Rabu, 16 Februari 2011

What's new on SlashGear.com

What's new on SlashGear.com

Make Vacuuming More Fun With Kinect And Roomba Hack

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:25 PM PST

Microsoft's Kinect has been the target of hackers since the day it launched. Since the Kinect recognizes gestures and movements the number of hacks seems limitless. Another one has popped up on YouTube today and demonstrates a more entertaining and interactive way to vacuum with a roomba.

The hack recognizes certain movements and directs the Roomba where to clean. A Japanese programmer, who goes by the name Ogutti, demonstrates the hack, making several different gestures to direct the tiny vacuum to move forward, backward, to turn, and to shut off. The Roomba was connected via a Bluetooth sensor on the bottom of the device.

The Roomba usually follows its own path or has to be controlled by remote. But with this hack, you can toss that remote and start playing symphony conductor as your Roomba follows your every gesture.

[Via NY Times]

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Windows Phone 7 Connector App Syncs Windows Phone With Mac

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:05 PM PST

If you've adopted a Windows Phone 7 device but still hang on to your Mac or your large iTunes collection, then you should be glad to know that Microsoft just released a new app to help you sync up everything. This app is called the Windows Phone 7 Connector and is available now for free download from the App Store.

With the Windows Phone 7 Connector app, you can sync photos, music, and movies from your existing iTunes library. You can also sync photos and videos from your existing iPhoto library. The app also allows you to sync music and movies to a Zune HD.

System updates for your Windows Phone device can also be downloaded and installed from this app. However, the app doesn't seem to support syncing of iCal and Mail contact data.

[Via Business Insider]

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Vivox Voice Chat Hugely Popular Among Gamers

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:32 PM PST

Voice chat company Vivox has been able to find a great niche, gamers. According to Monty Sharma, vice president of product management and marketing at Vivox, they have been adding users at a rate of 2.5 million a month. And people are spending 3 billion minutes a month chatting while playing games online. Vivox is popular since it has been able to offer users a high quality solution that they don’t have to download seperately. The chat service is integrated into a number of games from companies like Wargaming.net, IMVU, Runewalker Entertainment, and Bigpoint.com. Just check out that graph…


Vivox announced today that it had 45 million users in 2010, up 150 percent from 18.5 million in 2009. Users can talk to each other on a kind of party line and plan out strategies for the game.

Vivox is expecting more growth in 2011, at least 100 percent, according to Sharma. Growth is likely to come from Sony PlayStation 3 players, since Vivox is now used on DC Universe Online.

Sharma predicted the company could grow at least 100 percent in 2011. Much of the growth this year could come from Sony PlayStation 3 players, Sharma said. One of the most recent popular games to use it is DC Universe Online. Vivox creates revenue through audio advertising and virtual goods. Sony Online Entertainment, CCP Games, Linden Lab, and Nexon use the service as well.

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MobileMe Makeover? To Add Facebook Style Front Page, Mobile Check-Ins, And Video-Streaming?

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:26 PM PST

Information has leaked about Apple's ambitious revamp of MobileMe. The update would give the service geo-tagging, location based check-ins, and video-streaming capabilities. In addition users would have a Facebook style front page with your current location and status updates.

Cult of Mac has a source that says Apple is focusing on streaming media and location-based services. The front page will be updated from your iOS device automatically with your location, status updates, pictures you've taken, and videos you’ve uploaded. It will also have the apps and music you've purchased and games your playing. It sounds like every modern social networking service combined into one.

"The concept is that you would have your own website that's dynamic, all based on what you're doing at that moment," says the source. "Apple thinks of it as having a webserver in your pocket…everything will be dynamically updated to MobileMe."

The user will have privacy controls to limit just how much information you are putting out there. Friends can be grouped together in iGroups and MobileMe will share information to those in your group and will let you know when you are within close proximity to one another.

With all these cloud computing services possibly being added and built into iOS, it strengthens some of the rumors that Apple could come out with an iPhone with no physical memory and runs on streaming-only. It'll be interesting to see if Apple does take MobileMe in this direction. It might make other location-based services out there a little nervous.

[Via Cult of Mac]

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Sony Lays Down The Law For PS3 Hackers

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:10 PM PST

Amidst the whole PS3 hacking saga that is Sony vs. Geohot, a new announcement–or warning–has just been released by Sony to really lay down the law. Their message basically says that if you get caught then you're banned for life.

Sony believes that circumvented devices and pirated games not only damage their industry but can also negatively affect the online experience for their loyal customers via hacks and cheats. It seems that they will be able to detect circumvented systems once they connect to the PlayStation Network. The announcement says, “Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently.”

The full message here:

Notice: Unauthorized circumvention devices for the PlayStation 3 system have been recently released by hackers. These devices permit the use of unauthorized or pirated software. Use of such devices or software violates the terms of the "System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System" and the "Terms of Services and User Agreement" for the PlayStation Network/Qriocity and its Community Code of Conduct provisions. Violation of the System Software Licence Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System invalidates the consumer guarantee for that system. In addition, copying or playing pirated software is a violation of International Copyright Laws. Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently.

To avoid this, consumers must immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems.

[Via ArsTechnica]

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Report: Android App Market Outpacing iPhone Apps

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:07 PM PST

According to a report released today by the mobile security firm Lookout, the Android Market is growing at three times the rate of the iTunes App Store. The number of apps in Apple’s store increased by 44% since August, while the number of Android Market apps increased by 127% during the same period. This is according to Lookout’s App Genome Project report, based on an analysis of more than 500,000 mobile apps for these platforms.


Apple’s store still has more apps, but that may not last long. Apple has 350,000 apps for the iPhone, compared to 88,000 in the Android Market. But according to Lookout Chief Technology Officer Kevin Mahaffey in an interview with CNET, “If apps continue to be developed for each platform at this same rate, the Android Market will have more apps than the Apple App Store by mid-2012.”

Apple also has a much higher percentage of paid apps (66%), but that percentage has declined from 70% since August. 34% of the apps on the Android Market are paid apps, and that has increased from 22% since August.

It will be interesting to see the impact that subscriptions and in-app purchases have on the app market in the next year as well.

[via CNET]

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SIRF Walk Indoor GPS – Coming to a Smartphone Near You

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST

If you’ve ever gotten lost in a mall and had to spend time searching for one of those “directions” kiosks, then help is on the way. SIRF Walk, an indoor positioning system created by CSR, will be able to help you find your destination, even when you are inside and out of satellite view. The system will use a phone’s accelerometer, gyroscope, and even a barometer.


SIRF walk would be counting on companies like TomTom, Garmin, or Google to store building schematics. That way, the system would be able to tell if you’re on the first or fifth floor using a barometer, and how many steps you have taken, using the accelerometer. And you don’t need to worry about the technology being fooled by the phone bouncing around in your purse or pocket. "We can work out context," Raj Gawera, VP of Marketing for CSR, told the blog PocketLint: “There is some really smart processing going on to combat the phone’s movements.”

Though the technology is close to being ready now, the holdup will be getting all of the building schematics mapped. Of course, companies would have a vested interest in getting that done, since they want you to find their store and spend money there. The company expects the technology to be available to manufacturers by the end of the year, so we could see this technology on phones in 2012. Which phones? Gawera would not confirm, but said they are working with Nokia, Samsung, LG, and BlackBerry.

[via Pocketlint]

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MobClix Says Apple iOS Users More Valuable Than Android Users

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 12:29 PM PST

Mobclix–mobile advertising platform and open marketplace–just drew together a chart from revenue data that shows Apple iOS users to be more valuable than Android users. Their study looks at the value of an app user for developers on a per user basis. Android is everywhere and growing bigger by the minute with several different confectionary versions running on smartphones and tablets, but Apple's iOS reigns supreme right now as king of the money mountain.

The iPhone beat Android in the games, utilities, and entertainment app categories. The study says utility app users have a higher value than game and entertainment users. Aside from young kids, most iPhone users probably access utility apps like photography apps or business apps more times a day than games.

Mobclix used five criteria in their study:
– Average revenue is define as monthly revenue/unique users per month
– Apps with 500k+ downloads and/or 75k+ daily active users were used for calculation purposes
– Apps spent an average of two weeks in their categories 'Top 10' listing and are free apps
– Value is based on advertising revenues
– Active user is defined as a usage of 3 times a week for a minimum of 5 minutes.

It'll be interesting to see how long Apple can keep its lead over Android as more and more Android devices roll out.

[Via Mobclix Blog]

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Angry Birds Heading To WP7, 3D Version Coming Soon

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 12:16 PM PST

Rovio, the company behind the popular Angry Birds game, has just confirmed that it is working on a Windows Phone 7 version. On top of that, they confirm plans to develop a 3D version for the slew of 3D devices on the way.

This announcement is interesting because just last fall, Rovio and Microsoft had a slight kerfuffle due to Microsoft's unlawful use of an Angry Birds icon in WP7 advertising. The situation elicited a tweet from Rovio saying : "We have NOT committed to doing a Windows Phone 7 version. Microsoft put Angry Birds icon on their site without our permission."

Now it appears that everything is patched up and Rovio head, Peter Vesterbecka confirms that the WP7 version of Angry Birds is in the works. He also confirms that they are working on a 3D version of the game but has not given a specific timeline for either version.

[Via Techland]

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DoCoMo Touchable 3D Lets You Touch What Jumps Off The Screen

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 11:28 AM PST

I’m sure all of us have watched something jump off the screen of a 3D movie and wanted to grab at it as it floated before our 3D-bespectacled eyes. Now wouldn’t it be cool if you really could interact with that floating object? Leave it to Japanese mobile operator DoCoMo to inch us forward in this direction. Always sure to bring something that's just outside the box every year at MWC, DoCoMo is showing off something they call Touchable 3D which will make users feel as if they are actually touching a 3D image.

DoCoMo combines a glassless 3D display with force sensors and a pen with some magnets placed inside. The pen is tracked by two cameras and depending on the position of the pen, it will send a signal through the screen to the magnet at the tip of the pen. The pen will shake or even jump out of your hand depending on the program. DoCoMo's presentation had a cartoon chameleon that tried to grab the pen with its tongue. If it succeeds you feel a vibration strong enough to shoot the pen out of your hand.

The technology is still pretty young so no information was given as to when you would see it in actual products. There was a warning from the company about how close you should get if you had magnetic-recorded cards. That’s definitely one of the issues DoCoMo needs to figure out along its path towards rolling out 3D interactivity to consumers.

[Via Pocket-lint]

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Tablets Saving Trees?

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 11:25 AM PST

There is no question that the iPad and soon, other tablets, are making printing less and less necessary. When you can carry the content with you and read it comfortably, why do you need to print it out? A few restaurants now are using iPads for their menus and wine lists, and of course, sales of e-books are growing exponentially. John Paczkowski at The Wall Street Journal’s Digital Daily has an interesting perspective on the tablet phenomena.


Paczkowski points out that it is ironic that HP is touting wireless printing as one of the selling points of its TouchPad, when having a tablet makes using a printer kind of redundant.

In fact, Morgan Stanley expects a decline of up to two percent in printer supplies revenue in 2011 and a two percent to five percent decline in 2012. According to their report on the tablet market:

"CIOs in the enterprise space already expect to cut spending on printer supplies in 2011. As the installed base of tablets–a digital document viewer that reduces the need to print both standard black and white documents and expensive color presentations–grows, we expect printed page volumes to shrink. What''s more, 90% of iPad users already believe they would print less with access to work documents on their tablets."


So it only makes sense that HP, the printer company (well, partly), would want to get into the tablet market. Hopefully they, and WebOS, can differentiate themselves enough to make that work.

Meanwhile, printing revenues will continue to decline, and tablets will become more and more widespread and affordable.

[via AllThingsDigital]

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Verizon iPhone 4 Lower Than Expected Sales Numbers Leaked

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 11:05 AM PST

Verizon's much hyped iPhone 4 launch touted record setting pre-orders only to be greeted with embarrassingly small store queues and now disappointing actual sales numbers. BGR got hold of leaked sales data showing a comparison of Verizon versus AT&T's first-week iPhone 4 sales. Although the comparison shows that Verizon sales came out ahead, the numbers are apparently lower than what Apple and Verizon had expected.

The sales data shows unit sales from five Apple stores combined, two of which are very prominent Apple stores:
- Thursday: Verizon = 909, AT&T = 539
- Friday: Verizon = 916, AT&T = 680
- Saturday: Verizon = 660, AT&T = 471
- Sunday: Verizon = 796, AT&T = 701
- Monday: Verizon = 711, AT&T = 618

Other data revealed statistics of who actually bought the Verizon iPhone. Of the people that purchased the Verizon iPhone, 30% were Android users, over 25% were BlackBerry users, and only 14% were AT&T iPhone users.

[Via BGR]

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Sony S1: A PlayStation Tablet Coming This September?

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 10:30 AM PST

With all the rage that is the tablet market right now, it's surprising that one of the major players in consumer electronics, Sony, has yet to join the party. However, this may change very soon according to some exclusive details received by Engadget from "two highly trusted and independent sources."

According to those sources, Sony will be starting off with a 9.4-inch Android 3.0 tablet codenamed S1. Sony is customizing a rich UI Honeycomb interface for the S1 to rival if not best that of the iPad. The tablet will be focused on Sony's music, games, ebooks, and videos on demand service, Qriocity. It will be a super gaming tablet preloaded with Sony PS1 games, a Bravia Media Remote, and have full Playstation integration.

An early sketch of the S1 shows a wrap design, reminiscent of Notion Ink’s Adam, that is weighted in such a manner to prevent wrist fatigue when held for an extended period of time. With large tablets, this type of discomfort is a common complaint.

The wrap around area will contain the battery and circuitry including a Tegra 2 processor. Front and rear cameras are also a must along with a USB-A port, an IR port, and possibly a Qriocity button. A black high gloss front-side with a contrasting matte silver back-side is likely the final aesthetic.

Pricing for the WiFi-only version should be $599, about $100 more than the iPad, and shipments are planned for September. But with no prototype in site, no official announcements so far at MWC, and only a very rough sketch that resembles a floor mat, it will be interesting to see if any of this holds true.

[Via Engadget]

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Super Compact Book Printer from SADI

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 10:29 AM PST

Korean design school SADI has come up with this super compact printer – shaped like a book. It’s so small, that you could really take it anywhere, and not feel like you are lugging around a printer, only 50 x 257 x 182 mm (or about 2 x 10 x 7 inches). The printer uses Bluetooth to connect with compatible devices. Continue after the cut to see more pics of this cute little printer.


SADI is a school of design located in Seoul, Korea. The book printer was designed by Moonhwan Park. Hopefully, we will be seeing this design available for sale someday in the near future.

[via Yanko Design]

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Is Samsung Using Tegra 2 or Exynos for New Galaxy S II?

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 10:07 AM PST

Early on at the 2011 Mobile World Congress, Samsung and NVIDIA made an announcement that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be made with NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 SoC (I9103). They also announced that they would be working on a new superphone based on Tegra 2. But at Samsung’s press conference, we saw the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy S II, using Samsung’s Exynos SoC (GT-I9100). There was no mention of NVIDIA or Tegra 2. Why would Samsung use Tegra 2 when it already has a Exynos-based smartphone?

Samsung sold 10 million Galaxy S phones in 2010, and they are probably on track to sell at least that many Galaxy S II phones once they are available. And Exynos is a brand new SoC, with a brand new GPU for Samsung that Samsung has never shipped. This may be risky, considering the demand that Samsung is facing in markets around the world.

NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 is nearly equivalent in CPU performance, and better in GPU and Flash performance (see the benchmarks posted by AnandTech yesterday), so it is a pretty good alternative to the Exynos SoC.

Samsung listed its own dual-core Application Processor in the Galaxy S II as not being used in all regions, which may mean that Samsung could choose to use Tegra 2 or Exynos depending on the region.

[via AnandTech]

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LG CINEMA 3D LW5700 HDTV certified flicker-free

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:33 AM PST

LG‘s CINEMA 3D LW5700 TV has gone on sale, though you’ll need to live in Korea in order to pick one up. The first third-party endorsed “flicker free” 3D set – with Intertek and TÜV wading in to say it’s easier on the eyes – the LW5700 promises to “practically eliminate” dizziness or eye-fatigue while watching 3D content.

The passive 3D glasses are battery-free and so only weigh in at 16g, while there’s a 3D Light Boost film covering the top LCD layer which can apparently counteract picture dimness during 3D playback. 2D to 3D conversion and TruMotion 120Hz along with DivX Plus/HD support round out the main specs.

There’s also Smart TV functionality, with access to LG’s premium content, as well as a motion remote. It’ll go on sale globally from March 2011, pricing tbc.

Press Release:

LG’s new CINEMA 3D TV rewrites the rules for 3D

With World's First "Flicker Free" Certification, LG CINEMA 3D TV Offers the
Ultimate in Smooth, Comfortable and Bright 3D Viewing

SEOUL, Feb. 16, 2011 — LG Electronics (LG) today announced the Korean release of its new CINEMA 3D TV, which boasts the first third-party endorsed "flicker free" 3D images, along with more comfortable glasses, a brighter picture and a wider viewing angle. Together, these features make it more comfortable than ever for viewers to enjoy 3D content in the company of family and friends.

"Having used our expertise in 3D to address consumer concerns about 3D, such as the sometime flickery picture and unwieldy glasses, today we're ready to unveil a real breakthrough in 3D with LG CINEMA 3D TV," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. "LG CINEMA 3D TV will be a real game changer in 3D TV, pushing 3D viewing to new heights of excitement and taking 3D technology firmly into the mainstream of home entertainment worldwide."

CINEMA 3D TV's outstanding 3D viewing experience begins with its Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology, which optimizes the separation of images for the left and right eye. Those images are then matched up with CINEMA 3D glasses specially designed to receive each image, creating an outstandingly smooth 3D picture.

The resulting picture has earned CINEMA 3D TV "flicker free" certification from Intertek and TÜV, two world-renowned certification agencies based in Europe, making it the world's first 3D TV to receive the designation. With such a smooth picture, the Cinema 3D TV practically eliminates the feelings of dizziness or eye fatigue that could occur with previous 3D TVs, meaning viewers can enjoy 3D content for longer and in
greater comfort.

The Cinema 3D TV also comes with comfortable and lightweight 3D glasses. Tipping the scales at just 16 grams, the glasses have no electrical parts, so they are free of electromagnetic waves and never need to be recharged. And because the CINEMA 3D TV's glasses don't need to be synced or shuttered, they ensure CINEMA 3D stays entirely free of onscreen flicker.

Further ramping up the picture quality is LG's 3D Light Boost, a thin film covering the CINEMA 3D TV's screen that ensures 3D images are shown at full brightness. By counteracting any dimness that can sometimes occur with 3D content, 3D Light Boost creates brighter, clearer images for a superior 3D viewing experience.

Thanks to its wider viewing angle and flexible viewing positions, CINEMA 3D TV is ideal for watching 3D with big groups of friends or family, while sitting or lying down in practically any spot in front of the TV.

Besides superb picture quality in 2D and 3D, CINEMA 3D TV boasts all the advantages of LG's Smart TV technology. With its simple Home Dashboard and Magic Motion Remote Control, LG CINEMA 3D TV makes it easy to access a full array of premium content via top global providers, the best in locally sourced shows, and the growing range of LG Apps designed specifically for use on its Smart TVs.

Following its Korean release, LG CINEMA 3D TV will be rolled out globally from March.

LW5700 Specifications:

• Light and Comfortable Glasses
• 3D Light Boost
• Wide Viewing Angle
• Smart TV
• DLNA/WiFi/DVR ready
• 2D to 3D conversion
• LED Plus
• Local Dimming
• TruMotion 120(100)Hz
• DivX Plus/HD
• Smart Energy Saving Plus

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Motorola Xoom Pricing Confirmed $799

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:25 AM PST

After all the speculation and then the mysterious disappearance of a Best Buy ad, we finally have an official number for the Motorola Xoom price tag. Motorola chief executive, Sanjay Jha, confirmed that the Xoom will sell for $799 unsubsidized and $600 for the WiFi-only version.

"Competing with Apple you have to deliver premium products," said Jha, adding that the Xoom software is also upgradable. “I am as focused on Android as I ever have been. As a result of Nokia adopting Microsoft it’s possible that some of the other players concentrate on Android,” said Jha.

He also stated that almost all Motorola products this year will use Google's Android platform but that they would still like to see alternative options remain on the market. “I hope there will be at least three or four. I love Android, but I hope as hell there won’t be just one”

[Via Reuters]

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HTC Flyer priced by Amazon Germany

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:11 AM PST

HTC’s Peter Chou wasn’t talking pricing for the HTC Flyer when the company launched the 7-inch slate yesterday, but that hasn’t stopped Amazon Germany from listing the tablet already. While there’s still no release date for the Android 2.3 Gingerbread tablet, we do know it will be €699 ($944).

To put that in context, it’s exactly the same price Apple charges in Germany for the 32GB iPad 3G. Both have 3G and the same memory capacity, and HTC did confirm to us last week that the Flyer would be priced around the “high end” of the market.

Of course, the HTC Flyer is likely to see some subsidization from carriers when it launches in early Q2, so that could bring the pricing down a little more into some users’ budgets. For more on the HTC Flyer, check out our live report on the slate from Mobile World Congress 2011 this week.

[via TabletGuys]

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Warner Bros. To Sell Movies As Apps Through App Store

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:06 AM PST

Warner Bros. has just released The Dark Knight and Inception via the App Store rather than iTunes. This move was in part a workaround for people in countries without the iTunes movie store but also is looking to be a more interactive way than iTunes.

The movies come in an App Edition that is free and can be shared via Facebook and Twitter. And from within the app, you get a 5-minute preview, some sample bonus materials, and the option to purchase and either stream or download the movie.

After your purchase, a whole slew of extras such as scene selection, behind-the-scenes footage, and trivia are unlocked. The app really functions much like a mini DVD for your mobile device. It is likely that future releases will also take this route as it provides much more content than what you can normally get through an iTunes download.

[Via 9 to 5 Mac]

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Google Competes With Apple On Subscription And In-App Purchasing

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 08:42 AM PST

Publishers that were complaining about Apple's new in-app purchasing and subscription requirements may now have a better alternative. Google is reportedly starting today a new in-app purchasing system for its Android Market to compete with Apple.

Apple's new in-app purchasing model requires publishers of content-based apps to pay out a 30% cut on their subscription revenues that were received via in-app purchasing. Apple did compromise to allow publishers to direct customers to their own websites for purchasing subscriptions as long as an option was provided on that page to purchase through the App Store.

Google's plan is to introduce a similar in-app purchasing and subscription model but publishers would only pay a 10% cut. The music service, Rhapsody, has just slammed the new Apple model calling it "economically untenable," so it will be interesting to see how Google's offering will be received.

[Via TUAW]

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Why Multi-Cores in Mobility is Important

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 07:53 AM PST

If we take a look back at the past 30+ years of computing we can honestly say one technological advancement has constantly driven computing forward, that one thing is the microprocessor. Intel has led much of this computing revolution creating the world's fastest microprocessors for computers. Today, bringing faster and more powerful microprocessors beyond computers and to mobile devices is the central focus of many. This time however Intel is not leading the charge.

Today, pushing the boundaries of the microprocessor for mobile devices are the likes of NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Marvell. Those companies use the ARM architecture to create their mobile chipsets. Right now, NVIDIA is first out of the gate with dual core mobile devices; their Tegra 2 processor is in devices like the Motorola Atrix 4G, LG Optimus 2X, Motorola XOOM tablet, LG Tab and G-Slate and a host of other super phones and tablets. Qualcomm’s dual-core is in the HP Touchpad and Texas Instruments dual-core is in the RIM Playbook, both products will be out later this year.

Not standing still with dual-core, NVIDIA showed me a demo last night of their latest quad-core chipset code-named Kal-El, that will deliver roughly a 5x improvement over their current dual-core Tegra 2. NVIDIA executives said that they are expecting quad-core tablets to ship in the August time frame and quad-core super phones by holiday of this year.

So the real question is why do we need multi-core microprocessors in our mobile devices. The answer is so we can create better software.

More cores mean more than just a faster overall experience with a mobile device. It means more complex software can be written. It means more visually rich graphics and multimedia experiences. It means a more compelling web experience with next generation Internet software.

Just think about how primitive the software created in the 90's was, or what websites were like in 2000 compared to the web of today. All of the advancements with software have been possible because the industry pushed forward and created faster processors capable of running next generation software. Those processor innovations were then taken advantage of by the creative software community who utilized it and made more compelling software. Ask any software engineer and they will tell you, there is not such thing as too much processing power.

The same will be true with mobile devices. We will look back in 5,10,15 years and think how primitive apps, operating systems, and the Internet were on our mobile devices. All made possible by the innovations in the microprocessor to deliver this next generation of computing.

Multi-core in mobile devices is not simply important it is essential.

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HTC’s Facebook button is the Start of Something Big

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 06:48 AM PST

Yesterday HTC announced two new phones the ChaCha and the Salsa. Each included a new and unique implementation with the social networking giant Facebook. As I listened to HTC CMO John Wang talk about how deeply they integrated the Facebook experience into these devices I became convinced they are on to something.

HTC, in my opinion, is in the top tier of companies that are innovating within the mobile sector. The level of thought they put into the experience consumers have with their phones is impressive and refreshing. This thinking is what led them to take another step forward and add deep Facebook integration into two of their latest devices.

Our Social Fabric
Like mobile phones, Facebook is now so deeply woven into our social fabric that it is hard to imagine a world without it. Facebook has more than 500 million active global users, 200 million of which are also actively using Facebook on mobile devices. People that use Facebook on mobile devices are twice as active as non-mobile users. From that perspective it makes complete "Sense" that HTC would integrate a service like Facebook so deeply into their mobile phone experience.

Telephony brought a paradigm shift in the way we communicate as a human race and Facebook again brought a paradigm shift in the way the Internet can be used to connect the human race. Communicating and connecting is at the core of our needs and the innovations in mobile computing continue to advance and enhance those needs.

Facebook is to Consumers what Email is to the Enterprise
If you are like me and e-mail is at the center of how you work you will relate to this analogy. I recall my first job at Cypress Semiconductor and getting set up with corporate e-mail for the first time. After about the first week I was addicted since the core of my job relied on being able to communicate with all who were tasked with my project. My email experience again changed drastically the first time I was set up with a mobile device that was connected to my work email allowing me to get email anywhere and any time.

As email is at the core of the fabric of how enterprises work so is Facebook becoming the center of how consumers connect. This is why mobile Facebook users are more active than non-mobile users. What makes the ChaCha and Salsa unique is not that they are just two new devices that allow you access to Facebook while mobile but that Facebook is an active part of the entire device experience.

The hardware and software created on these devices assume you want to do more than access the mobile version of Facebook on your device. These devices have what I would call an intelligent Facebook integration.

Consumers who use either of these devices, I feel, will have as profound a moment with this Facebook integration as many of us did the first time we got access to wireless email. If mobile Facebook users are twice as active now than non-mobile users, I would fully expect those consumers who use the ChaCha and Salsa to be even more active mobile Facebook users.

HTC may have very well just set a new bar on how consumers will begin to think about how their mobile device fits into their life. These two new devices present more than just a phone with access to apps and the mobile web. They represent what may be the start of a true mobile social experience.

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Oakley 3D glasses get RealD certification

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 06:13 AM PST

If you have seen a 3D movie in the theater chances are the flick used RealD technology to get the 3D effects. Oakley has announced that it’s cool premium 3D glasses have gained the RealD certification. These are the same glasses that we have seen before in Tron livery.

The RealD Certification means that the glasses are guaranteed to provide a realistic and immersive 3D watching experience for the wearer. The glasses are sure to be more comfortable than the cheap plastic frames that you get at the theater too.

"Oakley is an iconic brand known worldwide for delivering innovative eyewear," said Joseph Peixoto, President of Worldwide Cinema at RealD. "This certification validates that Oakley eyewear meets RealD's high standards of quality and are compatible with RealD 3D-equipped theatres around the world, giving moviegoers the option of seeing their next RealD 3D film in style and comfort uniquely Oakley."

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Netgear N300 DGN2200M Router with 3G backup ships

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 05:21 AM PST

We talked a bit about the Netgear N300 wireless ADSL2+ modem router back in early January when the thing turned up during CES. That router is now shipping for people in need of a DSL modem with 3G backup to pick up. If you missed the original story, I will run down the specs for you.

The N300 is an ADSL2+ modem and router in one and has 802.11n WiFi networking that uses DSL wired connection and has a 3G modem backup with a plug in USB modem for when your DSL goes down. If your DSL is anything like mine it goes down way more than you want it to. The failover to 3G is done automatically and as soon as DSL is restored, the 3G is switched back off.

The N300 has SPI, VPN pass through, DoS protection and more. It monitors the broadband usage of the network and allows for separate guest accounts. It also supports OpenDNS filtering and security. The router is available in stores and online right now for $179.99.

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SI Swimsuit models + badass cars = WIN!

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 05:09 AM PST

I would bet that there are lots of geeks out there that like cars and babes. When you combine the two it’s hard to not be happy to look at the photos. If Sports Illustrated combined these swimsuit models and cars with some gadgets, I might have a win-powered seizure.

Lexus has announced that it’s awesome LFA supercar is being featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition with Dutch supermodel Ima Sofrakn Hawt. Ok, so that’s not her real name, the model is Rianne Ten Haken (interestingly she is a 10).

Guys can feast their eyes on two things they will probably never lay hands on in this year’s edition of the SI Swimsuit issue, which is sad really. I don't have the specs on Ms. Haken, but the car I can help you out with. It has a 552hp 4.8L V10 and is way cool. For the photo, you see here the car did donuts around the model with only four feet between the girl and the spinning LFA of death.

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SeaLife Mini II Dive & Sport Camera is seriously rugged

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 04:51 AM PST

There are rugged cameras and there are RUGGED cameras. The SeaLife Mini II Dive & Sport is definitely the latter type. This little point and shoot camera is guaranteed waterproof to 130 feet! That water resistance is without any sort of enclosure too, which is all the more impressive.

The rubber housing has also survived drops form six feet up in testing and the case is crush resistant as well. The camera has a special underwater mode that removes the blue hue common in these sorts of photos. It has a 2.4-inch rear LCD and gets power from a pair of AAA batteries. It can also record VGA quality video.

The image sensor is a 9MP unit and it saves in JPEG format. The Mini II lacks optical zoom, but it has 3x digital zoom. Internal storage for the camera is 28MB and it can use SDHC cards up to 8GB. The camera will ship in March for $259.95.

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Lockheed Martin GPS satellite has been in orbit and working for over a decade

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 04:39 AM PST

GPS is one of the most important technologies we have today and is used by billions of people all around the world each day. Lockheed Martin is one of the companies that builds a number of the GPS satellites that are in orbit and the company has announced that one of the satellites has reached a milestone.

The seventh GPS Block IIR satellite was launched on January 30, 2001 and was built by Lockheed Martin. The satellite went operation on February 15, 2001 and is one of 31 satellites on-orbit today providing GPS data for military and other uses. The satellite has now been on station and working for over a decade.

Lockheed has also announced that it is building the next generation GPS satellites for the USAF known as GPS III. The new satellite had a successful critical design review in August of 2010 and the manufacturing phase is progressing and has completed more than half of the required 59 Manufacturing Readiness Reviews. The first of eight new satellites is on track for delivery in 2014.

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Survey shows mobile users are interested in mobile payments despite privacy and security concerns

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 04:22 AM PST

I would bet that the biggest concerns for people that are interested in mobile payments are security and privacy of their mobile payment information. The last thing anyone wants is a mobile solution that is easy to hack allowing their account to be plundered by nefarious types. The results of a new survey conducted by Accenture have been published that looks at what mobile users think about mobile payments and commerce.

The mobile users most interested in mobile payments were in Asia with 69% of those surveyed showing that they were for mobile payments. Americans and Europeans are the least interested in mobile payments with only 26% in both countries interested. Nearly half of Chinese users polled say they have used their phone to make a purchase in the last six months.

The survey shows that 73% of global respondents worry about privacy and 70% think that using a mobile phone for payments increases the chance of identity theft and fraud. Despite the concern, 62% of all respondents say they would use their mobile phone to pay recurring bills normally paid with a credit card.

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A Produkt shows off kork iPad Case

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 03:56 AM PST

When it comes to iPad cases they all tend to be made from similar material like plastic or silicon. A few are made from leather and some from nylon as well. A new case has debuted from the company called A Produkt and the case is made for a very interesting, green, and unique material. The case is called the kork.

The material the case is made from is recycled and recyclable cork material, the same stuff your bulletin board at home or the office is probably made from. The case leaves all of the buttons and ports of the iPad uncovered and it has an angled audio output area to shoot the sound out to the listener’s ear.

The case is lightweight and designed to grip the iPad snugly when installed. The non-abrasive cork material should prevent scratches as well. You can get the case for €49.95 and you can see the kork in action below.

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Nokia won’t have Windows Phone OS on handsets until at least October

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 03:46 AM PST

One of the biggest surprises to be unveiled so far this year was the announcement by Nokia CEO Stephen Elop that Nokia would be moving from Symbian to the Windows Phone OS. Notice I didn't say Windows Phone 7. Apparently, the current Windows Phone 7 won't be used and the move to the Microsoft mobile OS will be pushed until at least October 2011 to wait for the next update.

Guardian.co.uk reports that Elop has never once said that Nokia would be using WinPo 7 and has steered clear from making that comment. This leads some to believe that the next version of the OS codenamed “Mango” may not be called Windows Phone 7. Elop would presumably know about the coming version and what it is called since he was a Microsoft exec until last fall.

What the Mango update will include is unknown, but speculation is that it might be dubbed Windows Phone 7.5. Another thing that stands out is the fact that never once did Elop or Ballmer mention Zune Music Service, which is rumored to replace the Nokia offering. We have rumors now that the Zune name will be dropped and the service rebranded. Whatever the new Mango OS is called officially, Nokia workers are far from happy about the move from Symbian.

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