Thursday, July 19, 2012

What's new on SlashGear.com

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What's new on SlashGear.com

Windows 8 release date finally announced

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 02:14 PM PDT

After spending what seems like eons with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Microsoft has finally given us a release date for Windows 8. We already knew that the next version of Microsoft’s famous OS was going to be hitting shelves in October, but now, thanks today’s announcement from Steven Sinofsky during the company’s annual sales meeting, we have the actual day: October 26, 2012.


So, if you’ve loved what you’ve seen of Windows 8 so far, you don’t have that much longer to wait until you can finally get your hands on the full version. How many different versions of Windows 8 Microsoft will be offering seems to be up in the air at the moment, with recent rumors claiming that Microsoft may be looking to axe the retail version of Windows 8 entirely. If it does that, there’s a chance that Microsoft may choose to only offer the Windows 8 upgrade and an OEM version of the OS.

The good news is that the upgrade to Windows 8 will only cost $40 through January 31, 2013, so long as you’re upgrading from Windows XP or later. This means that the Windows 8 upgrade will cost significantly less than past Windows upgrades, but you’ll have to be fast if you want to take advantage of the low price.

Now that we have a firm release date, more details about Windows 8 will likely start pouring out soon, so keep it tuned to SlashGear for more Windows 8 news.

[via Windows Blog]


Windows 8 release date finally announced is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Nexus 7 has display looseness and instant fix

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 02:04 PM PDT

Now that the Google Nexus 7 tablet has been released to the general public and many citizens of the USA and the UK have it in their hands, a display looseness issue has arisen. This issue is rather similar to what Google I/O 2011 attendees experienced with the special edition Galaxy Tab 10.1, where the glass appears to have been glued or screwed incorrectly, resulting in a bit of looseness in the whole unit.

The issue with the Nexus 7 appears to be rather similar to the Galaxy Tab 10.2 I/O special edition, but because ASUS constructed the device as they did, there’s a simple fix you can do yourself if you find your unit to be screwy. All you’ve got to do, first of all, is pop the back panel off of the tablet: This will be a bit nerve-racking to do if you’re anal-retentive, but it does come off easily.

NOTE: check out our full Nexus 7 review if you’ve not got one already!

From there it’s only a matter of locating the screws all around the edge of the device inside and tightening them up a bit. Not too tight, as you could crack your screen, but not loose either, as you don’t want the glass popping up in any way at all. You must do all of this at your own risk, of course, but it is rather simple when it comes down to it.

Have you experienced looseness in your Nexus 7′s display? We know a collection of folks at XDA Developers Forums certainly have. Let us know if you plan on fixing it yourself or if you’ll send it in to Google to make it right.

[via Android Community]


Nexus 7 has display looseness and instant fix is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Honda announces HondaLink service for 2013 Accord

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 02:00 PM PDT

Keeping up with America’s need to be constantly connected, Honda has unveiled its new HondaLink service, which will be featured in the new Accord (along with future Honda models). The service is the result of a partnership between Honda and Aha and allows drivers to listen to a selection of Internet-based stations, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Yelp restaurant listings. In order to use HondaLink, consumers will need to download the HondaLink app for either iOS or Android and then link their phone to their car via Bluetooth. Since the service is completely controlled through this smartphone app, HondaLink won’t need its own data plan to function.


While it may sound like having access to Facebook and Twitter in your car would cause some potentially costly distractions, the goal of HondaLink is actually to make accessing these sites and stations while driving safer than it would be by using your smartphone. For example, HondaLink converts your Facebook news feed to an audio stream, and doesn’t allow users to post a status. The content you listen to in your car is selected in the smartphone app ahead of time, allowing for a personalized lineup of content that “enable customers to put away their phone and still stay connected to the people, music and media they love.”

HondaLink will be making its debut in the 2013 Accord, but it will also be included in future Honda cars. Honda has also announced plans for a version of HondaLink made specifically for electric vehicles. HondaLink EV will allow consumers to remotely view their car’s charge and even initiate charging, along with granting the ability to start up the air conditioning or heating while the car is connected to a power source. That way, you can have your car toasty warm or frigidly cold the second you get in it without sacrificing any battery life.

For more stories on what Honda has been up to lately, check out our story timeline below!


Honda announces HondaLink service for 2013 Accord is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Qualcomm financial Q3 brings encouraging y-o-y boost

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 01:29 PM PDT

This quarter for Qualcomm has been a great one and a slightly less than excellent one depending on how you look at it, with year-over-year profits and revenues jumping while they’ve fallen slightly sequentially. They’ve fallen compared to the second quarter of this year, that is to say, while the third quarter of 2011 compared to this one is making Qualcomm look pretty darn good here in the summer of 2012. This report began with a -6 percent change sequentially in revenues, this also a +28 percent change compared to last year with $4.63 billion in revenues overall.

This third quarter for Qualcomm also brought on operating income of $1.38 billion USD, that being a similar -9 sequentially and 24 y-o-y like the revenue in this report. Net Income was $1.21 billion, this being down 46 percent sequentially and up 17 percent year over year, while operating cash flow is currently at $922 million for the company. Operating cash flow for Qualcomm is down 27 percent year over year; 20 percent of revenues.

Qualcomm is also reporting return of capital to stockholders to be an encouraging $802 million, including $429 million, or $0.25 per share, of cash dividends paid. The company is also moving forward with $373 million of that cash set to repurchase 6.6 million shares of their common stock.

The company has expressed a positive outlook for their 28 nanometer chipsets, ramping up production of that architecture while they expect a similarly strong December for their semiconductor business. Stay tuned for more as the earnings call unfolds soon!


Qualcomm financial Q3 brings encouraging y-o-y boost is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Rock Band Blitz hits XBLA and PSN in August

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 01:19 PM PDT

Harmonix has announced that its downloadable Rock Band spin-off Rock Band Blitz will release on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network next month. PS3 owners will get it first, with the game releasing for PSN on August 28. Those playing on Xbox 360 will have to wait a day longer, as the XBLA version doesn’t launch until the following day, August 29. Rock Band Blitz will cost $14.99 on PSN and 1200 MSP on Xbox Live Arcade.


Despite having that familiar Rock Band look, Rock Band Blitz is something of a departure for the series. Instead of using those clunky instrument controllers required by Rock Band proper, Rock Band Blitz has players using a standard controller to hit the notes. Truth be told, Rock Band Blitz seems to have more in common with Frequency and Amplitude, two earlier Harmonix titles, than it does with Rock Band.

If you’re like me and you’ve spent more money than you care to count on DLC tracks for the Rock Band series, never fear – Harmonix says that all of those DLC tracks will work in Rock Band Blitz. The game itself comes with 20 tracks, four of which were announced today: “So Far Away” by Avenged Sevenfold, “Jungle Boogie” by Kool & The Gang, “We Are Young” by Fun, and “Sing” by My Chemical Romance. Finally, all of the songs found in Rock Band Blitz are also playable in Rock Band 3, so that’s a nice little bonus in exchange for your $15.

[via Eurogamer]


Rock Band Blitz hits XBLA and PSN in August is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


AT&T shared data skewered by T-Mobile claims

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 01:11 PM PDT

With AT&T and Verizon releasing shared data plans this summer, AT&T’s plans appearing just earlier today, T-Mobile has released a statement skewering their competitors’ methods and data plans. Coming straight from the keyboard of Harry Thomas, director of product marketing with T-Mobile, you’ll find T-Mobile appearing very much as the hero while the other two carriers are dashed and set on fire – figuratively. Have a peek and decide for yourself if AT&T and Verizon’s plans are as “costly, complicated, punitive” as T-Mobile says they are.

The following statement comes from T-Mobile’s product marketing department, written specifically by Harry Thomas, the director of that department. We’ve reported a detail rundown of you’ll be dealing with – prices, phone options, data options and more, for the shared data plans from AT&T and Verizon in a post this morning. Now you’re about to read T-Mobile’s take on how it all affects customers.

Formatting via T-Mobile:

“Unlike AT&T and Verizon, T-Mobile does not plan on introducing shared family data plans and believes consumers will not benefit from that model. AT&T and Verizon shared family plans are:
· COSTLY – AT&T and Verizon are charging more for what consumers want by raising rates on data, but promoting the "value" by pointing to unlimited talk and text even though today many consumers use less of these services.
· COMPLICATED – both plans force customers to share data when many customers don't know how much data they're using, which makes it hard to stay within their limit when trying to balance multiple users.
· PUNITIVE – At the same time that AT&T and Verizon are making it harder for customers to manage overages, they are also charging overage rates of $15/GB for accounts with at least one smartphone.
 
Conversely, at T-Mobile we believe that:
· Customers who pay more, should get more – Rather than having to account for each device on a shared family data plan, T-Mobile customers can use their existing data plan to power multiple devices, while still saving hundreds of dollars annually.
· Data should be worry-free – With T-Mobile's unlimited data plans, there is no surprise data cap or bill shock.
· Data plans should be flexible and affordable – At T-Mobile, customers have the option of only paying for the amount of data each member of the family believes they will need.” – Harry Thomas for T-Mobile

Do you agree? Are you a T-Mobile customer, or will you be soon given the AT&T and Verizon data plans launched this summer? Let us know!


AT&T shared data skewered by T-Mobile claims is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


New iPhone cases bet on a non-iPod port

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 12:54 PM PDT

This week over in the land of pre-release device accessory makers, a couple new iPhone (or iPhone 5, whatever you want to call it) cases have been revealed with the smartphone’s new form factor intact. This case, coming in two colors – simple black and white – shows the iPhone in a taller form with many of the same features as the iPhone 4/4S. This device has a back-facing camera hole with enough room for a flash bulb, a lock-screen switch hole above volume buttons, and the same width as in previous models.

The big differences come in the places we’ve been tipped several times now will be getting big changes, starting with the base of the device. Instead of there being one giant space for an iPod cord, instead we’ve got a much smaller port more consistent with the size of a microUSB cord. Of course we know Apple will not likely adopt that kind of cord, instead opting for their own next-generation connection with 16 pins instead.

To the right and the left of this hole at the bottom of the device’s case, you’ve got two more holes, one of them with a circle carved into it for a headphone jack. There you’ll find the jack at the bottom of the device instead of at the top where it’s always been for the iPhone, and the square bits are ready for speaker grille action.

This device setup is consistent with several other recent design concepts we’ve seen for the next-generation iPhone, complete with enough height to provide for a 4-inch display on top of everything else. Note here that the case in this post is likely manufactured with specifications guessed or distributed without the consent of Apple, so it’s really a bet on the part of the creators of this case whether or not it’ll be accurate when the time comes and the next iPhone is revealed.

Have a peek at the new iPhone timeline below to keep up with the tips, leaks, and rumors!

[via CydiaBlog]


New iPhone cases bet on a non-iPod port is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Covet: The Best Three Gadgets for Geek Musicians

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 12:34 PM PDT

Music isn’t all strings, strumming and brassy blowing these days: the average geek can now produce the sort of tracks that would’ve previously demanded an Amon Tobin or Mr. Scruff. So what musical gadget should be on the workbench of any aspiring digital musician? Check out our top three picks after the cut, and a sneaky bonus for those on a budget at the end.

Alesis iO Mix

In its third incarnation, the iPad has demonstrated its chops as a musician’s friend; apps like GarageBand are more than enough to create professional sounding music. What the iOS slate lacks is inputs, and that’s where Alesis steps in. Slide the iPad into place and the $299 iO Mix turns it into a 4-channel recorder ideal for studio work and live performances. It’s compatible with any Core Audio iOS music app.

Roland Jupiter-50 Synthesizer

Roland’s latest Jupiter synth may not, at $1,999, be an impulse purchase for most but, in distilling the same sound engine from the highly-esteemed Jupiter-80 but at $1,500 less, it manages to be something of a bargain. The multi-colored buttons of classic Roland drum machines like the TR-808 nustle with the company’s clever Behavior Modelling tech for mimicking real instruments, paired up with effects, USB connectivity for storage and hooking up your computer, and of course the awesome sounds that Roland is known for. If you want the benefits of a standalone workstation with the flexibility of integrating soft-synths and more, the Jupiter-50 has your back.

Korg Kaossilator 2 and mini KAOSS PAD 2

Twin music mangling gizmos small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, Korg’s touchpad pair are descended from the estimable Kaoss Pad adopted by Muse, Radiohead and more, but tailored for mobile musos. Each priced at $160, the Kaossilator 2 is a combo synth and recorder that doesn’t care if you don’t know the black notes from the white, letting you pair up your digital twiddlings with vocals and external instruments, while the mini KAOSS PAD 2 lets you drop the remix with its 100 effects and integrated MP3 player.

… and the Budget Bonus:

Propellerhead Figure ($0.99; iOS) – Making music generally isn’t something you do on the move, but iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users with idle fingers on the train or bus could be creating tracks in seconds with Propellerhead’s addictive Figure app. Borrowing the sounds from grown-up soft-synths like Reason with a pared-back UI and easily applied effects, it’s a musical scratchpad, ideas notebook and commute distraction all in one.

What are you favorite music geek toys? Let us know in the comments!


Covet: The Best Three Gadgets for Geek Musicians is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 12:30 PM PDT

With the Olympus OM-D E-M5 you’ve got the manufacturer taking what was great about the original OM line of SLR units with a collection of fabulous add-ons that work perfectly well in the digital world. In this 4.8 x 3.5 x 1.69-inch beast that weighs in at just under a pound (supposing you’ve not added on tons of accessories), you’ve got a great combo. It’s a device that’s set out to bring you awesome image and video quality in a tiny package that’s as powerful as it is cute.

Hardware

Looking down on the camera you’ll see a “main dial” to the right of the main hump, then another sub-dial to the right of that around the shutter release. On the left of the hump you’ve got an exposure mode dial as well. The right-side dials are made to be accessed by your thumb and your index finger, while the one on the left is made to be accessed by your thumb on your left hand. Each of these dials are extremely easy to work with.

The three buttons up top of the device are also easy to use, one for your shutter, one for video recording, and a third labeled Fn2. This third button is programmable and can be tied to a set of operations such as auto exposure lock, ISO, and white balance.

As far as that big hump in the middle; you’ll be using it if you’re not interested in working with the giant display on the back for a viewfinder, but the main bulk of the bump is made to house your accessories to attach to. So it’s an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), accessory port, and hot shoe all in one. You can plug in a bluetooth module, a microphone adapter, or a lovely gigantic lamp, all of which will fit snug.

There’s a rubbery thumb-grip up on the back right and of the device, otherwise you’re working with hard plastic. Olympus does offer a HLD-6 grip and battery extender, this accessory made not only for those of you who plan on being in the filed for an extended time, but for a better grip for the large-handed and sweaty-palmed. Those of you that’ve got giant hands or trouble gripping small cameras, you’ll want to seriously consider this $300 accessory. This could be a bit of a bummer for those of you looking to stay in the $1300 range (that being the price of the kit that includes the lens we’ve tested as well,) but it’ll be worth it in the end.

The lens we’ve got is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 zoom lens, and it’s a fabulous little number other than the quick-release for the mechanical zoom. You can either set it to auto or manual zoom by loosening the ring in the center – it’s a bit too easy to do for my taste. That said, it is nice to be able to do this on the fly, just so long as you’re not tossing the thing around and getting sand in the gears (never a good idea anyway!)

Another item that this reviewer isn’t that fond of is the sensor that detects when you raise the camera to your eye. This sensor works fine for those that are willing to take the time to get used to it, but if you’re switching from camera to camera when those other cameras don’t have the sensor in place, you’ll be just a bit annoyed when your screen is flipping on and off. I’ve had similar feelings about recent Android phones that do similar things as well – I’m certainly more of a manual sort of guy.

You can also decide to use the display or the EVF interchangeably outdoors – with the display being OK in the shade but not so perfect for the brightest of brights in the middle of the day.

You’ve got multiple exposure capabilities in this device, Art Filters and effects that you might never use, and the ability to preview these effects before you shoot. When you’ve gotten past the fun bits, you’ll find that the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is one heck of a high quality photo shooter. Compared to other micro four thirds cameras we’ve seen and tested, this device is right near the top if not the best overall.

You can shoot photos at 9fps, you’ve got 5-axis stabilization (that’s the sound you’re hearing when you’re focusing in), and the ability to shoot photos with your shutter release or by tapping the touch-screen right up front and center. As you may have realized already; this camera may look retro, but its abilities are anything but.

The software you’ll be able to use with this camera for processing Raw files is just a bit more limited than some might like. Though Adobe Lightroom and Corel AfterShot Pro, and of course Photoshop will work fine, Apple’s products are less lucky. Both iPhoto and Aperture have no ability to support this camera’s Raw files. Don’t worry though, the JPEG shots this device shoots are more than high quality enough for everyone other than the most hardcore photographer.

Photo and Video Quality

Have a peek at an example of some shots taken with the camera to get an idea of how powerful this shooter is. Below the gallery you’ll also see an example of some basic video footage taken with the camera as well.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The video below is taken at full resolution on a bright, sunny day. Pay special attention to the on-the-spot focusing and light changes as well as the subtle sounds of summer.

Wrap-Up

With such knock-out features like 5-axis stabilization in such a tiny body as this, you’ve got one heck of a mobile-minded shooter on your hands. This device is great for those of you out there looking to amp up your game with your old OM, and with Olympus dedicated to the future of this line, as they always are, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be able to pick up accessories galore along the way. This camera certainly isn’t made for rough-and-tumble photographers as its display on the back being on hinges, but you’re a careful shooter, right – go for it!

You can pick this device up for $1000 with the body only or for $1300 as a kit with the 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 zoom lens, that being the setup you’re seeing above (with all photos being taken with that lens as well. Grab if from your favorite retailer today!

buttonsback changes displaysun hero121 leftdial lens_frontright lens lensside memorycard portsout rightdials_side rightdials screenturn screenturnfragile top touchscreen

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Samsung ES9000 75-inch HDTV unveiled for USA

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 12:23 PM PDT

It’s time for Samsung to take things up a notch with their newest, largest, and most expensive television yet in the ES9000 for the United States. This television brings in 75-inches of 3D HDTV – a beast so large that Samsung unveiled it onboard the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier. Samsung is ready for war, an entertainment in the home war, and they’ve brought on the monster to prove it.

The ES9000 comes with a selection of unique features, the first of them being the oddly colored bezel around its screen. The bezel is rose gold colored, believe it or not, not black, clear, or even metallic as all Samsung TVs have been in the past. There’s a camera up top that hides itself behind the display when not in use, is able to work with hand gestures and Skype as we saw in our recent review of a past model Samsung Smart TV (the ES8000), and voice controls are of course in play as well.

NOTE: We’ve had our own hands-on experience with this unit on the 4th of July of this year as well – take a peek!

This monster uses the company’s Micro Dimming Ultimate as well as Precision Black Local Dimming features which together create the “best” image Samsung TVs have yet brought forth. Samsung is saying that this model offers a massive 30 percent improvement in black levels as well as sharpness over the ES8000. The ES9000 is also said by Samsung to improve over the ES8000′s brightness by a whopping 60 percent!

You’ll find this massive piece of HD television glory in stores and shipping in August for just $9,999 USD – grab one!


Samsung ES9000 75-inch HDTV unveiled for USA is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Diablo III player dies after 40 hour session

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 11:42 AM PDT

Sad news coming out of Taiwan today, as a teenager has died after playing Diablo III for 40 hours straight without any food. 18-year-old Chuang booked a private room at an internet cafe on Friday, July 13 and played Diablo III all the way through until Sunday, July 15, when he was discovered slumped over his desk by an internet cafe employee. Initially, Chuang appeared to be fine – only tired – but after getting up and walking a few steps, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he later passed away.


Hours-long gaming marathons are nothing new to players (we’re all guilty of them after all), but lately we’ve been hearing more and more about these extremely long gaming sessions that end with the player dying. The actual cause of death isn’t known, but authorities are guessing that remaining in a sitting position for so many hours straight might have caused some cardiovascular problems. It’s also possible that Chuang suffered from some unknown medical condition, which could have been aggravated by his 40 hour long gaming binge. The truth is, we won’t know what killed Chuang until the autopsy – which is underway now – has been completed.

Diablo III developer Blizzard issued a statement earlier today, sending out its thoughts to Chuang’s family and urging players to exercise moderation while enjoying their favorite games. “While we recognise that it’s ultimately up to each individual or their parent or guardian to determine playing habits,” Blizzard says, “we feel that moderation is clearly important, and that a person’s day-to-day life should take precedence over any form of entertainment.”

[via The Australian]


Diablo III player dies after 40 hour session is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


OUYA poaches Amazon Kindle engineer

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 11:21 AM PDT

The folks behind the Android-based gaming system OUYA have revealed this week that they’ve been holding back a “secret weapon” of sorts in their bid for Kickstarter supremacy: Muffi Ghadiali of Lab126 from Amazon. This fellow worked on the Kindle product line in both software and hardware and was responsible for interacting with engineering, product design, industrial design, supply chain, QA teams, and operations. Now that the OUYA project has more than $5 million USD in funding via Kickstarter before it’s even launched AND they’ve got the support of a proven winner, what’s to stop them?

The man that’s being shown off by the OUYA team today, Ghadiali, is letting the world know through his own announcement that he loves gamers, that he knows as a “product guy” that the gaming universe is unique. Noting that he’s seen gamers “follow products from the first idea all the way to market,” Ghadiali expresses his glee in being part of not only OUYA as a product, but as a Kickstarter project specifically.

Ghadiali set down a list of items that he and the OUYA team will be working with in the coming weeks and months:

In short, I'm here to deliver OUYA.

I know from experience that this can be done:
• I've built consumer technology products for more than 15 years–both hardware and software. I've worked on set-top boxes, media streaming devices, handheld devices, content services, and other big consumer products. 
• I've been playing a key role in designing the path that will take OUYA to market, from technology to production. 
• And while it may seem aggressive, the technology here is actually fairly standard. We're not building a hovercraft or a nano-bot.
• If you look online at the teardowns of other devices with some of the same components, you'll see that our device can be built for well under $99. 
• What IS innovative is the beautiful design from Yves Behar, and our model for working with game developers. From my perspective, I'm tackling the easy part. 

So here's what we're doing now…
• Developers, we're working to get an SDK in your hands as fast as we can, please be patient. It will be pretty simple to start, using the existing Android SDK and adding the ability to promote your game, and to charge OUYA customers. We'll add to it as we go.
• We're getting our ducks in a row on the hardware production. NVIDIA is helping us with production designs, and selecting the right device manufacturer. We're in talks with a few manufacturers. I was just playing with our circuit board yesterday.
• NVIDIA is also helping us maximize the performance of our Tegra 3 chips — they'll work even better than the demos you see online. We'll be able to support some intense games.

He also mentioned that the console will be getting an Ethernet jack before it’s set to be produced and that there wont be many (if any) more changes to the specifications of the final product before it hits the market.

Stay tuned for more OUYA as it inches closer to reality – and check the timeline below to see how far it’s progressed thus far!


OUYA poaches Amazon Kindle engineer is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Raspberry Pi gets launched into atmosphere to take near-space pictures

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 11:16 AM PDT

The Rapsberry Pi is an impressive mini-computer we saw launch recently, and it’s already won the hearts of many. An individual from the UK named Dave Akerman was apparently looking to have a real adventure with his new Pi, so he strapped the gadget to a weather balloon for it to be sent up into Earth’s atmosphere to take pictures from near-space. And it actually did quite well. The photos can be viewed on Akerman’s Flickr account.

Akerman saw that the Pi had had a USB port offering fast and easy access to a webcam, so he could obtain live images sent down to him from the payload. Dubbed the "Raspberry Pi In The Sky" project, the weather balloon reached about 40 kilometers before bursting, which is not bad since most balloons carrying small loads like tracking devices or sensors for temperature and pressure can reach altitudes of about 30 kilometers or so.

Akerman admitted that there were a lot of challenges faced along the way, including the obviously harsh environment from reaching near-space, which has less than one percent atmosphere with temperatures dropping down to -50 degrees Celsius. The Pi itself also had its own set of challenges to work with, which included an SD card, power requirements and operating system.

You can check out Akerman's launch video below and his blog post here.

[via WebProNews]


Raspberry Pi gets launched into atmosphere to take near-space pictures is written by Elise Moreau & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Google Fiber hits Kansas City in just over a week

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 11:01 AM PDT

The folks in Kansas City, Kansas here in the United States are about to get the web at 100 times the speed most Americans have on average today. The release date for Google’s Fiber program has been set today at July 26th, a little over a week from today, this just a bit more than a year since the project was first announced. With speeds this fast, we’ll have to see what the city will do it it all – perhaps streaming video will become more popular than television at a rate greater than the rest of the world – speedy!

Though this announcement doesn’t include one whole heck of a lot more information on the system than we saw at the launch of this project, we can see that the end-goal for the situation is what Google set out for it to be. As Google vice president of Access Services Milo Medin said back in 2011, Google’s goal was and is, “is to deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today.”

Those of you in Kansas City that want to take part in this system can sign up at Google.com/Fiber – and Google will also be bringing more information on the project on the 26th of this month as well. For now have a peek at the presentation video that acts a bit more like a commercial than anything else above, and get ready for speed!

Have a peek below at our timeline of the history of Google Fiber as well – come to Minnesota next, please!


Google Fiber hits Kansas City in just over a week is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


D-Link launches the Cloud Camera 5000

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 10:55 AM PDT

D-Link has launched the Cloud Camera 5000, which is a new camera aimed squarely at making home surveillance systems easier to set up and monitor. D-Link is attempting to turn mydlink’s cloud services into the star feature of this camera, saying that by setting up an account at mydlink, you can view the video your camera is capturing from any internet-connected computer. There are also free Android, iPhone, and iPad apps available for mydlink and the Cloud Camera 5000, with the idea being that you’re only ever one log in away from viewing what’s going on in your home.


The camera’s pan/tilt functionality allows for a 340 degree viewing field, so by setting the camera up in the right place, you can have a good view of pretty much the entire room. You can control the pan and tilt of the camera with the included remote control or through the mydlink portal and mobile app. The Cloud Camera 5000 captures video in 720p and can record up to 15 away in complete darkness thanks to built-in infrared LEDs.

Included is a microSD slot that allows for recording, be it continuous or motion-based. If you choose to go with motion-based recording, you can also set up mydlink to send you email alerts when recording begins. When the microSD card is filled, D-Link says the camera will begin recording over old footage, and you’ll be able to access recorded footage from the mydlink portal.

It sounds like a pretty cool camera packed with features that are aimed at ease-of-use, but it isn’t going to be cheap. Prices listed for various retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Staples range from $250 up to $300, so be prepared to plop down a significant chunk of change if you want this camera monitoring your home when you’re away. Check out some more photos of the camera in our gallery below, and be sure to have a look at our hands-on with the Cloud Camera 5000 if you’re interested in buying one!

Cloud Camera 5000 4 Cloud Camera 5000 3 Cloud Camera 5000 2 Cloud Camera 5000 1 Cloud Camera 5000 hands on

[via D-Link]


D-Link launches the Cloud Camera 5000 is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Facebook reaches new satisfaction low while stock dips

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT

This week is not a fabulous one for Facebook as its stock price dipped to nearly the lowest price its been since the company’s IPO and a customer satisfaction analysis placed it amongst the 5 lowest major social networks on the web. As the ACSI notes, this year’s study collected information from users of Internet Social Media outlets such as Wikipedia, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook showed the recently public web-based network to be at the bottom of the list for customer satisfaction. Satisfaction was recorded at 61 percent for Facebook, this 2 points below the next lowest score, 63 percent for LinkedIn.

The list published by the analysis group also showed Google+ to be tied for first place in this list for customer satisfaction with Wikipedia, both groups grabbing an impressive 78% rating. Of course one must consider that Facebook has million more users than Google+ while Wikipedia has been at the top of this list since the company started recording such tests. Twitter was also low at 64%, with YouTube grabbing 73% and Pinterest ringing in at 69%.

The group ForeSee, partnering with ACSI for this survey, note that Facebook users mentioned the Timeline layout as one of their main reasons for being dissatisfied in this modern iteration of the social network. Furthermore Larry Freed, president and CEO of ForeSee, had the following to say:

"Facebook and Google+ are competing on two critical fronts: customer experience and market penetration. Google+ handily wins the former, and Facebook handily wins the latter, for now. It's worth asking how much customer satisfaction matters for Facebook, given its unrivaled 800 million user base … if Facebook doesn't feel the pressure to improve customer satisfaction now, that may soon change." – Freed

Of the three years this study has been run, this is Facebook’s lowest approval rating with 64% being their first year in 2010 and 66% showing up in 2011. This is accompanied by Facebook’s stock prices this week which have once again fallen as low as 27.04 a share – the lowest this stock has gotten is a bit below 25 a share.

Check out the timeline below to see how Facebook has done over the past few weeks, and keep in mind that the stock price is once again rising here in the middle of the week, currently reading out at 29.04 at the time of this posting – keep running!


Facebook reaches new satisfaction low while stock dips is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


YouTube brings face blurring feature to videos

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 10:12 AM PDT

These days, newsworthy content often ends up on YouTube before it does on television. Google has recognized this and wants to embrace it, which is why the company stated in a blog post today that it would be launching a new face blurring feature users can take advantage of in order to feel more comfortable about posting videos of public events and sensitive content on YouTube.

Lucky for you, blurring faces on videos is easy as pie. To do it, simply navigate to your account by selecting your YouTube username and choose “Video Manager.” There's an Edit button on the right of the video, which should take you to a page where you should then click "Enhancements." Choosing "Additional Features" will reveal the face blurring tool, where you can then click "Apply" to automatically have all faces blurred in the video.

Unfortunately, the tool is not entirely accurate, so users may come across a few imperfections here or there. The face blurring feature does not yet allow you to select specific faces to have blurred, so if you want five faces showing and seven other faces blurred, there's no option for that yet. You can however preview the blurred faces on the video before saving it and sending it live.

[via Verge]


YouTube brings face blurring feature to videos is written by Elise Moreau & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


SpaceX historic Dragon ISS mission video highlights blast off

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 10:03 AM PDT

The folks at SpaceX made history this year with their successful launch of the Dragon spacecraft and interaction with the International Space Station – and they’re not about to let you forget it. This week they’ve released a highlights video showing off footage that they and/or NASA filmed from the launch, the approach, the attachment to the ISS, and the splashdown of this mission, all in epic fashion. Have a peek while you sip your afternoon coffee!

This video shows highlights, not quite the whole mission. The mission itself took place over the course of a little over a week, starting on the 22nd of May and ending on May 31st. This journey starts with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching the Dragon spacecraft off into orbit from Cape Canaveral and quickly heads to the Dragon orbiting Earth as it lined up good and ready to attach to the ISS.

On the 24th of May, two days after launch, NASA gave the go-ahead for the Dragon to attempt berthing with the space station. This was one of the most teeth-clenching moments of the mission as once the spacecraft connected, all would be well. On May 26, our good pal Don Pettit officially opened the Dragon’s hatch and the astronauts entered – mission successful!

Then of course, as SpaceX retells so elegantly:

May 31: After six days at the International Space Station, Dragon departed for its return to Earth, carrying a load of cargo for NASA. SpaceX completed its historic mission when Dragon splashed down safely in the Pacific.

Check out the rest of our SpaceX news from this launch in the timeline below, and stay tuned for more awesome space action!


SpaceX historic Dragon ISS mission video highlights blast off is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


McDonald’s denies Steve Mann wearables assault

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 09:52 AM PDT

McDonald’s has denied that staff at a Paris restaurant assaulted “father of augmented reality” Professor Steve Mann, insisting that no damage to the researcher’s Google Glass-style wearable computer was caused. In a new statement provided to SlashGear, McDonald’s says that it has individually interviewed “several staff members” at the Paris restaurant, and “all independently and consistently expressed that their interaction with Dr. Mann was polite and did not involve a physical altercation.”

Mann claimed earlier this week that, while on a family holiday in France, he was assaulted by employees at a McDonald’s restaurant in Paris. The professor, who has been involved in wearables research for several decades, was wearing the latest iteration of his EyeTap head-mounted display, which is permanently fixed to his head and requires special tools.

According to Mann, while he showed staff at the fast food eatery documentation explaining the nature of the augmented reality wearable and was initially told that there was no problem with him wearing it on the premises, a subsequent altercation with other staff led to an assault. Employees attempted to grab the wearable headset from his head, and then ripped up the letter from his doctor that he had brought.

McDonald’s, however, says its own investigation suggests the encounter was significantly different. Rather than the aggressive attitude Mann describes, McDonald’s says staff insist that “they did not damage any of Mr. Mann’s personal possessions.”

According to the chain, the French brand has contacted Mann and is waiting on further content. It has not commented on the photos captured by Mann’s EyeTap headset itself, which seem to show staff tearing up the doctor’s letter.

McDonald’s Statement:

“We share the concern regarding Dr. Mann’s account of his July 1 visit to a McDonald’s in Paris. McDonald's France was made aware of Dr. Mann's complaints on July 16, and immediately launched a thorough investigation. The McDonald's France team has contacted Dr. Mann and is awaiting further information from him.

In addition, several staff members involved have been interviewed individually, and all independently and consistently expressed that their interaction with Dr. Mann was polite and did not involve a physical altercation. Our crew members and restaurant security staff have informed us that they did not damage any of Mr. Mann’s personal possessions.

While we continue to learn more about the situation, we are hearing from customers who have questions about what happened. We urge everyone not to speculate or jump to conclusions before all the facts are known. Our goal is to provide a welcoming environment and stellar service to McDonald’s customers around the world.”


McDonald’s denies Steve Mann wearables assault is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Windows Phone grabs a whopping 4 percent smartphone share in USA

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 09:37 AM PDT

According to the analytical firm Strategy Analytics, there will be more than 123 million smartphones sold across the USA this year, 4 percent of these running Microsoft’s mobile operating system. Windows Phone 7 (soon to be 8) is being shown as gaining just one percent market share over their 2011 market share in 2011, running now here in 2012 on 5 million smartphones in the USA. Last year the same firm showed Windows Phone to be running on 3.5 million phones in the USA, this a relatively big bump for the still fledgeling smartphone OS.

With Microsoft’s strategy shifting to Windows Phone 8 tying in with Windows 8 and Windows RT later this year for tablets, we expect these numbers to continue to grow. Windows Phone may be tiny compared to Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS for the iPhone and iPad, but manufacturers do still appear dedicated to Microsoft’s vision. As Strategy Analytics senior analyst Scott Bicheno said today in a statement:

“Nokia, HTC and Samsung have some of the biggest Microsoft smartphone portfolios at present and they will be three main hardware vendors driving growth this year.” – Bicheno

The overall number of smartphone sold in the USA is up this year 21 percent according to this same study, last year’s numbers equalling out to be just over 101 million in all. Stay tuned as Windows Phone gains speed here in 2012 and, according to IDC, through 2015 as well – big things coming up!


Windows Phone grabs a whopping 4 percent smartphone share in USA is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Dropbox hires outside experts to investigate reports of spam

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 09:31 AM PDT

Dropbox has received a bunch of reports from users claiming that their accounts had been attacked by spam yesterday. The biggest worry now is that an address leak on Dropbox’s part may be to blame, considering many of the targeted users had only set up unique and private email addresses only to be used with a Dropbox account. Dropbox has since announced that it had hired a group of outside experts to investigate the possible security breach.

It looks like the majority of the spam reports came from European countries, those including Germany, the UK and the Netherlands. For some, the spam run hit them pretty quickly, with one user claiming that they received five spam messages within a span of 11 minutes. You can have a look at what people are experiencing at this point on the Dropbox forums.

There was a 20-minute outage yesterday afternoon, which Dropbox says was not connected to the spam. So far, the outside team of experts has found no evidence of unauthorized activity on Dropbox accounts.

[via PC World]


Dropbox hires outside experts to investigate reports of spam is written by Elise Moreau & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


ZTE Grand X hands-on

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 09:00 AM PDT

ZTE has launched its new Grand X flagship Android smartphone in the UK, balancing power and price to deliver a mini Nexus on a budget. Powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 - no, that’s no typo, it’s NVIDIA’s last-gen chip – and paired with a 4.3-inch qHD LCD display and 5-megapixel camera, the Grand X runs an untampered version of Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich that could prove mighty appealing to those turned off by UI tweaks.

Inside, there’s 4GB of user storage and a microSD card slot, along with 512MB of RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and an HSDPA 21Mbps radio. The main camera has autofocus and records Full HD video, while the front camera is a mere 0.3-megapixels and best only for video calls. ZTE has squeezed a 1,650 mAh battery inside the sturdy plastic casing, which measures in at 126 x 64.6 x 9.9 mm and 110g.

The Grand X isn’t only reminiscent of recent Nexus devices in its unmodified software; the design looks to have borrowed some of Samsung’s style too. The rear lip at the base of the soft-touch battery cover is a dead ringer for that of the Galaxy Nexus, for instance. Though the 1GHz dual-core processor may not be the current-gen model, it’s been sufficient in our limited testing time to keep Android moving at a reasonable pace.

ZTE Grand X hands-on:

While previous lower-cost ZTE handsets, such as the Tanya Windows Phone, have suffered with sub-par displays, the Grand X escapes the budget curse on that front. The display isn’t going to match the panels you might find on a top-tier Samsung or Sony, but nor is it priced to match those relatively expensive rivals; what you do get is fair viewing angles and good colors, though the contrast isn’t as good as from an AMOLED screen.

Price is the clincher, of course. When it hits shelves in the UK come August, the Grand X will be offered at £189  ($295) pre-pay, and free on a £24-£27 per month contract. At that point, its most obvious competition is perhaps the Orange San Diego, running an older version of Android (and modified at that) but on Intel’s new Atom Z2460 single-core. We’ll have a full review of the Grand X soon.

zte_grand_x_hands-on_23 zte_grand_x_hands-on_18 zte_grand_x_hands-on_19 zte_grand_x_hands-on_20 zte_grand_x_hands-on_21 zte_grand_x_hands-on_22 zte_grand_x_hands-on_15 zte_grand_x_hands-on_16 zte_grand_x_hands-on_17 zte_grand_x_hands-on_11 zte_grand_x_hands-on_12 zte_grand_x_hands-on_13 zte_grand_x_hands-on_14 zte_grand_x_hands-on_7 zte_grand_x_hands-on_8 zte_grand_x_hands-on_9 zte_grand_x_hands-on_10 zte_grand_x_hands-on_2 zte_grand_x_hands-on_3 zte_grand_x_hands-on_4 zte_grand_x_hands-on_5 zte_grand_x_hands-on_6 zte_grand_x_hands-on_0 zte_grand_x_hands-on_1
ZTE Grand X hands-on is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


O2 offering 10% discount for outage victims

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 08:57 AM PDT

The O2 network outage affected millions of customers across the UK last week, and naturally users weren’t too pleased. As a result, O2 has stepped forward to offer up compensation to all the customers that were affected. On its blog, the carrier notes that 10% will be offered off of July's bill, which will be applied in September. That's the equivalent of three days worth of service even though the outage only lasted a day.

Pay As You Go customers will also get in on the action, with 10% additional credit being applied the first time they top-up their balance in September. Even better, you don't have to do anything as O2 will apply the discount and credit automatically. O2 will be adding a cherry on top too, promising all customers a £10 voucher that they can use in O2 stores to pick up accessories or credit.

Anyone affected by the outage that's eligible for the discount will receive more details on July 27th. That includes personal and business customers with less than 10 connections to O2, although we wonder what will happen for those who have more lines with the carrier. Still, it's a nice gesture. Hit up O2's blog for the full rundown.

[via Engadget]


O2 offering 10% discount for outage victims is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Portuguese group seeks lawsuit against Apple over AppleCare warranties

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 08:46 AM PDT

The Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection (DECO) released a statement today saying it would be filing a lawsuit against Apple over its AppleCare policies. DECO alleges that information on the Apple site misleads customers into buying the add-on AppleCare Protection Plan. The decision to move forward with the lawsuit comes after trying to work with Apple since March on changing the allegedly misleading wording on its website.

A past similar case involved an Italian Antitrust Authority claiming that Apple allegedly encouraged buyers to purchase AppleCare even though Italian law requires companies to offer a minimum of two years of technical support. Apple lost and the court fined the company $1.2 million. Similarly to Italian law, Portuguese buyers automatically get a two-year warranty for product defects despite the standard Apple warranty being limited to one year.

It's presumed that any defect found on a product within two years after purchase was also there at time of delivery, according to Portuguese law. But Apple's allegedly misleading warranty reads as if it only applies to defects found at the time of delivery, suggesting that support isn't offered past that point. Although the products are indeed covered for the whole period as required by Portuguese law, DECO doesn't believe that it's been outlined clear enough to customers, thus leading them to believe that they need to purchase AppleCare.

[via Apple Insider]


Portuguese group seeks lawsuit against Apple over AppleCare warranties is written by Elise Moreau & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Giant iceberg tears off Greenland glacier

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 08:25 AM PDT

Scientists have been keeping an eye on a specific region of the northern Petermann Glacier in Greenland for quite some time, and now a piece has broken off. A gigantic iceberg, reportedly twice the size of the island of Manhattan at 46 square miles, is the result. Scientists are blaming the break on global warming, pointing towards the dramatic changes that Greenland has started to see over the past few years.

Some scientists believe that this may be a natural occurrence, but the scale of the break has others concerned. "We’re still in the phase of scratching our heads and figuring out how big a deal this really is," says Ian Howat, an ice scientist at Ohio University. Several of Greenland's glaciers have been warming at a rapid pace, with data indicating that they're heating up five times faster than the average global temperature. Temperatures in the region have risen by 4 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 30 years.

Scientist remain concerned over the shift in Greenland's climate over the past three years, with NASA glaciologist Eric Rignot saying that the occurrence "is not part of natural variations anymore." As to what will happen to the new iceberg, it's likely that it will break off into smaller pieces and drift towards Newfoundland. A similar pattern occurred with another iceberg in 2010. Meanwhile, the Arctic saw the largest sea ice loss during June since records began.

[via AJC]


Giant iceberg tears off Greenland glacier is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Original iPad prototype photos appear via Jonathan Ive

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 07:56 AM PDT

It appears that as early as 2002, Apple had been working on what would eventually become the world’s most famous tablet computer: the iPad. In some recently explored court documents made public in an Apple vs Samsung court case, it appears that not only did Apple Senior VP of Industrial Design Jonathan Ive reveal when he first began work on the unit known as 035, aka eventually the iPad, several photos were shown as well. What you’ll see here is a very thick early vision.

Speaking on the images of the 035 – aka the images you’re seeing above and below – Ive let the court know that he’d been working with the device between 2002 and 2004. He also let it be known that though he wasn’t sure which model shop created this exact model, that it was part of Apple’s exploration of the tablet in general.

“My recollection of first seeing it is very hazy, but it was, I’m guessing, sometime between 2002 and 2004, some but it was I remember seeing this and perhaps models similar to this when we were first exploring tablet designs that ultimately became the iPad.” – Ive

Remember also that Steve Jobs himself spoke with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher during an appearance at the 2010 All Things D, saying that it was actually the iPad that was being worked on before the iPhone came to fruition.

“I'll tell you a secret. It began with the tablet. I had this idea about having a glass display, a multitouch display you could type on with your fingers. I asked our people about it. And six months later, they came back with this amazing display. And I gave it to one of our really brilliant UI guys. He got [rubber band] scrolling working and some other things, and I thought, 'my God, we can build a phone with this!' So we put the tablet aside, and we went to work on the iPhone.” – Jobs

Have a peek above and below at the beast that was the first version of the iPad, or the earliest known version at this point, at least. It’s just as thick as a plastic MacBook, has no physical home button, and probably weighed in at several pounds. Enjoy your 2012 iPad and remember what it once was!

[via NetworkWorld]


Original iPad prototype photos appear via Jonathan Ive is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Google Maps adds panoramic images from Antarctica to Street View

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 07:49 AM PDT

Google Maps just added a whole bunch of 360-degree panoramic images to Street View of some great spots in Antarctica, both inside and out. Among those great spots include places like the South Pole Telescope, Shakleton's hut, Scott's hut, Cape Royde Adélie Penguin Rookery and the Ceremonial South Pole. Google Maps had partnered with the Polar Geospatial Center at the University of Minnesota and the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust to make it all happen.

With the release of the new panoramic images on Street View, Google hopes to teach people about the history of exploration in Antarctica, including facts about some of the first people who actually arrived on the continent to study it. ”The goal of these efforts is to provide scientists and travel (or penguin) enthusiasts all over the world with the most accurate, high-resolution data of these important historic locations,” said Alex Starns, technical program manager for Google Street View.

Instead of the usual Google Street View cars and trucks used throughout the rest of the world, Google had to use a lightweight tripod camera with a fisheye lens to take all of the Antarctic images.

Google had initially added images from Antarctica to Street View back in 2010, but they were quite limited. Of course, they still are, in comparison to Street View images from the rest of the world, but at least you can get a bit of a better glimpse of some of the most important places on the ice-covered continent.

The images are now live in Google Maps.

[via Wired]


Google Maps adds panoramic images from Antarctica to Street View is written by Elise Moreau & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Jolla plans to lock down its MeeGo phone, promises app store

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 07:43 AM PDT

Say what you will about Jolla, the startup hoping to bring MeeGo back from the dead, but the company certainly has spirit. Managing director of Jolla, Jussi Hurmola, understands that the platform needs solid third-party apps as well as a thriving app store to have any chance of surviving in the mobile market. He went on to say that the company is hoping to build up an ecosystem around MeeGo, and will put out its own app store that will let customers purchase and download apps.

Not surprisingly, Hurmola points to an already available app that seems to be on just about every device on the planet, Angry Birds, but he went on to recognize the importance of a healthy app store. In addition to releasing details about its upcoming phone, Jolla has pledged to inform the world about the availability of upcoming applications. The phone is currently on track for a release later on in the year, although Hurmola doesn't guarantee Christmas availability.

Interesting, Jolla doesn't want the phone to be as open as some Android devices, saying that the kernel will be locked down and that customers won't be able to flash their own software. Jolla intends the phone to appeal to the mass market, hoping to create a phone "almost everybody would want for themselves." Good luck to the company: it certainly has a uphill battle ahead, with the likes of iOS, Android, and Windows Phone to compete with.

[via International Business Times]


Jolla plans to lock down its MeeGo phone, promises app store is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


AT&T vs. Verizon: Shared Data Showdown

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 07:39 AM PDT

This week AT&T has joined the “shared data” party that Verizon has been a part of for a few weeks, now it’s time to run down which of the two brings on a better deal for you. You’ll of course want to keep in mind first and foremost that these two networks have different coverage areas and that they’ve, for the most part, got a different device selection as well. If you’re looking for an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy S III at this very moment, it’s the carriers you’ll be looking at – and both AT&T and Verizon are vying for your attention right this second.

If you are an individual looking for a data plan on either of these networks, you truly should be looking elsewhere. These Mobile Share plans are really a re-branded set of family plans, or group share plans, however you want to say it. If you’re a heavy data user part of a family of low-use users, you might also want to figure out a different situation. Otherwise have a peek here:

AT&T’s plan breaks down like so:

1GB Price per month: $40; Smartphone fee: $45
4GB $70;$40
6GB $90;$35
10GB $120;$30
15GB $160;$30
20GB $200;$30
Each GB overage on all plans: $15/per.

While Verizon’s list works like this:

1GB $50;$40
2GB $60;$40
4GB $70;$40
6GB $80;$40
8GB $90;$40
10GB $100;$40
12GB $110;$40
14GB $120;$40
16GB $130;$40
18GB $140;$40
20GB $150;$40
Each GB overage on all plans: $15/per, option for 2GB add-on $10 before going over.

Similarities include the cost of connecting additional devices, that being a tablet at $10 a month, USB card for $20, and laptops, netbooks, and basic phones for $30. Verizon’s shared data plans are active now, while AT&T’s “Mobile Share” program does not begin until August. Also note that AT&T has been clear in saying that grandfathering is indeed active, with everyone currently part of a data plan with them now able to keep their data plan and prices through the foreseeable future.

UPDATE – an AT&T spokesperson has contacted us with the following statement:

“The key advantage for AT&T customers is that we offer a broad choice of plans. Customers can choose a shared data plan or choose separate individual or family plans. And our upgrade policy is very friendly for existing customers. You can keep your current plan, including unlimited plans, without paying full retail price for the device when you upgrade.” – AT&T Spokesperson

Which will you choose?


AT&T vs. Verizon: Shared Data Showdown is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Samsung MV900F packs WiFi, gesture control and AMOLED touch

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 07:32 AM PDT

Samsung has outed its latest WiFi-enabled digital camera, the point-and-shoot MV900F, complete with social networking integration and a flip-out touchscreen. Packing a 16.3-megapixel CMOS and 5x optical zoom, the Samsung MV900F records Full HD 1080p video and then can squirt it over a WiFi connection directly to Facebook or YouTube.

There’s also the facility to remotely control the camera from a computer, again using WiFi as the link. If you don’t have a PC handy, though, Samsung has added “Gesture Shot” which recognizes hand gestures to control zooming and shutter-release from across the room; that’s extra handy given the 3.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen can be flipped all the way up so as to be seen from the front of the camera. Circular motions control the zoom, while moving your hand up and down fires of a shot.

Other features include onboard retouching tools, a Low Light Shot mode which – HDR-style – pairs multiple frames taken at different settings to piece together the best overall image, and SMART LINK for easily connecting the MV900F to a TV. The f2.5, 25mm lens is paired with a backside-illuminated sensor.

Facebook, YouTube, Photobucket and Picasa are all supported out of the box, and there’s a Motion Picture feature which creates GIF-like animated stills set on a solid background. The Samsung MV900F will be priced at $349 when it drops in August.

MV900F_black _frontside MV900F_white_front2 MV900F_black_with Wi-Fi logo MV900F_white_front samsung_mv900f_specifications
Samsung MV900F packs WiFi, gesture control and AMOLED touch is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Next iPhone reportedly features LTE, NFC, and 1GB of RAM

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 07:07 AM PDT

We've seen a bevy of leaks and reports regarding the next iteration of Apple's iPhone, and now some more information has come to light regarding the manufacturing of the sequel to the iPhone 4S. BGR reports that the next-generation iPhone is currently in the EVT3 phase. That means that engineering samples are still being used at this point in time, with the "design verification tests" still needing to be passed before the phone can go into full-scale production.

Even when the phone hits DVT, it can go through multiple iterations as engineers try to iron out any problems with the phone. The main piece of information to take away is that the iPhone hasn't yet entered final production, so the leaked backplates that we've seen may not be the final story. Additionally, BGR has confirmed that the next iPhone will feature LTE connectivity, as well as NFC support. RAM has also reportedly been doubled from 512MB to 1GB.

Several reports have indicated that Apple plans to increase the size of the next iPhone to the 4-inch range. The resolution of the display will also be increased to 1136×640, marking a shift to a 16:9 ratio. Core iOS 6 apps will be redesigned to take advantage of the additional vertical space, and Apple will reportedly encourage developers to do the same when it unveils the change. Leaked backplates for the next iPhone have suggested a design not too far removed from the iPhone 4S, but with a two-toned aluminium back. The phone will also feature a smaller 19-pin dock connector and redesigned speaker holes.


Next iPhone reportedly features LTE, NFC, and 1GB of RAM is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Do we really want FaceTime 3G or do we just resent paying for things?

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 06:45 AM PDT

AT&T has done itself no favors with its fudged response to rumors of an extra fee in order to use FaceTime over 3G connections on devices running iOS 6. Talk that the carrier would levy extra data charges if users wanted to take advantage of Apple’s increased FaceTime flexibility – so far limited to WiFi connections – prompted an uproar of pre-emptive complaints that AT&T might put a financial block in the way of iPhone and iPad functionality. But are we really on the precipice of a groundswell of video calling, or are we simply taking this opportunity to be angry at a carrier for daring to charge us money?

Apple’s handling of FaceTime has been shoddy, it has to be said. The company originally promised to open the system up to third-parties, making it a cross-platform service rather than limiting it solely to its own iOS and Mac clients. That hasn’t happened, and beyond revealing 3G support in the upcoming iOS 6 back at WWDC 2012, Apple has been quiet on where, exactly, FaceTime is going.

Leaving out carrier-specific details at the WWDC keynote is a good example of that, though Apple isn’t done any favors by AT&T’s famed reluctance to commit to anything until the last minute. Going by the error messages popping up on devices already running the iOS 6 beta, it’s looking very likely that AT&T will be demanding another tithe for those wanting to use the data they’ve already paid for to make FaceTime 3G calls – on top of mandatory data package fees and, if required, tethering add-ons.

Exactly how much that will cost – if, indeed, it happens at all – remains to be seen. AT&T could go for a pay-per-use fee, either on a per-call basis (say, $0.50 per FaceTime 3G call you make, regardless of length) or based on data consumption. Or, it could opt for a set fee each month for blanket FaceTime 3G calling; say, $10 more on top of your existing data package.

"How much is “too much”?"

Is $10 too much to ask for the convenience of not using, say, Skype and instead relying on Apple’s streamlined alternative? Would $5 be acceptable? What if AT&T said you could make as many FaceTime calls over 3G as you like, as long as you also upgrade to a tethering package? How much is “too much”?

Listen to the current crop of complaints, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that Apple gadget users have been crying out for a video calling, but that the prospect of AT&T fees is going to yank the rug out from under it. Apple hasn’t released usage figures for FaceTime – perhaps indicative that it hasn’t exactly set the world alight, given Apple loves nothing more than loudly proclaiming the numerical evidence of its successes – but is the current lack of 3G support really the blockade, or is it the fact that video calling really just doesn’t rate highly on the priority list of most?

What does rate strongly is the suspicion that fat-cat carriers are preparing to squeeze yet more fees out of us every month. Even if we don’t want to use a feature, nothing enrages us like the possibility that someone might want to charge us for it. So, don’t conflate anger over the possibility of AT&T plan changes with a real appetite for video calling services. Sometimes, subscribers just like an opportunity to blow off steam.


Do we really want FaceTime 3G or do we just resent paying for things? is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Microsoft readying Wedge keyboard with new Window 8 logo

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 06:06 AM PDT

Microsoft may be preparing a massive software launch for Windows 8 later this year, but it looks like the company is also readying some new accessories to go along with the update. A new keyboard made by Microsoft has been spotted by Czech site WinMAG that seems to be designed for portable use with mobile devices like tablets. On top of that, the keyboard will feature the new Windows logo.

The keyboard will reportedly be introduced "very soon", and will be sold alongside Windows 8 when the update launches this Fall. It marks the first time we've seen the new logo used on Windows related hardware other than Surface, although Microsoft has indicated in the past that its various partners will begin to use the redesigned logo on desktops, laptops, and other hardware going forward.

Windows 8, meanwhile, is Microsoft's big gambit. The company has redesigned the OS to put the Metro interface front and center, and is even using two different versions of the OS for tablets and traditional PC hardware. Tablets will run Windows RT, a stripped down version of Windows 8 that will run Metro-only apps, while Windows 8 can run both Metro apps and traditional desktop applications. Windows RT will leverage ARM-based processors for tablets as well, allowing for extended battery life compared to previous Windows tablet attempts.

[via The Verge]


Microsoft readying Wedge keyboard with new Window 8 logo is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Skyhook promises always-on mobile location tracking with tiny battery hit

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 05:53 AM PDT

Mobile location expert Skyhook has outed its latest version, promising always-on positioning without draining your smartphone or tablet battery. The new Skyhook 4.6 mobile engine features a new Always-On location system with clever background power management that allows the company to promise all-day geo-fixing “without a noticeable change in battery life.”

Skyhook is coy on exactly how the technology works, but generally it makes more use of caching to reduce the number of power intensive positioning checks. When a phone or tablet checks in with nearby cell towers and WiFi access points to compare their location with Skyhook’s database of known positions, the device also saves a broader map of positions covering a wider area. Subsequent movement within that area can use the cached database, rather than poll the cell towers again.

Meanwhile, there’s also a new geofencing API in v4.6, which attempts to cut down on the number of positioning tests required to keep an accurate lock on the user. Geofencing is used in services like Apple’s iOS Reminders app, flagging up notifications when you enter or exit a specific location. With the new Skyhook engine, the geofencing API can use distance and speed cues to calculate position, rather than resorting to traditional GPS fixes.

Finally, Skyhook has also added a new airplane-tracking feature, enabling location tracking even when flying at 40,000 feet. Whether airlines and the FAA will be happy with people monitoring their position in such a way is unclear, but Skyhook believes app developers will be quick to jump on the possibilities of flagging up points of interest and other data based on where passengers are in the sky.


Skyhook promises always-on mobile location tracking with tiny battery hit is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


New laser breaks record for highest power beam at 500 trillion watts

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 05:30 AM PDT

Doctor Evil would be positively giddy at the thought of strapping the laser that has set a world record at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to the head of the shark. The laser at the National Ignition Facility set a world record for the highest power laser shot in history using a collection of beams. The collection of beams delivered over 500 trillion watts of peak power.

The laser used 192 individual beams fired at the same time to deliver 1.85 MJ of ultraviolet laser light. The hugely powerful laser beam was shot at a target only 2 mm in diameter. The laser used 12,500 times more electricity than all of Britain required in 2006. I’d hate to pay the electricity bill.

The laboratory where the record was set was specifically built for testing and designing high-powered lasers. The National Ignition Facility is the world’s foremost laser research center. The laboratory has a goal of creating a laser powerful enough to ignite hydrogen fusion.

"For scientists across the nation and the world who, like ourselves, are actively pursuing fundamental science under extreme conditions and the goal of laboratory fusion ignition, this is a remarkable and exciting achievement," said Richard Petrasso, senior research scientist and division head of high energy density physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a press release. "The 500 TW shot is an extraordinary accomplishment by the NIF Team, creating unprecedented conditions in the laboratory that hitherto only existed deep in stellar interiors."

[via Wired]


New laser breaks record for highest power beam at 500 trillion watts is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


New Nook will reportedly feature a “revolutionary” screen

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 05:26 AM PDT

Display quality is playing an increasingly important role for tablets, with manufacturers now moving towards higher resolution screens or adding other features that add to the overall experience. CNET has heard from a reliable source that Barnes & Noble is planning a shake up with its Nook tablets, saying that the company is aiming to introduce a new 7-inch tablet with "revolutionary screen technology."

The technology has reportedly been developed in house with the aid of "another company." Not only that, but it will be the first time the screen technology has made its debut in any product. Other details of the new tablet are minimal, with CNET's source saying that the tablet will be lighter but continue to run a skinned version of Android.

As to what the screen technology could be, The Digital Reader has tried to break down the various possibilities. Pixel Qi has been working on a screen that matches the Retina resolution on the new iPad while consuming less power, but it hasn't entered production yet. Mirasol is another option, which would add color to ereaders, but the factory that would produce the technology still needs to be built.

It's possible that Barnes & Noble's source is simply hyping up the technology and that it's a relatively small step. Still, we won't know until the next Nook tablet is released. Reports indicate that it's due sometime in September or October, with a lower price point to match more affordable tablets that have cropped up at the $200 bracket.


New Nook will reportedly feature a “revolutionary” screen is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


California passes Freedom to Communicate bill making voice activated texting legal

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 04:46 AM PDT

There are more than a few car infotainment systems on the market today as well as a number of smart phone applications that allow users to dictate text messages using their voice. The voice dictated texts can be sent just as any other typed out text. There has been a huge push around the country for cities and states the place bans on texting and driving.

California has passed a new bill called the Freedom to Communicate bill that adds a notable exception to the state’s ban on texting and driving. The new bill makes it legal for drivers to send texts using voice activated, hands-free systems. The bill makes it legal for drivers to use devices that are “specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation to dictate, send, or listen to a text-based communication.”

That means at least in California, hands-free systems such as Ford’s Sync and other similar systems are legal for drivers to use. However, there still seems to be some issues for drivers wanting to text using the voice while driving. The law is said to be rather vague on whether or not it’s legal for the driver to touch their mobile phone to activate the speech to text functionality. Some interpretations of the law, which will go into effect January 1, believe systems where the driver needs to pick up a device such as the iPhone to activate Siri as being illegal under the new law.

[via TheVerge]


California passes Freedom to Communicate bill making voice activated texting legal is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Office 2013 kicks Vista and XP users in the software

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 04:32 AM PDT

Microsoft has officially confirmed something that Windows XP and Vista users looking forward to Office 2013 will not appreciate. Microsoft says that Office 2013 will not run on computers powered by Windows XP or Windows Vista. The latest version of Office that Vista users will be able to use is Office 2010.

With Office 2013 not supporting Vista and XP, 54.6% of all Windows users will be unable to run the newest version of Office when it launches. Microsoft expects that most XP and Vista users will be able to run Windows 8 when it launches, assuming their hardware can pass the upgrade test. Microsoft blocking XP users from being able to use the new office suite isn’t that big surprise since XP is set to retire in 2014.

However, not allowing Vista users to use Office 2013 is a surprise considering the OS is only five years old. There is no indication that Vista and XP are unable to run Office 2013 due to technical limitations. Analyst Alan Krans seems to think this is Microsoft’s way of telling people they need to upgrade to the new operating system. The good news is that upgrades from older versions of the operating system to Windows 8 are supposed to be only $40 making an upgrade much more reasonable than in previous years when many users were looking at $100 or more to get the newest version of Windows.

[via ComputerWorld]


Office 2013 kicks Vista and XP users in the software is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


AT&T Mobile Share offers communal data buckets

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 04:31 AM PDT

AT&T has jumped aboard the shared data plan bandwagon, revealing a sextet of new packages that allow up to 20GB to be split between up to ten devices. AT&T Mobile Share plans start at 1GB per month, and the carrier says data costs reduce (on a per-gigabyte basis) the more devices are drinking from the same 3G/4G bucket, when things go live in August.

So, for a 1GB plan on a smartphone, you’d be paying $40 for Mobile Share with Unlimited Talk & Text, and then $45 for the data component. Adding a basic or quick-messaging phone to that would be a further $30 per month, each extra smartphone would be $45, a 3G/4G laptop or data card would be $20 more and a tablet or gaming device would be $10 more.

If you choose a bigger data package, however, the cost for each smartphone decreases. So, if you opt for 20GB of data, at $200 for the base Mobile Share plan, each smartphone is $30 instead of $45. Additional data is priced at $15 per GB out of plan.

AT&T won’t be forcing customers to switch to the Mobile Share plans, and if you do opt to jump into a communal bucket then you won’t extend your contract either. Existing individual and family plans will continue to be offered alongside the Mobile Share plans, and a version for business users is promised.


AT&T Mobile Share offers communal data buckets is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Microsoft talks Windows 8 touch keyboard design

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 04:15 AM PDT

Love them, or hate them, on-screen keyboards are a necessity on the majority of smartphones and tablets on the market today. There are a few smartphones out there with integrated physical keyboards and a few tablets that have keyboard accessory. But, for most tablet users the onscreen keyboard will be the most commonly of entering data. Microsoft is talking a bit about what went into designing the Windows 8 touch keyboard for tablets and other devices.

Microsoft put time and effort into optimizing the onscreen keyboard for comfort and posture. The software giant notes that it looked at many different keyboard types including keyboards that were big, small, floating, round, and swipe keyboards. Microsoft says it settled on three keyboard postures that were common but it wanted to address including typing with one hand holding device, two hands holding device with thumbs typing, and typing with the device laying on a surface with both hands. The keyboard in Windows 8 was designed to be optimized for all three of these postures.

Optimizing the onscreen keyboard for different postures is very important if you’re knocking out a long document in Microsoft Office or a similar application. Microsoft also put considerable effort into researching hand sizes. Microsoft had a wide variety of people use a special tablet with sensors that could indicate where the thumbs could reach most comfortably and where they could extend to with a somewhat uncomfortable reach.

All this data was aggregated and used specifically to design keyboard where the most important keys were comfortable to reach. Microsoft’s on screen keyboard has two types of feedback, the keys change color when touched, and they create a sound. These feedback mechanisms can be disabled. With all the effort that went into creating the Windows 8 onscreen keyboard, I hope the operating system is finished and polished very well when it launches.


Microsoft talks Windows 8 touch keyboard design is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


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