HTC says One's dual-membrane microphones block bad vibes

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/htc-dual-membrane-microphone-claims/

Nobody expects studio quality recording from a smartphone, but the technology in HTC's recently launched One at least allows distortion free audio to be nabbed in the quietest or loudest environments, according to the company's blog. Describing BoomSound tech, HTC says the system brings two dual-membrane MEMS microphones to the handset, one of which is focused on sensitivity and the other on high decibel sources. The two signals are then combined electronically, resulting in whisper-level tones that are free of hiss along with concert level blasting that won't clip or distort. By HTC's reckoning, that means the audio that goes along with those UltraPixels will be clear whether you're capturing a physics lecture or death metal concert.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

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Via: Android Central

Source: HTC Blog

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RetroN 4 plays NES, SNES, Genesis and GBA carts, hides its looks (for now)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/retron-4-plays-nes-snes-genesis-and-gba-carts-hides-its-looks/

Hyperkin's fourth RetroN console wants to be the perfect way to enjoy gaming's past glories. Alongside the ability to play NES, SNES, Gameboy and Sega Genesis titles, it's compatible with PAL and NTSC formats, with ports for your NES, SNES and Genesis controllers -- you still have those, right? If not, Hyperkin's own Bluetooth-connected controllers can fill in, while the console's UI will allow you to reassign buttons as needed. There's also HDMI output, so those 16-bit graphics will get the full glory of your HD plasma screen. Alas, following another notable games console, the company isn't showing off the device just yet. You're looking at its predecessor above, which should at least give your mind's eye something to work with until it's finally unfurled at Wisconsin's Midwest Gaming Classic on March 23rd.

Filed under: Gaming

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Source: Joystiq

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Visualized: MyMultitouch's 84-inch, 4K touchscreen (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/visualized-my-multitouch/

Museum owners, public officials and design studio heads are just the sort who would have an excuse to splash out on one of MyMultitouch's displays. The 84-inch PixelSense-esque table is designed to be used by up to 32 fingers at once, letting groups paw around interactive exhibits on a large scale. This one, in particular, comes with a 3,840 x 2,160 UHD display, infrared-based multitouch and a steel stand that lets you mount it at a wide variety of angles. Since it's driven by any PC with a 4K-outputting graphics card, you could even use it as your own desktop display, although you'd need to drop €33,000 ($43,100), plus whatever an 84-inch desk would set you back.

Gallery: MyMultitouch 84-inch multitouch display hands-on

Filed under: Displays

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Google+ updates profile pages with larger photos, 'card' layout and Local review tab

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/google-plus-updated-profile-pages/

The social masses have spoken and Google's listened. Starting today, the search giant's beefing up Google+ profile pages with additional features based on overwhelming feedback to give users more editing control, a flashier presentation and a clearer social outpost. Now, individual profile "cover photos" will display at up to 2120px by 1192px and rollout into full widescreen (16:9) view when selected. The 'About' section is also seeing a minor revamp, getting a Now-like makeover that breaks down categorical user info into cards for easier modification. And to service the critic deep within us all, Google's adding in a 'Local review' tab alongside those for photos, videos and +1's so your network of friends can make trusted dinner reservations. These changes are set to take effect "gradually," so don't waste your time mashing that refresh button. Or do, if you're the impatient type.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Via: The Next Web

Source: Sara McKinley (Goo! gle+)

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A Graphene Antenna Could Give Us Wireless Terabit Uploads in One Second

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5988728/a-graphene-antenna-could-give-us-wireless-terabit-uploads-in-one-second

Wireless uploads of big files take for-ev-er. But researchers at Georgia Tech University have plans for an antenna made of crazy thin graphene that would let you transfer a whole terabit of data in just one second.

Within a couple of feet, researchers could move a terabit per second, but in theory, from a closer range, you could move as much as 100 terabits a second. That's about 100 high-def movies in less time than it takes you make a cup of coffee. Graphene, you crazy.

MIT Technology Review explains how the antenna would be made:

Graphene could be shaped into narrow strips of between 10 and 100 nanometers wide and one micrometer long, allowing it to transmit and receive at the terahertz frequency, which roughly corresponds to those size scales. Electromagnetic waves in the terahertz frequency would then interact with plasmonic waves-oscillations of electrons at the surface of the graphene strip-to send and receive information.

Of course, this is just the preliminary groundwork on a piece of tech that doesn't exactly exist yet. Next the Georgia Tech group will have to figure out manufacturing, and how to make the necessary components—signal generators, amplifiers, and so forth—so the antennas will actually work. But the thought of lightning-fast wireless downloads is enough to be a little excited for the future. [MIT Technology Review]

Image by CORE-materials under Creative Commons license

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