News Archive for 09/07/29

Choose an article from the archive listing on this page or refine your selection using the controls in the gray box below.

LG unveils major HDTV redesign for fall

07/30, 12:00am

LG SL80 and SL90 HDTVs

LG at an evening event Thursday opted to unveil a major reworking of its LCD HDTVs first in the US. The SL80 and SL90 together have a near-seamless look that tries to hide the separation between the bezel, the LCD and the speakers. Of the two, the SL90 is also LG's technology leader and has an LED backlight that ramps the dynamic contrast ratio up to a company-best 3,000,000:1. Appropriately, it also gets a 240Hz refresh rate, an ambient light sensor and audio tuning that adjusts the volume for spoken dialogue without touching most anything else in a movie or TV show. It becomes one of LG's thinnest at 1.15 inches deep.

LG gives touch Chocolate details, timeframe

07/29, 11:25pm

LG Chocolate BL40 Official

LG tonight at last confirmed some details of the first-ever touchscreen phone in its Chocolate line. Now known to be the BL40, the device revolves around a one-off 4-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio display with an 800x345 resolution that makes it ideal for watching movies without cropping or losing interface elements. While narrower than some 800x480 phones, the ratio permits an unusual twin view option that can show two types of content simultaneously.

GWR iPhone app players could set world record

07/29, 7:55pm

GWR iPhone world record

Guinness World Records and Warner Brothers Digital Distribution has announced that the player with the most points achieved in the new Guinness World Records app "Video Game Score" challenge will be awarded a Guinness World Record. The winner will also be added to the shortlist to be included in the Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer's Edition. Users must be registered with GameSpy in order to remotely submit their scores in the competition.

Drive Genius 2.2 provides Snow Leopard support

07/29, 7:30pm

Drive Genius 2.2 released

Prosoft Engineering has released v2.2 of its flagship application, Drive Genius. The software is used to optimize hard drives to make them run faster and work more efficiently overall. The latest version supports Mac OS Snow Leopard and works with non-HFS volumes where possible. The update newly displays defragment, scan, and volume shift progress bars and provides information about any bad blocks found during scans.

Wondershare Video Converter Pro supports AVCHD

07/29, 6:55pm

Video Converter Pro ships

Wondershare has released its newest application, Video Converter Pro for Mac. The software is used to convert a large variety of video types or rip media from non-commercial DVDs. The application supports AVCHD video and can extract audio as an MP3, AAC, WMA or AIFF file. Videos can be converted into formats compatible with devices such as iPods, iPhones, Apple TV, PSPs, and BlackBerrys.

Recover PDF Password supports 256-bit encrypted files

07/29, 6:30pm

Recover PDF Password ships

Eltima has introduced Recover PDF Password, an application used to retrieve misplaced PDF file passwords. If only the owner or user password is known, the application can duplicate the document with all printing, editing and copying restrictions removed. Files are dragged and dropping into the application, which then prompts users with a "Decrypt" button. The application supports Unicode passwords, Acrobat 9.x files and 256-bit encrypted files.

iPhone developer interest shifts to business apps

07/29, 6:10pm

iPhone app trends shift

iPhoneAppQuotes' analysis shows new trends in iPhone development, with a focus on medical, business and book apps. The developer network is also reporting that there has been a 30 percent increase in new members over the past three months, during which time the number of available titles on the iTunes App Store has increased to 65,000.

iPhone apps: Star Walk, PhotoBeamer, Beep My Cell

07/29, 6:05pm

Aspects, Pinball Fantasies

Star Walk ($5) is a realistic stargazing guide for the iPhone and iPod touch. The application helps users recognize objects in the night sky by locating them on an interactive star map. After selecting a specific item users can then view additional facts, such as celestial coordinates. Star Walk also features a "time machine" that lets users see expected skies from the past or future. The latest update also features a new Star Spotter function which uses the digital compass in the iPhone 3GS to display a live representation of the sky.

Sonic intros CineVision Adaptive 1080p streaming

07/29, 6:00pm

Sonic HD streaming codec

Sonic on Wednesday announced CineVision Adaptive HD, a codec developed specifically for streaming HD video content to Internet-connected devices. The technology combines the CineVision HD encoding process, claimed to be used for Blu-ray production, with Widevine's adaptive streaming system.

40% of Citrix employees choose Mac for home and work

07/29, 5:30pm

Citrix BYOC program

40 percent of Citrix System employees purchased a Mac when given $2100 towards a new computer for the company's Bring Your Own Computer to Work program. The strategy was an attempt to cut costs incurred in the IT department and aimed to increase employee satisfaction. Workers were allowed to chose whichever computer they wished to use for both work and personal use. Of the 400 employees that participated in the program, 54 percent believed productivity increased while 17 percent of managers believed job satisfaction increased.

AudioMicro library gains 55,000 sound effects

07/29, 5:20pm

AudioMicro library update

AudioMicro says it has licensed over 55,000 sound effects from The Hollywood Edge to add to its Online Stock Music and Sound Effects Library. The effects come from Soundelux, a studio with numerous films to its credit, such as Braveheart and Kill Bill. Public and professional access is charged on a by-the-minute basis or via subscription; effects can be acquired individually or in bulk.

Apps: WaterThumber, A Better Finder Rename, WhatsOpen

07/29, 5:10pm

Warranty Hero, VideoDrive

WaterThumber 2.2 ($20) is a tool that allows users to resize images for online publication in one batch process. The software can create high-quality thumbnails and smaller versions of images or add custom watermarks. Brightness, contrast, saturation and sharpness adjustments can also be made to each image and all the EXIF data, including brand-specific camera information and GPS coordinates are preserved. The latest release allows users to import iPhoto albums and includes several interface modifications. The update has also fixed several bugs and typos. [Download - 5.3MB]

Microsoft's Natal out late in 2010, says THQ boss

07/29, 4:55pm

Natal out by fall of 2010

Game maker THQ's chief Brian Farrell recently corroborated last week's report that Microsoft's Project Natal body controller for the Xbox 360 will be out late in 2010. Speaking in a conference call regarding THQ's earnings report, Farrell said Natal from Microsoft is a "platform addition, coming late next year," when asked about market changes in the upcoming cycle.

RingtoneStudio 2.0 for BlackBerry adds visual edits

07/29, 4:50pm

RingtoneStudio 2.0 update

PocketMac has released RingtoneStudio 2.0 for BlackBerry, a upgraded version of its tool for generating and editing ringtones. The software supports unprotected music formats, or QuickTime-compatible video types. Files can be dragged and dropped in to the app, where users can then select specific portions of a track.

Leak shows Razzle, Samsung Rogue coming to Verizon

07/29, 4:40pm

Razzle, Rogue at Verizon

A leaked internal document from Verizon indicates that a couple of new handsets will be made available at the wireless provider. According to the document, the previously spotted Samsung Rogue U960 will replace the Glyde on August 15th, while a device known as the Verizon Razzle will replace the Blitz on August 31st. The Razzle is due to get a swiveling bottom section that reveals a QWERTY keyboard, a 1.3-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth support and will include a 1GB memory card.

Onkyo intros two 7.1-channel home theater systems

07/29, 4:30pm

Onkyo 7.1-channel systems

Onkyo has recently announced the upcoming release of two 7.1-channel home theater systems with advanced audio processing, including support for all current audio formats, including the vertical dimensions added by ProLogic IIz. The HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 surround sound systems are rated at the same 130 watts per channel, with a speaker system that includes an active 230W subwoofer. Onkyo's U-Port iPod dock is included with each system.

iPhone to help GPS smartphones reach 77m

07/29, 4:15pm

GPS Smartphones to top 77m

Smartphones from Apple and others should help the number of GPS-aware smartphones surge this year, according to a Strategy Analytics study. Shipments of the devices should spike a large 34 percent to 77 million phones and are chiefly credited to rapidly growing sales of devices like the iPhone, Nokia N97 or BlackBerry Tour. Many often have stronger mapping tools like BlackBerry Maps, Google Maps and Nokia Maps built-in, encouraging GPS use right away.

Mio intros Moov M300, M400 navigators in Europe

07/29, 4:15pm

Mio intros Moov M300, M400

GPS maker Mio has announced it will soon offer two new portable navigation devices, the Moov M300 and M400. The identical devices are called Navman M300 and Navman M400 over on Mio's English website, with the former offering a 3.5-inch screen that has a 320x240 resolution, and the latter sporting a 4.3-inch LCD with 480x272 resolution. The Moov M300 will come with a map of France pre-loaded, while the Navman M300 will have a map of the UK and Ireland loaded onto its storage space. The M400s get mapping data for 23 European countries. Either way, users get speed radar locations, and free updates for one year.

DealNN: MacBooks, flash drives, cameras and more

07/29, 4:10pm

DealNN: MacBooks, flash dr

Deals from DealNN today include a variety of items from MacBooks to digital cameras. Most notable is a price drop on the 13.3-inch unibody MacBook from MacMall.com, it is now priced at $924.99 after mail-in-rebate. The unibody MacBook features a 2.0GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive as well as a glass multi-touch trackpad, built-in iSight webcam and microphone.

Nimbuzz intros Mac client, 1.3 update for iPhone

07/29, 4:00pm

Nimuzz update, Mac support

Nimbuzz has launched an update to its instant messaging and dialing app for the iPhone, as well as a new Mac version. With Nimbuzz 1.3 users receive photo, music and video sharing features, a re-designed buddy list layout, and push notification that provides alerts for incoming calls and chats. Also included in the new version is a location-sharing function, which displays whereabouts on a map.

Nokia N97 Mini gets support from photo

07/29, 3:35pm

Nokia N97 Mini Photo

Rumors of an N97 Mini gained traction on Wednesday with images that may represent the device. The smartphone seen by Engadget almost exactly mirrors the larger Nokia phone but removes the directional pad and moves buttons to shrink the overall size, including the screen. The rear camera has also lost the protective cover present on the full N97 and many other Nokia smartphones.

iPhone SMS vulnerability nears public exposure

07/29, 3:25pm

iPhone SMS vulnerability

Apple has yet to fix a key iPhone vulnerability the day before it is publicly exposed, notes security researcher Charlie Miller. At the beginning of July, Miller announced the preliminary details of an SMS exploit which could theoretically be used to assume control over a remote iPhone. That exploit has now been brought to fruition, the researcher says, and will be detailed in full -- as planned -- at this Thursday's Black Hat conference in Las Vegas.

Onkyo brings BD507 Blu-ray player to the US

07/29, 3:05pm

Onkyo BD507 in the US

Onkyo has announced it will soon begin offering its newest Blu-ray player, the DV-BD507, in the US. The device supports BD Live 2.0 content, enabling it to access bonus online content of compatible Blu-ray movies. The HDMI 1.3a connection delivers both high resolution mulit-channel audio and 1080p video to connected home theater systems and HDTVs, respectively. There is an SDHC memory card slot for playing back multimedia content stored on the storage cards, with support for AVCHD formats commonly used in HD camcorders.

HP readying 11.6-inch netbook?

07/29, 2:55pm

HP 11 6 inch netbook Rumor

HP's netbook line should get a larger 11.6-inch model if a source today proves true. Computer industry contacts for DigiTimes say Quanta is about to mass-produce such a system next month. Other details aren't published, but the larger size likely means a 1366x768 screen resolution instead of the more common 1024x600. One of HP's 10-inch netbooks should also get a revision and is purportedly slated by its manufacturer, Inventec, to be mass-produced in September.

Apple posts MobileMe iDisk app for iPhone

07/29, 2:40pm

MobileMe iDisk iPhone app

Apple has at last released the MobileMe iDisk app for the iPhone. First promised in June, the software lets MobileMe users view files stored in their online iDisk folders. Users tap a file to load it, or a nearby Share icon to compose an e-mail with a download link.

iPhone margins allowing Apple to cut Mac prices?

07/29, 2:30pm

Apple boosts iPhone margin

Following the recent disclosure of Apple's Q3 financial data, analyst Turley Muller has taken a closer look at the company's margins. In his blog Financial Alchemist, Muller suggests the iPhone's gross margins have continued to increase and now sit just shy of 60 percent.

Joby preps GorillaMobile tripod for iPhone, more

07/29, 2:20pm

Joby GorillaMobile Tripod

Joby this afternoon shifted the GorillaPod past its original camera focus and launched the GorillaMobile. The tripod can attach to the back of many devices, particularly pocketable devices like the iPhone or a Flip camera, and relies on the company's signature adjustable ball joint legs to give it a stable surface regardless of where it's placed. It works as a conventional stand but can be bent to grab on to surfaces such as a bicycle handle.

BlackBerry 8530, mystery 9700 coming

07/29, 2:00pm

BBerry 8530 and 9700 Leaks

Two separate slips have confirmed a pair of new BlackBerries in development for the new future. The first confirms that a CDMA version of the Curve 8520 is in development. It should be fundamentally similar, but according to BGR will be one of the first devices to reflect Verizon's acceptance of Wi-Fi and will come with both the short-range networking as well as EVDO-based 3G and GPS. The lower resolution 320x240 screen, 2-megapixel camera and optical trackpad will still carry over, but it's now expected to be one of the first phones loaded with BlackBerry OS 5.0.

Kodak Theatre HD Player gets YouTube, 1080p

07/29, 1:20pm

Kodak next-gen Theatre HD

Kodak on Wednesday announced it has updated its Theatre HD Player, equipping it with the ability to view YouTube HD content, browse the web and read RSS news feeds. For this, the Theatre HD requires an Internet connection via networks over a Wi-Fi or wired link, though local photos and videos can also be played back. There is DivX, XviD, H.264 and WMV-9 video support. The updated system, Version 1.4, can now also play back 1080p videos, rather than the older setup's 720p playback.

Windows 7 Ultimate cracked, available to pirates

07/29, 1:05pm

Windows 7 Ultimate cracked

People have already managed to crack Windows 7 Ultimate and distribute it online, accounts say. The pirated version is based on a Lenovo OEM release, from which an ISO file was created and posted on a Chinese forum. Hackers subsequently managed to extract the OEM-SLP key and the activation certificate, allowing users to bypass Microsoft's Genuine Advantage copy protection. The technology normally requires online validation.

BenQ intros multifunction 24-inch LCD, TV combo

07/29, 12:15pm

BenQ intros 24-inch LCD TV

BenQ on Wednesday announced the upcoming release of a new LCD TV, the 23.6-inch MK2442. The set is meant to act as a secondary unit or for dorms, where it can double as a computer display. The MK2442 outputs at 1080p (1920x1080) with the option of handling 24FPS movies without conversion. For all sources, it has a 5ms average pixel response time as well as a dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1. An HDMI 1.3 input feeds the set with both audio and video signals. Computer inputs aren't mentioned but should be available.

Activision details DJ Hero Renegade Edition turntable

07/29, 12:00pm

DJ Hero Renegade Turntable

Activision today provided more details of its controller and bundle for the limited-run version of DJ Hero, now called the Renegade Edition. The special version will have a black turntable with special gold-effect sliders and other trim. A special hard case doubles as a stand for the turntable itself, bringing up the controller to standing height. CDs from Eminem and Jay-Z will also come with the bundle and offer some tracks that haven't been released before.

LG HDTVs to get integrated Vudu on-demand service

07/29, 11:30am

LG TVs to get Vudu service

Electronics producer LG today said it has teamed up with Vudu to integrate the latter's on-demand movie and TV services into its HDTVs. This will allow the Internet-connected TVs to browse and view a full library of content, including in HD. Currently, Vudu offers set-top boxes that need to plugged into a TV and network connection, which adds to the clutter and complexity of a living room, as well as adding another remote control. With the partnership with LG, Vudu hopes to make its service more accessible to customers.

Microsoft stores open first in Apple-heavy cities

07/29, 11:20am

MS Stores in AZ and CA

Microsoft's first retail stores will launch in two cities where Apple already has a major presence, the company confirmed today. The Windows developer has signed leases both in Mission Viejo, California as well as Scottsdale, Arizona and will be surrounded by Apple retail shops. The California store will be the only one to open in the same mall as its rival, launching in The Shops at Mission Viejo, but all of them will have five Apple stores within driving distance.

Keywords coming to App Store listings

07/29, 10:45am

App Store keywords arrive

Users should soon be able to more accurately search for titles at the App Store, a new report claims. Sources in the article say that, when submitting apps through iTunes Connect, developers are now being asked to enter up to 255 characters' worth of keywords. "It is important to enter keywords for all applications as soon as possible so your application can continue to be successfully located on the App Store," a statement from Apple warns about existing titles.

Kodak intros three new 12-megapixel cameras

07/29, 10:40am

Kodak's trio of 12MP cams

Kodak on Wednesday announced it will soon add three new 12-megapixel digital cameras to its range, including the Z950, the M381 and M341. All also share Kodak's Smart Capture feature, which automatically adjusts focus, flash and exposure in any setting. The Z950 sports the biggest lens with 10X optical zoom and image stabilization. Framing shots is done via a 3-inch LCD, and Kodak has reduced the time between clicking the shutter button and the actual photo capture to under a third of a second. A face detection feature is built-in, and users can edit their photos and videos on the camera itself.

Logitech adds webcams with 720p, more

07/29, 10:30am

Logitech Seven New Webcams

Logitech today overhauled nearly all of its webcams at once with seven new models, including two high-end models. The Webcam Pro 9000 is one of its first to capture in HD and supports 720p for those apps that recognize it. It has other similarly high-end features with a native 2-megapixel sensor, automatic light compensation and Carl Zeiss optics. Shipping begins in August for this and all other cameras mentioned today; the 9000 should sell for $100 and will be matched by the C905, an equivalent intended for notebooks.

Eye-Fi adds GPS-aware Geo SD memory card

07/29, 9:45am

Eye-Fi adds Geo SD card

Eye-Fi on Wednesday announced it will soon add a Geo wireless SD memory card to its lineup that will be capable of geotagging photos exclusively for Mac computers. The 2GB SD card automatically saves GPS mapping information for captured photos and videos before transferring them to a given computer. It's primarily intended for Mac users and fully supports Apple's iPhoto '08 and '09 as well as MobileMe. As with other Eye-Fi cards, the photos are wirelessly transferred to a pre-selected folder on a Mac over a user's Wi-Fi network.

HTC Touch Pro2 official for T-Mobile

07/29, 9:35am

HTC Touch Pro2 for T-Mo

T-Mobile today confirmed frequent rumors by launching its own version of the HTC Touch Pro2. The Windows Mobile 6.1 phone reaches the US carrier with 1,700MHz 3G native to T-Mobile's network and replaces the Wing in the company's phone roster. Its centerpiece is a 3.6-inch, 800x480 touchscreen that provides a much larger view, particularly for the web or for HTC's TouchFLO interface for contacts and music.

Apple: Legal iPhone jailbreaks may be 'catastrophic'

07/29, 9:35am

Apple fights EFF on iPhone

Offering sanction to iPhone jailbreaking would open the door to "potentially catastrophic" network attacks, Apple suggests. The company recently submitted a filing to the US Copyright Office, contesting a motion by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to make jailbreaking legally accepted. Jailbreaking is already widely practiced around the world, but potentially at risk from the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which presently states that "no person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title."

Kodak unveils $180 1080p pocket camcorder

07/29, 9:10am

Kodak Zi8 1080p Pocket Cam

Among a number of camera launches, Kodak this morning unveiled one of the first pocket camcorders to record at 1080p. The Zi8 can capture at a full 1920x1080 at 30 frames per second, producing movies that show at the full resolution of a Blu-ray movie. It can also capture at 720p using a fast 60 frames per second and is unique in having a microphone jack to support more professional-sounding audio.

Microsoft, Yahoo finally strike search deal

07/29, 8:50am

MS Yahoo Search Deal

Microsoft and Yahoo today at last announced a partnership between the two companies for both ads and search. The 10-year deal will see Microsoft's Bing search engine replace Yahoo's own in most areas and will give the Windows developer a license to Yahoo's search technology to use for itself. In return, Yahoo will sell premium ads for both companies and will collect revenue from Microsoft for traffic sent its way during the first five years. Microsoft also vows to guarantee Yahoo's revenue for the first year and a half the new arrangements take effect in a given country. It should improve Yahoo's cash flow by about $275 million per year.

Sprint loses $384m; Pre has little impact

07/29, 8:15am

Sprint Q2 2009

Sprint on Wednesday revealed spring quarter results that show the Palm Pre having relatively little impact on its health. The company's losses widened to $384 million compared to $341 million a year ago and it reported losing about 257,000 total customers, shrinking to 48.8 million users. While it gained 938,000 prepaid customers on Boost Mobile, this and other gains were offset by losses across the board, including 393,000 of its core CDMA phone network users.