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OCZ Vertex 4 SSD released, wins calm praise on the review circuit Apr 4th 2012, 14:36 The Vertex 4 is a big deal for OCZ, because it's the company's first top-end SSD to come with an in-house Indilinx controller. We first saw this proprietary silicon put to good effect in the Octane drive a few months ago, and by most accounts the controller continues to hold its own in this new performance model. The drive will ship in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB varieties, with MSRPs of $179, $349 and $699 respectively, which stacks up well against Intel's 520 series. Bearing in mind that only the larger two variants have been sent out for review so far, the general feedback is that the Vertex 4 is reliable and indeed excels in certain key benchmarks like random write performance, which Anandtech describes as "incredible." On the other hand, read performance and some other real-world benchmarks were less earth-shattering, and most reviewers have been quite measured in their conclusions. Storage Review, for example, suggested that the new Vertex's attractiveness will grow over time, as pricing gets more aggressive and OCZ's decision to use its own controller pays dividends in terms of support and firmware tweaks. Check out the source links for all the usual benchmark graph goodness. OCZ Vertex 4 SSD released, wins calm praise on the review circuit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  Storage Review, AnandTech, TechReport  | Email this | Comments PlayStation Vita 1.66 firmware update rolling out now, minor UI tweaks in tow Apr 4th 2012, 14:23 Shortly after unleashing (and quickly pulling back) the PS Vita's v1.65 firmware update, Sony's rapidly rolling out a followup release. Version 1.66 brings with it a few UI tweaks, including tidbits such as the addition of a progress bar during app installs, notification alerts now only popping up for three seconds, plus the option to tap Retry / Cancel when running into troubles during location search. Games like Unit 13 and Gravity Daze will also see "functional improvements," while the Near app is getting a direct link to the PlayStation Store, making it easier to grab apps that other folks are toying with. The refresh is up for grabs now, so be sure to hit that System Software on your quad-core beast, or head over to the source below if you're in need of some guidance. PlayStation Vita 1.66 firmware update rolling out now, minor UI tweaks in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink The Sixth Axis  |  PlayStation Blog Europe  | Email this | Comments SwiftKey 3 Beta launches, no space bar required (video) Apr 4th 2012, 14:00 Just when we thought our favorite Android virtual keyboard couldn't get much better, TouchType decided to prove us wrong by launching SwiftKey 3 Beta. If you're one of the product's 30,000+ VIP users, you'll want to get your hands on the company's newest creation right now, for free. What's new? The space bar is no longer required, for one -- Smart Space detects and corrects "miss-typed or omitted spaces across whole phrases." Paradoxically, that same space bar is now wider, just in case you're feeling nostalgic. Smart punctuation further enhances the UI, with language-specific improvements in tow. In fact, SwiftKey 3 offers support for seven new languages -- Korean, Estonian, Farsi, Icelandic, Latvian, Lithuanian and Serbian (for a total of 42). Finally, you'll find two lovely new themes, Cobalt and the Ice Cream Sandwich-inspired Holo. We've been playing with TouchType's latest and greatest for a few hours now on both our HTC One X and our Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 and we've stopped using the space bar completely. Did you notice? Wedidn'tthinkso. Check out the gallery of screenshot below, hit the break for a demo video and the full PR, then follow the More Coverage link to sign up as a VIP. Gallery: SwiftKey 3 Beta screenshots Continue reading SwiftKey 3 Beta launches, no space bar required (video) SwiftKey 3 Beta launches, no space bar required (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video) Apr 4th 2012, 13:36 People used to say that cars in the '50s and '60s had fins, giant wing-like protuberances that designers grafted on to capitalize on the fledgling concepts of aerodynamics. Your fist impression of the Terrafugia Transition is much the same as standing next to a 1959 Coupe de Ville -- it's huge, and the giant vertical stabilizers on the back have a distinctly Cadillac feel. This, however, is different. Sure, it too is made in the US, but it's crafted of carbon fiber, titanium and aluminum, costs $279,000 and seats only two. Oh, and did we mention it can fly? It's making its major auto show debut this week and we got a chance to check it out. Follow us after the break for some grounded impressions. Gallery: Terrafugia Transition first eyes-on Continue reading Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video) Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments Sonos listens to reason, drops dedicated controller in favor of smartphone apps Apr 4th 2012, 13:23 Sonos will halt the sale of its pricey CR200 remote control from June 1st, after acknowledging that it's been nudged into obsolescence by free software controllers for Macs, PCs, tablets and smartphones. It'll honor warranties and issue software updates for the "foreseeable future," but CEO John MacFarlane indicates the decision was inevitable, having been brewing ever since the "early days of the iPhone explosion." That never stopped his company from selling the CR200 for a hefty $349, but then again he probably deserves some respect for finally making the call. After all, rival Logitech charges a premium for its own touchscreen-equipped Duet and Touch controllers, even if you only use them once during installation and then never go near them again. Sonos listens to reason, drops dedicated controller in favor of smartphone apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  The Verge  | Email this | Comments Paramount flicks are coming to YouTube and Google Play despite Viacom lawsuit Apr 4th 2012, 12:58 While its corporate parent Viacom continues to tussle with Google over who is liable for user uploaded content, Paramount Pictures has stuck a deal to offer its movies for rental on YouTube / Google Play in the US and Canada. According to Google that adds up to around 500 new movies becoming available on the service over the next few weeks including hits like Ferris Bueller and The Godfather. Those catalog titles are currently available on 48hr joypasses for $3.99/$2.99 (HD/SD) each, while newer titles like Hugo are $4.99/$3.99. Also worth noting is that now the folks at Mountain View can count five of the six major studios (Fox is still out) among their offerings. We'll see if this signals a thawing relationship between Google and the studios upset that pirated copies of their content are so easily found via Google's searches (doubt it), but at least Android users can look forward to more easily accessible content. Paramount flicks are coming to YouTube and Google Play despite Viacom lawsuit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  YouTube Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Dropbox doubles referral rewards, offers up to 32GB for those dripping in charisma Apr 4th 2012, 12:39 That whole 'refer a friend' thing must be working. Or maybe it isn't. Either way, Dropbox has felt the need to double the extra capacity you get as a reward for persuading your buddies that cloud storage really is 153x better than a USB stick. For each successful referral, you'll now get 500MB up to a maximum of 16GB. Pro users will get 1GB per referral up to a limit of 32GB. Get in there quick before someone else in your gang starts promoting Google Drive and its rumored document editing capabilities. [Thanks, Ninad] Dropbox doubles referral rewards, offers up to 32GB for those dripping in charisma originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  Dropbox  | Email this | Comments Motorola Webtop 3.0 beta captured on video, running off Droid RAZR with ICS Apr 4th 2012, 12:12 We were pondering Motorola's LapDock widget just recenty, after seeing a similar Phone-becomes-PC concept based on Ubuntu. Now, due to some happy coincidence, a video has appeared on YouTube claiming to show a leaked update to LapDock's accompanying software -- Webtop 3.0 beta. This version is shown running off the Droid RAZR rather than an Atrix, and it's now based on ICS with a customized version of the stock browser instead of Firefox. There's a lot that's right about turning a smartphone into the engine of a more PC-like experience, especially as docking accessories get cheaper, so hopefully this is evidence that Motorola's software people really are about to try something new. Continue reading Motorola Webtop 3.0 beta captured on video, running off Droid RAZR with ICS Motorola Webtop 3.0 beta captured on video, running off Droid RAZR with ICS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink PhoneArena, PocketNow  |  Revowii (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments Samsung's ST200F goes on sale in Korea, wants you to know it exists Apr 4th 2012, 11:56 Having trouble remembering Samsung's ST200F? You're forgiven as it was announced during the feed-busting monster that is CES, and alongside three other (arguably more interesting) Sammy WiFi-enabled shooters. No matter, as today the company's jogged our memory by letting us know the 16 megapixel shooter will soon soon grace Korean shelves for ₩249,000 (or around $200). Those buying will also be granted to a 10x optical zoom, 802.11 antennae and 720p video recording. And best of all, a quick perusal of online retailers reveal it's already up for preorder and will likely ship stateside in mid-April. Considerably later than the previously promised "February" ship date, but beggars can't be choosers. Right? Samsung's ST200F goes on sale in Korea, wants you to know it exists originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  Samsung (translated)  | Email this | Comments 2600 Volume 1 released as a DRM-free ebook: phreak like its 1984 Apr 4th 2012, 11:29 Long-running hacker magazine 2600 has been digging into its archives quite a bit as of late (it began releasing videos of the early HOPE conferences in December), and it's now gone back right to the beginning for its latest offering. It's just released 2600: The Hacker Digest - Volume 1, a DRM-free ebook that collects its first year of newsletters -- reformatted in book form for easier reading, but with every last detail intact (including typos). That's available in both the Kindle and Nook stores, as well as through 2600's own site in plain old PDF form, each of which set you back just under $4. What's more, while there's no firm word on any additional volumes just yet, 2600 says it'll keep them coming if there's enough support for the first one. 2600 Volume 1 released as a DRM-free ebook: phreak like its 1984 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  2600  | Email this | Comments Sony Mobile reshuffle sees Nordberg out, Kunimasa Suzuki in, business as usual Apr 4th 2012, 11:21 Major changes are afoot over at Sony. After rebranding its mobile division, the firm has also now moved aside the former Ericsson exec who initially came with it. Kunimasa Suzuki will replace Bert Nordberg as CEO of Sony Mobile on May 16th, after leaving his current role as Executive Vice President at Sony proper. Nordberg will still have a hand in the division, taking on the role as Chairman of Sony Mobile Communications' board. Sony's Xperia S might be fresh-faced, but it's soon to come up against stiff competition -- the handling of which will no doubt be Suzuki's first true test. Continue reading Sony Mobile reshuffle sees Nordberg out, Kunimasa Suzuki in, business as usual Sony Mobile reshuffle sees Nordberg out, Kunimasa Suzuki in, business as usual originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink The Next Web  |   | Email this | Comments Samsung's Galaxy Tab(s) 2 delayed by, you guessed it, Ice Cream Sandwich Apr 4th 2012, 11:06 Since the calendar clearly says April, we can take it as read that Samsung missed the promised March release window for both the seven and ten-inch versions of the Galaxy Tab 2. The company conceded that it was because both it and Google needed more time to tailor the software to the new hardware. Now both slates will arrive with a fully tweaked and revved version of Android 4.0 towards the end of this month. Samsung's Galaxy Tab(s) 2 delayed by, you guessed it, Ice Cream Sandwich originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Pocket-lint  |  Computerworld  | Email this | Comments Motorola GLEAM+ shimmies onto shelves, into European pockets Apr 4th 2012, 10:44 There are many typographical accoutrements manufacturers can hang on existing product names to let you know that this one's different, better. Motorola's plumped for the humble "+" to let us know this isn't just any Gleam, it's a new, improved beast. So what's changed since last time? Well, it's dropped a dress size first of all, measuring 0.4mm thinner than its elder sibling, and that dot-matrix style outer display now stands much taller. The main screen also jumps from 2.4- to 2.8-inches, sporting a 400 x 240, WQVGA resolution. So, if you're a fan of the form-factor, and live in Europe (it still only has that dual band GSM radio) then you can get your mitts on it from today. PR after the break. Continue reading Motorola GLEAM+ shimmies onto shelves, into European pockets Motorola GLEAM+ shimmies onto shelves, into European pockets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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Next Issue Media launches on Android, $15 a month for access to 32 magazines Apr 4th 2012, 10:11 If you've taken issue with your usual choices for buying magazines on your tablet, be it pay-per-issue or per-subscription, you're not alone. If you'll recall, it was nearly a year ago that Next Issue Media launched the preliminary version of its "Hulu-meets-magazines" app on the Galaxy Tab, and it's finally ready to release this physical newsstand alternative officially. After raking in a slew of deals last November, its Android 3.0 app is now available -- users can fork over a monthly fee of $10 to access all of its monthly and bi-weekly content, while an extra five bucks adds in weekly content, essentially giving you access to every publication on offer. Singular subscriptions are also available for two to 10 bucks, and you'll currently have a choice of 32 mags from the likes of Car and Driver to The New Yorker. Interestingly, TechCrunch notes that NIM plans to get the app over to iOS "soon" -- it'll surely be interesting to see how it competes with Apple's own Newsstand. You'll find more info at the via links below, and you can flip over to the source for details about a 30-day trial offer. Next Issue Media launches on Android, $15 a month for access to 32 magazines originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink TechCrunch, TIME, All Things Digital  |  Next Issue Media  | Email this | Comments Nokia Lumia 900 teardown peeks behind that $99 price (video) Apr 4th 2012, 09:31 We've always admired Nokia's ability to make a solid phone to a budget, when it's done right, your average user won't notice the difference. Given the strict hardware limitations imposed by Windows Phone, the Lumia 900 was never going to be a hyper-powered handset, but now we can see how the company have managed to get it out for just $99. Tech Republic tore down its review model to confirm the handset's internals are almost uniformly modest. There's a single-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm CPU paired with 512MB of RAM, a fixed 16GB of storage and that limited (but pretty) 800 x 480 AMOLED display. Still, the accountants didn't get at that beautiful 8-megapixel camera, even if it is the same unit we'd seen in the N9 and Lumia 800. If you'd like to watch the handset get torn to pieces (the secret's in the SIM slot) then take a look at the video we've got for you below. Continue reading Nokia Lumia 900 teardown peeks behind that $99 price (video) Nokia Lumia 900 teardown peeks behind that $99 price (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink WMPoweruser  |  Tech Republic  | Email this | Comments Nokia Maps Suite 2.0 rolls out to Symbian devices, breaks free from beta chains Apr 4th 2012, 09:02 Symbian users haven't seen any shortage of love come their way in 2012. Just look to the 808 PureView for proof of that platform's staying power. Now, Nokia's doling out even more good news, dropping the beta tag from its Maps Suite 2.0 and officially rolling out that software to ^3, Anna and Belle handsets. For those unfamiliar with this bundle of location services, it's primarily a tidy integration of Espoo's Maps, Drive and Transport apps sewn into one, with tailored icons, enhanced UI customization, voice search and photo-tagging. Interested parties can get to downloading the currently available refresh via an OTA update on their phones now. And while you wait for that lengthy install, check out the source link below for additional shots of the packaged goods. Nokia Maps Suite 2.0 rolls out to Symbian devices, breaks free from beta chains originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink All About Symbian  |  Nokia Beta Labs  | Email this | Comments

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Microsoft 'Shopping assistant' patent could help you find Elmo, more time for the kids Apr 4th 2012, 08:01 Microsoft's just been granted a patent entitled "Shopping assistant." The claims indicate a system that generates a route to a product based on user-defined criteria (i.e. quickest, cheapest, shortest distance,) it also indicates that certain real-time conditions from participating merchants, such as stock levels, could also help determine the route. Now we're no CSI, but sounds to us like someone got fed up pounding the Mall looking for the last Buzz Lightyear, and cooked up a system to help save folk from the same pain. The problem is, we're not sure we like the idea of Windows Shopping all that much either... Microsoft 'Shopping assistant' patent could help you find Elmo, more time for the kids originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  USPTO  | Email this | Comments Sprint HTC 'Evo One' gets some in-person pics, kickstand and all Apr 4th 2012, 06:57 While the supposed HTC One series variant destined for Sprint only just broke cover in a leaked PR photo yesterday, now there's more concrete evidence of its existence in a few pics posted by Android Life. Still being referred to as the HTC Evo One, the specs listed are the same, with a 4.7-inch 720p screen, 8MP camera, Android 4.0.3 with the Sense 4.0 UI that we've already become accustomed to and that oh-so-familiar kickstand around back. According to the description, the hardware is up to the standards of HTC's other One phones, and the software is predictably running "buttery smooth". All that's left now would appear to be the official unveiling (which may only be hours away now), hit the source link for a few more close up shots. Sprint HTC 'Evo One' gets some in-person pics, kickstand and all originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  Android Life  | Email this | Comments

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Japanese researchers show off 'interactive' plants: real leaves, artificial emotions Apr 4th 2012, 06:33 Looking for a little more companionship from your household plants? Then a team of researchers from Keio University in Japan may have just the thing for you. They've developed a rather elaborate system that promises to lets plants react to you and display a variety of different emotions (see "anger," pictured above). Yes, that's a real plant sprouting up out of the box, which contains sensors and microphones that monitor its surroundings, as well as some actuators that are connected to the plant itself with some fine cords. Lest you worry about the safety of the plants themselves, the researchers say that they've had plants rigged up like this for nearly a year and none have wilted. Of course, there's no indication of a commercial version just yet, but you can get a glimpse of the current state of things in the video after the break courtesy of DigInfo TV. Continue reading Japanese researchers show off 'interactive' plants: real leaves, artificial emotions Japanese researchers show off 'interactive' plants: real leaves, artificial emotions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  DigInfo TV  | Email this | Comments TiVo Premiere updates coming with new Netflix and YouTube apps; Bay Area gets Comcast VOD Apr 4th 2012, 05:11 Waiting for your TiVo to see the upgraded Netflix and YouTube streaming apps we got a peek at during CES a few months ago? How about the ability to access Comcast's video on-demand that we've been waiting for since last year? According to tweets by Vice President of user experience Margret Smith we may see all that and more soon, as she mentioned "expecting" the Spring Update with new video streaming apps and parental controls in HD menus to roll out to Premiere and Elite DVRs this month. As far as Comcast Xfinity On Demand, the rollout is targeted to begin in the San Francisco Bay Area, with an update for DVRs there this week before the feature is turned on later this month. This shaping up to be a very interesting year for the smiley faced DVR company with new hardware still waiting in the wings, add in all these new software capabilities and TiVo looks like a winner in more than just the legal battles. [Thanks, Joe, Sebs] Gallery: TiVo's latest Netflix and YouTube interfaces TiVo Premiere updates coming with new Netflix and YouTube apps; Bay Area gets Comcast VOD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  @tivodesign (Twitter) (1)  | Email this | Comments

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