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Thursday, September 15, 2011

drag2share: AT&T Foundry innovation center opens its doors in Palo Alto to help devs do what they do

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/atandt-foundry-innovation-center-opens-its-doors-in-palo-alto-to-h/

We've heard of keeping up with the Joneses, but this is getting ridiculous. First it was Verizon, then Vodafone, and now Ma Bell -- with an assist from Ericsson -- has built an innovation center in Silicon Valley. This new center completes the triumvirate of AT&T Foundry facilities (the other two are in Texas and Israel), and is a part of the company's strategy to accelerate the process of developing and delivering new products to its customers. Right now, there are over 100 projects in development in Palo Alto, and AT&T is looking to add more. Those who are chosen gain access to AT&T's networks and expertise to ensure that new projects play nice with all of the company's gear, and it's already produced a few things that were on display at the center's grand opening. Want a sneak peek at what's in AT&T's innovation pipeline? Read on past the break to get it.

Gallery: AT&T Foundry grand opening in Palo Alto, California

Continue reading AT&T Foundry innovation center opens its doors in Palo Alto to help devs do what they do

AT&T Foundry innovation center opens its doors in Palo Alto to help devs do what they do originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Piictu survives Google's Photovine, launches out of public beta

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/piictu-survives-googles-photovine-launches-out-of-public-beta/

There's been a fair amount of news on the Photovine front recently -- none of it particular flattering for Google, or its now shuttered Slide branch. But users of the mobile app-based photo service can now continue sharing their pics using Piictu -- a slightly different, yet remarkably similar service that launched well before its Google counterpart. What initially began as a fun side project for co-founder Jon Slimak, Piictu has apparently gained quite a following, prompting its creators to add some polish to the service and push it out of beta. We're not quite sure what to expect for its future, but Google's involvement with its Piictu competitor appears to have helped the original service gain some traction, despite its indy status. Jump past the break for the announcement from Piictu, or hit up our source link to download the iOS app.

Continue reading Piictu survives Google's Photovine, launches out of public beta

Piictu survives Google's Photovine, launches out of public beta originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung Transform Ultra hitting Boost Mobile in October, we go hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/samsung-transform-ultra-hitting-boost-mobile-in-october-we-goes/

Pay as you go / QWERTY keyboard enthusiasts rejoice -- Samsung today formally announced the Transform Ultra. The familiar-looking Android 2.3-packing slider is destined for the contract-free world of Boost Mobile, featuring a 1GHz processor, a 3MP rear-facing camera (plus a front-facing VGA) and the content-happy Mobile ID preloaded. The handset is a bit on the bulky side, which is to be expected with a full keyboard inside -- but all in all, not a bad looking piece of hardware, particularly for the world of pre-paid, where selection is sometimes limited. The Transform Ultra will be hitting Boost on October 7th for $230.Press release after the break.

Gallery: Samsung Transform Ultra hands-on

Continue reading Samsung Transform Ultra hitting Boost Mobile in October, we go hands-on

Samsung Transform Ultra hitting Boost Mobile in October, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Canon unveils PowerShot S100 and SX40 HS high-end point-and-shoots

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/canon-unveils-powershot-s100-and-sx40-hs-high-end-point-and-shoo/

Today, we've got a pair of Canon point-and-shoots to show you. The S100 is the successor to the highly regarded S95, while the SX40 HS takes on the super-zoom market with its 35x lens. Both cameras use the company's new DIGIC 5 image processor, which brings high-speed burst shooting and 1080p video to the party. The S100 features improved low-light performance thanks to its f/2.0 lens and new, larger 12.1 megapixel CMOS censor (gone is the CCD of yore). It also has a GPS receiver for embedding location data in your photos. The SX40, more or less, slaps the new processor and sensor into last year's somewhat disappointing SX30 IS. Hopefully, those internal upgrades will solve some of the SX line's problems with image quality and noise. Both cameras will cost $430, with the S100 set to ship in early November and the SX 40 HS in late September. Check out the gallery below as well as the PR after the break.

Gallery: Canon PowerShot S100 and SX40

Continue reading Canon unveils PowerShot S100 and SX40 HS high-end point-and-shoots

Canon unveils PowerShot S100 and SX40 HS high-end point-and-shoots originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: HP Envy 14 review (2011)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/hp-envy-14-review-2011/

The last time we reviewed the Envy 14, we concluded, by and large, that HP got it right. The company succeeded in delivering good performance and graphics punch, all while correcting a teensy overheating problem and adding an optical drive and backlit keyboard. Then there was that rock-solid, engraved metal chassis that made it one of the most attractive notebooks on the market -- a distinction it still holds to this day. So as you can imagine, when HP refreshed the Envy 14 this summer, there wasn't exactly a lot to improve. What we have here is a nearly identical machine, with the same stunning design -- not to mention, $1,000 starting price. Now, though, HP is selling it with Sandy Bridge processors and USB 3.0 -- the kind of tweaks laptop makers have been rolling out for the better part of this year.

Normally, that kind of speed bump wouldn't warrant us re-reviewing a laptop. In fact, we probably wouldn't be revisiting the Envy 14 if it weren't for two things. For starters, we've received an unusual number of emails, tweets and comments from readers, imploring us to weigh in on the Sandy Bridge version before they pull the trigger. Secondly, in addition to that processor swap, HP has fine-tuned the touchpad drivers, and assures us the trackpad isn't the flaky mess it was the last two times around. So how much better is the Envy 14 in the year two thousand and eleven? Let's find out.

Gallery: HP Envy 14 review (2011)