LightShot is a Lightweight and Fast Screenshot Capture Tool [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5594846/lightshot-is-a-lightweight-and-fast-screenshot-capture-tool

Windows standalone or Firefox/Chrome/IE: If you're looking for a snappy screenshot tool, LightShot is lightweight, fast, featured packed, and available as a stand alone application or a browser add-on.

LightShot is a lightweight screenshot tool available for Windows or as an add-on for Firefox, Chrome, and IE. You can capture screenshots in a variety of ways including uploading them to the internet via ImageShack, dumping the sreenshot to your clipboard, opening the screenshot for editing in Pixlr, or simply saving them to your computer as a JPG, PNG, or BMP. LightShot also supports hot keys for every major function—CTRL+E, for example, launches the online editor for your images while CTRL+D uploads it to ImageShack.

LightShot is a free tool and requires no registration. If you'd like to check out other screenshot tools make sure to take a peek at our previous Hive Five on the topic Five Best Screen Capture Tools. Have a favorite lightweight screen capture tool to share? Let's hear about it in the comments.

LightShot [via MakeUseOf]

HP Slate lookalike spotted in China, might beat the real thing to the market

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/hp-slate-lookalike-spotted-in-china-might-beat-the-real-thing-t/

Once again, China has proven to the world that it's the place to be for all sorts of gadgetry miracle. Just look at this 10-inch Windows 7 tablet here -- it may not be a full clone of the forthcoming 8.9-inch HP Slate, but it does come with a couple of interesting features: a 1366 x 768 resistive multitouch display (ideal for tackling the complicated Chinese characters with a stylus) and a webcam. You'll also find a handful of regular tidbits on this 1.66GHz Atom N450 device: a regular USB port coupled by a mini version, 3.5mm headphone jack, VGA port, LAN port, accelerometer, Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G. Oh, and you'll get a free stand, too, but we'll be minding our own business until this no-frills tablet gets a price.

HP Slate lookalike spotted in China, might beat the real thing to the market originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Bold 9780 leaks out with OS 6, QWERTY instead of touchscreen

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/24/blackberry-bold-9780-leaks-out-with-os-6-qwerty-wifi/

Take this one with a grain of salt, but it's looking like our old friend the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is getting a wee bit of an update. Yesterday evening, CrackBerry discovered a RIM document that describes a QWERTY-packing, OS 6-rocking "BlackBerry 9780" destined for a GSM carrier near you... and less than 24 hours later, handset sleuth Salomondrin claims to have the first picture of the device. While we quite honestly can't tell the difference, the man who outed the Curve 2 says this device's chrome bezel is a tad darker than the original, and that it'll have 512MB of flash memory when it hits the scene. Of course, this could just be an Bold 9700 with a hacked ROM or a theme of some sort, but we certainly hope not; pepper it up with CDMA, and you've got a shoe-in for the Curve 3.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

BlackBerry Bold 9780 leaks out with OS 6, QWERTY instead of touchscreen originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adobe Air peer-to-peer video call concept Android app hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/24/adobe-air-peer-to-peer-video-call-concept-android-app-hands-on/

If you recall, a few days ago we stumbled upon a cheekily-named concept app (which has since been renamed for obvious reasons) from Adobe that does video-calling on Android. This is pretty rad considering it's just Qik and Fring offering the same service for the green bot right now, so we trotted along to Adobe's London office to get a closer look at this demo. As with many things in life, not all went as planned as you can see after the break -- the video stream froze up on several occasions, but then again Adobe's Mark Doherty only spent three days cooking this simple app. Regardless, this should still help Android developers understand the beefed-up peer-to-peer capabilities in the forthcoming Air 2.5 runtime, which is now "feature-complete" and undergoing extensive testing ahead of launch later this year.

Things are less positive for Flash availability on other mobile platforms, though. While Nokia's just waiting for a Linux SDK before it can start porting Flash apps to its devices within 2010, Adobe implied that it's still waiting for two other vendors to respond -- Palm's already been shown a Flash build running on webOS devices, and it's just a matter of the company signing up for Adobe's device certification system; RIM, on the other hand, is a bit more vague, but we were told it's definitely interested in both Air and Flash. And here's the surprise of the day: no comment on Flash for iOS (not to be confused with its digital publishing tools for the iPad), but there's no stopping you from hacking it in yourself.

Continue reading Adobe Air peer-to-peer video call concept Android app hands-on (video)

Adobe Air peer-to-peer video call concept Android app hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CTIA sues San Francisco over cellphone radiation law

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/24/ctia-sues-san-francisco-over-cellphone-radiation-law/

San Francisco may have signed cellphone radiation labels into law, but the stickers won't stick without a fight -- the Cellular Telephone Industries Association (CTIA) just filed a complain in federal district court, claiming the new law supersedes the FCC's authority to regulate radio emissions and misleads consumers into believing some phones are safer than others. As we've discussed previously, the CTIA does have something of a point. Every phone that makes it to market is rigorously tested for cell phone radiation levels, and those that pass fall below a specific 1.6 watt per kilogram threshold already. But hey, we're all for bombarding our brains with that much less radiation, as long as our calls stay connected and our text messages arrive on time. If only there were a label for that. Read the CTIA's full complaint at our more coverage link.

CTIA sues San Francisco over cellphone radiation law originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft becomes official ARM licensee, could an MS microprocessor be next?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/microsoft-becomes-official-arm-licensee-could-an-ms-microproces/

ARM processors are so hot right now, especially in the mobile space, where they power many of the greatest smartphones, tablets, and mobile devices coming down the turnpike. Microsoft is apparently looking to merge in on that action, becoming an official ARM licensee. It's unclear exactly what MS will be doing with its new found technical rights, but General Manager KD Hallman said "With closer access to the ARM technology we will be able to enhance our research and development activities for ARM-based products." This likely means Microsoft will be better optimizing Windows Embedded and Windows Phone for the processor architecture, but also opens the door for Ballmer & Co. to create their own magical microprocessor and, ultimately, use it to rule the world with an iron fist. Terms of the agreement were not given, but hopefully nobody in Redmond had to lose any appendages to seal the deal.

Continue reading Microsoft becomes official ARM licensee, could an MS microprocessor be next?

Microsoft becomes official ARM licensee, could an MS microprocessor be next? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IBM's zEnterprise architecture makes mainframes cool again, also efficient (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/ibms-zenterprise-architecture-makes-mainframes-cool-again-also/

There's a good chance you think mainframes are about as cool as pocket protectors, your parents on Facebook, and COBOL... the latter of which, of course, is largely executed on mainframes. If so, stand still while IBM blows the doors (and the dust) off of your mainframe misconceptions with its new zEnterprise 196, offering 96 5.2GHz cores, 3TB of RAM, and hot swappable I/O drawers for when you need to change pants in a hurry. All this is said to boost performance by 60 percent compared to its predecessor, the z10, while also reducing energy consumption by a claimed 80 percent -- though that could be compared to people sitting in tanning booths performing calculations with abacuses for all we know. However, you can drop consumption a further 12 percent by opting for the water cooling system, nice if your AC unit is already struggling. IBM will start shipping these behemoths sometime in the last quarter of this year and didn't mention pre-orders, so get ready to rent the biggest truck you can find and camp out in Armonk if you want yours on release day.

Continue reading IBM's zEnterprise architecture makes mainframes cool again, also efficient (video)

IBM's zEnterprise architecture makes mainframes cool again, also efficient (video) origin! ally app eared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaikai game streaming service evades also-ran status with investments from Intel and Limelight

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/gaikai-game-streaming-service-evades-also-ran-status-with-invest/

Since we're still reeling from the fact that OnLive actually works, it seems a bit premature to be looking for competition in the game streaming space. Still, the browser-based Gaikai service is coming on fast, with a planned September launch and EA on board for those mega-hit titles the kids are playing these days. For a bit of added reassurance, Gaikai just announced it's getting investments from Intel Capital and Limelight Networks, whose products it just happens to be using. Gaikai's servers will have 6-core Intel processors and Intel SSD drives inside, and Limelight is already on tap to make the whole distribution part work. We can't say we're happy to see yet another platform war in the gaming space, especially after it looked like Steam was going to let us all live in perfect harmony in computer land, but the allure of playing high-end games instantly from a browser is hard to deny.

Gaikai game streaming service evades also-ran status with investments from Intel and Limelight originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Kinetic concept revealed in prototype form

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/nokia-kinetic-concept-revealed-in-prototype-form/

Impressed by Jeremy Innes-Hopkins' Nokia Kinetic concept the other day? Then take a good look at the image above. That's the actual prototype of the device, which unfortunately doesn't power on (or have anything to power on), but does look remarkably like the previous renders we've seen, and gives us a far better idea of the scale of the device. In case you missed it, the real hook of the concept is an electromagnet in the phone's base that allows it to stand up on cue, and be flipped down to dismiss an action (like an alarm or a video call). We also now know that Innes-Hopkins worked on the project at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London under the tutelage of former Nokia Senior Designer Silas Grant, who was responsible for many of Nokia's premium phones like the 8800 Scirocco. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Nokia Kinetic prototype

Nokia Kinetic concept revealed in prototype form originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is why you should NEVER pay for impressions CPMs; pay only for clicks CPCs - http://bit.ly/b5OGc8

Poplar Science: Custom Proteins Drawn from Genetically Engineered Trees Expand Silicon Chips' Memory Capacity

Source: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-07/poplar-science-leads-better-computers

In the future, we won't need rare-earth elements to make powerful computers. We can use poplar trees. Engineers in Israel have figured out how to use protein molecules from poplars to improve computer memory. The technique uses silica nanoparticles combined with poplar proteins, according to researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The nano-poplar approach marks a new way to miniaturize memory elements while also increasing capacity, according to a university news release. The findings were published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

The technology involves genetically engineering poplar proteins so they can hybridize with the silica nanoparticles. The nanoparticles attach to the inner pore of the protein, and the poplar pores are arranged in an array of molecular memory elements.

The research team, led by Prof. Danny Porath at the Institute of Chemistry at Hebrew University, found the memory elements can carry out stable computing activity. They hope the technology can provide an alternative to current computer memory fabrication processes.

[PhysOrg]

Looking Inside Fruits and Vegetables With MRI

Source: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-07/looking-inside-fruits-and-vegetables-mri

If you are what you eat, then it makes sense to know what your food actually is. Taking this notion to a perhaps extravagant but nonetheless entertaining degree, someone out there decided to run a bunch of common fruits and vegetables through an MRI machine. The resulting videos and images let you see the Earth's bounty in a whole new way (literally).

If that's not cool enough, someone else who saw the MRI foods on Reddit decided to stitch all the corn images together with the modeling software Maya, creating a scrumptious 3-D model just like Grandma used to make. Dig in.

[Above, the MRI cross section of a head of broccoli. Below, 3-D modeling software puts the broccoli together again]

Check out the video MRI fly-throughs of several different fruits and veggies here.

[Inside Insides via Kottke]

Spitzer Telescope Finds First-Ever Buckyballs in Space

Source: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-07/spitzer-telescope-finds-first-ever-buckyballs-space

The space discoveries are piling up this week. Next up: Astronomers working with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope have discovered buckyballs in space for the very first time, putting an end to a decades-long search for the largest molecules now known to exist in space.

Buckyballs are so named because they resemble the geodesic domes associated with architect Buckminster Fuller (the little magnetic balls that some people keep around as a desk ornament are also a tribute to this structure). The 60-carbon-atom molecules were first created in the lab a quarter century ago and have been long since thought to exist in space, but for years they eluded researchers.

The carbon atoms in buckyballs are arranged in a three-dimensional spherical structure that gives them a soccer ball-like appearance, with the atomic bonds creating an alternating pattern of hexagons and pentagons. The structure is more than just elegant; it's unique strength and properties have made it a sought after molecule for a range of applications including armor and superconductors.

Perhaps as impressive as the buckyballs themselves is the fact that Spitzer found them at all. They were detected in a planetary nebula called Tc 1, where an aging star had likely shed a layer of carbon rich material into a cloud. Light passing through the cloud gave off the unique spectral signatures of the buckyballs, which only made their presence known because they were at the right temperature to be seen. It's impressive enough that Spitzer can peer out into the universe and analyze its contents down to the molecule. Looking at the right place at the right time, that's just cosmic good fortune.

[NASA]

$35 Dollar Tablet Will Cost $20, Eventually $10 [Computers]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5594441/35-dollar-tablet-will-cost-20-eventually-10

The Indian government has revealed its super-super-low-priced tablet computer, which it says it'll start selling to students this year—for $35. It's a bit bulky, but for $35 you can't really whine about the bezel size.

Indian authorities expect to be able to make and sell the chunky computer for $35 at first, before economies of scale bring that down to $20—and eventually $10. But it won't be a stripped-down, feature-light machine—the impressive hardware spec includes support for video conferencing, PDF and multimedia compatibility, internet access (with Flash!) and much more.

The full press release from the Indian government's HR department can be read here. [TNW]

Apple starts refunding Bumper purchases automagically

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/apple-starts-refunding-bumper-purchases-automatically/

Automatic refunds, or so the email says. We've been on the receiving end of a deluge of tips this morning pointing out that Apple has begun funneling cash back into its users' pockets -- a most unusual event, to be sure -- to live up to its retroactive promise of free Bumpers for all (who buy their iPhone 4 before September 30). If the particular wording is to be trusted, that should mean that even those who haven't yet bothered to put in a claim, but did purchase a Bumper, will find themselves enriched in due course. Apple estimates this bandaid solution to its antenna problems will cost $175 million in real cash money, but we suspect the biggest price to pay will be in the form of pride and reputation.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Apple starts refunding Bumper purchases automagically originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iMac refresh is imminent, according to reseller sources

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/imac-refresh-is-imminent-according-to-reseller-sources/

The latest word from behind Apple-authorized cashiers is that Cupertino has stopped shipping out fresh stock of its entry-level 21-inch iMac. The Core 2 Duo-equipped machines were already looking long in the tooth in this Core i-something era, and so predictably the latest speculation centers around the idea of Apple taking its full iMac range into Core i3, i5 and i7 territory. Nobody really knows any of the specs for the moment, but resellers are apparently being advised to sell through what stock they have and to "keep inventories lean" for the next few weeks. Considering Apple's last all-in-one overhaul coincided with the introduction of the Magic Mouse, we're starting to suspect the company might have another iMac plus touch input device combo coming -- potentially in the very near future.

iMac refresh is imminent, according to reseller sources originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Uses Forensic Tech To Catch Software Counterfeiters [Counterfeiting]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5594134/microsoft-uses-csi+style-forensic-tech-to-catch-software-counterfeiters

Microsoft takes fighting software counterfeiting so seriously that it's looking at crime-scene forensic technology for inspiration. Apparently the software maker is using custom microscopes to match counterfeit discs to their creators—just like bullets to guns:

At a crime lab in Dublin, Microsoft's Donal Keating uses a custom-built microscope to take 72 high-resolution images of a counterfeit software disc. Just as police use ballistics to match bullets to a suspect's gun, Keating, the company's senior forensics manager, will use the abrasions and grooves on the stacking ring, a raised ridge around the disc's center, to match it to other fakes. He'll then try to trace the counterfeit disc to the factory and the crime syndicate that produced it.

In addition to using these specialized microscopes and ballistics matches, Microsoft is also using a technique that "involves identifying digital traces left behind by the laser that stamped the disc."

Surely these techniques are used by large forensic teams, but I'm just picturing a dimly lit crime lab with Microsoft's version of Abby Sciuto telling her boss just where a fishy copy of Microsoft Office was produced. [Business Week]

Image via Fanpop

Front rendered surround sound is not a gimmick

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/front-rendered-surround-sound-is-not-a-gimmick/

Yes, we know what you're thinking because it is what we used to; but after some extensive testings with the latest SRS front rendered surround sound technologies, we can't call it a gimmick anymore than any other surround sound we've tried. Now that we've gotten that off our chest, we would like clarify what technologies like SRS TheaterSound and SRS TruSurround HD are; both are sound processing technologies that enhance two speaker systems, and while we won't call them a gimmick, we won't be throwing our rear speakers away just yet. That doesn't mean they don't have a place in any home theater, but if you're interested in knowing where they do fit in, well, you'll just have to click through and read the rest for that tidbit.

Gallery: SRS TheaterSound and TruSurround HD

Continue reading Front rendered surround sound is not a gimmick

Front rendered surround sound is not a gimmick originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft confirms Windows Phone 7 manufacturers: ASUS, Dell, HTC, LG, and Samsung all on board

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/microsoft-confirms-windows-phone-7-manufacturers-asus-dell-ht/

Microsoft is no stranger to having partners galore in the phone business, but its lineup of manufacturers for the upcoming, surprisingly promising Windows Phone 7 launch is no less impressive. After plenty of rumoring, Microsoft has confirmed that Dell and HTC will be making Windows Phone 7 phones, in addition to ASUS, LG, and Samsung who had already been confirmed. All of these companies should have their stamp on hardware by the end of the year, with the launch of the OS still vaguely slated for the "holidays." We have no doubt that all five manufacturers can build some compelling, sexy hardware, but we're particularly enthused to see Dell really getting into the game after the impressive Streak and that drool-worthy leak a little while back. It's a good time to be alive if you're a person who buys or uses phones.

Microsoft confirms Windows Phone 7 manufacturers: ASUS, Dell, HTC, LG, and Samsung all on board originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AmpliTube for iPad available, Yngwie Malmsteen en route to Apple Store

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/amplitube-for-ipad-available-yngwie-malmsteen-en-route-to-apple/

Just a quick note for all of you virtual amping enthusiasts: IK Multimedia has announced that the AmpliTube is now available for iPad. As you'd expect, it works with your iRig hardware and the UI seems benefit from the extra screen real estate (let's be honest -- twiddling all those knobs and stomp boxes on the iPod Touch was a little bit much for us to take). It comes in two flavors: free (three effects, one amp, one cab, two mics) or $20 (11 effects, five amps and cabs, two mics). Either way it's cheaper than spending $350 for the OS X version. PR after the break.

Continue reading AmpliTube for iPad available, Yngwie Malmsteen en route to Apple Store

AmpliTube for iPad available, Yngwie Malmsteen en route to Apple Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S review shootout: Captivate for AT&T and Vibrant for T-Mobile

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/samsung-galaxy-s-review-shootout-captivate-for-atandt-and-vibrant/

We've got to hand it to Samsung with its Galaxy S line. Coordinating the launch of a single family of devices across all four national US carriers (plus a regional or two) is a feat very rarely accomplished, and usually reserved for really unique handsets that those carriers wouldn't be able to effectively source from anyone else; HTC's Touch Pro2 is a prime example of that. Add to that the murky issue of exclusivity periods... and, well, yeah, Samsung definitely has reason to be proud here -- on the business end of things, anyway. Never mind the awesome contractual maneuvering that undoubtedly took place to make this all happen, though -- we all know that it's the hardware (and software) that really counts. Today we're looking at the first two models of the American run, the Captivate for AT&T and the Vibrant for T-Mobile; Verizon's Fascinate and Sprint's QWERTY- and WiMAX-equipped Epic 4G are still forthcoming, though we expect the Fascinate to be largely similar to these first two.

Beyond their simple appeal as sexy, high-end Android phones, what makes the Captivate and Vibrant especially interesting is that they are actually their respective carriers' only high-end Android phones at the moment. In other words: if 1GHz processors and high-res AMOLED displays are how you roll, these are basically the only game in town if you're on AT&T or T-Mobile -- particularly now that Nexus One sales are winding down. Do they rise to the challenge? Let's have a look.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S review shootout: Captivate for AT&T and Vibrant for T-Mobile

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S review shootout: Captivate for AT&T and Vibrant for T-Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S review shootout: Captivate for AT&T and Vibrant for T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RT @glenngabe: Despite Enormous Popularity, Old Spice Guy Not Helping Sales http://ping.fm/xC38v h/t @wilreynolds viral does not = $

Droid X users gobbling up 5x the data of other Verizon smartphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/droid-x-users-gobbling-up-5x-the-data-of-other-verizon-smartphon/

Been wondering why Verizon would seek to curb its unlimited data plans with bogus restrictions? Wonder no more. Jennifer Byrne, a business development executive director at Big Red, has shared with us the shocking stat that early data usage from Droid X owners is five times what other smartphones are suckling down. Clearly, the jumbo screen is being used to the fullest by those lucky enough to get an X when they wanted one, and Verizon is (outwardly, at least) really, really excited to see such keen use of its network. Enjoy it while it lasts, Droidsters!

Droid X users gobbling up 5x the data of other Verizon smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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