Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

drag2share: LG developing slimmer Optimus 3D handset, might be ready for 2012

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/lg-developing-slimmer-optimus-3d-handset-might-be-ready-for-201/

The LG Optimus 3D certainly isn't the slimmest smartphone we've ever seen, but it looks like the chunky handset is about to get seriously streamlined. In an interview with Pocket-Lint, LG developer Dr. Henry Noh confirmed that his company is working on a thinner version of its 4.3-inch phone, hinting that it may be ready for release by next year. Noh didn't offer specifics on dimensions, but acknowledged that the current version, at 11.9mm (0.47 inches) thick, definitely isn't the "sexiest phone on the street" -- something he hopes to change. "Eventually, we want to make it so that having the 3D won't necessarily mean that it's going to be thicker," Noh explained. "That's going to be a differentiating factor that comes for free to the user." Doing so, he claims, could help LG's glasses-free 3D device distinguish itself from its 2D competitors:

"These days, all the phones look the same. They have a huge screen - 4.3-inches is normal these days - and next year they're moving even larger. And they have a fixed number of touch buttons. They're the same thickness. They have the same camera. And even the same OS. It's so boring."

Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not this strategy actually pans out, but it's definitely something we'll be keeping an eye on.

LG developing slimmer Optimus 3D handset, might be ready for 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Baidu, Dell join forces to produce line of smartphones and tablets in China

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/baidu-dell-join-forces-to-produce-line-of-smartphones-and-table/

Just a few days after introducing its own Android-like OS, Baidu is now looking to expand its mobile reach to the hardware front, with the help of Dell. According to Reuters, the Chinese search giant has joined forces with the PC manufacturer to produce a line of tablets and smartphones within China, in the hopes of capitalizing on a market of more than 900 million mobile subscribers. A Dell spokeswoman declined to offer a launch date for the new line of products, but sources close to the matter say they could launch as early as November. Details on the devices remain equally opaque, though Dell seems intent on resurrecting its tablet / handset unit, following the demise of the Streak 5. "We have a partnership with Baidu and you know we have the Streak 5 tablet, so the partnership will be in that space," the company's rep explained, adding that future releases would involve Baidu's mobile app platform, as well. Today's announcement also comes after Dell's Chinese sales grew by 22 percent during the first quarter of this year, though it remains to be seen whether or not this alliance will have much affect on a market currently dominated by Apple and Lenovo.

Baidu, Dell join forces to produce line of smartphones and tablets in China originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung Stratosphere aims to be Verizon's first QWERTY-packing LTE device

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/samsung-stratosphere-aims-to-be-verizons-first-qwerty-packing-l/

Verizon's LTE network may be praiseworthy for its blazing-fast mobile broadband and high-end devices, but there's one area of the carrier's 4G lineup that's always needed improvement: variety. From renders revealed by PocketNow, it's apparent that one of the next-gen handsets slated for release soon (perhaps even this week) is the QWERTY-laden Samsung Stratosphere, also known as the SCH-I405. If true, this would be the very first LTE device that comes with a hardware keyboard, finally giving us a new option aside from the 4.3-inch slates that have dominated Big Red's offerings for so long. It's rumored to have an "awesome" screen (Super AMOLED Plus?), Android 2.3.4 preinstalled, 2GB internal storage and 5MP rear / 1.3 front cams; not much of a spec sheet to go off of, of course, but at least we know it's unique. With several other LTE handsets taking the stage between now and the holidays, there's no reason to make them all look the same... right?

Samsung Stratosphere aims to be Verizon's first QWERTY-packing LTE device originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 07:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, September 05, 2011

drag2share: Zero1 VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/zero1-voomote-zapper-remote-control-for-ios-hands-on-video/

Are you one of those old-school types who still watches TV programs on an actual television? Then you probably also own one or fifteen of those cordless channel changer contraptions -- you know, the kind that use AA batteries and magic beams of light to command station and volume adjustments. Well, set down the remote, lean back in that oversized plastic-covered velvet sofa, and get ready to toss out your last pair of alkalines. Zero1's new VooMote Zapper remote module has been making the rounds at IFA, letting you use any iOS device as a universal remote. Sure, the concept itself isn't new -- there have been other iOS-integrated remotes -- but the Zapper is small, relatively inexpensive, and interfaces quite nicely with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Your programmed selections are stored on the Zapper itself, so you can easily use it with multiple iOS devices.

The $70 device can be matched with identically colored cases ($20 and up), and also includes rather comprehensive TV Guide functionality, enabling you to see local programming, watch previews of unfamiliar content, and send an infrared signal to your TV to launch a program -- during its scheduled airing time, of course. We took a look at the app / itsy bitsy hardware combo, and it seemed to work well, with an easy setup process (codes for nearly every device come preloaded) and fast response time. VooMote reps said the device has a range of 25 feet, which is more than plenty for our tiny apartment configs, but may not suffice in some stadium-style media rooms. At the end of the day, it's really just a (very) elegant touchscreen universal remote solution, so we'll leave it at that. Jump past the break to see the Zapper in action.

Gallery: VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video)

Continue reading Zero1 VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video)

Zero1 VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Elgato EyeTV Mobile eyes-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/elgato-eyetv-mobile-eyes-on-video/

Elgato's been experimenting with live TV on the iPad for over a year now, but until now, that meant streaming programs that were already broadcast online anyway -- a mighty large limitation, wouldn't you say? This week, though, the company announced EyeTV Mobile, a TV tuner that plugs into the iPad 2's 30-pin connector, allowing it to pull in broadcast television. We just happened to stumble on Elgato's booth here at IFA and treated ourselves to a short TV break. The tuner, which fits easily in the palm of your hand when the antenna is collapsed, only allows you to draw in signals using the DVB-T standard, so make no mistake this is a product just for our European readers. (Although Elgato says it hopes to release something similar in Japan.) Even more than the hardware or the programming selection (fútbol, anyone?), we remain impressed by the free EyeTV iOS app, whose interface is pretty much the same as the HDHomeRun for iPad app, with the ability to swipe the screen to change channels and, in this case, save your location. It'll be available across the pond for €99.95 / £99.95 at the end of this month. Until then (or if you're just stuck in the states), check out our hands-on photos below and a video demo after the break.

Gallery: Elgato EyeTV Mobile eyes-on

Continue reading Elgato EyeTV Mobile eyes-on (video)

Elgato EyeTV Mobile eyes-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: LG's 'Dual Play' TVs let gamers share a single screen, different perspective

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/lgs-dual-play-tvs-let-gamers-share-a-single-screen-different/

Challenging Sony's PlayStation 3D display, LG's new LW980T "Dual Play" TV lets Xbox users see two different views on the same screen -- ditching the standard split gaming view. Spotted this week at IFA, the technology requires a pair of snazzy all-right / all-left passive specs and a compatible 3D Xbox game to get two different 2D perspectives on one TV. Compared to Sony's $499, 24-inch active-shutter offering, the 47-inch and 55-inch passive 'tubes are significantly larger and more expensive, rumored to retail for £1799 (or $2915) and £2499 (or $4050), respectively. According to sources, this feature will join LG's lineup of Cinema 3D displays sometime in September -- offering gaming as well as LG's SmartTV and 3D movie support. Hey gamers, since we're not splitting up anymore, is it safe to say we can stay "in a relationship" on Facebook?

LG's 'Dual Play' TVs let gamers share a single screen, different perspective originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Haier's transparent organic TV eyes-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/haiers-transparent-organic-tv-eyes-on-video/

What's the worst thing about your TV? If you said "opaqueness," boy have we got the set from you. This is a 22-inch transparent organic TV from the folks at Haier (you know, the ones who also showed off that mind control TV today). It's a slim display with a metal bezel that has a clear OLED at its center with a 1680 x 1050 resolution. The images appeared pretty sharp on screen, though the colors didn't particularly pop.

And really, this thing isn't likely headed to any living rooms in the near future -- Haier sees it more as an advertising tool, letting shoppers see its images from both sides. The display in its demo form was actually hooked up to a Windows PC, running video through a media player, making this not too unlike that 14-inch Samsung laptop that we saw at CES last year.

The TV is still in its early demo stages, so pricing and availability are a ways off. Video after the break.

Gallery: Haier's transparent organic TV eyes-on

Haier's transparent organic TV eyes-on

Continue reading Haier's transparent organic TV eyes-on (video)

Haier's transparent organic TV eyes-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sunday, September 04, 2011

drag2share: LG Thrill 4G officially arrives at AT&T for $100, fairy tales can come true

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/lg-thrill-4g-officially-arrives-at-atandt-for-100-fairy-tales-ca/

C'mon, admit it -- you didn't really think the LG Thrill 4G would ever be released, did you? After several weeks of unexplained delays, the AT&T-branded Optimus 3D is truly, honestly available on the carrier's website for sale at a respectable $100. The device, announced at CTIA 2011 in March, isn't hiding anything we didn't already know: it's got a 1GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4 CPU with 512MB of RAM, Froyo, a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 display, 1080p video capture and dual 5MP rear stereoscopic cameras to add the extra dimension. So if you've been waiting for this phone to get the green light, it's time to stop idling at the intersection.

LG Thrill 4G officially arrives at AT&T for $100, fairy tales can come true originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 04:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: The Birdy Is a Super Simple Budgeting Site That Records Your Purchases Via Email [Personal Finance]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5836887/the-birdy-is-a-super-simple-budgeting-site-that-records-your-purchases-via-email

If you appreciate the need for budgeting and tracking your spending but you find typical financial software too tedious, give The Birdy a try. This webapp makes recording your spending really easy by asking you to reply to its daily emails.

Each day, The Birdy will send you an email asking what you bought that day. Reply with one purchase per line, including a description and tags like this: "$10 lunch #food #work" then The Birdy will record it in your account. That's it!

You can also add purchases via the website.

It's a great app if you're prone to forgetting to track your purchases, use mostly cash to buy things, and/or don't want to use services like Mint that connect to your accounts.

You can follow or contact Melanie Pinola, the author of this post, on Twitter.

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drag2share: Google Voice Gets Full Honeycomb Support [Blip]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5837113/google-voice-gets-full-honeycomb-support

Engadget reports that Google just planted the latest version of Google Voice into the Android Market, fully optimized to work with Honeycomb. Took them bloody long enough, no? [Engadget]

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Saturday, September 03, 2011

drag2share: Jarre AeroSystem One's music makes the audiophiles come together

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/jarre-aerosystem-ones-music-makes-the-audiophiles-come-together/

We've all got that one friend who just cannot believe you'd listen to 128kbps MP3s. Well, forget the rent, slap a handful of Benjamins down, slot this AeroSystem One next to your IKEA furniture, and then continue to play those low bit rate tracks -- it should drive'em nuts. Designed with a decidedly anti-regressive approach to sound quality, Jarre's lamp-like audiophile rig is the Lady Liberty of digital music, accepting not only all generations of Apple's iPods and iPhones, but also tunes recorded in any digital format. The stainless steel and toughened glass-made sound system, measuring about three and a half feet tall and weighing about 32lbs, pumps up those iTunes jams with the aid of two 30W satellite speakers and one 60W subwoofer. Oh, and that cost? Yeah, the sound of this music's gonna run you 799 Euros (or $1,135), but hey -- a month or three of ramen never hurt anybody. Right?

[Thanks, Nick]

Jarre AeroSystem One's music makes the audiophiles come together originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Toshiba FlashAir WiFi SD Card will make your Eye-Fi's water

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/toshiba-flashair-wifi-sd-card-will-make-your-eye-fis-water/

Eye-Fi's wireless cards push photos straight from digital cameras without cables, but what if you want to pull some pics back the other way? Toshiba's solving that problem with the two-way FlashAir, an 802.11 b/g/n enabled 8GB SD Card that can also exchange data directly with compatible devices. If pushing photos to a camera isn't your bag you can always always use FlashAir as a mountable wireless drive in your SD-enabled tablet. Sales won't begin in Japan until February 2012 and the price is rumored to be around $90 -- close to that of the equivalent Eye-Fi.

Toshiba FlashAir WiFi SD Card will make your Eye-Fi's water originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Amazon tablet coming in November for $250?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/amazon-tablet-coming-in-november-for-250/

Much ink has been spilled in the rumor mill about a coming Amazonian tablet, and now those rumors look to be confirmed. TechCrunch has apparently gotten some time with Amazon's forthcoming slate, and reports that it has a 7-inch, backlit color capacitive screen and is bereft of physical buttons. Word on the web is that the hardware is already good to go, and Amazon is making the last few software tweaks before it goes on sale this November. The tablet is running a heavily skinned version of Android that was developed without any help from the folks in Mountain View. It apparently has a Cover Flow-esque UI, and is deeply integrated with all of Amazon's services (Cloud Player, Instant Video Player, Appstore, and of course the Kindle app). Best of all, it will reportedly cost a scant $250 -- not quite TouchPad territory, but well underneath the iPad's $500 price. Let the next great tablet war begin.

Amazon tablet coming in November for $250? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Visualized: an interactive timeline of the web

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/visualized-an-interactive-timeline-of-the-web/

Ever wondered what the World Wide Web's illustrious history would look like if plotted in timeline form? Well, thanks to Google's "Evolution of the web," you won't have to. The delectable chart traces the evolution of HTML, the web technologies that came alongside it and the browsers that've held it all together -- all in a seriously meta HTML5 package. Ready for a trip down memory lane? Hit the source, friend, and revel at how far we've come.

Visualized: an interactive timeline of the web originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Zotac unveils palm-sized ZBOX nano AD10, packing AMD Brazos APU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/03/zotac-unveils-palm-sized-zbox-nano-ad10-packing-amd-brazos-apu/

Zotac ZBOX nano AD10

The box looks more like Zotac's VIA-powered mini-PC, but inside the AD10 falls right in line with rest of the AD series, packing an AMD E-350 APU alongside a Radeon HD 6310 chip. You're also looking at integrated 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and a pair of USB 3.0 ports -- not bad for something that's (just barely) palm-sized. The AD10 Plus model comes pre-stocked with a 320GB hard drive and 2GB of DDR3 RAM for only $276. The barebones model doesn't seem to have been priced yet, but we wouldn't expect it to be too much less considering how cheap memory and hard disks are these days. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Gallery: Zotac ZBOX nano AD10

Continue reading Zotac unveils palm-sized ZBOX nano AD10, packing AMD Brazos APU

Zotac unveils palm-sized ZBOX nano AD10, packing AMD Brazos APU originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 07:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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