The Daily tech news: May 20th 2010 R3,Versace phone, AT T Pre Plus unlock, WebM, WebM, Dredge ‘Net,

SlashGear The Daily tech news: May 20th 2010 May 21, 2010 at 12:55 AM Only 12 m0re days left in the month, and t0day marked a pretty loud, and impressive, announcement from Google. Of course, there's just 11 more days in the month, and that means June's getting closer and closer. And we all know what's coming in June. Tonight though, in typical Daily Slash fashion, we'll focus on what else happened out there today. First up, in the B3st of R3, we've got a rep0rt card with some pretty impressive statistics, & Versace has a new phone 0ut (it's "unique"). And then in a Dredge 'Net, Steve Jobs isn't a fan 0f WebM, the WebM looks very sleek when it's rendered, & it looks like the AT&T Pre Plus has been given an an unlock. The Best of R3 Media Android is Innovation for Everyone: There's no doubt that Android is on the rise. It's pretty much everywhere right now. (Even our TVs.) But, we're like the rest of you: we want proof. So, thankfully Google today gave us a brief run down of how they're mobile Operating System is doing. And, just to make a long story short, it's doing very well for itself. They're looking at 60 Android-compatible devices, from 21 OEMs, in 48 countries, on an unprecedented 59 different carriers. They're also selling 100,000 Android-based devices every day. So yeah, pretty good for themselves. [via Android Community] Meet the Versace Unique: We'd say say it's unique (maybe we already did), but the truth is, well, okay, maybe it is. It's manufactured from hand-crafted pure ceramic or handmade lacquers, you can choose from an 18K yellow gold finish, or having a 316L grade stainless steel inlay. On top of that, with no pun intended please, the touchscreen is protected with a single sheet of sapphire crystal. Unfortunately, the uniqueness comes to a sudden halt when you realize that LG is actually providing the software. Go check out its purple goodness, it'll definitely make your night. [via SlashPhone] The Dredge Net Steve Jobs Isn't a Fan of Google's WebM: Open source is a good thing. Just ask Google. But, not everyone wants to jump on the open-source bandwagon of the moment. Point in fact, Steve Jobs has a plan, and unfortunately for everyone who wanted Safari to start including WebM in the future, it doesn't look like it's going to happen. In a terse reply to someone brave enough to email the question to Jobs himself, Jobs basically said that WebM is weak, incomplete, and heavy with patent issues. Of course, this won't be the only thing we hear of Jobs' opinion on WebM, but it's definitely an interesting start. Stay tuned for more, certainly. [via Apple Insider] White iPhone HD gets a Nice Render: Despite the faact it's ridiculously fake, and right now there's not even a slightest bit of confirmation that the iPhone HD in white even exists, but that didn't stop someone from setting it up in a three-dimensional render, and showing it off to the world. And for that, we thank them. Because, if the iPhone HD in white actually looks like this, consider us a little bit more sold on the hardware. We don't have long to wait, so let's hold tight, and see what Apple announces here in a few short weeks. [via Mac Stories] The AT&T Palm Pre Plus Gets Unlocked: It's brought to you by the NextGenServer SIM unlock method that broke cover last month. And, just as we've seen with any other unlocked phone showing up here in the States, you'll be able to use the AT&T Palm Pre Plus with T-Mobile USA, or TELUS up there in Canada. However, don't expect 3G speeds if you're using it on T-Mobile. Go crazy with your 3G downloads if you find yourself on TELUS, though. The unlock costs $37, so figure it out for yourself if that's worth it to you. [via PreCentral] Relevant Entries on SlashGear SlashGear Guns N' Roses feud reportedly turns nasty Verizon LG Ally detailed: Android 2.1 on May 20th Ebay : Name Our Baby Girl Due September 20th, 2006 Xbox 360 USB storage update arrives today New video of Guitar Hero III – Face off against Slash Apple iPhone HD gets Colorful Cases from China May 20, 2010 at 3:13 PM As far as accessories & their manufacturers go, mobile devices from Apple are probably the most lucrative business to be part of. Because of that reason alone, we shouldn't be surprised at all that there's some forward-thinking companies around the world, getting ready for the impending launch of a new iPhone very, very soon. Although, if you look closely enough, these very colorful cases offer a few clues, or perhaps confirmations, of what's to come. These cases were sent to Hardmac from one of their sources over there in China. Apparently, manufacturer Shenzhen Soonleader Electronic Co. is ramping up some production of these iPhone HD cases. As you can see from the images, there's definitely some room being made next to the camera for what we assume will be a flash (just as we've seen before). And, perhaps a bit more convincingly, there's some space cut out on the sides for the new hardware buttons that the iPhone HD is apparently going to introduce. Now, these could be some very intuitive designers over in China, just going off the images that they've seen leaked all over the place. Or, this could very well indeed be yet another nail in Apple's iPhone HD coffin, giving some more proof of what the body is going to look like. Very interesting, to say the least. Though, it's not like we have long to wait before the official announcement. [via Mac Rumors] Relevant Entries on SlashGear China Unicom sell just 5,000 iPhones in opening weekend Fabrix Cases fit new and old iPhones The Color Series for iPhone 3G owners Pink accessories ! to make your iPhone chick-friendly iPhone 4th-gen "midboard" on sale at Chinese retailer? Google Teams With Sony, Logitech, DISH Network, and Intel to Bring Google TV to Best Buy May 20, 2010 at 2:27 PM Google TV, according to those invested in the project, is going to bring you the next generation of TV. Basically, that means it's going to be bigger than big. Some might even say huge. And with partners like these, we imagine that Google may be right in their assumption. Of course, we've detailed Google TV for you already, but it never hurts to bring you the full press release, now does it? As you already know, Google TV is a way that brings your TV, and your Web, together in one, logical place, running on Android 2.1. With intuitive navigation, both with a remote and keyboard, you're able to utilize Google's Quick Search Bar to find whatever it is your looking for swiftly, and quickly access the content you want on the fly. And if you've got a DVR hooked up to the rig, you'll be able to easily program a show to record, right from the Quick Search. Partnering with Sony, DISH Network, Logitech, Intel, and Best Buy means that Google has every base covered with their Google TV introduction. The whole set up is supposed to be ready to go this Fall. Yes, in 2010, with full open source code ready for developers by the Summer of 2011. Being able to search the Web while you watch TV, and in a way that's not necessarily obtrusive to your viewing pleasure, means that many people out there are going to integrate their devices for the best possible experience. With the TV, satellite box, and down to the very processor powering the whole ordeal streamlined to make that experience better, we look forward to seeing Google TV in action, in our living room. Press Release: Google, Intel, Logitech and Sony Join Together to Deliver Google TV Platform DISH Network, Best Buy, Adobe to Support Bringing Devices to Market SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (May 20, 2010) – Today at the Google I/O developer conference in San Francisco, leading industry players announced the development of Google TV – an open platform that adds the power of the web to the television viewing experience, ushering in a new category of devices for the living room. Intel, Sony, and Logitech, together with Best Buy, DISH Network and Adobe, joined Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) on stage to announce their support for Google TV. Over the past decade, the Internet has created unprecedented opportunity for innovation and development across the world, but so far the web has largely been absent from living rooms. With Google TV, consumers will now be able to search and watch an expanded universe of content available from a variety of sources including TV providers, the web, their personal content libraries, and mobile applications. Search across TV, Web, and Apps Google TV is based on the Android platform and runs the Google Chrome web browser. Users can access all of their usual TV channels as well as a world of Internet and cloud-based information and applications, including rich Adobe® Flash based content – all from the comfort of their own living room and with the same simplicity as browsing the web. When coupled with the Intel® Atom™ processor CE4100, Intel's latest system-on-a-chip designed specifically for consumer electronics, the new platform will offer home theatre quality A/V performance. Sony and Logitech said they would be delivering products based on the new Intel Atom processor and running Google TV later this year. While Google TV is designed to work with any TV operator, at launch the user experience will be fully optimized when paired with DISH Network. Google TV expands video choice from the hundreds of channels available today through a pay TV provider to the vast storehouse of video content available through the web and streaming videos. The Google TV experience is complemented by the ability to watch streaming video from leading content platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, and YouTube. Google TV will also have the capability to run apps from the Android Market. To navigate the array of content that will now be available through a single device and on a single screen, Google TV introduces an integrated search experience to help viewers easily find relevant content across over-the-air and pay-TV channel listings, DVR, and the Internet, as well as a picture-in-picture layout to access multiple windows simultaneously. Google TV also features an innovative home screen to help viewers quickly organize their favorite content and personalize their TV viewing experience. Some of these features are only available with advanced integration from DISH Network. Broad Alliance of Industry Leaders Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman and CEO said, "We are very proud to be working with this distinguished set of partners, all of whom have decades of experience in hardware, design and retail." Sony announced plans to introduce "Sony Internet TV," the World's first TV lineup incorporating the Google TV platform. The first models are planned to be introduced in the U.S. market in the Fall of 2010 with the lineup featuring both a standalone TV model and set top box-type unit incorporating a Blu-ray Disc drive. Howard Stringer, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Corporation said, "I am delighted to announce the unique alignment of Google's rapidly growing, open source Android platform with Sony's unparalleled expertise in the field of TV design and technology. The addition of 'Sony Internet TV' will further bolster Sony's comprehensive TV lineup and will fuse new levels of enjoyment and interactivity into the TV experience." Logitech will introduce a companion box that brings Google TV to existing HDTV home entertainment systems, easily integrating with any brand of HDTV and set-top box. The companion box will incorporate Logitech's Harmony® remote control technology, and will include a controller that combines keyboard and remote control capabilities. The company also has plans to introduce an HDTV camera and video chat for Google TV, along with additional choices for navigation and control, including apps to turn a smart phone into an advanced controller for Google TV and home-entertainment systems. Gerald Quindlen, President and CEO, Logitech said, "We committed to Google TV early on because it aligns with our strategy to support open platforms that enable new immersive experiences in the digital living room. While Google TV enables seamless discovery of all your content, Logitech enables seamless control over how you experience that content. We look forward to continued collaboration with Google and the developer community to create new Google TV experiences that have yet to be imagined." The Intel Atom CE4100 processor will power both the Logitech and Sony devices. Paul Otellini, Intel President and CEO praised the collaborative effort and said TV as we know it was being "reinvented." "Today marks the next step in the evolution of TV to Smart TV. TV's are becoming smarter as a result of the microprocessor and the Internet. Traditional TV programming will be merged seamlessly with the infinite amount of content on the Internet to enable every viewer to determine what they want to watch, when they want it. This is Moore's Law transforming television, powered by the performance of Intel microprocessors." DISH Network has been a key partner with Google on advanced integration development for Google TV. The two partners began a joint trial over a year ago with more than 400 DISH Network and Google beta users. Based on the continuous feedback from the trial, Google and DISH Network have built the optimized Google TV experience that seamlessly integrates traditional TV, DVR and web content. Charlie Ergen, Chairman, President and CEO of DISH Network, said, "Google TV marks the next evolution in television, and we are excited to be the first to partner with Google to bring this experience to our customers. Only DISH Network Google TV customers will be able to enjoy a unified search across TV, DVR and web; easily find related content; and manage their entire TV viewing experience. Additionally, the advanced integration will allow developers to create new and exciting applications to enrich the TV viewing experience." Best Buy will bring their retail experience and consumer expertise to the project, with Google TV devices being sold at Best Buy locations nationwide later this year. "Every day, our 180,000 Blue Shirt store employees and Geek Squad Agents work with our customers to get them the best home theater experience possible", said Brian Dunn, CEO Best Buy, "We are thrilled about the new and exciting experiences smart TVs, like Google TV, provide to our customers – and we are looking forward to showcasing those experiences in our store and ensuring customers get connected to all the products and services that bring those experiences to life." Finally, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 will be integrated directly into the Google Chrome browser on Google TV, enabling viewers to experience tens of millions of web pages with rich Flash content including games, animations, applications, videos, audio and more. Shantanu Narayen, President and CEO, Adobe said, "An open web ecosystem offers endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. Flash Player 10.1 extends the advantages of full web browsing and consistent, rich experiences to smartphones, tablets, netbooks and Internet-connected TVs. We're thrilled to be part of the Google TV initiative with other industry leaders who share a common vision of enabling access to the best web experiences possible." Opportunity for Developers The demonstration at I/O highlighted the unique opportunity developers have to help shape the future of Google TV. Today Google announced that they would soon release a set of TV specific APIs for web applications, encouraging web developers to begin building unique web applications for use on television sets. Later this year Google will also release an updated Android SDK, which will support applications built for Google TV. Google also plans to open source the Google TV platform to help spur innovation in the industry and so that other developers can benefit from the project. The long term goal is to collaborate with the entire developer community to help drive entertainment in the living room forward and to introduce the next generation of TV-watching experience. For more information about the project visit google.com/tv. About Google Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. About Intel Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com. About Logitech Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech's combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). About Sony Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $78 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/ Relevant Entries on SlashGear Sony TVs with Intel tech and Google software coming next month Google teams up with Sprint for WiMAX network Google "Smart TV" platform tipped for I/O with Intel Atom CPUs Google TV gets official [Video] Google optimizes Google Reader for Wii Google release Android 2.2 Froyo SDK for devs May 20, 2010 at 1:41 PM Android developer? Itching to get your hands on the Android 2.2 Froyo SDK? Run, don't walk, to the Android Developers site (currently pretty sluggish, be warned) where you can now download the new SDK complete with APIs for all the shiny new functionality announced at Google IO today. On offer is an 18MB core download, onto which you can then bolt individual packages catering for different Android OS releases. Versions all the way back to Android OS 1.5 are available, or you can shun the older devices and just focus on the 2.x builds. [via Android Community] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Android 2.2 Froyo in testing; Google I/O release tipped Next Android flavor? Froyo (aka frozen yogurt) Next Android version codename revealed, "Gingerbread" WiFi tethering spotted in Android 2.2 Froyo WebM tip Android "Gingerbread" coming in Q4 2010 YouTube Lean Back for Google TV outed, plus auto-translation subtitles May 20, 2010 at 1:19 PM YouTube have jumped on board with Google TV, introducing YouTube Lean Back, a custom feed of streaming videos that can be set up from the desktop and then fed into a user profile viewed on your HDTV. Viewers will also be able to subscribe to other channels from users they follow, together with seeing the general categories, all in a useful living room friendly UI. As well as YouTube Lean Back there's also a new NBA streaming app system and an update to Google Listen in the shape of Listen & Read. The latter allows for podcasts – whether audio or HD video – directly accessed on your television. There's also integration with Google's language services, allowing for instantaneous subtitle creation translated from the broadcast language to whichever other language you'd prefer (and that Google support. More details on Google TV here, and you can sign up for more info at google.com/tv. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Google "translator phone" project promises real-time translation Google in Talks to Acquire YouTube Google Talk – Expanding our language skills on its own Check out Liberty City in Google Maps GooTube slapped with lawsuit by English Premier League Google TV gets official May 20, 2010 at 12:42 PM Google have, as expected, announced Google TV. Claiming that people watch on average 5hrs of TV per day, and that there are 4bn TV users worldwide, Google have added search functionality to the TV experience. In a demonstration punctuated with technical problems, as the Bluetooth keyboard refused to hook up to the Google TV box, the Google IO team showed how viewers would be able to search for channels or for specific programs via an on-screen search box, overlaid on top of whatever was being fed from the cable TV tuner box. It's also possible to set a timed DVR recording direct from the UI. Type in a search query, however, for a show and you can also see online content as well as what's available through broadcast TV. For instance, a search for House brought up Amazon, Hulu and Netflix results, including options to stream content as well as buy it on DVD, and you can browse to the websites without having to change inputs on the HDTV itself. Google have worked with Amazon and Netflix to integrated things like the Netflix Instant Queue directly into the Google TV interface. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Official Google Phone supposedly spotted again: launch "a certainty" Google pushes Android mobiles for China back Official Google Phone confirmed for early 2010? The G-Phone from HTC? Google charges additional ETF if you cancel contract early Android 2.2 Froyo gets remote app installs & iTunes streaming May 20, 2010 at 12:33 PM Google have boosted Android's streaming functionality, including the ability to not only choose apps from the Android Market through a desktop browser interface and then installing them to your device OTA, but also wireless music streaming from a home media store to an Android device. The latter works on the technology Google acquired when they bought Simplify Media. In the demonstration, Google showed a full media library and then, with a simple tap of "push all", making that music available to the mobile device. The library could then be browsed on the smartphone and played over the wireless network. There are still questions, like whether it can be used over 3G as well as WiFi, but it all looks very user friendly. Meanwhile the Android Market gets a new music tab which can be used to install audio. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Next Android flavor? Froyo (aka frozen yogurt) WiFi tethering spotted in Android 2.2 Froyo Android 2.2 Froyo in testing; Google I/O release tipped Next Android version codename revealed, "Gingerbread" WebM tip Android "Gingerbread" coming in Q4 2010 Flash Goes Mobile – First Take May 20, 2010 at 12:16 PM It's been a long time coming but it's here at last. Flash has finally made the transition to the mobile screen. First and foremost, while the Apple/Adobe debate about Flash goes on, I'm going to ignore that issue here. At the end of the day, Apple customers will either view this as important or not and Apple will respond or not. For the last few days I've been testing a build of Flash 10.1 that Adobe calls pre-beta on a Google Nexus One running the newest build of Android, 2.2 (also known as Froyo). (I find the pre-beta naming to be a little strange, isn't pre-beta really just Alpha? but I digress). First, the specs for running Flash on Android are clear. This is a Froyo-or-above platform. Until your device gets the latest Android release, forget running Flash. Second, Hulu isn't going to work. I bring this up because Hulu is the poster child for Flash applications users want to run. To be clear, Hulu not running has nothing to do with how well Flash runs on Android. Hulu, at this moment in time, only has the legal right to run on PC screens. In an age of connected screens, I realize this makes little sense but that's the way it is. No Hulu mobile for now. Overall, my experience with Flash on Android was pretty good. Sites that did use Flash loaded relatively quickly and effortlessly. It was fun to surf to a site and not get an error message because Flash was being used. In general, the less Flash heavy the site, the better experience and performance but if you're using a Flash enabled site, for the most part, what the web designer intended is what you'll experience. Performance worked well and sites loaded quickly and fairly complex animations and user experiences worked quickly and looked good. I didn't spend enough time to gauge battery life implications but for the most part didn't see much degraded performance or battery life as a result of running Flash. Adobe has done a good job making the case that Flash is viable for mobile. The longer term question is, does it matter? It's great to see a more complete web experience on mobile devices but it's never going to be fully complete. Let's face it, most web sites were designed for large screen PC monitors and navigated with mice and keyboards. Even as the PC desktop moves more and more to web based applications, mobile is different. Rich applications are far more important than web browsing. Do you use Twitter on a mobile device? If so, I'll bet that you use a native application for your phone rather than the Twitter website. Even Google is creating rich, native application and service experiences for Android as opposed to just pushing web applications. In a world of native client, rich applications, the ability to run Flash is simply less critical than it might have been in times past. At the end of the day, developers will be a key factor. With ten mobile platforms vying for attention and ten not a sustainable number long term, many developers may look at Flash as a way of leveraging their code and IP to a larger number of platforms without making a strategic bet on the success of any one of them. After weeks of rhetoric, Adobe has answered the mobile Flash challenge with a solid demonstration on the technology viability on mobile, notably Android. Developers and users now will make the final call about whether Flash is important enough for them as they make their development and purchase decisions. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Adobe's New Flash Lite to Support More Phones Adobe: No Flash 10.1 until Windows Phone 7 Upcoming Flash Player 10.1 for Nexus One Flash on the iPhone – What Adobe should have said, was nothing Anti-Flash movement building as sites court mobile users? Android 2.2 Froyo gets official May 20, 2010 at 12:10 PM Google have officially announced Android 2.2 Froyo, the latest version of their open-source smartphone OS. As expected, Android 2.2 includes WiFi tethering for sharing a 3G connection on an Android phone with another device – Vic Gundotra used an iPad on-stage at Google IO together with a significant speed boost. There's also full Flash support, though Hulu are blocking mobile use. Browsing speed is also boosted, with a new Javascript engine that speeds things up by 2-3x. There's also improved support for HTML5, which adds support for accelerometer, camera and speech input in webapps. Meanwhile, there's a new speech recognition system that can recognize complex phrases like "pictures of Barack Obama with the French president at the G8 summit" and "pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset" and have instant searching. It also works for voice dialling, intelligently opening up the dialler, and the API can be accessed by web-apps: Google demonstrated a webapp that automatically recognizes spoken phrases and translates them into foreign languages. Apps can now be saved to the SD card, with Android 2.2 automatically choosing whether to use internal or memory card storage, though users can also override that. There's a new "Update all" option in the Android Market, and you can set individual apps to update themselves automatically. Meanwhile a new bug report system can be integrated to make reporting faults to developers more straightforward. Finally you'll be able to browse apps online and install them to your device OTA. Finally, there's Flash support, with Gundotra saying that Flash is an integral part of the online experience: "It turns out that on the internet, people use Flash!" For more on Flash, check out Michael Gartenberg's hands-on report. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Next Android flavor? Froyo (aka frozen yogurt) WiFi tethering spotted in Android 2.2 Froyo Android 2.2 Froyo in testing; Google I/O release tipped Verizon LG Ally gets unboxed, played with Next Android version codename revealed, "Gingerbread" HTC EVO 4G first-impressions [unboxing video] May 20, 2010 at 12:06 PM The HTC EVO 4G has landed, and considering it's one of the most eagerly anticipated Android smartphones of the year, it has a lot to live up to. Packing a 4.3-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen, like its HTC HD2 cousin, together with Android 2.1 with HTC Sense, an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, both 3G EVDO Rev.A and WiMAX, and 720p HD video recording with an HDMI port, even the spec sheet is enough to prompt uncontrollable drooling. First-impressions count with a smartphone like this, so check out our unboxing and hands-on feedback after the cut. Like the HD2, the EVO 4G isn't a small handset. At around 13mm thick it's a little chubbier than the HD2 – likely a side-effect of fitting in the WiMAX radio and all the other boosted features – but both have the same huge expanse of screen that adds up to quite a dominating phone. Screen quality is bright, crisp, color-rich and generally excellent, and the touchscreen is responsive. Meanwhile, unlike the occasionally temperamental buttons under the display, the EVO 4G's controls are far easier to hit and we haven't found ourselves having to tap multiple times in order for it to register. In the box there's not exactly a torrent of accessories to be found, bar the usual HTC USB charger, a USB to microUSB cable for both power and data connections, an 8GB microSD card and a 1,500mAh battery, along with the usual scant printed documentation. Most conspicuous by its absence is an HDMI cable, doubly-frustrating since the EVO 4G has a smaller micro-HDMI port; we can't imagine many owners will have cables to fit. The 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor keeps things moving as swiftly as we've come to expect, and Android 2.1 gets the usual out-of-the-box appeal from HTC Sense. As on the HD2, HTC's own keyboard – complete with predictive text and auto-completion – is eminently usable even in portrait orientation, thanks to the expansive display. Meanwhile network speed is also more than satisfying; we're working on more in-depth testing of what WiMAX coverage we can find, but first impressions are that webpages load at more like desktop speeds than what we're used to from 3G. Of course, we'll be putting the HTC EVO 4G through its paces in the full SlashGear review very soon, so stay tuned for that. Meanwhile, Sprint and Radio Shack have stepped up with official pricing for the phone: you can preorder it now for $199.99 with a new, two-year agreement. Unboxing Sprint EVO 4G / hands-on Relevant Entries on SlashGear Verizon LG Versa & T-Mobile Samsung Memoir get video unboxings Nokia N97 video unboxing & first-impressions HTC Magic unboxing gallery and video Sleek Audio Custom earphones: Video Unboxing Acer Liquid A1 gets twin video unboxings Google take swipe at "draconian" Apple May 20, 2010 at 11:52 AM The second keynote of Google IO 2010 has opened, and Vic Gundotra has kicked off the show with a few digs at Apple and some impressive specs about the Android platform. Describing Andy Rubin's original attitude to Android's open-source nature as a strike against "draconian" platforms where one company and one device controls the future. Later, when talking about Android 2.2 "Froyo"'s new cloud to device API, Gundotra suggested that it was fully integrated with the OS, rather than "a bolted on mutlitasking system", a swipe at Apple's tardy introduction of multitasking in iPhone OS 4.0. As for the statistics, Google is apparently registering 100,000 new Android devices every day, has 21 OEMs involved and availability in 48 countries on 59 carriers. There are 50,000 apps from 180,000 developers. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Google add Live Wallpaper & Latitude widget to Maps for Mobile 4.1 Google worth slightly less than Apple Google Earth is now available for Android 2.1 Next-gen iPhone may be equipped with camera-based swipe controls Android vs. iPhone – a battle royal of SDKs Qbo adorable open-source robot detailed May 20, 2010 at 11:39 AM Could it be love at first sight? As soon as I saw his tubby little body and wide eyes, I knew I had to make him mine. No, not my clandestine and short-lived love affair with Elton John, but the Qbo robot. Having teased us with an open-source ethos and design schematics, project lead TheCorpora have followed up with some proper details about what this DIY 'bot should do. That includes stereoscopic high-def webcam vision in a moveable head, complete with three microphones and even motorized eyelids. Meanwhile the base section has various ultrasonic and infrared sensors, a status display, stereo speakers and the brains of the Qbo, a Mini-ITX board with Intel Atom CPU and NVIDIA Ion graphics. Altogether that supports stereoscopic vision, speech recognition and synthesis, and object avoidance, with the 'bot using WiFi and Bluetooth to communicate. Being a big robot geek I'm really looking forward to seeing this project grow; who knows, maybe I'll retrieve my spanner set from Elton and make one myself. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Qbo open-source robot wants to be Ford Model T of 'bots Qbo Robot Gets Detailed Schematics Along with Current Set of Skills Apple's High Tech SIM Card Replacement Tools Eudora Mail Goes Open Source in 2007 Symbian OS goes open source June 2nd launch for T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide May 20, 2010 at 11:21 AM If you've been desperately waiting for the T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide to arrive (what, really?) then you'll be ecstatic to hear that the carrier has confirmed the QWERTY Android smartphone will drop on June 2nd. Priced at $179.99 – following a wretched $50 mail-in rebate – and requiring a new, two-year agreement (with both voice and data), the myTouch 3G Slide will be available in red, black or white. Your money gets you Android 2.1 on a 3.4-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, along with a hardware QWERTY keyboard, dualband 3G UMTS/HSPA, WiFi b/g, quadband GSM and Bluetooth. On the back there's a 5-megapixel autofocus camera, while storage is courtesy of a bundled 8GB microSD card. An optical joystick shares button space with a new "Genius Button", that automatically triggers the Android voice recognition system or reads your SMS messages out loud. Meanwhile there's also Swype pre-loaded for touchscreen text entry. More details here. [via Android Community] Relevant Entries on SlashGear T-Mobile to retire Sidekick; replace with myTouch Slide? QWERTY T-Mobile myTouch Slide spotted T-Mobile Sidekicks pulled: the end is nigh? T-Mobile myTouch 3G! is the US HTC Magic RadioShack now offering T-Mobile myTouch 3G Wikitude Drive AR sat-nav app for Android hits beta [Video] May 20, 2010 at 10:50 AM Wikitude have announced the first beta of their augmented reality PND app for Android smartphones, Wikitude Drive, which overlays directions and guidance information on top of a live view of the road ahead. Available in the Android Market today from 10am PST – though only for 2,000 downloads – Wikitude Drive is, the company reckons, safer than a standard PND because even when you're looking at the display, you're also seeing what's happening in front of your car. Video demo after the cut Both AR and standard 3D maps are available, with worldwide coverage courtesy of NAVTEQ mapping data, and both modes support voice guidance prompts. Both driving and walking directions are supported. Wikitude will be making the Wikitude Drive beta available in the US Android Market from 10am PST today, but it'll only be available for the first 2,000 people to download it. No word on when the full version of the app – which we're presuming Wikitude will be charging for – might emerge. [via Android Community] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Android 1.6 phones get Google Maps Navigation beta T-Mobile G1 gets Android 2.1 custom ROM [Video] Google Maps Navigation hack blocked outside of US Fake Lich King Beta invites going around NZXT Beta steel mid-tower case announced Just5 CP11 senior phone gets screen-popping gimmick [Video] May 20, 2010 at 10:36 AM Just because you're a senior citizen, it doesn't mean you don't want some Matrix-style screen popping action in your cellphone. Just5 have announced their third super-simple cellphone, the CP11, and it takes the big button interface to its logical conclusion. Rather than the squashed display of previous Just5 models, a squeeze of the CP11 causes the sizeable monochrome LCD to pop out. Video demo after the cut That means it still fits in your (admittedly largish) pocket, but you also get the benefit of huge numbers and on-screen graphics. In fact it's a 2.2-inch panel, versus the 1.6-inch display on the CP10, and the CP11 comes with a docking cradle for easy recharging too. On the back there's an SOS button that can be programmed to call whichever number you'd prefer, there's a loudspeaker function, and even the user guide is printed in a large font. No word on pricing as yet, but it's expected to arrive in Russia in Q3 2010 and then North America, Europe and Asia sometime after that. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Microsoft Surface in ATT stores – Gimmick or Tool? New Sony Ericsson phone hopes to light up your life Sony Ericsson XPERIA Pureness clear-screen cellphone gets video demo LG KU990 NYX Chocolate Phone video – The next Prada phone? AR iPhone 3GS app for Orange Israel [Video] Acer Aspire Timeline 1825PT convertible touchscreen ultraportable gets official May 20, 2010 at 9:20 AM Acer have finally got around to officially acknowledging the Aspire Timeline 1825PT, their latest convertible touchscreen notebook. Packing an 11.6-inch multitouch 1366 x 768 display, choice of Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 or Pentium SU4100 processors and up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, the Timeline 1825PT can manage up to 8hrs of runtime, so Acer reckon, from its 6-cell, 5,600mAh battery. Of course, we're no strangers to the Timeline 1825PT, having first heard about the convertible notebook back in March 2010 and then seen it unboxed last month. Connectivity includes three USB 2.0, both HDMI and VGA ports, audio in/out, gigabit ethernet and a multiformat memory card reader; there's also WiFi a/b/g or a/b/g/n and optional Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and 3G WWAN. It's apparently on sale now, priced from £599.99 ($858). Relevant Entries on SlashGear Acer Aspire 1825PTZ convertible ultraportable gets unboxed Acer Aspire Timeline 1820p multitouch Windows 7 tablet leaks Acer Aspire 1820PT Timeline multitouch Win7 ultraportable gets official Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T CULV notebook gets official Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T ultraportable: netbook style, CULV hardware HP producing flexible watchphones for US army May 20, 2010 at 8:48 AM Watch-phones may teeter on the border between awesome and awful, but HP's latest project for the US military sounds like it might definitely fall into the former category. The company is apparently creating a custom next-generation watch that has – inevitably – been internally nicknamed the "Dick Tracy watch", and will use a new flexible display that can show maps and other strategic information while on the battlefield. The flexible plastic display panels will be combined with similarly-flexible printed solar cells, providing the super-frugal screens with power without needing to install huge, cumbersome batteries. HP have been developing the printable display technology for the past ten years, eventually coming up with machinery that can lay down a mixture of transistors, acids and metal coatings onto a 50 micron-thick plastic layer. HP reckon the displays will eventually show up in consumer technology such as laptops and ereaders, though the first uses could be in stores as dynamically adjustable pricing labels on shelves. Meanwhile the US army watches are expected to hit prototype stage within a year, in time for a small-scale trial. [via Slashdot] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Secret-agent earphones are tougher than the Feds The US Army is using 360 controllers for their SUGV's The Swiss Army knife of card readers PETEC printed electronics facility kick-starts UK production ITRI showing off new flexible displays Samsung Wave S8500 hits Vodafone UK June 1st May 20, 2010 at 8:24 AM Vodafone UK have thrown their hat into the bada ring and announced that they are taking preorders for the Samsung Wave S8500. Priced from free on a new contract, the Wave S8500 will arrive on June 1st 2010 complete with a 3.3-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 5-megapixel autofocus camera and a 1GHz processor. Samsung are pushing bada as their new "smartphone for the common man" platform, which means you get an app store together with all the expected social networking integration from a smartphone, but a more affordable price. We grabbed some hands-on time with the Wave S8500 back at MWC 2010 and, despite our initial skepticism about bada's positioning, came away impressed by the handset itself. The Wave S8500 will be free on new Vodafone contracts priced £25 per month or above, assuming you're willing to sign up for two years. Samsung Wave S8500 hands-on: Press Release: Vodafone UK Opens Pre-Order for Samsung Wave New bada platform set to land on the UK's best network Vodafone UK customers can now pre-order the stunning Samsung Wave, the first handset to run on the new bada software platform, and Samsung's next generation, ultra responsive touchscreen smartphone. The Samsung Wave will be available for free on a £25, 24 month price plan, including 300 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB of mobile data. The new device is the latest addition to a great range of smartphones available to Vodafone customers, including the Google Nexus One, HTC Desire, Apple iPhone and the Sony Ericsson X10. The Samsung Wave features an incredible stunning 3.3" Super AMOLED screen, and uses Samsung's HD TV technology to deliver crisp, rich images in the palm of your hand. And all of this functionality is delivered by a speedy 1GHz processor to give you a seamless experience. Through bada, the Samsung Wave offers great customisable features to allow you to adapt the phone to suit your requirements. Using the TouchWiz feature, for example, you can personalise multiple home screens with your favourite shortcuts and menus to get quicker access to the things you need most. You can also access Samsung Apps, the dedicated bada app store, giving you even more opportunities to customise your handset. Use the Social Hub to integrate SMS, IM and your favourite social networks into on place, bringing you and your friends even closer. In addition, bada supports a huge variety of features, such as Flash and in-app purchasing, to make the Samsung Wave both versatile and great fun to use. Customers purchasing the Samsung Wave on Vodafone will also receive a voucher for a free Vodafone McLaren Mercedes rucksack, which they can redeem online. For more information and to order the device ahead of its launch on 1 June, click here: http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/samsung-wave Relevant Entries on SlashGear Samsung Wave S8500 gets Euro 3G certification ahead of April 2010 launch? Samsung bada SDK open to all Samsung Wave S8500 gets previewed Samsung F700 ! aka the Vodafone Croix Reviewed Vodafone gears up for Christmas – Unveils Handset Lineup and Music Service New Wiimote RVL-036 clears FCC; integrated MotionPlus? May 20, 2010 at 8:16 AM Nintendo have pushed a new Wiimote controller for their Wii console through the FCC, though it's unclear what functional changes the new model will bring. Listed as model RVL-036, the diagram makes it clear that this is indeed a Wiimote but the confidentiality request locks up any live photos or the user manual until November 7th 2010. The most obvious possibility, of course, is that Nintendo have integrated their MotionPlus technology into the new controller. Currently available as a snap-on accessory, MotionPlus increases Wiimote accuracy in certain games that support the system. Alternatively it could simply be a different design of internal hardware, with manufacturer Hon Hai Industries (aka Foxconn) streamlining the build process so as to save money on each controller produced. We'll have to wait until later in the year to find out for sure. [via Engadget] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Nintendo MotionPlus to ship June 8th Nintendo facing delay on Wii MotionPlus? Wii MotionPlus now shipping; modders rubbing hands in anticipation Nintendo Wii MotionPlus gets July release Nintendo: Wii MotionPlus can't be delayed, launch was never official Huawei SmaKit S7 Android MID capable of 720p HD [Video] May 20, 2010 at 7:51 AM As we said about Aigo's E500 Android MID earlier this week, the reason the Huawei SmaKit S7 has us so intrigued is because Huawei themselves have already brought Android-based devices to market. The metal-bodied SmaKit S7 runs Android 2.1 Eclair and, while its exact processor is unknown, is capable of smooth 720p HD video playback according to zol.com.cn. Video demo after the cut There's also a 7-inch WVGA touchscreen – resistive in this pre-production unit, but apparently a capacitive screen will be on offer when it goes on sale – microSD card slot, USIM slot for the integrated voice/data model and a 2,200mAh battery. Huawei have modified the basic Android 2.1 UI with their own more finger-friendly interface, and from the video below it looks pretty slick. Of course, there's no telling when – or even if – the SmaKit S7 will go on sale outside of China, but we're keeping our fingers crossed since it would be nice to see some more competition for the Dell Streak. At 0.6-inches thick it's certainly bag-friendly. [via Pocketables] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Huawei Android devices hitting T-Mobile in Q3 2009? T-Mobile Pulse: Huawei Android smartphone hitting UK prepay ODROID Android handheld gets HD TV/gaming video demo Tiny Vodafone 845 Android 2.1 phone spotted T-Mobile Pulse aka Huawei 8220 up for preorder WebM tip Android "Gingerbread" coming in Q4 2010 May 20, 2010 at 7:32 AM WebM isn't just bringing us open streaming video support; thanks to its fastidious FAQ it's also letting us know when the next version of the Android OS is due. The Android "Gingerbread" release is apparently expected to drop in Q4 2010, bringing with it WebM support; however we don't yet know what release version it will be – both Android 2.3 and Android 3.0 have been suggested – nor what other functionality will be included. WebM is an open-source video system based on the VP8 video codec and Ogg Vorbis audio. It's the new format-of-choice for YouTube, and multiple hardware and software companies have announced support for it. More details here. Of course, we're waiting for Android 2.2 to get its official launch, something expected to take place at Google IO this morning. That's believed to include native tethering support and a significant speed boost, among other things. [via Android Community] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Next Android version codename revealed, "Gingerbread" Google Announces WebM Open-Source Video Format Samsung may drop Windows Mobile for Android Michael Dell says (again) Dell phone is coming in 2010, and may use platforms other than Android RAmos W7 Android MID snapped again Self Supporting Shelf is simple, elegant, and needs to be built May 20, 2010 at 7:31 AM I know that I have often wished I had more shelves in my closet, especially in the closet where I tend to keep all the electronic junk I collect. I tend to just pile the stuff on the floor until the door won't shut, then it migrates to the garage before finally being given away. The problem with adding more shelves is that I would have to go get some wood and nail the shelf into the closet wall, which is a pain. A new concept shelf from a designer named Sam Drury is so simple that I can't believe it's not already available. The thing is an extendable shelf that wedges itself in the closet by pressing on each side. You can extend the shelf to fit different sizes and it can be removed just as easily as it is installed. This would mean no cutting hammering, or drilling. This thing could be great for people wanting more storage without much effort, assuming the concept could be brought to market cheaply enough. Relevant Entries on SlashGear CES 2008 : Elegant TV rack with high quality 2.1 Speaker system The Skateboard Speaker Shelf for your iPod The New Apple .Mac Webmail Ajaxified! Slip-In Cup Holder – Organize your cabinets in one step Mood Light Shelf Bang & Olufsen debut BeoVision 8 40-inch HDTV in US May 20, 2010 at 7:22 AM One of the most expensive and highest-end brands in the home theater market is Bang & Olufsen. The company makes some of the most expensive home theater gear you will find today. Last time we spoke about the company's HDTV sets it was for the debut of the new BeoVision 10-46 46-inch HDTV. B&O today have unveiled another new HDTV in the BeoVision line called the BeoVision 8. The set is a 40-inch unit with a 240Hz refresh rate to reduce motion blur and provide a sharper and clearer image. The set also has dynamic contrast, but B&O is mum on hard specs for the unit. B&O is known for their sound systems and speakers and they put a nice sound system into the BeoVision 8 HDTV. The set has a down firing bass speaker and front firing units for clear speech in movies and TV shows. The set will land at Bang & Olufsen retail locations this summer for $5400, which is a low price for the company. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Bang & Olufsen unveils $18k BeoVision 7-55 55-inch TV Bang & Olufsen reveals 46-inch BeoVision 10-46 LCD Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 8: 40″ 1080p HDTV Bang & Olufsen offer luxury 103-inch plasma B&O Video Tour Best Buy offers laptop and Xbox 360 bundle for graduation May 20, 2010 at 7:09 AM Graduation is here for thousands of high school students across the country and many parents are scrambling to find a great gift to give for the occasion and get the student ready for college this fall. Best Buy has announced a new gift bundle that will be perfect for any graduate. The bundle gives a notebook and an Xbox 360 Arcade game console for $200 less than buying both devices separately. The Xbox 360 Arcade system is the same one we have been seeing for a long time now with no games or accessories included. The shopper has two options on the notebook. You can choose a Toshiba Satellite E205-S1904 or the Dell Studio s15z-2249CPN. The Toshiba machine has a 14-inch screen, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB HDD and uses an Intel Core i5 CPU. The Dell machine has a 15.6-inch screen and offers the same RAM, storage, and CPU. The choice boils down to what screen size is wanted. Both machines have 30-days of Geek Squad remote support. The Xbox and either laptop sells for $899.98 in the bundle. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Amazon offering 360Elite/HD DVD player bundle Xbox 360 Devil May Cry 4 bundle hitting Japan next month The ultimate Xbox 360 portable Microsoft rumored! to offer XBox Live, HDD bundle Rock Band 2 Bundle release delayed Nokia Ovi Maps SR4 released: faster, WiFi positioning & Qype May 20, 2010 at 7:00 AM Fifteen times around the world every day; that's the distance Nokia's Ovi Maps guides users every day, and with the quiet introduction of Ovi Maps SR4 (v3.0.4) that number is likely to get even bigger. The first significant update since Ovi Maps went free four months ago, Nokia have already passed the 10m download mark and, while they're not talking updated figures quite yet, are still apparently seeing a new download every second. Ovi Maps SR4 brings with it over 2m kilometres of newly navigable roads, boosts points of interest (POI) to over 25m and speeds up zooming and searching, not to mention slipping in Qype reviews and recommendations. We sat down with Marcel Duee, Places project m! anager on Nokia's Ovi Maps team, for an update on why SR4 is special and what's still in the pipeline. The first thing Ovi Maps users should see is increased speed, both of the app itself and of the positioning lock. Nokia have developed their own WiFi triangulation system, which now means you're more likely to get a positioning fix while indoors or in "urban canyon" style built-up areas. They've also set up a dedicated team to track hotspots, and the WiFi positioning system will be available as an API for other location-based services (LBS) to access on compatible Nokia devices. Meanwhile to speed positioning in larger countries, such as the US and China, Nokia have used a nifty shortcut to narrow down GPS/A-GPS positioning by factoring in cell tower ID. While the technology might be getting more complex, the Ovi Maps UI has been tightened up. User feedback said the positioning indicator was too easily confused with the data meter, trying to give too much information when people only wanted to know if they had a fix or not, and if so how accurate it was. Now there's a better partial-fix display, defaulting to a zoomed-out view that shows the limits of its accuracy. Zoom in, meanwhile, and that radius disappears so as not to overlap with the 3D landmarks, which have also seen a boost in number. City searches, meanwhile, default to a zoomed-out view that encompasses the whole city, rather than zooming in to the closest level. Duee is particularly pleased with the Qype integration, which currently shows up as a new POI icon on the map itself and as an information source alongside wcities in a POI profile. Tapping that shows user ratings, information and reviews, all within Ovi Maps itself, plus you can tap through to more informationon Qype's mobile site. Right now you can't add your own Qype reviews through Ovi Maps, however, only rate the POI as before. Nokia are pushing out nine "navigation packages" which will bundle an in-car holder and charger with an Ovi Maps compatible phone, and soon any Ovi Maps device will come with those accessories as standard. According to Duee, they're also looking at other accessory possibilities, for instance tailored to the bike and pedestrian navigation guidance Ovi Maps offers. As for what's further down the line, as part of their recent corporate reshuffle the Ovi Maps teams have been made more focussed, and the end result of that should be faster releases in future. That should also include quicker NAVTEQ mapping data updates, and Duee's team are looking at ways they could improve distribution for future releases, rather than users downloading a whole new version every time. They're also considering how they can build user contribution into map and POI accuracy, whether that be a TomTom-style on-device flagging of incorrect roads, addresses or numbers, or some other system. What's telling, though, is the amount to which Nokia are relying on consumer demand to shape the Ovi Maps service. Faster positioning, for instance, wasn't top of the team's list to tweak, but in-app feedback showed that it was at the top of the users' list, and so it got prioritised. We also asked Duee what he'd expect – or at least like – to see in five years time. He reckons that mapping and navigation will evolve to be a central context layer in mobile devices, not just an app you dip into to get from A to B or find a nearby restaurant. That might include augmented reality (AR) and Latitude-style updates on when friends, family and different social groups are nearby, but it will also likely incorporate new interaction technologies like voice search. Since Ovi Maps is integrated into a phone with a camera, you could take a photo of something and use that as a search trigger: pull up a digital menu from a photo of a restaurant sign, for instance, or get route information by snapping a shot of a bus stop. He's also looking to gaming and online collaboration. That's all still to come, of course; for now, Ovi Maps SR4 (v3.0.4) is faster than before, looks better and packs more information. It's available to download free from maps.ovi.com today, complete with new mapping data for Malta and the Maldives, among other places, and as before you can store maps on-device and not pay a cent in data fees while you're on the move. Let us know how you get on! Relevant Entries on SlashGear Nokia Ovi maps for N97 released Nokia Home Music WiFi radio Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition gets lifetime PND subscription Nokia E51 available in Germany Nokia shipping N810 to US finally Adesso MKB-135B is full size mechanical keyboard gaming goodness May 20, 2010 at 6:58 AM Normally when we talk about gear from Adesso, it's a keyboard aimed at the general home user or the HTPC fan looking for wireless tech. Today Adesso has announced a new gaming keyboard that sounds very nice with full mechanical keys. That will perk the interest of many gamers out there. The keyboard is called the MKB-135B and can connect to computers via USB and PS/2 ports. It works with Windows and sells for $99.99. The keyboard is full-size with 104 keys that promise to withstand 20 million keystrokes. The mechanical keys offer lots of audible feedback and should provide great typing feel. Adesso also uses an N-key rollover feature that lets the user push up to six keys at once. The keyboard also has a pair of USB 2.0 ports, audio and mic jacks on the side. The MKB-135G is available now. Relevant Entries on SlashGear A Mouse that knows its numbers – Adesso AKP-170 Adesso Agrees That People Need More Wireless Tech Adesso WKB-4200UB keyboard might be perfect for your HTPC Adesso offers slim AKB-440 keyboard with touchpad Toshiba Gaming Keyboard – Not for typing Asus whips out new Designo ML LED monitors May 20, 2010 at 6:46 AM Asus has several different displays for computers already on the market. The company has announced a slick new series of monitors called the ML Series LED monitors today. The new line includes the VG236 and PG276 3D monitors as well as the PA246Q professional monitor. The new displays will be shown off at Computex. The screens all share many of the same features like full HD resolution and mercury-free LED panels. Dynamic contrast ratio across the board is 10,000,000:1 and the panels have 2ms response times. The VG236 is a 23-inch monitor and the PG276 has a 27-inch screen. 3D effects on both screens work with the NVIDIA 3D Vision kit that uses active glasses. To support 3D both screens have 120Hz refresh rates and offer DVI, YPbPR, and HDMI inputs. The PA246Q professional display uses a P-IPS panel with wide viewing angles. Asus will also be showing off a new LED projector at Computex that is small at only 400cc in volume and weighs under a pound. Relevant Entries on SlashGear ASUS confirm Designo MS 1080p LCDs getting UK launch Asus unleashes Designo LED monitors in Australia with better specs Asus announces a new monitor with plenty of extras Asus sells 19-inch LCD monitor Asus whips out new P7P55D-E mainboard and more at CES HTC EVO 4G pricing gets official at $199.99 May 20, 2010 at 6:29 AM I mentioned a few days ago that RadioShack would be offering the HTC EVO 4G handset for the Sprint network in its stores and was taking pre-orders on the device with a $50 gift card holding your handset. We have heard lots of rumors about pricing on the EVO 4G and Sprint has now made that price official. Just as the rumors suggested, the HTC EVO 4G will sell for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate directly from Sprint. RadioShack is taking a Best Buy style approach though and is the better place to get the handset with the same $199.99 price without having to mess with mail-in rebates. The folks that pre-order the EVO 4G with RadioShack will also get a $20 in-store accessory credit, if the pre-order is placed by May 31. RadioShack will also be selling unactivated EVO 4G handsets for $499.99. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Wii Fit pricing gets official Age of Conan gets official pricing Creative Zen X-Fi US pre-release pricing Guitar Hero Aerosmith pre-order details revealed ASUS Eee PC 901, 1000 & 1000H US pricing: they're not cheap Samsung sets Guinness World Record for largest game of dodgeball ever May 20, 2010 at 6:15 AM They say if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball. Samsung wasn't throwing any wrenches, but it had enough people throwing balls to set a world record for the largest dodgeball game ever. The game was held to celebrate the launch of the Samsung Reality on the Verizon network. Samsung held the massive dodgeball game at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City. The game had 712 players and used 600 dodgeballs. The blue and yellow team faced off and pelted each other with balls. Ultimately, the blue team won and Samsung selected ten players from the winning team in a random drawing to win Reality phones. I would like to see some stats from the game like how many geeks to a blow to the face and how many were whacked in the gonads. The nads seemed to be the top targeted area in middle school, which was the last time I played dodgeball. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Gaming cosplayers break Guinness World Record Guinness Book of Video Game Records Dallas Cowboy stadium gets into Guinness record book ARRR! R! You Ready To Settle Pirates Vs. Ninjas Debate? Mozilla releasing FireFox 3 tomorrow – aim to set Guinness World Record eviGroup Wallet Android MID on sale now for €199 May 20, 2010 at 5:55 AM French company eviGroup have begun selling their Android-based Wallet MID, with prices for the 5-inch touchscreen device kicking off at €199 ($246). The Wallet has an 800 x 480 resistive touchscreen, WiFi a/b/g/n, 1GB of flash storage and a microSD card slot; it runs Android 1.5 on a Samsung ARM 6410 533/667MHz processor. Video demo after the cut Battery life from the 2,000mAh pack is estimated at up to 6hrs continuous use or 24hrs standby; that's less than an iPad, of course, which has quietly become the "standard" in companion device expectations, but then again the Wallet is – at 132 x 87 x 14 mm – considerably smaller. It still fits in a miniUSB and 3.5mm headset port, and includes an integrated microphone and speaker. eviGroup are bundling the Wallet with a car mount and charger, as well as headphones and a USB to miniUSB cable. The basic matte finish model with a soft-touch back is €199, while the chrome finish version is €219 ($271). We're expecting a review unit soon, so check back for full coverage. [via eviGroup] Relevant Entries on SlashGear eviGroup Wallet Android MID on sale in May for €199 eviGroup's larger Wallet tablet to be Atom powered? eviGroup's Wallet MID gets first hands-on play [Video] eviGroup Wallet Android MID gets new design, status update Wallet MID gets closer to release, US launch possible Lian Li drops three new mid tower computer cases May 20, 2010 at 5:54 AM Ask a handful of computer enthusiasts what company they would most like to have a case from for their new computer and a few of them will tell you Lian Li. Lian Li is famous for their cases that are well built and very attractive with the downside of being expensive. Lian Li has announced a trio of new PC cases today that are all mid tower designs. The cases include the PC-8NWX, the PC-7FNWX, and the PC-60FNWX (pictured). All of the new cases have side windows and are made in black 1.5mm thick anodized aluminum. The top of all three cases have a spare 140mm fan mount and some of the cases have USB 3.0 ports on top. The 7FNWX and 60FNWX cases are ready for liquid cooling and have 140mm blue LED fans. Pricing on the new cases is unknown, but as I said before Lian Li tends to be expensive so my guess would be around the $200 mark. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Lian Li offers two new mid tower PC cases Lian Li add eSATA to front I/O bay Lian Li limited run tower PC-888 is massive Lian Li PC-T1! R Spider case gets tested: arachnophobes need not apply Foxconn unveils sexy Bamboo One and Bamboo II cases Sceptre debuts new 24-inch LED HDTV May 20, 2010 at 5:44 AM Sceptre has been selling and making TVs for a while now and usually they are unique with different colors available than the plain silver or black you usually find. My favorite set from the company was the X240CC-FHD covered in shiny chrome. Sceptre has a new set that is thin and LED backlit. The screen of the new set is 24-inches wide and it has a 1 million:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The panel response time is 5ms and the set sports SRS TruSurround HD taking up to 6 channels of surround sound and playing the sound over the two speakers of the TV. The TV offers full 1080p resolution and the monitor is 0.69-inches thick at its thinnest point. Other features include dual HDMI ports, a USB port for music and photo playback, and the base is detachable. The TV is at Sears, Target, and NewEgg for $399. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Sceptre 46-inch 1080p HDTV For $1299 Sceptre offers X270BV-FHD 27-inch HDTV Sceptre X240CC-FHD 1080p TV is clad in chrome Samsung Announced 70-inch HDTV LG debuts new wireless HDTVs Microsoft offers new Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 patterns May 20, 2010 at 5:34 AM Microsoft offered up its cheapest wireless mouse to use its fancy BlueTrack sensor late last year called the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500. The mouse was originally offered in grey or pink colors and sold for under $30. Microsoft has now added three new patterned mice to the series for the same $29.95 asking price. You can now get colorful mice in Wave, Folk, and Geode patterns (left to right in the picture above). The mouse looks better with a pattern than in that boring gray color. Other than patterns, you still get the same ambidextrous design and tiny nano USB adapter. I love those plug in and forget adapters that you don't have to worry about losing or breaking. The BlueTrack sensor lets the mouse track on just about any surface. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Microsoft sub-$30 BlueTrack mice debut Microsoft Arc Mouse and Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 revealed Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 introduced Microsoft BlueTrack range get new mice & keyboard set Microsoft SideWinder X8 Mouse is wireless Excito Bubba Two: home server the size of a paperback May 20, 2010 at 5:32 AM All the way back in early 2007 we mentioned Excito's Bubba super-compact home server, a palm-sized FTP, media and backup store, and now the company has updated things with the Excito Bubba Two. As before, it's pretty darn small – 4.5 x 1.8 x 7 inches – and, since the enclosure is fanless, quiet too; choose an SSD model and it's silent. For basic users it can be as straightforward as plug-and-play, whereas for those who prefer tinkering the full Debian Linux underpinnings are available to muck about with. Various storage sizes are available – up to a 2TB HDD – and power consumption with a 1TB drive is said to be just 7W. While there's only room for a single 3.5-inch drive internally, the back panel has two USB 2.0 ports and two eSATA ports for adding further storage; alternatively you can hook up a USB printer and use Bubba Two as a network print server. For most it'll be the media server functionality that's most promising, with Bubba Two compatible with UPnP, iTunes server, PS3 and Logitech's Squeezebox Server software. There's also remote access with a simple webpage login that promises to avoid remembering what your IP is day to day, standalone bittorrent downloads, and an integrated firewall, router, email server and calendar. The Bubba Two is available from €236 ($292) with 500GB (€356 for 2TB; €308 for a 32GB SSD) while the Bubba Two WiFi – with 802.11n support and WiFi router functionality – starts at €312 ($386) for 500GB (€452 for 2TB; €380 for a 32GB SSD). [via Twitter] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Bubba home Linux server reviewed Windows Home server goes RTM, will be released sometime in September Windows Home Server finds a new marketing angle HP adds MediaSmart Expander for TiVo to MediaSmart Home servers HP MediaSmart Home Server Fujitsu LifeBook A530 and AH530 arrive: optional Core i7 & WWAN May 20, 2010 at 5:15 AM Fujitsu have outed two new mainstream notebooks, the LifeBook A530 and the LifeBook AH530. Each has a 15.6-inch 16:9 widescreen display – available with glossy or matte finishes – together with a choice of Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processors, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, 500GB of HDD storage and optional Gobi 2000 WWAN. There's also standard WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a DVD burner, while graphics are taken care of by Intel's HD GPU. Connectivity includes HDMI, a multi-format memory card reader, VGA, three USB 2.0, gigabit ethernet, audio in/out and an ExpressCard 54 slot. Fujitsu reckon owners will see up to 4hrs runtime from the standard 4,400mAh 6-cell battery. No word on pricing or availability as yet, but we'd expect the two new machines to arrive soon. Press Release: LIFEBOOK New Single Brand for All Fujitsu Notebooks Trusted LIFEBOOK brand represents more than 20 years of Fujitsu's notebook innovations; two new models extend the portfolio into all-round segment Munich, May 18, 2010 — Fujitsu today announces that LIFEBOOK is now the single brand for its full range of notebooks. A premier notebook brand with a 20-year heritage, LIFEBOOK reflects Fujitsu's core values of innovation, reliability, green and human-centric design, and is an instrumental component of Fujitsu's Dynamic Infrastructures portfolio. Building on more than two decades of Fujitsu's notebook firsts, the refreshed LIFEBOOK portfolio is made up of a range of models – offering a LIFEBOOK for every imaginable mobile computing need. Whether it's accessing corporate networks via embedded 3G/UMTS, preparing a presentation on a widescreen notebook, or uploading pictures to the internet, there's a LIFEBOOK model perfectly suited to every task. For users who are considering a desktop replacement that packs enough of a punch, looking for an ultra-portable and durable notebook as a companion for travels around the globe, or in need of a versatile tablet PC that swivels in time with an ever-changing working style, there's a LIFEBOOK model to fit every lifestyle. A LIFEBOOK for every need Customers can choose from a wide selection of LIFEBOOK models, ranging from the all-round LIFEBOOK A Series, which are robust, reliable workhorse everyday systems perfect for daily life, to the ultra-portable LIFEBOOK P Series for frequent travelers, and the superior low-weight LIFEBOOK S Series, which deliver the perfect combination of size and performance. Rajat Kakar, Vice President Clients Group at Fujitsu Technology Solutions says: "By focusing on LIFEBOOK as the single brand for Fujitsu notebooks, we are emphasizing that there is a model to suit everyone's lifestyle. The LIFEBOOK name is highly respected in the market and is a perfect ambassador for the Fujitsu brand. Across the entire range of Fujitsu notebooks, users will recognize that LIFEBOOK stands for quality." Combining German precision with Japanese quality, over the last 20 years Fujitsu has consistently used the LIFEBOOK to showcase groundbreaking first-to-market features, such as the first notebook with embedded 3G/UMTS technology, the first modular notebook, and the first use of eco-friendly system parts made from plant-based materials. Across the entire LIFEBOOK line-up, customers can expect industry-leading reliability, state-of-the-art connectivity and the highest security, even including Advanced Theft Protection to make sure that data stays secure. Introduction of new all-round models Fujitsu is introducing two new models to the LIFEBOOK A Series line-up. The versatile LIFEBOOK A530 and AH530 notebooks, designed for both business and home users, extend the availability of the LIFEBOOK brand in the all-round segment. The LIFEBOOK A Series' 39.6 cm (15.6-inch) glossy or anti-glare LCD in 16:9 widescreen format provides a comfortable viewing experience, and built-in HDMI makes it possible to connect to an external HD display. User-friendly features include integrated WLAN, Bluetooth® and optional embedded 3G/UMTS for high connectivity anywhere and anytime. Even in the price-conscious all-round segment, thoughtful LIFEBOOK features are available, such as a special flat cap spill-resistant keyboard with full number pad, providing for extra ergonomic working and durability. The Fujitsu LIFEBOOK portfolio meets a range of individual needs and price-points, from all-round models starting from around €399 to high-end models priced at around €2100. Pricing varies according to market and specification. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Fujitsu LifeBook P8020 12.1-inch ultraportable Fujitsu LifeBook V1010 – laptop for the budget conscious Fujitsu LifeBook P1630 8.9-inch touchscreen ultraportable Fujitsu releases LifeBook A3130 desktop replacement Fujitsu LifeBook N6460 – Satisfy your gaming and Blu-ray needs Google "Smart TV" launch at IO confirmed by press site May 20, 2010 at 4:51 AM Google's "Smart TV" platform is expected to make its debut in a few hours, when the US west coast wakes up for the second day of Google IO, and now that debut looks all the more likely with a premature mention of the technology on the IO press page. TechCrunch did some rudimentary URL fiddling and found a page-holder saying "Insert Android press release/TV press release", pretty much confirming that there'll be an announcement about what's believed to be a system of internet-connected set-top boxes running Android. According to earlier rumors, Google have been working with Sony and Samsung on a way to better deliver online, streaming content to HDTVs. Exact details of the system are unknown, but there has been talk of an intermediary set-top box that would daisy-chain between the TV and a cable or satellite STB. That would perhaps placate some of the established content providers, yet still give Google a foot in the home entertainment door. SlashGear is at Google IO and will be bringing you all the news on "Smart TV" as it's announced. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Unlocked AT&T Nexus One is Google's secret second handset? Google Phone press conference January 5! Q1 Ultra gets official press release, priced from $799 Google to make applications available offline Google Chrome browser full launch presentation video Apple approve iPad cash sales amid bad PR May 20, 2010 at 4:41 AM After being roundly critiqued earlier in the week for refusing to sell an iPad for cash and instead demanding credit card payments, Apple have relented and changed their policy, after Diane Campbell attempted to buy an iPad using the cash she had saved and was told that, in a move to prevent grey-market sales of the tablet, the Apple Store would only take a credit or debit card. In fact, Apple now claim, the policy was to ensure that people didn't buy more than two units in the first weeks of sales – "We want to make sure it's as fair as possible for people to get iPads" according to Apple Sr. Vice President Ron Johnson. The change means that Apple will accept cash for an iPad, but the buyer will have to set up an iTunes account while at the store. That could actually be a benefit to someone like Campbell, who was planning to use the iPad as her first computer and would've been pretty disappointed to get it home only to find it useless until after the first iTunes sync. Meanwhile Diane Campbell gets a free iPad, hand-delivered by two Apple Store staff, and is back to gleefully praising Steve Jobs. Personally, I'd be more worried about carrying $500+ in cash around with me as I headed down to the Apple Store; at least with a debit card there's a little protection should you get mugged. Relevant Entries on SlashGear iPad puts the smack down on netbooks? iPad cannibalizing iPod sales, not Mac reckons analyst Apple gift cards can't be used to purchase iPhones either Apple iPad jailbreak already achieved [Video] Apple refuses to take cash in exchange for iPhones iPad App Store launches for international tableteers May 20, 2010 at 4:16 AM As I complained bitterly about in my skeptics' review of the iPad, one of the more frustrating aspects of owning an Apple tablet outside the US has been the inability to access the App Store on-device. It's become something of a habit to hit the icon first thing of a morning, just to see if Apple have switched it on, and this morning that paid off: Apple have begun activating on-device App Store access for iPads outside of the US. A quick glance at Twitter and our inbox shows that the same thing is happening in countries other than the UK, too. The international iPad doesn't go on sale until May 28th – just over a week away – but Apple are obviously getting things up to speed well in advance. Although it was possible to access the US App Store as long as you had a US iTunes account, the thorny issue of having a credit card with a US address meant the easiest way to get software onto an iPad was to download it in iTunes and then sync it across. Incidentally, SlashGear's dedicated iPad app got a sneak preview yesterday in the form of some screenshots. We're hoping to launch it in a week or so, alongside our existing iPhone app which launched last month Relevant Entries on SlashGear International iPad on sale now International iPad preorders now shipping June 7th International iPad launch delayed until end of May WiFi + 3G iPad ships May 7th Apple iPad Keyboard Dock won't ship until mid-April