Pew survey: 21 percent of US cellphone owners get online mostly through their phones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/16/pew-cell-use-survey-2013/

There have been signs that Americans are leaning more and more on the smartphone as a primary internet device, and nowhere is that clearer than the latest edition of Pew's Cell Internet Use survey. The research group found that 21 percent of American cellphone owners now get online chiefly through their handset, up from 17 percent last year. Offline users, meanwhile, have been reduced to a minority -- 63 percent of US cell owners have hopped on the internet from their phones at some point. The PC isn't going away anytime soon, but it's clear that the traditional computer is just one internet client among many.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: Pew Internet

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Article: Box launching Notes word processor to close the gap with Google Drive

Box is unveiling an online word processor called Box Notes, in a move that could help to put the cloud storage service's features closer on par with that of Google Drive. Though it's just getting started, it appears that Box Notes should have a fairly mature feature set right out the gate, includ...

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/16/4736228/box-announces-notes-word-processor-beta

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People With 10k Instagram Followers Stay Free In This Hotel

Source: http://gizmodo.com/people-with-10k-instagram-followers-stay-free-in-this-h-1318364597

A picture is worth a thousand words and having 10,000 Instagram followers is apparently worth more than $150. At the recently opened 1888 Hotel in Sydney, Australia guests can stay one night for free if they contact the media department to show their social media mettle and follow the hotel on Instagram, of course.

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Google Glass no longer requires tethering plan for smartphone data sharing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/15/google-glass-bluetooth-tethering-without-data-plan/

An Explorer Edition of Glass is already a pricey piece of tech, and smartphone tethering plans required to give it a mobile Internet connection have only made ownership that much more expensive. However, there's good news for Google's guinea pigs: the latest update to the headgear quietly implemented a way around the additional monthly fees. With XE9 loaded onto headsets, the companion Android app pipes data to and from the hardware, bypassing both the smartphone's Bluetooth tethering settings and extra plan previously needed from some carriers. To match the change, the application's notification icon sports two arrows to signify the flow of info. We doubt telcos will be fazed by this development for now, but we don't know if that'll hold once Glass arrives on shelves and hits the streets en masse. We've contacted Google to find out if the feature will make it to retail units.

Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Google

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Google Maps updated for Android with sponsored hotel details, better navigation

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/14/google-maps-updated-with-sponsored-hotel-details/

Now that Google has finished updating its Map app's UI, the company can focus on the finer details: navigation, documentation and monetization. The Android app's latest update tweaks hotel search results by adding sponsored rate and booking links, which places a tiny "ad" icon next to services that paid for exposure. Navigation has been also been improved, with better traffic and route information, and the side menu now has a "tips and tricks" option that inelegantly opens a maps help page in your device's web browser. Check out the official update notes at the Google Play link below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

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Source: Google Play

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SanDisk's CFast 2.0 card is the world's fastest memory card of any kind

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/14/sandisks-cfast-2.0-fastest-memory-card-ever/

About a year after the CompactFlash Association announced the CFast 2.0 draft spec, SanDisk has revealed its new Extreme Pro CFast 2.0 memory card. The first of its kind, SanDisk says read speeds of up to 450MB/s and write speeds of up to 350MB/s make it the world's fastest memory card, period. Speed isn't the only improvement either, as the cards claim a tougher, pinless design and even unique serial numbers that owners can register with customer support. For now however, its use is going to be quite limited. The only camera ready for it at launch is the just-announced Arri Amira, although the Arri XT and Classic (with the XR module) cameras can also use it with an adapter. For those still using traditional CompactFlash storage for their 4K shooting the company is stretching the limits there too, with a new 256GB card that it says has the highest capacity ever. That extra storage will cost you however, with a price of $1,809 for the new 256GB version. There's no word on a price for the CFast 2.0 cards or their USB 3.0-equipped reader, but pro videographers in the US and Europe should be able to find them soon at specialty shops and Arri-authorized locations.

Filed under: Storage

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Source: SanDisk (1), (2)

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Adafruit tutorial turns your Raspberry Pi into an ad-blocking WiFi access point

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/13/adafruit-tutorial-raspberry-pi-ad-blocking/

Ads can be a buzzkill, especially when they're so pervasive they become distractions. Luckily, Adafruit has a new tutorial that turns your Raspbery Pi into a WiFi access point that doubles as a mighty ad-blocking machine for any device -- be it an iPad or an Xbox -- that connects to it. All you need is a working internet connection, a Raspberry Pi booting Raspbian, a WiFi adapter, an Ethernet cable and the necessary software (which the tutorial breaks down for you). It should go without saying, but Adafruit also includes a reminder to whitelist the ad-supported sites you frequently visit. Blocking ads might improve your online experience overall, but it's always a good idea to support the people who provide you with free content. To get started, check out the tutorial at the source link below.

Filed under: Misc, Internet

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Source: Adafruit

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Visualized: Canon 35mm CMOS sensor captures fireflies in HD (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/13/visualized-canon-35mm-cmos-sensor-fireflies/

Canon impressed us back in March when it unveiled its 35mm full frame CMOS sensor, which is capable of recording footage in extremely low-light situations. This time around, the company set its sights on the Yaeyama-hime fireflies on Ishigaki Island off the coast of Japan. Shortly after sundown, the Canon team managed to capture a forest full of lightning bugs in full HD in near-dark settings. To watch the video in all its bioluminescent glory, mosey on past the break.

Filed under: Cameras, Canon

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Via: Gizmodo

Source: Canon

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Sony BRAVIA Smart Stick revealed, it's Google TV in a Chromecast-looking dongle

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/13/sony-bravia-smart-stick-mhl-google-tv/

The Sony NSZ-GU1 Google TV device we've seen pop up in FCC filings has been at least partially revealed today, and it's called the Sony BRAVIA Smart Stick. The blog post doesn't specifically mention any Chromecast-style features, but it is an MHL dongle that runs both Google TV and Sony's own BRAVIA apps. The features are just like Google TV boxes Sony has released before, with a remote (that the FCC filings showed is at least similar to the previous ones) that has QWERTY and voice search support. Additionally, its "picture-and-picture" feature lets users see a browser in one window and TV in another. Since it's a true Google TV device it can install and run Android apps from the Play Store, but any other details will have to wait until it's officially announced on Sunday (the truly dedicated can dig into the source code, linked after the break). Of course this does leave one other question: Now that app support is available as a simple plug-in dongle, does that mean Sony is going to ship plain-jane HDTVs and leave the "smart" features for add-on accessories like this one?

Update: @CJ_000 points out the web-based instruction manual is up on Sony's site, and should answer most questions about how it works. It also lists the pre-installed apps, and at least so far, Hulu Plus is not among them. We're not seeing any DIAL-related features available to start with, so now we really want to know when it will be available, will it work with TVs other than Sony and how much will it cost?

Update 2: Reader Bryan points out a page in the manual that confirms this accessory is only for 2013 model year (and later) Sony HDTVs.

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Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

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Source: Sony Blog

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Intel reportedly acquires Indisys, gets an edge in natural language recognition (update: official)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/13/intel-reportedly-acquires-indisys/

Intel is quickly transforming its dream of perceptual computing into reality: the company will soon ship motion control technology, and it acquired the gesture interface firm Omek back in July. The chip giant may not be done yet, as there are reports from Spain that it has acquired Indisys, a small natural language recognition company. Details of the buyout are scarce, but the move would give Intel its own voice control software; it wouldn't have to license code from third parties like Nuance. We've reached out to Intel to confirm the acquisition. If real, the Indisys takeover might have come at just the right time -- Intel is swinging its attention to wearables, and voice control is now more of a necessity than a luxury.

Update: Intel just confirmed to us that it acquired Indisys on May 31st, and that the deal has already closed.

Filed under: Software, Intel

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: ABCdesevilla.es (translated)

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Very First Verizon LTE Nexus 7

Google Nexus 7 LTE alive and kicking it on Verizon Wireless LTE

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Tetrapod quantum dot LEDs could lead to cheaper, better HDTVs soon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/13/tetrapod-quantum-dots-materials-led-lcd/

Until Sony started shipping its Triluminos HDTVs, the future of quantum dot (QD) technology in real-world products was mostly theoretical. Now, a company called Quantum Materials has started shipping its "Tetrapod Quantum Dots" material to an unnamed Asian electronics manufacturer, hinting at the possibility of other QD-enhanced products on the market. The company didn't mention any particular devices, but this tech has the potential to create displays that are brighter, more energy-efficient and have greater contrast than the competition.

This technology allows companies to create LED-backlit LCDs using a single material as opposed to several on traditional ones -- this supposedly keeps costs low, although the aforementioned Sony HDTVs were anything but cheap. Quantum Materials CEO Stephen Squires specifically claims his company's tetrapod technology works with fewer dots overall and better manufacturing tech to hit the lowest cost possible. Samsung and LG have shown off quantum dot tech in years past -- we'll eventually find out if either one is the anonymous manufacturer in line to mass produce it.

Filed under: Displays

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Source: Quantum Materials

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The NSA Disguises Itself as Google to Spy

Source: http://gizmodo.com/the-nsa-disguises-itself-as-google-to-spy-1305996203

It's come to light that the NSA has impersonated Google—and possibly other big websites—in order to intercept, store, and read supposedly secure online communications.

Mother Jones reports that the agency managed this by using "man-in-the-middle (MITM)" attacks, which are often used by high-class hackers. PowerPoint slides made public by a Brazilian news channel also suggest the technique is used by the UK-based GCHQ. Mother Jones describes how the hack works:

According to the document, NSA employees log into an internet router—most likely one used by an internet service provider or a backbone network. (It's not clear whether this was done with the permission or knowledge of the router's owner.) Once logged in, the NSA redirects the "target traffic" to an "MITM," a site that acts as a stealthy intermediary, harvesting communications before forwarding them to their intended destination.

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Gigabyte shows off tiny BRIX gaming PC with Haswell and Iris Pro graphics (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/12/gigabyte-brix-gaming-pc/

While we had an inkling that Gigabyte would be fitting its latest miniature BRIX PCs with Haswell processors, we were pleasantly surprised to learn it had also built a tiny gaming computer with Iris Pro graphics on board. Indeed, the BRIX pocket gaming PC has similar internals to the recently announced Gigabyte BRIX II -- it has an HDMI port, Ethernet, four USB 3.0 slots, Bluetooth 4.0, a Mini display port, built-in WiFi and a headset jack -- but with the added benefit of Intel's latest integrated graphics and the choice of red, yellow or black aluminum housing.

We had a chance to play around with a prototype model at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, and we have to say we're impressed. We played a short round of Grid 2 and the race car looked amazing as it roared across a large 1080p TV. While the performance appeared robust enough in our brief hands-on, an Intel rep did warn us it probably won't replace a system with a dedicated GPU. The box itself is an adorable little thing that we felt was compact and light enough to bring to our next gaming party without taking up too much space in the trunk.%Gallery-slideshow84011%

Filed under: Gaming, Intel

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Insert Coin: Little Robot Friends teach the basics of hardware programming (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/12/insert-coin-little-robot-friends-teach-the-basics-of-hardware-p/

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

Toronto-based Aesthetec Studio has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign guaranteed to put a smile on your face. See that little guy above? He's what the company calls a Little Robot Friend, a tiny interactive companion with an 8-bit 32K microcontroller brain that can help even the newest of newbs learn the basics of hardware programming. These customizable pocket-sized robots can perform a number of actions (like blinking their RGB LED eyes) triggered by varied stimuli, including touch, sound and changes in light. Each Arduino-compatible Little Robot Friend can also be reprogrammed with the developer's kit that Aesthetec hopes to roll out if the campaign hits its CAD$55,000 goal. To see these dudes in action, check out the Kickstarter link below or watch the video after the break.

Filed under: Robots

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Source: Kickstarter, Aesthetec Studio

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