LG Optimus L9 saunters through FCC, asks for martini

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/14/lg-optimus-l9-saunters-through-fcc/

LG's latest L-series smartphone, the Optimus L9, has just breezed (elegantly) through the FCC's radio frequency trial-by-screwdriver. The dinner-jacket-white clad Android smartphone is part of the "L-Style design philosophy" from the Korean maker, which emphasizes budget panache over brute performance. As such, it's a handsome but plasticky device, with a 4.7-inch IPS screen, ICS, qtranslator language app, dual-core 1GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, 2,150mAh battery and 5-megapixel shooter. Vodafone in Europe showed the price as €340 unsubsidized or €50 on contract, but a member of the L-series family has yet to cross the pond. However, a surprise peek of its Optimus L7 sibling as US Cellular's upcoming Splendor shows there's some hope for a stateside cameo.

Filed under: Cellphones

LG Optimus L9 saunters through FCC, asks for martini originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 05:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Superheated Steel Balls Make Water Boil Without Bubbles [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5943153/superheated-steel-balls-make-water-boil-without-bubbles

This is really cool. Scientists have found a way to make water boil without causing any bubbles. How? Drop some superheated, nanoparticle-coated steel into the water.

The phenomenon is based on something called the Leidenfrost effect. That's where water coming in contact with a super hot substance will form a layer of vapor between it and the surface. In this experiment, scientists took steel balls and coated them in nanoparticles that gave them a rough surface. They then heated the balls to 400 degrees Celsius and dropped them into some water. That's where the cool part happens.

Instead of creating a bunch of bubbles around the balls, the layer of vapor created around the steel caused the bubbles that formed to stretch themselves around the ball's rough surface. That meant that the surrounding water was mostly undisturbed. It stayed that way all the way until the balls dropped back under boiling point.

So there you go, water boiling without bubbling up. Fun, mostly-useless-to-your-life, awesome science. [Nature via New Scientist]

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Helium-Filled Hard Disks: Less Drag, More Storage [Guts]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5943238/helium+filled-hard-disks-less-drag-more-storage

Western Digital is planning to launch a range of helium-filled hard drives. Not to make them lighter or higher-pitched, though: with a density one-seventh that of air, the gas reduces internal drag, in turn boosting performance.

PC World reports that filling the drives with helium provides such a reduction in internal friction that they run four to five degrees cooler than today's 7200 rpm drives. As a result they use 23 percent less power and allow the engineers to fit in seven disk platters as opposed to five. That means they feature a 40 percent jump in capacity.

The technology has apparently been in development for some time, with the main issue being finding a way to reliably keep the helium from leaking out of the devices. That's a nut they've cracked, though, and apparently the hermetically sealed disks can be used in more extreme conditions as a result.

According to PC World, Western Digital expects the drives to be available next year. [PC World]

Image by Scoobay under Creative Commons license

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Skype 5.11 beta for Mac adds instant messaging features, enhanced Facebook integration

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/14/skype-5-11-beta-for-mac/

OS X folks that don't mind dealing with the occasional software bug may want to check out today's Skype 5.11 beta release. Inside this new version, early adopters will find the ability to sign in and send / receive instant messages using a Microsoft account (Messenger, Xbox, Hotmail or Outlook), as well as being able to log in with Facebook credentials -- essentially this eliminates the need to first create a Skype account. Additionally, users now have the option to link up their Microsoft and Facebook accounts with the VoIP service, which would bring all of your beloved friends list into one simple hub. There are other minor tidbits included in Skype 5.11 (read: redesigned emoticons) that can be put to the test now, all you have to do is hit the source link below and download a copy for yourself.

Filed under: Internet, Software

Skype 5.11 beta for Mac adds instant messaging features, enhanced Facebook integration originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic video reveals Lumix GH3 Micro Four Thirds camera: 16MP, magnesium alloy, 60p video

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/14/panasonic-lumix-gh3-video/

Though the GH3 has yet to be formally introduced to the world, a video has just appeared on an official Panasonic YouTube channel that has either been posted accidentally or is deliberately intended to build hype in the run-up to Photokina. It mainly shows off the GH3 in a range of picturesque shooting situations, but the clip also spills a few key specs, including the presence of a 16-megapixel sensor, a new version of Panny's Venus Engine processor, a splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy build and high-definition filming at up to 72Mbps and 60p -- although it's not clear if it handles full 1080 at that high frame-rate. We also see a a flip-out LCD that looks much the same as the GH2's, an f/2.8 12-35mm lens attached instead of the 14-42mm or 14-140mm glass that came bundled with that predecessor, and so far only evidence of a traditional black color scheme. Click onwards for the video!

Continue reading Panasonic video reveals Lumix GH3 Micro Four Thirds camera: 16MP, magnesium alloy, 60p video

Filed under: Cameras

Panasonic video reveals Lumix GH3 Micro Four Thirds camera: 16MP, magnesium alloy, 60p video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 03:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.!

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