Samsung Galaxy Round hands-on

Following the recent launch of Samsung's Korea-only Galaxy Round, it was only a matter of time before this eccentric concave phone made its way to specialist stores in Hong Kong. Tofu-keitai is one of the few shops that are offering said product inSincere Podium (where the going rate is above $850 to capitalize on early adopters), and our contacts there were kind enough to let us play with one briefly.

As you can deduce from the appearance and specs, the Snapdragon 800-powered Galaxy Round looks and feels just like a Galaxy Note 3 that you accidentally sat on. Even the plastic back cover channels the same stitched leather look, and underneath it you get the usual microSD slot plus a removable battery, albeit with a slightly smaller capacity -- 10.64Wh instead of 12.16Wh. Other notable differences include the lack of stylus and grip grooves on the faux metallic frame.

While the left-to-right curviness seems subtle in the photos, it was made more apparent when we started scrolling content sideways on that vibrant 5.7-inch, 1080p AMOLED panel. The outer curve made it instantly pleasing while holding the phone with a single hand, and the concave nature of the screen made it just a tad easier for our thumb to reach the other side. On a similar note, this Android 4.3 device felt expectedly nice in our trouser pocket.

We only found one application that takes advantage of the Galaxy Round's unique shape, which is the "Roll Effect" notification display. When the phone's on standby and facing upwards on a table, you can take a quick peek at the time, date, number of missed calls, number of unread messages and battery level by simply holding down one side of the phone.

Obviously this function alone would struggle to convince everyone that curved phones is the way forward, but our understanding is that this small-scale release of the Galaxy Round will somehow help Samsung explore more potential usages with curved touchscreens and form factors. With LG joining the stage with its G Flex(which is curved in the other orientation), it'll be interesting to see what could come next. Perhaps Pantech could combine the best of both worlds and release a bowl-shaped phone?

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By: Unknown On 10:58 PM

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Thinx upgrades the video monitor with embedded LTE and SMS alerts; ships in Q3 for around $500

As part of our tour through Verizon's Waltham, Ma.-based Innovation Center this week, we were able to see a brief demo of the Thinx 4G LTE video monitor -- a product that was briefly teased at CES, but we've heard precious little about since. Essentially, this is a rather sophisticated 1080p video monitor, designed for small businesses that would prefer that their monitors do more than just capture reels of archived footage. Thinx's solution throws in an admin panel and a smartphone app; users can install the camera and then define hot zones for the sensor to keep tabs on. If and when a specific event occurs (e.g. 50 individuals cross a virtual line), owners can be alerted via SMS -- and, of course, they can then view only the footage pertaining to said event with merely a click.

The aforementioned apps (available for iOS and Android) will allow owners to look in live at any time, with recorded video automatically stored on the included 4GB SD card, a personal NAS or a cloud storage facility like Dropbox. Better still, the control panel supports multiple cameras for those trying to cast eyes over an entire office complex, and there's room for a 12V battery that'll keep it humming along "for a few hours" should the power cut out. Tom Thomasson, vice president of marketing at Thinx, told us that the product is slated to go on sale in the US during the third quarter of this year, and it's one of "over 30" new products that Verizon will help launch during the 2013 / 2014 time frame.

Speaking of which, it's worth mentioning the (optional) embedded LTE module; while a great many monitors include WiFi support, tossing LTE into the mix adds a new level of redundancy. If the power gets cut, the internal battery (along with a live LTE connection) can keep the visuals going. It also makes the device far more portable given that the connection goes wherever the hardware does. Thomasson confessed that a final MSRP was still being nailed down, but he suggested that we'd probably see it land for "around $500." Steep, sure, but it ships with a pretty powerful management client that business users will likely find worthwhile. Have a look at the overview vid below.

Source: Thinx

More Coverage: Technology Guide

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By: Unknown On 10:48 PM

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Nokia announces Asha 210: a colorful QWERTY with a social heart, we go hands-on (video)

The last time we saw new members of the Asha family they eschewed the usual QWERTY keyboard, opting instead for a full touchscreen. The newly announced (and previously teased) Asha 210, however, returns to the more tactile input method, and brings a healthy splash of color (five different ones, to be precise) plus a dual-SIM option along for the ride. As before, social networks feature heavily, but the focus clearly remains on low-end and developing markets. We know Nokia can do budget (and do it well), but is a full keyboard, a design update, and a dedicated WhatsApp button (all costing $72 SIM-free, excluding taxes when it lands late Q2) enough to make it appeal to anyone beyond the entry-level social addicts? Nokia was kind enough to show us the devices first hand, so head on past the break to see if we thought so.

Nokia Asha 210 hands-on

The first thing you notice here is the design language. As with the budget 105 and 301 offerings from MWC, the Asha 210 owes a lot of its looks to the current flagships, with more than a whiff of Lumia about them. This influence also spills over into the color options, which include the usual cyan, magenta, yellow and black plus white. We have to say that for a phone at this price point, it really isn't bad looking. The finish is soft-touch plastic, and while it's not one piece of polycarbonate, Nokia's at least gone to some efforts to make it look slightly similar, and we're happy to play along. The casing is designed to appear as seamless as possible, and the phone looks all the better for it. As well as that dominating QWERTY, there are menu and navigation buttons above and below dedicated WhatsApp and camera keys. Nokia was very keen to play up the WhatsApp integration which not only provides quick access to chats, but includes use of the service for free, for life (i.e. no annual fee).

A slight twist here is that in some markets, the Asha 210 will actually have a dedicated Facebook button instead (as we saw with the Asha 205). We've asked for confirmation on which markets will have which, but we understand that broadly speaking the EU and USA will likely come with blue stripes, while the others should get green. We also asked if this button might be configurable, but it appears not. Whichever social network flag you fly, it still won't take you very long to get there, as the Series 40 software it runs on has been set up to put them all front and center on the homescreen anyway, with WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter coming pre-installed. While we're on software, as before there's a "premium" download pack of 15 apps and games on offer after purchase, full details of titles to follow.

As for the rest of the hardware, it's something of a mixed bag. The main thing to note is that we're still running on 2G, so no 3G / HSPA to ease the deluge of all those tweets and messages you're expecting. But, there is WiFi to ease some of that pain. The rear (and only) camera is 2-megapixels, which is quite a jump up from the 205's meagre VGA shooter, and should make good use of that dedicated button. The lack of a front-facing camera might initially turn the confirmed socialite a little sour, but don't worry, you can still take those all important "selfies" with the clever self-portrait mode that we also saw in the 301 (the one that says "left a bit, right a bit"). Nokia played down our requests about what was running under the hood, and while it's always nice to know, at this price-point RAM and processor speeds are likely not the buyer's primary concern. We do know, however, it's lingering somewhere under the 1GHz mark.

The software, it has to be said, does feel noticeably slow if you've ever played with a modern smartphone. Pressing the WhatsApp key took a second or two for the app to open, and generally navigating with the buttons (no touchscreen here) will test your patience unless this is the most premium phone you've ever had -- something that might actually be the case for much of its market. However, this may improve between now and when it finally hits the stores nearer to summer. On the upside, Nokia claims that you'll get 12 hours of talk, and over 40 in standby (under optimum, lab conditions) to give you plenty of time to do everything.

Overall though, in the hand the phone feels light, yet solid. The bright color design is attractive and the keys all have a firm, responsive action, though perhaps a little clustered for those with larger digits. Most of all, at $72 (for both the single- and dual-SIM version), it's feels mean to pick fault with some of the Asha 210's features. The design is great for this price, the social features will please many, and there's just about everything you might need for photos and sharing. The UI may feel a little sluggish, and the continued lack of 3G will write it off completely for many, but for mobile users starting at the lower rungs, who want a well built phone with core functionality, Nokia's made a very reasonable proposition.

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Nokia introduces the Nokia Asha 210, the most social Asha yet

A fast and responsive QWERTY phone with the world's first WhatsApp button

Espoo, Finland - Nokia today unveiled the latest device in its Asha family, designed to offer consumers more social experiences at an affordable price. The Nokia Asha 210, available in Single- or Easy Swap Dual-SIM variants, features a distinctly Nokia design and smart imaging that sets it apart from the crowd. It supports Wi-Fi to help people enjoy more of the Internet for less and is the world's first phone to have a dedicated WhatsApp button.

Your social life at your fingertips

The Nokia Asha 210 has a QWERTY keyboard and a dedicated WhatsApp
button for fast access to instant messaging. To celebrate the Nokia and WhatsApp partnership, WhatsApp is offering their service for free on all Nokia Asha 210 devices with the WhatsApp button for their lifespan. Combined with Facebook, Twitter and support for popular email accounts such as Gmail, the Nokia Asha 210 is designed to ensure that people are never more than a few clicks away from their friends and family.

Capture and share great images every time

The Nokia Asha 210 comes with a 2MP camera that can be accessed through a dedicated hardkey even when the keypad is locked. The smart camera also offers a choice of image capture, editing and sharing options, including:

- Self-portrait - for perfectly centred self portraits, even without a front-facing camera. The built-in voice guides the user to ensure they are in the frame, before taking the shot.
- Fast editing of images directly from the camera app and easy sharing of images to social networks.

People can also share photos and other content quickly by using Nokia's innovative Slam feature, which comes built-into the Nokia Asha 210. It works by enabling the transfer of content such as images or videos to another Bluetooth-enabled phone without the need to pair devices.

"The Nokia Asha 210 really stands out giving super-social consumers new ways to express their personalities through design, colour and innovations like the world's first WhatsApp button," explains Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "It has been designed to allow people to easily update their social networks, stay in touch with friends and share user created content."

"We are focused on delivering the best WhatsApp experience to as many people as possible," said Brian Acton, Co-Founder of WhatsApp Inc. "We are very excited about our partnership with Nokia Asha complementing our strategy of giving people around the world an easy experience when keeping in touch with their friends."

The new device also takes full advantage of the Nokia Xpress Browser which uses Nokia's cloud technology to reduce data consumption by up to 90 percent, helping people enjoy more affordable Internet access. The Nokia Asha 210 also features Nokia Nearby, a web app that lets people discover points of interest such as restaurants, shopping and ATM machines close to their location.

Other key features for Nokia Asha 210 include:
- Social phonebook integration with the ability to launch WhatsApp direct from contact cards in the Phonebook
- Preloaded YouTube launcher for direct video streaming
- Chat screen notifications that keep users up-to-date on new conversations
- Single-SIM and Dual-SIM models featuring Nokia's exclusive EasySwap technology that enables consumers to change SIM cards without having to turn off the device
- WiFi On/Off control button
- Nokia's renowned long battery life: up to 46 days with Single-SIM and up to 24 days with Dual-SIM

The Nokia Asha 210 is available in yellow, cyan, black, magenta, and white. The estimated retail price for the Nokia Asha 210 is around 72 USD and it is expected to start shipping in the second quarter of 2013.

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By: Unknown On 10:44 PM

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Logitech's FabricSkin keyboard folio for iPad will shrug off spills for $149 (video)

Suit Your Style With Logitech's Bold New iPad Folios

The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio and Logitech Folio Offer On-Trend Design, Sophisticated Colors and Unmatched Function

Features First Bluetooth® Keyboard with Keys Seamlessly Fused into its Interior Fabric

NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) introduced two new products to its tablet accessories lineup with the Logitech® FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad® and the Logitech® Folio for iPad and iPad® mini. Designed to complement both your style and your iPad with contrasting colors and high-end fabrics, these new folios protect the front and back of your tablet wherever you go, while letting you add personality to your iPad.

"We've combined design cues from the world of high fashion with the unbeatable typing experience you expect from Logitech to bring a new level of self-expression to iPad protection," said Mike Culver, vice president of brand development for tablet accessories at Logitech. "The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio and Logitech Folio give you more than just a protective case for your iPad, they add a distinctive accent to your iPad that reflects your personal style."

Logitech worked with world-class designers to identify chic fabrics and a bold color palette and combined them with a clean design. As a result, both the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio and Logitech Folio are offered in a range of colors from Electric Blue and Sunflower Yellow to Mars Red Orange, and in an array of on-trend fabrics from matte leather to finely woven cotton.

"By developing color and material options that evoke our senses and speak to our individuality, Logitech has made owning an iPad unique again," said Beatrice Santiccioli, world-renowned color expert and designer. "I brought my knowledge in color and design to Logitech to help inspire the selection of materials and develop a color palette that builds a strong emotional connection to people's lifestyles."

The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio features the first Bluetooth® keyboard with its keys seamlessly fused into an interior fabric. Its full-size keys give you the tactile feedback you're used to in a traditional keyboard, but in a sleek new look. The keyboard folio's high-end fabrics are treated with a coating that is liquid repellent to help keep your folio looking new for longer. Hidden magnets hold your iPad in two convenient positions, snapping your tablet securely into typing mode and ensuring the folio stays shut when you're moving around.

Designed for the iPad or iPad mini, the Logitech Folio features the same sophisticated style and premium materials on the inside and outside to safeguard your tablet while you're on the go. Magnetic closures minimize the risk of damage to your tablet and its screen while in transit. For an extra measure of convenience, its four-way flip stand allows you to view your tablet from the stand without having to hold it.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in May 2013, for a suggested retail price of $149.99 in the U.S. The Logitech Folio for iPad and iPad mini are expected to be available in the U.S. in May 2013, for a suggested retail price of $69.99 and $59.99. For more information, please visit www.logitech.com or our blog.

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By: Unknown On 11:06 PM

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Razer Comms voice chat launches in open beta with an always-on overlay (video)

Dedicated gamers are very familiar with loading chat apps like Teamspeak or Ventrilo to coordinate their multiplayer sessions, but such software usually sits in the background -- it's hard to tell who's speaking without switching apps and losing focus. Razer's new Comms open beta may just give players a chance to stay in touch without those rude interruptions. The Windows app provides the obligatory home for group voice and text chat, but its real standout is an optional on-screen game overlay that will keep the conversation going, either with a full window or a minimalist ticker that shows who's speaking. Razer's war on lag persists here, as well: Comms' servers reportedly minimize delays and hiccups in the heat of battle. Not everyone will need the beta when many games already have chat baked in. Those that want a more consistent experience, however, can give Comms a spin today.

Source: Razer

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By: Unknown On 6:29 PM

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SpaceX's Grasshopper VTOL rocket triples its previous best with 840-foot hop (video)

If it were in Aesop's fable, SpaceX's Grasshopper would probably be the ant instead, as the reusable rocket's team haven't stopped working since the 10-story craft launched back in September. It just tripled its previous altitude mark of 263 feet by soaring to 840 feet, hovering a tick, then gently landing on the exact spot it took off, all while making it look easy. Head after the jump for a video of the whole affair, which was captured rather dramatically by the company's hexacopter.

Source: SpaceX (YouTube)

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By: Unknown On 6:14 PM

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BeagleBone Black packs 1GHz ARM CPU, 512MB RAM for just $45 (video)

Maker tested, engineer approved: Introducing $45, 1-GHz BeagleBone Black open-source Linux computer

Everything you need to go from box to developing in less than 3.14 minutes

DESIGN WEST – SAN JOSE (April 23, 2013) -With BeagleBone Black, the next-generation offering from BeagleBoard.org, everyone from electronic artists to engineers has access to a ready-to- use, 1-GHz computer for only $45. This credit-card-sized, Linux computer is an open hardware and software development platform that makes it quick and easy to transform great ideas into products. BeagleBone Black allows developers to leverage the ideas and knowledge of the highly active and engaged users of the BeagleBoard.org community who support each other from concept through development. Opportunities for innovation are endless.

It's all in the box

For only $45, BeagleBone Black includes all the necessary components in the box to connect a display, keyboard and network, providing a lower total cost of ownership than the nearest competitor and allowing for immediate development.

BeagleBone Black is based on the 1-GHz SitaraTM AM335x ARM® CortexTM-A8 processor from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI). TI's Sitara AM335x processor enhances the user experience by enabling an advanced graphical user interface and more than 2x higher performance than ARM11TM-based solutions. BeagleBone Black includes 2GB of on-board storage to run pre-loaded Linux software, as well as a USB cable to power the board. Featuring USB, Ethernet and HDMI interfaces, BeagleBone Black has the interfaces to connect to a wide variety of devices such as a mouse, keyboard or LCD display. BeagleBone Black offers designers flexibility with expansion headers, including 65 digital I/Os, seven analog inputs and access to a variety of analog and digital peripherals.

Open-source software and hardware accelerate development time

BeagleBone Black is based on production-ready hardware and software, helping developers, makers, hobbyists and students around the world speed development time. In addition, all of the components on BeagleBone Black, including TI's Sitara AM335x processor, are commercially available.

BeagleBone Black comes pre-loaded with a Linux operating system and Cloud9 IDE to kickstart development and keep the microSD slot available for additional storage. The software is optimized to help new users explore embedded Linux and become proficient quickly. The ecosystem includes free access to documentation, example code and mainline kernel support for other software distributions like
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Ubuntu, Android and Fedora. BeagleBone Black's kernel and driver flexibility allows users to easily integrate new hardware and software.
More than 30 plug-in boards, called "capes" by the community, are compatible with BeagleBone Black, with more capes to come. Integrating BeagleBone Black with these capes-such as 3D printers, a DMX lighting controller, a Geiger counter, a telerobotic submarine, LCD touch screens and more-extends the functionality of the board to enable an even broader range of innovative projects and rapidly accelerate the development process.

Community engagement fosters innovation

The ticket to maximizing the full potential of BeagleBone Black is to tap into the wealth of information available in one of the most active communities in the industry, BeagleBoard.org. Interact with other developers to learn, answer questions, share ideas or just watch for inspiration. By utilizing the brilliant minds and contributions of open-source developers, BeagleBoard.org members can solve their development challenges quickly.

"With all you need to get started included in the box for only $45, BeagleBone Black is a fantastic platform for hardware hackers at a great value," said engineer Limor Fried, Entrepreneur Magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year and founder of Adafruit Industries. "BeagleBone Black and the BeagleBoard.org community can help almost any electronic artist-from beginner to professional developers-easily bring their unique project concepts to reality."

Order yours today!

Do you have a creative project idea that can help change the world? Make it a reality by ordering BeagleBone Black now. A list of distributors is available at www.beagleboard.org/black. Initial quantities are limited. BeagleBone Black is expected to ship in volume by the end of May.

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By: Unknown On 5:20 PM

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Acer teases May 3rd reveal of a tilt-screen laptop deemed worthy of Star Trek (video)

Our eyebrows are officially raised. Acer has revealed that it's going all-in with a promotional connection to Star Trek Into Darkness, and it's hinting at the May 3rd unveiling of a "unique" laptop that it believes would be at home in Captain Kirk's universe. We doubt that many people will still use Windows 8 in the 23rd century, but there may be some truth to the claims of novelty: a brief clip shows a clamshell design whose display can tilt outward like that of a desktop monitor, most likely to improve the comfort of touchscreen input without going the full convertible route of PCs like the Dell XPS 12. We'll know soon enough whether or not Acer's PC is the stuff of sci-fi or remains firmly grounded in reality.

Source: Acer

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By: Unknown On 11:44 PM

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Virtuix hooks up Oculus Rift to its Omni treadmill, shows off 'True VR' (video)

Sure, Omni-directional treadmills are nothing new, but Virtuix's take is worth a mention now that it's been shown off working in conjunction with the Oculus Rift. The company's been posting videos of its Omni treadmill working with Kinect for months, but last Thursday it upped the ante by adding the Rift. All told, it makes for what looks to be an intense VR session of Team Fortress 2 -- one-upping SixSenses' Razer Hydra demo for the VR headset. The company's been working on this unit as an affordable solution for households, aiming to eventually try for funding via Kickstarter. Catch the video demo after the break and please resist throwing money at the screen in an attempt to get in on the action early.

Via: Mashable

Source: Virtuix (YouTube)

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By: Unknown On 9:21 PM

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Twitter UK's #Flock cuckoo clock shares time and tweets alike (video)

The concept of a Twitter-aware cuckoo clock has certainly been done -- just not by Twitter itself, until now. Twitter UK has teamed up with Berg to produce #Flock, a smarter-than-average clock that both marks time and pops out a bird whenever there are new followers, replies and retweets. It's comparatively simple underneath the wood, as a Berg Cloud developer kit links an arm mechanism to the owner's Twitter account. The trick will be owning one in the first place. As much as we'd like Twitter to sell #Flock on a general basis, the company is giving away its hand-built creation only to companies and people that "push the creative boundaries," which will mostly involve advertisers rather than any of us common folk.

Via: The Verge

Source: Twitter Ads UK (Twitter)

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By: Unknown On 1:19 PM

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Wunderlist Pro to bring collaboration in a $45 per year subscription model (video)

If you've been meaning to get your act together, you've likely waded through a sea of organizer apps, perhaps landing on the likes of Remember The Milk, Evernote and Wunderlist. The latter has focused on the ubiquitous to-do lists, and has just announced that it'll launch Wunderlist Pro next week with new teamwork options aimed at businesses and other groups. Maker 6Wunderkinder said it brought the "most requested" feature of Wunderlist -- assigning -- which will let each user delegate and view the responsibilities of the entire team. You'll be able to see your own chores through an "assigned to me" smart list with unlimited subtasks and "new and exclusive backgrounds." The company's mum on the rest of the details, but said it'll launch the app sometime next week for $5 per month or $45 a year. That might help keep your cats in the herd, but blog editors? Impossible. Check the video after the break to see how they made it.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Wunderlist Blog

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By: Unknown On 7:19 PM

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PanaCast brings panoramic HD video to conference calls in the palm of your hand for $599 (hands-on)

Revolutionary Panoramic HD Camera
and Cloud-Based Video Communications Service Launches at DEMO Mobile

200° Panoramic Field of View with Real-Time High-Quality Video and HD Audio;
PanaCast Apps Allow Remote Users to Pan & Zoom with a Swipe;
Market Disrupting Price of $599, Works with Skype, Google Hangouts & Enterprise Apps

April 17, 2013 – Cupertino, CA – Altia Systems™ www.altiasystems.com today announced immediate availability and the launch and immediate availability of its first product – the PanaCast™ Experience – for desktop and mobile device multi-point communications.

PanaCast delivers an immersive, real-time 200° panoramic video experience with up to 60 FPS (Frames Per Second) and HD audio to anyone, anywhere, with an Internet connection. Even at 3G wireless speeds, PanaCast enables Panoramic-HD™ video quality and always includes enterprise-level video encryption.

Each remote participant (using the free PanaCast app) can choose their own individual perspective from the stationary camera's real-time panoramic video stream. This is easily accomplished with the swipe of a finger or zooming in and out with a finger pinch/spread.

The PanaCast system is not only fully portable, but also offers unparalleled usability through its integration of both NFC and QR code technology. This makes creating and joining a videoconference session as easy as touching your smartphone to the top of the camera or scanning the QR code.

Altia Systems developed the PanaCast experience through its 3-year stealth engineering of multi-imager processing technology and novel algorithms implemented in custom silicon. The PanaCast experience is created through the integration of the panoramic–HD video camera-server, a real-time Cloud switch fabric and free apps that combine to deliver an optimized and personalized A/V experience over any connection.

The camera works with both Skype® and Google® Hangouts as well as other business applications, or it can be bundled with the cloud-based PanaCast service starting at an introductory price of $19/month per user to achieve the full immersive experience.

PanaCast is available immediately at www.altiasystems.com at an introductory price of $599 (replacing high 5-figure room-bound videoconferencing systems).

PanaCast was shown publicly for the first time at DEMO Mobile 2013 (San Francisco), the launch event exclusively focused on the best new mobile technologies based on design, innovation and market potential.

"The "bring your own device" trend is now a reality in enterprises seeking to achieve new levels of business productivity combined with state-of-the-art infrastructure," said Aurangzeb Khan, CEO and co-founder of Altia Systems. "The launch of the PanaCast experience here at DEMO Mobile proves that disruptive hardware and software combined together can bring amazing new communication capabilities for remote workers collaborating around the world in real-time."

"With PanaCast, Altia is bringing the entire human perceptual field into video conferencing," said DEMO Executive Producer Erick Schonfeld. "It really feels like you are there."

Altia Systems™ www.altiasystems.com is a venture-backed company based in Cupertino, California that has created the PanaCast™ solution. PanaCast™ is a unique experience that enables anyone on desktop or mobile to receive an interactive, real-time panoramic HD 2000 field of view video stream that replicates the human panoramic perspective. Follow @panacast1 on Twitter® for further information.

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By: Unknown On 1:53 PM

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The technology of Stanford's Laptop Orchestra (video)

SLOrk's not the most elegant name, so far as acronyms go, but Stanford's weird and wonderful Laptop Orchestra wears it pretty well. The group dates back to 2008, an outgrowth of the school's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, culled together from a mishmash of parts, including car speakers, pillows and salad bowls, led by future Smule co-founder Ge Wang. Fittingly, the project made an appearance at a party thrown by the darlings of the music app scene, and we took the opportunity to speak with club member (and computer music doctoral student), Spencer Salazar, who told us how SLOrk transformed a golfing game peripheral into an instrument for strange and ethereal music creation. Check out that video after the break.

Source: SLORK

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By: Unknown On 1:46 PM

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Universities inject neuron-sized LEDs to stimulate brains without a burden (video)

Existing methods for controlling brain activity tend to skew the results by their very nature -- it's difficult to behave normally with a wad of optical fibers or electrical wires in your head. The University of Illinois and Washington University have developed a much subtler approach to optogenetics that could lift that weight from the mind in a very literal sense. Their approach inserts an extra-thin ribbon into the brain with LEDs that are about as big as the neurons they target, stimulating deeper parts of the mind with high precision and minimal intrusion; test mice could act as if the ribbon weren't there. The solution also lets researchers detach the wireless transceiver and power from the ribbon to lighten the load when experiments are over. Practical use of these tiny LEDs is still a long ways off, but it could lead to both gentler testing as well as better treatment for mental conditions that we don't fully understand today.

Via: Mobile Magazine

Source: University of Illinois

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By: Unknown On 1:21 PM

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Toshiba KIRAbook hands-on (video)

Take a stroll through the laptop section at Best Buy recently? If you have, you know Toshiba's got a firm stronghold on the cheapie notebook market. The thing is, $400 systems don't exactly offer high margins -- a problem when people aren't buying that many PCs to begin with. And besides, who wants to be known for shoddy build quality and ho-hum designs? Not Toshiba, anyway. The suits in Tokyo were so fed up with the company's low-rent reputation that they decided to launch a premium line to prove Toshiba is indeed capable of making high-end machines. That line is called KIRA, though for now there's just one product to speak of: the KIRAbook, a 13-inch ultraportable starting at $1,600.

For the money, you get a mix of modern design, top-shelf components and a whole lot of sucking-up from Toshiba's technical support. Topping the list is a 2,560 x 1,440 display, making this the first Windows Ultrabook to sport such a high-res screen. (We've already seen similar panels on the Chromebook Pixel and the Retina display MacBooks.) Additionally, users receive two years of warranty coverage and a dedicated support line, with near-instant pick-up times and a US-based staff (something customers have been asking for, says Toshiba). Also included: full versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11, along with 25GB of online storage and a two-year Norton subscription -- something HP already bundles on select machines. The KIRAbook will be sold in the US, Japan and Australia, with prices ranging from $1,600 to $2,000. It'll ship May 12th and go up for pre-order on May 3rd, but for now, we've got a detailed walk-through video waiting after the break, along with some early impressions. So come join us -- because who doesn't enjoy laptop porn?

Toshiba Kirabook hands-on

Where else to start but with that WQHD display? The minute we saw it, we knew this wasn't your garden-variety 1,366 x 768 panel. Everything is sharper -- even the lettering on the Start Menu -- though we would have just as easily assumed this was a 1,920 x 1,080 panel. Unfortunately, though, as much care as Toshiba otherwise put into the design, it clearly skimped on the viewing angles. (It has some unspecified wide-viewing-angle technology that's different from IPS.) In fact, we had a bit of trouble photographing the laptop head-on, what with all the screen glare. And that's a shame, because Toshiba already made this mistake once before with the Satellite U845W. The entire hook was that it had a super-wide 21:9 screen you could dip far forward in tight spaces, but that ended up being a moot point thanks to all the reflections.

Our disappointment with the viewing angles aside, this is otherwise the simplest, most thoughtful design Toshiba has come out with in a very long time. The machine is made of magnesium through and through, with pressed metal on the lid and a die-cast variety on the bottom. On the inside, Toshiba went with the same honeycomb framework it's already been using on its Portege laptops. The hinge, meanwhile, is 5mm thick -- and sturdy enough to keep the display still even while you're jabbing at it with your finger. All told, the result is a laptop that's at once durable and lightweight. Impressively, the KIRAbook weighs 2.9 pounds, and that's with the touchscreen. Without, it's just 2.6. Not bad, considering the current-gen 13-inch MacBook Air weighs 2.96 pounds even without a touch panel.

Like the Air and many other Ultrabooks, the KIRAbook has a wedge shape, with the machine getting narrower and narrower as you move away from the hinge. Somehow, though, Toshiba managed to keep the edges round, similar to lots of other machines in the company's lineup. It's only around the palm rest where the edges get really sharp, but you won't notice it when the notebook is closed. In fact, something about the weight distribution makes the KIRAbook very easy to grip in one hand, though again, those contoured edges help too.

According to Toshiba, the keyboard here is an attempt to correct some of the flaws on the Portege Z835 / Z935 (we were pretty vocal in our complaints, if you recall). This time around, the company contoured the top of the keys ever so slightly, and also allowed for a bit more travel. Not that we were able to do a side-by-side comparison with the old model, but it certainly felt easier typing on the KIRAbook than on the Z835. It also helps that the keys have a soft finish, along with some crisp backlighting (there's a light underneath each key, similar to HP's Radiance setup).

Before we close out, we'd be remiss if we didn't give you a little more information about specs and performance claims. The first two configurations (the $1,600 non-touch and the $1,800 touch model) will both have Core i5 processors, whereas the highest-end, $2,000 machine will come with a Core i7 chip. Regardless of which one you choose, eight gigs of RAM and 256GB of solid-state storage are standard. Either way, the KIRAbook is launching with Ivy Bridge CPUs, though it wouldn't surprise us if a Haswell refresh came later. With last year's Ivy Bridge chips, though, the 52Wh battery is expected to last a little over six hours on a charge. In other words, a similar battery life rating as other Ivy Bridge Windows 8 Ultrabooks, except this time, there are a lot more pixels to light up.

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By: Unknown On 12:47 PM

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Girl Scouts could get very own video game badge, STEM-approved

Girls are gamers, too -- and not just the Nintendogs type. Though video games have commonly been ascribed a boys' club distinction, the Girls Scouts of Greater Los Angeles and Women in Games International are looking to undo that widespread misperception. Working in conjunction with E-line, the publisher behind the government's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative, the two groups are seeking to create a nationally recognized video game badge; a first for the Girl Scouts. Guidelines for the proposed badge are still in process, with WIGI molding requirements to fall neatly in line with the STEM program, even going so far as to use the same development tool, Gamestar Mechanic. If and when the program gets final approval from the Girls Scouts of America, it'd be the third such video game badge available to our nation's young troopsters, as both the Cub and Boy Scouts currently offer one. So, no Rosa, it would seem the Girl Scouts do need those stinkin' patches.

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WOMEN IN GAMES INTERNATIONAL AND GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER LOS ANGELES PRESS 'START' ON CREATION OF VIDEO GAME PATCH
Initiative Aims to Spur Young Girls' Interest in STEM Subjects; Lead to Girl Scouts of the United States of America Badge

LOS ANGELES (April 17, 2013) – Women in Games International (WIGI) and the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA) announced today they are working together to create the first video game patch for Girl Scouts. WIGI, hopes the patch will serve as the first step toward creating a nationally recognized Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) badge. Both GSGLA and WIGI hope the initiative will give Girl Scouts an incentive to pursue an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects, and show them possible career options in the video game industry.
WIGI's patch will use Gamestar Mechanic, E-line's development tool used for the National STEM Video Game Challenge. Their platform and curriculum for game design has already helped more than 350,000 youth. E-line will help WIGI provide a tailored STEM-aligned program to meet all of the Girl Scout patch requirements.
WIGI and GSGLA are working together to accommodate patch workshop requests and to train interactive entertainment industry professionals in the Los Angeles area to guide girls through the patch program.
"Our ultimate goal is to create a STEM-aligned video game badge for the Girl Scouts of the United States of America," said Amy Allison, vice president at WIGI. "Creating this badge will get young girls excited in technology and science and let them know that they, too, can have a career in the video game industry."
"Girl Scouts has a long history of developing pioneers in the fields of science and technology, so we are excited about collaborating with Women in Games International to ignite girls' interests in STEM-related subjects," said Lise Luttgens, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles chief executive officer.

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By: Unknown On 12:40 PM

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Samsung Galaxy Mega hands-on (video)

When Samsung said it was having a little soiree to celebrate the launch of the Galaxy S 4, we took the company on its word. At the end, when the execs present warned us of something new, we thought a Mini might be in the cards, but in fact it was the exact opposite. It turns out that Samsung brought another friend along to the party, the recently announced Galaxy Mega. The largest of the two, to be precise. So, while everyone wanted to play with the latest flagship, we thought we'd take some time to get the know the 6.3-inch Galaxy Mega a little better. Head past the break for our impressions.

Samsung Galaxy Mega hands-on

First things first: we really thought that a phone of such size would be a stretch -- both figuratively and literally. But when we picked up the device, it felt surprisingly comfortable to hold and much lighter that you might anticipate. As for the design, make no mistake, Samsung merely took the Galaxy S 4, and gave it a good zap with the enlargo-gun. The curves, the home button, the bezel are all taken from its little sibling. The color scheme, too, was lifted directly from the GS 4, with the models on display sporting the same blue chequered pattern.

What clearly isn't the same is that screen. Not just because it's so much bigger, but because (much to our chagrin) it's a lower resolution, to boot. The "HD" screen -- in the short time we spent with it -- didn't actually look bad. Of course, this was just a few moments under the bright, possibly flattering conditions of Samsung's controlled display environment. The real acid test will come when we get to put it through its paces in a proper review.

As for general performance, again, we found it nimble enough while navigating menus and TouchWiz (there's Android 4.2 underneath). The 1.7GHz processor might not have the pure might of the two Galaxy S 4 processor variants, but it handled the demo videos, browsing and other material as adequately as you might expect. Most of all, however, we come back to where we started: the sheer size of the thing. Samsung was keen to describe it as large but comfortable -- pocketable, even. And that it is. But is that enough for it to win the hearts of the masses? It's hard to tell at this stage, but stranger things have happened.

Update: As you watch the video below, note a correction a couple of the specs -- this 6.3-inch version has a 720p HD screen, not qHD like the smaller 5.8-inch phone, and while the demo unit wouldn't open up it does have a removable battery.

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By: Unknown On 11:24 AM

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Glass Explorer Edition gets unboxed, photographed (video)

We already know what Page and Co. will be packing along with Glass, but now that participants of the Explorer program have begun picking up the wearable hardware, we're getting a second-hand unboxing experience. For those in need of a refresher, the glasses will be accompanied by a microUSB cable and charger, a pouch and an attachable shade and clear lens. Though there isn't much to glean from the stream of images, one of Mountain View's adventurers noticed that users will be able to send navigation directions straight from a smartphone to the eyewear. Click the source links below to take a gander at the photos, or hit the jump to watch a video shot with Glass by a Googler.

Update: We've slotted in a video after the break of Glass user Dan McLaughlin extracting his device from its packaging. The footage is a bit choppy, but it certainly provides a closer look at the hardware.

Source: Brandon Allgood (Google+), Cecilia Abadie (Google+), Matt Abdou (Google+), Dan McLaughlin

More Coverage: Life with Glass

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By: Unknown On 10:53 AM

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Twitter reportedly in talks to add video clips from Viacom, NBC

Now that Twitter has very tentatively launched Music integration, Bloomberg is reporting its next media target is TV. According to unnamed sources, Twitter is "close" to cutting deals to integrate video clips into the timeline, and sell advertising next to them. As we've seen with the new Cards it revealed earlier this month, bringing in more content about what users are discussing is key to its new strategy, and short TV clips fits into that idea perfectly. The report claims the first deal could be struck as soon as next month, with the possibility of other networks following afterward. Also playing into the strategy is its purchase of Bluefin Labs in February. Bluefin's focus is tracking how much users talk about particular TV shows, and Twitter claimed at the time that it sought to "create innovative new ad products and consumer experiences in the exciting intersection of Twitter and TV." Think that fits?

Source: Bloomberg

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By: Unknown On 10:03 PM

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YouTube for iOS updated to support live streams, TV video queuing

Google, we have to talk about your sense of timing. You've just streamed Coachella's first weekend on YouTube, and now you update the YouTube app for iOS to support live video? Better late than never, we suppose. Thankfully, there's a pair of extra features in the bargain, including the ability to queue multiple videos for TV viewing and a port of the Android version's uploads-only My Subscriptions feed. While it'll be awhile before we recover from missing the Tegan and Sara show, everyone can prepare for future events by upgrading at the source link.

Via: The Verge

Source: App Store

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By: Unknown On 9:02 PM

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