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Thursday, August 26, 2010

NEC builds a better bioplastic from plant stems and cashew nut shells

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/nec-builds-a-better-bioplastic-from-plant-stems-and-cashew-nut-s/

We've already seen cellphones made from corn and bioplastics used in other products, but NEC has now come up with what it says is an even better solution: a first-of-its-kind bioplastic that's based on non-edible plant resources. That's as opposed to bioplastics based on things like corn, which are better for the environment than traditional plastics but don't necessarily represent the best use of food. What's more, NEC's new bioplastic also boasts a high plant component ratio of more than 70% -- derived from plant stems and cashew nut shells -- and it's said to boast a high durability that makes it especially well suited to electronics. As you might expect, however, it's not quite ready to be used for electronics just yet, but it's not all that far off either -- NEC says it expects to put it into production for use in a "wide range of electronic equipment" within the 2013 fiscal year. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading NEC builds a better bioplastic from plant stems and cashew nut shells

NEC builds a better bioplastic from plant stems and cashew nut shells originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony delivers a new midrange 3DTV line with the NX810 series (updated with hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/sony-delivers-a-new-midrange-3dtv-line-with-the-nx810-series/

Sony's finally taken the wraps off its latest televisions for the US market, carrying the NX810 model number. Available in 60-, 55- and 46-inch sizes next month, these give a 3D spec bump (and around a $200 premium on the MSRP) to the existing NX800 series of Edge LED lit HDTVs that came out earlier this year. Like the NX800, these feature a slick monolith design, built-in WiFi, widgets and an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust the picture in changing room conditions, but other than the 3D-readiness (and coupons for free Blu-ray 3D movies and PSN games, though it looks like you'll have to pay for the glasses on your own) it's hard to find any differences on paper. Football fans looking for a new 3D set may be tempted to jump on one and can check the specs and prices after the break, but we'll probably wait around to see what a Google TV might bring to the table -- and at what price.

Update: We got a chance to check out a few of these 3DTVs this evening at Sony's open house in NYC. As per usual, the BRAVIAs were stunning and made us want to save up some cash to get one of these into our living room. And yes, we put on the 3D glasses and watched an assortment of clips. It was like those cute little bears in the snowy picture below were at the swanky event with us. Go on, you know you want to look at the cuddly things, err screens...

Gallery: Sony NX810 3DTV eyes-on

Continue reading Sony delivers a new midrange 3DTV line with the NX810 series (updated with hands-on)

Sony delivers a new midrange 3DTV line with the NX810 series (updated with hands-on) originally appeared on ! Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's Netbox streams Netflix, YouTube and other internet stuff for $130

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/sonys-netbox-streams-netflix-youtube-and-other-internet-stuff/

We can't say there's a real shortage of streaming, set-top boxes on the market, but that doesn't mean we won't welcome Sony's addition with open arms. Not to be confused with a netbook or a nettop, the Netbox streams Sony's Bravia Internet services -- YouTube, Netflix, DailyMotion, etc. -- as well as supports a "wide range" of video formats including DivX and MKV. Although it's got 802.11n WiFi baked in, the rather compact box has an Ethernet port around back as well as an USB jack on the front for hooking up an external hard drive for watching any of your legally-downloaded (obviously!) videos. Sadly, when we got to check out the Netbox earlier today it wasn't connected to a network -- go figure, with all those connectivity options -- but the software was up and running, and we got to take a peek at the remote app on an Xperia X10. Fret not, the free app will be available for the iPhone and other Android phones. Look, we'd understand holding out for a BRAVIA with Google TV, but all in all for $130 we wouldn't blame you for heading off to Sony right now and picking one of these little guys up.

Gallery: Sony Netbox SMP-N100

Sony's Netbox streams Netflix, YouTube and other internet stuff for $130 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile G2 build leaks out, points to potent MSM7x30 chipset?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/t-mobile-g2-build-leaks-out-points-to-potent-msm7x30-chipset/

What's inside the T-Mobile G2, aside from fancy hinges and an HSPA+ capable modem? We can't say for sure, but this week saw a zip file from China set the Android community astir with visions of vanilla frozen yogurt heaped high atop a stack of powerful silicon. Android Guys discovered an allegedly leaked G2 Android 2.2 build (sans Sense) at the website of one 911sniper, last seen outing supposed HTC specs left and right, and our old friend Cyanogen took it upon himself to have a peek inside. What should he find but references to Qualcomm's MSM7x30 chipset, with all the silky-smooth 720p multimedia playback that brings, as well as the remote possibility of dual-mode HSPA+ / LTE support if the "x" in "MSM7x30" turns out to be a "6." There's no telling whether any of this is legit at this point, but we dare to dream.

T-Mobile G2 build leaks out, points to potent MSM7x30 chipset? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phandroid, Android Police | source

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Mophie and Intuit partner to create Complete Card Solution for iPhone, try to make Square look square

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mophie-and-intuit-partner-to-create-complete-card-solution-for-i/

Who knew that credit card processing would be the new hotness for smartphones? The Square mobile payment system has been making waves by letting small businesses receive credit card payment directly on their smartphones. Now, mophie and Intuit are looking to get in on the same action with their Complete Card Solution for iPhone. It's a $179 package that includes both mophie's card-swiping phone case and the 3.0 version of Intuit's GoPayment app. After a quick application users are said to be approved (or, erm, declined) within 15 minutes and can immediately start accepting payments. Full details, including just how much users will be forking over in fees, after the break.

Continue reading Mophie and Intuit partner to create Complete Card Solution for iPhone, try to make Square look square

Mophie and Intuit partner to create Complete Card Solution for iPhone, try to make Square look square originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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