drag2share: Olly: the web-connected robot that converts pings to odors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/29/olly-the-web-connected-robot-that-converts-pings-to-odors/

What if there were a way to add smells to the things you see every single day on the internet? To some, just the thought of that there scenario would induce nausea. To others -- primarily those who spend their days Googling various rose gardens around the globe -- it just might be the extra dimension to surfing that they've been waiting for. If you happen to find yourself tucked into that second camp, we'd like to introduce you to Olly, the web-connected robot that's capable of emitting smells based on inputs from the 'net. The critter was dreamed up by Tim Pryde and the folks surrounding the Don-8r, and while there's currently no way to purchase one, instructions are forthcoming to produce your own with a 3D printer. In fact, it's recommended that users build a few, stack 'em up and connect different inputs (Twitter, Instagram, your mum's vegetarian cooking blog) to each one. It's the perfect cacophony... or the perfect disaster, depending on your browsing habits.

[Thanks, Tim]

Olly: the web-connected robot that converts pings to odors originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Olly  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: I Will Only Eat Food That's Covered in Edible Gold Spray Paint [Wtf]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5854200/i-will-only-eat-food-thats-covered-in-edible-gold-spray-paint/gallery/1

Since the price of gold is like a bazillion dollars these days, I want to surround myself with as much of it as I can. So that means even fake gold, like this weird ass edible gold paint you spray on food to get flossy, is good with me.

The edible gold spray paint is made by The Deli Garage of Germany and consists of ethyl alcohol, flavors and food additives. That sounds like a lot of crap but the spray paint is completely tasteless and harmless. Think about what you can do with edible gold spray paint. The possibilities! Thanksgiving turkey is obvious, as are any big ticket holiday dinners. But what I really want to do is just add gold to everything. I want to create gold vegetables. Maybe I'd eat 'em more. Gold mayo. Gold sriracha sauce. Gold ice cubes for my gold beer. Hell, I'd spray paint my poop gold.

The Deli Garage made other spray paint colors like silver, red and blue but I could give a hoot about those. I just want my gold. Each can costs about $35 [The Deli Garage via Gizmag]

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Google TV 2.0: Android Honeycomb. Apps. Awesome. [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5854222/google-tv-20-android-honeycomb-apps-awesome

When Google TV arrived last year, it possessed promise and potential that was never quite realized. Now Google TV 2.0 is here, armed with apps and a new content discovery system. And the search giant thinks they've got it right this time.

Google TV still revolves around the same basic concept. It is not meant as a cable replacement, nor is it really meant to be a standalone box. It works best running on top of your existing cable hardware, serving up web vids along the way. That said, Google's increased focus on delivering actual streaming TV and Movie content through apps looks exciting.

Apps

The most immediate thing Google TV users will likely notice with the upgrade is the availability of apps. Yes, this means that more video services in the vein of Netflix will run natively on your Google TV. It means music services like Pandora will do the same. Eventually, Google hopes to have a deep library of TV-optimized apps that make the Logitech and Sony boxes more functional. For now, there will only be 20 or so apps that have proper resolution and formatting, but it's possible to run most Android apps on Google TV if you really want to. And if you're worried about figuring out which apps are designed for Google TV and which ones aren't, Google says that there will be a section of the Android marketplace which corrals all the GTV apps into one list.

Android Honeycomb

Google TV runs the Honeycomb variant of Android, which was originally designed for tablets. Google opted for Honeycomb over Ice Cream Sandwich because UI issues are less of a concern given the more controlled approach Google takes with the TV platform and Honeycomb is more battle tested than its frozen counterpart. But Google's Chris Dale expects that Google TV will run on Ice Cream Sandwich someday.

Discovery

Google realizes that the first iteration of Google TV didn't provide the most meaningful search results for TV and movies and videos. So this time around, when you search for something specifically—say a TV show—it will not only tell you when it's coming on TV next, but also every other service and site it is available on. But one step further, Google has introduced a new portal called TV and Movies which focuses searches exclusively down to full TV episodes and full movies. It is working with select partners now, such as HBO, and plans to work with more. The portal is open to any video streaming services that wants to make their content database available. The advantage (and vision) here is that everything is presented in a single, consistent interface, and you won't have to launch a multiple apps to access content from multiple services.

YouTube

YouTube, and web video in general, aren't exactly living-room friendly. Google TV's keepers say they've retooled YouTube to provide a better 10-foot-experience. Before, if you watched a video clip, it would stop and force you to actively load another video. In the new Google TV, another related video will automatically begin playing when the previous video finishes. It will continue to do so until you actively navigate to another video. Services such as Hulu have used this concept to success, and it's nice to see Google doing the same, especially with all the rumors swiriling around.

Google says that the Google TV 2.0 update will first hit compatible Sony devices on October 30, and that the update for the Logitech Revue will follow "shortly after." Will the Google TV update cure all that ails the platform? That remains to be seen. But it's evident that Google has listened to the gripes of those using Google TV devices and have at least made an effort to improve it. [Google]

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: What Is Google Ripples? [Google+]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5854224/what-is-google-ripples

Google released a bunch of new Google+ features yesterday, including "What's Hot" and Instagram-ish photo filters—those weren't big surprises. But Google Ripples? We didn't see that one coming. It's weird, it's interesting... but what exactly is it?

Google Ripples is a new graphical component to Google+…

When you click the menu arrow in the upper right hand corner of a Google+ post, you're now given the option to "View Ripples." Ripples is a visualization that charts the chain reaction that occurs when content is shared on Google+. It follows the trajectory of a public post as it is shared from person to person—literally how the post ripples outwards for the user who shared it.

…that charts a post's progression over time...

Google Ripples creates a zoomable, web-like infographic that spirals out from the initial post. Arrows indicate a post's progression, while circles represents users who shared it. The resulting graphic looks a lot like a splash in a pond. Or a, uh, ripple.

…in an animation that gives a sense of scale and speed…

Hit the play button at the bottom of a post's Ripples page, and you can watch the content spread from the initial splash until the present moment. A graph at the bottom of the page charts the frequency of shares over time—essentially plotting its rise and decay in popularity.

…and shows how influential the users who shared it were…

Larger circles indicate shared posts that influenced more people to repost. Zooming into these circles reveals the sequence of shares.

...which is awfully valuable information to make public…

Social networks have always collected this type of information about users—it is crucial for how they target you with advertising. Google has a long history of making data public for both moral and pragmatic reasons. Moral because Google says the data belongs to you, pragmatic because Google believes open data spurs profitable innovation.

…but it is only a controlled experiment.

Unlike trend-tracking "What's Hot," Google's not ready to take full responsibility for Ripples yet and is tossing it into the oft-purged "experimental" category. Google wants user feedback, presumably to observe how people use the tool. There's no word on an API, either, so who knows if it'll ever amount to more than a lazy day distraction. Or a chance to compare circle sizes. [Google]

---

You can keep up with Mario Aguilar, the author of this post, on Twitter and Google+.

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Amazing Invisible Glass Kills Glare Dead [Display]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5854321/amazing-invisible-glass-kills-glare-dead

Reflections and glare on your electronic devices is irritating and causes eye strain. Nippon Electric Glass is battling glare for eyeballs everywhere with their so-impressive-you-can't-even-see-it Invisible Glass.

Reflections and glare are the bane of my existence. Between my MacBook Air and my HDTV, I'm constantly adjusting screens to minimize glare from lamps and the sun. Damn you Sun, Giver of Life! That's why I'm super excited to see that Nippon Electric Glass Co Ltd has developed a film for glass that virtually eliminates glare. The film is placed on the front and back of the glass to reduce reflections from light sources. Usually, glass will allow 92-percent of light pass through it and reflect 8-percent back to the viewer. The Invisible Glass film allows 99.5-percent of light pass through it and reflects only .5-percent back at the viewer.

If you hate math, just look at the image above. The glass on the left is untreated and the glass on the right that you can't see, that's been treated with the Invisible Glass film. That should convince you that you want this glass on your next electronic device. There's no word on when this glass wizardry will make it to market, but my retinas and I are hoping for as soon as possible. [Tech On!]

---

You can keep up with Roberto Baldwin, on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Would Anybody Else Prefer a Cadre of Streaming Net Boxes to Cable? [Just Me?]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5854435/would-anybody-else-prefer-a-cadre-of-streaming-net-boxes-to-cable

I was looking at my cable bill today and becoming deeply angry at the fact that I have to subscribe to a suite of Cantonese channels in order to get The Cartoon Network. The hell? I don't even speak Cantonese.

So I got to digging and it turns out that if I connect enough streaming net boxes (Rokus, WDTVs, etc), subscribe to the proper services (Netflix, Hulu+, NHL Season Pass, HBO Go), I can keep getting a good majority of my normal programming for a small fraction of my monthly cable bill. Problem is—I'd have a shit-ton of boxes on top of my TV, an equal number of remotes, and a magnitude more of headaches trying to get everything to play nice on my network.

So, if it were technically feasible—ie you have access to solid broadband speeds—would you ditch your cable box in favor of a cadre of net boxes and the increased operational complexity if it means paying 70 percent less each month? Or does the convenience of a single-box counter the thirty channels you have to scroll through but can't understand? And if you actually have gone the net box route, let us know how you did it in the comments.

Top image courtesy of IKO / Shutterstock

---

You can keep up with Andrew Tarantola, the author of this post, on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+.

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Samsung claims top spot in global smartphone shipments for Q3 2011, Apple slips to number two

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/samsung-claims-top-spot-in-global-smartphone-shipments-for-q3-20/

On this edition of As The Smartphone World Turns..., we've got Samsung violently snatching victory from the jaws of Apple, claiming its spot at the top of global smartphone vendors once more. Dramatics aside, the latest shipment figures tallied up by Strategy Analytics are showing that worldwide smartphone shipments are up 44 percent year-over-year, reaching a staggering 117 million units in Q3 2011. Digging into that a bit, we're told that Samsung has overtaken Apple from a units-shipped standpoint, with Sammy moving 28 million smartphones and claiming 24 percent of the market share. If you'll recall, Apple briefly grabbed hold of numero uno last quarter, but has now fallen a rung with 15 percent of the global pie. Of course, things could be dramatically different when we see Q4 2011 figures roll out -- remember, Q3 2011 was the last quarter in a long string with the aging iPhone 4 as Apple's "newest" device. Stranger still, Nokia is slotted third with just 14 percent of the global share, representing a precipitous drop from 33 percent a year ago. Similarly, Nokia's fortunes are apt to change with both the N9 finally out and its spate of Windows Phone devices heading out in short order. Hop on past the break for the full breakdown.

Continue reading Samsung claims top spot in global smartphone shipments for Q3 2011, Apple slips to number two

Samsung claims top spot in global smartphone shipments for Q3 2011, Apple slips to number two originally appeared on E! ngadget< /a> on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Strategy Analytics  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: ARMv8 detailed: 64-bit architecture, AppliedMicro first in line

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/armv8-detailed-64-bit-architecture-appliedmicro-first-in-line/

Thought Windows on ARM was snazzy? Have a gander at this. The outfit's forthcoming ARMv8 architecture, the first ARM architecture to include a 64-bit instruction set, has just been detailed, with a goal to expand the reach of ARM processor-based solutions "into consumer and enterprise applications where extended virtual addressing and 64-bit data processing are required." The ARMv8 architecture consists of two main execution states -- AArch64 and AArch32 -- and we're apt to see the real benefits hit high-end servers first. The ARMv8 architecture specifications are available now to partners under license, with the company planning to disclose processors based on ARMv8 during 2012, with consumer and enterprise prototype systems expected in 2014. Head on past the break for ARM's take, or meander to the source links for AppliedMicro's gloating.

Continue reading ARMv8 detailed: 64-bit architecture, AppliedMicro first in line

ARMv8 detailed: 64-bit architecture, AppliedMicro first in line originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  AppliedMicro (1), (2), (3)  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Google gets ready to play traditional TV, preps original YouTube channels

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/google-gets-ready-to-play-traditional-tv-preps-original-youtube/

From rumors to reality: YouTube is taking a crack at original programing. Sources close to the Wall Street Journal say that the streaming outfit is partnering with a broad mix of media firms, production companies, and savvy content creators to launch 100 channels, generating over 25 hours of original content each day. Most of these channels aren't slated to launch until next year, but when they do they are said to be backed by names like Ashton Kutcher, Tony Hawk, Jay-Z, and Madonna. YouTube is reportedly paying content partners over $100 million to jump-start this project, and hopes to create quality that can be sold to Advertisers. YouTube's blog confirmed that the first of these premium channels is set to launch next month, with subsequent channels coming in waves over the next year. Hit the source link below so see YouTube's official announcement and an early list of channels and content providers. We know you'll join us in giddy anticipation of Shaquille O'Neal's Comedy Shaq Network .

Google gets ready to play traditional TV, preps original YouTube channels originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  YouTube, Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Warpia's StreamHD Value Edition does wireless USB to HDMI on the (kinda) cheap

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/warpias-streamhd-value-edition-does-wireless-usb-to-hdmi-on-the/

Were you intrigued by Warpia's StreamHD, but turned off by its $170 price? Well maybe the new Value Edition (or VE to the cool kids) will make you crack open that piggy bank. At $130 we still wouldn't call the StreamHD VE an impulse purchase, but it's certainly not a budget buster. In the package is the same USB adapter, a wireless receiver and an A/V base with an HDMI out -- and the company still throws in an HDMI cable to boot. What do you lose to land that $40 discount? Well 5.1 surround sound for one. There's no S/PDIF out and only stereo audio is supported over HDMI. The A/V dock also cuts out the 3.5mm audio out jack, but chances are you weren't using it anyway. Check out the complete PR and one more pic after the break.

Continue reading Warpia's StreamHD Value Edition does wireless USB to HDMI on the (kinda) cheap

Warpia's StreamHD Value Edition does wireless USB to HDMI on the (kinda) cheap originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Google+ Now Displays "What's Hot" Trending & Post Sharing Data [Google+]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5854173/google%252B-now-displays-whats-hot-trending--post-sharing-data

Nerd Facebook Google+ has added another collection of decent features to its web interface, now showing "What's Hot" on the network and building "Ripples" infographics to show how posts have been shared with other users.

The changes aren't immediately noticeable. The What's Hot section appears at the bottom of your Stream and consists of a slightly irrelevant collection of updates from people you don't know, which Google's system has somehow decided are popular. It's a little strange seeing nonsense from strangers sitting in your Stream, to be honest.

As for the Ripples post sharing data, that's found within the drop-down menu to the right of each post. Click on that and an infographic appears, illustrating how your photograph of your shoes has spread around the world — and if any popular, big-time Google+ users have stumbled across it.

We're currently seeing the What's Hot section on G+ here in the UK, but the Ripples functionality doesn't appear to have filtered through as yet. Check out Google's YouTube demo of that if you'd like to see it in action. [Google via Gizmodo UK]

---

Our newest offspring Gizmodo UK is gobbling up the news in a different timezone, so check them out if you need another Giz fix.

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Motorola Droid 4 exposed to our wandering eyes, comes with LTE in tow?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/27/motorola-droid-4-exposed-to-our-wandering-eyes-comes-with-lte-i/

We were just a tad disappointed when the Motorola Droid 3 came out without Verizon's signature LTE logo on the back, but a mere three months later the QWERTY slider is back with a new model that should be packing 4G. The images above and below, procured by Droid-Life, show what looks to be a super-slim device with the same slight curves on the corner as the RAZR, and tapered back akin to the Droid Bionic. And, interestingly enough, it appears to be nearly complete, judging by the non-Mr. Blurrycam quality of the images and the tutorial stickers on the screen. Not only does the device appear to offer LTE, it also adds Webtop and should be compatible with the LapDock 100 and 500. Rounding out the tentative specs are a 4-inch display, spacious five-row keyboard (with number row included), 1080p HD video capture, front-facing camera and a non-removable battery. It also comes with Android 2.3.5 installed instead of Ice Cream Sandwich, something which we hope to see remedied soon after launch. Looks like we're finally close to having a high-end QWERTY option on Verizon's 4G lineup.

Motorola Droid 4 exposed to our wandering eyes, comes with LTE in tow? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Droid-Life  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Canon S100 hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/27/canon-s100-hands-on-video/

We managed to sneak in a bit of hands-on time with the Powershot S100 here at PhotoPlus in Manhattan.The followup to Canon's S95 is a fairly slick point-and-shoot. It's not the most compact camera in its space, but the new Powershot is surprisingly lightweight. It's got a healthy 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with improved low-light performance and a 5x optical zoom, the latter of which could certainly do with a bump. The S100 captures 1080p HD video and sports a convenient, dedicated movie button (no switching modes here). The high-end point-and-shoot doesn't pack too many surprises, but it certainly seems like a worthy successor to the highly-regarded S95. Sadly, Canon still wouldn't commit to a firm release date, only saying that it's due out in November for around $430.

Terrence O'Brien contributed to this report.

Gallery: Canon Powershot S100 hands-on

Continue reading Canon S100 hands-on (video)

Canon S100 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Google+ learns about trending topics, photo filters and how to appease Google Apps users

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/27/google-learns-about-trending-topics-photo-filters-and-how-to-a/

Still having a blast adding people into circles? Well hold on tight, because Mountain View just introduced some worthy upgrades to its social network. First up is a new feature dubbed "What's Hot" which, much like trending topics on Twitter, highlights popular content being shared on the social network. Photography aficionados in the audience can gussy up snaps with more photo editing features dubbed "Creative Kit", including a multitude of filters -- some of which (for a limited time) pertain to Halloween. And finally, those of you who use Google Apps within an organization can now partake in all the Google+ fun -- provided your IT admin isn't a social networking-hating luddite. Links explaining all that and more await you below, but before you go, why not hop past the break for some vampiric renditions of Larry and Sergey, and a few other celebs.

[Thanks, Rich]

Continue reading Google+ learns about trending topics, photo filters and how to appease Google Apps users

Google+ learns about trending topics, photo filters and how to appease Google Apps users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Official Google Blog (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: HP to announce ARM-based servers next month, throw Intel a curveball

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/27/hp-to-announce-arm-based-servers-next-month-throw-intel-a-curve/

Sources close to Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal say that HP is primed to help ARM wrestle its way into the server game next month, citing unannounced plans that may challenge Intel's corner on the market. HP is said to be working with Calxeda, an outfit with dreams of outclassing today's servers by selling OEMs an ARM-based system on a chip that can be used to build high performance racks with low energy footprints. ARM, HP and Calxeda all declined to comment, although a spokesperson for Calxeda mentioned that it has a product release event scheduled for November 1st. Intel doesn't seem too concerned, and told the Wall Street Journal that ARM architecture still had a few hurdles to jump before it was ready for the server game. "We believe the best-performing platform will win." Spoken like a true sportsman, Intel. Game on.

HP to announce ARM-based servers next month, throw Intel a curveball originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink linuxfordevices  |  Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: ITG xpPhone 2 to get some Windows 8 love, starts living large in January

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/itg-xpphone-2-to-get-some-windows-8-love-starts-living-large-in/

Let's be honest: with the size of a brick and a relatively short battery life, it's no surprise that ITG's xpPhone hasn't quite dominated the smartphone market since its launch back in November. In fact, we haven't even seen one in the wild, and we certainly wouldn't have missed it if there ever was one on the street. That said, ITG hasn't given up, as the company's just announced its second-generation Windows-powered smartphone. The reason? Well, interestingly enough, ITG prefers Windows' greater range of compatible software compared to those of mobile OSes, namely Android and iOS. Let's just leave it at that for now.

Simply dubbed the xpPhone 2, this beast of a QWERTY slider packs a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 chip, along with 2GB RAM, up to 112GB of SSD storage, 4.3-inch display and compatibility with both Windows 7 and Windows 8 -- obviously the latter OS will depend on its final release date. Not only has battery life been bumped up to around 18 hours of call time or 46 days on standby, but the phone's also been slimmed down to 140mm x 73mm x 17.5mm, which is a huge improvement compared to its bulky predecessor. With the touch-friendly Windows 8 on board along with a non-underclocked CPU, we have a feeling that the xpPhone 2 will at least fare much better than Fujitsu's F-07C; as for the rest, we shall see when it comes out in January next year. And no, it probably won't run Crysis.

Gallery: ITG xpPhone 2

ITG xpPhone 2 to get some Windows 8 love, starts living large in January originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: LSI acquires SandForce for $370 million, looks to step up its SSD game

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/27/lsi-acquires-sandforce-for-370-million-looks-to-step-up-its-ss/

SandForce has been behind many an SSD in its day, but it looks like it's finally about to settle down, and get hitched. Yesterday, LSI announced plans to acquire the flash storage company, as part of a $370 million agreement. The deal brings SandForce's processors and energy efficient DuraClass technology under LSI's roof, giving the semiconductor designer some new flash firepower and an extra boost into a burgeoning market. Tangible results, of course, remain to be seen, though it's certainly not the first time these two have danced. SandForce, after all, provided the motor for LSI's WarpDrive lineup, and will presumably do much more, once the deal goes through. Pending regulatory approval, the acquisition should be finalized by the first quarter of 2012. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading LSI acquires SandForce for $370 million, looks to step up its SSD game

LSI acquires SandForce for $370 million, looks to step up its SSD game originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Forbes  |  Reuters  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid review roundup: a speedy and spacious storage solution

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/27/ocz-revodrive-hybrid-review-roundup-a-speedy-and-spacious-stora/

Ever since we spent some time with OCZ's RevoDrive Hybrid back at Computex, we eagerly awaited its arrival so that it could be put through its paces. Well, the time has come for the $500 storage mongrel to face the music and for us to find out if it adds up to more than the sum of its SSD and HDD parts. Hot Hardware found the RevoDrive Hybrid delivered on its promise of mind-blowing peak transfer speeds of almost 1GBps, with performance that could only be matched by dual SATA III SSDs in a RAID 0 setup. Everyone spoke well of the Dataplex software that manages the RevoDrive's caching, as it dutifully maxed out performance once it learned usage patterns. TRIM support was a welcome feature, but all noted the niggle that it must be used as the system boot device, so it can't pull duty as secondary storage. All in all, the consensus is that while the RevoDrive Hybrid may be too pricey for some, it's a darn good deal for the performance it provides. Of course, you don't have to take our word for it, so dig into the full reviews at the sources below.

OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid review roundup: a speedy and spacious storage solution originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Hot Hardware, The SSD Review, Benchmark Reviews  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Nature Valley creating Street View-style tour of National Parks, chews through countless granola bars to do so

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/27/nature-valley-creating-street-view-style-tour-of-national-parks/

"There's a good reason why Street View is done in cars." That's a quote from Mat Bisher, associate creative director at McCann, who is teaming up with granola connoisseur Nature Valley in order to deliver a "Street View-style tour" of America's National Parks. Fast Company reports that the two have embarked on quite the ambitious initiative (dubbed Trail View), sending a cadre of well-trained hikers to some of America's most gorgeous locales with specially-rigged camera setups in tow. The goal? To capture views from near-limitless hiking trails, and bring them to your web browser starting in February 2012. Sadly, it won't be integrated into any of the platforms already in existence; it'll be its own standalone thing, but hopefully the likes of Microsoft or Google will take notice and either contribute or convert it. We're told that "layers for user-generated content, social networking and mobility, and perhaps form partnerships with travel sites" are on tap, and yes, Woodrow Wilson's ghost has purportedly approved.

Nature Valley creating Street View-style tour of National Parks, chews through countless granola bars to do so originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Fast Com! pany  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Augmented Reality Navigation Displays in Your Windshield? Absolutely. [Desired]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5853555/augmented-reality-navigation-display-in-your-windshield-absolutely

What if you're driving down a dark road in the middle of the night and you have no idea where you are? Navigating twists and turns would suck. But what if your car could display all the relevant info in front of your eyes?

According to Gizmag, True3D is a technology that wants to put your GPS navigation data right in front of your face, taking even more of the guesswork out of driving in unknown areas. But this isn't just a matter of putting a GPS map in front of your face. This information is blended into the landscape you're driving through. The road guide would have 3D depth, showing you exactly where to drive. Point of interest would have markers above them. And there could even be virtual road signs to go along with the stanadard navigation far (street maps, for example).

A working prototype for True3D exists as a proof-of-concept, but its California-based creators, Making Virtual Solid, are currently working on a way to bring it to market after winning the European Satellite Navigation Competition in Munich, Germany. I need this in my life. [Making Virtual Solid via Gizmag]

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Droid RAZR pre-orders go live on Verizon tomorrow, ships to Blur fans before November 10th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/26/droid-razr-pre-orders-go-live-on-verizon-tomorrow-ships-to-blur/

Who said there's no such thing as a second chance? After resurrecting the RAZR brand just last week with Motorola's newly minted Droid member, Verizon's now gearing up for a pre-order deluge on the 27th. That's right, starting tomorrow morning at 8AM EST, Big Red's dual-core 4G LTE handset'll ship out to eager subs who plunk down the $299 on contract price before November 10th. If you're not the early bird type, you'll have to sit tight a wee bit longer as plans for an in-store launch have yet to be announced. Of course, you could always hold out for that eventual Galaxy Nexus to make its first place carrier debut, or even cross your toes for a Nokia Lumia 800 (one can hope, right?). Whatever your preference, this holiday season's sure turning out to be a cornucopia of high-end mobile options. Check out the official presser after the break.

Continue reading Droid RAZR pre-orders go live on Verizon tomorrow, ships to Blur fans before November 10th

Droid RAZR pre-orders go live on Verizon tomorrow, ships to Blur fans before November 10th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Tango video calling service for Windows Phone Mango set to roll out November 7th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/26/tango-video-calling-service-for-windows-phone-mango-set-to-roll/

We've already seen Tango video calling demonstrated on a Windows Phone Mango handset, and the company has now confirmed that it will indeed be the first video calling service available for the OS. The app is slated to roll out on November 7th, and it will include both some tight integration with the operating system (aided by some input from Microsoft) and hardware acceleration for smoother video calls. It will also apparently come pre-loaded on at least some of the forthcoming Mango-based handsets, although Tango isn't ready to specify exactly which just yet. Naturally, all of this now puts some considerable attention on Skype, which Microsoft acquired earlier this year for the tidy sum of $8.5 billion, but it still has some catching up to do with Tango on the Windows Phone front -- a spokesperson tells Forbes that it "does not have anything to announce at this time regarding Skype on Windows Phone."

Tango video calling service for Windows Phone Mango set to roll out November 7th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Forbes  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: Insert Coin: PhaserTape turns your smartphone into a rangefinder (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/26/insert-coin-phasertape-turns-your-smartphone-into-a-rangefinder/

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

You've scoped that little laser dot on the cabinet at the far end of the room, right? Well, don't worry, you're not about to see an innocent stationery cupboard get perforated by a sniper. Nope, this episode of Insert Coin is actually about measuring distances using PhaserTape -- a peace-loving iOS- and Android-compatible peripheral that needs your help over at Makible. We think it could be a sweet little investment, and you only have to click past the break to discover why.

Continue reading Insert Coin: PhaserTape turns your smartphone into a rangefinder (video)

Insert Coin: PhaserTape turns your smartphone into a rangefinder (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Makible  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

drag2share: ASUS Transformer Prime shots leak out, apes the Tao of Zenbook design

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/26/asus-transformer-prime-shots-leak-out-apes-the-tao-of-zenbook-d/

Who's ready for a little gadget pr0n? ASUS head honcho Jonney Shih gave AsiaD attendees a first peek at the Transformer's successor just last week. Apart from that distant, dais-based reveal, we now have in the wild shots of the tab to focus our tech lust on. The leaked images, which have since been pulled from the Chinese site that hosted them, show off several angles of the quad-core Prime, its Zenbook-like aluminum finish and accompanying dock. Unfortunately, the lone lockscreen shot on offer's not giving us any taste of the potential Ice Cream Sandwich OS lurking beneath. Hungry for the full tablet spread? Then hit up the source below to get your gawking a-go-go.

Continue reading ASUS Transformer Prime shots leak out, apes the Tao of Zenbook design

ASUS Transformer Prime shots leak out, apes the Tao of Zenbook design originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Notebook Italia (Translated)  | Email this | Comments

---
drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)