Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Intel confirms new internet-based television streaming product, 'working with entire industry' to launch this year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/intel-confirms-new-internet-based-television-streaming-product/

Intel confirms new internetbased television streaming product, 'working with entire industry' to launch this year

Welp, the rumors are true. Erik Huggers, Corporate VP & GM for Intel Media, just sat down here at D:Dive Into Media 2013 in order to confirm that Intel's getting into the set-top / TV provider business, and everything will be delivered to your home using your existing broadband internet connection. Straight from the man's mouth:

"We have been working for around a year now to setup Intel Media -- it's a new division that includes a lot of people from outside of the company. We've hired people from Apple, Netflix, Google, BBC, etc. We're aiming to develop an internet television platform. My opinion is that not many of those rivals have cracked it -- have truly delivered.

For the first time, we'll deliver a few things to consumers. We'll deliver a new consumer electronics product under a new brand. It's associated with Intel, but you'll have to wait to hear what exactly that is. It'll be an Intel-powered device with beautiful industrial design. Where it really gets interesting is here -- we're working with the entire industry. It's an over-the-top service, delivering network channels, pay-TV channels, catch-up television, on-demand, and a host of applications."

He also affirmed that the box (and service) would launch "this year," and while the box won't provide Intel's "entire vision" at launch, a fair amount will be. That should include live television, on-demand, ! and catc h-up. We're guessing it's the app ecosystem that'll take some time to truly develop.

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Vuzix's Wrap 1200AR glasses do 3D augmented reality for $1,499

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/vuzix-wrap-1200ar-augmented-reality-glasses/

Vuzix Wrap 1200AR glasses

We saw Vuzix shift to a more Google Glass-esque set of smart glasses at CES in January, but it looks like it's not about to abandon the more traditional wrap-around headsets it's been churning out year after year. The company's latest is the Wrap 1200AR, which is a lot like its Wrap 1200VR headset, but with a focus on augmented reality instead of virtual reality. That means you'll get two (VGA) cameras mounted on the front to capture stereoscopic video of your surroundings, along with a pair of displays (852 x 480 each) to view that video -- augmented or otherwise -- in 3D. As with the Wrap 1200VR, the glasses also come equipped with head-tracking technology, but they don't come cheap. These will set you back a hefty $1,499, and are available to order now.

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Via: Electronista

Source: Vuzix

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Fitbit updates Android app with wireless syncing over Bluetooth 4.0

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/fitbit-updates-android-app-wireless-syncing-bluetooth4.0/

Fitbit updates Android app with wireless syncing over Bluetooth 40

Fitbit promised wireless syncing and, as of today, it's finally delivered. An Android-only app update, currently live in Google Play, will now allow Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II users to transfer data wirelessly from their Zip or One Activity Trackers to the Fitbit application. The new feature, which works over Bluetooth 4.0, was previously announced at this past CES alongside news of the Flex band, and initially targeted for an end-of-January release. But that's not all this update heralds -- it also packs the ability to manage silent alarms, adds push notifications, a distance tile and additional tap-to-pair NFC functionality for use with the Flex. Unfortunately, you'll still have to wait a bit for that lifestyle band to launch, as Fitbit's only committed to a vague spring launch. For now, though, a small segment of existing users can enjoy this enhanced feature set.

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Via: The Verge

Source: Google Play

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Toshiba's REGZA AT501 comes with Android 4.1, vague sense of unfulfillment

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/toshiba-regza-at501/

Toshibas REGZA AT501 comes with Android 41, vague sense of unfulfillment

Dear Uncle Toshiba. Thank you so much for announcing this REGZA Tablet AT501, the followup to the AT500. We noticed that you'd thrown in a 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 IPS display alongside a 1.3GHz Tegra 3 system and 1GB of RAM, which is very nice. We also like the feature that lets it act as a companion to compatible REGZA TVs. It was a bit sad, however, to see that it only came with a 3-megapixel rear facing camera. On the upside, you did manage to install Android 4.1, Splashtop and a battery that's rated for 10 hours -- which is probably why it weighs 625 grams. Unfortunately, you priced it at 40,000 yen ($425), more than a Nexus 10 -- so if you don't mind, can we keep the receipt?

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Via: Engadget Japanese (Translated)

Source: Toshiba (Translated)!

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Broadcom outs smaller, more efficient LTE-Advanced modem for high-spec mobiles

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/broadcom-lte-advanced-modem/

Broadcom out shrunken down LTEAdvanced modem for highspec mobiles

Welcome to the BCM21892. It may sound like every other piece of Broadcom silicon we've covered, but it actually represents an important move from a company that is eager to start pecking at Qualcomm's lunch. First and foremost, this a 4G modem for flagship phones rather than any budget fare, with support for LTE-Advanced and data speeds of up to 150Mb/s. To deliver that kind of performance, carriers either need 20MHz of contiguous bandwidth -- a rarity these days -- or they need carrier aggregation technology, which allows a modem to exploit separate chunks of bandwidth simultaneously. The BCM21892 boasts that spec too, not to mention compatibility with most of the popular network standards in use around the world, from the TD and FD types of LTE right down to HSPA+, TD-SCDMA and EDGE/GSM. Finally, through a combination of small transistors (28nm) and clever algorithms, the chip is claimed to reduce power consumption by 25 percent compared to rival devices, and also to take up less space -- potentially leaving more room for other goodies (Broadcom suggests NFC). The chip is still only at the the sampling stage, however, so the folks at Qualcomm shouldn't have too much to worry about until at least 2014.

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Dell intros color-accurate U2413, U2713H and U3014 displays

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/dell-intros-color-accurate-u2413-u2713h-and-u3014-displays/

Dell intros coloraccurate U2413, U2713H and U3014 displays

Dell's UltraSharp displays still have a certain cachet among sticklers for quality, most of all at the high end -- so today's release of three advanced models might as well be a bonanza. The 24-inch U2413, 27-inch U2713H and 30-inch U3014 (above) once more center on PremierColor and the visual accuracy to match. Even the two smaller displays have a 12-bit processor that helps their LCDs reach 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color space and all of the sRGB space, or enough of the spectrum to eliminate most rude surprises with photo work. What else is new? Dell hasn't divulged full details of the screens themselves, but there's now a single-display arm and a dual-display stand to get just the right placement. Like what you see -- or rather, what you will see? The U2413 and U2713H should be available now for $599 and $999 alongside the $149 arm and $169 stand, while the range-topping U3014 is due "soon" for $1,499.

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Source: Dell

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Sonos Playbar: a home theater soundbar that wirelessly streams music for $699, we go hands- (and ears) on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/sonos-playbar-home-theater-soundbar/

Sonos Playbar a home theater soundbar that wirelessly streams music for $699, we go hands and ears on

We've long been enamored of Sonos' musical streaming technology and its wireless speakers, whether it's the S5 Play:5, the Play:3 or the Sub. But, what if you're looking for some Sonos gear that can stream your favorite MOG or Spotify playlist and deliver surround sound on movie night? Well, you're in luck, because the Playbar has arrived, packing all of Sonos' streaming capabilities you know and love in a soundbar form factor.

It's got nine speakers: six 8-centimeter (3.15-inch) aluminum cone mids powered by neodymium magnets and three 2.5-centimeter (1-inch) titanium dome tweeters. It connects to TVs, game consoles and cable boxes via Toslink cable and wires into home networks via Gigabit Ethernet or wireless connectivity can be had for those who own a Sonos Bridge. Naturally, it can be controlled by the Sonos app, but volume can also be toggled by your TV remote, thanks to the IR receivers on board and the remote codes stored on Sonos' servers.

Naturally, Playbar can deliver simulated surround sound on its own, but it can also be paired with Sonos' other speakers to deliver true 5.1 channel sound should yo! ur walle t be willing and able. Speaking of, the Playbar goes on sale worldwide on March 5th for $699, €699 or £599 depending which part of the globe you call home. We got to see (and hear) the Playbar for ourselves at Sonos HQ in Santa Barbara, California and chat with the folks who built it, so join us after the break to learn more about the company's first foray into home theater.

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MIT crafts genetic circuits that remember their work through DNA

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/mit-crafts-genetic-circuits-that-remember-their-work-through-dna/

MIT crafts genetic circuits that remember their work through DNA

It's easy to find work on gene-based storage; finding genes that will do any of the heavy lifting is another matter. MIT believes it has a genetic circuit that will finally get to work, and then some. In using recombinase enzymes to alter DNA sequences serving as logic gates, researchers have developed a cellular circuit that not only mimics its silicon cousins, but has its own built-in memory. As the gate activation makes permanent changes to a given DNA sequence, any gate actions stay in memory for up to 90 generations -- and will hang around even if the cell's life is cut short. MIT sees its technique as having ultimate uses for areas where longer-term memory is important, such as environmental sensors, but could also see varying output values helping with digital-to-analog converters and other devices where there's a need for more precision. While there's no word on imminent plans for real-world use, the development raises the possibility of processors that could skip the traditional memory cache as they pass info down the family tree.

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Via: SciTechDaily

Sourc! e: MIT

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Nokia announces Asha 310, offers dual SIM and WiFi for a Benjamin

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/nokia-asha-310-launch/

Nokia takes covers off Asha 310 3inch, dual SIM, WiFi, 2MP ccamera

After being deemed smartphone worthy back in September last year, the S40 platform has just gained another member with the $102 Nokia Asha 310. The follow-up to the Asha 308 and 309, the latest handset rocks a 3-inch 400 x 240 capacitive touchscreen and touts support for a pair of SIMs along with WiFi -- the very first such device to come out of Espoo. Other specs include easy swap functionality, 128MB internal storage expandable up to 32GB, Nokia's Xpress Browser, a 2-megapixel camera and Nokia Maps navigation. Alas there's no 3G, but WiFi should at least come in handy to download the 40 free EA games on offer. No word on stateside availability just yet, but expect it to land in emerging markets in the Q1 of this year.

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Raspbmc 1.0 brings stable media center duties to your Raspberry Pi

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/12/raspbmc-1-0-brings-stable-media-center-duties-to-your-raspberry/

Raspberry Pi

After a year of effort the Raspbmc team announced it has reached the 1.0 milestone. This means the team is confident they've achieved a stable port of XBMC specifically designed to run on the Raspberry Pi and the image is ready to downloaded for free and copied to your ready and able SD card. If you were already enjoying the fruits of the early builds of Raspbmc, you'll need to do a complete re-install but that shouldn't be too much trouble since you probably store your content on a network drive or external USB.

Raspbmc 1.0 is based on the recently finished XMBC 12 Final and supports DTS decoding in software. This is in addition to many other codecs supported in software and you can purchase licenses from the Raspberry Pi Store for MPEG-2 and VC-1 hardware decoding for just a few bucks. A good move, since hardware decoding of today's most popular video codecs is almost certainly a requirement for any proper XBMC setup. Now, if the Raspbmc team would release their own custom case for the RPi then everyone would know what's going on just by looking under your TV.

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Source: Raspbmc.com

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Monday, February 11, 2013

Turn Paper Airplanes Into Full-On Drones With This Little Rod of Power

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5983425/turn-paper-airplanes-into-full+on-drones-with-this-little-rod-of-power

Turn Paper Airplanes Into Full-On Drones With This Little Rod of Power Everybody loves a good paper airplane, but the problem is they only fly straight, and that's only so much fun. Well, that about to be a problem of the past. Thanks to the Power Up 3.0, you can not only outfit your paper creations with a motor, but steer them directly from your phone.

A new version of the company's previous paper-plane powerpack, the 3.0 not only pushes your plane forward, but has a remote controlled tail you can tweak with the accompanying iPhone app to steer your little jet in for whatever kind of landing you can manage. All you have to do is set the drive-shaft into the fold of your airplane and its ready to go. The PowerUp 3.0 is due out this fall and, unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to actually see the sucker in action, but if it lives up to even half of its promise, it should be a blast. We can't wait to get our hands on one. Or maybe two. Dogfights, baby.

Turn Paper Airplanes Into Full-On Drones With This Little Rod of Power

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Samsung details Innovation Centers in San Francisco and New York, focusing hard on software + hardware marriage

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/samsung-details-innovation-centers-in-san-francisco-and-new-york/

Samsung

David Eun, presently serving as EVP at Samsung's Open Innovation Center after stints at AOL, Google, Time Warner and NBC Entertainment, just took the stage here in Dana Point, California during the opening night of D:Dive Into Media 2013. Given the media / content focus of the event, the conversation between Eun and host Kara Swisher revolved almost entirely on Samsung's role in the world of content, production, connectedness and distribution. Starting things off with a bang, he affirmed that Samsung is opening two new Innovation Centers that'll act as idea accelerators. In a way, this is Samsung getting into the funding game, which certainly adds a new twist to an industry that has largely been dominated by angels that aren't necessarily a part of a major corporation.

Initially, one will be opening up in the Bay Area, while the other gets planted at an undisclosed location in New York City. Eun noted that in the past, Samsung was "focused on manufacturing hardware," but it realized some time ago that you "have to get both hardware and software right." He stated that the company as a whole has been "investing quite significantly over the past few years on software," and turning to how it impacts content, he explained an internal company process that aims to gather insight about consumers. Not necessarily in the creepy, privacy-invading kind of insight, but in the way of discovering what consumers want, but don't yet have in the marketplace.

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LG reveals Optimus L Series II, dual-SIM L7II is the first to launch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/lg-reveals-optimus-l-series-ii-dual-sim-l7ii-is-the-first-to-la/

LG reveals Optimus L Series II, dualSIM L7II is the first to launch

As usual, LG can't wait for the show to start to display its latest phones and is previewing the Optimus L Series II line ahead of MWC 2013. Just like its predecessors, the L Series II will come in a variety of sizes, with a 3.2-inch L3II, 4.0-inch L5II and 4.3-inch L7II on the way. According to LG, the second coming of the L Style adds Seamless Layout, Laser Cut Contour, Radiant Rear Design and Smart LED Lighting (the button at the bottom has a lighted edge) design elements to the beauty of the original phones. Other than screen size, the different versions will also feature different batteries, ranging from 2,460mAh in the largest to 1,540mAh in the smallest.

The L7II will be first to launch and has the most details, with specs listing a 1GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8225 CPU, up to 4GB internal storage, 768MB RAM and a microSD slot, plus WVGA IPS screen and 8MP rear / VGA front camera setup. The dual-SIM version seen in earlier leaks will debut in Russia this week with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on board, availability for the other new phones will be announced later. The full rundown of new features and a pair of pictures are after the break, while you check those we'll keep an eye out for any more surprises from LG before the show floor opens in Barcelona.

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LG promo confirms 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro for Korea

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/lg-promo-confirms-5-5-inch-optimus-g-pro-for-korea/

LG promo confirms 55inch Optimus G Pro for Korea

If you were worried that you might have to wait until Mobile World Congress to learn whether or not a 5.5-inch version of the Optimus G Pro was real, your mind can rest at ease. While hoping to drum up buzz for a launch beyond Japan, the company has ever-so-casually mentioned that at least the South Korean edition of the G Pro has a 5.5-inch, full HD screen -- half an inch larger than the Japanese model, and just as large as the panel on the Galaxy Note II. Want to know more? That's part of the promo. Borrowing a page from Sony, LG promises to reveal more of the phone the more Facebook Likes it receives. While previous tips suggest that the 5.5-inch edition will mostly be a larger take on an already supersized device, it's still very tempting to click that Like button -- just don't expect one of the mentioned prizes if you live beyond LG's native borders.

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Source: LG Social (translated), LG Electronics (Facebook)

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Saturday, February 09, 2013

Sandboxr lets us easily make custom-posed, 3D-printed figurines (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/08/sandboxr-lets-us-easily-make-custom-posed-3d-printed-figurines/

Sandboxr lets us easily make customposed, 3Dprinted action figures video

Where was Sandboxr when we were kids? Instead of dragging our parents around on a hunt for the perfect figurine, we could have used the company's new web app to easily manipulate a virtual model and get a 3D printed statuette in the exact pose we wanted. There's compensation for the lost opportunities of our childhood, however. The creation tool allows for customized accessories, scenes and sizing, and it's expected to have reasonable prices of about $12 for a 2.5-inch character and over $20 for a 3.5-inch version. The best news may simply be the likelihood of a figurine existing in the first place -- Sandboxr sees itself as a platform for everyone from 3D animators through to game developers and dedicated toy companies, many of which can use existing 3D models to start a collectible line. The printing service is currently invitation-only and plans a Kickstarter fundraising drive to scale larger, but it's easy to see an end to the days of limited edition figurines -- much to the delight of our inner child.

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Via: Wired

Source: Sandboxr

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