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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Google scores a patent for its 'Doodles'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/google-scores-a-patent-for-its-doodles/

Google's Doodles have certainly come a long way from their humble beginnings, but the company has now pulled off what may be its most jaw-dropping feat yet -- it's just been awarded a patent for them. Described as "systems and methods for enticing users to access a web site," the patent credits Google co-founder Sergey Brin as the sole inventor, and it comes more than ten years after Google first filed the application. As you might expect, the patent seems to cover some fairly broad territory, although it's not clear how or if Google actually plans to enforce it -- either way, we can only assume that some other companies who enjoy having a bit fun with their logo from time to time might have something to say about it.

Google scores a patent for its 'Doodles' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boeing's biggest jet takes flight, promises lowest 'seat mile' cost of any commercial airliner

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/boeings-biggest-jet-takes-flight-promises-lowest-seat-mile-c/

Boeing took a huge -- both literally and figuratively -- step in the development of the largest commercial jet in its history when the 747-8 took to the skies for the first time. Granted, the airframe's cargo version has already logged over 1,600 hours up in the air, but putting the 250-foot passenger plane with a 224-foot wingspan -- 19 feet longer and 13 feet wider than the gargantuan 747-400 -- through its first few paces without incident is no small feat. The 747-8 borrows some of the 787 Dreamliner's weight-trimming tech for better fuel efficiency and lower operational costs than older 747s and jumbo jet competition from Airbus. We just hope it didn't inherit the 787's penchant for delays as well. If all goes according to plan, the new jetliner should complete the 600 test flight hours needed for FAA certification in time to deliver the first 747-8s to customers by the end of the year. We doubt airlines will use the plane's extra space to give us shlubs riding coach any more legroom, but at least its improved all-around efficiency should make flying a little cheaper. PR's after the break.

Continue reading Boeing's biggest jet takes flight, promises lowest 'seat mile' cost of any commercial airliner

Boeing's biggest jet takes flight, promises lowest 'seat mile' cost of any commercial airliner originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC's WiFi-only Flyer launching exclusively with Best Buy 'this spring'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/htcs-wifi-only-flyer-launching-exclusively-with-best-buy-this/

Now that it's received its big US debut courtesy of Sprint and under the name EVO View 4G, HTC's Flyer tablet is free to, um, fly under the radar with a WiFi version this spring, exclusively through Best Buy. Specs on the Flyer are somewhat atypical for the current crop of Android tablets, as it opts for Gingerbread instead of Honeycomb and a 1.5GHz Qualcomm chip intead of the popular Tegra 2 dual-core solution. That, and it's a 7-inch tablet with a capacitive stylus and an aluminum unibody shell. Notably, this WiFi-centric variant looks set to beat the WiMAX-capable EVO View (which Sprint expects in the summer) to market, so we'll be keeping a very curious eye on pricing as and when it is announced. For now, we have a retailer and a rapidly dwindling release window. Oh, and a press release, which you'll find just past the break, augmented with a neat little promo video.

[Thanks, Michael]

Continue reading HTC's WiFi-only Flyer launching exclusively with Best Buy 'this spring'

HTC's WiFi-only Flyer launching exclusively with Best Buy 'this spring' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S II shows up in Ukraine, gets a loving preview (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-shows-up-in-russia-gets-a-loving-preview-v/

Where would we be without prototypes, eh? One such pre-production unit, of Samsung's dual-core Galaxy S II, has escaped into the ~~Russian~~ Ukrainian wilderness, where it's been thankfully rescued from the cold by the guys over at gagadget. Apart from squaring it up against the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 -- which we can only surmise was the nearest available Android handset, it surely can't have been the best -- they also dig pretty deeply into the latest TouchWiz UI and dish up a thoroughgoing gallery of sample images from that 8 megapixel autofocus camera on the back. It's an enlightening read, once you've enrolled Google Translate's help, though the video after the break might not be too informative if English is your only language. Still, it's a great visual tour of some yummy hardware.

[Thanks, DarkDvr]

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S II shows up in Ukraine, gets a loving preview (video)

Samsung Galaxy S II shows up in Ukraine, gets a loving preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engineers create 3D microscope lens, see the tiny elephants in your ear

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/engineers-create-3d-microscope-lens-see-the-tiny-elephants-in-y/

The ability to view tiny images in the third D has been made possible by Lei Li and Allen Yi of Ohio State University. The two have crafted a one-of-a-kind 3D lens that, unlike other three-dimensional microscopes that capture images by circling around the subject, sees teeny objects while stationary. Although the engineers crafted the lens on a precision cutting machine using a diamond blade themselves, they say it can be produced using traditional molding methods. At the size of a fingernail, the thermoplastic material, aka acrylic glass, was cut with 10 nanometer spacing (that's tiny) to ensure a flat plane. The top is surrounded by eight facets -- sort of like a gem stone, but not symmetric -- allowing the viewer to see 9 different angles at once. This should pave way for scientists to get better angles of microscopic objects, but they can always try using the 3DS and some DIY lens attachments, right?

Engineers create 3D microscope lens, see the tiny elephants in your ear originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NVIDIA's next flagship graphics card to be unveiled at 9AM on Thursday, bring your own popcorn

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/nvidias-next-flagship-graphics-card-to-be-unveiled-at-9am-on-th/

In NVIDIA's own words, this Thursday will bring us the company's "next generation, highest performance graphics card." If that has you thinking GeForce GTX 590, you're not alone. The dual-GPU solution was expected to arrive at the PAX East get-together this month but seemed to shyly dodge the limelight, though now there's no escaping its date with destiny. Just make sure to be up nice and early tomorrow, say around 9AM US Eastern Time, for the inevitable barrage of reviews. An unsatisfyingly brief teaser video, featuring Crysis 2 slyly running in the background, can be found after the break.

[Thanks, Abdulmalik]

Continue reading NVIDIA's next flagship graphics card to be unveiled at 9AM on Thursday, bring your own popcorn

NVIDIA's next flagship graphics card to be unveiled at 9AM on Thursday, bring your own popcorn originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Asus Eee PC 1015B and 1215B go on sale starting at $289

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/asus-eee-pc-1015b-and-1215b-go-on-sale-starting-at-289/

It seems like just yesterday -- okay, more like three weeks ago -- we went hands-on with Asus' latest additions to the Eee PC family, and now these Fusion-equipped netbooks are getting their very own price tags. The Eee PC 1015B and 1215B offer 10-inch and 12-inch displays starting at $289 and $379, respectively. For that price, you'll get 250GB of storage, 1GB of memory, VGA, USB, and HDMI ports, and 1080p output. They grow up so fast -- don't they? Check out the source links to make one of these babies your own.

[Thanks, Daniel]

Asus Eee PC 1015B and 1215B go on sale starting at $289 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

T-Mobile's Android-Powered G2x Is Their First 42 Mbps 4G Phone [Smartphones]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/#!5784270/t+mobiles-android+powered-g2x-is-their-first-42-mbps-4g-phone

Well isn't this awkward! A day after AT&T declared it was swallowing T-Mobile, T-Mobile is announcing the G2x, a Tegra 2, Android smartphone that holds the distinction of being the first to support T-Mobiles 42 Mbps 4G network.

Like most other Android phones right now, the LG-manufactured G2x has a 4-inch screen, a 1GHz dual-core processor, and a more-than-suitable 8-megapixel rear camera. That it runs Android Froyo and not Gingerbread is kind of a bummer, but whatever. As for pricing and availability, T-Mobile says it will be available "later this spring." And that's about the extent of it for now. Um, great!

T-Mobile Makes America's Largest 4G Network Even Faster by Lighting Up 42 Mbps Speed in Las Vegas, New York and Orlando

The Company's Innovative 4G Device Portfolio Expands With Tablet, Mobile Broadband Devices and Smartphones, Including the T-Mobile G2x with Google

ORLANDO, Fla. and BELLEVUE, Wash. - March 22, 2011 - Today at the International CTIA Wireless 2011, T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced the expansion of its broad selection of consumer-ready 4G products, including the T-Mobile® G2x with GoogleTM which is built for speed and mobile entertainment. T-Mobile also announced the first major markets where it is doubling the speed of its 4G network to achieve a theoretical download speed of 42 Mbps. T-Mobile customers in Las Vegas, New York and Orlando, Fla., will be the first in the country to experience the increased 4G speed, followed closely by Chicago and further expansion of the New York network into Long Island, N.Y., and Northern New Jersey. By mid-year, T-Mobile expects 140 million Americans in 25 markets to have access to increased 4G speeds.

"As T-Mobile continues the aggressive expansion of America's Largest 4G Network, we're doubling our maximum speed in more than two dozen markets, starting with three important cities today," said Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA. "We will continue to build on our 4G network advantage this year, providing customers with an industry-leading mobile data experience."

As T-Mobile's 4G network continues to expand and get faster, the company's portfolio of 4G products is also growing. T-Mobile has announced plans to deliver 25 4G-capabile devices this year and this spring will introduce seven new 4G-capable devices spanning smartphones, tablets and mobile broadband products that will benefit from America's Largest 4G NetworkTM. T-Mobile's 4G devices allow customers to video chat, surf the Web, download and stream high-definition (HD) and 3D video, and use their favorite applications as new 4G- enabled products with these capabilities come to market.

"Access to mobile content is central to the experience on a vast and growing number of consumer devices, exponentially increasing the demand for fast 4G mobile broadband connections," said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. "In fact, data traffic on T-Mobile's network is quadrupled year over year. With smartphone data plans starting at just $10 a month - and a growing line-up of innovative 4G smartphones and tablets - we are meeting the demand for mobile data, and making it easier than ever for customers to step up to 4G."

Industry-Leading 4G Smartphone Lineup
Adding to T-Mobile's industry-leading lineup of 4G smartphones, including the new Galaxy STM 4G and upcoming T-Mobile Sidekick® 4GTM, T-Mobile today introduced the T-Mobile G2x with Google. The latest 4G smartphone to join T-Mobile's innovative G-series devices, the G2x is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor, brilliant 4-inch capacitive touch screen display and preloaded video games, such as Need For Speed SHIFT HD. Manufactured by LG Mobile Phones, the G2x is powered by AndroidTM 2.2 and comes equipped with an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash and autofocus and a front- facing camera paired with T-Mobile Video Chat powered by QikTM for staying in touch with family and friends.

Cube made of 512 LEDs does 3D with calculus, not glasses (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/21/cube-made-of-512-leds-does-3d-with-calculus-not-glasses-video/

Cube made of 512 LEDs does glasses-free 3D for real (video)

No goofy active shutter glasses, no headache-inducing parallax barrier screens, no optical trickery here. This is a pure 3D display -- unfortunately done at a resolution of just 8 x 8 x 8. It's a hand-built LED cube created by Nick Schulze, powered by Arduino, and driven largely by Matlab. Yes, Matlab, an application you probably deleted less than three minutes after signing off on your calculus final. We can't help you find that installation disc again, but we can encourage you to enjoy the video of this 3D matrix of blinkenlights after the break, and you can get the full details on how to build your own at the other end of that source link.

Continue reading Cube made of 512 LEDs does 3D with calculus, not glasses (video)

Cube made of 512 LEDs does 3D with calculus, not glasses (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG's T-Mobile G2x announced, available 'later this spring' (update: preloaded with Tegra Zone)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/lgs-t-mobile-g2x-announced-available-later-this-spring/

Why, hello there. Shortly after our sneak peek on the CTIA show floor, T-Mobile lifted its magenta curtain and announced the G2x, aka LG Optimus 2X elsewhere around the world. Despite the lack of LG's custom UI (which will no doubt be welcomed by Android purists), this 4G stock Froyo device will come preloaded with goodies like Qik, Need for Speed Shift HD, T-Mobile TV, and DTS Ultra Mobile sound enhancer. Specific prices and dates have yet to be revealed, but we now have confirmation that the G2x will be "available nationwide later this spring," so the previously rumored April 20th launch might still be on track. Full press release after the break.

Update: Our friends over at NVIDIA also informed us that the G2x will be the first phone to be shipped with Tegra Zone preloaded. Makes sense considering this is yet another of those delicious dual-core Tegra 2 devices that are flooding the market these days.

Continue reading LG's T-Mobile G2x announced, available 'later this spring' (update: preloaded with Tegra Zone)

LG's T-Mobile G2x announced, available 'later this spring' (update: preloaded with Tegra Zone) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile's LG G-Slate priced at $529.99 with a two-year contract

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/t-mobile-g-slate-priced-at-529-99-with-a-two-year-contract/

Well, here ya go! T-Mobile has finally decided to come clean with the pricing on its 8.9-inch, 3D-capable LG G-Slate, and well, it isn't cheap. The Honeycomb, Tegra 2-powered tablet will set you back $529.99 after a $100 mail-in-rebate and that's only if you agree to a two-year contract. Of course, this thing can record 3D video, connect to T-Mobile's "4G" HSPA+ network, and output 1080p video, but that still seems like quite a bit of money when you consider you're also locked into paying at least $20 in data every month. Ready to grace us with the WiFi version, LG? Hit the break for the short press statement.

Continue reading T-Mobile's LG G-Slate priced at $529.99 with a two-year contract

T-Mobile's LG G-Slate priced at $529.99 with a two-year contract originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's ultrathin 11.6-inch 9 Series laptop appears in Italy, gets hands-on treatment (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/dnp-samsungs-ultra-thin-11-6-inch-9-series-laptop-appears-in-it/

We told you it was coming, and now it's here: the 11.6-inch little brother to Samsung's ultrathin 9 Series laptop. As we expected, the 900X1A sports a Core i3-380UM processor, 2GB of RAM, and 1366 x 768 resolution, but instead of the anticipated 64GB of memory, it's rocking the same 128GB SSD as its older sibling. We've yet to hear when the new 9 Series will make it across the pond, but it should be available in Europe starting April 1st for €1,200 -- and, if you like 'em small and skinny, you can check out a video of the 900X1A after the break.

[Thanks, Marco]

Continue reading Samsung's ultrathin 11.6-inch 9 Series laptop appears in Italy, gets hands-on treatment (video)

Samsung's ultrathin 11.6-inch 9 Series laptop appears in Italy, gets hands-on treatment (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 06:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dolby introduces lighter, cheaper 3D glasses to better compete with RealD and IMAX

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/dolby-introduces-lighter-cheaper-3d-glasses-to-better-compete-w/

Dolby has been working on getting the cost of its 3D glasses down since bringing Infitec color shift technology to theaters back in '07 and it couldn't wait for CinemaCon 2011 next week before announcing the new models seen above. These should please theater operators by being cheaper than the old ones -- down to $12 or less per reusable pair from $17 last year and $27.50 the year before that -- and hopefully cinemagoers by being lighter, with a new multilayer optical film from 3M and redesigned frame to help block extraneous light. There's also RFID tags to help keep them from walking out of the moviehouse, and it claims they will fit over 98 percent of prescription glasses. So far RealD has lead the market with its cheaper glasses, multiple styles and home HDTV cross-compatibility, while IMAX is synonymous (usually) with big screens, but if theaters start passing down that savings in the form of lower ticket prices we might pick out a Dolby screen among the other 3D theater competition the next time we head to the theater.

Continue reading Dolby introduces lighter, cheaper 3D glasses to better compete with RealD and IMAX

Dolby introduces lighter, cheaper 3D glasses to better compete ! with Rea lD and IMAX originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 06:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tascam outs new DR-07 Mark II audio recorder, touts adjustable mics

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/tascam-outs-new-dr-07-mark-ii-audio-recorder-touts-adjustable-m/

If you're in the market for a quality audio recording device to capture demos somebody other than your mother would listen to, here's your chance to get those songs past her and out into the real world. Tascam, maker of professional music studio equipment, has just announced their newest addition to the recording family, the DR-07. Depending on what you'll be recording, the device allows the user to capture sound in XY or AB configuration using the adjustable dual microphones -- the XY adjustment for a tight stereo recording and AB for ambient, larger noise. The Mark II comes bundled with a 2GB microSD slot, features 17.5 hours of battery life and grabs MP3 audio at up to 320 kbps or WAV audio at up to 96 kHz. If you're interested in picking one of these up, hit up the more coverage link and drop the $150.

Tascam outs new DR-07 Mark II audio recorder, touts adjustable mics originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 07:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and new Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on: thinner than the iPad 2, dual-core power, TouchWiz 4.0

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/samsung-galaxy-tab-8-9-and-new-galaxy-tab-10-1-thinner-than-the/

You know who took the iPad 2 launch pretty seriously? Samsung, that's who. Just as we had heard, the company's executives were impressed by Apple's ability to slim down its tablet and, well, it turns out that it took it as a challenge to come up with some thinner tablets of its own. That's right, in addition to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 that we have seen repeatedly teased over the last few weeks the company's announcing a totally revamped Galaxy Tab 10.1, and both slates are incredibly thin yet very well spec'd. On top of that, both will be the first Honeycomb tablets to stray from the pure Android 3.0 experience and add what Samsung's taken to calling its TouchWiz UX or TouchWiz 4.0. We've got all the details and some hands-on impressions waiting below, so hit the break!

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 hands-on

Gallery: Samsung TouchWiz UX for Honeycomb

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and new Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on: thinner than the iPad 2, dual-core power, TouchWiz 4.0

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and new Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on: thinner than the iPad 2, dual-core power, TouchWiz 4.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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