Wednesday, August 07, 2013

LG Thinks Putting A Volume Button On The Back Of Its New Phone Will Make You Want To Buy It

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/lg-g2-reveal-in-nyc-2013-8

lg g2 eventLG revealed it's latest smartphone today called the G2.

The G2 will become the company's new flagship Android phone.

The smartphone is slightly bigger than Samsung's Galaxy S4, but a millimeter thicker and heavier.

The G2 is one of the first smartphones to feature what LG calls an "intuitive rear key."  

LG decided to move away from the norm by adding a volume rocker to the back of the phone, right below the camera, instead of on the side. 

LG believes that the buttons on the side of smartphones contribute to you dropping it. The company hopes that by moving the buttons to the back of the phone it will help you keep a better grip.

LG says it placed the keys where your index finger "naturally sits on the phone. The key provides the best comfortable and stable one hand grip with easy volume up and down and self photo."

Besides increasing volume, pushing up on the top button will allow you to quickly launch the memo app, which lets you take a note. The bottom button launches the camera, "so you can quickly take a selfie," LG says.

Similar to Samsung's Galaxy S4, the G2 will feature a "quick window" case, which covers the screen but has an opening cut out so you can quickly glance at the time and weather widgets.

Specs include:

  • Measurements are 5.4-inches long x 2.8-inches wide x 0.35-inches thick. 
  • the G2 weighs 143 grams
  • A 5.2-inch screen with a resolutions of 1080 x 1920
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
  • 3GB of RAM
  • Android 4.2.2
  • the G2 will use a nano SIM card
  • 13 megapixel camera (with 1080p video recorder)
  • microSD card slot for additional storage
  • a removable 2,610mAh battery

As a company, LG shipped 12.1 million smartphones the last quarter, a year-on-year increase of more than 100%, reports Forbes.

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Android Now Controls A Breath-Taking 80% Of The Smartphone Market (GOOG, AAPL)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/android-now-controls-a-breath-taking-80-of-the-smartphone-market-2013-8

Android's dominance of the smartphone market continues to be remarkable.

According to the latest data from IDC, Android now controls 79.3% of the global smartphone market, up from 69.1% a year ago.

Apple, meanwhile, 13.2% of the market, a drop from 16.6% a year ago. 

In terms of unit growth, Apple was up 20% on a year-over-year basis, while Android was up 73.5%. 

These numbers are just astounding. Google's search business isn't even as dominant as Android. In the U.S., one of its strongest markets, Google search only has ~67% of the market.

Here's a look at the market share:

IDC smartphone market share

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Netflix releases trailer for Ricky Gervais' Derek, streaming begins September 12th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/06/netflix-releases-trailer-ricky-gervais-derek/

Netflix releases trailer for Ricky Gervais' Derek, coming September 12th to Netflix

A few more of these, and it won't even be news. Netflix is going hard into the original content business, and judging by the outstanding results with House of Cards, we're guessing that it'll be aiming for similar results with a different demographic here. Derek, described as something of a comedy / drama mishmash, is fronted by the affable Ricky Gervais. The show actually aired as Dramedy over on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, so while it's not exactly a Netflix original, it's getting "original treatment." Per usual, the entire season will be available to stream at once on September 12th (overwhelming, we know), and if you're looking to decide just how much time you should set aside, the trailer is embedded after the break.

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Via: Variety

Source: Netflix (YouTube)

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B&O Play previews A9 Nordic Sky edition wireless speakers (eyes-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/06/bo-play-a9-nordic-sky-edition-wireless-speaker-preview/

B&O Play's A9 Nordic Sky edition wireless speaker keeps summer's night lights alive through winter

Not to leave its $2,699 A9 wireless speaker stuck with solid colors for the fall and winter, B&O Play's added some limited editions inspired by the natural color palette of Scandinavia. Dubbed the Nordic Sky editions, the three variants previewed for Copenhagen Fashion Week represent dawn, twilight and dusk. The pastel gradient grilles aim to keep the summer night's visual influence alive through the colder seasons, as B&O explains it. The units still feature the same 480-watt (x5) 2.1 stereo output, with DLNA and AirPlay to keep the music flowing. The Nordic Sky editions will retail for the same $2,699 price as the standard versions, while current A9 owners can also purchase each color kit (three wooden legs and a grille cloth) for $259 a pop. There's no exact arrival date yet, but B&O says to expect them on its shelves in September. No doubt these pieces scream opulence, but they're a visual treat in person. Full press release after the break.

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Source: B&O Play

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LIDAR system uses lasers to detect clear air turbulence before it hits

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/06/lidar-system-lasers-turbulence/

DNP plane lasers

Fact: turbulence is no fun at all. Aside from the brief moments of bone-deep terror it can cause passengers, clear air turbulence (CAT) can also prove costly for airlines in terms of damages. To help pilots deal with difficult-to-spot areas where CAT is likely to occur, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is spearheading a new joint European project known as DELICAT. Essentially, the DELICAT program calls for planes to be equipped with a light detection and ranging instrument (LIDAR) that emits short-wave ultraviolet lasers. Radiation then bounces off oxygen and nitrogen particles in the air, indicating fluctuations in air density that signal the presence of CAT pockets. Until the end of August, the DLR will run test flights in a specially modified Cessna Citation plane to both show off LIDAR's capabilities and to give researchers invaluable data on CAT patterns. Though the system is still in its infancy, the folks at the DLR hope that the technology will one day become a standard part of commercial air travel.

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Via: Gizmodo

Source: German Aerospace Center

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Lenovo Miix 10 Windows 8 tablet now on sale, slated to ship on August 16th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/06/lenovo-miix-10-windows-8-tablet-on-sale-date/

Lenovo Miix 10 Windows 8 tablet now on sale, slated to ship on August 16th

Remember that "watered-down ThinkPad Tablet 2" we were able to ogle back in June? Eh, don't bother lying -- the Miix 10 name is hitting you as the freshest of the fresh, and honestly, there's no shame in that. Lenovo's latest Windows 8 slate is now officially featured on the company's site, with orders being accepted now and early shipments expected to commence on August 16th. For those curious, $600 nets you a 10.1-inch tablet, replete with a 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760 CPU, integrated graphics, 2GB of LPDDR2 memory, a 1,366 x 768 native resolution, 64GB of eMMC flash, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, 1MP front-facing camera and a two-cell Li-Polymer battery. Interested? You can part ways with your credit card number right here.

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Via: WPCentral

Source: Lenovo

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Google, IBM and NVIDIA partake in OpenPOWER Consortium, a dev group for data centers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/07/google-ibm-nvidia-openpower-consortium-data-center/

Google, IBM and NVIDIA partake in OpenPOWER Consortium, a dev group for data centers

It's a rare occurrence to see Google, NVIDIA and IBM working lockstep towards a common goal, but the aforesaid trio has joined Mellanox and Tyan in order to launch a development group for data centers. The aptly-titled OpenPOWER Consortium is hailed as a "development alliance based on IBM's POWER microprocessor architecture." We're told that it intends to concoct "advanced server, networking, storage and GPU-acceleration technology aimed at delivering more choice, control and flexibility to developers of next-generation, hyperscale and cloud data centers." Sounds pretty bold, and it'll require IBM to offer up open-source POWER firmware to those participating. Moreover, NVIDIA and IBM will be jointly working to integrate the CUDA GPU and POWER ecosystems, but beyond that, it's not entirely clear what the immediate impact on mankind will be. You're more than welcome to take stabs in comments, though.

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Source: IBM

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Boundless unveils iPhone textbook app and premium studying upgrades

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/07/boundless-unveils-iphone-textbook-app-and-premium-upgrades/

Boundless unveils iPhone textbook app, premium studying upgrades

Boundless has pitched its digital textbook service as the free alternative to expensive college textbooks, but the absence of mobile support and study aids has limited its appeal. The educational startup is addressing both of those issues today. To start, it has launched a native iPhone app that optimizes the web client's highlights, note-taking and summaries for a smaller screen. The company is also introducing a premium option for students who need a little motivation. Readers who pay $20 per textbook get access to a steady stream of flashcards and quizzes, with notifications to minimize any slacking. Diligent learners can grab both the app and premium upgrades today -- at least, so long as they have no qualms with Boundless' ongoing copyright disputes.

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: App Store, Boundless

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Tuesday, August 06, 2013

drag2share: Contacts With A Built-In Zoom Could Give Us All Superpowers

source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/ufG-OdLlMK8/zooming-contacts-impart-superpowers-2013-7

zooming contact lens

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

For some people, having the ability to zoom your vision would be at the top of the list. Luckily for them, researchers have recently published the latest breakthrough to making this a reality: a contact lens that lets the wearer magnify their vision by almost three times.

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NASA to broadcast Curiosity's 1st anniversary celebration on August 6th 10:45 ET

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/06/nasa-curiosity-first-anniversary-broadcast/

DNP Curiosity anniv broadcast

It's hard to believe August 5th marks Curiosity's first year on Mars -- it seems like only yesterday that we were on tenterhooks during the rover's precarious landing on the red planet. Within that time, it hasn't only fulfilled its initial mission of finding evidence of extraterrestrial water, but it has also discovered traces of carbon-based materials and captured an astounding number of Mars close-ups. To celebrate everything Curiosity's done thus far, NASA JPL will broadcast its first anniversary event via Ustream on August 6th, 10:45AM EDT.

The program kicks off with a series of pre-recorded interviews with the mission's team, but a live stream with NASA officials and the crew aboard the ISS will follow. Folks itching to pick their brains can ask them questions in advance via Curiosity's Twitter or Google+ accounts, or during the event by using the #askNASA hashtag. Even if you're not a fan of the rover, you might still want to tune in -- NASA will also be chatting about its preparations for the first human mission to Mars and to an asteroid.

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Source: NASA (Twitter), (Ustream), Space

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Intel targets schools with Atom-powered Android tablets, mad scientist apps

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/06/intel-education-tablets/

Intel pushes Atompowered Android tablets for schools

Intel's new education-focused tablets won't stir much envy among the iPad-toting kids of L.A., but they may suit more budget-conscious school districts. There are 10-inch and 7-inch versions, both simply branded "Education Tablets" and both running Atom Z2460 processors with low-end specs (laid out at the source link) and either Android 4.0 or 4.1. The hardware should just about cope with the bundled software, which includes titles like Kno Textbooks, Intellisense's camera app that works with a snap-on magnification lens and PASCO's SPARKvue science app that hooks up to thermal probes and other sensors that will likely require careful teacher supervision. We wish we had clear prices for these things, but there's a whole step-by-step consultation process to wade through before Intel talks money. Alternatively, you could just implement a school-wide BYOD policy.

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Via: Phone Arena, Android Community, Android Headlines

Source: Intel

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TextNow launches IP-based mobile phone service starting at $19 per month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/06/textnow-isp-mobile-phone-service/

DNP Enflick TextNow

Some people are afraid of commitment, and that includes vowing to stick with a carrier for two years. Thankfully, the list of choices keeps on growing for those who'd rather use contract-free devices, and the new TextNow mobile phone service is a fresh option. If the name sounds familiar, that's because it began its life as a standalone app for making free calls and sending texts via WiFi. Staying true to its roots, the new service piggybacks on Sprint's 3G and 4G network for an internet connection in the absence of WiFi, so you can use a TextNow-powered Android phone wherever the carrier has coverage. Yes, that's wireless phone service over IP, and the outfit claims it's the world's first all-IP mobile operator. Device choices are limited to a Nexus S for $90 and a Galaxy S II for $120, but as plans begin at $19 per month, it might still be worth checking out, especially if you're on a budget.

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Source: TextNow

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One Man Is Resurrecting Forgotten Patents of Yore With 3D Printing

Source: http://gizmodo.com/one-man-is-resurrecting-forgotten-patents-of-yore-with-1031738508

One Man Is Resurrecting Forgotten Patents of Yore With 3D Printing

The charms of the patent office archives—and the hilariously insane inventions they contain—are well-known. But is it possible that a few of those failed entrepreneurs were actually onto something? New York lawyer Martin Galese thinks so—and he’s resurrecting the ghosts of patents past by offering 3D models of them online.

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This $300 Solar-Powered Ubuntu Laptop Lasts 10 Hours on 2 Hours of Sun

Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-300-solar-poweredubuntu-laptop-lasts-10-hours-on-1038530635

This $300 Solar-Powered Ubuntu Laptop Lasts 10 Hours on 2 Hours of Sun

Working with a computer outdoors can often mean you're at the mercy of your battery—but not if you have this`Sol laptop, which can run for 10 hours on a single solar charge.

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Samsung ships first 3D vertical NAND flash, defies memory scaling limits

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/05/samsung-ships-first-3d-vertical-nand-flash/

Samsung ships first 3D vertical NAND flash memory

The main challenge in producing higher-capacity flash storage is one of scale -- as density goes up, so does cell interference and the chances of a breakdown. Samsung may have overcome that barrier (if temporarily) by mass-producing the first 3D vertical NAND memory, or V-NAND. Instead of putting memory cells on a conventional 2D plane, the company reworked its long-serving Charge Trap Flash technology to create a 3D cell structure with more breathing room. The result is flash that improves both reliability and speed at higher densities; Samsung claims that the new technology is 2-10X more reliable than its ancestors, and twice as quick at writing data. The initial V-NAND chip offers a 128-gigabit (16GB) capacity that we've seen before, but its underlying technique should scale quickly when a chip can include as many as 24 stacked cell layers. Although Samsung hasn't named the first devices with V-NAND inside, we won't be surprised if our next phone or SSD is particularly spacious.

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Source: Samsung

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