Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Apple rumored to be turning iTunes into a DRM-free music store

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/apple-rumored-to-be-turning-itunes-into-a-drm-free-music-store/

We can't count the number of times we've heard from one random source or another that Apple was about to pull the trigger on a subscription-based / 100% DRM-free music service, and given how those have worked out in the past, we'd highly recommend taking this one with a huge dose of salt. French site ElectronLibre has it that Apple will finally offer up all of its music in DRM-free form starting as early as tomorrow, specifically calling out Sony, Universal and Warner as outfits who would join the protection-free cause. Should this happen, it would obviously be a dream come true for ole Steve, but we're still left to wonder what would happen to bitrates, prices and (potentially most important) all other iTMS content. Something tells us Hollywood isn't quite as ready to release its death grip.

[Via AppleInsider]

Filed under: Portable Audio

Apple rumored to be turning iTun! es into a DRM-free music store originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Broadcom chip for phones does 802.11n, lots of other stuff

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/new-broadcom-chip-for-phones-does-802-11n-lots-of-other-stuff/

Phones have lagged -- understandably, we suppose -- behind desktops and laptops in bringing 802.11n to market, but it was bound to happen eventually; to that end, Broadcom has announced its BCM4329, one of the first mobile 802.11n solutions on the block. On top of delivering up to 50Mbps of real-world WiFi throughput on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, the darned thing throws in Bluetooth, an FM receiver, and an FM transmitter, too -- in other words, everything but the kitchen sink, where the "kitchen sink" is the cellular radio itself. Sadly, the 4329 sticks with single-stream transmission to conserve battery life -- no MIMO here, folks -- but considering the 802.11g alternative, we'll take what we can get. The chip's already being sampled (and hopefully being integrated into future products) by Broadcom's customers with mass production following on sometime in 2009.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

New Broadcom chip for phones does 802.11n, lots of other stuff originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer takes the "most netbooks sold" crown from ASUS

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/acer-takes-the-most-netbooks-sold-crown-from-asus/

The hotter-than-ever netbook market -- which has seemingly been headed Acer's way for a while now -- has seen its numbers for the third quarter of 2008 arrive, and the Aspire One has indeed overtaken ASUS Eee PC as top dog in units moved. Acer's captured 38.3 percent of the market share, selling 2.15 million netbooks, while ASUS sold about 1.7 million, or 30.3 percent. Possibly adding insult to injury, we hear that an XP-loaded Aspire One can be yours for $299 today at Best Buy. We doubt ASUS will be taking its toys and going home any time soon, but we might've heard a few sniffles coming from its corner during recess.

[Via Laptop]

Read - Best Buy
Read - Strong netbook shipments buoy notebook PC market in Q3 '08

Filed under: Laptops

Acer takes the "most netbooks sold" crown from ASUS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG tests world's first LTE cellphone chip: 60Mbps downloads are go

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/lg-tests-worlds-first-lte-cellphone-chip-60mbps-downloads-are/

As mobile service providers ramp-up for the WiMAX vs. LTE battle, LG just announced a significant milestone: the world's first 3GPP LTE chip for cellphones and data cards. While theoretically capable of 100Mbps/50Mbps download/upload speeds, LG's 13 x 13-mm chip was able to demonstrate 60Mbps down and 20Mbps up, under what we can only assume to be controlled (read: optimum) conditions -- easily besting existing 7.6Mbps HSDPA networks. Great, too bad this isn't the year 2010 else we'd have a national LTE infrastructure (right!) and we'd all be driving plug-in hybrids (sure).

P.S. We don't know what those thin handsets are flanking the chips, but we doubt those are functional LTE devices. LG said that it used a "test terminal running Windows Mobile" to demonstrate its new chips. Could be data cards but we think we're seeing a volume rocker along the side. Check another pic after the break.

Continue reading LG tests world's first LTE cellphone chip: 60Mbps downloads are go

Filed under: Cellphones

LG tests world's first LTE cellphone chip: 60Mbps downloads are go originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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White Touch Diamond now on HTC's website

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/white-touch-diamond-now-on-htcs-website/

We understand that there's a snowstorm underway at HTC's website, but we're pretty darn confident that the HTC Touch Diamond there in the middle is white not from hours under the powder, but from a certain hue of paint. 'Course, it's no surprise to find that this beauty is real, but there's nothing quite like the sweet, sweet taste of official confirmation. Now, about a US release date...

[Thanks, Robert]

Filed under: Cellphones

White Touch Diamond now on HTC's website originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Novatel MiFi proves "3G hotspot" and "sexy" can coexist

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/novatel-mifi-proves-3g-hotspot-and-sexy-can-coexist/

Our EV-DO ExpressCards are looking a whole lot frumpier (and less functional) today now that Novatel's shown off this hot little metallic number, the "MiFi" mobile 3G hotspot for getting high-speed data to you and your closest friends on the go. Routing your choice of EV-DO Rev. A or HSPA over WiFi, the slab is about as wide and long as a credit card -- goodness -- and features an internal battery that'll allegedly be good for four hours of use or forty hours of standby on one charge. The MiFi is scheduled to blast off in the first half of 2009 through carriers and retail channels, which means we can finally look forward to ditching our N78 with Joikuspot and a couple hundred dollars worth of spare batteries.

Filed under: Wireless

Novatel MiFi proves "3G hotspot" and "sexy" can coexist originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gateway goes netbook in Singapore with the LT1001G, an Acer rebadge

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/gateway-goes-netbook-in-singapore-with-the-lt1001g-an-acer-reba/

Now that Acer's Aspire One is on top, there's really little shame in rebadging the popular netbook with everyone's favorite cow-themed computer brand and shipping it on over to Singapore, which is what Acer-owned Gateway has apparently done with the LT1001G. Details are slim, but specs are pretty standard, with a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD. It'll retail for $688 Singapore dollars (about $458 US), and is accompanied by a few other low and high-end laptops to help mark the company's re-emergence in Singapore after splitting nearly eight years ago -- we'd say we're looking forward to seeing the netbook in the rest of the world, but we pretty much already have.

[Via Netbook Era]

Filed under: Laptops

Gateway goes netbook in Singapore with the LT1001G, an Acer rebadge originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on shots of Creative's Vado HD 720p pocket camcorder

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/hands-on-shots-of-creatives-vado-hd-720p-pocket-camcorder/

Creative's recently unleashed Vado HD 720p pocket camcorder isn't dramatically different (design wise, anyway) than its predecessor, but it's obviously what's tucked inside that counts. Still, we have to admire the subtle but meaningful updates that Creative has applied here, and while beauty will strike everyone differently, we personally like the direction the Vado HD has taken. For a few more looks, saunter on down to the read link.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Hands-on shots of Creative's Vado HD 720p pocket camcorder originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo drops IdeaPad S10 pricing across the board

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/lenovo-drops-ideapad-s10-pricing-across-the-board/

A mere two days after launching a large capacity version of its multi-hued IdeaPad S10 netbook, Lenovo's gone and chopped prices through and through, with specialty-color netbooks that used to retail for $439 landing at $359, and the boring black or white models retailing for $349, down from $399. Large capacity versions, with their fancy 1GB of RAM and 160GB hard drives go for $399 and $409 now, respectively. That's a savings of $50 or $80 for all you math whizzes out there, which is great but Lenovo is certainly not the only one to be pushing down netbook price points to what one might call "recession levels."

[Via LogicBUY]

Filed under: Laptops

Lenovo drops IdeaPad S10 pricing across the board originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Open Handset Alliance signs up 14 more Android-lovers, including Sony Ericsson, ASUS and Garmin

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/open-handset-alliance-signs-up-14-more-android-lovers-including/

The Open Handset Alliance just made a major score with 14 more members: AKM Semiconductor Inc., ARM, ASUSTek Computer Inc., Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International Inc., Huawei Technologies, Omron Software Co. Ltd, Softbank Mobile Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Teleca AB, Toshiba Corporation and Vodafone. That's not quite everyone that matters, but pretty darn close. Developing...

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Open Handset Alliance signs up 14 more Android-lovers, including Sony Ericsson, ASUS and Garmin originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New in Labs: Tasks

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OfficialGmailBlog/~3/2XH_XVVMhGI/new-in-labs-tasks.html

Posted by Jonathan Terleski, Michael Lancaster, and Brett Lider, Tasks team People use Gmail to get stuff done, so we've added a lightweight way to keep track of what you need to do, right from within Gmail.

Take entering a new task: just click in an empty part of your list and start typing. No buttons to click and it's saved automatically. Hit Return and you've got a new task right there. You can also easily convert emails into tasks: select one or more messages and go to More Actions > Add to Tasks. (Or turn on keyboard shortcuts and use <shift> + t.)

We put your tasks in the same kind of window as chats, so they're visible while you're scanning your inbox, reading mail, or searching (and in Settings, too!). Just pop your list out into a new window to use Tasks outside of Gmail. To enable Tasks, go to Settings, click the Labs tab (or just click here if you're signed in). Select "Enable" next to "Tasks" and then click "Save Changes" at the bottom. Then, after Gmail refreshes, on the left under the "Contacts" link, you'll see a "Tasks" link. Just click it to get started. read more on gmail tasks...

Monday, December 08, 2008

Five Best Media Center Applications [Hive Five]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/h5vxx38X18M/five-best-media-center-applications

The past ten years have completely changed the way we listen to music, watch movies and television, and take photos, and one thing is abundantly clear: The future of your media lies undeniably in the digital realm. Now you just need to find the perfect media center application to pull it all together. Earlier this week we asked you to share your favorite media center applications, and today we're back with the five most popular answers. Keep reading for a closer look at the favorites, then cast your vote for the media center app you count on to manage your digital media life. Photo by Aaron Escobar.

XBMC (Windows/Mac/Linux/Xbox/Apple TV)

XBMC (aka Xbox Media Center) is a free, open-source media center application designed, in the beginning, for the original Xbox. XBMC has made serious progress over the past year or so and can now run virtually anywhere—including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Apple TVs. Not only is XBMC an incredible media center app with tons of great add-ons and customization options, but it's also spawned several popular forks, including Boxee (mentioned below). XBMC is in constant development and has gotten better and better at running on your PC, but if you've got an old Xbox hanging around, here's how to transform your classic Xbox with XBMC.

Boxee (Mac OS X/Apple TV/Linux)

Boxee is an XBMC fork with an emphasis on taking your media center into the social realm. Like XBMC, Boxee is free and open source, but while it's aiming for the same platforms, Boxee currently only supports Mac OS X, Linux, and the Apple TV. Still, a pre-alpha release of the Windows version was released to a small group of testers just last week, so if you're on Windows and you like what you see, it may not be long before there's a Boxee for you. Despite its aim to be your social media center, Boxee's great interface and impressive features—including recent support for Netflix playback and integration with online video sites like Hulu—demonstrate that Boxee isn't slacking on overall innovation.

Windows Media Center (Windows/Xbox 360)

Windows Media Center brings a full and robust media management to your Windows operating system. Not only does Windows Media Center provide access to all your music, videos, photos, and more, but it also sports fantastic DVR functionality (it's like having a TiVo without the monthly bills). Microsoft released the first version of Windows Media Center with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, but Vista comes with Windows Media Center built in to its Home Premium and Ultimate editions. Sound interesting? Check out how you can turn your Windows PC into a media center powerhouse on the cheap with WMC, watch and schedule Media Center recordings from any computer, and stream Netflix Watch Instantly videos in WMC. Lastly, if you've got an Xbox 360, it works beautifully as a Media Center extender for Windows Media Center.

SageTV (Windows/Mac/Linux)

SageTV is a cross-platform media center and DVR application. SageTV works great if all you want is a straightforward DVR, but it's also an awesome app for the consummate tweaker. In contrast to Windows Media Center, SageTV recordings are DRM free, so it's easy to convert your media and play back the files anywhere—and on any device—you like. SageTV is a commercial application that'll set you back $80, but a 21-day free trial is available if you want to kick the tires. For more, check out our old guide to building your own DVR with SageTV and adding a web interface that lets you play back and set up recordings from any web browser.

MythTV (Linux)

MythTV is a Linux-based DVR and media center application designed as a free, open-source alternative to TiVo and Windows Media Center. First started way back in 2002, MythTV is the granddaddy of many of the media centers in this Hive Five and many that aren't. ! Currentl y several Linux distributions come bundled with MythTV, including the popular KnoppMyth live CD and Mythbuntu. MythTV's biggest hurdle for new users is probably Linux, but if you're willing to roll up your sleeves or you've already got a little know-how, this saucy media center has a lot to offer.

Now that you've seen the best, it's voting time.
Which Is the Best Media Center Application?
( surveys)

This week's honorable mentions go out to the open-source Windows-based media center and DVR, MediaPortal, and Mac OS X-based XBMC fork, Plex. Whether the media center love of your life made the short list or not, let's hear more about it in the comments.

Would You Pay $7 for Two-Factor Online Banking Authentication? [Ask The Readers]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/rvC_9SZ7uuw/would-you-pay-7-for-two+factor-online-banking-authentication

Online game World of Warcraft now offers more secure authentication than nearly every online banking system the average consumer can access. Blizzard, the company behind the MMORPG powerhouse, has introduced the ability to use two-factor authentication in WoW. Two-factor authentication involves a second verifier on top of your normal password to log you in (like biometrics or a physical key card). In the case of the new Blizzard system, players can purchase a $6.50 keyfob that provides a six-digit authentication code, which it wirelessly creates on-demand for each login. If an online game system can implement it, why not your bank? Would you pay around the average cost of a fast food meal to have a secure and wireless two-factor authentication system for your bank (or any other online service you wanted a higher level of security on)? I know I won't be able to rest until my Facebook login is secured with a retinal scan.

Warcraft Account Security [via Waxy]

Nvidia Badaboom and ATI Avivo GPU Video Transcoders Battle to the Death [Video]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/oduKhmBAHvk/nvidia-badaboom-and-ati-avivo-gpu-video-transcoders-battle-to-the-death

Dedicated graphics cards from ATI and Nvidia used to be critical just for gamers and pros, but now they do a lot more than make splattered guts look good. Like make video transcoding really fast.

PC Perspective compared GPU-powered video transcoding programs from ATI and Nvidia—Avivo and Badaboom, respectively, which work exclusively with their own graphics cards.

The Nvidia Badaboom transcoder wins on interface, looks and ease of use, though you need an Nvidia card that supports CUDA, limiting it to relatively recent GPUs. ATI's Avivo uses a crappy wizard format and is kind of ugly, but it has a wealth of options and outputs that Badaboom simply doesn't offer. It's also faster, though it does use more CPU action than Badaboom. And you know, it's free, while Badadoom is $30 if you don't want that gross watermark.

Avivo slightly edges out Badaboom as PCPer's favorite because it's faster and more powerful, though one potential downfall is that it has some problems with "video garbage" during WMV and iPod video file playback. Still, both pretty impressively show off the power of GPU-accelerated apps versus standard CPU-driven fare. Either way, it can't hurt to check out Avivo—it's free. [PCPer]

100Mbps Verizon FiOS to (Probably) Arrive in 2009 [FiOS]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/15CQArhlqMg/100mbps-verizon-fios-to-probably-arrive-in-2009

With Comcast upping its speeds to 50Mbps in a few markets, Verizon's gotta roll out a big, round number to compete, so they've announced, and then hedged, the upcoming rollout of 100Mbps FiOS service, starting hopefully in 2009.

Verizon technology director Vincent O'Byrne declared 2009 the year America finally breaks the 100Mbps barrier that Hong Kongers have, well, long since passed. O'Byrne was quick to note that the bump in speed isn't really essential to most Verizon customers, but that the number represents more of a marketing milestone that could give them a one-up on chief competitor Comcast.

Later, a Verizon spokesperson contacted Telephony Online, the original reporter, to perform some spectacular hedging: "Verizon expects to have its delivery processes for speeds like that locked down in 2009 so that service with speeds approaching 100 Mb/s would be enabled in the very near future," the spokesperson said. So Verizon is going to hit that landmark 100Mbps soon, but it appears for now there's no guarantee. No pricing was made available, either, although the current fastest tier, at 50Mbps, costs $145 without bundled phone service. [DSL Reports]

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