Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook: 3/25/12 - 4/1/12

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Amazon stores 1,700 human genomes in the cloud

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/31/amazon-stores-human-genomes/

Amazon stores 1,700 human genomes in the cloud

Not content with speeding up web browsing and hosting federal data, Amazon Web Services are now helping in the fight against disease. Bezos' crew is donating a chunk of free cloud storage to the 1000 Genomes project, which aims to make it easier for scientists to search for genetic variations linked to diseases. These gene-hunters can also use Amazon's Elastic Cloud Compute service to analyze data and discover patterns, although those functions won't come gratis. The DNA sequences of 1,700 mostly anonymous Homo sapiens from around the world have already been logged, but the project needs another 1,000 samples before it meets statistical requirements. Perhaps a free USB gene sequencer and a Prime subscription might entice fresh volunteers?

Amazon stores 1,700 human genomes in the cloud originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this |&! nbsp;Comments

Friday, March 30, 2012

HTC One X and One S on sale now in Germany, flagship gets unboxed in France (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/htc-one-x-and-one-s-on-sale-now-in-germany-flagship-gets-unboxe/

Itching to get your hands on HTC's new breed of smartphones? Best get yourself over to Germany then, as a batch of the flagship One X and its (slightly) smaller brother, the One S, are up for sale -- early. Mediamarkt is where you'll need to go, with several stores also providing HTC One X models on the shop floor to play with. Better still, some excited Frenchmen have already performed the requisite packaging autopsy on the new plastic capsules, revealing (amongst other things) a new SIM pin that's -- logically -- shaped like a micro-SIM. You can marvel at all the rubber bands and plastic bags after the break.

Continue reading HTC One X and One S on sale now in Germany, flagship gets unboxed in France (video)

HTC One X and One S on sale now in Germany, flagship gets unboxed in France (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

HTC Hub, The Unwired | Email this | Comments

DoubleTwist adds Google Music support, gets an alarm clock app

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/doubletwist-adds-google-music-support-gets-an-alarm-clock-app/

DoubleTwist Alarm Clock

DoubleTwist is certainly still one of the better music management options for Android, and it just keeps improving. Two days ago the player app got an update and now it can hook into Google Music, though, it only recognizes songs that you've checked for offline access from within the Google app. An unfortunate restriction, but at least your tracks don't disappear into the ether if you prefer to play back your tunes via DoubleTwist. There's also new functionality coming to what is now less an app than an ecosystem, thanks to the just released DoubleTwist Alarm Clock. The functionality is pretty much what you'd expect -- set a time and pick a song from your DoubleTwist library to gently rouse you from your slumber (or kick your butt out of bed). The Alarm Clock is just $0.99 in the Play Market right now for the first 10,000 customers. After that it'll go up to $1.99. So don't waste any time, go download it now.

Gallery: DoubleTwist Alarm Clock

DoubleTwist adds Google Music support, gets an alarm clock app originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

Play Market, DoubleTwist Blog | Email this | Comments

LG Optimus Elite gets photographed, decked out in Sprint and Virgin livery

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/lg-optimus-elite-sprint-virgin-mobile/

LG Optimus Elite gets photographed, decked out in Sprint and Virgin livery

Not a fan of that 5-inch, IPS display on the Optimus Vu? Perhaps, you'd be more interested in a smaller, lesser-specced member of the family. According to PocketNow, the Optimus Elite is sprinting its way toward The Now Network and Virgin Mobile, with an expected launch on the former "rather soon" and the latter as early as May. The Elite is allegedly packing some run-of-the-mill features, including a 3.5-inch, HVGA screen alongside a five-megapixel rear shooter and an 800Mhz CPU. Both flavors look identical, save for Virgin's prepaid flavor going with a darker look, which you can gander at by jumping past the break.

Continue reading LG Optimus Elite gets photographed, decked out in Sprint and Virgin livery

LG Optimus Elite gets photographed, decked out in Sprint and Virgin livery originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

! PocketNo w | Email this | Comments

Opel Ampera popular in ye old continent, likely to meet sales goals unlike Volt

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/opel-ampera-likely-to-meet-sales-goals/

Opel Ampera popular in ye old country, likely to meet sales goals unlike Volt

To say that Chevy's Volt hasn't had the smoothest inaugural year would be an understatement, but over on the other side of the pond, things couldn't be going more swimmingly for its badge-engineered cousin, the Opel Ampera. Sales are reportedly brisk with over 7,000 Europeans preordering the electrified hatchback, prompting the company to push its 2012 sales target from 8,000 to 10,000 units -- matching the figure Chevy had initially set, and then missed for its variant here in the US of A. That got us thinking, are Europeans the electrified forward-thinking mavericks we think they are? Or have they simply fallen prey to the Ampera's far better looks? Decide in the comments below.

Opel Ampera popular in ye old continent, likely to meet sales goals unlike Volt originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Autoblog, Inhabitat | source

source

Plug-in Cars | Email this | Comments

Verizon's CEO has a plan for wireless pay-TV, if the government will allow it

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/verizons-ceo-has-a-plan-for-wireless-pay-tv-if-the-government/

Verizon CEO Lowell C. McAdam doesn't quite have all of those SpectrumCo AWS licenses in his pocket just yet, but if he does get them he has a decidedly old school idea of what to flood the airwaves with: TV. The Wall Street Journal quotes him saying Verizon and its new cable friends could have "the beginnings of an integrated offering" out by the holidays, so pay-TV customers could watch video on their mobile devices. Even though many of the TV services are already streaming video to tablets, PCs and phones, currently most subscription services are limited to the space of the home's WiFi network, unlike the video on-demand seen above. According to McAdam the potential to negotiate rights for outside the home streaming and even busting open the bundles for à la carte programming exist -- provided the FCC and DOJ allow Verizon to complete the proposed $3.9 billion purchase. Of course, consumption based billing would still be on the table, so don't start planning your streaming schedule just yet. For now we'll wait and see if the pros of this arrangement outweigh the cons (and how its Redbox play is mixed up in this), or if the pie-in-the-sky NowTV-style elements of the plan are merely being floated to get the deal done.

Verizon's CEO has a plan for wireless pay-TV, if the government will allow it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Reuters | source

source

Wall Street Journal | Email this | Comments

Thursday, March 29, 2012

HTC One S to join T-Mobile's lineup this April 22nd?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/htc-one-s-to-join-t-mobiles-lineup-this-april-22nd/

Does your smartphone bill wave a Magenta flag? If so, then you should circle April 22nd on your calendar because rumor has it that's the hallowed day HTC's One S could touch down. Whispers of that purported launch date recently surfaced over at TmoNews, pegging the carrier's exclusive dual-core S4, ICS handset for a Spring bow, although that tentative window could easily slip. We do know for sure that the OEM's committed to a Q2 release, so fret not eager Sense-beavers, you'll have that plasma-heated, micro arc oxidized unibody in your sweaty palms in no time.

HTC One S to join T-Mobile's lineup this April 22nd? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AndroidCentral |

TmoNews | Email this | Comments

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Insert Coin: Soundlazer speaker plays music with extreme focus

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/insert-coin-soundlazer-speaker-plays-music-with-extreme-focus/

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.

Here's a neat little project -- a parametric speaker that can only really be heard from the front. According to its inventor, the Soundlazer utilizes ultrasonic carrier waves, focusing its output in a single direction. The Soundlazer has a 20 to 30 foot range. You can hear it from head-on, but if you move to the side or shift the direction of the speaker a bit, the output drops off. The project has 52 days to go, to reach its goal of $48,000. Interested parties who pledge $175 or more will get a fully assembled speaker kit. To see the device in action, check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Soundlazer speaker plays music with extreme focus

Insert Coin: Soundlazer speaker plays music with extreme focus originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

CNET |

source

Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

AMD's G-Series APUs now come with Integrity, other ethical constructs due later

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/amd-g-series-integrity/

AMD's G-Series APUs are the type of chips that'll nurse one pint of power at the bar for hours on end, driving set top boxes, medical equipment and tablet-style devices. Now the manufacturer's adding the equally sensible Integrity real-time operating system from Green Hills Software to the platform. The super-stable RTOS has previously been available as part of the Cortex A15 lineup, but these new chips combine a multi-core x86 CPU and GPU that'll be used in industrial control systems where accuracy is paramount. If you're on the hunt for some silicon to drive your production line robots, head on past the break for the deep dish.

Continue reading AMD's G-Series APUs now come with Integrity, other ethical constructs due later

AMD's G-Series APUs now come with Integrity, other ethical constructs due later originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comme nts

Researchers develop new plastics that 'bleed' and heal like human skin

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/researchers-develop-new-plastics-that-bleed-and-heal-like-huma/

It looks like plastics may not be something for the squeamish in the not-too-distant future. Researchers from the University of Southern Mississippi recently revealed a new type of plastic they've been working on that takes its inspiration from human skin -- it "bleeds" red when it's scratched or cut and then heals itself when it's exposed to light. As Popular Science notes, self-healing plastics aren't something entirely new, but the "bleeding" (achieved using small molecular links or "bridges" that break when the plastic is scratched) is, as is the fact that this plastic can heal itself over and over again in the same spot. What's more, as it's made from water-based copolymers, it's also more environmentally-friendly than other plastics. Of course, it's all a ways from being used in actual products, but the researchers see no shortage of possibilities, including everything from self-healing car fenders to aircraft applications that could warn of problems before they get too severe.

Continue reading Researchers develop new plastics that 'bleed' and heal like human skin

Researchers develop new plastics that 'bleed' and heal like human skin originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Technabob | source

source

ACS | Email this | Comments

Good Technology debuts 'first secure browser' for enterprise Android deployments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/good-technology-debuts-first-secure-browser-for-enterprise-and/

Good Technology is touting the latest addition to its Good Mobile Access (GMA) Android software suite, a secure browser. The company's GMA offering gives corporate foot soldiers armed with a smartphone access to secure intranet resources without having to initiate a VPN session -- while simultaneously allowing IT folks to manage mobile ingress. By bringing a browser into the fold, Good's software will allow employees to access databases, resources and collaboration tools without ever having to leave the safe confines of GMA's sandbox. The software maker is targeting outfits with a bring-your-own-device policy in place (and war chests large enough to install the necessary back-end infrastructure). If you're interested in learning more, the full release awaits your review after the break.

Continue reading Good Technology debuts 'first secure browser' for enterprise Android deployments

Good Technology debuts 'first secure browser' for enterprise Android deployments originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

Google Play | Email this | Comments

Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) takes a ride through the FCC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/galaxy-tab-2-10-1-takes-a-ride-through-the-fcc/

Remember this guy, the titular sequel to Samsung's 10-inch tab? Well, it was just was given a passing grade by the FCC, meaning it's at least one step closer to hitting the shelves. The GT P5100 is the same model of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 we saw back at MWC, which supports HSPA+ on bands II and V -- as opposed to the WiFi only model that was given a stamp of approval last week. The 1900 and 850MHz compatibility means it'll work on AT&T here in the US, though, we've heard no word about an American release. Uncle Sam's testing didn't end with the cellular radio, the regulators also took a stab at the 802.11n and Bluetooth 3.0 antennae. If you're a fan of radiation charts you'll find all you've ever wanted at the source link.

Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) takes a ride through the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

FCC | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile's next MyTouch: Huawei Ascend G312 QWERTY hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/t-mobiles-next-mytouch-huawei-ascend-g312-qwerty-hands-on/

First the leaked product shots, then the Mr. Blurrycam pictures, and now the real deal in our own hands! When we spotted this upcoming T-Mobile MyTouch slider, we just so happened to be chilling out at Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen where the phone was displayed as the Ascend G312 QWERTY, or "Buddy" according to the "About phone" info ("MyTouch Buddy"?). We didn't see the non-QWERTY variant, but judging by the name, we don't doubt that there's also an Ascend G312 lurking somewhere.

Anyhow, this new MyTouch packs a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255T chip, a 4-inch WVGA screen, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of storage and microSD expansion, along with features like DLNA connectivity and five-second fast boot. As for image capturing you get a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera plus a five-megapixel main camera (with 720p recording) on the back, and you'll find a handy camera button at the usual place as well. Interestingly, the spec sheet listed Ice Cream Sandwich while the demo unit was only running on Android 2.3.6, so we'll probably need to wait for T-Mobile's final say on this end.

During our quick hands-on we were pretty satisfied by the phone's overall build quality, especially with its spring-loaded sliding mechanism and keyboard feedback. The screen isn't the best in class when it comes to viewing angle and contrast, but bearing in mind that this phone comes with a Snapdragon S2 processor, we expect it to be priced almost as sensibly as LG's MyTouch handsets -- stay tuned for the official announcement, of course. Hands-on video after the break.

Gallery: T-Mobile's next MyTouch: Huawei Ascend G312 Qwerty hands-on

Continue reading T-Mobile's next MyTouch: Huawei Ascend G312 QWERTY hands-on

T-Mobile's next MyTouch: Huawei Ascend G312 QWERTY hands-on originally appeared on Engadg! et o n Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Freescale intros Vybrid controller line, weds ARM A5 and M4 cores for an asymmetrical bang

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/freescale-intros-vybrid-controller-line-weds-arm-a5-and-m4-core/

Making good on its word, Freescale's line of Vybrid controllers is now ready for prime time multiprocessing. That asymmetrical setup, announced last October, takes the high / low approach we've seen gradually crop up in computing, pairing an ARM Cortex A5 and Cortex M4 in uneven, albeit harmonious CPU matrimony. The company's not targeting this new platform at consumers, though, as that market's already being served by the likes of NVIDIA's Tegra 3. No, this controller arrangement's headed directly for the industrial sector, where medical, point-of-sale and smart energy equipment can benefit from the cores' decreased power demands and ability for real-time control. Eager to dig deeper into this silicon platform? Then feel free to parse through the rest of the company's jargon-y release after the break.

Continue reading Freescale intros Vybrid controller line, weds ARM A5 and M4 cores for an asymmetrical bang

Freescale intros Vybrid controller line, weds ARM A5 and M4 cores for an asymmetrical bang originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:19:00 EDT. Please see our ter! ms for u se of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Optical Illusion Turns Simple Pendant Into an Elaborate Chandelier [Beautiful]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5896554/optical-illusion-turns-simple-pendant-into-an-elaborate-chandelier

When design shop Troika was called upon to create a series of unique chandeliers for the Royal Society of Arts' headquarters in London, instead of engineering some hanging crystal monstrosity, they created a subtle fixture that barely exists when the lights are off.

A small brass pendant filled with eight high-power LEDs hangs from the ceiling. The light source shines upward through a fresnel lens. The refracted projection creates a series of overlapping circular patterns on the ceiling, giving the appearance of an elaborate chandelier overhead. The new chandeliers are efficient, they collect very little dust, and in the event of a disastrous crash, like in The Phantom of the Opera, they're practically harmless. [Dezeen via CribCandy]

US Judge rejects Hasbro / ASUS sales ban, Transformer Prime prevails

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/hasbro-asus-transformer-prime-lawsuit/

Coming up with original gadget names is tough work, and, after all, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery -- right? So it was no surprise when ASUS happened upon an alias that more than slightly resembled that of a popular fictional mutant semi -- you know, Transformer Optimus Prime. However shockingly, Hasbro wasn't a fan, opting to battle ASUS to the death in the U.S. court system. And, after countless weeks and many bank holidays, we finally have a victor. It appears that the leader of the Autobots will continue to share its name with the Taiwanese company's tablet -- that's what you get for leaving the fate of the world to mere human bureaucrats. Just don't be surprised when it comes time to name the world's next Superhero, Ms. Zenbook UX31.

US Judge rejects Hasbro / ASUS sales ban, Transformer Prime prevails originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

SlashGear | source

source

PaidContent | Email this | Comments

PSA: Real LCD HDTV refresh rates are getting harder to find behind marketing fluff

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/lcd-refresh-rate-120hz-240hz-480hz/

Electronics makers love a spec they can get behind and make the center point of their marketing efforts -- no matter how useless it is as a comparison. The undisputed be all arms race HDTV metric for the past few years, LCD refresh rates, has recently become even muddier according to HD Guru. Terms like Clear Motion Rate (Samsung) and Scenes Per Second (Vizio) are meant to confuse the customer while resembling the somewhat useful (and, as of late, unmentioned on the box) refresh rate. Our advice? Ignore this spec completely and instead find a TV that can accurately display your favorite content at its native frame rate (24, 30 or 60) -- leave all that soap-opera looking frame interpolation technology to the modern day twelve o'clock flasher.

PSA: Real LCD HDTV refresh rates are getting harder to find behind marketing fluff originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

HD Guru | Email this | Comments

ASUS teases 'awesome new features' for Transformer Prime, doesn't say what they are

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/asus-teases-awesome-new-features-for-transformer-prime-doesn/

Like that one friend who cares enough to update everyone about a "killer party" they're headed to without saying where it is, the official ASUS Facebook page has dropped a teaser that is as tantalizing as it is frustratingly vague. The note promises "awesome new features" in the next update for its Transformer Prime, but has absolutely no details on what that means. So what could be in store, some minor .01 revision ICS bump, further GPS tweaks, custom ASUS apps or some celebratory Hasbro wallpapers? Of course, we'd love to hear that everyone's getting a new higher-res display swapped into their Tegra 3 tablet, but even with lasers and time travel still on the table, we're thinking that's not it. Feel free to dream big in the comments below -- for the moment, anything is possible.

Update: If you need a hint, several commenters have pointed out posts on XDA Developers by ASUS' Gary Key indicating firmware 9.4.2.21 will arrive "by March 30th" so it shouldn't be a long wait. A possible preview of the features included is also in the thread, culled from a list on the company's Swedish Facebook site for a differently numbere! d, thoug h also yet to be released update. Check the list after the break or hit the links below to follow the breadcrumbs for yourself.

Continue reading ASUS teases 'awesome new features' for Transformer Prime, doesn't say what they are

ASUS teases 'awesome new features' for Transformer Prime, doesn't say what they are originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Phandroid, Android Police | source

source

ASUS (Facebook), XDA Developers (1), (2) | Email this | Comments

Roku players now have an official Plex channel with upgraded UI and new features

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/roku-plex-official/

If you're a fan of Plex's media server software and Roku's do-everything hockey puck media streamers then today is your lucky day, as bringing the two together is now easier than ever. While Plex has supported streaming to Roku devices through an unofficial channel since last year, today it announced it's officially available in the Channel Store. That's not the only thing that has changed either, since a blog post indicates the new official channel brings a new upgraded UI and features like myPlex support, audio and picture support, and Direct Play of video without transcoding on compatible videos. Hit the Plex blog for a few more screenshots and details, or just turn on your Roku and add the app directly. Also, if a Google TV device is your preferred Plex client, that app has also just been updated with a few new bugfixes.

Roku players now have an official Plex channel with upgraded UI and new features originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

source

Plex, @Plex (Twitter) | Email this | Comments

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The First Gorgeous OLED TV Will Cost $8,000 [TV]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5896750/the-first-gorgeous-oled-tv-will-cost-8000

Big news for anyone with a big living room and bigger wallet: LG's 55-inch OLED TV will be the first of the pack to arrive, debuting at May for eight grand.

Maeli Business, which also recently "reported" that dumbass 4.6-inch iPhone rumor, says LG's on the record with a fashionable unveiling at Cannes:

South Korea's tech major LG Electronics is set to launch the world's first 55-inch OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs in May this year. Prices of the OLED TVs will be set at approximately nine million won ($7,928.91), and the OLED TV will be unveiled in Cannes, France where a movie premier will be held..."LG Electronics decided to arrange the launching event of its 55-inch OLED TV during the Cannes Film Festival period from May 16 to 27," an LG official said Thursday.

The timing jibes with what we heard at CES, but it's the first solid word we've heard as to what the future of beautiful television is going to cost us. Eight thousand. That's a lot of money—more money than most people have to spend on a TV, by a longshot. But it could've been a lot worse! Samsung's current top of the line 55-inch LCD TV runs around half that—and it's using old, old technology. OLED will be out of reach for almost everyone, but, like everything else, it'll slide cheaper, and cheaper in a (relative) hurry. Especially when LG, Samsung, and the rest realize nobody can afford this.

We've checked in with LG for more information—stay tuned. [Maeil via Verge]

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)