BitTorrent Sync Alpha now open to all, adds one-way sync and one-time sharing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/23/bittorrent-sync-alpha/

While BitTorrent threw its hat into the cloud storage ring this January with an early version of its Sync app, it was hard to be truly excited when only a small circle could use it. The company isn't waiting for a completely polished version to renew our interest, however -- it's making BitTorrent Sync Alpha available to the general public, starting today. The newly accessible build brings the same unlimited Linux, Mac and Windows file syncing as before, although it adds a handful of tools to limit just who can see what. Those worried about security can now sync read-only files or offer one-time Secrets (file sharing keys) to friends that expire after a day if they're unused; it's also possible to exclude specific files or folders in larger transfers. Sync remains in a rough state, as the Alpha badge suggests, but those willing to live with the quirks no longer have to wait on the sidelines or consider alternatives.

Filed under: Storage, Internet, Software

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Source: BitTorrent Labs

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Lenovo ThinkPad Helix starts shipping, Seton Hall University gets early units

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/23/lenovo-thinkpad-helix-heads-to-school-with-seton-hall/

Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix has had one of the rockier roads to the US market, having been promised for February only to be delayed to April. Things are getting smoother, however, as the first units of the are rolling off the production line -- and there are already customers waiting at Seton Hall University. Keeping up its recent practice of handing out gadgets to junior students, the school expects to test the dockable Windows 8 tablet within a few weeks, and then deliver about 2,000 units to newcomers starting in June. The turn toward a hybrid lets the university settle on one PC design for the fall rather than divide its attention between tablets and Ultrabooks, Seton Hall's Drew Holden says. As for the general public? Lenovo hasn't officially put the Helix on sale through its own store, but a handful of customer! s say th ey've already received theirs through other channels. In any event, keep a close watch on third-party stores if you're willing to part with $1,499 for a ThinkPad convertible.

Filed under: Laptops, Tablets, Lenovo

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Via: Ultrabook News

Source: The Setonian

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Pantech Perception official for Verizon, delivers motion-aware Android on April 25th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/23/pantech-perception-official-for-verizon-april-25/

Unofficial details of the Pantech Perception have been around for long enough for the phone to feel old, but the truth is that it's only just getting started. The 4.8-inch, mid-tier Android smartphone is at last launching with Verizon on April 25th, and it should cost $100 on contract after subscribers cash in a $50 rebate. It won't trigger much regret among Galaxy S 4 buyers when it's carrying a more GS3-like Super AMOLED 720p screen, 16GB of storage, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front shooter. That said, Pantech does promise an extra level of software savvy: the company's customized variant of Ice Cream Sandwich (soon to upgrade to Jelly Bean) centers on a Motion Sense suite that lets owners wave their hands to answer calls, switch tracks or navigate contacts and photo galleries. While we can't say we're bowled over by that claimed advantage, the Perception may just hit the sweet spot for those who want an alternative to HTC and Samsung for a bigger handset.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Verizon

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Source: Verizon

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FocusTwist app for iOS gives you Lytro-esque refocusable images

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/23/focustwist-iOS-app-lytro-refocusable/

Arqball has just released the FocusTwist app for iOS that lets you selectively focus after taking an image -- without investing $400 in a Lytro light field camera. It works by automatically taking several shots with different focus points from your iPhone's camera, delivering the best results if you hold very still and have subjects in the near foreground and far background. You can then change focus by clicking different parts of the resulting image, which is hosted on the company's server and can be shared via a link. After playing with the app ourselves for a bit (see More Coverage link), we've got to admit we're stupidly hooked -- you can grab it at the source for $1.99.

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Software, Mobile, Apple

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Source: Focus Twist (App Store)

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FocusTwist: The Closest to a Lytro Camera Your iPhone Can Get

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5995231/focustwist-the-closest-to-a-lytro-camera-your-iphone-can-get

While we'll still have to wait a bit for Lytro powers to come to our smartphones on a hardware level, we can at least approximate the neat little camera's refocusing powers with what we've already got. And this is where FocusTwist for iOS steps in.

What's it do?

Lytro employs light-field technology when it takes a photo, basically absorbing every possible ray of light and merging the images together, letting you refocus the photo anywhere you want. FocusTwist uses a similar idea: take a photo within the app, hold still for a few seconds while FocusTwist goes to work snapping multiple images with differing focal planes, and come away with a photo that you can readjust as you please.

Why do we like it?

Because FocusTwist has to work with iPhone's camera, the results obviously won't be as drastic as they would with a Lytro. But if you frame your pictures carefully (the app works best when you frame your shot with a very close object in front and a larger subject off in the distance), you'll likely have a blast Twisting and refocusing to your heart's content. So while this won't be too useful for quick shooting at a moment's notice, if you're looking for a neat little trick that makes use of the camera you already have, the $2 you'll be shelling out is definitely cheaper than buying a Lytro.

FocusTwist

Download this app for:

• iOS, $2

The Best

iPhone-cum-Lytro

The Worst

Framing shots just right

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