drag2share: Samsung Nexus S 4G updated to Android 2.3.7, brings Google Wallet support

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/samsung-nexus-s-4g-updated-to-support-google-wallet/

It looks like the rumors are true, folks -- the long-awaited update that brings Google Wallet to the Samsung Nexus S 4G on Sprint is indeed here, just two days shy of missing the "summer" deadline completely. We're pretty scant on details at the moment, but the announcement has shown up on an official FAQ page on Samsung's site informing us that build GWK74 is available. If you're a proud owner of the now fully-functional device, you should receive a notification stating that an update is available to deliver the goods via an OTA refresh. We're not sure how long it will take for this to get pushed out to everyone, so a bit of patience may need to be exercised here as you wait. Let us know if you're one of the lucky recipients below.

Update: Looks like the build number is Android 2.3.7, available as we speak for Sprint customers with the aforesaid phone.

Samsung Nexus S 4G updated to Android 2.3.7, brings Google Wallet support originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: A week with Google Wallet (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/a-week-with-google-wallet-video/

Contactless payments have been something of a curiosity in the credit card industry. MasterCard's PayPass has been around for the better part of a decade, but merchants and banks alike seem hesitant to adopt the technology required to make the system work, and inconsistent implementation adds to the confusion -- particularly for customers. Google's new mobile phone-based Wallet service has the potential to transform the technology from its current status as a transaction turkey, to a future as a checkout champion. But will it work? We spent a week with a Wallet-enabled Nexus S 4G, using the device to pay whenever we encountered a MasterCard PayPass terminal. Unfortunately, that wasn't often enough, limiting us to just a handful of transactions in the first week. Still, with Google just beginning to roll out the service and only a limited selection of launch partners ready to go, it's impossible to deliver a complete verdict just yet. Jump past the break for an inside look at Google Wallet, including a video of the service in action, and a brief look at what the world of contactless payments may look like in the future.

Gallery: Google Wallet hands-on

Continue reading A week with Google Wallet (video)

A week with Google Wallet (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Bionic owners peeved by high-pitched whine, source of the sound still a mystery

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/bionic-owners-peeved-by-high-pitched-whine-source-of-the-sound/

Reports have been trickling in for a few days now that Droid Bionic owners were hearing a high-pitched whine when playing media back through headphones. Well, it looks like it's safe to say it's a serious issue. The Motorola support forums are rife with tales of a piercing background tone and loud clicks as the audio hardware fires up and shuts down. In fact, you can find recorded examples of the sounds at the source link. So far it's unclear if the issue is hardware or software related, and Motorola hasn't had much to say about it just yet. We're sure they'll move relatively quickly to address the problem though, before Verizon stores are flooded with returned handsets.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Bionic owners peeved by high-pitched whine, source of the sound still a mystery

Bionic owners peeved by high-pitched whine, source of the sound still a mystery originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Vuzix Wrap 1200VR video eyewear does 3D with head-tracking for $600, now available

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/vuzix-wrap-1200vr-video-eyewear-does-3d-with-head-tracking-for/

If you scored yourself Vuzix's Wrap 1200 side-by-side 3D video eyewear last month, you may want to know the company's VR variant is now available for $600 (about 100 bones more). With the Wrap 1200VR, you'll again be viewing a simulated 75-inch, 3D (or 2D, if you'd prefer) 16:9 display at ten feet away. The shades feature a single 852 x 480 monitor per eye and support input resolutions of up to 1280 x 720. The VR bit comes from the included Wrap Tracker 6TC with compass, which enables head-tracking with three degrees of freedom. Better yet, its coupled drift control should maintain silky smooth visuals when you're tilting your noggin' to scope out the on-screen action. Out of box, these specs are said to play nice with most Windows machine's graphics cards and VGA connections, but adapters are required to rock them with your PS3 or Xbox 360. If your eyes are already tearing up with joy, you'll find full details in the PR just past the break.

Update: We initially reported the that the Vuzix Wrap 1200VR outputs video in simulated 720p, when it actually supports input resolutions up to 1280 x 720 -- both WVGA monitors have a resolution of 852 x 480. We've updated this post accordingly.

Continue reading Vuzix Wrap 1200VR video eyewear does 3D with head-tracking for $600, now available

Vuzix Wrap 1200VR video eyewear does 3D with head-tracking for $600, now available originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Gamers pwn University of Washington scientists, solve decade-long simian AIDS protein conundrum (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/gamers-pwn-university-of-washington-scientists-solve-decade-lon/

No gamer's escaped the throes of adolescence without hearing the damning refrain, "Video games'll rot your brain." While scientific research into that claim has so far proved inconclusive, it turns out the preferred pastime of our digital era could potentially cure cancer, and even help prevent AIDS -- in monkeys. Utilizing crowdsourced results from the downloadable protein-manipulating "game" Foldit, scientists at the University of Washington were able to attain a successful model of the simian AIDS-causing Mason - Pfizer monkey virus retroviral protease. For over a decade, researchers have been arduously attempting to reconstruct the folded shape of M-PMV with the aid of the task-specific Rosetta software, but to no avail. Now, in what they're calling a possible first, gamers were able to do what scientific brains and algorithms could not, creating a sufficient model for molecular replacement -- all in just three weeks. Feel like dedicating your leisure hours to this worthwhile cause? Then be sure to hit up the source link below, and transform yourself from couch potato to couch crusader.

Continue reading Gamers pwn University of Washington scientists, solve decade-long simian AIDS protein conundrum (video)

Gamers pwn University of Washington scientists, solve decade-long simian AIDS protein conundrum (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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