Wednesday, January 06, 2010

TextPlus for Android Sends Group SMS for Free [Downloads]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/v0Qnlri9F_I/textplus-for-android-sends-group-sms-for-free

iPhone/Android: Want to send a text message when you're out of messages for the month, out of cellular range, or writing multiple recipients? TextPlus, a free app for Android, handles all those situations, and sends text messages entirely free.

TextPlus' recently arrived Android app works much the same as its previously mentioned iPhone app, using each cellular carrier's email-to-text system to shuttle around text messages without charge. The benefits are, of course, the free cost, the ability to run on Wi-Fi without cellular service, as well as the grouped, chat-style responses you can get from multiple recipients. On Android phones, and iPhones running the 3.0 firmware and later, you can also receive reply notifications when TextPlus isn't running. If you're a dedicated iPod touch user, it's also a convenient way to consolidate your messaging onto your persistent pocket computer.

The drawbacks are the very small hoops recipients have to jump through to reply to you, usually involving typing something like "T2" before replying, or another shortcode to get back to everyone messaged. For those situations where it's warranted, though, TextPlus is a handy option to have on hand.

TextPlus is a free download for Android and iPhones.

textPlus now on Android [official textPlus blog via AndroidGuys]



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Linky Opens Multiple Links in Google Chrome [Downloads]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/EJSwUvvrTLA/linky-opens-multiple-links-in-google-chrome

Chrome: If your conversion to Chrome has left you longing for Firefox extensions like previously reviewed Multi Links and Snap Links, Linky can help fill your link-opening-needs.

Linky allows you to highlight a swath of links and then open them all by clicking on the Linky button on the Chrome toolbar—as seen in the screenshot above.

It doesn't quite have the finesse that the Firefox extensions have (both Multi Links and Snap Links support a right-click-lasso tool) but it beats hand selecting each link. Check out the video below to see it in action:

Have a favorite Chrome tip, trick, or extension? Let's hear about it in the comments.




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New line of LG plasma HDTVs feature NetCast, slim design

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/new-line-of-lg-plasma-hdtvs-feature-netcast-slim-design/

LG 2010 plasma lines
The fact that LG presented 39 new LCD HDTVs today and only eight plasmas is telling of the times, but videophiles are just happy to still have the option to choose picture quality over features. For you Mr videophile, LG has eight new plasma models from 42-inches to 60-inches. The new TrueSlim frame has a bezel that is only .9-inches and wireless capabilities. The PK950 (pictured above) and PK750 both feature NetCast, which is LG's name for its streaming services that including Skype, Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, Napster DivX and Yahoo Widgets, while the rest of the line just features a network connection and DLNA. The Wireless Media Hub is available for all the models and allows you to place your HD sources up to 98-feet away without running wires. One last thing worth mentioning -- the rest is in the press release -- is that the PK950 incorporates a Magic Wand which is described as a Wii-like experience, but we sure hope old school remotes are supported as well.

Continue reading New line of LG plasma HDTVs feature NetCast, slim design

New line of LG plasma HDTVs feature NetCast, slim design originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG reveals Full HD 3D projector, Skype-enabled HDTVs and more at CES

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/lg-reveals-full-hd-3d-projector-skype-enabled-hdtvs-and-more-at/

The show floor finally opened up here in Vegas today, and just as we knew they would, the product announcements are flowing hot and heavy. LG's one of today's biggest players, unleashing a whole bevy of new kit that truly spans the gamut of consumer electronic sectors. Kicking things off is the CF3D, which is hailed as the planet's first Full HD, 3D single lens type projector. As for specs, you'll get 3D auto picture calibration, a twin engine, two HDMI 1.3 sockets, 300 ANSI lumens and a single USB input, while the XGA HX300G won't do much of anyone outside of traveling salespeople much good. Moving on, there's a little confirmation of the Skype news that we caught wind of yesterday; sure enough, a range of LG's NetCast-enabled HDTVs will ship with Skype capabilities, though it sounds as if you'll need to budget for a standalone camera. LG's also making official that Mobile DTV-supporting DVD player that we first spotted at the tail end of last year, which will be in stores later this year for around $249. There's plenty more to share on these -- as well as a good bit surrounding a legion of new monitors -- so hop on past the break if you just can't get enough.

Continue reading LG reveals Full HD 3D projector, Skype-enabled HDTVs and more at CES

LG reveals Full HD 3D projector, Skype-enabled HDTVs and more at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IdeaPad U1 Hybrid Hands-On: Meet Voltron. He Could Be Amazing. [Lenovo]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/xYKMwwBVWaU/ideapad-u1-hybrid-hands+on-meet-voltron-he-could-be-amazing

Let's clarify two things right away: first, the Ideapad U1 hybrid notebook tablet is still in the very rough stages of development. Second, it's going to be awesome—if it can live up to its potential.

Let's review the concept quickly before we get into the details. The U1 is literally two separate devices, joined together and made to play nice. One is a multitouch tablet that runs Linux and has a speedily efficient Qualcomm ARM 1Ghz Snapdragon processor running the show. The other is a Windows 7 notebook with an Intel Core 2 Duo SU 4100 processor.

The build is like Lenovo's other IdeaPads, except for the translucent red top that houses the tablet. When the base and the slate are linked up, the latter acts as an 11.6-inch, 720p (1366x768) monitor that looked crisp despite being saddled with Intel's integrated graphics. The (non-chiclet) keyboard is based on the current lineup of IdeaPads, and both it and the touchpad worked smoothly. The U1 we saw wasn't set up to do much other than web browse, and pages loaded quickly. The notebook has built-in Wi-Fi, but can also run off of the tablet's 3G connection, which I can see being a pretty great benefit for times when wireless isn't readily accessible.

The fun part, though, is unclasping the tablet from its shell. It's firmly latched in, which is more reassuring than frustrating. Once removed from the notebook, there's a two or three second lag before the Snapdragon p! rocessor kicks in. It's not seamless, but it's close enough. Tablet mode greets you with a six-panel screen of apps similar to that of Lenovo's Skylight smartbook. The selection is limited for now, but Lenovo will be opening up the SDK to developers soon to give you more to play with than the standard YouTube, Gmail, and Facebook-type options.

You can also enter a type of content mode, which divides up your stored files between music, video, images, and documents. With the multitouch interface, you can quickly jump among all four, and adjust how much of the screen is devoted to each. The resistive screen was good, but not great—it at times took some pretty insistent pressing to get the response I was looking for. The viewing angles could also use work; unless you're looking nearly dead-on at the display, you're pretty much out of luck.

I was impressed by the sound quality—not excellent by any means, but better than I expected from a tablet device. One immediately obvious downside is the total absence of ports on the tablet other than the docking—there's not even a headphone jack. It's configured for Bluetooth, but I'd still like the option to plug in my buds. The tablet also currently lacks an accelerometer, so there's no way to orient documents or images based on its position. This is hopefully something that will be addressed before its release.

I said the two devices are totally separate, and I meant it. There are advantages and disadvantages to this set-up. On the plus side, while the tablet is undocked, you can hook the base up to a monitor and get full notebook functionality. If you remove it during web browsing, the tablet remembers wh! ich site you were on and places you there automatically (and vice versa). In fact, when I had Gizmodo in notebook mode and removed the slate, it automatically took me to the mobile version of Giz.

The down side is that right now, web pages are the only things that are transferable this way. If I were working on a document in notebook mode, there's no on-the-fly transition once I pop out the tablet. You can drag and drop, but a more seamless transfer would be helpful. It would also be nice to be able to control the tablet remotely with the base, but once they've separated there's no interaction between the two. Again, these are things that may or may not be addressed by the time the U1 comes out in the second half of this year.

About that release: it's up in the air right now as to when you can get your hands on one of these, because of all of the tweaks that need to be made. It will also be crucial for Lenovo to be able to build up a decent store of apps for the U1 and the Skylight if these are going to have any functionality beyond very basic web browsing and media playback. And for an estimated retail price of $999—minus whatever subsidy they're able to get from a partner carrier—that functionality had better be there.

All in all, the U1 is a slick device, if a little undercooked. If nothing else, I'm excited to see how far they can take this concept once they put it in production. But no rush, Lenovo. If you take the time get it right, it'll be something special.




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