Kudos to the IEEE for rushing this new ‘ super WiFi ‘ standard through so very speedily for the sake of rural communities with poor web access. Designated “IEEE 802.22,” it promises to bring speeds of up 22Mbps to devices as far as 60 miles away from the nearest transmitter. How’s that possible? Well, the standard carefully exploits swathes of unused white space within transmission bands that were originally reserved (and jealously guarded ) for analogue TV. These frequencies currently contain nothing but hiss and occasional communications from dead people, but one day they could and should be filled with the hopes, aspirations and Facebook updates of country folk who are very much alive. Read the signs in the PR after the break. Continue reading IEEE brings white space internet one step closer, we almost felt a twinge IEEE brings white space internet one step closer, we almost felt a twinge originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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After six months of knuckle-crunching losses, LG can finally wind the window down and turn the radio on to Seoul FM. The electronics giant just reported a net profit of ₩108 billion ($100 million) in the last quarter, primarily thanks to sales of LED and Cinema 3D TVs. Its handset subsidiary, which has been pushing into the Android high end with devices like the Optimus 2X , is still bleeding cash — but losses were halved compared to last quarter, so perhaps the wound is finally scabbing over. Meanwhile, the LG Home Appliance Company posted “record-high” sales, but it’ll have to Thinq even harder in future because profits were held back by higher material costs, currency fluctuations and greater competition. Definitely too soon for cruise control. LG turns it around, reports profits back in the green originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 04:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …InterDigital files ITC complaint against Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE for 3G patent infringement
July 27, 2011 No Comment
Remember when InterDigital aired its grievances with Nokia before the International Trade Commission several years ago , alleging Espoo infringed a few of its 3G patents? Well, what’s old is new again, and the company’s filed another complaint with the ITC against the Finnish phone maker, Huawei, and ZTE, too. This time around, the hammer’s been forged from seven patents for various WCDMA and CDMA2000 technologies allegedly found in those companies’ phones, broadband dongles, and tablets. Reuters reports that, should the federal agency take up InterDigital’s cause, Huawei and Nokia will fight the good fight, and we imagine that ZTE won’t be rolling over, either. Of course, the ITC has 30 days to start an investigation, so we’ll know within a month if InterDigital’s latest IP fishing expedition has a shot to yield a bounty as big as it’s gotten before . Continue reading InterDigital files ITC complaint against Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE for 3G patent infringement InterDigital files ITC complaint against Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE for 3G patent infringement originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Remember when we first encountered the ASUS Wavi just before CES ? Well now the wireless streaming device that looks to get your TV and your PC in sync has moseyed on through the FCC, and in the process, confirmed a few of our suspicions. The duo will allow you to stream content in full 1080p via a 5GHz band and at distances of up to 25 meters (about 80 feet) — of course, with a clear line of sight between the two. Not to be forgotten is the Xtion 3D depth camera, which provides a more expensive Kinect -esque experience, that will round out the trifecta for what we hope will be even more embarrassing dance-offs . At any rate, keep your eyes peeled for this tandem, as they should be on shelves in no time. ASUS Wavi waltzes through FCC, ready to stream from your PC to your TV originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Aviiq Portable Charging Station does kitsch-free USB juicing in small black bag
July 27, 2011 No Comment
We’ve seen some rather inventive USB chargers in our time, but surprisingly few have managed to make charging while traveling a painless process. Aviiq’s new Portable Charging Station, on the other hand, has threatened to make the outside world a more welcoming place when it comes to juicing up. Acting as a sort of USB hub in a bag, this little black travel sleeve lets you pack and power three USB devices — even an iPad — with one outlet. What’s more, the station allows for easy syncing by way of a retractable USB port. So $80 ain’t cheap, and it won’t cook up pork and beans while you sing Camptown Races , but if you’re willing to shell out a little extra scratch for a practical USB travel charger, you can get your hands on one at the source link below. Full PR after the break. Continue reading Aviiq Portable Charging Station does kitsch-free USB juicing in small black bag Aviiq Portable Charging Station does kitsch-free USB juicing in small black bag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …BookBook iPhone 4 case doubles as wallet, attempts to fool miniature luddites
July 27, 2011 No Comment
So, you’ve finally accepted the reality that smartphones aren’t a passing fad, but you’re no less concerned that the special tech-hater in your life might get hip that you’ve abandoned reading books for flinging unhappy fowl . You’re further concerned that you won’t have space in your skinny jeans for both a wallet and an iPhone. Well, it sounds like Twelve South’s BookBook iPhone 4 case has you and your ridiculous smartphone-conversion anxiety covered. The little leather-bound sleeve not only masks your iPhone in what looks like a miniature Bible binding, but also acts as host to your wallet’s contents. If you’re looking to fool folks into thinking you’re really reading a tiny tome titled BookBook, the case can be yours for $60 at the source link. Full PR after the break. Continue reading BookBook iPhone 4 case doubles as wallet, attempts to fool miniature luddites BookBook iPhone 4 case doubles as wallet, attempts to fool miniature luddites originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 04:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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This Sprint-bound Galaxy S II already posed for one candid and now it also appears to have made a tour of the FCC’s testing facilities. Packing CDMA and WiMAX radios, along with a design that matches the leak and and an appropriate model number (SPH-D710), this definitely appears to be the Within we were expecting. So far the only additional clue teased from the FCC documents comes from Wireless Goodness which points out it’s 5mm taller and 3mm wider than Euro-spec Galaxy S IIs, but feel free to click the source link and look for yourself. Samsung Galaxy S II with WiMAX stops by the FCC on its way to Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Ever heard of estoppel? The term, sadly, does not denote a new German electronic bus service, but is rather a court-ordered way of telling companies “no backsies” on previously made public statements. It could also prove to be another nail in Oracle’s patent dispute coffin, should Google’s latest Wayback Machine defense hold up. Thanks to the internet’s never say die policy, a 2007 post, recently deleted by Oracle, from Sun Microsystem’s then CEO Jonathan Schwartz has surfaced, in which he enthusiastically endorsed Android’s Java base. The public statement falls in line with the aforementioned legal doctrine, potentially contradicting new owner Oracle’s patent infringement claims. Unfortunately for both parties, Judge William Alsup doesn’t seem to be too cool under the collar as he’s reportedly blasted each for “asking for the moon” and chiding them to “be more reasonable.” A final ruling in this case is still a ways off , but in the meantime you can head to the source to read Schwartz’s damning praise for yourself. Sun CEO’s deleted blog post to help end Oracle vs Google patent dispute? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Last month, Olympus lifted the veil on a trio of 12.3-megapixel Micro Four Thirds cameras, replacing both models in its PEN line and adding the small and light E-PM1. We already knew to expect an August ship date for the $900 E-P3, but now the company filled us in on its tilt-enabled E-PL3, which will be available in black, white, red, and silver when it ships in September. Priced at $700, the kit will include either a 14-42mm zoom or 17mm fixed lens, and will retail for a full c-note higher than its predecessor, the E-PL2 . Olympus also announced the VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), which will feature a 100-percent field-of-view, 90-degree rotation, and brightness and color temperature adjustments — though it sounds like that last feature could potentially leave you with off-color images if you mistake the EVF’s white balance for what the camera will capture. We’re still waiting on availability for the runt of the litter, but we imagine the E-PM1 will make its stateside debut soon — perhaps even with a price tag lower than its rather pricey, beefier siblings. Continue reading Olympus PEN E-PL3 gets a price tag, release date Olympus PEN E-PL3 gets a price tag, release date originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Drift Innovation unveils compact Drift HD, still up for your extreme antics (video)
July 26, 2011 No Comment
Fan of recording extreme death-defying stunts, yet find your current helmet cam just too darn unwieldy? Drift’s creatively named Drift HD might fit the bill, as the firm’s managed to cram the 170-degree field of view rotatable lens / LCD combo from the HD170 , into a 25 percent smaller package. The nine megapixel 1080p shooter also features a bevy of redesigned mounts, a replaceable lens and support for 32GB microSD cards, allowing it to keep chuggin’ where lesser cameras would have otherwise called it quits. Connectivity junkies will also swoon at the inclusion of micro-HDMI and a 2.5mm microphone input. We weren’t exactly smitten with the HD170, but this $369 makeover might be enough to change our minds. If you’re dying to find out for yourself, the Drift HD will be available August 31st, but do us a favor and keep your eyes on the snow — we wouldn’t want you to end up like this guy . Continue reading Drift Innovation unveils compact Drift HD, still up for your extreme antics (video) Drift Innovation unveils compact Drift HD, still up for your extreme antics (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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