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PlayStation Network moniker sacked, falls under Sony Entertainment Network um...
by Joe Pollicino
5 Feb 2012 at 11:37am
Listen up, those of you with PlayStation Network IDs. Sony Computer Entertainment International has announced that, as of February 7th, the PSN will fold into its existing Sony Entertainment Network. The company has aimed the move at clearly unifying the services of PSN and SEN, such as Music Unlimited. Fret not, however, as Joystiq notes that the change is basically a looks-only affair, meaning your current account information and related services will remain the same. Notably, the moniker refresh won't apply to the PSP, which will curiously remain under the PSN moniker for network services. The news comes as a part of SCEI's updated Terms of Service and privacy policy, both of which take effect on the same day. Those changes, by the way, appear to mainly be regarding location-based services for PS Vita, and parental controls for sub-master accounts. After all of the bad times PSN has been through, its upcoming SEN identity might just be the new outlook on (online) life it needed all along -- and hopefully with less downtime. Hit up the source link below for the full details.

PlayStation Network moniker sacked, falls under Sony Entertainment Network umbrella on Feb. 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spark Linux tablet specs updated, going up for pre-order next week
by James Trew
5 Feb 2012 at 9:29am
We already got a brief introduction to the Spark Linux-based tablet, but details were a little sparse. Since then, a few more key bits of info have been added to its Q&A page, which might help sway your purchasing decision. That KDE Plasma Active UI we knew it'd be sporting will stare out at you via a modest 800 x 480 screen, and there's a 1.3 megapixel snapper tucked in alongside for video calling. The 1GHz / 512 MB internals we initially reported remain unchanged and the two USB ports and 3.5mm audio jack we saw in the pre-release picture above also get the official seal. There's talk of GPS making it into the next iteration, but for now you'll have to find your own way. The main news, however, is that pre-orders are pegged for next week, and shipping set for May. The initial focus is on Europe, but plans for it to arrive in US retailers are apparently underway. If that's suitably tickled your fancy, head on over the break and tap the source for more info.

Spark Linux tablet specs updated, going up for pre-order next week originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vimeo app lands for Windows Phone, lets you upload your next student film ove...
by Terrence O'Brien
5 Feb 2012 at 6:45am
Hello there Mango fans, is YouTube just a little too lowbrow for you? Well, fret not, Vimeo is here to stream all the HD student shorts your little Microsoft-loving heart desires. The official app doesn't just let you browse, search and view clips on the site, though -- it completely integrates with your account, allowing you to upload HD video, tweak the details of your uploads and even check stats. Basically, with this app in your pocket there's almost no reason to visit the desktop site ever again. Of course, the prerequisite sharing features are also included, because, what good is capturing and uploading all this lovely video if you can't tweet it out to all your friends. Check out the gallery below and hit up the source to download it for free from the Windows Phone Marketplace.

Gallery: Vimeo for Windows Phone

Vimeo app lands for Windows Phone, lets you upload your next student film over 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone exec Brandon Watson leaves Microsoft, headed to Amazon
by Amar Toor
5 Feb 2012 at 4:34am
There's some more corporate reshuffling going on in the Windows Phone universe this week, now that Brandon Watson has confirmed his departure from Microsoft. Watson, who served as head of the WP Developer Experience, announced the news on his Twitter page Friday, and later told ZDNet that he's heading to Amazon, where he'll be Director of the Kindle Cross Platform team. In an e-mail to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Watson acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, but ultimately decided that "the opportunity placed in front of me that was too big to pass up." At Amazon, the exec will be charged with laying out a roadmap for Kindle app development across first- and third-party platforms, including, of course, Windows Phone and Windows 8. Microsoft has yet to announce a replacement, issuing the following statement: "We can confirm February 6th is Brandon Watson's last day at Microsoft. Brandon did a great job helping us build a vibrant developer community and we wish him well with his next adventure."

Windows Phone exec Brandon Watson leaves Microsoft, headed to Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best sub-$100 camera/laptop bag?
by Daniel Cooper
5 Feb 2012 at 2:24am
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Joseph (he's from Atlanta) who needs a camera bag for his semi-professional photography enterprise. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I've recently gotten into semi-pro photography and I've come to the problem of how to transport all my gear. I'm looking for a camera / laptop bag that has enough space for a DSLR body (Nikon D90), a 15-inch laptop, 3 or 4 lenses and a speedlight or two. My budget can't stretch beyond $100 and I need it to be durable and weather-proof. I don't have any preferences with style (backpack, messenger bag etc), I just need a large, affordable bag to carry all of my gear. Thanks for the help and keep the gadget passion guys!"

We don't think you should scrimp too much on a bag, given it'll be carrying $3,000 worth of kit. Your host uses a Lowepro Fastpack 250, costing $99.95, its only drawback that it has no space for a tripod or cables, so you have to sacrifice a couple of lens slots just to tote your power lead. Other staffers suggested using a standard bag with individual Crumpler pouches (a suitable Crumpler like the "7 Million Dollar Home" is $150) or the KataKTD, which sadly doesn't pack a laptop sleeve. How about you, commenters? What's the budget bag you wouldn't let your DSLR venture away from? Together, we can work it out.

Ask Engadget: Best sub-$100 camera/laptop bag? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roland's iModela 3D milling machine: it's a crafty tool
by James Trew
5 Feb 2012 at 12:24am
3D printing. Sure, that's pretty neat, but there are other ways to make three dimensional objects at home. Roland's new iModela, for example, is an "affordable" ($899) digital hobby mill that can carve 3D shapes, jewelry, textures and prototypes out of balsa wood, foam, modelling wax and plastics. Projects definitely need to be more on the petite side, but the 3.39inch x 2.17inch x 1.02inch milling area should be good for a wide range of small craft creations. The iModela comes with all the cutting tools, software and materials you need to get started, but if you've already been tinkering with ideas, there's also compatibility with other "popular" CAD software. Want to get making right away? Tap the source, or hit the PR after the break for more info.

Continue reading Roland's iModela 3D milling machine: it's a crafty tool

Roland's iModela 3D milling machine: it's a crafty tool originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson hangs ten, launches Xperia Active Billabong Edition
by Andrew Munchbach
4 Feb 2012 at 10:15pm
Sony Ericsson is looking to start a bromance with the McTwist-loving, Double-Cork-landing, A-Frame-riding masses jonesing for a new Android device. The handset maker has announced a "global strategic alliance" with Billabong to launch the Xperia Active Billabong Edition smartphone in select markets. The handset will come preloaded with exclusive content, including Billabong screen savers, and bundle several Billabong-branded games and applications. As the two companies tell it, the Xperia ABE is the "ideal smartphone for extreme sports enthusiasts." Accordingly, Sony Ericsson hardware is about to start making appearances at various "major" Billabong events. Unfortunately, this next bit is really going to harsh your mello: the hardware is identical to that of the Xperia Active announced back in June, complete with a single-core 1GHz processor, Gingerbread, a 3-inch Reality display and a five-megapixel shooter. Even with its no-so-extreme spec sheet, we give SE a gnar-lay for effort.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson hangs ten, launches Xperia Active Billabong Edition

Sony Ericsson hangs ten, launches Xperia Active Billabong Edition originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Snow Leopard update wreaks havoc on Rosetta, luddite users contemplate runnin...
by Joseph Volpe
4 Feb 2012 at 8:21pm
Normally updates are meant to better your OS, delivering necessary tweaks and performance improvements. But this latest batch out of Cupertino's managed to do just the opposite for users running the Lion 10.7.3 package, as it's caused many applications to force crash and bewildered users to restore Time Machine backups. Well, now the hordes clinging to Snow Leopard can join in the commiseration, as forums begin to flood with reports of failed Rosetta compatibility. That software, essential for PowerPC programs to run on Apple's preferred Intel chipset, has been rendered useless by a just released security fix, prompting one community member to craft a DIY patch. While, Apple is reportedly working on a cure-all for these rampant woes, we'd caution any who haven't taken the plunge to sit this one out for a bit.

Update: Good news for those of you on Lion that haven't updated, as Apple's pulled the 10.7.3 delta update (responsible for borked installs), leaving those who haven't taken the plunge to try the larger (and non-problematic) combo one. Unfortunately for users of Snow Leopard, though, the troublesome security update lives on, so until Cupertino rectifies (and we update), sound off on how the temporary fix is treating you in the comments below.

Snow Leopard update wreaks havoc on Rosetta, luddite users contemplate running with Lion (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dashwire closes up shop, all your data to get flushed on February 15th (updat...
by Terrence O'Brien
4 Feb 2012 at 6:33pm
Ok, so chances are you probably haven't thought about Dashwire much in the last couple of years. Last time we covered the service was back in the halycon days of Windows Mobile 6.0, early on in the modern smartphone revolution. In case you need a bit of a refresher, Dashwire was a cloud service that delivered many of the ammenities we now take for granted in mobile device -- visual voicemail, threaded SMS, automatic sycing of photos, and status updates. Earlier this year, HTC snatched up the company which last made news with the free, and appropriately-named, Awesome Drop for Android (which seems to be dying a quiet death in the market). Well, the actual Dashwire service has been languishing for sometime now, but the company has decided to finally discontinue it completely for Windows Mobile devices and, on February 15th, will be shutting down its servers and deleting all user content. So, if you've got anything still sitting up in its aging cloud, now is the time to reclaim it.

Update: Despite the Dashwire service itself (apparently) no longer being listed on its site, HTC has contacted us to clarify that "that Dashwire is only closing down the original/old Dashwire.com service for Windows Mobile devices" and that it has "new services with Tier 1 operators that are live in market."

Dashwire closes up shop, all your data to get flushed on February 15th (update: Windows Mobile devices only) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobile Miscellany: week of January 30th, 2012
by Zachary Lutz
4 Feb 2012 at 5:02pm
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This week, we've spotted a leaked Android 4.0.4 ROM for the Nexus S 4G, and we've also come across a price and release date for the Droid 4. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride. Let's explore the "best of the rest" for this week of January 30th, 2012.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of January 30th, 2012

Mobile Miscellany: week of January 30th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Interview: the EFF's Mitch Stoltz talks the legality of jailbrea...
by Brian Heater
4 Feb 2012 at 4:00pm

The work of a non-profit advocacy group is never done. It seems like just yesterday that the Electronic Frontier Foundation was waging a battle to put jailbreaking rights into the hands of consumers, much to the chagrin of manufacturers intent on maintaining control over their devices after they leave store shelves. With the looming expiration of an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that has made such hacks legal, the organization is once again taking up the cause. And this time, it's added tablets and gaming consoles to its proposal. We sat down with EFF staff attorney Mitch Stoltz to discuss the state of the law and how users can help in the fight.

Continue reading The Engadget Interview: the EFF's Mitch Stoltz talks the legality of jailbreaking

The Engadget Interview: the EFF's Mitch Stoltz talks the legality of jailbreaking originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' Blu-ray 3D set for release February 28th -- 3D hater...
by Richard Lawler
4 Feb 2012 at 2:38pm
Considering that Hugo was a flick capable of earning 4 out of 4 stars from noted 3D hater Roger Ebert, it will be interesting to see how it's received upon its home release February 28th. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and currently rocking a 94 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the fantasy tale of a boy who crosses paths with legendary filmmaker Georges Méliès in 1930s Paris may be the best example yet of how an artist can make use of the effect. The two hour six minute flick will be available in Blu-ray 3D combo pack, and 2D Blu-ray editions, with a 7.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack and special featurettes on the making of the film and the real magician/director who inspired the story.

The release date is two days after the Academy Awards, and if this flick can snag Best Picture or Best Director it could become a turning point for 3D. New 3D movies are already on deck from other high-profile directors like Ridley Scott (Alien prequel Prometheus) and Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby), while big budget conversions like Star Wars -- coming to theaters next week -- and already-sold-out-for-Valentines Day Titanic test the waters for older movies. Add in sports broadcasts planned including UFC 143 tonight and the London Olympics in the summer, and 2012 is shaping up to be an especially rough year for 3D haters -- you have our deepest sympathies. Those on the other side of the fence can check after the break for a press release with more details and (2D) theatrical trailer, it's currently available on Amazon for preorders at $27.99, 2D only is $21.99.

Continue reading Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' Blu-ray 3D set for release February 28th -- 3D haters beware

Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' Blu-ray 3D set for release February 28th -- 3D haters beware originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fujitsu announces Stylistic Android tablet for taking care of business, worki...
by Brian Heater
4 Feb 2012 at 12:28pm
The BlackBerry PlayBook blues got you down? Fujitsu thinks you should consider riding the Android train to work. The company today announced the awkwardly named Stylistic M350/CA2 Android tablet, a seven-inch enterprise-focused slate aimed at folks looking for a sales terminal, catalog displayer or e-reader. The Stylistic has a WSVGA display and a battery that should give you around six hours on a charge. You can pick one of these guys up in mid-February, if you're in Japan. An equally exciting press release can be found after the jump.

Update: Residents of Hong Kong may recognize this 1GHz Gingerbread slate as the MH350, which was launched way back in September. To be honest, the build quality isn't that impressive in real life, but given that this new version weighs a tad more than its Hong Kong counterpart (420g vs. 385g), there may still be hope. Oh, but it is still Gingerbread.

Continue reading Fujitsu announces Stylistic Android tablet for taking care of business, working overtime (updated)

Fujitsu announces Stylistic Android tablet for taking care of business, working overtime (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple TV gets into video discovery, adds movie and TV show Genius Recommendat...
by Richard Lawler
4 Feb 2012 at 10:16am
Apple added a new wrinkle to its hobby overnight, as AppleInsider reports the Genius recommendation feature added in iTunes 8 now offers up suggestions for movies and TV shows. The new Apple TV feature appears to have been switched on from the back end servers with no firmware update, displaying the new Genius option under Movies and TV Netflix-style as shown above. We're not sure you really needed anyone else telling you it's definitely time to check out The Wire or Breaking Bad, but with competitors like Google already taking aim at improving content discovery and recommendations it's a logical next step for whatever Apple's living room ambitions ultimately become.

Apple TV gets into video discovery, adds movie and TV show Genius Recommendations originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia establishes stance on conflict minerals in formal policy
by Amar Toor
4 Feb 2012 at 7:43am
Recent weeks have seen a swell of interest in corporate responsibility, particularly with regard to technology manufacturing and supply chains. Last month, Apple CEO Tim Cook affirmed his company's commitment to ethically and environmentally sound practices, evoking sentiments that were echoed today in a similar announcement from Nokia. Seizing the opportunity to establish some goodwill among socially conscious consumers, the Finnish manufacturer has just released a policy outlining its philosophy on conflict minerals -- metals like gold, tungsten and tin that have played a direct role in fueling civil violence and unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the document (linked below), Nokia acknowledged that it doesn't play a direct role in obtaining these materials, but emphasized its strict traceability requirements. All suppliers, Nokia says, must provide detailed information on the sourcing of its metals, going back to the smelter phase, at a minimum, and even to the mine itself, if necessary. The company also highlighted its adherence to guidelines established by the EICC-GeSI Extractives Work Group, which both Apple and Intel have already joined. Granted, it's impossible for a single company to wipe out civil strife and human rights abuses in one fell swoop, but with this codified approach, Nokia hopes to at least "increase transparency, ensure responsible procurement by our suppliers and sub-suppliers, and drive positive change."

Nokia establishes stance on conflict minerals in formal policy originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Gadgeteer
Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997

Does your Kindle Keyboard have fading letters? Amazon might send you a free r...
by Julie
4 Feb 2012 at 6:00pm

Gadgeteer reader Sandee Cohen writes in with some potentially good news for Amazon Kindle Keyboard owners:

Julie,

You might want to write this up as a post.

I got a Kindle Keyboard model Christmas 2010. ByNovember 2011, some of the letters on the keyboard had started to fade. (I play a lot of word games that require typing on the keyboard.)   By the end of January 2012 the “I” “O” and “A” were completely blank. And it was very hard to read the “S”.

I wrote to Kindle-feedback@amazon.com and told them how disappointed I was with the situation.   Almost immediately I got an email back telling me to contact Amazon by phone. (They have a cool way of entering your phone number on their web site and then your phone rings and Amazon is on the line.)   After explaining the situation, the fellow told me that “your machine is out of warranty, but we make an exception for this issue.”   I take that to mean that this is a known problem with the Kindle Keyboard versions. And although Amazon doesn’t sell the keyboard models anymore, they do have ones available to exchange for damaged ones.

The new machine arrived and indeed the letters on the keyboard are raised from the plastic and look like they will last much longer.   I think this information should be made more public so those who are struggling with faded letters can get a new machine.

Perhaps you will use the Gadgeteer to publicize it.

Best,
Sandee Cohen

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

I asked Sandee to send me some close up images of her old Amazon Kindle Keyboard reader and the replacement she just received.

Old Amazon Kindle Keyboard New Amazon Kindle Keyboard

In the image on the Left, you’ll notice the I, O and L keys are worn pretty badly. Sandee commented that they look much worse in real life than they do in these macro shots.

It’s good to know that Amazon will replace this older model eBook reader even when it’s out of warranty. That’s great service!

Thanks to Sandee for sending in this info. Hopefully it helps someone else.

Filed in categories: eBook Readers and Gear, News

Tagged: Amazon, Kindle

Does your Kindle Keyboard have fading letters? Amazon might send you a free replacement originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 4, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

ZunZun Computer Laptop Sun Visor Review
by Elizabeth Daugherty
4 Feb 2012 at 4:00pm

ZunZun is a Dutch company that has a great idea.  They make sun visor shades for computer laptops 10.5″ and 15.6″ and even GPS units. These shades are essentially flexible hoods that attach via elastic bands around your computer to shade the screen so you can see it and still type on your keyboard.  For the record, I like the idea of this product.  

I celebrate this idea.  I love writing outdoors.  I hate being cooped up and lately, my living situation being what it is, I am more prone to cabin fever than ever.   While I am no fan of the State of California per se, the state does boast some lovely parks and fabulous beaches.  All perfect for kicking back, enjoying the fresh air, temperate climate (seriously…it’s early February and even in January…highs were in the mid 60s) and the crashing of the waves.

I’m a surfer…internet surfer.  But still it’s cool to take my laptop out to the beaches near Pacifica or Half Moon Bay and watch the real surfer guys.  I’m a (struggling but aspiring) writer so there are a lot of times I just want to be on the beach doing my thing.   It’s not possible when you can’t see your screen. Computer screen technology has evolved over the years, yes, but Mother Nature on a California beach still has the last word, and I can’t see what I write half the time.

The hood works.  It definitely improves the clarity and reduces glare from the sun.  I have not used the ZunZun GPS sun visors, but the design of the GPS visor is what the design for the laptops should be.

The visor for the laptops encircles the screen while the visor for the  GPS units are really more of a hood covering the top and sides.  As you can see, the visor completely boxes in the screen. You view the screen almost as you would one of those eye exam machines where you view an image through a tunnel.  I’ve taken the bottom half of the visor off so that it’s now a three sided gabled hood, much like ZunZun’s GPS visor.  A hood design, like the computer sun shade featured here, does not interfere with the user’s keyboarding activity.

Simply put, the product works.  It does what it says it’s supposed to do.  But the box-like design of the laptop visor makes it awkward to use your keyboard.  I’m a type-by-touch kind of person but many keyboardists are not…they look at their fingers to see what buttons or keys they’re hitting.  The box-like construction makes that uncomfortable.  A better design for the laptop visor would be the design that ZunZun uses for their GPS units:  the gable-like hood.

At 19.95 Euro or $27.13 (depending on currency rates), you need to love this product in order to purchase it.  ZunZun is a Dutch based company and their products are sold from their website, not sold in stores in the USA.

Product Information Price:19.95 Euro or about $27.19 US CurrencyManufacturer:ZunZunRequirements:10" Netbook or 15.6" laptopPros:Product works. If you are working out of doors, the visor, simply put, helps you see what you've got on your screen.Cons:The box-like construction of the laptop visor is clumsy, awkward and unwieldy. A better design would be the hood-like structure of ZunZun's GPS sun visors which leaves the bottom open and shades the top and sides of the electronic device. Also, you can only purchase this product from the Dutch company's website.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop, Sun shield

ZunZun Computer Laptop Sun Visor Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 4, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Samsung?s Take On Robotic Vacuums ? The NaviBot SR8855
by Karen Nelson
4 Feb 2012 at 3:13pm

Samsung has a created their own version of a robotic vacuum called the NaviBot.  It is to offer a more efficient and intelligent way of cleaning your home.  NaviBot features a visionary mapping system, multiple cleaning modes, a triple brush system, and auto recharge and resume.

The Samsung NaviBot is engineered with 38 sensors, which features three cliff sensors to detect the edge of stairs and other surfaces, three anti-tangle sensors that automatically unwind cord or carpet tassles if it encounters them, and auto-stop at lifting sensor to immediately shut the NaviBot off if it falls over or is lifted up.  It also has a self-adjust function that allows it to overcome obstacles of up to 1.5 cm and can automatically adjust for different types of flooring.

It is also equipped with an onboard camera that captures 30 frames per second to create a virtual map of the home.  It captures a picture of the ceiling in the room it is about to clean and then can analyze the space it is to clean. The picture is then utilized by the NaviBot to create a virtual map and create the most efficient route to clean the entire floor.  Just set it to go as you walk out the door, or use the delay function to start at a specified time during the day.  It has a “virtual guard”  feature, which can make an imaginary barrier and not enter other rooms.

The NaviBot features a rotating triple brush system underneath to work efficiently on picking up dirt, dust, and hard to capture pet hair.  The NaviBot effortlessly picks up hair and fluff without it wrapping around the brushes due to Samsung’s patented pet hair care system.  It can hold up to 600 ml of debris with its bagless dust collection and is equipped with a HEPA filter.  The noise level is at approximately 73dBA.

There are various cleaning modes to the NaviBot.  They include:  Auto, Max, Manual, Spot and Edge. The edge mode uses the spinning brushes to clean along walls and other hard to reach places.  The delay start mode can be used before leaving the home so it runs through its routine hours later, or you can rely on the daily schedule time to create a specific time of the day to run.  The manual mode allows you to control the robotic vacuum with its remote control.

The Samsung NaviBot needs minimal human intervention.  When the battery is running low, it will automatically return to the charging station.  It can even resume cleaning where it left off before recharging.  The NaviBot  SR8855 has up to 90 minutes run time when fully charged, and the charging time is to be 33% faster than other robotic vacuums.  There is also a Samsung NaviBot SR8845 available, and a more quiet-to run-version is a new addition to the line.  Samsung’s robotic vacuums have a suggested retail starting at $599, price varies with each model.

Filed in categories: Gear, Home Tech, News

Tagged: robotic vacuum

Samsung’s Take On Robotic Vacuums – The NaviBot SR8855 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 4, 2012 at 10:13 am.

Ion Nouveau Art iPhone 4/4S Case
by Janet Cloninger
4 Feb 2012 at 2:00pm

This highly ornate case isn’t going to be everyone’s taste, but I think it’s beautiful.  The Nouveau Art iPhone 4/4S case from Ion is a polycarbonate snap-on back cover.  It’s available in iridium-coated silver or goldtone, so it doesn’t interfere with the signal strength.  The camera and all ports and controls are open and accessible.  The Nouveau Art cover comes with an anti-glare, moire-free screen protector.  It’s $35.99 from Ion.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Cases and covers, iPhone 4/4S

Ion Nouveau Art iPhone 4/4S Case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 4, 2012 at 9:00 am.

Deal of the Day ? Clickfree 2TB C6 USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive
by Janet Cloninger
4 Feb 2012 at 1:00pm

The LogicBUY Deal for Saturday is a $40 coupon for the Clickfree 2TB C6 USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive (model no. CA3D20-6C) for $129.99.  This is the lowest price found by LogicBUY for this Clickfree hard drive.  Act quickly, because this is an expiring deal.

$169.99 – $40 coupon code = $129.99 with free shipping.

This deal expires February 4, 2012 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day – Clickfree 2TB C6 USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 4, 2012 at 8:00 am.

Charge Up to Four iPads at Once with the Kanex Sydnee iOS Recharge Station
by Janet Cloninger
3 Feb 2012 at 6:00pm

If you’re in a multi-iPad/multi-iPhone household like me, you know how hard it can be to get everything charged at once without using half the outlets in the house.  With the Sydnee iOS Recharge Station from Kanex, you’ll be able to charge up to four iPads and/or iPhones in one compact charging station.  The Sydnee has four USB ports in the back, and each supplies 2.1A of power to quickly charge an iPad.  There are two slots and one stand to hold three iPads or iPhones; the fourth unit will have to lay on the table.  You’ll receive three USB charging cables for iOS devices.  Each DC output has circuit protection to actively condition the DC power, and there’s a fuse to protect against AC power surges.  The Sydnee is perfect for home, office, or school use – anywhere you need to charge multiple iOS devices.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Charging station, iOS accessory

Charge Up to Four iPads at Once with the Kanex Sydnee iOS Recharge Station originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 3, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

Avid Studio is Now Available as an iPad App
by Janet Cloninger
3 Feb 2012 at 5:00pm

Steve Holt did a popular review for Avid Studio (see the related posts for a link) last year, so I thought many of you might be interested to know that this software is now available as an iPad app.  Avid Studio for iPad has “distilled the world’s leading film-editing technology into an easy-to-use app that enables you to edit video, audio, and photos at the speed of your creativity.”  You can edit any video, audio, or photo file on your iPad, access files on external devices with the Apple camera connection kit, or capture video or photos within the Avid app.  You can edit your files frame by frame, enhance your project with multi-layer 3D animations, transitions, and titles, and add soundtracks using your own files or the included sound effects.  You can share your files via YouTube, Facebook, or email, and you can even export your files to Avid Studio for the PC.  It’s only $4.99 in the iTunes App Store, so this might even be a great way to try Avid Studio before you purchase the much more expensive PC version.  And keep your eyes peeled for Julie’s upcoming review of this Avid Studio app.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: A/V editing, iPad app

Avid Studio is Now Available as an iPad App originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 3, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

Amazon Kindle 3 3G International Coverage ? US vs International model
by Ian Lim
3 Feb 2012 at 4:00pm

In my article Amazon Kindle 3G-The Perfect Travel Companion, I talked about how useful I found my 3G Kindle while travelling overseas.  One of the comments left on that article pointed to a blog that said that Vietnam was one of the only places that the author couldn’t get any 3G signal.  This confused the heck out of me, as I had full coverage (and also full web access) from North to South for the 3 weeks I was over there. What was going on?

US Kindle 3 3G Coverage

I went to Amazon.com to look at the 3G coverage map. Huh? No 3G coverage in Vietnam? Had I slurped back too much Pho, or had the sun addled my brain, or was it just like an episode of Dallas and it was all a dream?

Then I remembered there’s actually two versions of the 3G Kindle , a US one that is only available in the US and uses an ATT sim card and also an International model that uses a Vodafone sim card.  Now, Australia being NOT being part of the US meant I had an international model. So I went to Amazon.co.uk and check the Vodaphone 3G coverage map there.

Intl Kindle 3 3G Coverage

So you can see while the US (ATT) Kindle 3 offers ZERO 3G coverage in Vietnam, the International version (Voda) gives almost full 3G coverage. The same applies for Cambodia.

US Kindle 3 3G Coverage

Intl Kindle 3 3G Coverage

Tasmania US v Intl 3G Coverage

For interest sake I then had a look at Australian coverage.  I live in Tasmania, that little island just underneath Victoria, but couldn’t get my screenshot to include in the map above, so I added separately. (We hate being left off the map of Australia ).  You can see  that there’s dramatically different coverage between the International and the US Kindle 3 3G . Looking at the maps above, in reality I’d be much better off with a US Kindle 3 3G than the International model. Vodafone has notoriously bad coverage in Australia, and it’s a bit ironic that a US Kindle would give me better coverage than an “International” version.  But of course if I had a US model, I’d have NO coverage while in Vietnam.

A quick comparison of the maps shows some obvious areas where coverage is different, Morocco (I), Namibia(I), Cote D’Ivoire(I), Belarus(I), Malawi(I),Ecuador(U), Tanzania(U) and Bolivia(U) amongst others, and the degree of difference in coverage varies.

I’m guessing that this “anomoly”  has to do with the partners that the respective Telcos have in the different countries. The long and short, if you’re intending to use your Kindle while travelling, it’s worth checking out if the US or International will give you the best coverage in the countries that you’re going to visit. Be aware though that it’s not possible to get a US Kindle 3G directly from Amazon internationally and conversely an International Kindle 3G in the US, but there are ways of doing it.

Happy travelling

Filed in categories: Articles, eBook Readers and Gear, Travel Gear

Tagged: 3G, Kindle, Travel gear

Amazon Kindle 3 3G International Coverage – US vs International model originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 3, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Deal of the Day ? 27? ViewSonic VX2753MH-LED 1080p 1ms LED-backlit LCD Monitor
by Janet Cloninger
3 Feb 2012 at 3:00pm

Today’s LogicBUY Deal is the 27″ ViewSonic VX2753MH-LED Full HD LCD Monitor for $269.99.  Features:  920 x 1080 resolution, LED-backlit display, speaker, adjustable display angle, two HDMI inputs, 1ms GTG response time, 30,000,000:1 MEGA dynamic contrast ratio, more.

$329.99 – $60 coupon code = $269.99 with free shipping.

This deal expires February 4, 2012 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day – 27″ ViewSonic VX2753MH-LED 1080p 1ms LED-backlit LCD Monitor originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 3, 2012 at 10:00 am.

Protect your iPhone 4S?s Glass Screen with GLAS.t
by Jackie Cheng
3 Feb 2012 at 1:45pm

Do you love your iPhone’s glass screen?  Do you hate when you stick on those screen protectors that makes it feels tacky and prevents you from touching that smooth glass?  Spigen’s GLAS.t has solved that problem by providing a screen protector that’s made of glass.  The GLAS.t is 0.4mm thick and made up of chemically-treated transparent premium tempered glass.  It also has a oleophobic coating to prevent fingerprints.  The GLAS.t also comes with a set of epoxy coated home button covers that makes it easier to push the home button because of that extra 0.4mm thickness.  It’s priced at $27.99 direct from Spigen.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPhone 4/4S, Screen Protector

Protect your iPhone 4S’s Glass Screen with GLAS.t originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 3, 2012 at 8:45 am.

Kidz Gear Volume Limit Headphones for Apple Devices
by Janet Cloninger
2 Feb 2012 at 6:00pm

We’ve told you before about Kidz Gear volume-limiting headphones designed for kids, and now we have the Kidz Gear Volume Limit Headphones for Apple Products to tell you about.  These headphones are designed to fit children’s smaller heads, and they have the KidZControl Volume Limiting Technology that keeps sound pressure levels between 80dB ? 90dB to protect hearing.  These over-the-ear headphones reproduce 20-20,000Hz, and they have in-line playback controls.  They also have a microphone incorporated into the contoller, so you or your child can make or take calls from an Apple device.  Okay, most small children aren’t going to have an iPhone, but they can use it when they talk on your iPhone or when they FaceTime with the grandparents.  They have a 3.5mm audio plug, so they’ll work with any audio device with a 3.5mm audio port – while they’re waiting to get that Apple iPhone.  They are $29.95 in the Apple Store.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Headphones, Kids' gadgets

Kidz Gear Volume Limit Headphones for Apple Devices originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 2, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

PENTAX K-01 ? First mirrorless camera that can use SLR lenses without an adapter
by Julie
2 Feb 2012 at 5:37pm

PENTAX has announced the K-01, the first mirrorless digital camera that can use 25+ million PENTAX K-mount lenses without an adapter. The K-01 features 16MP, a 3″ LCD, HD 1080p Video, anti-shake, an ISO Range from 100 to 25600, In-Camera HDR and Focus Peaking Modes. It has a machined aluminum frame and offers a popup flash as well as a hotshoe for external flashes. It’s available in Black, White and Yellow and is priced at $749 for just the body, or $899 with an included 40mm lens. You can pre-order from B&H Photo (affiliate link).

I’ve been thinking about upgrading from my Canon G11. Maybe this is the one I should consider…

Filed in categories: Digital Cameras and Gear, News

Tagged: Photography

PENTAX K-01 – First mirrorless camera that can use SLR lenses without an adapter originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 2, 2012 at 12:37 pm.

Sony Introduces Three New Cyber-Shot Models
by Janet Cloninger
2 Feb 2012 at 5:00pm

Sony has added three new pocket-sized cameras to their Cyber-Shot line.  All three will have the new “high-resolution ‘Exmor R’ CMOS sensor and an improved BIONZ? image processor that together boost low light performance and enhance auto-focus speeds, among other benefits.”  The DSC-TX200V (top left, cost about $500) will have an 18.2MP Exmor R sensor and 3.3-inch (8.3cm) Xtra Fine? Tru-Black OLED wide touchscreen, and it can take full HD video or take 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via ?Dual-Record?.  The DSC-WX70 (top right, cost about $230) has a 16.2MP Exmor sensor and a 3.0″ 921k dot LCD touchscreen; it also can take full HD video or record 12MP-equivalent still images and video with Dual-Record.  The DSC-WX50 (bottom; not all colors shown will be available in US, cost about $200) will have a 16.2MP Exmor with a 2.7″ LCD screen.  It also can take full HD video or 12MP-equivalent still images and video with Dual-Record.  These cameras will be available in March.  Read more about these new Sony Cyber-Shot cameras in the full news release.

Filed in categories: Digital Cameras and Gear, News

Tagged: Camera

Sony Introduces Three New Cyber-Shot Models originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 2, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

Adonit Jot Pro Stylus Review
by Julie
2 Feb 2012 at 4:00pm

Accessories can sometimes be just as important to us as the gadgets themselves. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m always on the lookout for a new favorite gear bag, wallet, writing instrument, phone case, etc. Lately I’ve been fixating on finding the perfect capacitive stylus that I can use for drawing and writing. When I came across the Adonit Jot Pro Stylus, I knew I had to try it. I actually purchased it with my own cash because I didn’t intend to review it. But after using it for a couple weeks I knew I had to share my experience. So here goes.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

Over the years, I tried many capacitive styli with my iPad and Android tablets. With only a few exceptions, they’ve all been pretty similar. In the image above, you see the Jot Pro next to a Targus stylus. The Targus has a typical large rounded rubber tip. Although it works fine for writing and drawing, it’s less than optimal because it’s difficult to do really detailed work because it’s hard to see what you’re writing due to the large tip. The Jot Pro has a very unique tip which solves that problem very well.

First of all the Jot Pro is larger than the typical stylus. It’s more along the lines of a pen or mechanical pencil. It is 6 inches long and .375 inch in diameter. It’s also nicely weighted and balanced to give it a true pen-like feel.

The barrel is made of aluminum and is available in Black, Silver and Blue. A rubber grip around the bottom half of the barrel makes the stylus comfortable to use for long writing or drawing sessions.

It also has a magnet in the barrel that allows it to “stick” to your iPad.

I love love love that there’s a threaded cap that protects the stylus tip when it’s not being used and stores on the opposite end when it is in use.

Replacement caps are available in several colors for $6.00.

The tip of the Jot Pro is what sets it apart from the other capacitive styli I’ve reviewed. It looks like a finely tapered point with a plastic disc stuck to the end. But if you look really close, you’ll see that the tip is actually a tiny ball.

The transparent disc snaps on to the ball tip allowing it to swivel in a variety of angles.

The bottom of the disk has a thin layer of plastic, so you don’t have to worry that it will scratch your display. Replacement discs can be purchased at $8 for 2 discs.

The Jot Pro glides effortlessly on an unprotected display. However, it didn’t work well at all on a Pure Gear screen protector which I had on my iPhone. It felt sticky and wanted to drag across the screen. The Pure Gear protector is thicker and softer than other protectors I’ve used, so it’s possible that the Jot Pro might work just fine with other brands of screen protectors.

The swivel disc lets the stylus adapt to the way you hold it instead of you having to hold it in a certain way against the display.

The best thing about the Jot Pro is that you can see what you’re writing and drawing through the disc. It really makes a huge difference when drawing and allows for more detailed work. I also found that the Jot Pro is the first stylus that actually feels like a pen when writing. In addition to the Jot Pro, Adonit also offers a classic (does not have the rubber grip or magnet) for $19.99 and a Jot mini that has a pocket clip (no pricing on that one yet). Even more importantly, Adonit will be offering a pressure sensitive stylus soon that I’m really looking forward to try. The Jot Touch will allow for varying line thicknesses when drawing depending on how hard to press it against the screen.

The Adonit Jot Pro is my new favorite stylus. What is yours?

Product Information Price:$29.99Manufacturer:AdonitPros:Can use at any angle Ability to see the "ink" under the tipCons:Doesn't work well with some screen protectors

Filed in categories: Android related, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: Stylus

Adonit Jot Pro Stylus Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 2, 2012 at 11:00 am.

It?s Vegas Time, Baby?
by Dave Rees
2 Feb 2012 at 3:00pm

I have reviewed some very cool and unusual devices, items and accessories here at the Gadgeteer. Everything from building lightsabers to lasers that can burn thru Legos to handmade leather bags from the far reaches of the Globe. But my latest assignment may be the most exciting and cool thing that I have done so far.

Lexus is flying me to Las Vegas this weekend to celebrate their lineup of 2013 vehicles, particularly their all-new, redesigned GS. The highlights of this trip will be seeing and driving the latest Lexus vehicles (and the integrated tech within), meeting and greeting other tech and auto folks from around the country, and viewing Lexus’ first ever SuperBowl commercial during the actual game (in Vegas no less).

For those of you who can not wait to see it during the game, on the big screen…here is the commercial, that Lexus is calling ‘The Beast’.

It is my plan to take lots of pics and report back to you all on tech, cars, and fun of this weekend .

Filed in categories: Car Gear, News

Tagged: Car

It’s Vegas Time, Baby… originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 2, 2012 at 10:00 am.

 

Brighthand.com Handheld News and Reviews
Brighthand.com is a website dedicated to bringing the latest news, reviews and pricing for all types of handheld devices

MacPhun FX Photo Studio Review: Cool Photo Sharing & Special Effects for iPhones
by info@brighthand.com
4 Feb 2012 at 4:07pm
If you're an iPhone owner, you're probably taking tons of photos. Is MacPhun's Photo FX Studio app worth the 99 cents? Read the full review.
Madden NFL 12 App on Sale for Super Bowl
by info@brighthand.com
3 Feb 2012 at 6:50pm
With the Super Bowl this Sunday, EA has reduced the price of its Madden NFL 12 app to $1, down from the usual $5. This deal is good on both the iPhone and Android versions.
Microsoft Windows Phone 8 Features Leaked: More Screen Resolutions, microSD C...
by info@brighthand.com
3 Feb 2012 at 6:40pm
Numerous features of Microsoft's next-generation Windows Phone 8 platform, aka Apollo, have leaked out. Many of the most-requested features of this operating system are apparently on the way.
Nokia Lumia 900 Available for Pre-Order at Microsoft Retail Stores
by info@brighthand.com
3 Feb 2012 at 3:13pm
Those looking to score a unit of the upcoming Nokia Lumia 900 can now reserve the smartphone by visiting a Microsoft retail store. This requires only a small down-payment.
4G Means More Customer Service Calls for Carriers
by info@brighthand.com
2 Feb 2012 at 8:39pm
A J.D. Power and Associates report released today showed that owners of 4G-enabled devices were more likely to contact their service providers for customer service than owners of less technologically advanced devices.
Most Popular Smartphones for January
by info@brighthand.com
2 Feb 2012 at 4:30pm
Each month, Brighthand publishes a list of the smartphones that readers have shown the most interest in during the preceding four weeks. The recently-release Galaxy Nexus leapt to the top of January Top 10 list, bringing the total to five models from Samsung.
Motorola Droid 4 Could Finally Hit Verizon Next Week
by info@brighthand.com
2 Feb 2012 at 5:12am
The much-delayed Motorola Droid 4 might launch from Verizon a week from today. This Android smartphone with a sliding keyboard was officially announced last month, but it was first expected to debut back in December.
Samsung Took the Top Spot in Smartphones in 2011
by info@brighthand.com
1 Feb 2012 at 8:18pm
Last year, for the first time ever, Samsung sold more smartphones than any of its competitors. It shipped 95 million units in the 12-month period, narrowly beating Apple.
U.S. Cellular Announces Its First 4G LTE Smartphone: the Samsung Galaxy S Avi...
by info@brighthand.com
1 Feb 2012 at 7:40pm
Today, U.S. Cellular announced that it will introduce 4G LTE service next month, along with the Samsung Galaxy S Aviator, the first 4G smartphone for the carrier.
T-Mobile Quickly Cuts Price of the Nokia Lumia 710 Windows Phone
by info@brighthand.com
1 Feb 2012 at 3:43pm
Despite being released in the U.S. less than a month ago, T-Mobile has reduced the price of the Nokia Lumia 710. The quick 20% price cut is likely a sign that sales haven't lived up to expectations.
No Samsung Galaxy S III at MWC 2012
by info@brighthand.com
1 Feb 2012 at 2:46pm
Samsung announced today that they will not be unveiling the highly anticipated Galaxy S III at MWC this month. This has been pushed back until later in the year.
See the BlackBerry London in All Its Glory
by info@brighthand.com
1 Feb 2012 at 5:04am
In what seems like a deliberate leak, an image and basic description of the BlackBerry London has appeared on the Web. This gives the world the best look yet at what will be the first smartphone running RIM's next-generation operating system.