Selasa, 08 Februari 2011

What's new on SlashGear.com

What's new on SlashGear.com

RIM To Discontinue Flickr For BlackBerry

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 01:52 PM PST


Research In Motion (RIM) just announced on their website today that they would be discontinuing support for the Flickr Uploader on their BlackBerry smartphones starting on March 1, 2011. The app allowed users to wirelessly upload images taken from their BlackBerry smartphone direct to their Flickr account.

The news comes at a strange time considering that RIM has been improving the cameras on their BlackBerry smartphones, which should see increased photo use from their customer base who would appreciate easy uploading to a popular photo sharing service such as Flickr.

For those needing to continue uploading photos to Flickr from their BlackBerry phones after March 1st, you will have to visit Flickr's mobile site at m.flickr.com from your BlackBerry's browser.

[Via BerryReview]

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Twitpic Begins Support For Video Sharing

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 01:29 PM PST


TwitPic, the popular picture sharing service for Twitter, just announced today that it will be adding support for video upload, storage, and sharing. Twitpic founder, Noah Everett says, "Users will be able to upload video from the site itself, email and clients that support our new Video option. We're making it easier for users to have their media all in one place to share on Twitter."

According to Everett, Twitpic has 17 million registered users and that number increases 30,000 each day. It has been the Twitter photo sharing service of choice for many but now there are several newcomers in the competitive marketplace.

Competitors such as Yfrog already support video sharing. So it seems the logical next step for Twitpic to up its offerings.

[Via ReadWriteWeb]

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Sigma to Release DP2x Compact Camera

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 01:07 PM PST

Sigma announced its newest DP2 series camera, the Sigma DP2x compact camera. The DP2x uses and Analogue Front End (AFE), and offers improved autofocus speed, according to Sigma. The DP2x sensor, at 20.7mm x 13.8mm, is approximately seven to 12 times larger than sensors used in most other compact digital cameras.

The large photodiodes deployed capture light and give the DP2xhigh resolution and richly-graduated tones, Sigma says. The camera features the TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II image processing engine. It also includes a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail, in addition to the standard JPEG recording format.

The price and release date have not yet been announced.

Press Release:

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma DP2x compact digital camera featuring a 14 megapixel FOVEON X3® direct image sensor (2,652× 1,768× 3 layers).

The new Sigma DP2x is the latest DP2 series model and incorporates AFE (Analog Front End) and faster autofocus. AFE is also used in the DP1x compact digital camera and SD15 digital SLR and converts full color data, which the FOVEON X3® capture system records, into a digital signal. This enables the camera to reproduce high definition and richly colored images. In addition, the new AF algorithm provides high speed autofocus, ensuring convenient shooting.

SLR-sized image sensor
The size of the image sensor used in the DP2x camera is 20.7mm x 13.8mm. It is approximately seven to twelve times larger than sensors used in ordinary compact digital cameras. The large photodiodes deployed capture light efficiently and give the DP2x its high resolution and richly-graduated tones.

Full-colour image sensor
Utilising the special features of silicon, which is penetrated to different depths by different wavelengths of light, this 14 megapixel direct image sensor succeeds in full-colour capture with the full RGB in a single-pixel location.

TRUE II image processing engine
The DP2x incorporates the "TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II" image processing engine which improves the processing speed and overall image quality. The unique image-processing algorithm provides high resolution and reproduces high definition images with richly graduated tones.

AFE (Analogue Front End)
AFE (Analogue Front End) converts the colour data, which full-colour capture systems record, to a digital signal. This enables the camera to reproduce high definition and richly coloured images.

24.2mm F2.8 lens
The DP2x is equipped with a 24.2mm F2.8 large aperture lens, equivalent to 41mm on a 35mm SLR camera, which has been designed exclusively for DP2 series. Two high refractive index elements and two molded glass aspherical lenses provide superior image quality and allow its compact construction.

RAW format recording
The DP2x includes JPEG recording format for convenience plus a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail of the utmost quality. The RAW images can be processed in the supplied Sigma PhotoPro software.

[via DPReview.com]

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Google Translate App Available For iPhone

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 01:02 PM PST

Google just announced today that their Google Translate service is now available as an iPhone app. This should be welcome news for those often lost in translation and find that the old Google Translate web browser app a nuisance to navigate to. This newly released iPhone app version should make your language adventures go more smoothly with a whole slew of neat features.

You can speak your word or phrase directly into the app. Voice input is accepted for 15 languages and can be translated into one of more than 50 languages. You can also listen to your translations spoken in one of 23 languages.

Also useful is a full-screen mode that allows you to zoom in to more easily read the text on screen. Other features include the ability to view dictionary results for single words, access translation history and starred translations even while offline. Romanized text like Pinyin and Romaji are also supported.

[Via Google Mobile Blog]

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LG Optimus 3D Leaked Video Tease

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 12:49 PM PST

LG's Optimus 3D is expected to make its debut at the Mobile World Congress with an official announcement on February 14th. But right now the folks over at Pocket-lint got hold of a promo video just leaked giving us an enticing sneak peak of the device. Sporting a dual-lens 3D camera and glasses-free 3D screen, the Optimus 3D is touted in the video with phrases like "Finally, a smartphone that sees the world like we do" and "Entering a new dimension with LG Optimus."

The video flaunts various angles of device–although a computer rendering–and shows off the slick design of the phone, focusing on the dual cameras of the back side. The hardware appears to be very similar to the LG Optimus 2X.

The video ends with the phrase, “No longer just an idea.” It'll be interesting to see how well the Optimus 3D is capable of bringing the new dimension to users and how receptive the market really is to 3D.

[Via Pocket-lint]

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EA Running 99¢ Sale in US App Store

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST

The next 48 hours are a great time to stock up on games for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. EA Games is running a 99¢ sale on select games in the App store. They are calling this the “i ♥ 99¢ SALE!”, so if you are looking for some cheap thrills for Valentines day, this may be the place to go.

There are over 30 games on sale, including Scrabble, Tetris, Madden NFL 11, The Sims 3, Reckless Racing and Pictureka! And yes, even iPad games are 99¢.  You can view the full list of games on EA’s website.

EA had great success with its 99 cent sale over the holidays. This time there aren’t quite as many games available, but they are continuing to add more all the time, so keep checking back.  Unfortunately for those outside the US, this is a US only sale.

**Update** The sale prices are also available in the Canada App store.

[via TouchArcade]

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Android 2.2 for Samsung Captivate? Maybe.

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 12:02 PM PST

When Samsung released the Galaxy S seven months ago, they promised users a quick upgrade path to Android 2.2 (Froyo). But that was seven months ago, and so far, nothing, even though Android 2.3 is already on the market and Android 2.4 is coming soon. But there just may be some hope, though it may be faint. A screen shot from AT&T’s support page for the Samsung Captivate shows the device running Android 2.2.

This is the support page that explains how to find your operating system and firmware versions. Does this mean an upgrade is on the way? Or is this just a tease for long-suffering Samsung customers?

We can only hope to find out soon. It’s probably not wise to read too much into it.

[via BGR]

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Verizon Preparing 4G Internet Calling

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:56 AM PST

Verizon is planning to roll out voice and video calls over the fourth-generation wireless data network the carrier started implementing in December. The new network will improve sound quality and allow for voice calling and internet use at the same time, a lacking feature of Verizon’s that AT&T has recently been quick to point out. Verizon wants to eventually transfer all traffic to the new 4G network and replace the old network that the carrier has used for more than a decade.

The new internet-calling feature will be titled VoLTE (Voice over LTE). Verizon's current 4G network is called LTE, for Long-Term Evolution. Verizon's first phone to use the new service is LG's Revolution 4G said Brian Higgins, Verizon's executive director for ecosystem development. The phone is set to debut around mid year and will be powered by Android.

The Revolution will have the new VoLTE as its default network and will drop back down to the old network when outside VoLTE coverage. Verizon's 4G network is only covering one-third of the U.S. right now, with plans to expand it to match the carrier's 3G network by 2013. Verizon is planning on unveiling VoLTE at Mobile World Congress next week.

"Eventually, operators are going to want all of their traffic on their LTE and next-generation network, and that includes the voice traffic. They're not ready to do that today because voice services over LTE is more expensive," says Phillip Redman, wireless analyst for Gartner Research. Verizon will probably want to push VoLTE as soon as possible though with the upcoming onslaught of iPhone users to the network.

[Via CNN]

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Smuggle Truck Game Pending Apple Approval

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:49 AM PST

Throw political correctness out the window—or in this case, over the side of the truck—with the new "Smuggle Truck: Operation Immigration" game developed by Boston based Owlchemy Labs. The aim of the game is to smuggle as many illegal immigrants across what looks to be the US-Mexican border. As the truck drives over rough terrain including cliffs, mountains, and even dead animals, the immigrants start falling off the truck bed.

Developer Alex Schwartz explained that the company chose to develop a game around this sensitive issue partly out of the frustration their friends faced while trying to emigrate to the U.S. "We felt like this issue was kind of a bit taboo for games and popular media," said Schwartz. "So we wanted to build something about this struggle that we could put into our work and our passion, which is making games."

The developers say the game is not meant to offend immigrants or their advocates, but instead their message is actually that legally emigrating to the U.S. is so hard that it is almost easier to smuggle yourself over the border despite the dangers. The game has not yet been approved by Apple but the developers seem confident considering other controversial games approved in the past.

[Via Cult of Mac]

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Dell Announces Creation of 10 Inch Android Tablet

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:46 AM PST

At the “Dell Means Business” Press Conference, Dell announced the largest consumer product line they have ever launched, with 39 products in the works. The products include include laptops, tablets, desktops, and workstations.  The interesting mention was the 10 inch Android Tablet and maybe a Windows 7 Tablet.

Not many details are available, but speculation is that the tablet will run Android 2.2 (Froyo), and the Stage UI overlay. That means Dell will already be starting out behind the curve, since Android 3 Honeycomb is the latest tablet software.

For now, it doesn’t seem that Dell is going to make Android their first priority, they are obviously more focused on Windows 7. We will keep you updated as more details emerge.

[via Android Community]

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Smartphones Outsell PCs for the First Time

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:11 AM PST

The popularity of smartphones is exploding as the IDC reports a total of 100.9 million smartphones were shipped worldwide during the fourth quarter of 2010. The number represents an 87.2% jump from last year's fourth quarter number of 53.9 million. Yearly totals jumped as well from 173.5 million smartphones in 2009 to 302.6 million, a 74.4% increase. It also is the first time that smartphones have outsold PCs in history.

The sales of PCs rose as well but not at the same meteoric rate. From Q4 2009 to Q4 2010 PC sales increased 5.5% only. PCs shipped a total of 346.2 million units last year, keeping them on top of smartphones for now. But with a consumer market always on the move and being mobile a necessity, it won't be long until smartphones eclipse PCs in total units per year as well.

The top five smartphone vendors in the world for Q4 were Nokia (28.3 million), Apple (16.2 million), Research In Motion (14.6 million), Samsung (9.7 million) and HTC (8.6 million). Yearly totals for amount shipped switches RIM and Apple but keep everyone in the same place with Nokia on top. Samsung and HTC enjoyed huge increases in their year-over-year growth numbers, certain to make future competition very fierce. According to the IDC, these five performed well because:

[Via IDC]

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Texas Instruments’ OMAP 5 may bring Minority Report UI to Reality

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:06 AM PST

Soon, we may see the kind of interactive screen that Tom Cruise used in Minority Report, thanks to Texas Instruments. Texas Instruments is combining its new OMAP 5 platform with its DLP pico projectors and a camera. This would add hardware support for stereoscopic 3D, and would support full body gesturing, so that the user can touch, drag and drop projected images onto any surface.

The OMAP 5 system on chip can support up to four cameras in parallel, record and play back 3D content at 1080p quality, and convert 2D to 3D content in real time at the same resolution. The OMAP 5 platform can interface with “touchless sensors” including proximity sensing, capacity sensing, and ultrasonic sensing.

Texas Instruments has not said when the first devices using OMAP 5 will be released, but the platform is expected to be sampled during the second half of 2011. We may see devices coming out in the second half of 2012.

[via IT ProPortal]

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Pioneer Introduces New NavGate Systems To Guide Drivers Safely

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 10:59 AM PST

Pioneer just announced today three new in-car navigations systems that not only safely guide you on the road but also safely and easily integrate the features of your other devices, such as an iPhone or iPod. The NavGate AVIC-F930BT, AVIC-F9310BT, and AVIC-F30BT all feature enhanced audio, wireless connectivity, and audio streaming possible through built-in Bluetooth. Although preloaded with maps, the NavGate models can also be customized via connecting to your smartphone devices through Pioneer’s proprietary NavGate Feeds PC and smartphones application.

Other new features in the 2011 NavGate series include more comprehensive maps database form Tele Atlas covering 44 European countries and millions of destinatiions and Points of Interest (POIs). The NavGate Feeds application allows users to customize their navigation by finding their own POIs from a range of sources including Google Maps or other internet POI sites. Geotagged images as well as safety camera locations that warn of approaching accident blackspots can also be added via this feature.

The most advanced of the three models is the AVIC-F30BT which includes 4GB of flash memory, a 7-inch WVGA touchscreen ad a 3D graphics acelerator, DVD playback, Dual Zone capability for rear seat playback, built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, USB connectivity for iPod/iPhone, an SD card slot and a back-up camera input.

[Via Pioneer]

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JBL Studio 1 Series Speakers Now Available

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 10:36 AM PST

JBL Studio 1 Series speakers are now available, with floorstanding loudspeakers, a bookshelf loudspeaker, a center-channel loudspeaker, and a subwoofer. With JBL’s background in movie theater speakers, these will be sure to deliver amazing sound. They will sell for $169 to $499.

  • JBL Studio 190 Dual 6.5-inch (165mm) floorstanding loudspeaker, sells for $449
  • JBL Studio 180 6.5-inch (165mm) floorstanding loudspeaker, sells for $349
  • JBL Studio 130 4-inch (100mm) bookshelf loudspeaker, sells for $299
  • JBL Studio 120c Dual 4-inch (100mm) center-channel loudspeaker, sells for $169
  • JBL Studio 150P 300-watt high-performance, bass-reflex powered subwoofer sells for $399

They are available here.

From the press release:

The Studio 190 is a three-and-a-half-way dual floorstanding loudspeaker featuring dual woofers and midrange drivers with two 6 ½-inch- PolyPlas™ cones and CMMD® Lite tweeter domes with proprietary Bi-Radial® waveguides to offer exceptional clarity and realism with outstanding bass response. The Studio 180 is designed in a similar vertical tower package and is a three-way floorstanding speaker with one 6 ½-inch PolyPlas cone.

Perfect for a bookshelf or tabletop, or for someone who is looking to pack some big sound into a more convenient space-saving place, the Studio 130 bookshelf loudspeaker will do the job. The two-way speaker system offers exceptional clarity and realism with outstanding bass response. Featuring 4-inch low-frequency transducers and 1-inch high-frequency transducers, Studio 130 speakers are ideally suited for use as satellites in a Studio 1 Series home theater system, or on their own in compact-yet-captivating music-only systems. The Studio 130s will transform your home entertainment experience with both style and substance.

The last in the series, the JBL Studio 120c system is an ideal choice for the center-channel speaker in a multichannel home theater system. Voice-matched to other speakers in the JBL Studio 1 Series, and sharing the same dynamic new industrial design, the 120c renders the dialogue, music and effects of even the most challenging movie soundtracks with confidence and style. Like the other loudspeakers in the line, the two-and-a-half-way dual center channel also features two magnetically shielded 4-inch (100-millimeter) PolyPlas cones and a 1-inch CMMD Lite dome, magnetically shielded, in a Bi-Radial constant directivity waveguide.

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iControlPad with Bluetooth Shipping This Month

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 10:05 AM PST

Back in September we wrote about iControlPad dumping the dock connectors in favor of Bluetooth. The new iControlPad with Bluetooth is scheduled to ship February 16th. According to iControlPad’s website, the gaming pad should work with any phone, console, or computer with Bluetooth. You just need to put in the right clamps to fit your phone, and go. You can even use it to charge your phone while playing games. Hey, multitasking!

The iControlPad supports all phones, console, or computer with Bluetooth. Any phones which are a similar in size with the listed supported device may fit, you might have to make your own adjustments to the iCP clamps to match.

[via iControlPad]

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Huge Touchscreen at The University of Groningen

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 09:42 AM PST

The University of Groningen, in the Netherlands, has converted a 3D theater into the world’s largest touchscreen, used for teaching mathematics and computer science students interactivity. The screen has a curvature of 135 degrees and is transparent. Continue past the break to see the video and find out exactly how large this screen is.

The screen measures 10 meters by 2.8 meters (or 32.8 feet by 9.2 feet for those of you who are metrically challenged like me) and can detect up to 100 simultaneous touch inputs. The screen uses infrared LEDs and 6 Optitrack cameras to detect touch.

Here are the specs:

  • 6 Optitrack cameras
  • 1000 infrared LEDs
  • 4900 x 1700 Pixels
  • 120 Hz stereo capability
  • 50 ms latency

And what you really were waiting for…the video:

[via Earth Times]
from The University of Groningen

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Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF2 Review

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 09:40 AM PST

Panasonic’s LUMIX GF1 worked its way into the kit-bags of several on the SlashGear team, charmed by its compact size and solid picture and video quality. Now the Micro Four Thirds camera has a successor, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF2, packing the same sensor but new image processing and a refreshed touchscreen interface. Does the smaller GF2 lose some of its sibling’s charm? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Hardware

Side by side with the GF1 and it’s clear that the new GF2 is an evolutionary design. The family resemblance is obvious, but Panasonic has also followed the trend in Micro Four Thirds cameras to shrink down the chassis: in fact, the GF2 is supposedly 19-percent smaller and 7-percent lighter, while still accommodating the 12.1-megapixel 17.3 x 13 mm sensor.

The innovative dual-hinge pop-up flash is still in place, triggered by a button on the rear panel, and there’s a hot-shoe with a port for the optional electronic viewfinder accessory (the same model as for the GF1). Storage is via SD/SDHC/SDXC card, while ports include mini HDMI and either USB 2.0 or AV Out via included adapter cables. A stereo microphone is on the top panel, just to the right of the hot-shoe, but there’s no external microphone input and the GF1′s remote release socket has been removed.

We’ll go into controls in the next section, but most obvious is the new 3-inch touchscreen on the rear of the GF2, which is used for operating the bulk of the camera’s functionality. It’s fixed, rather than angle-adjustable as on Sony’s NEX range, but has a new anti-reflective coating which makes for easier outdoor viewing than the screen of the GF1.

Inside there’s a new version of Panasonic’s Venus Engine FHD for image processing, together with an extended ISO range that now tops out at ISO 6400. Video recording has been boosted, with the GF1′s 720p 60fps mode joined by a new 1080i 60fps mode. The older camera only recorded mono sound, as well, which has been upgraded to stereo on the GF2, and the recording volume itself can be adjusted in the settings.

Two GF2 SKUs are available, following the example of the GF1, with the camera body paired with either a 14-42mm lens or a 14mm prime lens. Also carried over is the lack of in-body optical image stabilization, which is instead offered by certain lenses in Panasonic’s range. The 14-42mm lens supports it, but the much smaller pancake lens does not.

While we’re generally in favor of size-reduction, one unfortunate consequence is that the GF2′s battery is smaller than that of the GF1. That means fewer photos per full charge, Panasonic estimating 300 to 320 shots depending on which lens you’re using. We can’t argue with the GF2′s speed, however. Start-up is less than a second, auto-focus is one of the fastest we’ve seen on a Micro Four Thirds camera, and back-to-back shots are possible in around 1 second intervals. Alternatively there’s a burst mode for 3.2 frames/sec; it will grab up to 7 frames if you’re trying to save RAW files, or can shoot JPEGs indefinitely.

Controls

The biggest change is the new 3-inch touchscreen on the back of the GF2, a 460k dot 3:2 aspect TFT LCD which, while requiring a reasonably firm press, is responsive and straightforward. Physical control lovers may find the new LUMIX a step backward, however, since Panasonic has used the touchscreen to retire several of the hardware controls that stud the GF1.

Most notable is the mode dial, previously to be found up next to the shutter release, and the functionality of which has been subsumed into the touchscreen menus. Only a single function shortcut remains, a one-press button to toggle the GF2 into Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode, which is backlit in blue when active. The power switch and video record button are still present, but the new stereo microphone is where the burst/timer shot switch used to be.

Rear panel controls have also slimmed down. The thumb-dial is still present – though we’d still prefer it to be slightly easier to turn and to protrude from the chassis a little more – as is the four-way control, playback button and quick-menu/function button, but others have been lost in the refresh. The AF/MF toggle and AF/AE Lock buttons are particularly missed.

Panasonic’s menu UI isn’t the most intuitive we’ve used, though after a while we grew familiar with its nuances. It’s possible to pull out shortcuts to the most commonly used controls and pin them to the quick menu for more straightforward access; you can also flick through the menus using the directional controls rather than reaching over to swipe at the touchscreen.

We’re left in two minds about the GF2′s controls. Coming from a GF1 there’s an obvious learning hurdle to get past, and as touchscreen smartphones have shown us, there’s a lot of flexibility on offer when you make buttons virtual rather than physical. Nonetheless, it’s arguably more immediate to twist a mode dial or quickly thumb a manual focus button when you’re in the midst of shooting frames, an immediacy that’s somewhat lost when you have to stab through various layers of menus. The touchscreen will probably make things easier for first-time users, but perhaps also encourage them to leave the GF2 in iAuto mode rather than experiment with the various manual modes on offer.

Image Quality

That reluctance to experiment would be a shame, because the GF2 is capable of some highly impressive photos and a fair degree of manual control. Obviously there’s RAW as well as JPEG output – as well as a hybrid mode which stores both formats – but the Panasonic’s JPEG system does a decent job on its own.

Given the GF1 struggled with visible noise at ISO 800 and above, the GF2′s new ISO 6400 mode is only really useful to impress on the spec sheet. In the more normal range of ISO 100 to 400, however, the LUMIX does far better, especially if you take the extra time to tweak the RAW files in post-production. The pop-up flash isn’t going to win any awards for strength – it’s rated at 6m at ISO 100 – but there’s little in the way of red eye.

As for more out of the ordinary shots, the GF2 supports a maximum shutter speed of 60 seconds, and there are various My Color Modes for tweaking the final picture. As well as eight presets – which work for stills and in movie mode – including Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Cinema, Monochrome, Dynamic Art and Silhouette, there’s a custom mode for your own balance of color, brightness, saturation and contrast.

The GF2′s contrast AF system offers face detection, AF tracking, 1-area and 23-area focusing modes, as well as touch-to-focus using the touchscreen. You can set the Fn button to lock the auto-focus, though that does then mean you lose the Q.Menu shortcut. As for AE, that uses a 144-zone system with a range of automatic or manual settings; the GF2 showed a tendency to over-expose frames, but you can easily notch that down with the thumb-dial.

Video Quality

Though there are plenty of arguments over whether 720p HD is in fact preferable to 1080i, and while we’d have liked to have seen 1080p on offer, in the end the GF2 offers a choice between the progressive and interlaced modes and users can take their pick. Footage is recorded in AVCHD format or Motion JPEG, and can be played back on a display from the LUMIX itself thanks to the HDMI output; you’ll need to supply your own HDMI cable, however, since that’s no longer bundled.

One of the benefits of Micro Four Thirds cameras over traditional DSLRs is the flexibility available during video recording, and the GF2 is no different. As in the still mode, there’s tap to focus support using the touchscreen, and while they’re not the quickest transitions we’ve seen the overall affect can be quite visually pleasing. There’s also less focus hunting than on some rivals.

Actual footage is crisp and sharp, though with the pancake lens it can be jumpy at times thanks to the absence of optical image stabilization. Mount the GF2 onto a tripod, however, and it’s far more successful. Audio can be hit and miss, however, and with no microphone input there’s no way around that. We’re hoping Panasonic release a microphone adapter for the hot-shoe for some extra flexibility.

Wrap-Up

The GF1 didn’t just count the SlashGear team among its admirers; in fact it was one of the most loved Micro Four Thirds models around. That leaves the LUMIX GF2 with plenty to live up to. Panasonic has clearly decided to shift the GF2′s positioning to target the consumer crowd, with a greater focus on the iAuto mode and the relegation of more complex – and often intimidating – manual controls into the new touchscreen menu structure. Those manual options are still there, of course, but they’re arguably harder to access on the fly than the various physical buttons of the GF1.

Still, there’s plenty on offer to make up for the changes, not least the physical decrease in weight and bulk. Based on the premise that the best camera is the one you have on you, the shrunken GF2 and its slimline pancake lens stand an even greater chance of slipping into a coat pocket than its predecessor, while still offering solid image quality. Sony’s NEX line is smaller again, but chubby lenses and the absence of an integrated flash have their own drawbacks.

GF1 users, then, are unlikely to see the GF2 as a sensible upgrade path, but for those looking to step away from compact cameras Panasonic have created a very legitimate option. While we’d hope such users would at least occasionally stray from the iAuto mode, the truth is that the GF2 does a decent job at managing its settings when left to its own devices, leaving the manual modes for more challenging scenes such as low-light or nighttime. At $699.95 (with the 14mm pancake lens) it’s not cheap, but it opens the door to flexible lens options and a solid core unit with plenty going for it.

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LG demands US PS3 ban over alleged Sony patent infringement

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 08:42 AM PST

LG has requested that the US International Trade Commission impose a permanent ban [PDF link] on imports of the PS3 into the US market. Alleging that Sony infringes four Blu-ray patents with the console, the suit is believed to be LG’s response to a Sony filing to the US ITC back in December currently being investigated.

Then, Sony claimed LG’s smartphones use audio and microphone technology, caller ID systems and radio transmission tech that Sony and the Sony Ericsson joint venture have patented. At the time, LG promised to “actively respond” to the claims – Sony was seeking an injunction against the import of LG handsets – and it seems that response is in the form of an equally agressive attack.

A permanent or even temporary ban of the PS3 seems about as unlikely as a ban on LG smartphones; instead, both companies are likely to reach a cross-licensing agreement after the patent lawyers have made their money.

[via SlashDot]

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Plextor M2 Series SSDs pack SATA 6Gb/s interface

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 08:04 AM PST

Plextor has thrown open the doors to its M2 Series SSDs, offering SATA 6Gb/s support and up to 480MB/s sequential read rates. The drives – available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities – support the Windows 7 TRIM command, and have a 128MB DDR3 cache buffer and Marvel’s 88SS9174 controller.

Sequential write speeds up to 330MB/s are supported, and Plextor throw in a copy of Acronis True Image for easily cloning your existing drive.

The three drives – 64GB ($179.99), 128GB ($329.99) and 256GB ($699.99) – are available in the US today, and will drop in Europe come March 2011.

Press Release:

Plextor's New SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive Available Now

Plextor’s M2 Series SSD is one of the first to support SATA 6Gb/s and one of the fastest SSDs in the market

(Fremont, CA – February 8, 2011) – Plextor LLC (www.plextor.com), a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, announces the immediate U.S. availability of its new M2 Series SSD. Supporting the latest SATA 6Gb/s, the M2 Series SSD is currently one of the fastest SSDs available in the market.

Utilizing a Marvell 88SS9174 controller, this 2.5 inch SSD is available in three capacities: 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The 128GB and 256GB models each provide sequential read rate up to 480MB/s and sequential write rate up to 330MB/s, allowing users to read and transfer data much faster compared to other SSDs with SATA II interface.

"Plextor is pleased to continue building its presence in the SSD market by offering a new and faster generation of SSD," said Kathy Huynh, Product Marketing of Plextor. "The M2 Series SSD is ideal for any demanding gamer, system integrator or user who demands dependability but won't sacrifice speed."

By incorporating Plextor's Instant Restore technology and Dynamic Wear Leveling algorithm along with Windows 7 TRIM command support, the M2 Series SSD is able to manage memories ever so efficiently to overcome the performance loss typically associated with prolonged usage.

Also featured is a 128MB DDR3 cache buffer, resulting in even faster response times for consumers. The large cache also helps ensures each drive will provide reliable and sustained performance over time.

With a MTBF rate beyond 1.5 million-hour, the M2 Series SSD comes with Plextor's three (3) year warranty and is bundled with Acronis True Image software which gives users instant tool for disk cloning and backup.

The M2 Series SSD is available now with the following MSRPs: 64GB ($179.99), 128GB ($329.99) and 256GB ($699.99).

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Warner Music: “Spotify, and services like Spotify are ever-more meaningful”

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 07:54 AM PST

Warner Music Group isn’t quite ready to throw its proverbial licensing hat into the Spotify ring with Sony Music, but it sounds like the label isn’t quite as anti-streaming as it was once reported to be. On the company’s financial results call today, CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr. revealed that Warner “do see Spotify, and services like Spotify, as ever-more meaningful for our results.”

The comment obviously falls short of an actual deal – or, indeed, the confirmation that Warner is particularly looking to Spotify to satisfy its streaming ambitions – but it’s certainly more promising than recent talk of labels demanding huge upfront payments. Still, with Google believed to be readying its own streaming system, it’s possible that Warner is simply making its flexibility known in the hope of drumming up a bidding war of sorts.

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BlackBerry PlayBook simulator updated with browser: Flash & HTML5 Video/Audio

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 07:30 AM PST

RIM has pushed out an updated version of the BlackBerry Tablet OS simulator, complete with a fully embedded BlackBerry browser so that would-be PlayBook devs can test out their web-apps, Flash 10.1 and general site performance. In addition to the Adobe support, the PlayBook will also handle HTML5 Video and Audio (though the simulator doesn’t have the full range of codecs that the final hardware will).

The updated BlackBerry Tablet OS simulator – along with all the relevant documentation – can be found here. It’s available in versions for Windows, Mac and Linux. For more on the PlayBook itself, check out our hands-on report from back at CES 2011.

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Synaptics ClearPad 4 promises skinnier smartphones

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 07:19 AM PST

Synaptics has outed its latest range of capacitive touchscreen systems for mobile devices, and the promise is even thinner electronics. The new ClearPad  Series 4 interface works with display-integrated touch panels – which combine the touchscreen layer and the display itself into one pane – and packages together the multitouch driver and the display driver itself.

That adds up to a smaller interface and, since the integrated display tech itself is thinner, the whole gadget – whether smartphone, tablet or PMP – can be smaller. Synaptics is working alongside display manufacturers and expects to be offering the first ClearPad Series 4 options to OEMs in the first half of 2011.

Press Release:

Synaptics Introduces World's First Capacitive Multi-Touch Interface Solutions for use with Integrated Displays in Mobile Devices

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Feb. 8, 2011 – Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ: SYNA), announced today the world's first line of capacitive multi-touch interface solutions for use with integrated displays, the ClearPad™ Series 3 and Series 4. With on-cell and in-cell integrated displays, Synaptics makes it possible to seamlessly enable capacitive multi-touch sensing in mobile devices. Both ClearPad Series 3 and Series 4 are on-cell and in-cell display ready.

The ClearPad Series 4's revolutionary approach combines Synaptics state-of-the-art ClearPad multi-touch technology with the display driver (DDI) into a single-chip solution that delivers the most advanced display noise management and best-in-class capacitive sensing performance. Synaptics' display integration solutions provide cost effective capacitive multi-touch interfaces for mobile devices and provide the thinnest form factor with the complete elimination of a discrete sensor.

"Display-integrated touch is a whole new paradigm for touch sensor design, enabling our customers to deliver a thinner, higher-performing, multi-touch experience to the end user. ClearPad Series 3 and our new Series 4 solution are the only products on the market that can offer this" said Kevin Barber, senior vice president and general manager of the Handheld Division at Synaptics. "Series 4 further expands the design options with touch-enabled DDI, enabling display manufacturers to develop their display product offerings with Synaptics touch interfaces."

"Integrating touch into display is the best way to lower cost, reduce components, reduce weight/thickness, and improve performance." said Dr. Jennifer Colegrove, vice president, Emerging Display Technologies at DisplaySearch. "The worldwide market value of touch screen modules will reach about $14 billion in 2016, from $4.3 billion in 2009."

Synaptics is actively working with leading display companies to serve major OEMs worldwide. ClearPad Series 3 and Series 4 for display integration solutions will be available in the first half of 2011. For more detailed information contact visit www.synaptics.com.

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NEC PaPeRo robot coaxes out the elderly, researchers discover

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 07:02 AM PST

We may have a soft spot for NEC’s PaPeRo robot because of his endearingly huge eyes and squat little body, but the Japanese company’s latest research suggests that the companion ‘bot does in fact have a tangible impact on elderly people it accompanies. NEC ran a month-long trial in late 2010, pairing up the autonomous PaPeRo with elderly testers, and found that when the robot fed them with up to date activity information, local events and news, over 80-percent reported more life satisfaction, and 25-percent actually began doing more activities outside of the home.

PaPeRo was set up to find out each person’s hobbies and interests, and then match that up with information on local activities sourced via a wireless network connection. The NEC ‘bot would then tell its companion about the potential jaunts, and then question them on how the activity went when they returned. NEC expects the research to be particularly useful in Japan, where a growing population of elderly people and a shortage on human companions has left many feeling isolated and afraid to go out.

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EFO Wireless Google TV keyboard/remote ideal for Logitech Revue

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 06:55 AM PST

We were reasonably impressed by Logitech’s Revue when we reviewed the Google TV STB last year, but one of our main concerns was how living room friendly the standard wireless keyboard remote was. Logitech will happily sell you its mini controller, but at $129 it’s a whole lot more expensive than EFO’s wireless Google TV keyboard.

Video demo after the cut

For $52.50 you get a full QWERTY thumbboard, backlit and with all the Google TV specific shortcut buttons, along with a touchpad for navigation. The ‘board is designed to recognize orientation changes, so that you can hold it as a traditional remote and navigate via the touchpad. There’s even a laser pointer, and as you can see in the image above on the right (EFO underneath, Logitech Revue keyboard on top) there’s a significant size difference too.

If you don’t mind a dongle, there’s an RF version that drops the Bluetooth and the price, down to $45.30 in fact. Both ship later this month.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

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Sprint Kyocera Echo Hands-on

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 06:30 AM PST

Sprint’s Kyocera Echo is certainly eye-catching, you have to give it that. Packing two 3.5-inch touchscreens and a clever – if slightly convoluted – hinge, the Echo can be used in a tiny-laptop configuration, as a flattened slate or, if you don’t mind a particularly thick device, as a single-display handset. Android 2.2 Froyo and some serious customization are in evidence too; check out our full hands-on impressions – and video – after the cut.

In terms of hardware, bar the double displays the Echo isn’t particularly unusual, or even outstanding given its soon-to-be flagship status among Sprint’s line-up. There’s 3G but no WiMAX 4G, a mere 5-megapixel camera (with 720p HD video recording) and a 1GHz single-core Snapdragon processor keeping things moving. Each capacitive touchscreen runs at 800 x 480 resolution; side-by-side you have a 4.7-inch display running at 800 x 960, though obviously with a gap down the middle.

Build quality feels solid, and the hinge is a particularly interesting – and reassuringlysturdy – piece of work. Kyocera has apparently gone patent-wild on its various features, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see the system show up in future devices. The touchscreens are responsive though don’t – currently – support pinch-zoom multitouch.

Sprint Kyocera ECHO hands-on

Since Android doesn’t support dual-displays natively, Kyocera had to do some work to get the OS up to speed. Seven of the native Android apps have been modified to work in dual-display mode, allowing you to have, say, the browser open on the top screen and your email on the bottom. While you might expect that to slow down the 1GHz CPU, the Echo’s multitasking system actually flips between the apps – in effect hibernating the one you’re not using at any one moment – so that the end result is reasonably smooth. Tapping both displays simultaneously calls up the task manager.

Unfortunately, third-party apps will have to wait until Sprint and Kyocera release the dual-display SDK before they can use the two panels to the full; until then, apps will merely run maximized across both screens. Still, it’s useful to be able to have a full-smartphone’s worth of display on show while still having an on-screen keyboard to use.

It’s difficult to imagine the exact target audience for the Sprint Kyocera Echo. Power users will inevitably run into issues around battery life; neither carrier nor manufacturer are talking numbers yet, but the fact that a second battery (with a standalone charging dock) will be bundled in the retail pack doesn’t bode well. Since the display is normally the biggest power drain, two panels likely means near to half the runtime of a regular handset. This isn’t a slimline handset to slip into a pocket or purse, either, and with the second battery the whole arrangement is bulky.

Nonetheless, as with the interesting-but-flawed Libretto W100, there’s something about twin touchscreens on a device that makes it inescapably appealing. Those geeks drawn in will likely find the $199 retail price to their taste as well, though that will have to be weighed against patchy dual-display functionality, battery limitations and the absence of 4G. We’re not convinced the Kyocera Echo was worth Sprint’s launch hype, but it’s certainly got us curious.

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Drobo B1200i 12-bay business system takes on enterprise

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 06:16 AM PST

Data Robotics has announced its play for the business backup and server market, introducing the new 12-bay Drobo B1200i expected to ship in Q2 2011. Using the same BeyondRAID intelligent drive array system as the existing Drobo units, the B1200i joins the 8-bay DroboElite and 8-bay SAN iSCSI arrays available now.

There’s support for Microsoft Exchange, Sharepoint and other business applications, as well as file-sharing and offsite backup, server virtualization and VMware. As well as the twelve internal bays, there are three iSCSI ports on the back for attaching external arrays.

Redundant power supply support and a new business-oriented dashboard round out the main specs. The Drobo B1200i will arrive in Q2 2011, price tba.

Press Release:

Drobo Means Business

New Drobo Business Line Delivers ‘Big Storage in a Small Box’ – Unprecedented Combination of Technical Sophistication, Ease of Use and Affordability for Small and Medium Businesses

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Feb. 8, 2011 – Drobo, makers of the award-winning data storage products for businesses and professionals, today introduced a new line of sophisticated yet easy-to-use and affordable storage solutions for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Designed specifically for customers who need critical business storage capacity without the complexity and price of legacy storage solutions, the new Drobo business systems are optimal as primary and secondary storage for Microsoft Exchange®, Sharepoint®, and similar business applications, as well as departmental file-sharing or offsite backup, and server virtualization deployments including those using VMware solutions.

“VMware recognizes the importance of affordable storage alternatives for firms implementing virtualization as they continue on the path toward IT as a service,” explained Parag Patel, vice president, global strategic alliances, VMware. “Like larger organizations, SMBs are looking for ways to improve productivity and lower IT costs. Drobo streamlines VMware-virtualized storage for SMBs by delivering storage that is simple, scalable and automated – all with an affordable price tag.”

With more than 150,000 customers worldwide, Drobo has been embraced by individual professionals and small businesses globally. The new Drobo business systems up the ante with improved system performance and redundancy, a new business-oriented dashboard and control panel and upgraded business support options – all while maintaining Drobo’s breakthrough ease-of-use and the BeyondRAIDTM data protection capabilities that define the Drobo brand.

“A complex quote, full of techno-babble and corporate speak, wouldn’t represent Drobo fairly,” said Mark Peters, senior analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. “Now available for SMBs, Drobo is what it has always been – surprisingly advanced and scalable storage, packaged and priced for people who don’t need to have doctorates or second mortgages to have easy, functional and sophisticated capabilities at their fingertips.”

“Our customers aren’t shy; they have tried Drobo for themselves and are now demanding more units for the rest of their business,” said Tom Buiocchi, CEO at Drobo. “Our new Drobo for business family continues to meld even more big technology and Drobo ease-of-use for the best storage experience ever.”

Today’s announcement covers a new Drobo family of products designed with business in mind. These products include:

8-bay file sharing Drobo with remote backup (Available now)
8-bay SAN (iSCSI-attached) Drobo (Available now)
12-bay SAN (iSCSI-attached) Drobo with expanded redundancy features, support for thin provisioning and deprovisioning and new data-aware tiering technology (Reserve now, shipping Q2-11)
Drobo’s new business line also includes performance enhancements, new management software and extended business support and services, in addition to the existing ease of use, affordable capacity and storage features that set Drobo apart from any other storage product on the market. The systems are based on the patented BeyondRAIDTM technology and are certified for VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Exchange and Symantec backup. Prices start just above $2K. The new line of business products is available for purchase at http://www.Drobo.com.

Drobo also announced its new Business Premier partner program and customer milestone of 150,000 sold. Both press releases can be accessed online at http://www.drobo.com/news/press_releases.

About Drobo
Drobo makes award-winning data storage products for Small and Medium Businesses and Individual professionals that provide an unprecedented combination of sophisticated data protection and management features, affordable capacity, and ease-of-use. Based on the patented and proven BeyondRAIDTM technology, Drobo�s ability to deliver “Big Storage in a Small Box” creates the best storage experience ever for small and medium businesses and hundreds of thousands of individual professionals worldwide, who use it to support their file backup and media archiving, server virtualization, and email application needs. To learn more, visit http://www.drobo.com or follow us on Twitter @drobo.

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Qualcomm FlashLinq promises broadband-speed P2P mesh networks

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 06:04 AM PST

With Qualcomm‘s chipsets inside a huge number of the gadgets we take for granted, when the company starts talking about new wireless tech we generally tend to listen. Latest to compete for SoC space is FlashLinq, a peer-to-peer mesh networking technology that uses dedicated spectrum to create dynamic, broadband-speed links between devices up to a kilometer apart. Qualcomm expects FlashLinq to be used to extend cellular networks without installing fixed base-stations, together with enabling geo-social networking.

“FlashLinq's direct discovery and distributed communications allows operators to naturally extend their cellular networks. The technology can efficiently support new and enhanced services in areas such as direct local advertising, geo-social networking and machine-to-machine communications” Ed Knapp, senior vice president of business development and engineering, Qualcomm

FlashLinq is a synchronous TDD OFDMA technology and can handle thousands of nearby devices; it also packs its own interference management. Qualcomm describes the technology being used to create “neighborhood-area networks” which consist of fixed and mobile devices – for instance, at a concert or festival, multiple phones could mesh together and exchange information, or reduce load on cellular base stations by routing calls more intelligently.

SK Telecom is signed up to trial FlashLinq in South Korea, with an eye on how they can commercialise the technology. Qualcomm will be demonstrating it next week at Mobile World Congress, so we’ll be sure to stop by and check out how well it works.

Press Release:

Qualcomm to Demonstrate New Peer-to-Peer Technology at Mobile World

SAN DIEGO – February 08, 2011 – Reflecting its continuing research and development into new connectivity models, Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) will demonstrate its newest advancement in peer-to-peer wireless technology at the GSMA Mobile World Congress, Feb. 14-17 in Barcelona. The Company's technology innovation, called FlashLinq™, enables devices to discover each other automatically and continuously, and to communicate, peer-to-peer, at broadband speeds without the need for intermediary infrastructure.

FlashLinq advances a concept known as proximal communications, whereby users can continuously connect, disconnect and communicate directly with other mobile users at broadband speeds based on their physical proximity. The technology is designed to complement traditional cellular-based services and serve as a scalable platform for new types of applications.

"By expanding the operator model of managed services to the frontier of proximal communications, Qualcomm continues to demonstrate its leadership in wireless technology and innovation" said Ed Knapp, senior vice president of business development and engineering for Qualcomm. "FlashLinq's direct discovery and distributed communications allows operators to naturally extend their cellular networks. The technology can efficiently support new and enhanced services in areas such as direct local advertising, geo-social networking and machine-to-machine communications."

FlashLinq is a synchronous TDD OFDMA technology operating on dedicated licensed spectrum and is distinguished by its high discovery range (up to a kilometer), discovery capacity (thousands of nearby devices) and distributed interference management. By enabling the simultaneous discovery and communication of thousands of proximal devices, FlashLinq can effectively create a "neighborhood-area network," where fixed and mobile peer applications can interact directly.

Qualcomm plans to collaborate with SK Telecom to trial FlashLinq in South Korea and explore potential commercial uses.

"Throughout its 27-year history, SK Telecom has always embraced cutting-edge technologies because we are committed to giving our customers the most advanced capabilities and user experiences," said Dr. Jong Tae Ihm, SK Telecom's senior vice president and head of the Institute of Network Technology. "We see Qualcomm's FlashLinq technology as a key enabler to a range of new and innovative services based on proximal networking."

Qualcomm's FlashLinq P2P technology will be demonstrated at Barcelona's Fira Convention Center in the Company's exhibit, located in Exhibit Hall 8, #8B53.

About SK Telecom
SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM, KSE: 017670) is Korea's leading telecommunications provider with more than 25 million subscribers, which accounts for more than 50% of the total market. The company, established in 1984, reached KRW 12.46 trillion in revenue in 2010. SK Telecom was the first to launch and commercialize CDMA, CDMA2000 1x, CDMA EV-DO and HSDPA networks, and it currently provides cellular, wireless Internet, mobile media, global roaming service and more. For more information, please visit www.sktelecom.com or email press@sktelecom.com.

About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is a world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of wireless communications, connecting people more closely to information, entertainment and each other. Today, Qualcomm technologies are powering the convergence of mobile communications and consumer electronics, making wireless devices and services more personal, affordable and accessible to people everywhere. For more information, visit Qualcomm around the Web:
www.qualcomm.com

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GoGo to expand into streaming content in-flight

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 05:45 AM PST

GoGo was successful in bringing people connectivity to the internet and email while they are stuck in the air on a long flight. Gogo has offered access to Facebook while in the air recently and is eying expanding into more areas of content as well.

mocoNews reports that Gogo will be expanding into streaming content while in flight. Right now Facebook and web connectivity are the two things that a passengers can get during the flight with prices ranging from $4.95 to $12.95 depending on the airline and distance of the flight.

Aircell CEO Michael Small has announced that later this year the company will start to offer access to new content. The access will include the ability to stream a selection of movies. The company may even get into game streaming after the movie service launches.

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InFocus IN146 short-throw projector launches

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 05:18 AM PST

If you need a projector in your home or office for any reason and have small room, but still need a large image short throw is what you need. InFocus has announced a new short throw projector that is the lowest cost offering it has. The new projector is called the IN146.

The IN146 has a resolution of 1280 x 800 and can do HD without scaling. It is able to throw a 60-inch wide image from only 2.5 feet from the wall or projection surface. The projector is also a small design and has 2,700 lumens of light output.

The projector has 3D capability and HDMI input. Other features include a RS232 port to connect to in-room control systems. The device has a lamp rated for up to 6,000 hours and uses DLP technology needing no filters. The projector is available right now for $825.

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Best Buy taking pre-orders on HTC ThunderBolt

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 05:07 AM PST

We have talked quite a bit about the cool HTC ThunderBolt smartphone. The launch date for the ThunderBolt was confirmed by Best Buy a while back for February 14. If you have, your eye on the new smartphone Best Buy has now announced that you can pre-order now.

Pre-orders are underway for the HTC ThunderBolt right now and it is the first 4G LTE smartphone on the Verizon network. The ThunderBolt is fast with the ability to download a song in less than four seconds on the LTE network and 20 photos can be downloaded in a minute. I looked around the Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile site and at the time of writing this, the ThunderBolt is nowhere to be found on either site.

"The HTC ThunderBolt is a groundbreaking smart phone and Best Buy couldn't think of a better way to kick off 2011 than by offering it as a national retail exclusive to our customers," said Scott Anderson, head of merchandising for Best Buy Mobile. "We have worked hard to provide our customers with a great selection of smart phones which now includes the HTC ThunderBolt, both versions of the iPhone 4, Samsung Nexus S, HTC EVO™ 4G and many more options."

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