Rabu, 08 Desember 2010

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What's new on SlashGear.com

2010: The year I forgot about DVDs

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 02:59 PM PST

As someone who loves to sit down in front of the television after a long day's work and watch a movie or television show, I typically spend some time each month heading down to Best Buy or browsing Amazon to find out what the latest entertainment releases are. It has become a habit that at least so far, I'm unwilling to give up.

But over the past year, my buying decisions have changed, and I've officially ditched DVD in favor of Blu-ray or streaming services.

[Image credit: John Ward]

Now, I know that some are probably wondering why it took so long. After all, Blu-ray has been around for quite some time, and the technology is being embraced in a big way to the detriment of DVD. But as I mentioned, I'm an entertainment addict. And far too many of my favorite films or television shows were still only available on DVD through 2009.

But this year, due mainly to my entertainment preferences, all that changed. Everything I wanted to buy was available on Blu-ray, which of course, prompted me to choose that copy. Moreover, much of the older content that I enjoy could be readily streamed through Netflix or other streaming services.

That resulted in a conscious decision on my part to stop buying DVDs. And at least for now, I just don't see myself buying a DVD version of a film or television show at any point in the future.

To some extent, that's a good feeling. DVD was ideal for me as I emerged from the darkness of the VHS days. But after I bought my first HDTV, became inundated with HD channels that made me cringe when I went back to SD content, and Blu-ray launched, it was becoming clear to me that DVD just couldn't do the job anymore. I needed to go with the new technologies. And I needed to do it quickly.

Although I've mostly accomplished that goal, I should note that DVDs aren't entirely gone from my life. Just last week I watched a few episodes from my series collection of The Sopranos, which I have on DVD. It was disappointing.

That said, I've spent the past year replacing much of my DVD content with Blu-ray versions of the titles. I already have a copy of The Godfather Trilogy on DVD, but I bought the Blu-ray version to round out my collection. I did the same with several other favorites, including Saving Private Ryan.

And all that fails to mention the times when I just don't feel like going to the collection of discs to find a particular film, so I simply stream it from Netflix.

Simply put, DVDs just aren't that big a part of my life any longer. They once ruled my entertainment experience. But like many others, I'm sure, they've quickly lost ground to the newer options that provide more quality and convenience.

And at least so far, I couldn't be happier about it.

X-Men Arcade for Xbox 360 Released December 15

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 02:31 PM PST

Konami has confirmed with Eurogamer today the release dates of the highly anticipated return of the classic arcade game, this time in home-version form. For the Xbox 360 version, an exclusive release date of December 15th, that’s next Wednesday! Then for the Playstation 3 version, TWO MONTHS AFTER. What in the world? That is just crazy talk. That puts it in February of 2011, prices on either version are not yet confirmed. Backbone Entertainment studio is leading the production of this game, so it should run fabulously.

For those of you that don’t remember (or weren’t alive yet?) this is a game that basically used to be in every single arcade in the world, a giant machine with six joysticks and sets of buttons allowing you and your friends to concurrently control Cyclops, Colossus, Dazzler, Nightcrawler, Storm and Wolverine. The game appears to be basically identical to the original arcade release, containing all the dastardly villains as bosses: Pyro, Blob, Wendigo, Mystique, White Queen, Juggernaught and Magneto.

This game was part of a multiplayer trend almost two decades ago that also included games like The Simpsons, and Ninja Turtles in Time, basically all of which were completely amazing games – just so long as you were actually in the arcade playing them.

Will this particular oldie stay strong on consoles? We’ll see.

[Via Eurogamer]

Foursquare Users Pass 5 Million, Gets Offered $140 Million Bucks for Ownership

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 01:47 PM PST

You know what this means? You know what the fact that Foursquare has 5 million users means? I means they’re doing quite well, especially considering the fact that at SXSW (March) of 2010, Foursquare announced they had more than a half million users. Everyone thought that was gigantic. In April of 2010, they passed 1 million. Now Foursquare CEO and co-founder stands on a stage at LeWeb (say hi to Vince!) Conference in Paris noting that Foursquare had surpassed the five million user mark. That’s a lot of shouts.

Commenting on the fact that 5,000,000 UIDs don’t exactly add up to 5,000,000 users, Foursquare let USA Today know that “Though there are over 5 million user IDs in the foursquare community, our user IDs don’t necessarily match up to our actual number of user accounts. That said, we do expect to hit 5 million next week.”

While speaking with LeWeb and Seesmic founder Loic Le Meur on whether Facebook or Yahoo had ever truly tried to acquire Foursquare (there was a bit of a rumor, incase you did not know), Crowley let loose a figure. He not only said that Facebook had made some sort of offer, he noted that some company (probably Yahoo) sent up a $140 million dollar bid. Obviously not enough!

[Via USA Today]

Apple iOS Gaining Handheld Gaming Throne

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 01:24 PM PST

Oh those people at Apple, they’re’a waging war on the world of handheld gaming, of that you can be sure. And it’s not just iOS, according to recent research done by a firm by the name of Interpret, mobile phones (all of them, but “particularly the iPhone”) are now responsible for around 44% of handheld gaming, up over 50% of what they had last year. On the other hand, use of systems like Nintendo DS or PSP have gone down 13% in the same time period. Questions in this report were aimed at people who owned any kind of handheld gaming device, but also asked those who owned several to answer questions that ended up leading to the fact that nearly 25% of those that use a mobile phone exclusively for gaming have a Nintendo DS and/or PSP but never end up using it.

Courtney Johnson, manager of research and analysis for Interpret, said the following: “The proliferation of highly multifunctional smartphones and messaging phones is a very real threat to the dominance by the DS and PSP of the handheld gaming market, … Devices which satisfy a variety of entertainment and utility needs are fast outstripping single-function devices as consumer favorites.” Statistics surrounding this event have led to Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter saying “We’re starting to see DS hardware sales crack, … I think the ubiquity of the iPod Touch is cutting into the handheld market, I think the PSP was dead on arrival and I think the PSP2 is going to be dead on arrival.” He said these monstrous things on a recent episode of Pach Attack.

[Via Ars Technica]

LEGO Announces Release of Blind-Boxed Minifigs Series 4

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 12:52 PM PST

Wow LEGO, you release sets fast! After releasing their first series of Minifigs just this past January, they’re apparently getting ready to blast out series FOUR! Each of these lovely little people are packaged in a “blind-box” which is akin to baseball cards, or if you’re too young to have collected baseball cards, Dunny designer toys. These single-figure boxes will more than likely run the regular $2 per pack, but you’ll probably want to check prices at your local toyshop before you bring a fiver in expecting to get both the Frankenstein Monster and the Geisha.

There’s sixteen figures to this set, and it’s unclear whether a full case will give you a full set or not. Better just buy infinite of them to be sure, sending all your doubles to me. Sounds alright, alright?

[Via The Brothers Brick]

Daft Punk Tron Legacy Headphones Released by Medicom, Monster, Disney

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 12:27 PM PST

Disney Consumer Products, Medicom Toy, and Monster Cable have teamed up to release a pair of Tron Legacy Daft Punk headphones, and they’re just so lovely and fantastic looking it makes my eyes water a little bit. They’re part of a series of Tron Legacy themed audio gear and toys being put out by the team. These over-the-ear type headphones have, YES, lights installed so you can feel like you’re totally Tron-ing it up while you continue to watch the trailers over and over again, avoiding the books and pieces of silverware that would otherwise be thrown at you because your family members are tired of hearing the same commercial over and over again! Hooray!

And if you’re taking a break from the trailers, you can indulge in the surround-sound mix of Daft Punk’s soundtrack for the movie as it’s included in the box! The LED Light Drive System that lights up your head to look like you’re on the Grid is a first for Monster headphones. This set also has noise-isolation and can double as a headset with its removable boom mic which can be attached to either ear. And they cost $350 USD.

[Via iPodNN]

NASA’s New Life in Arsenic Findings Find Doubt in Scientific Community

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 12:08 PM PST

Perhaps you’ll remember that faithful day oh so long ago, when we reported to you that NASA scientists, led by geomicrobiologist Felisa Wolfe-Simon found new life on December 2nd 2010. Now their findings of a bacteria by the name of GFAJ-1, it being able to use arsenic instead of phosphoruous to build its DNA, are said to be crap! Who would say such a thing? Well biologist Rosie Redfield of the University of British Columbia would say such a thing, specifically "It seems much more likely that the arsenic they're seeing is contaminating arsenic that's going along for the ride," her siting the methods the research team used to purify the DNA in the test. Ruh roh!

Redfield spoke with Wired.com and wrote a “biting” blog post almost instantly on December 4th, that post being quite popular having received more than 40,000 hits since it’s been posted. She notes that cleaning the samples used in the critical experiment would’ve required "a little kit that costs $2 and takes 10 minutes, and then you have pure DNA that you can analyze. … That's just asking for contamination problems, … It's as if they wanted to find arsenic, so they didn't take a lot of trouble to make sure they didn't find it by mistake."

Microbiologist / geochemist Alex Bradley asked another question on a blog by the name of We, Beasties on ScienceBlogs.com (this site having nothing to do with the Beastie Boys we all know and love) : if the team really did immerse the DNA in water, where arsenic compounds generally quickly fall apart, why didn’t the arsenate do just that, unless of course the molecules were still employing phosphate to stay stuck?

Another mind to take apart the situation is science writer Carl Zimmer, who himself wrote more than a few stinging words on the subject then spoke with more than 10 experts, more and more coming on, all coming down to one point wrapped up neatly by Shelly Copley of the University of Colorado: “This paper should not have been published.”

When asked about the bad reviews, NASA’s spokesperson said thusly:

When NASA spokesman Dwayne Brown was asked about public criticisms of the paper in the blogosphere, he noted that the article was peer-reviewed and published in one of the most prestigious scientific journals. He added that Wolfe-Simon will not be responding to individual criticisms, as the agency doesn't feel it is appropriate to debate the science using the media and bloggers. Instead, it believes that should be done in scientific publications.

Furthermore, senior author Ronald Oremland of the US Geological Survey spoke to an audience of scientists on December 7 at NASA Headquarters, streaming live in a similar manner to the original announcement of new life, answering questions about the specific tests the team could have performed on the microbes, saying mostly, "There's a laundry list of things," and "We can't do everything." Responding to the backlash in kind:

"I'm not surprised by pushback from the scientific community and bloggers. That's part of the process," he said. "But those are arguments about how many angels on the head of a pin. The only way this is going to get settled is if people reproduce these experiments on their own."

It’ll be interesting to see how these experiments DO unfold, as it’ll… well… decide if life really DID expand or not, you know?

[Via Wired]

i-dration Water Bottle Connects to Your Smartphone, Tells You When You’re Thirsty

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 11:19 AM PST

While some may think that the design of the bottle could be look at again, the i-dration water bottle is certainly a good idea. Designed for those who need water on the go, such as athletes, this new design concept shows that you can not only connect anything to your smartphone in one way or another, but that doing so can help you overall health.

The i-dration water bottle connects to your smartphone via an application. When it does, it’s able to collect real-time data, regarding how much water you’ve consumed throughout the day so far, as well as the temperature outside. As it collects the data, it takes into account the personal health information you’ve input, as well as other vital stats, and then sends that information back to the i-dration water bottle. Once there, a blue light will turn on if you need to get some more water into your system.

While it’s just a concept that’s still in design right now, the i-dration water bottle will actually make an appearance on the showroom floor of CES 2011. So, stay tuned as more details about this interesting water bottle come to light early next year.

[via Electric Pig]

iDration iDration2


iPad 2 Will Have LCD, Not AMOLED Display

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 10:55 AM PST

The rumors about the second generation iPad are still lingering, while people try to guess what features, and design elements, the next tablet device from Apple will have. The obvious suggestions that the device will feature a USB port, or front- and rear-facing cameras, along with the idea that the next tablet will have a Retina Display, has many people eager to see what Apple unveils in the first half of 2011. But, for those that were hoping that the iPad 2 will have an AMOLED display, it looks like those dreams have been dashed.

At least, if this new report from DigiTimes pans out. According to them, Coretronic will be the main supplier of the second generation iPad’s Back Light Units, or BLUs. What that means, is that there won’t be any AMOLED displays in the iPad 2, as AMOLED doesn’t require any back lighting.

Furthermore, it’s already been suggested that Chimei Innolux and LG have been chosen to crank out the LCD displays for the iPad 2. This news about the supplier for BLUs just drives home the potential fact that the next version of the iPad will feature an LCD panel. That does still leave some room for that whole Retina Display rumor, though.

[via DigiTimes]

Oriental Hornet is Actually Solar Powered

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 10:39 AM PST

Solar power is a hot topic for those who want to be eco-friendly. Or, for those who just want to find ways to save on energy bills. But, it looks like insects in the animal kingdom know how to take advantage of the sun in a more direct way, too. It’s been recently discovered that the Oriental Hornet, which features an iconic yellow strip around the hornet’s abdomen, is actually solar powered.

Like many other hornet, or even insect species, the Oriental Hornet is prone to being more active during the day. Other hornets actually flourish during the morning, but then tend to get more reserved as the day progresses. In the case of the Oriental Hornet, though, it actually gets more active as the day moves on. More accurately, as the sun makes its way through the sky, the hornet’s activity level rises in accordance.

Why? Because that yellow stripe holds tiny protrusions that collect sunlight, and translate it into energy. The Oriental Hornet also has a specialized pigment, called xanthopterin, that aides in the processes of making solar energy into energy the hornet can utilize in its every day happenings. Xanthopterin works as a light absorbing, or light harvesting molecule, which makes it easier to transfer into electrical energy that the hornet can use.

[via GearLog]

Intel Netbook and Tablet Group Formed Behind Closed Doors

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 10:18 AM PST

Sometimes companies still like to do things under the radar. No press release, and no public announcement to be heard. Intel, this time around, is the company in question, and it looks like the chip maker is all set to make sure that in the near future, they’ve got some buffer zones built against the competition within the netbook and tablet market.

The company is calling it simply the netbook and tablet group. The point behind this brand new business unit? To stave off the competition within those two markets, all the while making sure that Intel stays as successful as it has been, especially in regards to the Atom chip. Douglas L. Davis, the current head of Intel’s embedded and communications group.

According to Intel spokesperson Bill Kircos, it’s an obvious and measured step from Intel to make the netbook and tablet group a reality.

[via The New York Times]

Blizzard MMO Not Likely for Xbox 360

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 10:08 AM PST

Blizzard is a company known for their Massively Multiplayer Online titles, with a major focus on World of Warcraft. Of course, a title like StarCraft can’t be ignored, either, even if it doesn’t fit into the MMO category. In any event, it doesn’t look like Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has much of a chance of landing an MMO of Blizzard caliber any time soon, as the company not only knows of the hardships that Microsoft puts forth to developers for access to Xbox LIVE, but they also believe that the Xbox 360 just doesn’t have the power to make it happen.

As Greg Street of Blizzard says, “I think certainly that we would place really heavy demand on the technical structure of those things before [the Xbox 360] was something Blizzard would want to get into.” Unfortunately for Microsoft, it can’t be good news when one of the biggest video game publishers in the world says that your console just can’t cut it. It may not be said in so many ways, but from that statement alone it sounds like Blizzard has already looked at the technical aspects of the 360, and determined that it just wouldn’t work.

But, that’s not all of the bad news. In the interview with CVG, Street also pointed a finger at the closed nature of Xbox LIVE in of itself. He says that there would have to be some major discussions between them and Microsoft, before anything even remotely could get kicked off. There’s no hiding the fact that Microsoft hasn’t been putting any real focus on MMO titles, and the Redmond-based company is still against letting gamers play cross-platform titles.

Blizzard seems to be at two different points with bringing an MMO to the Xbox 360. First, it sounds like they don’t believe the console would be even capable of running a title. But, on the other side of the coin, even if they could manage to get a game up and running, it is Xbox LIVE’s inherent nature that prevents them from making it happen. To make a certainly long story short, it doesn’t seem likely that a Blizzard MMO is going to land on the Xbox 360.

[via TG Daily]

Prosthetic Arm Features Flexible Tentacle Design

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 09:40 AM PST

Most prosthetic limb replacements focus on returning regular movements to those who need them. Prosthetic legs move in a natural way, or as best as they can, while prosthetic arms usually have a regular five-fingered hand at the end, helping those who have lost a limb use their artificial ligament in a more natural fashion. But, when a student is asked to “push the boundaries” of upper-limb prosthetic design, you shouldn’t expect to find a design you’d find in the box.

Kaylene Kau’s robotic prosthetic arm design doesn’t have a hand at the end, nor does it have five fingers. Instead, it focuses on a more tentacle-like approach. The arm is powered by a small motor, and there’s a few wires inside to let the artificial appendage function. As you can probably already guess, the end of the arm will actual curl upwards, or downwards, depending on how the person wearing the prosthetic wants to grab something.

[via DVICE]

Prosthetic-Tentacle Prosthetic Tentacle2


North Point iBand Uses iPads and iPhones to Play Christmas Music [Video]

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 09:27 AM PST

Back in October, we told you about Atomic Tom. This is a band that, while on the New York subway, decided that they’d pull out their iPhones and start jamming away. Why? Because all of their instruments had been reportedly stolen. This time around, there’s nothing so nefarious causing this group of individuals to start playing away on their iDevices. No, this is the North Point Community Church band, iBand. Thanks to some apps they downloaded, they were able to play a trio of songs for those in attendance, and the results are actually worth watching.

The iBand was able to play three different songs: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Feliz Navidad, and Carol of the Bells. All of which turned out great. According to Reid Greven, it took just a few apps to get the magic started, and then multitracking them through Apple’s Logic Software.

“Jared arranged "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Feliz Navidad" using the apps, and creating a demo by multitracking them in Apple's Logic software (though any Digital Audio Workstation would do the trick). Jared, Eddie Kirkland and I arranged the first song, "Carol of the Bells". It's amazing what you come up with when you sit in a room, hook 3 iPhones up to some speakers, and get adventurous!”

As far as the apps that were chosen to make this magical musical spectacle happen, they include: iGog, Pianist, Percussions, Guitarist, and SoundGrid. As of right now, the video that you can watch below, is doing its viral thing on YouTube, so make sure you keep passing it along.

[via MacStories]

Parrot AR.Drone gets object-tracking hack & Wiimote control [Video]

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 09:01 AM PST

Parrot’s AR.Drone isn’t short on intelligence – as we discovered in our recent review – but it’s also the ideal platform for quadricopter-based experiements. Tinkerer Psykokwak has figured out Urbi integration – an open-source robotics software platform – to give the AR.Drone object-tracking abilities (in this case it can identify and follow a red ball) as well as broader control options, including a Wiimote, a joystick or pretty much anything else that can hook up to your computer, in a mere 25 lines of code.

Video demo after the cut

That last point might put something of a dampener on your impromptu AR.Drone object tracking fun, since the quadricopter needs to be hooked up to a computer running Windows, OS X or Linux to run the full Urbi software. However, that also means you can use the Gostai Lab software to come up with custom interfaces for the ‘copter, handy if you’re less than enamoured with the relatively basic UI of the official iOS app.

Alternatively, Psykokowak has a second – more risky – method that allows you to load a version of Urbi directly into the AR.Drone’s own memory, running the software on the quadricopter’s own processor. The risk is that you might wipe Parrot’s original programming, and while the company is open minded in encouraging mods to the AR.Drone, that probably falls outside their warranty.

[via Engadget]

Google Maps 5.0 gets Nexus S video demo

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 08:37 AM PST

Google VP Marissa Mayer took the stage at LeWeb 2010 today, and it was no surprise to see the search and user experience exec pull out a Nexus S. Unlike most Nexus S handsets – such as the unit we spent hands-on time with yesterday – Mayer’s phone is running the incoming Google Maps for Mobile 5.0, and they wasted no time before running through a demo.

Video demo after the cut

The two main features of the updated app were demonstrated, starting with 3D landmarks – which can be panned and moved around with two-finger multitouch gestures – and then looking at cached usability thanks to the new offline mode. According to Mayer, both features are possible because of the switch to vector-based graphics, which have helped shrink data traffic in Google Maps down to 1/100th of the previous amount.

That permits a bigger cache of navigation data, and while it’s not the entire map – unlike, say, Nokia’s Ovi Maps, which can be locally stored – it’s enough to get you through data deadspots or to navigate a pre-planned journey without a connection. Check out both features in the video demo below.

SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up: December 8 2010

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 08:15 AM PST

Oh my goodness, did you know that Rovio pulls in $1 Million bucks a month just in advertising revenue for their Angry Birds Android version? Oh man, did you know tomorrow is the first day you’ll be able to pre order a Notion Ink Adam? How about the new Google Chrome OS Cr-48 notebook, did you know you can get one for free (just so long as you answer some well-placed questions)? There’s a LOT of things you’re about to learn, all of it on SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up!

R3 Media Network

SlashPhone
iPad 2 Launching in the "Next 100 Days"
AT&T Branding Appeared on Nokia X7 Leak Pictures
Samsung Announces Winners of Bada Developer Challenge, Winner Apps Free for a Month!

Android Community
Pre-ordering for Notion Ink's Adam from tomorrow, December 9
Parkmobile Android app lets you pay for parking
Angry Birds Android ads make Rovio $1m per month
Motorola's Honeycomb slate poses [Video]
HTC Knight (aka EVO Shift 4G) pictured in accessory update

SlashGear
Peel Fruit turns iPhone into show-suggesting universal remote
Notion Ink Adam pre-orders open December 9
bada Developer Challenge pays out $2.7m; 5m bada phones sold by end of 2010
IE9 anti-tracking protection measures detailed after FTC privacy pan
Verizon 3G browsing outage fixed; "technical glitch" blamed
TI OMAP4440 processor debuts: 1.5GHz dualcore, 3D 1080p and more
Barbara Kruger computerized chess set isn't impressed by your bishop [Video]
Nokia focusing on UI dynamics for MeeGo; needs to "regain the imagination"
Speck outs DustJacket cases for iPad and Kindle 3
iPad Lock and Security Case will protect your iPad from pilferage
OnLive launches game spectating on iPad along with Windows 7 apps
Garmin creates free geocaching community called OpenCaching
PNY offers GTX 570 video card with cool game bundle
Spotify US launch in question as labels refuse licensing deals
Nica Sunrise Bluetooth headset looks like a hockey puck
Akatsuki Venus probe overshoots: next chance in 7 years
Lian Li unveils new PC-X500FX computer chassis
Samsung Gloria 10-inch Windows 7 tablet with sliding QWERTY due early 2011?
Google grabs 60,000 Cr-48 notebooks while Acer conservative on Chrome OS demand
Some Nexus S handsets will use Super Clear LCD not Super AMOLED confirms Samsung
AT&T branded Nokia X7 leaks again
iOS 4.2.1 Untethered Jailbreak gets video demo
CAPS LOCK ISN'T DEAD reassures Google on Chrome OS keyboards
Microsoft is "credible" in smartphone space claims WP7 manager; iPhone a "boulder"
BlackBerry PlayBook "best platform for the application" says Lazaridis; no QNX phones until dual-core mobile CPUs
Google Latitude for iPhone prematurely peaks into App Store
Google Chrome OS Cr-48 notebook detailed

To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]

Netflix grab ABC and Disney streaming content

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 08:03 AM PST

Netflix has announced a new licensing deal with Disney-ABC Television Group, which will see ABC Network, Disney Channel and ABC Family streaming content available to Netflix’s subscribers. The deal will include titles such as Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters and Desperate Housewives, but also include Disney Channel and ABC Family movies such as High School Musical, High School Musical 2 and Camp Rock.

Netflix is promising that content will be available as little as 15 days after initial broadcast, which is still less timely than many online catch-up sites but certainly better than nothing. Access will be included in Netflix’s $7.99 per month streaming-only package.

Press Release:

Netflix and Disney-ABC Television Group Announce Deal to Stream Array of ABC Network, Disney Channel and ABC Family Shows to Netflix Members

Agreement Includes Prior Seasons of ABC Hits ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Brothers & Sisters,’ plus Favorites from Disney Channel and First-Time Netflix Access to ABC Family Shows

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. and BURBANK, Calif., Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) and Disney-ABC Television Group today announced a new licensing agreement between the two companies that will allow Netflix to stream hundreds of episodes from the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel and – for the first time – ABC Family over the Internet.

The agreement, brokered by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, will add significantly to the growing selection of movies and TV episodes that can be streamed from Netflix. Once made available to Netflix from Disney-ABC – which, for relevant programming, will be no earlier than 15 days after initial telecast – episodes can be streamed instantly with Netflix memberships starting at $7.99 a month.

Among the highlights, Netflix members will be able to enjoy:

Prior season episodes of current ABC hit series “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Desperate Housewives” and, for the first time on Netflix, “Brothers & Sisters,” all of which are among the network’s most successful and popular TV franchises in recent years.
Every episode of recent ABC favorites “Lost” and “Ugly Betty,” the latter making its streaming debut at Netflix.
Each season of several hit series from ABC Studios, including “Scrubs” and “Reaper,” which are both new additions to Netflix.
A host of content from the Disney Channel, including the hits “Phineas and Ferb” and “Good Luck Charlie,” which are also new to Netflix; updated and expanded offerings of “The Suite Life on Deck” and “Wizards of Waverly Place;” and library offerings from the smash hits “Hannah Montana” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.”
A wide range of content from ABC Family, marking the introduction of ABC Family content streaming from Netflix. Included are the hit series “Greek,” “Make It or Break It,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “Melissa & Joey.”

“TV content streamed from Netflix has proven to be immensely popular with our members,” said Ted Sarandos, the company’s chief content officer. “Adding to our existing Disney-ABC lineup with great network and cable shows, and opening up ABC Family for the first time, are important steps in creating a wide and diverse selection of content Netflix members of all ages can watch.”

In addition to the hundreds of TV episodes included in the agreement, Disney Channel and ABC Family movies such as “High School Musical,” “High School Musical 2,” “Camp Rock,” and “Beauty & the Briefcase,” as well as new releases “Avalon High,” “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” and “Revenge of the Bridesmaids,” will also be available to watch at Netflix.

Peel Fruit turns iPhone into show-suggesting universal remote

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 07:40 AM PST

Another day, another iPhone remote control system that turns your Apple smartphone into a universal remote. Hot on the heels of RedEye‘s offering comes Peel, with a slightly different approach to the hardware/software hybrid setup. As well as the Peel software app, you get a bright yellow IR dongle called the Peel Fruit which hooks up via a ZigBee connection to an ethernet dongle – called the Peel Cable – on your router, and controls your A/V equipment.

The two components are designed by Yves Behar, who was responsible for the Jawbone Bluetooth headset. The Peel Fruit will apparently last for up to nine months on a single battery, which is impressive enough.

As for the software, rather than just giving you buttons and a programming grid, Peel reckons their app will learn what shows you enjoy watching and then suggest appropriate alternatives when you’re desperately seeking entertainment. It’s available to download free from iTunes [iTunes link] though is US-only, and you can use it for suggested shows even if you don’t have a Peel Fruit.

peel Peel-lifestyle Peel-7-FavoritePrograms Peel-6-CustomizeGenres Peel-5-Search Peel-4-Sports Peel-3-TVShows Peel-2-Cards Peel-1-TopPicks

[via Gizmodo]

Sprint 4G WiMAX roaming with Jamaica and Taiwan agreed

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 07:06 AM PST

Sprint has inked 4G roaming agreements with Jamaican carrier Digicel and Taiwanese carrier Global Mobile, meaning select Sprint devices will be able to take advantage of the high-speed WiMAX networks if travelling abroad. Only certain devices – those that use the Sprint SmartView Connection Manager – will support the roaming, which basically means USB modems but not, it seems, 4G-enabled smartphones like the HTC EVO 4G.

Sprint is yet to confirm roaming fees – or, indeed, when the roaming agreement will go live – but has said that it will be offering a 24-hour “Daypass” for unlimited service. Still, it’s likely to be more expensive than regular domestic WiMAX access, given the price gouging usually implicit in overseas data use.

Press Release:

Sprint Inks International 4G Roaming Agreements With Digicel and Global Mobile to Establish Global Ecosystem

4G Customers Traveling Abroad Will Soon be Able to Roam on 4G Networks in Jamaica and Taiwan

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), December 08, 2010 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced that it has signed international 4G roaming agreements with Digicel in Jamaica and Global Mobile in Taiwan, leveraging the global ecosystem for 4G services to enable travelers on the go. Select Sprint devices that operate with the Sprint SmartViewSM Connection Manager will automatically detect the Digicel and Global Mobile networks, giving customers the option to connect and roam with an unlimited 24 hour Daypass. Pricing and launch details of the agreements are still to be determined.

"With these agreements, Sprint is kicking down the door to 4G international roaming and taking a first step toward allowing people to enjoy 4G service wherever they are around the globe," said Matt Carter, president-Sprint 4G. "We've taken the 4G leadership position in the U.S. and are now proud to partner with visionaries Digicel and Global Mobile to solidify our international leadership role."

The Sprint SmartView Connection Manager allows users to create a high-speed Internet connection for their computer anywhere on the Sprint 3G or 4G networks or on compatible international networks with a Mobile Broadband Device, such as the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem 250U by Sierra Wireless or Sprint 3G/4G U600 USB Modem. Sprint customers traveling to Jamaica and Taiwan will be able to access the Digicel and Global Mobile 4G networks for mobile downloads, video chat capabilities and turbo-charged Web browsing at 4G speeds.

Sprint SmartView features:

One-click activation for supported devices
GPS features and services are available at the touch of a button for GPS-capable devices
Easy connections to Sprint Wi-Fi networks around the globe, available on a pay-as-you-go basis
Access to Sprint support services and tools via the Application section
Enterprise custom configuration available – business customers, please contact your Sprint account manager for details
"The response to our Digicel 4G broadband service – launched in August this year – has been phenomenal, and customers across the island are enjoying the benefits of Jamaica's fastest wireless broadband," said Mark Linehan, CEO of Digicel Jamaica. "We are happy to welcome Sprint's customers to Jamaica and trust they will enjoy the roaming experience delivered by Digicel's mobile and broadband networks as much as they enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer."

"We are honored to be a part of this global collaboration," said Rosemary W. Ho, CEO of Global Mobile. "This agreement represents another major milestone in asserting Global Mobile as the leading 4G broadband operator in Taiwan. I want to welcome our international roaming customers to experience the same innovative quadruple play service offering enjoyed by our customers. I look forward to expanding this partnership to other operators around the world and to making 'Worldwide Interoperability' a reality."

Sprint 4G can be found in 68 markets1 across the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City and Washington, D.C. Sprint 4G plans to light up several new major markets, including San Francisco and Denver, by the end of this month.

Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

About Digicel

After more than nine years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has more than 11 million customers across its 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Championships. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea that focus on educational, cultural and social development programs.

In 2004, Digicel developed Digicel Rising Stars – an annual talent show to support aspiring young music artists in the Caribbean. The show has spanned the Eastern Caribbean, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, ranking as one of the top-rated shows.

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean. Visit www.digicelpacific.com or www.digicelgroup.com for more information.

About Global Mobile Corporation

Global Mobile is a 4G pioneer in the digital industry value chain, integrating various triple play contents, with all types of communication at home, and totally new fourth-generation wireless communications, all in one click. Global Mobile is a strong group consisting of industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience. They understand consumer needs and have designed a CPE system that is as easy to use as a personal computer.

Taiwan currently lacks a content platform that bridges the commercial and public sectors. Also lacking are an impetus for creativity, a standardized distribution and broadcasting format, and a unified payment method. It is our company's goal to provide such a standardized platform to allow our customers to use WiMAX wireless broadband – anytime, anywhere – on any device.

For more information, please visit the Global Mobile website at http://www.G1.com.tw.

Notion Ink Adam pre-orders open December 9

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 06:49 AM PST

It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve heard from a very trusted source that Notion Ink will indeed be throwing open the doors to pre-orders of their Adam tablet tomorrow, Thursday December 9 2010. The company isn’t publicly confirming anything at this stage, but our source says that the binary countdown code which has been the basis for many pre-order rumors will read zero tomorrow, and the six Adam versions will go on sale. Meanwhile, we’re also told an update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread is in the works, targeted for release just weeks after Adam’s launch.

From what we’ve seen of the company’s custom Eden UI and multitasking system, it looks like they’ve followed in Samsung’s footsteps and done the legwork in bringing Android up to coping with larger-screen devices; however, it also seems that their work isn’t going to clash with Google’s own attempts at the same. We’re also presuming that Adam will have an NFC sensor, the secret component that Notion Ink hid mention of in their site’s HTML.

For full pricing information on the Notion Ink Adam, check out our full rundown of the Android slate. Pre-ordering will initially be limited to those users that have previously registered and commented on the company’s blog, before opening up to broader availability. The six variants of Adam will consist of combinations of optional Euro/Asia or US 3G (or standard WiFi-only) and a choice of regular LCD or Pixel Qi displays.

Update: Notion Ink has updated its blog with an image of what looks like Adam about to be revealed [Thanks Pj!]:

bada Developer Challenge pays out $2.7m; 5m bada phones sold by end of 2010

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 06:12 AM PST

Samsung continues to chug away at its bada smartphone platform, and with good reason if recent reports of iPhone-style market penetration rates are anything to go by. The company has just wrapped up the bada Developer Challenge, handing out $2.7m between 34 winning developer teams, and to celebrate all the successful apps are being offered free.

Grand prize winner Mooncoder took $300,000 for his app “Little Sailor”, a 3D yacht racing game that scored highest in the creativity, commercial potential, functionality, and user-friendliness categories. Eight further entrants took $100,00 apiece. Samsung isn’t saying quite how many bada apps are out there, but it does expect to pass the 50m downloads mark sometime this month.

Meanwhile, sales of bada handsets are expected to pass 5m units by the end of the year, impressive given for much for the time only a single device, the Wave S8500, was available.

Press Release:

Samsung announces winners of bada Developer Challenge, demonstrating its commitment to the bada platform

(SEOUL=Korea Newswire) — Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile provider, today announced the winners of 'bada Developer Challenge,' an application development contest for the bada platform which took place between May and December in 2010. Entrants participated in the contest online through Samsung's bada developer site.

The bada Developer Challenge attracted 2,077 teams from 54 countries. Samsung selected 34 winning applications, with the winners receiving US $2.7 million between them – as well as gaining marketing support to promote their applications on the Samsung Apps site.

"Samsung is excited to see such a great response from developers who entered applications to the bada Developer Challenge," said JK Shin, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics, "We will roll out additional bada-based smart phones and continue to support bada developers in making and marketing high-quality applications."-

The grand prize winner, who won US$300,000, was Mooncoder in Poland. The winner's application "Little Sailor" is a 3D yacht racing game that allows users to experience a realistic sailing simulation – with the help of intricate controls and colorful graphics. The LittleSailor application scored highest in the creativity, commercial potential, functionality, and user-friendliness categories.

"We are extremely happy to receive the top prize in the contest organized by Samsung Electronics, a leading global company that is making inroads in software and applications," said Maciej Komosinski and Szymon Ulatowski, of Mooncoder which developed Little Sailor. "We believe bada will evolve into a platform that offers great opportunities to developers through Samsung's strength in the mobile arena. We will continue to join developer initiatives organized by Samsung in order to create more interesting and useful applications."

Eight other winners also received US $100,000 apiece, including badaSports, Doogie, Bang, WAMO_Camera, TouchRetouch, Bling-Bling Reader and Parking.

The award ceremony was held at the bada Developer Day in Seoul on December 8, which marked bada's first-year anniversary. At the bada Developer Day, Samsung provided a guide to developing applications for bada; including technical support regarding the platform as well as more information about the certification and registration process of Samsung Apps, the application marketplace for bada.

In addition to the Samsung Wave – the first bada smart phone- launched in June, Samsung has launched additional models such as the Wave II, Wave525, Wave533, Wave575 and Wave723. Sales of bada handsets are expected to reach 5 million units before the end of 2010.

Samsung Apps, Samsung's application store, has grown with the success of the Wave series; the total number of application downloads worldwide is expected to surpass 50 million by December, demonstrating the rising popularity of bada apps among smart phone users. Launched in France, Italy and the UK in September 2009, Samsung Apps is now available in 118 countries.

Samsung has been supporting developers in a number of ways; mainly through its online bada Developer site and also through offline local Developer Day events held regularly around the world. To build a better mobile eco-system, Samsung plans to introduce additional developer support programs, which include online and offline education courses for bada programming, online Q&A's via the bada Developer site and support for the publication of bada technical books.

IE9 anti-tracking protection measures detailed after FTC privacy pan

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 06:02 AM PST

Microsoft will debut anti-tracking technology as part of Internet Explorer 9, which will use “Tracking Protection Lists” (TPL) to better allow surfers control over which sites can see where they’ve been browsing previously. According to the company’s IE blog, the system will be similar to a “do not call” register for phones, with users creating lists of trusted or untrusted sites in their TPLs that set out which sites can access cookies, images, HTML and other code.

“We designed this feature so that consumers have a clear, straight forward, opt-in mechanism to enable a higher degree of control over sharing their browsing information AND websites can provide easy to use lists to manage their privacy as well as experience full-featured sites.” IEBlog

Sites will be able to create their own TPLs with details on external URLs that are necessary for full functionality, and users will be able to optionally accept or deny those TPLs. Microsoft is positioning it as an opt-in system, partly in response to a recent report by the FTC which criticized industry self-regulation on privacy and suggested that it had “failed to provide adequate and meaningful protection.”

IE9 is due for release early in 2011, and Microsoft has given examples of the sort of coding required to put together TPLs so that websites can get up to speed in advance. Whether users will be willing to take a more active role in their privacy online remains to be seen, however.

TI OMAP4440 processor debuts: 1.5GHz dualcore, 3D 1080p and more

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 06:00 AM PST

Texas Instruments has announced its latest mobile processor, the TI OMAP4440, a SoC packaging a pair of 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore CPUs along with two ARM Cortex-M3 cores to power-efficiently offload time-critical and control tasks. Coupled with the POWERVR 3D graphics engine, that provides a quoted 1.25x increase in graphics performance (including 2x faster HD video playback, with support for 1080p60 and 3D stereoscopic 1080p) and a 30-percent cut in webpage loading times.

There’s also support for 1080p video conferencing and gesture recognition, along with two 12-megapixel cameras operating in parallel. The latter will mean that devices based on the OMAP4440 – which could include smartphones or tablets – will be able to record Full HD 3D video. TI is betting big on video teleconferencing, with 720p HD video support for multi-chat with up to four other users, and native support for H.264, VP7, H.263, SVC and other formats.

TI expect the OMAP4440 to begin sampling in Q1 2011, with volume production in the second half of the year. It’s pin-to-pin compatible with the company’s OMAP4430, itself set to show up in commercial products in the first half of 2011 (and powering the TI Blaze developer tablet), offering a straightforward way for manufacturers to significantly boost performance.

ti_omap_4440 TI OMAP4440 2 TI OMAP4440 1

Press Release:

TI's OMAP4440 processor boasts new upgrades, raises the bar for mobile design

Mobile video teleconferencing, stereoscopic-3D and gesture recognition capabilities gain from OMAP™ 4 technology upgrades, including speeds of 1.5 GHz per CPU core

DALLAS (Dec. 8, 2010) – Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE:TXN) today announced that the OMAP4440 applications processor enhancements deliver impressive performance improvements beyond the OMAP4430 processor, including a 1.25x increase in graphics performance, a 30 percent decrease in webpage load time, a 2x increase in 1080p video playback performance and clock speeds as fast as 1.5 GHz per ARM® Cortex™-A9 MPCore™. These marked performance advantages, along with other feature enhancements, reaffirm the OMAP™ 4 platform's ability to drive today's most coveted Smartphone and tablet user experiences, such as 1080p stereoscopic 3D (S3D), 1080p video conferencing and gesture recognition. For OMAP4440 processor details, visit: www.ti.com/omap4440.

"The increased performance given by the OMAP4440 applications processor illustrates TI's ability to push mobile computing possibilities with the right processor architecture enveloped in the right platform, " said Remi El-Ouazzane, vice president, OMAP platform business unit, TI. "We seized an opportunity to enhance the platform capabilities driving the OMAP4430 processor's success today. As OMAP4430 processor-based products hit the market in first half 2011, we're arming our customers with a huge performance boost via an easy migration to OMAP4440 processor for their next wave of exciting devices. The resulting user experiences will radically impact how consumers continue to integrate mobile technology into their daily lives."

OMAP4440 processor: Primed for upgraded mobile user experiences
The OMAP 4 platform is a highly-optimized system-on-chip (SOC) leveraging two ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore general-purpose processors, reaching speeds of 1.5 GHz per core, complemented by two ARM Cortex-M3 cores to power-efficiently offload time-critical and control tasks. High-performance multimedia capabilities are provided by programmable cores including a POWERVR™ 3D graphics engine, TI IVA 3 for high-definition/multi-standard video, TI image signal processor (ISP) for high-quality/high-megapixels imaging, TI low-power audio processor and TI digital signal processor (DSP) based on the TI C64x DSP for natural user interface and signal processing innovations optimized for mobile applications.

The OMAP 4 platform efficiently supports concurrent, high-performance processing and high-definition multimedia with dual, high-bandwidth memory channels. The platform is secured with TI M-Shield™ security, and delivers high performance within the small power budget of mobile devices by leveraging TI SmartReflex™ power and performance management technologies. As the second member of the OMAP 4 product family, the OMAP4440 processor's upgraded features and benefits include:

Feature*
Benefit
Two ARM® Cortex™-A9 MPCores™ optimized to 1.5 GHz each
50% increase in overall performance; 33% reduction in webpage load time
End-to-end graphics acceleration enhancement (triangles per second, fill rate and shaders)
25% increase in overall graphics performance
Support for HDMI v1.4 3D modes
Full 1080p HD S3D playback to 3D TV
1080p60 video format support
2x higher performance video playback
Support for up to two 12-megapixel cameras in parallel
Higher stereoscopic resolution encode enabling stereo photography, which meets the same resolution previously experienced only with 2D photography
IVA 3 multimedia hardware accelerator
Industry's highest quality video playback at low bit rates
Complete pin-to-pin hardware and software compatibility
Easy migration from the OMAP4430 processors
*Comparative data is relative to the OMAP4430 processor's performance

The OMAP4440 processor is uniquely positioned to support the widely anticipated mobile video teleconferencing experience. For example, successful mobile video teleconferencing requires a few key components directly addressed by the following OMAP4440 processor features:

Mobile video teleconferencing component
OMAP4440 processor-enabled feature
High-quality mobile video conferencing
Improved video quality in low-light conditions; video stabilization
Chat software (i.e., Skype or Google Talk)
Video codec support includes H.264, VP7, H.263, SVC, and more
Peer-to-peer (1 local user with one other user) chat functionality
1080p mobile video conferencing
Multi-chat (1 local user with up to 4 other users) functionality
720p resolution with stereo audio support
Cloud access for simultaneous application support (e.g., browsing the web while chatting or document sharing)
Optimized symmetric multiprocessing architecture to deliver low latency and high bandwidth support

Availability and pricing
The OMAP4440 applications processor will sample in first quarter 2011, with production expected by the second half of 2011. These products are intended for high-volume wireless OEMs and ODMs and are not available through distributors.

Verizon 3G browsing outage fixed; “technical glitch” blamed

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 05:46 AM PST

Verizon Wireless has acknowledged the widespread 3G browsing problems experienced by a large number of its users earlier today, blaming a “technical glitch” that occurred “during routine maintenance.” The glitch, according to spokesperson Jeffrey Nelson, has now been fixed, but left subscribers unable to browse over 3G for over three hours.

“Last night, during routine maintenance of our 3G network, a technical glitch hampered the ability of customers to reach the Internet through web browsers on their phones. This technical glitch lasted from approximately 1:40 am – 5 am ET, and covered a large proportion of our regular network. 3G network coverage was never out, just this one particular service. Full capabilities were fully restored at approximately 5 am ET. We apologize to any and all affected customers.” Jeffrey Nelson, spokesperson, Verizon Wireless

The exact nature of the glitch has not been specified, and Verizon isn’t offering any sort of compensation to those impacted by the outage. The carrier is careful to point out that the 3G network wasn’t down, only inaccessible to browsing.

Barbara Kruger computerized chess set isn’t impressed by your bishop [Video]

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 05:29 AM PST

Electronic chess sets have been around for ages, but seldom do they goad or insult you while you’re playing. That’s because most chess sets aren’t like artist Barbara Kruger‘s, a custom electronic kit crafted from Corian and able to say things like “don’t even think about it” and “why prolong the pain?” as you play, and which has been on display at Art Basel Miami Beach 2010.

Video demo after the cut

It’s the handiwork of UK specialists Machine Shop, who were responsible for producing the Corian figures and integrating the three integrated computers and 96 microprocessors responsible for tracking moves and triggering speech. Kruger is known for her aggressive slogans printed in stark white text on a red background, a color theme that’s applied to the chess set’s case and to the color of the pieces themselves.

[Thanks Buster!]

Nokia focusing on UI dynamics for MeeGo; needs to “regain the imagination”

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 04:35 AM PST

Nokia SVP of Design Marko Ahtisaari has admitted that the company still needs “to somehow regain the imagination,” though as always that route won’t involve Android. “We’ll go where we can add value,” Ahtisaari said at LeWeb 2010 this morning, “that’s not the case at the moment with Android.” Instead, Nokia’s design team is focused on new homescreen paradigms ahead of MeeGo‘s launch in 2011, with Ahtisaari arguing that the UI dynamics of iOS, Symbian and Android aren’t quite there yet.

“If you look at touchscreen devices today … they’re immersive, they require our full attention. We’re not doing good enough for better one-handed use, for better using our devices without them demanding our attention. Giving people their head-up again is very important.” Marko Ahtisaari, SVP Design, Nokia

Another focus is how sensor-integrated phones can learn from the individual user’s behavior, but also that of other device users in aggregate. “How do the platforms get better the more people use them?” Ahtisaari asked, pointing to Ovi Maps and its ability to not only intuit traffic and map information from multiple user feedback, but to track inaccuracies in core mapping data as it spots multiple users going off-course.

One future implementation, he suggested, was coupling GPS data with other sensor input, and using that to dynamically work out real-time activity. So, a sudden group of users in proximity could suggest the location of a party. The design team is also looking at how devices address updates and reminders of things like missed calls and new messages, though Ahtisaari didn’t show any UI mockups.

Speck outs DustJacket cases for iPad and Kindle 3

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 04:25 AM PST

Speck has cases of all sorts to fit just about every cool gadget on the market today. Speck’s line of cases is very well made and look great too. The company has announced the addition of a couple new cases to its line for the iPad and Kindle 3 called the DustJacket. The case for the Kindle 3 comes in red or black faux leather and the iPad version is in the same colors.

The DustJacket for the iPad has a protective cover that opens and can fold back to support the screen of the iPad at different angles. The inside of the case is lined with microfiber for no scratches and the fake leather outside is padded for protection and comfort. The iPad case will sell for $49.95.

The Kindle 3 version of the case is the same basic design with a stand that fits flush with the cover and can prop the screen up for hands free reading. The interior is also lined with micro fiber and the case has a quick release locking tab. The Kindle 3 version sells for $34.95.

djipad djkindle-sg


iPad Lock and Security Case will protect your iPad from pilferage

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 04:11 AM PST

I really like my iPad and I’d be pissed if it was stolen. If you like to take your iPad to work or if you work somewhere the iPad would make for a good sales tool, but you fear the thing would get stolen a solution has now surfaced. The solution is called the iPad Lock and Security Case bundle. The bundle has a protective case that will offer you protection for your device.

That case has a port on the side that you can slip a locking cable into that reminds me a lot of the Kensington locks for notebooks. Once you lock the case to the iPad and secure the Chain a thief can’t remove the case without damaging the iPad. I guess you will either foil the thieves or get a broken tablet.

The cable weighs under a pound and is designed to be easy to take with you on the road. The bundle ships with a free screen protector as well. You can pre-order the case and cable bundle right now with a single unit for $64.95 and if you need 100 or more the price drops to $59.95 each.

OnLive launches game spectating on iPad along with Windows 7 apps

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 03:48 AM PST

The only time I have ever spent time watching someone else play games is when friends and I are sharing time on a game in my house or I am waiting to spawn into a multiplayer map on one game or another. I am not a big enough fan of any game to log on and watch people I don't know play without the payoff of getting to play myself coming shortly.

If you are such a rabid fan of some games or gaming in generally that you like to just watch other people play, OnLive has announced that it has enabled game spectating on the iPad. OnLive also notes that a beta version of the spectating service will be offered for Android soon.

The cooler of the two announcements that OnLive has made is the fact that you can use the OnLive app that allows for game spectating to run Windows 7 apps on the iPhone. The OnLive app will get more appealing when some touch enabled games land on the OnLive service. I would presume that is in the works.
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