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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Fring Group Video goes live, enables four-way mobile video calls for free

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/fring-group-video-goes-live-enables-four-way-mobile-video-calls/

If you missed the opportunity to get your hands on Fring's limited Group Video beta, fret not, because the free service has just gone live for everyone on this planet. What this means is that all Fringsters on compatible iOS 4.x and Android 1.5+ devices (1GHz and above recommended) can now have up to three friends on one video call, and as before, you can do so over either WiFi, 3G, or 4G. Hit your nearest app market for the software update to join the fun, and head past the break to see how Group Video works.

Continue reading Fring Group Video goes live, enables four-way mobile video calls for free

Fring Group Video goes live, enables four-way mobile video calls for free originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diagramly Is a Quick Online Diagram, Mind Map, and Flow Chart Creator [Webapp]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/#!5795870/diagramly-is-a-quick-online-diagram-mind-map-and-flow-chart-creator

There are plenty of apps for creating flow charts, mind maps, and other types of diagrams, but Diagramly is ready to go the minute you visit the site. It's remarkably similar to Microsoft Visio, but it's accessible from pretty much any web browser and doesn't even require signing up.

If you've ever used Microsoft Visio, or pretty much any diagram-creating software, Diagramly should feel pretty familiar. Your shapes, text, and icons onto your grid, name them, and connect them with arrows. While there are plenty of webapps that rival desktop software, a lot of the graphics-based apps have a bit of lag. Diagramly is, fortunately, very responsive. It saves out to several image formats and allows you to print directly from the app. It's actually a really solid replacement to desktop diagraming software.

Diagramly is available for free, and all you have to do is go visit the site to get started.

Diagramly | via MakeUseOf

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.

Ditch Your Laptop While Photographing with Photosmith [Apps]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/#!5795910/ditch-your-laptop-while-photographing-with-photosmith

Convergence! Its the best, right? My phone replaced my camera, GPS, and the need to throw birds at pigs in real life. Ditching superfluous gear is great. Photosmith will lighten your photographic load, iPad-loading pics straight from your camera.

One major caveat: Photosmith only works with Adobe Lightroom, so if you're an Aperture fan, this one isn't for you. Otherwise, it seems pretty neat—with a camera connector, email, or Eye-Fi card, push all the photos you want onto your iPad and get to work organizing, tagging, and sharing your work. Photosmith supports all the usual formats, including RAW files. An iPad is still a piece of gear, but it'll save you some poundage to be lugged around while on a shoot. [iTunes via Wired]

Coalition of companies creates WebM Community Cross License initiative

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/coalition-of-companies-creates-webm-community-cross-license-init/

When Google unveiled its WebM open source media format and declared it to be the one codec to rule all others, there were those who decried its usefulness and felt that H.264 should inherit the earth. WebM's power converted some of those staunch detractors, and to rally more to to the VP8 / Vorbis cause, 17 companies have now formed the WebM Community Cross-License (CCL) initiative by inter-mingling their WebM-related IP resources. The initiative was founded so that all may use El Goog's preferred multimedia codec free from the threat of patent litigation, and the CCL superfriends will welcome more members to bolster their legal might -- but those wishing to join must grant a royalty-free license to any of their patents that cover WebM technology. A passion for streamlining web standards and a willingness to spread the word about WebM couldn't hurt, either -- new formats don't sell themselves, y'know.

Coalition of companies creates WebM Community Cross License initiative originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG licenses ARM Cortex-A15 and Mali-T604 graphics, starts scheming up mobile processors of its own

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/lg-licenses-arm-cortex-a15-and-mali-t604-graphics-starts-schemi/

Some of LG's brightest attractions at the moment are the dual-core Optimus 2X and Optimus 3D smartphones and similarly equipped Optimus Pad tablet. The only problem with them? Those multicore chips are produced by NVIDIA for the 2X and Pad and Texas Instruments for the Optimus 3D, leaving LG a clear step behind its arch-nemesis Samsung who is producing its own dual-core system-on-chip. So what else could LG possibly do but buy its own ARM license -- specifically for the Cortex-A9 design that is dominating today and the Cortex-A15 with Mali-T604 graphics that promises to rule the mobile world from 2012 onwards -- and start churning out its own processors? The Korean company certainly has the budget, if not the manufacturing facilities, to produce such chips at volume, and we're all for seeing another competitor enter the ARM arena. This licensing deal also reminds us that the last fresh licensee to ARM's blueprints was Microsoft -- so we can now look forward to two industry giants bringing their technical expertise to this rapidly growing marketplace. See LG's full press release after the break.

Continue reading LG licenses ARM Cortex-A15 and Mali-T604 graphics, starts scheming up mobile processors of its own

LG licenses ARM Cortex-A15 and Mali-T604 graphics, starts scheming up mobile processors of its own originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 06:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qualcomm's next-gen Snapdragon roadmap leaks, exhibits great expectations (updated)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/qualcomms-next-gen-snapdragon-roadmap-bumped-back-a-little-exp/

Seems like we just can't get ARM's next-generation Cortex-A15 system-on-chip out of our minds. Having figured as a headline item in LG's ARM licensing deal this morning, it's now shown up on a leaked Qualcomm roadmap, landing itself a lynchpin role in that company's Snapdragon future. Alas, Qualcomm had been promising for the earliest of its MSM8930 / 60 and APQ8064 Snapdragons to be sampling in Q2 of this year, ~~but this latest schedule shows them as sampling at the end of 2011~~ (see update). This isn't hugely surprising in light of ARM's recent forecast of Cortex-A15 devices in "late 2012," but it'll be disappointing to users keen to be exploiting quad-GPU and quad-CPU mobile rigs as soon as humanly possible. Guess that just leaves us waiting for the NGP or NVIDIA's quad-core SOC in August. Hit the source link for more on Qualcomm's plans for the near and distant future.

[Thanks, Mike]

Update: Qualcomm got in touch to correct the timing here. The company's 3G/LTE MSM8960 chipset remains on track to sample in this quarter, as promised in the company's latest earnings report. The other two parts were already expected to come later, so there's no delay to speak of. Just juicy specs.

Qualcomm's next-gen Snapdragon roadmap leaks, exhibits great expectations (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus S 4G launch on Sprint now official: May 8th for $200

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/nexus-s-4g-launch-on-sprint-now-official-may-8th-for-200/

You've been able to pre-order the Sprint-ified version of the Nexus S for a good while now, but it's always good to add a concrete date for the end of the anticipation and the beginning of the Android 2.3 fun. That date has now been officially marked as May 8th. That's when your Pure Google device will be ready for use and abuse, though you'll have to accept the usual two-year commitment with Sprint and pay up the typical $200 entry fee. Intriguingly, the Nexus S 4G's release date matches up with a roadmap leak we saw recently, which also featured the Motorola Xoom launching on Sprint in "early May." Can't be long before that goes official as well now. Jump past the break for Sprint's PR regarding today's news.

Continue reading Nexus S 4G launch on Sprint now official: May 8th for $200

Nexus S 4G launch on Sprint now official: May 8th for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Iconia Smart hits the FCC, readies to smack AT&T with 1024 x 480 screen?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/acer-iconia-smart-hits-the-fcc-readies-to-smack-atandt-with-its-4/

Acer promised a 4.8-inch, 1024 x 480 tabletphone would arrive in April 2011, and April's nearly through -- but don't cross off the Acer Iconia Smart yet, because that brushed aluminum frame has just materialized at our favorite government institution. Yes, the FCC laid eyes on radiation test reports for the Android 2.3 device, which reveal that the quad-band GSM handset is headed to both Canada and the US. Given that the North American version only has 850, 1900 and 2100MHz 3G frequencies, it sounds like a lock for AT&T. Inside, you'll find a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor, 512MB each of ROM and RAM, an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, a 2 megapixel front-facing cam, micro-HDMI output capable of 720p, a 1500mAh user-replaceable battery and all the usual 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and GPS trimmings you'd expect. Now, Acer, how about a new release date?

Acer Iconia Smart hits the FCC, readies to smack AT&T with 1024 x 480 screen? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony teases 'Freestyle Hybrid PC' tablet slider and next-gen ultra-portable laptop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/sony-teases-freestyle-hybird-pc-tablet-slider-and-next-gen-ult/

We're not sure how this slipped past us at the Sony Android tablet event, but turns out the electronics giant also teased a couple of interesting VAIO laptops. First up is a "Freestyle Hybrid PC" that slides between tablet mode and laptop mode -- very much like the Samsung Sliding PC, but with a seemingly slimmer bottom-half sans trackpad (though we can just about spot a pointing stick on the keyboard). No word on specs, prices, or availability here, but you may recall our proven tipster mentioning a 9.4-inch screen and a $799 launch in the fall. Could this be it? We shall see.

Also shown alongside is a swanky "Ultimate Mobile PC" -- pictured after the break -- with a hint of USB 3.0 and HDMI on a slim body, but again, there's not much else to go with this slide. Hey, at least we now know it's time to start saving up for these bad boys.

Continue reading Sony teases 'Freestyle Hybrid PC' tablet slider and next-gen ultra-portable laptop

Sony teases 'Freestyle Hybrid PC' tablet slider and next-gen ultra-portable laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qik Video Connect gets Android and Apple users seeing eye-to-eye

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/qik-video-connect-gets-android-and-apple-users-seeing-eye-to-eye/

EVO and MyTouch 4G owners have been able to enjoy the virtues of video calling via Qik for some time, but Skype's latest acquisition is finally letting a few more phones in on the action. Qik Video Connect now works with some devices running Android 2.1 and up, iPhones, iPad 2s and any iPod Touch with a camera -- letting Apple fanboys and Android apologists speak face to face over 3G, 4G, and WiFi with the device of their choosing. It's not the first app to do cross-platform video calling, but it is the only one with Qik's video mail and video sharing services. The catch? It's only currently available on ten Android handsets, though dev teams are "busy getting Video Chat ready on additional phones." Let's hope they work quickly.

Qik Video Connect gets Android and Apple users seeing eye-to-eye originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG brings flicker-free Cinema 3D to computer monitors, Excel will never be the same

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/lg-brings-flicker-free-cinema-3d-to-computer-monitors-excel-wil/

LG D41P and D42P 3D montiors

LG is bringing its Cinema 3D tech to computers with the new D41P and D42P families of monitors. The 1920 x 1080 displays range in size from 21.5-inches to 25-inches and feature the company's FPR (Film Pattern Retarder) coating that ditches the heavy active shutter glasses used by many other manufacturers for the lighter passive variety. Both monitors also sport a 5ms response time, an HDMI 1.4 port, and a 2D conversion feature -- perfect for whipping up Word docs in eye-popping 3D. Pricing is still up in the air, but the D41P and D42P lines are available in South Korea now and a global rollout will begin in June, with Europe next in line for some flicker-free 3D fun. PR and one more image after the break.

Continue reading LG brings flicker-free Cinema 3D to computer monitors, Excel will never be the same

LG brings flicker-free Cinema 3D to computer monitors, Excel will never be the same originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, April 18, 2011

Some MacBook Airs sporting faster blade SSDs, probably from Samsung

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/18/some-macbook-airs-sporting-faster-samsung-blade-ssds/

When Apple released its redesigned MacBook Air in October 2010, much was made of the switch to flash storage using a custom-built Mini PCI Express form factor SSD drive. It took a few weeks but these SSDs would ultimately be released as the commercially available Toshiba Blade X-gale SSD module, model TS128C. Now we're seeing user reports showing MacBook Airs equipped with a second, even faster SSD with a SM128C part number -- the "SM" hinting at its presumed Samsung manufacturing origins. Samsung's SSD manages up to 260MBps read and 210MBps write speeds compared to Toshiba's 210MBps read and 185MBps write performance. Of course, it's hardly unusual for Apple to multi-source components. And a recent decision to source parts from Korea's Samsung would have been a smart move to keep just-in-time supply lines fully stocked following the spate of disasters in Toshiba's home country of Japan. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any way of confirming which SSD you're about to purchase without cracking open the retail box and running the OS X System Profiler. Good luck with that.

Some MacBook Airs sporting faster blade SSDs, probably from Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 03:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung promises a dual-core 2GHz smartphone 'by next year'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/18/samsung-promises-a-dual-core-2ghz-smartphone-by-next-year/

Are you ready for a scorching-fast future? Samsung sure is, as today the Maeli Business Newspaper reports "a high-ranking" company official has disclosed Samsung's intention to deliver a dual-core smartphone that runs at 2GHz. That's 2GHz for each core, not the specious 1GHz multiplied by two mathematics that Sanjay Jha likes to dabble in. ARM already has a dual-core Cortex-A9 design capable of scaling such speed heights, which is most probably the basis on which Samsung is building its future processor on. The report goes on to state that Samsung will consider selling the chips separately, so you wouldn't necessarily have to buy a Samsung-branded handset in order to have what's being described as desktop-class performance in the palm of your hand. Man, just as we prepared one dual-core comparison chart, here comes the next next big thing.

Samsung promises a dual-core 2GHz smartphone 'by next year' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 05:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Be Wary of Sponsored Download Pages in Search Results [In Brief]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/#!5792545/be-wary-of-sponsored-download-pages-in-search-results

Google Instant's handy keyboard shortcuts let you quickly open the first result in searches by simply hitting the Enter key, but since Google highlights sponsored results as the first result, an overly trigger-happy Enter key can dump you to a bum result rather than the legitimate first result. As tech site How-To Geek points out, when it comes to software searches, this behavior can lead to crapware-laden versions of legitimate open source software.

Be Wary of Sponsored Download Pages in Search Results A careful user will likely notice that she's been dumped to an unofficial distributor in these instances, but it's also easy to trust Google's first result. In fact, often the first sponsored result is an ad that points to the same page as the real first result—for example, a query for 'Chrome' results in an ad in position #1 that's the same as the result at the true first position. The takeaway: Keep your eyes open, and make sure you're heading to official download pages when you're grabbing a piece of software via search. [How-To Geek]

Talkatone Updates to Make Free Google Voice Calling from iPhones Easier [Updates]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/#!5792344/talkatone-updates-to-make-free-google-voice-calling-from-iphones-easier

iOS only: Talkatone, the rather nifty app that allows free Google Voice calls on iPhones, has updated with a a much friendlier interface, access to your phone's own contact list, and better connection and audio compression handling. It also works with capable iPod touch and iPad models, too.

The main improvements are on the backend, involving audio quality, call monitoring, and other network and voice technologies. But making a free call through Google Voice is no longer a function you have to hunt down in a tap-to-open menu, and you'll get notifications about incoming calls when you keep the app running in the multitasking dock. If you like to save minutes on your cellular account, or if you're often in locations with decent Wi-Fi but not such great cellular service, Talkatone is a great option.

Talkatone is a free download for iPhones, iPods, and iPads. A Premium version unlocks certain other features, including better compression for calling.

Talkatone [iTunes App Store]

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