Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Tango brings video calling to desktop PCs -- giant baby head not included

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/tango-brings-video-calling-to-desktop-pcs-giant-baby-head-not/

Back when we first laid eyes on Tango, the startup was sticking strictly to mobile, serving up free video calls over 3G, 4G, and WiFi to both iOS and Android devices (with front-facing cameras, of course). Now the company's thinking big -- quite literally -- with the announcement that it plans to bring its video calling service to PCs sometime later this summer. As of now, it looks as if this will be a Windows-only affair, and will remain free of charge -- as before, you won't need to register to get your videophone on. We've yet to see Tango at work on the big screen, but from what we gather from the press stills, the desktop edition will bring a bit of the old Apple to your PC. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Tango brings video calling to desktop PCs -- giant baby head not included

Tango brings video calling to desktop PCs -- giant baby head not included originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OLPC XO-3 cases may sport solar panels, satellite internet, grant three wishes

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/olpc-xo-3-cases-may-sport-solar-panels-satellite-internet-gran/

OLPC XO-3

We'll give Nicholas Negroponte one thing, he's nothing if not ambitious. The OLPC founder always has some pie-in-the-sky vision for the XO line of child-centric computers, including dual-screens and hand-cranks. Now that we've skipped right past the XO-2 for the ARM-powered, and still MIA, XO-3 it's time for a whole new round of concepts. The latest is a series of accessory cases for the potentially Android-sporting tablets that boast satellite internet capabilities or solar panels for charging its battery. The former MIT Media Lab head has even suggested that a more mundane cover with a keyboard could be on tap. Of course, it would probably help if the foundation could get the machines out the door first. We haven't heard much about the XO-3 since the last round of delays pushed its release back to February... of 2011. But you know what they say, better late, and all that jazz.

OLPC XO-3 cases may sport solar panels, satellite internet, grant three wishes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix app on Android updated to work on 24 models including Galaxy S, Droid 3 (update: tablets too!)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/netflix-app-on-android-updated-to-work-on-24-models-including-ga/

The number of Android devices officially compatible with the Netflix streaming app has more than doubled in v2.3, growing from 9 to 24. Last night the description was updated with a new list of devices but the actual updated APK only started pushing this afternoon, bringing Netflix not only to the Lenovo tablet announced last night but also to the Droid 3, HTC Thunderbolt, Motorola Atrix, several Galaxy S phones including the Epic 4G and Fascinate and more. Fragmentation is clearly still an issue for DRM'd apps like this and Hulu Plus, but at least now there's a growing number of recent superphones supported instead of sitting on the sidelines. We've got the updated list of devices after the break, hit the source link to download the app from the Android Market.

Update: As multiple commenters have noted, sideloading the Netflix APK will still work for devices that haven't yet made the list. We were able to confirm the app works fine on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Motorola Xoom, however we're hearing it's not up and running on the Tegra 2-based Transformer just yet. Itching for some Watch Instantly on your Honeycomb tablet? Check XDA-Developers for a download link.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Netflix app on Android updated to work on 24 models including Galaxy S, Droid 3 (update: tablets too!)

Netflix app on Android updated to work on 24 models including Galaxy S, Droid 3 (update: tablets too!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MIT's Backtalk project / art exhibit traces the unseen life of discarded gadgets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/mits-backtalk-project-art-exhibit-traces-the-unseen-life-of-d/

Sooner or later, the device you're reading this on will either be sold, donated, recycled or otherwise disposed of; and unless you're particularly nostalgic about old gadgets like us, you likely won't ever give it much more thought. But no matter how you get rid of it, that device doesn't just vanish off the face the Earth. It's that extra life that got the folks from MIT's SENSEable City Lab thinking, and the Backtalk project is what they've come up with. Part research project and part art exhibition (now on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York), the effort involved using GPS tracking devices to trace where things like cellphones, batteries and printer cartridges end up after being discarded -- and, in the case of 40 netbook computers, some tracking software and their built-in webcams, which recorded data and images that were sent back to MIT at regular intervals (with the new owners' consent, of course). Some of the results can be seen in the video after the break and the site linked below, but you'll have to check out the exhibit first-hand to see the full scope of their findings.

Continue reading MIT's Backtalk project / art exhibit traces the unseen life of discarded gadgets

MIT's Backtalk project / art exhibit traces the unseen life of discarded gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MIT's Backtalk project / art exhibit traces the unseen life of discarded gadgets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/mits-backtalk-project-art-exhibit-traces-the-unseen-life-of-d/

Sooner or later, the device you're reading this on will either be sold, donated, recycled or otherwise disposed of; and unless you're particularly nostalgic about old gadgets like us, you likely won't ever give it much more thought. But no matter how you get rid of it, that device doesn't just vanish off the face the Earth. It's that extra life that got the folks from MIT's SENSEable City Lab thinking, and the Backtalk project is what they've come up with. Part research project and part art exhibition (now on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York), the effort involved using GPS tracking devices to trace where things like cellphones, batteries and printer cartridges end up after being discarded -- and, in the case of 40 netbook computers, some tracking software and their built-in webcams, which recorded data and images that were sent back to MIT at regular intervals (with the new owners' consent, of course). Some of the results can be seen in the video after the break and the site linked below, but you'll have to check out the exhibit first-hand to see the full scope of their findings.

Continue reading MIT's Backtalk project / art exhibit traces the unseen life of discarded gadgets

MIT's Backtalk project / art exhibit traces the unseen life of discarded gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Acer debuts WiDi-equipped Aspire 5755 laptop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/18/acer-debuts-widi-equipped-aspire-5755-laptop/

Intent on buying a new Acer laptop but not satisfied with the just-announced TravelMate 8481 thin-and-light? Then perhaps you'll find the company's new and slightly larger Aspire 5755 model more to your taste. This one packs a 15.6-inch display with a rather lowly 1366 x 768 resolution, but it at least boasts some built-in WiDi so you can easily view movies (or anything else) on a larger display without the need for any pesky cables. Otherwise, you'll get your choice of Intel Core processors (up to a Core i7-2820QM), up to 8GB of RAM and a maximum 1TB of storage, NVIDIA's Optimus-enabled GeForce GT 540M graphics, and either a Blu-ray or basic DVD drive -- all for a starting price of £899 (or roughly $1,440). Still no word on a North American release, but this one's available in the UK right now.

Acer debuts WiDi-equipped Aspire 5755 laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arduino-based GVS1 video sampler is like a DIY MPC for pixelated clips

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/18/arduino-based-gvs1-video-sampler-is-like-a-diy-mpc-for-pixelated/

GVS1

Sweet merciful tech gods do we love the Arduino. Seriously, it seems there's almost nothing this little MCU can't do. The latest arrow in its quiver of awesomeness is this little sampler, called the GVS1, that can capture, loop, pause, and reverse pixelated clips of 1- or 1.5-bit video in stunning 128 × 96 clarity. (And, before you ask, we're not exactly sure what half-a-bit is either.) The creator, known as Gijs on Vimeo, plans to upgrade the GVS1 to 2-bit capture at some point and is working towards getting some kits out the door in either September or October. If you're impatient, and have have the necessary soldering skills, you can find schematics and the Arduino code at the source. But, before you go, make sure to check out the pair of demo videos after the break.

Continue reading Arduino-based GVS1 video sampler is like a DIY MPC for pixelated clips

Arduino-based GVS1 video sampler is like a DIY MPC for pixelated clips originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Six Fisker Karmas roll off the production line, coming soon to a city near you

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/19/six-fisker-karmas-roll-off-the-production-line-coming-soon-to-a/

It's been months since the first Fisker Karma came forth from the factory, and in the time since, the sleek saloon's production timeline experienced a delay or two along the way. Yet, here we are, and the next six production Fiskers have finally been constructed. Unfortunately, those with open wallets will have to wait to get one of the elusive EVs, as the sextet of Karmas is bound for a nationwide barnstorming tour -- so that the masses may caress the car's curvy lines and perhaps take one for a spin. Details are scarce regarding the test drives, but OC Metro reports that 44 fortunate cities and 3,000 people will get to cruise in the performance EV over the next three months. Now that's some good Karma.

Six Fisker Karmas roll off the production line, coming soon to a city near you originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba acknowledges Thrive's sleep addiction, fix apparently in the works

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/19/toshiba-acknowledges-thrives-sleep-addiction-fix-apparently-in/

Has your Thrive been acting more like sleeping beauty, and less like the tablet you paid for? Before embarking on a mythical tale, whereupon you eventually find its more charming compatriot, know help from Toshiba is forthcoming: "We're aware of the issue and are working on a fix." No further details on when it'll land, or what exactly it'll fix, but if you're anything like us, you're just happy it won't end up where another Tosh tablet did -- in eternal slumber.

Toshiba acknowledges Thrive's sleep addiction, fix apparently in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnStar FMV available at Best Buy July 24th for $300

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/19/onstar-fmv-available-at-best-buy-july-24th-for-300/

Perhaps you recall hearing, back at CES, about GM's aftermarket mirror that would make the OnStar service available to most cars, including those from its most hated rival in Dearborn. No? Don't worry, here's the skinny: the OnStar FMV will let you have the company's popular blue button technology in over 90 million automobiles. Meaning that almost anyone can now reap the benefits of features like automatic crash response, turn-by-turn navigation and hands-free calling. You know... unless you're cruising in the General Lee, or something. Selling for $299.99, plus a $75 installation charge and $18.95 per month ($199 yearly) subscription, the high tech rear-view mirror will be on shelves at Best Buy starting July 24th and is now available for pre-order. Before you throw down the Benjamins for this automotive security blanket, you might want to double check that your car is compatible -- check the full PR to find out how.

Continue reading OnStar FMV available at Best Buy July 24th for $300

OnStar FMV available at Best Buy July 24th for $300 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung pulls controversial Anymode Smart Case, says it never received certification

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/19/samsung-pulls-controversial-anymode-smart-case-says-it-never-re/

The Anymode Smart Case for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 may bear a suspicious resemblance to Apple's iPad 2 Smart Cover, but Samsung insists it had absolutely nothing to do with it. In a blog post published today, the company responded to allegations that it tried to market a Cupertino rip-off, claiming that the accessory never received official "Designed for Samsung Mobile" certification. Samsung went on to point out that none of the cases have actually been sold, while confirming that it's "working with Anymode to address this oversight." In the meantime, the contentious Smart Case has been removed from Samsung's site, meaning we can finally return to leading healthy, productive lives.

Samsung pulls controversial Anymode Smart Case, says it never received certification originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China's Baidu licenses music from major US record labels for streaming and downloads

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/19/chinas-baidu-licenses-music-from-major-us-record-labels-for-str/

In a move suggesting they might be ready to accept the realities of the internet era, major US record labels have reached a deal with Chinese search engine company Baidu. The agreement between the search giant and One-Stop China, a joint venture of Universal, Warner and Sony BMG, will result in licensed tracks popping up in searches instead of pirated ones and resolve years of legal wrangling between the two sides. Baidu launched its ting! social music service earlier this year with support from local labels and EMI, while this new deal will see labels paid per-play, per-download and from advertising. Between this and the recent launch of Spotify in the US the cheap and easy fun of music piracy is slipping away rapidly, if record labels continue to act sensibly then illegal downloads will soon be limited to hipsters ironically cracking open vintage editions of Soulseek.

Continue reading China's Baidu licenses music from major US record labels for streaming and downloads

China's Baidu licenses music from major US record labels for streaming and downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, July 18, 2011

HTC's Puccini tablet passes through the FCC, has AT&T written all over it

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/18/htcs-puccini-tablet-passes-through-the-fcc-has-atandt-written-al/

Remember that HTC 10-inch Puccini tablet we spotted in May? It just passed through the FCC's gates with the model number PG09410 and from the looks of things, is headed straight for AT&T's network. The rumored Honeycomb tablet's sporting the requisite GSM 850, 1900MHz frequencies and 3G WCDMA 850 and 1900MHz bands, but the real showstopper here are the slate's LTE radios. With both AWS 4 and 17 bands on board, it'd be a pretty safe guess to see this launch alongside the orange-colored carrier's LTE rollout. We should note that the FCC doesn't test for European compatibility, so you could still see this bad boy hit across the Atlantic. What else can we glimpse from that diagram in blue? Based on the size of what appears to be a SIM card slot, we found this Android tab measuring in at the 10-inch mark. Also, you can expect a dual speaker set-up, but sadly no 3D camera. With the rumored June launch date already passed, we're hoping this'll hit late summer.

HTC's Puccini tablet passes through the FCC, has AT&T written all over it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's official: Motorola Titanium coming to Sprint July 24th, mil-spec Eclair can be yours for $150

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/18/its-official-motorola-titanium-coming-to-sprint-july-24th-mil/

The Motorola Titanium has certainly made itself no stranger to us, as it was officially announced by Sprint all the way back in May. At the time, no pricing or availability dates were known, so we were left to speculation and leaked screenshots -- you know, the usual routine for new devices. We needn't wait any longer for the prized 411, though, as the Now Network has announced the 810G military-spec Eclair smartphone will land on store shelves on July 24th and ding our wallets a Benjamin and a half -- after $100 mail-in rebate, that is. Of course, this particular device may not be for everyone, but we know it could be appealing for those of you who just enjoy tossing the ol' Android around a few times too many.

Continue reading It's official: Motorola Titanium coming to Sprint July 24th, mil-spec Eclair can be yours for $150

It's official: Motorola Titanium coming to Sprint July 24th, mil-spec Eclair can be yours for $150 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Archos G9 tablets priced: $300 and up, ship in September

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/18/archos-g9-tablets-priced-300-and-up-ship-in-september/

If you're still waiting to pull the trigger on an Android 3.1 tab, decision day may be coming soon. Back in June, Archos revealed two G9 models: the 8-inch 80 and the 10-inch 101. Well... in case you needed time to save up a little extra dough from your paper route, pricing has been revealed ahead of the September release. The smaller of the two tablets will start out at $299.99 and the more stout of the pair at $369.99 (both 8GB base models), a cool Jackson more than originally reported. Just as a quick refresher, keep in mind that beastly 250GB options are available for both, boasting Seagate's 7mm Momentus Thin HDD technology. You know, if you're wanting to carry around your entire Metallica bootleg discography on one of these bad boys.

[Thanks, Elliott]

Archos G9 tablets priced: $300 and up, ship in September originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 06:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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