Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Touchscreen Slider E7 is "Beautiful" According to Nokia—But Still Symbian^3 [Nokia]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5637419/slide+out-qwerty-touchscreen-e7-is-beautiful-according-to-nokia++but-still-symbian3

Reminding us of the Communicator from yesteryear, Nokia described the E7 as being "beautiful and all business, and despite being big, it's very thin this time," when showing it off at Nokia World.

The 4-inch touchscreen uses the new ClearBlack Display for darker blacks and brighter colors, and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, the phone is aimed at business users—yet still has the full host of Ovi services and apps. Microsoft Exchange support is included, obviously, but they haven't compromised on entertainment features, such as the HDMI port and Dolby Digital Plus Surround Sound.

It measures 13.8mm thick and has an 8MP camera capable of shooting 720p video, plus 16GB of memory to store it all on. [Nokia]

Nokia C6 and C7 Touchscreen Phones Have 8MP Camera and New ClearBlack Displays [Nokia]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5637421/nokia-c6-and-c7-touchscreen-phones-have-8mp-camera-and-new-clearblack-displays

Describing the C6 as a "premium touchscreen," it has a new ClearBlack Display which they're trying to position as the Pioneer KURO of the phone world—blacker blacks, but also brighter colors. The C7 is an even skinnier version.

Both Symbian^3 phones have 8MP cameras and shoot video at 720p resolution, plus boast of fine "social netbooking" features, as Nokia's Anssi Vanjoki described at their Nokia World expo. The C7 is the new C-series flagship, with a 3.5-inch AMOLED screen and more memory, plus a premium stainless steel body, which he said was the "sleekest, smoothest device in the whole world," at 10.5mm thick. We'll judge that for ourselves when we get hands-on later with the 8GB-memory phone.

The C6 has a 3.2-inch AMOLED screen—capacitive, thankfully, and a microSD card slot for expanding up to 32GB.

Both have Ovi access for downloading apps, and will go on sale at the end of the year. More info when we get it. [Nokia]

Intel's Light Peak optical interconnect shrinks slightly, LaCie, WD, Compal and Avid begin prototyping

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/intels-light-peak-optical-interconnect-shrinks-slightly-while/

Intel's Light Peak isn't setting any new speed records at IDF 2010 -- it's still rated at 10Gbps for now -- but the optical data transfer system is finally looking like it might appear in some actual products. As you can see immediately above, a Light Peak to HDMI converter has shrunk considerably since May, and a number of optically-infused sample products were on display at Intel's Light Peak booth. Compal's got a laptop with the optical interconnect built in, while Western Digital showed an external hard drive, from which the Compal could pull and edit multimedia in real-time using a Light Peak-enabled Avid rackmount. Meanwhile, LaCie showed off what appeared to be a 4big Quadra RAID array with two Light Peak ports catapulting high-definition video content at 770MB/s to a nearby Samsung TV, though we should warn you that the TV itself was a bit of a hack job, and not a collaboration with Samsung -- note the big, honking EVGA video card sticking out of the back. Though obviously a good bit of work went into these prototypes, Intel reps told us none would necessarily become a reality. Either way, don't expect to see Light Peak products until sometime next year.

Gallery: Intel's Light Peak prototype hardware

Intel's Light Peak optical interconnect shrinks slightly, LaCie, WD, Compal and Avid begin prototyping originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia CBD vs. Apple Retina... display fight!

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/nokia-cbd-vs-apple-retina-fight/

Come on, you knew this post was coming. Here we have a prototype Nokia E7 and its new 4-inch, 640x360 pixel Clear Black Display pitted again the iPhone 4's 3.5-inch 960x640 pixel Retina display. To our eyes, the iPhone 4 display has a noticeable blue warmth and wasn't as vibrant or bright as the CBD. The CBD, however, did come across a bit oversatured (just look at those red "breaking news" bars), but hey, it's AMOLED. It certainly looks just as good as the Galaxy S' Super AMOLED. We'll have to see how the polarized layer on the CBD affects sunlight viewing. More on that later. Until then, play nice dear readers.

Gallery: Nokia CBD vs. Apple Retina... fight!

Nokia CBD vs. Apple Retina... display fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon D7000 pictured ahead of imminent release?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/nikon-d7000-pictured-ahead-of-imminent-release/

What, the D3100 and its fancy new autofocusing video mode not enough for ya? Ever since Nikon updated its entry level DSLR, rumors have been rife of a new teammate for it, namely a D7000, designed to replace the wildly popular D90 prosumer shooter. Today, those rumors get enriched with a supposedly legit image, showing a realignment of the buttons on the back, a bit more control with a dual jog dial on the left shoulder, and a new Live View-switching toggle as first seen on the D3100. Look for the D7000, along with a new Speedlight flash and a couple of juicy Nikkor prime lenses, to get officially announced early tomorrow morning. Or not, you never know with rumors.

Nikon D7000 pictured ahead of imminent release? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton: Surface will be in homes within three years

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/microsoft-principal-researcher-bill-buxton-surface-will-be-in-h/

Microsoft's Principal Researcher recently sat down for a very long interview with The Globe and Mail. The next big thing in tech, he says, is something like Microsoft's already available (but super expensive) Surface. So what does the next version of the Surface look like? Well, it's going to be much thinner -- "no thicker than a sheet of glass," but most importantly, it will cost much much less. The man who helped design what ultimately became Surface says that soon enough, the cameras will be embedded within the device itself, making it a low-cost, in home product rather than the niche product it is today. Buxton also said in the interview that he thinks we'll begin seeing home implementation within the next three years. We sure hope that he's correct.

Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton: Surface will be in homes within three years originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ExoPC is Intel's WiDi-enabled Atom tablet, we go hands-on with near-final build (update: video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/exopc-is-intels-widi-enabled-atom-tablet-we-go-hands-on-with-n/

We're still not quite sure why Intel decided to forego mentioning the product name in this morning's keynote, but that Atom-based tablet with Wireless Display technology? That's the ExoPC, according to the very people who make the device. We caught up with the company at IDF 2010 and checked out both an older version of the device and a near-production model -- still a super-glossy glass screen with admittedly bad viewing angles, but we've been promised the final display will alleviates those problems. The unit we held was also a good bit lighter than before -- 144 grams to be exact, according to the rep -- and had a rubber matte feel to the back. The ExoPC is powered by Intel's PineTrail -- specifically the Atom N450, although Oak Trail is something the company's looking into for the future. We won't go into every detail of what we saw, as you can check out our preview from May for a more exhaustive (and still pretty accurate) look. We will say that the unit is still incredibly snappy (thanks in no small part to 2GB RAM and SanDisk SSD) and we're still loving the ability to switch from Windows 7 to the very friendly "Connect Four" UI (our unofficial name for it). The keyboard is still Windows 7 standard, but we were told it's reached out to multiple companies -- including Swype -- and is also looking to its developer community for greater support in the buildup to launch.

So, about that WiDi demo this morning... the company wouldn't tell us the story behind that, only to say that it was an ExoPC in the demo, WiDi will be included eventually but no promises were made as to its inclusion at launch. It's our understanding that the hardware wasn't changed, implying the capabilities are already there or that all it takes is a software fix, but... we've also heard from Intel that WiDi is a hardware-based solution, so we're still not quite sure what to make of everything. At any rate The company's still targeting mid-October for its developer pre-orders and touting its Flash and Silverlight support, reminding us how easy it is to port from Windows Phone 7 to the device. We've got a video walkthrough coming later, but for now, check out some pics in the gallery below.

Gallery: ExoPC was Intel's WiDi-enabled Atom tablet, we go hands-on with near-final build

Continue reading ExoPC is Intel's WiDi-enabled Atom tablet, we go hands-on with near-final build (update: video)

ExoPC is Intel's WiDi-enabled Atom tablet, we go hands-on with near-final build (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera gets official: 14.6MP, i-Function lens, 3-inch AMOLED

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/samsung-nx100-mirrorless-camera-gets-official-14-6mp-i-functio/

Look out, world -- the mirrorless camera game just got a lot more interesting. Shortly after Olympus introduced a new mid-range DSLR, Samsung has outed its newest, the (previously rumored) NX100. It's the predictable successor to last year's NX10, offering a sleeker body, 14.6 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a 3-inch VGA AMOLED display 'round back, an ISO range of 100 to 3200 (with a boost mode hitting 6400), 720p movie recording (H.264), SD / SDHC card slot, optional geo-tagging with GPS10 module and 'Sound Picture' mode that allows users to record audio when a photo is taken. The standout feature here, however, has little to do with the body itself; instead, it's the new i-Function lens system, which features a dedicated 'i-Function' button that allows users to scroll through manual settings, and a focus ring which is used to change parameters for each setting. Users can toggle between shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO by simply using the i-Function button and ring on the lens, and it's a feature we're frankly desperate to try out ourselves. Sammy's planning to offer a variety of lenses for the NX100, including a 60mm macro, 18-200mm telephoto, 20mm wide-angle pancake and a 20-50mm compact zoom. The full details on the camera as well as the glass arrangement is just after the break, but good luck finding a price and release date. Depressing, we know.

Gallery: Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera

Continue reading Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera gets official: 14.6MP, i-Function lens, 3-inch AMOLED

Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera gets official: 14.6MP, i-Function lens, 3-inch AMOLED originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon G12 arrives, brings HD video with it

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/canon-g12-arrives-brings-hd-video-with-it/

Nikon came gunning for the Canon G11 with the new Coolpix P7000, and now Canon's firing right back with the updated G12. The big news here is the addition of 720p/30 HD video, which patches up one of the biggest omissions from the G11, but just keeps par with Nikon's offering -- a proper 1080p/24 mode here would have made this decision pretty easy. Otherwise things are just welcome iterative improvements: the backside-illuminated HS System 10 megapixel CMOS sensor, 5x lens with teleconverter, DIGIC 4 processor, and 2.8-inch 461k-dot articulated LCD remain the same, but now you get new Canon's Hybrid IS system from the S95 for better macro performance, along with a new HDR mode for all your ultra-trendy hyperrealistic shots. It'll be $499 when it hits in early October -- we're looking forward to putting this guy through its paces. Full PR after the break!

Continue reading Canon G12 arrives, brings HD video with it

Canon G12 arrives, brings HD video with it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Nokia E7 demoed live at Nokia World

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/video-nokia-e7-demoed-live-at-nokia-world/

We've just spent a little bit of time ogling a very, very green E7 here in the so-called Experience Lounge at Nokia World 2010, and needless to say, this thing makes an impression -- you might think from the shots you've seen so far that it's roughly the same size as the N8 (especially since it shares the same case design), but it's actually quite a bit larger and more imposing. A friendly booth rep walked us through the beast's hardware and software highlights on video; check it after the break. Oh, and yes -- when it launches, it'll be available in five colors, so you don't have to get the green if you're not cool enough for it.

Continue reading Video: Nokia E7 demoed live at Nokia World

Filed under: Cellphones

Video: Nokia E7 demoed live at Nokia World originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 06:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, September 13, 2010

There's a House Hidden In This Photograph [Architecture]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5636924/there-is-a-house-hidden-in-this-photograph

Look closely. There is a house hidden in this photograph. It's right there, on plain sight. Can't you see it? Perhaps looking from another angle will help you.

The photo above shows the house's front, as you approach it from the road. It's just a gargantuan natural boulder, which is why the house itself is called the Joshua Tree Boulder House. This is the view from the back:

And this is the back itself:

The 1700-square-foot home rises in desert wonderland, near Joshua Tree State Park, California. It has two bedrooms, two full baths, full kitchen with steel appliances, stained concrete flooring, A/C, double-pane window walls, and 9-inch, 2 pound foam insulation all around. And it can be all yours for just $1.35 million. Not that bad.

Unlike the humble Flintstones house in Portugal, I want to live in this one. [Joshua Tree Boulder House via Archdaily]

Sci-Fi Author's Wireless ISP Will Give You 20Mbps Downloads For $40/Month [Wisp]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5637098/sci+fi-authors-wireless-isp-will-give-you-20mbps-downloads-for-40month

Sci-Fi Author's Wireless ISP Will Give You 20Mbps Downloads For /Month Sci-Fi author Rudy Rucker is one of the folks behind the cleverest wireless ISP serving San Francisco. He and his team have set up a system to provide customers with reliable 10-30Mbps download speeds for a mere $40 per month.

Sure, you could get theoretical speeds of about "20 Mbps down and 4 Mbps up from Comcast for $55 per month," but the service provided by Rucker's company, MonkeyBrains, is providing reliable and consistent speeds:

MonkeyBrains guarantees at least 10 Mbps symmetrical and most customers see 15-20 Mbps. Some customers see 25-30 Mbps with a good connection. According to [a company employee], this depends on the company's backhaul connection, which is in the process of being upgraded. Once that happens, he expects 30 Mbps+ connections will be common.

There are initial startup costs associated with the service—it costs about $250 to install the required antenna—but MonkeyBrains appears to be offering customers several free months of service to compensate for that cost.

The company is still small: It has "about 100 antennas, each of which may serve one or many customers—an average of 5-10 per antenna"—but it certainly appears to be off to a good start. Of course, the downside of a company like MonkeyBrains is that it provides such great—and cheap—service because it's sticking to a small area and focusing on those customers. This means that those of us who live outside of San Francisco are left hoping that someone will think to run a small WISP with a silly name in our areas too. [Information Week]

Image by Chistoprudov Dmitriy Gennadievich/ShutterStock

Contour announces 1080p ContourGPS helmetcam, lets friends locate your extreme exploits (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/contour-announces-1080p-contourgps-helmetcam-lets-friends-locat/

Contour announces 1080p ContourGPS helmetcam, lets friends locate your lid-mounted exploits

When it comes to the high-end helmetcam game, GoPro and Contour seem to have the market cornered. Contour was first to bring 1080p to your headgear of choice, and now it's the first to add GPS in to the mix. (GoBandit started talking about doing the same back in February, but we're still waiting on that to become a reality.) The $349 ContourGPS still offers the same video specs as the $279 ContourHD 1080p we reviewed this time last year, but now when sharing your videos you can also embed a real-time map view. Read on for more details, and a look at the UI.

Gallery: ContourGPS helmetcam

Continue reading Contour announces 1080p ContourGPS helmetcam, lets friends locate your extreme exploits (video)

Contour announces 1080p ContourGPS helmetcam, lets friends locate your extreme exploits (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's 1080p LifeCam Studio review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/microsofts-1080p-lifecam-studio-review/

The 1080p webcam party is just getting started, Logitech kicking things off with the $99 C910 earlier this year, and now things are heating up with Microsoft making its appearance. Today the company is announcing the immediate availability of the $99 Lifecam Studio, an upgraded version of the LifeCam Cinema HD that's pushing more pixels and a few other nice features, like a threaded receiver for tripod use. Overkill, or is this the webcam you want? Click on through to find out.

Gallery: Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Continue reading Microsoft's 1080p LifeCam Studio review

Microsoft's 1080p LifeCam Studio review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi's huge, modular OLED display set to go on sale worldwide on September 21

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/mitsubishis-huge-modular-oled-display-set-to-go-on-sale-worldw/

Before you start dreaming of 155-inch OLED displays for your home theater, let us remind you that this Mitsubishi panel happens to pack an ignobly low 69 8.5dpi pixel density. So while it is indeed a wall-sized OLED image maker, it's not exactly designed to match up to the HD rigors of modern video. Composed of smaller, bezel-free modules, Mitsu's Diamond Vision OLED display has gone from CEATEC prototype last year to a triumphant retail product this year, starting to be exchanged for cash, trinkets and favors this September 21. As you might have guessed, it's primarily intended for use in digital signage scenarios -- which should be great so long as nobody tries to perch one up in the sun.

Continue reading Mitsubishi's huge, modular OLED display set to go on sale worldwide on September 21

Mitsubishi's huge, modular OLED display set to go on sale worldwide on September 21 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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