Digital Gadget Magazine

SanDisk makes 128-gigabit flash chip, crams three bits per cell, takes afternoon off

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:37:00 +0000

SanDisk has developed a chip that earns it membership in the exclusive 128-gigabit club. Not content with simply matching the Micron / Intel effort, SanDisk and its partner Toshiba claim their new memory uses 19- rather than 20-nanometer cells in the production process. Shrinking the size is one thing, but SanDisk's new chips also use its X3 / three-bit technology. Most memory stores just two bits per cell; cramming in another means fewer cells, less silicon, more savings, cheaper memory, happier geeks. Analyst Jim Handy estimates that the price per gigabyte for the tri-bit breed of flash could be as low as 28 cents, compared to 35 for the Micron / Intel equivalent. Full details in the not-so-compact press release after the break.

Continue reading SanDisk makes 128-gigabit flash chip, crams three bits per cell, takes afternoon off

SanDisk makes 128-gigabit flash chip, crams three bits per cell, takes afternoon off originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adafruit’s Internet of Things Printer combines your love of information, receipts

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:01:00 +0000

Love staying connected and using excess paper? Adafruit's got your back with its latest project. The Internet of Things (IoT) printer goes online via an Ethernet jack, printing up data on 2.5 inch wide receipt paper. You can print things like Twitter feeds, news briefs or sports scores using its open source software. Putting the box together requires some soldering and an Arduino, but once you're done, you'll finally be able to live out your fantasies of becoming an old timey stock broker. Video of the printer with a slightly grating Twitter song soundtrack after the break.

Continue reading Adafruit's Internet of Things Printer combines your love of information, receipts

Adafruit's Internet of Things Printer combines your love of information, receipts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnLive Desktop launches ‘Plus’ subscriptions, puts IE in your iPad

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:42:00 +0000

OnLive has already given Microsoft loving iPad owners a hefty, gratis helping of Windows 7, but that doesn't mean they haven't been building a paywall. What's behind the freshly dried brick and mortar? OnLive Desktop Plus, an optional, subscription based upgrade that touts new features for users who are willing to pay a fee. Five dollars a month buys you a cloud-accelerated web browser (that would be Internet Explorer 9, complete with fully functioning Adobe Flash and Acrobat plug-ins) and priority access to the OnLive Desktop service -- freeloading "standard" subscribers can only access the service on an as-available basis. OnLive says that the cloud powered browser's full Windows experience finally gives the iPad full Flash compatibility, giving you the chance to feed your nostalgic need to watch cartoons check their email. We got an early look at the app, read on for a quick hands-on and OnLive's official press release.

Continue reading OnLive Desktop launches 'Plus' subscriptions, puts IE in your iPad

OnLive Desktop launches 'Plus' subscriptions, puts IE in your iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Malata’s 2012 / 2013 roadmap reveals a very tablet-friendly future

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:36:00 +0000

Chinese manufacturer Malata is relatively unknown in the tablet universe, as it hasn't been in the spotlight since showing off its SMB-A1011 back in 2010. Now, the outfit's quietly unveiled a roadmap that's got more than a handful of noteworthy slabs in sight. The company plans on launching a variety of Tegra 3-packing slates dubbed SMB-B1023, including a 7, 9.7 and 10.1-inch version, all of which are said to be sporting ICS. Furthermore, Malata plans to rollout port-heavy variants of the aforementioned that'll be rocking USB, mini-USB and card reader ports, though these won't be tasting any Ice Cream Sandwich. While tabs are obviously the main focus, the company's also planning to bring along a 5-inch handset blessed with Gingerbread to compete with the likes of the Galaxy Note or that shiny new LG Optimus Vu. Let's hope Malata makes a MWC appearance so we can give some of these our full hands-on treatment.

Malata's 2012 / 2013 roadmap reveals a very tablet-friendly future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hack Makes Nook Touch E-Ink Display Almost As Responsive As LCD

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:30:54 +0000

As you probably know, bistable or passive displays like the E-Ink ones in e-readers focus on battery life and readability rather than color and interactivity. The latest devices have been optimized for fast page refreshes and touch operation, but generally you’re still waiting a half a second or so for the screen to flip over to the next page, menu, or what have you.

But that’s not all they’re capable of. We’ve seen hacks before, but this one definitely takes the cake. Check out this video of a Nook Touch from XDA hacker marspeople:

Bear in mind this is strictly a hack and not a full-on release or commercially developed product. Most people wouldn’t want to use the device in this state: it’s not consistent in how fast it responds, there are graphical glitches, and it probably drains the battery like crazy. But the fact is they’ve got a passive display refreshing ~15-20 times per second and responding to touches instantly like a normal tablet.

The possibilities for this generation of readers are limited: few people are going to install a hack like this, and even if they did, not much content is really designed to be consumed this way. Pages are a natural way to read books, and scrolling constantly is kind of a pain. But it’s amazing to see these displays, usually so slow and static, being used so actively. Here’s hoping the next displays from E-Ink (or Bridgestone, or whoever) are capable of even more. Despite what people might say, the passive display still has a lot of potential to grow and evolve.

[via The Digital Reader]

SCEA Senior VP hints Hulu may be headed to PS Vita

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:13:00 +0000

By now, we're sure you have that shiny new PlayStation Vita all unboxed and have logged several hours on the thing playing games, Tweeting and watching vids on Netflix. But, if those apps we told you about earlier weren't enough to fulfill your entertainment needs, you'll be happy to know there could be more in stock for you. SCEA Senior VP Guy Longworth may have spilled the beans when he told The Hollywood Reporter "we have a partnership with Netflix and Hulu; this is a new way for them to distribute content." An interesting statement given the fact there's no Hulu app available now that Vita has launched. Good news is, the previously unknown hook-up indicates we may be be able to catch some episodes of Gossip Girl at some point in the future on our monstrous quad-core handheld.

SCEA Senior VP hints Hulu may be headed to PS Vita originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chaotic Moon’s Board of Awesomeness gains mind controls, becomes Board of Imagination

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Remember the Board of Awesomeness we took for a spin back at CES? Well, the folks from Chaotic Moon went back to the lab to make it even better with a new control system, swapping out the Kinect sensor bar for an Emotiv EPOC headset and re-christened it the Board of Imagination. So, instead of using your hand to control the throttle, you simply visualize and focus on where you want to go, and the headset tells the board how fast to go to get there. The brains of the thing are still housed in a Samsung slate running Windows 8, and it can still shred asphalt at speeds up to 32mph, but now it's a truly mind-blowing experience. Don't believe us? Check out the Board of Imagination in action after the break.

Continue reading Chaotic Moon's Board of Awesomeness gains mind controls, becomes Board of Imagination

Chaotic Moon's Board of Awesomeness gains mind controls, becomes Board of Imagination originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New privacy policy standards agreed to by world’s major app store owners

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:01:00 +0000

The California Attorney General has struck a deal with the world's major app store opperators that will see new privacy policy standards put in place. Apple, Google, Microsoft, HP, RIM and Amazon have all agreed to require any software that uses personal information to provide a privacy policy that can be viewed in the store before an app is downloaded. The agreement will bring the various markets in line with the California Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires developers provide such a policy. In addition to providing links links to the relevant documents in an obvious and consistent location, the companies will have to offer a simple way for users to report devs that violate the rules. For more details about the deal check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading New privacy policy standards agreed to by world's major app store owners

New privacy policy standards agreed to by world's major app store owners originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei Prism, HTC Ville may be heading to T-Mobile in April?

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:52:00 +0000

HTC and Huawei are both expected to bring their A-game to MWC. What exactly that entails remains a mystery, thanks to both companies keeping their lips sealed. And while we're still not completely sure as to what secrets these devices still hold -- or even their official names, for that matter -- TmoNews picked up a leaked screenshot that shows off a list of upcoming accessories on T-Mobile, some of which are for the HTC Ville and Huawei Prism in April. Does this guarantee that we'll see both devices featured on the GSM carrier? Not at all, but stay tuned over the next few days because we have a feeling more answers will come pouring in soon.

Huawei Prism, HTC Ville may be heading to T-Mobile in April? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magnetic retainer lets you operate machinery with your tongue, gives linguistics new meaning

Gadgets — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Many people with debilitating conditions rely on sip and puff technology to get around, which is relatively lo-fi by some standards. Now, a special retainer with magnetic sensors could bring mobility into the smartphone age. Developed at Georgia Tech, the Tongue Drive System uses a magnetic piercing to track lingual gestures. The sensors then transmit data to an iOS app that translates it to on-screen or a joystick movement. Earlier versions used a headset, but the prototype revealed at the International Solid State Circuits Conference in San Francisco, is hoped to be more comfortable and discreet. The system is currently being trialled by 11 participants with high-level spinal-cord injuries, with larger trials planned.

Continue reading Magnetic retainer lets you operate machinery with your tongue, gives linguistics new meaning

Magnetic retainer lets you operate machinery with your tongue, gives linguistics new meaning originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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