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Thursday, October 06, 2011

drag2share: NEC LaVie Touch hands-on (updated)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/nec-lavie-touch-hands-on/

Originally scheduled for a September launch under the VersaPro type VT moniker, NEC's LaVie Touch Windows 7 tablet is finally hitting the Japanese market next week. Alas, there are still no plans on an international release for this 10.1-inch Atom Z670-powered device, but at CEATEC we were lucky enough to stumble upon it along with its DVD dock and wireless input peripherals -- all included for ¥99,960 ($1,300), which is a huge drop from the original ¥144,000 ($1,873) customizable bundle.

Despite the slightly more sensible pricing, is the LaVie Touch still worth the money? Probably a stretch given the much cheaper offerings from the likes of Acer and Samsung, but regardless, kudos to NEC for keeping its tablet's weight just under 730g (1.6 pounds) while promising 10.6 hours of battery life. For comparison's sake, the Acer Iconia W500 weighs 970g (2.14 pounds) and only packs up to six hours worth of battery juice. The NEC tablet felt firm in our hands and its IPS LCD didn't disappoint, though Windows 7 on this particular unit was slightly laggy during our hands-on, so be sure to check it out in the stores first before you hand over your hard-earned yen.

Update: We just found out that Yodobashi Camera has just started selling the LaVie Touch, so we went along to Akihabara to check out the final product. Alas, Windows 7 was still sluggish, whereas the AMD C-50-powered Iconia W500 in the next aisle handled pinch-to-zoom rather well, despite the less impressive LCD.

NEC LaVie Touch hands-on (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Android on HP TouchPad: yes, there's an app for that (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/android-on-hp-touchpad-yes-theres-an-app-for-that-video/

TouchPad firesale hysteria may have finally died down, but those of you with newly acquired HP slates should pay attention. A poster by the name of Chomper has uploaded a walkthrough of Android running atop webOS. Yes, you may have seen that particular feat before, but this time 'round the appropriated Google OS gets the emulated treatment. The mobile platform, installed via an .ipk, is accessible as an app and appears to run somewhat smoothly, although certain tics become noticeable when switching between homescreens or attempting to playback YouTube video. Audio and multi-touch have both yet to be successfully implemented in this rogue use of Android, and there's also a pesky power off issue that requires a hard reset of the system. Still, it's good to see the dev community doing what it does best, and inching us ever closer to a Rubin afterlife on HP's deceased tab. Skip past the break for a silent video tour.

Continue reading Android on HP TouchPad: yes, there's an app for that (video)

Android on HP TouchPad: yes, there's an app for that (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Google Earth hits one billion downloads, those with fear of flying still getting virtual kicks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/google-earth-hits-one-billion-downloads-those-with-fear-of-flyi/

In a feat that outdoes even Dr. Evil's vision of worldwide domination, the folks in Mountain View have reported a staggering one billion downloads of Google Earth. Over the years, the service has taken us around the world, giving us a peak into amazing and sometimes obscure places ranging from the bottom of the ocean to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. It's also evolved from its humble beginnings as a desktop app back in 2005 to include a mobile app and a plug-in, not to mention a 3D flight simulation used with Google Maps -- all features that helped it reach the astronomical milestone. For that, we salute you Google Earth. Check out the celebratory video after the break.

Continue reading Google Earth hits one billion downloads, those with fear of flying still getting virtual kicks

Google Earth hits one billion downloads, those with fear of flying still getting virtual kicks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: CHART OF THE DAY: Citi's 'Panic-Euphoria Model' Screams BUY, And There's A 97% Chance Of A Double-Digit Return

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/citi-panic-euphoria-model-says-buy-2011-10

The S&P 500 is down 17% since its April 29 high. Yesterday, the markets briefly dipped into bear market territory. Fears of a global recession have kept stock market volatility elevated.

But, Citigroup strategist Tobias Levkovich argues that the all out panic actually presents a great buying opportunity for investors. He notes:

The proprietary Panic/Euphoria Model has been in panic territory since August 19th and the level generates a near 90% chance of higher equity prices in six months and a 97% probability of teen-like gains in the next 12 months (see Figure 3). Back in 2000 and 2008, there were indications of euphoria; not dour sentiment. Furthermore, the significant disavowal of equities as an investment asset class by the general public is obvious given the large US stock mutual fund withdrawals. Such a trend sends a fairly clear contrarian message of opportunity.

chart of the day, panic euphoria model, october 2011

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Wednesday, October 05, 2011

drag2share: Android Gingerbread has growth spurt, grabs 38.2 percent device share

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/android-gingerbread-has-growth-spurt-grabs-38-2-percent-device/

Gingerbread has apparently made a substantial mark on Android users, with new figures showing it holds a 38.2 percent share of all Google OS-powered devices. That's some kind of growth from the one percent sliver it held earlier this year. Froyo still remains dominant at 45.3 percent, but fragmentation continues to shrink, with 95.7 percent of all Google-coated devices now running Android 2.1 or above. These figures, taken from Android Market statistics over the last two weeks, give a pretty good illustration of the gulf between Android smartphone and tablets, as well, with Honeycomb versions accounting for a meager 1.8 percent. But the tablet version will likely get a boost from Ice Cream Sandwich -- which, as we all know, is just around the corner.

Android Gingerbread has growth spurt, grabs 38.2 percent device share originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: T-Mobile's fall roadmap leaks, cornucopia of mobile goods on the horizon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/t-mobiles-fall-roadmap-leaks-cornucopia-of-mobile-goods-on-the/

It's no back to school roadmap because, hey, you're already there. Still, this leaked sales sheet from TmoNews shows Magenta stacking its shelves for an abundant fall mobile harvest. So, let's dive right in as there's a lot of two-year contracted bounty to cover. Starting things off on October 19th are a trio of high-end, 42Mbps-capable 4G handsets: the HTC "Ruby" or Amaze 4G at $259, Samsung Hercules (that would be this) at $229 and the Huawei Wayne at $99 (which comes pre-loaded with Spaghetti Westerns, we presume). Following just a week later, is Samsung's Arnold tablet -- a.k.a the Galaxy Tab 10.1 -- which'll run along the carrier's faux-G and retail for $399. But the real wireless bonanza takes place on the 2nd of November, when six new phones will bow. LG's Maxx QWERTY and Maxx Touch at $129 apiece are the sole 3G-only units in the bunch, leaving the HTC Omega (better known as the Sensation XE overseas) at $199, LG Flip II at $149, Huawei Tallsome slate at $199 and the low-end Samsung "Ancora" to surf along at 4G speeds. Making a late appearance to this Autumn party are the last two of the bunch: Samsung's Robin (which looks to be the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus) at $299 and RIM's Dumoine QWERTY slider. That enough options for you? We thought so.

T-Mobile's fall roadmap leaks, cornucopia of mobile goods on the horizon! origina lly appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/lg-smart-tv-goes-on-the-charm-offensive-appeals-to-adobe-de/

LG wants to bring the world of Adobe Flash to your living room. Yes, 2012's lineup of Smart TVs, theater systems and Blu-ray players are all set to arrive with support for both Flash Player and AIR 3, and the Korean manufacturer is keen to get developers signed up for its next-generation Smart TV SDK. The new software development kit will include a simplified dashboard, the ability to render 2D apps in 3D and even "console-quality gaming." Throw in Adobe's new Game Input API, and we could see tablets, joysticks and even LG-made smartphones used to control on-screen action. LG has informed us that these upgrades will be limited to next year's catalogue -- your 2011 purchases won't support the new software, and will have to make do with the slightly weedier Adobe Flash Lite. New Smart TVs will also be compatible with the Wiimote-esque Magic Motion Remote, bringing gesture-based awkwardness to menu selection.

Continue reading LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers

LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/samsung-teases-next-weeks-unpacked-offers-a-momentary-glance/

See that image above? It's Samsung's way of being sly. The company put out a teaser video for its "Google Episode" of Unpacked occurring on October 11th (we'll be there live, by the way), stating that "something BIG is coming." And if you're not looking close enough, you may completely miss the brief glimpse Sammy gave us of a device with a curved screen. The vid doesn't go so far as to loudly exclaim that this mystery device is the Nexus Prime, of course, but c'mon -- we're picking up what's getting put down. Check out the video below to do some sleuthing of your own.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Samsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device

Samsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, October 04, 2011

drag2share: The New Fitness-Centric iPod Nano Doubles As a Watch [IPod]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5846497/the-new-fitness+centric-ipod-nano-doubles-as-a-watch

Apple's boosted its petite iPod offering, with a new scrolling touch UI (no more grid!), built-in sensors for cardio stats tracking, and—wait for it—an assortment of virtual watch faces. Oh, and it plays music. Available today.

The new Nano will come with 16 swappable watch faces, and will sell in seven colors (silver, graphite, blue, green, orange, pink and (PRODUCT) RED)—$130 for 8 GB, $150 for 16 GB. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there's any GPS built into this thing yet—that would've made it killer for athletes.

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drag2share: Siri Personal Assistant Only Works on the iPhone 4S [IPhone]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5846550/apples-siri-personal-assistant-only-runs-on-the-iphone-4s

Siri is crazy. Being able to talk to your phone like a real person is the stuff of Sci-Fi. Here's the catch: You won't be able to use it unless you've got an iPhone 4S.

Siri's built into a bunch of apps already, and the software runs on both the 4S and in Apple's data centers. Because the process is so CPU-intensive, it'll only run on the iPhone 4S with its newer A5 chip. That makes sense with how many features are packed into it, like learning your voice's natural cadence and understanding English, French, and German, but it's gotta be a little disappointing for iPhone users who aren't up for an upgrade just yet.

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drag2share: The iPhone 4S' Siri Voice Command Is Just as Amazing as We Hoped [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5846542/the-iphone-4s-siri-voice-command-is-just-as-amazing-as-we-hoped

We were pretty sure the next iPhone was going to pack some awesome new voice command tech, but it's being demoed live, and living up to expectations: talk to it like a human, get results from a smart person.

The things the Siri can tell you are diverse and will be incredibly helpful. And because it uses natural language instead of awkward preset commands, you can speak to it like a person, not a program. It'll do the interpreting for you. Just hold the home button down and speak away. Ask what the weather's like, and it'll bring up a report. Ask it for a word definition, and it'll bring it up via Wolfram Alfra. Siri can bring up local restaurants, ranked by rating, search the web, read you your notifications (great while driving!), and set wakeup alarms at your command. Oh! And it'll write your texts and emails for you, like a diligent little secretary.

Siri's even GPS-powered, giving you location-based reminders of your own creation. For instance, ask Siri for a reminder not to leave your keys at work, and it'll ping you when you leave your office radius. All this voice-crunching comes at a cost, however—it'll require the extra horsepower of the 4S' A5 chip. It will, however, learn your voice as you jabber on—so Siri can only get more accurate as you use it, with support for English, French, and German.

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drag2share: How the iPhone 4S Stacks Up to the Competition [IPhone]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5846559/how-the-iphone-4s-stacks-up-to-the-competition

The iPhone 4S is here with a dual-core A5 processor, more storage space and a better camera. It's a minor update, sure, but how does it compare to other top phones (not to mention its predecessor, the iPhone 4)? Quite well, actually.

Apple didn't discuss the amount of RAM the 4S has, so we know it has at least the 512 MB that the iPhone 4 had. But we wouldn't be shocked if Apple beefed in this area to help Siri out. When the iPad 2 came out, they quietly doubled the RAM in that as well.

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drag2share: What's So Great About the iPhone's New Camera? [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5846548/whats-so-great-about-the-iphones-new-camera

The camera in the iPhone 4S is going to be better. We suspected as much, but now we know exactly how it's going to be better.

It's faster. Much faster. We're talking half a second in between photos, so if you missed the moment you won't have to wait for an eternity for another try. Most of the other leading camera-phones take two to three times that long.

It's bigger and brighter. The images it takes will be 8 megapixels at 3264x2448 pixels. That's some nice resolution right there. But, as we've said before, ISO is as important as megapixels. Sometimes adding more pixels into the same, small area actually decreases the image quality if the sensor can't handle it. Thankfully, the image sensor is going to be backside illuminated (like the iPhone 4, the myTouch 4G Slide, and Sony's newer Xperia phones), which will get it 73 percent more light (more than the iPhone 4, too). In other words, photos you take when the lighting isn't great will suck less. It's got a larger, f/2.4 aperture, too, which isn't much bigger than the iPhone 4's, but it will give it another little boost.

It's sharper and more vibrant. The five element lens should give you a cleaner image, theoretically. It should make it 30 percent sharper than the iPhone 4 (which had a four element lens). They also included a hybrid infrared filter. This is the kind of thing you usually just see on DSLR cameras. It should give you more accurate and more vibrant colors, and reduce red ghosting and chromatic aberrations which sometimes happen around light sources.

It's cinema-ier. Video hasn't been left out. It will shoot 1080p video at up to 30 frames per second, which means it should look good on your HDTV and not be stretched unnaturally. However, when a small camera shoots at 1080p sometimes the edges get warped, and there can be a pesky flicker due to the rolling shutter effect. We'll have to see if this is continues to be a problem on this camera. Either way, it will definitely take advantage of the backside illuminated sensor, but it remains to see what the bitrate will be, which has a large effect on the resulting quality. Anyway, welcome to 2011, Apple!

UPDATE: Now with video (see above).

You can keep up with Brent Rose, the author of this post, on Google+ or Twitter.

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drag2share: Adobe reveals Creative Cloud, links Touch Apps to Creative Suite with 20GB storage

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/adobe-reveals-creative-cloud-links-touch-apps-to-creative-suite/

Dropbox just not doing the trick for your design work load? Perhaps Adobe can help. The company has announced Creative Cloud, a "hub for viewing, sharing and syncing of files created by Adobe Touch Apps and Adobe Creative Suite." Included with the service is 20GB of cloud storage, which will probably get you through that web design project you've been putting off. After the first of the year, Adobe expects its cloud to include access to applications software (apps too), digital publishing / business services and a global creative community for inspiration and feedback. Also unveiled were Touch Apps, a set of six applications designed to make your tablet a design machine -- if you're down to work on that small of a screen, of course. You'll have to wait until November to find out just how much the Creative Cloud will set you back, but in the meantime check out the source link for more details.

Adobe reveals Creative Cloud, links Touch Apps to Creative Suite with 20GB storage originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Toshiba Camileo x416, x400 and x200 get pricing, availability, lots of zoom

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/toshiba-camileo-x416-x400-and-x200-get-pricing-availability-l/

Looks like some of those Toshiba camcorders that we first caught wind of back in Berlin at IFA are hitting our neck of the woods. The Camileo x400 and x200 are now available in the States, for $299 and $279, respectively. The company will also be offering up a higher-end x416 on October 10th for $319. All three camcorders shoot 1080p video and feature a similar barrel-shaped design with a three-inch swiveling touchscreen LCD. The x416 and x400 feature similar specs, with 23x optical zoom, 120x digital zoom, on-screen video trimming and expandable memory. The x416, however, will also have 16GB of storage built-in. The x200, naturally, will have more modest specs, like a relatively paltry 12x optical zoom. Press info after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba Camileo x416, x400 and x200 get pricing, availability, lots of zoom

Toshiba Camileo x416, x400 and x200 get pricing, availability, lots of zoom originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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