Large Hadron Collider may have produced previously unconfirmed form of matter

Teams at the Large Hadron Collider must be developing a knack for producing tangible evidence of theoretical particles. After orchestrating 2 million collisions between lead nuclei and protons, like the sort you see above, the collider's Compact Muon Solenoid group and researchers at MIT suspect that stray, linked pairs of gluon particles in the mix were signs of color-glass condensate, a currently theory-only form of matter that sees gluons travel in liquid-like, quantum-entangled waves. The clues aren't definitive, but they were also caught unexpectedly as part of a more routine collision run; the team is curious enough that it's looking for more evidence during weeks of similar tests in January. Any conclusive proof of the condensate would have an impact both on how we understand particle production in collisions as well as the ways gluons and quarks are arranged inside protons. If so, the CMS and MIT teams may well answer a raft of questions about subatomic physics while further justifying CERN's giant underground rings.

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Microsoft pegs Windows Phone 78 update for early 2013 arrival

With all the hubbub surrounding Windows Phone 8, it's easy to forget that Microsoft has another new OS in the pipeline: a refresh known as Windows Phone 7.8. One group hasn't forgotten about the update, however, and that's all the current users of Windows Phone 7.5. Now, Microsoft is issuing a reminder that, yes, the update really is coming -- just not this year. The folks in Redmond assert that they're currently working with hardware manufacturers and carriers to deploy Windows Phone 7.8 to "as many devices as possible" in early 2013. So, it seems that Christmas will come a bit later for owners of older hardware, but at least Microsoft has a New Year's resolution worth sticking to.

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AMD planning to sell its Texas campus, prized baseball cards in hope of earning a few extra bucks

Cash-strapped businesses who just can't keep winking at their bank managers are turning to their real-estate assets for a little extra bread. AMD, no stranger to the process, is pondering flogging and leasing back its 58-acre Texas campus for around $200 million. Perhaps it could shack up with Nokia and Sharp in a Starbucks branch until its current woes abate.

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Fujitsu's Wandant dog pedometer tracks your pet's moves, uploads it to the cloud

There's a whole host of techy tools that will let you log your 10k personal best, and break down your splits into minute detail, but what about poor old Rover? Fujistu spotted this gap, and created Wandant -- a sensor-laden neck tag for dogs complete with cloud-based service for tracking your pooch's wellbeing. The hardware will log your pet's footsteps, amount of shivering plus temperature change, and upload it automatically via your smartphone or PC. The software will present you these data over time, with the option of manually inputting further details such as food amount, a diary with photos and -- for those with stronger constitutions -- stool condition. Like human-focused equivalents, there will also be provisions for sharing your dog's efforts, but thankfully only with vets and research institutions. There's no details on hardware pricing just yet, but the online component is free for the first year (JPY 420 / about $5 per month there after). Money no object for your mutt? Sadly only available in Japan for the time being, so you'll need to include a return ticket in that splurge too.

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Google adds spreadsheet editing to Drive mobile app

It's frustrated many a Drive user, and Google has taken heed, adding on-the-go spreadsheet editing to the service's iOS and Android apps. In addition to making tweaks to existing cells, users will also be able to create new spreadsheets from their iPads, iPhones or any Android device. You'll also have realtime access, letting you see changes from friends and colleagues as they're made. Other app tweaks include improved formatting reproduction for content pasted between Google documents, along with the ability to add Android home screen shortcuts to any Drive file. Hit up Google Play for the updated application today.

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Yep, it's this week -- tomorrow, in fact! Are you ready to party with Engadget editors, talk up tech companies and win some valuable prizes? Good news: we've still got some tickets left for this week's event at Roseland! Click here to reserve your spot on the list and you can check out (and win) the latest and greatest from companies like Samsung, Dell, Sprint, MakerBot, Oakley, Gogo, Barnes & Noble and Speck. We'll see you tomorrow!

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Google acquires couponfocused Incentive Targeting for undisclosed sum

Google is no stranger to the business of discounts and special offers, but it looks like it's decided to reach outside the company to further bolster its offerings. The company confirmed today that it has acquired the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based marketing firm Incentive Targeting for an undisclosed sum. While not offering too much in the way of specifics, Google said in a statement that "we look forward to working with Incentive Targeting in our ongoing efforts to help consumers save time and money and enable retailers deliver relevant discounts to the right customers." For its part, Incentive Targeting has said that it "set out to do for retail couponing what Google had done for online advertising: make it simple, relevant, measurable, and effective," and to that end it has developed a variety of tools for retailers and manufacturers alike, all designed to deliver coupons and discounts in a more targeting manner. You can find the company's full statement on its website.

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The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 3PM ET!

Today Joseph joins Myriam and Brad on the Engadget Mobile Podcast. We'll learn his thoughts, feelings and deepest desires -- or we'll discuss the latest in the world of cellular telephony. At least one of those two things will happen, but if you're lucky you'll get a little of both. Listen in, it'll be a hoot! (If it's not, we'll just blame Joseph.)

If you haven't already, make sure to login to Ustream before the show so you can participate in our chat room!

November 28, 2012 3:00 PM EST

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William launches his pricey iam camera accessories for the iPhone, we go handson video

So, we learned two things today. Firstly, Will.i.am is able to attract quite a media scrum, and secondly, national press photographers have sharp elbows. Nevertheless, we braved the London debut of the Black Eyed Peas star's i.am+ iPhone accessories and fortunately came away with more than just Elephunk-sized bruises. We got some brief playtime with the gadgets, plus an interview with the CEO of Will.i.am's tech venture -- none other than Chandra Rathakrishnan of Fusion Garage fame (or notoriety). If you're wondering if we asked him why anyone would spend upwards of £199 ($315) on a wide-angle lens attachment when a really decent alternative can be had for a fraction of that cost, then hopefully the video and early impressions after the break will satisfy your curiosity.

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Samsung Galaxy Note II confirmed to reach Verizon stores tomorrow

Despite the fact that Verizon's version of the Samsung Galaxy Note II -- complete with its ugly logo-laden home button -- is already starting to ship out to pre-orderers, the carrier and manufacturer continued to keep quiet about their official launch plans. We've finally received word from a Samsung spokesperson that the 5.5-inch smartphone-tablet hybrid is destined to make its way into Big Red stores beginning tomorrow for $300 with a two-year contract. If you've been exercising a heap of patience in waiting for this gigantophone, you'd best free up some time on your calendar first thing tomorrow. We have the official statement waiting for you after the break.

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Adobe updates Photoshop Touch to get cozy on the iPad mini and Nexus 7

Less than a fortnight has passed since Adobe sent its slate-friendly photo editing app to Amazon's Appstore. Today, the graphics software outfit is rolling out another update of Photoshop Touch that has been optimized for those smaller slates -- particularly the options from Apple and Google. In addition to the tweaks that account for less screen real estate, version 1.4 also touts support for three pressure-sensitive styli (Pogo Connect, Jot Touch and the Jaja stylus), added effects, performance enhancements and the ability to share your creations to both Facebook and Twitter without the need to head elsewhere. A fresh download is available now from iTunes, Google Play and the aforementioned Amazon repository for $10. Consult the full announcement below if you're looking for a few more particulars.

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Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long.

Slickdeals' best in tech for November 28th: 17-inch Lenovo IdeaPad and 73-inch DLP HDTV

The mid-week blues may have already hit your desk in full force, but this smattering of tech deals could be just the thing to get things lookin' up. Today's group includes three camera options (point-and-shoot, DSLR and camcorder), a 17-inch laptop and a massive 73-inch HDTV. All of the details and requisite links lie just beyond the break, but don't delay, because these offers are likely to disappear quickly.

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Amazon Appstore continues Amazon's bid for global dominance with expansion into Japan

Move over various European countries -- Japan's the latest region to receive Amazon's Android "Appstore" (no, that isn't a word). The store went live today in Japan, bringing with it all you've come to expect from Amazon's virtual mobile store: Angry Birds, Facebook, and much, much more. Also in-tow is Amazon's "Free App of the Day" initiative, and a variety of unique app selections from Japan-specific developers like Square Enix and NTT Docomo. The Japanese version of the Appstore features the same cross-device functionality found in other regions, meaning one app purchase suffices for all your Android devices. Amazon isn't saying if any major, expected apps are missing from the store, and our Japanese isn't so hot, so we'd appreciate you letting us know if you spot any major whiffs in the selection department.

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Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's Samsung Exhilarate.

DNP Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012 mainstream laptops

Ah, mainstream laptops. They may not have the same lightweight luster as their Ultrabook brethren, but they pack the beefy hardware to get you and the ones you love through several seasons of work and play. Our top choices below offer Windows 8 (and Mountain Lion) in pretty packages -- and at all spots on the pricing spectrum. Hop past the break for a closer look.

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Humax's take on an IPconnected TV box for Comcast passes through the FCC

Comcast isn't opening up its set-top boxes (UI and all) in the way we'd like, but it has established a reference spec (RDK) for potential hardware partners to build their own versions of its next generation setup. As reported by Light Reading, Cisco, Humax, Pace, Technicolor and others are working on hardware for a new multiroom setup based on a central gateway (or maybe a Cablevision-style network DVR) that streams video to IP-connected extenders called the XI3. Now Humax's Xfinity-branded XI3-H has been revealed in an FCC filing spotted by Wireless Goodness. It sports a coax in/out connection for MoCA and TV, HDMI in and out, Ethernet and a USB port for a WiFi adapter. There's also an SD card slot interestingly, which could potentially be used as local DVR storage for quick pause and rewind without pulling from the main server.

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