Saddleback Leather Moleskine Cover Review

I’ve recently began keeping a journal after a long hiatus. Writing again has prompted me to become a little bit obsessed with notebooks, pens, drawing pencils and other accessories. I recently reviewed the Quiver Moleskine Pen holder and today I want to show you a really nice leather Moleskine cover from Saddleback Leather Company. Available [...]

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Todo.ly is a to-do list manager for Chrome and the Web

To-do lists are pretty important for getting things done; and much like text editors, every person has their own favorite flavor, and it seems like every developer has a slightly different idea of what an ideal to-do manager would look like.
Todo.ly is one take on the do-do list manager. It also comes as a Chrome Web app, so if you use multiple synchronized Chrome browsers (or Chrome OS) and install the Web app, you instantly get the same to-do list manager across all of your machines. Just that may be reason enough to set it up.
In terms of functionality, Todo.ly is pretty much what you'd expect. It supports due-dates and filters (Inbox, Today, Next). It also lets you divide your work into projects, which may have sub-projects. A task can also have sub-tasks.
One area where Todo.ly is lacking is linguistic processing: If I enter "Do something tomorrow", it doesn't set the due date accordingly. It also doesn't support hash tags, which is too bad (at least for me - I love hash tags).
Todo.ly is not team-oriented at the moment: You can't assign tasks to other people, or receive tasks. I guess they're saving that one for a future paid version.Todo.ly is a to-do list manager for Chrome and the Web originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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2010: The Year in Alt

Engadget Alt, the most recent addition to the site, is something near and dear to our hearts. This a place where we can comment on (and draw attention to) things that don't exactly fit into the main stream of our coverage, yet resonate with us as writers -- and with you as readers. So, what did we learn this year? Spacecraft are prone to hardware failure, it seems, and Ozzy Osbourne's genome is a wonderful resource for scientists. And one editor-in-chief really, really digs eBoy. Aside from all that, this space has seen a number of feature articles and columns that we're especially proud of. Cruise on past the break for some of our favorites.Continue reading 2010: The Year in Alt2010: The Year in Alt originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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HTC HD2 gets a stable stock Android build for internal storage

Running Android on HTC's venerable HD2 is old hat -- but historically, you've had to run it off microSD storage, which isn't an optimal situation for an operating system you might hope to use as your primary. Now we've finally got what appears to be the first solution allowing you to drop a nearly stock build of Android on the HD2's internal NAND memory, freeing up external storage for your usual collection of family photos, showtunes, and PowerPoint presentations left over from your WinMo 6.5 days. We've no doubt that this hack is a little dicey -- especially considering the herculean level of hacker effort that went into making it happen -- but if you've got an HD2 lying around that needs a new lease on life, it might be worth a shot.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]HTC HD2 gets a stable stock Android build for internal storage originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  xda-developers  | Email this | Comments

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Radiohead for Haiti charity DVD now available on BitTorrent and YouTube as donationware

Radiohead, a British band that made waves by offering its latest studio album for free or "pay what you want", has just endorsed a community-made DVD of its Haiti earthquake charity concert from January 2010. The DVD is downloadable for free via BitTorrent, and you are strongly encouraged to donate as much as you can to Oxfam's Haiti Earthquake and Recovery Fund.

Creation of the video was a labor of love; video footage from 14 cameras has been used, and you can choose from four different audio tracks, all recorded by different people. Three Radiohead fans, inez, formengr and andrea, have spent the last year collecting the various sources and compiling them into the definitive video of the concert, and boy have they done a good job.

For more details, check inez's blog (but be warned, there is liberal use of fuchsia and aqua), and if you don't fancy an 8GB download, a full-resolution version is also available to watch on YouTube (watch it after the break). If you like it, don't forget to donate!Continue reading Radiohead for Haiti charity DVD now available on BitTorrent and YouTube as donationwareRadiohead for Haiti charity DVD now available on BitTorrent and YouTube as donationware originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Images From Bell Labs in the Sixties—It's Like Nerdy Mad Men [Blast From The Past]

Beehives, flower power, and really, really large computers. Looking at these photos taken at Bell Labs in the 1960s is like traveling back in time. Was working at Bell Labs totally "groovy"? More »

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Russia's first GLONASS phone an 'iPhone 4 competitor,' except not really (video)

As the story goes, Russia-based AFK Sistema's subsidiary Sitronics (along with US' Qualcomm and and China's ZTE) have developed the first smartphone to use GLONASS -- specifically one with a 90nm GPS-GLONASS chip. It's been called, in so many words, the "Russian answer to the iPhone 4" by the Powers That Be, and without getting into key details like platform and specs, we know officially the phone is going on sale in Russian sometime in March for 10,990 rubles (about $360 in US).

For other details on the device, we seek more unofficial (and therefore not 100 percent confirmed) sources, like the notably well-connected Eldar Murtazin. According to him, we're looking at the ZTE model A918, an analog of the A916 with Android 2.1, a 3.2-inch QVGA screen, FM radio, and 2 megapixel camera -- yeah, hardly an iPhone 4 competitor, if you ask us. That version is supposedly launching on MTS for 7,500 rubles ($246), meaning the GLONASS-equipped equivalent has a 3,490 ruble ($114) markup. And the March release? Apparently in limited quantities, with mass production not coming until second half of 2011. Unfortunately, we're not sure this one'll be making an appearance at CES for further inspection. Check out the video after the break for a cameo of the device featuring Putin, Russian billionaire (and head of AFK Sistema) Vladimir Yevtushenkov, and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov.Continue reading Russia's first GLONASS phone an 'iPhone 4 competitor,' except not really (video)Russia's first GLONASS phone an 'iPhone 4 competitor,' except not really (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink AppleInsider.ru, Bloomberg  |  Moscow News, NTV.ru  | Email this | Comments

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'70s Home Carbonation Gadget Sodastream Gets Re-Imagined In Sleek Concepts [Video]

The ability to make soda out of plain old tap water still impresses me, but let's face it: the Sodastream contraptions don't match our sleek modern kitchens, do they? These designs, from a German competition, definitely fit the bill. More »

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This Building's Not On Fire, But Does Need Your Help [Projectors]

In a run-down area of Vancouver, artist Isabelle Hayeur drew attention to the various issues plaguing abandoned buildings (such as homelessness, drug use and prostitution). She played 15 minute videos of fire, projecting them to the outside world. [DesignBoom] More »

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Gawker Media hacked, 1.5 million usernames stolen, CMS breached

Gawker Media, the company behind Lifehacker, Gizmodo, and several other major blogs, has been hacked. This has been an ongoing story for a couple of days now. At first it seemed only the user database had been compromised, but as further details emerged, it became evident Gawker's content management system had also been breached. A group going by the name 'Gnosis' appears to be taking credit for the hack, which itself appears to be in retaliation to references made by Gawker Media relating to 4chan and other groups. Screenshots mocking 4chan from Gawker's internal Campfire group chat have been exposed to the public.
Around 270,000 user accounts and passwords have been released so far. So, if you happen to have a user account on Gizmodo, Lifehacker or any other Gawker website, now would be a very good time to change your password.Gawker Media hacked, 1.5 million usernames stolen, CMS breached originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Netflix: 'we're going to continue our international expansion next year'

Three months after Netflix invaded Canada with a bizarre combination of paid actors and $8 instant streaming plans, CEO Reed Hastings the company has declared the move a success and says it will expand its service to other countries in 2011. "Based on the early success of Netflix.ca we're going to continue our international expansion next year and we're going to allocate significant dollars to it," spokesman Steve Swasey told The Canadian Press, without specifying which territories or how many might be blanketed with Albanian soldiers next. However, Canadians and others hoping to get an experience completely on par with the original US service shouldn't hold their breath, as Swasey says there are no plans to establish a movie queue for the streaming-only service, calling it a "strategic decision."

Update: The above quotes were attributed to Netflix's Steve Swasey, not CEO Reed Hastings. Our bad.Netflix: 'we're going to continue our international expansion next year' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Switched, CNET  |  The Canadian Press (CBC News)  | Email this | Comments

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Daily Crunch: Wipeout Edition

Go Away, Snoopers: Internet Explorer 9 To Add Anti-Tracking Feature The Kisai Satellite: More Crazy Tokyoflash Watches WhiteyBoards Introduces the Next Generation In Dry Erase Technology: The WhiteyNotes and WhiteyPads Outfitting Your Family?s Traveler For Stellar Photography Rolex Owner Gets A Christmas Surprise: Posted His Watch On eBay For $9.95, Final Bid Was $60,000

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Watch Graphic Violence Get Real Literal [Video]

Man versus man. Man versus graffiti. Graffiti versus graffiti. Graffiti versus man. It may not be the circle of life, but this short is at least a circle of cartoonish, explosive fun. I'll take it! More »

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CES Showing Off The Xbox 360 That Costs More Than Fahey's Car [Ces 2010]

Origin PC is showing off their obscenely expensive liquid-cooled Xbox 360, gaming computer hybrid at CES next week. More »

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Fujifilm explains how its X100 hybrid viewfinder works, we nod and pretend to understand

If you just tried to tell us the FinePix X100 was a bog standard digital camera, we'd still probably pay any price for those amazing retro looks, but Fujifilm has more in mind. Specifically, the X100 harbors an all-new viewfinder setup, that can switch between a full-on optical view (something that's currently impossible in similarly sized Micro Four Thirds cameras), and an electronic viewfinder. The optical mode also includes overlaid shooting data, which isn't typical for a straight compact viewfinder (since it's looking through its own lens, not the camera's main lens). You'll have to read Fujifilm's full-on explanation to really know what's going on here -- it gets a little technical -- but basically there's a half mirror prism that lets the mini LCD project info on top of the optical image that's coming through to your eye, but that half mirror prism becomes a straight up mirror when the viewfinder's front lens is blocked, allowing for a full electronic image of the actual image being captured by the lens to bounce to your eye. See? That wasn't so difficult. We don't know what we were so worried about.Fujifilm explains how its X100 hybrid viewfinder works, we nod and pretend to understand originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 02:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wired  |  Fujifilm Hybrid Viewfinder, The viewfinder's birth story  | Email this | Comments

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The top Download Squad stories of 2010

As yet another year slips quietly into the annual abyss, it's customary to take a retrospective glance at all that has happened. While history is surely nowhere near as exciting as the future -- especially as far as technology is concerned -- we can still learn a lot by looking back at the events of a year and analyzing, with perfect hindsight, what actually happened. After all, it is one thing to report on a new advance or technology, but it's another thing entirely to see how that technology has actually changed the world.

We'll lead with a prime example.Continue reading The top Download Squad stories of 2010The top Download Squad stories of 2010 originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Do You Have the Guts to Drive this Snow Cycle Down a Mountain? [Sledding]

This gulp-inducing ride, based on a 1949 Austrian design, set a Guinness World Record for longest vertical drop—going 66 mph. Now, you can own it—though we'd advise practicing with some neighborhood sledding before taking it up the Alps. More »

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iPhone bugs: Blank messages in Mail

If you go to check your email in the iPhone’s Mail app only to see a blank — either literally a blank space between messages or a place-holder that says (No Sender) (No Subject) — you may have this bug. If you do we’ll tell you how to work around it, after the break.



I experienced [...]iPhone bugs: Blank messages in Mail is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

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Schiit Audio reveals gorgeous six-watt Lyr headphone amplifier, dares you to touch 11

Just kidding. In fact, Schiit Audio won't be responsible if you do wind it to 11 and blow the ear tips right off of your favorite canalphones. The drop-dead sexy box that you're peering at above is the Lyr, a hybrid (tube-MOSFET) headphone amplifier that claims to have zero feedback and more power than most headphones will ever have use for. This guy's pumping out six solid watts into 32 ohms, while loads of rivals are dabbling in milliwatts. It's relying on JJ ECC88 tubes for the input stage and touts less than 0.1 percent THD, and it'll be produced in the US of A using components that were also primarily sourced from American suppliers. It's expected to start shipping in March of 2011, but those already sold on it can commit $449 to a pre-order. And before you ask -- yes, the company name is hilarious. Ha. Ha.Continue reading Schiit Audio reveals gorgeous six-watt Lyr headphone amplifier, dares you to touch 11Schiit Audio reveals gorgeous six-watt Lyr headphone amplifier, dares you to touch 11 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 06:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Schiit Audio (1), (2), (3)  | Email this | Comments

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How to boot Ubuntu on the Cr-48 Chrome OS netbook

It was only a matter of time: a page on the Chromium Projects website has emerged, detailing how to install Ubuntu on a Cr-48 netbook. The process is, understandably, a little risky -- but it's not like there are any tech bloggers out there that don't know how to use Linux, right?

Snarkiness aside, the process is actually very easy. You have to hack at the SSD's filesystem a little and fiddle with the Chrome OS kernel, but if you do everything right, you should be rewarded with a dual-boot system capable of running both Ubuntu and Chrome OS.

The best bit, though, is that you have to enable 'developer mode' to escape Chrome OS's 'verified boot' security measure. To do this, you need to flip a switch on the back, under the battery, as per the hilarious instructional photo shown after the break.Continue reading How to boot Ubuntu on the Cr-48 Chrome OS netbookHow to boot Ubuntu on the Cr-48 Chrome OS netbook originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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How Zip Ties Can Help You Bike Through a Blizzard

Don’t get stuck in the snow because of Snowpocalypse 2010. With the right gear, you can still ride to work — on your bike.
One of the cheapest winter bike hacks is to attach zip ties to your tires. It’s a quick-and-dirty way of giving yourself some much-needed traction on icy, slushy streets and costs far [...]

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Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal is an awesome Time Waster

A couple of months ago, our friends over at TUAW wrote about Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal for iOS. And I'm here today to tell you this momentous game is now available as a Time Waster for the rest of us -- and it's free! In terms of gameplay, what can I say? You're a robot unicorn and you attack while grooving to heavy metal, which is probably why the game is called Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal!

To be a tad more clinical about it, the game can be described as a platformer, but each run is fairly short-lived. You launch from the left side of the screen, hitting Z to leap into the air. Once you gain a bit of speed, you can hit X to dash forward. You can also hit Z to double-jump (i.e, jump up while still airborne). With a clever combination of Z and X, you might not touch the ground for quite a while.

However, not touching the ground isn't enough to win: the level changes, and there are cliffs and all sorts of tricky topography. Run into a wall, and you die. The goal is to continue moving for as long as possible. If you're into heavy metal and unicorns, you owe it to yourself to try this game.Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal is an awesome Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Windows Phone 7 "Mango" may add HTML5, Silverlight support to WP7's browser

Over at ZDNet, Mary Jo Foley has been speculating about the future of Windows Phone 7. According to Foley, a major update is due around Jan/Feb 2011, adding copy/paste functionality and two major browsing enhancements: HTML 5 support and a Silverlight plug-in. Foley also wonders whether enterprise tweaks might be part of the game plan as well. Microsoft, of course, doesn't comment on rumors -- so we'll have to wait for someone to score some hands-on time with the WP7 update.

Despite the update's appetizing codename, Microsoft doesn't seem to be converging on a single food-related theme for its Windows Phone OS. The next release, Windows Phone 8, is codenamed "Apollo". We can only hope 8.5 will be codenamed "Starbuck".

Bear in mind this is all sheer speculation; however, after Windows Phone 7's somewhat lackluster launch, any sort of improvement could be exciting.Windows Phone 7 "Mango" may add HTML5, Silverlight support to WP7's browser originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Google Places blocked by TripAdvisor, but no one knows why

In an interesting and slightly inexplicable move, TripAdvisor has blocked Google Places from using its massive wealth of hotel and resort reviews. Now, when you search for hotels on Google, and browse around Google Maps, you will no longer see snippets from TripAdvisor.

Given Google's recent spate of Places updates, this is either a very bold or very brash move from TripAdvisor. Hotel owners will no doubt be upset at the loss of traffic -- and I'm still not quite sure what TripAdvisor gains from blocking Google. We'll update you with more information, if any emerges.Google Places blocked by TripAdvisor, but no one knows why originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Metrodome is a metronome for Google Chrome

So the Chrome Web Store is upon us, and I decided to cover my first Web Store application for Download Squad. Rather than aiming for something high-profile like the Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online app, I decided to go with Metrodome!
Yes, it's just a humble metronome, but it's graceful. It comes with three different sound options (a "tick", a "beep" and a "tock"), all quite pleasant-sounding. But what I like best about it is that it shows a huge dot right in the middle of the window, that goes on and off to the beat. This makes it possible to play by eyesight rather than by listening to the metronome, so you can jam with your headphones connected to your amp and just watch the metronome on-screen.
You can set the BPM, of course, but only by clicking the up/down arrows. This means you're in for a lot of clicking if you want something drastically different than the default (120bpm). This is actually the only extra feature I wish this metronome had. Other than that, it's a beaut!Metrodome is a metronome for Google Chrome originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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App Launcher for Chrome is like a start menu for Web Store apps

If opening Google Chrome's new tab page just to fire up an app feels a bit too clunky for your liking, check out a new extension from Google itself: App Launcher.

Once installed, you'll have access to a drop down menu which lists all your apps in alphabetical order -- unlike previously reviewed AppJump Launcher, which doesn't appear to list them in any particular order. Google's offering also features built-in search -- which could be handy if you've been able to find a whole pile of apps you decided to keep installed. Keyboard navigation is supported as well, allowing you to arrow up and down and tap enter to launch.

The extension currently lacks an options screen -- which would be a great place for Google to slap in another missing feature: hotkey support.

Install App Launcher for Google ChromeApp Launcher for Chrome is like a start menu for Web Store apps originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Google's 2010 holiday doodle: its 'most ambitious one yet'

Taken a look at Google's homepage recently? If not, we'd recommend you do so, STAT. The image you see here will only be an active doodle -- a name given to Google's "special" logos used to commemorate certain events and holidays -- for a few more hours. According to a lengthy report over at the Wall Street Journal, the Holiday 2010 Doodle is El Goog's "most ambitious one yet," taking five artists some 250 hours to create. Google estimates that it has crafted some 900 doodles since 1998, with a whopping 270 of 'em running in 2010. This particular one relies on 17 interactive portraits of holiday scenes from around the globe, and it took the team a number of months to finally whip up a finished product that everyone was stoked on. We'd encourage you to click around on it to discover what the tiles actually mean, and if you're hungry to learn about the shockingly interesting backstory that surrounds it, the source link has a URL with your name on it.Google's 2010 holiday doodle: its 'most ambitious one yet' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 02:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Wall Street Journal, Google  | Email this | Comments

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Rumor: Microsoft Working on New Windows Mobile? WTF

Microsoft plans to introduce a special version of Windows for low-power mobile devices like tablets at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show, according to multiple reports.
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg claim to have both heard that Microsoft will discuss a version of Windows that supports mobile ARM chips and other low-power processors. The Journal adds [...]

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Firefox 4 beta 3 for Android hands on: Mozilla browser hits the Market

Mozilla has released a new beta of Firefox 4 for Android and Maemo to keep the mobile browser in step with its desktop cousin, and it packs a number of important improvements. Perhaps the most noticeable one on Android is that you can now find Firefox in the Market, meaning future updates will be a smoother process -- just make sure you uninstall any previous beta versions before downloading from the Market.

So what's new in Firefox 4 beta 3?

Improved support for both software and hardware keyboards
Android-style menus
Better integration with other apps when opening a link
A save page-as-PDF option
Improved Firefox Sync with new 'add a device' feature
Full screen video and improved audio support
Copy and paste support in the URL bar
Developer access to a localStorage API and orientation events

After browsing for a while with beta 3, I'm definitely left feeling it's faster than the previous non-Market release. Some pages, however, still load about 30-40% slower than they do in Dolphin Mini (my current browser of choice). The new features are definitely key additions -- especially basics like keyboard support and copy/paste in the URL bar. Firefox Sync setup is an absolute breeze now, thanks to the 'add a device' option in both the desktop and mobile versions.

Firefox 4 is also a bit of a space hog, currently consuming about 21MB -- ten times more than Dolphin Mini. And while I dig the desktop-to-mobile Firefox 4 synchronicity, I'm not sure it's enough to make me switch just yet. If I start doing more mobile surfing (which would make Sync more useful to me) and Mozilla kicks up the speed and trims a little fat, Firefox 4 will definitely be a strong contender for the coveted default browser crown.

Check out the gallery, or if you want to jump right in, use the QR code after the break. For more information, release notes and troubleshooting tips, check the Firefox Beta for Mobile website.
Gallery: Firefox 4 beta 3 for AndroidContinue reading Firefox 4 beta 3 for Android hands on: Mozilla browser hits the MarketFirefox 4 beta 3 for Android hands on: Mozilla browser hits the Market originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Exclusive: the Dell Streak 7 will be televised, here's the ad treatment

Well, that was fast. Not long after we saw Dell's 7-inch tablet earn its WiFi certification, we happened upon a treatment for its in-production commercial -- exhausted Android mascot and all. Of course the video'll touting the gaming, social, and internet capabilities, but it's also got Blio reader, Stage UI (same skin as the 5-inch Streak), the new campaign slogan ("You can tell [it's] Dell"), and yes, even a name: Streak 7, as said by the voice over. Not the most original, but when you got a brand, might as well keep it going. Looks like we've got something else to keep an eye out for when CES rolls around in a few weeks. Peep the treatment for yourself below.
Gallery: Dell Streak 7 commercial treatmentExclusive: the Dell Streak 7 will be televised, here's the ad treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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Skyfire For iPad Arriving Soon

Many iPhone users have been enjoying the Skyfire web browser since November and a lot of people have been patiently waiting for an iPad compatible version. If all goes well Skyfire should be available for the iPad very soon, perhaps before Christmas which is a good possibility according to a Skyfire spokesman. The iPad version [...]

First Solar Finisar Fei Company

Winners, Losers, Heroes and Villains of 2010

Another year is about over, and many of us are now given time to spend with our friends and families thinking back on the year that was and ahead to the year that will be.
We have been and are defined by the choices we make, and often we can learn from the mistakes of others as well as their successes.

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IOne Chip is All-in-One Android Phone and Camera

See that wafer of silicon above? That’s the chip that will turn Android phones into video and photo powerhouses, and cameras into mobile studios. The iOne system-on-chip, from Amabarella, is both image processor and Android CPU, and is designed to bring internet connectivity to cameras.
Inside, there is a Dual-core 1-GHz ARM CortexTM A9 CPU for [...]

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Google TV gets a big update, adds Netflix support

While tech pundits don't seem ready to give Google TV the thumbs up, yesterday's update certainly makes Google's home entertainment platform a bit more compelling. For starters, there's built-in Netflix support and a better movie search function -- which makes it easy to find your favorite Terry Gilliam flicks (if you're in the US, anyhow) and watch them on Netflix or Amazon Video on Demand.

Google has also turned your Android smartphone into a device which can play both Angry Birds and take full control of your Google TV box. The demo video is after the break, as is the QR Code to help you grab Google TV Remote from the Android Market.

Multitasking fanatics will appreciate the improved Dual View feature, which now allows users to drag and resize the video window which floats atop the Chrome browser. This makes it much easier to actually do things in the browser while you watch -- since the non-movable window could easily get in the way of form elements and links.Continue reading Google TV gets a big update, adds Netflix supportGoogle TV gets a big update, adds Netflix support originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Opera 11 downloaded 6.7 million times on day one -- thanks to the power of bacon

While Opera 11's warm reception had a lot to do with a greatly improved browser and a very loyal fan base, the boys in Oslo had one clever trick up their sleeve which they saved for launch day. And with nearly 7 million downloads in 24 hours, you've got to hand it to Opera: they know how to tempt a geek.

How'd they do it? By dangling delicious bacon in front of Reddit users. You've got to admit, the Opera 11 Web advert is at least as enticing as those Evony ads -- you know which ones I'm talking about.


As for those of us who already tried Opera 11 and knew it was a solid browser... well, if you're like me, you're probably just craving some sizzlin' hot bacon right about now.

Curse you, Opera!Opera 11 downloaded 6.7 million times on day one -- thanks to the power of bacon originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Olympus E-5 DSLR reviewed: solid upgrade for E-3 owners, not much appeal for anyone else

The DSLR market just seems to keep on speeding up, and it looks like Olympus might be lagging back toward the caboose a bit with its latest full-body DSLR, the E-5. It's the successor to the E-3, jumping to 12.3 megapixels and adding 720p recording with full exposure controls, plus a handy swiveling LCD. But, according to reviews, it just doesn't quite compare to something like a much cheaper Nikon D7000. PhotographyBlog liked the improved image quality and the rugged build, but not the ugly rolling shutter effect in video recording and the poor high ISO performance. Similarly DigitalCameraReview says this $1,699 beast "feels like a modest update to the E-3," a sentiment shared by Pocket-Lint as well. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.Olympus E-5 DSLR reviewed: solid upgrade for E-3 owners, not much appeal for anyone else originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  DigitalCameraReview, Pocket-Lint, PhotographyBlog  | Email this | Comments

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FCC releases full net neutrality rules

Here's a fine Christmas Eve present from Uncle Sam: the FCC has just released the full text of the net neutrality rules it passed earlier this week by a hotly-debated 3-2 vote. The rules are basically what we expected: the three basic rules require ISPs to be transparent about their network management practices, and further forbid them from blocking any lawful application or service or discriminating against different types of traffic. The biggest tweak comes in the language around paid prioritization, which would let some companies pay for selectively faster access to an ISP's customers -- the FCC is pretty clear that such arrangements will be heavily scrutinized and probably won't pass muster. And then, of course, there's wireless, which is subject only to the transparency and no-blocking rules; the FCC decided to take "measured steps" with mobile because it believes that is still too new and fluid. We'll have a full breakdown later today, but hit the source and check out the full rules yourself -- you're going to be hearing a lot about them over the next few weeks.

[Thanks, Phil]FCC releases full net neutrality rules originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Washington Post  |  FCC Report and Order (PDF)  | Email this | Comments

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Microsoft Security Essentials 2 available for download, now an even better free antivirus for Windows

There's really no question what the most popular, free antivirus program for Windows is here at Download Squad. You, our readers, make it pretty clear whenever we post about the topic that Microsoft Security Essentials is at the top of the heap -- and we tend to agree. With detection rates every bit as good as some competing paid products (and better than many), MSE might just be the best piece of free software Microsoft has ever released.

And it's just gotten better, with the official arrival of Security Essentials 2. The upgrade adds several key improvements, not the least of which is a heuristic scanning engine. One of the big knocks against its predecessor was that MSE's protection relied too heavily upon definitions -- and in today's ever-changing threat landscape, definitions just aren't enough. Still, I never had a single machine at home become infected while running MSE 1, so now that version 2 includes heuristic kung-fu I'm even less concerned about the safety of my Windows PCs.

MSE 2 also offers improved defense by better integrating with existing Windows features. The updated app adds muscle to the Windows Firewall and Internet Explorer to offer increased protection against network and Web-based threats. There's also a new network inspection feature which uses the Windows Filtering Platform in Vista and Windows 7 -- XP users won't benefit from this feature, obviously.

If you're already running MSE, check your update tab for an upgrade notification -- your system tray icon may also be orange if the update is available. You can also download Security Essentials 2 manually from this page and install over the old version.Microsoft Security Essentials 2 available for download, now an even better free antivirus for Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Iain Sinclair Poco Pro: little camcorder, big expectations

The Poco Pro from Iain Sinclair, manufacturers of fine tiny things, is said to be "the world's thinnest" 1080p HD pocket camcorder. Poco's specs tout dimensions of 54 x 85.6 x 5mm, much smaller than JVC's Picsio, Samsung's HMX-E10, and even Toshiba's Camileo, but we are definitely wary of image quality on a sensor as small as this one. We're not entirely sure we get the purpose of its optional WiFi capabilities, either -- the site claims they're for "wireless data transmission," but we don't know if that's to a PC or some sort of service. If you're dying to find out, you can reserve a Poco of your own for £100, or about $155, but be patient, this little guy won't hit the market until June.Iain Sinclair Poco Pro: little camcorder, big expectations originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink OhGizmo!  |  Iain Sinclair  | Email this | Comments

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This Is the Next Generation of Chumby [Chumby]

A helpful reader just sent us this picture of a brand new Chumby. It's apparently being called the Chumby Opus for now (although that may not be the final product name), and it looks, like its predecessor, pretty darn adorable. More »

Electronic Arts Eclipsys Eastman Kodak Co

AOL You've Got News app offers a slick reading experience in Google Chrome

AOL -- who happens to own Download Squad and Switched -- has been all over Google Chrome this year. They've already released a handful of extensions like Lifestream, SHOUTcast, and Offsite for Chrome and now they're offering up their first app in the Chrome Web Store.

Harkening back to days of yore, it's You've Got News. Unlike the New York Times app Seb showed you, You've Got News is a locally installed app -- not a link to a remotely hosted Web site. The app actually feels a bit like reading the newspaper: use your left and right arrow keys to flip through the main sections and your up and down keys to peruse a section's individual pages. You can also click on background pages in the margins to bring them into focus.Continue reading AOL You've Got News app offers a slick reading experience in Google ChromeAOL You've Got News app offers a slick reading experience in Google Chrome originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 'Eee Slate' EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated)

It's been awhile since we've heard anything official from ASUS about its 12-inch EP121 tablet announced back at Computex in May. That changes today as ASUS Chairman, Jonney Shih, promises an "Eee for everyone" at CES 2011 -- and that's not an exaggeration what with 7-, 9-, 10-, and 12-inch Armdroid and Wintel tablets expected. While the video doesn't show the physical EP121 first revealed as a prototype in Taipei, it does call it an "Eee Slate" (not an "Eee Pad" like before) while demonstrating pen-based input on the multitouch display riding Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system and a Core i5 processor. Naturally, ASUS is also promising better performance and more flexibility than existing tablets. Don't worry, we'll be getting hands-on with this beast in a few weeks before it hits retail sometime (somewhere) in January. Until then, you can watch the teaser after the break.

Update: DigiTimes claims that the EP121 will target enterprise customers when launched. Additionally, two 10-inch Eee Pads (one with Windows 7 on Oak Trail and one with Android on Tegra 2) will hit retail as early as March for $499 to $599. Meanwhile, 7-inch Android models will also launch as early as March featuring either Tegra 2 or Qualcomm chipsets with at least one model featuring a "3.5G" radio for "phone functionality."

[Thanks, Sal]Continue reading ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 'Eee Slate' EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated)ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 'Eee Slate' EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Tech in Style  |  ASUS (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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Facebook Passes Yahoo To Become Second Largest Traffic Source For Videos On Media Sites

When it comes to getting people to watch online videos from media sites, Google is still the largest source of outside traffic. Search drives views. But the second largest source of traffic is not Yahoo, Bing, or another search engine. It is now Facebook. According to a report on Online Video & The Media Industry put out jointly by Tubemogul and Brightcove, Facebook passed Yahoo in the third quarter to become the No. 2 source of traffic to online videos at media sites. (The study measures videos across the Brightcove network, with a focus on newspaper, magazine, broadcaster, brand, and online media sites).

In the third quarter, Facebook shares accounted for 9.6 percent of online video traffic. Google still towers above Facebook with more than 50 percent of the referring traffic coming from search, but that is down from the second quarter when it was above 60 percent. In fact, across all search (Google, Yahoo, and Bing), referral traffic to videos on media sites is down.

Technitrol Taketwo Interactive Software Syntel

The Humble Indie Bundle is back, with Braid, Machinarium, and a real-time counter

The most excellent Humble Indie Bundle is back, and yet again five excellent games are available at any price you choose. This year, Braid, Machinarium, Cortex Command, Osmos and Revenge of the Titans are part of the bundle -- and again, a percentage of every donation goes to the EFF and Child's Play charities. All five games work on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

The site itself has been significantly overhauled, too. At the top, there's a 'buzz bar', showing all of the recent tweets. There's also a real-time counter that ticks up every time a purchase is made -- and I'm glad to say that since I've started writing, it's moved quickly, from 1500 to over 3000!

Most importantly, because you can pay whatever you like for the bundle, there's now a bunch of sliders that control what percentage of your donation goes to each group. You can give all of the money to the game developers, or every last cent to charity -- but the default is a 66/33 split.

The games, if bought separately, would cost around $85... so while you could get all five games for free, consider giving a few dollars at least. If you can't afford one of the five Steam games in our holiday gift guide, the Humble Indie Bundle would make a great gift, too.The Humble Indie Bundle is back, with Braid, Machinarium, and a real-time counter originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video)

Our worst frienemies, the quadrocopters, have decided to act cute for the holidays and play us a merry little jingle. Yes, the guys and gals behind the Flying Machine Arena have put together an airborne robot sophisticated enough to lay down a few seasonal notes on a Yamaha electronic keyboard. And we're still sitting around debating inconsequential topics like net neutrality -- all of human civilization is at stake here, people! Be a good citizen and watch the video after the break to scout out any weak points to this most imminent threat to humanity's survival.Continue reading Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video)Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  UntitledTitle (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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Google adds AT&T billing to Android Market payment options

Having rolled out to T-Mobile just about a year ago, Google's celebrating the anniversary of its Android Market carrier billing feature in the US by expanding the service to AT&T. Put simply, this means that if you're using an Android device on an AT&T line, you'll no longer need to use a credit card -- you can just bill your purchases straight to your AT&T bill, which is painless... almost too painless, really, if you're the compulsive type. And no, we're not aware of a way to bill a Froyo update for your Captivate to your account -- but believe us, we'll keep on looking.Google adds AT&T billing to Android Market payment options originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Android Developers Blog  | Email this | Comments

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App of the Day: Visuals by Vincent Laforet for iPhone and iPad [Video]

With magazine budgets drying up, it's getting harder and harder for aerial photography wizard Vincent Laforet to get into the sky. His new strategy: letting his audience be his patron directly with Visuals, his beautiful and innovative new iOS app. More »

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Mozilla's P2PU 'School of Webcraft' gearing up for another semester of nerdy teaching

It turns out Barney isn't the only dinosaur interested in education -- Mozilla (with its own Dinosaur) is ramping up the course count in its online education program, delivered via P2PU. 'The School of Webcraft' is basically a free online learning community with structured courses about a range of Web-related subjects, from HTML5, through JavaScript, all the way to social media management and SEO. Each class is between six to ten weeks long, with the Mozilla-supported program offering 15 classes last term. This coming semester, they're upping their efforts and running a full 30 courses.

Each class is led by an actual human being, and participation is required -- it's not just a bunch of videos you have to watch. There's a limited number of places available per class, and you have to actually do homework. Not all classes are for beginners either; some are for advanced coders, too. But registration isn't available just yet - it begins Jan 8, and there's a mailing list you can join to be alerted when registration opens.

If you're serious about your Web-related education, we suggest you sign up for the mailing list -- these courses tend to fill up quite quickly. Head on over to the School of Webcraft site for more information.Mozilla's P2PU 'School of Webcraft' gearing up for another semester of nerdy teaching originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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WordPress introduces new HTML5 sandbox theme, calls out to CSS artists

By now, I hope you've felt the early rumblings of an HTML5 revolution. It's still early days, however; most HTML5 sites are tests, or niche Web apps that only a small fraction of surfers will use. What HTML5 really needs is a huge, pipe-hitting champion; a website that grabs HTML5 by the gonads and slams it down front and center. A champion such as WordPress, for example, which has just released a rather lovely HTML5 theme for both WordPress.com blogs, and self-hosted solutions.

Like the HTML4 'Sandbox' theme, this new theme, called Toolbox, is a semantic, clean-slate dream. You can leap right in and design a new theme just by modifying the CSS, while making the most of new HTML5 tags like article and header. Take a look at the Toolbox test site and, if you're a blogger, you'll certainly conjure up some cool custom creations. If you're already adept at the art of CSS artistry, you know what to do; and if you've never played with CSS, now's the time to learn!

WordPress.com users will need the Custom CSS Upgrade to make the most of the Toolbox theme, while self-hosted WordPress.org users can leap right in and install the Toolbox theme.WordPress introduces new HTML5 sandbox theme, calls out to CSS artists originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Gowalla Snaps Back: 1 Million Photos ?But Foursquare May Hit That In 2 Weeks

Yesterday morning, Foursquare pushed out a big update to their iPhone app that included the ability to add pictures to check-ins for the first time. This functionality matches the one that rival Gowalla has had for some time now ? 9 months, actually. And today, Gowalla hit a milestone with pictures: 1 million. But signs point to Foursquare closing in on that number quickly. Very quickly.

Foursquare co-founder Dennis Crowley told Business Insider yesterday that they were already approaching one photo per second. I checked back with Crowley today and he says they're still not there quite yet but to ask him again "in a few days". And when they hit that rate, that means it will take them about 11 and a half days to hit a million photos. In other words, in two weeks, Foursquare could have a million photos as well.

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Use an Octopus to Charge Your iPhone [IPhone]

If you're always draining your iPhone battery on the go and don't want one of the case/battery combo packs (maybe you REALLY love your existing case?), the Octopus might be for you. More »

Dst Systems Discover Financial Services Diodes Inorated

Porn in the United Kingdom to become opt-in

Not one to let the hyperconservative Australian government walk away with the censorship crown, the UK government plans to make the surfing of Internet porn opt-in. Next month, Communications Minister Ed Vaizey will meet with major UK ISPs to discuss a blanket block of porn. Rather than porn being available to all, UK surfers will have to contact their ISP to be allowed on a 'porn surfing whitelist.'

In customary political masquerading style, this is being pushed through as a "think of the kids!!" measure. It recently emerged that as many as one-in-three children under 10 in the UK has seen pornography on the Internet, and the government, spearheaded by Conservative MP Claire Perry, wants to protect those kids at all costs. The irony is, it's not like 10-year-olds have their own computers and Internet connections -- they are either viewing porn at home, at a friend's house, or at school. If dad, or mom, opts into the porn whitelist, we're back at square one.

Of course, the other option is that mom and dad swear off the porn altogether, for the sake of the children. But is that really a fair system? Isn't that just censorship, dressed up as something else?

"Oh, yeah, we're making alcohol opt-in too. Most children are abused by drunken parents... and you don't want to abuse your kids, right?" While we're at it, how about a special ID card that lets you buy pornographic magazines and DVDs from shops? Why should the Internet be treated differently?

Seriously, the reasoning behind this program is that porn is damaging to children. As in, on a mental health level, children are being scarred by the early viewing of porn. Why porn, instead of violent imagery? Is porn really more perverse than the face-planting, gonad-thumping masochism readily available on YouTube? Will video games be next, and will you have to carry them in brown paper bags?Porn in the United Kingdom to become opt-in originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Fiabee releases companion apps to share, sync files between Chrome and Android

Fiabee is a relative newcomer to the cloud-to-mobile storage game, having only released its iOS app [iTunes link] back in June. The company has now begun focusing on Google's platforms and has made beta versions of the Fiabee app available for Android devices and Google Chrome.

The Fiabee Chrome app is no bookmark -- it's an extension app (all its HTML, JavaScript, CSS, images, and fonts are stored on your system) that provides a much different experience from the Fiabee website. Install the app and create an account, and you're given 1GB of cloud storage which you can use to share files from your desktop Chrome browser to your Android handset. Open your favorite file management app, find the file you want to upload, and then drag it on to the appropriate drop zone -- the blue box saves it to your cloud storage, while the green box takes the additional step of notifying your Android device that a new transfer is available.Continue reading Fiabee releases companion apps to share, sync files between Chrome and AndroidFiabee releases companion apps to share, sync files between Chrome and Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Magic Shutter for Long, Blurry Exposures on iPhone

Magic Shutter is an iPhone camera app that mimics the effects of shooting at slow shutter speeds, and of using flash to freeze a subject. Here it is in action:

The app actually does use some programming magic to achieve its effects. For instance, if you choose the “flash” modes, you can choose front and rear [...]

Radisys Rackable Systems Quest Software

Apple to Sell One Million Apple TVs in Three Months [Apple]

It's not a raging success for a $99 device, but Apple is expecting "sales of its new Apple TV to top one million units later this week." Weird that the press release doesn't contain any blurb from Steve Jobs, but perhaps that absence speaks louder than an actual quote. More »

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How To Have Up To 6 Apps In Your iPad Dock

Did you know that you can have a total of 6 apps in your iPad dock? By default there are only 4 but in this quick tip you’ll see how you can easily add up to 2 more of your choice. So, to get started select an app you’d like to bring to the main [...]

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Viewsonic: There's no G Tablet 'manufacturing defect,' it's a user experience issue

In case you missed it, this weekend Staples announced that it was no longer offering the 10.1-inch Viewsonic G Tablet because of a "manufacturing defect." Well, as it turns out, Viewsonic is claiming there's really no hardware defect at all -- instead, the manufacturer of the Android 2.2, Tegra 2-powered tablet is reporting that there's really a "user experience issue." Nope, that doesn't sound much better, but according to Viewsonic's VP of Marketing Adam Hanin, the G Tablet saw a fair number of returns because of its sluggish software experience, which was caused by the preloaded Tap and Tap Android layer. A number of issues were also caused by the lack of Flash, which Adobe hasn't yet certified for Tegra 2 (we hear that's finally coming at the end of January). "We believe it is the user experience that caused all the returns, and we are taking important steps forward with the G Tablet," Hanin told us.

So, what are those steps exactly? Viewsonic will be releasing an over-the-air software update before the end of the week and will also provide links for users to manually download and install a beta version of Flash on its support page. Naturally, we asked Hanin why the G Tablet was shipped in this half-finished state at all -- he told us that while Android and Tegra are great platforms, Google's lack of support for larger devices means that companies like Viewsonic have to "go out and put together their own software and app stores." We're not sure that's a great answer -- in fact, it sort of sounds like Viewsonic is trying to blame Google, Adobe, and NVIDIA for its own half-finished and laggy software, when it released the tablet on its accord own to retailers. Either way, we've now seen more than enough terrible "user experience" issues on the early crop of Android tablets -- Honeycomb, where are you?Continue reading Viewsonic: There's no G Tablet 'manufacturing defect,' it's a user experience issueViewsonic: There's no G Tablet 'manufacturing defect,' it's a user experience issue originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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Palm Pre 2 lands on Rogers today, $99 on three-year contract

Beating out Verizon, Canada's Rogers becomes the first carrier in North America to pick up the Pre 2 today, hawking it for CAD $99 -- about $97 -- as long as you're willing to put your name down for a new three-year contract with a qualifying voice and data plan. Since Rogers runs HSPA on 850 and 1900MHz, you can bet this is pretty much the same phone Palm is offering unlocked in the States for $450; you're just paying a little less upfront and a whole lot more over time. Six of one, half-dozen of the other, as they say.Palm Pre 2 lands on Rogers today, $99 on three-year contract originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Palm Canada  | Email this | Comments

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Google search now warns you of hacked and compromised sites

Emerging just a week after the high-profile Gawker Media hack, and proving it is still very fleet-footed indeed, Google search results now warn you if a website has been hacked. The notification (see screenshot above) looks just like the malware warning.

Unlike the malware warning, however, you do not get shown the ominous 'visiting this site may harm your computer!' interstitial page. Rather, you are free to click through to the site as usual. Perhaps Google's hack-detection code isn't quite finished, or it is still fine-tuning the process. The only actual change, then, is the addition of the "This site may be compromised" link, which links to a page in the Google Help Center.

The coolest bit, though, is for the owners of websites. If you register your site with Google Webmaster Tools, Google will automatically notify you if your site has been compromised. Google has even produced a guide for cleaning up a hacked site -- cool!Google search now warns you of hacked and compromised sites originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Scientists attempt to predict flu spread, give ZigBee radios to 700 high school students

This is the Crossbow TelosB wireless remote platform, and it did an important job for science in January of last year -- it monitored the close proximity interactions among 788 students and staff at one US high school to track a virtual flu. After collecting over 762,000 sneeze-worthy anecdotes among the module-toting teachers and teens, Stanford researchers ran 788,000 simulations charting the path the virus might take and methods the school might try to keep it in line. Sadly, the scientists didn't manage to come up with any easy answers, as virtual vaccination seemed to work equally well (or poorly) no matter who got the drugs, but that if only we could actually monitor individuals in real life as easily as in a study, prevention would be much easier. But who will bell the cat, when it's so much less political to ionize?Scientists attempt to predict flu spread, give ZigBee radios to 700 high school students originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Medgadget  |  Stanford University  | Email this | Comments

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comiXology comic reader app comes to Android

ComiXology, the popular free comic book reader application that has been available for iOS, is now available for�Android. If you have an Android 2.1 or higher device and you’re also a comics fan, fire up the app market and download it. This app works just like other eBook reading apps, only it displays graphic novels [...]

Jack Henry And Associates Ixys Itron

Yahoo's Unkindest Cuts

For a long time now, Yahoo has suffered a bit of an identity problem. What does it want to be? King of search is Google's thing, and Facebook owns the social network scene, so what is Yahoo's identity, besides being a really big email provider? This week, Yahoo apparently started looking toward a new role model: The Grinch.

Google Formfactor Fiserv

Panelize fixes one of Chrome OS's fundamental flaws

If you haven't played with Chrome OS yet, it has one fundamental niggle that harkens back to the DOS days of yore: windows don't exist, and it has no way of displaying multiple tabs on screen at the same time. This means if you want to refer to a document while you compose an email, you need to repetitively switch between tabs -- and I think we can all agree that tab-switching is one of the most important omissions from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Chrome OS does support one way of displaying multiple Web pages at the same time, however: panels. If you've looked through our Chromium OS galleries (or taken a quick look at the screenshot above) you'll notice some always-on-top panels across the bottom of the screen. Panels are handy things -- capable of being resized, or quickly popped down out of view. By default, the download manager, popped-out Gmail chat windows and the media player display in panels -- but, for some reason, there's no way to load custom websites in panels.

Which brings us onto our very first Chrome OS-specific extension: Panelize. With Panelize you can put anything into a panel, such as Gmail, Reader, or even Download Squad. In one fell swoop, having to switch between tabs is a thing of the past!Continue reading Panelize fixes one of Chrome OS's fundamental flawsPanelize fixes one of Chrome OS's fundamental flaws originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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How would you change the T-Mobile G2?

Outside of the Nexus One (and recently-launched Nexus S, of course), T-Mobile's G2 is about as close as one can get to stock build of Android. 'Course, it's now a point release behind Gingerbread, but we're hoping that'll be remedied in short order. Outside of that, we're curious to know how you'd change the slip-sliding Android phone if given the schematics and the ability to start over from scratch. By and large, we felt that HTC nailed the design, but of course, everyone's capable of seeing things in a slightly different light. What would you tweak about the G2 if given the choice? Change up the keyboard? Offer it on AT&T or a CDMA carrier? Throw in a row of LEDs along the left edge, just for kicks? All (reasonable) ideas are welcome in comments below -- you never know who'll be tuning in.How would you change the T-Mobile G2? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 22:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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Why is RIM running away from BlackBerry to battle Apple?

Why is RIM running away from BlackBerry in order to try and keep up, never mind compete, with Apple’s iPad, never mind iPhone? Georgia, Chad, Ally and I spoke about this at length on last Sunday’s iPad Live! podcast but given RIM’s financial results and accompanying comments this week, I think it’s appropriate to get [...]Why is RIM running away from BlackBerry to battle Apple? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

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Samsung pulls Froyo update for Bell's Vibrant after reports of fried internal storage

We have no idea why Samsung's having such a hard time delivering its overdue promised Froyo upgrades worldwide for the Galaxy S series, but it's not looking any easier for them this weekend: the only Canadian Galaxy S to get upgraded so far, Bell's Vibrant, has just had its update pulled. Seems a healthy number of users attempting the upgrade using Sammy's Kies desktop software ended up with inaccessible internal storage, which sucks for a variety of obvious reasons -- and that would be the apparent reason for the removal of the update. Here's the official statement:
"There have been intermittent issues reported during the firmware upgrade process with Kies for the Samsung Galaxy S i9000M series of phones. Samsung's development team is currently aware of this issue and working towards a solution. Accordingly, The firmware update feature, which affects the ability to upgrade to Android 2.2, is temporarily disabled until a solution is released. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Maybe we can just go straight to Gingerbread or Honeycomb at this point?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Samsung pulls Froyo update for Bell's Vibrant after reports of fried internal storage originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Samsung  | Email this | Comments

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Yahoo?s Head Of Engineering For Communication Products, An 11 Year Vet, Latest To Sign Off

At the risk of sounding like we're kicking a dead horse ? then lighting it on fire ? we've been able to confirm another significant departure from Yahoo this evening.�Raj Vemulapalli, Yahoo's�Head of Engineering for Real Time Communications, is leaving, the company has confirmed to us.

Vemulapalli, amazingly, has been with Yahoo for over 11 years. Over that span he has worked his way up the engineering ranks, culminating in his position leading some of the few products that have been bright spots for Yahoo in recent years. That includes the massively-used Yahoo Messenger product, and all of the other messaging integration across the various Yahoo products.

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Wall Street Journal says apps may violate privacy, fingers MySpace and Pandora

You might have heard how careless some third-party apps can be with your personal data, but it may not yet have hit home -- offenders can include must-have programs like MySpace and Pandora, too. The Wall Street Journal tested 101 popular apps for iPhone and Android and discovered that over half transmitted unique device identifiers (UDID) to a flock of advertisers without so much as a prompt, and that some (including Pandora) even transmitted a user's age, gender and location to better target their marks. Now, before you boycott your favorite music apps, you might want to hear the other side of the story, which is that all this data is typically processed in batches and anonymized so that advertisers can't necessarily separate you from the crowd. However, the worry is that there may be little stopping nefarious individuals from creating a database that links your UDID to all this other data you send out. It's a juicy proposition for targeted advertising, sure, but also potentially real-world crime, so we doubt this will be the last we hear of UDID privacy scares.Wall Street Journal says apps may violate privacy, fingers MySpace and Pandora originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

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Invasion of the Mexican Drones! [Drones]

Drug gangs are one thing. But now Mexican unmanned drones are messing with Texas. Will this aggression stand? More »

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Better Pop Up Blocker for Chrome blocks pop-ups -- better

Who doesn't love pop-ups? Really, I mean, it has to be the world's most effective and well-respected mode of advertising. You're browsing along, reading something on the Web, and suddenly your screen explodes with color and NSFW video clips. Seriously, how can you not enjoy that?
If you're one of the odd few who aren't enthusiastic about pop-ups, you might appreciate Better Pop Up Blocker. While Chrome already features some pop-up blocking measures, they're not very serious. Even when you add the popular AdBlock extension, Chrome's blocking abilities still leave something to be desired. This point is made quite convincingly by the Better Pop Up Blocker homepage. If you're using Chrome, just click the image that says Click me, I'm an image, and see what I mean.
By default, Chrome allowed three different huge pop-up windows to appear. After installing Better Pop Up Blocker, no pop-up appeared when clicking the image. I was still able to see what pop-ups were blocked using the extension's menu and open them if I did want to access them. The browser action icon will every time it blocks a pop-up, just to let you know it's working.
All in all, it's a welcome addition to my Chrome installation - and one that will remain installed on my system.Filed under: GoogleBetter Pop Up Blocker for Chrome blocks pop-ups -- better originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Panelize fixes one of Chrome OS's fundamental flaws

If you haven't played with Chrome OS yet, it has one fundamental niggle that harkens back to the DOS days of yore: windows don't exist, and it has no way of displaying multiple tabs on screen at the same time. This means if you want to refer to a document while you compose an email, you need to repetitively switch between tabs -- and I think we can all agree that tab-switching is one of the most important omissions from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Chrome OS does support one way of displaying multiple Web pages at the same time, however: panels. If you've looked through our Chromium OS galleries (or taken a quick look at the screenshot above) you'll notice some always-on-top panels across the bottom of the screen. Panels are handy things -- capable of being resized, or quickly popped down out of view. By default, the download manager, popped-out Gmail chat windows and the media player display in panels -- but, for some reason, there's no way to load custom websites in panels.

Which brings us onto our very first Chrome OS-specific extension: Panelize. With Panelize you can put anything into a panel, such as Gmail, Reader, or even Download Squad. In one fell swoop, having to switch between tabs is a thing of the past!Continue reading Panelize fixes one of Chrome OS's fundamental flawsPanelize fixes one of Chrome OS's fundamental flaws originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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The Engadget Show Live! with Mitsubishi's Frank DeMartin, iRobot, Aldebaran Robotics, Ubisoft, and crazy giveaways!

Humans, keep your eyes tuned to this post -- because at 6:30 PM ET, we'll be starting The Engadget Show live, with Mitsubishi's consumer electronics chief Frank DeMartin, Aldebaran's NAO humanoid robot, never-before-scene segments, crazy giveaways, and much more! We've got music from BIT SHIFTER and visuals from noteNdo. You seriously don't want to miss it.

Update: We still have tickets left, so if you're in New York City, come join us at the Times Center. The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City.
Continue reading The Engadget Show Live! with Mitsubishi's Frank DeMartin, iRobot, Aldebaran Robotics, Ubisoft, and crazy giveaways!The Engadget Show Live! with Mitsubishi's Frank DeMartin, iRobot, Aldebaran Robotics, Ubisoft, and crazy giveaways! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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Daily Crunch: Deal Hunting Edition

So? Any Good Black Friday Stories To Share? Nooka?s Zub Zayu, Another Tasteful Abstact Wristwatch Whoa: Nintendo Sells 1.5 Million Consoles During Black Friday Week Seven Gifts For The Blue Collar, Outdoorsy Dad Or Husband Gresso Luxor: The Phone You Bury Alongside Your Still-Living Servants In Your Stone Tomb

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TC Disrupt People?s Choice Winner Miso Media Raises Funding From Google Ventures

At this year's TechCrunch Disrupt SF event, a small startup called Miso Media won the People's Choice award for one of the niftiest iPad apps I've seen: it turns your iOS device into a guitar teacher. And it apparently wowed a lot of other people too, because today the startup is announcing that it's closed a $600K seed funding round led by Google Ventures, with�participation�from angel investors including Keith Rabois and Laura Ziskin. One cool thing to note: Rabois was actually one of the judges when Miso Media presented on stage at Disrupt.

Miso's app, which is called Miso Music, still isn't out yet ?�CEO Aviv Grill says that it was submitted to the App Store earlier this month and it should be coming soon. But I got to try it briefly at Disrupt, and it definitely impressed me. Unlike most guitar tablature applications, which simply display the song you're playing and play it back in a MIDI format, Miso's application will actually listen to the notes you're playing and scroll the music accordingly. It's really slick.

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Ask DLS: Android antivirus, scanner issues and video games

Every morning, as Lee empties the mail bag onto my desk, we pore through cries of help that range from the utterly banal -- "how do i install iTuns???" -- through to truly taxing technical teasers. The fact is, though, no matter how simple the question is, how blatant the answer might be -- "google it!" -- we try to answer them. After all, a problem is a problem. If something prevents you from using your computer, it doesn't matter how complex it is to fix, you just want it to work!

It's been a long time since our last Ask DLS, but hopefully this is the beginning of a regular, recurring feature. You may also see a return of Tell DLS -- but for the time being, if you have any technical questions, use our feedback form.

To begin, here are three recent questions and answers.

Q: Well I need some help... A friend of mine bought the Samsung Galaxy S phone a week ago, now he wants a good free antivirus app for it. Any recommendations??

Thanks a ((million x billion) x trillion) times in advance!!
- Ahamed

A: Check out this review we did of a good, free antivirus for Android: Lookout Mobile Security.Continue reading Ask DLS: Android antivirus, scanner issues and video gamesAsk DLS: Android antivirus, scanner issues and video games originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Android 2.3 Gingerbread's source code now available

Want to dig through 2.3 and see what all the fuss is about for yourself? Well, you're in luck, because Gingerbread has just hit the Android Open Source Project's repository, which means you can set up your machine to download the code. It's great news for hardware companies that don't care to get Google's certification to include Android Market access -- but it's also great news for casual and serious hackers alike who are looking to craft some seriously wild, wacky custom ROMs. So, what are you waiting for? Get to it, folks.

[Thanks, Mike]

Update: Eager coders are being asked to "wait a few hours or a few days" before downloading to balance out the server load -- and while you're likely not interested in doing that, it's probably in your best interest to heed the advice.Android 2.3 Gingerbread's source code now available originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  AOSP, Android Building (Google Groups)  | Email this | Comments

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This Is the Best Thing in Tron Legacy [Video]

A lot of people looking for the perfect movie are going to be disappointed today. According to most reviews, Tron's not the Messiah, just a very naughty boy. But there's something amazing about it, something that will blow your underpants off. More »

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Game Center ID, White iPhone 4 conversion, iPhone 4, iOS vs Android ? From the Forums

The TiPb forums are naturally a great place to talk, commiserate, celebrate, get help, and offer advice to your fellow iPhone users. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if [...]Game Center ID, White iPhone 4 conversion, iPhone 4, iOS vs Android – From the Forums is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

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A Yacht Inspired by Zebras Lacks Stripes (and the Glisten of Water On its Belly) [Yachts]

We've seen some brilliant yachts here at Gizmodo—some you can buy; most which'll never feel the cool touch of the ocean on its belly—but it's always the concepts which leave me most breathless. Like Feadship's Breathe, here. More »

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Word Lens: Augmented Reality App Translates Street Signs Instantly

Word Lens for the iPhone is, quite honestly, one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Take a look at this, but put down any hot liquids first.

It’s an augmented-reality, OCR-capable translation app, but that’s a poor description. A better one would be “magic.” World Lens looks at any printed text through the [...]

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Google Cloud Print is now available

With the first Chrome OS release due to be unveiled by Google later today, this really shouldn't come as a surprise: Cloud Print is now fully active. You will need the latest Chrome Developer version installed. Head to your Google Chrome about:flags page and enable the Cloud Print Proxy, and you'll be instantly plugged in.

Your Cloud Print queue manager will display all the printers you've got installed on your computer, along with any active and recently completed print jobs. When you hover over a printer, a drop-down appears which enables you to share or delete the printer from Cloud Print.

We'll have more on Cloud Print, Chrome OS, and the Web Store later on -- Google news will be breaking all day.Continue reading Google Cloud Print is now availableGoogle Cloud Print is now available originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Mac App Store to Launch January 6

The Mac App Store will go live on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011, ready to download for Mac users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard, available in 90 countries.
Coincidentally, that’s the same day that the Consumer Electronics Show kicks off, which probably indicates Apple’s intention to steal the spotlight from other tech titans.
More importantly [...]

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China launches state-sponsored, Twitter-esque Red Microblog, Kanye West already has the most followers

China has launched a state-sponsored micro-blogging site which is apparently identical to Twitter, except that it's run by the Chinese government, of course. The brand new social network, named Red Microblog, is run by a local propaganda department in Chongqing and its purpose is to promote the official revolutionary spirit of the Chinese government. So far, the messages seem to be living up to that ideal: "I really like the words by Chairman Mao that 'the world is ours; we should work together'," microblogged Bo Xilai, a local party secretary. Of course, Red Microblog does has not yet suffered from the inevitable influx of celebrities with inane aphorisms to dish out, b-listers hawking diet scams, and of course -- people talking about their lunches, the weather, and whether or not Tron is going to totally rule. Come to thing of it, Red Microblog sounds pretty awesome. For now.China launches state-sponsored, Twitter-esque Red Microblog, Kanye West already has the most followers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Mashable, Switched  |  The Telegraph  | Email this | Comments

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