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Thursday, January 19, 2012

drag2share: Apple revamps iTunes U and intros dedicated app (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/apple-revamps-itunes-u-and-intros-dedicated-app/

A facelift for iBooks wasn't the only change on Apple's agenda today, as the company's SVP Eddy Cue has just announced an overhaul of iTunes U. The service, mostly used as a means of delivering lectures to college students, has seen over 700 million downloads since its launch and is now gearing up to offer full online courses from the likes of Duke University, Yale, MIT, amongst others.

As an example of this new remote method of learning, the company demoed a Chemistry course at its event, showing an overview, syllabus, credits and even the professor's office hours. Tabs are placed along the right side of page with options for Info, Posts, Notes and Materials, allowing teachers to send updates direct to the app and students the ability to jot down important highlights. Wondering about integration? A simple tap on these pushed assignments will transport students direct to iBooks, where their specific coursework lies in wait and, once completed, can be crossed off on the provided task list.

The app can even be used for course registration, eliminating the frenzied rush typically associated with such events. It's all available to download on the App Store right now at no cost in 123 countries. So, if you're on Apple's participating list of schools and you're rocking an iPad, go ahead and get to virtually cracking those books.

Update: We've got our hands-on video up of the new iTunes U application!

Gallery: iTunes U app

Continue reading Apple revamps iTunes U and intros dedicated app (video)

Apple revamps iTunes U and intros dedicated app (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Intel's CPU Insurance Is an Overclocker's Wet Dream [Intel]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5877447/intels-cpu-insurance-is-an-overclockers-wet-dream

Intel's CPU Insurance Is an Overclocker's Wet Dream Overclocking processors used to be extremely nerdy, but if anything it's becoming more common these days. For those intent on squeezing performance from their chip, Intel's new CPU insurance means getting it wrong needn't be that expensive.

Overclocking a CPU does bring performance increases, but it also brings extra heat which can damage the chip if you're not careful. That's why Intel is now offering a Performance Tuning Protection Plan for five of its CPUs, which bolts on additional coverage for overclocked processors on top of their standard 3-year warranty.

You can buy the insurance any time within a year from purchase, and the policy lasts three years. So, burn your chip out from overclocking, and it's replaced free of charge. Insurance is available for five unlocked processors, and the cost varies by model as follows:

Core i7 3960X ($35)
Core i7 3930K ($35)
Core i7 2700K ($25)
Core i7 2600K ($25)
Core i5 2500K ($20)

It seems pretty cheap. But then, maybe that means Intel doesn't expect to have to replace many. [Intel via CNET]

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drag2share: Apple's iPad Textbooks: Everything You Need to Know About iBooks 2 (Updating Live) [Apple]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5877500/apples-ipad-textbooks-everything-you-need-to-know-updating-live

Steve Jobs wanted to do to education what he did for music, phones and tablet computers. Apple's new textbooks was his Next Big thing (or one of them). They want to change the way students access education material with their new iBooks 2.

This is what they're doing.

Apple—and most teachers—thinks that schools "need a reset." According to Phil Schiller, who is presenting this now in New York City's Guggenheim museum, they can't fix it, but they can help. Apple believes that current books are not good enough: too big and heavy, not durable or interactive. That's why they are coming out with iBooks 2.

Key features

All the iBook 2 features are going to be available to every book, not just textbooks. This is probably the best news of this announcement. Here are the key features:

Interactive graphics and built-in videos: The new textbooks—and any iBook 2-compatible book I guess—would be able to use all the features that any application can use. Instead of just text and photos, they will include multitouch, video and interactive objects.

Apple's iPad Textbooks: Everything You Need to Know About iBooks 2 (Updating Live) Thumbnail navigation: You would be able to go through books using a visual index, with thumbnails marking the sections of the book.

Custom glossary: They also include a feature similar to the current iBook's dictionary, in which you will access each textbook's custom glossary by highlighting words.

Apple's iPad Textbooks: Everything You Need to Know About iBooks 2 (Updating Live) Quizzes and review questions: Another cool feature that I'm sure students will love are the instant quizzes built-in into the textbooks. The quizzes and review questions are built right into each book.

Study cards: This is another really neat feature. The app will automatically turn your highlights and notes into study cards. This will also be useful for any kinds of research, if it's available for every book through the iBooks 2 application. The current iBook highlighting and note taking is very limited when it's time to review whatever notes you took. Their study cards, which are like virtual paper study cards, will help a lot here.

There are already eight free books on the store, but the ones coming from the big publishing companies will be $15 "or less" each. They are working with Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, DK publishing—which is starting with four kids books—and the E.O Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. The latter has made available the first chapters of Life on Earth for free, and they will be adding new chapters for "a low price."

How to make them

Apple is also releasing a new application for Mac OS X called iBooks Author. This is an app that anyone can use to create iBooks compatible with the new iBooks 2, not just big companies.

It works like the Apple iWorks applications—which is not a surprise, knowing that iWork's chief Roger Rosner is in charge of this. It basically gets any content that iWork would admit, which includes text, shapes, graphics, video and even entire Keynote presentations, which are fully animated. The app is compatible with Word too, which is a must in a world dominated by Office.

From the demo—he just created a basic textbook in five minutes—it seems like this could be a winner for everyone, not only big publishing companies. The app will be free, and it's available today at the Mac App Store.

Higher education

Apple has an iPad app for higher education too, called iTunes U. It's not just for college books, but for entire online courses from universities (the current iTunes U has had 700 million downloads since it started four years ago).

Updating live...

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drag2share: Apple's iBook 2 Textbooks Arrive Today for $15 [Ibooks 2]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5877512/apples-ibook-2-textbooks-arrive-today-for-15

Apple's iBook 2 Textbooks Arrive Today for $15 Algebra, Biology, Geometry—these have never been particularly exciting words when it comes to textbooks, but that could change today. Apple's attempt at reinventing learning is officially online and ready for download—with each title offered at only 15 bucks.

So far the iTunes selection includes the aforementioned titles, along with E.O. Wilson's Life on Earth (first two chapters free!), Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Physics. That makes for eight textbooks in all, covering a decent range of topics but nothing too drilled down. Interesting, too, that Apple's taking its textbook offensive to high schools first, not colleges. Possibly because high schools encompass a narrower curricula. Also: get 'em while they're young.

One potential hiccup to the textbook plan? These puppies are huge, over a gig on average, with Biology tipping the scales at 2.77GB. They may not weigh down your backpack, but they're going to fill up your iPad pretty damn quickly. Looks like the money you saved by switching from hardcover is going to have to go towards a higher storage iPad.

Apple's clearly starting with the fundamentals here, and publishing partners include the big three: McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (although the latter doesn't have any available titles yet). But this library should be fleshed out very fast, very soon. [iTunes]

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drag2share: Adlink launches fanless quad-core Intel Core i7 computers, keeps its cool with mobile connectivity

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/adlink-launches-fanless-quad-core-intel-core-i7-computers-keeps/

Adlink's announced a new series of quad-core computers that laugh in the face of overheating. Apparently forgoing the need for fan installation, its Matrix MXE-5300 line-up covers Intel Core i7, i5, and i3 processor setups and are tweaked especially for wireless optimization with 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. The MXE-5300 is peppered with six USB ports, four serial ports, ethernet, two Mini-PCIe and a single USIM slot. The embedded PCs are geared towards in-vehicle multimedia systems and the ever-so-slightly less interesting likes of factory automation. Well, something has to tell those robots what to do.

Continue reading Adlink launches fanless quad-core Intel Core i7 computers, keeps its cool with mobile connectivity

Adlink launches fanless quad-core Intel Core i7 computers, keeps its cool with mobile connectivity originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Behringer outs three iPad-housing USB mixers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/behringer-outs-three-ipad-housing-usb-mixers/

When it's not bringing the crazy that is iNuke, Behringer turns out some pretty serious audio gear. The latest offering? Three new mixers that throw an iPad into the EQuation. A dedicated app serves as an interface, while the iPad provides the brains and the power source. They're no dumb terminals though, as you'll also find a dedicated audio interface, mic pre-amps and a new dual-engine KLARK-TEKNIK FX processor, complete with 32 configurable "studio grade" presets (reverb, chorus, flange and so on). The trio comes in three sizes: 16 channels for the iX1642, 24 on the iX2442, and 32 for the big ole iX3242. Behringer's keeping the volume down on pricing and availability right now, but they'll be on display at NAMM this week if you want to have a fiddle. Not going? Then fade-in the press release after the break for more info.

Continue reading Behringer outs three iPad-housing USB mixers

Behringer outs three iPad-housing USB mixers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Privileged to be moderating this @SESConf panel: Search Marketing & Social Media for Regulated Industries (March 21) - http://bit.ly/zweJ9Y

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

drag2share: Recon partners with Scott and Smith, brings MOD to the masses

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/recon-partners-with-scott-and-smith-brings-mod-to-the-masses/

We love Recon's MOD system for Ski-goggles, especially now that it's open to developers. Starting soon, an avalanche of new winter-sports enthusiasts will be able to wear the multi-sensor based statistics system atop their eyeballs, thanks to a new partnership with both Scott and Smith. The GPS touting in-goggle display will be unveiled in the new family of eyeware at a slew of outdoor sports events this month. Of course, if you're still unsure the tech is up to your hardcore ski routine, have a word with these guys. Want to know more? We thought so. Slide on past the break to read the full PR.

Continue reading Recon partners with Scott and Smith, brings MOD to the masses

Recon partners with Scott and Smith, brings MOD to the masses originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Alienware announces X51 small form factor gaming PC, starting at $699

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/alienware-announces-x51-for-699/

Alienware may have just upgraded its Aurora gaming rig, but that's not to keep the company from giving more diminutive form factors some love. Just this evening, the subsidiary of Dell announced the X51, a slim gaming PC that's designed to orient itself either vertically or horizontally on the desktop -- complete with an Alienware logo that properly rotates depending on positioning. The system includes both Core i3 and i5 options, and features a slot-loading optical drive with an option for Blu-ray. While it's no shocker, the X51 can be upgraded to 8GB of RAM and a full 1TB of storage. Further, the case accommodates a single, full size NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 graphics card, (with the GTX 555 available as an upgrade), and features an external power supply that's available in 240W or 330W versions. Users can also expect HDMI 1.4, on-board WiFi, USB 3.0 and digital 7.1 surround sound. As a nifty trick, the computer's accent colors can be conveniently modified with the Alienware Command Center software. Touting immediate availability, customers can place orders for the X51 right away, with configurations starting as low as $699. For the complete set of specs that make up this Mini-ITX gamer, just follow the break.

Gallery: Alienware X51

Continue reading Alienware announces X51 small form factor gaming PC, starting at $699

Alienware announces X51 small form factor gaming PC, starting at $699 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: pureSilicon announces Kage K1 SATA and USB SSDs, up for pre-order now

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/puresilicon-announces-kage-k1-sata-and-usb-ssds-up-for-pre-orde/

It seems like only yesterday that pureSilicon released its new Nitro N2 and Renegade S4 SSDs. Today, the company followed up on that announcement with the Kage K1 USB SSD, and the Kage K1 SATA SSD. The former is a USB 3.0-based SSD drive that measures around 4.5mm in thickness and offers up to 240GB of MLC space. It's available for pre-order now, at a price of $230, with shipments expected to start up sometime during Q1 of this year. As for the Kage K1 SATA SSD, it's more in line with what you'll find with the aforementioned Nitro N2 and Renegade S4 varieties. Capable of delivering up to 6Gb/s, the eMLC NAND flash memory-based SATA SSD promises reading speeds of up to 540 MB / sec, writing speeds of 520 MB / sec, and boasts up to 400 GB of usable eMLC. That'll cost you a bit more, though, with a price tag of $975. It too, is available for pre-order now, with shipments slated for early this year.

Continue reading pureSilicon announces Kage K1 SATA and USB SSDs, up for pre-order now

pureSilicon announces Kage K1 SATA and USB SSDs, up for pre-order now originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Nielsen: Android still top dog, but Q4 buyers preferred iPhone 4S

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/nielsen-q4-ratings-smartphone/

Nielsen crunched Q4 numbers today, and the results will likely have Apple analysts jumping up and down. The findings, focused on those who've purchased a smartphone within the previous three months, indicate a huge spike -- from 25 percent in October to 45 percent in December -- in iPhone purchases since October as an obvious result of the launch of the 4S. Conversely, the number of recent Android buyers fell by 14 percent in the same period. Of course, these numbers are directly affected by Apple's latest product launch and by no means should be any indicator that Apple is poised to win the battle against its bitter rival, as iOS continues to trail Android by over 16 percent in market share. Looking at the war for the third spot, RIM's US market share declined by 2.9 percent from Q3 to Q4, falling to 14.9 percent -- not a surprise, since it only captured the hearts of six percent of recent buyers this quarter -- and Windows Phone slightly increased from 1.2 to 1.3 percent. Full press release and chart can be found after the break.

Continue reading Nielsen: Android still top dog, but Q4 buyers preferred iPhone 4S

Nielsen: Android still top dog, but Q4 buyers preferred iPhone 4S originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms ! for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

drag2share: Updated: The Best Video Player for Windows [Video]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5876964/updated-the-best-video-player-for-windows

Updated: The Best Video Player for Windows We're once again changing our Windows App Directory to include PotPlayer as the best video player for Windows. KMPlayer, our former favorite, went through a major update, including a number of features that make it into more of a media center than a video player—not to mention PotPlayer (which is by the same developer as the old KMPlayer, which we loved) is much lighter weight on your CPU, includes a 64-bit version, and doesn't try to install a bunch of crapware along with the player. PotPlayer's still young, but the new version of KMPlayer pushed us over the edge to replace it with PotPlayer as our default video player. It should give you great video playback right out of the box, though you'll have tons of options to tweak your video playback to your liking. You can find the full review over at the App Directory. [The Best Video Player for Windows]

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drag2share: BMW's Designworks USA, Thermaltake reveal Level 10 M gaming mouse concept

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/bmw-designworks-usa-thermaltake-reveal-level-10-m-gaming-mous/

Themaltake and BMW's DesignworksUSA are apparently a design-team match made in PC gaming heaven. After previously partnering up for the elegant (and functional) Level 10 modular PC case, the two are back it again -- this time with a focus on peripherals. While details are sparse, the Level 10 M mouse concept you're looking at is the first of the bunch to be revealed, and it's said to arrive sometime during the spring. It's not exactly a shoe-in for MadCatz's Rats, but considering the wire and an aggressively breathable design, it's clearly aimed pro-gamers. Sadly, key specs like its DPI rating and details about any macro functionality are currently non-existent, however, it does appear to be of the optical variety. Here's to hoping it'll perform just as good at as looks to the eyes, and for now, hit up the press release past the break for totally vague description.

Continue reading BMW's Designworks USA, Thermaltake reveal Level 10 M gaming mouse concept

BMW's Designworks USA, Thermaltake reveal Level 10 M gaming mouse conc! ept originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: LG makes Optimus Pad LTE official, 8.9-inch IPS tablet coming first to South Korea

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/lg-announces-optimus-pad-lte/

You've already seen this little guy in the wild, but LG has gone ahead and made its first LTE tablet very official -- ladies and gentlemen, meet the Optimus Pad LTE. The 9.3mm thin slate packs a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm CPU and an 8.9-inch 1280 x 768 IPS display, along with an 8 megapixel camera on the rear and a 2 megapixel option up front. Users can expect an SD card slot that supports modules up to 32GB, and there's also HDMI connectivity and DLNA certification for good measure. It's powered by a 6,800mAh battery, but out of the gate, it'll ship with Android 3.2 -- no word on when the latest Pad hopes to grab a bite of Ice Cream Sandwich. It's set to arrive first in LG's home territory of South Korea, but for those interested in a more complete rundown, be sure to check the PR after the break.

Gallery: LG Optimus Pad LTE

Continue reading LG makes Optimus Pad LTE official, 8.9-inch IPS tablet coming first to South Korea

LG makes Optimus Pad LTE official, 8.9-inch IPS tablet coming first to South Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Oregon Scientific's Portable WiFi Projector comes with a hinge, flirts with your ceiling

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/oregon-scientific-portable-wifi-projector-with-hinge/

A projector from Oregon Scientific, you say? Nope, it's not one of those clock and weather projectors, but rather an actual DLP pico projector. At CES 2012, the company was kind enough to show us an early prototype of its Portable WiFi Projector that'll handle FWVGA (854 x 480) at 1,000:1 contrast and a good 80 lumens of brightness (50 if powered by USB alone). Apparently at 3.2 meters from the wall, such combination should produce a clear 120-inch wide picture in total darkness, so we shall see. The final unit -- dummy pictured above -- will be slightly smaller than the working prototype, yet it'll pack a 90-degree hinge (not a first, of course), a focus slide, a 3.5mm headphone jack and some buttons for brightness, power and volume.

Gallery: Oregon Scientific's Portable WiFi Projector comes with a hinge, flirts with your ceiling

Continue reading Oregon Scientific's Portable WiFi Projector comes with a hinge, flirts with your ceiling

Oregon Scientific's Portable WiFi Projector comes with a hinge, flirts with your ceiling originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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