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Friday, June 17, 2011

OWC Mercury Electra 6G SSDs boast big speeds, price to match

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/owc-mercury-electra-6g-ssds-boast-big-speeds-price-to-match/

OWC Mercury Electra 6G SSD

Other World Computing may specialize in upgrading aging Macs, but you don't have to own one to jam one of its new Mercury Electra 6G SSDs in your computer. The high-end SandForce Driven line of NAND drives range in size from 120GB to a far more impressive 480GB and, with the aide of 6Gb/sec SATA 3.0, can sustain write speeds of 523MB/sec and read speeds of 556MB/sec. Of course, this sort performance doesn't come cheap -- the smallest of the trio will set you back $230, while the massive 480GB model weighs in at a wallet-sapping $930. You can pick them up now from OWC if you've got a serious need for speed, and plenty of disposable income. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading OWC Mercury Electra 6G SSDs boast big speeds, price to match

OWC Mercury Electra 6G SSDs boast big speeds, price to match originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG's Optimus 3D officially launched, debuting in Europe with dual lens and dual core CPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/lgs-optimus-3d-officially-launched-debuting-in-europe-with-dua/

The long wait is finally over! Joining the likes of HTC EVO 3D and Sharp SH-12C is LG's very own Optimus 3D aka Thrill 4G for AT&T, which we first got our hands on back in February and again in March. The specs for this Android 2.2 device (yeah, we know) have remained untouched since we last checked: here we have a 4.3-inch glassessless 3D LCD with 800 x 480 resolution, a 1GHz dual core TI OMAP4430 processor, 512MB of speedy dual channel RAM, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, and a couple of 5 megapixel cameras on the back that can capture 3D 1080p video at 24fps, or 3D 720p at 30fps. Other tidbits include 14.4Mbps HSPA+ connection, an HDMI-out port, and a removable 1500mAh battery, all inside a 5.93 ounce package. Alas, no date's been mentioned for the phone's US launch, but the lucky Europeans will get to pick up this phone first, followed by the rest of the world "over the next several weeks." Stay tuned while we keep our eyes peeled open for further news.

Continue reading LG's Optimus 3D officially launched, debuting in Europe with dual lens and dual core CPU

LG's Optimus 3D officially launched, debuting in Europe with dual lens and dual core CPU originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft decides to pass on WebGL over security concerns

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/microsoft-decides-to-pass-on-webgl-over-security-concerns/

WebGL Attack

Well, it looks like Microsoft is taking those warnings about WebGL pretty seriously. The company has decided not to support the web-based 3D standard because it wouldn't be able to pass security muster. Highest on the list of concerns is that WebGL opens up a direct line from the internet to a system's GPU. To make matters worse, holes and bugs may crop up that are platform or video card specific, turning attempts to plug holes in its defense into a game of whack-a-mole -- with many players of varying reliability. Lastly Microsoft, like security firm Context, has found current solutions for protecting against DoS attacks rather unsatisfying. Lack of support in Internet Explorer won't necessarily kill WebGL and, as it matures, Microsoft may change its tune -- but it's still a pretty big blow for all us of hoping the next edition of Crysis would be browser-based.

Microsoft decides to pass on WebGL over security concerns originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 01:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Droid 3 official in China under Milestone 3 moniker, packs 4-inch qHD display

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/motorola-droid-3-official-in-china-under-milestone-3-moniker-pa/

The Droid 3 is upon us! Well, it is if you live in China and don't mind calling it the Milestone 3. A new XT883 model has just been made official by Motorola during China Telecom's CDMA Summit, touting the tagline "the third Milestone" and a new five-row slideout QWERTY keyboard. The salient specs include a 4-inch touchscreen with qHD (540 x 960) resolution, a dual-core processor capable of driving 1080p video recording, an 8 megapixel rear camera with LED flash, up to 32GB of built-in storage, and of course, Android 2.3 as the shipping OS. A pretty compelling package, we think you'll agree. It's coming to China this summer, though Moto could still be crafty enough to squeeze the US launch in before actual units start shipping to Yao Ming's homeland. Because, well, who's ever heard of a Milestone coming before a Droid?

Gallery: Motorola Milestone XT883 official pictures

Continue reading Motorola Droid 3 official in China under Milestone 3 moniker, packs 4-inch qHD display

Motorola Droid 3 official in China under Milestone 3 moniker, packs 4-inch qHD display originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPORTS CHART OF THE DAY: Boston Is The New "Title Town"

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/sports-chart-of-the-day-boston-is-the-new-title-town-2011-6

The Boston Bruins win in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals adds to an already crowded trophy case for the city of Boston.

Boston now has a championship in each of the four major sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) just since 2004. And since the calendar turned to 2000, Beantown has seven championships total, matching Los Angeles for the most during that span. And with L.A., we have to include Anaheim to get to seven.

Between Boston and Los Angeles, those two cities have combined for 14 of the 46 titles (30.4%) in the last 12 years.

Here are are all the championships since 2000, broken down by city and sport...

Boston is title town

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Console vs. PC redux: how mobile gaming will reshape the industry (again)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/console-vs-pc-redux-how-mobile-gaming-will-reshape-the-industr/

Console vs. PC redux: how mobile gaming will reshape the industry (again)

They're a growing threat, these simple games with their simple designs, simple controls, and simple graphics. They don't offer the full, premium experience that the real gamers want. They aren't hardcore enough. They aren't serious enough. They're just too... casual.

In the '90s these were all complaints used to describe the strengthening console menace. Back then, a younger me squandered his meager income at the local Babbage's or Electronics Boutique, stores full of PC games in cardboard boxes -- console titles relegated to a few little shelves. It wouldn't take long for those consoles to take over those stores and, along the way, the entire industry. Between just 1998 and 2006 console software sales more than doubled, from $2.5 billion to $6.7 billion, while PC game sales dropped from $1.8 billion to $970 million. Even the FPS, once exclusive domain of the PC, is now a console enterprise, with Call of Duty: Black Ops launching on 4.9 million sales on the Xbox 360 and PS3. The PC version, meanwhile, sold less than 400,000 copies (the NPD lumped them in with sales of the Nintendo DS and Wii versions).

Who cares about ancient history? If you're a gamer you should, because it's happening again. This time, though, its console gamers lobbing the same lamentations at Angry Bird players, Words With Friends addicts, and ever-sneaky Fruit Ninjas. As smartphones and tablets get more powerful, the dedicated gaming machine looks more and more quaint. Where once software supported hardware in one big, happy family, it's all becoming rather more... disjointed. For a gamer like me, that's a little troubling. If app gaming does for consoles what those consoles did to the PC scene a decade ago, a lot of big game studios are going to be in trouble, and a lot of gamers are going to be pining for the good 'ol days.

Continue reading Console vs. PC redux: how mobile gaming will reshape the industry (again)

Console vs. PC redux: how mobile gaming will reshape the industry (again) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olivetti's OliPad 110 tablet runs on Honeycomb, olive oil

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/olivettis-olipad-110-tablet-runs-on-honeycomb-olive-oil/

Just a few months after unleashing what it called Italy's first tablet, Olivetti is turning its attention to what might be Italy's first tablet upgrade -- the OliPad 110. Much like its predecessor, this 1.3-pound slate rocks an NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and a 10-inch touchscreen, but runs on Honeycomb and boasts a higher-res, 1280 x 800 display. There's also a two-megapixel camera strapped to the front, a five-megapixel lens 'round back and 16GB of onboard memory. No word yet on pricing or availability, but you can check out more pics of this bella signorina at the source link, below.

Continue reading Olivetti's OliPad 110 tablet runs on Honeycomb, olive oil

Olivetti's OliPad 110 tablet runs on Honeycomb, olive oil originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starbucks rolls out mobile payment app for Android users, java junkies

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/starbucks-rolls-out-mobile-payment-app-for-android-users-java-j/

After having already introduced its own iOS app, Starbucks has now decided to bring mobile mocha payments to Android users, as well. With the free Starbucks for Android app, all you have to do is add credit to your mobile Starbucks Card, scan the app's barcode at the cash register, and that triple shot skinny latte will be yours to pound. Available on devices running Android 2.1 or above, the service will also locate all outlets within your immediate vicinity, while offering even more coffee-based incentives, via Starbucks' rewards program. Thus far, there are about 6,800 stores that support mobile payments, though the company is planning to add an additional 1,000 locations, this July. Coffeeholics can find more information in the PR after the break, and can download the app from the source link, below.

Continue reading Starbucks rolls out mobile payment app for Android users, java junkies

Starbucks rolls out mobile payment app for Android users, java junkies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 06:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer lowers forecast for tablet, notebook shipments, blames limping European economy

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/acer-lowers-forecast-for-tablet-notebook-shipments-blames-limp/

Acer had high hopes for 2011, but it looks like its expectations may have been a bit too optimistic. Today, the company issued revised forecasts for shipments of its tablet PCs, predicting to move between 2.5 and three million units by year's end -- down from the five to seven million it projected earlier. Acer chairman J.T. Wang expects current quarter notebook shipments to dip by ten percent from their Q1 levels, before stabilizing or slightly increasing during Q3. According to the new-look firm, these downward revisions are largely due to lagging economic growth in Europe, though its Asian and US markets "remain healthy." European inventories are expected to decrease to normal levels by the end of this month, which should allow the company's market share to rebound during the second half of this year. It's certainly not a dire outlook, but it's probably not the start new Corporate President Jim Wong was looking to get off to, either.

Acer lowers forecast for tablet, notebook shipments, blames limping European economy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.5 updates your Facebook, turns your iPhone into a wireless mic

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/dragon-naturallyspeaking-11-5-updates-your-facebook-turns-your/

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.5

All your sci-fi dreams of being able to talk to your gadgets and have the do your bidding are slowly becoming a reality. Nuance, the company behind Dragon NaturallySpeaking, has been at the forefront of the technology since 1997 and, with the release of 11.5, it has added a few neat tricks to its dictation-taking repertoire. On the desktop side, new widgets allow you to post updates to your Facebook and Twitter accounts simply by saying "post to" you social network of choice before spouting off your status update -- perfect for drunk tweeting when those beer goggles make it hard to hit the keys. Nuance also released the Dragon Remote Mic App for iOS, which turns your Apple device into a wireless mic that beams commands and dictated notes straight to your PC. We're pretty excited for all this voice control stuff -- so long as our computers don't start refusing our requests in a detached monotone. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.5 updates your Facebook, turns your iPhone into a wireless mic

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.5 updates your Facebook, turns your iPhone into a wireless mic originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:54:00 EDT.! Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon prolongs its free hotspot party on 4G LTE phones, but then what?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/verizon-prolongs-its-free-hotspot-party-on-4g-lte-phones-but-th/

If you've been maxing out on Verizon's mobile hotspot offer that came with your new Samsung Droid Charge, HTC Thunderbolt or LG Revolution, then do carry on. The offer has been extended again, letting you use your 4G LTE handset as a WiFi hotspot for free until July 6th. On that miserable day, a software update will pull the plug and then who knows how much you'll have to pay? Verizon says its $20/GB tethering charge won't apply to 4G LTE phones, but it doesn't state exactly how much it will cost. Oh well, who needs 12Mbps anyway?

Verizon prolongs its free hotspot party on 4G LTE phones, but then what? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google and Slooh Space Camera make today's lunar eclipse viewable worldwide

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/google-and-slooh-space-camera-make-todays-lunar-eclipse-viewabl/

As you may or may not be aware, there's a lunar eclipse today, and it turns out Google's decided to do something a little special this time for those not able to see it outside for themselves -- or those that simply prefer to stay indoors. It's teamed up with Slooh Space Camera to make the rare 100-minute long eclipse viewable online through a variety of means, including a live stream on YouTube, in the Sky layer on Google Earth, and in Slooh's Android app and Google App Engine-based website (which comes complete with narration from actual astronomers). It all gets started at 11:20AM PDT or 2:20PM EDT -- hit the source link below to choose your viewing preference.

Google and Slooh Space Camera make today's lunar eclipse viewable worldwide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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These Aerial Super Tankers Drown Forest Fires With 20,000-Gallon Waterfalls from the Sky [Monster Machines]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5810842/these-aerial-super-tankers-drown-forest-fires-with-20000+gallon-waterfalls-from-the-sky

389,000 acres. That's how much of Arizona the Wallow fire has consumed since May 29th. With the blaze 0% contained, authorities have called in some of the largest air tankers in the world to help.

Aerial firefighting employs airplanes and helicopters to combat wildfires from above. Originally developed from WWII bombers, air tankers are built in a variety of capacities; from the single-seat 800-gallon Air Tractor AT-802F to the gargantuan Evergreen Super Tanker—a converted Boeing 747 that holds over 20,000 gallons. Firefighting helicopters, based on the S-64 Skycrane and Bell UH-1 Iroquois designs, have also been in service since the early 1990s.

The two largest air tankers currently operating in the US are the Evergreen Super Tanker and a converted McDonnell Douglas DC-10 with the call-sign, Tanker 910. Both are stationed at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, CA, about 20 miles North of San Bernardino. Tanker 910 can drop 12,000 gallons of water from its three underbelly-mounted storage tanks in as little as eight seconds. It can also spread that same load over an area 300 feet wide and one mile long from as low as 300-500 feet.

The Evergreen 747 Super Tanker is the Big Daddy of aerial firefighting. With a 20,500 gallon capacity, it is the single largest Air Tanker in the world, and represents the next-generation of Super Tankers. Development of the $40 million project began in 2002, spurred by the crashes of both a Lockheed C-130A Hercules and a Consolidated PB4Y-2 that year. The plane made its maiden voyage in 2004 and was in service by 2009. The Evergreen can dispense either water or fire-retardant gel and foam. Its advanced release system allows the pilot to control the rate of dispersal; as gently as natural rain to an overwhelming, near immediate evacuation under high pressure. Its able to lay down a path of fire retardant three miles long and 160 feet wide.

[Evergreen 747 Wiki - Tanker 910 Wiki - Air Tanker Wiki - 10 Tanker Airlines - Evergreen Airlines - Top Image Courtesy: Getty Images - Side Image Courtesy: AP Images]

Monster Machines is all about the most exceptional machines in the world, from massive gadgets of destruction to tiny machines of precision, and everything in between.

There Is Too Much Electricity in the Northwest [Power]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5811818/there-is-too-much-electricity-in-the-northwest

After this long winter, spring's warmth has begun to melt all that pesky snow. In the Northwest, the resulting runoff helps power everyday life. Only this year there's too much power for them to handle.

The waters that came with spring went on to overwhelm the Federal Columbia River Power System, creating so much electricity that it's threatening service and rates for the millions of customers in the region. So what did the Bonneville Power Administration, power provider to a full third of the Northwest, do? They cut wind power, deciding it was the easiest and safest way to solve the overgeneration problem.

Wind power advocates are pissed, as the disruption of wind power hurts their bottom line:

Since May 18, the decision has disrupted operations at 35 wind farms with more than 2,000 turbines stalled almost daily in the Columbia Gorge along the border of Oregon and Washington. Those generators have contracts with BPA to transmit wind power. Now, they are tallying ongoing losses already in the millions.

They argue that BPA's policy, even in the midst of a bad situation, only stands to benefit. What's more, rural communities suffer from the loss of revenue from wind farms. Even salmon are harmed by excess water being allowed to flow over dams.

Both sides are still at loggerheads on how to solve the issue. It seems the federal government will soon have to step in. [The Atlantic, Image via Shutterstock]

More Evidence For an iPad 3 Retina Display [Apple]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5811993/more-evidence-for-an-ipad-3-retina-display

Twitter made its way into iOS 5 and its code may have inadvertently coughed up information about the next generation iPad.

This rumor was started when someone was poking around the SDK and found images in the Twitter.framework that have a retina-like resolution of 1,536 x 2,048. This is far from a confirmation, but we have seen that resolution tossed around before.

Apple may be secretive about a retina display, but its rival and supplier Samsung is embracing the technology. The Korean company recently introduced a retina display for tablets with a 2560x1600 resolution and it looks fantastic. [Techunwrapped via MacRumors]

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