Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Mozilla aims to socialize app shopping with Marketplace for Firefox OS (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/mozilla-marketplace-prototype/

Firefox OS has an uphill battle to impress consumers, and Mozilla is hoping that the social app store it's developing will be the thing that sets it apart. Marketplace designer Liu Liu took to Mozilla's blog to discuss the team's decision to focus on "the feed," which appears to share content much like a social media site. In this brave new Marketplace, users would be able to customize their homepages, receive personalized suggestions, like specific apps and view download statistics. To create a friendlier environment, Mozilla has also included profile photos so you can put a face to the name behind the apps. Liu was careful to point out that the Marketplace prototype is, for the time being, a concept, not a product, and it'll certainly undergo several rounds of revisions before it's ready to unleash upon the world. To learn more, read Liu's blog post at the source or check out the video after the break.

Filed under: Software, Mobile

Via: The Next Web

Source: Mozilla

Kyocera piezoelectric film speaker delivers 180-degree sound to thin TVs and tablets (update: live photos)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/kyocera-piezoelectric-film-speaker/

The thinner our devices become, the less room there is for speakers and other thicker components. Kyocera has a solution, however: it just modified its Smart Sonic Receiver conduction technology for use with conventional, over-the-air audio. The company's new Smart Sonic Sound device still relies on a piezoelectric actuator, but vibrates against a film to generate as much volume as a regular speaker in a far thinner (under 1.5mm thick) design. The new speaker might even sound better than its traditional counterparts. It delivers full volume and quality in a 180-degree listening arc, and it's responsive enough to recreate very subtle noises. Smart Sonic Sound is already shipping in LG's 55-inch curved OLED TV, and Kyocera expects it to reach laptops, tablets and other devices where interior space is valuable.

Update: Our colleagues at Engadget Japanese have posted their first-hand look at Kyocera's speaker technology, complete with a gallery of live photos; we've posted two of them here.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Laptops, Tablets, HD, Mobile, LG

Source: Kyocera

Aereo CEO reveals an Android app is launching this September

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/aereo-android-app-launching-in-september/

Aereo CEO reveals an Android app is launching this September

In more than one way, Aereo keeps growing and growing, and it looks as if it's getting ready to grow a little more. According to the International Business Times, Aereo CEO, Chet Kanojia, has confirmed to the publication that an official Android app for the TV streaming service is on its way. More specifically, Aereo's chief says the application will be launching in the month of September, which would be right around the same time as the unconventional cable provider prepares to debut in Chicago. No word on when exactly we can expect the Aereo app to arrive on the Play store, but given how August only has about two full days left in it, it's safe to say it'll be sooner rather than later. In the meantime, there's always the option to watch on your computer -- or, hey, maybe a dear friend would be kind enough to let you borrow an iOS device.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet

Via: GigaOM

Source: International Business Times

Black Betty 2K camera can shoot, cut and upload video with built-in Mac Mini

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/black-betty-2k-camera-mac-mini/

The Black Betty company has just hit the scene with a cinema camera that pulls an astounding trick -- it's got a freaking desktop computer jammed into the body. Camera-wise, there's a 2/3-inch 2K sensor with a 16mm lens mount developed by Silicon Imaging and used in films like Slumdog Millionaire. That'll capture 2K or 1080p, 160-500 ISO footage at up to 30fps (or more for lower resolutions), and bring 11 stops of dynamic range via CineForm compressed RAW files. The feature that made us triple-take, though, is the built-in Apple Mac Mini with a 2.5-inch SSD for recording, letting you edit and even upload in-camera. That can be detached from the camera head and its 7-inch, 720p monitor, then tethered via ethernet. It can only be rented for now, but No Film School said the 10-pound heft made it very well balanced, and it sports a nice retro look, too -- who knew a sideways Mac Mini could double for a movie camera magazine?

Filed under: Cameras

Via: No Film School

Source: Black Betty Cameras

Facebook releases cross-platform SDK for Unity titles, looks to boost 3D and mobile gaming

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/facebook-unity-cross-platform-sdk/

If the folks from Facebook and Unity have their way, you -- and everyone you know -- will be playing mobile 3D titles directly on the social network. The two companies have been working together since March to boost user engagement with games on Facebook, and a cross-platform SDK released today should go a long way toward reaching a broader audience. Available for download via Unity's developer site, the new kit lets devs port their mobile games to Facebook.com and integrate social experiences -- such as posting achievements to your Timeline -- into core titles, regardless of whether gamers are on Android, iOS or the web. And the companies are making this process quite easy for devs; bringing titles to several platforms only requires a line of code.

A handful of games, including Cmune's UberStirke, Madfinger's Shadowgun: Deadzone and Nival's King's Bounty: Legions, have already incorporated the new SDK, and Unity is no doubt hoping that other devs will follow suit. This isn't the first time the gaming engine has extended a helping hand to developers -- it's been known to drop licensing fees, for instance. Here's hoping this means a wider selection of Facebook titles is just around the corner.

Filed under: Gaming, Mobile, Facebook

Via: All Things D, CNet

Source: Facebook Developer Blog

Samsung to show off 98-inch Ultra HD video wall, 31.5-inch 4K monitor at IFA 2013

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/samsung/

As surely as there will be another round of tradeshows this fall and winter, companies like Samsung will be there with bigger and better tech to show off, which consists of new 4K displays this time around. At IFA 2013, Samsung plans to show off this 98-inch commercial Ultra HD "video wall", as well as a 31.5-inch Ultra HD monitor. Samsung unveiled its 85-inch UHDTV at CES earlier this year it promised sizes would grow so we're not surprised it's combining slim-bezeled versions to create this massive screen headed to storefronts near you. There's no picture yet for the 31.5-inch monitor and few details, but Samsung is ready to battle with competition from the likes of ASUS and Sharp with detailed color calibration adjustments and support for 99 percent of Adobe's RGB space.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

Source: Samsung Korea

HTC's mid-range market strategy in China continues as 4.3-inch 301e gets certified

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/htc-301e-tenaa/

Lately, China's TENAA telephone certification center has been an even bigger tattletale than the FCC, and it just leaked another unannounced handset: the HTC 301e. While likely not coming to the US, the dual-SIM device is another cog in CEO Peter Chou's plan to grow its mid-range end smartphone stable in China. It also has some One design touches, like the top speaker grill and two button design. Otherwise, it's scraping the bottom of the mid-range, with a 4.3-inch 480 x 800 screen, 1GHz dual-core CPUs, 512MB RAM, WCDMA 3G, 8GB of storage expandable to 64GB via microSD and a 5-megapixel camera. While that won't set anyone's hair on fire, it does show that HTC is serious about more than just flagships in China.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

Via: Techkiddy

Source: TENAA (translated)

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Twitter now displays conversations in chronological order (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/twitter-update-conversations/

Twitter has always been a great place to discuss hard-hitting news (like Miley Cyrus' puzzling evolution), but following conversations can feel a bit like a mining expedition. The company has taken note, and a new update to the website, iOS and Android apps -- available today -- makes engaging in conversations on Twitter a much more intuitive process. Now, the first tweet in a chain will show up on your timeline above the replies, allowing you to read the conversation in chronological order. Up to two subsequent related tweets will be connected to the first by a vertical blue line; for lengthy conversations, you can continue reading with a simple tap. To learn more, check out Twitter's video after the break.

Filed under: Software

Source: Twitter, Google Play, iTunes

Dual-SIM HTC One Max for China Unicom leaked, may pack a fingerprint reader

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/htc-one-max-fingerprint-scanner-dual-sim/

Much like HTC itself, leaksters have also been hard at work to help promote this company. Courtesy of ePrice, the latest spy shots feature the upcoming 5.9-inch One Max, and specifically, this is a dual-SIM model destined for China Unicom. Like the One Dual (or better known as 802w, 802t or 802d in China), this much bigger device sports a removable metallic back cover for access to the dual SIM slots, along with what appears to be a microSD slot at the top right corner. There are also a set of docking pins towards the bottom right on the back, so chances are we'll see official dock accessories for this bad boy.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

Via: Engadget Chinese

Source: ePrice

Shopify's integrated retail platform merges online and in-store sales (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/shopify-point-of-sale-platform/

Mobile payment options like Square have been a boon to small business owners, and now Shopify is looking to expand the potential of point of sale systems with its new platform. The company is branching out from its online retail roots by offering a way to merge in-store and internet sales with a combined inventory system. Shop owners can choose which items they want to sell online or in their brick and mortar stores, while the POS app synchronizes the process. Additionally, Shopify comes with an iPad-compatible credit card reader, email receipts and detailed analytics. If you're in the market for an integrated retail system, the expanded hardware kit might be worth checking out; it includes a cash drawer, iPad stand and receipt printer. For more information, check out the video after the break.

Filed under: Misc, Software

Source: Shopify

Whoa, Graphene Can Make Other Metals 500 Times Stronger

Source: http://gizmodo.com/whoa-graphene-can-make-other-metals-500-times-stronger-1214695840

Whoa, Graphene Can Make Other Metals 500 Times Stronger

We've heard about plenty of promising electronic applications for miracle material graphene from headphones, to super-fast transistors, to crazy camera sensors, and even solar-powered paint. But now scientists have found a way to leverage its raw strength, by using it to make metal up to 500 times stronger.

Panasonic refreshes Let's Note lineup, says LX is world's lightest 14-inch notebook

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/panasonic-lets-note-lx-lightest-14-inch-notebook/

Though Panasonic's Let's Note laptops are only sold in Japan, it's nice to know how the other half lives, isn't it? The company just updated three models in the lineup, including the 12.1-inch SX and NX, along with the flagship 14-inch LX. Panasonic claims the latter is now the world's lightest 14-inch notebook at 1.14kg (about 2.5 pounds), provided it's equipped with a 256GB SSD and lightweight batteries. Despite that lack of heft, it still manages to pack an Intel Core-i7 CPU, a 1,600 x 900 display, 4GB of RAM, and an 11-hour battery into the boxy case. The 12.1-inch SX and NX are similarly spec'd, but have a Core-i5 processor option as well (the NX can only be had with a Core-i5). Those models will power along for 15 hours with the lightest batteries, while also tipping the scales at around 2.5 pounds. While excellent, that's still far from the 1.9 pound. 13-inch Inhon Blade carbon -- and let's not even discuss thinness. Pricing and availability have yet to be disclosed.

Filed under: Laptops

Source: Panasonic Japan (translated)

Flutter: A $20 wireless Arduino with a long reach

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/flutter-a-20-wireless-arduino-with-a-long-reach/

If the words "ARM-powered wireless Arduino" send your heart aflutter, then you might be interested in... Flutter -- a development platform with the aforementioned qualities. The Kickstarter project claims the device has a usable range of over half a mile, letting you nail that wireless letterbox-checker project with ease. Similar tools, such as Xbee and Zigbee already exist, but the $20 price tag for the Flutter basic, and $30 for Flutter Pro (adds battery charging, another button, more memory) make this a tempting option for tinkerers on a budget. So, if building that mesh network of quadrocopters has been sitting at the top of your to-do list for too long, we recommend you get backing right now.

Filed under: Networking, Internet

Via: Ycombinator

Source: Kickstarter

Logitech's Ultrathin Touch Mouse complements your Ultrabook for $70 (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/logitech-ultrathin-touch-mouse/

Many portable mice are fairly chunky, which can be tricky when you've got a slim bag packed with an Ultrabook or a MacBook Air. Logitech's set out to solve this problem with its $70 Ultrathin Touch mouse. The aluminum-clad pointing device features an ultra-svelte wedge design with a smooth top for touch gestures. A flick of a switch on the mouse lets you switch between two Bluetooth-connected devices, and a one-minute charge over USB gives it enough juice to last about one hour. The Ultrathin Touch Mouse will arrive in black this September and in white come November.

Filed under: Peripherals

Source: Logitech

Parallels Access: Control Your Computer From Anywhere With Your iPad

Source: http://gizmodo.com/parallels-access-remotely-access-your-computer-from-yo-1210699642

Parallels Access turns your iPad into a porthole to your more powerful (and heavier) Windows or Mac computers somewhere else. Connecting the your iPad to your remote machine through the cloud is the (relatively) easy part. The real magic is how Parallels Access elegantly shrinks your desktop applications into manageable tablet apps.

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