drag2share: The $20 smartphone is coming later this year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/06/20-dollar-smartphone/

In some corners of the world, even starter smartphones like the ZTE Open are too costly; basic cellphones such as the Nokia 105 thrive in areas where whole families can only afford one device. However, ARM believes that smartphones will soon be within reach of just about anyone. While it's possible to make a $25 Firefox OS phone today, ARM now expects to see a $20 Android phone within the "next few months." It might not actually be possible to go cheaper using current manufacturing techniques, the chip designer says.

This extra-frugal hardware won't compete against most budget phones, let alone a range-topping device like the Galaxy S5. The $20 smartphone will have to use a single-core Cortex-A5 processor and 2.5G (read: EDGE) wireless data; for reference, the $49 BLU Dash uses a dual-core chip. Performance isn't the point, though. A rock-bottom price should bring sophisticated mobile computing to an audience that previously had to make do with calls and text messages -- social networks and the modern mobile web will no longer be off-limits.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: Ars Technica

Source: AnandTech

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drag2share: Epson's latest Android glasses finally arrive for the faithful few

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/06/epson-moverio-bt-200-on-sale/

We doubt that there's a horde of wearable fans jonesing for Epson's second-gen Moverio glasses -- not after Google's one-day Glass sale, anyway -- but they're at last available, several weeks behind schedule. Spend $700 and the just-shipping BT-200 headset will put a basic (and frankly decrepit) Android 4.0 interface in front of your eyes. It does have a few tricks up its sleeve that Google can't quite match, though. There's wireless video mirroring and Dolby Digital Plus surround sound; you'll also get long-overdue head-motion tracking and a camera whose LED makes it clear that you're recording. The new Moverio is far from reproducing the cachet (or social stigmas) of Google's eyepiece, but look at it this way: The money you save by skimping on trendier eyewear can be put toward nobler pursuits.

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

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Via: Connectedly

Source: Epson

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drag2share: Symantec declares antivirus 'dead' as it focuses on damage control

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/06/symantec-declares-antivirus-dead/

Given how hard antivirus software makers push you to sign up, you'd think that business was booming. Far from it, according to Symantec's Brian Dye. He tells the Wall Street Journal that antivirus tools like his company's Norton suite are effectively "dead." The utilities now catch less than half of all attacks, according to the executive -- to him, the focus is on minimizing the damage whenever there's a successful hack or infection.

To that end, Symantec plans to sell both recovery services and threat briefings to corporate customers. In the long run, it should also have technology that finds malware trying to imitate other apps. However, the developer can't give up its original cash cow just yet. Antivirus packages like Norton still make up more than 40 percent of the company's revenue, and the new services won't safeguard your PC at home. You can still count on security software hanging around, then -- just be aware that you may need extra software (and a healthy dose of caution) to stay safe.

[Image credit: Shutterstock / David Orcea]

Filed under: Internet, Software

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Via: The Guardian

Source: Wall Street Journal

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drag2share: Your smartphone may soon double as a hearing aid, thanks to Mimi

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/06/mimi-hearing-test/

Let's face it: we live in a noisy world. If we're not sitting on loud trains or traipsing past construction sites, we're retreating into music with headphones. Alas, this also means hearing loss is a problem that can't be ignored -- that's why a startup called Mimi cooked up an iOS app to help you really figure out how far gone your hearing is.

At flrst blush, it's a little like those old grade school hearing tests: as soon as you hear that telltale pulsating tone, you tap your phone's screen. After two minutes, voila -- you've got your own personal hearing profile which shows you how well your ears respond to different frequencies. Once that's all done, you can experiment with "masks" to experience life through the ears of a middle-aged person or a construction worker (among others). The notion of hearing a pre-recorded message through someone else's ears is a little bizarre, but it does open your eyes (or ears) to what others live with everyday.

Calling Mimi a mere hearing test is technically accurate for now, but the team behind it aspires to greater things. A future version of the app (which co-founder Phillipp Skribanowitz graciously let us play with at TechCrunch Disrupt NY) brings real-time audio enhancement into the mix. That mode (which will eventually cost you) chews on your hearing test data to tune the sound coming in through your headset's microphone for your own ears -- think of it as a software-based hearing aid on your phone. At this stage it's not terribly polished, but I did notice that the preset meant for construction workers did make a brief conversation a little easier to hear. Skribanowitz did say though that the team was more concerned about getting a functional product out the door, and that some of the more valuable stuff will come after the app gets a few coats of polish. Also coming down the pipeline are more traditional physical hearing aids that optimize the world's audio in the same way, though Skribanowitz told TechCrunch that the team's heart really lies in software. The biggest rub? For now, the app is tuned to work best with Apple's stock white EarPods and a pair of Sennheiser HDA 200s.

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drag2share: Titanfall nears 1 million sold in three weeks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/06/titanfall-sales-numbers/

Many looked at Titanfall as being the first tentpole game for the Xbox One, but how many people actually bought it? It turns out 925,000 units were sold through for the quarter, according to publisher Electronic Arts' latest earnings call. Unfortunately, Chief Operating Officer Peter Moore was citing NPD numbers and those don't include digital or world-wide sales, and thus copies bought via EA's Origin PC service or from the Xbox One's dashboard don't factor into that tally. The Xbox 360 version? It's "off to a great start," but Moore didn't go into specifics. Back in April, the NPD reported that the mech game was a top-seller for March and the second-best performing game for the Xbox One -- seeing hard numbers gives a better picture for how well gaming is doing on the new consoles. While Titanfall's numbers are impressive, it's worth remembering that Infamous: Second Son sold more than that on a s ingle platform globally (Titanfall's numbers combined the PC and Xbox One sales) in nine days both physically and via digitally distributed copies.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Electronic Arts

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