| LightSquared gets desperate, seeks regulatory changes to satisfy GPS debacle Feb 8th 2012, 01:46 If we were the betting type -- and hell, some of us really are -- we'd wager a crisp ten spot that LightSquared isn't going to assuage the FCC's concerns over those pesky GPS interference issues in the next few weeks. After previously stating that the interference test reports were rigged by GPS insiders, the upstart LTE network is now getting political with its argument and is calling on the FCC to institute new standards for GPS equipment. LightSquared contends that current GPS devices on the market are poorly designed and purposefully encroach on the company's licensed spectrum. Of course, this change would do little to remedy the millions of interference prone / (causing?) devices on the market, but LightSquared notes that, by the FCC's own admission, GPS receivers must "reasonably discriminate against the reception of signals outside their allocated spectrum." With the company's latest argument flying high atop the flagpole, it begs the question, will anybody salute? You'll find LightSquared's statement in its entirety after the break. Continue reading LightSquared gets desperate, seeks regulatory changes to satisfy GPS debacle LightSquared gets desperate, seeks regulatory changes to satisfy GPS debacle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Olympus updates its Tough lineup, intros TG-820 ruggedized shooter Feb 8th 2012, 01:00 Olympus isn't planning on staying far behind its competition in the ruggedized camera department. That's why it's taking the wraps off its TG-820. The newest addition to the Tough lineup brings along predictable traits for a shooter of its kind, such as being waterproof up to 33 feet, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof. All the "proofs" aren't the only set of features present amongst its offerings, the Tough TG-820 comes sporting a 12-megapixel, back-side illuminated CMOS sensor (compared to the 14-megapixel CCD on its predecessor), 1080p video recording capabilities, as well as a 5X optical and 4X digital zoom. Also included in the package is a 3-inch, HyperCrystal LCD, plus a plethora of shooting modes to choose from, some of which include: Panorama, Sensor-shift IS, Backlight HDR and a Pet mode. Olympus' new rugged shooter will hit shelves next month for $299, in the meantime you can pick which color best suits you by checking out the press shots below. Continue reading Olympus updates its Tough lineup, intros TG-820 ruggedized shooter Olympus updates its Tough lineup, intros TG-820 ruggedized shooter originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Olympus unveils SZ-31MR camera: 16 megapixels, 24x optical zoom Feb 8th 2012, 01:00  Japanese camera manufacturer Olympus has just introduced the successor to its SZ-30MR compact shooter. The new snapper not only sees a minimal increment on its stage name, SZ-31MR, but it also keeps the same 16-megapixel backlit sensor as its predecessor, as well as an identical 24x (25-600mm) optical zoom. Though, the newcomer does get a fresh image processor, making the jump from a TruePic III to a TruePic V, thus bringing along better low-light performance, scene enhancements and keeping high-quality shots while using the zoom feature. Amongst other traits, the device is packing a 3-inch (920,000-dot) LCD, 6400 ISO and 1080p video capture at 30fps. Olympus is also implementing a new technology dubbed iHS (Intelligent, High-Sensitivity and High-Speed), which the company claims will produce sharper and more vivid images. All this can be yours for a mere $399 this April when it's released, but if you want to know more before parting with that cash, check the pic gallery below and the PR after the break. Continue reading Olympus unveils SZ-31MR camera: 16 megapixels, 24x optical zoom Olympus unveils SZ-31MR camera: 16 megapixels, 24x optical zoom originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera preview (video) Feb 8th 2012, 01:00 Olympus has embraced the camera designs of yesteryear for several generations, from its first Micro Four Thirds models to last year's E-P3. But now the Japanese camera maker is stepping up its retro game, announcing a brand new line of Micro Four Thirds cams. Meet the OM-D. A dramatic departure from the more modern-looking PEN cameras, this new line of mirrorless models, specifically the E-M5, in many ways duplicates the design elements of the 1970s-era OM System. The first consumer camera in that SLR lineup, the OM-10, served as clear inspiration for the slightly boxy, black or silver and black magnesium alloy digital model we have today. We were able to spend some time with the Olympus E-M5 before tonight's announcement, and were very impressed with what we saw. Jump past the break for our impressions and an Olympus-guided video walkthrough, and thumb through the gallery below for a detailed look at the company's answer to the Fujifilm X-Pro1. Continue reading Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera preview (video) Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Desktop apps may run on Win8 for ARM after all... maybe Feb 8th 2012, 00:24 The issue of whether or not the ARM edition of Windows 8 will support both desktop and Metro-style apps has been pretty hazy. Some have claimed it would, others that it wont and, even when they've issued denials of the nay-sayers, Microsoft has stopped short of saying that ARM hardware would offer a desktop mode for non-Metro apps. Well, buried in a post about improving power efficiency over at MSDN blogs was a passing reference to "both desktop and Metro style apps" running on "System on Chip (SoC) architectures." Some, including the well regarded Mary Jo Foley, have read this to mean that desktop apps will indeed work on ARM-powered Windows tablets. Now, this seems to make sense since all of the SoC coverage has been focused on the powerful new RISC chips getting crammed in new slates and smartphones, and we've heard that Win8 and Windows Phone 8 will share the same kernel. But, there is one tiny wrinkle in this narrative -- Intel will have its own SoC solutions soon enough thanks to Medfield, so the passage could simply be a reference to those x86 chips. You'll find the relevant excerpt at the via link. Desktop apps may run on Win8 for ARM after all... maybe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  ZDNet |  MSDN | Email this | Comments | |
