We prefer our robots stick to the household cleaning chores , a little DJing action even, and then go right back to the closet. But, when we first glimpsed this emoting automaton from Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, our fears of the day of robot reckoning subsided slightly . The ETRI-built robot (or ETRO for short) is currently “employed” as an ambassador for human-robot relations at Daejon’s National Science Museum, treating amused passersby to outspoken professions of love backed by its LED-lit facial expressions. Originally designed as a reading robot back in 2003, version 2.0 of this humanoid helper was created with a greater cause in mind — showcasing robotics as promising Korean growth industry. Rather than let those economic concerns muddle our whimsy, let’s just focus on the AI-assisted cuteness in the video below. Continue reading ETRO robot wears its heart on its face, promises to love you ETRO robot wears its heart on its face, promises to love you originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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This one comes with a health warning: even if the leaked screenshot above is legit, it’s easy to over-interpret. Nevertheless, it purports to show the account setup page from Blackberry Tablet OS 2.0 and it distinctly lacks any option to sync with Blackberry Enterprise Server or Internet Service. Instead, you’re able to configure Exchange/Active Sync, IMAP, POP, CalDAV and CardDAV accounts, which suggests that RIM is switching to the same integrated email, contacts and calendar solutions as everyone else. Of course, it could be that the BES/BIS simply isn’t enabled on this particular device, or that it’ll be added in a later version of the OS. Then again, we can’t help but recall those Colt rumors which also hinted that RIM’s in-house service would be incompatible with QNX. Another juicy tidbit: a second screen shot after the break reveals a green robot icon in the far left. So, even if it Android integration has been delayed , at least it hasn’t been forgotten. Continue reading Playbook OS version 2.0 leaked: is RIM really sacking BES? Playbook OS version 2.0 leaked: is RIM really sacking BES? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Samsung-thusiasts in the UK will be happy to know that the brand spanking new Galaxy W is coming to the British Three network in September. Just yesterday, we caught a glimpse of this beaut running Gingerbread with a 3.7-inch WVGA touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera, 4GB of internal memory, a 1.4GHz processor and HDSPA connectivity. Those on Three can also expect the new line of BlackBerrys — the Curve 9360 , the Torch 9810 and the Bold 9900 — soon, as well as the white Samsung Galaxy S II and the Sony Ericsson Xperia ray sometime in September. We hope to get some hands-on time with the W at IFA in Berlin next week — roadtrip anyone? Samsung Galaxy W to launch on Three network in the UK next month originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …DirecTV’s Nomad teaser page suggests a Slingbox competitor, but little else
August 26, 2011 No Comment
It’s been a while since we heard anything solid about the DirecTV Nomad unit , but a teaser page recently went live on the satellite company’s website showing the device. The tiny pic isn’t incredibly revealing, but other than “coming soon” the page also displays a laptop, phone and tablet — likely targets for viewers to watch their TV broadcasts away from the satellite box. That MDR1R0-01 remains scarce, but hit the source link and keep your eye peeled on that URL for more information about DirecTV’s competitor to the Slingbox / iPad apps being offered by other TV providers. DirecTV’s Nomad teaser page suggests a Slingbox competitor, but little else originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 05:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Many of us were holding out hopes that the Function, Verizon’s rumored variant of the Samsung Galaxy S II , would be the latest addition to its LTE lineup , but now we’re hearing that it may not be coming to the carrier at all. According to the Wall Street Journal , it appears quite likely that Big Red won’t be involved in Samsung’s anticipated launch event this coming Monday. The publication cites people familiar with the plans, who also mentioned that we should still expect to see the Galaxy S II make its way to Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T at the very least. Now here’s some possible relief to the sting you may have just felt: BGR is now reporting that while this is all true, Verizon has a Samsung phone in the works that will have “nearly identical specs” to that of the GSII. We’re still awaiting official confirmation from Verizon on the matter and will update when we receive word. Update: We just heard from a Verizon spokesperson who confirmed the carrier will not be carrying the device, and offered the following quote: “We have a robust portfolio of devices that offer customers exciting options including the Droid Charge by Samsung which runs on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.” Samsung Galaxy S II not coming to Verizon after all? (update: confirmed) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Panasonic Lumix FZ150 builds on FZ47 superzoom, adds CMOS sensor, 1080p video
August 26, 2011 No Comment
Last month, Panasonic’s Lumix FZ47 made some (rather subtle) waves with its full manual video mode, lettering you control aperture and shutter speed while capturing in 1080i. Now, the company just announced its higher-end FZ150, which replaces last year’s FZ10 0, adding 1080p AVCHD capture, a stereo mic with noise cancellation, and a 12 fps burst mode. Image-related improvements include a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 25-600mm (24x) f/2.8-5.2 Leica lens with nano surface coating, faster autofocus, a new Venus Engine FHD Pro processor, and sensitivity up to ISO 3200. The FZ150 retains its predecessor’s 3-inch LCD and 0.2-inch EVF — both also present on the FZ47. There’s also a new side-lever control, letting you adjust zoom and focus with secondary levers positioned just to the left of the lens. Panasonic’s latest superzoom cam will ship in late September with a $500 sticker price. PR after the break. Gallery: Panasonic Lumix FZ150 Continue reading Panasonic Lumix FZ150 builds on FZ47 superzoom, adds CMOS sensor, 1080p video Panasonic Lumix FZ150 builds on FZ47 superzoom, adds CMOS sensor, 1080p video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s been barely a year since Google acquired Slide for a cool $200 million, but today comes news that the Mountain View crew has decided to dissolve its social apps unit, and that renowned entrepreneur Max Levchin will be leaving the company to “pursue other opportunities.” Sources close to the matter told All Things D that the decision was announced at an internal staff meeting yesterday afternoon, and that most of Slide’s 100 employees will likely shift over to YouTube. A Google spokesperson later confirmed that the unit will in fact be shuttered, but didn’t reveal further details of where the displaced employees will land, saying only that the majority will remain onboard. Google didn’t offer a concrete explanation for the decision, though Slide had been acting as a largely autonomous and peripheral branch, and was never fully integrated into the company’s larger social team. Its apps, moreover, never really took off, and are due to be phased out over the course of the next few months — including tools like SuperPoke Pets, Disco and Photovine . And then, of course, there’s Levchin — the man who founded the company just a few years after co-founding PayPal, and who currently serves as Yelp’s chairman of the board. His immediate plans remain unclear, though we and the rest of the tech world will certainly be keeping a close eye on him, wherever he lands next. Google shutters Slide, founder Max Levchin moves to greener pastures originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Panasonic Lumix FX90 point-and-shoot packs built-in WiFi, Android / iPhone app compatibility
August 25, 2011 No Comment
For many photographers, in-camera WiFi may be an attractive feature before you leave the store, but confusing setup and limited functionality reduce its appeal once you actually go and try to use it. Panasonic sets out to better take advantage of wireless connectivity with its Lumix FX90, adding Android and iPhone app support for transferring pictures and video directly to a mobile device, then uploading them to Lumix Club — a cloud-based photo-sharing service — and on to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. You can also share photos directly from the camera — a dedicated WiFi button launches a menu prompting you to select a sharing service — but app support brings the added benefit of your phone’s data connection. Beyond those new wireless features, the FX90 includes a 12 megapixel CCD sensor, 5x, 24-120mm optical zoom lens, 3-inch touchscreen, and 1080i AVCHD video capture. The FX90 will ship this fall with pricing yet to be announced, but jump past the break for the full rundown from Panasonic in the meantime. Gallery: Panasonic Lumix FX90 Continue reading Panasonic Lumix FX90 point-and-shoot packs built-in WiFi, Android / iPhone app compatibility Panasonic Lumix FX90 point-and-shoot packs built-in WiFi, Android / iPhone app compatibility originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Allow us to extend our congratulations to Nicholas Allegra . He’s more popularly known as Comex, the party responsible for crafting the infamous JailbreakMe and Spirit tools that’s given Apple so many headaches recently. Starting the week after next, he’ll be officially wandering around 1 Infinite Loop as a bona fide intern. We’re not terribly surprised, since the skill level needed to give iOS engineers a run for their money can be a highly valuable asset to the company; hiring someone with the know-how to spot vulnerabilities in Apple’s OS would only serve to make the platform more secure. It wasn’t mentioned how Allegra’s talents will be utilized by Apple, but — given the programmer’s extensive history — we can make a few educated guesses. JailbreakMe creator Comex joins Apple as an intern originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Panasonic shrinks its Micro Four Thirds lenses, launches X-series with wide-angle, telephoto zooms
August 25, 2011 No Comment
Anyone who’s used Panasonic’s 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds zoom lens has probably noticed its relatively bulky design, especially when compared to Olympus’s counterpart. Today, the company announced the GF3X, a new lens kit that offers the same zoom and f/3.5-5.6 aperture range in a housing less than half the size when closed, and still noticeably smaller when extended. The first of two optics in Panasonic’s premium X-series — the second is a 45-170mm f/4-5.6 zoom — it’s been billed as the world’s smallest digital interchangeable power zoom lens, thanks to its internal zoom motor which lets you adjust the focal length using a side-mounted rocker — the design is similar to the zoom toggle included with the company’s new FX150 superzoom. Priced at $399, it also includes a metal lens mount, instead of the plastic mount used with the existing $199 14-42mm lens. That second 45-170mm zoom ($449) can replace Panasonic’s 45-200mm lens ($349), and while the size difference isn’t as dramatic is its smaller X-series sibling, it’s still noticeably smaller and lighter. Both lenses include optical image stabilization and feature nano surface coatings, designed to reduce ghosting and lens flare. The 14-42mm lens will ship in October in black and white (for use with silver bodies), and the 45-170mm zoom will ship in September. They’ll only be compatible with the GF-2 , GF-3 , and G3 at launch after downloading a firmware update — Panasonic is leaving it up to Olympus to release supporting firmware for its own cameras. Jump past the break for more details from Panasonic, and check out the gallery below — complete with side-by-side shots for both lens classes. Gallery: Panasonic X-series Micro Four Thirds Lenses Continue reading Panasonic shrinks its Micro Four Thirds lenses, launches X-series with wide-angle, telephoto zooms Panasonic shrinks its Micro Four Thirds lenses, launches X-series with wide-angle, telephoto zooms originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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