Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Samsung dashes hopes for 12 megapixel phone at MWC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/samsung-dashes-hopes-for-12-megapixel-phone-at-mwc/

Okay, so a recap is definitely in order here. Merely 11 days ago, a flurry of rumors about Samsung's Mobile World Congress plans filtered out, which just so happened to include word of a 12 megapixel cameraphone. Then, the outfit itself leaked nine new models, giving just a wee bit of credence to the whispers we'd heard. Following that, we even saw a certain UK branch get ahold of one of its flagship models prior to the show, while it casually mentioned that no Android-based phones would be on display. Now, the other most awesome handset (er, rumored handset) is being squashed for a MWC debut, as Telecoms Korea has it that no dozen-megapixel phone is coming to Barcelona. No worries, though -- you'll have plenty to gawk at between the Blue Earth and the Ultra Touch S8300.

[Via Samsung Central, thanks David]

Samsung dashes hopes for 12 megapixel phone at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darpa develops a 1.8 gigapixel digicam and no, you can't 'check it out'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/darpa-develops-a-1-8-gigapixel-digicam-and-no-you-cant-check/

Yeah, I know you thought your Hello Kitty digicam was some hot stuff, but believe it or not the kids at Darpa have even got that one beat. Called ARGUS-IS (both named after the mythological eye guy and an acronym for Autonomous Real-time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance - Imaging System) this guy straps a 1.8 gigapixel camera to the bottom of an A-160T Hummingbird robot helicopter. The device is able to hover at high altitude (over 15,000 feet) for up to 20 hours -- keeping tabs of an area of over a hundred square miles. The frame rate is 15 fps and the "ground sample distance" is 15 centimeters -- each pixel represents about six inches. The sheer amount of data taken in by a camera like this is too large to be completely relayed to the ground, but users are able to define upwards of sixty-five independent video windows within the image and zoom in or out. Additionally, windows can be set to automatically track items such as moving vehicles, individuals, the books you get out of the library, and the items you pick up at 7-11 after a night out with the gang.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Darpa develops a 1.8 gigapixel digicam and no, you can't 'check it out' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei announces i-Mo 3G modem with WiFi

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/huawei-announces-i-mo-hspa-modem-with-wifi/

Here's a peek at a tiny modem making its debut at MWC next week. The Huawei i-Mo HSPA modem is, indeed very small -- the company says about the size of a key chain -- and it boasts both an HSDPA / HSUPA USB modem as well as WiFi, plus it's got a MicroSD slot for storage. We don't know about pricing or availability for this little guy yet, but it will probably be offered through carriers, and should show up sometime in the fourth quarter of 2009. Hooray!

Filed under: Peripherals

Huawei announces i-Mo 3G modem with WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia shows off sample image from mysterious 8 megapixel phone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/nokia-shows-off-sample-image-from-mysterious-8-megapixel-phone/

This one won't be a mystery for too much longer but, for now at least, Nokia is more than happy to tease out its latest high-end cameraphone right up until the official announcement at MWC. What we do know is that the above picture was taken with said cameraphone, and that the EXIF data revealed a couple more details in addition to its 8 megapixel nature. The most notable of those is that the phone will apparently come equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens which, judging from the sample image, certainly seems to be capable of producing some decent results. Hit up the read link to check out the full resolution version, and keep an eye on our MWC coverage for further details as we get 'em.

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia shows off sample image from mysterious 8 megapixel phone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung begins production of 50nm GDDR5 memory

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/samsung-begins-production-of-50nm-gddr5-memory/

It's still a little ways away from actually landing in some graphics cards, but Samsung has announced that it has begun mass production of its new 50nm GDDR5 memory, which promises to support a maximum data transfer speed of 7.0 gigabits per second and boast a maximum bandwidth of 28 gigabytes per second. What's more, according to Samsung, the shift to a 50nm manufacturing process also increases production efficiency by a full 100 percent, and allows the memory to operate at 1.35 volts, which is a 20 percent reduction compared to current GDDR4 memory. From the looks of it, however, manufacturers will have to make do with a 32Megabit x 32 configuration (also configurable as a 64Mb x 16 device) initially, although Samsung says it plans to expand the 50nm process throughout its graphics memory line-up by the end of the year.

[Thanks, Shattered Ice]

Filed under: Gaming

Samsung begins production of 50nm GDDR5 memory originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QNAP busts out Core 2 Duo-equipped TS-809 Pro Turbo NAS

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/14/qnap-busts-out-core-2-duo-equipped-ts-809-pro-turbo-nas/

While QNAP's 4-bay TS-439 Pro Turbo NAS was perfectly fine for the average home-based storage junkie, small businesses need something with a bit more potential. Enter the TS-809 Pro Turbo, an 8-bay behemoth capable of housing 8 SATA hard drives (up to 16TB, or .98 million copies of Friday the 13th, when 2GB HDDs are widely available). The unit gets powered by a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo, which definitely means that your next NAS may posses more processing power than the antiquated PC it's connected to. Additionally, there's 2GB of DDR2 RAM, read / write rates of 126MB/s and 111Mb/s (respectively), and support for a litany of business-related advanced features. Mum's the word on price, but you can bet it'll be up there.

Gallery: QNAP busts out Core 2 Duo-equipped TS-809 Pro Turbo NAS

Filed under: Storage

QNAP busts out Core 2 Duo-equipped TS-809 Pro Turbo NAS originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Feb 2009 04:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friday, February 13, 2009

My Tracks For Android Logs Your Day via GPS, Uploads To Google Maps [Android Apps]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/GxASRP6ytm0/my-tracks-for-android-logs-your-day-via-gps-uploads-to-google-maps

In the second big GPS-on-Android related tidbit today, Google released My Tracks, a cool app for logging a route of any kind via GPS and saving it to Google Maps.

While it's presented in the context of a workout or hiking route, you could use the app for just about anything, including drawing fun shapes on the map of your town, if you're so inclined. Along with the mapping, the app displays statistics in real time like elevation, distance traveled, speed, etc. My Tracks can also use Google Docs' little-known but very cool ability to receive the output of web forms in a spreadsheet, so you can track your routes and see your average speed over time.

It all gets demonstrated here by Jeff, the Google cyclist.

[Official Google Blog]

Wire Fu Lets Fly in Chinese Performance Artist's Work [Art]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/9DhFr5Lfk68/wire-fu-lets-fly-in-chinese-performance-artists-work

Chinese performance artist Li Wei uses mirrors, scaffolding and steel wires to create these seriously awesome gravity-defying pictures. While some are Photoshopped post-production, mostly they're made through the magic of thoughtful planning.

Li Wei was born in Hunan province and moved to Beijing in the early 90s. He has had his work exhibited all over the world-most recently in the Mogadishni Cph gallery in Denmark. Check out more of his crazy stuff here. [56minus1]

Security experts hating on Android browser until patch is released

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/12/security-experts-hating-on-android-browser-until-patch-is-releas/

Software vulnerabilities are no stranger to modern, highly-connected smartphones and feature phones alike, and fortunately, the big guys have been pretty good about staying on the ball and patching the serious stuff in a reasonable amount of time. The latest problem discovered in the Android browser's multimedia subsystem really sucks, though -- it's so bad, some security dudes are advising customers to "avoid" using the it altogether until it gets fixed -- and the most frustrating part about it is that it actually is fixed in the Android code trunk, it's just that no one's bothered to roll out an update to G1 users yet. In the meantime, the dude who discovered the problem is advising users to only visit trusted sites and avoid WiFi, so yeah, just don't browse or anything, okay?

[Via ReadWriteWeb]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Security experts hating on Android browser until patch is released originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SmartQ 5 touchscreen PMP / MID promises WiFi, Bluetooth

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/12/smartq-5-touchscreen-pmp-mid-promises-wifi-bluetooth/

It looks like it may still be quite a while before it actually ends up on store shelves, but this new SmartQ 5 PMP / MID seems like it should be able to at least muster up a bit of interest when and if it is ever released. While complete specs are a little light, and most likely not finalized, the device will apparently boast a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, and four hardware buttons to give the touchscreen a rest once in a while. Not much more than that, unfortunately, although SmartQ does seem to be pitching this one squarely as an internet device first and media player second, so hopefully that means it'll pack enough capabilities to truly earn that MID moniker.

[Via SlashGear]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

SmartQ 5 touchscreen PMP / MID promises WiFi, Bluetooth originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Aigo's MID gets Windows XP, relabeled a UMPC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/12/video-aigos-mid-gets-windows-xp-relabeled-a-umpc/

Aigo's MID has been around the block for what feels like ages now, but it's getting an all new purpose in life thanks to one of Redmond's operating systems. If you'll recall, a MID typically runs a "lightweight" OS and is designed to be more of a sophisticated PMP; on the other hand, a UMPC is built for a real-deal OS, something that business users may appreciate. Semantics aside, what we have posted up after the jump is a ten minute video showing off just how well this machine handles Windows XP, and by our estimations, it looks pretty darn good.

[Thanks, Benz145]

Continue reading Video: Aigo's MID gets Windows XP, relabeled a UMPC

Filed under: Handhelds

Video: Aigo's MID gets Windows XP, relabeled a UMPC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony VAIO P gets HSDPA WWAN at last... via a mod, naturally

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/sony-vaio-p-gets-hsdpa-wwan-at-last-via-a-mod-naturally/

Right, so integrated WWAN is awesome. But what's not awesome is Sony's decision to lock you down to Verizon Wireless on its ritzy new VAIO P. We've seen one team of investigators hack away in search of a SIM slot to no avail, but we should've known tnkgrl was the real lady for the job. Once again proving just how awesome she is, tnkgrl has not only modified the VAIO P to accept an AT&T SIM card, but she's managed to get it working, host up the pictures to prove it and even provide a how-to guide enabling seasoned hackers to follow suit. Hit the read link for all the requisite details, but be sure you've got lots of spare time to give before taking this one on.

Filed under: Laptops

Sony VAIO P gets HSDPA WWAN at last... via a mod, naturally originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Find Product Manuals at OwnerIQ [Manuals]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/IVzl1WGWgeI/find-product-manuals-at-owneriq

Find the manual for your product online at OwnerIQ, a site that catalogs thousands of manuals for consumer devices and offers forums for discussing their features and quirks.

OwnerIQ goes a step beyond previously reviewed SafeManuals by providing not only manuals, but also extended on-site information about your products. You can use the site without registration to quickly locate manuals and accompanying literature for products you own. Registration adds the ability to ask questions in the product forums and create a profile of all your devices and manuals. Additionally, if there's a recall or update for any product you've added to your profile, OwnerIQ will send you an email notification. After a Google search with filetype:pdf fails, OwnerIQ might be a key next stop in any hunt for how stuff works.

Owner IQ [via MakeUseOf]

Twitlet Updates Twitter Easily (Without Extra Software) [Bookmarklets]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/Kmlzafp1I8c/twitlet-updates-twitter-easily-without-extra-software

Web application Twitlet embeds Twitter updating in a simple, works-in-any-browser bookmarklet that makes updating Twitter easy—without bloating your system with another piece of software.

Setting up the service, which requires no signup, is extremely simple—just enter in your twitter account information on the Twitlet site, then drag the bookmarklet up to your toolbar. Clicking the bookmarklet will display a small JavaScript prompt where you can type your new status message—and you can use the special #link or #this keywords to add links to the current page using URL-shortening service is.gd. Security-conscious readers will note that your account details are encrypted and stored in the bookmarklet, and as with any third-party service you may be concerned about giving them your account information. The ease of use factor alone, however, makes this worth a look.

Twitlet is a free service, works with any browser that supports JavaScript bookmarklets. If keeping Twitter updated is killing your workflow, you should check out our guide to getting productive with social media.

Twitlet [via Download Squad]

Twitlet Updates Twitter Easily (Without Extra Software) [Bookmarklets]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/Kmlzafp1I8c/twitlet-updates-twitter-easily-without-extra-software

Web application Twitlet embeds Twitter updating in a simple, works-in-any-browser bookmarklet that makes updating Twitter easy—without bloating your system with another piece of software.

Setting up the service, which requires no signup, is extremely simple—just enter in your twitter account information on the Twitlet site, then drag the bookmarklet up to your toolbar. Clicking the bookmarklet will display a small JavaScript prompt where you can type your new status message—and you can use the special #link or #this keywords to add links to the current page using URL-shortening service is.gd. Security-conscious readers will note that your account details are encrypted and stored in the bookmarklet, and as with any third-party service you may be concerned about giving them your account information. The ease of use factor alone, however, makes this worth a look.

Twitlet is a free service, works with any browser that supports JavaScript bookmarklets. If keeping Twitter updated is killing your workflow, you should check out our guide to getting productive with social media.

Twitlet [via Download Squad]

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