Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Amazon Cloud Player arrives for Roku boxes, Samsung Smart TVs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/13/amazon-cloud-player-arrives-for-roku-boxes-samsung-smart-tvs/

So you've embraced Amazon Cloud Player to the point where you want it at the center of your living room. Amazon is more than happy to oblige with newly launched apps for both Roku media hubs as well as Samsung Smart TVs. The two apps will stream Amazon MP3 purchases and uploaded songs for everyone in the living room, although they share the same limitations: uploading music is clearly off the table given the lack of local storage, and we'll have to manage that party playlist elsewhere. When both apps are free perks of an existing service, though, we won't grouse too loudly.

Continue reading Amazon Cloud Player arrives for Roku boxes, Samsung Smart TVs

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung, Amazon

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Source: Amazon (1), (2)

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Make a Raspberry Pi Solar-Powered FTP Server

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5967840/make-a-raspberry-pi-solar+powered-ftp-server

Make a Raspberry Pi Solar-Powered FTP Server There are lots of great #Raspberry Pi projects you can make. Add to the growing list using the small computer as an FTP server—a solar-powered one, no less.

CNET has the instructions for setting up your mini FTP server. With it, you can access your digital files from anywhere 24/7—and the solar panel means your electricity bill won't be affected at all.

Basically you just need a solar panel with a rechargeable battery pack in a case. You can buy the parts from Cottonpickers (based in the UK, but shipping worldwide).

Once you've got your sun bed set up, follow CNET's straightforward instructions for setting up the static IP, VNC, and so on. You can hook up an external hard drive for file sharing.

In theory, you could use the solar panel case for any Raspberry Pi project, including setting up a personal web server.

How to make a Raspberry Pi solar-powered FTP server | CNET UK viaTechCrunch

Verizon Galaxy Note II bootloader unlocked, ready for flashing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/12/verizon-galaxy-note-ii-bootloader-unlocked/

Well, that didn't take long. The talented folks over the XDA Developers forums have cracked the Verizon version of the Galaxy Note II. The bootloader has been fully unlocked and the giant phone is ready to be hacked, modded and flashed with custom ROMs. The steps are pretty simple, though, we'll still give you the perquisite warning that messing with your phones bootloader could lead to irreparable damage. But,, if the risk of bricking your handset doesn't phase you, just download a few packages, including the leaked Odin3 tool from Samsung and get cracking. Sadly, unlocking the bootloader can't strip all of the terrible Big Red branding from the device -- you'll need some sandpaper for that. Some users are reporting issues with the unlocking process related to root and the dev has promised an update addressing the bug soon. Complete instructions await you at the source and there's a video walk through after the break.

Continue reading Verizon Galaxy Note II bootloader unlocked, ready for flashing

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

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Source: XDA Developers

JVC launches five Everio camcorders in Japan, two with Android remote control

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/12/jvc-launches-five-everio-camcorders-in-japan-two-with-android-control/

JVC occasionally drops hints as to what we'll see at CES through launches in Japan late in the year; if that's true with its new Everio camcorder launch, we'll face a small avalanche in Las Vegas. Five models are shipping in late December that include two with remote control: WiFi on the 16GB GZ-EX350 and 32GB GZ-EX370 lets a nearby Android phone or tablet steer the camera from a distance, and the camera itself can wirelessly back up its footage as well as share media through WiFi Direct. Springing for one of these or the strictly-offline GZ-E325 (8GB) and GZ-E345 (16GB) cameras will still net you a just-the-highlights playback mode that looks for smiles and tagged scenes. While the entry-level GZ-E320 misses out on the highlight mode, all five models share a 40X optical zoom, 1080p shooting from a BSI CMOS sensor, an SDXC card slot and a 3-inch touchscreen for previewing any would-be masterpieces. Although JVC hasn't mentioned any US plans, we wouldn't be surprised to see at least one or two of the new Everios cross the Pacific.

Filed under: Cameras

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Via: Akihabara News

Source: JVC (1), (2)

Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ review: a high-def 9-inch tablet at an entry-level price

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/12/nook-hd-plus-review/

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A couple of weeks back, we referred to the Nook HD as a "tablet with the heart of a reader." And given Barnes & Noble's roots in brick-and-mortar bookstores, the sentiment makes sense; the company has given the world a product that felt a bit like an LCD reader with some solid tricks up its sleeve. While it shares the same core operating system as the HD, the HD+ brings a bit more to the hardware party -- namely, a high-def, 9-inch HD display. The change shifts some of the product's focus toward multimedia, with a particular emphasis on the recently announced Nook Video service. That, coupled with a $269 price tag, makes for a pretty compelling combination. But is it enough to ensure that Barnes & Noble will have a winner on its hands for the holiday? Find out after the break.

Gallery: Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ review: a high-def nine-inch tablet at an entry level price