Tech Land: March 2012

Saturday 31 March 2012

Engadget Podcast 287 - 03.29.2012

You know those shows where we're all iPad this, iPhone that? This isn't one of them. Today we're doing it all, heading to the department store of consumer electronics news categories and picking random stuff off the shelves of all ten floors to chat about until someone from the UK calls or tweets @us to distract us into talking about something else. And yes, we did stop by the Apple floor for a few minutes too. So sue us (lawsuit joke).

Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guests: Dana Wollman, Dan Cooper, Richard Lai
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Orbital - Never

00:02:55 - The Engadget Show 31: Douglas Rushkoff, Sony, iRobot, MWC and air combat
00:04:58 - Sony pulls another game from PlayStation Store after new Vita exploit found
00:09:43 - Best Buy to close 50 big box US retail stores, open 100 Mobile stand-alone outlets in 2013
00:18:15 - Samsung ships five million Galaxy Notes in just five months
00:25:45 - RIM putting BlackBerry 10 test units in developers' hands in May
00:29:58 - Apple offers refund over Australian 4G iPad confusion
00:33:25 - Tim Cook pays a visit to a Foxconn factory, smiles for the camera
00:37:35 - Nokia unveils the Lumia 800 in China, calls it the 800C
00:42:39 - US Judge rejects Hasbro / ASUS sales ban, Transformer Prime prevails
01:03:46 - Boston Dynamics lies down with BigDog, gets giant fleas (video)

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Twitter: @bheater, @tim_stevens, @danawollman, @richardlai, @danielwcooper

Engadget Podcast 287 - 03.29.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/engadget-podcast-287-03-29-2012/

Power supply Tech Sony

One Problem With Electronic Image Stabilization

This is a pretty funny video illustrating one problem with Electronic Image Stabilizers as opposed to Optical Image Stabilizers on digital camcorders.
Link [ via FreshDV ]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DigitalCamcorderNews/~3/7IynkFcBCxU/one-problem-with-electronic-image-stabilization

Laptop Computer Keyboard

Blackberry Torch 9850 being offered through Verizon Wireless

The Blackberry Torch 9850 is being released in the United States through Verizon Wireless. The handset will be made available with a new two-year customer agreement. The smartphone features a 5MP camera with flash, which can record 720p HD videos. Running on a 1.2GHz processor for high performance and smooth graphics, the device is global [...]

This post Blackberry Torch 9850 being offered through Verizon Wireless was originally published at Tech Gadgets

Source: http://www.techgadgets.in/mobile-phones/2011/07/blackberry-torch-9850-being-offered-through-verizon-wireless/

Cannon Panasonic

St George's Park and the tech-savvy future of the FA's football coaching schools

While all eyes are on the 2012 Olympics as the nation's favoured sporting occasion for this year, the summer also offers the Euro 2012 international football tournament. After a string of disappointing performances at the top-flight of football for the...

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/304/f/4269/s/1df1ceec/l/0L0Stechdigest0Btv0C20A120C0A30Cst0Igeorges0Ipark0Bhtml/story01.htm

Xbox Playstation Power supply

Android Central international round-up - March 31, 2012

Android Central Next week is HTC One week in Europe, and over the past seven days we've seen more tantalizing details about HTC's new One X and One S smartphones. Stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are expected to carry HTC One phones from next Monday, April 2, with a wider European launch for the One X and One S slated for Thursday, April 5. It's one of the biggest Android launches of the year. We're excited, and we're sure you are, too, so be sure to keep watching for more HTC One goodness as the phones finally hit store shelves

Aside from shiny new toys, the steady trickle of Ice Cream Sandwich updates continued this week, with the O2 Galaxy S II and Vodafone HTC Sensation both receiving their updates. And original Galaxy S owners finally got their hands on the promised "value pack", which brings some ICS features to the current Gingerbread firmware.

Oh, and Samsung launched its very own "store within a store" at Phones4U in London. (Yo dawg, I heard you like stores.)

Check some highlights from past week's Android developments in Europe, Asia and beyond in the list below. And if you've got international news, you can tip us at the usual address.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/u6bsaXUDXEA/story01.htm

Netgear Sanyo Cannon

Siri pairs with MacBook Pro this summer

In a move that may well portend this summer (or winter) reveal of the iPhone 5, Apple has had a patent revealed which shows an iPhone connecting to a Desktop computer for the sharing of Siri. Since Siri became wildly popular and was picked up by Apple for the iPhone 4S, forums across the web

Read The Full Story

Source: http://feeds.slashgear.com/~r/slashgear/~3/CvZykQYYp9o/

Xbox Playstation Power supply

Kindle Fire 6.3, Viewing files on SD Card [From the Forums]

We're getting set to kick off the world's great Android podcast and this week we're changing it up for you all. While you're waiting for us, take a stroll through the Android Central forums. We'll all meet back here for the podcast.

HTC One X Forums - Next phone for AT&T?
HTC Thunderbolt Forums - Issues with the Google Play Store
HTC Rezound Forums - How do I look at files on my SD Card?
Amazon Kindle Fire Forums - 6.3 is live, already rooted
Samsung Galaxy Nexus Forums - [GSM ONLY] How to manually update to Android 4.0.4

If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/VVF7njwrByY/story01.htm

Playstation Power supply Tech

New XDCAM Camcorders From Sony

Sony has announced what they call, “the 2nd Stage of [Sony’s] Total HD Solution,” which will be shown at Inter BEE 2007 in Japan.
“XDCAM” HD422 is the new flagship lineup in Sony’s industry-leading range of “XDCAM” tapeless products and solutions. The “PDW-700″ camcorder and “PDW-HD1500″ recorder feature MPEG-2 422P@HL codec, 50Mbps video data rate, Full [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DigitalCamcorderNews/~3/_W9VkSTr18o/new-xdcam-camcorders-from-sony

Dell HP Laptop

Snowflake Sony DSC-TX1 Digital Camera

For the 2009 holiday season Sony is offering their DSC-TX1 Digital Camera in a new snowflake engraved body.
This new sexy edition will come available in your choice of Silver, Black and Pink.�� Cost is around $329.� Ho.� Ho.� Ho.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gadgetizer/~3/nDYr_Lccqec/

TV Screen Xbox

This Ultrabook wannabe totally rips off the MacBook Air, is actually a humble netbook

Well you cant blame them for trying; today, if you're not a) an Apple MacBook Air or b) an Ultrabook, you might as well squeeze back into the mobile computing hole you crawled out of. Despite appearances, the Netbook Navigator...

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/304/f/4269/s/1de42851/l/0L0Stechdigest0Btv0C20A120C0A30Cthis0Iultrabook0Bhtml/story01.htm

HP Laptop

Friday 30 March 2012

AT&T now accepting Lumia 900 pre-orders, only those seeking cyan or black need apply (update)

Friendly reminder here, folks. As expected, AT&T has opened the pre-order floodgates for the Nokia Lumia 900 today ahead of its April 8th release in the US. Interested parties can secure their reservation for the Window Phone 7.5-loaded device at either AT&T's retail or online stores. While you'll be able to snag one in either matter black or cyan blue, we'd be remiss not to point out that the white version (slated for an April 22nd release) isn't yet on offer. If you'll recall, parting with $100, along with agreeing to a two-year contract is all it'll cost ya' to get in on the action. Be sure to let us know if you plan on reaching for the "light" in the comments.

Update: Wowza, if $100 wasn't already easy on the wallet, Walmart is offering the device up for only $50 with a two-year agreement -- online only, though. You'll find more info at the source link below.

Update 2: Ready for more good news? According to AT&T's website, Lumia 900 pre-orders are currently slated to "arrive on or before April 6th" -- a full two days before its official launch.

Update 3: This bad boy's free after a $100 online rebate for new AT&T customers. That's a serious play for signups.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

AT&T now accepting Lumia 900 pre-orders, only those seeking cyan or black need apply (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/atandt-now-accepting-lumia-900-pre-orders-only-those-seeking-cyan/

Tech Sony Netgear

UFO Waterproof Remote found floating in the company of the rich and famous

Dreams are nice. Yachts are better. So while you cling to far-flung notions that you'll ever truly know what 'money to burn' means, the Barry Dillers of our world are crisscrossing international waters, drenching models with diamonds and dropping their universal controllers in the hot tub with abandon. Rescuing these rapscallion, modern-day robber barons from the pitfalls of excess is Crestron, with its UFO Waterproof Remote made specifically for H2O hanky panky. The disc-shaped unit, which admittedly looks more like a pool toy than high-end control hub, comes encased in a rubberized shell and features a 2.8-inch display, giving Greek shipping heirs and their ilk instant access to lighting, security systems, A/V equipment and thermostats from the comforts of their sun deck jacuzzi. Alright, so the 1% aren't the company's sole market base, as the unit's also ideally positioned for use in hospitals, owing to its ability for easy sterilization. But let's be honest, the real reason this floating controller shares a frisbee-like shape is aerodynamics. All the better to hit your staff with, right Ms. Campbell? Official PR and its hydrophobic emphasis after the break.

Continue reading UFO Waterproof Remote found floating in the company of the rich and famous

UFO Waterproof Remote found floating in the company of the rich and famous originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/ufo-waterproof-remote-found-floating-in-the-company-of-the-rich/

Sanyo Cannon Panasonic

GMC talks heads up display technology for vehicles

GMC has offered a bit of insight into the seemingly simple heads up display some of its vehicles such as the 2012 Acadia SUV uses. The heads up display in the car is designed to allow the driver to keep your eyes on the road and still see important details such as what year you’re

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Source: http://feeds.slashgear.com/~r/slashgear/~3/UKP6vEK9pq4/

Power supply Tech Sony

Linus Torvalds rains on Microsoft?s patent parade

I’m betting this is really good news for smartphone makers. Open-source poster boy Linus Torvalds stepped up and helped stop a Microsoft patent from being used to choke licensing fees out of other companies. The patent Microsoft owns is being used to force Google Android and Linux handset users to pay licensing fees. Apparently, Torvalds

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Source: http://feeds.slashgear.com/~r/slashgear/~3/JgJby4odllk/

Tech Sony Netgear

Not one, not two, but THREE Kindle Fire 2 models incoming?

While we're still waiting for the release of the first Amazon Kindle Fire tablet here in the UK, new reports suggest that its sequel come in three different versions. While previous rumours had suggested the next Kindle Fire would come...

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/304/f/4269/s/1ddf53a8/l/0L0Stechdigest0Btv0C20A120C0A30Cnot0Ione0Inot0Itwo0Bhtml/story01.htm

HP Laptop Computer

Samsung shows off newest waterproof pocket camcorders at CES?the HMX-W300 and W350

Samsung unveiled the successor to last year’s excellent HMX-W200 waterproof camcorder with the release of two new waterproof models at CES 2012.

Source: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/News/Samsung-shows-off-newest-waterproof-pocket-camcorders-at-CESthe-HMX-W300-and-W350.htm

Playstation Power supply Tech

Canon DC310, DC320, and DC330 DVD Camcorders

Canon has announced three new devices for its DVD camcorder lineup this year. The entry-level Canon DC310 features a 2.7″ LCD screen, SDHC card slot, and 680k, 1/6″ CCD. The DC310 also features a 37x optical zoom, which extends to 41x when using what Canon calls Advanced Zoom, a new feature that utilizes Canon’s imaging [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DigitalCamcorderNews/~3/p1MvY6NxcRQ/canon-dc310-dc320-and-dc330-dvd-camcorders

Dell HP

Microsoft files restraining order in Motorola patent case

Motorola recently sued Microsoft alleging that Microsoft was infringing on video patents it holds. Microsoft responded by filing an antitrust complaint against Motorola alleging that Motorola was using the patent as a weapon. Motorola is seeking a temporary injunction on products it says are infringing on its video patents that Microsoft produces until the case

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Source: http://feeds.slashgear.com/~r/slashgear/~3/tWE0goJ5n_4/

Computer Keyboard Phone

Canon refreshes mid-range Vixia line with new HF M52, M50, and M500 camcorders

Canon announced today the release of three new Vixia HF M-series camcorders for 2012, with the HF M500, M50, and M52 models. The M50 and M52 will come packed with WiFi functionality, with Canon touting sensor improvements across the line.

Source: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/News/Canon-refreshes-Vixia-line-with-HF-M52-M50-and-M500-models.htm

Yamaha Dell HP

Google patent app details method for generating a 'ghost profile,' a world of anonymous G+ users

Google hasn't exactly had the easiest time keeping the privacy hawks off of its back, but if a recently published patent application is any indication of its future intentions, well... let's just say we could see a lot more people hiding behind an online veil. Made public today, Google's most recent patent app details a "system and method for generating a ghost profile for a social network," which would -- in theory, at least -- allow a user to use certain features in a social network without converting to a social network profile. For those curious, the ghostly profiles would be unsearchable, and comments that originated from said profiles would be shown as being from "partial names." The real question: are G+ ghosts allowed in the Facebook compound?

Google patent app details method for generating a 'ghost profile,' a world of anonymous G+ users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/google-patent-application-google-plus-ghost-profile/

Sony Netgear Sanyo

Logitech reveal AirPlay compatible UE Air Speaker

Logitech have today unveiled their UE AirSpeaker, an iPod/iPhone dock that's also fully compatible with Apple's AirPlay wireless streaming standard. Playing back streamed, uncompressed music from iTunes or an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch connected to your home's Wi-Fi network...

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/304/f/4269/s/1dd3edd8/l/0L0Stechdigest0Btv0C20A120C0A30Clogitech0Ireveal0Bhtml/story01.htm

HP Laptop Computer

Thursday 29 March 2012

Google releases Android 4.0.4 factory images for select GSM devices

Google has released the official Android 4.0.4 factory images for the international (GSM) version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the T-Mobile and European unlocked Nexus S. These are files that allow you to return your Nexus to stock, no matter how badly your system software gets screwed up. With these files, you'll always be able to return to stock Android 4.0.4 (build IMM76D). Everything is included and when finished flashing these, it will be as if your phone had been left pristine and ran all the OTA updates.

The files could also be of use to Nexus owners who want to update to 4.0.4 with a clean start and nothing left over from before. Remember that flashing these system images will wipe all data from your phone, including music, pictures or other media. If you just want to update your GSM Galaxy Nexus from 4.0.2 to 4.0.4, we've got that covered too.

To flash these system images, you'll need to be comfortable with fastboot and the command line, and you'll find a "flash-all" script packaged with the images to help you get started. Check the source below for Google's downloads links.

Source: Google code More: JBQ on Google Groups

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/3cCUor7h778/story01.htm

Sony Netgear Sanyo

Apple Television talk reignites with Sharp patent overlap

Long-standing rumors of a standalone Apple TV set continue to percolate, with suggestions that Foxconn parent Hon Hai’s display deal with Sharp,�along with fresh Apple panel patents, lend weight to the HDTV whispers. The Cupertino company is apparently working on an advancement of Fringe Field Switching (FSS) systems suitable for HDTV-scale panels, with�Patently Apple�flagging up

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Source: http://feeds.slashgear.com/~r/slashgear/~3/-UCcVx6lpv4/

Laptop Computer Keyboard

Samsung launches 'store within a store' at leading Phones4U branch

Remember that thing Samsung was meant to be doing at Phones4U on Oxford Street, London on March 30? Shockingly, it turns out it's not a Galaxy S III launch event, but instead the opening of a store within a store at the leading branch. What this means, according to Samsung, is that a large portion of the store will be dedicated to all things Samsung, with the latest phones and tablets on show, and "play areas" for prospective customers to try them out.

Samsung already operates "Samsung Digital Plaza" locations in South Korea, but this is the first we've heard of the manufacturer getting more involved in the retail world outside of its home turf. We're not expecting any new products to show up at Phones4U tomorrow. But the store's prime location in central London, combined with the new Samsung partnership, may make it an ideal spot for showing off upcoming Samsung phones in the future

We've got Samsung's press release after the break.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/3r0MSekGyI8/story01.htm

Cannon Panasonic