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OnLive goes from gaming to Desktop and TV
The folks from OnLive, who we met up with last week at CES, are understandably apologetic about the fact that the iOS app for gaming hasn't yet shown up in the App Store. But though they may be sorry it hasn't appeared, OnLive's Bruce Grove is still mum on what the holdup is all about, only saying that the app is still going through Apple's "approval process." Is Apple holding the app up for breaking subscription rules, or did OnLive submit it a little late to the App Store over the holiday season? Grove doesn't budge, only saying that OnLive is currently "learning about the process a little more." At any rate, the gaming app is still due out "soon" -- whenever that may be. But that doesn't mean OnLive isn't working; The company did introduce its OnLive Desktop app last week on schedule, and that one is available right now for free. The app provides a full touch-enabled Windows 7 installation on the iPad, and just like the gaming app, the software is streamed in via audio and video from a powerful server, and controls and touches are streamed back, basically enabling you to use and run Windows apps on a computer of almost any make or power. As you might imagine, that has a lot of consequences for all kinds of functions and businesses. The app also will run on the Mac, which means that from anywhere, you can log into OnLive's computer, and use the basic Word, Excel, or PowerPoint installations that come with the free version. 2 GB of files are saved on a cloud folder (with more memory and a persistent desktop saved under a $9.99 a month premium subscription charge that's coming soon), so OnLive Desktop really grants anyone with a fast enough connection access to their own super-powered Windows computer. Grove says all of the software is already covered under Microsoft's cloud access licenses, so obviously it's all legal and taken care of. And OnLive is also working with other companies, including Adobe and Autodesk, to provide even more apps to users in both the free and premium programs. Users of the premium service will also have access to a browser, and of course since it's running in a full installation of Windows, that means you'll be able to access Flash-based websites directly on the iPad through OnLive's servers. Running Word or Excel is one thing, but remember, says Grove, that these servers are extremely powerful, so even graphically intensive apps like AutoCAD or Maya can load and run quite easily. Once the deals are all made ("Autodesk was one of our investors from the beginning," Grove reminded us), users will be able to have access to big-time software running on very powerful hardware from nearly anywhere, all at a fraction of the cost. That's not all -- OnLive also wants to start enabling multiple users to log into the same server at the same time, so they can even share collaborative work over the OnLive network. The company is also offering the server to larger businesses on an enterprise basis, so companies could create their own desktops for OnLive to send out, with specific apps available to specific users. The possibilities are really incredible when you think about it. OnLive's other big news from CES is that the gaming service is itself coming to smart TVs, including Google's own television service. Obviously that won't directly affect Mac users (and this is, after all, an Apple blog), but Grove says that move will raise OnLive's profile "from a brand awareness standpoint", which should grow OnLive's user base, and give the company even more leverage to provide more apps and services to users on all of its platforms. Grove says the company is planning to keep the desktop and gaming services separate -- there will be a single logon for both, but customers have "a desire to keep productivity separate from gaming," he says. As for what's next for OnLive, the company now offers a pretty complete set of features, and once that iPad gaming app comes out, Grove says marketing the service and gaining a larger set of users will be a priority. The company is also trying to get on "as many connected devices as possible," from those smart TVs to phones like the Xperia Play and other Internet devices. The company is also selling its wireless controller, and that controller is designed to work with many of these devices directly, in the hopes of creating a unified OnLive experience from box to box. OnLive has created some pretty incredible experiences in these two services. It's hard to believe that cloud delivery of streaming software usage like this can work so well, but it is true: Just load up the gaming app on your Mac or the desktop app on your iPad while hooked up to a solid Internet connection to see the service working in action. OnLive seems destined to become extremely popular, and once more users realize just what's available here, all of those possibilities will no doubt be realized and then some.
CES 2012: interview roundup (video)
The Engadget stage was home to many an interview at this year's CES. Many, many interviews. Given the deluge of guests we hosted in Las Vegas this year, you could be forgiven for not keeping up -- for throwing up your hands in exasperation and making a sandwich to heal the hurt. You could, but you won't. That's because this year, we thought it'd be a good idea to corral all of our CES 2012 interviews into one big metallic box, and hand-pick only the plumpest, juiciest and most eyebrow-arching ones for your enjoyment. We then took those select few and put them in a smaller, spotlit box, which was affixed atop the aforementioned metallic box with a butterfly shaped bow and maybe some duck fat. Add some mood lighting, a splash of bourbon, and voilà. It's the CES 2012 interview roundup, and it's after the break.
Sprint remains tepid on Windows Phone at CES, confirms no new WiMAX phones are planned
This may have been a fairly big CES for Windows Phone, but it looks like Microsoft still has a fair bit of convincing to do in order to bring all the carriers fully on board. That includes Sprint, which does currently have a Windows Phone in its lineup (and is apparently considering more in the "August-September time period"), but remains decidedly unenthusiastic about the platform as a whole. As PCMag reports, Sprint's David Owens said that the carrier is willing to train its reps on Windows Phone, but that Microsoft has to "build the enthusiasm for the product," adding that the "number-one reason the product was returned was the user experience." Sprint's director of product development, Lois Fagan, further added that the carrier remains "cautiously optimistic," but that Windows Phone "just hasn't taken off." In other news, Owens also confirmed that Sprint would expectedly now be focusing all of its intention on its new LTE network, and not produce any more WiMAX-based phones -- although, as it's noted previously Sprint will continue to support the network itself through 2015.
GoBandit WiFi helmet cam hands-on
Extreme sports junkies are no strangers to the vast selection of helmet cams just waiting for them to record their wicked shenanigans, so we were expecting to see nothing drastically new when we stopped by the GoBandit booth at CES 2012. There was one thing, however, that stuck out to us as we played with the company's top-tier model, the GoBandit Live: WiFi. And let's be very careful with words here, because these full HD cams don't find WiFi hotspots -- they are WiFi hotspots. This means that not only can you upload your vids to another device, you can broadcast them live. Here's how it works: download the companion iOS app (the company's working to have Android compatibility soon), activate the cam's WiFi and either load your vids or view them live. The model GoBandit had on hand was still a prototype model, so unfortunately we weren't able to put it to the full test yet, though we at least were able to snap a few pics for the gallery below. Available in March, it comes in two flavors: the Live, which offers GPS and WiFi, and the Race, which doesn't. The pair will go for $419 and $319, respectively.Joseph Volpe contributed to this post.
Turtle Beach XP400 wireless gaming headset hands-on
Turtle Beach announced a duo of new XBOX 360 and PS3 gaming headsets on day one of CES, and we were able to spend a bit of time with one of them, the XP400, on the show floor. It's Turtle Beach's flagship gaming headset, featuring adjustable Dolby 5.1 virtual surround sound, a non-A2DP dual-pairing Bluetooth radio for picking up phone calls during gaming sessions, a 15 hour rechargeable battery and dual-band 2.4/5GHZ built-in WiFi. The actual over-the-ear pieces have a much better layout from previous models, though there are almost as many buttons as there are on the controller you'd be wielding -- with volume up / down, chat volume up / down, mute, Bluetooth pairing, limiter button and tone buttons. The included dual-band WiFi adapter that connects to your gaming console of choice is small and pretty minimalistic in design. The adjustable surround angles feature seems useful but we can't help but to feel it's a bit gimmicky -- we have a hard time figuring out which setting is better. One feature that we really like is the new Limiter function, which allows you to keep the volume relatively high to listen for those footsteps (lower in volume) but won't blow your ear drums out when a RPG rocket (explosion-like volume levels) hits you in the face. The sound was also crisp and loud as we completed our spec-op mission at the Turtle Beach gaming booth, where the headset's noise-blocking abilities proved to be particularly handy. Hit up the gallery below for a close look at the $220 gaming headset set to be available this quarter. Joe Pollicino contributed to this report.
Hands-on with Gracenote's automotive-grade MoodGrid
Garmin has a new head unit (internally dubbed Everest) that's due to arrive in a few OEM vehicles later this year, and aside from an attractive interface, a revamped navigation system and one-shot voice commands, a new audio app from Gracenote could be included in the package.The app is called MoodGrid and it's a scaled down version of the Android-based version that Gracenote has been testing for the last year. Like the tablet app, the automotive-spec MoodGrid has a graph with Positive, Calm, Energetic and Dark on each axis. Place your finger anywhere between those points and the system scours your iPhone, iPod or Android device for tracks to match your mood. The automotive version uses a five-by-five grid and a new tablet version has the potential to tap into subscription music services to serve up the tunes. Check out the hands-on video after the break and expect to see MoodGrid in dealerships sometime this year.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: Detroit Auto Show, solar plants and hydrophobic nanocoating
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. This week Inhabitat hit the streets of Detroit to bring you the hottest hybrid vehicles and electric cars from the 2012 North American International Auto Show! We saw automakers unveil scores of sexy supercars like the Lexus LF-LC coupe, the Chevy MiRay, and the NSX concept hybrid, and we also showcased more realistic street-ready vehicles like Ford's Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, VW's brand new hybrid Jetta, and Via Motors' VTRUX extended-range EV pickup. We also peered into the future of sustainable transportation as we brought you the finalists in Michelin's city car design challenge, we learned that the world's largest driverless personal transit system is set to break ground in India, and we saw the UK green light the first phase of its new HS2 high-speed rail line.It was also a bright week for alternative energy as MIT scientists discovered a way to make more efficient solar plants modeled after sunflowers and Sweden announced plans for a massive 700 megawatt wind farm in the Baltic Sea. Meanwhile, we learned that Rwanda's poo-powered prisons are able to produce 75% of their power from human waste, we showcased plans for an energy-generating rolling suitcase that charges your gadgets, and we saw the launch of several shining solar-powered devices - OLPC's XO3 tablet computer and the sun-powered Solarkindle e-reader cover.In other news, this week we rounded up our favorite eco gadgets from CES 2012 - including a hydrophobic nanocoating that makes any gadget completely waterproof. We also saw 200 Chinese works construct a 30 story prefab building in just 15 days, and we watched superman fly across a cute animated LEGO TV. Finally, we brought you the latest and greatest developments in wearable technology - including a set of smart sunglasses that merge virtual information with the real world, a set of bone-conducting earphones, and a set of motorized skates that can be attached to any boring old pair of shoes.
Android integration for car stereos and rear-view mirrors, hands-on (video)
CES may be over, but we've still got a few interesting gems to share from our week-long trip in Las Vegas. Far off the beaten path of glitzy booths and familiar brand names, we discovered a few companies that are looking to bring Android gadgetry into automobiles. One that exemplifies this nascent product realm is known as Rydeen. While many of its creations remain merely prototypes, the firm is close to completion of a double-DIN stereo head unit that runs Android 2.2. Then, imagine our surprise when we discovered a functional version of Froyo running from within a rear-view mirror. By the company's own admission, it has no interest to bring a stock Android experience to the reflective surface, but rather is treating this project as a learning experience. By 2013, it hopes to show a finalized mirror with a simplified interface more appropriate for drivers. We happened to grab a brief hands-on video with both models, along with the Android head unit. While we'd be hesitant to use any of the samples in their current state, each provides a fine glimpse into some of the consumer products that we may see in the desert next year.
JVC's GY-HMQ10 4K Camcorder hands-on (video)
We felt compelled to get our hands onto JVC's 4K-resolution-shooting camcorder. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly) the company wasn't letting us take footage with the kit, but we were allowed plenty of unsupervised time with the device. You'll notice how retro this whole thing looks -- the hefty unit is placed in a housing that wouldn't be out of place with a VHS-C camcorder from the early '90s. There's no mount for additional lenses (the $10,000 Red Scarlet uses interchangeable Canon lenses), which means that you won't have any flexibility if you need to set up a complex shot on the fly. The test unit came with a hot-shoe adapter that included dual XLR inputs and a shotgun mic, but we expect this to be an added extra at retail. The zooming is smooth (we couldn't hear any motor noise) and when we screwed with the manual focus, it was able to snap back to clarity within three seconds. We're a little concerned about who the camera is aimed at: it lacks the flexibility that the Red would offer but it seems a little hefty (it's $5,000) for consumers -- so it looks like it's limited toward roaming broadcast professionals who need their recordings in HD. That said, the ability to decode 4K recordings without additional rendering might come in very handy for those who are prepared to pay a premium for that flexibility. Still, if you fancy watching us take a tour of the hardware and seeing it up close, head on past the break for the video. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Engadget goes hands-on with the RetroDuo Portable NES/SNES
We don't know if you guys realize this or not, but CES is a big show. Like, really big. So big, in fact, that our crack team of ground forces couldn't possibly see all that there is to see, no matter how efficient and devilishly handsome they may be. Thankfully, our sister site Engadget was also at the show, and they got to spend some hands-on time with the RetroDuo Portable, an NES/SNES combo device from classic console fabricator Retro-Bit. Functionally, the device serves the same purpose as the SupaBoy released by Hyperkin late last year, albeit with a few catches. Hit the source link for Engadget's full write up, and ask yourself a very important question: Which is more valuable, $90, or memories?
Nexuiz brings the twitch back to FPS on XBLA
It's circa 1999, and I'm in my freshman college dorm room, playing a game on my Windows 98 computer. It uses a clunky CRT monitor that takes up most of my desk, but on that monitor a series of images flashes by -- walls, a floor, a skybox overhead, more walls, more floors. Quickly, there's a flash of an colorful icon on the screen, and in first-person view I bound towards it. Just as I grab the quad-damage and jump off a cliff, an opponent appears in my peripheral. While falling through the air, I instantly move my mouse around just so, click the button, and my rocket lands perfectly alongside the enemy avatar, bursting it into a spray of gory red pixels. A real-life cry of anguish is heard from down the hall, where my floormate has just had to click to respawn. I smile, and run off to look for more prey. That's the feeling that made playing Quake 2 so magical back in the day, and Nexuiz is a direct descendant of that line. It was originally an open source shooter based off of the Quake engine, and developer IllFonic has now remade the game in CryEngine 3, set for release on Xbox Live Arcade next month. And though the Microsoft booth at CES 2012 is a long way away from my dorm room in both space and time, just a few minutes of gameplay pointed me right back to that formative experience. %Gallery-97412%
Audi combines HUD with gesture controls, leaves us wanting
Audi is back at CES for the second year in a row, complete with a retina-searing, biggie-sized booth, its next-gen Audi Command interface and a prototype heads-up display that combines three displays with gesture controls.The setup uses one HUD in front of the driver, another in front of the passenger and yet another display in the middle that's viewable by both people in the front seats. While that's not particularly revolutionary, the transfer of information from one display to the next is. If the passenger looks up a restaurant using their own display, she can swipe it over to the center HUD, providing the driver with navigation instructions. The display tech is still a few years away from production, but don't expect the gesture controls to come along for the ride.
Sun Innovations show off Transplay Animated Laser Display, projects blueish vision of the future (video)
As we continued to explore deeper and deeper into the underbelly of CES, something sparkled in the corner of our jaded eyes as we flitted between rows and rows of anonymous stalls. Already festooned with engineering awards, this animated laser display works by beaming a laser generated image onto glass planes containing a film of nanoparticles. Although a blue projector was on show here, it's also being developed in red, white and even dual blue and red. The projector itself requires only a short distance to project across the full width of the screen -- the demo kit you see here was under three feet from the image, which was pin sharp. They're not really about the implementation here, more the hardware, which accepts VGA input through either the USB connection or the built-in XD card reader. Regardless, the current demo reel includes some retail display animations and rotating logos -- including a glimpse of the Zune logo -- but the system can also be turned into an augmented reality driving aid. Marvel at it yourself by checking out our eyes-on right after the break. Zach Honig contributed to this post.
Mercedes-Benz gesture control concept is DICEy
Ze Germans seem to be obsessed with Minority Report-style interior controls, and Mercedes-Benz has taken it to the next level with a full-scale interior with nary a button or switch to be found.Mercedes' Dynamic & Intuitive Control Experience (DICE) utilizes a series of proximity sensors to detect arm and hand movements, which control everything from music, navigation and social functionality to a heads-up display that comprises the entire windshield.You can get a feel for the system in action in the video after the break, but as you'll see, it's very beta, mistaking hand movements for selections and generally being a pain to use – let alone control while you're driving a car. Thankfully, Mercedes has plenty of time to work out the kinks as it won't be coming to production for at least a couple decades.
NuForce CEO teases Air DAC for high quality wireless audio streaming at CES (video)
Nestled deep within the iLounge hall of CES, surrounded by numerous vendors of cheap phone cases and yesterday's news, we stumbled upon a company that didn't quite belong. Known as NuForce, the firm is recognizable amongst audiophiles both for its high-end gear and consumer lineup that often shames overpriced competitors. As it happened, we stumbled upon a mysterious product known as the Air DAC, and happily, NuForce CEO, Jason Lim was on hand to give us a tour. Withholding technical specs (for now), the product is built for high quality wireless audio streaming and will ship as two distinct products -- one that operates over USB and another built for Apple's dock connector. We're also told that each transmitter can be paired with four Air DAC receivers and vice versa. Also, the product can be daisy-chained together to cover larger distances.The DAC unit itself is rather spartan, which features only a power connector and two RCA analog outs. Yeah, digital ports would've been more alluring, but the Air DAC seems to be targeted at the average consumer and we're told it'll have a price to match. The sound quality was absolutely fantastic when played through the Icon system, which includes a separate amplifier and the Icon S-X speakers. Then again, we wouldn't have expected anything less, given the quality of the Icon setup to begin with. For an introductory look at the system in action, be sure to check the video after the break.
Samsung gets tired of neighbors watching its Transparent Smart Window, installs blinds
Sammy's transparent OLED displays may not be the freshest piece of tech at CES, but its still pretty dang awesome. We first saw Samsung's 46-inch 1920 x 1080 digitally augmented window back in March, but dropped by its CES booth for a second look. Although the touchscreen window still teases to fulfill our fevered sci-fi dreams, not much has changed -- it's still clear, it's still loaded with widgets, and it's still not anywhere near being installed in your home. Samsung told us this was still a concept device, although they did mention that the technology could be scaled down for use in military visors and heads up displays. Hit the break to see a video demo of a few new apps, including a rather slick set of digital blinds.Joe Pollicino contributed to this report.
Retrobit RetroDuo portable and RetroPort hands-on
Inspired, perhaps, by the fruits of Ben Heck's dual-console handheld dreams, Retrobit has retrofit their Retroduo NES / SNES hybrid game console to fit in your hand. The Retroduo Portable, a handheld SNES console shown for the first time at CES 2012, hopes to one-up Hyperkin's SupaBoy by adding support for classic NES games. We dropped by their booth to get a closer look.
Samsung Galaxy Note Notepad hands-on at CES: it's like a Note, but analog
What if Samsung made a Galaxy Note, but instead of throwing a dual-core processor, a few megabytes (or gigabytes, whatever) of RAM, and random pieces of silicon between the front and rear covers, it included an undetermined amount of paper? What it we lived in a world where that type of activity was not only okay, but encouraged? What if the Note is actually the Notepad in a parallel universe? What if the aforesaid parallel universe is reality in Las Vegas, Nevada? Think about it.
Kia UVO2 is your Korean big brother, we go hands-on
Kia's first entry into the infotainment realm had a slightly rocky start, but the Korean automaker is back at CES this year with UVO2, its second-generation in-dash telematics and connectivity platform. The big features in UVO2 include automatic crash notification, incorporated road-side assistance, service reminders and a brace of new vehicle tracking and geo-fencing features to make sure your teens don't stray too far, go too fast or stay out too late. Partner all that with an updated iPhone app that keeps track of maintenance and includes a vehicle finder that uses AR to find your ride, and it's a comprehensive update. But for now, Kia isn't saying exactly when UVO2 is hitting the market and how much the system will cost when it arrives. Get a taste of the new system in the hands-on after the break.
ROCCAT Isku keyboard and Kone mouse hands-on (video)
Sure, European gamers have been able to get their hands on ROCCAT's flavor or gaming tools for awhile now, but CES 2012 is finally delivering some of the outfit's German engineered love to the US. Just last week, the firm announced it would be bringing its 6000 DPI Kone gaming rodent and Isku illuminated keyboard the states later this year -- we found the deadly Deutch duo tucked away in a corner of the show's gaming nook.
