Sony Alpha firmware updates bring record button disabling on NEX-7, DSLR lens improvements

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/18/sony-camera-firmware-updates/

Sony's NEX-7 may be fast approaching its first birthday, but that doesn't mean the company's ready to give up on pushing out updates. The camera's first new firmware version, 1.01, should be hitting today, bringing with it the ability to disable the Movie Record button to avoid accidental taps (finally!), boosted image quality with a wide-angle lens, improved audio playback and expanded EV bracketing. An option to disable the EVF eye sensor doesn't appear to be included with this revision, unfortunately. Other updates hitting at the same time include E-mount lens firmware v.01 that'll enable NEX-5R/NEX-6 Hybrid AF functionality with older lenses, A65/A77 firmware v1.06 and A37/A57 firmware v1.03, both of which deliver the ability to enable/disable the movie record button while also adding a variety of lens compensation options for select Alpha optics. All of these updates should now be live -- head over to the source link below for the hook-up.

Filed under: Cameras, Sony

Sony Alpha firmware updates bring record button disabling on NEX-7, DSLR lens improvements originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked training videos peg Lumia 920 as AT&T exclusive for six months, shows off City Lens, wireless charging

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/18/Lumia-920-exclusive-for-6-months/

Itching for Nokia's latest piece of Windows Phone kit, but aren't ready to saddle up with Ma Bell? Get comfortable: according to a leaked AT&T training video, you'll have to wait six months for the Lumia 920's exclusivity contract to expire. The unofficial Windows Phone 8 flagship is due out next month, though mum's still the word on its actual ship date. The trio of videos also give AT&T employees a brief run down of Nokia City Lens, wireless charging and the handset's NFC features. If you simply can't wait until spring, Verizon and T-Mobile are serving up a pair of mid-range alternatives, the Lumia 820 and 822, respectively. Otherwise, head past the break to see the videos for yourself and test your patience.

Continue reading Leaked training videos peg Lumia 920 as AT&T exclusive for six months, shows off City Lens, wireless charging

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Leaked training videos peg Lumia 920 as AT&T exclusive for six months, shows off City Lens, wireless charging originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 01:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Razer gives away custom Star Wars-themed Blade, may turn friends Imperial Guard red with envy

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/18/razer-gives-away-custom-star-wars-themed-blade/

Razer has been big on Star Wars gaming gear, but never quite like this. Enter a free contest and there's a chance to win a completely unique Star Wars: The Old Republic version of Razer's Blade gaming laptop. The winner sees the system's normally black shell replaced with a matte, laser-etched aluminum gray and the green backlighting dropped in favor of a subtler yellow matched to the MMORPG logo. Anyone who brings out this portable at a bring-your-own-computer gaming party is inevitably going to be the center of attention, although we have a feeling some would almost prefer the second-place bundle of peripherals -- at an estimated worth of $15,000, the Star Wars Blade might be too precious to carry for all but the most well-heeled of fans.

Filed under: Gaming, Laptops

Razer gives away custom Star Wars-themed Blade, may turn friends Imperial Guard red with envy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 03:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Hosting Android Event October 29, Likely To Announce A New Smartphone (GOOG)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/google-android-event-2012-10

Google just sent out invites to the press for an Android-themed event in New York.

The announcement will likely be for Google's new Nexus phone, which is rumored to be made by LG. It's also possible Google will team up with other hardware manufacturers to make Nexus devices this year. The LG Nexus is said to be a variant of the LG Optimus G, which recently launched.

Finally, there are rumors Google will offer a new Nexus 7 model with 32 GB. The entry-level 16 GB Nexus 7 could also drop to $99 from $199.

Android Boss Andy Rubin is also scheduled to speak at AllThingsD's mobile conference following Google's press conference. We're guessing he'll use that opportunity to show off the new Android hardware.

Even more interesting, Microsoft is holding a press conference the same day to announce the final consumer-facing features for its next mobile operating system Windows Phone 8.

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Scientists Erase the Memories of Sleeping Mice [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5952627/scientists-erase-the-memories-of-sleeping-mice

Researchers at Stanford claim they've figured out how to erase the traumatic memories of mice while they sleep bringing them one step closer to their goal of ending PTSD for humans. Apparently a prescription memory-eraser could even be on the way. Are we closer to an Eternal Sunshine moment than we think?

The conventional treatment for stress and anxiety caused by traumatic events can be grueling for the patient, barbaric, even. They've simply got to recall the drama over and over and over in front of a shrink until, eventually, they learn how to deal with it—and there's no guarantee the patent won't relapse.

Nature reports the research of a Stanford team that found a way to replicate this therapy passively in sleeping mice. First, the researchers trained mice to fear the smell of jasmine by exposing them to the smell and then zapping them electricity. Once the mice were thoroughly traumatized, the researchers went about un-traumatizing the mice in their sleep.

One batch of mice received traditional therapy: They were exposed to the smell while they slept without getting shocked, and eventually got over the fear—temporarily at least. These mice, like PTSD humans tended to relapse.

The researchers treated the other batch of mice by tampering with their brain chemistry. Nature explains:

In other mice, Rolls administered a drug to block protein production in the basolateral amygdala - a brain area associated with storage of fearful memories - just before the animals went to sleep. The researchers then exposed the sleeping mice to repeated odor puffs alone. Upon waking, these animals showed reduced fear responses to amyl acetate [the smell chemical] that carried over even into new environments.

Holy smokes that's crazy! Imagine a world in which the tedium and pain of therapy could be replaced with a simple pill. The world would be such a happier place. Unfortunately, the drug used in the study isn't safe for humans, but it turns out that existing anxiety meds could potentially be used the same way. It seems the solution to an old psychiatric puzzle might have been lying under our noses for decades. [Nature]

Image by angeladellatorre under Creative Commons license

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