LightSquared announces ‘solution’ for GPS issue, says LTE network will roll out on schedule
June 20, 2011 No Comment
LightSquared may have steadfastly insisted otherwise, but recent tests showing that its wholesale 4G LTE network interferes with GPS have been getting tough for it to ignore, and it turns out the company has been quietly working on a backup plan. In addition to fessing up that one of the 10MHz blocks used by its network does indeed interfere with many GPS receivers, LightSquared has also now announced a two-fold “solution” to the problem. That will involve it using only a lower block of the 10MHz spectrum that it says doesn’t interfere with GPS (with a few “limited” exceptions), and a new agreement with Inmarsat that LightSquared says will let it “accelerate the schedule” to begin using the alternative block of spectrum. Those new measures, LightSquared says, will let it roll out its network in accordance with its original business plan, and give it enough spectrum to serve its customers for the “next several years.” What happens after that is a bit less clear, but LightSquared says it believes its network can “live harmoniously, side-by-side, with GPS users,” and that “enlightened and responsible spectrum management will give the American public the best of both worlds.” The company’s full press release is after the break. [Thanks, Nick] Continue reading LightSquared announces ‘solution’ for GPS issue, says LTE network will roll out on schedule LightSquared announces ‘solution’ for GPS issue, says LTE network will roll out on schedule originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Raytheon readying directed energy warheads to fry enemy electronics, cook allied Pop Tarts
June 20, 2011 No Comment
Raytheon , the people who brought you the pain ray , are at it again. The defense giant is planning an arsenal of “directed energy warheads” expected to use radio and microwaves to electronically neutralize targets rather than blow them up. The company’s being typically secretive about details, but mentions the recent acquisition of Ktech, a firm specializing in airborne electronic warfare and enemy vulnerability assessment, giving us a clue about how it might all work. It’s believed the tech will be retrofitted to existing missiles: the new payloads will identify vulnerable electronics then disrupt or even destroy them with a radio frequency beam or high-powered microwaves (HPM). The warheads would monitor the results, providing valuable battlefield intelligence — while, of course, killing fewer dudes on the ground. With industry rival BAE working on a seaworthy microwave gun to fry boat engines , we’re looking forward to future of friendly drones circling overhead, always ready to heat up our Hot Pockets. Raytheon readying directed energy warheads to fry enemy electronics, cook allied Pop Tarts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Toshiba’s quad-core Satellite L750D goes on sale for $699 as one of the first available Llano laptops
June 20, 2011 No Comment
When AMD came clean with its Fusion A-Series platform, the outfit was quick to admit that some manufacturers have already started slipping these hybrid CPU / GPU chips into their spankin’ new PCs. Still, at this early stage we still haven’t spotted many of ‘em — if anything, we have a better idea what’s on tap for later this summer . But here we have the Toshiba Satellite L750D-ST4N01, the first available Llano -packing lappie we’ve seen since the A-Series’ launch. At $699, this 15.6-incher might seem like a forgettable system with its 4GB of RAM, 640GB 5400RPM hard drive, 1366 x 768 panel, and three USB 2.0 ports. Heck, Toshiba barely even gave the L series lip service when it announced a slew of laptops last week. But what makes this seemingly ho-hum machine special is that it packs AMD’s mid-to-high-end quad-core A6-3400M chip and an AMD Radeon HD 6520G graphics core — a combination that adds just $10 to the cost over a similarly configured Satellite L755-S5258 with a dual-core Core i5-2410M processor and integrated Intel graphics. The L750D isn’t for you? The deluge of A-Series systems hasn’t even begun yet, friends. And while the jury’s still out on real-world battery performance, this should make it crystal clear that if nothing else, AMD is taking no prisoners when it comes to pricing. [Thanks, Eric] Toshiba’s quad-core Satellite L750D goes on sale for $699 as one of the first available Llano laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Alright stargazers, listen up! You know that video you just watched above? Yeah, well that’s not terrible 1995-era CGI, it’s actually mind-blowing footage of the Martian moon, Phobos , passing by Jupiter in the distance. Credit goes to the insanely brainy folks over at the European Space Agency who captured 104 images of this special alignment on June 1st over a measly 68 seconds using their Mars Express probe. True, it does take a little bit of imagination to get the full sense of just how awe-inspiring this is, but consider this — the distance between Mars Express and Jupiter at the time of alignment comes in at 529 million kilometers. That’s about 329 million miles for those of you still not sufficiently impressed. Try doing that with your high-end DSLR. Mars Express captures Phobos in orbit, has bad video to prove it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Well, looky here, Canon just let its hair down. The company was clearly in an experimental mood, and got the harebrained idea that consumers just might snap up red and brown DSLRs the way they do its candy-colored point-and-shoots . The outfit’s now selling its beginner-friendly EOS Rebel T3 in red, brown, and metallic gray — all in addition to your garden-variety black, of course. Sure, that’s tame by Pentax’s wacky standards , but for Canon it’s pretty… outlandish . Since the camera went on sale this spring, its price has dropped from $599 to a promotional $549 for the kit, which includes an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom II lens. As for the body, if you’ll recall, it has a 12.2 megapixel sensor that records 720p video (a rarity for an entry-level model), a nine-point autofocus system, ISO 100 to 6,400, and a 63-zone dual-metering zystem. Novices who just want to be different can, as always, hit up the source link for more info. Canon takes a cue from Pentax, starts selling the T3 in assorted colors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Zoosh . That may or may not be what an ultrasonic payment sounds like to a dolphin, but it is definitely the name of a new mobile wallet technology developed by Silicon Valley start-up, Naratte. While Google and other major players have focused on traditional radio-based NFC, Naratte has been quietly testing its ultrasound system instead, motivated by the fact that it can work on ordinary handsets without the need for specialized NFC circuitry. Two phones can “zoosh” each other using nothing but their built-in microphones and speakers, so long as they’re both running the necessary app. Moreover, Naratte claims that cash tills can be upgraded to hear the sweet jangle of ultrasonic cash for just $30 — around a third of the cost of installing radio-based NFC hardware. So who knows? The last time you came this close to ultrasound was probably just before you were born, but one day you might find yourself using it to buy diapers. Scary. Zoosh does mobile payments using ultrasound, no NFC chip required originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Marshall updates Major headphone with in-line mic for more talkin’ between rockin’
June 20, 2011 No Comment
Marshall struck solid gold when it lent spare amp parts to Zound Industries ( Urbanears ) for the Major and Minor headphones, and is now releasing a remixed version of the original smash hit. The updated headset is by all means a Major headphone, but it now features an in-line remote with a mic that’s sure to please on-the-move fans of the supra-aural fit. At $119, the new cans will set you back about 20 bones more than the original, although you can’t put a price on the amount of rockstar-cred you’ll gain. The Major is available now from Marshall Headphones’ web store and at your local brick and mortar if your GASing for some new JCM -esque headgear. Gallery: Marshall Major Heaphone w/ in-line remote and mic Continue reading Marshall updates Major headphone with in-line mic for more talkin’ between rockin’ Marshall updates Major headphone with in-line mic for more talkin’ between rockin’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sigma’s fixed-lens DP2x reviewed: a ‘quirky camera’ that ‘needs further development’
June 20, 2011 No Comment
Most camera owners count low price, a versatile zoom lens, and HD video capture high on the priority list when searching for their next point-and-shoot, but Sigma’s new DP2x falls short on all three counts, sporting an $800 price tag , fixed-length 24.2mm lens, and meager QVGA video. So why, then, did Sigma bother releasing an update to last year’s DP1x ? The camera’s near-DSLR-size 14 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor is slightly redeeming, along with a sturdy body construction and full manual controls, according to a review on ePhotoZine, but negative bullet points like poor JPEGs, a magenta cast on images, and a slow response time leave us unimpressed. Sigma boasts of the cam’s unique image sensor, which it claims stacks red, green, and blue layers for higher-quality images, but even there, poor low-light performance and 4.7 megapixel file output don’t seem to make the tradeoff worthwhile. The site claims that the cam’s lens is a solid-performer, however, with a fast f/2.8 aperture and an excellent manual focusing system. Overall, we don’t appear to have a winner on our hands with the DP2x, but Sigma loyalists looking to stick with the seemingly overpriced, undervalued camera line can hit up the source link for the full review. Sigma’s fixed-lens DP2x reviewed: a ‘quirky camera’ that ‘needs further development’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We were hoping it wouldn’t happen, but it appears that Verizon CFO Fran Shammo’s summer foreboding of his company’s dreaded tiered data plans could be right on the money. Droid-Life is reporting the magic date will be July 7 and has provided supposed pricing details: data plans without tethering would start at $30 for 2GB, while 5GB and 10GB will cost $50 and $80 respectively. Tethering will cost an extra $20 and adds another 2GB to the pool. There’s said to be no notable separation between 3G and 4G — you’d be billed exactly the same whether you’re packing a Droid X2 or a Droid Charge . These new plans wouldn’t affect anyone currently under contract, though it’s still unknown if customers can hang onto them when it’s time to renew. While this remains filed in the “grain of salt” cabinet for now, it may be a good time to at least start checking out your next phone. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Verizon tiered data plans coming July 7, starting at $30? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Fresh from the Land of the Rising Sun comes news that Sony has updated the original PS3 Slim (CECH-3001B) with a lighter, less power-hungry model. The new Japanese PS3 CECH-3000B weighs in at 5.7 pounds — as opposed to its 6.6 pound elder brother — and even lowers its wattage to 200W from the previous 230W. The unit will retail at the same
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