/sec, respectively, plenty fast enough to run a full OS, with an SATA interface ensuring broad compatibility. Early units are available now, with bulk orders shipping soon. Now, how many would you like? Just the one, monsieur?

Continue reading Sandisk's 64GB integrated SSD is no bigger than a wafer-thin mint

Sandisk's 64GB integrated SSD is no bigger than a wafer-thin mint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amex Digital claims 'world's smallest 1080p media player' with MP-501

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/amex-digital-claims-worlds-smallest-1080p-media-player-with-m/

It's hardly as small as Thomson's A1, but it just might be the most diminutive media player in existence to actually handle 1080p without breaking too serious a sweat. Measuring just 175- x 128- x 15mm and weighing 250 grams, this pocket sized player can accept a multitude of film formats from a connected USB storage device or an SD card; once the media's flowing, it can output content as high as 1080p over HDMI, and there's also a composite video / audio output and mini-USB port 'round back. The MP-501 is equipped with an ARM Cortex-A8 processor and the ability to play nice with nearly every file under the sun that's stripped of DRM, and best of all, it's purportedly priced at just $49. Did you just stumble upon your next laptop case compartment filler? Yes, yes you did.

Amex Digital claims 'world's smallest 1080p media player' with MP-501 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AirDropper Requests Files via Email and Saves to Your Dropbox [File Sharing]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5615351/airdropper-requests-files-via-email-and-saves-to-your-dropbox

AirDropper Requests Files via Email and Saves to Your Dropbox
Not everybody's down with free file syncing service Dropbox, but that's not a problem with free webapp AirDropper. Use it to request a file, through email or password-protected link, and when they upload it, it goes right into your Dropbox space.

AirDropper authenticates itself with your Dropbox account, then asks you to fill out a request form for the file you're looking to receive. After providing the email address of the file-haver, or getting them a password-protected link through other means, they'll get to a page that simply asks them to browse and select the file, then upload it. That file lands right in your Dropbox account, in a folder you specify, and the world feels ever more connected.

It's a nice go-between agent for clients who can't send a large file out via email, or for pinging you friends and reminding them to send along that MP3 you were talking about last night.

AirDropper is free to use while in beta, but will eventually take on a "freemium" tiered pricing model that keeps a free option, according to its developer. It requires a free Dropbox account and an authentication if your browser cookies get wiped.

Logitech's Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/logitechs-wireless-illuminated-k800-keyboard-boasts-ambient-lig/

It wasn't too long ago that we were pondering the relative scarcity of backlit desktop keyboards, so let's all warmly welcome a new entrant into this niche category. The K800 from Logitech picks up where the wired Illuminated Keyboard left off: it has the requisite inflated price, adjustable and intelligent illumination to please functionalists, and a dagger-like profile for aesthetes. Ambient light sensors will align the keyboard's brightness to your environment, while proximity detectors will only flip the switch when your hands are in position to start writing. There's also a Micro USB cable to refresh your battery when it starts running low -- it's rated for up to 10 days of wireless use -- but whether this whole package of smart convenience is worth the $99.99 we'll leave up to you. The K800 should be shipping out later this month, and you can find out more about it in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Logitech's Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100

Logitech's Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba demonstrates successful BPR HDD, is 2.5Tb per inch a platter's last stand?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/toshiba-demonstrates-successful-bpr-hdd-is-2-5tb-per-inch-a-pla/

Toshiba demonstrates successful BPR HDD, is 2.5Tb per inch a platter's last stand?

We'll be honest: we thought SSDs would suck down most of platter-based storage's milkshake by now -- that magnetic disks would follow tapes into obscurity. Alas, SSDs are still niche items, and Toshiba is doing all it can to keep them that way, demonstrating a successful prototype of a new storage technique called bit-pattern recording that currently generates a storage density of 2.5Tb per square inch. That's about five times more dense than the company's current offerings, achieved by placing individual bits onto lithographed "islands" of magnetic material. This protects the charge of the individual bits and allows those sectors to be much smaller. Toshiba suggests we won't see these until 2013, but now we're left wondering what's next... can engineers stuff even more bits onto these things?

Toshiba demonstrates successful BPR HDD, is 2.5Tb per inch a platter's last stand? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile G2 gets a teaser site, will be network's first HSPA+ phone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/t-mobile-g2-gets-a-teaser-site-will-be-networks-first-hspa-ph/

It's called the G2, it'll run Android, and it's T-Mobile's first phone to ride those wannabe-4G HSPA+ airwaves. Those are the facts we have. As to the speculation, a previous roadmap leak and T-Mobile's own reps indicate it'll be a HTC-built handset set for a September release, while a careful eyeballing of that silhouette leads us to thinking it's the same device as the purported myTouch HD we've been seeing around here lately. Whatever it is, it's coming soon!

[Thanks, Daniel]

T-Mobile G2 gets a teaser site, will be network's first HSPA+ phone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's Arc Touch Mouse revealed?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/microsofts-arc-touch-revealed/

It's not official until Microsoft says it is, but the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse image above was just snagged off a German online store. Amazingly, the mouse arches it back for comfortable mousing before packing flat for easy transport. The mouse features touch-scrolling, battery indicator, and 2.4GHz nano transceiver that no doubt plugs into your laptop's USB port. Yours soon for €69.99... right, €0.99 more than Apple's Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad sells for in Germany.

Gallery: Microsoft's Arc Touch Mouse revealed?

Microsoft's Arc Touch Mouse revealed? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Intel acquires TI's cable modem unit, might be sneaking into your AV rack

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/17/intel-acquires-tis-cable-modem-unit-might-be-sneaking-into-you/

Intel's been trying to break into the home entertainment market for years, and while it's made some inroads, it's also looking at a notable list of ho hum attempts that never managed to gain traction. Take the CE3100 processor, for instance -- a couple of years ago, the outfit seemed certain that this here chip would be powering every last living room box for the rest of eternity, and nowadays it's hardly a household name. But this week, Intel has picked up Texas Instruments' cable modem unit, which gives it a direct link into the very area it's been trying to exploit. The goal of the acquisition -- which is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of this year -- is to combine TI's Puma product lines with DOCSIS and Intel SoCs. Once that magical marriage takes place, Chipzilla intends to push out complex set-top boxes, residential gateways and modem products, possibly even going for the OEM artery. Details beyond that are few and far betwixt, but we doubt it'll be too long before the pickup begins to bear fruit.

Continue reading Intel acquires TI's cable modem unit, might be sneaking into your AV rack

Intel acquires TI's cable modem unit, might be sneaking into your AV rack originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of fe! eds.

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Bose intros IE2, MIE2 and MIE2i in-ear headphones, only charges an arm for 'em

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/17/bose-intros-ie2-mie2-and-mie2i-in-ear-headphones-only-charges/

In an obvious non-Bose move, the company has just outed a trio of products that actually seem reasonably priced. Of course, it's not like the outfit is suddenly catering to the low-end market, but those willing to pay a Benjamin or so for a decent set of 'buds now have three more to consider. The IE2 has been engineered for portable media players, while the MIE2 and MIE2i are both designed to handle calls and tunes. The latter, as you'd surmise, is designed specifically to control a range of iDevices, though the whole group ships with StayHear tips that supposedly stay lodged for longer regardless of activity. Curiously, none of these offer noise cancelling or sound isolating technologies, and naturally, Bose isn't handing over any of those pesky specification details. The IE2 is expected on store shelves on August 23rd for $99.95, while the MIE2 ships on the same date for $30; as for the MIE2i, that one will surface in October for $129.95.

Continue reading Bose intros IE2, MIE2 and MIE2i in-ear headphones, only charges an arm for 'em

Bose intros IE2, MIE2 and MIE2i in-ear headphones, only charges an arm for 'em originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DOOH Interest in C-stores Set to Grow in Q3

Source: http://feeds.marketingcharts.com/~r/marketingcharts/~3/QnubTh-xDU4/

Digital-out-of-home (DOOH) advertisers are expected to increase their interest in convenience stores as a venue, according to digital media aggregator Adcentricity. C-store, Hospitality Interest Continues The two most popular DOOH advertiser campaign venue subcategories in Q2 2010, convenience stores and hospitality (restaurant/bar), should both grow while maintaining their respective number one and two positions, Adcentricity predicts. Convenience [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/marketingcharts/~4/QnubTh-xDU4" height="1" width="1"/>

Samsung's Android-Running Answer to the iPod Touch Spotted [Samsung]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5614371/samsungs-android+running-answer-to-the--ipod-touch-spotted

Samsung's Android-Running Answer to the iPod Touch Spotted Given the model number YP-MB2 and looking like the Galaxy S, the Samsung Galaxy Player will run Android OS, have a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen, a 1 GHz processor, a 3MP camera, and Wi-Fi connectivity. [Samsung Hub via Tech Radar]

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