TCL's $330 Idol X+ boasts 2GHz octa-core chip, Bluetooth activity tracker

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/26/tcl-idol-x-plus-2ghz-octa-core-activity-wristband/

While some of us are still recovering from holiday, the TCL folks in China -- whose products are better known under the Alcatel brand in many other countries -- have gone ahead and launched a new phone. As the name suggests, the Idol X+ is pretty much an updated version of the already impressive Idol X, with the highlight being it's the first device to carry the 2GHz bin of the octa-core MT6592 SoC (with 2GB RAM). TCL's reps told us that this is courtesy of an exclusive deal they arranged with MediaTek. Additionally, you'll find a familiar 5-inch 1080p IPS display within a slimmer 1.9mm bezel, plus a 13-megapixel f/2.0 camera on the back. Due to the larger 2,500mAh battery, the body is now slightly thicker at 7.9mm, but it's actually not that much different when we saw a prototype earlier.

For a flagship Android phone that costs just CN¥1,999 or about US$330 unsubsidized, it's pretty bold of TCL to also include a Bluetooth activity plus sleep tracker. This Boom Band is essentially a little nugget that sits inside a plastic wristband (available in several colors), and it can double as a proximity alarm in case you accidentally leave your phone behind. It naturally has a companion app that lets you track your performance, and should you wish to, you can also show off your stats to friends.

There's no word on whether non-China markets will get the same package branded by Alcatel, but if you already reside in China, you can head to JD.com and order one on January 15th.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: Engadget China

Source: TCL (Sina Weibo)

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Digitally simulated worm wriggles for the first time (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/26/openworm-project/

It's relatively easy to simulate life in an abstract sense, but it's tricky to do that cell-by-cell -- just ask the OpenWorm Project, which has spent months recreating a nematode in software. However, the team recently cleared an important milestone by getting its virtual worm to wiggle for the first time. The project now has an algorithm that triggers the same muscle contractions you'd see in the real organism, getting the 1,000-cell simulation to "swim" in a convincing fashion. There's still a long way to go before OpenWorm has a complete lifeform on its hands, mind you. The group has to introduce code for a nervous system, and performance is a problem -- it takes 72 hours to emulate one third of a second's worth of activity. If all goes well, though, you'll eventually get to play with the worm through a browser. In the meantime, you can check out the digital critter's motion in a video after the break.

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Via: BBC

Source: OpenWorm, New World Notes

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Google seeks judgment protecting Android from 'Rockstar' group's patent lawsuits

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/25/google-seeks-judgment-protecting-android-from-rockstar/

Google isn't about to remain idle while the Apple- and Microsoft-led "Rockstar" patent group sues numerous Android partners. The search giant has quietly filed a declaratory judgment complaint asking a San Jose court to rule that the company (and therefore, the Android ecosystem) doesn't infringe seven of Rockstar's patents. As GigaOM notes, Google isn't mincing words -- the firm accuses Rockstar of "placing a cloud" over Android and harassing a large part of the technology industry. The legal action doesn't necessarily amount to fighting fire with fire, though. Declaratory judgment complaints frequently represent attempts to score an early victory, rather than the first line of defense; Google likely has more up its sleeve if this tactic doesn't work.

Google Dec Action vs Rockstar

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Blackberry

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Source: GigaOM

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Gionee Elife E7 mini launched with Oppo-like swivel camera, octa-core CPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/25/gionee-elife-e7-mini-launch/

Chinese phone maker Gionee has just released the Elife E7 mini version of its mega-spec'd 5.5-inch, 1080p Elife E7 phone, but it resembles its larger sibling in name only. First off, the 13-megapizel camera and flash are on a swivel at the top, Oppo N1-style. The specifications are otherwise a step down, starting with the 4.7-inch, 720p screen and continuing with the 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6592 CPU (instead of a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 800) and 1GB of RAM in lieu of 3GB. It also sports 16GB of storage, dual-SIM 3G capability and Android 4.2. Still, the folks at FoneArena, who got their hands on one during its launch in India, said it feels just as premium as the Elife E7 and it looks to have skipped the fingerprint-prone glossy finish of that model. Though it likely won't arrive in the US, selfie self-portrait lovers in India will be able to grab it for 18,999 (about $310). For more pics, hit the source.

[Image credit: FoneArena]

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: GSM Arena

Source: FoneArena

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This Glass Room Lets You Float Over of One of the Alps' Highest Peaks

Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-glass-room-lets-you-float-over-of-one-of-the-alps-1488144594

The Aiguille du Midi, or Needle of the South, has been home to the terrifying highest vertical ascent cable car in the world for three decades. But this month, it's stepping up its scaring-the-wits-out-of-tourists game—with a glass box that hangs over the yawning void next to the peak.

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