Thursday, January 03, 2013

Hot Chocolate Tastes Much Better In an Orange Cup

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5972777/hot-chocolate-tastes-much-better-in-an-orange-cup

Hot Chocolate Tastes Much Better In an Orange CupScientists have discovered that an orange or creme-colored cup definitely makes chocolate taste better, while a white or red cup will not enhance the flavor. The discovery demonstrates once again that our taste buds are definitely influenced by the colors our eyes perceive.

Published in the Journal of Sensory Studies, the research by scientists at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and Oxford University involved 57 participants. They had to taste the same type of hot chocolate in cups of four external colors—white, creme, red and orange—and white interior. The results were clear: all of them thought the chocolate in the orange and creme cups was better than the others, even while it was the exact same type. Some even said that the chocolate in the creme cups tasted sweeter and was more aromatic.

We already knew that the color of food itself may affect our perception of taste. A spicy meal, for example, will be perceived as hotter than the same food if it's more red. We also knew that containers themselves may affect the flavor but the relationship is still not well understood. There are no common rules, and changes depend on the food itself, says Betina Piqueras-Fiszman, one of the authors of the study:

The color of the container where you serve food and drinks can enhance some of its attributes, like flavor and aroma. There's no fixed rule to tell which color enhances what food. This varies depending on the type of food but the truth is that the effect is there. Companies should pay more attention to the container because it has a lot more potential than what you imagine.

The same team has conducted other experiments that confirm all this. One showed that strawberry mousse tastes more intense and sweet in a white plate as opposed to a black one. Soda and lemon-based beverages are more refreshing and lemony in a blue can, while those in pink vessels are perceived as sweeter (which explains Tab). Coffee is affected too; a brown packaging makes its taste stronger and more aromatic, while red makes it less strong and yellow or blue make it smoother. [El Mundo—In Spanish]

Image by Brandonht/Shutterstock

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Trolling YouTube On Your TV Just Got Easier

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5972830/trolling-youtube-on-your-tv-just-got-easier

Trolling YouTube On Your TV Just Got Easier Last November Google announced a nifty little feature that lets you browse for YouTube videos on your Android device and then sling and control them to your Google TV TV. Pretty cool if you have a Google TV that hasn't kicked the bucket or you're even still using it.

Today Google is announcing that you'll be able to do just that with even more devices from the likes of LG, Sharp, Samsung, Philips, Toshiba, Vizio, Western Digital, Panasonic, Sony, Bang & Olufsen and "others" some time this year. And they'll all support full 1080p HD videos, subscriptions and channels.

I guess if I actively trolled YouTube for videos this would be super useful. Huh. Maybe I will start actively trolling YouTube videos now. If you're still a little confused as to how it all works, then check out this marketing page.

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eFun unveils Nextbook 7GP for $130: 7-inch screen, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.1

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/03/efun-nextbook-7gp/

eFun unveils Nextbook 7GP for $130 7inch screen, 15GHz dualcore processor, Android 41 on offer

Not to miss out on the CES action, eFun has announced it will be bringing a new slate to the show. The 7-inch Nextbook 7GP is part of the cheekily-named Google Play Series and runs Android 4.1 with help of a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and a gig of RAM -- all yours for $130 when it ships next month. The 1,024 x 600 display resolution can't really be labeled "high-definition", and most other specs are plain Jane too -- 8GB storage (expandable), dual snappers, WiFi and HDMI-out. While we aren't sure whether that moniker will jerk Mountain View's chain or not, penny-pinching shoppers can look forward to some more deets when the budget tablet graces the CES floor next week.

Continue reading eFun unveils Nextbook 7GP for $130: 7-inch screen, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.1

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Via: Ubergizmo

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Wednesday, January 02, 2013

A perfect match: PC game designers and the quest for compatibility

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/02/pc-game-compatibility-and-design-challenges/

A perfect match: PC game designers and the quest for compatibility

Making games for computers is apparently akin to churning out sausage. For the most part, consumers are privy to the final yummy-looking package, give or take the occasional wandering bug that decides to crash their gaming spread. Underneath all that sumptuous, juicy meat, however, is a healthy helping of mystery meat. This includes the amalgamation of hours upon countless hours of the proverbial blood, sweat and tears piled up by the modern-day artisans who ply in the video game trade. At the top of their list of concerns? Making sure a game works across the multitude of computers that proliferate out in the wild.

With the industry essentially settling on NVIDIA and ATI/AMD these days, the narrowing of card choices to two brands has made working on compatibility "a little easier" than it used to be, said Travis Baldree, president and lead engineer for Runic Games. Note he said "a little easier" not "a cakewalk."

"Compatibility is always the biggest challenge -- it isn't a new problem at all," Baldree said. "The sheer number of permutations of cards, drivers, devices and third-party software -- and their unexpected interactions with one another -- can be a trial to deal with."

Continue reading A perfect match: PC game designers and the quest for compatibility

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MeterPlug Bluetooth power monitor tracks usage, sends stats to your smartphone (hands-on video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/02/meterplug-power-monitor-hands-on/

MeterPlug Bluetooth power monitor tracks usage, sends stats to your smartphone handson video

If there's one constant in this world, it's that the cost of energy continues to climb, be it household electric or good ole petrol. We can't help you with the latter today, but we have found a pretty slick tool for keeping tabs on electricity consumption. Now, before you head down to the comments section or send your angry emails letting us know, we're fully aware that power monitoring solutions have been around for some time now. MeterPlug isn't your run-of-the-mill device, though. This solution is relatively inexpensive (it'll retail for about $60), very compact (it plays nicely with other plugs in your power strip), and with the included Android and iOS apps, it's quite powerful as well. The device will be available with US, UK or European plugs, and slips between your existing cord and an ordinary socket. Then, you pair it with your smartphone and you're good to go.

Once connected, MeterPlug uses your handset's GPS to find electricity rates for your location, then displays your current usage in watts and cost -- during our hands-on in NYC, a connected MacBook Pro pulled about 60 watts of power at a cost of $0.01 per hour. Connect a TV or household appliance though and you might just be surprised about how much you're spending on each gadget. Naturally, there's also a few tools to conserve energy. A simple (and responsive) power toggle lets you turn your device on and off using a smartphone, a proximity sensor cuts off power when you leave the room (and pops it back on when you arrive), ! and a fe ature called Vampire Power Shield keeps track of your gadget's typical consumption, then pulls the plug when you flip your television or Xbox to standby mode, potentially saving you a fair amount of money each year. The plug module and app worked very well during our test, as you'll see in the video after the break. Then, head over to the source link to submit your pre-order on Indiegogo.

Continue reading MeterPlug Bluetooth power monitor tracks usage, sends stats to your smartphone (hands-on video)

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Source: MeterPlug (Indiegogo)

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Polaroid plans experimental Fotobar stores that will let you print your photos

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/02/polaroid-experimental-fotobar-stores/

Polaroid plans experimental Fotobar stores that will let you print your photos

Polaroid hasn't been shy to try various tactics as it attempts to compete in the age of digital photography, but it always seems to come back to the idea it's best known for. It's latest effort is a bit more of a roundabout way to get some tangible photos in your hands, though: a series of "experimental" Photobar stores where you can go and have your digital photos professionally printed. The first of those will open in Delray Beach, Florida in February, with a total of at least ten stores promised for 2013, including locations in New York, Las Vegas and Boston -- each staffed with so-called Photenders to help you get the best results, and equipped with a "patent-pending proprietary technology" that'll let you wirelessly transfer photos from your phone to a workstation. What's more, the stores won't just be producing glossy photos, but what Polaroid describes as handcrafted pieces using canvas, metal, acrylic, wood or bamboo -- those will be shipped to the customer within 72 hours, and are apparently of the same variety that can currently be ordered on Polaroid's Photobar website. You'll still need to get your Polaroid film elsewhere, though.

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Via: Cult of Android

Source: Polaroid

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Raspberry Pi gets an open source educational manual

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/02/raspberry-pi-gets-an-open-source-educational-manual/

Raspberry Pi gets an open source educational manual

Been staring at that Raspberry Pi trying to figure out where to start? You're hardly alone. We've spent some time with the diminutive Linux machine and even tried to point you in the right direction when booting up your Pi for the first time. If you're looking for something a little more in depth than our own tutorial however, its worth checking out the just released Raspberry Pi Education Manual. The book, drafted by a team of teachers from Computing at School (CAS) and released under the Creative Commons licence, is available for free either through the Pi Store or at the source link in PDF form. It's a little more education-focused than say a tome like Getting Started with Raspberry Pi, but it's certainly an excellent introduction to the platform.

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Source: Raspberry Pi

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Sony Xperia Z 'Yuga' and ZL 'Odin' make a press shot debut on New Year's Day

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/01/sony-xperia-z-and-zl-press-shots/

Sony Xperia Z 'Yuga' and ZL 'Odin' make a press shot debut on New Year's Day

Are you ready to welcome in 2013? It's sure to be another hot year for handsets, and if this pair of leaked Xperia smartphones is any indication, Sony is likely to be off to a solid start come CES. The svelte Xperia Z "Yuga" and slightly sleeker ZL "Odin" have made a premature debut on the Japanese tech giant's site, with a pair of straight-on press shots appearing overnight. The Xperia Z shot appears to be in line with earlier leaks, while the ZL is shaping up to be a slightly more compact variant, potentially squeezing identical hardware into a smaller shell. Both devices are rumored to include 5-inch 1080p LCDs, quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processors with 2 gigs of RAM and Adreno 320 graphics, along with a 13-megapixel Exmor RS sensor on the rear -- oddly, the ZL's front-facing camera appears to be positioned on the bottom. Sony has yet to confirm either device's specifications, but with CES just around the corner, we don't have long to wait for either device to become official.

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Via: Engadget Spanish, Xperia Blog

Source: Sony Mobile (Z), Sony Mobile (ZL)

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Zenbook Touch U500VZ quietly surfaces on ASUS website, price and availability still MIA

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/01/zenbook-touch-u500vz-quietly-surfaces/

Zenbook Touch U500VZ surfaces on ASUS website

A 15-inch Zenbook Touch U500VZ has quietly appeared on ASUS' website. Though the company has yet to announce this model officially, it's hardly a surprise, as its 13-inch UX31A is already available with a capacitive display, and the line's 11-inch models are confirmed to get touchscreens as well. Essentially, it looks to be the UX51Vz with a touch panel, as this machine's other specs look familiar. It packs a Core i7-3632QM processor, discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics and dual 256GB SSDs. Naturally, the touchscreen features IPS technology and boasts the same 1080p resolution as other Zenbooks. Though the laptop is listed online, price and availability aren't yet clear, but for now you can click through to the website and feast your eyes.

[Thanks, Bob]

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Source: ASUS

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GigaOM: Intel Media TV service won't launch at CES, but it is coming soon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/01/intel-media-tv-service/

GigaOM Intel Media TV service won't launch at CES, but it is coming soon

We've seen several reports over the last week about Intel's set-top box efforts, and an impending CES launch. According to GigaOM, some of those rumors simply aren't true. The site has confirmed with several sources at Intel that a set-top box (and a whole lot more) is in the works, but a CES announcement has not been planned. Instead, Media, the mysterious Intel division, which is run like a startup with staffers hired from other Silicon Valley companies rather than shifted from different departments, could be unveiled in March, or perhaps even at the AllThingsD Dive Into Media conference in February.

A detailed GigaOM report outlines the company's plans, which do include a STB manufactured by Intel that would compete with Apple TV, but also solutions for other platforms, including computers, tablets and smartphones. According to GigaOM sources, the company has spent more than $100 million on Intel Media, so it's clearly taking the effort seriously. Still, until Intel Media has been exposed to the market, it's too soon to judge its success. Hit up our source link for the full scoop.

Update: Now the Wall Street Journal has chimed in, with its own reports from usual unnamed sources indicating that a launch could be pushed as far as Q4. The reason for the wide launch window? Trouble negotiating content agreements for those unbundled packages (at much higher rates than the channels currently receive) it reportedly wants ! to offer , although the rumors say Intel has reached at least one content deal -- we're guessing it wasn't with ESPN. Whether this will ever appear or simply remain vapor like so many other rumored Intel software products remains to be seen, but just like the often hinted at Apple television, the licensing issues will probably be much harder to work out than any software or hardware.

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Source: GigaOM, Wall Street Journal

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LG 55-inch OLED TV available for pre-order in Korea this week, ready to ship next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/01/lg-55-inch-oled-available/

LG 55inch OLED TV available for preorder in Korea this week, ready to ship next month

If you spent the entirety of 2012 with 11 million won ($10,000 US) in your savings account and begging LG to take it, we'd wager that you were hoping that the Korean manufacturer's 55-inch WRGB OLED HDTV -- announced at last year's CES -- would make its way to your doorstep in a reasonable amount of time. Whether or not you feel that one revolution of the Earth around the Sun can be called reasonable, LG will begin taking pre-orders for the breathtaking screen in Korea on Thursday (January 3rd) and will ship the first batch to early adopters next month. There's still no word on when we can expect to see one in other parts of the world, but this -- as well as its stamp of approval by the FCC -- is a good sign that the wait may soon be over. Check out the full press release after the break.

Continue reading LG 55-inch OLED TV available for pre-order in Korea this week, ready to ship next month

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Source: LG

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Tobii REX brings Gaze eye-tracking tech to any Windows 8 machine

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/02/tobii-rex/

Tobii REX brings eyetracking tech to any Windows 8 machine

Tobii may not be a household brand name yet, but that doesn't make the company's eye-tracking technology any less impressive. At last year's CES we got an opportunity to preview Gaze UI, an interface that allowed us to navigate, zoom, select and scroll on a proprietary Windows 8-enabled laptop with just our pupils and a touchpad; this year, Tobii is introducing the REX, a USB-connected peripheral that adds these features to any Windows 8 PC. The device, slightly larger than a pen, adheres to the base of any PC monitor and can be integrated with other existing controls such as the keyboard, mouse or touchpad. Though this may sound quite similar to the PCEye launched in 2011, it's different in that the REX isn't intended for use as an assistive technology, so you'll still need to keep that mouse and trackpad around. Consumer pricing and availability haven't been announced, but Tobii plans to offer 5,000 units to consumers before the end of 2013; for developers, however, a special edition (seen above) should be available starting today for $995.

Continue reading Tobii REX brings Gaze eye-tracking tech to any Windows 8 machine

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Samsung will showcase its Smart TV Evolution Kit at CES 2013

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/02/samsung-evolution-kit-ces2013/

Samsung will reveal its Smart TV Evolution Kit at CES 2013

The Smart TV Evolution Kit that Samsung's been teasing us with since last year's CES will finally be revealed at the same trade show a full year later. The hardware kit will plug into the back of compatible Samsung Smart TVs and "evolve" 2012 models to the latest 2013 versions by adding a smorgasbord of hardware and software enhancements including CPU, memory and GPU upgrades, plus enhanced voice / motion control features. We reckon this just might help elevate your Angry Birds experience to a whole new level. Given that CES 2013 is just around the bend, it shouldn't be long before we get you a proper peek -- stay tuned!

Continue reading Samsung will showcase its Smart TV Evolution Kit at CES 2013

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Via: SammyHub

Source: Samsung

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Monday, December 31, 2012

Samsung announces Windows 8-optimized Series 7 Touch monitor

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/31/samsung-announces-series-7-touch-monitor/

Samsung announces Windows 8optimized Series 7 Touch monitor

Samsung is wrapping up 2012 by announcing two new monitors: the Series 7 Touch (SC770) and the Series 7 (SC750). The 24-inch Series 7 Touch is Sammy's first multi-touch display made for Windows 8, and it features a resolution of 1,920 x 1080 with 178-degree viewing angles. It also sports an adjustable stand that can tilt up to 60 degrees. The 27-inch Series 7 doesn't support touch input, but it boasts the same 1080p resolution and can pivot 90 degrees so users can view content in both landscape and portrait modes. Both models will hit the market in the first quarter of 2013 -- Samsung hasn't released pricing info for either, but both will be on hand at CES next week. You can check out the press release after the break.

Continue reading Samsung announces Windows 8-optimized Series 7 Touch monitor

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Source: Samsung Tomorrow

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Shocker: Samsung introducing new HDTV at CES, albeit with 'unprecedented new shape'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/31/samsung-new-hdtv-ces-new-form-factor/

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How do you break the silence on one of the slowest news days of the year? Well, if you're Samsung, you tease the obvious. The Korean company has been counting down the days till CES with mini-previews of upcoming HD products -- first hinting at a refurbished Smart Hub on Christmas and today confirming that a new Smart TV will indeed be unveiled next week. But not just any TV; Samsung Tomorrow is drumming up anticipation for "an unprecedented new TV shape" to be unveiled in Vegas. From the photo, it looks like a monitor in the portrait form factor, -- and a transparent one, at that -- but we won't have to hold our horses too long before we learn more. In the meantime, you can check out the video below the break.

Continue reading Shocker: Samsung introducing new HDTV at CES, albeit with 'unprecedented new shape'

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Source: Samsung Tomorrow, Samsung Tomorrow (2)

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