DIY Wi-Fi Antenna Cheaply Extends Your Wireless Network

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5964111/diy-wi+fi-antenna-cheaply-extends-your-wireless-network

We've shared tons of ways to boost your home Wi-Fi, but if you need something a bit more powerful, this DIY antenna can stretch your wireless network much further.

DIYer Danilo wanted to share his internet access across multiple apartments, and traditional methods just weren't doing the trick. He wanted to try out a bigger antenna, but before buying one, cooked up a DIY option himself to see how well it worked. All i took was a bit of copper wiring, some aluminum foil, and some tupperware (to keep it protected from the elements, since it sat outside). The result was so good that he didn't even need to buy an antenna. You'll need to be able to solder, but if that's already a skill you have under your belt, this'll probably be a quick and easy project. Hit the link to see more.

Direttiva biquad per i 2,4Ghz (Translated) | Danilo Larizza via Hack a Day

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Verizon FiOS brings its live TV streaming app to LG Smart TVs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/28/verizon-fios-75-live-streaming-channels-lg/

Verizon is continuing to extend access to its FiOS TV service (at least, within the homes of subscribers) by bringing an app to LG Smart TVs with access to 75 channels and Flex View video on-demand. That follows the iPad last week, as well as earlier apps for the Xbox 360 and Samsung's connected TV platform. This app is of course customized for LG's Magic Remote gesture control feature, and is available on all 2012 Smart TVs, plus the BP620 Blu-ray player via the Smart TV smart World app store. The good news is you can make use of it in a room with no cable box needed, however the lineup is still missing a few key channels (ESPN) that may be tough to do without. Verizon recently announced a deal with NBCUniversal to increase its TV Everywhere selection, if it can add a few more the set-top box-less future may be within reach.

Continue reading Verizon FiOS brings its live TV streaming app to LG Smart TVs

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Verizon, LG

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Toshiba preps 13MP phone camera sensor that promises low-light shooting without the noise

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/29/toshiba-preps-13mp-phone-camera-sensor-with-low-light-and-low-noise/

Toshiba isn't the most vocal of mobile camera designers; it's often shouted out by the likes of OmniVision and Sony. It has reason to crow now that it's near launching a next-generation imager of its own. The 13-megapixel, CMOS-based TK437 sensor carries the backside illumination we already know and love for its low-light performance as well as color noise reduction that should fight the side-effects of such a dense, sensitive design. If we take Toshiba at its word, the visual quality of the sensor's 1.12-micron pixels is equal to that of much larger, less noise-prone 1.4-micron examples -- important when stuffing the sensor into 0.33 square inches. Photos will prove whether the achievement is more than just talk, although we'll have some time to wait when test samples will only reach companies in December. It's months beyond that before there's a production phone or tablet with a TK437 lurking inside.

Continue reading Toshiba preps 13MP phone camera sensor that promises low-light shooting without the noise

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Tablets

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Source: Toshiba

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Will.i.am launches pricey i.am+ camera add-ons for iPhone, we go hands on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/28/will-i-am-iphone-accessories-hands-on/

So, we learned two things today. Firstly, Will.i.am is able to attract quite a media scrum, and secondly, national press photographers have sharp elbows. Nevertheless, we braved the London debut of the Black Eyed Peas star's i.am+ iPhone accessories and fortunately came away with more than just Elephunk-sized bruises. We got some brief playtime with the gadgets, plus an interview with the CEO of Will.i.am's tech venture -- none other than Chandra Rathakrishnan of Fusion Garage fame (or notoriety). If you're wondering if we asked him why anyone would spend upwards of £199 ($315) on a wide-angle lens attachment when a really decent alternative can be had for a fraction of that cost, then hopefully the video and early impressions after the break will satisfy your curiosity.

Gallery: i.am+ iPhone camera accessories hands-on

Continue reading Will.i.am launches pricey i.am+ camera add-ons for iPhone, we go hands on (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile

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Aakash 2 hands-on: the $40 educational slate with revolution on its mind

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/28/aakash-2-hands-on/

Efforts to put cheap computers in the hands of students have always hit major stumbling blocks. Most notably price. The OLPC project had noble goals, but ultimately ended up well above its target price of $100. The Classmate was more of a "me too" product than anything truly revolutionary. What started as India's effort to launch a $10 laptop, slowly mutated into a $35 tablet that, even then, struggled in its initial incarnation. What ultimately became known as the Aakash was painfully underpowered and had carried a cost almost double its $35 target. With the second version DataWind is hoping to make good on the promise of an ultra-affordable tablet that can actually be used by students and educators. CEO of the company Suneet Tuli swung by our offices with the Ubuslate 7Ci, the commercial version of the Aakash 2, to give us a chance to put the device through its paces and talk about the transformative power of education.

Gallery: Aakash 2 hands-on

Continue reading Aakash 2 hands-on: the $40 educational slate with revolution on its mind

Filed under: Tablets

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Sharp's first 4K 32-inch IGZO LCD is destined for Japanese workstations

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/27/sharp-pn-k321-4k-igzo-lcd-monitor/

We've been waiting to enjoy the promised extra detail and low power consumption of IGZO-based LCD panels for a few years now, and they're finally starting to appear. The latest on the docket is Sharp's new PN-K321 monitor, built for professional use with 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160) plus HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, and what Sharp claims is the industry's thinnest frame at just 35mm thick. With an expected price of 450,000 yen or so (about $5,500 US) when it debuts in February 2013 it's still too pricey for our desks but if you're doing CAD work you may be able to design a budget it can fit into. We're seeing them in phones, tablets and now monitors overseas, here's hoping we'll see plenty of these high pixel density yet power-sipping panels with US release dates at CES in January.

Filed under: Displays, HD

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Source: Sharp Japan

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Lenovo IdeaPhone P770 stuffs 29-hour battery and Jelly Bean into a lower-cost smartphone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/27/lenovo-ideaphone-p770-fits-29-hour-battery-and-jelly-bean/

Motorola may face a new contender to the Droid RAZR MAXX HD's battery capacity crown. Lenovo's quietly introduced IdeaPhone P770 at least theoretically challenges its American counterpart by cramming a 3,500mAh lithium polymer battery into a thicker 11.9mm (0.47-inch) body. That's 200mAh more than Motorola's energy champion, and enough for the company to flaunt a 29-hour talk time. That's not quite as long as Motorola's claimed 32 hours, but Lenovo has done something its American rival seemingly can't -- launch a phone with Jelly Bean. Motorola might rest easier in knowing that the the P770 is an unrepentantly budget-focused behemoth, carrying a 4.5-inch qHD display, a (possibly MediaTek-made) 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of built-in storage, an 8GB microSD card and both 5-megapixel rear as well as VGA front cameras. For the ¥1,699 ($273) Lenovo is asking for an off-contract model in its native China, the P770 could still be the first pick of many local phone owners on long-haul trips. It's just a shame that the lack of 4G (and Lenovo's domestic-first mobile strategy) likely means we won't see a launch in the US.

[Thanks, FT]

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Lenovo

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Via: Unwired View

Source: Lenovo (translated)

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Sharp ships its first phone with an IGZO display on November 29th, ushers in a low-power LCD era

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/26/sharp-ships-its-first-igzo-display-phone-on-november-29th/

The gray clouds of Sharp's gloomy earnings are about to get a silver lining: NTT DoCoMo is at last launching Sharp's new flagship phone, the breathlessly worded Aquos Phone Zeta SH-02E, on November 29th. When it arrives, the SH-02E will be its* first smartphone to carry an IGZO-based display and show us just how well the high-brightness, low-energy invention fares in a 4.9-inch, 720p LCD. There's no known fixed pricing, although it's likely the Android 4.0 device will be sitting at the very top of its Japanese carrier's range through its Snapdragon S4 Pro, 16-megapixel camera and LTE data. Not fully convinced of IGZO's worth? Fujitsu's more conventional Arrows V F-04E is arriving a day earlier with a regular LCD and a Tegra 3, although we'd say that it's worth waiting the extra 24 hours to be a technology vanguard.

Update: While the SH-02E was the first phone announced with an IGZO LCD screen, it's been beaten to the market by ASUS' Padfone 2, which is also rocking the new technology.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: Impress Watch (translated)

Source: NTT DoCoMo (translated)

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NEC shows 2014-era portable DNA analyzer that could outpace your favorite crime drama

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/26/nec-shows-2014-era-portable-dna-analyzer/

NEC gave us promises of truly on-the-spot forensics when it unveiled its first portable DNA analyzer back in 2007, although the reality hasn't been quite in line with the dream: its current system takes an hour to get a result and won't win any awards for sleekness. From what we're seeing of a next-generation analyzer due in 2014, those expectations are more likely to be met. The new version puts the full DNA extraction, amplification and separation processes on a newer chip that meets NEC's original goal of producing output in 25 minutes -- faster than a short cop drama, if you include the commercial breaks. Few beyond the police will be casually tossing the analyzer around given its 70.5-pound weight and $120,000 price, but a much slicker design at least gives it the profile of a small, rolling suitcase. The upgrade could be vital for identifying suspects and victims in record time; if our only worry is that NEC takes all the mystery out of our favorite TV shows, we'll be more than satisfied.

Filed under: Science

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Via: PCWorld

Source: NEC (PDF)

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Raspberry Pi says it'll run Minecraft, demos upcoming 5-megapixel, 1080P, $25 camera

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/26/raspberry-pi-says-itll-run-minecraft-demos-camera-board/

The Raspberry Pi will soon be able to see all, thanks to an upcoming camera board that will mate with unused CSI pins on the $35 hobbyist board. The new 5-megapixel camera (in the video after the break) will be capable of 1080P, 30fps video, and though the prototype being shown at Electronica 2012 is attached using scotch tape technology, the Pi foundation promised it would come with a proper mount when it ships in the new year for $25. In other news, the group has also announced a new port from the Notch gaming group called "Minecraft: Pi edition." You'll be able to play the game, of course, but if you're feeling more ambitious it'll also support several programming languages, letting you "modify the game world with code" to boot. The group promised you'll be able to download it next week at the source.

Continue reading Raspberry Pi says it'll run Minecraft, demos upcoming 5-megapixel, 1080P, $25 camera

Filed under: Cameras, Robots, Science

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Source: Raspberry Pi (1), (2)

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Samsung 'Baffin' pops up in FCC; reportedly mixes 5-inch WVGA display, quad-core CPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/24/samsung-baffin-5-inch-wvga-android-korea/

Apparently feeling we were running low on Galaxy smartphones after the current lineup of Galaxy S III, Galaxy S III mini and Galaxy Note II, Samsung's SHV-E270L just made the FCC rounds and is rumored to be next in line. Flashing its codename "Baffin" in the documents, this device does not seem destined for an appearance beyond Korean borders, but a unique blend of specs and rumors that it will arrive as the "Galaxy Grand" continue to intrigue. Listed as an LTE phone in the Bluetooth database, and appearing in GLBenchmark reporting a 1.4GHz (possibly quad-core) CPU like the Galaxy S III, but with a much lower 800x480 WVGA display. According to a report from Korea's Money Today, the idea is to create a device for older customers that's easier to read with bigger icons and letters on its large 5-inch low res screen (as opposed to the 5-inch 1080p pixel density monsters we're now accustomed to), with a quad-core CPU pushing Android 4.1 and its Smart Stay features plus a 2,100mAh battery. We're not sure if it will increase your parent's scores in Fruit Ninja, but vision-challenged KT, LG U+ and SK Telecom customers may have an interesting decision to make very soon.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: FCC, Bluetooth, GLBenchmark

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Hack a Dead PC Power Supply Into a Rechargeable Lantern

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5962823/hack-a-dead-pc-power-supply-into-a-rechargeable-lantern

If you have access to a dead computer power supply you can use the case, power switch, wiring, and power port along with a 5v lead acid battery and a landscaping lamp bulb to create a rechargeable lantern.

Computer power supplies can burn out after several years and unless you're an advanced electronics hobbyist they're not worth trying to rebuild. Instructables user 300mpg notes that You can reuse many of the components as long as you're careful to follow proper capacitor safety procedures. To make the lantern you'll open up the power supply and remove all internals except for the power switch, power plug, and wiring. Cut out the fan grating and fit a 12v landscape lamp, but don't permanently attach it until you test the wiring. Wire the switches, lamps, and battery together and test the function of the lamp. Once that's done cut two openings in the top of the power supply case for a handle made from the the wiring bundle that connects the power supply unit to a motherboard—zip tie the ends together from inside the power supply unit and you'll have a comfortable handle for your lantern. Now you'll just need to cleanup the case and glue the battery and lamp to the casing; adding foam spacers between the case and the battery would be a good idea and used mouse pads work well for this..

From the original design you would connect a 12v sealed lead acid battery charger to the positive and negative connections on the power supply plug. As commenters on the Instructable pointed out, mounting a battery charger inside the case might be a superior design as then you already have the plug and can reuse a standard 3-prong computer power cord.

This seems like a fun project that makes dead components useful again and is worth doing as long as you follow all electrical safety procedures.

Hack-A-Lantern: Recycled Computer Power Supply Flashlight | Instructables

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Samsung's SCH-W2013 is a quad-core, dual-screen flip phone, designed for Jackie Chan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/23/samsung-sch-w2013/

It's been almost a year since the ridiculously expensive SCH-W999 launched on China Telecom, so it's about time for Samsung to come up with yet another dual-screen flip phone to lure folks with too much money. Launched in conjunction with a big charity concert (again) earlier today is the SCH-W2013, a 1.4GHz quad-core (likely an Exynos 4412) device with Android 4.0 and dual-3.7-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED touchscreens. On top of that there's 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, microSD expansion of up to 64GB, 1,850mAh of battery juice, an eight-megapixel main imager plus a whopping 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera. As with many flagship devices on China Telecom, the W2013 comes with dual-SIM support: one for CDMA2000 800/1900 and the other for GSM 900/1800/1900. The damage? Well, there's nothing official yet, but it's believed to be somewhere between ¥18,000 ($2,900) and ¥20,000 ($3,210). After all, it ain't cheap to hire Jackie Chan (and he was also given a W2013 at the concert).

Gallery: Samsung's SCH-W2013 is a quad-core, dual-screen flip phone, designed for Jackie Chan

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: Samsung

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Sharp unveils bright, 90-inch LCD for uncannily life-sized signage

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/23/sharp-unveils-extra-bright-90-inch-lcd-for-life-sized-signage/

It would be a shame if Sharp kept that giant 90-inch AQUOS TV confined to living rooms, wouldn't it? The company is inclined enough to agree that it's building an industrial version, the PN-R903, for digital signs. Its 1080p resolution and local-dimming LEDs are as familiar as a well-worn pair of shoes, but that 6-foot, 8-inch width lets Sharp claim a record for public spaces: the R903 is supposedly the first LCD sign with its technology that can display average humans at real size when tilted to a portrait view, making it an ideal fit for fashion or most anything where one-for-one scale matters. The 700cd/m2 brightness helps by keeping the picture visible in harsher lighting. If you're not quite ready for the uncanny valley, you'll be glad to know that the R903 won't ship until January 28th, when it goes on sale with open pricing. Those who'd still prefer something less imposing can buy a 60-inch PN-R603 at the same time or wait for the 70-inch PN-R703 to grace storefronts on February 25th.

Filed under: Displays, HD

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Via: Impress Watch (translated)

Source: Sharp (1), (2), (3)

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Galaxy Note II with dual-SIM slots goes official in China

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/22/galaxy-note-ii-with-dual-sim-official-in-china/

Picking between LTE and HSPA iterations of Galaxy Note II was difficult enough already but now Samsung China has gone official on its previously-spotted twin-SIM variant. It's the same exotic mix of micro and full-size SIM slots, alongside that potent 1.6GHz quad-core processor and 5.5-inch Super AMOLED HD screen. The phone has a respectable collection of radios (GSM 850/900/1, 800/1,900, WCDMA 850/900/1,900/2100 MHz) too -- just ensure you have all your SIM sizes in order when the device goes on sale December 3rd.

[Thanks Terence]

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: Samsung China (translated)

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