Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/kleer-teams-up-with-mercedes-benz-to-untether-in-car-headphones/

We hate wires. We can't count the number of times that our headphones were unceremoniously yanked from our heads (or ear canals) because the wire got snagged while ordering our Brazilian man-servant about. Kleer solved this problem years ago but still haven't broken into the mainstream thanks in no small part to the preponderance of low-cost (and low-quality) Bluetooth headphones. That could change with the visibility provided by a new partnership with Mercedes to replace line-of-site infrared technology the company had been using. The deal will equip 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class models with Kleer's proprietary, low-power, CD-quality digital wireless audio emitted from a pair of video screens on the back of the seats. Occupants wearing the Mercedes-provided Kleer headphones or any compatible pair can then select which audio stream their headphones receive without interfering with Bluetooth or WiFi connected devices. Win, win.

Gallery: Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Continue reading Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Graphene rolled out in 30-inch sheets, makes for one durable touchscreen (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/graphene-rolled-out-in-30-inch-sheets-makes-for-one-durable-tou/

Whether they're slated to power terahertz chips or transparent electrodes, graphene sheets have garnered tremendous excitement, but the scientific community has had great trouble making the single-atom-thick pencil lead lattices large enough for industrial use. Thankfully, the same South Korean scientists who brought us 10 centimeter film never abandoned their post, and now Sungkyunkwan University has composited 30-inch sheets of the stuff and prototyped a working touchscreen panel as well. Using a modified version of the popular chemical vapor disposition (CVD) technique that grows the graphene on top of copper foil, they were able to produce a four-ply graphene stack with 90 percent transparency, plus resistance and durability reportedly superior to the dwindling indium supplies currently used in displays. Now let's see some 300mm wafers, eh? Watch one of the world's first graphene digitizers make its video debut after the break.

Continue reading Graphene rolled out in 30-inch sheets, makes for one durable touchscreen (video)

Graphene rolled out in 30-inch sheets, makes for one durable touchscreen (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:17:00 EDT. Pl! ease see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marshal's new media drive is no laughing matter, plays Blu-ray and DVD ISOs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/marshals-new-media-drive-is-no-laughing-matter-plays-blu-ray-a/

Yes, it's just a hard drive that plays 1080p content, but this one can connect to your PS3; according to some machine translated Japanese, Marshal's new "Media Joker" can also act as an external hard drive for your Sony game console or a Toshiba REGZA TV. While you won't be able to install games on the up-to-2TB hard drive that you'll provide yourself, the black box can notably play Blu-ray ISOs -- though that, the company carefully cautions, will surely void your warranty. The case admirably provides most all ports you could want, including component, composite, both flavors of S/PDIF, HDMI 1.3, LAN, an SD card slot and a pair of USB sockets, and supports a host of audiovisual formats, the full list available at the more coverage link. Find it retailing for ¥16,800 (about $184) this Saturday in some neon-lit corner of Japan.

Marshal's new media drive is no laughing matter, plays Blu-ray and DVD ISOs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/toshiba-looking-to-standardize-wireless-memory-cards-crash-eye/

Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party

We're big fans of Eye-Fi's wireless memory cards, which enable you to toss that card reader out the window and download all your pictures wirelessly. So far Eye-Fi is about the only player in that little niche, but Toshiba's looking to blow it wide open with charmingly titled "Standard Promotion Forum for Memory Cards Embedding Wireless LAN," which could be given the equally catchy abbreviation SPFfMCEWLAN (a name that is, thankfully, subject to change). Toshiba's forum, which also includes Singapore-based flash company Trek 2000, will look to create a standardized 8GB SDHC card with integrated 802.11b/g, able to transfer JPEG and RAW images either from camera to a server or directly to another camera. Toshiba is hoping other camera and flash manufacturers will join in the standardization fun and we certainly do too -- just like we hope they move past 8GB quickly.

Continue reading Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party

Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google setting up music store later this year, looking for search and Android synergy

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/google-setting-up-music-store-later-this-year-looking-for-searc/

Remember that chart that pointed out the differences between Google, Apple and Microsoft? Well, it's looking increasingly like Google is intent on filling any and all gaps in its portfolio. Those good old unnamed sources have been talking, originally to CNET last week and to the Wall Street Journal today, and disclosing Google's supposed intent to introduce its very own music store. This would initially encompass a web store where you can stream or download tracks, with a search tie-in that'll get your money into Google's pocket in the fastest possible way. Subsequent plans are said to include Android integration in 2011 -- something that Google rather nonchalantly demoed at its I/O conference last month. Of course, none of this is as yet confirmed, but it looks like Apple and Google will be competing across yet another front -- hold on tight.

Google setting up music store later this year, looking for search and Android synergy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stop paying Kim Kardashian $10,000 per tweet; sheâ€™s NOT Influential; nor are most celebrities for that matter -- http://bit.ly/dszRUu

Monday, June 21, 2010

Add Safari Reader-Like Powers to Firefox and Chrome [Add-ons]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5568752/add-safari-reader+like-powers-to-firefox-and-chrome

Add Safari Reader-Like Powers to Firefox and Chrome The Safari 5 feature that's caught the web's attention is the Reader button, which strips down articles and blog posts into an ad-free, highly readable format. Two add-ons for Firefox and Chrome do a good job of recreating that convenience.

Add Safari Reader-Like Powers to Firefox and Chrome If you missed our round-up of what's new in Safari 5, the short explanation of Reader is that, while many bookmarklets have come along to offer a simplified, less-cluttered reading experience, Safari is the first major browser to go ahead and offer that kind of feature by default, as an address bar button. If you're a fan of bookmarklets, and your bookmarks aren't too cluttered to lose them in, we recommend the tools from arc90's Readability, the Instapaper Text bookmarklet, and the Readable app for highly customized formatting.

But maybe you want your Firefox or Chrome rig to offer that kind of button-click functionality. You're in luck. First off, here's the Top 10 feature we'll try our reading tools out on—click the image for a larger view:

Now here are two add-ons for Firefox and Chrome, and a look at how they do at getting all minimalist with the text and pics. Click any of the images below, too, for a larger view

Readability (Firefox)

Baris Derin rolled the Readability bookmarklet into a full-fledged add-on for Firefox, but also added in a pretty neat auto-scrolling feature for the true lean-back-and-read experience. Readability tends to keep more of the text and formatting in and around the page, but strips out all the marketing and navigation material. It places an "R" button in the lower-right status area of Firefox, which isn't the most convenient spot for our use, but some may prefer having it hidden away until needed. Notice the transparent icons, too, that provide printing, email, and refresh functions for live-updating posts.

iReader (Chrome)

Mhd Hejazi's iReader is directly inspired by Safari's Reader function, offering the same kind of pop-out white box that darkens the rest of the page, a button right in the address bar, and very, very minimal decoration—as you can see, it pared down our Top 10 feature quite a bit. There are also keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac to activate iReader, and options to change the background opacity, font and formatting, and add a "Send with Gmail" link to your articles. Neat stuff.

Both add-ons are free downloads. Know of another reading/simplifying extension that gets the job done? Tell us about it in the comments. Thanks to emmikkelsen for the inspiration!

Readability [Add-ons for Firefox]
iReader [Google Chrome extension gallery]

EyeTV iPad App Streams Live TV Over Wi-Fi and 3G [Apps]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5568836/eyetv-ipad-app-streams-live-tv-over-wi+fi-and-3g

EyeTV iPad App Streams Live TV Over Wi-Fi and 3G Elgato's EyeTV app has let you stream live or recorded television to the iPhone for a while now, but today the service has finally been optimized for the iPad.

EyeTV 1.1—a universal app, meaning it's made for both iPhone and iPad—is free if you're an existing EyeTV user, and costs $5 otherwise. You'll also need a Mac running EyeTV software and configured with a compatible TV tuner, and apparently you'll need a Core 2 Duo processor if you want to stream live television.

It still may not be a big screen, but watching TV on the iPad certainly makes more sense than on the iPhone. Although I'd recommend streaming over Wi-Fi if at all possible. [EyeTV]

Elgato Updated EyeTV App Now Support Streaming to iPad
San Francisco, Calif. - June 21, 2010 – Elgato announces the immediate availability of version 1.1
of their popular EyeTV app for iPhone which brings live TV streaming over Wi-Fi or 3G
connections to the iPad. In updating the EyeTV app to support the iPad, Elgato optimized the app to
take advantage of the iPad's much larger, high resolution screen and its superb video playback
capabilities. The result is beautiful full-screen playback - on the patio or on-the-go. EyeTV 1.1 is a
"Universal App" which works on both iPhones and iPads, and is a free update for existing owners.
Turn an iPad into the ultimate portable television The EyeTV app running on the iPad or iPhone
works in tandem with the user's Macintosh at home to stream high quality live or recorded TV
anywhere. In addition, the app gives full access to EyeTV's program guide for finding something to
watch and the ability to remotely schedule upcoming shows for recording.
Setting up EyeTV for iPhone/iPad is easy: On a local Wi-Fi network no configuration is needed.
When connecting from elsewhere, Elgato's' free "My EyeTV" locator service can automatically find
the path to the Mac back at home.
Requirements
EyeTV for iPhone is a universal app and requires a Mac computer running EyeTV 3.4 and
configured with a compatible TV tuner device. Streaming live TV requires an Intel Core 2 Duo
processor. For sending the live signal over a 3G connection, Elgato recommends the Elgato
Turbo.264 HD which enables "adaptive streaming" for the best picture possible under varying
network speeds.
Availability
EyeTV for iPhone 1.1 is available from the App Store at a price of $4.99. The update is free for
existing EyeTV for iPhone customers. EyeTV 3.4 is available as a free update for EyeTV 3 users.
Elgato EyeTV tuners are available at the Elgato Online Store (www.elgato.com), at Apple retail
stores and from local Mac resellers.

RockPlayerBase Plays DivX, AVI, and Other Videos You Want on Android [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5568839/rockplayerbase-plays-divx-avi-and-other-videos-you-want-on-android

RockPlayerBase Plays DivX, AVI, and Other Videos You Want on Android Android: By default, Android phones can only handle a small number of video types, and leaves your ripped and downloaded files in the dust. RockPlayerBase, on the other hand, nimbly plays DivX, AVI, XviD, MKV, and other file types.

The bad news is that RockPlayerBase isn't available in the Android Market just yet, but is widely available in beta form if you poke around on Google—the via link below, Android Community, and others have posted media hosting links. It's a very minimal application—it launches with a file browser, then jumps into a player when you've picked your file, with simple play controls and timeline scrubbing. You'll see the frames-per-second count in the upper-right corner, but you can kill it by clicking the DivX button once or twice.

RockPlayerBase is, at the moment, a free download for Android phones running 2.1 and above only. Be sure to grab it before your next flight.

[via OMG Android]

Largest Sheet Of Graphene Produced, Can Be Used For Flexible Touchscreens [Graphene]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5568889/largest-sheet-of-graphene-produced-can-be-used-for-flexible-touchscreens

Graphene, the ridiculously thin, strong, electrically conductive, and flexible miracle material, might be coming to your touchscreens. And when it does, "you could theoretically roll up your iPhone and stick it behind your ear like a pencil."

Graphene has had scientists in a tizzy for years but the biggest problem was the process of making it. Scientists would literally have to shave off atom-thin flakes and chemically dissolve chunks of graphite in order to create the miracle material. Imagine trying to make something with pencil shavings, yeah, not so easy. At most, scientist could only deliver "flecks of graphene".

But thanks to recent breakthroughs, researchers at Samsung and Sungkyunkwan University in Korea have produced a continuous layer of pure graphene the size of a television using a roll-to-roll process to spool graphene on top of a polyester sheet:

A sheet of copper foil is wrapped around a cylinder and placed in a specially designed furnace. Carbon atoms carried on a heated stream of hydrogen and methane meet the copper sheet and settle on it in a single uniform layer. The copper foil exits the furnace pressed between hot rollers, and the graphene is transferred onto a polyester base. Silver electrodes are then printed onto the sheet.

Being able to build graphene at such size would make it much more appealing for mass production and have graphene eventually trickle into your touchscreens and flat panel displays.

A flexible touchscreen using graphene to make the screen's transparent electrodes has already been developed and already outclasses the current material, indium tin oxide. Where indium tin oxide is expensive and brittle, graphene is cheaper, stronger, faster and flexible. Maybe when this miracle material comes to fruition, we'll finally accept calling devices magical. [Technology Review]

WiFi-only Nook surfaces in Barnes and Noble database, costs $149?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/20/wifi-only-nook-surfaces-in-barnes-and-noble-database-costs-149/

We knew it was coming, but not how soon, and we'd only guessed at a price. Today a tipster sent over this screenshot, however, clearly showing a Nook WiFi on Wednesday for $149. While internal databases aren't the most reliable source for release dates even assuming the screenshot is legit, we'll know for sure in just days. The question now is how Kobo stacks up.

Update: Google's dropping some $149 - $199 hints about the new Nooks in its sponsored ads as well. See a sample after the break. [Thanks, Joseph]

Continue reading WiFi-only Nook surfaces in Barnes and Noble database, costs $149?

WiFi-only Nook surfaces in Barnes and Noble database, costs $149? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S Pro specs leak out?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/20/samsung-galaxy-s-pro-specs-leak-out/

Can't confirm these ourselves, but if Android Central's sources are to be believed, these Samsung Galaxy S Pro specs are mighty impressive. Here's what we're looking at: a Sammy-borne 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, a Super AMOLED screen that may or may not be the same 4-inch, 800 x 480 window on the Galaxy S, a strong QWERTY slider with raised keys, front-facing VGA camera, 5 megapixel back camera with 720p video recording capabilities, WiMAX support, and Android 2.1 with some TouchWiz 3.0 customizations. As for qualms, the source does drop "plastic-y" a couple times in a none-too-flattering light. Still, for those who find a lack of physical keys a dealbreaker for the EVO 4G, this might end up being a proper alternate. We'll have to wait and see -- not too long, right Sammy?

[Thanks, Ulf S.]

Samsung Galaxy S Pro specs leak out? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Vaio Z gets Core i7 processor, 1920 x 1080 display in the US

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/20/sony-vaio-z-gets-core-i7-processor-1920-x-1080-display/

Sony's rather quietly refreshed its VAIO Z laptops in the US -- to include Intel's Core i7 processor and a new, optional 1920 x 1080 display. The new display upgrade is free until July 3rd so if you've been thinking about grabbing up a VAIO Z, now's probably the time to do it. You can check out our full review of the earlier VAIO Z here. Hit up the source if you just can't wait to start shopping.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Sony Vaio Z gets Core i7 processor, 1920 x 1080 display in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DMP's Pica200 GPU is the power behind Nintendo 3DS (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/20/dmps-pica200-gpu-is-the-power-behind-nintendo-3ds-video/

We'd never heard of Digital Media Professionals until this very moment, but we'd guess the company won't have that problem in future -- according to a press release fresh off the Japanese wire, its Pica200 GPU is the one pushing pixels to Nintendo's autostereoscopic screen. While we don't know exactly how the tiny graphics unit works or what CPU it might be paired with in a system-on-a-chip, the company claims it supports per-pixel lighting, procedural textures and antialiasing among a host of other effects, and generates 15.3 million polygons per second at its native 200MHz. What's more impressive is the video after the break -- reportedly rendered entirely on the chip -- and of course, the 3DS itself, but you'll have to take our word on that.

Continue reading DMP's Pica200 GPU is the power behind Nintendo 3DS (video)

DMP's Pica200 GPU is the power behind Nintendo 3DS (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba Libretto W100 resurrects the classic UMPC brand with dual 7-inch displays

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/21/toshiba-libretto-w100-resurrects-the-classic-umpc-brand-with-dua/

Oh yes, Toshiba's dualscreen laptop of sorts is real, and it's exactly what you've inevitably been staring at right up there. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the company's laptop business, Tosh gave its classic Libretto ultraportable brand some mouth-to-mouth with the W100. Yeah, we couldn't believe it ourselves when we saw it, but the device certainly is legit -- it has two 7-inch, 1024 x 600-resolution touchscreens, and is powered by a 1.2GHz Intel Pentium U5400 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD and Windows 7 Home Premium. We know -- it's all pretty zany, and though Toshiba is calling it a "concept PC," it's actually planning to bring it to market for $1,099 within the next few months on a limited basis. Thought we were done with the info? Surely not, we've got you covered with shots below and some in-depth hands-on impressions after the break.

Gallery: Toshiba Libretto W100 hands-on

Gallery: Toshiba Libretto W100 press shots

Continue reading Toshiba Libretto W100 resurrects the classic UMPC brand with dual 7-inch displays

Toshiba Libretto W100 resurrects the classic UMPC brand with dual 7-inch displays originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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