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Monday, January 24, 2011

HP / Palm's 9.7-inch Topaz tablet to use 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8660, Adreno 220 GPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/hp-palms-9-7-inch-topaz-tablet-to-use-1-2ghz-qualcomm-msm8660/

Looks like those whispers we heard about HP's Topaz having a 1.2GHz Qualcomm CPU were true. The folks over at Pre Central just scored an internal document detailing presumed specifications of HP's forthcoming 9.7-inch tablet, and it looks like the aforesaid CPU will be joined by an integrated Adreno 220 GPU, 512MB of DDR2 memory, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and dual-band 802.11b/g/n WiFi. We're told to expect an oleophobic Gorilla Glass screen with a standard XGA (1024 x 768) resolution, options for 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage, optional WWAN, an accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor, microphone and a battery that'll last for around eight hours in ideal circumstances. Naturally, webOS will be onboard, and we're hearing that a WiFi-only model will indeed hit the market at some point. As for the connected versions? HSPA, LTE and CDMA variants are rumored, with the former two likely to be SIM-locked while all three carry A-GPS.

It should be noted that these documents were apparently fresh as of last fall, so everything is clearly subject to change. That said, we're digging the reports that HP will be doing everything it can to fully support Flash on this here slate, and it may also consider a partnership with Blio for the digital bookworms in attendance. Naturally, cloud services is shaping up to be a huge deal, and it'll definitely support inductive charging via the Touchstone v2. These docs also affirm what we'd heard about integrated Beats Audio technology and Tap to Share, with the second-gen Touchstone to also handle wireless picture sharing, cordless audio streaming and tether-free video beaming (just to name a few). Hit the source link the full skinny, and feel free to pressure HP to move February 9th a little closer to today.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

HP / Palm's 9.7-inch Topaz tablet to use 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8660, Adreno 220 GPU originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon tweaking low-end data plans, using '3G' distinction to upcharge for LTE

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/verizon-tweaking-low-end-data-plans-using-3g-distinction-to-u/

Well, that didn't last very long at all: looks like Verizon is killing off its $15 150MB data plan for smartphones altogether, instead corralling folks into the $30 unlimited option. Of course, with the proliferation of data-hungry smartphone apps on Android (and soon, the iPhone), 250MB per month of usage is becoming less and less reasonable by the day, so we can't say we're terribly surprised. Meanwhile, the $9.99 25MB feature phone data option is getting a bump up to 75MB with $10 per 75MB overage, a slight drop from the 20 cent / MB overage that those customers deal with currently. Finally, you'll notice that the $30 unlimited plan is now qualified as applying to "feature phones and 3G smartphones," not merely "smartphones" as they were before -- a nod to the fact that Verizon's upcoming LTE handsets won't be eligible for the same pricing. What, did you think you were going to be blazing on your ThunderBolt at 20 or 30Mbps without a care in the world?

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Verizon tweaking low-end data plans, using '3G' distinction to upcharge for LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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webOS tablet interface leak suggests new gesture controls, same old good looks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/webos-tablet-interface-leak-suggests-new-gesture-controls-same/

What, a full spec sheet for the Topaz not good enough for you? Fine, Pre Central has managed to dig up another little document from HP's 2010 archives, this one delving into tablet-specific UI elements in webOS. The first notable thing is the inclusion of more sophisticated gesture and tap controls, with double-tap, tap-and-hold, and even two-finger tap-and-drag actions serving some unspecified functions in the tablet version of the software. Tabbed browsing also makes an appearance, alongside an auto-expanding email client and a page-turning element, all of which may or may not be in the final build shipping with the final devices. Until finality is reached, however, the source link is your best buddy.

[Thanks, Ryan]

webOS tablet interface leak suggests new gesture controls, same old good looks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/led-headlights-can-add-up-to-six-miles-of-electric-vehicle-range/

LED lighting can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range

We've been charting the progression of in-home lighting, CFLs replacing incandescents but themselves slowly walking the path obsolescence as LED bulbs get cheaper and more common. It's much the same on the vehicle lighting front, with LEDs taking over more and more automotive lighting, and now OSRAM Sylvania is giving us another reason to make that happen sooner. LED bulbs can provide the same amount of light as traditional incandescent car bulbs with less than 25 percent the energy draw. On a gas-powered auto that's not such a big deal, where LEDs are being used primarily because of benefits like cooler temps, longer life, and greater stylistic freedom, but on an EV that reduction in current draw can offer as much as a six mile boost in range on a single charge. That may not sound like much, but if you ever run out of juice five miles from home you might just change your mind.

Continue reading LED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range

LED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why You Might Want to Wait for a 4G Phone [Buying]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5741627/why-you-might-want-to-wait-for-a-4g-phone

If you're getting pretty excited about all the new speedy, 4G phones coming out right now, you're probably thinking of picking one up. Tech blog Tested reminds us that it's still a new technology, and you may be better off waiting.

We've already addressed the differences between 4G on each carrier, but 4G has a lot of general advantages and disadvantages over the standard 3G phones most of us are still rocking. Of course we all know the advantage: blindingly fast speed. But that isn't the whole story.

At the top of 4G's list of disadvantages is bad battery life. As with 3G, mobile data is a bit of a battery suck, and 4G is going to be a worse offender than 3G. Battery life is already a pretty big problem on a lot of today's smartphones, so if you think you're going to find yourself toggling 4G off just to make it through your day, it may not be worth springing for a whole new phone right now. Furthermore, to combat this, many phones will have larger batteries, making the phones bigger and heavier (but likely still having less than stellar battery life). And, while you can get some pretty blindingly fast speed on 4G right now, as more people pick it up, your average speed will decline a bit. It will, of course, be faster than 3G, just not as much faster as you might think right now—meaning that switch might not be as worth it as you think.

Check out the article at Tested for even more reasons you might want to wait, including some interesting info on voice standards and frequencies. Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't spring for a new 4G phone—particularly if your current phone is older than dirt—but the much more realistic view on the technology is welcome for those of us making phone buying decisions.

The Pros and Cons of Adopting 4G Android Phones Today [Tested]

TeamSnap Manages Your Team's Schedule, Communications, and More [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5741110/teamsnap-manages-your-teams-schedule-games-and-more

iOS: TeamSnap is a compact app for your iOS devices that makes team management a breeze. Keep track of games, practices, send group message, even track who is bringing refreshments.

TeamSnap is a comprehensive team management tool that condenses what would normally be clipboards of information, long email threads, and other spread out communications into dashboard. You can track team rosters and team contact info, game schedules, view and upload photos, generate maps to and from your games and other events, and more.

TeamSnap has a freemium model. The base app and account is free and includes the team roster, schedule, messages, and public sharing of schedules and such. The basic account includes extras like photos and refreshment tracking (cost: $6.95 a month or $55 a year) and the premium account includes even more extras like team stats, a customizations like team logos and color themes (cost: $9.95 per month or $79 a year). Check out the full price schedule here.

Budding Molecular Cuisine Chefs Take Note... [Cooking]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5741090/budding-molecular-cuisine-chefs-take-note

...for Think Geek has a Molecular Cuisine Starter Kit that should get you well on the way toward that coveted sous chef job at Alinea you've been eyeing ever since Chez Gizmodo's Taste Test.

At $70, it's not necessarily cheap, but the exotic vaporizer dishes you'll be cooking up in the near future at your chic molecular gastro-pub will no doubt make that money back and then some. The full, expanded materials list includes:

5 sets of food-additives:
- Agar-agar - 10 sachets of 20g each
- Calcium Lactate - 10 sachets of 20g each
- Sodium Alginate - 10 sachets of 20g each
- Soy Lecithin - 10 sachets of 20g each
- Xanthan Gum - 10 sachets of 20g each

1 set of tools:
- 1 syringe
- 5 pipettes
- 3 lengths of 18" silicone tubing
- 1 slotted spoon
1 set of measuring spoons

When all is said and done you'll have 50 different dishes to make and experiment with using family and friends. Just don't kill them! Instead, slay them figuratively with your Beet Foam and Arugula Spaghetti.[Think Geek]

Acer Aspire One 522 with AMD Ontario shows up on Amazon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/22/acer-aspire-one-522-with-amd-ontario-shows-up-on-amazon/

Sure, we had known a few bits and pieces about Acer's forthcoming AMD Fusion-powered netbook but you can always count on Amazon to dish out the spec and pricing details we've been waiting for. Unlike the Fusion HP Pavilion dm1 we just reviewed, which packs a higher-end AMD Zacate E-350 APU, the Aspire One 522 is powered by AMD's netbook-class 1GHz C-50 Ontario processor. The 10.1-inch laptop still melds that CPU with Radeon HD 6250 graphics so it should be able to handle full HD video and some light gaming, and for $330 we're certainly expecting it to trounce Atom netbooks in both price and graphics prowess. Other than that, the 2.8-pound Aspire One 522 seems to be a lot like the previous AMD Neo-powered Aspire One 521 -- it looks to have a similar chassis and has 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, HDMI port, Windows 7 Starter, and a 4400mAh battery, which apparently provides six hours of battery life. No word on when the 522 will actually come out of the pre-order stage and start shipping, but our guess is that it shouldn't be too long of a wait.

Acer Aspire One 522 with AMD Ontario shows up on Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hackers disguise phone as keyboard, use it to attack PCs via USB

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/hackers-disguise-phone-as-keyboard-use-it-to-attack-pcs-via-usb/

We've seen hackers use keyboards to deliver malicious code to computers, and we've seen smartphones used as remote controls for cars and TV -- but we've never seen a smartphone disguised as a keyboard used to control a computer, until now. A couple folks at this year's Black Hat DC conference have devised a clever bit of code that allows a rooted smartphone -- connected to a PC through USB -- to pose as a keyboard or mouse in order to attack and control the computer. The hack takes advantage of USB's inability to authenticate connected devices coupled with operating systems' inability to filter USB packets, which would enable users to thwart such an attack. While utilizing a digital costume to hack a computer is a nifty idea, it doesn't pose much additional risk to users because the method still requires physical access to a USB port to work -- and most of us would probably notice someone plugging a smartphone into our laptop while we're using it.

[Image Credit: Angelos Stavrou / CNET]

Hackers disguise phone as keyboard, use it to attack PCs via USB originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG G-Slate spotted in Korean music video, 3D cameras and all?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/lg-g-slate-spotted-in-korean-music-video-3d-cameras-and-all/

Oh LG, did you really think you could slip an entire tablet past the eagle-eyed gadget obsessives of Korea? The G-Slate has been one of the more mysterious devices launched at CES this year, but it now appears to have shaken off some of its shyness and made a cameo appearance on K-Pop star Seungri's latest music vid. Our Korean correspondents inform us that Seungri's band Big Bang has had a relationship with LG since the introduction of the cheap and cheerful Lollipop handset (video evidence after the break), so it's not unreasonable to believe this young chap has an inside line on LG's upcoming hardware. His video shows an LG-branded slate at 0.53 and 1.52, and although we get only brief glimpses, one of them suggests a dual-camera array on the back, which seemingly corroborates earlier rumors of the G-Slate bringing some 3D voodoo to the market. Skip the break and see for yourself.

[Thanks, Alan Yi]

Continue reading LG G-Slate spotted in Korean music video, 3D cameras and all?

LG G-Slate spotted in Korean music video, 3D cameras and all? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Optimus 2X goes on sale in Korea, teases white version for February

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/lg-optimus-2x-goes-on-sale-in-korea-teases-white-version-for-fe/

No big surprises here, unless you count that snowy white number up above. Yep, LG's not only stolen a march on Motorola in introducing the world's first dual-core smartphone, it's also about to beat Apple to the white handset punch as well. The 1080p-recording, Tegra 2-wielding Optimus 2X is now available in its home market of South Korea and, if LG stays true to its roadmap, should be filtering through into Europe before this month is out. We don't know if its white variant will ever escape the clutches of Korea (and we sure hope it does), but it should be making its bodacious debut over there in February.

Continue reading LG Optimus 2X goes on sale in Korea, teases white version for February

LG Optimus 2X goes on sale in Korea, teases white version for February originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists build double-floating-gate FET, believe it could revolutionize computer memory

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/scientists-build-double-floating-gate-fet-believe-it-could-revo/

Look, we get it, you want DRAM that behaves like flash, flash that behaves like DRAM, and everything in between -- speedy computer memory that doesn't lose its data when the power goes off, and lasts for years on end. Well, it looks there's a new challenger about to enter that ring -- double floating-gate field effect transistors, currently in prototype form at North Carolina State University. Whereas the single floating-gate variety is currently responsible for the flash memory in your USB keys and SSDs, the second floating gate lets bits of data stay in an active, ready state, but the computer can also apply a higher voltage to "freeze" them in place. Since the memory can switch between static and dynamic modes in a single cycle and the data never disappears in between, researchers imagine the new tech could lead to instant-on computers and power-saving techniques that shut down idle memory banks. That's the consumer take, at least -- find the technical deep dive at our more coverage link.

Scientists build double-floating-gate FET, believe it could revolutionize computer memory originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1.2GHz Tegra 2 3D chips suggested by leaked slide, coming 'spring 2011'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/1-2ghz-tegra-2-3d-chips-suggested-by-leaked-slide-coming-sprin/

Darn, we've barely started getting acquainted with Tegra 2, yet NVIDIA seems to already be preparing the stage for a sort of Tegra 2.5 -- a 1.2GHz dual-core chip that'll be marketed as a 3D-capable mobile processor. This T25 silicon is apparently set for mass production in the first quarter of this year, with availability coming up in the spring. Given the noises we keep hearing about 3D going mobile, this is one rumor that makes a lot of sense -- and even if you're a staunch supporter of the 2D creed, you can't deny that a sped-up Tegra 2 CPU sounds pretty delicious. We've managed to also track down some technical chatter about adding support to Chromium OS for a 1.2GHz T25 from NVIDIA, seemingly corroborating the leaked image above. Oh boy, it's gonna be a hot summer for mobile computing this year!

1.2GHz Tegra 2 3D chips suggested by leaked slide, coming 'spring 2011' originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NVIDIA Tegra 3, equipped with 1.5GHz quad-core madness, teased by a familar slide

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/nvidia-tegra-3-equipped-with-1-5ghz-quad-core-madness-teased-b/

How aggressive can NVIDIA get? That's the question puzzling our brainboxes right now as we gaze upon the complete version of the slide that let us know about a potential Tegra 2 3D chip over the weekend. It's not every day you hear of a 1.5GHz quad-core mobile SOC, but our discovery of corroborating evidence for the T25 module sitting alongside it makes us more willing to credit the possibility of a Blu-ray-crunching, 13,800 MIPS-capable, multicore Cortex-A9 Tegra 3. Moreover, the roadmap of production samples in Q4 of 2010 fits perfectly with NVIDIA's claim that Tegra 3 was "almost done" in September of that year. The ULP designation on this listing stands for Ultra Low Power in NVIDIA parlance, which would indicate an aggressively tuned power management system -- the only way we can envision a quad-core anything operating within a tablet. Fall 2011 is when we should know for sure.

NVIDIA Tegra 3, equipped with 1.5GHz quad-core madness, teased by a familar slide originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 07:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holocube scales up with life-sized, 70-inch, HC70 holographic projector (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/holocube-scales-up-with-life-sized-70-inch-hc70-holographic-pr/

Holocube scales up with life-sized, 70-inch, HC70 holographic projector (video)

First they were little, then they added touchability, now Holocube's holograms in a box are going big time -- in that the company's latest model is physically much larger than the others. It's the HC70, a new version with a 70-inch transparent screen that can be viewed from both sides. It's powered by a Windows 7 Embedded machine with 40GB of flash storage from which it can loop between eight and 18 hours of video, displayed via 1080p projector. You can see it in action below showing a... slightly mesmerizing collection of random bits of footage. Let us know if you can find the hidden meaning.

Continue reading Holocube scales up with life-sized, 70-inch, HC70 holographic projector (video)

Holocube scales up with life-sized, 70-inch, HC70 holographic projector (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 07:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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