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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

This Nifty App Lets Consumers Scan Bar Codes To See Product Reviews

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-nifty-app-lets-consumers-scan-bar-codes-to-see-product-reviews-2012-8

Consumr, app

Consumr is a clever new app that lets shoppers find product reviews by scanning an item's barcode. Even better, it might help them save money.

On the mobile site, items are ranked from one to five stars, and users sound off on every aspect of a product from its flavor to price.

People scan items for reviews, view an Instagram-like feed of reviews on Discover, or browse categories like grocery and personal care via Search. It's like Pinterest with the crowdsourcing of Yelp.

"It's about bringing your friends into the conversation," said CEO Ryan Charles of the outsourced reviews. "On Facebook, any friends can see what products you like, and you can follow users to help facilitate that decision-making process. It's like a Wikipedia of products."

For shoppers prone to buying things they regret, the app is also useful for dodging buyer's remorse.

"I realized that shopping at grocery and drugstores is really a tough experience, and since most purchases happen at bricks-and-mortars, I wanted to give people information about these consumer products," Charles said.

The CEO, who worked on Zagat's mobile apps before Consumr, got the idea for the app after hearing his sister gripe about buying leaky diapers. To broaden the user experience—and help others avoid horror stories like hers—he added tabs like Alternatives and Nutrition, so people can see more than reviews and see whether a product fits their lifestyle.

The app does have some dow! nsides: It lacks key categories like pets, generic groceries and school supplies, and could do more in the way of price comparison, though prices tend to vary from state to state.

Consumr might also want to restructure its Experts feed since its hard to tell an expert from an average joe review. Since discovery is Consumr's strongest selling point so far, shoppers will want an easier way to curate their feed, and at the moment there's no clear way to go about it.

Price: Free on iTunes

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Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/nikon-coolpix-s800c-android-camera-pricing-ship-date-details/

It's here: the first Android-powered camera, and it's one that you'd actually consider buying. Nikon's $349.95 Coolpix S800c is nearly as slim as a smartphone from the middle of last decade, boasting inbuilt GPS (you know, for excessive geotagging), a 10x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, 3.5-inch OLED WVGA touchscreen, a 1080p movie capture mode and Android 2.3. That's right -- there's a bona fide copy of Android running the show on a point-and-shoot camera, something that it seems Nikon beat Samsung to the punch with. Put simply, it possesses the ability to generate its own network and tether with your phone, and users can also download photo sharing applications directly onto the cam's 4GB of internal storage. Needless to say, we're anxiously awaiting our chance to see how Android handles on a camera (and how it impacts battery life), and you can find out yourself when it hits shelves in black / white motifs next month.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S800c photo gallery

Continue reading Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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4K, 84-inch 'ultra' HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/lg-4k-84-inch-uhdtv/

Just in time to completely blow away that puny flat screen you nabbed for your dorm room, LG has announced its 84-inch ultra high definition LCD TV is ready to ship in South Korea. The company put its first UHDTV up for pre-ordering last month, at a price of 25 million won, which currently converts to about $22,105 US. The 84LM9600 does 3D with LG's Cinema 3D passive glasses technology, however its ultra high pixel count means you're still watching in 1080p even with the resolution loss since it starts at 3,840 x 2,160, and also features "3D sound" with integrated 2.2 channel speakers.

The bad news of course is that finding actual 4K res content is practically impossible, despite recent work on standards and even some testing by broadcasters. Still, plug this into a BDP-S790 Blu-ray player, certain PS3 apps or just output the latest video you've shot and it should be worth the price of admission, assuming you're one of the (presumably) well-heeled Korean VIP customers that managed to snag one so far. If you're not then don't worry -- the press release (included after the break) reveals you'll have your chance once they start shipping worldwide in September, we plan to get our eyes on a production model at IFA 2012 in Germany.

Continue reading 4K, 84-inch 'ultra' ! HDTV fro m LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

4K, 84-inch 'ultra' HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/gonote-10-inch-hybrid-netbook-tablet-bringing-ice-cream-sandwi/

Ergo Electronics, the company behind the GoTab, is looking to help bring Android to UK classrooms in the form of the GoNote, a combo tablet / netbook running Ice Cream Sandwich. The device has a 10-inch 1024 x 600 display, a 1.2GHz ARM Rockchip RK2918, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, expandable via a MicroSD slot. Aimed at students, the GoNote also has four USB 2.0 ports and a VGA camera on-board. It'll be hitting in the UK in September for £150 ($236) in black and white options. More info in the press release after the break.

Continue reading GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month

GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 02:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook adds mention tagging to Open Graph for more efficient name-dropping

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/facebook-mention-tagging-open-graph/

Facebook has given developers that link to the social network with Open Graph a new way let let users play tag with their friends -- while also increasing exposure to their app. It's called mention tagging, and allows a user to link a friend in the text body of a message, and is not to be confused with action tagging, an existing feature which references friends only in story text. The option requires a deliberate action by the user, so the developer must implement a way to clearly show how to do that with an icon (as shown above for Foursquare) or drop-down menu, for instance. Apps must also distinguish between action and mention tags, and are not allowed to pre-fill them in the message -- that can only be done by the user. Though no privacy changes are needed, Facebook requires apps using the feature to request user approval before any action can be taken. All that would increase tagging and app visibility significantly -- so developers will likely be all over it.

Filed under: Internet

Facebook adds mention tagging to Open Graph for more efficient name-dropping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/pioneer-launches-rekordbox-mobile-app/

If you were twiddling your thumbs waiting for Pioneer's XDJ-AERO to come out, you might want to head on over to iTunes or the Play store instead. Why? Because the mobile rekordbox companion app for iOS and Android has just been released. If you were thinking it'd just be a basic music management tool, then you'll be pleasantly surprised. Sure, you can import tracks, to then play on the XDJ-AERO (and other Pioneer DJ products that support WiFi), but you can also set up loop points, hot cues, analyze tracks, create playlists, and even experiment with ideas on the fly. This means you can get your tracks prepped up wherever you are, and turn up to the party good to go, be it on your own gear or a friends'. This is also what you'll need if you want to make use of the forthcoming controller's WiFi functionality, although it can also be used to connect with the desktop version of the program if you're already using it. The app is free, and available now, just head down to the source to line those beats up.

Continue reading Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment

Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time originally appeared! on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech's Washable Keyboard K310 doesn't mind a good scrubbin', hits shelves this month for $40

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/logitechs-washable-keyboard-k310-doesnt-mind-a-good-scrubbin/

We've all been there. At some point, that keyboard will build up months of our finger grime. Of course, the white-keyed peripherals are much worse for the filthy wear. For those looking to take an easier route to cleaning up their keypads, Logitech has announced the K310 washable keyboard. Capable of being submerged in up to 11 inches (about 30 cm) of water, the accessory is outfitted with drainage holes to allow for a quick dry and keys are marked with laser printing and UV coating to ensure a youthful appearance. Take note: this unit is wired, so you'll want be sure to keep that USB connector nice and dry. In addition to being able to hold its breath in shallow water, the keys are said to last for up to five million keystrokes each. The K310 will hit desks -- and sinks -- in the US later this month for $40 and is expected to cross the pond to Europe in October. Need a closer look? Dive into the gallery below to do just that.

Gallery: Logitech K310 washable keyboard

Continue reading Logitech's Washable Keyboard K310 doesn't mind a good scrubbin', hits shelves this month for $40

Filed under: Peripherals

Logitech's Washable Keyboard K310 doesn't mind a good scrubbin', hits shelves this month for $40 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kingmax intros speedy, SandForce-packing SATA III Client Pro SSD

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/kingmax-intros-speedy-sandforce-packing-sata-iii-client-pro-ssd/

Kingmax is known for pushing the limits now and then with its flash storage, so we're intrigued when it puts out a high-end solid-state drive for the mainstream. Its new SATA III Client Pro SSD lives up to that bill with the combination of a SandForce controller and faster flash memory that can reach some heady speeds for gamers and simple speed freaks alike. With the right drive and ideal conditions, we're looking at a brisk 550MB/s for sequential reads, 520MB/s for similarly ordered writes and a very capable 85,000 IOPS when writing at random. Kingmax isn't directly providing prices or release details, but it's offering capacities from 60GB to 480GB as well both laptop-focused (SMU32) and desktop-friendly (SMU35) kits. The Client Pro-inclined can find the full nuts-and-bolts details after the break.

Continue reading Kingmax intros speedy, SandForce-packing SATA III Client Pro SSD

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Storage

Kingmax intros speedy, SandForce-packing SATA III Client Pro SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:24:00 EDT.! Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/nikon-coolpix-s800c-android-camera-hands-on/

It was only hours ago when Nikon officially unveiled the Coolpix S800c, but we've already laid our hands on this eccentric device. As you've probably already heard, the main selling point here is that said "smart camera" is powered by a slick (and near-vanilla) Android 2.3.3 with Google services, so with the built-in WiFi, you can upload your 16-megapixel images or 1080p videos straight to your various social networks or other cloud services. Or you can, if you're in the mood, just play Angry Birds on the S800c, but that 1,050mAh battery might not be ideal for prolonged entertainment. Sadly, we weren't allowed to share any images taken with the demo units (sorry, usual Nikon protocol), but what we can tell you is that both the camera's speed and quality weren't bad at all, and likewise with the 3.5-inch 854 x 480 OLED multitouch display -- the high pixel density makes the PenTile arrangement more forgivable.

The most interesting thing we discovered was that it seems the camera part of the S800c can run independently from Android while the latter is still booting up. You see, rather than letting the device stay on standby like most other Android devices, Nikon uses a shut-down timer that activates once Android goes on standby. When the camera's completely switched off, hit the power button and you'll go straight into camera mode which lets you shoot immediately, then about half a minute later the interface seamlessly goes back to smart mode, which is when you can hit the back or home button to toggle the Android unlock screen (though we'd rather go straight i! nto the home screen). This cunning trick would probably explain why we couldn't get any internal hardware detail from the few benchmark tools we installed, but we did squeeze out a score of 614 in Vellamo -- detailed breakdown in the gallery below. Anyhow, you can see the camera in action in the video after the break.

The Nikon Coolpix S800c will be available next month for $350 in the US and £379 in the UK. As always, stay tuned for our review.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera

Conti nue reading Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video)

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/inmarsat-brings-prepaid-model-to-satellite-phone-calls/

If you need a satellite phone, then you need a satellite phone. There's no getting around it. Researchers, government contractors and workers in remote locations around the globe rely on their near universal (and extremely expensive) coverage to keep in touch while out in the field. That has normally meant pricey, long-term contracts that lock users into service much like our nation's cellular providers. Satellite operator Inmarsat is finally providing an alternative for those that need truly global coverage (specifically, here in the US) by offering prepaid voice plans to owners of its IsatPhone Pro, BGAN, FleetBroadband and FleetPhone devices. The new plans, while no less expensive we're sure, should prove to be quite attractive to those that need satellite service for only short periods of time -- say, just a few months. The new plans will be available starting September 1st for those who want sat-phone service without the commitment. Check out the PR after the break.

[Photo courtesy of Tarquin Binary]

Continue reading Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls

Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls originally appeared on Engadget on W ed, 22 Aug 2012 08:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Why We're Losing the Password War [Security]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5936515/why-were-losing-the-password-war

LinkedIn, eHarmony, Yahoo—it seems like we hear about a new hack just about every week now. We all know the password rules—don't use your mom's maiden name, don't use your pets name, use numbers and random letters. But despite those guidelines, we could be more screwed than we even thought. Ars Technica has a good look at why it's so bad.

The problem, you see, is that our passwords are spreading across more and more accounts while technology makes cracking passwords ever easier. As Ars explains:

Newer hardware and modern techniques have also helped to contribute to the rise in password cracking. Now used increasingly for computing, graphics processors allow password-cracking programs to work thousands of times faster than they did just a decade ago on similarly priced PCs that used traditional CPUs alone. A PC running a single AMD Radeon HD7970 GPU, for instance, can try on average an astounding 8.2 billion password combinations each second, depending on the algorithm used to scramble them. Only a decade ago, such speeds were possible only when using pricey supercomputers..

Each time a hack happens, crackers become more attuned to the types of passwords people use to protect their accounts and the techniques they employ to make these codes more difficult to uncover. Now they have entire lists full of passwords as a model. A couple of big hacks turned the tide in 2010—one of them hit RockYou, another hit us at Gawker—but since then, they're happening more and more often, as Ars notes:

Almost as important as the precise words used to access millions of online accounts, the RockYou breach revealed the strategic thinking people often employed when they chose a passcode. For most people, the goal was to make the password both easy to remember and hard for others to guess. Not surprisingly, the RockYou list confirmed that nearly all capital letters come at the beginning of a password; almost all numbers and punctuation show up at the end. It also revealed a strong tendency to use first names followed by years, such as Julia1984 or Christopher1965.

So what's the solution? Honestly, beyond everything you've already heard a million times about changing your passwords frequently, there may not be one. Head over to Ars if you want to feel even less secure than you already do. [Ars Technica]

Image credit: Yellowj/Shutterstock

Bowers & Wilkins P3 Review: The Sound Is There, but the Luxury Is Spare [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5936695/bowers--wilkins-p3-review-the-sound-is-there-but-the-luxury-is-spare

That Bowers & Wilkins makes excellent audio products is not up for discussion. The company's product history speaks for itself, ranging from outstanding iProduct docks to speakers made from diamonds. Even the Queen weighed in. A few years ago, B&W started making headphones, releasing the sensational P5s. The P3s are that product's little brother: $100 cheaper, with an additional trick up their cables.

What Is It?

High-class, high-buck headphones that fold up for easy travelin'.

Who's it For?

Frequent bizclass fliers, urban warriors not afraid of getting jacked, rich students, animal lovers.

Design

No animals died to make these headphones: Though they look a lot like the P5s, there's soft-touch plastic and speaker cloth in place of leather and brushed aluminum; this makes them feel like the lower-end product they are. The engineering, however, is still top-notch: B&W gave the P3 a double cord (ie, it comes out of both earcups) instead of a single cord because engineers had to re-design the driver enclosures to maximize airflow for a small space. Dope.

Using It

Sound is excellent, which is to be expected from a serious-business company like B&W—balanced and full, a little less bassy than the P5s, but nothing to whine about. They're quick firing off rapid sound salvos with equal oomph on every shot. The speaker cloth-covered earpads take some getting used to, but they keep your ears from getting swampy during long sessions.

The Best Part

Build quality is exceptional, a bounty of positive onomatopoeias: The 'phones fold up with a positive click; magnetic earpads catch hold of their cups with a satisfying thunk; the black, taco-shaped hard case snaps shut like it's trying to bite off your finger.

Tragic Flaw

Soft touch plastic. Everywhere. This is not a luxury material, it's a goddamn travesty. It belongs on the backs of phones and tablets, where you need a grip, not on an otherwise wonderful piece of gear. It's in such abundance—around the earcups, on top of the headband—that it just makes the whole product feel a little cheap. And this stuff does not wear well. Once it starts taking on that rubbed-down shine, these beautiful 'phones are gonna look like crap.

This Is Weird...

Folded up, in the case, it feels like the P3s take up more room in your bag than the un-foldable P5s in their quilted slipcase.

Test Notes

Listened to more than 100 hours of high-fidelity, low-quality, music—crap like Styx, Rush, Men at Work, and LOTS of Bluegrass. Oh, and Flo Rida—from a variety or sources: iPhone, iPod, HTC One X, Nokia Lumia 800, digital out to a Topping TP32 DAC.
Fucking soft-touch plastic.
Fuzzed for 72 hours using a looped brown noise track I made in a sound design class in college.
Available in black or white, but the white looks stupid.
Comes with a standard cord and one sporting an inline remote that's Made for iPhone. Circle-R.

Should You Buy It?

Sure. Go for it. [Bowers & Wilkins]

Bowers & Wilkins P3 Specs

Frequency response: 10Hz to 20kHz *cough*
Max. input power: 50mW
Sensitivity: 111dB/V at 1kHz
Cable length: 1.2m
Weight 130g
Impedance 34 ohms
Price: $200
• Giz Rank: 3.5 stars

Would You Buy a Plasma TV or a LCD TV? [Chatroom]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5936739/would-you-buy-a-plasma-or-lcd-tv

I know, I know. We all want to enjoy a gorgeous OLED TV or eat 4K visual deliciousness in our living room but those sets are ridiculously expensive and going to be pretty unrealistic for a long while. The best TV at the moment is the Panasonic VT50, a plasma screen, but we all know people's eyeballs have their own preferences.

So let's hear it. Plasma seems to have a lot of value at bigger sizes (I'm looking at buying a 60" set) and they've long shed most of the problems that gave it a bad rep earlier in the decade, so I'm leaning in that direction but do you guys think LED LCD TVs are still king? Which looks better? Are the energy savings real? What TV should I buy? I don't want any sort of quasi-smart features, just a big, dumb, beautiful screen.

Canon announces PowerShot SX500 IS, SX160 IS superzoom cameras ahead of Photokina

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/21/canon-announces-powershot-sx500-is-sx160-is-superzoom-cameras-a/

Digital imaging buffs are certain to experience a whirlwind autumn, but there's nothing on the books saying that manufacturers need wait for the biennial Photokina expo to roll out new models. Just in time for the back-to-school season, Canon is announcing two new superzoom cams -- the SX160 IS will serve as the successor to the SX150, while the SX500 IS is an entirely new camera, set to sit alongside the company's SX40 HS and SX260 HS point-and-shoots. Both new models include identical 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors, intelligent image stabilization, a relatively modest ISO range of 100-800 and the ability to capture 720p video at 25 frames-per-second.

As you may have guessed the SX500 IS is the higher-end flavor, offering a 30x, 24-720mm lens with a maximum aperture range of f/3.4-5.8. That model boasts autofocus improvements of 32 percent and decreased shutter lag of 33 percent over the SX40 HS, Canon's former top model in this category. The SX160 IS, for its part, packs a 16x, 28-448mm f/3.5-5.9 lens and offers 22 percent faster autofocus and 46 percent less shutter lag than the SX150 it replaces. It's also powered by AA batteries, which some users may find to be an advantage, considering wide availability during trips abroad. Both cameras include 3-inch LCDs -- 461k-dot for the SX500 and 230k-dot with the SX160 -- and are set to ship in September, with the black SX500 IS priced at $330 and the SX160 IS available for $230, in both red and black.

Gallery: Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and SX160 IS

Continue reading Canon announces PowerShot SX500 IS, SX160 IS superzoom cameras ahead of Photokina

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon announces PowerShot SX500 IS, SX160 IS superzoom cameras ahead of Photokina originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diamond Multimedia outs AMP1000 Android set-top box: Gingerbread-based, 1080p, sells for $120 (update: ICS coming this week)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/21/diamond-multimedia-amp1000-android-media-player/

Diamond Multimedia's more commonly known around the web for selling Mac and PC capture cards (among other things), but as of today, the company's officially entering the set-top box game with its AMP1000. The media player itself is running a not-so-new flavor of Android -- Gingerbread, to be exact -- which will be used to bring a slew of familiar entertainment tidbits to the bigger screen, such as a media player capable of 1080p playback, an evolved internet browser and an oversized photo viewer, as well as other content like games, ebooks and magazines -- all of which can be downloaded from Google's Play repertoire. Although Diamond Multimedia's formally pricing the AMP1000 at $120, there's a Facebook-only offer that knocks the price down to a mere $100. Now, will it be enough to compete with, say, Vizio's $99 Google TV box? We'll let you be the judge of that.

Update: Well, in case you weren't fond of the AMP1000's Gingerbread innards, Diamond Multimedia's got something in the works to solve that problem. A company rep has contacted us to let us know Ice Cream Sandwich will be coming to early adopters "later this week," as well as noting that all future units will come with the creamy OS already onboard.

Gallery: Diamo! nd Multi media AMP1000 Android media player press shots