Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Dish Network officially starts pushing Google TV integration

There's no surprise on the pricing front ($179 for the normally $299 Logitech Revue, plus $4/month service fee) but today Dish Network officially started offering the integrated Google TV experience for its customers. The $4 fee applies to and will work with Sony's Google TV devices as well, but the Revue is the only unit to get a price break up front. Dish is so far the sole TV provider that will let Google TV search through and control its compatible DVRs, and it's put up a video demo to show how that works (embedded after the break.) Beyond the continuing questions about the Google TV platform itself, we'll wait and see if Dish got the price right, those interested can check the press release for details on how to sign up.

Continue reading Dish Network officially starts pushing Google TV integration

Dish Network officially starts pushing Google TV integration originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

Dish Network | Email this | Comments

Bootlace lets you install Froyo on your iPhone without a computer

It may not solve some of the problems involved with actually running Android on an iPhone, but the recently released Bootlace 2.1 application for jailbroken iPhones does at least make the installation process easier than ever. Unfortunately, it only works with the iPhone 2G and 3G at the moment, but it will let you install Android 2.2 (a.k.a. Froyo) directly on the device without the need for a computer. Hit up the source link below for the complete installation instructions -- and insert your own joke here about the iPhone running Froyo while your Android phone is still stuck at 2.1.

Bootlace lets you install Froyo on your iPhone without a computer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Phone Arena, Redmond Pie | source

FSM.com | Email this | Comments

Jabra rolls out Stone2 on November 21st, just as UFO-like as the original

Bluetooth headsets look strange enough hanging off your ear as it is, so why not maximize the shock factor? Jabra's Stone is equal parts strange and elegant, and it would appear that the newly-announced Stone2 is making no attempt to diverge from that formula. Apart from some minor tweaks, the overall curved design and matching charging dock appear to be largely unchanged from the original model, but the Stone2's claim to fame is the fact that it's now a completely touch-free experience to use: if a call comes in, you just say "answer" or "ignore" and the phone will do your bidding. Never mind the fact that the people around you at the coffee shop are more convinced than ever that you're talking to yourself, we suppose. Look for it in AT&T stores on the 21st of this month for $129.99.

Jabra rolls out Stone2 on November 21st, just as UFO-like as the original originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

Jabra | Email this | Comments

ARM intros next-gen Mali-T604 embedded GPU, Samsung first to get it (update: video)

Promising "visually rich user experiences not previously seen in consumer electronics devices," ARM has introduced its latest embedded GPU architecture, Mali-T604, at its Technology Conference 2010 in California today. Though we're unlikely to see it in devices any time soon, the introduction means that the new design is available to ARM licensees -- and notably, the company points out that partner Samsung will be the first to get hooked up. Considering Sammy competes in the high-end embedded system-on-chip space already with its ARM-based Hummingbird line of cores, adding in the Mali-T604 is probably the next logical step for them. ARM says that it's designed "specifically" with the needs of general purpose GPU computing in mind and includes extensive support both for OpenCL and DirectX, so look for some insane number-crunching capabilities on your next-generation phone, tablet, and set-top box. Follow the break for ARM's press release.

Update: We sat down with ARM's Jem Davies to get some more details about the new Mali, and discovered it's only the first of several potential next-gen GPUs to come as part of the Midgard platform -- while this particular processor is available with up to four shader cores, successors might have more. The T604 itself is no slouch, though, as it can theoretically deliver two to five times the performance of the company's existing Mali 400 GPUs core for core and clock for clock -- which themselves run circles around the PowerVR SGX 540 competition if you take ARM at its word. Davies told us that not only does the Mali-T604 do DirectX, it supports the game-friendly DirectX11 as well as the always-popular OpenGL ES 2.0, and will appear in an system-on-a-chip together with an ARM Cortex-A15 "Eagle" CPU, when both are eventually baked into silicon several years down the road. Of course, in the eyes of marketers the future is always now, so get a look at conceptual uses (hint: augmented reality) for ARM's new Mali right after the break.

Additional reporting by Sean Hollister

Continue reading ARM intros next-gen Mali-T604 embedded GPU, Samsung first to get it (update: video)

ARM intros next-gen Mali-T604 embedded GPU, Samsung first to get it (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Xi3 Modular Computer is one cool-looking desktop in a cube

Yep, that thing is a computer, and while it probably won't be your next computer, it's definitely an interesting one. Made by hardware startup Xi3, the aluminum case (yes, it's available in more than just that orange mocha frappuccino color) houses three separate boards -- one holds the AMD Athlon 64 processor and 2GB of DDR2 RAM, another the power / video card, and the last the input / outputs. As you may have guessed, the 20 watt modular system is meant to be tinkered with, and in addition to those internal boards, it has only two sides, eight screws, and that colorful chassis; the company will sell additional modules on its site. So, how much will that little thing set ya back? Obviously, it's customizable, but the base model, which includes a 1.8GHz AMD Athlon 64 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of flash storage rings up at $850. That's pricey considering it doesn't include a Windows OS, but Xi3 told us that it's primarily aiming this thing at the embedded market and cloud computing customers. Still, that doesn't mean you couldn't configure it with a larger hard drive, install your OS of choice, and find a home for the little guy on your desk. It's available now at the source link, but before heading over there you'll want to check out some pictures of the Xi3's internals in the gallery below and then journey past the break for the full press release.

Gallery: Xi3 computer hands-on