Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

T-Mobile brings the LG G3 to the US on July 16th for $599 up front

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/30/lg-g3-reaches-t-mobile-july-16th/

LG G3

Americans, your wait for LG's G3 is (nearly) over. T-Mobile has become the first big US carrier to take pre-orders for the 2K-capable Android smartphone, and now expects the device to hit retail shops on July 16th. Be prepared to fork over a lot of cash if you want that pixel-packed display as soon as possible, though. The G3 will cost $599 if you buy it outright, and it doesn't currently qualify for an easier-to-swallow installment plan. Other stateside carriers haven't revealed their plans to carry LG's brawny handset, but we'd expect matching announcements from at least the larger networks before long.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG, T-Mobile

Source: T-Mobile (1), (2)

Spying malware leaves countries' energy grids open to attack

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/30/dragonfly-spy-malware/

Nuclear power plant at night

Cyberwarfare campaigns against Western energy grids aren't just the stuff of action movies these days -- they're very, very real. Symantec has discovered a likely state-sponsored hacking group, nicknamed Dragonfly, that has been using phishing sites and trojans to compromise energy suppliers in the US and several other countries. Unlike targeted, destruction-focused malware like Stuxnet, this appears to be a broader spying effort bent on collecting information about national infrastructure. However, it still creates a back door that leaves companies vulnerable to full-fledged attacks if they don't spot the intrusions; it wouldn't take much to create real problems.

Symantec hasn't tracked down those behind Dragonfly, but it has plenty of evidence that they're professionals. Most of the attacks occur on weekdays between 9AM and 6PM Eastern European time, and they're primarily hitting Western European targets. They "think strategically," too. They first focused on aviation and defense agencies around 2011, and switched to power-related companies in early 2013; also, the suppliers under attack are smaller and less secure than the energy providers they're serving. If there's any consolation, it's that companies can shut down individual attacks, and that Symantec has already let affected companies and security response centers know what's happening. Let's just hope that the revelations get firms to tighten their security before there's some major damage.

[Image credit: Bjorn Kindler/Getty]

Filed under: Internet

Via: Ars Technica

Source: Symantec

GE promises smart light bulbs without the usual steep prices

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/01/ge-link/

GE Link smart light bulb

Many smartphone-controlled light bulbs cost a pretty penny, even if you're not interested in mood-setting colors or other elaborate tricks. How are you supposed to afford enough bulbs to illuminate your entire abode? That's where GE's new Link bulbs could save the day. While you'll need a hub ($30 by itself) to get everything connected, the LED-based white lights cost just $15 to $25 each -- in contrast, Philips' upcoming Lux models are $40 a pop. There's also a kit that includes two 60W-equivalent bulbs and a hub for $50, or half as much as you'd pay for an equivalent Lux bundle.

Before you start planning your home's new ambiance, understand that you're paying less because you get a bit less... so long as you're only concerned with lighting, anyway. While the necessary Wink mobile app gives you full control over brightness and scheduling, you don't get luxuries like Philips' electricity-free control switch or LG's light-based phone alerts. Link might be a better deal if you don't want those extras, though, and the Wink support could save you from buying additional hubs (or using additional apps) to steer other household gadgets. No matter what, you'll have to be patient if you want to try GE's approach for yourself. Although Home Depot is taking pre-orders today, the Link bulbs don't ship until the fall -- that's a long time to wait just to save some money.

Filed under: Household

Via: The Verge

Source: GE Reports, Home Depot

Samsung's new consumer SSDs shoot to the top of the benchmark league

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/01/samsung-850-pro-v-nand-ssd-review-roundup/

For the last year or so, Samsung has been touting a "paradigm shift" in the way it constructs flash memory: from a horizontal to a vertical arrangement of cells, or what it calls 3D V-NAND. Now, judging from reviews of the first V-NAND consumer SSDs, the 850 Pro range, it looks like this shift has resulted in a geniune and unequivocal boost to performance. Compared to synthetic and real-world scores from rival drives, made by the likes of Intel and Crucial, Sammy's 850 Pro "led the pack almost across the board," according to HotHardware.

Then again, Tom's Hardware noted that Samsung is now pushing the limits of the SATA interface, such that other products are "within a stone's throw" of the the 850 Pro's scores (at least until a PCI Express version comes around). What's more, all the reviews listed below highlighted the fact that the new line-up comes at a significant premium, even when you factor in Samsung's nice 10-year warranty. The 128GB drive costs $130, while the maxed-out 1TB option costs $730, equating to a cost per gigabyte that is almost twice as high as other recent drives that lack the cutting-edge NAND (such as Crucial's MX100). Actual street pricing, meanwhile, will only be established over the course of this month, as the 850 Pro starts to become widely available.

Reviews of the Samsung 850 Pro SSD:

Filed under: Storage, Samsung

Barclays brings Pingit phone number payments to Windows Phone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/01/barclays-pingit-windows-phone-app/

Windows Phone users often have to resign themselves to getting apps months, if not years after their iOS- and Android-toting counterparts. That's especially the case for Barclays' Pingit app, which after more than two years has finally made its way to Microsoft's mobile platform. If you're not familiar, Pingit allows users to send money using only a recipient's phone number regardless of who either bank with. Banking customers have been able to check their balance and pay bills using Barclays' mobile banking app, but with new initiatives like Paym aiming to streamline mobile payments, Pingit could enjoy great momentum as a result. Despite being late to the party, Barclays' new app is still likely to enjoy some early-mover advantage, as only a handful of other banks have dedicated Windows Phone apps.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile, Microsoft

Via: V3

Source: Barclays Pingit (Windows Phone Store)

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Google Fit is Android's answer to exercise and health tracking

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/25/google-fit/

Google Fit is Google's new health initiative. It's a service that'll track all your health metrics -- sleep, steps, etc. -- and it's built into the next version of Android. But what does that mean? Well, it means that Google's Android platform is getting the same kind of life-metric tracking that Apple's iOS users are getting in iOS 8 with HealthKit. More importantly, it means that the health devices you're already using will play nice with the myriad Android devices out there. It also means that all your health data ends up in one place, in one app, rather than spread across a variety of software applications. Which app you use, however, is up to you.

Adidas, Nike, Withings, Intel, RunKeeper and a variety of other fitness companies are involved with Android Fit. Nike's FuelBand wearables were specifically given a shoutout onstage at Google's I/O event this afternoon, where the initiative was announced.

What we didn't see from Google today is a dedicated app that collects all your data, like Apple's Health app. Rather, the Fit initiative is a platform for health device manufacturers trying to make their devices interface with Android. Google product manager Ellie Powers described it as using a single set of APIs for all health products, meaning all devices could technically work with all health/fitness software. While it isn't the whole-cloth approach that Apple's taking in creating its own app, it's the kind of open-source approach that we expect from Google.

Filed under: Wearables, Software, Google

Meet the G Watch, LG's first Android Wear smartwatch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/25/lg-g-watch-hands-on/

LG believes it's hip to be square, and it created a smartwatch to prove it. The G Watch was announced alongside Android Wear, Google's new wearables platform, and the circular Moto 360 this March. After three months, LG and Google are finally ready to let me slip one on my wrist. The watch i~~s going to be available~~ for pre-order for $229 (update: preorders are live here) on the Play Store alongside the Samsung Gear Live (and Moto 360, once it comes out later this summer), and will ship out in both black and white to eager users on July 7th.

With a 1.65-inch display at a resolution of 280 x 280 and sizable bezel, the G Watch is a little bigger than the Pebble Steel, which is the smartwatch I've been using up until this point. It looks like it swallows up my wrist, so it's not going to be a go-to fashion statement for everybody. Just like the Gear Live, LG chose to go with a square shape, rather than circular, mainly to ensure the user will enjoy as much screen real estate as possible. The product managers we talked to also left the door open for future Wear devices with other shapes, so there's certainly a chance we'll see more options down the road -- especially if the G Watch is considered a success.

The display is covered with Gorilla Glass 3; the sides are constructed with stainless steel; and the back is polycarbonate to allow for attenuation and wireless charging (the watch comes with a charging pad that makes this possible). The straps are interchangeable because it uses a 22mm size, but the wristband that comes with the device is made of silicone and offered me a comfortable fit.

Underneath the back sits a 400mAh battery that LG claims is high-density and optimized for wearable use. When asked about battery life, reps told me that it should last 36 hours in always-on state, and even longer if you opt to turn the screen off -- there's a companion app that you can download onto your Android device, and it gives you a few settings. Additionally, the G Watch boasts an ambient mode when idle, which theoretically helps extend the life of the battery.

In terms of power performance, the 63g timepiece features a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, coupled with 512MB RAM and 4GB internal storage. I couldn't fully test out the watch's performance in real life because the watch itself was in a special demo mode that only gave me a few cards to play with, but I'll give it a full whirl in my upcoming review.

Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Google, LG

Here's What People Would Pay For The iWatch (AAPL)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iwatch-price-predictions-2014-6

Although Apple is expected to release its first smartwatch later this year, the truth is we still don't know anything about the device — including how much it will cost. What we can estimate, however, is how much people are willing to pay for it.

Earlier this week, investment firm Piper Jaffray published results from a study which found that most adult consumers wouldn't be interested in buying an iWatch for $350. The firm then asked respondents how much they would consider paying for an iWatch.

While most consumers said they wouldn't purchase one regardless of the price, more than 30% said they would buy the iWatch if it fell in the $100-$200 price range. Only 10% said they would buy the watch if it was priced at $100 or less, as shown in the chart from Statista posted below. Chart iwatch prices

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Google Figured Out How To Turn Any Phone Into A Virtual Reality Headset For Next To Nothing (GOOG)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/google-cardboard-2014-6

Google IO

At the end of Google I/O, Google's annual developers conference on Wednesday, Android boss Sundar Pichai announced that audience members would be getting some swag.

Among the takeaways: A piece of cardboard.

Sure enough, when we left the auditorium, Google employees handed out pieces of cardboard.

At first it looked like nothing much. But after putting it together, we soon learned that with just some cardboard, a magnet, a rubber band, some magnifying glasses, and the Cardboard App, you, too, can fly around a virtual space, just like you can with the Occulus Rift VR glasses.

You can find detailed instructions on how to use it — and even make one for yourself — on Google's site.

Google Cardboard looks like what you think it looks like: a piece of cardboard.

But once you open it up ...

... you see what's hidden inside.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

drag2share: Samsung Galaxy Tab S review: slim design, long battery life, stunning screen

source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/24/samsung-galaxy-tab-s-review/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

Samsung Galaxy Tab S review: slim design, long battery life, stunning screen

It'd be silly of me to talk about tablets in the past tense -- we still write stories about them daily and clearly, we review them, too. But of the ones we've seen lately, most have been low-end; mid-range at best. The market for high-end slates, once crowded with companies big and small, now looks more like a fraternity. At this point, the only players left are mostly big names like Apple, Microsoft, Sony. And, of course, Samsung. The outfit just announced the Galaxy Tab S, its flagship tablet for 2014. Available in 8.4- and 10.5-inch sizes, it comes armed with the best possible specs, including a stunning 2,560 x 1,600 Super AMOLED screen, 12-hour battery life and a slim build that measures just 6.6mm thick. In addition, Samsung added a fingerprint reader (still a rarity on tablets) and free goodies like popular magazines, Dropbox storage and a six-month Wall Street Journal subscription. The tablet's up for pre-order now, starting at $400 for the 8-inch model and $500 for the 10-incher. So, you can't test-drive it yet, but, as it happens, I've been playing with it for almost a week. Suffice to say, I've enjoyed myself. Mostly.

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drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Nest devices start talking to Google, washing machines and your car

source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/24/nest-developer-program-begins/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

Nest's Learning Thermostat and Protect smoke detector are now part of a much, much larger universe. The company has just launched a developer program that lets third-party apps and devices talk to Nest hardware, making it do things that aren't possible through official software. The initiative is kicking off with a whole host of partnerships in place, in many cases with feature updates either available now or due in the near future. Chamberlain's garage doors can now tell your Nest thermostat when you're home, while Mercedes-Benz lets you check the temperature on the road; Logitech's Harmony Ultimate remote can lower the heat in mid-movie, and Jawbone's Up24 fitness tracker can tell Nest when you wake up.

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drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Scientists simulate time travel using light particles

source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/24/simulating-time-travel-with-photons/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

A space-time wormhole lets a particle travel back in time

We may never see practical time travel in our lifetimes, if it's possible at all. However, a team at the University of Queensland has given the Doc Browns of the world a faint glimmer of hope by simulating time travel on a very, very small scale. Their study used individual photons to replicate a quantum particle traveling through a space-time loop (like the one you see above) to arrive where and when it began. Since these particles are inherently uncertain, there wasn't room for the paradoxes that normally thwart this sort of research. The particle couldn't destroy itself before it went on its journey, for example.

As you might have gathered from the "simulation" term, sci-fi isn't about to become reality just yet. The scientists haven't actually warped through time -- they've only shown how it can work. It could take a long time before there's proof that whole atoms and objects can make the leap, let alone a real-world demonstration. Should you ever step into a time machine, though, you'll know where it all started... and ended.

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drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

Monday, June 23, 2014

drag2share: Watch lightning strike around the world in real time

source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/23/lightning-strike-map-worldwide/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

There's a mesmerizing new project from an organization called Blitzortung.org that lets you see real-time lightning strikes around the world. It works using a network of volunteers willing to purchase and set up a $275 or so detection kit consisting of an antenna system, amplifier and controller. Once activated, each station can spot the radio signals from a lightning strike and transmit the precise time and location to the Blitzortung.org's servers. From there, the lightning is displayed (complete with bug-zapper sound) on one of five maps including North America and Europe, along with a line between the strike and detecting station. Curiously, a sensor in New York can pick up lightning in Cuba, for instance, since the low frequency RF waves from lightning can travel thousands of miles. Hit the source if you want to participate, or just check the maps to marvel at another striking example of crowd-sourcing in action.

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drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

Article: Super cheap Smart Home kit brings automation to the masses

If you're wondering when home automation might tip into the Walmart-level mainstream, here's a sign: Archos' Smart Home starter kit is now on sale. Along with two cameras, two movement tags and two weather tags, they're throwing in a controlling tablet, all for $250 -- or $25 each for the cameras...

http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/20/archos-smart-home-kit-available-250/?ncid=rss_truncated

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Sunday, June 22, 2014

This Might Be Volantis, HTC's 9-Inch Nexus Tablet

Source: http://gizmodo.com/htcs-9-inch-nexus-tablet-will-be-called-volantis-1594280149

This Might Be Volantis, HTC's 9-Inch Nexus Tablet

Android Police just published renders and specs on a rumored 9-inch HTC Nexus tablet. With an 8.9-inch, 2048x1440 display, Tegra K1 processor, and zero-gap aluminum body, Android Police's intel says the device, named Volantis, will launch later this year at $400 for 16GB. Though it might not look exactly like the render above. [Android Police]

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