Kamis, 16 Desember 2010

What's new on SlashGear.com

What's new on SlashGear.com

Self-Powered House Generates Income for You

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 02:43 PM PST

This is a concept project that’s on its way to real reality. I say real reality because not only are there hopes to turn this project into a reality, there’s money moving towards that end. In Germany, this “Plus-Energy” house is designed by Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (ILEK), headed by Werner Sobek (who succeeded the great Frei Otto, a master of lightweight structures.) – thanks for the info, TreeHugger. There’s a bit of credibility right there that lends itself toward thinking this is a project on its way toward the real world. What is it? Why, it’s a square house completely covered in photovoltaic panels and solar thermal systems that generate electricity and hot water. What else would it be?

Of course the whole interior of the house is green as it can be, designed to make the most of everything including energy and light (hence the giant windows.) Two electric cars “come with” the house too, both of them getting all the power they need from the houses energy intake. After that as well as all the energy you’ve used in your day-to-day, apparently there’ll be even more left over, this energy then available for you to sell to the city power companies for a profit. Basically it seems like this house is the greatest thing since solar power was harnessed in the first place. Will it work the way they say it’ll work? Check back in the middle of next year – that’s when they say it’ll be done and ready to go.

[Via DVice]

SkyKap Advisor is a Hat with Integrated GPS, Costs $300

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 12:57 PM PST

Having GPS in all sorts of things is becoming all the rage. Knowing where you are, where others are, or any other useful things that GPS can be used for, are all getting closer to the chest, thanks to smaller chips, and better technology. One sport that needs GPS, if you’re someone who doesn’t like to gauge distances with just your eyes, is golf. And that’s where the brand new SkyKap Advisor comes in, thanks to its integrated GPS, and voice-activated processor.

The chip and processor are integrated into the brim of the hat. The voice-activated processor comes in handy when you’re on golf course, and you want to know how far away the hole is to your current position. It will then judge where you are, to whatever point you are querying about. It will tell you how far you are from the green, the hole, or even hazards, like sand pits.

It does this, because you’ll have to plug your hat into your computer at home, and download information about a particular golf course you’re playing at. And, if by the off-chance the software doesn’t have the course you’re playing at, you can actually just walk around the course, and it will collect the data for you, which you can use at a later time. The SkyKap Advisor is available right now, but you’ll have to shell out $300 to get your hands on it.

[via InventorSpot]

SkyKap-Advisor SkyKap-Advisor2


Vizio XVT3D650SV Unveiled, Brings 3D to 65-Inch $3,500 TV

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 12:15 PM PST

Vizio is certainly investing itself in the 3D market, and they look to be making a bigger push as of today. In a late announcement, the company has officially unveiled their latest, and largest, 3D-capable TV. The XVT3D650SV is said to be more aggressive in the pricing area due to the fact that, instead of using active shutter technology, it focuses on the passive 3D glasses.

Most would say that the passive 3D glasses aren’t as advanced as the active shutter technology used in most glasses, and many would agree with that. However, it does do a few noteworthy things: like not use batteries, gets rid of the flicker that usually causes eye-strain, and they’re cheap for manufacturers to use with their 3DTVs. With that last part being said, that’s why Vizio is able to toss in four pairs of the glasses with the new, 65-inch 3DTV.

As for the TV itself, here’s the rundown: a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio; LED-backlit, and features 1080p HD with a 120Hz refresh rate. The set also features integrated WiFi, and will use applications like on other Vizio HDTVs to draw in customers. There are also 5 HDMI ports on the side of the display, so connecting devices to the TV shouldn’t be a problem. Vizio says that the 65-inch 3DTV should be available in their online store before the end of the month, and should feature a price tag of $3,500. It will also be made available in Costco and Sam’s Club around the same time.

[via Electronista]

Vizio-65 Vizio-65-HDMI


Scooterputer Features a Thermaltake Element V Case on a Scooter [Video]

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 11:51 AM PST

Having a customized PC case, whether for just showing off to people or for your favorite gaming rig, usually means that it’s stuck in the room you put it in, without much of an option to actually carry it places. But, thanks to a scooterputer, that’s not really an issue, considering the PC is actually part of the scooter. That gives you the ability to tuck away plenty of power for your gaming needs, but also have that portability you might have desired so much.

This particular set-up consists of a Thermaltake Element V case, surrounding plenty of options. The scooter is a 24v rechargeable electric one, which has been extended by 11-inches to make more room for the PC that’s sitting on it. As for the features of the PC itself, the owner set it up to feature an Intel Core i7 processor, GTS 250 graphics, 4GB of RAM, a USB 3.0 port, three RAIDed hard drives, and a dual-layer DVD burner. The power supply is a Thermaltake TR2 1200 Watt version. The rig is even water-cooled, with Thermaltake’s Big Water 850I kit.

The scooter’s handlebars, seat, and fender were all brought together from different scooters. The scooterputer also features a working brake light, a front light that’s halogen, and a horn. If that’s not enough, there are even working LED ground effects, and functioning parking lights. Check it out on video below.

[via NewLaunches]

Google Maps 5 for Android Hands-On

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 11:38 AM PST

You’ve seen it shown off at LeWeb 2010, you’ve seen it shown off by Google, and now you can see it shown off by us! Google has just released the latest version of Google Maps (version 5) and we’ve got a bit of a hands-on to show you in a video below. This app is available for download right this moment in the Android Market (for phones with Android 2.0 or later.) Grab it now!

All of your old favorite features are there plus there’s a couple brand new fabulous additions for you to marvel at. First there’s 3D mapping, then there’s offline mapping “for a few moments.” All this means is that your map doesn’t stop immediately if you lose your connection for a few minutes as it may have done in the past. Feel free to keep driving. Grab this app now in the Android Marketplace or scan the QR code below to go directly to the page for download.

Google-Maps Google-Maps-5x2 Google-Maps3 Google-Maps Google-Maps-5


Fujisoft PALRO Humanoid Shows That Remembers Places and Things on Video

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 11:36 AM PST

Back in February, Fujisoft’s PALRO humanoid got shown off in a nice little video. While the little guy may not be the most advanced of its kind, that’s certainly not from a lack of trying. At this point, PALRO can now dance, walk, look around, and even listen to its surroundings. And yes, it can even speak a few words, here and there. But, a few tweaks to the system, and now the little robot can even remember where things are, and even where it has been.

The little PALRO stands at 40cm, and weighs only 1.6kg. On the robot, you’ll find 5 microphones, 20 joints, integrated WiFi, and even a 3MP camera. In the pair of videos you can watch below, people behind the camera interact with PALRO much like they would an animal. In the first video, you see as the little humanoid stands in a certain area, and “remembers” that this is the spot where he usually dances. When PALRO asks if it should start dancing again, and the person behind the camera says it should, it follows instructions.

In the next video, PALRO remembers that the pink ball he usually plays with has been brought back for some fun. The little guy even calls out, “This is the pink ball I like so much!” Thanks to the technology implanted into PALRO, along with the hardware utilized, it proves that even the smallest of robots can be designed to be pretty advanced, and interact with those around it in such a way that it’s actually enjoyable.

[via CrunchGear]

Court in Spain Rules It’s Legal to Own, Advertise, and Sell Jailbroken PlayStation 3s in Spain

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:56 AM PST

The story of jailbreaking a PlayStation 3 home console from Sony is a pretty tumultuous one. It’s been a roller coaster of being able to jailbreak the console, to not being able to, to some judges around the world permanently banning devices that helped owners get the job done. But now, it looks like if you want to be free to own, sell, or advertise about a jailbroken PS3, you just need to head to Spain, where it’s been made perfectly legal to do all of that.

Very recently, a court in Barcelona decided that, despite what Sony may believe, there should be no reason why owners of the PlayStation 3 shouldn’t be able to jailbreak their consoles. Of course, they went one further than some may have imagined, and subsequently made it legal for people to advertise their consoles, and even sell them in that state. What’s worse, though, is that Sony will now be forced to pay the legal fees for all those retailers that Sony targeted during this whole fiasco, all the way up to this legal decision.

However, Sony may have some wiggle room left. They do have two days to appeal the decision, which will more than likely happen. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the ruling will be overturned, but it does give Sony a good shot at making it happen. So, for the time being, if you need to flaunt your jailbroken PS3, or need to buy one legally, make a quick trip to Spain.

[via CrunchGear]

SolarReserve Aiming to Build a Solar Plant That Uses Molten Salt to Store Energy in California

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:39 AM PST

Finding alternative energy sources is a cause that many corporations and companies are attached to. And governments, along with entire cities, aren’t new to clinging onto new methods for saving energy, and costs. California, which has been known in the past to incorporate solar and wind energy, is now looking at opening a new solar plant, which uses molten salt to store and release energy. The permit was just approved recently, the company behind the plant, SolarReserve, announced late Wednesday.

SolarReserve is a California-based company, out of Santa Monica, and they are moving forward with their Rice Solar Energy Project, which they will launch 30 miles from Blythe, California. The 150-megawatt solar plant is said to be able to power the equivalent of 68,000 homes over the course of a year. Together with a 25-year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), the plant should be able to bring plenty of energy to California over time.

SolarReserve isn’t new to the solar plants powered by molten salt. They’ve got plants in Spain, and they have plans to build more in Sicily and Nevada. With the solar plant opening near Blythe, giant mirrors that are controlled by computers to judge the best point to reflect the sun’s rays will be used to point that energy at a single tower at the center of the plant. They will point that energy at the tower, which will then lead to a series of pipes where a molten salt mixture will be stored. That mixture of molten salt will be able to store the collected energy, as the heat from the sun heats up the liquefied salt to over 1,000 Fahrenheit. The molten salt, heated, is then transfered to a generator where it will be turned into electricity. The cooled salt is then transferred to the pipes above, where it will be heated again.

While the initial permit for the solar plant has been approved, SolarReserve is now waiting for approval from the Bureau of Land Management, as well as the Western Area Power Administration, before they can move forward with the construction and usage of the plant.

[via CNET]

Why TIME Got It Right

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:15 AM PST

In a controversial move, TIME magazine declared Mark Zuckerberg its Person of the Year. Only TIME magazine can do something controversial by avoiding controversy. I’m speaking, of course, of the more obvious pick for Person of the Year, Julian Assange. With the WikiLeaks dump still fresh and flowing, there is certainly an argument to make that Assange had more effect on the world than Zuckerberg. But I think that Time magazine got this one right.

First, I have to show respect for TIME magazine’s process in choosing Person of the Year. It isn’t supposed to be the nicest person, or the most popular, or the greatest hero the world has seen. TIME’s PoY is supposed to be the person who has had the greatest effect on the rest of the world.

In this way, Assange would still be a fine choice for TIME’s consideration. In my original SlashGear column on the WikiLeaks dump, I was equivocal about how I felt about Assange and his actions. I’m still highly critical of whoever stole the information in the first place and passed it along to WikiLeaks, but I’ve come around on whether or not WikiLeaks did the right thing in posting the material they obtained.

I agree with Michael Moore on this one. The WikiLeaks dump is going to cause problems. It may even put lives at risk. But ultimately, the American people own the information at hand, just as the American people are in command of our government. If the government is trying to keep information secret so that it can deceive the American people, then that information needs to be revealed.

If this were simply about backroom diplomacy and allowing our tacit allies to maintain their tenuous control over a population that doesn’t understand or appreciate the best that America has to offer, I would be less inclined to agree that Assange and WikiLeaks deserves our protection, much less our appreciation. But as Moore rightly points out, the government needs to be held accountable, especially if it is going to lie to the American people to drive our military, our citizen soldiers, into war. I agree with Moore that the next time a U.S. administration considers obscuring facts and hiding the truth from the American public, WikiLeaks will certainly come to mind. In my opinion, that will save far more lives than have been put in danger by the release of diplomatic cables in the current WikiLeaks dump.

But I still don’t think Assange should be the person of the year, at least not this year. The WikiLeaks dump occurred late in the year, and its full effects have not yet been felt. I hope that plenty of good comes from the disinfecting light WikiLeaks shines on our government. Even more, I hope that WikiLeaks will turn that light on banks and major corporations, who could be deceiving us even more than the government ever imagined. At the moment, though, it is still hard to gauge the effect that the WikiLeaks dump will have.

I think Julian Assange should be considered a front-runner for Person of the Year in 2011. Once we’ve had a chance to watch the butterfly effect from the released documents become a full-blown hurricane in Washington, D.C. and abroad, then I think we will be able to determine whether Assange deserves the title that TIME bestows.

This is similar to when the Nobel Committee awarded Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course the prize was not for anything the president had accomplished thus far. The man himself even questioned whether he was deserving of the award. Instead, it was a vote of faith and confidence in the potential that the new American president had to reverse the warrior path down which America had turned under the previous administration. Except now, a year later, we have to look back on that award and wonder if it actually worked, and if there was ever hope that it would in our real political world.

As a quick aside, I wouldn’t discount other mitigating factors in Obama’s peace prize award. Remembering that the award is given in Norway, one of Obama’s earliest successes in global politics was his reboot of relations with Russia. With Scandinavian countries more attuned than the rest of the world to the dangers of a cornered and aggressive Russian state, simply cooling the fires of the U.S. – Russian relationship, which had grown incendiary at best, may have been cause enough for the Nobel committee to reward our new president, and to urge him onward in drive for renewed stability.

In any case, I believe that TIME magazine was correct in choosing Mark Zuckerberg as the Person of the Year for 2010. Why? Take a look at this chart. That’s why. What you see is a graph of a about ten million pairs of social connections on Facebook, plotted geographically. This was created by an intern at Facebook. This is the effect that Facebook is having on the world.

Facebook is connecting us. The world is a smaller place because of Facebook. It is a better place too, I think. But the map also reveals some fascinating details in what is absent. Of course, there are areas where Facebook is not popular. Facebook does not have a hold on China or Russia like it does on the rest of the globe, and those massive geographic areas are mostly missing. But I think that the social networks that are popular in those areas will eventually connect themselves to the rest of the world. The cultures will meet and collide.

This is the year that social networking hit its tipping point, as Malcolm Gladwell might say. That is not a way of favoring one network over another. I’m not proselytizing Facebook over other social networks. But I do believe that we’re seeing the idea of social networking catch on. And within the social graph, here represented globally, we see the world growing smaller.

So, can Mark Zuckerberg claim all of the credit for this? Of course not, but I do like Zuckerberg as the emblematic choice to represent social networking in TIME’s Person of the Year blitz. If Assange would have been an interesting choice because of his philosophy of openness and his abhorrence of secrecy, Zuckerberg might be an even better choice. After all, Assange wants to reveal our classified secrets, expose our spies, and also reveal the evil that the government has been hiding. Zuckerberg wants us all to share pictures. Zuckerberg wants us to tell each other what we’re up to. Recommend songs and favorite sites. Share stories and links.

In the end, I think both are admirable goals, but when I look back on 2010 in the distant future, I would rather say that we got behind a college guy who wanted us all to meet people and share our personal stories. Let the government quake in its boots, and let the citizens keep a close eye on the secrets that our elected politicians keep. The ultimate end will be a smaller world, and more sharing. Once we have disinfected our diseased culture with light, what we’ll really want to do is share a laugh, tag a friend in a picture, and hit that “Like” button one more time.

EA Games Debuts a Batch of New Games for iOS Including Scrabble and Mortal Kombat

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:05 AM PST

Whoa man, whoa. Take a look at this. EA games launches today a batch of games that are set to set the whole world on fire. First, there’s Scrabble – FREE. Then there’s Battlefield Bad Company 2, Game of Life, Cause of Death (iPhone), and Cause of Death FREE. Then there’s Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, the greatest possible game EVER for Sega Genesis and what we hope adds up to be a really freaking amazing game for iOS. In addition to these, EA plans on launching “AN UNPRECEDENTED” worldwide sale of games for Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad – more than 70 popular EA games will be in the Apple App store for $0.99 apiece.

The first batch of games to be released in this massive 70 game wave for a buck apiece are Need for Speed Hot Pursuit for iPad, Cause of Death for iPhone and SimCity Deluxe for iPad and BattleField Bad Company 2, ALL of these are to be released today. Grab em all!

Self-Sterilizing Door Handle Wins Concept Design Award, Needs to be Real

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:02 AM PST

Door handles are dirty, dirty things. Especially ones that you find in public places, where hundreds, if not thousands of hands touch it on a daily basis. And while these door handles may get cleaned every night (hopefully), it’s just not enough to make sure that germs aren’t being spread about everywhere, getting people sick. That’s why we need a door handle that sterilizes itself. And why it’s not surprising that when someone designs a concept for one, they win a concept design award.

The self-sterilizing door handle was designed by Choi Bomi, and the design won a Red Dot Design Concept award. It’s a pretty simple, straight-forward idea. Door handles are dirty, so we need a way to make sure that they’re clean. Using UV lights, When the door handle is not being used, the UV lamps turn on, and start sterilizing the handle while it’s not being used. As soon as someone touches it, and turns it, then the UV lamps turn off. So, when the handle returns to its resting position, the lamps turn back on, and start killing bacteria and germs. A great idea, to say the least — so let’s hope it actually happens.

[via Yanko Design]

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blakemedia’s iPhone 4 Speak & Spell Decal is $6.99 of Greatness

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 09:24 AM PST

It may seem like there’s a new decal for the iPhone 4 every other day, or case, or accessory in general, but we can safely say that not all of them catch our eye like this new one from Etsy seller blakemedia. There’s just something about making our futuristic gadgets look like something out of our retro-yesteryears. This time around, it’s certainly one of the greatest pieces of technology from the 80s. The Speak & Spell.

The decal is cool in of itself, but it’s also designed to make sure that you get to install the vinyl decoration without any air bubbles popping up after you put it on. Thanks to the Avery vinyl blakemedia used, and the “air egress technology” used to create the decal, it should mean that you’re not plagued with little bumps in the vinyl. It may be simple enough, but that doesn’t make it any less awesome. Especially when you consider that the decal is only $6.99, and available right now.

[via NeatORama]

T-800 Terminator Bust Made from LEGO

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 09:02 AM PST

We know that LEGO can be used to make some pretty impressive things. Even if they are one of our favorite childhood toys, those with the time and ability can create works of art with the tiny blocks. Of course, the more detail used in the creation of any particular LEGO statue the better, and so when we saw this T-800 Terminator bust, we couldn’t help but start drooling a little bit. Especially with those glowing red eyes.

The level of detail in this bust is impressive. Unfortunately though, there aren’t a lot of details regarding the design process, or if the designers have any intention of making a full-body Terminator. The images were found on Flickr user thire5′s album. The bust includes those glowing red eyes, and a stand where the T-800 upper-body rests. And, as you can see on the “inside” of the stand, there are even tiny LEGO skeletons in there. Again, just impressive. Hopefully we get to see more Terminator inspired creations, using more LEGO blocks, of course.

[via OhGizmo!]

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Nokia accuses Apple of infringing 13 more patents

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 08:26 AM PST

The legal spat between Apple and Nokia has gained another convoluted twist today, as Nokia files further claims in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands over alleged patent infringement. “These actions add 13 further Nokia patents to the 24 already asserted against Apple in the US International Trade Commission and the Delaware and Wisconsin Federal courts,” said Paul Melin, vice president, Intellectual Property at Nokia.

“The Nokia inventions protected by these patents include several which enable compelling user experiences” Melin continued, “for example, using a wiping gesture on a touch screen to navigate content, or enabling access to constantly changing services with an on-device app store, both filed more than ten years before the launch of the iPhone.” Nokia has been careful to point out that none of the contested patents are considered “essential to any wireless communication standard”, seemingly an attempt to further differentiate their own intellectual property.

Press Release:

Nokia files patent infringement complaints against Apple in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands
December 16, 2010

Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced it has filed claims in the UK High Court, Dusseldorf and Mannheim District Courts in Germany and the District Court of the Hague, Netherlands, alleging that Apple infringes Nokia patents in many of its products sold in these countries, including iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

“These actions add 13 further Nokia patents to the 24 already asserted against Apple in the US International Trade Commission and the Delaware and Wisconsin Federal courts,” said Paul Melin, vice president, Intellectual Property at Nokia. “The Nokia inventions protected by these patents include several which enable compelling user experiences. For example, using a wiping gesture on a touch screen to navigate content, or enabling access to constantly changing services with an on-device app store, both filed more than ten years before the launch of the iPhone.”

Nokia’s filing in the UK covers 4 Nokia patents related to touch user interface, on-device app stores, signal noise suppression and modulator structures.

Nokia’s filing in Dusseldorf, Germany covers 7 Nokia patents related to touch user interface, antenna structures, messaging functionality and chipsets.

Nokia’s filing in Mannheim, Germany covers 5 Nokia patents related to on-device app stores, caller ID, display illumination and the integration of multiple radios.

Nokia’s filing in the Hague, Netherlands covers 2 Nokia patents related to signal noise suppression and data card functionality.

None of the asserted patents have been declared essential to any wireless communication standard.

During the last two decades, Nokia has invested approximately EUR 40 billion in research and development and built one of the wireless industry’s strongest and broadest IPR portfolios, with around 11,000 patent families. Nokia is a world leader in the development of handheld device and mobile communications technologies, which is also demonstrated by Nokia’s strong patent position.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Gets Hotfix for Online Connectivity

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 07:54 AM PST

Yesterday, we reported that despite the best efforts from developer Treyarch, it looked like owners of the recently released game Call of Duty: Black Ops for Sony’s PlayStation 3 were still seeing some major issues with network connectivity. Namely, while it wasn’t the best connection possible right when the game released, it’s actually been getting worse as each new patch was downloaded to consoles. The latest patch, v1.04, was the worst of the bunch it seemed, and many gamers for the PS3 had been voicing their opinions on the official Black Ops forums. Late last night, Treyarch’s Community Manager Josh Olin stepped in, and came forward to respond to some “suggestions” in the forum, as well as announce that a hotfix had been released.

Within the forums, a rumor was beginning to pick up speed. Indeed, even in in the comments to the original story yesterday, someone was suggesting that if you delete your saved data for Black Ops, your network connectivity issues will go away. It had been reported that some people had seen better connections after the deletion of saved data. But Olin, who posts on the forums as “JD_2020″ came forward and asked, specifically, “Please do not delete your save data, as it will not have an effect on network connectivity.”

However, Olin did point out that people were indeed seeing some improvements to network connectivity. The reason? Treyarch had released a hotfix for the game around 12:30am ET, Wednesday evening. According to the Community Manager, that’s why people have been seing improved stability, and it has nothing to do with deleting save data, or any other reasons that may pop up. Olin also reiterated what Treyarch as a whole said earlier, saying that the developer is committed to finding the cause of the network issues, and that more hotfixes are coming, so “stay tuned.”

Has anyone seen any improvements since the early morning hours?

[via Call of Duty: Black Ops Forums]

SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up: December 16 2010

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 07:26 AM PST

The greatest unboxing of all time has happened today in celebration of the Nexus S being released: Ninja Unboxing. You know what that means? It’s going to be a wild day. You’ll see a torrent of Nexus S news as everyone busts their boxes open non-ninja style, that’s for sure. Take a peek at iBooks 1.2, see the FBI backdoor situation continue to unfold, and check out the sweet tips on new MacBooks and iMacs for 2011. And what’s this? Android App Inventor for everyone? Hooray! All this and MORE on SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up!

R3 Media Network

Editor’s Choice
Nexus S Ninja unboxing concentrates on mayhem [GRAB THE NUNCHUCKS AT THE BOTTOM]
iPad multi-user UI concept is super-simple and much needed [FOR FOUR]

SlashPhone
LG Optimus 2X Has Dual Core CPU Inside
Android Voice Search Now Recognizes Your Personal Voice
Huawei Ascend Android Smartphone Launched on MetroPCS

Android Community
Ninja Nexus S unboxing is perhaps best ever
Nexus S goes on sale – Who's buying?
Dell Venue official in Korea: Android 2.2 and curved glass AMOLED
Google App Inventor now open for all
LG's Tegra 2 Optimus 2X official: due from Jan 2011
Android Community Google Cr-48 Giveaway REMINDER

SlashGear
IE9 5x more malware secure than Firefox say researchers
Microsoft Bing refresh adds Facebook support; Bing 2.0 for iOS released
Mac App Store launches January 6 2011
iBooks 1.2 released: AirPrint, Collections & more
Google Nexus S on sale now
Sony grab Nobel Prize winner for OLED, organic battery & solar panel research advice
JVC LSI 2D/3D camcorder chip promises Full HD 60fps 3D, 4K2K & more at CES 2011
OpenBSD coder denies FBI backdoor allegations
Facebook photo auto-tagging makes ID'ing friends easier
Apple app sharing patent application makes try-&-buy personal
iPad multi-user UI concept is super-simple and much needed
Nintendo 3DS Euro launch details at Jan 19 2011 press conference?
Dell Venue Android 2.2 version of Venue Pro hits Korea this month
Android 2.3 headed to AOSP imminently confirms Google; custom ROMs ahoy!
MacBook Pro and "mainstream" new size iMac tipped for 1H 2011
Google's Android App Inventor opens for everybody [Video]
LG Optimus 2X official: Tegra 2, HDMI & 1080p HD

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

Nexus S Ninja unboxing concentrates on mayhem

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 07:08 AM PST

With the Google Nexus S hitting Best Buy stores this morning, YouTube will soon be flooded with unboxing videos as gleeful owners get a first taste of Gingerbread. It’s entirely possible that none of them will feature desktop ninjas in a completely interactive YouTube page, however, so if that’s what you’re looking for then you’ll have to head over to http://www.youtube.com/ninjaunboxing2.

It’s a mighty impressive piece of Flash animation, and the best thing is that all of the different parts – the comments box, the like/dislike buttons, the various links – are all still functional. After the main animation has finished, don’t forget to scroll down and pick up the nunchuck near the bottom of the page, too; we spend several gleeful minutes hurling it at the various comments. If only we could do that with regular YouTube comments, the video sharing world would be a whole lot more satisfying.

[via Android Community]

IE9 5x more malware secure than Firefox say researchers

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 06:10 AM PST

Internet Explorer 9 has been praised for its malware-blocking abilities, with researchers NSS Labs finding [pdf link] the Microsoft browser was more than five times more likely to protect surfers from socially-engineered malware than Firefox 3.6. Looking solely at “a web page link that directly leads to a download that delivers a malicious payload whose content type would lead to execution, or more generally a website known to host malware links” – i.e. fake downloads as often seen on Facebook or Twitter – the research found IE9 capable of blocking 99-percent of the threats encountered.

The nearest alternative was Internet Explorer 8, which blocked 90-percent. NSS Labs credit SmartScreen URL filtering, included in IE8 and IE9, for the strong showing; only IE9 has SmartScreen application reputation protection, however, hence the difference in results.

Meanwhile, Apple’s Safari 5 languished with 11-percent of threats blocked, Chrome 6 did even worse with 3-percent, and Opera 10 failed to block any of the downloads. Around 636 URLs were included in the testing, and interestingly – as shown in the following chart – despite both Safari 5 and Firefox 3.6 each using Google’s Safe Browser feed, the two apps seemingly implemented it in different ways.

Microsoft Bing refresh adds Facebook support; Bing 2.0 for iOS released

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 05:56 AM PST

Microsoft has given its Bing search engine a significant refresh, introducing new social networking features including Facebook integration, “device intelligence” which automatically shapes the search results based on the type of device you’re browsing from, and a new version, Bing 2.0, for iOS devices [iTunes link]. The company has also come up with a new UI for Bing image searches, with a new set of sub-tabs for better filtering through different pictures.

It’s the mobile version which has seen perhaps the most changes, however, though bizarrely the new apps support Android and iOS but nothing for Windows Phone 7. Bing 2.0 for Apple devices gets a new UI, streamlined auto-suggestions (with restaurant booking integrated in-app with OpenTable or takeout from Grubhub), Bing Streetside (a new multi-street level panorama of a location for virtual walks through the streets complete with an overlay of business listings, street names and store fronts) and Facebook/Foursquare/Live Messenger location-based check-ins.

There are also location-based reminders – such as prompts to pick up dry-cleaning when Bing spots you’re near the store – and real-time transit updates for Boston, San Francisco and Seattle. Finally, there are non-text search options, including speech recognition and “Bing Vision” to search CDs, books and other content via photos from the iOS device’s camera.

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Mac App Store launches January 6 2011

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 05:46 AM PST

Apple has announced that the Mac App Store will launch on January 6 2011. The new download store for OS X machines is the company’s attempt to bring mobile iOS apps to the desktop, and will be available in 90 countries at launch. It will feature paid and free apps in categories like Education, Games, Graphics & Design, Lifestyle, Productivity and Utilities.

What the Mac App Store won’t have is any support for app trials, demos, or betas. Apple is also launching the download store – at least initially – without support for in-app payments or Game Center.

Still, it’s likely to be a popular new way to get OS X software, when it arrives in 10.6 Lion’s Software Update tool on January 6 next year.

Press Release:

Apple's Mac App Store to Open on January 6

CUPERTINO, California—December 16, 2010—Apple® today announced that the Mac® App Store℠ will open for business on Thursday, January 6. By bringing the revolutionary App Store experience to Mac OS® X, the Mac App Store makes discovering, installing and updating Mac apps easier than ever. The Mac App Store will be available in 90 countries at launch and will feature paid and free apps in categories like Education, Games, Graphics & Design, Lifestyle, Productivity and Utilities.

"The App Store revolutionized mobile apps," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We hope to do the same for PC apps with the Mac App Store by making finding and buying PC apps easy and fun. We can't wait to get started on January 6."

The Mac App Store lets you browse new and noteworthy apps, find out what's hot, view staff favorites, search categories and read customer ratings and reviews. Like on iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad™, you can purchase, download and install apps in just one click and start using them immediately. Purchased apps can run on all of your personal Macs and updates are delivered directly through the Mac App Store so it's easy to keep all of your apps up to date. The Mac App Store is available to Mac OS X Snow Leopard® users as a free download through Software Update.

Mac developers set the price for their apps, keep 70 percent of the sales revenue, are not charged for free apps and do not have to pay hosting, marketing or credit card fees. To find out more about developing for the Mac App Store visit developer.apple.com/programs/mac.

iBooks 1.2 released: AirPrint, Collections & more

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 05:33 AM PST

iBooks 1.2 has been released [iTunes link] for the iPad, iPhone 4 and iPod touch, and it brings with it support for Apple’s AirPrint wireless printing technology among other things. The new ereader app now supports Collections, by default set to splitting up ebooks and PDFs, but which can be used to group titles however you prefer.

As for AirPrint, unsurprisingly that won’t allow you to print ebooks themselves, only PDF files you’ve loaded or annotations you’ve made to titles. The usual sharing icon has been extended in both cases to include “Print”, and then the normal AirPrint dialog in iOS 4.2 is available. Finally, there’s support for new, fully-illustrated books as well as automatic hyphenation to split words across sentences as appropriate. iBooks is a free download in the App Store.

[via MacLife]

Google Nexus S on sale now

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 05:00 AM PST

Google’s Nexus S goes on sale today at Best Buy stores across the US, with the retailer opening at 8am to cater for anticipated demand for the Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone. The Nexus S will be priced at at $529, or for $199 with a two-year T-Mobile agreement (and qualifying voice and data plan).

The Samsung-made smartphone has a 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED touchscreen, 16GB of onboard storage and a 1GHz Hummingbird CPU. It’s worth noting that you won’t get AT&T 3G access with the handset, since it lacks the necessary bands. Best Buy is limiting sales to two devices per customer.

Full details on the Nexus S in the SlashGear review. If the Nexus S is your first step into Android waters, or even if you’re an old-hand with Google’s smartphone platform, head on over to Android Community for advice on apps, updates on the latest software and accessories, and more!

Nexus S walkthrough:

Sony grab Nobel Prize winner for OLED, organic battery & solar panel research advice

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 04:49 AM PST

Only yesterday Ben Bajarin was bemoaning the shortage of innovation in the tech industry; it seems Sony may have been worried about the same thing. The company has announced that 2010 Nobel Prize winner Professor Ei-ichi Negishi will join Sony as Executive Research Advisor for materials and devices R&D, specifically covering organic electronics. Sony expects Professor Negishi’s input to be particularly useful in in-house and external research into OLED, flexible OLED and next-gen rechargeable batteries.

His expertise will also be tapped for organic photovoltaic cell development, vegetable-based plastics and recycled plastics, as Sony attempts to corner the market in organic synthesis. Professor Negishi won the  2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with Akira Suzuki, Professor Emeritus at Hokkaido University and Richard F. Heck, Professor Emeritus at University of Delaware, for their research findings in “palladium-catalyzed cross couplings in organic synthesis.” He is the Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Purdue University (USA) and Distinguished Visiting Professor at Hokkaido University Catalysis Research Center.

[via Sony Insider]

JVC LSI 2D/3D camcorder chip promises Full HD 60fps 3D, 4K2K & more at CES 2011

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 04:34 AM PST

JVC’s 3D projector technology is among the best around, but until now the company hasn’t offered a straightforward way to record high-definition 3D content for it. All that could change at CES 2011; JVC is promising a new HD camcorder in January next year, using the world’s first LSI chip for high-speed image processing. The new JVC LSI chip is capable of recording Full HD, including both 2D and 3D images, and also 4K2K images that are roughly 4x Full HD resolution.

Built on 40nm manufacturing processes, the new LSI offers a 2.7x performance boost over JVC’s previous-gen chip; that opens the door to 8.3-megapixel video capture at 60fps, H.264 compression of  2.07-megapixel images at 60fps, and 8.3-megapixel JPEG image compression at 60fps. The single-chip solution is also cheaper and more frugal than the model it replaces, being half the price and reducing power consumption by 40-percent.

Although JVC isn’t giving any technical details on the camcorder it intends to debut at CES – it could well be a 2D-only model – the company’s emphasis on 3D with the new LSI seems to suggest that’s the direction it will take. That opens the door to MPEG-4 MVC 3D footage with separate Full HD 60fps images for each eye, in what JVC says will be both professional and consumer models.

Press Release:

JVC LSI Enables High-speed Image Processing in HD Camcorders

Yokohama, Japan, December 14, 2010 － JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Limited) announced today its development of the world's first LSI for high-speed processing of Full High-Definition video and stills on one chip for HD camcorders.

The LSI enables shooting and recording Full HD, including both 2D and 3D images, and also ultra-high-resolution 4K2K images of approximately four times the resolution of Full HD. High-speed photography with high-speed processing also is possible. The LSI achieves low power consumption and enables lower system costs by incorporating all image-processing technologies for HD shooting, including camera-signal processing and video/still image codecs.

Consumers are increasingly demanding HD-level TVs, camcorders and other consumer electronics products, requiring manufacturers to offer products capable of rapidly processing extra-high-resolution images of the latest standards, including 4K2K. JVC's LSI will advance this trend by introducing next-generation image-processing technologies for both professional and consumer camcorders.

JVC will exhibit a new consumer camcorder with the LSI at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 6 to 9.

Main Features

High-speed processing of camera signals and video/still image codecs, including Full HD 2D/3D, 4K2K and high-speed photographs. In addition to 2.7 times faster processing than previous CPU, the new CPU supports various signal-processing technologies (see below) that have been fully revised for superior high-resolution image recording;
Signal processing

Camera-signal processing is 1.7 times faster than JVC's previous technology, enabling 8.3-megapixel video at 60 frames per second;

H.264 video processing is double JVC's previous technology, enabling compression of 2.07-megapixel images at 60 frames per second;

JPEG still-image processing is 5.5 times faster than JVC's previous technology, enabling compression at up to 8.3-megapixel images at 60 frames per second;

In addition to its image-signal processor, advanced image codecs and other image-processing technologies assembled into one chip, the LSI incorporates leading-edge 40nm process technology for high functionality, 40% reduction of power consumption and 50% reduction of system costs compared to previous LSIs. The result is a high-level LSI suited to a wide range of both consumer and professional products;

All hardware and software is integrated into one platform, enabling products that incorporate this platform to be commercialized highly rapidly.

Main Technologies

1. The LSI achieves real-time 3D compression of separate Full HD images (1920 x 1080/60p) from right and left cameras using MPEG-4 MVC. The amount of data is double the conventional side-by-side 3D recording format, enabling high-resolution Full HD 3D images with one chip.
2. 4K2K images (3840 x 2160/60p) using an ultra-resolution camera system are supported.
3. High-speed camera-processing circuitry and a high-speed JPEG engine enable the simultaneous capture of Full HD video and 8.3 megapixel stills at 60 frames per second.
4. High-speed frame video capture for 3D recording at 300 frames per second based on high-speed video codec.

OpenBSD coder denies FBI backdoor allegations

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 04:12 AM PST

One of the developers named in the OpenBSD backdoor allegations has denied any involvement, with Jason L. Wright arguing that the work he carried out on the OS related instead to device drivers and demanding an apology. Former OpenBSD coder Gregory Perry made claims earlier this month that the FBI had installed covert backdoor access into the popular open-source platform, so as to allow the bureau to monitor VPN and other traffic.

“I will state clearly that I did not add backdoors to the OpenBSD operating system or the OpenBSD crypto framework (OCF). The code I touched during that work relates mostly to device drivers to support the framework. I don’t believe I ever touched isakmpd or photurisd (userland key management programs), and I rarely touched the ipsec internals (cryptodev and cryptosoft, yes).  However, I welcome an audit of everything I committed to OpenBSD’s tree.” Jason L. Wright

Wright describes Perry’s claims as “baseless accusations” and “urban legend”, and suggests that the developer merely used his name “to add credibility to your cloak and dagger fairy tales.” He also argues that Perry was not even involved with the project while OpenBSD crypto framework (OCF) development was underway; that began “in earnest” in February 2000, while Perry left NETSEC in January that year.

Perry had alleged that OpenBSD’s DARPA funding was cut after the organization “caught wind of the fact that these backdoors were present” and that a lifted NDA had freed him to speak regarding the security loophole. Wright joins OpenBSD project chief Theo de Raadt in calling for an audit of the project’s code.

[Image credit: Anthony Majanlahti]

Facebook photo auto-tagging makes ID’ing friends easier

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 03:49 AM PST

Facebook has added automatic face-tagging to its popular photo sharing galleries feature, with the system automatically gathering up individuals it believes to be the same in newly uploaded pictures, and allowing users to link them to a friend’s profile in one easy step. The functionality is a progression of Facebook’s existing face-identifier, which spotted different people in each frame, adding in suggestions as to whom the system believes is in each shot.

For those wary of a mass of embarrassing taggings, Facebook is allowing users to opt-out of automatic recognition through their privacy settings; however, that won’t stop people from tagging you manually. The functionality will begin rolling out to US Facebook users over the next few weeks.

Apple app sharing patent application makes try-&-buy personal

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 03:29 AM PST

A new Apple patent application tips a system of app sharing that would allow iOS users to wirelessly lend or recommend App Store downloads to other users. Application 20100312817 describes a system whereby apps on an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad could use peer-to-peer connections with other iOS devices to push across apps; these could be time- or feature-limited, and app developers could reward users for sharing if their friends later buy a full copy of the title.

The bulk of the patent application details the system by which users would select apps – either one at a time, or by dragging them into a “sharing area” and sending them all at once – together with the limitations developers could build into their software. For instance, apps could be greyed out to show they could not be shared at all, or use an “L” symbol to show that functionality would be limited. Meanwhile limits of either time or use could be placed on the previewed app, locking it down after a period of either hours/days/weeks or a certain number of loads.

If the developer so wished it, the person sharing the app could receive “money, store credit, coupons, promotional items (real or digital), an improved status” or other rewards if someone subsequently buys the full version on their recommendation. Another potential use would be leaving an app recommendation behind at a certain location:

“A fixed-location sharing device is incorporated into a wireless access point in a cafe so cafe customers can share applications from their mobile devices to the wireless access point which in turn can share the application with future customers after the original mobile device leaves” Apple patent application

Apps could be shared as if fresh from the App Store or complete with a set of user data from the user’s own device. Although Apple doesn’t mention it specifically in the application, NFC could well be a wireless sharing option for short-range P2P transfers. The system is reminiscent of ebook-sharing functionality on B&N’s NOOK, or perhaps the rudimentary App Sharing tool HTC launched on the Wildfire, which sends links to the Android Market but not the full app itself.

[via Patently Apple and via GottaBeMobile]

iPad multi-user UI concept is super-simple and much needed

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 02:51 AM PST

The iPad has already found a place on many coffee tables around the world, but the Apple slate’s lack of multi-user support is one glaring omission (and a rare boon Windows 7-based slates have in their favor). BERG Studios has stepped in to suggest one way that Apple could address that, and their “person-in-each-corner” concept is a suitably slick progression of the standard iOS lock-screen.

As well as supporting up to four different users – a limitation of both the four corners and, as designer Matt Jones suggests, “this seems like a very Apple constraint” – the concept would allow for passcode locking of accounts using the usual numeric keypad pop-up. Meanwhile a notification indicator next to each account name could flag up any new updates.

While the iPhone 4 and iPod touch lend themselves to personal use, given their scale, the iPad feels more communal thanks to its bigger screen and generally home-based use; we can’t be alone in feeling reluctant to leave our email and Twitter logged in, lest someone accesses them without our knowing, but we’d still like to offer general web access as well as games and the iPad’s other multimedia strengths. Hopefully someone at Cupertino is watching.

[via Guardian]

Nintendo 3DS Euro launch details at Jan 19 2011 press conference?

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 02:31 AM PST

Nintendo Europe has scheduled a press conference on January 19 2011, leading to speculation that the company could be preparing to announce availability for the Nintendo 3DS 3D handheld console. While the invite makes no mention of the 3DS – nor, indeed, any other Nintendo hardware or software – the event will take place a little more than a month ahead of the console’s Japanese release on February 26.

Back when Nintendo confirmed Japanese availability, the company also said that the North American and European releases of the 3DS would be detailed in separate events; they also confirmed the console would arrive by March 2011. In Japan, the 3DS will be priced at 25,000 yen ($297).

Dell Venue Android 2.2 version of Venue Pro hits Korea this month

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 02:14 AM PST

The Android version of Dell’s Venue Pro Windows Phone 7 smartphone has been announced by Korean carrier KT. The Dell Venue has a 4.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a curved Gorilla Glass toughened display and runs Android 2.2. It’s set to arrive on the network later this month.

What you don’t get is the Venue Pro’s slide-out QWERTY keyboard, with the Dell Venue instead relying solely on its touchscreen for text-entry. An FCC filing for the Dell Venue was spotted back in late October, complete with GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA support, though the full specifications of the handset aren’t yet known.

In Korea, the Venue will be priced at around 700,000 won ($608). No word on a US or European launch, but we’re guessing it won’t be long before Dell brings the Venue to closer shores.

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