Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Mapnificient Is the Greatest, Most Useful Maps Invention In a Very Long Time [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5827682/this-is-the-greatest-most-useful-maps-invention-in-a-very-long-time

Mapnificient is the best idea I've seen in a very long time. It allows you to pick your location, set an amount of time and then find exactly where can you go using public transportation in that time. Absolute genius.

I can see myself using Mapnificient on a daily basis, limiting my searches for bars, cafés and restaurants by time rather than space. And I can see myself using this for the next time I have to rent an apartment, to see exactly what areas are within 30 minutes of the Gawker's office, which is my maximum time when it comes to travel in NYC using the subway or the bus.

It is so damn useful that it makes me wonder why Google or Bing Maps hasn't implemented this yet. I hope Stefan Wehrmeyer makes an app for all iOS, Windows Phone 7 and Android as soon as possible. [Mapnificient—Thanks Jordi!]

The Pioneer Elite TV Is Back: Is It the Greatest LCD TV Ever Created? [TVs]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5827697/the-pioneer-elite-tv-is-back/gallery/

The Pioneer Elite line was one of those wonderful things you really wanted but knew you'd never be able to afford. Then Pioneer stopped making them. And now they're back—just as stellar looking and crazily priced as ever.

The new active 3D 1080p Elite sets—available at 70 inches for $8500 or 60 for a modest $6000, are heralded by the two companies as literally the best-looking LCD TVs ever created. But it's an odd setup. In truth, they're really Sharp TVs—not Pioneer displays. The guts are out of Sharp's factories, and even pack the same Quattron image as other sets (though they've given it a new, more expensive-sounding name). You'll also find full array LED backlighting, local dimming, a claimed 720 (!) Hz refresh, and the standard suite of wireless-enabled apps (Netflix, YouTube, et al.). So what's Pioneer lending? They say the new Elites are a collaborative effort, with Pioneer adding their video processing experience to essentially help Sharp make a TV considered worthy of the Elite tag. It's sorta marketing BS! But the TVs also look fantastic.

The old Pioneer Elites were renowned for their super duper deep blacks and great contrast, and the new Elites—despite being made by another company—are equally impressive. While I'm not sure the image annihilates competition (Samsung's high end offerings are still god damn incredible looking), there's no doubt the tag-teamed Elites look great too. Do they look $8500 great? Probably not. That's an astounding amount to spend on a panel, and the gains over sets priced thousands are probably not worth it. But they're there. This is the new money is no object TV. Both the 60-inch and its giant brother will be out this month.

CTL intros new line of 'super-slim' LED monitors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/ctl-intros-new-line-of-super-slim-led-monitors/

CTL intros new line of 'super-slim' LED Monitors

Last we heard from CTL, the Portland-based company was pushing the rather underwhelming 2goPad SL10. We may not have been impressed then, but CTL's attempting to win us over again, this time with a set of three new LED monitors. Available in small, medium, and large, the 22-inch LP2151, 24-inch LP2361, and 27-inch LP2701 all offer 1920 x 1080 displays, 1000:1 contrast ratios (5000000:1 dynamic), two millisecond response times, and HDMI and VDI inputs. They also sport a helpful anti-glare coating and are apparently a quarter of the thickness of "traditional LCD monitors" -- whatever that means. Not exactly earth-shattering specs, but at $216, $258, and $330, we suppose they're not insanely priced, either. Hit the source links for more info, and check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading CTL intros new line of 'super-slim' LED monitors

CTL intros new line of 'super-slim' LED monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

CTL (1), (2), (3) | Email this | Comments

7-inch Sharp Galapagos A01SH tablet sees formal introduction, hitting the US 'this year'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/7-inch-sharp-galapagos-a01sh-tablet-sees-formal-introduction-hi/

How much is that tablet in the window? The one with the 7-inch screen and Android 3.2? Hard to say, but it might be the Sharp Galapagos A01SH you're looking at. The slate, announced in earnest today, should fit comfortably betwixt the 5.5- and 10.8-inch variants of the lineup that are also expected to arrive sometime before the end of the year. The A01SH is accompanied by an NVIDIA Tegra 2 1GHz dual-core CPU with 1GB of RAM, a WSVGA display with 1,024 x 600 resolution, 8GB of internal memory alongside microSD support, 5MP / 2MP cameras along the back and front, and 7.5 hours of battery life. At a thickness of 12.9mm, it's not as thin as the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but it's no Toshiba Thrive, either. The tablet should reach stores in Japan by the end of the month, but the only timeframe given for a US release is before the ball drops in Times Square -- perfect timing for anyone who wants to ring in 2012 snuggled up to a new gadget.

7-inch Sharp Galapagos A01SH tablet sees formal introduction, hitting the US 'this year' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Engadget Japan , PhoneArena | source

source

eAccess (translated) | Email this | Comments

appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/appmobi-xdk-delivers-free-cross-platform-dev-environment-to-chro/

The Chrome Web Store welcomed a new arrival today, and it goes by the name of appMobi XDK. While the addition is targeted squarely at developers, it's entirely free and packs quite a doozy -- cross-platform HTML5 software development from within the web browser. As you might expect, the tool is perfect for making applications to run within Google Chrome, but get this... it's also capable of creating native apps for submission to Apple's App Store and the Android Market. Like any competent development environment, it features a full set of debugging tools, along with the ability to test your apps via on-screen emulation and directly from your target device. Hardware integration is accomplished with JavaScript hardware abstraction, which enables access to the camera, GPS, accelerometer and the like. Further, the platform boasts full compatibility with PhoneGap, which means you can easily transition if you've got a project in the works. If you're already hooked, be sure to check out the PR after the break, which describes such goodies as in-app purchasing and secure user authentication, which are made possible with appMobi's cloud services.

Continue reading appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store

appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:34:00 EDT. Please see our t erms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

Chrome Web Store | Email this | Comments

Skype two-way video chat finally arrives on more Android handsets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/skype-two-way-video-chat-finally-arrives-on-most-android-handset/

An updated version of Skype just appeared on the Android Market sporting a crucial improvement: it now supports two-way video calling on a wide range of current Android handsets, rather than the meager four that had previously received preferential treatment. If you have a recent phone from HTC, Samsung or Sony Ericsson (excluding the Arc), then you're probably in luck. Oh, and LG Revolution (Verizon) and Acer A5 owners can get their vogue on too. Running Gingerbread is a must, though, because Froyo will only let you use your device's rear camera, which is obviously quite difficult to pose for. Check out the source link for the full list of supported handsets and let us know if you run into problems.

[Thanks, Nathan]

Skype two-way video chat finally arrives on more Android handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

Android Market | Email this | Comments

Skype two-way video chat finally arrives on more Android handsets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/skype-two-way-video-chat-finally-arrives-on-most-android-handset/

An updated version of Skype just appeared on the Android Market sporting a crucial improvement: it now supports two-way video calling on a wide range of current Android handsets, rather than the meager four that had previously received preferential treatment. If you have a recent phone from HTC, Samsung or Sony Ericsson (excluding the Arc), then you're probably in luck. Oh, and LG Revolution (Verizon) and Acer A5 owners can get their vogue on too. Running Gingerbread is a must, though, because Froyo will only let you use your device's rear camera, which is obviously quite difficult to pose for. Check out the source link for the full list of supported handsets and let us know if you run into problems.

[Thanks, Nathan]

Skype two-way video chat finally arrives on more Android handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

Android Market | Email this | Comments

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Facebook burns a little cash, buys group messaging and digital book outfit

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/facebook-burns-a-little-cash-buys-group-messaging-and-digital-b/

Facebook gone and done some serious damage to the company credit card, but thankfully, it's being used for more than replacing chimneys and repairing pool liners. Zuck's prized possession has just snapped up Push Pop Press and Beluga, with the former being best known for creating interactive digital books, most notably gadget junkie Al Gore's "Our Choice" book for iPad. Beluga on the other hand, gained lots of attention for its group messaging app built for iOS and Android. Push Pop Press co-founders (and former Apple engineers) Mike Matas and Kimon Tsinteris were quick to say that Facebook has no plans to publish digital books; they did confirm, however, that "the ideas and technology behind Push Pop Press will be integrated with Facebook, giving people even richer ways to share their stories." Mysterious. Could the Push Press Pop acquisition be the key to the fantasmical iPad app we've yearned for since the dawn of the new millennium? Beluga confirmed the future of Facebook mobile messaging when it said, "we're excited to build our vision for mobile group messaging as part of the Facebook team." Equally mysterious. Unfortunately, no concrete details are being made available, with each site's homepage simply confirming that It's Complicated.

Facebook burns a little cash, buys group messaging and digital book outfit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

All Things D | source

source

Beluga.com, Push Pop Press | Email this | Comments

Samsung reveals new Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessories: multimedia dock, HDTV adapter, case, and more

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/samsung-reveals-new-galaxy-tab-10-1-accessories-multimedia-dock/

Today's Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 event in NYC wasn't just about software -- okay, it was mostly about software, but the company also unveiled a slew of accessories for its slick Android tablet. High atop the list is a number of new docks for the slate, including a $50 Multimedia Dock, which props the device up in landscape mode while charging it and offering HDMI out. The $80 Ultra Productivity Tool, meanwhile, also charges the device and includes a full-sized keyboard with Android shortcut keys. The $150 Premium Protective case turns the Tab into a makeshift notebook with a full-size Bluetooth keyboard and a hinge that lets the user adjust the tab's viewing angle.

A new $40 HDTV adapter gives the tablet full 1080p HDMI output. The company also announced a $40 SD card adapter and a USB adapter for easy accessory input. For $60, Tab owners can pick up the Premium Book Cover, a high end case for the device that lets you prop it up for typing or viewing movies. And somewhere in the distance, you could hear Steve Jobs audibly shudder when the company unveiled a pen stylus for the device. The stylus has an aluminum body and a silicon tip, for when you need to give your fingertips a break. It'll run you $20, and sadly won't include meat.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessories

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessories

< /div>

Samsung reveals new Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessories: multimedia dock, HDTV adapter, case, and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Toshiba's Qosmio F755 delivers glasses-free 3D August 16th, for $1,699

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/toshibas-qosmio-f755-delivers-glasses-free-3d-august-16th-for/

Toshiba Qosmio F755

Remember that Qosmio F750 glasses-free 3D laptop we got our greasy paws all over back in early July? Well, it seems like it's gotten minor moniker makeover for its US debut, and is now the F755. Thankfully, the news doesn't end with a new name -- we've got a price and release date for this parallax-packing lappie too! On August 16th you'll be able to pick up Toshiba's latest 15.6-inch media machine starting at $1,699. The notebook will hit Fry's, Best Buy, and Newegg all on the same day, sporting the same Core i7 processor, 6GB of RAM, 750GB hard disk, Blu-ray drive, and GeForce GT 540M GPU. Sadly, it won't be able to convert 2D games to 3D out of the box, but Toshiba is working with Nvidia to deliver that feature by November. Now you'll just have to bide your time till this 8-pound, "portable" 3D rig starts shipping in about two weeks.

Toshiba's Qosmio F755 delivers glasses-free 3D August 16th, for $1,699 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

Electronista | ! Email th is | Comments

Zotac adapter turns your DisplayPort into two HDMI jacks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/zotac-adapter-turns-your-displayport-into-two-hdmi-jacks/

You can never have enough HDMI ports, that's what we say at least. Heck, what does that gaming rig you just put together have? Two? And that MacBook Pro of yours doesn't have any at all. But, if there's a DisplayPort hanging around, you can add a pair HDMI jacks with an adapter from Zotac. This little dongle turns any DisplayPort or Mini Displayport into a dual HDMI hookup, with support for two 1920 x 1080 monitors -- provided your graphics card can handle it and the HDMI group doesn't kill the product first. Pricing and availability are still up in the air at the moment, but you'll find a few more details in the PR after the break.

Update: Zotac just reached out to let us know both adapters will be retailing for $50.

Continue reading Zotac adapter turns your DisplayPort into two HDMI jacks

Zotac adapter turns your DisplayPort into two HDMI jacks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AnandTech | | Email this | Comments

Instagram hits 150 million uploads in nine months, still won't talk about Android plans

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/instagram-hits-150-million-uploads-in-nine-months-still-wont-t/

For better or worse, Instagram's taken the iOS-capturing world by storm. And if you're wondering what our qualification for "by storm" is, well... let's just say The Biebs blasted out his first image on the service last month. As the story goes, four young lads with a fistful of dollars and boundless imaginations started up the famed app on October 6th, 2010. Today, there's still only four employees, but the user base has expanded just a wee bit. The outfit just saw its 150 millionth photo uploaded (shown after the break!), with the current rate clocking in at around 15 images per second. Naturally, we took the opportunity to ask one of those four what this meant for a future Android release, and while he confirmed that he had nothing to announce right away, he did mention that the (still free) iOS build is just "the beginning of what's to come." So, how's about dropping a link to your favorite Instagram down in comments below? Best one wins!

Continue reading Instagram hits 150 million uploads in nine months, still won't talk about Android plans

Instagram hits 150 million uploads in nine months, still won't talk about Android plans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

Instagram | Email this | Comments

Nissan's 'Leaf to Home' system sends power back to your house or the grid

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/nissans-leaf-to-home-system-sends-power-back-to-your-house-or/

The Nissan Leaf may look like a car, but it turns out it will soon also be an emergency power generator on wheels. The automaker just took the wraps off its new "Leaf to Home" system in Japan this week, which promises to let you send power stored in the car back to your house in the case of an outage, or even back to the grid (letting you charge the car during off-peak hours and profiting when demand is high, for instance). Of course, that also requires more than your basic charging station (this one ties directly into your home's electricity distribution panel), and it's not quite ready for consumer use just yet -- Nissan expects it to be available in Japan by April of next year.

Nissan's 'Leaf to Home' system sends power back to your house or the grid originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Inhabitat | source

source

AFP | Email this | Comments

Microsoft Research's .NET Gadgeteer steps out into the light, shoots daggers at Arduino (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/microsoft-researchs-net-gadgeteer-steps-out-into-the-light-sh/

Arduino, meet .NET Gadgeteer -- your newest homebrew hacking rival. Born from Microsoft Research engineers' desire to build prototypes quickly and easily, the two-and-a-half-years in the making ARM7-powered mainboard packs 4MB Flash, 16MB RAM, Ethernet, WiFi, an SD card interface and USB ports. Novice mods might wanna put the Netduino down because this homespun alternative also runs atop MS' .NET Micro Framework, and thanks to its IntelliSense feature, makes auto-coding a breeze for first-timers. If you're interested in what Ballmer & co. are offering, you can head to the project's site now to pre-order its GHI-made hardware: a $250 Spider Starter Kit and the $120 Spider Mainboard. Both will be available by the end of September, but if you need a preview of what this burgeoning open source community has to offer, peep the stop-motion making mod after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft Research's .NET Gadgeteer steps out into the light, shoots daggers at Arduino (video)

Microsoft Research's .NET Gadgeteer steps out into the light, shoots daggers at Arduino (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Slashdot | source

source

Microsoft Research, .NET Gadgeteer | Email this | Comments

Skype Brings Video Chat, Instant Messaging, and SMS to the iPad [Video]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5826917/skype-brings-video-chat-instant-messaging-and-sms-to-the-ipad

Skype just released an iPad version of its mobile app today, bringing a new interface optimized for large screens, as well as everything you've come to expect from Skype: two-way video calling, instant messaging, and SMS texting. Of course, even if you have a camera-less first generation iPad, you can still take advantage of all the other features, including receiving video from your chat partner. And, as always, if you have Skype credit, you can call people's landline phones as well. Best of all, Skype for iPad works across both 3G and Wi-Fi, and lets you talk to Skype users on any platform—Windows, Mac, iPhone, and more. Check out the video above to see it in action, or head straight to the App Store to check it out. [Skype Big Blog]

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)