Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Apple patent application takes the hard keys out of the keyboard, promises a flat surface solution

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/apple-patent-application-takes-the-hard-keys-out-of-the-keyboard/

Apple's giving us a patent application peek into its post-PC future, and it looks like hard keys will be so 2008. The recently revelead filing shows off a virtual, flat keyboard concept for Cupertino's line of non-iOS products that flirts with metal, plastic and glass form factors. Using a combination of piezoelectrics, haptic feedback and acoustic pulse recognition, these prospective designs will be able to detect your finger-pounding surface input. If you're the fast-typing kind, you're probably wondering how your digits will recognize the keys sight unseen. Well, there's a few workarounds for that. In its metal and plastic iterations, Jobs and co. plan to stamp or micro-perforate the layout into place, while their glass counterpart would receive a graphical overlay. The application also promises an LED-lit display for hard to see conditions and the inclusion of capactive sensors to enable multi-touch functions, so you avoid e.e. cummings-style emails. Of course, applications aren't necessarily indicative of a surefire product, but those interested in tickling their imagination can give the source link a look.

Apple patent application takes the hard keys out of the keyboard, promises a flat surface solution originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink&n! bsp; &nb sp;|  sourcePatently Apple  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Posted by Augustine at 11:13 AM

Onkyo remote app ushers in a new era of losing Android phones in the couch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/onkyo-remote-app-ushers-in-a-new-area-of-losing-android-phones-i/

Is the devoted remote going the way of dodo? HiFi audio manufacturer Onkyo is certainly hedging its bets with the release of its first Android app, which gives users the ability to control a number of its home theater systems. The Remote App, due out in August, makes it possible to browse content and stream audio from Android smartphones to the TX-8050 and all Onkyo A/V network receivers released this year. This isn't the company's first flirtation with the open world of Android. Late last year, Onkyo beat the competition to the punch by announcing a couple of Android tablets.

Continue reading Onkyo remote app ushers in a new era of losing Android phones in the couch

Onkyo remote app ushers in a new era of losing Android phones in the couch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Posted by Augustine at 11:13 AM

Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound 5 Encore redefines 'affordable,' looks good doing it (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/bang-and-olufsens-beosound-5-encore-redefines-affordable-looks/

It's certainly been a while since Bang & Olufsen's given any love to its gorgeous (but pricey) BeoSound 5, but refining self-proclaimed perfection takes... well, about three years. The more affordable $3,350 BeoSound 5 Encore carries over the svelte 10.4-inch LCD / scroll wheel toting controller from its predecessor, but nixes the BeoMaster music server requirement, allowing it to run headless (and in turn save you bookodles of cash). So how does one play tunes if it rides solo? With a bevy of new connectivity options: content can now be slung over USB (be it via a "mobile device," thumb key or hard drive), from a NAS, over A2DP Bluetooth, or from one of 13,000 internet radio stations. It'll ship in August, which'll leave you plenty of time to count those pennies, and perhaps to ponder why it couldn't spring for finer graphics in the video that awaits you beyond the fold.

Continue reading Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound 5 Encore redefines 'affordable,' looks good doing it (video)

Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound 5 Encore redefines 'affordable,' looks good doing it (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceBang & Olufsen  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Posted by Augustine at 11:12 AM

Samsung's LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes to Verizon on July 28th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/samsungs-lte-equipped-galaxy-tab-10-1-hits-on-verizon-wireless/

It's a Galaxy Tab 10.1, but with 4G. No, not that 4G. Not even that 4G. This 4G. You know, the LTE variety, being spread around like Christmas ham by the folks at Verizon Wireless. Cosmetically, the slate offered up by Big Red is no different than the WiFi-only model that we peeked earlier in the year, but the LTE radio tucked within obviously makes it the one to get if you're looking for top-tier speeds on the go. VZW will actually hawk two separate models LTE Tab 10.1 models (in white or grey), both of which are priced outrageously with two-year agreements: $529.99 for the 16GB model and $629.99 for the 32GB model. That's a pretty penny (to say the least!) given the albatross that is a 24-month contract, and those who'd rather provide their own connectivity can opt for the WWAN-less Metallic Grey edition for $499.99 (16GB). Access plans start at $30 per month for 2GB, with $50 per period getting you 5GB, or $80 getting you 10GB (no mention of tethering, unfortunately). Your pickup date? Two days from now, or July 28th for the calendar-challenged.

Continue reading Samsung's LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes to Verizon on July 28th

Samsung's LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes to Verizon on July 28th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pe rmalink   |  sourceVerizon Wireless  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Posted by Augustine at 11:11 AM

Netswipe turns your webcam into a credit card reader, brings POS payments to the desktop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/netswipe-turns-your-webcam-into-a-credit-card-reader-brings-pos/


Credit card fraud costs the banking industry billions of dollars every year, and with companies yet to find an entirely secure system for processing payments online, there's no end in sight for unauthorized transactions. Jumio hopes to bring both security and convenience to the world of online payments, however, with its webcam-based Netswipe secure card reader solution. The system replicates the point of sale (POS) transactions you experience when making in-store purchases, prompting cardholders to scan the front on their credit card, then enter their CVV code using a tamperproof mouse-controlled interface. We're not sure how the software is able to distinguish a physical credit card from, say, a photocopy of a card, but it certainly sounds more secure than the standard input form we use today. It also reduces card number theft from insecure forms and website spoofing, by verifying details through a live video stream. Jump past the break for the full press release, along with video overviews of Netswipe and Jumio, which recently secured $6.5 million in initial funding and is backed by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

Continue reading Netswipe turns your webcam into a credit card reader, brings POS payments to the desktop

Netswipe turns your webcam into a credit card reader, brings POS payments to the desktop originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Posted by Augustine at 11:10 AM

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)