Qualcomm overhauls complex naming scheme, introduces simpler Snapdragon levels
August 3, 2011 No Comment
Say it with us now: “Huzzah!” For years, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon brand has been held back from general understanding by one thing: befuddling model numbers. Hearing about an MSM 8255 doesn’t really stick with the average consumer, and even for members of the press (and folks neck-deep in the supply channel), it wasn’t exactly easy to keep track of. In a bid to put on a more consumer-facing suit, Qually has announced its intentions to move away from complex processor names and move towards a simpler “series” model. For now, you’ll find S1, S2, S3 and S4, with “1′ being a mass market device and “4″ being the product you actually want. The slide just after the break explains where the cutoffs are for each level, but curiously enough, it sounds as if more of these will be added as technologies improve, speeds increase and capabilities soar. In other words, we hope your great-grandson is eager to get his hands on a Snapdragon S498. Wait, wasn’t this suppose to reduce complexities? Continue reading Qualcomm overhauls complex naming scheme, introduces simpler Snapdragon levels Qualcomm overhauls complex naming scheme, introduces simpler Snapdragon levels originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …RIM’s BlackBerry Torch 9850 goes official for Sprint and US Cellular (update: Bold 9930 for Sprint, too!)
August 3, 2011 No Comment
What’s a BlackBerry launch without a bit of love for RIM’s CDMA partners? Infinite sadness, that’s what. While the outfit (understandably) couldn’t showcase the BlackBerry Torch 9850 at its London launch event this morning, the CDMA sibling to the Torch 9860 is making its official debut in the US of A. Destined for US Cellular and Sprint here in the States, the 9850 (shown right) will ship with a 3.7-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touchpanel, BlackBerry 7 OS, a “waterfall” screen design that tickles the edges ever-so-slightly, and not one inkling of a physical keyboard. As with the 9860 — which is destined for AT&T, Rogers, Telus and Bell — you’ll get a five megapixel “zero-shutter lag” camera, 720p movie mode, inbuilt GPS and a 1.2GHz processor. There’s no mention yet of a price or release for the SIM-less duo, but you can bet that we’ll keep you posted as we hear more. Update : Sprint’s just pushed out a full presser of its own (embedded after the break), which also confirms that the Bold 9930 — shown above on the left — will also be making its way onto The Now Network. We’re told to expect “fall” availability for both BB 7 OS phones, but specific pricing isn’t expected until that already-ambiguous time frame draws nearer. As for the 9930, it’s boasting an all-too-familiar design, with a 10.5mm-thick chassis, 2.8-inch capacitive touchpanel, the “widest QWERTY keyboard available on a BlackBerry smartphone” and a trackpad to boot. Moreover, NFC support is thrown in, as is a magnetometer for AR apps. Continue reading RIM’s BlackBerry Torch 9850 goes official for Sprint and US Cellular (update: Bold 9930 for Sprint, too!) RIM’s BlackBerry Torch 9850 goes official for Sprint and US Cellular (update: Bold 9930 for Sprint, too!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Samsung details TouchWiz UX update for Galaxy Tab 10.1, OTA rollout goes public on August 5th
August 3, 2011 No Comment
We’re headed over as we speak to get an early look at what TouchWiz has in store for Tab 10.1-totin’ New Yorkers , but in the meantime, Samsung’s served up a laundry list of details (after the break) to clue everyone in on what it’ll bring. Aside from pushing the TouchWiz UX overlay atop Android 3.1 (Honeycomb), the new digs will also enable Samsung Kies 2.0 support for PC and Mac, solving an issue we spotted a few weeks back. For those unfamiliar with Sammy’s Android dressings, this one promises to bring a Live Panel (described as a magazine-like widget view for immediate access to weather, social updates, email, and news on the home pane), a Mini Mode Tray (providing one-touch access to commonly used apps), Clipboard (it’s copy and paste, advanced ), Photo Editor (it edits JPEGs, y’all) and the token Indicator Quick Panel (which enables users to quickly toggle on / off WiFi, notifications, sound, brightness and settings in lower right hand corner of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 display). Of course, proceeding with the update means that you’ll get Amazon’s Music Cloud Player, the Kindle app and ‘Words with Friends’ preloaded, but enterprise folk can at least look forward to full support for Exchange ActiveSync version 14, on-device encryption and compatibility with Cisco’s VPN / Sybase MDM / WebEx. Still hungry for more? How’s about wireless printing to any “compatible” printer, as well as a bolstered Swype app that enables resizing of the keyboard and movement of the keys to any position on the panel. You’ll also find Adobe’s Flash Player 10.3, a redesigned Samsung Media Hub service and a promise that all Galaxy Tab 10.1 owners will start to see it beginning August 5th. If you’re eager to get prepped for Friday’s release, hit the source link to setup a required Samsung account; once registered, you’ll be notified when your device is ready for the upgrade and given drop-dead simple steps to complete it. Naturally, we’ll be bringing you an early look of the changes as soon as humanly possible. Continue reading Samsung details TouchWiz UX update for Galaxy Tab 10.1, OTA rollout goes public on August 5th Samsung details TouchWiz UX update for Galaxy Tab 10.1, OTA rollout goes public on August 5th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony PlayStation Vita clears the FCC hurdle, gets tantailizingly close to US release
August 3, 2011 No Comment
That label up there may not look like much, but the WiFi test report shown after the break makes one thing exceptionally clear: Sony’s PlayStation Vita just cleared FCC testing. For those unfamiliar with the process, this is widely regarded as the final step before a consumer electronics device is shipped to retailers here in the States, and given that ” fall ” date we’ve been hearing about , it sure looks as if Sony’s on pace to keep its promise. So, you did save room on this year’s wish list for yet another console… right ? Continue reading Sony PlayStation Vita clears the FCC hurdle, gets tantailizingly close to US release Sony PlayStation Vita clears the FCC hurdle, gets tantailizingly close to US release originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Samsung reveals new Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessories: multimedia dock, HDTV adapter, case, and more
August 3, 2011 No Comment
Today’s Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 event in NYC wasn’t just about software — okay, it was mostly about software, but the company also unveiled a slew of accessories for its slick Android tablet. High atop the list is a number of new docks for the slate, including a $50 Multimedia Dock, which props the device up in landscape mode while charging it and offering HDMI out. The $80 Ultra Productivity Tool, meanwhile, also charges the device and includes a full-sized keyboard with Android shortcut keys. The $150 Premium Protective case turns the Tab into a makeshift notebook with a full-size Bluetooth keyboard and a hinge that lets the user adjust the tab’s viewing angle. A new $40 HDTV adapter gives the tablet full 1080p HDMI output. The company also announced a $40 SD card adapter and a USB adapter for easy accessory input. For $60, Tab owners can pick up the Premium Book Cover, a high end case for the device that lets you prop it up for typing or viewing movies. And somewhere in the distance, you could hear Steve Jobs audibly shudder when the company unveiled a pen stylus for the device. The stylus has an aluminum body and a silicon tip, for when you need to give your fingertips a break. It’ll run you $20, and sadly won’t include meat . Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessories Samsung reveals new Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessories: multimedia dock, HDTV adapter, case, and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Researchers use graphene and tin sandwich to make better battery electrodes
August 3, 2011 No Comment
Graphene , that microscopic chicken wire made of carbon atoms, has a great many theoretical uses . Among these is to improve Lithium-ion battery technologies , and the big brains at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have created a graphene and tin composite material for use in battery electrodes . When it’s baked at 572 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Celsius) the tin turns into nanopillars that widen the gap between the graphene layers. The greater volume of tin provided by these tiny towers improves electrode performance (read: faster charging), and the flexibility of the graphene prevents electrode degradation. Naturally, current prototypes can only maintain capacity over 30 charge cycles — as opposed to the hundreds required for commercial applications — so some serious improvement has to happen before we see it strut its stuff in any phones or EVs. This leaves us, once again, extolling the virtues of graphene, but lamenting its exclusively academic application. Continue reading Researchers use graphene and tin sandwich to make better battery electrodes Researchers use graphene and tin sandwich to make better battery electrodes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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You can never have enough HDMI ports, that’s what we say at least. Heck, what does that gaming rig you just put together have? Two? And that MacBook Pro of yours doesn’t have any at all. But, if there’s a DisplayPort hanging around, you can add a pair HDMI jacks with an adapter from Zotac. This little dongle turns any DisplayPort or Mini Displayport into a dual HDMI hookup, with support for two 1920 x 1080 monitors — provided your graphics card can handle it and the HDMI group doesn’t kill the product first . Pricing and availability are still up in the air at the moment, but you’ll find a few more details in the PR after the break. Update : Zotac just reached out to let us know both adapters will be retailing for $50. Continue reading Zotac adapter turns your DisplayPort into two HDMI jacks Zotac adapter turns your DisplayPort into two HDMI jacks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It doesn’t get more American than gnawing on a doughnut sandwich while watching Toddlers in Tiaras, right? Well, apparently, the only thing more American is engaging in these two acts while connected to in-flight internet . In a recent BBC article, Gogo’s Jon Cobin said at least 1,200 commercial aircraft flying over these here amber waves of grain offer up WiFi, while there are only 100 [commercial] flying machines serving on-board connectivity in the rest of the world. Delta’s just announced full, fleet-wide WiFi connections on domestic flights, while most other major US carriers offer internet access on all or some of their planes. As the BBC points out, that could have something to do with the slow roll out of satellite-based systems — many American airlines depend on Gogo’s land-based services. Unfortunately for you die-hard patriots, however, acceptance of satellite broadband seems poised to take flight in the near future. At least we’ll always have Eden Wood. Americans rule in-flight internet adoption — for now originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If there’s one thing people are opinionated about besides politics, it’s religion. But most priests don’t keep comment card boxes outside their offices, and now some enterprising Germans have come up with a solution. It’s called the “Hirtenbarometer”—try saying that three times fast—a.k.a. the “Shepherd’s Barometer.” It is an intriguing idea— www.hirtenbarometer.de allows users to
Continue reading …Awards season is a long way off, but three Oscar winners have already been announced. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to give statuettes to Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones, and makeup artist Dick Smith, reports E! Online . Winfrey will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award…
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