| LG Optimus M+ adds some minor hardware improvements, coming to metroPCS Mar 21st 2012, 11:19  LG's Optimus M has lingered around metroPCS' phone catalogue for over a year now and it looks like it's finally getting a similar-looking, but improved, replacement. Unfortunately, the Optimus M+ isn't quite enough to confer the title of carrier flagship. Incremental changes include a new 5-megapixel camera and a screen that's been boosted from 3.2 to 3.5 inches. According to Pocketnow, it's powered by a pretty meager 800MHz processor, which should be just about enough to handle the Gingerbread OS. Those middling numbers hopefully mean it shouldn't upset the ol' bank balance too much, but we'll have to wait for metroPCS' official nod for confirmation on pricing and availability. LG Optimus M+ adds some minor hardware improvements, coming to metroPCS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Pocketnow | Email this | Comments | | MIT's laser-powered camera can detect objects hidden around corners (video) Mar 21st 2012, 11:01 One of the most thrilling things about human existence is that you never know what's lurking around the corner. It could be a newborn baby, a sweet job, a delicious churro -- doesn't really matter, because it's a surprise, and surprises are fun and surprising. Just don't tell that to the doldrum dwellers over at MIT, because apparently, they don't agree. The same team that created a camera with light-speed shutter rates has now expanded upon their project, with a camera capable of seeing around corners. Literally. To do this, the system uses a so-called femtosecond laser to send out extremely short light pulses -- so short, in fact, that their entire lifespan is measured in quadrillionths of a second. To capture an object lurking around a corner, the device aims its laser at a nearby wall, thereby allowing the light to bounce around the room before eventually landing on the concealed object. Once it hits the jackpot, the light will reflect back onto the wall, and eventually return to a detector, which can gauge the exact location of the object based on the distance the laser traveled. This happens over and over again at different angles, meaning that the system will ultimately be able to get a general idea of the hidden room's layout. Researchers hope that their system will eventually be used in emergency rescue situations, or to help drivers see what's around the bend, though there's no telling when any of that could actually happen. For a diagrammatic rundown, check out the video after the break. Continue reading MIT's laser-powered camera can detect objects hidden around corners (video) MIT's laser-powered camera can detect objects hidden around corners (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  USA Today | MIT | Email this | Comments | | Orange says it'll bring LTE to all of its EU markets by 2015 Mar 21st 2012, 10:21  Orange made a bold pledge to the future of Europe's "digital economy" yesterday, promising to bring 4G / LTE networks to all EU markets by the year 2015, and reaffirming its commitment to Africa and the Middle East. The France-based carrier outlined its plan during an event in Brussels, where CEO Stéphane Richard and European Commission digital chief Neelie Kroes met to discuss the Commission's "Digital Agenda for Europe." Orange laid out ten commitments in total, including a promise to make FTTH available for 15 million households and 80 percent of all businesses in France by the year 2020. It also vowed to bring 3 million NFC-enabled handsets to the EU this year, and 10 million by the year 2013. Perhaps most salient to Kroes' agenda was Orange's promise to offer customers a privacy "dashboard" by the year 2015, allowing them to more directly control their personal data. In Africa and the Middle East, meanwhile, the company is looking to roll out its 3G network by the year 2015, in the hopes of providing 80 percent of the population with mobile services. For more promises and optimism, check out the full PR after the break. Continue reading Orange says it'll bring LTE to all of its EU markets by 2015 Orange says it'll bring LTE to all of its EU markets by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Orange | Email this | Comments | |
