Firefox 25 now official with guest browsing on Android

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/firefox-25-now-official/

If you regularly share your Android gadgets with others, you'll be glad to hear that Mozilla has officially released Firefox 25. The finished web browser lets Android users run guest sessions, which hide personal info while friends borrow a device. Mobile surfers also get a mixed content blocker to prevent attacks on partially unencrypted websites. As for the desktop version? It's not getting quite as substantial an upgrade, although the software now supports advanced sound effects through Web Audio. Whichever Firefox client you prefer, you'll find your relevant update at one of the source links.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile

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Via: The Mozilla Blog

Source: Google Play, Mozilla

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CHART: Chip Kelly's Offense Has Not Revolutionized The NFL Because He Stopped Doing What Worked

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-chip-kellys-offense-has-not-revolutionized-the-nfl-because-he-stopped-doing-what-worked-2013-10

One of the big storylines entering the 2013 season was how Chip Kelly's high-powered Oregon offense would translate to the NFL and whether it was going to change the game at the professional level. After an impressive win over Washington in week one, the Eagles have gone 2-5 and the offense is struggling to score points.

The biggest issue is that Kelly has either abandoned the running attack or other teams have stacked the line of scrimmage and are forcing the Eagles to throw the ball more. During Kelly's final season at Oregon, his offense averaged 81.4 plays per game. But more importantly, 64.7% of the offense was running plays.

In the Eagles' first game under Kelly, things looked a lot like Oregon with 77 offensive plays and 63.6% of those running plays. However, in the seven games since, the Eagles are averaging just 66.4 plays per game and they are running the ball just 41.5% of the time. Kelly needs to figure out how to get back to the running attack or his stint in the NFL will be a short one...

Data via Pro-Football-Reference.com

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Bullet-Stopping Cellphone Saves Gas Station Clerk Held at Gunpoint

Source: http://gizmodo.com/bullet-stopping-cellphone-saves-gas-station-clerk-held-1453962433

In what's some fantastic news for both HTC and anyone who keeps their cellphone in their shirt pocket, a Florida gas station attendant's life was saved when his dearly departed smartphone became a martyr during a recent holdup.

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A smartpen to rival Livescribe: the $150 Equil JOT that lets you use any paper

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/equil-jot/

While Livescribe's offerings might be popular among those who wish to marry their pen and paper habits with the digital world, the eponymous smartpen does require users to scribble their notes on Livescribe-approved dot paper. If you'd rather use your own precious Moleskines or all you have on hand is a water-stained cocktail napkin, you'd be out of luck. Equil has a solution to that, however, in the form of the JOT smartpen, which lets you use any paper you want.

The JOT system comprises two components: A Bluetooth receiver and the pen itself. Equil even provides a handy pen carrying case that houses both items together in a special magnetic smart cover similar to the one Apple sells for the iPad. Using a combination of "infrared rays and ultrasonic waves," the receiver is able to triangulate the position of the pen as long as it remains within line of sight. Don't worry about the sort of paper you use either, as you can easily calibrate it to fit any size surface with either the Equil Note or Equil Sketch app, both of which are free from the App Store. We should note that the Equil JOT only works with Apple devices with Bluetooth LE support, which includes hardware that runs iOS 5 and up plus OS X Lion or above.%Gallery-slideshow102349%

Filed under: Peripherals

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Source: Equil, Equil Note (App Store), Equil Sketcb (App Store)

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Amazon's Matchbook service now live, works with over 70,000 books for $3 or less

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/amazon-matchbook-live/

Amazon's Matchbook service, which offers e-book versions of hard copies of books like Amazon's Autorip offers digital versions of physical music, is now live. The service supports over 70,000 books at launch with digital equivalents costing $3 or less. The service recognizes purchases from as far as 1995 (when Amazon first started selling books), and their digital versions come with all the bells and whistles readers have come to expect from the Kindle service: Whispersync, X-Ray and more. Of course, Amazon's promising that there's "more being added every day" to the list of available titles, so don't lose all hope if you don't see your favorite authors/publishers/etc. listed.

Filed under: Software, Amazon

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Source: Amazon

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This flame is made of pure water

Source: http://front.kinja.com/this-flame-is-made-of-pure-water-1453720981/@jesusdiaz

Scientists have invented a new low-cost method to create a safe welding flame using water as its only fuel. Called the Safeflame, the device splits water in oxygen and hydrogen, recombining them both outside of the torch's mouth to create fire. And the only byproduct is water.

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Scientists Smash the Li-Fi Data Record, Achieving Speeds of 10Gbit/s

Source: http://gizmodo.com/scientists-smash-the-li-fi-data-record-achieving-speed-1453923218

If the hype is to believed, Li-Fi could be the next Wi-Fi. And if that's the case, then we're excited—because a team of researchers has just smashed the record for visible light data transmission, pushing it to a staggering 10Gbit/s.

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ARM report claims the always-connected 'Internet of Things' is already here

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/28/arm-internet-of-things/

The Internet of Things (IoT) is finally here. Or at least, that's what a recent report by the Economist's Intelligence Unit wants us to believe. Sponsored by ARM, which certainly has a vested interest in the matter, the 32-page paper states that the industry is at last catching on to the idea of connected devices after more than a decade of slow progress. After surveying 779 senior business leaders from 19 different industries around the world, the Economist revealed that a staggering 75 percent of businesses are already exploring the space. In fact, only 6 percent of those interviewed think of it as hype, and 94 percent believe IoT will have a significant impact in the next three years.

However, the IoT phenomenon still has a long way to go before widespread consumer adoption takes hold. Most businesses are still just experimenting with IoT either in research or internal operations and the "internet of things" mantra remains laced with jargon that might not sell well to the general public. The report also notes the dearth of IoT-skilled workers, a general lack of investment and the need for open standards before more consumers can embrace it.

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Source: ARM

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Huawei overtakes LG in smartphone market share during Q3

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/28/huawei-overtakes-lg-in-smartphone-market-share-during-q3/

Need proof that China is a crucial smartphone market? Strategy Analytics is more than happy to oblige. It just posted third quarter global market share estimates showing that Huawei has overtaken LG since the Q2 report, claiming third place with 5.1 percent of sales. This isn't the first time that the Chinese phone maker has reached such lofty heights, but it comes even as LG produced stellar results; Huawei just happened to grow faster. Researchers attributed the rise to strong sales of its higher-end Ascend P6 and the mainstream G610, particularly in Huawei's home country.

Otherwise, it's a familiar story. Samsung is still ruling the roost with 35.2 percent share, while Apple held on to the second-place spot at 13.4 percent. Huawei also isn't guaranteed to maintain its position when LG is likely to get a fourth quarter sales boost from the G2. However, it's evident that smartphone designers shouldn't get too comfy -- it doesn't take much to change the status quo.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, HTC, LG, Blackberry, Lenovo

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Source: Strategy Analytics

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Motorola's 'Project Ara' modular smartphone setup switches out hardware like apps

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/motorola-project-ara-modular-smartphone/

We were intrigued by the Phonebloks concept phone that teased the ability to switch out a handset's components the way most users change ringtones, and now Motorola is putting its resources behind it. In what Motorola calls Project Ara, the advanced Technology and Products group is working with Phonebloks creator Dave Hakkens on an "endoskeleton (endo) and modules." Announced this evening on the company blog by Paul Eremenko, the company says it's already "done deep technical work" and is opening the process up to the community and volunteers (aka Ara Scouts, sign up here) to begin designing hardware modules. Its stated goal is to do for hardware what it says Android has done for software: create a vibrant third-party developer ecosystem, lower the barriers to entry, increase the pace of innovation, and substantially compress development timelines."

Suggestions for modules include the phone's CPU, display, extra battery, external sensors or anything else one can think of. The timeline currently points to a Module Developer's Kit (MDK) release this winter, while those volunteers can expect an exclusive discount when the product launches and the 100 most active are getting free phones. Hakkens has described his design as a "phone worth keeping" -- with the ability to upgrade piece by piece and (hopefully) never experience obsolescence again we'd call this idea a phone definitely worth building.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

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Source: Motorola

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Olympus' $700 Stylus 1 compact tempts enthusiasts with 28-300mm constant f/2.8 lens

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/olympus-stylus-1-compact-camera/

After watching Sony rejuvenate its compact lineup with the RX-series, Olympus is having a go as well with its latest effort, the Stylus 1. It looks to be a step up from last year's Stylus XZ-2, bringing a more DSLR-like form factor and new 1.44 million dot EVF. The fixed lens is also markedly improved, thanks to a constant f/2.8 aperture over the 28-300mm (35mm equivalent) 10.7x zoom range and a close-focusing 2-inch macro distance. While it carries the same smallish 1/1.7-inch, 12-megapixel sensor as the Stylus XZ-2, it's gained the fast touch AF system from the Olympus PEN ILC series. Other features include a 3-inch, 1.04 million dot tiltable touchscreen viewer, a hybrid control ring for functions like focus or shutter speed, WiFi sharing with a smartphone app, and 1080/30p HD video with 240fps slo-mo at 320 x 240. It'll be up for grabs in December for $700, so if you're thinking of slipping one in your pocket instead of (or along with) your smartphone, check the gallery of press shots below. %Gallery-slideshow102341%

Filed under: Cameras

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Source: Olympus

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Apple confirms it's 'unclear' whether there will be enough Retina iPad minis to meet demand

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/28/apple-confirms-its-unclear-whether-there-will-be-enough-retin/

While Apple CEO Tim Cook may have put one rumor to rest during today's earnings call, he basically confirmed another one: When asked about the availability of the iPad mini with Retina display, Cook said that the new model will start shipping "later in November," but that it's "unclear whether we'll have enough for the quarter or not." Cook quickly pointed out that "we know how many we'll have," but that it's difficult to predict demand for a product until it starts shipping. He seemed to be confirming persistent rumors that the Retina mini would be in short supply during the holiday shopping season.

Although Cook insisted that "we'll do fairly well with iPad," and that Apple will have a "really great holiday season," the company may have reason to be concerned about not being able to meet demand for the new model. As reported earlier, iPad sales were flat compared to the same period last year, even while competitors are seeing major growth in tablet sales. Apple has seen its share of the total tablet market drop from 60 percent a year ago to just 32 percent today. Apple is hoping, according to Cook, for "an iPad Christmas," but it may be one that many customers will have to celebrate without the company's most notable new model.

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Play-i's Bo and Yana robots teach kids programming concepts through stories (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/28/play-i-robots/

There are efforts to promote coding to kids, but they're typically aimed at an older demographic -- few young children are ready to sit at a keyboard and start writing. Play-i hopes to foster that interest at an earlier age with its upcoming programmable robots. Both the three-wheeled Bo (right) and its stationary cousin Yana (left) teach coding concepts through the context of stories, which are easier to grasp for kids. Owners can tell Bo to give a flower to a friend, for example, or get Yana to make helicopter sounds when it's shaken. Play-i's Bluetooth-based remote control app (currently iOS-only) simplifies arm, eye, gesture and wheel commands, reducing them to icon-based sequences; effectively, kids learn about if-then code without mastering a programming language.

The company is running a crowdfunding campaign to help with its planned summer 2014 launch. Interested parents can pledge $49 for Yana, and $149 for Bo; prices should climb to a respective $69 and $199 when the robots reach the market. Tinkerers can also spend $499 to get a developer combo that includes both machines as well as early access to an API. If you're interested in giving your kids a head start in the tech world -- or just want particularly clever toys for yourself -- you'll want to check out Play-i at the source link. %Gallery-slideshow102193%

Filed under: Household, Robots

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Source: Play-i

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CHART: America Is Way Behind The Rest Of The World When It Comes To Broadband, Paying More For Slower Speeds

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-america-is-way-behind-the-rest-of-the-world-when-it-comes-to-broadband-paying-more-for-slower-speeds-2013-10

The BBC has a fantastic and — if you live in the U.S. — disturbing report on international broadband internet access.

It turns out that America is not, as it sees itself, the foremost shining beacon of progress, speed and modernity on the web.

By some measures, it comes last among the developed countries. Americans pay more for broadband than other countries do, and get slower speeds for their money. Here's a basket of data from major cities:

And here's the same data on a country-wide average:

Americans are often paying twice as much as everyone else, with monthly bills nearing $100.

The reason: Local internet provider monopolies. The U.S. is a big place and although there are several national deregulated providers they tend to dominate the regions they are strong in. On top of that, phone companies' copper wires can't compete with TV companies' cable wires. The result is that many customers have to choose between just one or two companies of they want fast web access.

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Samsung's Galaxy Round ad compares its curved smartphone to avocados, Russian dolls (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/28/samsung-galaxy-round-ad-curved-smartphone-korea/

Thanks to Samsung Korea's new (soon to be viral) Galaxy Round commercial, we've learned that its new smartphone is curved. Like many other objects. In the world. We get that now. It's also got differently-curved competition coming very soon. The whole 30-second showcase is after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Via: Phone Arena

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