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The nine headphones that made our back-to-school guide
So you're headed off to college in the fall. What are you going to use to help you focus when you're on deadline? To tune out the rowdy partiers down the hall? Whether you need a pair of earbuds, a set of sound-cancelling cans or just a pair of budget headphones that don't suck, our annual back-to-school guide has you covered. If you can only afford one pair, Jabra's Elite 65t wireless earbuds are our go-to recommendation. Athletes will appreciate the Jaybird Run earbuds or perhaps the wired Beats X 'buds, while market leader Bose remains our top pick in the noise-canceling category. (Go with the QuietComfort QC35 II.) And if you're looking for an over-the-ear-style headset, we have picks from Audeze, Blue, TMA-2, Corsair and Even, including a few models designed for gamers. Find all that and all our other picks in Engadget's full back-to-school guide.
A&E and Vice hope that you still like conventional TV
You may be devoting a lot of your viewing time to streaming services, but A&E reckons that you still have a soft spot for old-school TV. Its parent company A+E Networks is teaming up with Vice to launch Viceland, a 24-hour TV channel aimed right at that all-important youth demographic. They're largely leaning on Vice's edgy reputation to draw you in -- the initial shows include Gaycation and Weediquette, and Spike Jonze is overseeing the channel. However, they're also acknowledging the realities of an era where DVRs and online video are commonplace. Viceland is planning to run fewer ads during prime time, and there are hints of "innovative monetization strategies" that won't simply involve wave after wave of commercials.
Panasonic refreshes Toughbook H2 with faster processor, bigger storage and stronger shell
We've never understood why Panasonic chose to brand its top-line tablet as the Toughbook H2, but given the hairy-chested types who build and use the gear, we're not gonna challenge 'em. The company hasn't messed too much with the Windows 7 slate, except pushing the top chip to a 2.8GHz Intel Core i5-3427U and to swap out the 320GB 7,200RPM shock-mounted HDD for a 500GB model. Panasonic has also tweaked the hardware's polycarbonate-encased magnesium alloy chassis, with MIL-STD-810G1 ensuring that the gear will survive drops from six-feet, as well as IP651 weather-proofing. The 3.5-pound unit also sees its battery life pushed to seven hours and also gains boosted WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.1+EDR connectivity. Once you've selected a unit, there's a hefty list of possible add-ons, including barcode scanners, smart card readers, Gobi-running 3G, LTE and GPS options. There's even a model that meets MIL-STD-461F standards for electromagnetic protection -- useful if your day job involves battling superheroes. The standard unit will set you back $3,349 and comes with a three-year international warranty, so you'd better get buttering-up your procurement manager now. %Gallery-188382%
Mercedes-Benz F 125! looks like the future, runs on hydrogen
As expected, the feature concept car being shown by Mercedes-Benz at Frankfurt this year was the F 125! But Merc isn't actually calling it a concept, rather a "research vehicle" that will help the company work toward a gasoline-free future. In this case it's a hydrogen-filled future, with this car running on compressed gas and so giving off only water vapor and oxygen as emissions. But, it's also a plug-in, meaning you can charge this thing up on your garage in addition to topping off the tank at your local H2 filling station -- at some point in the future when you actually have an H2 filling station. Read on for more details. %Gallery-134036%
Panasonic intros rugged Toughbook H2 tablet, steps up to Core i5 and full-sized ports
When Panasonic unveiled the Toughbook H1 tablet last year, it at least got the tough part down pat. This Windows 7 slate had a magnesium alloy chassis and met the military's MIL-STD-810G standards for shock, dust, heat, water, and cold resistance -- comforting claims for construction workers, soldiers, and pretty much anyone used to working in the wild (or, at least, standing up). The problem was, it ran on a dinky Atom processor, and left the rugged types using it with just one miniature port for attaching peripherals. Clearly, Panny agreed those were some serious shortcomings, because the brand new H2 goes a wee bit beyond mere spec bumps. The latest generation leaps forward to a 1.7GHz Core i5-2557M ULV processor with Intel's vPro technology, along with USB 2.0 and serial sockets, and space for either a second USB port or an Ethernet jack. At the entry-level (!) price of $3,449, you'll get a 10-inch (XGA), 6,000-nit display, 4GB of RAM, a removable 320GBGB 7200RPM shock-mounted hard drive, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 radios, and twin swappable batteries that promise up to six and a half hours of runtime. After that, the list of possible add-ons runs long for corporations and government agencies with deep pockets. These include up to 8GB of memory, a 128GB SSD, Gobi 3G or 4G radio (the latter's coming in the fall), GPS, barcode or RFID reader, 2 megapixel camera, an insertable or contact-less SmartCard reader, or a fingerprint sensor. Good thing the boss is treating, huh? Update : Lots of you are asking about the weight. Here's your answer, folks: it's 3.5 pounds, compared with 3.4 pounds for the last-gen H1. %Gallery-128116%
Berkeley Lab scientists create nanocrystal hydrogen storage matrix, could make for H2 batteries
If you could run your celly on hydrogen you'd have power for days and days -- but, you'd also need to lug around a high-pressure tank to store the stuff. That's no fun, and that's why we're still using Li-ion batteries and the like. But, scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory look to have found a way to possibly ditch the tank, creating a gas-barrier polymer matrix out of polymethyl methacrylate, allowing the H2 gas in but keeping oxygen and everything else out. That matrix contains magnesium nanocrystals that react with the hydrogen to form MgH2, enabling safe, (relatively) low-pressure storage. The H2 can then be released again and the magnesium nanocrystals are freed to bond with another batch of H2 when refilled. It sounds a little like the Cella Energy hydrogen storage solution, but a bit more promising if we're honest. Now for the long, painful wait for this to come to production.
Vodafone 360 LiMo handsets are no more, probably not missed by many
We can't say we didn't see this coming, but Vodafone's finally put its bespoke 360 phones out of misery. The reason? To focus on making its 360 services -- mainly social networking integration and an app store -- "available on as many devices as we can as soon as we can." Sounds a bit over the top (like Sony Ericsson bundling PlayNow with Android), but regardless of the implementation, 'tis likely a way of reflecting the lack of adoption for these Samsung LiMo handsets. A real shame, we tell ya. We don't blame Vodafone -- times is hard with other big-name mobile platforms competing with their own built-in services -- plus the 360 branding never really extended beyond the H1 and M1, let alone the now-cancelled H2. But hey, at least that's one less category for the store assistant to shower you with, right?
Samsung i8330 'H2' for Vodafone leaked?
At the time of its release late last year, Samsung's H1 for Vodafone's then-new 360 service represented some of the sweetest featurephone hardware that money could buy, thanks to a 3.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen, WiFi, 5 megapixel autofocus cam, and 16GB of onboard storage. Those are still killer specs, but it's always onward and upward with these guys -- so we're not surprised to see rumors of an H2 model surface. Like the H1, this new handset (apparently with internal model number i8330) is said to run LiMo (release 3 this time) and packs an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash and HD video capture, 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor, and a WVGA Super AMOLED display. Super AMOLED sounds like a gimmick until you actually see a display in the flesh, then you realize that it's the real deal, so this phone could make some waves; it's tapped for launch before World Cup soccer starts next month, so we could see an announcement any minute now.
Would you buy a hydrogen-powered sedan in 2015 for $50,000?
That's the question Toyota is asking, announcing plans to release such a thing in that year for that price. That's more than twice as expensive as the company's current eco-chic offering, the Prius, but for greenies the advantages here are considerable: zero carbon emissions and a renewable fuel source. Toyota has been showing off its hydrogen-powered FCHV (pictured above) for quite some time now, but the initial model to hit dealers will instead be a sedan (presumably a luxury one at that price point) that would have a range comparable to gasoline models. Toyota hopes to actually make a profit on the car thanks to ever-decreasing fuel cell costs, a goal that the company did not achieve when the Prius initially hit the road and was sold at a loss. Of course, if the hydrogen distribution system in the US doesn't improve over the next five years then this thing will surely be a loser too.
Sega gives Japan a Hummer (or three)
The average size of a Hummer vehicle can comfortably fit the confines of an arcade in it, that much we know. So, it's only fitting that the huge, monstrous automobiles would be recreated as huge, monstrous arcade cabinets for the Japanese public in Hummer, an arcade racer from Sega.It's not just a classy ride for Japanese arcade aficionados, either. The cabinet will rock back and forth while you play, and features modified H1, H2, and H3s for multiplayer racing for up to 8 participants. Of course, what the official site doesn't tell you is that each race only last 15 seconds before you run out of gas.[Via Kotaku]
Hasselblad discontinues the H2 product line
We don't foresee too many tears being shed over this news, but the Hasselblad faithful will probably want to know that the tried and true H2 product line has been nixed. Not surprisingly, the company reported that "demand simply no longer justified the dedicated manufacturing line required for its production," and that it would be shifting those resources to the H3DII. On a more positive note, the outfit is introducing the H2F, which is being billed as a "greatly simplified film-only version of the H2," so those (still) sticking with film can look here to get their fix. Lastly, the firm reassured H1 / H2 owners that it would continue to support those products "for a minimum of 10 years from the date of purchase." So long, H2, it's been a good run.[Via CNET]
Samson's Zoom H2 SD portable audio recorder
Although the amount of voice recorders hitting the market has definitely tapered off in recent years, the ones that do make it out are fairly well-spec'd in their own regard. The latest to show up is Samson's Zoom H2 handy recorder, which claims to be the "world's only portable recorder with 3 mic capsules on board for mid-side recording," and moreover, the device purportedly decodes the audio instantly to bring together a probably unnecessary level of "superb stereo imaging." Interestingly enough, the device even allows for users to record at various angles and frequencies in case you're trying to assemble a 5.1 track (saywha?) without all the proper equipment, and it even touts gain controls right on the side for on-the-fly tweaking. The unit stores recordings on an SD flash card, features USB 2.0 connectivity, a 1/8-inch stereo output, backlit display, four hours of usage on a pair of AA batteries, time stamp / track marker functions, integrated chromatic guitar and bass tuner, and a variety of status LEDs to boot. Of course, such extravagant niceties on a portable audio recorder don't come without a premium, but users serious about capturing those lecture notes (or ad hoc jingles) can snag one in May for around $200.
Get more mileage from that Hummer
Nothing, we mean nothing, says success like rollin' in a big fat Hummer eh sparky? Only thing is, you can't stand the thought of those accusatory stares from your fellow highwaymen as you lumber along sucking-up fuel. Well, we guess you never heard of the Mileage Maximizer then? Don't sweat it, 'cause two friendly Detroit, rock city Hummer dealerships have, and they'll happily sell you the $190 wonder mod while touting its 30% increase in fuel efficiency. The promotion has been so successful at selling new Hummers in fact, that these boys are now considering expanding the modification to more stores and vehicles. Sure, GM and Hummer officials don't endorse the application of the "Vortex Valve" to the vehicle's intake manifold and may not even honor warranties. And just you never mind that no one will stand by those unofficial claims of increased efficiency or that tampering with the emission controls on EPA certified vehicles is, ehem, illegal. You go right on feeling better about yourself... after all, you tried, right?
