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Friday, March 25, 2011

BrandFinance declares Google the most valuable brand in the world

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/25/brandfinance-declares-google-the-most-valuable-brand-in-the-worl/

Well, it looks Eric Schmidt wasn't far off when he said recently that Microsoft is bigger competition than Facebook for Google -- at least when it comes to overall brand value, that is. According to BrandFinance's latest annual ranking, Google has just barely edged out Microsoft for the title of most valuable brand in the world, with the pair of them pushing Walmart out from the number one spot last year. As for Facebook, it just entered the top 500 for the first time at number 285, while Apple jumped twelve spots to make its first appearance in the top ten at number eight -- a shift that partly comes at the expense of usual suspect Coca Cola, which has dropped out of the top ten for the first time. The biggest loser? Nokia. It dropped all the way from number 21 last year to number 94 this year. Hit up the source link below for the complete list.

Continue reading BrandFinance declares Google the most valuable brand in the world

BrandFinance declares Google the most valuable brand in the world originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 04:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xperia X10 to get Android 2.3 this summer, makes us rub our eyes in disbelief

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/25/xperia-x10-to-get-android-2-3-this-summer-makes-us-rub-our-eyes/

Who's in charge of Sony Ericsson today and what did they do with the old crew? Reversing a previous statement saying there'll be no Android updates for its Xperia X10 family beyond Eclair, SE has just announced that it'll bring Gingerbread to the X10 at the end of Q2 / start of Q3 this year. That's right around this summer, when we should expect a user experience roughly equivalent to that on the new Xperia Arc, Neo and Play devices, whose Gingerbread implementation looks to have served as the basis for the elder X10's upcoming update. Seriously, Gingerbread on the X10, we still can't believe it.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Xperia X10 to get Android 2.3 this summer, makes us rub our eyes in disbelief originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Kingston's Class 10 microSD family gets bigger, stays tiny

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/kingstons-class-10-microsd-family-gets-bigger-stays-tiny/

Kingston is putting an extra boost the smallest of its tiny memory cards. The popular provider of flash storage is upping its 4GB and 8GB microSDHC cards from Class 4 specifications (up to a 4 MB/s transfer rate) to a whopping Class 10 spec and all of its 10 MB/s goodness. The newly announced models join a 16GB version that has been available for several months. By completing the family tree of Class 10 cards, Kingston is offering faster all-round performance for file transfers on smartphones, quicker write times for microSD-wielding cameras and basically a few seconds of your life back -- at lower prices than before, though you'll still be paying a premium compared to slower cards. Our microSDHC-accepting devices are itching to hop aboard this speedier train of data storage, and luckily we won't have to wait long. The two memory cards start shipping at the end of March and are being offered with an available Mobility Kit, which includes an SD adapter and a USB card reader. But, if you want a full-fat 32GB model, you'll have to wait for Q2 of 2011 like the rest of us. Pricing starts at $22 for a 4GB model up to $138 for the 16GB model -- check after the break for full breakdown of prices and more in the PR.

Continue reading Kingston's Class 10 microSD family gets bigger, stays tiny

Kingston's Class 10 microSD family gets bigger, stays tiny originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW launches DriveNow, the 'premium' car sharing service with a Dell Streak on every dash (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/bmw-launches-drivenow-the-premium-car-sharing-service-with-a/

BMW launches DriveNow, the 'premium' car sharing service with a Dell Streak on every dash (video)

If you liked the idea of the Car2go service we profiled a few weeks back, Smart fortwos available for rent by the minute with and some pretty fancy tracking apps to help you find them, but maybe you wanted to drive something a little bit bigger, BMW has you covered. Well, assuming "you" are German or at least living in Germany. The company has launched its own car sharing service it calls DriveNow. This one is billed as a "premium" -- though curiously none of the company's truly premium models will be offered. That said, the Minis and 1 Series autos that make up the initial fleet are hardly low-rent, and we'd be utterly shocked if the upcoming i3 didn't get added to the mix down the road too.

Usage details are still a little bit scarce, but we do know that each car will have a dash-mounted Dell Streak through which users will log in after unlocking the car doors with an RFID-equipped membership card or even a suitably endowed drivers license. Renting a car costs 29 cents per minute, up to €14.90 (about $21) per hour, and there will be 300 cars available at first starting in the Munich area. If you're not in Munich it's tough cookies for now, but BMW is hoping to have one million members worldwide by 2020. Maybe one of them will be you.

Continue reading BMW launches DriveNow, the 'premium' car sharing service with a Dell Streak on every dash (video)

BMW launches DriveNow, the 'premium' car sharing service with a Dell Streak on every dash (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS' K53E laptop gets reviewed, 2.53GHz Core i5-2520M CPU gets praised

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/intels-2-53ghz-core-i5-2520m-reviewed-within-asus-k53e-laptop/

Never mind the fact that Intel's outing a mid-range laptop CPU long after the highest of high-end -- the 2.53GHz Core i5-2520M is shaping up to be a lovely option for those who'd prefer a budget choice with plenty of horsepower for churning through HD video. The benchmarking gurus over at Hot Hardware recently grabbed hold of the new silicon, and they noticed an "unmatched performance-per-watt profile for mobile CPUs," not to mention a robust graphics core, "ridiculously low idle power consumption," a respectable price point and plenty of power for any software title not named Crysis 2. ASUS' 15.6-inch K53E was the test machine, and with a starting tag of just $899, it's definitely a compelling package. Based on their testing, this particular CPU was around 15 to 25 percent faster across the board compared to its previous generation 2.5GHz Arrandale counterpart, and that's with around the same power draw, too. Hit the source link for more charts than you'd care to see on an average workday, and be on the lookout for this chip to hit a whole slew of new rigs in the coming weeks.

ASUS' K53E laptop gets reviewed, 2.53GHz Core i5-2520M CPU gets praised originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Operabots take center stage at MIT Media Lab's 'Death and the Powers' opera

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/operabots-take-center-stage-at-mit-media-labs-death-and-the-po/

It already had its premiere in Monaco last year, but composer Tod Machover's new opera, "Death and the Powers," has now finally made it to the United States. Why are we reporting on a new opera (rather than Opera) on Engadget? Well, it just so happens to feature the "Operabots" pictured above, which were developed by MIT's Media Lab. The lab also helped develop some of the opera's other high-tech components, but it seems like the Operabots are the real standout -- they're "semi-autonomous" and freely roam around the stage throughout the opera, acting as a Greek chorus. Not surprisingly, the opera itself also deals with some futuristic subject matter. The Powers of the title is Simon Powers, a "Bill Gates, Walt Disney-type" who decides to upload his consciousness into "The System" before he dies -- hijinks then ensue. Those in Boston can apparently still get tickets for the final performance on March 25th -- after that it moves onto Chicago for four performances between April 2nd and 10th. Head on past the break for a preview.

Continue reading Operabots take center stage at MIT Media Lab's 'Death and the Powers' opera

Operabots take center stage at MIT Media Lab's 'Death and the Powers' opera originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple could be licensing AirPlay for video streaming, HDTV integration seems imminent

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/apple-could-be-licensing-airplay-for-video-streaming-hdtv-integ/

There's nothing concrete to sink your teeth into just yet, but a couple of people "familiar with the matter" have informed Bloomberg that Apple could be taking AirPlay to the next level. Up until now, companies have been shelling out $4 per device to add AirPlay audio streaming into their products, but there's a very real demand for video to be included in that as well. According to sources, the video streaming protocol is already baked in, but not enabled / allowed under the current licensing agreement. It's bruited that the folks in Cupertino could soon expand the AirPlay license program to include video streaming from iPhones and iPads, with integration into HDTVs being the most obvious application. Specifically, the new plan would enable electronics makers to "use [AirPlay] in devices for streaming movies, TV shows and other video content," but there's no clear time table as to when any of this would go down. Will CEDIA 2011 be the launchpad for AirPlay-enabled televisions? If so, don't ever say we didn't see it coming.

[Thanks, Nilay]

Apple could be licensing AirPlay for video streaming, HDTV integration seems imminent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung sees a Retina Display in your tablet future, and perhaps glasses-free 3D

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/samsung-sees-a-retina-display-in-your-tablet-future-and-perhaps/

Samsung gazed into its crystal ball today, and what did it see? The pixel density of tablet screens drastically increasing. Yes, while Apple may not have managed to cram a screen into the iPad 2 worthy of the Retina moniker, it sounds like Samsung may be working on just such a thing, as the company projects that it will have tablet displays with 300 to 400 pixel-per-inch resolutions by 2015. Presently, the Samsung Galaxy Tab has a seven-inch, 1024 x 600 panel, which translates to only about 170ppi, but Samsung suggests that tablets of the exact same size might stretch well beyond 1080p desktop resolutions as pixel density increases, and yet still manage a respectable 8 to 10 hours of battery life. Samsung also said that while it's still waiting to see if consumers adopt stereoscopic 3D, it might be interested in joining the throng, perhaps bringing a glasses-free tablet display to market in the years to come. Curious what else the future might hold, according to Samsung? Take a peek at our gallery below.

Gallery: Samsung Display Strategy 2011

Samsung sees a Retina Display in your tablet future, and perhaps glasses-free 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wysips wants to turn your phone's display into a solar cell (hands-on with video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/wysips-wants-to-turn-your-phones-display-into-a-solar-cell-han/

We chatted with a fascinating French startup by the name of Wysips here at CTIA today that's showing off transparent photovoltaic film -- in other words, it generates power from light... and you can see right through it. It's the only such film in the world, apparently -- and though you can probably imagine a host of possible applications for something like that, turning the entire surface of a touchscreen smartphone into a self-sufficient, solar-powered beast is clearly high on the list. Read all about it after the break!

Gallery: Wysips hands-on

Continue reading Wysips wants to turn your phone's display into a solar cell (hands-on with video)

Wysips wants to turn your phone's display into a solar cell (hands-on with video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp LE830 series HDTVs now shipping: edge-lit LED, WiFi, no 3D

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/sharp-le820-series-hdtvs-now-shipping-edge-lit-led-wifi-no-3d/

Add another to your list of new HDTVs to keep an eye out for, as Sharp has announced its new LE830 series LCDs are shipping this month from its 10th generation plant. This lineup doesn't include any slick 3D features or the size of its 70-inch behemoth from CES, but they are embued with Quattron quad pixel tech, 120Hz refresh rates, edge LED lighting and built in WiFi. The jury's still out about whether the extra yellow pixel is a positive influence, but included wireless internet access is unfortunately still not a given for all new HDTVs and it will come in handy if you plan to use the included Netflix, Vudu and CinemaNow movie streaming apps. The line ranges in size from 40- to 60-inches, and the MSRPs are between $1,299 and $2,799. Check after the break for the rest of the details and price breakdown, plus a video of their CES presentation.

Continue reading Sharp LE830 series HDTVs now shipping: edge-lit LED, WiFi, no 3D

Sharp LE830 series HDTVs now shipping: edge-lit LED, WiFi, no 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 04:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft application creates 3D model using a cellphone, blows our minds

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/microsoft-application-creates-3d-model-using-a-cellphone-blows/

Using your smartphone to take regular, or heck, even 3D images, is so last-gen -- thanks to Microsoft's Interactive Visual Media Group, we shall soon be able to use its new app to generate virtual 3D models. For example, if you want to capture that Ferrari on your neighbor's driveway, you'll need to circumambulate it while shooting around 40 photos. The final product, which is compiled using some beefed up PhotoSynth magic as each shot is uploaded to the cloud, is a beautifully crafted 3D model that can be panned around surprisingly smoothly. Hit the source link to feast your eyes on Redmond's new trick.

Microsoft application creates 3D model using a cellphone, blows our minds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 08:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NVIDIA's dual-GPU GeForce GTX 590 emerges, can't slay the Radeon HD 6990 titan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/nvidias-dual-gpu-geforce-gtx-590-emerges-cant-slay-the-radeon/

1,024 total CUDA cores, 94 ROPs, and 3GB of GDDR5 RAM on board. Yup, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 is indeed a pair of GTX 580 chips spliced together, however power constraints have meant that each of those chips is running at a tamer pace that their single-card variant. The core clock speed is down to 607MHz, shaders are only doing 1.2GHz, and the memory clocks in at 3.4GHz. Still, there's a ton of grunt under that oversized shroud and reviewers have put it to the test against AMD's incumbent single-card performance leader, the Radeon HD 6990. Just like the GTX 590, it sports a pair of AMD's finest GPUs and costs a wallet-eviscerating $699. Alas, after much benchmarking, testing, and staring at extremely beautiful graphics, the conclusion was that AMD retains its title. But only just. And, as Tech Report points out, the GTX 590 has a remarkably quiet cooler for a heavy duty pixel pusher of its kind. Dive into the reviews below to learn more, or check the new card out on video after the break.

Read - AnandTech
Read - HardOCP
Read - Tech Report
Read - PC Perspective
Read - Guru 3D
Read - X-bit labs
Read - techPowerUp!
Read - TechSpot

Continue reading NVIDIA's dual-GPU GeForce GTX 590 emerges, can't slay the Radeon HD 6990 titan

NVIDIA's dual-GPU GeForce GTX 590 emerges, can't slay the Radeon HD 6990 titan originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Getupp Helps You Stick to Your Goals by Notifying Your Friends If You Fail [Webapp]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/#!5783788/getupp-helps-you-stick-to-your-goals-by-making-your-friends-confirm-your-actions

Getupp is a neat webapp that helps you set your goals and share them publicly so you're held accountable to the world. To make sure keep your commitments, Getupp can notify your Facebook friends if you break a commitment so you can be sure everyone will find out that you're a slacker.

Making a commitment is very easy. Getupp uses Facebook to authenticate you, as it's a Facebook-based app, and from there you just choose your category, enter in what you're going to do, when you need to do it, how flexible that due date is, and how public you want your commitment to be. You don't have to alert everybody of your success or failure each time, but it is an option to help keep you accountable. If public humiliation is a big motivator for you—and it is a popular and successful method lately—Getupp is a free and easy option.

UPDATE: You can also grab the free iPhone app. It uses location-based services to keep track of where you are so it'll know when you're headed to the gym, for example, to meet your commitment to run (or not).

You can follow Adam Dachis, the author of this post, on Twitter and Facebook. If you'd like to contact him, Twitter is the most effective means of doing so.

Chrome 11 Arrives in Beta with Speech Input and New Icon [Updates]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/#!5784771/chrome-11-arrives-in-beta-with-speech-input-and-new-icon

Windows/Mac/Linux: Chrome 11 has made its way to the Beta release of Chrome, bringing with it an HTML5-powered speech input ability (which you can test out here), GPU-powered 3D CSS rendering, and, most immediately noticeable, the new, flatter Chrome icon. Chrome 11 is due to hit the Stable release relatively soon, given how quickly it moved into Beta. [Chrome Releases Blog via TechCrunch]

Gigabyte's 15.6-inch P2532: world's thinnest second-gen Core i7 laptop (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/gigabytes-15-6-inch-p2532-worlds-thinnest-second-gen-core-i7/

We suspect that some other laptop manufacturer will be coming out of the woodwork in around 4.98 seconds here to refute Gigabyte's claim, but as of now, the 15.6-inch P2532 above is the planet's thinnest laptop with a second-generation (Sandy Bridge) Core i7 CPU. It's not "ultrathin," per se, but for packing such a serious amount of horsepower, it's definitely on the anorexic side of things. Our pals over at TweakTown managed to get their paws on one, and they noted that it was sporting a 1920 x 1080 resolution display, a 500GB (7200RPM) hard drive, NVIDIA's GeForce GT550M (2GB) with Optimus technology, a DVD burner, two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, four speakers, a makeshift subwoofer and more ventilation ports than would normally be considered healthy. The company's also offering up a smattering of interchangeable lids, with the pastel yellow one in particular catching our eye -- can't say it's for the right reasons, but we digress. Sadly, there's no price or release date to share just yet, but there is a hands-on video just past the break. Head on down and hit play, won't you?

Continue reading Gigabyte's 15.6-inch P2532: world's thinnest second-gen Core i7 laptop (video)

Gigabyte's 15.6-inch P2532: world's thinnest second-gen Core i7 laptop (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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