Microsoft may turn to mobile gaming for crowdsourced mapping data

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/13/microsoft-mobile-gaming-crowdsourced-mapping-data/

Keeping map data relevant's a full-time job -- just ask Nokia, Google and, yes, even Apple. Which is why Microsoft may be gearing up to offload some of that heavy lifting to users in the augmented reality guise of mobile gaming. Or at least that's one possible future outlined by a recently surfaced patent application. The USPTO doc, filed back in June of 2011, clearly lays out a crowdsourced "data collection system" whereby users sent on virtual missions to specific real-world targets would aid in the gathering of up-to-date geo-location data. With its thriving Xbox gaming arm and reinvigorated inroads into the mobile space, it wouldn't be much of a stretch for Microsoft to leverage a bit of corporate synergy to make its own mapping service more accurate, or simply license the data. Whatever the case may be, it's all up in legal limbo for the time being. So, for now, you'll have to content yourselves with AR missions of the Ingress kind.

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Wireless, Mobile, Microsoft

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Source: USPTO

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University of Bath develops efficient vector-based video, says pixels are old hat

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/13/university-of-bath-develops-efficient-vector-based-video/

The pixel does the job for most digital imagery -- it sure makes for a fine shirt -- but it's not so hot for video, where growing resolutions chew up gobs of bandwidth. There may be a wiser strategy coming from the University of Bath, whose researchers have developed a more efficient approach to movie codecs. Their new format uses vectors to render footage with colored contours that demand fewer resources than a dot-by-dot approach. While vector-based rendering isn't original in itself, the researchers' method is supposedly unique in filling the gaps between the contours with the kind of visual quality a pro videographer would crave. The university team is confident enough that it's talking to major companies about using the codec for post-production tools, and sees it spreading to mobile devices where connection speeds and storage are at a premium. It could take years for vector-based video to catch on; if the technology ever upsets the pixel's reign, though, more than a few Vectrex owners may see it as poetic justice.

Filed under: Science, Software

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Via: Popular Science

Source: University of Bath

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Amazon Cloud Player arrives for Roku boxes, Samsung Smart TVs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/13/amazon-cloud-player-arrives-for-roku-boxes-samsung-smart-tvs/

So you've embraced Amazon Cloud Player to the point where you want it at the center of your living room. Amazon is more than happy to oblige with newly launched apps for both Roku media hubs as well as Samsung Smart TVs. The two apps will stream Amazon MP3 purchases and uploaded songs for everyone in the living room, although they share the same limitations: uploading music is clearly off the table given the lack of local storage, and we'll have to manage that party playlist elsewhere. When both apps are free perks of an existing service, though, we won't grouse too loudly.

Continue reading Amazon Cloud Player arrives for Roku boxes, Samsung Smart TVs

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung, Amazon

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Source: Amazon (1), (2)

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Make a Raspberry Pi Solar-Powered FTP Server

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5967840/make-a-raspberry-pi-solar+powered-ftp-server

There are lots of great #Raspberry Pi projects you can make. Add to the growing list using the small computer as an FTP server—a solar-powered one, no less.

CNET has the instructions for setting up your mini FTP server. With it, you can access your digital files from anywhere 24/7—and the solar panel means your electricity bill won't be affected at all.

Basically you just need a solar panel with a rechargeable battery pack in a case. You can buy the parts from Cottonpickers (based in the UK, but shipping worldwide).

Once you've got your sun bed set up, follow CNET's straightforward instructions for setting up the static IP, VNC, and so on. You can hook up an external hard drive for file sharing.

In theory, you could use the solar panel case for any Raspberry Pi project, including setting up a personal web server.

How to make a Raspberry Pi solar-powered FTP server | CNET UK viaTechCrunch

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Verizon Galaxy Note II bootloader unlocked, ready for flashing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/12/verizon-galaxy-note-ii-bootloader-unlocked/

Well, that didn't take long. The talented folks over the XDA Developers forums have cracked the Verizon version of the Galaxy Note II. The bootloader has been fully unlocked and the giant phone is ready to be hacked, modded and flashed with custom ROMs. The steps are pretty simple, though, we'll still give you the perquisite warning that messing with your phones bootloader could lead to irreparable damage. But,, if the risk of bricking your handset doesn't phase you, just download a few packages, including the leaked Odin3 tool from Samsung and get cracking. Sadly, unlocking the bootloader can't strip all of the terrible Big Red branding from the device -- you'll need some sandpaper for that. Some users are reporting issues with the unlocking process related to root and the dev has promised an update addressing the bug soon. Complete instructions await you at the source and there's a video walk through after the break.

Continue reading Verizon Galaxy Note II bootloader unlocked, ready for flashing

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

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Source: XDA Developers

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