Chrome OS stable turns 29 with 'immersive' mode, improved launcher search

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/chrome-os-stable-channel-29/

The stable channel of Chrome OS has hit version 29, and with that tick comes a few new features we saw in beta just a month ago. Most notable is an "immersive" mode that hides the toolbar and shelf for a truly full-screen browsing experience. And, just like on the standalone browser, you need only hover at the top of the screen to bring those UI elements out of hiding. Pinning apps to the launcher has also been simplified with drag-and-drop -- something so intuitive and obvious that we're surprised it's taken this long to implement. The app launcher's search feature has also received a pretty impressive update, with the ability to pull in results from the web store as well as locally "installed" apps and it will dynamically learn from your searches to deliver the most relevant results. A few more minor tweaks have also been baked in, such as monitor scaling, wallpaper syncing and "two-finger history navigation" (which we're pretty sure is fancy talk for a back and forward browser gestures). The update should be rolling out now to all Chrome OS devices, with the exception of the Thinkpad X131e.

Filed under: Software, Google

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Source: Chrome Releases

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Composite lighting technique lets amateurs produce well-lit photos in minutes (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/computational-lighting-design/

Hobbyist photographers don't often have the luxury of elaborate lighting rigs. However, Adobe and Cornell University have developed a new software technique that could bring pro-grade illumination to a wider audience. Known as computational lighting design, the solution simplifies a familiar trick that combines shots taken with a camera's external flash placed in different positions. The software uses multiple sample photos to create composite images that emphasize color, edge lighting and fill lighting; editors just have to balance those three light values to get the desired effect. While the code is still unpolished, it's good enough that even beginners can produce well-lit masterpieces in less than 15 minutes. Adobe believes that the technique could reach future versions of apps like Lightroom or Photoshop, so don't be surprised if still-life photography catches on in the near future.

Filed under: Cameras, Software

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Via: Phys.org

Source: Cornell University

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Project Spark lets you build the game, add character with Kinect (eyes-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/project-spark-eyes-on/

Here at Gamescom -- as you might expect -- you're gonna see a lot of games. Not all of them are finished, but even the beta versions come with complex worlds, and shiny new physics engines. Amongst all of these creations, jostling for our attention, was something a little different. Something we heard about back at E3 initially, and something we've been itching to see in action ever since -- Project Spark. We made sure we got to have a look at how it works, and some of the new features. So, click past the break if you want to know too.

Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft

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LG Enact launches on Verizon, keeps the flame alive for QWERTY slider phones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/lg-enact-launches-on-verizon/

Verizon isn't just releasing its variant of the HTC One today -- it also has a treat for fans of the oft-neglected QWERTY slider smartphone. The carrier has just launched the once-rumored LG Enact, which hides a landscape keyboard underneath its 4-inch WVGA screen. As you might gather from the display, though, this device is no flagship. The combination of a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 5-megapixel rear camera, a VGA front camera and 8GB of expandable storage puts the Enact at the low end. What's more, it's also stuck on Android 4.1. When LG's new device costs $20 on contract, however, it's inexpensive enough that many fans of hardware keys can afford to take a look.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Verizon, LG

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Source: Verizon (1), (2)

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MSI AG2712A 27-inch gaming all-in-one hitting Europe this month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/msi-ag2712a/

MSI showed off its Wind Top AG2712 back in March, and, being a 27-inch gaming all-in-one it is, the thing was hard to miss. The company's European wing is getting ready to launch the system this month, albeit with a slightly different name and some newish specs. The 27-incher is now called the AG2712A, sporting AMD Radeon HD9870M graphics, true to its gaming classification. There's still a Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor on-board -- the quad-core 3630QM -- plus two optimized SSDs and, the company is happy to report, "a brand new designed bezel." Because without a fancy new bezel, what's it all worth, really?

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Microsoft

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Via: Far East Gizmos

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Google Keep Updates with In-Note Photos, Time and Location Reminders

Source: http://lifehacker.com/google-keep-gets-time-and-location-reminders-and-photos-1182336752

Android/Web: We already love Google Keep, but today it picked up some useful updates. Now you can add time and location reminders for your to-dos, add photos to your notes and reminders, and there's a new navigation drawer that makes it easy to jump from notes to reminders and back.

The big news in today's update is that Google Keep now functions a bit more like a fully-fledged to-do app in that you can set general or specific time reminders for any to-do you enter. You can have Keep ping you "tomorrow morning" that you wanted to email a friend, or specifically "Tuesday the 15th at 9am." Similarly, Google Keep can also use your phone's GPS to remind you of things you wanted to do in specific locations. When you get to the grocery store, for example, Keep will remind you that you told it last week you wanted to buy milk while you were there.

Google Keep has always given you a way to store photos, but now you can add photos to existing notes, or create new notes with both text and photos. Plus, with all these new note types and features, the new navigation drawer makes it easy to jump between your notes, reminders, and archived items so you always see what's useful to you.

Google Keep is a great note-taking tool, one we think is pretty underrated. With today's updates, it might be on more people's radar. The updated Android app is rolling out now at Google Play, and the new features are already available in the webapp and in the Chrome extension. Hit the link below to read more.

Update: Whoops! Looks like we already mentioned the news! Sorry for the duplicate post!

Here, There and Everywhere: Google Keep Reminds You At the Right Time | Official Android Blog

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Nokia Here research brings map data to life (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/nokia-here-research-brings-traffic-data-to-life/

Nokia Here collection vehicles aren't the only way the Finish giant is gathering data about our highways and city streets. The company's researchers are also using anonymous smartphone, PND and even CAN bus data to further our understanding of traffic flow and driver behavior in different conditions. Beyond improving maps and navigation, the goal is to make our roads better and cars smarter. We recently spoke with Nokia's Jane Macfarlane, Head of Research for Here, who shared how her team is bringing map data to life with the collaboration of opt-in smartphone users and fleet vehicle operators. Take a look at our gallery below and watch the video after the break. %Gallery-slideshow73225%

Filed under: GPS, Transportation, Mobile, Nokia

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Google adds zoos to Street View, heroically avoids calling it 'Street Zoo'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/21/street-zoo/

Granted, the name "Street View" doesn't really apply like it used to, but who's going to argue with a feature like this? Google announced today that it's added imagery from zoos all over the world to the Maps feature, meaning that you can check out lions, tigers and red pandas in their unnatural habits and avoid the long lines at the monkey house. Google's got links to the zoo shots in the source link below, including locations in Singapore, Germany, Spain, the UK and China -- sadly there are no dog lions, however, so far as we can tell.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Source: Google Latlong

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Canon appeals to internet socialites with PowerShot N Facebook camera

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/canon-powershot-n-facebook/

Facebook fanatics have a smartphone to call their own, and now they have a camera, too. Canon's PowerShot N, which first made its debut at CES, just scored a few (relatively minor) tweaks. The point-and-shoot features an unusual square design, so it can be rotated and held in a variety of orientations. There's a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 processor, 28-224mm f/3.0-5.9 8x optical zoom lens and a 2.8-inch capacitive-touch tilting LCD, just as you'll find on the original. In fact, the Facebook branding represents the only significant change here, including a dedicated button on the side to upload images to the site (via built-in WiFi) and a new Facebook upload option in the system menu. It's hardly worth "upgrading" from the original N, but if Facebook is your life, get ready to hand over 300 bucks for this Canon online store exclusive beginning next month.

Filed under: Cameras, Canon, Facebook

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Vine for Android update brings mentions, autocompleting hashtags

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/vine-android-update-mentions-hashtags/

Vine proved you can do a lot with six seconds of video, and thanks to its latest Android update you can do even more. Version 1.3.4 brings a couple of usability fixes to help the world see your valiant attempts at short-form comedy, including @ mentions in posts and comments and autocompletion for hashtags. The changelog notes "other bugs fixes and improvements" too, but the takeaway here is that the Google version is just about on par with the iOS one. Now, could you please hurry along and make one of those rad stop-motion clips for us? Thanks.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: Vine (Twitter)

Source: Google Play

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Kickstarter-bound Zeus copy machine prints, scans and faxes 3D objects

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/aio-robotics-zeus-3d-copy-machine/

As the god of gods, Zeus has a tremendous list of assets at his disposal. A 3D printer that can also scan and transmit objects, however, has until now been out of reach. AIO Robotics is gearing up to introduce the Zeus of the modern world, an all-in-one machine that duplicates 3D objects, even when they're not nearby. The device, which will make its Kickstarter debut on September 4th, will function in much the same way as a traditional all-in-one printer, with the obvious advantage of being able to create three-dimensional objects. Pricing has yet to be announced, but the creators expect Zeus to cost less than a Makerbot Replicator and Digitizer combo. It's also forecasted to be "the most reliable and usable 3D printer so far," according to a RepRap forum post. Time will tell.

Filed under: Household, Peripherals

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Via: GigaOM

Source: AIO Robotics, RepRap

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5 Fun Ways To Destroy Your House on Street View

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5-fun-ways-to-destroy-your-house-on-street-view-1173936429

Want to see what your home would look like if it were demolished by a tropical storm? Or if your city turned into a ruined post-apocalyptic outpost? You can do this and more virtual destruction using a few Google Maps tricks. Here are five good ones, courtesy of Keir Clarke from Google Maps Mania.

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Human Body for iOS: Almost The Most Fun You'll Have Exploring Your Body

Source: http://gizmodo.com/human-body-for-ios-almost-the-most-fun-youll-have-exp-1174420897

While most educational apps are generally intended for children, let's be honest—anyone not in the field probably remembers next to nothing about how the human body works other than the fact that, you know, it does. Fortunately, The Human Body by Tinybop is just as fascinating for adults as it is for children, letting you explore every excreting, beating, and oozing crevice of human biology, all at your own pace.

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Your Phone Will Soon Spew 4K Video From Its USB Port

Source: http://gizmodo.com/your-phone-will-soon-spew-4k-video-from-its-usb-port-1176546180

The Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) standard, beloved of Roku and Android phone manufacturers, is about to get exciting: an update coming in September will allow phones to spit out 4K video from their USB ports.

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Samsung unveils AirTrack soundbar for 60-inch and larger TVs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/samsung-unveils-airtrack-soundbar-for-60-inch-and-larger-tvs/

Many soundbars are designed for small or mid-sized TV sets, where price and space are top priorities. Samsung is bucking that trend with its newly unveiled AirTrack HW-F850: its follow-up to the vacuum tube-based F750 is built expressly for 60-inch and larger screens. As Samsung can afford a considerably larger bar, the F850 boosts the total power to 350W, up 40W from the F750. The company promises deeper bass from the subwoofer, too. As you'd expect, both Bluetooth audio and NFC pairing carry over from the F850's tinier counterparts. Samsung expects to ship the extra-large soundbar to Europe in September; the company hasn't mentioned pricing, although the F850 will likely command a premium over smaller AirTrack models.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

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Source: Korea Newswire (translated)

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