Sunday, October 24, 2010

Reckless Racing review (iPhone)

Reckless Racing review (iPhone)

Developed by Swedish firm Pixelbite and released just a few days ago by EA and Polarbit, Reckless Racing is a game we've been following since it was known as "Deliverace" early this year -- and honestly, there was a spell where we'd gone so long without having heard anything about it that we'd kind of assumed the awesome-looking project had been canceled. Fortunately, that wasn't the case -- it's now available on iPhone, iPad, and Android -- so we decided to take it for a quick spin. After all, top-down racers haven't really made much noise since the heady days of R.C. Pro-Am and perennial arcade favorite Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road... and after playing Reckless Racing for just a few minutes, we're not sure why that is.

Continue reading Reckless Racing review (iPhone)

Reckless Racing review (iPhone) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 17:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Notion Ink founder claims Adam tablet will go 15+ hours on a charge

Notion Ink founder claims Adam tablet will go 15+ hours on a charge

The Pixel Qi and Tegra 2-packing Notion Ink Adam has long been one of our favorite pieces of perfectly plausible vaporware, but founder Rohan Shravan's just made a pretty fantastic claim -- he says he's getting a minimum of 15 hours of battery life from his personal tablet and calculates you'll get up to twenty with the 24Wh, potentially user-replaceable battery nestled in its frame. While those are the figures for the $498 transflective version of the tablet and not the $399 juice-gulping LCD, they're still so stellar that they could easily make or break the Adam's sales depending on their veracity. Please don't let us down.

Notion Ink founder claims Adam tablet will go 15+ hours on a charge originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thursday, October 21, 2010

A tale of two Food-Named Financial Aggregation Web 2.0 startups: Mint is one, who remembers the other? http://bit.ly/ajzp3l

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Panasonic's DMR-BF200 stuffs hard drive and Blu-ray burner into one tiny, magical box

Panasonic's DMR-BF200 stuffs hard drive and Blu-ray burner into one tiny, magical box

And this, friends, is why Japan is a marvelous place. Panasonic has just removed the wraps from its new DIGA DMR-BF200, which is being hailed as the planet's smallest Blu-ray recorder. For all intents and purposes, this is simply an external hard drive with a slot-loading Blu-ray burner baked in, but there's plenty more on the inside to pay attention to. It'll stream DLNA content, interface with your other VIERA Link equipment, output content via HDMI and even access acTVila (a Japanese video-on-demand service). Users can also toss in an SD card for watching flicks stored on more portable media, and most anything housed on the 320GB internal hard drive can be toasted on BD-R/RE for playback elsewhere. It should be noted, however, that neither BDXL nor Blu-ray 3D are supported, but those still keenly interested can find it on November 15th for ¥70,000 ($861) in black or white.

Panasonic's DMR-BF200 stuffs hard drive and Blu-ray burner into one tiny, magical box originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink T3, Akihabara News  |  sourceImpress  | Email this | Comments

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Dell XPS resurrected with NVIDIA graphics, HD webcams and JBL audio

Dell XPS resurrected with NVIDIA graphics, HD webcams and JBL audio

It's baaack. Okay, to be fair Dell's XPS brand never really went away -- there's been the Studio XPS and Adamo XPS -- but as of today, the company's refocusing its efforts and bringing back the tried and true multimedia laptop brand. Just like we'd heard, the new 14-,15.6-, and 17-inch machines will be available across the board with NVIDIA GeForce 400M GPUs (with Optimus / 3D Play support) and Core i5 / i7 processor options, but there's more to these than just internal oomph -- it'll be one of the first laptops to ship with a Skype-certified HD webcam and they're also equipped with high-fidelity JBL speakers. In terms of aesthetics, the machines pull in some styling from the new Inspirons with the wider battery base, however, instead of plastic, the lids are coated in anodized aluminum. (Of course, Dell wouldn't be Dell without making the models available with Design Studio customization options -- aka with crazy pattern options.) So, what's the deal with pricing? The entry level systems -- the $899 XPS 14, $849 XPS 15, and $949 XPS 17 -- are all configured with Intel Core i5 460M processors, 1GB NVIDIA 420M graphics, 500GB 7,200rpm hard drives, 4GB of RAM and pack Intel WiDi. That's not too shabby, but, of course, you'll be able to configure 'em all with Blu-ray drives, more storage, memory, etc. Our review unit just arrived! so expe ct a full work-up of the 14-inch system soon, but until then we leave you with the images and press release below.

Continue reading Dell XPS resurrected with NVIDIA graphics, HD webcams and JBL audio

Dell XPS resurrected with NVIDIA graphics, HD webcams and JBL audio originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia ends talk of Symbian^4, adopts HTML5 in Qt framework

Nokia ends talk of Symbian^4, adopts HTML5 in Qt framework

Things are turning upside down in Espoo today. Besides, earnings and reported job cuts of some 1,800 employees, Nokia also announced that it'll be streamlining its development strategy to unify environments for Symbian and MeeGo. Nokia's new approach calls for the adoption of Qt, and only Qt, as its application development framework from today onward. Here's what that means for new N8 owners:
You can buy a Nokia smartphone confident that any improvements introduced later to the Symbian platform, such as the user interface, can be made available to download on your device as well. No need to wait for Symbian^4 - the improvements we were planning for Symbian^4 will be introduced as and when they become available. In fact, we will no longer be talking about Symbian^3 or Symbian^4 at all - it will be one constantly evolving and constantly improving platform.
Sounds like a smart move to us. After all, it's Symbian's UI, and not the OS, that we have the most trouble with -- an issue that Nokia readily concedes. So the faster they can improve it -- even pieces of it in a continuous evolution of the experience -- the better. Nokia also announced support for HTML5 web content and applications for the Symbian and MeeGo platforms in both Qt and the browser. Click through for the press release and to hear Rich Green, Nokia CTO, discuss the new strategy.

Continue reading Nokia ends talk of Symbian^4, adopts HTML5 in Qt framework

Nokia ends talk of Symbian^4, adopts HTML5 in Qt framework originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Samsung adds prescription lens option to its active shutter 3D glasses

Samsung adds prescription lens option to its active shutter 3D glasses

If the only thing holding you back from that new 3DTV purchase was the inconvenience of slipping the 3D glasses over the regular old 2D glasses you already wear, Samsung is the first major manufacturer with a solution now that it's unveiled a prescription version in Korea. The SSG-R2200 models appear to be very similar to the company's other active shutter 3D glasses in various shapes and sizes, but they're made to order from an optometrist. We know this is something several companies have been working on and expect to see these available in the US eventually as well, but we'll have to see a pricetag of some type before we decide if rocking the dual specs or just sticking with 2D is the best option.

Samsung adds prescription lens option to its active shutter 3D glasses originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct! 2010 17 :58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC HD7 review

HTC HD7 review

The screen that just keeps on going meets the OS that refuses to fit on a single display. Yes, Microsoft's Windows Phone 7, like Windows Mobile 6.5 and Android before it, is getting treated with a 4.3-inch display from HTC for its launch party. The aptly titled HD7 is, by virtue of Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements, mostly just a stretched-out version of its WP7 contemporaries: it offers the standard 800 x 480 res, 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, 576MB of RAM, and a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with a 720p movie mode. So what sets it apart? HTC will have you believe its Hub enhances the buttery smooth WP7 software, while outside the shell there's a handy kickstand for landscape lounging and you do of course benefit from an enlarged canvas for your finger inputs. Join us after the break to discover how much that matters in day-to-day use, along with the rest of our thoughts on the HTC HD7.

This review is primarily of the HTC HD7 hardware. Check out our full review of Windows Phone 7 for our thoughts on the OS.

Continue reading HTC HD7 review

HTC HD7 review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T Connection Kit marries Bug Labs with 3G, whatever crazy gizmo you dream up

AT&T Connection Kit marries Bug Labs with 3G, whatever crazy gizmo you dream up

Creative spirits that know their way around an Eclipse project (and, optionally, a soldering iron) but have a deeply-rooted hatred for CDMA will be happy to know that the tinkerers at Bug Labs have announced a new partnership with AT&T, its second with a US carrier after teaming up with Verizon a few weeks back. The core of the program is the new BUG + 3G / GSM kit, featuring per-certified Bug modules ready to work on AT&T's network; that package will in turn build on top of AT&T's existing Connection Kit for developers that includes activated data SIMs and other tools you'll need to build the next great connected device that Engadget will inevitably write about... and hopefully review. So, you know, make sure we're on your list for review units, alright, everyone? It looks like the new modules will be available in January, so start working on those million-dollar ideas -- in the meantime, you can find the full press release after the break.

Continue reading AT&T Connection Kit marries Bug Labs with 3G, whatever crazy gizmo you dream up

AT&T Connection Kit marries Bug Labs with 3G, whatever crazy gizmo you dream up originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD demos next-gen Llano Fusion APU, promises consumer availability in 2011

AMD demos next-gen Llano Fusion APU, promises consumer availability in 2011

2011 can't come soon enough, particularly if you're AMD. The company has been attempting to maintain hype behind its CPU / GPU hybrid since last century, but the newest demonstration of its Llano Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) is getting us back in the mood. For those who haven't followed the play-by-play, this here all-in-one chip is expected to hit laptops and desktops at some point in 2011, and the company's most recent demo featured a single chip simultaneously processing three separate compute-and graphics-intensive workloads. Llano was able to calculate the value of Pi to 32 million decimal places, decode HD video from a Blu-ray film and handle some other mysterious task that we may or may not ever truly find out about. Head on past the break for a promotional / informational video, and be sure to re-circle next year on your calendar. That'll be the one... just like your high school football team always thought.

Continue reading AMD demos next-gen Llano Fusion APU, promises consumer availability in 2011

AMD demos next-gen Llano Fusion APU, promises consumer availability in 2011 or! iginally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile G2 overclocked to 1.4GHz, starts blitzing benchmarks (video)

T-Mobile G2 overclocked to 1.4GHz, starts blitzing benchmarks (video)

T-Mobile G2 overclocked to 1.4GHz, starts blitzing benchmarks (video)
Well now, that didn't take very long. T-Mobile's G2 (aka the HTC Vision) has been let off its leash, and there's no getting it back now. XDA-developers member coolbho3000 has posted his overclock module, which takes an already fast phone and make it considerably more perky. He started at a modest 1GHz, but kept on pushing up to 1.42GHz -- though there's potential to go even higher. All this despite T-Mobile's attempts at preventing hacking, but certainly seeming to allow allow for a fair bit of tweaking. You can download all you need at the source link, or if you'd rather just live vicariously there's video proof after the break.

[Thanks, Brandon]

Continue reading T-Mobile G2 overclocked to 1.4GHz, starts blitzing benchmarks (video)

T-Mobile G2 overclocked to 1.4GHz, starts blitzing benchmarks (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 07:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New study http://bit.ly/a9SFtg confirms what I said here http://bit.ly/98xbKV Groupon is UNprofitable for 32%, 40% won't repeat, 13% return

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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Add Animated Charts to your PowerPoint Presentations

Add Animated Charts to your PowerPoint Presentations

Microsoft PowerPoint offers a variety of charts and graphs that you can add to your presentations. These charts will mostly appear as static images on your slides though you can use PowerPoint's built-in animation tools to add some movement and interactivity.

For instance, if you have have added a bar chart on one of you slides, you may apply custom animations to the chart such that each of the bars appear on screen with a fade or, say, a wipe. This support page has more details on how you can animate charts in PowerPoint.

Animated Charts Wizard

Animated charts, if done well, can help you grab the attention of your live audience. With PowerPoint, you can add some basic animations to your charts but the workflow is not as easy as you would like it to be.

If you are therefore looking for an alternate charting tool that's more intuitive and one that can generate impressive animated charts but in considerable less amount of time, try oomfo.

Oomfo is a free plug-in that lets you create Adobe Flash based animated charts right inside your copy of Microsoft PowerPoint. It supports all the recent versions of Microsoft Office including Office 2010.

It uses a simple wizard – choose a chart type, type the data into the wizard (or you can copy-paste cells from Excel) and it will then insert the chart into your current PowerPoint slide as a Flash (SWF) object. You can place the chart anywhere on the slide or even resize it just like a regular image based chart.

What you see above is a video of a sample PowerPoint chart that was created using Oomfo.

The chart animation plays as soon as the slide appears on the screen and then you can use your mouse pointer to highlight the various data points, something which is not that easy to accomplish in standard PowerPoint.

Related: Find the right chart type for your data

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This article, titled Add Animated Charts to your PowerPoint Presentations, was originally published at Digital Inspiration under Charts, Powerpoint, Software.

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