Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Monday, August 08, 2011

HTC Developer site goes live: OpenSense SDK and kernel source offered aplenty

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/htc-developer-site-goes-live-opensense-sdk-and-kernel-source-of/

HTC's flipped the switch on its development website, which was designed to be a "one-stop shop" for a wide variety of SDKs and other resources for developers. As promised, the manufacturer's OpenSense SDK -- which includes a S3D SDK for HTC's 3D stereoscopic interface and pen SDK for its Scribe feature -- is now available for download; there's also plenty of kernel source codes to peruse and access. Finally, the Bootloader Unlock web tool, one of the most highly anticipated pieces of software that the company's promised to unleash, only shows as "coming soon" on the site. There hasn't been any official word on when it'll go live, but we're expecting it to happen later this month as the EVO 3D and the Sensation both get adorned with their unlocks. It's great to see the company follow through completely on one of its promises, eh?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

HTC Developer site goes live: OpenSense SDK and kernel source offered aplenty originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype for Mac updates to 5.3, adds Lion and HD video call support

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/skype-for-mac-updates-to-5-3-adds-lion-and-hd-video-call-suppor/

Mac OS X 5.3

The good folks over at Skype have been mighty busy recently. In the last month (give or take a day) the company has announced integration with Facebook, launched a new version of its Windows client to support the social network, released an iPad-optimized version, and expanded Android support to an additional 17 handsets. Now the video-chat stalwart has update its Mac app with support for Lion and HD video calls -- something Microsoft fans have been enjoying since 2010. You can check out the full announcement and download Skype 5.3 for Max OS X at the source link.

Skype for Mac updates to 5.3, adds Lion and HD video call support originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Colt may be RIM's first QNX smartphone, will lack BES support out-of-box?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/blackberry-colt-may-be-rims-first-qnx-smartphone-will-lack-bes/

To many, a colt is a representation of rebirth and a symbol for youthfulness. Research in Motion appears to be in desperate need for exactly that -- a regeneration. It seems appropriate, then, that RIM may be launching the BlackBerry Colt, its first QNX-based "superphone," in the first quarter of 2012. This timeline will ensure the device launches at the expected time, according to rumors by BGR, but there's likely to be a few compromises to ensure it gets pushed out to market faster. The Colt is said to be undergoing internal testing with a single-core chip, contrary to promises of including dual-core CPUs. Additionally, the maiden voyage of the smartphone platform may be completely devoid of BES at the device's launch; it's taken longer than expected to rewrite the proper code to support QNX, and more time's necessary to bring it up to par with RIM's standards. What would the Enterprise customers do in the meantime? The alternative to BES is almost unthinkable: Exchange emails would be accessed by a preloaded version of Microsoft ActiveSync. Will the gamble yield greater returns in the long run, or will it remove the glue that still holds the company together?

BlackBerry Colt may be RIM's first QNX smartphone, will lack BES support out-of-box? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart Modular's 1.6TB Optimus SSD reads up to 1GB/s, claims to be the largest and fastest

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/06/smart-modulars-1-6tb-optimus-ssd-reads-up-to-1gb-s-claims-to-b/

We love us a good speed record and today's comes paired with another superlative: biggest and baddest. Smart Modular Technologies just announced the Optimus SSD, a drive with up to a record 1.6TB in storage that can also read up to a gigabyte of data per second. The 2.5-inch drive also promises write speeds of 500MB/s and will be available in smaller 200GB, 400GB, and 800GB capacities, in addition to that 1.6TB monster. No word on pricing except that Smart Modular insists they'll be "cost-effective." Then again, the company expects IT departments will snap these up for corporate use, so your guess is as good as ours as to how accessible these will be for run-of-the-mill hobbyists.

Continue reading Smart Modular's 1.6TB Optimus SSD reads up to 1GB/s, claims to be the largest and fastest

Smart Modular's 1.6TB Optimus SSD reads up to 1GB/s, claims to be the largest and fastest originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android app tethers handsets to Canon cams, live view fanboys rejoice (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/06/android-app-tethers-handsets-to-canon-cams-live-view-fanboys-re/

We're living in a post-pc world, folks. High time you got with the program and junked that heavy and outmoded relic called the computer. But how does one take tethered snaps from a Canon, sans EOS Utility? Meet DSLR Controller, an Android app from Chainfire that turns your little green robot into an external live view monitor, and gives you complete control over your shooter's finer sensibilities. It lets you tweak exposure, aperture, shutter, white balance and focus with sensuous swipes of your fingertip. To make the whole shindig work, you'll need an Android device packing a USB host port and an "on-the-go" USB cable -- which lets your handset wear the pants in the phone / DSLR relationship. We should also warn you that the $8.51 application is currently still in beta and thus streams video in live view mode at a less than optimal 15fps. Those and other foibles may be remedied by the final release, but if you're looking to practice your tethering voodoo immediately, hit the source below, and watch a vid of your photographic future after the break.

Continue reading Android app tethers handsets to Canon cams, live view fanboys rejoice (video)

Android app tethers handsets to Canon cams, live view fanboys rejoice (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cheap, Scaled-Down iMac Being Readied For Students? [Unconfirmed]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5828596/cheap-scaled+down-imac-being-readied-for-students

Apple failed to introduce a new educational discount for iPads, but that doesn't mean they've forgotten about students altogether. 9to5Mac has heard that a new, more affordable iMac aimed at students will be released this month, maybe on August 16th.

According to their sources, it'll be a basic machine with a 3.1GHz dual-core processor and AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics card, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 250GB hard drive. While full details aren't obviously known yet (and indeed, this rumor could be nothing but hopeful speculation), it's very likely this iMac would cost under $1,000 when it's released.

So what say you, students? Apple's cheapest iMac is currently $1,199. Would you be willing to sacrifice specs for a sub-$1,000 price-tag, or is the extra few hundred dollars a worthwhile investment in your future? [9to5Mac]

Friday, August 05, 2011

Motorola Droid 3 Lightning Review: Another Summer Sequel [Lightning Review]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5828038/motorola-droid-3-lightning-review-another-summer-sequel

The original Droid was the phone that put Android on the map. Two sequels later, here we are with the Droid 3. But is it more The Dark Knight Rises or Spiderman 3?

Like

The Droid 3 is solid. Like tank solid. Assembled from magnesium alloy and glass and a soft matte plastic, it won't have complaints of cheapness hurled at it like say, the Nexus S. The keyboard has a satisfying clickiness to it and the added row of number keys—five rows!—is an unexpected source of phone joy. The Droid 3 is le snappy. Motorola's custom UI is tastefully implemented and relatively unobtrusive. Though it makes some parts of Android—like the home screen—look chintzy, it makes other areas—like the messaging app—look less ugly and rudimentary than stock Android. And the screen improvement (now 4-inches with qHD resolution), is solid, if not quite jaw-dropping, when it comes to picture quality.

No Like

Carrying the Droid 3 around is not unlike lugging a rock around in your pocket. It's dense, it's bulky, it's covered with hard angles. It's a trade off you've gotta make for top-notch build quality and a keyboard, but it doesn't make it more enjoyable. The sliding mechanism is stiff and grating (just like the previous models). Apparently there are users out there who like it very much. I don't. And where's the 4G LTE?

The Droid 3 doesn't do anything new—it would've been nice if the Droid 3 was a bit slimmer and lighter, but for existing Droid owners who love what they have and just want the same thing, but faster, stronger and better, that's exactly what this is. For everybody else, if you need a keyboard—particularly a rare 5-row keyboard—and are on Verizon, this isn't a bad place to start.

Specs
Motorola Droid 3
Network: Verizon
Screen: 4-inch, 960x540 Gorilla Glass qHD Display
Weight: 6.0oz
Processor: 1GHz, Dual-Core TI OMAP4430
Storage: 16GB internal + up to 32GB SD Storage
OS: Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) + Custom Skin
Cameras: Rear 8-megapixel, Front 0.3-megapixel
Price: $200 with two-year contract

The Week's Best Android Apps [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5828267/the-weeks-best-android-apps

DSLR Controller: It's still in Beta but DSLR Controller lets you control your Canon DSLR with your Android phone or tablet. It's expensive-ish at $8.50 but for photogs you're able to tinker with ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation and zoom, not to mention live view, auto-focus, manual-focus, the histogram, grid display, bulb capture, continuous capture, white balance...the list goes on. Could be useful.

The Week's Best Android Apps FOX Sports Mobile: If you're not satisfied with the ESPN or Live Scores on Android, Fox Sports just released an app to help you keep track of scores, videos, breaking news, your local teams and more. You can personalize the app to display the relevant news stories and scores about your team and keep track of all the popular sports. Pretty solid for sports fans.

The Week's Best Android Apps Streamzoo: As Instagram isn't available on Android, people need to look elsehwere for their photo sharing needs. Streamzoo is a photo and video sharing app that lets you share the pics you take, along with being able to hashtag and organize 'em. Of course, you can add hipster filters, borders and tilt shift effects to make your picture look snazzy. Supports Twitter and Facebook too. [via Androinica]

The Week's Best Android Apps Light Flow: It doesn't work for every phone but you can take control of the notification light on your Android light. You can change colors, cycle through 'em all, program apps to work with it and a whole ton of other customization. It's a small tweak but one that makes your phone, yours. [via Phandroid]

The Week's Best Android Apps Visidon AppLock: It's a security app meant to protect other people (not you) from opening apps on your smartphone. But unlike password or gesture-based security systems, Visidon uses facial recognition software to do so. So if you're protecting Gmail with Visidon, let's say, the app will prompt a facial scan before it reveals Gmail. If it's you, it quickly registers and opens Gmail. If it's not you, users are prompted to enter a password. If they can't do that, then no peeky at my teeties.

Skype: Skype's 2.1 Android app just got updated to add 2-way video calling to a wide range of Android phones and tablets now, including Samsung's Galaxy S, S II and Galaxy Tab; HTC's Desire, Thunderbolt, Sensation and EVO 3D and 4G; plus a bunch of Sony Ericsson devices.

You can keep up with Casey Chan, the author of this post, on Twitter or Facebook.

The Week's Best Android Apps [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5828267/the-weeks-best-android-apps

DSLR Controller: It's still in Beta but DSLR Controller lets you control your Canon DSLR with your Android phone or tablet. It's expensive-ish at $8.50 but for photogs you're able to tinker with ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation and zoom, not to mention live view, auto-focus, manual-focus, the histogram, grid display, bulb capture, continuous capture, white balance...the list goes on. Could be useful.

The Week's Best Android Apps FOX Sports Mobile: If you're not satisfied with the ESPN or Live Scores on Android, Fox Sports just released an app to help you keep track of scores, videos, breaking news, your local teams and more. You can personalize the app to display the relevant news stories and scores about your team and keep track of all the popular sports. Pretty solid for sports fans.

The Week's Best Android Apps Streamzoo: As Instagram isn't available on Android, people need to look elsehwere for their photo sharing needs. Streamzoo is a photo and video sharing app that lets you share the pics you take, along with being able to hashtag and organize 'em. Of course, you can add hipster filters, borders and tilt shift effects to make your picture look snazzy. Supports Twitter and Facebook too. [via Androinica]

The Week's Best Android Apps Light Flow: It doesn't work for every phone but you can take control of the notification light on your Android light. You can change colors, cycle through 'em all, program apps to work with it and a whole ton of other customization. It's a small tweak but one that makes your phone, yours. [via Phandroid]

The Week's Best Android Apps Visidon AppLock: It's a security app meant to protect other people (not you) from opening apps on your smartphone. But unlike password or gesture-based security systems, Visidon uses facial recognition software to do so. So if you're protecting Gmail with Visidon, let's say, the app will prompt a facial scan before it reveals Gmail. If it's you, it quickly registers and opens Gmail. If it's not you, users are prompted to enter a password. If they can't do that, then no peeky at my teeties.

Skype: Skype's 2.1 Android app just got updated to add 2-way video calling to a wide range of Android phones and tablets now, including Samsung's Galaxy S, S II and Galaxy Tab; HTC's Desire, Thunderbolt, Sensation and EVO 3D and 4G; plus a bunch of Sony Ericsson devices.

You can keep up with Casey Chan, the author of this post, on Twitter or Facebook.

The Best Apps of the Week [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5828268/the-best-apps-of-the-week

In this week's app roundup: songs, made EPIC; DSLRs, controlled by Androids; trail maps, downloaded to your iPhone; photos, edited by a touch; sharks, made interactive; Rdio, iPadified; Skype, also iPadified; notifications light, customized and much, much more.

The week's best iPhone apps

GLMPS: When you snap a photograph, you're capturing a frozen moment in time. But what if you captured the wrong moment? You're never getting the better, not snapped photograph back! GLMPS is an iPhone app that captures a video clip of the few seconds before you snap your photo so you'll always have a memory of what was going on before. Sort of like a mix between GIFs and those pictures in Harry Potter! With GLMPS, there's a bit more context to those blurry iPhone shots you've expertly managed to take but forgotten where you took them. Free

See the rest of this week's best iPhone apps

The week's best Android apps

Ultimate Sharks: SHARKS! It's Shark Week folks and that means a constant loop of scary shark videos, lovely shark bites and messy shark attacks on TV during dinnertime. But you want MORE sharks don't you? You want to know what makes these beasts tick even though you don't want to take a dip with them. It's understandable. The Ultimate Sharks app, made by Discovery as a pseudo-companion app to Shark Week, gives you lists (10 deadliest sharks), tons o' videos, high res pictures and even 3D interactive sharks that respond to your touch. $5

See the rest of this week's best iPad apps

We are so crazy about apps right now you wouldn't believe it. If you have recommendations, tips, or just want to let us know about your own app, drop a note in the comments or shoot me an email.

Rdio's iPad app gets approved by Apple, we go eyes-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/rdios-ipad-app-gets-approved-by-apple-we-go-eyes-on/

Were you excited to try Spotify, only to be dismayed by the lack of native iPad support? Enter Rdio's latest update to its iOS app, now with gratuitous support for Cupertino's sweetheart. Just like its iPhone and iPod touch forebearer, slate fans can now stream music, cache songs, futz with playlists, all while being "social" with friends on the service. Like the company's other mobile apps (on iOS, Android or Blackberry) -- and its cross-Atlantic Swedish rival -- one has to spring for the pricier $9 monthly sub to unshackle from web-only streaming and enjoy portable bliss. In our quick run-through, we found the app to be slick and fast, and searching for obscure music was painless. With most of our friends strewn across other streaming platforms, the community features fell on deaf ears -- so clearly your mileage will vary. Rdio's offering a week-long trial gratis, so go-on and give it a whirl yourself.

Gallery: Rdio iPad app eyes-on

Rdio's iPad app gets approved by Apple, we go eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel places $30 million bet on the cloud, opens two new labs at Carnegie Mellon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/intel-places-30-million-bet-on-the-cloud-opens-two-new-labs-at/

Have you nerds heard? The cloud is the word, and Intel's ready to put its bank account where the industry's buzzing mouth is. Investing $30 million over a span of five years, the company has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to open two new Intel Science and Technology Centers. The academic research labs will laser in on cloud and embedded computing research, providing open source innovations that tackle mass data analytics, real-time information service distribution and refinements to a future, cloud-connected lifestyle. Curious as to what this brain collective has up its sleeves? Imagine wearing a pair of Intel-powered glasses that overlays data linked to the people and objects you see. Not the Minority Report type? Alright, then consider its proposed intelligent car of the future, capable of recommending "routing, retail, dining, and entertainment" options tailored to passenger profiles and real-world conditions. Whether you're ready or not, this is the future folks -- one big, passive scoop of computer-generated coddling. Hit the break for the full PR, and Peter Griffin's take on our sponsored tomorrow.

[Image credit via Popular Science]

Continue reading Intel places $30 million bet on the cloud, opens two new labs at Carnegie Mellon

Intel places $30 million bet on the cloud, opens two new labs at Carnegie Mellon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researcher sees security issue with wireless insulin pumps, hackers could cause lethal doses

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/researcher-hacks-wireless-insulin-pump-to-push-lethal-doses-giv/

Wireless insulin attack

Thought the demonstration of a Subaru Outback (the official car of suburban weekend warriors) being unlocked and started via text message was terrifying? Wait till you see what researcher and diabetic Jay Radcliffe cooked up for the Black Hat Technical Security Conference. Radcliffe figures an attacker could hack an insulin pump connected to a wireless glucose monitor and deliver lethal doses of the sugar-regulating hormone. While perhaps less dramatic than shocking a person to death with their own pacemaker, quietly causing an insulin overdose is no less effective at bringing a life to a premature end. The most worrisome part, with a powerful enough antenna a hacker could potentially launch such an attack from up to half a mile away. Of course, Radcliffe hasn't figured out how to do it just yet, but his method of diabetic assassination could become a reality sometime soon -- sleep tight everybody!

Researcher sees security issue with wireless insulin pumps, hackers could cause lethal doses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vivitar rolls out 690 HD camcorder: waterproof, 720p, $60

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/vivitar-rolls-out-690-hd-camcorder-waterproof-720p-60/

Vivitar may have bad-mouthed newfangled digital cameras last year, but that hasn't stopped it from selling them. The company's latest is the 690 HD, a compact, Flip-like camcorder that records 720p video and is rated for use up to ten feet underwater. You'll also get an SD card slot for storage and a 2-inch LCD 'round back, but you'll have to make do without other niceties like an optical zoom or HDMI port -- compromises that shouldn't be too hard to take considering the $60 price tag.

Continue reading Vivitar rolls out 690 HD camcorder: waterproof, 720p, $60

Vivitar rolls out 690 HD camcorder: waterproof, 720p, $60 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IOGEAR USB Sharing Station connects to WiFi, cuts the cord on four of your devices

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/iogear-usb-sharing-station-connects-to-wifi-cuts-the-cord-on-fo/

You're so over corded gadgets, but you can't justify replacing every device in the house with a pricier wireless version just because being leashed to a USB printer or external hard drive is a slight inconvenience. We get it, and it looks like IOGEAR does too. The peripheral company's Wireless 4-port USB Sharing Station makes any connected gadget WiFi-enabled, letting you wander far away from those desktop devices without dropping your connection. The compact hub includes one USB 2.0 port on the front and three on the rear, along with an Ethernet port and wireless antenna, and it's compatible with a variety of USB gadgets, including printers, hard drives, memory card readers, scanners, and webcams. Oh, but why would you want to wander far from your webcam, you ask? A remote webcam can be used as an instant, inexpensive home security system, providing access from anywhere within your wireless network. Sure, $100 may seem like a lot to spend on a wireless USB hub, but considering the cost of WiFi-enabling four individual devices, it's probably the way to go.

IOGEAR USB Sharing Station connects to WiFi, cuts the cord on four of your devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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