Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Virgin Mobile reveals Samsung Galaxy Reverb for $250, available for pre-order August 29th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/virgin-mobile-reveals-samsung-galaxy-reverb/

In addition to the new Samsung smartphones for Boost Mobile, Sprint's other subsidiary, Virgin Mobile has also made a reveal for this fall with the Galaxy Reverb. Like its cousins, the phone offers Android 4.0, which is complemented by a 1.4GHz CPU, a 5-megapixel camera and a 4-inch touchscreen. Virgin Mobile's latest is set to hit stores in September for $250, but you can claim your place in line through the pre-order process, which is set to kick off on August 29th. We've already managed to grab some hands-on pics of the Galaxy Reverb, so if you're curious to see what's in store, be sure to hit up the gallery below.

Gallery: Samsung Reverb for Virgin Mobile hands-on

Filed under: Cellphones

Virgin Mobile reveals Samsung Galaxy Reverb for $250, available for pre-order August 29th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel brings Medfield to Russia with the MegaFon Mint

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/intel-brings-medfield-to-russia-with-the-megafon-mint/

The Intel-powered mobile machine has been slowly picking up pace this year. Now, the chip-maker has signed up a new partner in the form of Russian operator MegaFon. So, it looks like we might see another (and we must say familiar looking) network-branded Android Medfield phone in the form of the MegaFon Mint. The spec-sheet, again, poses no surprises, with the same 1.6GHz Z2460 chip 1GB of RAM, 4-inch screen and 8-megapixel camera only further enhancing the sense of deja vu. What will be unique, however, is the price, which looks set at 17,990 Rubles (about $565), available from today.

Filed under: Cellphones

Intel brings Medfield to Russia with the MegaFon Mint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Archos 101 XS review: a tablet that puts the keyboard center stage

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/archos-101-xs-review/

More Info

Archos has had its hand in the slate game since the early days of "internet media tablets," and while its products don't have quite the same brand recognition as, say, Samsung's, we've found the French company's devices to be some of the best-value tablets available. Budget-minded prices and innovation don't usually go hand in hand, but in the case of its new 101 XS Android 4.0 tablet, Archos has a few tricks up its sleeve. The slate boasts a keyboard cover and kickstand, along with a magnetic hinge allowing the lid to attach to the display. Arriving in November for $400, the Archos 101 XS is a productivity-minded take on slates, complete with a full set of keys and a bundled copy of OfficeSuite Pro. Do the hardware and software add up to a killer combo? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Archos 101 XS review

Continue reading Archos 101 XS review: a tablet that puts the keyboard center stage

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Archos 101 XS review: a tablet that puts the keyboard center stage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vizio Co-Star teardown supplies the tech specs we never had

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/vizio-co-star-teardown-supplies-the-tech-specs-we-never-had/

Vizio's Co-Star Google TV hub has been public knowledge for more than half of 2012, but it might as well have been a black box as far as its internals were concerned. It's mostly been a mystery beyond the acknowledgment of a Marvell ARM chip inside. The teardown gurus at iFixit certainly weren't content to let that riddle go unanswered. Their exploration of the box shows that Vizio is very much clinging to the initial Marvell vision of using a dual-core, 1.2GHz Armada 1500 to handle 1080p video at that $100 price -- albeit with just 4GB of flash to store everything the Android OS demands. What may interest hobbyists is simply the accessibility of the set-top box: just about every board and component comes out easily, which could lead to some cheaper DIY surgery. The full parts list is waiting at the source if knowing how your Google TV box operates is as important as catching up on Netflix.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Vizio Co-Star teardown supplies the tech specs we never had originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Nifty App Lets Consumers Scan Bar Codes To See Product Reviews

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-nifty-app-lets-consumers-scan-bar-codes-to-see-product-reviews-2012-8

Consumr, app

Consumr is a clever new app that lets shoppers find product reviews by scanning an item's barcode. Even better, it might help them save money.

On the mobile site, items are ranked from one to five stars, and users sound off on every aspect of a product from its flavor to price.

People scan items for reviews, view an Instagram-like feed of reviews on Discover, or browse categories like grocery and personal care via Search. It's like Pinterest with the crowdsourcing of Yelp.

"It's about bringing your friends into the conversation," said CEO Ryan Charles of the outsourced reviews. "On Facebook, any friends can see what products you like, and you can follow users to help facilitate that decision-making process. It's like a Wikipedia of products."

For shoppers prone to buying things they regret, the app is also useful for dodging buyer's remorse.

"I realized that shopping at grocery and drugstores is really a tough experience, and since most purchases happen at bricks-and-mortars, I wanted to give people information about these consumer products," Charles said.

The CEO, who worked on Zagat's mobile apps before Consumr, got the idea for the app after hearing his sister gripe about buying leaky diapers. To broaden the user experience—and help others avoid horror stories like hers—he added tabs like Alternatives and Nutrition, so people can see more than reviews and see whether a product fits their lifestyle.

The app does have some dow! nsides: It lacks key categories like pets, generic groceries and school supplies, and could do more in the way of price comparison, though prices tend to vary from state to state.

Consumr might also want to restructure its Experts feed since its hard to tell an expert from an average joe review. Since discovery is Consumr's strongest selling point so far, shoppers will want an easier way to curate their feed, and at the moment there's no clear way to go about it.

Price: Free on iTunes

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Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/nikon-coolpix-s800c-android-camera-pricing-ship-date-details/

It's here: the first Android-powered camera, and it's one that you'd actually consider buying. Nikon's $349.95 Coolpix S800c is nearly as slim as a smartphone from the middle of last decade, boasting inbuilt GPS (you know, for excessive geotagging), a 10x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, 3.5-inch OLED WVGA touchscreen, a 1080p movie capture mode and Android 2.3. That's right -- there's a bona fide copy of Android running the show on a point-and-shoot camera, something that it seems Nikon beat Samsung to the punch with. Put simply, it possesses the ability to generate its own network and tether with your phone, and users can also download photo sharing applications directly onto the cam's 4GB of internal storage. Needless to say, we're anxiously awaiting our chance to see how Android handles on a camera (and how it impacts battery life), and you can find out yourself when it hits shelves in black / white motifs next month.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S800c photo gallery

Continue reading Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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4K, 84-inch 'ultra' HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/lg-4k-84-inch-uhdtv/

Just in time to completely blow away that puny flat screen you nabbed for your dorm room, LG has announced its 84-inch ultra high definition LCD TV is ready to ship in South Korea. The company put its first UHDTV up for pre-ordering last month, at a price of 25 million won, which currently converts to about $22,105 US. The 84LM9600 does 3D with LG's Cinema 3D passive glasses technology, however its ultra high pixel count means you're still watching in 1080p even with the resolution loss since it starts at 3,840 x 2,160, and also features "3D sound" with integrated 2.2 channel speakers.

The bad news of course is that finding actual 4K res content is practically impossible, despite recent work on standards and even some testing by broadcasters. Still, plug this into a BDP-S790 Blu-ray player, certain PS3 apps or just output the latest video you've shot and it should be worth the price of admission, assuming you're one of the (presumably) well-heeled Korean VIP customers that managed to snag one so far. If you're not then don't worry -- the press release (included after the break) reveals you'll have your chance once they start shipping worldwide in September, we plan to get our eyes on a production model at IFA 2012 in Germany.

Continue reading 4K, 84-inch 'ultra' ! HDTV fro m LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

4K, 84-inch 'ultra' HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/gonote-10-inch-hybrid-netbook-tablet-bringing-ice-cream-sandwi/

Ergo Electronics, the company behind the GoTab, is looking to help bring Android to UK classrooms in the form of the GoNote, a combo tablet / netbook running Ice Cream Sandwich. The device has a 10-inch 1024 x 600 display, a 1.2GHz ARM Rockchip RK2918, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, expandable via a MicroSD slot. Aimed at students, the GoNote also has four USB 2.0 ports and a VGA camera on-board. It'll be hitting in the UK in September for £150 ($236) in black and white options. More info in the press release after the break.

Continue reading GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month

GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 02:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook adds mention tagging to Open Graph for more efficient name-dropping

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/facebook-mention-tagging-open-graph/

Facebook has given developers that link to the social network with Open Graph a new way let let users play tag with their friends -- while also increasing exposure to their app. It's called mention tagging, and allows a user to link a friend in the text body of a message, and is not to be confused with action tagging, an existing feature which references friends only in story text. The option requires a deliberate action by the user, so the developer must implement a way to clearly show how to do that with an icon (as shown above for Foursquare) or drop-down menu, for instance. Apps must also distinguish between action and mention tags, and are not allowed to pre-fill them in the message -- that can only be done by the user. Though no privacy changes are needed, Facebook requires apps using the feature to request user approval before any action can be taken. All that would increase tagging and app visibility significantly -- so developers will likely be all over it.

Filed under: Internet

Facebook adds mention tagging to Open Graph for more efficient name-dropping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/pioneer-launches-rekordbox-mobile-app/

If you were twiddling your thumbs waiting for Pioneer's XDJ-AERO to come out, you might want to head on over to iTunes or the Play store instead. Why? Because the mobile rekordbox companion app for iOS and Android has just been released. If you were thinking it'd just be a basic music management tool, then you'll be pleasantly surprised. Sure, you can import tracks, to then play on the XDJ-AERO (and other Pioneer DJ products that support WiFi), but you can also set up loop points, hot cues, analyze tracks, create playlists, and even experiment with ideas on the fly. This means you can get your tracks prepped up wherever you are, and turn up to the party good to go, be it on your own gear or a friends'. This is also what you'll need if you want to make use of the forthcoming controller's WiFi functionality, although it can also be used to connect with the desktop version of the program if you're already using it. The app is free, and available now, just head down to the source to line those beats up.

Continue reading Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment

Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time originally appeared! on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech's Washable Keyboard K310 doesn't mind a good scrubbin', hits shelves this month for $40

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/logitechs-washable-keyboard-k310-doesnt-mind-a-good-scrubbin/

We've all been there. At some point, that keyboard will build up months of our finger grime. Of course, the white-keyed peripherals are much worse for the filthy wear. For those looking to take an easier route to cleaning up their keypads, Logitech has announced the K310 washable keyboard. Capable of being submerged in up to 11 inches (about 30 cm) of water, the accessory is outfitted with drainage holes to allow for a quick dry and keys are marked with laser printing and UV coating to ensure a youthful appearance. Take note: this unit is wired, so you'll want be sure to keep that USB connector nice and dry. In addition to being able to hold its breath in shallow water, the keys are said to last for up to five million keystrokes each. The K310 will hit desks -- and sinks -- in the US later this month for $40 and is expected to cross the pond to Europe in October. Need a closer look? Dive into the gallery below to do just that.

Gallery: Logitech K310 washable keyboard

Continue reading Logitech's Washable Keyboard K310 doesn't mind a good scrubbin', hits shelves this month for $40

Filed under: Peripherals

Logitech's Washable Keyboard K310 doesn't mind a good scrubbin', hits shelves this month for $40 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kingmax intros speedy, SandForce-packing SATA III Client Pro SSD

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/kingmax-intros-speedy-sandforce-packing-sata-iii-client-pro-ssd/

Kingmax is known for pushing the limits now and then with its flash storage, so we're intrigued when it puts out a high-end solid-state drive for the mainstream. Its new SATA III Client Pro SSD lives up to that bill with the combination of a SandForce controller and faster flash memory that can reach some heady speeds for gamers and simple speed freaks alike. With the right drive and ideal conditions, we're looking at a brisk 550MB/s for sequential reads, 520MB/s for similarly ordered writes and a very capable 85,000 IOPS when writing at random. Kingmax isn't directly providing prices or release details, but it's offering capacities from 60GB to 480GB as well both laptop-focused (SMU32) and desktop-friendly (SMU35) kits. The Client Pro-inclined can find the full nuts-and-bolts details after the break.

Continue reading Kingmax intros speedy, SandForce-packing SATA III Client Pro SSD

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Storage

Kingmax intros speedy, SandForce-packing SATA III Client Pro SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:24:00 EDT.! Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/nikon-coolpix-s800c-android-camera-hands-on/

It was only hours ago when Nikon officially unveiled the Coolpix S800c, but we've already laid our hands on this eccentric device. As you've probably already heard, the main selling point here is that said "smart camera" is powered by a slick (and near-vanilla) Android 2.3.3 with Google services, so with the built-in WiFi, you can upload your 16-megapixel images or 1080p videos straight to your various social networks or other cloud services. Or you can, if you're in the mood, just play Angry Birds on the S800c, but that 1,050mAh battery might not be ideal for prolonged entertainment. Sadly, we weren't allowed to share any images taken with the demo units (sorry, usual Nikon protocol), but what we can tell you is that both the camera's speed and quality weren't bad at all, and likewise with the 3.5-inch 854 x 480 OLED multitouch display -- the high pixel density makes the PenTile arrangement more forgivable.

The most interesting thing we discovered was that it seems the camera part of the S800c can run independently from Android while the latter is still booting up. You see, rather than letting the device stay on standby like most other Android devices, Nikon uses a shut-down timer that activates once Android goes on standby. When the camera's completely switched off, hit the power button and you'll go straight into camera mode which lets you shoot immediately, then about half a minute later the interface seamlessly goes back to smart mode, which is when you can hit the back or home button to toggle the Android unlock screen (though we'd rather go straight i! nto the home screen). This cunning trick would probably explain why we couldn't get any internal hardware detail from the few benchmark tools we installed, but we did squeeze out a score of 614 in Vellamo -- detailed breakdown in the gallery below. Anyhow, you can see the camera in action in the video after the break.

The Nikon Coolpix S800c will be available next month for $350 in the US and £379 in the UK. As always, stay tuned for our review.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera

Conti nue reading Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video)

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/inmarsat-brings-prepaid-model-to-satellite-phone-calls/

If you need a satellite phone, then you need a satellite phone. There's no getting around it. Researchers, government contractors and workers in remote locations around the globe rely on their near universal (and extremely expensive) coverage to keep in touch while out in the field. That has normally meant pricey, long-term contracts that lock users into service much like our nation's cellular providers. Satellite operator Inmarsat is finally providing an alternative for those that need truly global coverage (specifically, here in the US) by offering prepaid voice plans to owners of its IsatPhone Pro, BGAN, FleetBroadband and FleetPhone devices. The new plans, while no less expensive we're sure, should prove to be quite attractive to those that need satellite service for only short periods of time -- say, just a few months. The new plans will be available starting September 1st for those who want sat-phone service without the commitment. Check out the PR after the break.

[Photo courtesy of Tarquin Binary]

Continue reading Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls

Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls originally appeared on Engadget on W ed, 22 Aug 2012 08:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Why We're Losing the Password War [Security]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5936515/why-were-losing-the-password-war

LinkedIn, eHarmony, Yahoo—it seems like we hear about a new hack just about every week now. We all know the password rules—don't use your mom's maiden name, don't use your pets name, use numbers and random letters. But despite those guidelines, we could be more screwed than we even thought. Ars Technica has a good look at why it's so bad.

The problem, you see, is that our passwords are spreading across more and more accounts while technology makes cracking passwords ever easier. As Ars explains:

Newer hardware and modern techniques have also helped to contribute to the rise in password cracking. Now used increasingly for computing, graphics processors allow password-cracking programs to work thousands of times faster than they did just a decade ago on similarly priced PCs that used traditional CPUs alone. A PC running a single AMD Radeon HD7970 GPU, for instance, can try on average an astounding 8.2 billion password combinations each second, depending on the algorithm used to scramble them. Only a decade ago, such speeds were possible only when using pricey supercomputers..

Each time a hack happens, crackers become more attuned to the types of passwords people use to protect their accounts and the techniques they employ to make these codes more difficult to uncover. Now they have entire lists full of passwords as a model. A couple of big hacks turned the tide in 2010—one of them hit RockYou, another hit us at Gawker—but since then, they're happening more and more often, as Ars notes:

Almost as important as the precise words used to access millions of online accounts, the RockYou breach revealed the strategic thinking people often employed when they chose a passcode. For most people, the goal was to make the password both easy to remember and hard for others to guess. Not surprisingly, the RockYou list confirmed that nearly all capital letters come at the beginning of a password; almost all numbers and punctuation show up at the end. It also revealed a strong tendency to use first names followed by years, such as Julia1984 or Christopher1965.

So what's the solution? Honestly, beyond everything you've already heard a million times about changing your passwords frequently, there may not be one. Head over to Ars if you want to feel even less secure than you already do. [Ars Technica]

Image credit: Yellowj/Shutterstock

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