3M and Nanosys team-up to roll out quantum dot-enhanced LCDs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/07/3m-and-nanosys-qdef-displays/

Nanosys' eye-popping QDEF (Quantum Dot Enhancement Film) might be inching closer to a display near you. A new partnership with 3M aims to get the color-loving tech commercialized and into mainstream products. The film uses quantum dots to create an LCD with a wider color gamut -- apparently translating to up to 50 percent more color. The quantum dots are packed onto this film in their trillions (yes, trillions) which is then fitted within the backlight. As the new layer would replace the existing one within LCDs, Nanosys' solution aims to avoid the need for new equipment or processes. However, we're still waiting for high-color QDEF to become that "ecosystem changer" we were promised.

Continue reading 3M and Nanosys team-up to roll out quantum dot-enhanced LCDs

3M and Nanosys team-up to roll out quantum dot-enhanced LCDs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Maps for Android gets offline support, 'nothing to announce' regarding version compatibility

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/06/google-maps-for-android-gets-offline-support/

Google's Maps event has just given us a much-requested feature: true offline map support. Android users can soon opt to download full maps for given areas (instead of just caching routes) without needing a cellular or WiFi connection. It's a big boon for those of us who have to travel abroad to unfamiliar cities, or just to areas where underground tunnels might cut off Internet access before GPS. Unfortunately, that's all that Google was willing to share: Android phones and tablets will only be getting the upgrade sometime "soon." Still, that's one less advantage for Nokia Drive, and one more hurdle to jump for Apple at WWDC next week.

Update: We just followed up with Peter Birch following the keynote regarding version compatibility for offline and 3D Maps, and were told that Google "has nothing to announce at this time," but will do so in the coming weeks. We prodded a bit to see if 2.x devices would be in the mix, and all we got was a non-confirming reply about an "assumption" that if Google Maps Navigation is supported, offline and 3D would be as well.

Relive the memories in our liveblog... right here!

Google Maps for Android gets offline support, 'nothing to announce' regarding version compatibility originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Get your Samsung Galaxy S III pre-orders right here

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/06/psa-gs-iii-pre-orders/

The phone companies have begun accepting your money in exchange for a place in the queue for a Galaxy S III. If you've yet to splash the cash, then you've got a choice between AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and US Cellular. We've included links to the pre-order and sign-up lists for each company below, including what arrival information we have. Not that we'd suggest you base your purchasing decisions on that alone since like all things, they're liable to change.

Read - AT&T - (June 18th)
Read - Verizon ("by" July 9th, make of that what you will)
Read - Sprint (Officially set for June 21st)
Read - T-Mobile (Officially set for June 21st)
Read - US Cellular (pre-orders begin June 12th)

PSA: Get your Samsung Galaxy S III pre-orders right here originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google shows off new backpack-worn Street View capture tool, may eventually rent them out

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/06/google-shows-off-new-backpack-worn-street-view-capture-tool/

It looks like Google's Street View will soon be expanding to even more places than it already covers. The company has today taken the wraps off a brand new capture tool it's dubbed the Street View Trekker, which can be worn on a person's back in order to map and photograph areas that are too difficult for even a bicycle or snowmobile to reach. Naturally, it's Android-powered, and it packs two batteries that Google says will last a full day -- although its 40-pound weight will likely necessitate a few breaks during that time. No word on when we'll see the first results from it, but Google intends to take to National Parks, the Grand Canyon, castles, ruins, and more -- even the ski slopes, as seen in another picture after the break.

Update: We just spoke with Luc Vincent more in-depth about the new backpack, and what we learned is after the break.

Gallery: Google Street View Backpack hands-on

Continue reading Google shows off new backpack-worn Street View capture tool, may eventually rent them out

Google shows off new backpack-worn Street View capture tool, may eventually rent them out originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gigabyte outs four dual-SIM Ice Cream Sandwich phones at Computex

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/06/gigabyte-gsmart-ics-computex/

While Gigabyte was grabbing headlines at Computex with its world's lightest Ultrabook, the Taiwanese firm was also sneaking out a gaggle of new phones. Four new models, in fact, all of them Android 4.0, all of them dual-SIM. The rest of the specifications are a mixed bag, with the Gigabyte GSmart M1420 winning the camera wars, with an 8-megapixel shooter, backed up with a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 display and 1GHz MT6575 MediaTek processor. A lower specification M1320 was also announced which is more of the same, but with a smaller, 3.5-inch, display and weaker 3-megapixel snapper. The GSmart G1362 might be more interesting if 4.3 inches is a must, and Snapdragon's your thing (1GHz), but you'll lose 3 megapixels on the camera compared to the GSmart M1420 as a trade. Finally the GSmart G1342 which only packs in 800MHz (Qualcomm) and 3.5-inches of display. There's scant detail on price and availability at the moment, but have a sift through the source link if you want the blow-by-blow breakdown, and head to our Chinese site to get a hands-on with the G1342 and G1362.

Gigabyte outs four dual-SIM Ice Cream Sandwich phones at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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