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Friday, December 23, 2011

drag2share: Rambus, Broadcom sign licensing deal, agree to share toys

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/23/rambus-broadcom-sign-licensing-deal-agree-to-share-toys/

It never hurts to stop arguing, hug it out and agree on a patent licensing deal. Today, Rambus -- which has a history of litigating against chip makers it feels are have violated its intellectual property rights and filed a complaint against Broadcom to the International Trade Commission in 2010 -- signed a licensing deal that resolved previous claims for Broadcom's technology. In the statement, Rambus said it will license its patent for integrated circuits used in chips made by Broadcom. The company did not disclose any financial details related to the deal, or which technology would be part of the agreement, though Broadcom is typically renowned for its wireless networking chips which are often found in WiFi, Bluetooth and cellular-capable devices. In other news, Rambus and Broadcom have added each other as Xbox Live friends and gotten to level 36 in Modern Warfare 3 co-op gameplay.

Rambus, Broadcom sign licensing deal, agree to share toys originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Stream TV launching glasses free Ultra-D 3DTV tech at CES, again

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/23/stream-tv-launching-glasses-free-ultra-d-3dtv-tech-at-ces-again/

We don't recall seeing Stream TV's Elocity 3T autostereoscopic 3D TV on shelves after our CES demo last year, but to be fair, we don't get out much. Not to worry however, as the company will be back at CES 2012, this time touting Ultra-D "next generation 3D without glasses display technology" that it claims will surpass all 3D experiences to date. Lofty claims, but it's also banking on its tech for realtime 2D-to-3D conversion of any video content, with plans for the brand to reach TVs, converter boxes, tablets, PCs and more. Check out the press release after the break to drink in more hype, we'll be in line to see what's real at its press conference January 9th.

Continue reading Stream TV launching glasses free Ultra-D 3DTV tech at CES, again

Stream TV launching glasses free Ultra-D 3DTV tech at CES, again originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Codecademy Builds âLabs,â A Web-Based Code Editor

Source: http://techcrunch.com/2011/12/22/codecademy-launches-labs-a-web-based-code-editor/

Smoking hot startup Codecademy, a service which teaches you how to program online has launched its Labs feature today, as a sign of things to come.

Codecademy founder Zach Sims tells me that Codecademy, and specifically new hire Amjad Masad, built the feature because it wanted people to be able to play with what they’ve learned on Codecademy without having to download a desktop-based code editor or integrated development environment (IDE). He says that most other online code-learning environments (like Treehouse) don’t yet offer a way for students freeform write and run the code they teach in-browser.

In addition to Javascript, which Codecademy already offers courses in, the interactive coding console allows you to program in both Python and Ruby as a way to practice languages and implement curriculum you may have learned elsewhere. Sims tells me that the startup plans on offering Python and Ruby lessons in addition to Javascript eventually.

In addition to editing, Codecademy Labs allows you to run, and download executable files so your programs can run elsewhere. “It eliminates the biggest hurdle. When they’re learning code, people want a super easy way to go do something with it,” Sims says “Labs makes it really easy to continue along the path of learning stuff without any of the complications that go along with programming.”

Codecademy recently received $2.5 million from an impressive array of investors including Union Square Ventures, O'Reilly AlphaTech, SV Angel, Yuri Milner, Chamath Palihapitiya, Founder Collective, CrunchFund, Joshua Schachter, Dave Morin, Naval Ravikant and others.

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

drag2share: AMD Radeon HD 7970 review roundup: supremely fast, relatively efficient

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/22/amd-radeon-hd-7970-review-roundup-supremely-fast-relatively-ef/

AMD's next flagship graphics card was only announced a few hours ago, and it won't arrive on the gaming public's plate until January, but already the tech punditry has tasted it, tested it and spat out a soggy little piece of paper that reads: "the fastest single-GPU card in the world." What we're really looking for, though, is the type of performance that beats older rivals like NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 580 without blowing the house up like a dual-GPU product. As it turns out, most reviewers agree that is exactly what this new $549 Radeon delivers, albeit with the few caveats summarized after the break.

Continue reading AMD Radeon HD 7970 review roundup: supremely fast, relatively efficient

AMD Radeon HD 7970 review roundup: supremely fast, relatively efficient originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Google Books for Chrome gets offline support, one less excuse for not reading the 'classics'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/22/google-books-for-chrome-gets-offline-support-one-less-excuse-fo/

Google Books Offline

So, you can read all those tomes you've picked up through Google Books offline on your smartphone and tablet, but what about on your laptop? Well, if for some reason you've got the desire to power through Finnegans Wake in your browser (though, we're not really sure why you'd do that to yourself) we've got good news -- the Google Books app for Chrome now caches your titles for local reading. To download a book, just hover over the cover in library view and select "make available offline" from the pop-up. Then, even when you can't get your Chromebook connected, you'll be able to sit back and relax with a classic novel or seedy romance tale.

Google Books for Chrome gets offline support, one less excuse for not reading the 'classics' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung releases CES 2012 teaser, hints at upcoming Smart TV products (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/samsung-releases-ces-2012-teaser-hints-at-upcoming-smart-tv-pro/

It's certainly not much, but with just a few words at the end of a YouTube clip, Samsung hopes to grab your interest. The Korean electronics giant has just released a "through the years" style clip that encapsulates over 50 years of advances with its television systems (i.e., the switch to color, rabbit ears, higher resolutions, DVR, 3D TVs, etc.). The clip concludes with the words "Experience the Future of Smart TV" and highlights the company's upcoming presence at CES next month. And yes, we'll be there too. Take a gander for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Samsung releases CES 2012 teaser, hints at upcoming Smart TV products (video)

Samsung releases CES 2012 teaser, hints at upcoming Smart TV products (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung Captivate Glide review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/samsung-captivate-glide-review/

The QWERTY slider hasn't exactly gone the way of the dinosaur, but it's definitely approaching giant panda status. That is to say, it's become rare for a major device manufacturer to output anything other than candybar touchscreen smartphones. And why not? Slimmer, faster, beastlier is the mobile motto as of late and that's precisely what consumers seem to gravitate towards. But for diehard fans of tactile feedback, Samsung's birthed the Captivate Glide, a handset that marries the best of both form factors. Sitting just below its high-end brethren, Sammy's 4-incher runs along AT&T's 21Mbps HSPA+ network and bundles an 800 x 480 Super AMOLED display with a dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of internal storage, a 1,650mAh battery, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, a 1.3MP front-facing camera and an 8MP rear camera capable of 720p video capture. At $150 on a two-year contract, it's just half a Benjamin short of the top-tier, LTE-capable HTC Vivid. With that small of a price divide, you have to wonder: is the downgrade really worth it for the Captivate Glide's (comparatively) slower speeds and physical buttons? Are you willing to trade-in thin and sleek for messaging convenience and a bit of bulk? Follow on past the break as we deliver the answers to those burning questions.

Gallery: Samsung Captivate Glide review

Continue reading Samsung Captivate Glide review

Samsung Captivate Glide review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: CES 2012 to feature 94 startup companies in 'Eureka Park TechZone'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/ces-2012-to-feature-94-startup-companies-in-eureka-park-techzon/

CES hasn't exactly been known as the place where small startup companies catch their big break, but the CEA seems intent on changing that notion this time around. The organization announced today that its new 'Eureka Park TechZone" will feature 94 startup companies occupying some 9,000 square feet of floor space at The Venetian -- up considerably from the 28 companies that were signed on when the new area was first announced this summer. As CNET's Daniel Terdiman notes, digital imaging companies look set to have a particularly big presence in the area, including the likes of smartphone accessory-maker Kogeto (its Dot device pictured above) and the Cornell Research offshoot Mezmeriz, which is focused on pico projector technology. Needless to say, we'll be there next month to see what comes out of it.

Continue reading CES 2012 to feature 94 startup companies in 'Eureka Park TechZone'

CES 2012 to feature 94 startup companies in 'Eureka Park TechZone' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Firefox 9 for Android makes tablet support official (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/firefox-9-for-android-makes-tablet-support-official-video/

It's been a busy week over at Mozilla. Between releasing a new version of its desktop browser and then re-upping its search agreement with Google, we almost didn't notice a new version of Firefox for Android. Version 9 of the mobile browser marks the first time a tablet interface makes the jump from beta to the release channel, a scant four months after first seeing it in mockup form. For those unaware, that means a layout with tab previews when in landscape, which swap to a more traditional setup when rotated into portrait. Rounding out the update is a new action bar, quick access buttons and a faster start-up time, amongst other things. If that sounds like your beat, a video awaits after the break, while you get your download on at the source links below.

Continue reading Firefox 9 for Android makes tablet support official (video)

Firefox 9 for Android makes tablet support official (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: AMD updates Fusion A-Series chips, offers overclockers two new options

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/22/amd-updates-fusion-a-series-chips-offers-overclockers-two-new-o/

AMD Fusion A-Series

Just in time for the holidays AMD is fleshing out its lineup of Fusion A-Series APUs. The chips, which only got official in June, already saw their laptop-loving Llanos get a minor spec bump. Now their desktop brethren are catching up. The two stars, though, are clearly the A6-3670K and A8-3870K, which feature unlocked CPU and GPU clocks for the avid overclockers out there. Both are 100W quad-core parts with 600MHz Radeon graphics cores, but the A8 runs its CPU at 3GHz while the A6 starts at a more modest 2.7GHz. The 3870K also has the edge in GPU cores -- packing a grand total of 400 to the 3670K's 320. Head on after the break for the complete PR and all the nitty gritty details of the latest AMD APUs.

Continue reading AMD updates Fusion A-Series chips, offers overclockers two new options

AMD updates Fusion A-Series chips, offers overclockers two new options originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: LG gets ready for CES with a new gang of IPS monitors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/22/lg-gets-ready-for-ces-with-a-new-gang-of-ips-monitors/

It looks like LG couldn't wait until next month's CES to share its very latest selection of monitors. They're all IPS screens, and include the D43 3D monitor, which offers a conversion mode from 2D images and a 3D hotkey. It's joined by the 27-inch, slim-bezeled DM92 and the DM82; a 23-incher with built-in seven-watt speakers. The DM52 straddles both sizes and will be up for grabs alongside the rest of LG's new display family starting February. Monitor mavens can consult the press release below.

Continue reading LG gets ready for CES with a new gang of IPS monitors

LG gets ready for CES with a new gang of IPS monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung launches two dual-sim Galaxy Y phones for carrier cheaters

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/22/samsung-launches-two-dual-sim-galaxy-y-phones-for-carrier-cheate/

Samsung is rolling out a pair of dual-SIM blowers for everyone who wants to keep their working and private lives separate, or take advantage of constantly changing carrier deals. The Galaxy Y Duos packs a 3.14-inch QVGA (243 x 320) touchscreen, HSDPA modem, three megapixel camera, microSD storage that's expandable up to 32GB and an 832MHz processor that runs TouchWiz flavored Gingerbread. The Galaxy Y Pro Duos' only difference is its smaller 2.6-inch LQVGA TFT screen, to make space for the physical keyboard below. Both models will be available from January in Europe, Russia, Latin America, Asia, Africa and China and while there's no word on pricing, the specs suggest it won't be high. Head on past the break for the deep dish (or as some squares like to call it, "press release").

Continue reading Samsung launches two dual-sim Galaxy Y phones for carrier cheaters

Samsung launches two dual-sim Galaxy Y phones for carrier cheaters originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Verizon: Review Update [Android]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5870174/samsung-galaxy-nexus-for-verizon-review-update

I originally reviewed the international version of the Galaxy Nexus, but I've been using the Verizon one—with LTE!—for about a week now, so our review is updated accordingly. (Check it out right here)

The quick version: The phone is definitely thicker than the Euro version but almost negligibly so. Verizon's LTE is fast fast fast. We're talking speeds of 23Mbps download and 12Mbps up. Even in an area where I only had 1-2 bars of 4G reception, I still averaged 9.94Mbps download and 5.36 upload speeds, which is impressive. As for the 4G-hammered battery life, I was still able to make it most of the way through the day. (Conversely, switching to 3G-only I was able to power through the whole day.) Oh, and I did notice some of the signal issues that've been reported. Rarely, but it happened.

Everything else is the same. Same lovely screen, same sub-par camera, same really nice experience. I will say that this version's facial unlock works much better than it did on the other version, and it recognizes me about 90 percent of the time. I don't know if this is something that came in the 4.0.2 software update or if it just didn't like my hideous Movember moustache. [Gizmodo]

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drag2share: Hackers Stealing $3 Million from Subway Means You Should Probably Pay with Cash [Security]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5870170/hackers-stealing-3-million-from-subway-means-you-should-probably-pay-with-cash

If you've eaten at a Subway recently, there's a slight chance that you might've got your credit card information stolen. Okay probably not! But a group of Romanian hackers have managed to hack into Subway cash registers and have been logging down all sorts of customer info since 2008.

According to the courts, the hackers have managed to tap into 150 different Subway locations and 50 other small retailers through each store's point-of-sale systems, gathered credit card information from 80,000 people and racked up THREE MILLION DOLLARS in fraudulent chargers. What's amazing is how terribly simple the hack was, they didn't even have to break a sweat.

The Subway owners weren't following Subway security standards and fell into the slippery slope of leaky software. According to Ars Technica:

The hackers then deployed a collection of hacking tools to the POS systems, including logging software that recorded all the input into the systems-including credit card scans. They also installed a trojan, xp.exe, onto the systems to provide a back door to reconnect to the systems to allow the installation of additional malware, and prevent any security software updates.

All the info was transferred to FTP dump sites registered to stolen credit cards and some even began printing their own credit cards (with other people's information). Next time I buy a $5 footlong, I'm paying cash. [Ars Technica]

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drag2share: AMD's Radeon 7970 Is Here: Your New Drool-Worthy Super GPU [Guts]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5870314/amds-radeon-7970-is-here-your-new-drool+worthy-super-gpu

AMD's Radeon 7970 Is Here: Your New Drool-Worthy Super GPU The Radeon 7970 is packing some serious firsts: a brand new core design, and the world's first GPU using cool, efficient 28 nm transistors. But it's also designed, of course, to be fast as hell. Gamers, you're gonna want one.

The 7970's numbers are heavy as hell on paper: 3 GB of RAM, up to 32 internal computing units, the first use of PCI-E Gen 3, Direct X 11.1 support, and a fat, CPU-style L2 cache. That adds up to a potential six monitors gaming at once. And that's just with one—you can sling together up to four of these things at once. AMD is promising enormous gains over Nvidia's top cards—billing it as the world's fastest—but we'll hold off on judgment until we have something firmer than internal, synthetic benchmarks. Still, there's no reason to think this thing will be anything less than incredibly powerful, with both games (of course) and the bevy of desktop software it's capable of accelerating.

AMD's Radeon 7970 Is Here: Your New Drool-Worthy Super GPU But it's not all about power! The 7970 is power with responsibility, or something. It's capable of ramping up its power consumption when needed—and scaling it down to practically zero when your desktop has been idling for a while. And it'll be quiet, unlike many GPU powerhouses—no leaf blower, if AMD is to be believed. They claim a new fan design and smarter ventilation angles will mean softer cooling. With all that horsepower, we hope so!

Again, we'll have to wait until the 7970 drops on January 9th (for $550) to see how the card stacks up IRL. If you want to punch Battlefield 3 down into submission, be excited. [AMD]

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