Rabu, 30 Maret 2011

What's new on SlashGear.com

What's new on SlashGear.com

4G: What does this really mean?

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:09 PM PDT

Texas resident, Keith Geissler, contacted the Better Business Bureau when he found that his ATRIX 4G was only pushing around 300kbps up the tube instead of the expected 5.5mbps.

The ATRIX is a HSUPA-capable device, and we currently are performing the testing and preparations necessary to ensure that, when we turn this feature on, you will continue to have a world class experience.

AT&T hasn’t quite gotten their act together as quick as they had hoped with this one. Sometimes the real answer is that these systems are technically the bleeding edge, and it’s not some conspiracy to keep you from achieving your top speeds on the wireless internet. Here’s a little help discerning the technical specs from behind the marketing malarkey surrounding the wireless broadband available on the market.

3G, 4G, LTE, HSPA, WiMax

I could go into a Wikipedia-esque discussion of all of the various mobile data standards since the dawn of mobile data standards, but I’d rather not. I’m going to focus on disambiguation of a few of these key terms and let you know what you really need to know. If you haven’t heard of LTE, HSPA, or WiMax before, don’t be alarmed. They’re just protocols to govern wireless and mobile data transmission. They set standards so that your device can talk to any similarly equipped cellular tower

It makes it easier that these technologies are already cleanly divided along service provider lines. LTE has been deployed in the US by Verizon and MetroPCS. WiMax is the realm of Clearwire and Sprint. AT&TMo are known to use HSPA to provide their broadband. Of course these lines are shifting with the shakeups going on in the market, but that’s how things are currently arrayed.

HSUPA

What is HSUPA? Does it make sense that it was turned off? Should we clamor for AT&T’s summary execution? HSUPA is a part of the HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) wireless telecommunications protocol. It’s the part that lets you upload quickly. The HSUPA (The U stands for Uplink) works along side HSDPA (Downlink) to provide the whole protocol, HSPA. Get it? Really, the fact that this portion of the system was delayed is not really a surprise to anyone who has ever imagined the amount of real infrastructure that goes into producing the end-user-experience we expect. Honestly, whenever a telcom rolls out an upgrade project of this magnitude, it’s hilarious if anyone doesn’t expect delays in something. HSUPA was where the slack had to be this time, no big deal. Hey, AT&T, just let us know what the deal is before we have to go to the Better Business Bureau.

What’s up with all of these G’s? How many G’s do I need again?

The G designation on all of these various technologies is a generational marker by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Most smartphone users are more than happy with their current 3G connection. It allows for mobile e-mail browsing, web-surfing, and some amount of streaming video. I’ve enjoyed Netflix on my iPhone with no hiccups. With all that the 3G is able to deliver, it’s still all about the 4G. Or if you’re not into the whole brevity thing, the 4th Generation of Mobile Telephony Standards. None of the technologies available on the market can currently hang with the ITU’s 4G requirements. The ITU set “peak speed requirements for 4G service at 100 Megabits per second for high mobility communication (such as from trains and cars) and 1 Gbps for low mobility communication (such as pedestrians and stationary users).”

LTE vs WiMax vs HSPA

WiMax and LTE are standards that come from different organizational origins. WiMax comes from the side of the IEEE, known for bringing you the collection of standards we dub Wi-Fi. This standard Wi-Fi connection is governed by a set of protocols collectively known as 802.11. WiMax is governed by a set of protocols collectively known as 802.16. LTE is a product of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), spawned from the international GSM standard. “Work on LTE has been going on since 2004, building on the GSM/UMTS family of standards that dates from 1990″

My friend, Robert Evans, recently sang of the death of WiMax. The standard has had a good run of it since they’ve had NTT DoCoMo of Japan coming after it since 2004. What? You don’t remember when NTT DoCoMo called for LTE or Long Term Evolution, to become the international standard for wireless communication? Neither did I. Even with six years in the making, the long term goals of LTE have not yet been made manifest, as the standard is still considered to be a third generation communication technology as it’s currently deployed. Full fourth generation wireless transmissions will be coming out this year with specifications like the LTE Advanced.

We will continue to see increased transmission speeds and decreased latency via wireless over the next few years, regardless of the protocol in which the packets are scribed.

Read more about what’s going on with your wireless at Android Community.

[via Gadget Lab]

Boxee Box To Get May Firmware Update With iPad Support

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 02:16 PM PDT

Boxee has just confirmed a May update for its Boxee Box that will include support for streaming content to iPads. Firmware updates for the device will follow every three months to bring more bug fixes and new enhancements to the service.


The update scheduled for May will include an improved on-screen display with better video controls, a faster loading web browser with enhanced scrolling, favorites, and history. The languages supported by Boxee’s Box has expanded to include core European languages Hebrew, Russian, Swedish, Arabic, and Turkish.

But perhaps most anticipated of the May update, is support for Apple tablet devices with a Boxee for iPad app. This would let users stream content from their Boxee Box to their iPad. The update will come to certain users first for testing, with full roll out coming soon after that. We’ll keep you updated

[via Boxee]

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iPad 2: The Skeptic’s Review

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:15 PM PDT

A year ago I wrote a skeptic’s review of the first-generation iPad, a more personal report on the original model from my perspective as a tabletophile and a blogger. Since then we’ve seen the launch of a few Android slates – though not the deluge we were perhaps expecting – and of course, most recently, the arrival of the iPad 2. How does the second-generation iPad hold up, and has Apple answered my original complaints? Read on for my iPad 2 Skeptic’s Review.

For the full background story of my tablet love, you should probably read the original review. Since then I’ve used and reviewed multiple slates, running Windows, Android and other platforms, for varying lengths of time. The two I’ve lived with, however, have been the iPad 1 and Samsung’s 7-inch Galaxy Tab, perhaps the best-known Android slate of 2010.

In terms of use and expectations, so far content consumption rather than creation has been the main role both tablets have played. I’d like to be able to draft, edit and format a SlashGear post, complete with images and all the necessary links and tags, but so far that’s proved beyond either slate, at least to the extent I’d need. The WordPress app is okay, but it’s still not up to the standard of the regular web interface on a desktop browser. I’ve put together drafts in Evernote, and the instant-on and lengthy runtimes of the iPad are still mighty impressive – after the Galaxy Tab battery has expired, the iPad seems to just run and run, even if it’s left to sit unattended for a few days – but it’s not yet at a place where I can replace my notebook with a tablet.

So, what have I learnt in the past twelve months? Considering 2010 was being called the year of the tablet, it’s notable that the tablet experience still hasn’t been “finished.” True the iPad is a best-selling device in its segment (a small segment that it is) but we’re yet to see an entirely convincing use-case for it, distinct from smartphones and notebooks. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab may have touched me in ways 7-inches never have before, but the compact Android slate err’d too far on the smartphone side and didn’t quite differentiate itself from handsets (aside from, frustratingly, having voice call functionality blocked on North American carriers) enough to seize the market.

As I’d expected, iOS 4.0 certainly helped address a few of the iPad pain points. The multitasking system, while not “true” multitasking in the sense that apps are still running in the background, makes hopping around the various programs more straightforward. Nonetheless, it’s also interesting to note where my complaints of twelve months ago still hold true today. Notifications remain a glaring flaw in the iOS ecosystem; back then I called it “an ugly, half-hearted solution” and the fact that it’s still the same mess of attention-grabbing pop ups is dismal. Apple hasn’t been slow to push development in other areas of the platform – we’re up to iOS 4.3 now, after all – so their myopia over alerts is bizarre.

Just as I hoped one iOS update would fix things a year ago, now I’m left hoping that iOS 5.0 will further refine the iPad 2 experience. In addition to the talk of cloud-centric services such as media streaming and backup, there’s also the vague promise of much improved notifications. Still, with a preview expected at WWDC 2011 in early June, there’s no telling when, exactly, it will actually hit the iPad. iOS 4.0 was delayed for the tablet beyond the iPhone release, after all, and Apple’s software timetables are a mystery to all but the company itself.

So, to the iPad 2 experience today, and the questions people keep asking. Would, if I could find it in stock or stomach the delay in online orders, I buy an iPad 2? As a first-gen iPad owner I’m not so sure I would. Yes, it’s a thinner, lighter and more polished hardware design, but it’s still not so light as to rival, say, a Kindle for extended one-hand reading. Battery life matches the old model – a healthy 10+ hours – but I’m yet to find a place where the extra processor grunt adds up to a significantly more satisfying user experience. Browsing speed is boosted, but then the same is true on my original iPad since the iOS 4.3 update.

If I were in the market for a tablet today, and didn’t have an iPad already, would I choose the iPad 2? Personally, no, though that’s not to say it’s not a brilliant piece of hardware. My main frustrations are with Apple’s software strategy. Yes, you can browse successfully without Flash, but there are still times I miss the support; every time I hit a site where Flash is required, and have to reach for my Android phone or open my MacBook Pro, I lose a little faith in the iPad story. iOS is undoubtedly more advanced than it was twelve months ago, but it still feels unduly limiting in places, Apple’s strict regulations to developers and users creating a safe, approachable but somehow anodyne environment. Maybe Android is the Wild West in comparison, a riskier, less civilized platform, but the new breed of Honeycomb slates arriving over the next few months have me far more excited than the enthusiasm I can muster for the iPad 2.

There’s no escaping the sense that the iPad 2 is decidedly incremental in its advances. I don’t doubt that plenty of time, engineering effort and money went into making it faster and slimmer while still offering the same battery life as before, but surely – just as it’s Steve Jobs’ right to wax lyrical at keynotes – it’s the prerogative of the consumer to ignore all that and judge on day to day experience. The cameras are pitiful, installed only to satisfy spec box bingo and Apple’s FaceTime strategy; when you take into consideration the utter delight of iMovie for iPad, and the obvious potential for multimedia editing on a tablet-format device, Apple’s choice of optics are embarrassing.

Possibly that’s all Apple needed to do to keep the iPad 2 ahead. After all, it led the market in 2010 and is set to shape the segment all over again in 2011. The safety of their choices leaves me cold, though. The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer may lack the fanatical luster, but it’s something different, and that appeals to me. Contrary? Perhaps so, but I find it easier to get excited over ASUS’ netbook/tablet hybrid and its clever battery-equipped keyboard than I do an HDMI dongle and magnetic screen protector.

Don’t get me wrong; as I said at the start, this is a very personal take on the iPad 2. Vincent’s review – which looks more holistically at the slate – is likely more applicable to most would-be users. For the everyman, the balance of controlled flexibility and predictable, straightforward functionality probably has far more appeal. I don’t doubt the sales figures will argue that too. Polished, civilized and just that little bit soulless; I can respect the iPad 2, but I find it hard to love.

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HP Unleashes WebOS 3.0 Beta SDK For TouchPad App Development

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:36 PM PDT

If you’re interested in developing apps for the HP TouchPad, now’s the time to get on board with HP. At the WebOS CONNECT event in London today, HP announced that they are releasing the WebOS 3.0 Beta SDK to their Early Access developers.

WebOS 3.0 is scheduled to appear first on the HP TouchPad tablet later this year. Some of the developments in the new platform version should eventually appear on WebOS smartphones as well. The WebOS 3.0 SDK will include plenty of information on structuring apps, and will allow developers to use the new Enyo framework to integrate Synergy, Just Type, and Exhibition into their apps.

However, the WebOS 3.0 Beta SDK is available only to developers registered with HP’s Early Access program. HP will be providing more information soon for the program on a new developer portal located at http://developer.hpwebos.com

[via PreCentral]

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HTC Pyramid Photos Leaked from HTC Confidential Source

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:59 AM PDT

It appears that the folks at XDA, that vast community of developers and hackers, have gotten their hands on some super secret photos of the HTC Pyramid, a fashionable phone coming down the pipeline toward the public in a 4.3-inch display fashion. According to these most recent photos, this phone will be coming out with a 1.2Ghz processor with no name, 768MB or RAM, and a QHD resolution display. The more we see the more we like!

You already know about the lovely swoop along the back, but now we know for sure that this is a single back battery cover covering a very familiar set of insides. With the details we’re seeing here, we’re feeling like this is set to be a VERY close relative to the HTC EVO 3D, a phone we go to check out very close at CTIA 2011. This phone has, instead of 3D cameras, an 8-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA webcam on the front.

This phone is capable of connecting along Wifi 802.11 b/g/n, rolls out the gate with the new HTC Sense 3.0, and has an ever-so-slightly-different look in its UI than we saw in Sense at CTIA 2011 – something about the tones! Perhaps just a customization done by the owner of the phone. Finally, this phone currently has Android 2.3.2, the same version we’ve been seeing for phones coming out fairly soon, fairly as in within weeks – exciting!

[via Android Community]

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ASUS Eee Pad Transformer first-impressions [Video]

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:59 AM PDT

If you’d asked us yesterday which Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet we were most excited about, we’d probably have said Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Tab 10.1, or maybe its smaller 8.9 sibling. Now we’re not so sure. SlashGear caught up with ASUS today for the official launch of the Eee Pad Transformer, the company’s 10.1-inch Tegra 2 tablet that can be optionally paired with a detachable, battery-toting keyboard dock. Announced back at CES 2011, and promptly lost amid the flurry of similar slates, it turns out that ASUS could well have a winner on its hands. Read on for our first-impressions.

At 271 x 177 x 12.98 mm the Eee Pad Transformer isn’t as thin as the iPad 2 or the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and nor, at 680g, is it as light. Still, it’s a neatly portable slate in its own right, with a curved, textured back panel and brushed-metal effect sides. Ports are more comprehensive than Samsung’s, too, with mini HDMI 1.3a along with a microSD card reader, and there are stereo speakers, a microphone, headset jack and a proprietary socket for the keyboard dock (more on which in a moment). Twin cameras – 1.2-megapixels on the front and 5-megapixels on the back – along with WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR round out the main specs, plus of course there’s the 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor, 1GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of flash storage.

It’s the display that’s most impressive initially, however, a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 IPS panel supporting 10-point multitouch and covered with a sheet of toughened Gorilla Glass. We can’t say scientifically how it compares to the display on the iPad 2, but with incredibly broad viewing angles – we got almost side-on without seeing any color inversion – in all four orientations, and indecently rich colors, it’s one of the best tablet displays we’ve seen to-date. Some of ASUS’ demo units were a little finicky with their touch-responsiveness, but we’re putting that down to calibration issues as it wasn’t consistent across all of the Eee Pads.

A brilliant screen is one thing, but we were equally impressed with the keyboard. ASUS will be offering it separately to the Eee Pad Transformer, but it’s really an essential part of the value proposition. The chiclet keys are are on a par with those on an ASUS Eee PC netbook, with a row of Android-specific media and shortcut buttons and a responsive touchpad that supports tap-to-click. The Transformer docks in neatly with a double-click, and the hinge mechanism is stiff but reassuringly solid.

The keyboard adds a couple of extra USB 2.0 ports, another HDMI, headphone jack and a memory card reader, but more importantly there’s an integrated battery. This promises to boost the slate’s 9.5 hour runtime to a whopping 16 hours, automatically recharging the Transformer so that it’s as close to full as possible when you later remove it from the dock. The supplied AC adapter has two plugs, allowing you to recharge both sections simultaneously. The battery adds the necessary weight to keep the whole thing stable when clipped together, adding up to a setup we far prefer to Acer’s optional Iconia Tab W500 dock.

ASUS has done a little modification to Honeycomb, with a customized homescreen that has an active desktop with weather alerts, email counter and calendar. There’s also a great Live Wallpaper which displays the Eee Pad’s remaining battery as a water level that gradually sinks down the screen (complete with some floating ice cubes). Tilt the Transformer and the water sloshes around accordingly. While it’s a visual gimmick, it also makes checking battery status far easier than peering down at the tiny icon in the Honeycomb dock. Unfortunately, ASUS tells us, Google isn’t entirely happy with it, and so there’s an ongoing battle to ensure the Eee Pad launches with it installed.

There’ll also be a preloaded copy of Polaris Office 3, for creating and editing Office documents – ASUS is pretty keen that the Eee Pad Transformer be seen as a content creation tool, rather than just a consumption one – as well as some of the company’s own apps. They include MyNet, a DLNA streaming client, MyLibrary, an ebook reader app, MyCloud, for accessing content stored on ASUS’ WebStorage (a year’s unlimited access to which is bundled with the Transformer) and MyDesktop, a remote log-in tool allowing you access to your PC, Mac or Android desktop.

Performance was on a par with other Tegra 2 tablets we’ve used, with responsive pinch-zooming and apps flicking around neatly. The HDMI output upscales to 1080p nicely – browsing was particularly impressive on ASUS’ big demo screen, though we also played a few sneaky levels of Angry Birds – though of course there’s the DLNA support if you’d rather cut the cord.

The only real omission is 3G, which will follow on in models a couple of months down the line. Pricing – £379 for the 16GB WiFi model – puts the Eee Pad Transformer £20 less than the entry-level iPad 2 in the UK. It’s arguably not as polished as the iOS slate, but that’s not to say there’s not an audience for it and Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard support isn’t as slick and solid a solution as the ASUS keyboard dock (which pushes the price up to £429).

We’ll save our full verdict for when we’ve had a proper chance to review the Eee Pad Transformer, but there’s undoubtedly a lot to like here. With the keyboard attached it’s a solid, usable notebook alternative, while the slate alone is every bit the web-surfing experience of the Motorola XOOM or Samsung’s new Galaxy Tabs. More details in the video below.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer hands-on:

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Google announces Fiber Project winner is Kansas City, Kansas [Video]

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:57 AM PDT

Google has announced the lucky city that will get a 100x internet speed boost, courtesy of the search giant’s ultra high-speed fiber broadband installation. Kansas City, Kansas, will be the recipient of the gigabit connection, with Google promising to work alongside local organizations, businesses and universities to help them figure out how to take advantage of all that bandwidth.

Kansas City stood out from almost 1,100 locations that applied to be Google’s fiber city of choice. It’ll be 2012, however, before the installation will take place, assuming no regulatory hurdles along the way.

There’ll be a full announcement at 10am PDT today, with Google joining Kansas City Mayor Reardon at Wyandotte High School that you can watch streamed here. Meanwhile, Google says it will be “looking closely at ways” in which it can add more cities to its fiber project soon.

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Google faces bi-yearly privacy reviews after FTC Buzz settlement

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:06 AM PDT

 

Google has agreed to a bi-yearly independent review after US FTC investigation over privacy concerns regarding Google Buzz. The service initially used users’ Gmail databases to build social networking connections, in a manner which roundly criticized. Google rapidly changed its approach, but was left facing regulator inquiries – including by the Federal Trade Commission – over its privacy policies.

 

The exact terms of the FTC settlement are unknown, but it seems Google’s apology – “We'd like to apologize again for the mistakes we made with Buzz” – and conceding to the regular privacy checks are the main outcomes. Google says it will now “ask users to give us affirmative consent before we change how we share their personal information.”

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Roku XD heads to Best Buy for off-the-shelf streaming

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 08:47 AM PDT

Roku has announced that its Roku XD media streamer will now be available in Best Buy, Fry’s and RadioShack, the first time the STB has been available in retail stores rather than solely online. Still priced at $79.99, the Roku XD offers 1080p Full HD streaming along with integrated WiFi b/g/n and access to over 150 channels.

Previously the Netgear Roku XD player had been available in retail stores, though priced at $89.99 than the basic Roku XD direct. Both boxes offer Netflix, Pandora, Amazon Video on Demand, Hulu Plus, Vimeo, Flickr and access to multiple other content streams.

Press Release:

Roku Enters Retail with Nationwide Availability at Best Buy

Roku XD model featuring 1080p playback and 802.11n WiFi now available for purchase at your local Best Buy store

March 30, 2011 08:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SARATOGA, Calif.–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Roku, Inc., maker of the best-selling and award-winning Roku streaming player, announced today that its Roku XD player is available for purchase at Best Buy stores nationwide and at BestBuy.com. With up to 1080p HD streaming support, integrated 802.11n WiFi and Instant Replay the Roku XD offers unlimited entertainment choices and incredible value to customers. The Roku XD has a list price of $79.99 and is available at Best Buy stores and at BestBuy.com for purchase today. Roku players can also be found at other leading retail stores including BJ's Wholesale Club, Fry's Electronics and RadioShack.

"Customers can now grab a Roku off the shelf at Best Buy, take it home and be up and running, enjoying their favorite TV show, movie, music or sports team in just a matter of minutes."
"Having sold over 1 million Roku players through online sales only up until now, we are incredibly excited to announce our entrance into brick and mortar retail with nationwide availability from the preeminent consumer electronics retailer," said Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, Inc. "Customers can now grab a Roku off the shelf at Best Buy, take it home and be up and running, enjoying their favorite TV show, movie, music or sports team in just a matter of minutes."

All Roku players continue to deliver the largest collection of streaming entertainment available for the TV, including over 100,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), Amazon Instant Video (NASDAQ: AMZN), Hulu Plus and Crackle; live and on-demand sports from NBA Game Time and NHL GameCenter Live; music from Pandora, MP3tunes, MOG and Rdio; photo and video sharing from Flickr and Facebook; plus news and entertainment from thousands of sources around the world.

First introduced in May 2008, the Roku player provides an easy, affordable, and reliable way for over 1 million customers to watch movies and TV shows instantly on their TV. Since the launch of the Roku Channel Store, all Roku customers now have access to over 150 channels from 85 unique content services, with more added all the time.

Pricing and Availability

The Roku XD is available for $79.99 and can be purchased at any Best Buy in the United States and at BestBuy.com. In addition to being available at Best Buy, select Roku players are available at BJ's Wholesale Club, Fry's Electronics and RadioShack. A full list of retailers and which Roku models are available at each one can be found at http://www.roku.com/retail.

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Paul Allen accuses Bill Gates of co-founder conspiracy in new Microsoft memoir

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 08:34 AM PDT

Extracts from the upcoming autobiography of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen have revealed significant resentment toward Bill Gates, with the ex-exec accusing his one-time partner of conspiring to take shares in the company from him while he underwent treatment for cancer. “Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft” is scheduled to go on sale on April 17, but according to the WSJ‘s early access paints “a revisionist take” on Microsoft’s early days.

Allen reportedly inserts himself into meetings that others attending cannot recall him being present at, in addition to claiming credit for much of the innovation that pushed Microsoft on to success. As a result, there is ongoing frustration at the number of shares in the company he holds, in addition to the accusations that he caught Gates and Steve Ballmer discussing ways in which they could reduce his equity by issuing further options to others, themselves included.

“I had helped start the company and was still an active member of management, though limited by my illness, and now my partner and my colleague were scheming to rip me off,” he claims. “It was mercenary opportunism, plain and simple.”

As for Bill Gates, the co-founder hasn’t spoken publicly on the memoir, but issued a written statement suggesting that “while my recollection of many of these events may differ from Paul’s, I value his friendship and the important contributions he made to the world of technology and at Microsoft.”

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iPad 2 WiFi + 3G gets teardown treatment

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 08:12 AM PDT

With the iPad 2 WiFi having bared its secrets already, it only seems fair that the WiFi + 3G model should have the same treatment. iFixit wasn’t going to let a little thing like scarcity stop them from ripping asunder the WWAN-enabled tablet and peering at its cellular guts, and we can’t say we blame them.

Inside things are much as you’d expect from the WiFi-only version, so that means the same chipsets, battery packs and radios as before. Apple has used two different modems, a Qualcomm MDM6600 for the CDMA version on Verizon, and an Infineon 337S3833 for the GSM version on AT&T.

Obviously the CDMA iPad 2 doesn’t have a SIM slot, either, which on the GSM model is built into the headphone jack assembly. It’s also a pretty poor show if you wanted to replace the WWAN boards, since they’re soldered to the logic board.

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Nexus makes a mouse that has no noisy click

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:51 AM PDT

If you work in an office where you have lots of people sitting very close to you it may drive you crazy that most mice and keyboards are so noisy. If you want a mouse that makes no noise at all, that can be hard to find. Every mouse I have ever used has made clicking sounds when you hit a button or scroll the mouse wheel.

A company called Nexus has a new mouse called the Silent Mouse that has a new patented switch for the button that makes no sound when used. The mouse is also wireless with 2.4GHz tech for good range and low latency. The mouse uses a tiny nano receiver.

I really like the nano style receivers since you can plug them into a notebook and just leave them. The mouse has 1000 or 1600 dpi sensitivity with a switch to choose. That is more than your average mouse offers at 800dpi and will be welcome by users that have big screens on their computer. Check out the video below to see the mouse in action.

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ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Eee Slate EP121 officially priced & dated

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:48 AM PDT

ASUS has confirmed availability and pricing of the Eee Pad Transformer and the Eee Slate EP121, the company’s two new tablets. The Tegra 2 based Android 3.0 Honeycomb Transformer will drop on April 6 – pre-orders will kick off today – priced at £379 ($608) for the 16GB version and £429 ($688) for the 32GB version. Throwing in the optional keyboard – which also has an integrated battery that boosts runtimes to 16hrs – bumps the 16GB model to £429. A 3G model will follow on in around two months time.

As for the ASUS Eee Slate EP121, that will arrive on April 10 as an Amazon exclusive in the UK (until May 1). It will be priced at £999 ($1,602) complete with a 12.1-inch touchscreen with active digitizer and stylus, Intel Core i5-470UM processor, WiFi b/g/n and a 64GB SSD.

We’re at ASUS’ London press event today, and will be grabbing hands-on with the Transformer and EP121 as soon as they let us. Keep reading SlashGear for more!

Update: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer hands-on is now live!

Press Release:

Transform your life at home, work and beyond with the ASUS Eee Pad tablet

ASUS launch Eee Pad Transformer tablet with Android 3.0 Honeycomb and unique hybrid docking design

ASUS have today announced the launch of the hugely anticipated Eee Pad Transformer tablet – the first to market with Google's Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system.

Boasting a unique design and up to 16 hours' battery life* the 10.1" Transformer can be used as an independent pad or can be docked with the fully functional keyboard base for a traditional notebook approach.

The Eee Pad Transformer is fun-sized and lightweight – perfect for bags and big pockets. It features a non-slip lid and Corning® Gorilla® scratch-proof screen for a safe and worry-free way to keep connected and entertained in every situation.

With stunning picture and sound quality and Adobe Flash 10.2 support this intuitive tablet offers the means to enjoy a mini-cinema experience, whilst two high quality cameras provide instant support for video conferencing.

What's more – unlimited online storage and access to Android Market opens the door to thousands of applications with one for every need, whilst the ASUS Waveface interface brings a host of utilities to the fingertip including remote access and a personal library for both books and multimedia.

The Eee Pad Transformer will be available from 6th April 2011 at a price of £379 inc VAT for the pad only, or £429 for the pad and keyboard dock.

Key benefits:
* Unique two-part design with docking keyboard
* Android 3.0 operating system & ASUS Waveface Interface
* NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor for optimum performance
* Up to 16 hour battery life for all-day computing (pad + keyboard dock)
* 10.1" LED backlit high resolution, scratch-proof screen
* Lightweight, non-slip design for practical portability
* Front and rear facing high quality cameras
* Access to thousands of home and work applications via Android Market
* 10 Finger Multi-touch support and sensors including GPS
* Preloaded utilities including remote access, work suite and library
* Mini HDMI output to extend stunning visuals to external devices
* 3D Stereo audio quality with SRS sound technology

A world of entertainment, productivity and online content available at your fingertips:

Google's Android 3.0 (nicknamed 'Honeycomb') is a long-awaited new operating system which has been tailored especially for tablets, and brings an uncompromised combination of performance, entertainment and mobile diversity to your hands – whether you are at home, at work or on the move.

Honeycomb and the ASUS Waveface user interface are geared to enrich and make life easier, fun and more productive, with an ASUS Launcher toolbar offering the means to experience a host of applications, online content and services through just a few taps.

56% of users want more applications on their tablet device**, and the Eee Pad Transformer is the perfect solution with access to Android Market; an ever-growing service which offers thousands of applications to download including many for free. The apps database covers a multitude of topics such as home & garden, learning, games, business or shopping.

Applications as complex as piano-playing or multi-player games can be experienced to the max thanks to the 10 finger multi-touch support. Internal sensors such as the gyroscope and G-sensor make movement-based games possible whilst the added GPS and compass modules mean you need never lose your way again.

ASUS Waveface also plays host to a set of helpful and unique utilities:

* MyNet: In 3 simple steps you can wirelessly stream media content between devices around the home including desktops and TV.

* MyLibrary: A clever way to consolidate your must-read books and magazines into one easy-to-navigate profile. Supporting PDF and ePub formats, it offers global content including Googlebooks, and a set of handy utilities to make reading easier including a dictionary, translator, bookmarker, notes and even text-to-speech (requires app download).

* MyCloud: Easy access to cloud content including WebStorage and the ASUS @Vibe media library (which offers downloads of a huge range of music, video and games to enjoy wherever you are).

* MyDesktop: A secure remote log-in application which lets you control files and applications on your other devices via the Eee Pad Transformer – including Android, Windows or Mac computers. So, if you forget to email an important file to work and it's still on your home computer, you can connect to Desktop and do it from where you are.

Android 3.0 is also preloaded with Polaris Office 3 – a professional standard productivity suite which supports the viewing and editing of popular document formats including PowerPoint (.ppt), Excel (.xls) and Word (.doc), making it easier than ever to keep on track with work outside the office.

Switch between a tablet or a notebook to suit your mood and style:

The Eee Pad Transformer does exactly what it says on the box – it transforms. Thanks to a unique docking keyboard, the modernistic device can be used either as an independent tablet when you want a lightweight option to carry around the home or whilst travelling, or with a simple clip-in-place action it transforms into a traditional netbook perfect for longer typing demands or recharging. With such freedom of design you can perfectly tailor the Eee Pad Transformer to suit your tasks at hand.

The portable docking attachment boasts a fully functional QWERTY chiclet keyboard making it comfortable and intuitive for longer use and a obliging response to demand – 33% of users wanted larger keyboards in tablets**.
Additional Android function keys provide a one-click way to control media, brightness and volume or toggle wireless options on or off with ease.

A whopping 16 hour battery life* mean you can stay connected and efficient all day long:

The standalone pad offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life, and charges when docked to the keyboard station. When docked, this already-impressive battery life extends to up to 16 hours – more than enough to keep those active kids quiet on long car journeys. Even the slim-line AC mains adapter (which connects to each half of the device) has been thoughtfully designed so that when you need more time you can still travel light.

A tablet designed for real life: non-slip, bump-proof, scratch-resistant and as light as a feather:

Given the extraordinarily wide range of uses for an Eee Pad Transformer, ASUS have thoughtfully designed it to laugh in the face of life's demands.

Measuring 271 x 177 x 12.98mm and weighing a mere 680g, the curvy pad is barely larger than an A5 piece of paper and lighter than a bag of sugar. Such a portable size means the Eee Pad Transformer is ideally placed to fit into backpacks, handbags, large pockets or even just carry around – the textured lid gives some grip and means it won't slip out of your hand.

The IPS panel screen is made from Corning® Gorilla® glass – a super-strong material which is bump and scratch proof yet still reassuringly lightweight, so when the kids get hold of it to check out the latest homework hints, you can smile and stay worry-free.

Store, share and synchronise with no fuss:

ASUS WebStorage offers unlimited online storage (free for 1 year) to complement the 32GB internal space and provides a reliable and secure means of accessing your data from anywhere, anytime.

What's more, with the inclusion of high-speed wireless (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1, SD/eMMC card-readers and a port to connect and synchronise your PC, it's reassuringly effortless to back-up, store and share your favourite photos and important documents without any additional hardware.

The Eee Pad Transformer is designed for sharing, and even supports 10 finger multi-touch gestures to allow more than one person to play multi-player games on the same device.

Front and rear cameras make sure you can capture the moment in high quality:

The Eee Pad Transformer features two built-in cameras; one on the front (1.2MP) and one on the rear (5MP). With auto focus technology and the ability to record movies in high definition quality, this double-helping of practical technology will make sure you don't miss the best moments in life for sharing.

Not only that, but the Eee Pad Transformer makes it easier to stay in touch with long distance friends and family or work colleagues through video conferencing and to experience the latest virtual reality-based applications and games on the Android Market.

Powerful hardware with spectacular video and sound for versatile, outstanding entertainment at home and on the move:

The Eee Pad Transformer integrates an array of powerful hardware, including 1GB of memory and the super-speedy NVIDIA Tegra 2 – a Dual Core processor which delivers uninterrupted web browsing and fast response times even whilst multi-tasking.

Supporting Adobe Flash 10.2 for rich HD content streaming alongside fast graphics support, the device delivers outstanding mobile game playability for console-quality gaming, alongside a visually engaging and highly-responsive user interface.

The 10.1" LED backlit screen (1280 x 800 resolution) provides the perfect balance between portability and a respectable size for working and watching movies. Visuals are crisper and harbour a 50% more accurate colour range in comparison with other tablets available today, and with a generously wide viewing angle of 178°, it's never been easier to gather friends and family around to share your favourite content in astonishing clarity.

With a mini HDMI port integrated into the keyboard dock, you can also connect external devices to stream photos, video and other content onto a larger HDTV or projector, making this the must-have versatile gadget not only for home entertainment but for professional work presentations too.

Discrete speakers radiate a superior 3D stereo audio experience thanks to the built-in SRS Sound Technology with 5.1 channel, maximum bass response and a wide sound field. Movie and music fans will love the ability to hear every sound in the finest detail, from the creaks and rumbles of horror and action movies to the rhythmic notes of your R&B or pop stars.

A video of the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer can be found on the ASUS Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/asus

Pricing and Availability:

Tablet, 16GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £379
Tablet & keyboard dock, 16GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £429
Tablet, 32GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £429

UK-wide range of retailers including PC World, Currys, Comet and Carphone Warehouse – pre-order online at Amazon.co.uk and Ebuyer.com from midnight today (30th March 2011).

In stock from April 6th (first units will be available in stores and pre-orders will be delivered shortly afterwards)

About ASUS

ASUS, the world's top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world's best selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era.

ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, displays, desktop PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia, wireless solutions, networking devices and mobile phones.

Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,268 awards in 2009, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than ten thousand people and a world-class R&D team of 3,000 engineers, the company’s revenue for 2009 was US$7.5 billion.

Press Release:

Eee Slate EP121: The Intuitive Way to Work, Learn & Play

ASUS Announce Eee Slate EP121 with Intel Core i5 Processor and Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System

ASUS have today announced the launch of the Eee Slate EP121 – a handy slate computer which combines the freedom of a tablet with the functionality of a notebook.

With Windows 7 Home Premium and a range of input options including a Bluetooth keyboard and Wacom Digitaliser, the Eee Slate EP121 is an intuitive, easy-to-use option for a range of uses from home entertainment to learning in the classroom, through to working on the move to presenting at the office.

The Eee Slate EP121 is also the first tablet to feature a full-power Dual Core Intel Core i processor, providing a wealth of power and performance to ensure a smooth, responsive environment for the multi-tasking users who demand it.

The Eee Slate EP121 will be available to buy from Amazon.co.uk at a RRP of £999 inc VAT (http://amzn.to/hBGp6C).

A product video and additional information can be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Demo/159011907481873?sk=app_186464421389010

Key benefits:

* Multiple input options: fingertip, Wacom Digitaliser stylus or fingertip
* First tablet with Dual Core Intel Core i processor (Intel Core i5-470UM)
* Intel GMA HD graphics and Adobe Flash 10.1 support
* Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
* Highly durable and scratch-proof Cornel Gorilla 12.1" LED Backlit screen
* 64GB SSD drive for robust data storage
* Front facing 2MP camera for video conferencing
* Lightweight and slim profile for travelling – just 17mm thick
* Mini HDMI output for connecting to external HD devices

Multiple input options to suit you in every working scenario:

The Eee Slate EP121 offers three clever ways in which data can be inputted into the device:

Bluetooth Keyboard: Using the bundled Bluetooth keyboard, users can easily input large quantities of text with speed, ease and comfort over long period of use. The slate boasts Bluetooth 3.0 technology ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted typing experience.

Stylus: When out and about, the active stylus accessory with Wacom Digitiser will make a lighter option to travel with whilst still providing a high level of precision, thanks to the intelligent palm rejection function to improve accuracy. What's more, built-in pressure recognition technology makes the stylus a particularly useful tool for creating graphics and artwork, and those in the design industry or even just those with a creative bug, will appreciate the pre-loaded Art Rage graphics application.

Fingertip: With a multi-touch screen, fingertips can be used to pinch, scroll, zoom and manipulate data on screen. Not only does this provide an incredibly intuitive and natural way to navigate (especially for younger children), it supports multi-user input, providing a collaborative interface for sharing media, games and work projects with friends and colleagues.

A reassuringly durable design provides protection against loss both inside and out:

In such a portable form (it boasts a profile only 17mm thick) it is inevitable for the Eee Slate EP121 to be used in a range of demanding scenarios both inside and out – glaring sunlight, rough journeys or even just excited kids. ASUS have thoughtfully designed the device both inside and out to ensure damage and data loss is kept to a minimal risk.

Inside, data is stored on a Solid State Drive (SSD) which, with no moving parts, is much more robust against physical bumps and shocks than traditional hard disk drives. With a 64GB capacity there is plenty of space to keep your most prized documents and photos safe.

On the outside, the Eee Slate EP121 features a 12.1" Cornel Gorilla screen, which is highly durable and scratch-resistant. Optical bonding ensures reduction in condensation and sunlight reflection, making it far easier to read and see the screen in a range of external environments – whether it's on a sunny day in the garden or on a dimly lit plane journey for meetings.

Perfect for sharing media and staying connected with friends, family and work:

The Eee Slate EP121 plays host to a range of features which make sharing files and staying connected a breeze.

The 12.1" LED backlit screen with AFFS boasts a 175 degree viewing angle which means it can be turned and rotated and still be easily viewed by a big audience – a feature great for sharing videos with friends or showing a project outline with colleagues or classmates.

With a mini HDMI port included, users can easily connect an external HD display and enjoy movies and presentations in full 1080p HD quality for a rich cinema experience.

A high quality front-facing camera (2MP) means users can take advantage of video conferencing tools – whether it's for staying in touch with long distance friends or conducting a last minute work meeting across the miles.

Integrated fast wireless (802.11b/g/n) alongside Bluetooth 3.0 and a built-in card reader means it is fast and effortless to copy files between your devices or to share across networks with friends or colleagues.

High performance technology provides a smooth environment for work and play:

As the first tablet to feature a full-power Intel Core i processor, the Eee Slate EP121 surpasses performance levels previously possible in a slate form and can handle high demands responsively.

The Intel Core i5-470UM processor in combination with Intel GMA HD graphics allows users to enjoy a rich multi-tasking environment for work, learning and play without compromising performance. Support of Adobe Flash 10.1 means the Eee Slate EP121 is readily compatible with a huge range of video, animation and gaming content online.

What's more, the processor integrates Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 alongside Hyper threading technology – essentially this combination means that the Eee Slate EP121 distributes power and performance to applications which need it most at the right times, giving users a speedy and uninterrupted experience whether they are enjoying movies with family or preparing an important work presentation.

Windows 7 Home Premium provides a convenient and familiar environment to use:

Many users don't have time to learn a whole new operating system just to take advantage of the mobile benefits of tablets.

The Eee Slate EP121 with Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) provides a familiar, convenient way to work and play, with a huge range of compatibility and support for files and applications already in existence.

Microsoft Office is supported by the system, and users can easily navigate their working environment by organising windows side by side, viewing previews of open applications from the taskbar or viewing lists of recent documents.

Plug-and-play is recognised so users can easily connect a variety of external devices such as cameras, printers and scanners without the need to install extra software.

Windows Live Mesh enables synchronisation between other computers, with easy access to the latest version to avoid working on an older document – making it a superior option for those who often work away from the office/home, or for collaborative groups who share working documents.

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Lucasfilm taps Prime Focus to convert Phantom Menace to 3D

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:35 AM PDT

By now, any fan of Star Wars will know that Lucasfilm is getting ready to start releasing the films again in theaters, but this time around, they will be in 3D. A company called Prime Focus has announced that Lucasfilm has tapped it to turn the flicks into 3D.

The company says the selection processor for the films was “exhaustive” and I bet it was. Prime Focus will use its proprietary View-D processes on the film that is currently set for a theatrical release on February 12, 2012. "It was incredibly important to me that we have the technology, the resources and the time to do this right," said Star Wars creator George Lucas. "I'm very happy with the results I've been seeing on Episode I."

Industrial Light & Magic supervisor John Knoll will closely supervisor the 3D conversion of the film. "Getting really good results from stereo conversion requires a lot of attention to detail and it is imperative that you take the time to get it right – and that's just what we're doing," said Knoll. "We're taking a different approach than you might expect. George's vision has been to add dimension to the film in subtle ways. This isn't a novelty conversion, with things jumping out at the audience; our goal has been to enhance the classic Star Wars theatrical experience, utilizing the latest cinematic tools and techniques."

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Knowles Acoustics unveils new low-power digital MEMS joystick for handhelds

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:20 AM PDT

One of the things that most mobile phones that are used for gaming and a lot of the portable game consoles lack is a joystick. I for one would like to see joysticks get integrated into consumer devices to replace tilt sensors and virtual d-pads.

A company called Knowles Acoustics has unveiled a new low-power digital MEMS joystick that is specifically for handheld consumer devices. The joysticks are small and should fit on many different devices. The controller measures 9.8 x 9.8 x 1.6mm and needs no additional controller IC.

The lack of need for controller IC means that the controller can be integrated into thinner and smaller devices. The maker claims that the joystick has the feel of an analog joystick with the low current consumption needed for extending battery life on portable gadgets.

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Lenovo ThinkStation E30 and ThinkCenter M81 computers announced

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:06 AM PDT

Lenovo has announced a pair of new computers for business users called the ThinkStation E30 and the ThinkCenter M81 desktop. Both of the machines are designed for created, engineering, and financial pros. Both of the machines are packed with some powerful hardware including Intel Core processors.

The E30 can be optioned with a Xeon processor that has Intel Turbo Boost to overclock the processors. The machine can be fitted with an 80GB or 160GB SSDs for storage and it has NVIDIA Quadro or NVS graphics. It also has USB 3.0 ports and up to 16GB of RAM. The memory is ECC to eliminate memory-related failures.

The M81 is a small tower machine with second gen Core processors, up to 160GB SSD storage, and ATI discrete or Intel integrated graphics. It also has USB 3.0 ports and RapidBoot tech to get you working safer. Both of the machines are also energy efficient to save power costs. The E30 is set to launch in May starting at $629 and the M81 in April for $599.

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Four-player Pong coffee table

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:47 AM PDT

A bunch of the kids of the 80′s like me started out gaming on Pong. It was boring then and it is still boring to me. If you want to relive some of your childhood memories of Pong glory, you need this coffee table in your living room. The only catch is you have to build it and need some parts from an old Atari.

The DIY Pong table you see here isn’t the first Pong table we have seen, we mentioned this one back in 2008 that looks similar. The good news with this new project is that you can roll your own with the steps offered over at Instructables. The controls use old Atari paddle controllers, which I remember fondly from Pole Position.

Power for the table gets power from four AA batteries. The play works by using the controller to move your paddle to bound the Pong ball back to your opponent. An 8-bit microcontroller at 8MHz powers the game and the screen is 900 LEDs arranged in a 30 x 30 matrix.

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Keyglove wearable input device is a keyboard and mouse with one hand

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:34 AM PDT

Sometimes a computer user only has one hand that they can work with be it due to standing up or some sort of physical limitation. A new project has landed on Kickstarter that is very interesting called Keyglove Wearable Input Device. The glove combines the functions of a mouse and a keyboard.

The glove is powered by Arduino/AVR, it uses touch combinations for keys, and an accelerometer is integrated for mouse control. I would imagine the glove has a steep learning curve, but once mastered the designer says that you can input data without looking at it. The hand drawing in the gallery isn't where the letters are bound.

The glove uses combinations of touching one sensor to another to make 60 different possibilities. That would mean you could enter a different letter for each touch of the thumb to a fingertip. The markings on the hand drawing are there for reference. So “Y” on the thumb to “J” on the pinky would make one letter with “7″ on the pinky touching “Z” on the thumb making something else. It's a very slick device with some practical implementations. The project has 27 days to meet its goal of $10,000 with $485 pledged at the time I wrote this.

[via Kickstarter]

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Thanko mouse pad with USB heater looks like a cats head

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:21 AM PDT

We have seen some really weird gadgets come out of Japan over the years and many of the odd items have to do with cats. I still feel sorry for the guy that had to pose for the pictures of that cat USB mask I posted back in February. I can understand folks that get cold when they are working, I know if my hands get too cold I can’t type that well. Thanko has a long line of USB gear for keeping computer users toasty.

The latest addition to that line of USB heating gear is this cat head mouse pad with USB warmer. It sort of looks like you ripped Felix the Cat’s head off and crammed your hand down his little kitty throat. If I am to be honest, this thing is weird.

The heater plugs into your USB port and has adjustable settings to keep you warm. It measures in at 9.21 x 10.24 x 4.33 inches and weighs about 3.35 ounces. I can only assume people will think you are nuts for using this thing.

[via Akihabara News]

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Knock on Wood stickers for iPhone and more

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:04 AM PDT

I think we have all said “knock on wood” before after bragging that we have done this or that and had no problems. It’s just an expression for me and I never really think about truly knocking on wood. Some superstitious types take the saying literally and need to have some wood around to knock on.

If you are one of these sorts, some new stickers for your iPhone and other gear have surfaced that are actually made from wood. The stickers are Torchwood Stickers and have self-adhesive goo on the back to stick them to your gadget.

The stickers come in a pack of three real wood stickers. One of the stickers is a circle, one is a square, and one is a rectangle. The stickers can be ordered right now for £5.00 or roughly $8 in the US. They come from a company called Suck UK.

[via ChipChick]

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Jolicloud Desktop gets Google Docs access

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:47 AM PDT

Back in November of 2010 Jolicould launched its firm’s netbook running its Jolicloud OS. We haven’t really heard much from the company since then. Today Jolicloud has announced that it’s Jolicloud Desktop now has access to Google Docs. That means you can work on your documents stored on the cloud service from wherever you are.

Jolicloud notes that the new feature is available right now and if you don't see if you just need to refresh your desktop. To set the new feature up the user needs to follow the steps on the Jolicloud blog. Once setup is complete, the Google Docs will appear in the browser and users can browse other files uploaded to Google Docs in addition to documents.

Previews are supported as well. The Google Docs feature is persistent too so you won’t have to jump through hoops to access the documents each time. Anytime you log on the documents will be available to you. Jolicloud also has a Chrome app that will let you use it as a home page.

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Retailer sends staff on 3DS “mission” to snag Nintendo stock from rival

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:28 AM PDT

UK retailer GAME has been caught dispatching staff on a secret “mission” to buy up cheap Nintendo 3DS stock from supermarket Tesco using store money, which was then sold on as “mint” quality pre-owned stock. According to an internal GAME document, acquired by Eurogamer, staff could take £209.90 from the cash register and use it to take advantage of Tesco’s 3DS launch deal, which offered the console and a game for less than the £219.99 GAME price for the 3DS alone.

“Whilst we are unable to competitively match this offer in terms of a mint price, it offers a great opportunity to gain 3DS consoles and games for your store’s preowned stock. It has been authorised by the business that members of staff from stores are able to purchase stock from Tesco stores and then trade back in to your store as Preowned stock” GAME memo

The memo lists the eight titles eligible for Tesco’s promotion, listed “in priority order,” and suggests that while up to five consoles can be bought in any one, single transaction, staff could make repeat visits. The resulting stock was then to be sold once GAME’s own supplies was exhausted, at £5-10 less than the full retail price.

“Some of our stores wanted to move quickly last weekend to build their pre-owned stocks of 3DS at the same time as their local competitors, so we gave them a process to do that. It was not mandatory, and happened in small volumes.” GAME statement

Despite GAME’s assertions that the policy was “not mandatory”, Eurogamer has apparently heard from at least one employee that his store reprimanded another member of staff who refused to take part. Tesco is yet to comment.

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Geek builds DIY iPhone hotshoe attachment for DSLR

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:28 AM PDT

There are so many apps for the iPhone that you can find something to do just about anything you can think up. If you are a photographer there are bunches of apps that you can get on your iPhone that will turn your device into a light meter and a lot more. I can see the need to mount the iPhone to your camera if it is your light meter.

A geek named Nigel saw the need to mount his iPhone to a DSLR flash hotshoe and set about creating his own gadget to do it. He used hobby plastic, measured and cut to fit into the hotshoe and to fit the iPhone. Once parts were cut, he glued them together until he had the finished product.

He notes that he made the plastic holder tabs large enough that they blocked some of the screen of the iPhone so he felt better about the phone begin secure. The finished product may look a bit unsophisticated, but it works undeniably well. You can build your own version of this following Nigel’s DIY steps here.

[via Make]

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Tesla sues BBC and Top Gear for Roadster test claiming it was rigged

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:13 AM PDT

If you are a fan of cars odds are you have watched an episode of Top Gear or two. I’m not talking about the fail packed American version, but the long running BBC version. I really like the show and think those guys are pretty funny, even if they are often American car hating douchebags. Tesla doesn’t like the show at all though.

On an episode back in 2008, Top Gear put the Tesla Roadster in a race against the Lotus Elise with a gasoline engine. The Tesla is based on the Lotus car. Things went all fine and dandy for Tesla until Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkston claimed the Roadster ran out of power at 55 miles. The show then offered footage of the Clarkston and two others pushing the car around.

Tesla is suing the show and BBC for defamation. Tesla has maintained since shortly after the show that the Roadster never ran out of power and never needed to be pushed. The BBC has apparently admitted that the segment was to show what could happen and still claims that Top Gear showed a fair representation of how the Tesla performed. Tesla for its part says that still today years after the show aired it still has customers ask questions based on that episode.

[via Jalopnik]

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REETI PCBot tracks users, squirts video and blushes [Video]

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:08 AM PDT

In the robotics world, silicone rubber can be either used for disturbing evil, such as the slug-like Elphoid P1 humanoid cellphone, or for bug-eyed good, like French firm Robopec‘s endearing REETI. The desktop companion is both a PC, a webcam and a telepresence ‘bot, capable of streaming live video from his webcam eyes, responding to touch thanks to various embedded sensors, and making facial expressions.

Video demo after the cut

Inside is a 1.8GHz dual-core Atom CPU paired with NVIDIA Ion 2 graphics, a 500GB hard-drive, WiFi b/g/n, ethernet, three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, digital audio outputs, Blu-ray,  and more, running Ubuntu with some custom robotics tools preloaded. Hooked up to a display, keyboard and mouse, and you can use REETI as your regular desktop.

Your normal PC probably doesn’t have cheeks that light up in various colors depending on mood, a head that can turn and track people in 3D (or be remotely controlled by an iPad app), or respond and track sound and key commands. REETI is also capable of reading out RSS, Facebook, Twitter and other sources, or acting as a robotic receptionist to welcome people to your business.

It reminds us of a far more complex Nabaztag, but then Robopec is positioning REETI as an open-source development platform rather than just a simply entertainment device. No word on pricing at this stage.

[youtube P3R45YbEM2M]

[via Plastic Pals]

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No 3D for Wii 2 suggests Nintendo: Glasses-Free tech not ready yet

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 02:37 AM PDT

Nintendo may have spent the past thirty or so years working on 3D’s gaming potential, but all that experience has seemingly convinced them not to use the tech in the upcoming Wii replacement. While the 3D-capable Nintendo 3DS launched in Europe and North America over the weekend, apparently setting sales records in the process, according to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime the shortcomings of glasses-free 3D technology on larger displays has dissuaded the company from including it.

“Glasses-free is a big deal,” Fils-Aime told CNN. “We’ve not said publicly what the next thing for us will be in the home console space, but based on what we’ve learned on 3D, likely, that won’t be it.” The arrival of large-scale glasses-free 3D displays in the living room looks at least a decade out, with Samsung suggesting that – despite having shown 55-inch prototypes – the technology simply isn’t up to the standard users would expect.

Previously, rumors have suggested that Nintendo might announce the “Wii 2″ second-gen console at E3 later this year, though the company’s execs remain tight-lipped as to what exactly the specifications and unique points of the console will be. High definition gaming looks to be the bare minimum, however, given both the PS3 and Xbox 360 offer far higher quality visuals than the current Wii.

[via T3]

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100-year-old secret underwater dome is fraudster’s amazing folly

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 02:18 AM PDT

As awesome additions to your home go, a billiard room hidden under a lake – complete with Bond villain style dome – sounds like the kind of place any self-respecting geek should covet. Turns out, the concept isn’t new; J. Whitaker Wright, a trader, engineer and convicted fraudster, lavished masses of money on Witley Park back in the 19th century, a 32 bedroom mansion which extended into various labyrinthine underground passages and a beautiful underwater room.

Unfortunately the house – once owned by the UK National Trust, but then sold off privately – isn’t open to the public, but that hasn’t stopped some photographers from getting in and taking photos of the eerie mansion. There are some amazing photos by cybergibbons, LargePig (responsible for the image above) and paolo999 showing not only the domed room but the various passages, shaped like something out of a science fiction film, as well as underwater routes that lead up to a private island.

The fact that the billiard room – which is apparently submerged just below the surface of the lake – has managed to keep the water out for over 100 years is more than impressive. Now excuse us while we attempt to build a mini version using LEGO in the bathtub.

[via Geekosystem and via Twitter]

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Calm down, Amazon Scratchpad are dev-tools not tablet

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:54 AM PDT

Rumors around Amazon’s tablet plans refuse to die, with the retailer’s recent moves with the Amazon App Store and the new Cloud Player for Android app each being used as evidence a cloud-centric slate is on the roadmap. However, despite reports to the contrary, it seems it won’t be the Amazon Scratchpad. Although several Scratchpad-themed domains have been registered recently by the online retailer, they appear to be related to Amazon’s Marketplace Web Service.

As TNW points out, several of the registered domains include the initials MWS (Marketplace Web Service) and Scratchpad apps are already available for testing Amazon’s Web Service APIs. They’re not new, either; the apps have been available for several years for developers to use.

So, it’s unlikely to be Amazon Scratchpad, which is a shame since that would be a solid name for a tablet, especially if it included a digital stylus like the HTC Flyer. Of course, that doesn’t mean Amazon isn’t working on a slate of its own; it just means we don’t know what it’s called yet.

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Dell slates iPad business potential as Microsoft exec suggests tablet appeal short-lived

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:24 AM PDT

If you can’t beat ‘em, slate ‘em. iPad 2 demand remains sky-high, but that hasn’t stopped Dell from sniping at the Apple tablet with the suggestion that it had failed – and would continue to fail – to penetrate the enterprise market (and coming up with some spurious figures to try to illustrate that). Meanwhile, Microsoft is casting doubt on whether the tablet segment as a whole is going to stick around at all.

Speaking to CIO Australia, Dell global head of marketing for large enterprises and public organisations, Andy Lark, argued that “open, capable and affordable will win, not closed, high price and proprietary” and suggested that the initial burst of enthusiasm around the iPad was a short-term thing. The tablet’s price and the limitations of Apple’s ecosystem in working with other enterprise hardware, software and services are his primary criticisms:

“Apple is great if you've got a lot of money and live on an island. It's not so great if you have to exist in a diverse, open, connected enterprise; simple things become quite complex. An iPad with a keyboard, a mouse and a case [means] you'll be at $1500 or $1600; that's double of what you're paying. That's not feasible.” Andy Lark, Dell

Still, it’s hard to see how Lark’s figures add up. Even taking into account the fact he was likely talking in Australian dollars (the iPad 2 begins at AU$579 in Australia) you’d have to be choosing some pretty expensive peripherals to reach $1,500-1,600. Even the top-end, 64GB iPad 2 WiFi + 3G (at $AU949) paired with Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard and a leather Smart Cover only comes to less than $1,130.

As for Microsoft, global chief research and strategy officer Craig Mundie has admitted recently that “there’s an important distinction – and frankly one we didn’t jump on at Microsoft fast enough – between mobile and portable” reports SMH; however, the exec also casts doubts on whether tablets are likely “to remain with us or not.”

“Mobile is something that you want to use while you’re moving, and portable is something that you move and then use. These are going to bump into one another a little bit and so today you can see tablets and pads and other things that are starting to live in the space in between. Personally I don’t know whether that space will be a persistent one or not.” Craig Mundie, Microsoft

However, Mundie did not go on to say what exactly he believed would kill off tablets, whether that would be more capable smartphones, lighter and longer-running notebooks, or something else. Microsoft’s Windows 7 OS, while found on several tablets in the market, has failed to grab attention or market share away from the iPad.

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Android Market in-app billing enabled: Try-and-Buy apps, extra levels, more

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:08 AM PDT

The Android Market has had in-app billing enabled, allowing developers of Android apps to offer upgrades, virtual goods, extra levels in games and other services from within their titles. Using the same checkout system as the Market itself, Google will take the usual 30-percent cut from developers’ proceeds and do all the hard work when it comes to processing. The system will also allow for try-and-buy apps, offering a test period of use and then the ability to unlock the full title rather than having to re-download the app.

Google has worked with the developers behind Tap Tap Revenge, Comics, Gun Bros, Deer Hunter Challenge HD, WSOP3 and Dungeon Defenders: FW Deluxe to demonstrate the in-app billing system, and the updated versions are now available in the Android Market. There are more details for developers here.

[via Android Community]

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