Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Qualcomm makes a timely entrance with full-featured Toq Mirasol smartwatch (hands-on video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/qualcomm-toq-smartwatch/

Qualcomm's certainly made a name for itself in the mobile chipset space, but the company's past attempts at creating a fully baked consumer device have not been tremendously successful. Take FLO TV, for example. The pocketable television receiver had potential, but a botched execution left the firm with an embarrassing failure. It's this legacy that leaves us cautiously optimistic about today's product introduction, a full-function smartwatch called Toq.

Why is Qualcomm designing, marketing and selling a smartwatch, you ask? The answer lies in a troubled display tech called Mirasol. We got our first good look at this low-power color display technology at CES back in 2010. Since then, Mirasol has had a hard time catching on, with manufacturing costs a likely culprit. We've seen new iterations each year, mostly in the form of prototype e-readers, but a decision to shutter production last summer seemingly marked the final straw for the inventive concept. Then, we regained hope following this year's SID Display Week, where two new high-res panels made their debut, including one in a smartwatch. Curiously, that wearable we saw in May bears little resemblance to the product we're meeting today, which you'll find detailed in full after the break.%Gallery-slideshow73561%

Filed under: Wearables

Source: Qualcomm

Samsung flaunts its My Magazine Flipboard-style homescreen for the Galaxy Note 3

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/samsung-flaunts-its-my-magazine-flipboard-style-homescreen-at-if/

In the midst of its numerous Unpacked Episode 2 unveilings, Samsung's just given us a peek at a new piece of the Galaxy Note 3 puzzle: My Magazine. At a glance, it looks like a mashup between Flipboard's curated magazine app and HTC's Blinkfeed-infused homescreen. That's not surprising given Samsung's recent collaboration with Flipboard, and there are similarities with that app, like different panels for news feeds and deep social integration. You can access it by swiping up from the bottom, a new twist for Samsung -- for a deeper plunge, check our Galaxy Note 3 preview post.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Samsung

Android 4.3 arriving for Galaxy S III and Galaxy S 4 in October

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/android-4-3-arriving-for-galaxy-s-3-and-galaxy-s-4-in-october/

Today's Unpacked event was all about Samsung's new Notes and its Galaxy Gear, but there's good news for folks with older hardware. Turns out, Android 4.3 is coming to the Galaxy S III and Galaxy S 4 in October along with the update that'll add Galaxy Gear functionality to the GS 4. Let's hope none of the Nexus gremlins made their way into Samsung's Galaxy.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Gear apps include Path, Pocket, RunKeeper and more

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/samsung-galaxy-gear-apps/

Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch will launch with 70 native apps, and it turns out that there's quite a few heavy-hitters in that bunch. Path is available to share photos taken from the Gear's wriststrap; Pocket users, meanwhile, can have Gear read saved articles out loud. And fitness apps will definitely be in vogue -- RunKeeper, MyFitnessPal, Phigolf and others have embraced Samsung's vision. There are too many other apps to list them all, although we've noticed big-name titles like Snapchat in the mix. If you're planning to pick up Samsung's wristwear in the next few weeks, there won't be any shortage of things to do with it.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Mobile, Samsung

Source: Pocket

Samsung opens up Knox security platform to all consumers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/samsung-opens-up-knox-security-platform-to-all-consumers/

Samsung's Knox security solution has tended to mostly garner headlines when the company's phones get approval from the likes of the US Defense Department, but it's now set to broaden its user base considerably. In addition to announcing that it's bolstering the offering with some help from Lookout, Samsung has also confirmed today that its opening the platform up to all consumers. That will give security-minded users an added layer of protection, with Knox letting you store personal data and run a set of pre-screened apps in a so-called container -- other apps can still be run outside the container, but with only limited access to your personal information. Naturally, you'll need a Samsung device to take advantage of it. The company says all of its upcoming devices will offer support for the service, and it's promising to provide details on commercial availability for the Galaxy S III, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Note II "shortly."

Filed under: Cellphones, Samsung

Source: Samsung

Xiaomi Phone 3 makes early appearance on online store ahead of launch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/xiaomi-phone-3-mi3-leak/

As this author was fiddling with his Xiaomi Phone 2S (or MI2S) in bed ahead of Xiaomi's big event tomorrow, he spotted something odd: a thumbnail of an unfamiliar device -- next to the entry-level Red Rice aka Hongmi -- in the company's online store app. Since it's a high-resolution image, we're able to zoom into our screenshot (full version after the break) to see this Lumia-like design but with a flatter back. The long flash strip also suggests that this could be a beefed-up dual-LED flash module. Other than that, there's not much else that we can pick up here.

Given the clock on this mysterious phone matches the 2pm start time of tomorrow's event, we're pretty certain that this is Xiaomi's third-gen flagship device, the MI3; and it'll likely be announced alongside the Xiaomi TV. We also recall seeing the same back cover leaked way back in February, and the side-by-side shot with the MI2 (embedded after the break) suggests that this new phone will likely have a 5-inch screen. Judging by the pattern so far, we bet it'll use Qualcomm's beastly Snapdragon 800 SoC to follow the 600 on the MI2S. Ultimately, it'll be all about the price, which is likely to be no more than CN¥1,999 or about US$330 off contract.

While the above product thumbnail appears to be stuck in the cache on our MI2S, the same spot is occupied by the proper MI2S image in the same app on our MI2A. Talk about perfect timing, eh? Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some sleep to catch.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Hisense picks up Hillcrest Labs' gesture and motion control tech for TVs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/hisense-hillcrest-labs-freespace-gesture-and-motion-control/

Following LG and TCL, Hisense is now the latest TV manufacturer to adopt Hillcrest Labs' Freespace technology. According to the agreement, Hisense, the world's fifth largest smart TV brand (as of Q1 2013, according to NPD DisplaySearch), will be able to add in-air pointing, gesture control and motion control -- all via a remote control -- to its future smart TVs and set-top boxes. This also means TCL now faces a fellow Chinese competitor with the same set of Freespace features. While there's no time frame just yet, we've been told that Hisense will eventually sell these next-gen devices in the US and China later this year, so stay tuned.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Panasonic leaks 65-inch 4K LCD, HDMI 2.0 prior to IFA announcement

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/panasonic-ifa-4k-hdmi-2.0-wt600-leak/

Panasonic is one of the few electronics companies that's not pushing a 4K TV right now, but that is apparently about to change. An AV Forums reader spotted a few webpages cached prior to the company's launch event that show off not only its upcoming 4K res WT600 television, but also details of the HDMI 2.0 spec. The current HDMI 1.4 connectors can only handle 4K content at 30fps, and the page mentions HDMI 2.0 will support at least 60fps, but any further capabilities are unknown. The Panasonic WT600 details shown include that it will support DisplayPort 1.2 as well as 4K specific features like a web browser, media player, rendering engine and THX certification. The only disappointing part, as the post points out, is that there's no sign yet of Panasonic's sweet 4K OLED prototype which combines both of this year's high-priced HDTV buzzwords in one lovely display. The HDMI licensing group has a press conference scheduled for IFA on Friday while Panasonic's is Wednesday, so it shouldn't be long before we hear more about both pieces of this puzzle, and how other manufacturers plan to react.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

Source: AV Forums

Alcatel shows off One Touch Idol Alpha's 4.7-inch display and light-up edges

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/alcatel-alpha/

Okay, so we wouldn't go so far as suggesting that Alcatel One Touch's Idol Alpha handset "takes creativity to a new level," but hey, the company's allowed to employ a little hyperbole in its press releases. That particular statement refers to the 4.7-inch handset's translucent edges, which give off light to signify things like charging and notifications. The company's also pretty psyched about the curves on the thing. "You will be attracted from the first glance of the device with its unique and sleek design which stands out from the market," according to Alcatel.

The above image likely doesn't do the curvy 7.5 millimeter thick aluminum-framed body justice (nor does it speak to the quad-core 1.2GHz processor inside), so we're holding off such attraction until we actually see one in person. Thankfully, we're already here in Berlin for IFA, so we should be doing just that in the not too distant future.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

HDMI 2.0 officially announced: 18Gbps bandwidth, 60fps 4K, 32 channel audio

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/hdmi-2-0-official-4k-60fps-32-channel-audio/

Only just after it leaked out, the folks at HDMI Licensing are announcing HDMI 2.0 officially. Arriving just in time for the wide rollout of a new generation of Ultra HDTVs, it adds a few key capabilities to the connection standard. With a bandwidth capacity of up to 18Gbps, it has enough room to carry 3,840 x 2,160 resolution video at up to 60fps. It also has support for up to 32 audio channels, "dynamic auto lipsync" and additional CEC extensions. The connector itself is unchanged, which is good for backwards compatibility but may disappoint anyone hoping for something sturdier to support all of those suddenly-popular dongles. The cables won't change either, as the group claims current high-speed Category 2 wires can handle the increased bandwidth. Some companies have suggested upgrade paths for their UHDTVs already on the market -- hopefully we'll find out more about those plans this week at IFA 2013.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

Source: HDMI.org

ASUS Zenbook UX301 will have 2,560 x 1,440 touchscreen beneath Gorilla Glass 3 case (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/asus-zenbook-ux301/

The ASUS Zenbook Infinity first showed off its icy Gorilla Glass-clad curves at Computex back in June, and now it's resurfaced in a video that's making the rounds ahead of ASUS' press conference here at IFA. Incidentally, the video hints at a new name -- the Zenbook UX301 -- and also clarifies most of the main specs. According to the video, the UX301 will have a Retina-esque 13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,440 multitouch display, a Haswell Core i7 CPU, 802.11ac WiFi and ASUS SonicMaster audio tech. The flagship Ultrabook will no doubt draw fans of thin design as well, thanks to the 15.5mm (0.64-inch) profile. We'll likely have a chance to play with it ourselves soon at ASUS's upcoming event, so stay tuned. In the meantime, there's a video after the break.

Filed under: Laptops, ASUS

Source: ASUS (YouTube)

HTC's ex-lead designer may have leaked info to China's Chengdu government

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/htc-ex-lead-designer-china-chengdu-government/

The latest development on the recent HTC saga reveals that Thomas Chien, the arrested ex-VP of Product Design, was possibly lured by the Chengdu municipal government to set up a phone company in China. According to Taiwan's Next Magazine (pictured above by sister publication Apple Daily), Chien flew to Chengdu several times in the first half of this year, which got HTC suspicious since it doesn't have any direct business there.

The alleged offer was that if Chien left HTC with some of the technology plus some money, then the municipal government would -- through another company it set up -- take care of the remaining costs for opening the factory, production and marketing. Previous reports say while still at HTC, the ex-exec had e-mailed some confidential Sense 6.0 files to external contacts, but there's no confirmation on whether those people are linked to the Chengdu government.

Filed under: Misc, Mobile, HTC

Via: Reuters

Source: Apple Daily (Chinese), UDN (Chinese), ET Today (Chinese)

Samsung enlists Lookout to make Knox security even more securely secure

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/lookout-knox/

Lookout's looking to get into the business of business mobile security, and business, we're told, is good. In fact, the company's kicking things off with a Samsung partnership that'll bring its security software to devices using Knox, a deal targeted toward the ever-growing world of bring your own device workplaces. As the company puts it on its blog, "Wherever Knox will be, Lookout will be there, too." Lookout's also promised some additional information on its push into the business world, which is set to become widely available before 2013 draws to a close. And who knows, maybe we'll get some more details during Samsung's IFA press event later today.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Samsung

Source: Lookout Blog

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Just Delete Me Is a Massive List of Links to Close All Your Accounts

Source: http://lifehacker.com/just-delete-me-is-a-massive-list-of-links-to-close-all-1245040101

Just Delete Me Is a Massive List of Links to Close All Your Accounts

Removing yourself from the internet is not always an easy task and the biggest problem is tracking down all your online accounts so you can delete them. Just Delete Me is a site that provides you with direct links to doing just that.

Just Delete Me is a list of the most popular web apps and services with links to delete your account from those services. Each one is color coded. Green is easy, yellow is medium, red is difficult, and black is impossible. When you click on a service, you're automatically taken to the page where you can delete your account so you don't have to go searching for it. Likewise, you can snag the Chrome extension and be taken to the account deletion page right from the URL bar when you're on a site, as well as get up to date information about whether an account is easy to delete before you sign up. If you want to keep track of your accounts and delete as many as possible, this is a good place to start. For a far more comprehensive list, check out the previously mentionedAccountKiller.

Just Delete Me | via Slate

The WikiLeaks Server That Hosted Cablegate Is for Sale on eBay

Source: http://gizmodo.com/the-wikileaks-server-that-hosted-cablegate-is-for-sale-1245720862

The WikiLeaks Server That Hosted Cablegate Is for Sale on eBay

Shopping for a new server? Want a piece of whistleblower history? Want to piss off Julian Assange? You can do all three of these things at once, if you buy the server that hosted hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks a few years ago. And it still works!

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