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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Intel plans to roll out Ivy Bridge based Xeon E3s, low-power Atom chips for micro servers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/intel-plans-ivy-bridge-based-xeon-e3s-and-low-power-atom-microservers/

Intel plans to roll out Ivy Bridge based Xeon E3s, low-power Atom chips for micro servers

Ask any gardener, once you let ivy grow, it gets everywhere. Even though Intel just planted a fresh family of Sandy Bridge-based server CPUs, reports of a new line of Xeon E3 chips sporting the firm's next generation architecture are sprouting up. The new Ivy Bridge server chips use the firm's 3D Tri-Gate transistors to improve performance without using more power. For micro servers looking for an even smaller power footprint, Intel is introducing an Atom-based system on a chip, dubbed Centerton. These new 64-bit chips will feature two Atom processor cores and consume only six watts of electricity. Intel hasn't said yet just where these new processors are going to end up, but mentioned that it had a few customers on board.

Intel plans to roll out Ivy Bridge based Xeon E3s, low-power Atom chips for micro servers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Wolfram Alpha now does literary analysis, breaks down the Bard's work

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/wolfram-alpha-now-does-literary-analysis-breaks-down-the-bards/

Wolfram Alpha now does literary analysis, breaks down the Bard's work

Literary geeks rejoice! Wolfram Alpha has given you the tools to examine the works of William Shakespeare in ways you've never ~~cared to~~ imagined. Ever wondered how many words are in the second act of Othello? Or what the longest word is in A Midsummer Night's Dream? The answers to such (largely unasked) queries are now mere keystrokes away, and not just for the Bard's writings, either. That's right, folks, computational analysis of the works from such luminaries as Melville, Dickens, and Twain are on tap, too. The folks at Wolfram Alpha are also looking to increase the number of supported titles, so head on down to the source link and let them know which ones you want to see.

Wolfram Alpha now does literary analysis, breaks down the Bard's work originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital ships 7mm HDD for Ultrabooks, losing down pavement cracks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/wd-7mm-scorpio-blue/

Western Digital is whipping the sheets clear from a new, 7mm tall 2.5-inch mobile HDD that'll sit nicely inside your Ultrabook or other skinny device. The single-platter Scorpio Blue comes in 320 and 500GB varieties and will even sit nearly in 9.5mm slots (just, you know, bring along some blu-tack to pad the void around the drive bay). The units boast of super-low power management, quiet operation (with WD's WhisperDrive tech) and capable of taking a shock of 400Gs. It's available from today via selected retailers, the 320GB edition costing $80 and the 500GB version $100. Just be careful not to look at it side-on, after all, it's so thin you may not find it again.

Continue reading Western Digital ships 7mm HDD for Ultrabooks, losing down pavement cracks

Western Digital ships 7mm HDD for Ultrabooks, losing down pavement cracks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Chrome Beta Syncs Open Tabs Across Devices [Chrome]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5900769/chrome-beta-syncs-open-tabs-across-devices

Chrome Beta Syncs Open Tabs Across Devices That great recipe you opened at work? If you're using Chrome's Beta channel wherever you go, it's now two clicks to bring it back up, as Chrome Beta has picked up the open tab syncing already seen in Dev channels. It's rolling out in a new release today.

If you've grabbed the latest Chrome Beta, you should be able to head into your Settings, then click the "Advanced sync settings" button and see a new option for "Open tabs" (which will be checked if you've set Chrome to "Sync Everything"). Do that on other Chrome browsers you've synced to your account, and on the New Tab Page, you'll see a list in the lower-right corner: "Other Devices." Click that, and there you go—everything you last had open on other Chrome instances. If you're using the Chrome for Android Beta, you'll see those tabs on your computer, and vice-versa, too.

All your tabs, accessible everywhere | Google Chrome Blog via Ghacks

The Company That Got In Trouble For Letting You Use Windows On The iPad Is Taking Another Shot (MSFT)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/onlive-weve-got-millions-of-enterprise-users-lining-up-for-windows-on-ipad-2012-4

onlive ipad windows

It looks like OnLive bent to Microsoft's will and stopped streaming Windows 7 to iPad users for free.

And while that means it's now issuing the same flavor of Windows as every other Windows cloud desktop provider, OnLive claims it is still going to kick some enterprise butt.

If you remember, OnLive landed in hot water about a month ago for streaming Windows 7 and Office 2010 applications to the iPad.

But Microsoft's software licensing doesn't allow cloud providers to stream Windows -- instead, Microsoft requires every device using Windows 7 to have a license. That would have forced OnLive to make all its iPad customers buy Windows 7 before they could use its free service or its $5/month premium service.

OnLive has now replaced Windows 7 with the desktop version of Windows Server 2008 R2, multiple sources say. That's the form of Windows that Microsoft says is OK for cloud desktop vendors to use.

Some users have said that this new desktop isn't as nice as the forbidden version of Windows 7. The most notable feature to go missing is handwriting recognition, which is a particular bummer for tablet users. But other than that, Windows Server on the desktop otherwise looks surprisingly like Windows 7.

OnLive won't officially comment on the licensing snafu. But it claims it's signing up "literally, millions of seats," for the enterprise version, says OnLIve spokesperson Brian Jaquet. He says the company will soon announce "names with tens of thousands of remote seats that are dropping remoting technology they've been using for over a decade for OnLive," Jaquet says.

We'll be watching to see if OnLive is really going to be an enterprise desktop game changer.

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HTC Titan II Lightning Review: The Monster Phone's Got a Monster Camera [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5900740/htc-titan-ii-lightning-review-the-monster-phones-got-a-monster-camera

When we last met the Titan, it dominated our hands and brains with sheer massiveness. Now the sequel is here: the old standby, plus LTE and most importantly, a ginormo-camera. Does the big boy still impress?

What Is It?

A very (though not excessively) large 4.7-inch Windows Phone with a giant 16-megapixel camera.

Who's it For?

Fans of large phones, mobile photogs, penis compensators.

Design

Nearly indiscernible from the last time around, with a nice added lip to the bottom of the casing. Doesn't feel any heftier than it looks.

Using It

Using the Titan II is exactly the same as using the Titan I, only data is (much) faster and the camera is (much) better.

The Best Part

The camera. The Titan II's sensor is a clear champion—and certainly one of the best phone cams we've ever peeped, anywhere, in both broad daylight and the dim depths. Sample comparisons below.

(Note: all comparisons are Titan I/Titan II/Lumia 900, from left to right)

The Titan II flexes its nighttime guns here—and trust, you're going to care about that more than anything, as this will likely be your go-to drunk night out camera, not a DSLR. The original Titan, sadly, slaps Nokia across the face here.
More great exposure from the Titan II here, and evidence of its terrific color reproduction. The plant looks like a plant should. Aloe. It's soothing.
The Titan II's detail is unbeatable here, without any of the weird blue tint from Nokia's big blue phone.

Tragic Flaw

The screen. Sixteen megapixel photos! Awesome! 800 x 480 screen resolution! What a waste! Microsoft please fix this! Really soon! Thanks!

This Is Weird...

A 16-megapixel camera, but only generic 720p video? Big bummer.

Should You Buy It?

If the old Titan appealed to you, yes—it's the exact same phone with a very nice camera and LTE warp speed. On the other hand, it's the exact same phone in every way but those two ways—not exactly an investment in your powerful mobile feature.

HTC Titan II

• Price: $200, with AT&T contract
• Display: 4.7-inch 800 x 480
• Camera: 16 MP rear, 1.3 MP front, 720p video
• Memory: 512 MB
• Storage: 16 GB (internal only)
• Size: 5.2 x 2.7 x0.4 inches, 0.39 pounds
• Giz Rank: 4 stars

Kingston HyperX 3K SSD review round-up: Cheaper than its predecessor and almost as good

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/kingston-hyperx-3k-ssd-review-round-up-cheaper-than-its-predece/

Kingston HyperX 3K SSD review round-up: Cheaper than its predecessor and almost as good

Kingston's new HyperX 3K SSD has appeared, powered by a second-generation SandForce SF-2281 processor. Sizes ranging from 90GB to 480GB and are appropriately priced between $140 to $700 -- depending on your storage tastes. With a SATA 6Gb/s interface wrapped in a black and aluminum casing, the HyperX 3K looks ready to spar with Intel's similarly SandForce-powered SSDs. Kingston's 2.5-inch drives have also finished the review party circuit, picking up some pretty positive responses. According to Anandtech's testing, the HyperX 3K performs almost as well as its 5K predecessor, landing just behind it for light workload tests (309.4 MB/s on average) and a heavy workload performance (225.8 MB/s) that netted it second place. Overall, they reckon the HyperX 3K is a "no-brainer," offering great performance for less of those hard-earned dollars.

The relatively rugged design was the first thing that caught Storage Review's eye, due to Kingston's (presumably necessary) thermal armor. The site was suitably impressed by read rates, which were comparable to the original HyperX SSD. Write performance didn't hold up quite as well during tests and due to the reduced quality of the NAND memory used, you will see a drop on total write cycles possible -- something that mainstream users probably won't lose much sleep over. Storage Review maintains that wh! en it co mes to both performance and pricing, Kingston's latest "delivers on both fronts." You can take a closer look at what both reviews have to say -- and a whole load of tests -- at the sources below.

Kingston HyperX 3K SSD review round-up: Cheaper than its predecessor and almost as good originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel adds rugged Studybook tablet to its student-friendly Classmate lineup

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/intel-studybook-announced-classmate/

File this under: "Wait, that didn't happen already?" Intel just announced the Studybook, that tablet you see up there, and believe it or not it's only the first slate to join the company's lineup of Classmate products for schools. That's sort of wild, given the popularity of tablets and also the fact that there are so many kid-proof models floating around. And yet, the closest Intel had come until now was with the Convertible Classmate PC, a device that was more of a netbook with a touchscreen.

Like the rest of Intel's Classmate series, the Studybook is meant to find a home in schools here in the US and around the globe, including developing markets. And by most measures, this reference design is exactly the kind of product you would have expected Intel to cook up for such an audience. Starting with raw specs, you're looking at a 7-inch (1024 x 600), Atom-powered tablet that can be configured to run either Android or Windows 7, depending on the school district's needs. As you'd expect, it's been designed to take a beating from careless kids: the plastic, 525-gram (1.2-pound tablet) can withstand 70-centimeter (2.3-foot) drops and has a rubber band reinforcing the bezel to keep sand and other elements out. You'll also find rubber gasketing around the ports, which include USB 2.0, HDMI, a headphone jack and microSD / SIM slots. Though it c! omes sta ndard with 1GB of RAM, the amount of built-in storage will vary from school to school: four to 32 gigs, or a 128GB SSD.

Just as important as the specs is the software package, which includes Kno's e-reader app, as well as the LabCam suite, which lets you do things like attach a special lens (sold separately) to use that rear-facing 2-megapixel camera as a microscope. As for price, Intel is quick to emphasize it doesn't set the cost (that would be OEMs), but it believes manufacturers who use this design can sell the finished product for $200 or less. No word, then, on when this might show up in a classroom near you, but for now we've got hands-on photos below and a pair of walk-through videos just past the break.

Gallery: Intel Studybook press photos

Gallery: Intel Studybook reference design hands-on

Continue reading Intel adds rugged Studybook tablet to its student-friendly Classmate lineup

Intel adds rugged Studybook tablet to its student-friendly Classmate lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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D-Link releases budget-priced MovieNite streaming media player

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/d-link-releases-budget-priced-movienite-streaming-media-player/

D-Link releases budget-priced MovieNite streaming media player

Better late than never, right? D-Link has finally decided to join the likes of Roku and Apple at the media streaming party with its new MovieNite device. It offers 1080p video content from Vudu, Netflix and YouTube, plus music streaming from Pandora and access to Picasa as well. Connectivity comes courtesy of 802.11n WiFi and a 10/100 Ethernet port, and plugs into your TV via HDMI 1.4 or composite video connections. You can control the thing with the included remote or via your handset with the free MovieNite remote app for Android or iOS. At 4.8 x 4.6 x 1.1 inches in size, it's a bit bigger than the offerings from Apple and Roku, but its $59.99 list price provides a cheaper avenue to 1080p content than either. It's available now exclusively at Walmart, and is currently a bargain at $48 online, though your in-store mileage may vary. PR's after the break.

Continue reading D-Link releases budget-priced MovieNite streaming media player

D-Link releases budget-priced MovieNite streaming media player originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix for Android updated with fresher UI for volume controls, other 'stability improvements'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/netflix-for-android-updated-with-user-interface-changes/

netflix for android app

Heads-up, Android users -- Netflix has just issued a revised build of its app on the aforementioned platform, and while the changelog here is but three points long, they seem to be somewhat significant. For starters, there's a polished user interface, particularly dealing with the volume control function, allowing users to more easily tweak levels as well as fast-forward / rewind. There are also a number of unspecified stability improvements and bug fixes, with some Motorola tablet owners reporting far smoother streaming. Updated it yourself? Let us know how it's going in comments below (and hit the source for a link to Google Play).

Netflix for Android updated with fresher UI for volume controls, other 'stability improvements' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Micron ships RealSSD C400 mSATA SSD into slender Ultrabooks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/micron-ships-realssd-c400-msata-ssd-ultrabook-drive/

micron crucial realssd msata c400

The only problem with mobile gizmos getting even more mobile? The cost of those bantam components squeezed within 'em. That said, at least we have the option to trim a few more millimeters from the chassis of our next-generation laptops, as Micron has announced a new mSATA solid state drive that's engineered specifically for the increasingly crowded Ultrabook market. The RealSSD C400 emanates realness, boasting a form factor that's around the size of a business card and arriving with capacities ranging from 32GB to 256GB with a SATA 6Gbps interface. Furthermore, Micron has tapped its 25 nanometer process technology to craft these things, with OEMs having access to the first lot; upgraders can look forward to a Crucial-branded version later this year, but who knows how much you'll have to pay.

Continue reading Micron ships RealSSD C400 mSATA SSD into slender Ultrabooks

Micron ships RealSSD C400 mSATA SSD into slender Ultrabooks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Optimus 4X HD holds its own against HTC One X in initial benchmarks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/lg-optimus-4x-gets-benchmarks/

LG Optimus 4X HD gets initial benchmarks, holds its own against One X

When we first laid our hands on LG's Optimus 4X at Mobile World Congress, we were left with mixed impressions, which was due in part to its pre-release software. While the phone tore through web pages and pinch-to-zoom actions with 1080p video, it struggled to keep pace with LG's own custom UI -- an unfortunate echo of our experience with the Optimus 2X. Now, LG's latest superphone has been put through the rigors of a few popular benchmark tests, which confirm there's plenty of quad-core, Tegra 3 potential inside this beast. While the Optimus 4X HD was easily surpassed by the One X in Quadrant tests, it actually bested HTC's premiere handset in the similar AnTuTu benchmark. Keep in mind, these aren't final scores, as we'll perform our own tests with a retail unit, but if you'd like to see how everything unfolded, just hop the break.

Continue reading LG Optimus 4X HD holds its own against HTC One X in initial benchmarks

LG Optimus 4X HD holds its own against HTC One X in initial benchmarks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 03:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, April 09, 2012

Flameless Smoker Ups Your Grill Game Without Fire [Daily Desired]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5900324/flameless-smoker-ups-your-grill-game-without-fire

Flameless Smoker Ups Your Grill Game Without Fire Smoked meat is delicious, but most people don't have the room in their homes, let alone their budgets, to buy a hefty smoker. But if you're jonesin' for that delicious flavor, Hammacher Shlemmer has your number, and you don't even have to slave away all afternoon building a fire or getting the grill to the perfect temperature.

The Flameless Grill Smoker ($39) can sit right on top of either a gas stove or hot coals. Its eight s-shaped vents let enough oxygen in to make smoke, but not enough to ignite flames, cooking your meat low and slow, infusing just the right flavor.

Made from 20-gauge 304 steel, it has a convenient 13-inch handle so you can easily remove it from the stove, and it can hold 8 oz of wood chips. At this point your mind should be wandering to thoughts of succulent cedar plank salmon. [Hammacher Schlemmer via 7Gadgets]

Mass Effect moaners kinda get their own way as people power strikes again

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/09/mass-effect-activism-kinda-wins/

SPOILERS. Who can't name a beloved TV series that didn't end the way you wanted? BSG? Lost? Sapphire and Steel? Blake's Seven? Quantum Leap? The Sopranos? All of which ended either with tear-inducing bum-notes or confusing conclusions that caused furious head scratching. Despite that, the traditional reaction is to say "Well, I didn't enjoy that, but I respect the writer's artistic decision." Not so for gamers who felt short-changed by the intentionally devastating conclusion to Mass Effect 3. Fans of the game poured their outrage online, developer BioWare saying that the feedback it had received was "incredibly painful." A fan campaign that raised $80,000 in under a fortnight for Child's Play was enough to make the team behind the title concede defeat against the geo-political disruptor that is the internet with a cause. The company is now devoting all of its efforts to producing an "extended cut" DLC for the summer, but fans expecting a fourth ending where they can watch Commander Shepard on a sun-lounger, margarita in hand had better start complaining now -- the new content will only offer more depth and an extended epilogue to those tragic scenes you've already witnessed. SPOILERS END

Continue reading Mass Effect moaners! kinda g et their own way as people power strikes again

Mass Effect moaners kinda get their own way as people power strikes again originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer's C120 pico projector goes on sale, ready to be powered by your PC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/09/acers-c120-pico-projector-goes-on-sale-ready-to-be-powered-by/

Unless you had a particularly keen eye for tiny projectors, you may well have missed the announcement of Acer's C120, back at CES. The palm-sized pico projector has now hit the market, weighing in at an ultraportable 6.34 ounces. The peripheral features a USB connection, which can be used to power the device when it's plugged into a PC. The C120's also got a quick-starting LED lamp, which can display presentations in WVGA or WXGA. Business people, teachers and lovers of tiny projectors alike can pick this guy up now for $259. Not sold? Watch a projection-worthy video presentation from CES, after the break.

Continue reading Acer's C120 pico projector goes on sale, ready to be powered by your PC

Acer's C120 pico projector goes on sale, ready to be powered by your PC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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