Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

drag2share: CouponCodes Relaunches, Aggregates Discount Codes for Thousands of Retailer Web Sites [Shopping]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5842034/couponcodes-relaunches-offers-discount-codes-for-thousands-of-retailer-web-sites

CouponCodes.com is under new management, and the site re-launched this morning as a hub for coupons and discount codes for over 2,500 retail sites, curated and screened by real people behind the scenes.

To find a coupon code for a retailer you're about to buy from, just search for the retailer in the search bar, or scroll to the bottom of the page to search for the retailer by name. Featured coupons live on the front page, and some of the service's banner retail partners include AT&T, Apple, Dell, Sears, Home Depot, and Target.

The new CouponCodes.com isn't the first service to do something like this, and they enter an already crowded field of web sites offering coupons and discount codes, like previously mentioned RetailMeNot and CouponChief. What could make CouponCodes.com stand out in the long run is the fact that the codes are manually curated and approved by real people-something other services are woefully lacking.

CouponCodes.com

You can reach Alan Henry, the author of this post, at alan@lifehacker.com, or better yet, follow him on Twitter or Google+.

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drag2share: YoYo.com Is a Wonderland for Finding Great Toys [Toys]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5842050/yoyocom-is-a-wonderland-for-finding-great-toys

Online toy store YoYo can help you find the right toy for that special kid—a feat that's not always easy. The site aims to provide the broadest selection of toys online and handpicked recommendations.

You can shop by age, product category, and characters as well as see YoYo's picks for toys that meet criteria such as "eco-friendly" or "perfect for travel." The assortment is very impressive; right now YoYo has 20,000 toys, books, video games and collectibles in stock, compared to ToysRUs' 10,000 in stock (YoYo is also a sister company of Diapers.com, Soap.com, and pet supply company Wag.com, all owned by Quidsi, a subsidiary of Amazon, which itself doesn't carry as many toys).

Besides the vast selection, YoYo's main purpose will be to help you find excellent age-appropriate toys.

YoYo | via TechCrunch

You can follow or contact Melanie Pinola, the author of this post, on Twitter or Google+.

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drag2share: Most Popular Fitness Tracking Web Site: Fitocracy [Hive Five Followup]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5842058/most-popular-fitness-tracking-web-site-fitocracy

When you're ready to make the commitment to getting in shape and improving your health, finding the right site or service to help you stay on track can make a big difference. Last week we asked you which web site or service you used to keep track of your personal health and fitness goals. Then we took a look at the top five and put them to a vote. Now we're back to highlight the winner.

Voting was heavy and fierce through the weekend (due in no small part to the fact that many of the top five put out the call to their members on Facebook and Twitter to come vote in the poll, so keep that in mind) but Fitocracy took the top spot with just over 39% of the votes cast. SparkPeople came in second place with just under 37%, and RunKeeper finished a distant third with 11% of the vote. Bringing up the rear in fourth and fifth were MyFitnessPal and DailyBurn, with 8% and 5% of the vote, respectively.

You can reach Alan Henry, the author of this post, at alan@lifehacker.com, or better yet, follow him on Twitter or Google+.

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drag2share: LG 50PZ950 3DTV Reviewed: One of the Best TVs Out There [3dTv]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5842231/lg-50pz950-3dtv-reviewed-one-of-the-best-tvs-out-there

If you've been waiting years for a TV as awesome as the departed Pioneer Kuro get excited about the 50-inch LG 50PZ950 HD 3D TV. It might be the new titan of television.

It's not the first time a reviewer has proclaimed a new king of the HD mountain, but according to Sound and Vision, the LG 50PZ950's THX Certified display has amazing picture quality worthy of your Blu-ray collection. If streaming services are more your style, the TV has built-in apps for Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and even a web browser. (Holy WebTV!) The reviewer does quibble with the 3D performance, but the whole package looks like one of the best TVs out there. [Sound and Vision]

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drag2share: OnStar Is Tracking Your Speed And Location Even When You Cancel Your Service [Cars]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5842317/onstar-were-tracking-your-speed-and-location-even-when-you-cancel-your-service

OnStar is alerting customers of a change in its privacy policy that'll let the company collect the speed and location of any OnStar-equipped vehicle, even when the owner no longer subscribes to the monthly service.

According to spokesman Adam Denison, the company will keep this tracking active for the convenience of customers who wish to restore service. He also says the connection will remain open "unless the customer says otherwise".

Even more troubling is a little known section of the privacy policy that lets OnStar compile this GPS data and sell an anonymized version to government agencies, marketing companies and vehicle manufacturers. [OnStar via Wired]

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drag2share: MakerBot's Turtle Shell Racers cruise around our offices (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/makerbots-turtle-shell-racers-cruise-around-our-offices-video/

This weekend's Maker Faire in New York City was lousy with 3D printers. Every tent in the outdoor area was packed to capacity with the things, their owners standing beside them, showing off the small trinkets they'd created with the devices. Judging from their presence, there seems little question that the technology has proven a success with the maker community. Amongst the general public, however, they've been a much harder sell. Perhaps it's the price, or maybe it's the generally dull connotations of the word "printer," or it could just be the fact that there hasn't been the right iconic image to help sell the products to the public at large.

MakerBot's Turtle Shell Racers may well be just the ambassador that the world of 3D printing needs. The toy football-sized RC cars are proof positive that the devices can turn just about anything you can imagine into reality. There are certain limitations, of course, like the fact that the objects printed can't be larger than five inches in diameter. The Shells' creator circumvented that admitted shortcoming by assembling the products out of small pieces that snap together. Check out more hands-on impressions and a video with the racers after the jump.

Gallery: Turtle Shell Racer hands-on

Turtle Shell Racer hands-on

Continue reading MakerBot's Turtle Shell Racers cruise around our offices (video)

MakerBot's Turtle Shell Racers cruise around our offices (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: LaCie ships Little Big Disk Thunderbolt, promises 240GB SSD variant in mid-October

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/lacie-ships-little-big-disk-thunderbolt-promises-ssd-variant-in/

It's taken its sweet time, but folks who weren't exactly keen on the Promise Pegasus finally have a compact option for putting their Thunderbolt port to good use. LaCie has just announced that it's Little Big Disk Thunderbolt external drive -- a first for the outfit -- is available to purchase. For those keeping count, it's only the second overall T-bolt drive to hit the scene, with this 1.4-pounder boasting a pair of 2.5-inch drives, support for JBOD / RAID 1 / RAID 0 and a typically metallic chassis that measures 1.6- x 5.5- x 3.3-inches. We're promised speeds as high as 480MB/sec (for SSD arrangements) and 190MB/sec (for HDD models), and users can daisy chain several of 'em to hit transfer rates of around 800MB/sec. These guys should be available starting today (though Apple's online shop currently has a "one to two week" wait), with the 1TB 7200RPM edition retailing for $399, and the 2TB 5400RPM model listing for $499. We're still awaiting word on the specifics surrounding the October-bound 240GB SSD variant, but those who'd rather press their luck for a free one can enter the ongoing contest in the More Coverage link below.

Gallery: LaCie Little Big Disk Thunderbolt press photos

Continue reading LaCie ships Little Big Disk Thunderbolt, promises 240GB SSD variant in mid-October

LaCie ships Little Big Disk Thunderbolt, promises 240GB SSD variant in mid-October originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Huawei gives October shipping date for MediaPad in Malaysia, US and China by year's end

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/huawei-gives-october-shipping-date-for-mediapad-in-malaysia-us/

Huawei MediaPad

Been wondering when you were gonna get a chance to smear fingerprints all over 7-inches of Android 3.2, courtesy of Huawei's MediaPad? Well, if you happen to live in Malaysia, it should be by the middle of October. The rest of you shouldn't fret though -- the company plans to have it on shelves in the US, China, Hong Kong and Thailand before the end of the year. Meanwhile, folks in Singapore can already place pre-orders for $598 SGD, roughly $473 USD. It's a bit later than the Q3 ship date we were originally told but, as they say, better late than never. Though, we're more apt to cry "gimme, gimme, gimme."

Huawei gives October shipping date for MediaPad in Malaysia, US and China by year's end originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung Epic 4G Touch gets torn down, confirms its epic crendentials

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/samsung-epic-4g-touch-gets-torn-down-confirms-its-epic-crendent/

The Samsung Epic 4G Touch is a triumph of engineering, jamming oh-so-very-much into an oh-so-little frame. What better way to celebrate its wonderous design, than to tear it all down to its constituent parts, and then reassemble it? Thank the guys at iFixit, because they've already done it -- again. Interesting points include just a single EMI shield -- unlike some competitors -- which is great news for those looking to emulate a tear-down of their own Sprint-specific GSII. It could still prove to be a challenge, with both the glass panel and LCD apparently fused to the middle of the phone, meaning a replacement for that sumptuous 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen could prove costly. Click below for a pictorial blow-by-blow of the teardown, let's keep the drooling to a minimum, shall we?

Samsung Epic 4G Touch gets torn down, confirms its epic crendentials originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Introducing Engadget Distro!

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/introducing-engadget-distro/

Say hello to Engadget Distro. At its most molecular level, it's nothing more than a series of ones and zeros, cobbled together in a compiler and made to look like words and images on Apple's iPad. But in reality, it's something far greater -- something that the entire Engadget staff couldn't be more proud to have their names on. Distro is the week in technology news, distilled down and reformatted into a beautiful, offline view that can be enjoyed anywhere. You know, like one of those regional jets still awaiting their rightful Gogo injection. We've got a team of designers and editors toiling around the clock to assemble our best long-form feature content and reviews, re-wrapping it in a fashion that takes full advantage of a little thing called "multitouch."

As of now, we've got plans to launch Distro on the iPad soon (as in, super soon!), but you can bet we're already hammering away on versions for the other major tablet platforms. Rest assured, we're as eager to finish them as anyone, and yes, they'll all be absolutely free of charge. For those who find themselves a touch overwhelmed with the sheer torrent of news that occurs in this space each and every day, Distro offers a relaxing, peaceful alternative. Sort of like morphine, but available sans a prescription. We'll be showing off a sneak peek during tonight's live Engadget Show (tune in here!), and we'll be sure to keep you abreast of our launch date as it draws closer. For now, have a look at what Distro will bring in the video after the break. We hope you enjoy.

Gallery: Engadget Distro

Continue reading Introducing Engadget Distro!

Introducing Engadget Distro! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Comcast and FCC partner to give low-income families access to internet, Nyan Cats

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/comcast-and-fcc-partner-to-give-low-income-families-access-to-in/

Like a giant warlock guarding the gates of the interwebs, financial barriers all too often block our young people from accessing the plethora of awesomeness found in front of those iconic triple-Ws-and-a-dot. In a bid to spread the love more evenly, the FCC and Comcast's promised Internet Essentials platform is going live -- giving low-income families $9.99 / month web access and "discounted" (read: $149.99) computers. The platform that we first heard about in August will also include a Norton Security Suite and computer training for youngsters and their parents alike. The cable provider is accepting participants until 2014, honoring the contract dependent on the child's status and family income. Like other heavy hitters involved in similar initiatives, the goal is to bridge the education gap and to provide a more level playing field for kids. To get more details on the program, direct your attention to the source link.

Continue reading Comcast and FCC partner to give low-income families access to internet, Nyan Cats

Comcast and FCC partner to give low-income families access to internet, Nyan Cats originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Yale demos NFC-enabled residential locks, germaphobes rejoice (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/yale-demos-nfc-enabled-residential-locks-germaphobes-rejoice-v/

Assa Abloy has already brought NFC-based door locks to some Swedish hotel rooms, but one of its subsidiary companies is now looking to bring them to your doorstep, as well. Earlier this month, Yale Locks & Hardware unveiled what it hopes will be the first NFC-enabled residential lock to hit the US market. With this system, all you'll need to do is wave your smartphone in front of one of Yale's Real Living line of motorized locks, which will then automatically open (as long as you've been authorized to do so). Demoed at this year's CEDIA Expo, these revamped locks are also compatible with either Zigbee or Z-Wave home automation technologies and support Assa Abloy's Mobile Keys software, which allows users to securely load all of their digital keys on their handsets. Pricing and availability remain unclear, but you can unlock more details in the brief demo video and full press release, after the break.

Continue reading Yale demos NFC-enabled residential locks, germaphobes rejoice (video)

Yale demos NFC-enabled residential locks, germaphobes rejoice (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Desk Pets' TankBot rolls out with Android and iOS support, is the tiny racer in your hand

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/desk-pets-tankbot-rolls-out-with-android-and-ios-support-is-th/

Lonely and living in the city, but don't have the patience or maturity for Man's Best Friend? Well, you could always take a TankBot under your wing. Desk Pets' palm-sized four-wheeler first whirred into our hands earlier this year at the International Toy Fair, promising a variety of play modes and iOS control. Now, the team behind the roving gizmo has finally released it to retailers' shelves, tacking on a $25 price tag and adding Android compatibility. The mini-bot operates in a trio of configurations: an autonomous mode that makes use of its infrared sensors to navigate obstacles, a free-roaming option that'll have it wandering aimlessly and, most importantly, a free mobile app that puts dual joystick control on your Apple device's screen or universal remote (connected via headphone jack) for steering on an Android phone. Don't expect to squeeze hours of fun out of this little tchotchke, though, as its retractable USB port only gets you about 15 minutes of gee whizzery. Skip past the break to watch a video demo of the lil' guy en vivo.

Continue reading Desk Pets' TankBot rolls out with Android and iOS support, is the tiny racer in your hand

Desk Pets' TankBot rolls out with Android and iOS support, is the tiny racer in your hand originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: ASUS' U46SV-DH51 goes up for pre-order, ships to bezel haters on October 1st (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/asus-u46sv-dh51-goes-up-for-pre-order-ships-to-bezel-haters-on/

Do you despise thick bezels, yet harbor an unnatural aversion to portables from LG and Samsung? We're not here to psychoanalyze, but ASUS' U46SV-DH51 might be more to your liking. The "Brushed Champagne" notebook is notable for its diminutive bezel, which, like Sammy's smaller Series 7, allows for a 14-inch display to exist in a 13-inch chassis. It's got some punch too, packing a Core i5-2410M, 4GB of RAM, NVIDIA's GeForce GT 540M and a DVD burner (remember those?). Not bad for a 4.85-pound laptop that'll supposedly go 10 hours between charges and set you back $879. You'll find a pre-order page at the source below, but before you go, why not hop past the break and indulge in a video?

[Thanks, Danijel]

Continue reading ASUS' U46SV-DH51 goes up for pre-order, ships to bezel haters on October 1st (video)

ASUS' U46SV-DH51 goes up for pre-order, ships to bezel haters on October 1st (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: GeeXboX LiveUSB HTPC Linux distro hits v2.0, adds ARM support for multi-core video decoding

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/geexbox-liveusb-htpc-linux-distro-hits-v2-0-adds-arm-support-fo/

Last time we heard about GeeXboX, Palm was ushering out its first webOS phone, Google was putting the traditional navigation model in the grave and unlimited Skype calling over LTE was but a figment of our imagination -- two years later, and the aforesaid distro is finally reaching version two dot oh. Like version 1.2.2, the HTPC-centric Linux distribution allows users to decode media on dual- and quad-core systems, with added support for devices running ARM SoCs (like the TI OMAP4 Pandaboard and Tegra 2). The new 72MB version ditches the unique ISO generator tool, legacy HDD installation, support for V4L Analog and DVB Digital TV cards (although the manufacturer promises the last digital feature "will come back shortly"). Check out the source for full upgrade deets, and save us a seat on the couch, will ya?

GeeXboX LiveUSB HTPC Linux distro hits v2.0, adds ARM support for multi-core video decoding originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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