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Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Samsung Super AMOLED explained in pretty moving pictures (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/samsung-super-amoled-explained-in-pretty-moving-pictures-video/

Using "super" to describe your new display technology just begs for criticism. Especially when the word is affixed to a handheld display technology as notoriously difficult (if near impossible) to see in direct sunlight as OLED. Fortunately, Samsung's Super AMOLED appears to have licked the outdoor readability issue while bettering the features that made us fall in love with AMOLEDs in the first place. First off, it's thinner since the touch sensors are now integrated into the display; colors are more vivid due to the removal of the obfuscating touch sensor layer that sits on top of TFT LCD and traditional AMOLED touchscreen displays; and even the viewing angle has been improved. You won't find a soundtrack in the video posted after the break because the technology is already booming enough.

Continue reading Samsung Super AMOLED explained in pretty moving pictures (video)

Samsung Super AMOLED explained in pretty moving pictures (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OLED-Display | source

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Isn't it ironic that people with few ideas sue, but people with plentiful ideas share?

Pivot Shows Again that Microsoft Is Kicking Serious Ass [Web]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/B7OGueUdSnI/pivot-shows-again-that-microsoft-is-kicking-serious-ass

According to Microsoft, Pivot's "a new way to browse and arrange massive amounts of images and data online," enabling "spectacular zooms in and out of web databases, and the discovery of [invisible] patterns and links." According to me, it's awesome.

Pivot allows you to create and access data collections made from massive amounts of web information in a visual way. It keeps the same interface independently of the content of the collection, allowing you to dive in the data with ease, zoom out, reorder the collection in any way you want, filter data with one click, and establish relationships between different data sets with ease.

To do this, it uses meta-information within an open XML structure to make those collections—which vary in complexity. Then it allows the user to manipulate the data view using Seadragon, a display technology specifically designed to move around titanic amounts of data and graphics in real time.

Like Windows Phone 7 or Natal, Pivot shows that Microsoft is using those research doublons in creating truly amazing stuff these days. Download and try it in your PC now. Unfortunately, there's no Mac OS X version yet. [Microsoft Pivot]

Dell jazzes up Vostro lineup with new look and Core 2010 processors, keeps prices in check

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/dell-jazzes-up-vostro-lineup-with-new-look-and-core-2010-process/

We're starting to bank on the small business-oriented Vostro for a really compelling blend of features and price. Sure, it's usually not the sexiest kit on the block (though the Vostro V13 would beg to differ), but it's hard to argue with the stellar pricetags. Dell's just thrown down a big 3000 series refresh to the Vostro lineup, with the Core i5 and Core i7 options across the line, and even a Core i7 Quad Core option for the 17-inch Vostro 3700. And it isn't just spec upgrades -- the 13-, 14-, 15- and 17-inch boxes all are available in silver, red or bronze, and are made of fairly sturdy stuff. Though the 17-inch 3700 is the mightiest of the bunch, we're particularly taken with the 13-inch 3300 which starts at $699 and boasts a rather thin chassis, onboard optical drive and Core i5 power. Thankfully, all of the models are available with discrete graphics options, ramping up to a 1GB NVIDIA graphics option on the 3700. It sounds as if there will be some killer deals to be had, and you should be able to configure these puppies on Dell.com starting today. In the meantime feast your eyes on the colorful systems below and hit the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Vostro 3000 series hands-on

Gallery: Dell Vostro 3000 press shots

Continue reading Dell jazzes up Vostro lineup with new look and Core 2010 processors, keeps prices in check

Dell jazzes up Vostro lineup with new look and Core 2010 processors, keeps prices in check originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nothing is unhackable - http://bit.ly/dcg8K1

Sony unveils 3DTV release dates and pricing for Japan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/sony-unveils-3dtv-release-dates-and-pricing-for-japan/

Kicking off an expected repeat flood of 3DTV info over the next few days (Samsung and Panasonic both have events scheduled over the next couple of days) Sony has revealed pricing and shipping information for its new televisions and related accessories in Japan. The new sets share that sweet/ominous monolithic style of the already available NX800 series (also announced today in Japan, along with fellow 2D-only HX700 LCD and DVR-packing BX30H televisions,) with the edge-lit LED LX900 bringing the entire 3D package. With IR emitter built in and two pairs of RealD active shutter glasses, all you'll need to add is a source to the 60-, 51-, 46- and 40-inch models, ranging in price from ¥580,000 ($6,444) to ¥290,000 ($3,222.) Even if the TDG-BR100 / TDG-BR50 3D glasses (also available as an accessory for ¥12,000 ($133) or so) aren't on your face this WiFi-connected abyss of entertainment will look back into you, using face tracking to detect if someone is sitting too close and warn them to move back, as well as dimming and eventually turning off the screen if you leave the room or simply looked away from the TV for an extended period.

Want to get the full 3D effect with the LED backlit HX900 and edge-lit HX800? Expect to purchase the glasses and TMR-BR100 IR emitter (¥5,000 or $55) separately, or just live a 2D lifestyle and know the 3D is there if you ever want to upgrade. Feel free to wander through Sony Japan's machine-translated website for more specs and prices of these June & July scheduled displays or alternatively, wait a little while, enjoy the trailer embedded after the break, and we should get some find out U.S.-specific details soon that will likely be considerably easier on the wallet.

Continue reading Sony unveils 3DTV release dates and pricing for Japan

Sony unveils 3DTV release dates and pricing for Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MSI serves up Core i5 within 13-inch X-Slim X360 ultraportable

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/msi-serves-up-core-i5-within-13-inch-x-slim-x360-ultraportable/

Those lowly Core 2 Duo chips already feel like a long forgotten memory, and frankly, that's a-okay with us. MSI is helping its seductive X-Slim line get a taste of Intel's Core 2010 lineup with a Core i5-520UM processor, which sits alongside up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250GB / 320GB / 500GB hard drive, integrated graphics, a 13-inch (1,366 x 768 resolution) panel, HDMI / VGA outputs, a pair of USB 2.0 sockets, 4- or 8-cell battery and an SD / MMC card reader. There's also built-in WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, twin speakers and a chassis that measures under 1-inch thick. Per usual, MSI is in no hurry to out pricing and release details, but we'll be sure to keep an eye (or two) out for both.

MSI serves up Core i5 within 13-inch X-Slim X360 ultraportable originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Freescale's 7-inch tablet runs Android, Chromium OS or Linux, costs $200 (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/freescales-7-inch-tablet-runs-android-chrome-os-or-linux-cost/

Remember the $200 smartbook reference design that we saw at CES this year? Well, it's back, it's holding on to that same price and 7-inch enclosure, but this time it's also showing off an expanded OS compatibility. Adapting the open source Chromium OS and another Linux variant to the ARM architecture of the prototype device was apparently not much of a hurdle for Freescale, who has an Android option in the works as well and claims to be just optimizing and enhancing the user experience at this point. Presumably one of the enhancements will be the installation of a capacitive touchscreen as the present demonstration requires either a mouse and keyboard or a resistive torture test to operate, but we'll accept the company's explanation that this is just a proof of concept and not the final product. Slide past the break to see some HTML5 video running on this bargain bin tablet, and hope that your friendly neighborhood OEM picks these designs up for some retail action.

Continue reading Freescale's 7-inch tablet runs Android, Chromium OS or Linux, costs $200 (video)

Freescale's 7-inch tablet runs Android, Chromium OS or Linux, costs $200 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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thechromesource | source

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Monday, March 08, 2010

Five Best VPN Tools [Hive Five]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/iFmo69ajhZc/five-best-vpn-tools

Five Best VPN Tools VPN software lets you join private networks as though you're sitting at a local computer on that network, giving you access to shared folders and tons more handy stuff. Here's a look at five of the most popular VPN tools.

Photo by Noah Sussman.

VPN software brings the security of a private network to an insecure network, and allows you to access private local networks from anywhere. As we've explained in the past, you can do things between computers on your local network you can't from out on the internet: like listen to a shared iTunes library or access files in shared folders. Virtual private network applications give you access to your computer from anywhere on the internet as if you were home on your local network. Earlier this week we asked you to share your favorite software for establishing and maintaining virtual private networks. We rounded up the votes, and now we're back with the five most popular VPN applications.

If you're new to the idea of virtual private networks, you can read up on the technical nitty-gritty at the Wikipedia entry for VPNs. Note: This Hive Five contains both VPN server applications (the apps that create virtual private networks on your local network so it's accessible from the outside world) and VPN client applications (the apps that connect to virtual private networks from the outside world). In many instances companies produce VPN servers, VPN clients, VPN servers with accompanying clients, or VPN clients that are designed to work with a variety of servers.

OpenVPN (Windows/Mac/Linux, Free)

Five Best VPN Tools
OpenVPN is an open source VPN server that's easy to set up for use with open source VPN clients. You can easily export configuration files from OpenVPN to import into a variety of open source and commercial clients. OpenVPN is also integrated into several router firmware packages including popular DD-WRT, OpenWRT, and Tomato. The OpenVPN system isn't compatible with popular commercial VPN providers, but it provides an open source and free alternative for setting up VPNs to expensive and closed commercial models.

Cisco VPN (Windows/Mac/Linux, Variable Cost)

Five Best VPN Tools Cisco has a high market saturation in corporate and educational environments, and for many of you, any experience you've had with virtual private networks is through such exposure. The price to run a Cisco VPN is highly variable—and you can't even get a concrete number without a quote from the company—but you can, as an end user, download the free Cisco VPN client for Windows and Mac—though many readers complained about the lack of 64-bit support in the free Cisco client.

LogMeIn Hamachi (Windows/Mac/Linux, Free)

Five Best VPN Tools
Hamachi's strongest attribute is its ease of use. If you've read some of the other entries in the Hive Five and realized that you don't want a contract for a corporate VPN or the hassle of configuring a bunch of routers with open-source firmware packages, and you just want to set up a simple virtual network between you and your friend, your phone, or your office, Hamachi offers nearly instant deployment. Install the Hamachi client on all the machines and devices you want to connect into your network and add them to your Hamachi VPN and you're done. It's dead simple. The downside, if you're concerned about it, is that your VPN isn't locally managed—it's centrally managed by Hamachi through their servers.

Shrew Soft (Windows/Linux, Free)

Five Best VPN Tools
Shrew Soft offers a VPN that, while popular in its own right, received quite a boost when people started adopting Windows 7 64-bit in droves and found that Cisco wasn't in any hurry to release a 64-bit client to accommodate them. Shrew Soft works with a variety of VPN server protocols including IPsec, OpenSWAN, freeSWAN, and strongSWAN.

Windows Built-In VPN (Windows, Free)

Five Best VPN Tools
Windows has a built-in VPN client. Surprised? Many people are. It's not a heavily advertised feature, but it covers many people's needs. Before exploring other client solutions, it's worth pulling up the quick launch box in the Windows start menu and typing "VPN" to start the configuration process. In Windows versions prior to Windows Vista, the built-in VPN client received a fair amount of criticism for lacking features and supported protocols. Since Vista and especially in the Windows 7 implementation, it's grown significantly and unless you need a feature or standard that isn't implemented you may not need to install anything at all.

Now that you've had a chance to look at the five most popular VPN solutions, it's time to cast your vote in the poll below:

Which VPN Tool is Best?survey software

An honorable mention goes out to the Mac OS X built-in VPN client. Have a VPN tip, trick, or application to share? Let's hear about it in the comments.

Tableau Public Brings Your Boring Data to Life [Downloads]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/VXZVXiFgV6Y/tableau-public-brings-your-boring-data-to-life

Windows only: Free application Tableau Public creates beautiful visualizations from your data and lets you publish them to the web, where users can interact with your charts and graphs with live updates.

The video above provides a great overview of how the tool works. Essentially, you import your data into the desktop Windows application, then play around with different charts, graphs, or other options until you find the visualization or visualizations that best fit your data. When you're happy with what you've put together, you can save the outcome to the web, which uploads the charts to the Tableau Public servers. From there you can embed it on any web page YouTube-style), and users can drill down into the data to their heart's content.

Here's an example of Tableau Public in action from a post on the Wall Street Journal:

Dashboard at 570

Tableau Public is a free download for Windows, and looks like a great tool to try out next time you're looking to make your otherwise boring data come to life. Update: Somehow I managed to miss the fact that Tableau Public ~~is only free on a trial basis; its actual price tag is extremely hefty. (Though if you're a student you can get it for as little as $69.)~~

Double Update: Actually, looks like Tableau Public is free after all! Straight from the horse's mouth:

"People can download the free tool and publish their visualizations of their data for free. Tableau Public includes a free desktop product that you can download and use to publish interactive data visualizations to the web. The Tableau Public desktop saves work to the Tableau Public web servers – nothing is saved locally on your computer. All data saved to Tableau Public will be accessible by everyone on the internet, so be sure to work only with [publicly] available (and appropriate) data.

When people want to analyze their private or confidential data (particularly data in data warehouses and other large databases), then they may want to consider our commercial products."

Tableau Public [via MakeUseOf]

How to Make Your Personal QR Code [Cameraphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/088AByIfntI/how-to-make-your-personal-qr-code

How to Make Your Personal QR Code Ever since I installed a barcode-scanning app on my phone, I see QR codes everywhere—so naturally I wanted one of my own. If you're a barcode-scanning fool, the QR code to the left links to my personal web site. Fun!

A QR ("quick response") code is a square barcode that makes getting URLs, location coordinates, any text or contact information onto a phone quickly. With a barcode scanner app installed, you just point your phone's camera at the code to read its contents. Here's what reading this QR code looks like on my Android phone, using an app simply called "Barcode Scanner."

To find a scanner application, Google "QR Reader" and the model of your phone. (If you've got a favorite scanner app that you're using, let us know in the comments.)

Encoding a regular URL is a fine use of QR codes—especially lengthy and complicated URLs on movie and event flyers—but one of my favorite uses of QR codes is swapping mobile app recommendations with your friends. Since you can't search the Android Market on the web or in desktop software, you're always stuck tapping in search terms by hand. The App Referer app generates QR codes for every one of your applications. So if you want to "give" that app to a friend, you call up the QR code, and your pal can scan your phone's screen.

You'll also see QR codes on web pages, in store windows, on business cards, and on conference badges. You can generate your own QR code with the information you want others to be able to read onto their phones quickly too. This QR code generator can embed a URL, text, a phone number, or an addressed and ready-to-send SMS message into a QR code.

If you Google "QR code generator" you'll find others, but beware of generators that force a redirect through their site when someone scans the resulting code and gets a URL. (For example, this generator has options to encode Google Maps coordinates, social network information, and Vcards and can print t-shirts and stickers from the codes it generates, but if you enter a simple web site URL it creates a redirect through the qrstuff.com site.)

Speaking of stickers, now I just need to print a few with my code to stick on my laptop, phone, and conference badges.

Smarterware is Lifehacker editor emeritus Gina Trapani's new home away from 'hacker. To get all of the latest from Smarterware, be sure to subscribe to the Smarterware RSS feed. For more, check out Gina's weekly Smarterware feature here on Lifehacker.

Republished from smarterware.org

Microvision's Show WX laser pico projector available to buy today, will ship March 24

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/08/microvisions-show-wx-laser-pico-projector-available-to-buy-toda/

Okay, so maybe Microvision is a little late with the release of its pocketable Show WX pico projector, but we'd rather have a truly useful projector late than a useless one on time. This laser-based beaut will offer you infinite focus -- something we can vouch for having tried out the same technology integrated in a rifle -- which essentially means that no matter how much you twist or jerk the projector around, or how distant your projected surface is, the picture will remain in focus. An 848 x 480 resolution image can be scaled from less than six inches all the way up to 200, though you're most likely to stick with anything up to 30 in order to make the most of the 10 lumens brightness on offer. The contrast ratio is rated as being greater than 5,000:1 while the battery will last you up to two hours on a charge. The wallet damage is $549 for the standard edition, but the limited edition teased above jumps all the way to $999, for which you'll get a personalized splash screen, LE insignia, a certificate of authenticity, a VGA dock and some other trinkets. Come on, it has lasers inside, it was never gonna be cheap!

Microvision's Show WX laser pico projector available to buy today, will ship March 24 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's 82-inch multitouch E-board demonstrated (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/08/samsungs-82-inch-multitouch-e-board-demonstrated-video/

We've been hearing about a certain 82-inch E-board as far back as SID-2008, but recently the Samsung Roadshow launched in Germany, allowing us to finally get a good look at the device. In addition to its interactive, multitouch whiteboard functionality, this bad boy (also available in a 65-inch model) can act as a display for a PC or Mac and supports Sammy's EmoLink technology for receiving and displaying data from the company's e-readers. No word on a release date, but when it does roll around you can expect to drop about €9,000 -- or about $12,300. So start counting those pennies now! Video (in German) after the break.

Continue reading Samsung's 82-inch multitouch E-board demonstrated (video)

Samsung's 82-inch multitouch E-board demonstrated (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aiptek PocketCinema Z20 packs pico projector and 720p camcorder

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/08/aiptek-pocketcinema-z20-packs-pico-projector-and-720p-camcorder/

Watch out, Flip, because here's one tough guy that you don't wanna mess with. Joining Aiptek's family of pocket camcorders is the PocketCinema Z20 -- a fine mix of 720p camera (courtesy of a 5 megapixel sensor) and pico projector of an unknown resolution, powered by a two-hour battery (which we'll believe when we see it). Users will be spoiled by a long list of features: 2GB of internal memory, microSDHC expansion, built-in 2.4-inch LCD, HDMI output, composite video input (iPod adapter included) and remote control. Want it? You can pre-order now for €349 or about $476 ahead of its mid-April launch. Meanwhile, enjoy Aiptek's cheesy promotion video after the break.

Gallery: Aiptek PocketCinema Z20