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Thursday, August 22, 2013

Project Spark lets you build the game, add character with Kinect (eyes-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/project-spark-eyes-on/

Here at Gamescom -- as you might expect -- you're gonna see a lot of games. Not all of them are finished, but even the beta versions come with complex worlds, and shiny new physics engines. Amongst all of these creations, jostling for our attention, was something a little different. Something we heard about back at E3 initially, and something we've been itching to see in action ever since -- Project Spark. We made sure we got to have a look at how it works, and some of the new features. So, click past the break if you want to know too.

Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft

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LG Enact launches on Verizon, keeps the flame alive for QWERTY slider phones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/lg-enact-launches-on-verizon/

Verizon isn't just releasing its variant of the HTC One today -- it also has a treat for fans of the oft-neglected QWERTY slider smartphone. The carrier has just launched the once-rumored LG Enact, which hides a landscape keyboard underneath its 4-inch WVGA screen. As you might gather from the display, though, this device is no flagship. The combination of a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 5-megapixel rear camera, a VGA front camera and 8GB of expandable storage puts the Enact at the low end. What's more, it's also stuck on Android 4.1. When LG's new device costs $20 on contract, however, it's inexpensive enough that many fans of hardware keys can afford to take a look.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Verizon, LG

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Source: Verizon (1), (2)

MSI AG2712A 27-inch gaming all-in-one hitting Europe this month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/msi-ag2712a/

MSI showed off its Wind Top AG2712 back in March, and, being a 27-inch gaming all-in-one it is, the thing was hard to miss. The company's European wing is getting ready to launch the system this month, albeit with a slightly different name and some newish specs. The 27-incher is now called the AG2712A, sporting AMD Radeon HD9870M graphics, true to its gaming classification. There's still a Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor on-board -- the quad-core 3630QM -- plus two optimized SSDs and, the company is happy to report, "a brand new designed bezel." Because without a fancy new bezel, what's it all worth, really?

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Microsoft

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Via: Far East Gizmos

Google Keep Updates with In-Note Photos, Time and Location Reminders

Source: http://lifehacker.com/google-keep-gets-time-and-location-reminders-and-photos-1182336752

Google Keep Updates with In-Note Photos, Time and Location Reminders

Android/Web: We already love Google Keep, but today it picked up some useful updates. Now you can add time and location reminders for your to-dos, add photos to your notes and reminders, and there's a new navigation drawer that makes it easy to jump from notes to reminders and back.

The big news in today's update is that Google Keep now functions a bit more like a fully-fledged to-do app in that you can set general or specific time reminders for any to-do you enter. You can have Keep ping you "tomorrow morning" that you wanted to email a friend, or specifically "Tuesday the 15th at 9am." Similarly, Google Keep can also use your phone's GPS to remind you of things you wanted to do in specific locations. When you get to the grocery store, for example, Keep will remind you that you told it last week you wanted to buy milk while you were there.

Google Keep has always given you a way to store photos, but now you can add photos to existing notes, or create new notes with both text and photos. Plus, with all these new note types and features, the new navigation drawer makes it easy to jump between your notes, reminders, and archived items so you always see what's useful to you.

Google Keep is a great note-taking tool, one we think is pretty underrated. With today's updates, it might be on more people's radar. The updated Android app is rolling out now at Google Play, and the new features are already available in the webapp and in the Chrome extension. Hit the link below to read more.

Update: Whoops! Looks like we already mentioned the news! Sorry for the duplicate post!

Here, There and Everywhere: Google Keep Reminds You At the Right Time | Official Android Blog

Nokia Here research brings map data to life (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/nokia-here-research-brings-traffic-data-to-life/

Nokia Here collection vehicles aren't the only way the Finish giant is gathering data about our highways and city streets. The company's researchers are also using anonymous smartphone, PND and even CAN bus data to further our understanding of traffic flow and driver behavior in different conditions. Beyond improving maps and navigation, the goal is to make our roads better and cars smarter. We recently spoke with Nokia's Jane Macfarlane, Head of Research for Here, who shared how her team is bringing map data to life with the collaboration of opt-in smartphone users and fleet vehicle operators. Take a look at our gallery below and watch the video after the break. %Gallery-slideshow73225%

Filed under: GPS, Transportation, Mobile, Nokia

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Google adds zoos to Street View, heroically avoids calling it 'Street Zoo'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/21/street-zoo/

Granted, the name "Street View" doesn't really apply like it used to, but who's going to argue with a feature like this? Google announced today that it's added imagery from zoos all over the world to the Maps feature, meaning that you can check out lions, tigers and red pandas in their unnatural habits and avoid the long lines at the monkey house. Google's got links to the zoo shots in the source link below, including locations in Singapore, Germany, Spain, the UK and China -- sadly there are no dog lions, however, so far as we can tell.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Source: Google Latlong

Canon appeals to internet socialites with PowerShot N Facebook camera

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/canon-powershot-n-facebook/

Facebook fanatics have a smartphone to call their own, and now they have a camera, too. Canon's PowerShot N, which first made its debut at CES, just scored a few (relatively minor) tweaks. The point-and-shoot features an unusual square design, so it can be rotated and held in a variety of orientations. There's a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 processor, 28-224mm f/3.0-5.9 8x optical zoom lens and a 2.8-inch capacitive-touch tilting LCD, just as you'll find on the original. In fact, the Facebook branding represents the only significant change here, including a dedicated button on the side to upload images to the site (via built-in WiFi) and a new Facebook upload option in the system menu. It's hardly worth "upgrading" from the original N, but if Facebook is your life, get ready to hand over 300 bucks for this Canon online store exclusive beginning next month.

Filed under: Cameras, Canon, Facebook

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Vine for Android update brings mentions, autocompleting hashtags

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/vine-android-update-mentions-hashtags/

Vine proved you can do a lot with six seconds of video, and thanks to its latest Android update you can do even more. Version 1.3.4 brings a couple of usability fixes to help the world see your valiant attempts at short-form comedy, including @ mentions in posts and comments and autocompletion for hashtags. The changelog notes "other bugs fixes and improvements" too, but the takeaway here is that the Google version is just about on par with the iOS one. Now, could you please hurry along and make one of those rad stop-motion clips for us? Thanks.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: Vine (Twitter)

Source: Google Play

Kickstarter-bound Zeus copy machine prints, scans and faxes 3D objects

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/aio-robotics-zeus-3d-copy-machine/

As the god of gods, Zeus has a tremendous list of assets at his disposal. A 3D printer that can also scan and transmit objects, however, has until now been out of reach. AIO Robotics is gearing up to introduce the Zeus of the modern world, an all-in-one machine that duplicates 3D objects, even when they're not nearby. The device, which will make its Kickstarter debut on September 4th, will function in much the same way as a traditional all-in-one printer, with the obvious advantage of being able to create three-dimensional objects. Pricing has yet to be announced, but the creators expect Zeus to cost less than a Makerbot Replicator and Digitizer combo. It's also forecasted to be "the most reliable and usable 3D printer so far," according to a RepRap forum post. Time will tell.

Filed under: Household, Peripherals

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Via: GigaOM

Source: AIO Robotics, RepRap

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

5 Fun Ways To Destroy Your House on Street View

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5-fun-ways-to-destroy-your-house-on-street-view-1173936429

5 Fun Ways To Destroy Your House on Street View

Want to see what your home would look like if it were demolished by a tropical storm? Or if your city turned into a ruined post-apocalyptic outpost? You can do this and more virtual destruction using a few Google Maps tricks. Here are five good ones, courtesy of Keir Clarke from Google Maps Mania.

Human Body for iOS: Almost The Most Fun You'll Have Exploring Your Body

Source: http://gizmodo.com/human-body-for-ios-almost-the-most-fun-youll-have-exp-1174420897

Human Body for iOS: Almost The Most Fun You'll Have Exploring Your Body

While most educational apps are generally intended for children, let's be honest—anyone not in the field probably remembers next to nothing about how the human body works other than the fact that, you know, it does. Fortunately, The Human Body by Tinybop is just as fascinating for adults as it is for children, letting you explore every excreting, beating, and oozing crevice of human biology, all at your own pace.

Your Phone Will Soon Spew 4K Video From Its USB Port

Source: http://gizmodo.com/your-phone-will-soon-spew-4k-video-from-its-usb-port-1176546180

Your Phone Will Soon Spew 4K Video From Its USB Port

The Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) standard, beloved of Roku and Android phone manufacturers, is about to get exciting: an update coming in September will allow phones to spit out 4K video from their USB ports.

Samsung unveils AirTrack soundbar for 60-inch and larger TVs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/samsung-unveils-airtrack-soundbar-for-60-inch-and-larger-tvs/

Many soundbars are designed for small or mid-sized TV sets, where price and space are top priorities. Samsung is bucking that trend with its newly unveiled AirTrack HW-F850: its follow-up to the vacuum tube-based F750 is built expressly for 60-inch and larger screens. As Samsung can afford a considerably larger bar, the F850 boosts the total power to 350W, up 40W from the F750. The company promises deeper bass from the subwoofer, too. As you'd expect, both Bluetooth audio and NFC pairing carry over from the F850's tinier counterparts. Samsung expects to ship the extra-large soundbar to Europe in September; the company hasn't mentioned pricing, although the F850 will likely command a premium over smaller AirTrack models.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

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Source: Korea Newswire (translated)

LG Display claims a world's first with 2,560 x 1,440 LCD for smartphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/lg-display-worlds-first-quad-hd-display/

Full HD displays? Eat your heart out, handset manufacturers. LG Display has just laid claim to the world's first Quad HD (2,560 x 1,440) smartphone display, which also boasts the highest pixel density of a mobile device, clocking in at 538ppi. The firm's panel measures up at 5.5-inches and is only 1.21mm thick, and just 1.2mm at its bezel. According to LG, that makes it the world's slimmest and narrowest panel, stealing the crown from hardware it showed off last month. Thanks to its use of AH-IPS tech and Low Temperature Poly-Silicon (LTPS) substrate, the screen features 430 nits of brightness. If the Quad HD math is throwing you off, that's four times as many pixels as a 1,280 x 720 display. This isn't 4K on a portable display, but we'll take it.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG

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Google invites users to share their expertise over video Helpouts

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/21/google-invites-users-to-helpouts/

Word broke in late July that Google might launch Helpouts -- a Hangout-based video platform where folks could charge for lending assistance over video -- in about a month's time. Like clockwork, Mountain View's officially announced the platform, but it isn't a free-for-all just yet. Page and Co. are inviting people with expertise in different topics to offer their services when the solution opens for business. The search giant has published a form allowing self-proclaimed experts to toss their hat in the ring for an invite, and lists categories including Arts and Music, Computers and Electronics, Cooking, Education, Fashion and Beauty, Fitness and Nutrition, Health and Counseling along with Home and Garden. Fittingly, Google's own help documents for Helpouts have gone live as well, and they give us a few more details.

First, users will have to submit a listing for their services, which Google will review just before hanging out with them over video to get acquainted and ensure their live feed is in tip-top shape. If you're a medical professional, you can offer your expert opinion to the masses as well, but Mountain View will confirm you've got the proper certificates and licenses in order. Once that's done, interested customers will be able to check a pro's availability and schedule appointments. Folks can offer their skills for free or charge for sessions, but both parties must use Google Wallet for the transaction, and Google will apply a 20 percent fee (yes, even with credit card payments). A launch date for Helpouts is MIA, but you can sign up to be notified and provide a helping hand at the source.

Filed under: Misc, Internet, Google

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Source: Google (1), (2)

SwiftKey Cloud exits beta, available as free update in version 4.2

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/21/swiftkey-cloud-final-version/

After nearly a month of beta testing, SwiftKey Cloud is now ready for the masses. Now in final form, the popular Android keyboard can backup and sync customizations across devices, and it can even learn phrases that are trending across the globe. Thanks to one-click authorization, it's now easier for SwiftKey to learn phrases from your Facebook and Gmail accounts, and it can also now tap into Yahoo Mail. You'll also find more responsive Flow predictions in the final version, along with some Emoji fixes. SwiftKey Cloud arrives as part of SwiftKey 4.2, which is available as a free update to current users. The app is also available for a free 30-day trial, but for a limited time, you can also snag the paid version for $2.99 / £1.49, which rings in at half off the regular price. Certainly worth checking out if the stock Android keyboard is no longer cutting it.

Filed under: Software, Mobile

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Escape for Google Glass brings casual gaming to explorers (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/21/escape-for-google-glass/

You know what's not new? Android games. You know what is new? Games for Google Glass. There has been the odd attempt so far, but french-based game developer AMA is porting one of its bonafide titles over to the small screen for real. Escape! is a simple puzzler, the sort that we're all familiar with on our phones, that is being squeezed into the wearable format. While games on the hardware might be something of an inevitability, we managed to get our eyes inside a pair to take a better look for ourselves. Head past the break to see how it worked out.

Filed under: Google

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LG exec: tablet, phablet, smartwatch and Firefox OS device coming soon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/21/lg-exec-tablet-phablet-smartwatch-and-firefox-os-device/

LG's mobile communications head in Bulgaria, Dimitar Valev, has laid out some of the company's key plans in an interview with Dnevnik.bg. For starters, he confirmed that the company will fire up its temporarily mothballed tablet lines with a new model, likely the 9.8-inch V500 we saw at the FCC earlier today. On the smartphone side, LG will trump its 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro model with a 6-inch handset and release a Firefox OS device early next year. Most intriguingly, he said said the company would give the smartwatch category another kick at the can, despite indifference to LG's GD910 Watch Phone model several years ago -- adding that the device might use flexible LCD tech. We're not sure if Mr. Valev was speaking out of turn, but if accurate, it'll be interesting to see how the new hardware pans out -- especially LG's take on Firefox OS.

Filed under: Cellphones, Displays, Tablets, Wearables, LG

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Via: Phone Arena

Source: Dnevnik.bg

Verizon LG Enact leaks in press image, proves QWERTY sliders still exist

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/21/verizon-lg-enact-leak-qwerty-slider/

According to serial leak merchant @evleaks, the LG Enact is days away from making an official appearance on Verizon, a carrier that reckons there's still life in the 'ole keyboard-packed form factor, with a phone that looks a whole lot like the Android sliders of the past. Yep, LG's new Android smartphone houses an increasingly rare full QWERTY keyboard, a pretty old-school four-key capacitive button layout, and a mix of Verizon and LG-skinned app icons. However, we're already wary of how the Enact's keyboard will handle -- with space at a premium on these keyboards, that substantial border either side of the keys could result in some cramped thumbs. However, at this stage we're not certain of the screen-size and dimensions of the slider, so we'll hold our judgement until we get to tap away on it in real life.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Verizon, LG

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Source: @evleaks (Twitter)

Netflix's new 'My List' replaces queues, lets users worldwide bookmark their favorites

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/21/netflix-queue-streaming-my-list/

Netflix's Watch Instantly streaming service in the US started with the same queue-based experience users were familiar with from its disc-by-mail rentals for bookmarking titles to watch later, but internationally the option has never existed. Now the experience is changing everywhere, as Netflix replaces the old queues with "My List." Outside the US subscribers will notice the biggest change, as they're able to curate their own viewing lists instead of relying solely on search or the service's automatically generated genre lists. Otherwise the selection process is mostly the same as we've come to expect, with a "+ My List" button single click adding it to the list of up to 500 items in each user's profile. My List should pop up on individual accounts over the next couple of weeks, check after the break for a breakdown of all the changes incoming plus a video preview of how it will all work.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Netflix Blog

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Minuum for Android: A Space-Saving Keyboard For Sloppy Typers

Source: http://gizmodo.com/minimum-for-android-a-space-saving-keyboard-for-sloppy-1168628051

Minuum for Android: A Space-Saving Keyboard For Sloppy Typers

After a successful Indigogo funding campaign and a closed trial period, design startup Whirlscape is finally making its Minuum Keyboard available to the public—giving you all the screen space you need by condensing your full, QWERTY keyboard into one, itty bitty line.

YouTube's Getting a Fantastic, Functional Makeover on Android

Source: http://gizmodo.com/youtubes-getting-a-functional-makeover-on-android-1168594630

YouTube's Getting a Fantastic, Functional Makeover on Android

Google's YouTube app is getting a functional, stylish makeover Android today. Along with an updated, Google Now-esque, card-based design, you'll also be able to enable your ADD by playing videos while looking for others, and devouring whole playlists. Bet Microsoft is jealous.

JPL's RoboSimian flexes its robot muscles, haunts your nightmares (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/19/jpls-robosimian-flexes-its-robot-muscles-haunts-your-nightmares/

Not content on landing several rovers on the surface of Mars, NASA's JPL team's been working on more earthly projects. RoboSimian is an ape-like robot designed for search-and-rescue missions that's expected to compete in the DARPA Robotics Challenge. It features four multi-jointed limbs with unique hands and no defined front or back -- allowing it to always face the right way. Thanks to its primate-like movement and posture, the robot will be able to navigate over difficult terrain, climb ladders and even drive vehicles (one of the DRC's requirements). While the project itself isn't new, JPL recently published an interesting video that shows RoboSimian gripping tools, lifting its own weight and balancing delicate objects. This means, of course, that robot monkeys will soon join spiders, cats and dogs in your dystopian nightmares. Video after the break.

Filed under: Robots

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Source: JPL

ASUS first to arrive with motherboard packing Intel's 20Gbps Thunderbolt 2

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/asus-thunderbolt2-motherboard/

The ink is still fresh on Intel's formal blessing of Thunderbolt 2, and as promised, there's already a product on the market from perennial early bird ASUS. The Z87-Deluxe/Quad ATX is the first motherboard to pack the tech, which combines four of the original 10Gbps Thunderbolt channels into two bi-directional 20Gbps ports. That's four times the speed of USB 3.0 if you're keeping score at home, allowing two 4K displays to be driven at once, or faster-than-SATA-6 SSD speeds, for instance. Otherwise, it's as well-equipped as you'd expect from a bleeding edge mainboard, with 4th-gen Intel (Haswell) CPU support, 10 SATA-6 ports, 8 USB 3.0 ports, and 3 PCIe 3.0/2.0 x 16 slots. There's no pricing or availability yet, though Thunderbolt-equipped motherboards tend to be expensive. Still, if you wear the "early adopter" name-tag with pride, hit the PR after the break.

Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals, ASUS

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Via: Legit Reviews

Augmented reality table lets you explore a book without opening it (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/gensler-the-hive-multi-surface-experience/

We've seen touch-friendly tables before, but they're rarely so slick as the Multi Surface Experience, a newly launched collaboration between design firm Gensler and ad agency The Hive. The installation lets guests explore Gensler's architectural portfolio (the book you see above) just by walking up to a wavy table. An overhead projector, Kinect for Windows and special software present an interface wherever people stand; when users choose to learn more about a project, it pops up on a wall-mounted 4K display. The current experience is sadly confined to Gensler's Los Angeles office, but it's also the start of teamwork that could lead to commercial designs. Don't be surprised if company lobbies are much livelier in the future.

Filed under: Displays, Alt

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Source: The Hive

Garmin prepares for battle with sensor-packed VIRB action cam (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/garmin-virb-action-cam/

There are more than enough action cams on the market, but that's not stopping Garmin from jumping head first into that saturated space. The GPS maker hopes to bring something fresh to the table with its $299 VIRB and $399 VIRB Elite, a pair of ruggedized camcorders that do more than simply snap footage from within a clear protective shell. Both models can shoot 1080p clips at 30fps and 16-megapixel still photos (while recording video) for up to three consecutive hours with one 2,000mAh cell, but they offer a variety of features that some competitors can't match, including a low-power 1.4-inch transflective LCD for navigating menus and previewing footage, optional (digital) IS and the ability to sync up with a variety of other Garmin devices through ANT+.

That last feature is perhaps the most compelling here -- VIRB's ANT+ chip lets you add on accessories like a heart rate monitor while also pairing with the company's Fenix watch, logging GPS coordinates and other stats with each captured clip. The pricier Elite flavor brings positioning sensors on board, however, along with an altimeter and WiFi, which you can use to connect the cam to a dedicated Android or iOS app. That software component lets you see a live preview and control basic settings (video start/stop and still image capture) remotely -- eventually, you'll be able to send content from the device to your phone or tablet, though that functionality isn't included just yet. A tiny remote will also be available as an add-on, should you opt to leave your smartphone at home.

It's easy enough to operate the water-resistant camera without a remote though, even with it mounted on your helmet or attached to a surf board. A large sliding record button lets you power up and start shooting video right away, even when the camera's turned off. There's no built-in storage, but you can slide in your own microSD card under the battery. The Garmin VIRB ships next month for $299, while its Elite counter part will ship around the same time for $399. Check out that base model, along with some of the many optional straps and mounts, in our hands-on photos just below.

Filed under: Cameras, GPS

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Microsoft shows off next-gen Kinect motion and voice capture in Xbox One's Project Spark

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/microsoft-says-project-spark-beta-launching-in-october/

Microsoft just flaunted some of Project Spark's gaming powers at Gamescom 2013 in Cologne: motion and voice capture. If you'll recall, the platform enables gamers to create their own digital spaces for games using the Xbox One's integrated Kinect sensor and the upcoming SmartGlass. Microsoft's Team Dakota group showed how to use facial capture, body motion capture and voice and sound to create animations, dialogue, cut scenes and more. You'll be able to try it yourself on Windows 8 at the end of October 2013, or by January 2014 for the Xbox One. Check the video after the jump to see the fruits of their labor, but maybe turn the volume down a hair. Just sayin'.

Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft

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Source: Xbox

Monday, August 19, 2013

This Flexible OLED Camera Can Snap One-Shot Panoramic Photos

Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-flexible-oled-camera-can-snap-one-shot-panoramic-p-1166231075

Taking panoramic photos was once a time consuming process of carefully snapping a series of shots and then manually stitching them back together in Photoshop. Today it's as easy as just panning across a vista with your digital camera or smartphone, but researchers at Queen's University's Human Media Lab have come up with an even easier solution: a flexible camera that captures panoramic images in a single snap.

Samsung Galaxy Mega hitting AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular this month (updated)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/19/samsung-galaxy-mega/

Duck and cover -- Samsung announced this morning that its latest monster handset, the Galaxy Mega, will be arriving on our shores this month. The 6.3-inch monolith will be coming to AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular. Beyond that, availability information is one thing about this phone that's still on the small side -- as the company explains in a press release this morning (which you can find in all of its PRy glory below), "each carrier will announce their specific availability, colors and timing." We do know that it'll have Android 4.2.2 and a 1.7GHz dual core processor. Expect more info on the only smartphone visible from space to follow soon from each of the aforementioned carriers.

Update: As expected, the carrier announcements have begun trickling in. You can find Sprint's below. It adds...a little information to what we already knew, namely the fact that the Now Network will be offering up unlimited data with the handset.

Update 2: More info now from the AT&T camp, and this time out, it's stuff we can really use -- namely price and date. The carrier's got the massive handset arriving the 23rd, priced at $150 (with, you guessed it, a two-year contract). The rest of that release is after the break -- beneath all the other releases, naturally.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Oppo's 4.7-inch R819 arrives with svelte 7.3mm profile, stock Android option

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/19/oppos-4-7-inch-r819-arrives/

Oppo has just announced the R819, a 4.7-inch smartphone that's likely to have high appeal to lovers of stock Android. The Chinese firm will release the handset with its Oppo Color ROM, but users will also be able to install stock Android through a relatively simple sideloading procedure. Hardware wise, it's also decently spec'd, considering that Oppo seems to have tried to cram as much as it could into the sleek 7.3mm thick (.29 inch), 110 gram (3.9 ounce) shell. You'll get a quad-core MediaTek CPU, 720p IPS display, 1GB RAM, 16GB ROM, a Sony Exmor-equipped 8-megapixel f/2.0 rear camera with an LED flash, a 2,000mAh battery and dual-sim capability. There's no word on availability or pricing yet, though unlike some China-based handset makers, Oppo's devices often wind up in the US.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Ceton ships InfiniTV 6 PCIe tuner, crams six HD channels into a home theater PC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/18/ceton-ships-infinitv-6-pcie-tuner/

Ceton vowed that it would release a PCI Express equivalent of its InfiniTV 6 ETH box, and it's delivering on that promise (if belatedly) by shipping the InfiniTV 6 PCIe. The adapter still lets Windows Media Center users watch or record up to six HD cable TV channels through one CableCARD, but in a form factor that slots neatly into a dedicated home theater PC. The board is in stock at Amazon and Newegg today at its expected $299 price. While that cost puts the InfiniTV PCIe at the high end of the TV tuner spectrum, it may be worthwhile for viewers who just can't afford to miss a show.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals, HD

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Source: Ceton, Amazon, Newegg

AirCast for Android sends local or cloud videos to Chromecast, test it out now

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/18/aircast-android-chromecast/

ClockworkMod dev Koushik Dutta has teased us with a few interesting ways to get our own media streaming on Chromecast, but now he's actually releasing one to the public. AirCast runs on your Android device and streams video from the gallery, Dropbox or Google Drive to Google dongle, with playback controls available in the app or from the notification bar. So why is this ready for release now? According to the developer, he's reverse engineered the protocols and is no longer using the SDK. Still, the app is just in testing now and he warns that the button doesn't appear in gallery apps on some devices, including the HTC One. It will stop working on its own after a couple of days while Dutta works the kinks out, look below for links to the download or more information, and check out a video demo after the break.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Mobile, Google

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Source: Koushik Dutta (Google+), AirCast APK download

Watercolor Paintings Can Be Made With Code

Source: http://gizmodo.com/watercolor-paintings-can-be-made-with-code-1162418254

Watercolor Paintings Can Be Made With Code

Watercolors are a compelling medium because their aesthetic is the product of multiple variables. The pigment, the surface and, of course, water play into every unique stroke. But design engineer Kenichi Yoneda is using openFrameworks to create digital watercolors. And they look organically beautiful.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Researchers Snuck Malware Onto the App Store By Making It a Transformer

Source: http://gizmodo.com/researchers-snuck-malware-onto-the-app-store-by-making-1158847317

Researchers Snuck Malware Onto the App Store By Making It a Transformer

No one really knows exactly how Apple makes sure the apps that wind up in its store are safe. All we know is that the App Store has a comparatively better track record than its Android counterpart. But nothing is ever totally safe. Researchers managed to sneak malware onto the App Store with ease by giving their app the power to transform.

Google+ for iOS adds Drive integration, replaces Messenger with Hangouts

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/google-plus-ios-update/

A mere couple of days after the latest version of Google+ arrived for Android, iOS users are finally getting a taste of it courtesy of today's version 4.5 release. The latest update brings a number of notable features, one of which is integration with Google Drive, which lets G+ fans view, edit and share images via the cloud service. Like the Android version of the app, Hangouts has replaced the Messenger function for messaging and calls, and you can now start a Hangout with someone directly from the person's profile page. Domain-related features for Apps for Business users are also supported. Those itching to find out what else is new can go ahead and download it from the App Store link below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Apple, Google

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Source: Google+ (App Store), Frank Petterson (G+)

LG Optimus G Pro leaks in white for AT&T

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/17/lg-optimus-pro-leaks-in-white/

Seems that one of the better smartphone values on the market today is about to reintroduce itself to AT&T's customers, as @evleaks has just tipped the LG Optimus G Pro in white. Up until this point, the carrier has sold the phone only in black, but its large 5.5-inch, 1080p display, Snapdragon 600 SoC and 13MP camera seem to grab all the attention. AT&T currently sells the Optimus G Pro for $100 on contract or $440 outright, but there's no definitive arrival date for this pearly creation.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, AT&T, LG

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Source: @evleaks (Twitter)

Friday, August 16, 2013

Leaked NSA audit shows privacy violations in cellular and fiber optic surveillance

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/leaked-nsa-audit-shows-privacy-violations-in-cellular-and-fiber/

The NSA insists that it respects American privacy, but documents leaked by Edward Snowden to the Washington Post suggest that the agency has trouble maintaining that respect. A May 2012 audit, buried in the documents, 2,776 incidents where the NSA's Washington-area facilities inadvertently obtained protected American data through a mix of human errors and technical limits. Among its larger gaffes, the NSA regularly had problems determining when foreign cellphones were roaming in the US, leading to unintentional snooping on domestic calls. The agency also spent months tapping and temporarily storing a mix of international and domestic data from US fiber lines until the Foreign Intelligence Surveilliance Court ruled that the technique was unconstitutional. NSA officials responding to the leak say that their agency corrects and mitigates incidents where possible, and argue that it's difficult for the organization to avoid errors altogether. However, the audit also reveals that the NSA doesn't always report violations to overseers -- the division may be interested in fixing mistakes, but it's not eager to ! mention them.

Filed under: Cellphones, Networking, Internet

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Via: GigaOM

Source: Washington Post

Google gives the gift of server-side encryption for Cloud Storage

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/google-cloud-storage/

There's little doubt Google knows a thing or two when it comes to encrypting its own data, and now the company's kindly sharing some of that cryptographical love. Starting now, data uploaded to the Cloud Storage platform will be encrypted on the server side of things before being uploaded. The company's promised that the added safety won't impact performance, and no additional setup will be needed on your end. Also, once you, the authorized reader, are ready, that data will be auto-transferred and decrypted. The company's also going to start encrypting older data, but that migration is likely to take a few months.

Filed under: Google

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Source: Google Cloud Platform Blog

ASUS VivoBook X102BA leaks with 10.1-inch screen and Win 8, reportedly launching next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/asus-vivobook-x102ba-leaked/

Families are all about growing -- an honest case of "the more, the merrier," if you will. Now, according to our friends over at SweClockers, ASUS is getting ready to make its own Vivo family a little larger by introducing the VivoBook X102BA. This leaked Windows 8 PC reportedly packs some pretty run-of-the-mill specs, including a 1.0GHz, dual-core AMD A4-1200 CPU (with Radeon HD 8180 for graphics), 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. What's also of interest here is that ASUS is said to be bundling it with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, which would certainly be a useful tool to interested parties. Per the report, the ASUS VivoBook X102BA will launch sometime in September for around 330 euros, or about 440 bucks if you're this side of the pond.

[Thanks, Jacob]

Filed under: Laptops, Microsoft, ASUS

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Source: SweClockers

Benchmarks hint at Snapdragon-based Kindle Fire HD with 2,560 x 1,600 display

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/benchmarks-hint-at-snapdragon-based-kindle-fire-hd-with-2-560-x/

While benchmark leaks can be wobbly info-stones to tread upon, the arrival of some purported Kindle Fire HD scores could be the first steps toward a timely refresh. The results in question refer to a "Amazon KFAPWA" device with a reported Adreno 330 GPU, which by implication would likely mean a Snapdragon 800 SoC. The field that really leaps out, however, is that 2,560 x 1,600 resolution. If true, it could mean the 8.9-inch version is getting a bump from the previous iteration's 1,920 x 1,200 display. This certainly chimes with earlier reports, and, if nothing else, would certainly make that new browser UI all the more pretty to look at.

Filed under: Tablets, Amazon

Comments

Via: Android Community

Source: GFXBench

Ubuntu Edge raises record-breaking $10 million, enters Guinness Book of Almost

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/16/ubuntu-edge-raises-10-million-dollars/

$10,311,220. It isn't sufficient to greenlight Canonical's innovative hybrid smartphone, but it is just enough to beat the sum raised by the Pebble smartwatch and thereby steal the crowdfunding record. Well, sort of, at least. It depends on whether the amount pledged is all that matters, regardless of whether the project actually comes to fruition -- as happened with both the Pebble on Kickstarter and Indiegogo's previous record holder, the Scanadu Scout. More importantly though, Ubuntu Edge may have reached the point where it'll have a second chance even if it doesn't achieve the required backing of $32 million: Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth told the BBC that some manufacturers have noticed all the hubbub and have come "out of the woodwork" to discuss taking the Android / Ubuntu concept forward, such that August 21st may not prove to be a terminal deadline.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: Ubuntu Edge (Indiegogo)

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Your Smartphone Can Now Be Your Eye Doctor

Source: http://gizmodo.com/your-smartphone-can-now-be-your-eye-doctor-1149714982

Your Smartphone Can Now Be Your Eye Doctor

It was only a matter of time before smartphones made the transition from communication device to full blown Star Trek tricorder. And with the development of Peek (an acronym for Portable Eye Examination Kit), that transition is nearly complete.

Acer's new LED monitors: 27- and 29-inch flavors, up to WQHD resolutions

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/15/acer-led-monitors/

As much as we lust after 4K monitors, we need all that cash for, you know, boring stuff like rent and food. For now, we'll make do with screens that are a little lighter on the wallet, and today Acer has announced three new LED offerings for Joes and pros alike. First up is the T272HUL 27-inch multitouch monitor aimed at consumers, with a WQHD panel (2,560 x 1,440 resolution), 5ms response time and various inputs including old-school VGA. Arriving in late August, the T272HUL is expected to retail at around $999. Another 27-inch model, the B276HUL, drops touch support but sports the same WQHD res, a 6ms response time and a DisplayPort input among several others.

Intended more for pros, the 29-inch B296CL rocks a widescreen 2,560 x 1080 resolution, 8ms response time and the same connectivity credentials as the B276HUL. Both non-touch models are on sale now for around $599. In case you were wondering, all three displays have 178-degree viewing angles both horizontally and vertically -- because if you're not looking almost entirely at bezel, you're doing it wrong. PR after the break.

Gallery: Acer LED monitor press shots