Motorola's 'Project Ara' modular smartphone setup switches out hardware like apps

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/motorola-project-ara-modular-smartphone/

We were intrigued by the Phonebloks concept phone that teased the ability to switch out a handset's components the way most users change ringtones, and now Motorola is putting its resources behind it. In what Motorola calls Project Ara, the advanced Technology and Products group is working with Phonebloks creator Dave Hakkens on an "endoskeleton (endo) and modules." Announced this evening on the company blog by Paul Eremenko, the company says it's already "done deep technical work" and is opening the process up to the community and volunteers (aka Ara Scouts, sign up here) to begin designing hardware modules. Its stated goal is to do for hardware what it says Android has done for software: create a vibrant third-party developer ecosystem, lower the barriers to entry, increase the pace of innovation, and substantially compress development timelines."

Suggestions for modules include the phone's CPU, display, extra battery, external sensors or anything else one can think of. The timeline currently points to a Module Developer's Kit (MDK) release this winter, while those volunteers can expect an exclusive discount when the product launches and the 100 most active are getting free phones. Hakkens has described his design as a "phone worth keeping" -- with the ability to upgrade piece by piece and (hopefully) never experience obsolescence again we'd call this idea a phone definitely worth building.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

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Source: Motorola

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Olympus' $700 Stylus 1 compact tempts enthusiasts with 28-300mm constant f/2.8 lens

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/olympus-stylus-1-compact-camera/

After watching Sony rejuvenate its compact lineup with the RX-series, Olympus is having a go as well with its latest effort, the Stylus 1. It looks to be a step up from last year's Stylus XZ-2, bringing a more DSLR-like form factor and new 1.44 million dot EVF. The fixed lens is also markedly improved, thanks to a constant f/2.8 aperture over the 28-300mm (35mm equivalent) 10.7x zoom range and a close-focusing 2-inch macro distance. While it carries the same smallish 1/1.7-inch, 12-megapixel sensor as the Stylus XZ-2, it's gained the fast touch AF system from the Olympus PEN ILC series. Other features include a 3-inch, 1.04 million dot tiltable touchscreen viewer, a hybrid control ring for functions like focus or shutter speed, WiFi sharing with a smartphone app, and 1080/30p HD video with 240fps slo-mo at 320 x 240. It'll be up for grabs in December for $700, so if you're thinking of slipping one in your pocket instead of (or along with) your smartphone, check the gallery of press shots below. %Gallery-slideshow102341%

Filed under: Cameras

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Source: Olympus

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Apple confirms it's 'unclear' whether there will be enough Retina iPad minis to meet demand

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/28/apple-confirms-its-unclear-whether-there-will-be-enough-retin/

While Apple CEO Tim Cook may have put one rumor to rest during today's earnings call, he basically confirmed another one: When asked about the availability of the iPad mini with Retina display, Cook said that the new model will start shipping "later in November," but that it's "unclear whether we'll have enough for the quarter or not." Cook quickly pointed out that "we know how many we'll have," but that it's difficult to predict demand for a product until it starts shipping. He seemed to be confirming persistent rumors that the Retina mini would be in short supply during the holiday shopping season.

Although Cook insisted that "we'll do fairly well with iPad," and that Apple will have a "really great holiday season," the company may have reason to be concerned about not being able to meet demand for the new model. As reported earlier, iPad sales were flat compared to the same period last year, even while competitors are seeing major growth in tablet sales. Apple has seen its share of the total tablet market drop from 60 percent a year ago to just 32 percent today. Apple is hoping, according to Cook, for "an iPad Christmas," but it may be one that many customers will have to celebrate without the company's most notable new model.

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Play-i's Bo and Yana robots teach kids programming concepts through stories (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/28/play-i-robots/

There are efforts to promote coding to kids, but they're typically aimed at an older demographic -- few young children are ready to sit at a keyboard and start writing. Play-i hopes to foster that interest at an earlier age with its upcoming programmable robots. Both the three-wheeled Bo (right) and its stationary cousin Yana (left) teach coding concepts through the context of stories, which are easier to grasp for kids. Owners can tell Bo to give a flower to a friend, for example, or get Yana to make helicopter sounds when it's shaken. Play-i's Bluetooth-based remote control app (currently iOS-only) simplifies arm, eye, gesture and wheel commands, reducing them to icon-based sequences; effectively, kids learn about if-then code without mastering a programming language.

The company is running a crowdfunding campaign to help with its planned summer 2014 launch. Interested parents can pledge $49 for Yana, and $149 for Bo; prices should climb to a respective $69 and $199 when the robots reach the market. Tinkerers can also spend $499 to get a developer combo that includes both machines as well as early access to an API. If you're interested in giving your kids a head start in the tech world -- or just want particularly clever toys for yourself -- you'll want to check out Play-i at the source link. %Gallery-slideshow102193%

Filed under: Household, Robots

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Source: Play-i

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CHART: America Is Way Behind The Rest Of The World When It Comes To Broadband, Paying More For Slower Speeds

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-america-is-way-behind-the-rest-of-the-world-when-it-comes-to-broadband-paying-more-for-slower-speeds-2013-10

The BBC has a fantastic and — if you live in the U.S. — disturbing report on international broadband internet access.

It turns out that America is not, as it sees itself, the foremost shining beacon of progress, speed and modernity on the web.

By some measures, it comes last among the developed countries. Americans pay more for broadband than other countries do, and get slower speeds for their money. Here's a basket of data from major cities:

And here's the same data on a country-wide average:

Americans are often paying twice as much as everyone else, with monthly bills nearing $100.

The reason: Local internet provider monopolies. The U.S. is a big place and although there are several national deregulated providers they tend to dominate the regions they are strong in. On top of that, phone companies' copper wires can't compete with TV companies' cable wires. The result is that many customers have to choose between just one or two companies of they want fast web access.

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