Facebook releases cross-platform SDK for Unity titles, looks to boost 3D and mobile gaming

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/facebook-unity-cross-platform-sdk/

If the folks from Facebook and Unity have their way, you -- and everyone you know -- will be playing mobile 3D titles directly on the social network. The two companies have been working together since March to boost user engagement with games on Facebook, and a cross-platform SDK released today should go a long way toward reaching a broader audience. Available for download via Unity's developer site, the new kit lets devs port their mobile games to Facebook.com and integrate social experiences -- such as posting achievements to your Timeline -- into core titles, regardless of whether gamers are on Android, iOS or the web. And the companies are making this process quite easy for devs; bringing titles to several platforms only requires a line of code.

A handful of games, including Cmune's UberStirke, Madfinger's Shadowgun: Deadzone and Nival's King's Bounty: Legions, have already incorporated the new SDK, and Unity is no doubt hoping that other devs will follow suit. This isn't the first time the gaming engine has extended a helping hand to developers -- it's been known to drop licensing fees, for instance. Here's hoping this means a wider selection of Facebook titles is just around the corner.

Filed under: Gaming, Mobile, Facebook

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Via: All Things D, CNet

Source: Facebook Developer Blog

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Samsung to show off 98-inch Ultra HD video wall, 31.5-inch 4K monitor at IFA 2013

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/samsung/

As surely as there will be another round of tradeshows this fall and winter, companies like Samsung will be there with bigger and better tech to show off, which consists of new 4K displays this time around. At IFA 2013, Samsung plans to show off this 98-inch commercial Ultra HD "video wall", as well as a 31.5-inch Ultra HD monitor. Samsung unveiled its 85-inch UHDTV at CES earlier this year it promised sizes would grow so we're not surprised it's combining slim-bezeled versions to create this massive screen headed to storefronts near you. There's no picture yet for the 31.5-inch monitor and few details, but Samsung is ready to battle with competition from the likes of ASUS and Sharp with detailed color calibration adjustments and support for 99 percent of Adobe's RGB space.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

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Source: Samsung Korea

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HTC's mid-range market strategy in China continues as 4.3-inch 301e gets certified

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/htc-301e-tenaa/

Lately, China's TENAA telephone certification center has been an even bigger tattletale than the FCC, and it just leaked another unannounced handset: the HTC 301e. While likely not coming to the US, the dual-SIM device is another cog in CEO Peter Chou's plan to grow its mid-range end smartphone stable in China. It also has some One design touches, like the top speaker grill and two button design. Otherwise, it's scraping the bottom of the mid-range, with a 4.3-inch 480 x 800 screen, 1GHz dual-core CPUs, 512MB RAM, WCDMA 3G, 8GB of storage expandable to 64GB via microSD and a 5-megapixel camera. While that won't set anyone's hair on fire, it does show that HTC is serious about more than just flagships in China.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

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Via: Techkiddy

Source: TENAA (translated)

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Twitter now displays conversations in chronological order (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/twitter-update-conversations/

Twitter has always been a great place to discuss hard-hitting news (like Miley Cyrus' puzzling evolution), but following conversations can feel a bit like a mining expedition. The company has taken note, and a new update to the website, iOS and Android apps -- available today -- makes engaging in conversations on Twitter a much more intuitive process. Now, the first tweet in a chain will show up on your timeline above the replies, allowing you to read the conversation in chronological order. Up to two subsequent related tweets will be connected to the first by a vertical blue line; for lengthy conversations, you can continue reading with a simple tap. To learn more, check out Twitter's video after the break.

Filed under: Software

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Source: Twitter, Google Play, iTunes

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Dual-SIM HTC One Max for China Unicom leaked, may pack a fingerprint reader

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/htc-one-max-fingerprint-scanner-dual-sim/

Much like HTC itself, leaksters have also been hard at work to help promote this company. Courtesy of ePrice, the latest spy shots feature the upcoming 5.9-inch One Max, and specifically, this is a dual-SIM model destined for China Unicom. Like the One Dual (or better known as 802w, 802t or 802d in China), this much bigger device sports a removable metallic back cover for access to the dual SIM slots, along with what appears to be a microSD slot at the top right corner. There are also a set of docking pins towards the bottom right on the back, so chances are we'll see official dock accessories for this bad boy.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

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Via: Engadget Chinese

Source: ePrice

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Shopify's integrated retail platform merges online and in-store sales (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/shopify-point-of-sale-platform/

Mobile payment options like Square have been a boon to small business owners, and now Shopify is looking to expand the potential of point of sale systems with its new platform. The company is branching out from its online retail roots by offering a way to merge in-store and internet sales with a combined inventory system. Shop owners can choose which items they want to sell online or in their brick and mortar stores, while the POS app synchronizes the process. Additionally, Shopify comes with an iPad-compatible credit card reader, email receipts and detailed analytics. If you're in the market for an integrated retail system, the expanded hardware kit might be worth checking out; it includes a cash drawer, iPad stand and receipt printer. For more information, check out the video after the break.

Filed under: Misc, Software

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Source: Shopify

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Whoa, Graphene Can Make Other Metals 500 Times Stronger

Source: http://gizmodo.com/whoa-graphene-can-make-other-metals-500-times-stronger-1214695840

We've heard about plenty of promising electronic applications for miracle material graphene from headphones, to super-fast transistors, to crazy camera sensors, and even solar-powered paint. But now scientists have found a way to leverage its raw strength, by using it to make metal up to 500 times stronger.

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Panasonic refreshes Let's Note lineup, says LX is world's lightest 14-inch notebook

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/panasonic-lets-note-lx-lightest-14-inch-notebook/

Though Panasonic's Let's Note laptops are only sold in Japan, it's nice to know how the other half lives, isn't it? The company just updated three models in the lineup, including the 12.1-inch SX and NX, along with the flagship 14-inch LX. Panasonic claims the latter is now the world's lightest 14-inch notebook at 1.14kg (about 2.5 pounds), provided it's equipped with a 256GB SSD and lightweight batteries. Despite that lack of heft, it still manages to pack an Intel Core-i7 CPU, a 1,600 x 900 display, 4GB of RAM, and an 11-hour battery into the boxy case. The 12.1-inch SX and NX are similarly spec'd, but have a Core-i5 processor option as well (the NX can only be had with a Core-i5). Those models will power along for 15 hours with the lightest batteries, while also tipping the scales at around 2.5 pounds. While excellent, that's still far from the 1.9 pound. 13-inch Inhon Blade carbon -- and let's not even discuss thinness. Pricing and availability have yet to be disclosed.

Filed under: Laptops

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Source: Panasonic Japan (translated)

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Flutter: A $20 wireless Arduino with a long reach

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/flutter-a-20-wireless-arduino-with-a-long-reach/

If the words "ARM-powered wireless Arduino" send your heart aflutter, then you might be interested in... Flutter -- a development platform with the aforementioned qualities. The Kickstarter project claims the device has a usable range of over half a mile, letting you nail that wireless letterbox-checker project with ease. Similar tools, such as Xbee and Zigbee already exist, but the $20 price tag for the Flutter basic, and $30 for Flutter Pro (adds battery charging, another button, more memory) make this a tempting option for tinkerers on a budget. So, if building that mesh network of quadrocopters has been sitting at the top of your to-do list for too long, we recommend you get backing right now.

Filed under: Networking, Internet

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Via: Ycombinator

Source: Kickstarter

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Logitech's Ultrathin Touch Mouse complements your Ultrabook for $70 (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/logitech-ultrathin-touch-mouse/

Many portable mice are fairly chunky, which can be tricky when you've got a slim bag packed with an Ultrabook or a MacBook Air. Logitech's set out to solve this problem with its $70 Ultrathin Touch mouse. The aluminum-clad pointing device features an ultra-svelte wedge design with a smooth top for touch gestures. A flick of a switch on the mouse lets you switch between two Bluetooth-connected devices, and a one-minute charge over USB gives it enough juice to last about one hour. The Ultrathin Touch Mouse will arrive in black this September and in white come November.

Filed under: Peripherals

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Source: Logitech

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Parallels Access: Control Your Computer From Anywhere With Your iPad

Source: http://gizmodo.com/parallels-access-remotely-access-your-computer-from-yo-1210699642

Parallels Access turns your iPad into a porthole to your more powerful (and heavier) Windows or Mac computers somewhere else. Connecting the your iPad to your remote machine through the cloud is the (relatively) easy part. The real magic is how Parallels Access elegantly shrinks your desktop applications into manageable tablet apps.

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Kobo goes for the top of the line with 10-inch Arc 10HD tablet, we go hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/kobo-arc-10hd-hands-on/

Love the Kobo ecosystem, but hoping for a tablet that's a little... higher end than what the Arc line currently offers? Boy have we got some news for you. The company introduced a grand total of three new tablets at today's event in New York City, and here's the crown jewel, the 10-inch Arc 10HD. Compared to the offerings we've seen from other e-reader makers, this thing really is a beast. It's also a pretty nice piece of hardware with a solid build. The front of the slate is all screen, plus a glossy, flush bezel that also houses the device's one webcam, a 1.3-megapixel offering that can also shoot 720p.

On the top of the fairly thin and light device, you'll find Kobo's standard red power button. On the right side is a volume rocker and along the left is a headphone jack, micro-HDMI and micro USB ports. On the back are two speaker grills, which didn't put out enough power to be heard over the event's music. There's also some subtle angular design language borrowed from the Aura HD on the sides of the otherwise flat soft touch back.

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Filed under: Tablets

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Parallels Access for iPad offers a truly touch-native remote desktop (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/parallels-access/

Many attempts at tablet-friendly remote desktop still present a traditional desktop to the user; they deliver a lot of control, but they're unwieldy on touch-only devices. Parallels' just-unveiled Access client for the iPad could provide a simpler, more consistent experience. Rather than recreate the full desktop of a host Mac or Windows PC, Parallels Access provides a streamlined app launcher with controls that are largely iOS-native. Text selection, gestures and even multitasking behave much like they normally would on Apple's tablets. The approach sounds intuitive, but is it worth Parallels' $80 yearly subscription fee? Read our hands-on after the break to find out. %Gallery-slideshow73454%

Filed under: Tablets, Software

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Source: Parallels

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Epson launches MHL-enabled 1080p 2D/3D projector for $999

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/epson-mhl-projector/

It's rare that we document the arrival of a new projector, but we thought that Epson's PowerLite Home Cinema 2030 deserved some special attention. It's the company's first unit that offers an MHL-enabled HDMI port, enabling you to output video from your Android phone or tablet. Otherwise, the unit offers 1080p 2D/3D visuals, built-in speakers and a 2,000 lumens bulb. It'll be available at the start of September from Epson's online store for $999 -- a small price to pay to get those Netflix episodes of Breaking Bad splattered over your walls.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Verizon to launch waterproof Kyocera Hydro Elite on August 29 for $100

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/27/verizon-kyocera-hydro-elite/

Kyocera handsets in the US typically debut on Sprint or smaller carriers like Boost or Cricket, but that doesn't mean Verizon can't have a go at devices from the Japanese company. First spied a few months ago, the Kyocera Hydro Elite is one such handheld headed for Big Red, and looks to be a waterproof model much like its Hydro predecessor. Indeed, the Hydro Elite can supposedly be immersed in up to 3.28 feet (1 meter) of water for almost half an hour before calling it quits. Like the Torque, the Hydro Elite also boasts a Smart Sonic Receiver technology that promises outstanding audio quality even in the noisiest environments.

The Hydro Elite is not exactly tiny, measuring 4.82 x 2.38 x 0.43 inches and weighing in at 4.51 ounces. Other notable features include -- let's take a deep breath here -- a 4.3-inch HD display, 4G LTE, an 8-megapixel HD cam, a front-facing 1.3-megapixel shooter, Qi wireless charging, NFC, MHL support, DLNA support, a microSD card slot and a 2,100 mAH battery. Phew. If that list of specs sounds scintillating enough to you, you may pick one up at your local Verizon store this Thursday for only $100 after a rebate and a two-year service agreement. For those who need a little more convincing, you can check out a Kyocera-commissioned video after the break starring none other than Man vs. Wild survivalist Bear Grylls.

Filed under: Mobile, Verizon

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Source: Kyocera

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