Engadget

SanDisk makes 128-gigabit flash chip, crams three bits per cell, takes afternoon off

James Trew — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:37:00 EDT

SanDisk has developed a chip that earns it membership in the exclusive 128-gigabit club. Not content with simply matching the Micron / Intel effort, SanDisk and its partner Toshiba claim their new memory uses 19- rather than 20-nanometer cells in the production process. Shrinking the size is one thing, but SanDisk's new chips also use its X3 / three-bit technology. Most memory stores just two bits per cell; cramming in another means fewer cells, less silicon, more savings, cheaper memory, happier geeks. Analyst Jim Handy estimates that the price per gigabyte for the tri-bit breed of flash could be as low as 28 cents, compared to 35 for the Micron / Intel equivalent. Full details in the not-so-compact press release after the break.

Continue reading SanDisk makes 128-gigabit flash chip, crams three bits per cell, takes afternoon off

SanDisk makes 128-gigabit flash chip, crams three bits per cell, takes afternoon off originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magnetic retainer lets you operate machinery with your tongue, gives linguistics new meaning

James Trew — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:36:00 EDT

Many people with debilitating conditions rely on sip and puff technology to get around, which is relatively lo-fi by some standards. Now, a special retainer with magnetic sensors could bring mobility into the smartphone age. Developed at Georgia Tech, the Tongue Drive System uses a magnetic piercing to track lingual gestures. The sensors then transmit data to an iOS app that translates it to on-screen or a joystick movement. Earlier versions used a headset, but the prototype revealed at the International Solid State Circuits Conference in San Francisco, is hoped to be more comfortable and discreet. The system is currently being trialled by 11 participants with high-level spinal-cord injuries, with larger trials planned.

Continue reading Magnetic retainer lets you operate machinery with your tongue, gives linguistics new meaning

Magnetic retainer lets you operate machinery with your tongue, gives linguistics new meaning originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man gets served on Facebook, literally

James Trew — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:38:00 EDT

Being unceremoniously dumped online isn't the only indignation made easier by social networks. For the first time, lawyers in the UK have been granted permission to serve a legal suit via Facebook. Traditionally, documents must be delivered physically, be it in person, by post or even fax. But, in a pretrial for a commercial dispute, these old-fashioned methods proved fruitless. The prosecuting team then decided to check online, and noticed recent updates on defendant Fabio De Biase's profile. Satisfied it was currently active, they sought permission to send documents via the website, with Justice Nigel Teare duly obliging. Wondering what that noise is? That's the sound of millions of mice clicking on "privacy settings" all at once.

Man gets served on Facebook, literally originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google updates Flight Search for Android, iOS

James Trew — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:23:00 EDT

Remember when Google launched its desktop-only Flight Search service back in the fall? Well, now it's made the travel checking tool both Android and iOS friendly. All the key flight-finding features of the desktop version are present: search, discover by location, filter by price, airline and calendar view, and have been optimized for the small screen. Bear in mind that this isn't a native app, El Goog has just tweaked the web-service for the respective mobile browsers, hoping to make those spur of the moment travel plans less taxing. Hit the source link below for further info.

Google updates Flight Search for Android, iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony makes a patent move for Kinect style controller

James Trew — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:01:00 EDT

We're not suggesting Sony has a Kinect style controller coming soon, but it certainly filed a patent for one. The application for a "User-Driven Three-Dimensional Interactive Gaming Environment" was initially logged in October last year by Richard Marks of PlayStation Eye fame. The controller can "determine when to interact with the system by allowing part of the user's body, or an object, to cross the maximum depth range plane" meaning input could be limited to just the hands etc. This wouldn't be the first time Sony has created controller technology similar to its competitors, but the company is careful not to outright state that's what it's for. That said, amongst the legalese it does go as far too say the system can be implemented by an entertainment system "such as" its flagship console. So, sadly there's no way of knowing if we'll be getting a PlayStation Motion any time soon, but feel free to wave over the source link to see the patent for yourself.

Sony makes a patent move for Kinect style controller originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pulse Surface Controller System: bangs the drum, desk, window

James Trew — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:36:00 EDT

The Pulse Surface Controller is a vibration-based musical instrument that finally puts those years of air drumming to use. It's a small, piezo-based MIDI controller that lets you turn pretty much any surface into a musical instrument. The device has a built-in suction cup, comes with velcro straps and plugs into your computer's microphone port. The fun really starts with the dedicated controller software, that converts your percussive punches to your virtual instrument of choice. You're not limited to drums either, as you can map your taps to a velocity sensitive melodic generator to create musical tones and scales. Luckily you won't have to sit on your hands to get one of these either, as the Pulse Surface Controller System is available now for $59, or you can tap-tap-tap the video after the break for a demo.

Continue reading Pulse Surface Controller System: bangs the drum, desk, window

Pulse Surface Controller System: bangs the drum, desk, window originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raspberry Pi wears a new Fedora (video)

James Trew — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:24:00 EDT

If you've been keeping an eye on this tasty little computer, you'll know it's a pretty exciting concept already. To further sweeten the deal, it just got its own version of Fedora. A special "remix" edition has been ported over to the micro-machine by a team at Seneca College. Although there's already a Debian release for the diminutive device, the project's official blog states that Fedora Remix is the distribution it'll be recommending to users. The OS image fits on a 2GB memory card, and comes complete with a GUI, programming and system administration tools, web browser and other essential apps to get you going. If you want to see the Pi in action, there's a video after the break demonstrating the OS, along with a look at that user interface. As for that February 20th release date, sadly that seems less reliable.

Continue reading Raspberry Pi wears a new Fedora (video)

Raspberry Pi wears a new Fedora (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China Telecom to get the iPhone 4S, stores brace themselves for March 9th chaos

James Trew — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:23:00 EDT

The last time the iPhone dallied into eager Chinese hands there was more than a spot of bother. Hopefully, China Telecom's announcement that it'll be getting the 4S on March 9th will give retail stores enough time to prepare. It'll be up for pre-order online from March 2nd, starting from free on contract, and available in the usual 16GB, 32GB and 64GB varieties. The news came via the China Telecom website yesterday, with CEO Wang Xiaochu confirming in a press release this morning (Chinese time). So if Nokia thought it would have the network's biggest release in March, it might have to think again.

China Telecom to get the iPhone 4S, stores brace themselves for March 9th chaos originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Student hacks into Facebook, gets eight months in prison, twelve likes

James Trew — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:48:00 EDT

The next time you get caught hijacking your friend's Facebook, remember it could be worse. On Friday, British Student Glenn Mangham was sentenced to eight months in not-so-social jail, for hacking deep into Facebook's servers. Apparently no user details were taken, with Mangham heading straight for "invaluable" intellectual property instead. Facebook alerted the authorities after it discovered the breach last May, the FBI then followed the digital thread back to the Briton's UK address. It's believed Mangham gained access to the inner sanctum after hacking into a Facebook employee's account, though it's not known if the comedy status update and embarrassing profile picture were also part of the attack.

Student hacks into Facebook, gets eight months in prison, twelve likes originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple asks EU regulators to step in on Motorola patent dispute

James Trew — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:45:00 EDT

Apple already asked the European Telecommunications Standards Institute for more transparency on FRAND licensing, and now it's seeking a full-blown intervention. Motorola Mobility claims it received a letter on Friday from the European Commission advising there has been a complaint against it from Apple. The letter also stated that Cupertino wants the Commission to enforce the firm's standards-essential patents that breach agreed FRAND commitments. This latest development comes just one day after a German court awarded Apple an injunction against Motorola's implementation of slide-to-unlock on smartphones, as well as an ongoing saga of similar disputes with the firm. It's also just days after the European Commission approved Google's acquisition of the handset maker, based on beliefs that it "does not itself raise competition issues."

Apple asks EU regulators to step in on Motorola patent dispute originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Notion Ink's ICS build for Adam goes beta, adds 3G, GPS

James Trew — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:46:00 EDT

Last month Adam owners got a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich after Notion Ink released an Alpha build, but if the limited functionality didn't do it for you, how about an improved Beta version? The developers hope that HDMI video, functional GPS, better WiFi and a working compass will keep you happy while they iron out the remaining niggles, like non-functioning camera and microphone. If this sounds a bit more like it, you should be able to get your hands on it over the weekend. Hit the source link below for the deets.

Notion Ink's ICS build for Adam goes beta, adds 3G, GPS originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google's Dart lands in Chromium tech preview

James Trew — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:39:00 EDT

Leaves weren't the only things flying around Mountain View last Autumn if you remember, Google also unleashed its Dart programming language. Now, developers can get their hands on a tech preview version of Chromium, with the Dart virtual machine baked right in. There are Mac and Linux binaries available today, but no details about other platforms (ahem Windows) at this time. The preview lets you run your programs directly on the Dart VM, skipping the separate compilation stage. While it's just for developers at the minute, there are plans to include this in standard Chrome releases in the future. Aim at the source link after the break for the full details.

Google's Dart lands in Chromium tech preview originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC rules VoIP providers must report outages in effort to improve 911 service

James Trew — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:53:00 EDT

The FCC has many important things under its jurisdiction, and ensuring a functional 911 service is among the most critical. As such, telephony providers are required to report network outages, so the commission can monitor and maintain a resilient service. Until now, this hasn't included VoIP services, but a new ruling states that interconnected VoIP providers will have to declare outages that meet certain criteria. The move comes after the FCC's most recent Local Competition Report, which reveals that almost one-third of the 87 million residential telephone subscriptions are now provided as VoIP, and therefore carry emergency calls. While public safety is the main driver, the report also states it will "ensure critical communications infrastructure remains available in times of crisis." Check out the lengthy video after the break to see the meeting in its entirety.

Continue reading FCC rules VoIP providers must report outages in effort to improve 911 service

FCC rules VoIP providers must report outages in effort to improve 911 service originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mozilla offers Gaia UI first look, will reveal Boot to Gecko partners at MWC

James Trew — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:33:00 EDT

Mozilla surprised us last summer when it announced plans for its Boot to Gecko mobile OS. Now, it looks like the project has some industry support, with CTO Brenden Eich tweeting that the company will make a partner announcement at MWC this month. There are no details right now as to who might be involved, but given that developer support is already there (the operating system is based on existing web standards, after all), the hopes are that this could indicate vital operator, or even hardware manufacturer backing. Another encouraging development is the first sighting of the platform's Gaia UI, further suggesting the project might well meet its planned Q2 release target. It doesn't stray too far from the Android / iOS model that we're already familiar with, but give the source link a swipe if you want to see more.

Update: The image has been updated to reflect the latest to screens from the final product. The initial shots were from a proof of concept.

Mozilla offers Gaia UI first look, will reveal Boot to Gecko partners at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET | Brendan Eich (Twitter), Ars Technica | Email this | Comments

LightSquared grasps at straws, slams FCC in a statement

James Trew — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:39:00 EDT

To say it's been a bumpy road for LightSquared over recent months would be an understatement. However, developments this week could see the beleaguered company reach a critical fork in the road. On Tuesday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration confirmed that LightSquared's planned network would indeed interfere with global positioning systems, and that there was no "practical way" to work around this. The FCC subsequently proposed to indefinitely suspend LightSquared's authority to migrate its satellite spectrum to land-based use. Unsurprisingly, this evoked a less than cheerful response from the troubled startup, which slammed the FCC in a statement, claiming it's "harmed not only LightSquared, but also the American public" and accusing the committee of "the height of bureaucratic irresponsibility." The following day, the Wall Street Journal reported that firm was now making a last-ditch effort to revive hope, by attempting to exchange its wireless licenses for ones similar to those operated by the Department of Defense. Reuters has since reported that contrary to rumors that the company was seeking restructuring advice, hedge fund manager Philip Falcone claims that filing for bankruptcy would be off the cards, defiantly stating "there are other ways around this." As to what these other ways include we're as yet to see, but we admire the optimism.

LightSquared grasps at straws, slams FCC in a statement originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European Parliament approves January 2013 deadline for 4G spectrum free up

James Trew — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:29:00 EDT

Back in November, the European Commission, European Parliament and its member states agreed on plans to repurpose their 800MHz frequency bands for 4G mobile networks. Today, that decision has been officially approved. The Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) has been set up to coordinate the use of this spectrum for fourth-generation services across the continent. Currently, 800MHz is used for analog television, but the new ruling gives member nations until the 1st of January 2013 to switch over to digital and authorize the band for its new role. Those nations dragging their heels can obtain an exemption, but mobile operators will be eager to see the spectrum freed up before then if possible. Swedish politician Gunnar Hökmark, who pushed for the legislation, hopes that it could lead to the EU having the fastest mobile broadband worldwide. Just don't tell AT&T.

European Parliament approves January 2013 deadline for 4G spectrum free up originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web | European Parliament | Email this | Comments

Yale Physicists develop quantum computing error correction, are a qubit pleased with themselves

James Trew — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:06:00 EDT

We're big fans of quantum computing, and hopefully it's about to get a lot more reliable. Researchers at Yale have demonstrated quantum error correction in a solid state system for the first time. Quantum bits were created from "artificial" atoms using superconducting circuits, these qubits are then given either of the typical bit states of "1" or "0," or the quantum state of both simultaneously. The researchers developed a technique that identifies each qubit's initial state, so any erroneous changes can be reversed on the fly. Until now, errors have been a barrier in quantum computing, accumulating and ultimately causing computational failure. A reliable means of fixing these state changes is essential to developing a computer with an exponential speed-up, and fully realizing the quantum dream. The team at Yale hopes that this research might mean its platform of superconducting circuits becomes the one upon which quantum computing is ultimately built. We, on the other hand, just want our parallel universe.

Yale Physicists develop quantum computing error correction, are a qubit pleased with themselves originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Large Hadron Collider to increase beam energy: Higgs boson can run, not hide

James Trew — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:18:00 EDT

We've seen the Large Hadron Collider running at a record-breaking 7 TeV for short periods, but now CERN is turning it up a notch (to 4 TeV from 3.5) for the rest of the year. The decision comes after an annual performance workshop last week in Chamonix and a report from the CERN Machine Advisory Committee (CMAC). The increase may seem modest compared to the knee-trembling levels of 7 TeV, but it's all part of a broader optimization strategy. Scientists state the new approach should increase the data collected in 2012 to 15 inverse femtobarns -- a three-fold jump from 2011. Even more encouraging is a statement from CERN's Research Director, Sergio Bertolucci, who claims that we should finally know for sure about the existence of the Higgs boson -- either way -- before the LHC enters a temporary shut-down period at the end of the year. Beam yourself over the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Large Hadron Collider to increase beam energy: Higgs boson can run, not hide

Large Hadron Collider to increase beam energy: Higgs boson can run, not hide originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Public Transport for Symbian shows you the way, can't guarantee a seat

James Trew — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:28:00 EDT

Nokia's free turn-by turn navigation is great when you're lost, but what if you need to negotiate an unfamiliar train or bus system? Perhaps Espoo's new Public Transport app with its journey planning information for nearly 80 cities and urban areas (including London, Helsinki, Austin and Toronto) will see you right. What's more, you can even save your favorite destinations to the app's home screen to save a bit more tapping and typing. The app's only available for those freshly updated Symbian Belle phones right now, but it's free, and there's a Lumia-friendly version in the works. Sound like this might take the headache out of your daily commute? Then tap the source link below for more info.

Nokia Public Transport for Symbian shows you the way, can't guarantee a seat originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Aspire One D270 netbook up for pre-order

James Trew — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:36:00 EDT

Still not convinced by the whole Ultrabook thing? Well neither's Acer it seems, as it refuses to pull the tubes from its netbook division. The latest such offering for your pre-order delight? The Aspire One D270. Sure, there's no HSPA+ like the recently revamped Aspire One 722 -- a fact reflected in the rather friendly $279 price tag -- but you do get 1.6GHz of Cedar Trail, a 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 display, HDMI, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1GB of RAM, and a 320GB hard disk drive. If this sounds like just the trick for you, point and click at the source links below for the goodness.

Acer Aspire One D270 netbook up for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spark pre-orders delayed, but here's a video instead (video)

James Trew — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:27:00 EDT

We had hoped that the Linux-based open-source Spark tablet would be up for pre-order already, but the logistics gods have decreed it not to be. Order registrations are now simply said to go online "ASAP". In the meantime, the developers hope to whet your appetite with this video of the 7-inch budget-slab in action. So it looks a little bit laggy right now, but the team behind it says there's plenty of performance to be squeezed out of it yet. Likewise the UI you see above is optimized for a larger screen, meaning thumbnails and margins should be sharper once those kinks have been ironed out. Hit the source below to get the full update on the pre-order setbacks.

Spark pre-orders delayed, but here's a video instead (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oregon Scientific announces MEEP! Android tablet for Kids, Wile E's ears prick up

James Trew — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EDT

While this might not be the first kid-centric tablet we've seen, it's certainly got the coolest name. All we know about the MEEP! kiddie-slate right now is that it's made by Oregon Scientific, has a 7-inch Neonode zForce touchscreen display, WiFi, an SD card slot, a "G-sensor" for screen rotation -- and runs on an as yet unspecified version of Android. The makers claim it's suitable for ages six and up, and parents can monitor and limit web access via an online control panel. We're told that accessories will soon be on their way, including every parent's favorite: musical instruments. The full unveiling will be at the TIA toy fair this weekend. Road-run over the break for the full press release. MEEP! MEEP!

Continue reading Oregon Scientific announces MEEP! Android tablet for Kids, Wile E's ears prick up

Oregon Scientific announces MEEP! Android tablet for Kids, Wile E's ears prick up originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spray-on antenna revealed: best thing to come in a can since Easy Cheese (video)

James Trew — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:04:00 EDT

Ever found yourself without a signal and wished you could just spray one on like magic? Well, maybe soon, you'll be able to do just that. Chamtech Enterprises has developed a spray-on antenna it says is more lightweight and energy-efficient than current technology. Revealed at Google's inaugural Solve for X shindig, the antenna can be "painted" onto almost anything, including trees, walls and fabrics. Chamtech's already talking with government-based customers, and as such can't spill too much detail on how it works, but said it uses organic elements to tinker with magnetic and radio-frequency fields. The start-up's CTO, Rhett Spencer, claims the antenna could increase mobile energy efficiency by 10 percent. It was also found to work particularly well under water, and being organic, we presume, would make it ideal for sub-aquatic telecom infrastructure, and of course, rainy days.

Continue reading Spray-on antenna revealed: best thing to come in a can since Easy Cheese (video)

Spray-on antenna revealed: best thing to come in a can since Easy Cheese (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Foursquare adds NFC support for Android 4.0, wants to touch base

James Trew — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:20:00 EDT

We knew the folk at Foursquare had been trying NFC out for a while, and Symbian's had it since November, but now tap check-ins are available for Android 4.0. Okay, so that means it's pretty much limited to Galaxy Nexus owners at the minute, but the chosen few can now share their Venue, Lists, Me pages, initiate friend requests and, of course, check-in at the touch of a phone. Foursquare claims it'll save vital seconds when checking in, but we're just glad there's another way to use Android Beam.The update's available now, so if you're snacking on an Ice Cream Sandwich, head on down to the source link and get your download on.

Foursquare adds NFC support for Android 4.0, wants to touch base originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unknown HTC phone running ICS pops up, looks Incredible

James Trew — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:17:00 EDT

What's this we have here? Well, clearly it's an HTC phone, but it looks different to what we've seen before. If the pictures are to be believed, we're looking at an Android 4.0 device with HTC's Sense 4.0 on top. There's LTE on board, and what looks like Verizon's splash-screen, meaning there's every reason to believe this is destined for the US. The rest of the specs suggest it's packing a dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon processor, backed up by 1GB of RAM, Beats Audio and an 8-megapixel shooter. Given that the Rezound already purrs along on a 1.5GHz chip and that embossed backing looks oh-so familiar, it doesn't seem out of line to wager this is the next-gen Incredible with a bump in clock speed. What also catches our eye is the inclusion of hardware buttons, leaving open the possibility that this might just be a prototype after all. We're too not hopeful we'll learn much more before MWC, but we'll keep our eyes on the trail all the same.

Unknown HTC phone running ICS pops up, looks Incredible originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jarre AeroSystem One gets a Lalique crystal facelift, we go hands-on

James Trew — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:05:00 EDT

We saw the original AeroSystem One saunter into our lives a couple of month's back, and now Jarre Technologies has collaborated with crystal house Lalique to give it a makeover. The partnership sees the original iPod dock covered in smooth glass and cut metal, which certainly sets it apart from pretty much any other dock we've ever seen. The dock connector sits at the top, and being inset, isn't suitable for iPads, but if you're getting one of these, we imagine you don't want to ruin the aesthetic by perching a slate on top anyway. There is, however, a USB connection meaning this isn't an iDevice only affair. If you've got the estimated £10,000 (or about $15,840) lying around, it'll have to keep burning that hole in your pocket until some time in March. We managed to get a quick hands -- and ears -- on with the only two units in the UK, but couldn't explore much beyond how it looked in-store, bar an awkward moment when we placed an iPhone on it, only to discover it set to full volume. Check the gallery below for a closer look, or hit the PR after the break for more info.

Gallery: Jarre AeroSystem One arrives in a new Lalique edition

Mat Smith contributed to this post

Continue reading Jarre AeroSystem One gets a Lalique crystal facelift, we go hands-on

Jarre AeroSystem One gets a Lalique crystal facelift, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sigma DP1, DP2 get 46-megapixel makeover

James Trew — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:19:00 EDT

If Nikon thought its 36-megapixel D800 would be the king of the resolutions this week, they were wrong. Sigma, it seems, didn't get the memo and has crashed the party, updating its DP1 and DP2 compacts with whopping 46-megapixel sensors. Okay, so technically it's three 15.3 megapixel layers (that also being the effective resolution), but we'll play along with the marketing spin. Rebranded as the DP1- and DP2-Merrill in honor of the sensor's co-creator, the refresh sees the compacts sporting the same imaging innards as the firm's flagship SD1 Merrill SLR. The LCD screen also gets a bump from 2.5 to three inches, which, we suppose, is to do better justice to those massive pictures you'll be taking. Sigma's keeping price and availability under wraps for now, but hit the PR after the break for more info.

Continue reading Sigma DP1, DP2 get 46-megapixel makeover

Sigma DP1, DP2 get 46-megapixel makeover originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Record-breaking freefall advances space suit technology (video)

James Trew — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:18:00 EDT

Jumping to Earth from the edge of space is no mean feat. Not only are you dropping like a stone, there's also the minor issue of your blood boiling as you do so. These are challenges daredevil Felix Baumgartner and the Red Bull Stratos team will be taking head-on -- literally -- with their record-breaking 120,000 foot "spacedive." To ensure Baumgartner lives to claim his honors, the Stratos team is using a custom spacesuit. It's designed by the David Clark Company, which made the first pressurized suits for World War II fighters, and includes a gas-filled bladder and integrated valve to maintain pressure over the various altitudes. While Baumgartner hopes to set new freefall distance, and time (5 minutes 30 seconds) records, there'll also be a lasting contribution to science, with team medical director Dr. Jonathan Clark hoping the developments can lead to advances in space travel and tourism. So in the future when you're opening your pretzels, looking down upon the Earth, raise a complimentary glass to Felix

Continue reading Record-breaking freefall advances space suit technology (video)

Record-breaking freefall advances space suit technology (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researchers get CPUs and GPUs talking, boost PC performance by 20 percent

James Trew — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:58:00 EDT

How do you fancy a 20 percent boost to your processor's performance? Research from the North Carolina State University claims to offer just that. Despite the emergence of fused architecture SoCs, the CPU and GPU cores typically still work independently. The University hoped that by assigning tasks based on each processor's abilities, performance efficiency would be increased. As the CPU and GPU can fetch data at comparable speeds, the researchers set the GPUs to execute the computational functions, while the CPUs did the prefetching. With that data ready in advance, the graphics processor unit has more resources free, yielding an average performance boost of 21.4 percent though it's unclear what metrics the researchers were using. Incidentally, the research was funded by AMD, so no prizes for guessing which chips we might see using the technique first.

Researchers get CPUs and GPUs talking, boost PC performance by 20 percent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maingear's Titan 17 has a change of heart, keyboard

James Trew — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:42:00 EDT

Maingear has been tickling us with its gaming PCs for a while, and now it's adding some extra muscle to its catalog. The company's Titan 17 notebook is hitting the operating table for a processor transplant, the previous Intel i7-990X being swapped out for either the i7-3930K or i7-3960X. But what good is an internal update without some external flourish so folk know where you stand on the spec table? Maingear appreciates this, and that's why it's throwing a backlit keyboard into the mix. The souped-up Titan is up for pre-order now, with prices starting at $3,499. Tap the PR after the break for the full specs.

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Maingear's Titan 17 has a change of heart, keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft and British agency create child-friendly version of IE9

James Trew — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:51:00 EDT

As the entry age for web access heads ever southwards, preventing young minds from the perils of the internet is a growing concern for parents. For this reason, Microsoft teamed up with the UK-based CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center) to create a special kid-friendly version of its IE9 browser. Access to key CEOP pages are baked right in, and there are dedicated tabs for the thinkuknow.co.uk information site and, of course, Bing. Additional security comes via a Jump List that lets parents and care-givers set the age group of their child and prevents them from seeing unsuitable content. It's only available on Windows 7, and you'll need to prevent your curious children from using any other browser, but at least it's extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Microsoft and British agency create child-friendly version of IE9 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM shows off new features for PlayBook 2.0 at DevCon

James Trew — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:31:00 EDT

All eyes are on Amsterdam this morning, as RIM hosts DevCon Europe. Among all the usual avowals about how well things are going are a few nuggets of the new and the noteworthy. One such morsel was a demonstration of new BlackBerry Bridge features. Now, swipes and touches from your BlackBerry handset get translated over to the Playbook, as well as keyboard input. This means you can use your phone much more like a controller, while taking advantage of the PlayBook's generous display. The calendar also gets a healthy dose of social lubricant, showing you info about the people you'll be meeting, and stressing how busy you are by visually emphasising dates when you are busier. Fortunately, PlayBook 2.0 is slated for release this month, so the more eager amongst you shouldn't have to wait long to give it a spin.

RIM shows off new features for PlayBook 2.0 at DevCon originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Corning looks to the future, mainly right through it (video)

James Trew — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:22:00 EDT

Need to take the edge off those winter blues? Perhaps Corning's, somewhat saccharine, vision of our technological future will be just the soporific tonic. Unsurprisingly, the Gorilla Glass maker sees a future where pretty much everything is a transparent touchscreen. While many of these ideas clearly appeal to our tech sensibilities, others are still very much high, high, up in the cloudy mists of concept land. Sure, a few of these ideas are starting to materialize back here in the present day, like large multi-touch panels, smart windows and of course communication displays, but for much of the rest, we'll just have to sit and wait. Or not.

Corning looks to the future, mainly right through it (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spark Linux tablet specs updated, going up for pre-order next week

James Trew — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:29:00 EDT

We already got a brief introduction to the Spark Linux-based tablet, but details were a little sparse. Since then, a few more key bits of info have been added to its Q&A page, which might help sway your purchasing decision. That KDE Plasma Active UI we knew it'd be sporting will stare out at you via a modest 800 x 480 screen, and there's a 1.3 megapixel snapper tucked in alongside for video calling. The 1GHz / 512 MB internals we initially reported remain unchanged and the two USB ports and 3.5mm audio jack we saw in the pre-release picture above also get the official seal. There's talk of GPS making it into the next iteration, but for now you'll have to find your own way. The main news, however, is that pre-orders are pegged for next week, and shipping set for May. The initial focus is on Europe, but plans for it to arrive in US retailers are apparently underway. If that's suitably tickled your fancy, head on over the break and tap the source for more info.

Spark Linux tablet specs updated, going up for pre-order next week originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roland's iModela 3D milling machine: it's a crafty tool

James Trew — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:24:00 EDT

3D printing. Sure, that's pretty neat, but there are other ways to make three dimensional objects at home. Roland's new iModela, for example, is an "affordable" ($899) digital hobby mill that can carve 3D shapes, jewelry, textures and prototypes out of balsa wood, foam, modelling wax and plastics. Projects definitely need to be more on the petite side, but the 3.39inch x 2.17inch x 1.02inch milling area should be good for a wide range of small craft creations. The iModela comes with all the cutting tools, software and materials you need to get started, but if you've already been tinkering with ideas, there's also compatibility with other "popular" CAD software. Want to get making right away? Tap the source, or hit the PR after the break for more info.

Continue reading Roland's iModela 3D milling machine: it's a crafty tool

Roland's iModela 3D milling machine: it's a crafty tool originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New super-Earth detected, 'best candidate' for supporting life

James Trew — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:37:00 EDT

A new potentially life-bearing "super-Earth" has been discovered orbiting a relatively nearby star. Described as the "best candidate" for supporting liquid water -- and therefore life -- the planet (GJ 667Cc) is believed to be about 4.5 times the size of Earth. The parent star (GJ 667C) is 22 light years away, and this is the second potentially Earth-like rock scientists have discovered orbiting the M-class dwarf. With a 28.15 day cycle, it's calculated to receive 90 percent as much light as Earth, and much of that is infrared (meaning the actual energy delivered is about equal) -- crucially hinting at similar temperatures and favorable conditions. Not enough is known about the atmosphere right now to fully nail the water prospects, but it's still our best hope of discovering life as we (don't) know it yet.

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New super-Earth detected, 'best candidate' for supporting life originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Hello: breaks down borders, gets the drinks in

James Trew — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:46:00 EDT

Ever wanted to order a tea and coffee, but found language to be a barrier? Then say bonjour, to Nokia Hello. Making creative use of NFC, Nokia Hello users can touch phones to exchange greetings, pleasantries, as well as the aforementioned beverage order. Mild joking aside, the project has been developed to ease those awkward international business interactions, which the team behind it somewhat ambitiously claim could be eliminated as soon as 2015. We're not sure how loud Nokia employees are but Dr Marcus Redströmm PhD, who led the project, thinks it can also cut their noise pollution by up to 85 percent. It's still awaiting final testing, but it'll be free once released -- just be sure to touch back to say kiitos.

Nokia Hello: breaks down borders, gets the drinks in originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hiroshi Ishiguro's android mannequin creeps out Japanese shoppers (video)

James Trew — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:32:00 EDT

If you didn't think mannequins were creepy enough already, maybe this will change your mind. In an attempt to lure shoppers, Japanese department store Takashimiya installed an eerily lifelike interactive robot for its Valentine's window display. The retailer called on robotics guru Hiroshi Ishiguro to provide the humanoid dummy, which can not only wink and yawn as people approach, but also display a range of emotions -- beyond boredom, indifference and oblivious content, we assume. While this was just part of the store's seasonal promotion, it might be a hint at where visual merchandise is going. Whether Ishiguro's model "model" will crossover into more professional roles like her sister, however, is unclear. Want to see that cheeky wink for yourself? Then hit up the video after the break.

Continue reading Hiroshi Ishiguro's android mannequin creeps out Japanese shoppers (video)

Hiroshi Ishiguro's android mannequin creeps out Japanese shoppers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Avid Studio rolls onto iPad, treads on iMovie's toes (video)

James Trew — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:43:00 EDT

There may be a number of options for budding iPad Scorseses, now you can add Avid's "Studio" to that list. Conveniently launching at the same price as iMovie, Avid's intention to woo Apple's users is clear. Those five bucks get you a tidy storyboard solution, "precision" editing, the usual array of transitions and effects, plus multi-channel audio support (including access to your iTunes library). Video can be shot from the device itself, of course, and camera kit owners can import footage from your archives. The final results can then be rendered in either 480p, 540p and 720p or shared via the usual social options. Most importantly, projects can also be finished off in the desktop version -- handy, if they start getting into Titanic territory. It's available today, just focus your iPad at the app store (or the source link below).

Continue reading Avid Studio rolls onto iPad, treads on iMovie's toes (video)

Avid Studio rolls onto iPad, treads on iMovie's toes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Passware claims FileVault 2 can be cracked in under an hour, sells you the software to prove it

James Trew — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:39:00 EDT

Lunch hours may never feel safe again. That is, if you have a Mac running Lion / FileVault 2, like leaving your computer around, or have unscrupulous colleagues. Data recovery firm Passware claims its "Forensic" edition software can decrypt files protected by FileVault 2 in just 40 minutes -- whether it's "letmein" or "H4x0rl8t0rK1tt3h" you chose to stand in its way. Using live-memory analysis over firewire, the encryption key can be accessed from FileVault's partition, gifting the pilferer privy access to keychain files and login data -- and therefore pretty much everything else. If you want to try this out for yourself, conveniently, Passware will sell you the software ($995 for a single user license) without so much as a flash of a badge.

Passware claims FileVault 2 can be cracked in under an hour, sells you the software to prove it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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