Leaked images show black & white Blackberry Z10s, BBM Video and more

As Sony, Apple and others well know, it's hard to slip a phone into the marketplace without leaks, considering the many, many points on the supply chain where Mr. Blurrycam can spot it. This time, Rapid Berry allegedly espied promotional photos that look like they came directly from the source, hitting all the Blackberry 10 marketing points like the upcoming Z10 handset in black and white, BBM Video with Screenshare, the new BB keyboard and the so-called Time Shift Camera. While we've seen much of this before, these are among the first press-type pics we've seen straight from RIM -- and tie up the imminent Blackberry 10 future with a pretty bow, if real. Go to the source to see the entire series.

0 Comments

Boeing's Dreamliner will be subjected to FAA review following fire, won't be grounded

A fire onboard a super-spec 787 Dreamliner last week has led the FAA to order a review of the aircraft's critical systems and assembly. The Dreamliner has had its share of teething problems, not least because it does things differently -- including using space-saving lithium ion batteries that have since been implicated in the fire on the All Nippon Airways jet. Qatar Airways also temporarily grounded one of its planes last month due to electrical problems and a United Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing for much the same reason. No one has been hurt and the FAA hasn't shown any intention to stop the 787 from flying while it investigates. Meanwhile, Boeing insists that none of these "introductory issues" give it cause to "doubt the capabilities of the airplane."

0 Comments

mc10 teams with Reebok to build CheckLight, a head impact indicator for diagnosing concussions handson

Concussions have always been a concern for those who play contact sports. However, there's been a renewed focus in recent years by the sports community -- the NFL in particular -- to learn more about concussions in the interests of promoting player safety. Pro leagues aren't the only folks tackling the problem, though. Verizon, Intel and Ridell are all building systems to help identify concussed players. Reebok and mc10 have collaborated to create CheckLight, a head impact indicator meant to make it easy to see when an athlete has taken a dangerous blow to the head. The CheckLight itself is comprised of two parts: a sensor device built by mc10 and skull-cap made by Reebok.

The sensor itself is a strip of plastic filled with flexible sensors connected to a small microcontroller module with three indicator LEDs and a micro-USB port. One LED serves as a battery level indicator, one flashes yellow after moderate impacts and a third flashes red for severe blows. mc10 wasn't willing to share the exact hardware inside, but we know that it's got a rechargeable battery and has rotational acceleration, multi-directional acceleration, impact location and impact duration. Data from those sensors is then run through the company's proprietary algorithm to determine when to fire the LEDs. We got to chat with Isaiah Kacyvenski -- mc10's Director of Licensing and Business development and ex-NFL player -- about the CheckLight and the role it has to play in keeping athletes safe, so join us after the break for more.

Read More | 0 Comments

Blackberry users get server chills in UK and Europe

It's 2013 and RIM's BlackBerry servers seem to be as grumpy as ever -- and totally oblivious to the need for happy headlines in the run up to January 30th. We're hearing from multiple readers that BB servers are down in the UK, while Vodafone has confirmed that its customers are having problems, with the biggest casualty being push email. Meanwhile, BlackBerry UK's Twitter feed says the outage is the result of "Vodafone service issues" and is affecting "some customers" across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We'll update if we hear more.

Update: An early statement from Vodafone gave no hint that it was responsible for the outage, and merely said it was "working closely" with RIM to fix it. However, this does now look like a Vodafone problem. The company's African offshoot, Vodacom, has seen fit to apologize on Twitter and has said services in that continent are now being restored, though a backlog of data could cause delays.

0 Comments

Chrome 24 fixes two dozen bugs, promises to speed things up

Google's latest browser update landed today with little fanfare from Mountain View -- just a tiny blog post proclaiming a faster, more stable Chrome. Diving into the build's change notes, however, reveal Flash updates, bug fixes and support for MathML. Not a lot in the way of consumer facing features -- though Bookmarks are now searchable, via the Chrome omnibox. Not as fancy as the last release, but we never to scoff at stability and speed. Check it out at the source link below.

0 Comments

IBM has raked in more patents than anybody for 20 consecutive years

Thinking about beefing up your IP profile? Try giving IBM a call. For twenty consecutive years, it's been awarded more patents than any other company. According to IFI Claims Patent Services, IBM was issued 6,478 patents in 2012. To put things into perspective, its closest competitor, Samsung, trailed Big Blue by nearly 1,500 patents. No small wonder the company is the tech world's intellectual property broker.

Some of the year's biggest patent warriors made the top 50 list too. Both Apple and Google's patent awards grew significantly over previous years, surpassing 2011's numbers by 68 and 170 percent, respectively. The house that T.J. Waston built, on the other hand, grew only a meager 4.8 percent. Still, with patents in health, banking, defense, social networking, cloud computing and beyond, IBM probably has a few years left at the top. Ever onward, IBM. Ever onward.

Read More | 0 Comments

Google first gave some leading developers the ability to reply to user comments on Google Play last year, but it looks like it's now letting considerably more devs in on the act. While it's not yet clear when (or if) all developers will be able to do so, a spokesperson has confirmed to The Next Web that the feature is now "gradually expanding" to additional Android app developers. On its developer site, Google further clarifies that developers will only be able to reply to any comment once, and it outlines a few fairly straightforward posting guidelines -- namely, that developers should "make it clear and relevant," "be nice," "don't solicit or promote" and "keep it clean." Users will also receive an email notifying them of the developer's reply, and be given the ability to update their original comment and rating (presumably with the goal of avoiding one star reviews for issues beyond their control). Google also adds that the ability to comment is "a privilege, not a right," and that apps and accounts can be suspended if developers violate the guidelines.

0 Comments

Plextor trots out M5M series mSATA drives at CES

Plextor just unearthed a new lineup of mSATA drives that will be targeted at enthusiasts looking to give their ultraportables an additional shot of adrenaline. Known as the M5M series, the diminutive chips will come in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB sizes, each which boast a highly respectable sequential read speed of 540 MB/s. Meanwhile, sequential write speed for the three models is rated at 160 MB/s, 320 MB/s and 430 MB/s, respectively. The M5M series carries a mean time before failure (MTBF) of 2.4 million hours, and is said to become available this quarter. No word yet about pricing, however. To learn about the security features of the Plextor M5M series, feel free to hit up the PR after the break.

[Image credit: AnandTech]

Read More | 0 Comments

BenQ unveils two 1080p 3D projectors at CES

BenQ isn't holding any keynotes, but the company does have a presence here at CES. In fact it rolled out a pair of 1080p 3D projectors today for the home theater enthusiast. The W1070 and W1080ST are the latest in the company's consumer line, and they're powered by DLP's Dark Chip 3 which is usually found in high-end models. But at $1,099 and $1,299, respectively, the W1070 and W1080ST certainly aren't priced for the high end. The 1080 can project images up to 100 inches wide from as little as six feet away. It's even ready for proper color calibration right out of the box. Both machines are also compatible with NVIDIA's 3D Play and DLP Link, plus they're sporting dual HDMI ports. Both are available now. For more info check out the PR below.

Read More | 0 Comments

Caliber Advantage iPhone 5 gaming case

It's no secret that iOS mobile gaming leaves us wanting when it comes to physical controls. Fortunately, at CES 2013, iFrogz is out to fill that void with the Caliber Advantage iPhone case-gone-console. The Caliber Advantage, an iPhone 5 and fifth-generation iPod touch accessory, uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to the corresponding enabled application rather than the phone itself. iFrogz mentions that a deal with Epic Games and Chair Entertainment to build the basis for the Caliber software powered by the Unreal Engine is in the works. In fact, later this April the company will host its own developer conference aimed at seriously expanding the platform and hopefully adding support for previously released titles.

Marrying a case with a full-fledged controller certainly adds some bulk, but after handling the prototype, the approximate half inch of added girth honestly didn't incite any ill feelings. The chassis, while clearly heavy on the plastic, felt more sturdy than anticipated, and fairly natural to our hands. As for the buttons? Crisp and responsive, hard though that may be to believe. The unit is set to retail at $70, and curious iOS gamers can feel free to take a closer look in the gallery below.

Kevin Wong contributed to this report.

Read More | 0 Comments

Zoom iQ5 professional stereo microphone for Apple lightning devices handson

Earlier at CES, we got our hands on the Rode iXY 30-pin stereo microphone iPhone add-on that left our Lightning users a bit sad. Cheer up! The folks over at Zoom got us over to their booth to take a peek at the company's new iQ5 professional stereo microphone. The iQ5 is a different beast than its aforementioned competition in that it works in conjunction with native iOS applications. What this means is that you can use it while recording video on your iOS device. The microphone itself rotates for this specific purpose, allowing for both horizontal and vertical audio recording in raw, 90- and 120-degree field positions. The recording resolution is capped at a respectable 16-bit/44.1kHz -- though slightly less than we were hoping.

We didn't get a chance to actually hear an audio sample from the iQ5, but we're pretty confident it'll sound better than the standard mic equipped on any of the supported devices. The Zoom iQ5 lacks a bit in customization department as well as build quality -- we're generally not fans of the cheap plastic construction, which is unlike most other Zoom products. The spec sheet certainly leaves us wanting, but it's a start in the right direction for current-gen iOS devices. The iQ5 will set you back $100 and will start shipping Q2 of this year -- until then check out the gallery to hold you over.

0 Comments

Xbox Smartglass hands-on

Microsoft is silent no longer on its buyout of R2 Studios. The software giant has officially confirmed its purchase of R2, a home automation and entertainment startup, for an unspecified amount. It's also clearer that ex-Sling chief and R2 founder Blake Krikorian is central to the deal -- he's becoming a VP in the Interactive Entertainment Business, and much of the release (after the break) centers on Krikorian's content-related design experience and how it could help the Xbox. We'll just have to be patient enough to wait for the eventual results in our living rooms.

Read More | 0 Comments

Well, the Windows RT tablet market just got a bit less crowded, as Samsung has confirmed to CNET that its ATIV Tab won't be sold or distributed in the US. The company's decision is based in part upon feedback from retail partners, which suggested that such a product would be only modestly successful in the marketplace. Samsung also pointed to the lack of education about Windows RT, and suggested that it would require too much of an investment to properly inform consumers of the differences between it and Windows 8. Instead, the company will take a wait and see approach to gauge how the Windows RT market develops -- we've heard this line before. It's currently unclear whether Samsung's decision will affect the availability of its Windows RT tablets in other markets.

0 Comments

Yes, friends, it's the penultimate Engadget CES podcast! This time out, Tim and Brian will be be joined by TechnoBuffalo's Jon Rettinger and YouTube superstar Phil DeFranco to discuss all of Wednesday's goings-on and play with some of the best toys the show has to offer.

January 9, 2013 11:00 PM EST

Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here!

Read More | 0 Comments

Rapoo TV claims to make 'any HDTV smart,' is compatible with iOS and Android

Less than 24 hours after announcing the H9080 wireless headphones, Rapoo's let it be known that its CES 2013 repertoire also includes a little something for the living room (or bedroom, depending on where you prefer to enjoy your downtime). With its Rapoo TV, the company's touting the ability to turn any HDTV into one with intelligent features -- essentially, though, it is a wireless receiver that allows iOS and Android devices to connect to it, allowing them to mirror mostly any content on the bigger screen. Of course, there might be some better options for iOS users (and Android soon, we imagine) in the market already, but the company's still hoping some folks may have room for yet another set-top-like unit in their home. The company says the Rapoo TV will be available sometime in Q1 of this year, however there's no word on pricing just yet.

0 Comments

As is the way of such things, just days after one coder figured out a way around Microsoft's Windows RT controls another individual has created an easy-to-use tool based on the example. Posted by netham45 on XDA-Developers, the RT Jailbreak tool needs only to be loaded and run on the tablet (wait a minute or two after booting up), without any need for the user to poke around in the Windows kernel themselves. Also of note is that this is a tethered solution, since it will need to be reapplied each time the machine is rebooted. Now that the barrier to entry has been significantly lowered, the particularly brave and/or foolhardy Windows RT user can give it a shot by clicking the source link and following the directions there -- that should include reading the associated FAQ to understand some of the risks involved.

0 Comments

Geonaute's 360 degree sports camera catches all the action, even our hands on

Sport and action cameras are big business, and even though there are a couple of main players, it doesn't stop other's trying to get a bite of the apple. Geonaute, however, have come at the situation from a different angle. Heck, they're coming at it from every angle, with its 360-degree offering. Equipped with three 8-megapixel wide-angle lenses the camera captures an almost spherical field of view. This might initially sound like a strange idea... after all, who wants all of that in one video, won't it all be warped beyond recognition? The short answer is no, in fact it's much better than you would ever have thought, and we'll explain why shortly. Going back to the camera itself, it looks a little like the innards of those security cameras you find in government buildings etc that peer at you ominously. However, in this case, the three lenses have color detail around them which makes them look anything but sinister, and the circular base section might look a little large, but in fact it's light in the hand -- and actually helps it sit quite comfortably atop a helmet.

In 360 video mode the advertised resolution is up to 2,048 x 1,024. In photo mode you'll get single shot, burst and time-lapse modes with a top resolution of 4,096 x 2,048. The actual FOV is 360 degrees on the horizontal, and 150 degrees vertically, but the end result is a fairly complete viewing sphere. The 3,000 mAh battery should be good for two hours of footage, and the microSD card slot will take cards of up to 32GB. While there is a waterproof housing, the camera itself will take the elements on pretty well thanks to its IPX7 rating. Read on after the break for more impressions.

Read More | 0 Comments

TCL shows off MoVo Google TV box, 'China Star' 110inch 4K TV

Chinese manufacturer TCL has a rather significant showing at CES 2013, with a number of TVs and TV-related products. We're not sure if we'll be seeing any of these debut in the US, but among them were a 110-inch "China Star" 3D 4K TV that's got a brand tie-in with Iron Man 3, and its MoVo Google TV product. Its Google TV set-top box is powered by the same Marvell Armada 1500 SoC as many others, but features a custom skin and uses facial recognition to provide personalized experiences for every family member. It seemed to run equally to other Google TVs, although we wonder if that custom skin may slow down the pace of future updates. Also on display in the booth are TCL's iCE Screen that debuted last year, and its super thin V101 Blade TV. There's more details on the products in the press release after the break, as well as some in person pics (including the 36+ sq ft China Star and accompanying costumed Iron Man) in the gallery.

Read More | 0 Comments