What's new on SlashGear.com

Logitech Revue Review
Fujitsu 2011 tablet gets second outing [Video]
Nokia C6-01 Review
ChevronWP7 Windows Phone 7 unlocker allows unofficial app sideloading
Advent’s Tegra 2 Vega tablet gets unofficial Market access
4.3-inch Samsung Stealth V SCH-i510 Froyo smartphone clears DLNA testing
Nokia Z500 tablet facing failure as carriers reject pricing?
Sony SNAP connected-device app framework frozen
Sony going President shopping as Howard Stringer scales down responsibilities?
PlayStation Move shortages until Feb 2011 warns Sony
Libratone Beat wireless speakers arrive at Apple December 2010
Acer Windows 7 tablet to use AMD Bobcat APU confirm insiders
Moshi Moshi MM03i Bluetooth handset packs iPhone dock
Richard Branson Virgin “Project” iPad magazine in works
Angry Birds headed to Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii
3,000 Windows Phone 7 apps and 15k developers boasts Microsoft
Google TVs from Toshiba and Vizio at CES 2011?
Android 2.3 Gingerbread on Nexus S Photos Revealed
L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector Revealed by AAXA
TUAW Hacks Apple TV – Now iOS Devices Can Play 3rd Party Video Over AirPlay
The Daily Slash: November 24 2010

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 01:23 PM PST

You can’t accuse Google of being unambitious. Not content with having their Android OS take great bites out of the smartphone market, the search giant has also put it to work as the core of Google TV, a new play for the home entertainment segment. Most early-adopters will dip their tow with the Logitech Revue, a compact set-top box with a not-so-compact $300 price tag. The promise is that Google TV harnesses the power of search and online media to the breadth of broadcast television, but does the Revue deliver? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Hardware

As STBs go, the Revue is relatively inoffensive in its design. A reasonably compact 247 x 171 x 36 mm box, it’s finished in matte and gloss black plastic with a couple of indicator LEDs up front but no display or channel indicator, as you might find on a cable or satellite tuner. On the back there’s an HDMI input and an HDMI output, two IR blaster ports for using the optional IR wand Logitech includes, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, ethernet and S/PDIF, together with a power port. The Revue’s PSU is an external, laptop-style block.

Inside, meanwhile, is Intel’s CE4100 SoC, a combination of the company’s 1.2GHz Atom CPU and an HD-capable GPU. Most other STBs – like the Apple TV – use low-power ARM based chipsets, which often require no active cooling, but the Revue gets a ducted fan. It’s not obtrusively loud in operation, however.

Also in the box is Logitech’s standard Google TV controller, a wireless keyboard with integrated trackpad and multimedia buttons. It’s a sturdy, reasonably tactile device, but it’s certainly not discrete, and if you find regular button-encrusted remotes off-putting then the Revue’s ‘board will likely smack a little too much of the home office. As you’d expect from a peripheral manufacturer, the keys are solid for typing and we had no problems with connectivity, though we’d prefer it if there had been key backlighting for easier nighttime use. Logitech offer a separate mini keyboard, priced at a hefty $130, which is better scaled to the living room, but we can’t help but look at the Boxee Box remote – with its simple controls on one face and a scaled down QWERTY thumbboard on the reverse – and wish Logitech had done something similar.

Alternatively, Logitech offer smartphone apps for iOS and Android, so you can turn your cellphone into a Revue controller. Given the popularity of both platforms it’s a sensible decision, and the apps are functional if lacking in some user-friendliness, but they’re also relatively basic. Despite the Harmony branding – as with Logitech’s range of multi-function remotes – they’ll only control the Revue and there’s no overall macro support for things like turning on the TV, powering up your surround sound amp and getting Google TV going all from a single button press. The apps also use Bluetooth to hook up, rather than WiFi, which limits their potential for whole-house controllers (say, if you’re piping your Google TV output through some sort of wireless extender to a second set in the bedroom). The official controllers use Logitech’s own 2.4GHz Unifying wireless system.

Hooking up your existing A/V kit is relatively straightforward, as long as you have the right ports to choose from. All Logitech includes is a single HDMI cable, so that you can slot the Revue in-between your cable/satellite STB and your TV. If you’ve been using anything other than HDMI then you’re out of luck; Sony’s Google TV Blu-ray player supports component inputs/outputs as well as HDMI, but Logitech’s does not. The only real option is the S/PDIF output, useful if you use a separate A/V receiver for audio. Network connectivity, meanwhile, is either via 10/100 ethernet or integrated WiFi a/b/g/n.

Since the Revue can control whichever STB it’s plugged into, the IR blasters are particularly important. Happily they work well, and since Google TV is only designed to control a single STB source (rather than, say, your cable box, amplifier, and various other sources) we had no issues getting things positioned effectively. DISH Network subscribers get even greater integration, as long as they have a VIP 622, 722 or 722K DVR and are willing to pay $4 extra per month as an “integration fee.” Then, the two devices communicate over your home network, rather than using the IR blasters.

Google TV supports video calls, though Logitech’s package doesn’t come with all the necessary hardware as standard. Instead, you’ll need the TV Cam webcam, an expensive $149 addition that plugs into one of the USB 2.0 ports on the back of the Revue (we’d like to have seen a front-panel port as well). Regular USB webcams won’t work, unfortunately, since the TV Cam has its own 720p hardware encoding kit inside, though video calls can be held with anyone using Logitech’s free Vid HD software, available for PC and Mac.

Software

DISH DVRs aside, Google TV attempts to be as flexible as possible in what STB kit it works with. The flip side of that flexibility is a nebulous, lengthy setup process that is likely to instantly sour the experience of any less-than-confident users. Various stages for setting up the WiFi or network connection (though not accommodating fixed IPs, unfortunately) together with picking your STB from a list, choosing which channels you do and don’t get, a four-stage process of adjusting screen scaling to suit your display, and generally tweaking the Google TV experience – all punctuated with several restarts along the way – means the Revue really is not plug-and-play.

Although Android is the underlying OS, the UI is very different from an Android smartphone. As with most TV GUIs, Google TV’s floats semi-transparent over the current show, app or browser window. It’s made up of a list of general categories down the left hand side – such as bookmarks, most viewed content and, if you have access, Amazon Video On Demand – with thumbnails on the right. The “What’s On” option gives a list of currently showing programs on broadcast TV, though there’s no full EPG (electronic program guide) – instead you have to flick over to your STB’s guide and navigate from there.

In fact, the experience as a whole feels more suited to immediate viewing than planning ahead. Unless you have one of the compatible DVR boxes, there’s no easy way to schedule recordings from the Google TV UI: instead you get a pop-up box telling you to flip over to your DVR and set up the recording from there. If you’ve a DISH box, the Revue can schedule recordings itself.

Google is known for search, and so unsurprisingly Google TV makes heavy use of its search bar. Hit the dedicated button on the remote, and you can search through current and upcoming programs, channels, web content and online video. It’s fast and it works, for general navigation, surprisingly well. Since Google TV knows what’s showing on the channels you receive, you can type in a show name or a suitably notable detail – a team name for a sports game, for instance – and it will automatically flick over using the IR blaster. If you’ve a DISH DVR it will also pull up any recordings on that STB as well.

Unfortunately, the Revue’s flexibility can lead to some confusion with searches, primarily when it’s unclear whether you’re running a generic query or an in-app search. Some software, such as the pre-loaded Twitter client, default to an in-app search and there doesn’t appear to be a way to change it. On more than one occasion we found ourselves hitting the search key, typing in a term and then having to go back to the homescreen and re-search once we realized the active app had been hogging the search functionality. Adding even more confusion is the fact that, as on Android phones, the search bar also functions as the address bar in the Google TV browser (more on which in a moment).

Although searches through broadcast content work well, online media is generally less successful. Google’s system can pull up streaming video results from YouTube and TV network sites, as well as Amazon Video On Demand and Netflix (if you have an account). When it works, it’s great – you get both paid and free options, depending on what’s available, and Netflix worked just as it does with a regular Roku box – but unfortunately much of the time the results were surprisingly patchy. Even high-profile titles often failed to show up, even though we knew they were available through at least one streaming service, and we also found that it would sometimes show us content that we actually could not watch through the Revue.

This last point is a tricky one, since it’s not entirely Google’s fault. While on the Internet the “everything is freely accessible” paradigm has been good to the search company, the TV industry is less willing to share its bounty without taking some sort of tithe. Since Google TV’s launch, several high-profile networks have blocked access to devices like the Revue; meaning users can’t stream their shows with Google’s system. Right now that includes ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and Viacom, as well as providers such as Hulu. Confusingly – for users, at least – those same sites (and their content) is watchable via a regular desktop browser, so hooking up a netbook or similar to your HDTV might actually net you a better range of viewing options than the dedicated Revue.

When it works, streaming video is opened in a custom build of Google’s Chrome browser, complete with Flash Player 10.1 support for 1080p-accelerated video. You can obviously use this browser to view regular sites as well, though we found text could often be unpleasantly small and we spent much of our time hitting the zoom button to toggle font sizes. The Flash support is only for video, too, so Flash games are out. We were disappointed by the sometimes-jerky performance, which falls short of browsing on an Android-based smartphone or tablet.

Multiple Chrome windows are supported, and holding the Home button the keyboard brings up thumbnails of every tab together with the homescreen and the bare TV view. It’s straightforward to navigate through them using the arrow keys. There’s also DualView, a browser/TV picture-in-picture, which puts the currently showing TV feed in a small box in the bottom right hand corner. Useful, but not as much as if you could resize the window, move it elsewhere in the screen, or indeed – as you can usually do with PiP on regular TVs – switch the two views around. Bizarrely, you can’t open DualView from within the browser, even though there’s a dedicated button on the remote. Instead, you have to be watching TV initially, and then hit the button to shrink down the video and open up the browser.

Google preload a small selection of applications onto Google TV, though the flexibility of this will extend considerably once the Google TV Marketplace arrives sometime in 2011. As it stands, there are Netflix, CNBC, Napster, Pandora, Picasa, Twitter and NBA apps currently available, with varying degrees of complexity. Unlike Netflix on other platforms, for instance, you can access your Instant Queue but not add titles to it from the app itself (since the Netflix site is available from within Chrome, you can always add titles there and then jump back over to the app). They work, but it’ll take third-party investment to make it all worthwhile, and by the time that happens it’s possible that Apple will have already brought the weight of its App Store to the Apple TV.

Wrap-Up

There’s no denying that Google TV – and the Logitech Revue – has potential. Unfortunately, much of that potential is currently only part delivered on. The downside to Google TV’s all-encompassing compatibility is that it can feel decidedly average across the board, rather than a close-knit experience with just a few devices. DISH Network support is, right now, the pinnacle of Revue integration, and even that feels half-hearted. Temperamental browsing is not what we expect from a device which positions the search experience as its core strength, and nor are patchy search results.

Hardware and software shortcomings are just one aspect of the story, however, and it’s content, which is somewhat outside Google’s control. When the Revue’s streaming works, it works well; sadly the networks don’t seem all too keen on allowing Google TV a free ride on their online media. The list of blocked sites looks only likely to get longer, and at that point someone – Google, users, or both – will have to reach into their pockets and pay up for access. Whether that model fits in with Google’s long-term plans for Google TV, or indeed sits comfortably with a $300 STB, remains to be seen. You pay $99 for an Apple TV with the understanding that content costs a few dollars a time; do you feel as comfortable when the Revue is three times that amount and the content landscape is so changeable?

As we’ve seen with Android on smartphones, once Google starts with its iterative updates there’s little stopping it. Unfortunately, it also means that early adopters suffer the pain of v1.0 hardware and software, and a user experience that can end up only vaguely resembling the original promise as service and content providers alike find their feet. The Logitech Revue is certainly not ready for primetime, but give Google TV a few more rehearsals and there are glimpses of star potential.

Fujitsu 2011 tablet gets second outing [Video]

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 08:41 AM PST

Fujitsu has been talking more about its tablet plans for 2011, with a mock-up on show at Visit 2010 this week. Having shown off a couple of concepts last month – this appears to be one of them wheeled out for a second time – Fujitsu still aren’t talking much in the way of specifications, but are promising a 10.1-inch screen and “best-in-class visibility from all sides and angles.”

Video demo after the cut

The company is pretty keen to point out that they’re not “re-entering” the tablet market, but that in fact they’ve been offering slates all along. Their Stylistic range hasn’t had much attention in recent months, but the new versions will go on sale along side them, rather than replacing them.

As for target audience, it’s all a little vague. Fujitsu says it’s looking at “global usability in corporate environments” with a device that will “blend in to corporate IT infrastructures” which makes it sound like an HP Slate 500 competitor (which also runs Windows 7), but then it goes on to say it’s “targeting prosumers and creative users alike who are looking for a stylish slate to assist with their daily tasks – as a one-of-a-kind business and personal companion.” Mixed messages, but there’s plenty of time to figure that out before the tablet(s) arrive early next year.

[via Notebook Italia]

Nokia C6-01 Review

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 08:31 AM PST

The Nokia C6-01 may have been the “low end” device at Nokia World 2010, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to recommend it. Packing one of Nokia’s new ClearBlack AMOLED displays and a compact metal chassis, it slots in underneath the businesslike C7 but offers roughly the same specifications. Best balance of pocketability and performance? Check out the full SlashGear review to find out.

Hardware

Where the Nokia C7 is slim and long, the C6-01 is its short, stumpy cousin. Measuring in at 103.8 x 52.5 x 13.9 mm, it’s only a few millimetres thicker than the C7 but that feeling is emphasized in the hand. Matters aren’t helped by the unbalanced weighting of the handset, the front half of which feels much heavier than the hollow-feeling back. Nokia has used a metal battery cover, which is sturdy and flex-free.

Physical controls include dedicated call and end buttons underneath the display, flanking a central menu button, while on the right-hand edge there are volume, lock and camera controls. No power button on the top; the call-end button doubles as a power control (as well as pulling up the profile menu when tapped at the homescreen).

On the back is an 8-megapixel full-focus (i.e. not autofocus) camera with a dual-LED flash, just as you get with the C7. It’s capable of 720p HD video recording as well as stills. There’s also a front-facing VGA-resolution camera for video calls, above the 3.2-inch 640 x 360 ClearBlack AMOLED capacitive touchscreen. This is bright, beautifully color-saturated and crisp; we were impressed by the C7′s display, but side-by-side the C6-01 is even richer, with inky blacks and strong contrast.

Inside, this is another of Nokia’s bountiful wireless handsets, with quadband GSM/EDGE and pentaband HSPA/WCDMA for use on European 3G networks, AT&T and T-Mobile USA, all from the same handset. That’s joined by Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi b/g/n, an FM radio, GPS/A-GPS and USB 2.0; the C6-01 can charge from the microUSB port or from the standard Nokia 2.5mm charger in the retail box. Onboard storage falls well short of the C7 and N8, with only 340MB, but there’s a 2GB microSD in the box and support for up to 32GB cards. The slot itself is accessible without removing the 1050 mAh battery.

Software

The Nokia C6-01 runs Symbian^3, as on the N8 and the C7. We’ve covered Symbian^3 comprehensively in our Nokia N8 review, so we won’t retread old ground unnecessarily here. The OS remains perhaps the most misunderstood on the market today, and despite Nokia’s recent work in taking it from S60 5th Ed. to S^3, is much overdue a significant UI overhaul. That, thankfully, is due to take place in early 2011.

What you get today is a solid if not particularly inspiring smartphone OS, lacking some of the glitz and ease-of-use of rival devices based on Android or iOS. The 3.2-inch display is significantly smaller than that of the C7 or N8, and the end result is that a little extra care is necessary to hit the right icons. Most of Nokia’s top-level iconography is reasonably chunky anyway, but the on-screen keyboard can be tricky and we’re almost willing to overlook the absence of a portrait-orientation QWERTY (which should also be addressed early next year).

Performance is solid from the 680MHz ARM11 processor, and we didn’t experience any particular issues with slow-down or sluggishness. The Nokia browser remains a middling example, and larger pages can lead to jerky navigation. The Opera Mobile browser – available through the Ovi Store – offers a better experience and tabbed browsing, though you do then miss out on Flash Lite 4.0 support. Otherwise, smaller display notwithstanding, the overall software experience is just as on the C7.

Camera

Considering the C6-01′s mid-range ambitions, an 8-megapixel camera is a strong addition. As on the C7 it’s quick and straightforward to snap shots, with a single-press camera shortcut and little in the way of lag between pushing the button and the frame being grabbed. Macro shots are the biggest sacrifice, with close-ups often looking blurry, and we missed the N8′s rich color reproduction. Untouched, photos from the C6-01 tend to be somewhat murky and insipid, and lacking in crispness around the edges.

Video is recorded in up to 1280 x 720 resolution at 25fps. The end result has decent color balance but is prone to blurring when panning around, as you can see in the sample clip below. There’s also no easy way to upload footage to YouTube or other sharing sites.

Phone & Battery

Calling performance is as solid as we’ve come to expect from a Nokia device, and the C6-01 proved clear on both ends of the conversation. The speakerphone is similarly loud, though lacking in refinement if you want to use it for media playback. Battery life, meanwhile, is estimated at up to 720 minutes of GSM talktime or 420 hours of GSM standby. We found the C6-01 could make it through two days with push email turned on and moderate calling, messaging and browser use. It’s worth bearing in mind that heavier Ovi Maps navigation use will take its toll on the battery.

Wrap-Up

The Nokia C6-01 should overshadow the C7: it’s cheaper, has much the same functionality and, while smaller, a higher-quality display. The software on both is identical, and on paper the cameras are also the same. However, while the slick, sturdy C7 left us more impressed than we’d expected, the C6-01 proved underwhelming in comparison. The poor hand-feel and tubby chassis belie the solid materials, while the smaller screen left us less inclined to use the phone, even though its video playback abilities are strong.

Nokia faces the same hurdles with Symbian^3 on this handset that we covered for the N8 and C7, but the C6-01 also offers less in the way of balancing out the usability compromise. If it were our money, we’d spend a little more and pick the C7; while its display may lack the ClearBlack technology that looks so good on the bigger E7, its more usable size makes for a better everyday smartphone.

ChevronWP7 Windows Phone 7 unlocker allows unofficial app sideloading

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 07:31 AM PST

A new Windows Phone 7 tool has been released that allows handsets running Microsoft’s new smartphone OS to sideload unsigned applications. The ChevronWP7 Unlocker is a simple Windows tool that removes the block normally in place for all but Marketplace developer account holders.

That means experimental apps, such as those midway through development but ready for alpha or beta testing, or those with private or native APIs that would not be permitted into the Windows Phone Marketplace can be loaded, using nothing more than a USB cable. The tool can also reverse the unlocking process, putting the WP7 handset back into its original state.

Advent’s Tegra 2 Vega tablet gets unofficial Market access

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 06:26 AM PST

The Advent Vega Android tablet has acquired unofficial Android Market access, along with Gmail, Google Maps with Street View and Voice Search support, thanks to a new ROM. The work of MoDaCo‘s Paul O’Brien, the replacement firmware adds Car Home, Calendar, Contacts, Genie (News and Weather), Google Talk and YouTube support as well, and is offered with an optional “performance pack” to speed up the NVIDIA Tegra 2 powered slate.

Bizarrely, this means it’s easier to get access to the Android Market than it is to pick up a retail Advent Vega; the tablet is still out of stock at PC World, Dixons and Currys, though we’re told it’s expected to return to shelves – in limited numbers – by the end of this week. More details on the tablet itself in our hands-on report.

[via Android Community]

4.3-inch Samsung Stealth V SCH-i510 Froyo smartphone clears DLNA testing

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 05:44 AM PST

The DLNA has prematurely tipped [pdf link] an incoming Samsung Android smartphone, the Samsung Stealth V SCH-i510. Listed as an Android 2.2 Froyo device, the Stealth V has a 4.3-inch WVGA AMOLED display and an 8-megapixel camera, together with WiFi b/g/n and a microSD card slot.

Unfortunately there are no details beyond that, nor any photos of the handset. Verizon’s version of the Samsung Galaxy S, the Verizon Fascinate, is model SCH-i500, so there’s speculation that this Samsung Stealth V could be a successor to that device or a companion scaled to take on the HTC Desire HD.

[via Android Community and via GSMArena]

Nokia Z500 tablet facing failure as carriers reject pricing?

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 05:20 AM PST

Some Thanksgiving rumor about Nokia’s tipped tablet plans this morning, with arch insider Eldar Murtazin claiming that the future of the mysterious slate is unclear after operators supposedly balked at the pricing. Confirmed detail regarding the tablet is scant, though a listing for the Nokia Z500 was spotted in the Ovi Store earlier this month.

As for hardware, we’ve seen talk of a 7- or 9-inch touchscreen and Foxconn tipped as the OEM. Previous rumors indicated Nokia was working on a “large screen” device with OpenGL ES 2.0 support for gaming. OS is likely to be MeeGo, of course. Murtazin also claims that Samsung will be predominantly shifting to Android 3.0 for their tablet plans, which comes as little surprise.

Sony SNAP connected-device app framework frozen

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 04:24 AM PST

Sony has frozen work on its little-known SNAP developer platform, originally billed as an application framework for “games, widgets (weather, news, traffic, etc), remote controls, social apps, media sharing apps, media players [and] home automation” on connected devices like the company’s Dash and Smart TVs. “SNAP development is currently on hold” the updated website claims, suggesting developers should wait for further information.

“Sony's Networked Application Platform (SNAP) is an experimental R&D project designed to leverage the open source community to build and evolve the next generation application framework for consumer electronic devices. The foundation upon which this project is based comes from the GNUstep community, whose origin dates back to the OpenStep standard developed by NeXT Computer Inc (now Apple Computer Inc.).”

SNAP – or the Sony Networked Application Platform – was built on work originally done by Apple-precursor NeXT Computer. Apple continued development on their own, but the GNUstep branch diverged of its own accord. Sony had planned to introduce touchscreen and 3D support, as well as “navigation metaphors derived from standard Sony UX constructs such as our XrossMediaBar.”

It’s unclear at this stage why Sony has put SNAP on hold, though the company’s adoption of Google TV might suggest that they have settled on a different route to internet-connected devices. Much of the SNAP documentation is still available, though the SDK itself appears to have been removed.

[via Twitter]

Sony going President shopping as Howard Stringer scales down responsibilities?

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 03:59 AM PST

Sony is apparently shopping around for a new president, initially expected to support Howard Stringer in his roles as chairman and CEO, but eventually replace him. The speculation, tipped to Bloomberg by internal sources, suggests either Kazuo Hirai or Hiroshi Yoshioka – in charge of Sony’s gaming and TV/cameras/chips divisions respectively – are most likely to replace Stringer.

Stringer added the president role to his responsibilities in April 2009, and has been credited with stemming Sony’s gushing finances since then. However, the executive has also said he intends to step down once the current business plan comes to completion in March 2013.

By installing a new president well in advance, Sony is apparently hoping to give the successful candidate the opportunity to prove themselves capable, as well as reducing Stringer’s travel responsibilities. Sony has declined to comment on the speculation.

[Image credit: Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images AsiaPac]

PlayStation Move shortages until Feb 2011 warns Sony

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 03:43 AM PST

Sony has warned of worldwide stock shortages of its Move controller for PS3, with senior marketing VP Peter Dille claiming that the shortfall will likely last into Q1 2011. “We have a catch-up problem in all three territories that will last until January or February” the exec told VentureBeat, admitting that Sony misjudged potential demand for the Move controllers.

The mistake, it seems, was prompted by slumping games sales this year – down 8-percent compared to 2009 – and shopping patterns observed in the run up to the last holiday season. Then, consumers had waited longer before buying games hardware, something that doesn’t appear to be happening this time around says Dille. No official Move sales stats have been released, but the company said it had shipped 1m to stores in the first month of availability.

[via T3]

Libratone Beat wireless speakers arrive at Apple December 2010

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 03:09 AM PST

Danish wireless audio start-up Libratone brought their Beat speakers along to IFA 2010 a few months back and promised a January 2011 release; now it seems they’ve gone one better, and will have them on sale in December instead. Using a proprietary wireless transmitter, the cashmere-clad speaker has a 30ft range and promises 360-degree “FullRoom” sound despite only being a single unit.

That’s thanks to some nifty DSP working with the 50W speaker and 2 x 25W midrange drivers and ribbon tweeters, bouncing sound off of the walls like, Libratone would have it, an acoustic instrument. Multiple units will also work simultaneously, automatically pairing when a transmitter comes into range.

In the box there’s an Apple transmitter for the iPod/iPhone/iPad dock connector and a USB transmitter for PC and Mac; each speaker also has a regular 3.5mm stereo input. The unusually designed Beat has a satin chrome handle and comes in slate grey (£549) or blood orange, vanilla beige and blueberry black (£599); it’ll land in Apple’s online store in December and then see broader availability at other retailers in January 2011.

Press Release:

Wireless high-end speaker sets out to liberate sound

Mixing high-end components, ground-breaking technology and contemporary Scandinavian design, Libratone Beat is the next logical step in home entertainment

Denmark, 25th November 2010: Libratone, a Danish audio company developing innovative wireless sound solutions, today announces the launch of the Libratone Beat, high-end wireless speaker. By connecting a wireless transmitter to an iPod, iPad, iPhone, Mac or PC, audio is streamed wirelessly to a Beat speaker up to 30 feet away. Libratone's patent pending FullRoom™ technology then reflects the sound off the room's walls to provide high quality 360-degree sound, meaning that wherever the listener is in the room they are always in the 'sweet spot'. Offering a contemporary design – the Libratone Beat is finished in cashmere – it will be available in the Apple Online Store (EMEA) in December 2010 and in Apple Retail Stores (EMEA) in the beginning of 2011. Libratone Beat has suggested retail price for the standard slate grey at £549 and in cashmere colours at £599.

The Libratone Beat is not a regular speaker; the FullRoom technology ensures that the listener enjoys the same full stereo sound no matter where they are in the room. In addition to this technology, the speaker also features ultra-high-end components and advanced signal processing, which up until now has only been available in studio quality speakers. Output from the speaker is 50W and 2 x 25W from the midrange drivers and ribbon tweeters. The Libratone Beat comes with a transmitter for Apple portable devices and a USB-transmitter for a computer that extends the wireless range up to 100 feet.

The Libratone Beat is creating a new category of wireless speaker to fit with today's modern lifestyle and will help to boost the popularity and adoption of music streaming. Whether watching HD movies on an iPad, gaming on an iPhone or enjoying a catalogue of music files, it provides users with a new sound dimension in a stylish package that eliminates untidy cables found with other stereo systems. The system has a satin chrome handle for easy portability, comes in several colours including slate grey (standard), blood orange, vanilla beige and blueberry black, and is finished in cashmere wool. It is the perfect piece of sound furniture. Visit www.libratone.com to see the four colours.

The Libratone Beat is also tailor-made to cope with the needs of modern business communications such as phone and video conferences.

"Our vision is simple," says Fritz Andersen, CEO at Libratone. "We want to provide high quality sound without speaker cables. We wanted to keep the freedom that comes with portable devices – their mobility and their potential for vast media libraries, without settling for mediocre sound or clumsy design. That's what Beat gives you."

"Libratone Beat works like an acoustic instrument filling the entire room with sound. The speaker disperses sound in different directions, reflecting it off the walls, providing 360 degree sound. This means you are always in the so-called sweet spot. We call it FullRoom™ sound," explains Jes Mosgaard, CTO at Libratone. "Why should quality sound only be the privilege of hi-fi enthusiasts and professionals? We wanted to make amazing audio experiences available for a much larger demographic. We want to set the music free."

Pricing and availability
Libratone Beat will be available in the Apple Online Store (EMEA) in December 2010 and in Apple Retail Stores (EMEA) in the beginning of 2011. Libratone Beat has suggested retail price for the standard slate grey at £549 and in cashmere colours at £599.

The BEAT speaker set includes a BEAT speaker, Wireless 30-pin transmitter for iPod, iPhone and iPad, Wireless USB Transmitter, USB charging cable, Power cord and Quick Start guide.

Acer Windows 7 tablet to use AMD Bobcat APU confirm insiders

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 02:45 AM PST

Acer was pretty miserly with hardware details for their 10.1-inch Windows 7 tablet earlier this week, but that hasn’t stopped specifications being pieced together. According to manufacturing sources talking to DigiTimes, the so-far unnamed Acer slate runs AMD’s C-50 Ontario APU, aka the dual-core Bobcat CPU, with integrated Radeon HD 6250 graphics.

There are also twin 1.3-megapixel webcams – front and back – together with integrated WiFi and 3G connectivity. The Bobcat chip consumes a mere 9W, which makes it AMD’s best play for the low-power ultra-mobility segment that so far has been mainly fought over by Intel’s Atom and ARM-based chips. Bobcat is tipped to arrive this quarter, though the Acer tablet isn’t due until February 2011.

Moshi Moshi MM03i Bluetooth handset packs iPhone dock

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 02:31 AM PST

Native Union won’t give up on the idea of traditional handsets for modern smartphones, and their new Moshi Moshi MM03i even gives you somewhere to dock your iPhone. The new model has a MultiPoint Bluetooth-enabled handset and a special charge/sync cradle with a charging bay and an iPhone dock.

Thanks to the MultiPoint support, you can pair the MM03i handset with not only the iPhone but another Bluetooth-enabled device – such as your laptop – simultaneously, using it for regular and Skype calls, for instance. The base also has a 3.5mm audio output, for plugging in a speaker system.

The handset itself promises 6hrs of talktime or 120hrs of standby, and while there are dedicated call answer/end and volume buttons, it’ll also automatically answer an incoming call if you pick it up off the dock. It’ll go on sale for the not-inconsiderable price of £115 ($181) in December.

Press Release:

Native Union launches MM03i, a Moshi Moshi MM03 with integrated iPhone cradle and charger

London, UK, 25th November 2010 — Native Union, creator of the Moshi Moshi range of mobile phone enhancing handsets, has today launched the second iteration of the MM03, a Bluetooth enabled handset now with an integrated charging and sync cradle dedicated to the iPhone – MM03i. Designed by award-winning designer David Turpin the MM03i is a slimline, stylish, sophisticated handset, which has been specifically manufactured with the iPhone user in mind.

Available as a set, including handset and weighted base unit with iPhone charge and synch functionality, the MM03i is finished either in white gloss or black high gloss to match the iPhone. Fitted with the advanced Bluetooth 2.1 chipset, this handset has a dual pairing function that will automatically pair with both the computer and the mobile phone. Skype calls and mobile calls are possible with the same handset. The 2.1 Bluetooth wireless chip also makes pairing very easy when the devices are in range of the MM03i so no fiddly pairing procedure is required.

In addition to practical benefits, the MM03i also delivers a compelling health benefit to consumers when used as a telephone handset by dramatically reducing exposure to the radiation emitted by mobile devices, which is linked to an increased risk of cancer. Medical research indicates that heavy, direct-to-ear mobile phone usage can potentially cause health damage and Native Union has addressed these concerns, by reducing mobile phone radiation from mobile phones through the use of its speakers and handsets. Independent testing by TUV, the world's leading certification company, found that the Moshi Moshi 03 reduces radiation by 97 percent.

The MM03i boasts the following features:
· Using a MM03i reduces up to 97% of the radiation absorbed compared to direct use of your mobile phone
· Bluetooth V2.1 + EDR
· Bluetooth Multi-point – allowing simultaneous Bluetooth connections to two devices (i.e. mobile phone and wireless computer)
· Expands the talking areas at home by allowing you to place your mobile phone at the location where you have the strongest signal while using the MM03i as a handset mobile
· Talk-time 6h/ Standby time 120h
· Call answering by direct pick-up of handset from base
· Pick-up/hang-up buttons and volume buttons
· Dedicated iPhone charge and synch cradle with 3.5mm audio out to plug a speaker system
· Noise reduction system
· Can be paired with a Bluetooth wireless computer
· Connection status visual indicator
· Patented design

Compatibility
MM03i is compatible with all iPhones including 4. MM03i can also pair with most other mobile phones and PCs with Bluetooth compatability.

Availability
The MM03i costs £115.00 RRP (inc VAT) and is available 25th of November 2010 onwards from www.nativeunion.com.

Richard Branson Virgin “Project” iPad magazine in works

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 01:55 AM PST

One-word iPad periodicals seem to be the fashion right now, with News Corp’s incoming “Daily” and now talk of a new digital magazine, “Project”, helmed by British billionaire Richard Branson. The part Virgin Airways owner has apparently sent out invitations for a NYC launch of Project, covering such themes as entertainment, travel, business, design and international culture.

The event is scheduled for November 30, though there’s no indication of when the digital magazine will actually arrive on the Apple tablet. We’re guessing Branson is another user of Apple’s freshly-rumored recurring subscription APIs, believed to be in the works for a December 13 release as part of iOS 4.3.

Those APIs would allow content producers to sign up subscribers to periodicals such as Daily and Project, with weekly (or, presumably, monthly) fees taken regularly. It’s expected to consist of a larger expansion plan by Apple to support more dynamic content updates on a refreshed server facility coming online by the end of the year.

Angry Birds headed to Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 01:35 AM PST

Angry Birds may be a staple for most smartphones, but developers Rovio are now looking to traditional consoles for the next stage of the game’s expansion. Studio CEO Peter Vesterbacka has confirmed that Angry Birds for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii are all in development, though there’s no timescale for its release. Meanwhile, Angry Birds 2 is also in the works.

“The smartphone gaming platform is actually turning out to be the biggest and most played out there” Vesterbacka suggests, “so it’s starting to beat the traditional games on consoles and PCs.” He expects more mobile games to make the jump to mainstream consoles over the next year.

As for Angry Birds 2, that won’t be a direct sequel but involve a different type of gameplay. “Let’s say that you will see a lot more of the pigs,” Vesterbacka teases, ”the pigs will be a lot more active than just being slingshotted at by birds.”

3,000 Windows Phone 7 apps and 15k developers boasts Microsoft

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 01:25 AM PST

Microsoft has confirmed that it is on track to 3,000 apps available in the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace by the end of this week, with more than 15,000 developers signed up. “Clearly we're just getting warmed up” Microsoft’s Todd Brix claims, pointing to the almost 80-percent increase in the number of registered developers since September 2010 as evidence. However, the platform still lags significantly behind its key rivals, iOS and Android, in terms of sheer number of apps.

The signs, however, are that Microsoft is targeting particular app categories and even specific titles, rather than looking to compete on bulk alone. That’s seen the company offer developers “revenue guarantees” – aka money – or access to Microsoft’s own developers in order to get popular software into the Marketplace.

[via WinRumors]

Google TVs from Toshiba and Vizio at CES 2011?

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 01:16 AM PST

Toshiba and Vizio are tipped to be next aboard the Google TV train, with products supporting the smart TV platform expected to debut at CES 2011 in January. The news, leaked to Bloomberg by unnamed sources, could see Google TV reach a new, lower price point thanks to Vizio’s work at the budget end of the HDTV spectrum.

However, neither Toshiba nor Vizio would confirm their Google TV plans, although Toshiba America’s general manager of digital products did make some appropriate noises. “Google certainly is a key partner for us on the PC side,” Jeff Barney say, “and will likely be key for us on the TV side as well.”

The pair would join Samsung as the tipped trio next to product Google TV compatible hardware. Currently only Sony and Logitech have Google TV products on the market.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread on Nexus S Photos Revealed

Posted: 25 Nov 2010 12:46 AM PST

XDA Developers, you’ve done it again. In a Thanksgiving treat we can all appreciate, here’s some anonymously submitted images given over to XDA Developers Forum displaying no less than some screenshots and photos of what mister anonymous tells us is a Nexus S toting Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Specs include an ArmV7 CPU (which could be dual-core), support for Open GL ES, something like 512 or 328MB RAM (not confirmed), 1 or 2GB internal memory (again, not confirmed), 800 x 480 screen resolution, 4″ screen with possible SuperAmoled2, and 720p HD video.

Take a look through this very exciting (aka blurry) gallery and tell us if you think it’s the real deal, legit, on the level, no doubt or what? Then take a trip down memory lane and check out all the news about the Nexus S and Gingerbread we’ve got. – Thanks Liaw for the tip!

[via XDA Developers]

L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector Revealed by AAXA

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 07:55 PM PST

The folks at AAXA Technologies presents a version 2 of the world’s first laser powered pocket projector. This AAXA L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector improves upon the first by increating thermal efficiency of its PCOS laser light engine. Now only do you get color, this device’s three-color laser light source enables it to procude images with fabulous color saturation, always in focus. Sounds pretty neat, yes? Sounds pretty fantastic. This pocket projector combines a “revolutionary” laser light source, proprietary despeckling technology, and an LCoS imager to produce 800 x 600 resolution and 20 lumen output with no pixelation problems.

Project images up to 50″ away in dark environments. Rapid change possible in projection size, simultaneous near and far projection, angled projection, and projection on uneven surfaces. Fricking sweet, man. This projector includes an onboard 1.5 hour battery, making power cables unnecessary, VGA input supporting up to 800×600 resolutions for laptop connections, and a media player inside the device able to decode multiple document and media formats. Have some files on a USB thumb drive? It can read those too. Available for $449 MSRP or pre-order for $399. Check out the full press-release below:

AAXA Introduces L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector

November 24, 2010

AAXA Technologies is pleased to announce the release of the AAXA L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector, an updated version of the L1, the world’s first laser powered pocket projector. The updated design improves the performance of L1 v2 by increasing the thermal efficiency of the PCOS laser light engine. The unique three-color laser light source enables the L1 v2 to produce images with amazing color saturation that are always in focus. Designed for mobile professionals and entertainment, the AAXA L1 v2 pocket projector combines a revolutionary laser light source, proprietary despeckling technology, and an LCoS imager to achieve a 20 lumen output at 800×600 resolution without the pixilation problems found in some laser projectors.

The flexibility offered by the L1 v2 laser light source opens up a new world of possibilities in projection applications. The focus-free operation allows for rapid changes in projection size, simultaneous far and near surface projection, angled projection, and projection on curved and other non-flat surfaces. Its ultra-efficient optical engine enables the L1 v2 to produce rich images even in less-than-dark environments – and color-rich images up to 50″ in dark environments. Combined with onboard 1.5 hour battery, the L1 v2 operates as a true hand-held laser projector without the need for any cables or external power source.

Built-in features include VGA input supporting up to 800×600 resolutions for laptop connections and on-board gamma correction. Additional features include a powerful media player capable of decoding of video (AVI, ASF, WMV, MPG), audio (MP3, WAV, AAC), images (JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP), and popular document formats (DOC, XLS, PPT, PDF), onboard memory, and a USB port capable of reading files directly off a standard USB thumb drive.

While the L1 v2 is slightly larger than the original L1, it still remains the world’s smallest 20 lumen pico projector – no larger than a small cell phone, measuring only 4.2″ x 2.1″ x 1.2″ and weighs in at 170 grams (including battery). The L1 v2 projector is much smaller than the traditional “pocket projector”. It slips into a pocket or briefcase and comes with a stand, making it fully portable and configurable for maximum presentation flexibility. Additional accessories allow the L1 v2 to connect to Apple iPhone/iPod, Microsoft Zune, Sony Playstation Portable (PSP), and a wide range of cellphones from Nokia, LG, Samsung, and HTC.

The AAXA L1 v2 is available for pre-order at www.aaxatech.com for $399 and begins shipping December 1, 2010 and will also be available through our fine retail partners.

[Via AAXA Technologies]

TUAW Hacks Apple TV – Now iOS Devices Can Play 3rd Party Video Over AirPlay

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 07:17 PM PST

Apple just announced a sassy little update for their iDevices by the name of iOS 4.2. One of the neat things this update brought with it was the ability to use AirPlay to play media from your iDevice wirelessly to a screen connected to an Apple TV device. Neat, right? Not so neat when you consider the fact that it’d play video ONLY if you were playing it from an Apple-approved application (aka no VLC or YouTube allowed!) What Erica Sadun / Steven Troughton-Smith have done is to… well.. hack and fix this with some codes and such.

Now the [solution] to all of this isn’t quite stable yet. Several times, Erica says, she’s had to reboot using these fixes she’s whipped up, and of course you’ll have to have a jailbroken device. She suggests you hang out for a minute over at https://bugreport.apple.com/ and send them a feature request “to expose this functionality through an open API and to extend it to general UIView mirroring.”

After creating some initial codes that worked alright, Erica had a chat with a mister Steven Troughton-Smith about leveling up the code, suggesting that YouTube might have an improved player class with “AirPlay video stuff” built in – to which he replied “What if there’s just a flag on the [standard] video player?” Bamp! He had something going there, and here it is – if you don’t know what to do with this, DO NOT USE IT. In fact, just to be safe, don’t use it no matter what, hacking is for crazies!

self.movieController = [[[MPMoviePlayerController alloc] initWithContentURL:[NSURL fileURLWithPath:CINDY_PATH]] autorelease];
[movieController setAllowsWirelessPlayback:YES];
movieController.view.frame = self.view.bounds;
[self.view addSubview:movieController.view];

[Via TUAW]

The Daily Slash: November 24 2010

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 06:41 PM PST

It’s a massive day for posts, where even SlashPhone has a fresh blast of news on this pre-holiday day. Lots of sales, lots of products being introduced. And then there was Black Friday. So much Black Friday you’re going to explode! Luckily, we’ve got a column for you by the fabulous Don Reisinger titled Black Friday Is Never Good For MY Tech Addiction. Of course, if you just can’t get enough of the Black Friday goodness, we’ve got a littering of links to sales below plus one list-tastic post by the name of The SlashGear Black Friday Deal Guide of Complete Excellence, an ever-growing post where you’ll not only find a batch of odd sales you almost certainly find listed anywhere else, but a split between offline and online so that you might choose to sit at home and chill or rough it out with the maniacs! Then we’ve got a lone review, one single review for the most amazing Samsung 256GB SSD 470 Series SSD. Stay tough, and be thankful for what you’ve got today (and tomorrow!) on The Daily Slash!

SlashINTERNATIONAL
“U.S. aircraft carrier heads for Korean waters” is not the first thing I wanted to read today when I went looking on an update for the situation unfolding between North and South Korea. If you’re the sort of person who keeps up with these sorts of events, or are at least a person who reads The Daily Slash on a daily basis, you’re aware that yesterday North Korea shelled a South Korean island, leveling a number of buildings and killing two civilians. Today, a U.S. aircraft carrier is on its way over there to… maybe sit around and have a glass of tea. Today the U.S. government expressed its belief that the North Korean aggression was an isolated incident that had to do with leadership change in Pyongyang (N.Korea’s capital), and that it hoped China would use its influence to stop additional “provocative behavior.” Further, Rueters reports:

North Korea said the shelling was in self-defense after Seoul fired shells into its waters near the disputed maritime border. The North’s KCNA news agency said the South was driving the peninsula to the “brink of war” with “reckless military provocation” and by postponing humanitarian aid.

So now the USS George Washington, capable of carrying 75 warplanes and a crew of over 6,000 has left a naval base south of Tokyo Japan and will be joining exercises with South Korea from Sunday to the following Wednesday, so says U.S. officials in Seoul. Read the full story over at [Reuters] and remember when you’re chewing on your roasted bird tomorrow that you should be thankful we’re not in more war than we’re already in and hope, wish, or pray for a peaceful solution to this terrible situation.