Thursday, July 25, 2013

Geeksphone Peak+ up for preorder at รข¬149 with Firefox OS 1.1, 1GB RAM

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/25/geeksphone-peak-up-for-preorder-at-149/

Geeksphone Peak preorders go live at limited time price of 149

Interested in jumping on the Geeksphone Firefox OS bandwagon? Its first consumer-oriented device, the Peak+, is up for pre-order and we now know a lot more about it. It doubles up the RAM to 1GB over its Peak and Keon developer siblings, while packing the same 4.3-inch qHD display, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU, 4GB of storage (with a microSD expansion slot), 8-megapixel rear camera and 1,800 mAh battery as the original Peak. It's also boasting the latest Firefox OS flavor, version 1.1, which brings faster boot times and fewer bugs, along with 25GB of cloud storage. You can reserve one at €149 for a limited time with delivery promised by mid-September -- so, if you've been looking go above the usual smartphone OS fray, check the source.

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Via: Engadget Spanish (translated)

Source: Geeksphone

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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The new Nexus 7 vs. last year's model: what's changed?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/nexus-7-whats-changed/

The new Nexus 7 vs last year's model what's changed

Google's second-generation Nexus 7 hasn't been the company's best kept secret -- we've seen leak after leak, after leak and, well, you get the point. Still, now that the revamped 7-inch slate is officially out the bag, we can finally leave speculation behind and attach some formal specifications to the thing. As expected, the new Nexus 7 brings a number of internal upgrades to the table, while its outer shell has seen a few minor aesthetic changes. All signs point toward it being a worthy successor to Mountain View's popular tablet, but how big of an upgrade are we talking about, exactly? Those answers await after the jump, where we break down the specs and spell out what's different between the old and new Nexus 7.

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Google introduces Chromecast, a $35 HDMI streaming solution for televisions (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/google-chromekey/

Google introduces Chromekey, an HDMI streaming device for televisions

Google's Chromecast is Mountain View's next foray into the television market. In brief, it's a $35 HDMI dongle that mirrors content being played nearby on a tablet, smartphone or computer. Hrm, that sounds familiar. The 2-inch device runs "a simplified version of Chrome OS" and requires separate USB power; connect it to your local WiFi network and similarly connected devices work with Chromecast. It can be ordered right now on Google Play and will apparently ship in one to two days. Of note, the device seems US-only for now, as our UK colleagues are showing a "not available in your country" prompt. Early buyers get three months of free Netflix with the purchase. Additionally, it's also heading to retail (read: Best Buy) on July 28th. Google ended its presentation with a quick word that Chromecast functionality will eventually come embedded in various other devices, and that it's working on getting other countries access "as quickly as possible." No specs were given during the presentation, but its Google Play page lists the device as HDMI-CEC compatible, and it uses 2.4GHz 801.11 b/g/n WiFi. Given the separate USB power required, the $35 nets you a Chromecast device, an HDMI extended, a USB power cable and a separate power adapter.

Apps that work with the device include a "Cast" button that allows users to push video to their televisions and control various aspects remotely (volume, play, pause, etc.). "Once Chromecast is plugged in, you just go to YouTube on your smartphone," Google reps said. "You'll see the cast button in your UI and you press it -- Chromecast will pull the info you requested from the cloud and play it on your TV." Meanwhile, an on-stage demonstration showed YouTube video being pushed "via the cloud," thus enabling other apps to be used while a video is being viewed on a television screen. Netflix was up next, and it has similar remote control functionality. Google Play movies and television (expectedly) also work with Chromecast, and Google delightedly demonstrated it with Vin Diesel vehicle Fast Five. Finally, Google demoed full Google Chrome projected on a TV and controlled remotely with a "standard $500 Windows 8 laptop." The feature is "still in early days," but a promise has already been made: that users will be able to easily project content to televisions via their web browser.

Update: We've added Chromecast's first commercial (which demonstrates much of the device's functionality) just after the break, and a source link with Google's formal announcement.

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Source: Google

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Netflix, Pandora confirmed as content partners for Chromecast streaming

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/chromecast-content-partners-netflix/

Netflix, Pandora confirmed as content partners for Chromecast streaming

Google's taking another big stab at the TV market with its just-announced Chromecast HDMI streaming solution, and it's naturally lined up some content partners to make that device more useful. At its event today, the company confirmed that Netflix is on board with video streaming support from its Android and iOS apps; Chromecast buyers will also get three months of Netflix for free "for a limited time" with their purchase (notably, that includes existing Netflix members). On the audio side of things, you'll also be able to take advantage of music streaming courtesy of Pandora, which is apparently coming sometime after launch according to Google's blog post. Less surprisingly, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, and the Play Music app will also be offering full support for the device, letting you push videos and music to your TV (and the sound system attached to it) from your mobile device of choice. Additional content partners are said to be "coming soon."

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Source: Google

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Hands-on with Chromecast, Google's wireless HDMI streaming dongle

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/chromecast-wireless-web-content-hdmi-streaming-dongle-and-tech-h/

We should've known this was coming after Google and Netflix informed us back at CES they were working on their AirPlay competitor, the DIAL wireless streaming protocol. Today, with the revelation of the new Chromecast HDMI dongle to leverage DIAL and expand upon it, you'll be able to stream more content more easily to your home's biggest screen -- all for just 35 bucks. We got to check out the Chromecast at today's Google event, so join us, won't you, for our full impressions.

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Christie and NVIDIA team up for an interactive car-buying experience powered by augmented reality (hands-on video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/christie-nvidia-custom-audi-hands-on/

Christie and NVIDIA team up for an interactive car buying experience powered by augmented reality handson video

If committing the requisite funds for an Audi R8 coupe seems like a stressful ordeal, NVIDIA and Christie have created an augmented reality purchase experience to lend a hand with the selection process. Under the hood, the whole lot is powered by NVIDIA GPUs, Christie projectors and RTT DeltaGen software for car configuration. Using a 3D-printed, one-fifth scale model of the R8, a series of projectors and projection tiles utilize a 3D WARP mesh to outfit the car with paint, wheels and even headlamps. A tablet UI then allows the eager customer to toggle colors, rim options, side panels and turn the lights on and off. In addition to customizing the car itself, the system also shows how the R8 will look in different environments, from dusk by the water to the rural open road. For a quick video demo from the SIGGRAPH show floor, join us after the break.

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First real world 'master key' exploit discovered sneaking malware into Android apps

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/master-key-exploit-in-the-wild/

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Two apps have been discovered on unofficial marketplaces in China that might just be the first in-the-wild exploits of the massive bug found by Bluebox two weeks ago. The so-called "master key" vulnerability, or a least an extremely close relative of it, was the point of entry for malware in these two apps, which now carry code that allows an attacker to remotely hijack a device, harvest sensitive data and even disable a number of mobile security suites. The concern here, is that this particular security hole allowed these alterations to be made without invalidating the apps' digital signatures. So, the malware was able to sneak through filters, hidden as a Trojan Horse inside pieces of legitimate software. Google has already patched the vulnerability, preventing compromised apps from slipping in to the official Play store. Additional updates addressing the flaw have been issued to carriers and manufacturers, but we all know it could be quite sometime before everyone applies the patches to their products.

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Via: Ars Technica

Source: Symantec

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This $200 Brute Force Bot Will Bust Your Phone's Pin in Hours

Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-200-brute-force-bot-will-bust-your-phones-pin-i-894436635

This $200  Brute Force Bot Will Bust Your Phone's Pin in Hours

Your Android phone is not safe. This 3D-printed robot systematically tries all of the possible lock screen PINs for your phone until it gets in. With your standard four-digit number, your phone is compromised in under a day. If only you'd had an iPhone!

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NVIDIA puts Project Logan on display at SIGGRAPH: Kepler gets cozy on a mobile chip (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/nvidia-project-logan-siggraph-2013/

NVIDIA details Project Logan at SIGGRAPH Kepler gets cozy on a mobile chip video

We've known about NVIDIA's plans to bring Kepler to mobile for a few months now, but the component maker offered up an early glimpse of the SoC at SIGGRAPH this week. In terms of power usage, Logan's use of Kepler architecture translates to one-third the consumption of GPUs currently running in devices like the Retina iPad while wrangling the same renders. Of course, it does have a healthy amount of room to scale up from there for much beefier tasks. The silicon also supports the just announced OpenGL 4.4, OpenGL ES 3.0 and Microsoft's DirectX11. So, what does all of that translate to in terms of graphics? Project Logan enables the use of advanced rendering and simulation techniques to construct imagery -- things like tessellation, advanced lighting and physical simulation, just to name a few. For a look at chip in action, venture on past the break where the Ira demo that was unveiled earlier this year on GeForce GTX Titan GPU-packing desktop is now running on a Logan-equipped mobile device.

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

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Dell shows off the UltraSharp 32: a 32-inch Ultra HD display set to arrive in Q4 (eyes-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/23/dell-ultrasharp-32/

Dell shows off the UltraSharp 32: a 32-inch 4K Ultra HD display set to arrive in Q4 (eyes-on)

If you're looking to boost the resolution of your workflow, Dell took the opportunity to unleash one such display during the proceedings at SIGGRAPH this week. The UltraSharp 32 is a 32-inch Ultra HD unit that wields a 3,840 x 2,160 IGZO panel sorting 1.07 billion colors. An aluminum stand has replaced the plastic-draped one from previous models, but the same height adjustments reside around back. The UltraSharp 32 also houses both full and mini display ports (with the requisite cable included), HDMI jack, a built-in USB hub and an SD card reader along the left side. We had a chance to take a quick peek at the device and we can confirm the image quality -- especially when it comes to handling rich blacks. We also enjoyed gazing upon a matte finish rather than a glossy surface and we're told Dell has actually made some tweaks there to reduce any grainy results that may creep in. There's no word on pricing just yet, but the display is set to arrive during the fourth quarter of this year. A smattering of images from our brief eyes-on session await in the gallery.

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LG Optimus G Pro for Sprint makes a cameo at the FCC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/23/optimus-g-pro-sprint-fcc/

LG Optimus G Pro for Sprint makes a cameo at the FCC

With the Optimus G Pro already available on AT&T and a Verizon variant rubber-stamped by Uncle Sam, Sprint is bringing up the caboose. A smartphone bearing the model number LG LS980 has just passed through the FCC, and it's a dead ringer for a G Pro destined for Big Yellow. Not only does its model number jive with the other carrier-specific incarnations of LG's device, but it packs support for Now Network-friendly CDMA and LTE over band 25, alongside the usual GSM radio. There's no telling when the Now Network will start offering the phone, but federal approval means it's clear to arrive when LG pleases.

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Source: FCC

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Acer Aspire S7-392 Ultrabook arrives in the US, starts at $1,450

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/23/acer-aspire-s7-392-ultrabook-us/

DNP Acer S7 ultrabooks US pricing info and availability

We first met Acer's Aspire S7 at Computex in 2012, and since then it's gone through a major overhaul to become the Aspire S7-392 -- a Haswell-equipped Ultrabook that's now available in the US. You can choose between two models up for sale at retail outlets and on Acer's online store, with the cheaper $1,450 package toting a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor and a 128GB SSD. The $1,700 variant comes with a more powerful 1.8GHz Core i7 processor and double the storage space, but their other specs are identical. Both Windows 8 Ultrabooks boast a 13.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080 touchscreen display, an HD webcam, an 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and a bigger battery that promises up to 7 hours of power. It's too bad the European version's 2,560 x 1,440 screen didn't make it stateside, but at least the US incarnations are a bit easier on the wallet.

Update: We've revised the post to reflect that the higher-end model comes with a Core i7 processor, and not a Core i5.

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Source: Acer (1), (2)

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Samsung starts making 3GB low-power memory for smartphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/samsung-starts-making-3gb-low-power-memory-for-smartphones/

Samsung starts making 3GB RAM chips for smartphones

We hope you weren't just getting used to having 2GB of RAM in a smartphone, because Samsung is already moving on. The company is now mass-producing 3GB LPDDR3 packages whose 0.8mm (0.03in) thickness can accommodate most device sizes. The capacious, 20nm-class memory should also be quick when there's a pair of symmetric channels to keep data flowing. The first smartphones with 3GB of RAM should ship in the second half of the year; Samsung isn't revealing which phones will have the honor, but it's not hard to make some educated guesses.

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Source: Samsung

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NVIDIA announces 'fastest GPU ever' for pros, the 12GB Quadro K6000

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/nvidia-announces-12gb-quadro-k6000-gpu/

NVIDIA announces 12GB Quadro K6000 for pros, 'fastest GPU ever'

NVIDIA's just launched its latest flagship Quadro GPU for well-heeled graphics professionals, the Kepler-based Quadro K6000. The company claims it's "the fastest and most capable GPU ever built" with double the graphics capability of its Quadro 6000 predecessor. It also has 12GB of the "world's largest and fastest" DDR5 graphics memory, enabling companies like Nissan to load nearly complete vehicle models, for instance. Other niceties include 2,880 streaming multiprocessor cores, four simultaneous displays at up to 4K resolution, ultra-low latency video I/O and large scale visualization support. It'll hit the market this fall from workstation vendors like HP, Dell and Lenovo, along with system integrators and distribution partners like PNY. There's no pricing yet, but the current K5000 runs about $2,250 -- so, prime your budget expectations accordingly.

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Via: Slashgear

Source: NVIDIA

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Slingbox update lets you invite Facebook friends to watch your cable in a browser

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/slingbox-watch-update-facebook-integration-invitations/

Slingbox update lets you invite friends to watch your cable via Facebook

If you're an inveterate placeshifter and have the internet bandwidth to spare, there's no longer any reason to keep your cable TV feeds all to yourself. A Watch update has arrived for the Slingbox 350 and 500 media streamers that includes Facebook integration, letting you invite your friends to view your Slingbox streams on a browser when you're not (only one connection is allowed at a time). Along with no doubt more "likes," the update also brings improved zoom controls to handle aspect ratios like anamorphic and letter box, a relocated pause button and advanced device search during setup. You can start inviting your pals on the social network now, but you may want to warn them: you can interrupt their viewing, but they can't interrupt yours. Check the More Coverage link to see which browsers are supported.

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Source: Slingbox

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