Selasa, 01 Maret 2011

What's new on SlashGear.com

What's new on SlashGear.com

Verizon’s Unlimited Data Plan for iPhone Ending Soon

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 01:18 PM PST

Verizon will be following AT&T’s footsteps and ending the $30 a month, unlimited data plan for iPhone, according to CFO Fran Shammo. At a Morgan Stanley conference in San Francisco today, Shammo said that the unlimited data plan is “not a long-term solution”. Verizon may discontinue the plan as soon as this summer.


Shammo said the company launched its current unlimited $30-per-month data plan to attract users to the Verizon iPhone, but will move to a tiered plan “in the mid-summer time frame.”

Shammo did not give details on the tiered data plans Verizon plans to offer. AT&T stopped offering unlimited plans in June, and now offers a $15 plan for 250MB and a $25 for 2GB. The new plans could be based upon desired buckets of data, data speeds, or a combination of both. We shall see.

[via Bloomberg Businessweek]

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Alien Super Mega Blaster Working for Good

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 12:48 PM PST

If you feel like shooting some aliens for a good cause, all you need is 80 Microsoft points (about a buck) and an Xbox. Developer Jon Hearn has developed “Alien Super Mega Blaster”, a retro-style alien blasting game, to raise money for his son Oscar who has been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. All proceeds from the game (after Microsoft’s take) go to the charity Action Duchenne.


“After attending the Action Duchenne conference last year I wanted to find a practical way to raise funds for research,” said Hearn. “Developing a game in my spare time seemed like an excellent and different way to raise some money.” Hearn lives in Ireland with his wife and three children, Oscar, Emma and Lola.

The game has over 100 “hand crafted levels of blasting fun”. It can be purchased on the Xbox Marketplace and is available in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.

Here is a video of the game for your enjoyment. Now go blast some aliens. The earth will thank you.

[via PocketLint]

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Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 Possibly Coming March 24th

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 12:13 PM PST

At next month’s Tech.Ed India 2011 from March 23rd-25th, Microsoft's general manager of Windows Live and Internet Explorer, Brian Hall, will be giving a keynote speech on the 24th. Microsoft's Internet Explorer could have its formal introduction there as Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer recently stated in February that IE9 is expected within the next month and that "it will be the best browser…that you've ever used" and a "great piece of work."

Brian Hall has been with Microsoft since 1995 and ran the worldwide launch of Windows XP and previously worked as a product manager of Windows 95, Windows 98, and Internet Explorer 3 through Internet Explorer 5. Internet Explorer is still the world's most popular web browser and Microsoft said Tuesday that 36 million copies of IE 9 beta since its release in September. The final milestone was launched on February 10th.

The biggest addition with the newest iteration of Internet Explorer is the Tracking Protection feature. It will give users the ability to block different ways of being tracked on the web including cookies, web beacons, trackers, and advertisements. The user can now also block ActiveX controls with "ActiveX filter". The filter lets the user turn off the ActiveX while browsing.

With Google’s Chrome and Mozilla's Firefox bearing down on Internet Explorer, Microsoft is facing some stiff competition. You won't find many people using Internet Explorer if they have one of those other options to use. Microsoft needs Internet Explorer to reclaim some of the market if it hopes to stem Chrome and Firefox from snatching up more users.

[via WinRumors]

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NOOKcolor Selling On Barnes & Noble’s eBay Store For $199 After Coupon

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:42 AM PST

The NOOKcolor is already a pretty awesome little e-book reader and not to mention totally hackable–having been successfully rooted with Android 3.0 Honeycomb by some skilled XDA devs. But Barnes & Noble continues to work hard pushing the device, recently hosting in-store demo events offering free Starbucks coffee to test drive the device. And now they’ve begun selling the NOOKcolor discounted on eBay.

The device is being offered with an eBay coupon that gives you a $50 discount, dropping the price down to $199. Barnes & Noble’s own website still offers the original pricing of $249. The deal seems to be good only on eBay and may have been launched to counter the competition from eBay sellers peddling the device.

We’ve done an extensive review of the NOOKcolor late last year. Its only true competitors are its e-ink cousins as the main decision really is between whether you prefer e-ink or not. For a device devoted to reading e-books along with the ability to consume other media such as full color magazines, photos, music, movies, and even for playing games, this price point can’t be beat. On top of this, the firmware is built on Android 2.1 with the ability to be rooted for accessing Android Market and even e-books from Kindle via Wi-Fi connection.

[via Electronista]

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360: Phone with Extra Folding Power

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:36 AM PST

In a new concept from the SADI design school, the 360 Compact Folding mobile phone has multiple touch screens that are hinged together to simulate a tablet-like feel, or can be folded down for a device that is easier to hold. The phone would have a “standing mode” where it can be propped up for viewing the main screen, “protection mode” when it is closed, “multitasking mode” using all three screens, and “open mode” for only using the middle screen.


The design is by Baek Kil Hyun at Korean design school SADI. SADI has come out with some interesting designs, like this Book Printer we covered recently. Interestingly, the case on the concept phone reads “Samsung”.

What do you think, does this design have merit, or is it too cumbersome? No word on whether it will have 4G, or run on Android.

[via Yanko Design]

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First Gen iPad Pulled from Best Buy Inventory

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:15 AM PST

In further evidence that an iPad 2 launch is imminent, Best Buy has deleted the first generation iPad from its inventory. Best Buy’s inventory status is not always a good indicator of product launches, but combined with the news yesterday that Apple had cut off iPad supply in preparation for an iPad 2 announcement, this seems to be yet another indication that the iPad 2 will be announced at Apple’s event tomorrow.


According to Apple Insider, Apple may also have the iPad 2 available almost immediately for retail. The removal from Best Buy seems to support that, since the retailer would keep selling the iPad if a new one was not going to be available soon.

There are currently no placeholders for the iPad 2 at Best Buy, but that may change by tomorrow. We will keep you informed.

[via Apple Insider]

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Gmail: Google finds missing emails eaten by bug

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST

We reported yesterday on a service interruption on Gmail. It turned out that due to a software bug, about 40,000 Gmail accounts were wiped clean, leaving inboxes empty. But thanks to Google will soon have all 40,000 Gmail accounts that were wiped out back in action. Google will soon restore the “misplaced” data (it was never really lost, thanks to Google’s data storage redundancy).


Google said that just 0.02% of Gmail customers were affected, still a sizeable number with 170 million users. But the emails will take time to restore, because all of the electronic data was lost due to a bug. The emails must be restored from a tape backup. On Google’s official blog, Ben Treynor, VP Engineering and Site Reliability Czar said: “I know what some of you are thinking: how could this happen if we have multiple copies of your data, in multiple data centres? Well, in some rare instances software bugs can affect several copies of the data. That’s what happened here.”

[via BBC]

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Leaked Image Of Thunderbolt on White MacBook?

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 10:39 AM PST

Intel’s Light Peak lightening speed data transfer technology known as Thunderbolt debuted on the new Apple MacBook Pro line last week. With Apple’s special event only a day away, we won’t have to speculate for long whether Thunderbolt will be implemented on the iPad 2 as well. However, today an image purported to be a leaked shot of the plastic white MacBook also sporting the Thunderbolt port has surfaced suggesting the MacBook series may also be getting revamped with the new data transfer technology very soon.

Thunderbolt promises bi-directional data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps and will likely replace USB and FireWire ports in the future. It is estimated to be 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and 20 times faster than USB 2.0. The new USB 3.0 is still only half the speed of Thunderbolt. But not only this, Thunderbolt is able to daisy-chain multiple devices without a hub, something that USB was never able to.

Other Intel partners including LaCie, Promise, and Western Digital have already announced upcoming devices to feature Thunderbolt technology. We also noted last week that Nikon is rumored to be implementing Thunderbolt on their Nikon D4, which would make it the first DSLR to feature the new data transfer technology.

–Thanks for the tip, Theo!

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NAO: A Robot with a Heart Powered by Intel

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 10:22 AM PST

Intel and Aldebaran have collaborated to created NAO, a robot with a heart powered by Intel Atom. He’s teeny, the size of a large newborn baby: only 53cm in height, and weighs 4kg (Ok, about 21 inches and 9lbs). Nao can be customized with a wide range of accessories, and can be used for many different purposes.
He can even dance flamenco. See the video after the break.

The robot has two speakers and four microphones, and two built-in webcams with CMOS sensors. He has WiFi 802.11 connectivity as well. The Intel Atom processor is supported by 256MB RAM and 2GB NAND Flash memory. He operates on a Linux operating system.

NAO is intended for educational use, and costs anywhere from $1300 to $16,000.

[via Notebook Italia]

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Prepping for Pwn2Own: Google Pays $14,000 for Finding Chrome Flaws

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 09:57 AM PST

Google has paid 9 researchers a total of $14,000 for finding vulnerabilities in its Chrome 9.0.597.107 browser, in preparation for next week’s Pwn2Own hacking contest. The outside researchers found 15 bugs, and Google identified four more. None of the bugs were ranked critical, but 16 of them were rated “high”, and three were rated “medium”. Google patched all 19 flaws on Monday.


About a month ago Google offered $20,000 to anyone who could escape Chrome’s “sandbox”. None of these flaws were as critical as that. They related several components, including WebGL, the hardware accelerated 3D graphics API that debuted in early February with Chrome 9; SVG (scalable vector graphics) rendering and animation; and the browser’s address bar. Nearly a quarter of them were related to Chrome’s memory allocation code.

The patched version of Chrome can be downloaded from Google’s web site, and those running Chrome will be updated automatically.

The $14,000 bounty was the second highest paid this year. The researchers who got the biggest checks were Martin Barbella with $3,000, Sergey Radchenko with $2,500 and two others with $2,000 each. Google and Mozilla, who makes Firefox, are the only browser developers who pay bounties directly to bug researchers.

Pwn2Own begins March 9th in Vancouver, BC, and Google’s $20,000 offer for breaking out of the sandbox stands for the first three days of the contest.

[via Computerworld]

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MacBook Pro 15-inch Review (early 2011)

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 09:22 AM PST

Apple’s MacBook Pro refresh last week didn’t get a press event with huge fanfare, but it’s arguably the most important update to the notebook range in some time. Bringing in Intel’s 2011 Core processor range across the board, and spicing up the larger models with AMD discrete graphics, the new versions may look the same but they promise a huge leap in performance. The high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro arrived on the SlashGear test bench last Thursday and we’ve been putting it through its paces ever since. Could this really be the best notebook around? Check out the full review after the cut.

Hardware

At first glance, there’s little to differentiate this new MacBook Pro from the model it replaces. Apple has kept the unibody aluminum chassis, backlit keyboard and broad, glass multitouch trackpad, and the glossy display is the same 1440 x 900 resolution and 15.4-inch size. At first glance, even the ports look the same, thanks to Thunderbolt – more on which later – sharing the same form-factor as Mini DisplayPort.

We can’t complain too much, though. First off, Apple’s MacBook Pro notebooks offer some of the best industrial design around, pairing high-quality materials, high build quality and good looks into something the generally plastic-shelled PC market still can’t better. The 15-inch MacBook Pro tips the scales at the same 5.6 pounds as its predecessor, and measures a reasonably slimline 0.95-inches.

Second, and more important, is the considerable refresh that’s gone on inside the aluminum casing. Sandy Bridge is the order of the day here, with the 13-, 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models all getting processors from Intel’s 2011 range. The 13-inch starts off with a Core i5 as standard (and Core i7 as an option) but the 15- and 17-inch models both pack Core i7 chips from the off. In our review unit, the higher-specified standard configuration, that means Intel’s 2.2GHz Core i7-2720QM. 4GB of DDR3 1333MHz memory is the minimum, with 8GB a factory-fit option.

Graphics have undergone a significant change as well, with NVIDIA’s discrete GPUs replaced by AMD’s Radeon 6000 Series paired with Intel HD Graphics 3000. Apple has obviously deemed Intel’s integrated GPU sufficient for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but the 15- and 17-inch models have a choice of the AMD Radeon HD 6490M (with 256GB of GDDR5 memory) on the entry-level MacBook Pro 15 or the Radeon HD 6750M (with 1GB of GDDR5 memory) on the higher-spec 15-inch and as standard on the 17-inch.

As in the 2010 range, OS X automatically switches between integrated and discrete graphics depending on your activity. For basic web browsing and document editing, then, the MacBook Pro will default to the low-power, energy-frugal Intel HD Graphics 3000 chipset; start gaming, or doing video processing in iMovie, and the AMD Radeon GPU will kick in. There’s no need to log out and back in again to switch, as with earlier dual-GPU configurations.

Storage begins with 320/500/750GB hard-drives, depending on size and SKU, all running at a somewhat disappointing 5,400rpm. Faster, 7,200rpm HDDs are optional, as are SSDs up to 512GB. The slot-loading 8x SuperDrive is still present, while ports include gigabit ethernet, FireWire 800, audio in, audio out, an SDXC memory card slot, MagSafe power and, of course, Thunderbolt. Wireless options include WiFi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; there’s still no integrated 3G option. A microphone is hidden under the left speaker grille, and there’s a new, 720p FaceTime HD webcam above the screen, more on which later.

Software

Apple may be previewing Mac OS X Lion, but these latest MacBook Pro notebooks still come with Snow Leopard pre-installed. There’s also the usual iLife ’11 suite, consisting of iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb and iDVD. The Mac App Store is pre-loaded, for access to a broad catalog of third-party software, as is the freshly-out-of-beta FaceTime for Mac app for holding video calls with other Mac owners as well as iPhone 4 and iPod touch users.

Performance

All the hardware changes would be for nothing if the new MacBook Pro’s performance didn’t stand up, but that’s most definitely not the case. We started out with Geekbench as usual, a synthetic test of processor and memory, and the difference between the 2011 model and its mid-2010 predecessor was dramatic. The new MacBook Pro scored 10,932, while the Core i7-620M 2010 machine – running at 2.66GHz, and with 4GB of RAM – scored 6,309. That’s a more than 70-percent boost in stepping up to the quadcore model.

We then turned to Cinebench, which benchmarks both CPU and graphics card performance, using a mixture of 3D renderings and OpenGL tests. It gives a good overview of how capable a computer will be at system-intensive tasks like video processing and gaming. Again, we compared the mid-2010 MacBook Pro with the new 2011 model.

Unsurprisingly, the new notebook outclassed its predecessor across the board. The four individual cores of the 2011 model scored higher in CPU testing, and the overall CPU performance was more than twice what the older model could manage. As for graphics, in the OpenGL testing the 2010 MacBook Pro managed 17.27fps, while the new model achieved 35.42fps.

Finally, we looked to xbench, a combination of CPU, GPU, memory and drive testing. Again, the quadcore processor and fast RAM made short work of the 2010 notebook, with xbench’s CPU, thread and memory tests coming out 14-percent, 68-percent and 71-percent higher respectively. Graphics, too, were comprehensively higher, with the 2011 MacBook Pro scoring on average 37-percent higher across xbench’s various GPU tests.

In fact, the only element really holding the new MacBook Pro back was the hard-drive, its 5,400rpm speed proving underwhelming. xbench recorded sequential uncached write speeds of 111.13 MB/sec and read speeds of 28.56 MB/sec with 4K blocks, and write speeds of 83.25 MB/sec and read speeds of 77.54 MB/sec with 256K blocks. Random uncached write speeds reached 1.47 MB/sec and read speeds of 0.42 MB/sec with 4K blocks, and write speeds of 29.06 MB/sec and read speeds of 24.36 MB/sec with 256K blocks.

Contrast that with the speeds recorded from the third-party Samsung 470 Series SSD (review) in our 2010 MacBook Pro test unit, and the limitations of a traditional HDD become clear. In both sequential and random reads and writes, the SSD thoroughly bests the HDD: sequential write rates reach as high as 234.52 MB/sec (with 4K blocks) while read rates manage 210.36 MB/sec (with 256K blocks). The boost to random read/write performance is even more dramatic, the faster and more responsive SSD making a strong argument for bypassing HDDs altogether. Overall, with the standard-fit HDD the 2011 MacBook Pro scored 222.31 in xbench – versus the 312.47 of the SSD-equipped 2010 notebook – but that increased to 413.91 when we installed the SSD into the new model.

High benchmarking figures are one thing, but it’s real world performance that makes the difference – and convinces someone whether or not to upgrade. We tested the 2011 MacBook Pro with high definition video exporting in iMovie, and the improvements are considerable. Exporting a 720p clip lasting 1m 31s on the new notebook took 1m 41s; in contrast, the 2010 notebook (with the SSD) took 3m 03s. When we switched the standard HDD for an SSD in the new MacBook Pro, that slimmed the export down to just 1m 33s.

We then ran the same test, with the SSD still installed, on the same clip but exporting at 1080p, and the 2011 MacBook Pro took 2m 55s. It’s worth remembering that this is merely the final export process; the 2011 model also imported raw footage quicker than its predecessor, and was faster making cuts and edits as we modified clips.

FaceTime HD

Apple introduced FaceTime, its proprietary video calling system, with the launch of the iPhone 4, and since then it has spread to the fourth-gen iPod touch and, most recently, to OS X. With FaceTime HD, Apple marks the transition to a higher-resolution webcam, supporting 1280 x 720 video. It’s certainly far clearer and crisper, a noticeable step up from the previous generation of MacBook Pro.

FaceTime HD makes the most sense between new MacBook Pro owners, given they’re the only ones who will actually see the HD part. Previous-gen notebooks had VGA resolution iSight webcams, so won’t be able to send (but will be able to see) 720p video, and the iPhone 4 and latest iPod touch each have VGA front-facing cameras themselves. We’d expect Apple to remedy the latter in future updates, and the iPad is expected to get a front-facing camera itself in its imminent refresh.

Thunderbolt

Arguably the most interesting feature of the new MacBook Pro is, frustratingly, the one we can’t currently test. Thunderbolt is Intel’s production name for Light Peak, the high-speed connectivity standard that hopes to replace USB, FireWire and various video ports along with way. Promising 10Gbps of bi-directional communication, along with 10W of bus-power and the ability to daisy-chain in strings of up to six peripherals, Thunderbolt makes its debut on the 2011 MacBook Pro line.

For the moment, though, the Thunderbolt port will generally only see Mini DisplayPort connectors plugged in: there simply aren’t any Thunderbolt peripherals out there yet. It’s backward compatible with your existing Mini DisplayPort hardware, so a current Apple LED Cinema Display will hook up without adapters required, but we’ll have to wait until later in 2011 for the first Thunderbolt hardware. That’s going to include external storage – LaCie, Promise and others are talking about RAID arrays, and Apple has shown us a dual-SSD high performance external drive targeted at video professionals – as well as A/V interfaces.

From what we’ve seen in private demonstrations with Apple, however, Thunderbolt has no shortage of promise. A 5GB file moved from the MacBook Pro to a Promise Pegasus RAID in a matter of seconds; meanwhile, the notebook could pull four, uncompressed HD video streams from the RAID, then push that back out down the same Thunderbolt pipe to an LED Cinema Display. In effect, there's 20 Gbps of bandwidth to play with – 10 Gbps for DisplayPort video and 10 Gbps for PCI Express data – with this particular demo pulling at around 7 Gbps from the RAID and then pushing at around 6 Gbps to the monitor. Apple tells us that, theoretically, a single Thunderbolt connection could drive two 27-inch LED Cinema Displays simultaneously. Since there’s no daisy-chain Thunderbolt connection on the current Cinema Display line, however, they’d either need to be updated or users have a desktop hub.

Battery Life

As with previous iterations, the 2011 MacBook Pro range features integrated, non-user-replaceable batteries. However, it also marks a change in how Apple measures runtime estimates. Traditionally, manufacturers have promised the longest figures possible, leading to usage expectations far beyond what notebooks can actually achieve in everyday use.

Apple’s switch, then, is to a more realistic model of testing, or what the company is calling “wireless web testing.” That involves setting the display brightness to 50-percent and then browsing “25 popular websites” over a WiFi connection until the MacBook Pro expires.

The result is a shorter estimate, on paper, compared to previous generations of notebook, but one, which is more in keeping with what owners can legitimately expect. Apple suggests 7 hours is reasonable, and we’ve found that to be pretty accurate. The previous-generation model was rated at up to 9 hours using Apple’s old-style testing, but we found 7 hours was a likely maximum in regular use.

With an HD video on looped-playback in the background, we exported seven 1m 31 second 1080p HD videos, import and edited numerous images in iPhoto, then browsed and wrote emails over WiFi; brightness was at 3 bars for around 45 minutes and then at 50-percent for the remainder of the time, until the notebook shut down after 3 hours and 15 minutes. It’s still relatively early days for the new MacBook Pro, and so we’ll revisit battery life after some more real-world testing over the next week or so.

Pricing and Value

The new 2011 MacBook Pro line starts at $1,199 for the entry-level 13-inch, though that rises to $1,799 if you want a 15-inch model. Our review unit – with the 2.2GHz CPU, 750GB 5,400rpm HDD and AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1GB graphics – is $2,199. The single 17-inch pre-configuration is $2,499. Making like-for-like comparisons with Windows notebooks is difficult, since availability and pricing for models using the 2011 Core Series processors isn’t expected until mid-March at the earliest. Still, we’d expect Apple’s machines to command a small premium though in return offer currently exclusive features like Thunderbolt connectivity.

As ever, there are a few points to bear in mind. Those replacing a previous-gen MacBook Pro won’t be able to carry across any RAM upgrades, since the new model uses faster chips than the older versions, and Apple charges $200 for an extra 4GB. Still, with the right screwdriver head it’s relatively straightforward to open the base panel and swap out the memory for a third-party 8GB upgrade.

While that bottom panel is open, it’s worth considering an SSD. One of the more common questions we’re asked is whether a solid-state drive makes for a practical and worthwhile upgrade in a notebook, and our answer is generally yes – as long as you can afford it. There’s obviously a penalty involved in terms of both price and capacity; Apple’s official SSD upgrades, for instance, are $200 for 128GB, $600 for 256GB or a whopping $1,200 – the same as a brand new 13-inch MacBook Pro – for 512GB. In comparison, the entry-level 15-inch machine comes with 500GB of regular HDD storage as standard (for a frustrating $100 you can upgrade that to a faster, but identically sized, 7,200rpm version).

Nonetheless, there are cheaper third-party SSDs out there, and they make a significant impact in performance and durability. A set of spinning platters preserving all your vital files is always going to be a potential liability, and while SSDs aren’t immune to data loss, they’re more resilient to the sort of knocks and bumps most laptops suffer in daily use. With some strategic data management and an external drive, road-warriors can generally work around the capacity limitations and benefit considerably from the speed boost.

Wrap-Up

Make no mistake, this is a dramatically faster MacBook Pro than its predecessor, and the bulk of the credit must go to Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors. The combination of the quad-core CPU, fast memory and capable AMD Radeon GPU adds up to a notebook that’s adept at media editing and should turn its hand to gaming as well, if that’s your priority. Apple’s 7 hour battery estimates obviously won’t hold up if you’re doing heavy-duty video processing, but the Intel integrated graphics hold up their end of the bargain and give the new MacBook Pro some legs when it comes to everyday tasks like browsing, email and Office apps.

Thunderbolt makes another speed promise, but it’s too early to tell what impact the new connection will have. Even when peripherals using the port are on the market, they’ll be of primary interest to media editing professionals with high expectations and deep pockets. Most everyday users will probably still be satisfied with the speed USB 2.0 or FireWire 800 offers, and prove unwilling to spend what first-gen Thunderbolt hardware costs. That said, each new port technology has to start somewhere, and Apple has proved at-times ruthless in its adoption of cutting-edge standards. You can bet the company has an eye on ditching FireWire, USB and the others in favor of Thunderbolt, just as it did before with parallel ports, serial ports and floppy drives.

The 2011 MacBook Pro range, then, does a solid job of building on the strengths of its predecessors while also introducing new functionality and speed. The Sandy Bridge processors make a compelling argument, and the dual graphics mean the notebook has a double life as a hardcore media cruncher and an everyday machine capable of lasting most of a workday on a single charge. Factor in OS X’s usability, strong build quality, and the future-proofing Thunderbolt provides, and the 2011 MacBook Pro adds up to a near-perfect speed demon beautifully wrapped up in a timeless chassis. Rating: We’re working out our metrics for rating so please check back for details. [visit Apple MacBook Pro website for more details]

MacBook Pro 15-inch (early 2011)

MacBook Pro 15-inch with ThunderBolt Unboxing video:

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LG G-Slate gets priced ahead of T-Mobile debut

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 08:51 AM PST

It’s obviously a day for tablet pricing, with T-Mobile’s LG G-Slate the latest to get a price sticker attached. Retailer MobileCity has put the 8.9-inch G-Slate – aka the LG Optimus Pad – up for pre-order at $699.99, undercutting the unsubsidized Motorola XOOM (and, indeed, what they claim is LG’s official RRP) by $100.

You also get the LG dual-camera 3D video capabilities of course, though the G-Slate lacks the Optimus 3D‘s parallax display for glasses-free 3D playback. OS is Android 3.0 Honeycomb, and there’s T-Mobile HSPA+ support, 32GB of storage, an NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU and a front-facing camera. No word on release date, however.

[via Android Community]

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MB&F HM3 ReBel timepiece channels bikers, James Dean, the filthy rich

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 08:34 AM PST

We’re used to bizarre timepieces from MB&F, and while the company’s new HM3 ReBel – R for right (hand), B for Black (case) – timepiece may not rock the fey owl look, it’s still pretty darn unusual. The “rebels” in this case are those who want to wear their watch on the right wrist, rather than the left; they also have to be well-heeled, since only 18 of the HM3 ReBel pieces will be made.

While you wouldn’t think it to look at it, under the black PVD is a white gold case, while the charcoal-coloured movement plates and bridges and the white gold clover-head screws are meant to be reminiscent of a studded biker jacket. Inside are 36 functional jewels and 304 components in an inverted mechanism, paired with two large-diameter, high-tech ceramic bearings.

Best of all is the “mystery” rotor, which appears to defy physics by appearing outwardly balanced. However, MB&F shave away at the underside so as to unbalance it without that being visible. No word on pricing, but we’re guessing this isn’t a cheap replacement to your Swatch.

Press Release:

Horological Machine No3 ReBel

James Dean was a Hollywood Rebel Without a Cause; Billy Idol had a Rebel Yell; Star Wars had its Rebel Alliance; and now MB&F pokes the establishment firmly in its conservatively-focused eye with the HM3 ReBel. Whereas James Dean was the epitome of movie star bad boy, MB&F is the wild child of haute horlogerie; the lone biker in a black leather jacket when everyone else is wearing grey suits and driving Volvos. And unlike Dean, the HM3 ReBel knows exactly what its cause is: horological anarchy!

ReBel: R for right (hand), B for Black (case). The black-coated ReBel is a distinctive, rock ‘n roll mirror-image of the HM3 designed to be worn on the right wrist, as a few individualists out there are wont to do.
And like all true rebels, nothing on the HM3 ReBel is quite as it first appears, especially when you take a closer look behind its nonchalantly cool façade. Under the ReBel’s open black leather jacket – or to be more precise, its black PVD-treated white gold case – charcoal-coloured movement plates and bridges form a darkened backdrop to the resplendent flash of the 22K rotor as it speeds by.

Despite its anarchistic appearance and unorthodox right-wrist architecture, the HM3 ReBel has a serious side. This dynamic, three-dimensional sculpture is a highly technical wristwatch as well as a statement of attitude. The ReBel’s twin cones ergonomically indicate the hours and minutes, with the hour cone capped by a day/night indicator. The top caps of the truncated cones are brazed (not glued) to ensure maximum water-resistance and the red "hands" of the hour and minute indicators are cut by laser to obtain the incredibly high precision/minimum mass ratio the design necessitates.

White gold clover-head screws on top of the black case resemble rivets in an upmarket biker’s leather jacket, while the large, legible numbers of the over-sized date wheel around the rotor enable the date to be read off easily against a neat, engraved triangle on the case.
The rotor and oscillating balance on top provide a clue that the ReBel’s movement, featuring no less than 36 functional jewels and 304 components, is actually inverted. Turning the Machine over reveals the technical secret behind the powerful and superbly hand-finished engine: two large-diameter, high-tech ceramic bearings racing inside bright blue cages efficiently transmitting power up to the time indication cones and date wheel.
We think James Dean would have worn one; Billy Idol would have sang about it; and the Rebel Alliance would have fought for it.
HM3 ReBel is a limited edition of 18 pieces in black PVD-treated white gold, blackened movement and 22K gold rotor.

Horological Machine No3 ReBel – Technical Specifications

HM3 ReBel is a limited edition of 18 pieces

Movement:

Three-dimensional horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor;
Powered by Girard-Perregaux base
Balance oscillating at 28,800 bph.
22K gold battle-axe shaped 'mystery' automatic winding rotor
Hour and minutes information transmitted via ceramic ball bearings to laser-cut hands.

Number of jewels: 36 (all functional)
Number of components: 304

Functions:

Hour and day/night indicator on one cone
Minutes on second cone
Date around the movement

Case:

Black PVD coated 18K white gold case; limited edition of 18 pieces
Screwed-down crown
Dimensions (exclusive of crown and lugs): 47mm x 50mm x 16mm
Number of case components: 57

Sapphire crystals:

Cones and both display backs with anti-reflective treatment on both faces.

Strap & Buckle:

Black hand-stitched alligator with 18K white gold and titanium custom designed deployment buckle.

Horological Machine No3

Inspiration and Realization: Horological Machine No3 was developed to display the machine's beautifully finished movement in operation. Harmoniously crafted bridges, rapidly oscillating balance wheel, gearing and distinctive battle-axe shaped automatic winding rotor are all open to view. This allows the wearer to fully appreciate the art and craft that makes up HM3 and draws the viewer's gaze inside the highly complex machine; a machine comprising more than 300 fine-finished, high-precision components.

The movement of HM3 has been literally turned upside down to allow for an uninterrupted panorama of the solid gold winding rotor's graceful arcs and the high-speed oscillations of the balance wheel. Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, winner of the inaugural award for Best Watchmaker at the 2007 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, was entrusted with turning the drawings and designs of Max Büsser and designer Eric Giroud into horological reality and, with his team at Agenhor, he not only met but surpassed the challenge.

Starcruiser and Sidewinder: MB&F's Horological Machines are for individualists who demand art, craft, excellence, exclusivity . . . and choice. To cater to these demanding aficionados, Horological Machine No3 is available in two versions: 'Sidewinder', with its cones lined perpendicular to the arm and 'Starcruiser', with its cones in line with the arm. Just like their potential owners, each is very special, each is very different.

Indications: The three-dimensional time-indicating cones allow for telling the time at a glance, whether driving or typing; however, the fact that nothing like them had ever been attempted before in horology posed considerable challenges. The top caps of the truncated cones are brazed (not glued) to ensure maximum water-resistance and the red 'hands' of the hour and minute indicators had to be cut by laser to obtain the incredibly high precision with minimum mass that the design necessitated.

The over-sized date wheel is actually a larger diameter than the movement, a fact that allows for very legible and well spaced 2.5mm high numbers. A neat triangle engraved into the top of the case marks the date.

Mystery Rotor: the prominence of the 22K solid gold battle-axe shaped rotor on the dial of HM3 is certain to increase the recognition of this already iconic MB&F symbol. The rotor is a 'mystery' because it appears to defy the laws of physics in being symmetrically balanced instead of having a visibly off-centred mass. This is achieved by machining the underside of one arm to a razor-thin edge so reducing its mass.

"The knack of flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."
-Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

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Panasonic 3D speaker bar and Blu-ray 3D home theater kit unveiled

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 07:50 AM PST

It’s not just LCDs and plasmas on Panasonic‘s mind today; the company also wants your home entertainment to sound better. Hitting the market in April is the Panasonic SC-HTB520, a slim-bar audio system with wireless subwoofer, and the Panasonic SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370 and SC-BTT270 Blu-ray 3D home theater systems.

Panasonic has clad the SC-HTB520 in a fingerprint-resistent black mesh and mirror-finish enclosure, and the various drivers semi-hidden behind create a virtual surround sound experience. As for the Blu-ray 3D systems, they pack integrated WiFi for VIERA Cast and BD-Live, along with a universal iPhone/iPod dock.

The BTT770 and BTT370 also throw in wireless rear speaker support (bundled with the flagship unit, a $129.95 option on the mid-range model), a down-firing subwoofer and Skype support with the optional camera. The Panasonic SC-HTB520 will be priced at $399.99 when it arrives next month, while the Panasonic SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370 and SC-BTT270 will be priced at $599.99, $499.99 and $399.99 respectively.

Press Release:

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICE OF SLIM BAR AUDIO SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS SUBWOOFER AND 3D PASS THROUGH

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) — Panasonic today announced pricing of its new slim bar home theater speaker system, SC-HTB520, which will be available next month. The elegant system neatly mounts on a wall by a TV and offers an easy-to-install, stylish alternative to a conventional home theater sound system. The SC-HTB520 supports Stream Out for 3D image signals and Audio Return Channel, making it easy to configure a FULL HD 3D home theater system by combining it with a 3D Blu-ray DiscTM player and 3D VIERA TV. The SC-HTB520 ideally matches large panel displays 42-inches and above and includes a separate, wireless Down Firing subwoofer.

The front of the SC-HTB520 features a black stainless mesh material with a luxurious mirror finish and a special coating that resists dust and fingerprints. A unique design concept boosts the ambience of the SC-HTB520′s high-quality sounds by making the speaker units partially visible through the mesh, so listeners can almost visualize the sound.

The SC-HTB520 system delivers dialog that is crisp and clear. This is made possible by the Clear-Mode Dialog, which makes the sound seem like it is coming from the center of the TV display. With more precise linking of the picture and the sound, the result is clean, pure sound for dialog voices on video and vocals on music. Virtual surround technology also reproduces surround sounds from the front speakers that seem to wrap around the listening position. And dynamic, deep bass sounds are achieved by the Down Firing Subwoofer. The subwoofer is equipped with a wireless system, so there is no need to connect it to the main unit by cables. Lack of wiring keeps the room interior uncluttered and enables a simple and flexible layout.

Connection and installation could not be easier, thanks to the system's compatibility with ARC* (Audio Return Channel), which allows receiving audio signals from the TV. Simply place it by the television or wall mount for a custom installation (via supplied wall mounts) and connect it with just one HDMI cable.

The SC-HTB520 will be available in April 2011 with a suggested retail price of $399.99.

* An ARC-compatible TV is required.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

Press Release:

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILITY FOR NEW BLU-RAY 3D HOME THEATER SYSTEMS

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) – Panasonic, a leader in Full HD 3D technology, today announced pricing of its new Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc™ home theater systems which employ advanced technologies to reproduce immersive 3D with superb picture quality, cinema-like surround sound and boast 3D Effect Controller, Universal Dock for iPod®/iPhone® and Skype™1 compatibility. All models from entry-level up feature built-in WiFi connectivity.

The new models, SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370 and SC-BTT270 deliver advanced sound quality that complements the dynamic 3D images. Based on the concept of reproducing an ideal cinema- like surround sound environment, Panasonic's proprietary technology, called Cinema Surround Plus, compensates for the lack of a surround effect to provide natural smooth surround sound and offers an enhanced surround effect from above and around.

Featuring Panasonic’s renowned Full HD 3D Playback, the new systems not only deliver powerful 3D images with dramatic effects, enhanced depth, luster and texture, but allow the user to tailor the image display as desired. The 3D Effect Controller adjusts the amount of the depth effect for more expansive images and enables the viewer to enjoy 3D movies with exactly the preferred level of 3D effects.

For space-saving elegance, the sleek, ultra-slim main component measures only a mere 1.5 inches high. The systems are designed to ideally match a flat panel display. The new table-top design of the SC-BTT370 offers easy set-up and will add style to any home setting.

The SC-BTT770 is equipped with rear wireless speakers and wireless kit so there is no need for unsightly wires across the room. The SC-BTT370 is wireless-ready and can be upgraded to provide wireless rear audio with the addition of the optional SH-FX71 wireless kit for rear speakers ($129.95).

The top two models SC-BTT770 and SC-BTT370 feature VIERA CAST™ with Skype™ a new function which allows users to connect with friends and family around the world on any compatible TV. And when they are not home, a convenient Auto Answering Video Message feature answers incoming calls and records video voicemail messages.

Models SC-BTT770 and SC-BTT370 include a down-firing subwoofer, which achieves powerful bass by releasing the sound downward from the speaker unit and port and utilizes the sound reflected from the floor. These models are equipped with one HDMI output and two HDMI inputs with Standby Pass through for HD and 3D gaming and set-top box connections. Since they feature a Standby Pass Through function, signals from the connected devices can pass through the unit even when the home theater system is turned off.

All of the home theater systems feature Audio Return Channel (ARC*), which makes it possible to receive audio signals from the TV, on top of the preexisting HDMI function of sending audio/video signals to the TV with just one cable. This feature simplifies connection by eliminating the audio cable connection between the TV audio output and the main unit's audio input.

All of the new systems feature a Universal Dock for iPod/iPhone** which employs a digital connection to minimize sound degradation. This lets the user play music and video downloads and enjoy high quality sound from an iPod/iPhone.

The new models boast improved easy-to-use features, such as an internal wireless LAN system so IP content, such as VIERA CAST2 and BD-Live, can be enjoyed without having a LAN cable*** connection. VIERA CAST has been further enhanced with CinemaNow and Vudu, allowing viewers to stream movies. Other content can also be accessed from the special VIERA CAST screen to check weather, stocks and other information.

Panasonic's Blu-ray 3D home theater systems bring a new dimension to home entertainment and will be available in April 2011. The SC-BTT770 will carry a suggested retail price (SRP) of $599.99. The SC-BTT370 will have an SRP of $499.99, and the SC-BTT270 will have an SRP of $399.99.

1 Skype video calling requires access to a broadband Internet connection as well as a Skype-compatible camera available from Panasonic, sold separately, to make video calls.

2 Not all VIERA CAST features are available on both VIERA Connect-enabled VIERA® HDTVs and VIERA CAST-enabled Blu-ray DiscTM players due to specific requirements necessary to activate certain applications. Specific app availabilities and compatibilities will be announced at a later date. Access to a broadband Internet connection is required to access VIERA CAST features. There is no fee to use the VIERA CAST functionality however some VIERA CAST services such as Netflix and Amazon VOD have a separate fee structure.

* An ARC compatible TV is required.

** "Made for iPod" and "Made for iPhone" mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod or iPhone respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod or iPhone may affect wireless performance. iPhone, iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

***A wireless LAN environment is required.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

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Panasonic 2011 VIERA Plasma HDTVs detailed

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 07:39 AM PST

First came the 2011 Panasonic VIERA LCD/LED range; now it’s the turn of Panasonic‘s 2011 Plasma range to get official. The company has detailed its nineteen new models for this year, spanning from 41.6-inches up to 64.7-inches and priced from $599.95 to $4,299.95.

Three of the sets – the Panasonic VIERA TC-P42X3, TC-P46X3 and TC-P50X3 – support 720p HD, while a further four – the Panasonic VIERA TC-P42S30, TC-P46S30, TC-P50S30 and TC-P60S30 – crank that up to 1080p Full HD. The remaining twelve models all support Full HD resolution and 3D, and include the VT30, GT30 and ST30 series.

Full details – including pricing and availability – of the new plasmas are in the press release below. Some of the sets are already in stores now.

Press Release:

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILITY FOR ITS AWARD WINNING 2011 PLASMA MODEL LINE

Plasma Sales Show Growth, Pointing To Bright Future

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) – Driving the resurgence of Plasma HDTVs, Panasonic Corporation of North America, the industry and technology leader in High Definition and Full HD 3D televisions, recently announced pricing and availability for its award winning 2011 Viera Plasma line-up. This announcement coincides with Display Search's recent analysis and conclusion that 2010 was a great year for Plasma TV panels, with shipments growing on a Year/Year basis every quarter since Q4 '09. NPD also produced data showing a growth in Plasma sales.

In a February 3, 2011 report – Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, Display Search reported:
Q4 '10 Plasma TV panel shipments grew 1% Q/Q (Quarter-Quarter) and 9% Y/Y
After falling from 15.1 million in 2008 to 14.8 million in 2009, Plasma TV panel shipments jumped to 19.1 million in 2010
Panasonic was a top panel supplier in 2010, with a 22% Y/Y (Year-Year) growth on a unit basis

The report further stated that "Plasma TVs were well-suited for consumer's purchasing habits in 2010, providing the most affordable large flat panel TVs for many consumers. In addition the strong industry push for 3D TV helped, as some reviewers and consumers concluded that Plasma TV had superior 3D performance compared to LCD TV, at least in terms of flicker."

Ken Park, Display Search Senior Analyst for Korea TV Market Research added "With 3D functionality, Plasma can re-position itself as a lasting technology in the TV industry."

The NPD Group also reported that Plasma sales were on the rise. The Port Washington, N.Y. based market research firm reports that the Green Bay Packers weren't the only big winners of the Super Bowl: Sales of plasma TVs jumped 45% in units, and 11% in dollars during Super Bowl week, compared to the same period last year. About half of those sales were of 50-inch plasma sets, with an average price of $670, down $170 from last year. The average price of 42-inch plasmas fell $100 to $451, according to NPD.

Panasonic's 2011 Plasma line-up features TVs in the following screen sizes- 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally); 46-inch class (46" measured diagonally); 50-inch class (49.9" measured diagonally); 55-inch class (55.1" measured diagonally); 60-inch class (60.1" measured diagonally) and 65-inch class (64.7" measured diagonally). Following on the critical success of last years Full HD 3D Plasmas (named best in show at the 2010 CES Convention), Panasonic introduced three full HD 3D model lines for 2011- the VT30, GT30 and ST30. In addition, Panasonic offers the S30 and V30 series in traditional 2D 1080p technology, for a total of 19 Plasma screens available in 2011.

Pricing & Availability
Full HD (1080p) 3D Plasma:
TC-P65VT30 (65-inch class-64.7" measured diagonally)-$4299.95-Available May, 2011
TC-P55VT30 (55-inch class-55.1" measured diagonally)-$2799.95-Available April, 2011
TC-P65GT30 (65-inch class-64.7" measured diagonally)-$3699.95-Available May, 2011
TC-P60GT30 (60-inch class-60.1" measured diagonally)-$2799.95-Available May, 2011
TC-P55GT30 (55-inch class-55.1" measured diagonally)-$2199.95-Available March, 2011
TC-P50GT30 (50-inch class-49.9" measured diagonally)-$1899.95-Available March, 2011
TC-P65ST30 (65-inch class-64.7" measured diagonally)-$3299.95-Available May, 2011
TC-P60ST30 (60-inch class-60.1" measured diagonally)-$2399.95-Available May, 2011
TC-P55ST30 (55-inch class-55.1" measured diagonally)-$1799.95-Available February, 2011
TC-P50ST30 (50-inch class-49.9" measured diagonally)-$1499.95-Available February, 2011
TC-P46ST30 (46-inch class 46" measured diagonally)-$1299.95-Available February, 2011
TC-P42ST30 (42-inch class 41.6" measured diagonally)-$1099.95-Available February, 2011

1080p FHD Plasma:
· TC-P60S30 (1080p-60-inch class-60.1" measured diagonally)-$1899.95-Available May, 2011
· TC-P50S30 (1080p-50-inch class-49.9" measured diagonally)-$1099.95-Available February, 2011
· TC-P46S30 (1080p-46-inch class-46" measured diagonally)-$949.95-Available February, 2011
· TC-P42S30 (1080p-42-inch class-41.6" measured diagonally)-$799.95-Available February, 2011
·
720P HD Plasma:
· TC-P50X3 (720p-50-inch class-49.9" measured diagonally)-$799.95- Available February, 2011
· TC-P46X3 (720p-46-inch class-46" measured diagonally)-$699.95-Available March, 2011
· TC-P42X3 (720p-42-inch class-41.6" measured diagonally)-$599.95-Available February, 2011.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company:
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com.

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Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic offers straightforward aperture twiddling

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 06:58 AM PST

Lensbaby has announced its latest lens, the Sweet 35 Optic, the company’s first 35mm Optic model to feature an internal 12-blade adjustable aperture system. Offering the widest focal length of any selective focus Lensbaby optic, the magnetically-attached Sweet 35 Optic offers f/2.5 through f/22 adjusted through a simple barrel ring.

The new optic clips onto the Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak lenses, and supports up to 3-inch macro shots depending on mount. It’ll suit both full frame and APS-C cameras, too; there’s a demo video showing it in action here.

Sample shots of the sort of images the new optic can produce below, and plenty more to peruse here. The Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic is available now, priced at $180.

Press Release:

Lensbaby® Introduces its First 35mm Optic with 12-Blade Adjustable Aperture

The Sweet 35 selective focus optic has the sweetest spot of all

Portland, OR – March 1, 2011 – Lensbaby, manufacturer of award-winning Creative Effects SLR camera lenses, announces the addition of the Sweet 35 Optic to its Optic Swap System. The Sweet 35 Optic, a 35mm selective focus optic with an internal 12-blade adjustable aperture, creates a Sweet Spot of sharp focus that photographers can move around the photo by tilting their Lensbaby lens. The Sweet 35 Optic boasts the widest focal length of any selective focus Lensbaby optic, features close-focus capabilities, and is available now for use with the Lensbaby Composer®, Muse®, Control Freak™ and Scout lenses.

Departing from its interchangeable magnetic aperture system, Lensbaby has created its first optic with an adjustable aperture. With the Sweet 35, photographers can quickly and seamlessly change the aperture from f/2.5 through f/22, simply by rotating the dial on the front of the optic. The aperture opening is what controls the size of the Sweet Spot of sharp focus, giving photographers the ability to see the Sweet Spot change through the lens, without missing a moment.

"Changing the look of images from my Lensbaby lens with the Sweet 35 optic by quickly adjusting the aperture dial at the front of the optic has become habit-forming and allows me to create photographs I would never see through another lens," said Craig Strong, Lensbaby Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer.

The Sweet 35 allows focus down to 7.5 inches from the front of the lens when used with the Lensbaby Composer and as close as 3 inches when used with the Muse. The 35mm focal length is just wide enough on full-frame cameras and just normal enough on APS C senor cameras, making the Sweet 35 perfect for landscape, environmental portrait, and event photography.

"The Sweet 35's easily changed apertures, wider focal length, and close focus ability make it our most versatile and fun optic," said Strong.

Sweet 35 Optic Product Specs:
Focal Length: 35mm
12-blade internal aperture, controlled by a dial on the front of the optic
Aperture range from f/2.5 through f/22 (sweet spot size ranges from 15%, at f/2.5, to 40%, at f/22, of total image area on APS-C sensor cameras)
Selective focus optic (creates a sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradual blur)
Compatible with Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak lenses*
Focus distance when used with: Composer: 7.5" to infinity / Scout: 6.5" to infinity / Muse & Control Freak: 3" to infinity
4 multi-coated glass elements, in three groups
46mm front threads**
*The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with the Composer with Tilt Transformer for Micro 4/3rds and Sony NEX Cameras.
**The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with current 37mm Lensbaby accessories.

The Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic is available now for $180.00 (MSRP) from www.lensbaby.com, Lensbaby-authorized photo specialty stores worldwide, and from adorama.com, amazon.com and bhphotovideo.com.

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NVIDIA Tegra Zone hits Android Market, gets full review [Video]

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 06:40 AM PST

NVIDIA’s Tegra Zone app for Tegra 2 based smartphones and tablets has landed in the Android Market, offering the best of optimized games and software for the superphone chip. Over at Android Community they’ve wasted no time in putting together a full Tegra Zone review, along with a full Tegra Optimized Mini Game Guide with all the best titles.

If you’ve been looking at a Motorola XOOM, LG G-Slate or Motorola ATRIX 4G then the Tegra Zone app is one you should definitely be downloading. Titles themselves are still accessed from the Android Market – that makes updating and managing downloads more straightforward – but there are more comprehensive reviews and previews of games like Dungeon Defenders: FW Deluxe, Samurai II: Vengeance THD, Backbreaker THD, Fruit Ninja THD, and Hardwood Solitaire IV, along with teasers of upcoming titles such as Galaxy on Fire and Hardwood Spades.

There’s a full demo of Tegra Zone in the video below, shown on Motorola’s new 10-inch XOOM running Honeycomb. Head on over to Android Community for the rest of the news.

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iPad 2 supplies to be scarce thanks to super-skinny screen?

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 06:27 AM PST

Apple’s iPad 2 isn’t expected to see delays in-between announcement tomorrow and going on sale, but launch numbers could well be limited. According to Goldman Sachs analyst Bill Shope, Apple’s choice of a super-thin glass screen for the second-gen tablet has led to supply chain delays, reports AppleInsider; the issue is supposedly not one of technology, but of yield, and Shope believes “volumes [will] ramp fairly quickly as the process improves”

The analyst also throws his hat in with existing predictions of a front-facing FaceTime HD camera for video calls, together with a faster processor and more RAM. He also expects both GSM and CDMA support, though not 4G; that might imply simultaneous availability on both AT&T and Verizon in the US, building on Apple’s recent deal with the Verizon iPhone 4.

“It appears that Apple is once again pushing the technology envelope by making the device far thinner than the original iPad, and the iPad 2′s ultra-thin glass screen is generating yield issues … As of now, we are not assuming Apple will expand the storage capacity for the iPad, which should enable the company to enjoy better product margins over time” Bill Shope, analyst, Goldman Sachs

Yesterday it was revealed that Apple had cut supplies of the first-gen iPad to resellers, suggesting a new model was not only due for unveil on Wednesday but would arrive in shops imminently as well. We’re also expecting a preview of iOS 5.0, and most likely the release of iOS 4.3.

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Panasonic details 2011 VIERA LCD/LED TV line-up

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 06:02 AM PST

Panasonic has announced pricing and availability for its 2011 VIERA HDTVs, with Full HD 3D, smart TV and direct iPod connectivity on select sets. The 3D models include the 37-inch Panasonic TC-L37DT30, at $1,299.95, and the 32-inch TC-L32DT30, at $1,199.95; both use IPS Alpha LED panels, have VIERA connect for streaming Netflix, Amazon VOD, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Pandora and other services, DLNA support and 240Hz. Each will go on sale in April.

The IPS LED panel equipped Panasonic E3 series includes the 32-inch TC-L32E3, (March; $699.95), 37-inch TC-L37E3 (February; $799.95) and 42-inch TC-L42E3 (March $949.95). All have 60Hz screens with 1080p HD support, Easy IPTV for CinemaNow, Netflix and Amazon VOD access, and Facebook support. The Panasonic E30 series, meanwhile, gets the 42-inch TC-L42E30 with a 120Hz IPS LED screen, Easy IPTV and a February release at $1,099.95.

The top-spec Panasonic TC-L42D30 is a 42-incher (April; $1,149.95) and features a 1080p IPS Alpha panel with 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 4, VIERA Connect and a “flush glass design”, while at the other end of the range there’s the 19-inch TC-L19C30, with a 720p HD panel and $249.95 price tag when it drops in May.

More details on the rest of the range in the press release below.

Press Release:

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILITY FOR ITS EXPANDED 2011 VIERA® LCD/LED LINE-UP

LED Full HD 3D TVs Debut

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011)- Panasonic Corporation of North America, the industry and technology leader in High Definition and Full HD 3D technology, recently announced pricing and availability for its 2011 LCD/LED models. At the same time, Panasonic heralded the introduction of two LED Full HD 3D TVs to its expanded LCD/LED 2011 line-up. With a total of eight LED models in the VIERA LCD/LED line-up, the 2011 model array provides internet access via its proprietary VIERA Connect service, found on three models and Easy IPTV, a web entertainment solution that is available on five models.
Full HD 3D LCD-LED
For the 2011 Viera Full HD 3D line-up, Panasonic extended the immersive 3D technology to its LCD-LED line, with two models, the TC-L37DT30, a 37-inch class (37"measured diagonally) and the TC-L32DT30, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally). Both models benefit from an IPS Alpha LED panel – assuring a wide viewing angle and improved motion picture response; VIERA Connect featuring such robust entertainment, social media and interactive apps as Netflix™, Amazon VOD™, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Napster, Pandora, Facebook, Gameloft and access to sports sites MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS and more; Wi-Fi ready (includes LAN Adaptor); Viera Image Viewer to view JPEG digital photos and HD video recorded on an SD Memory card; DLNA compatibility; Viera link, making it possible to operate Audio/Video components from a single remote; four HDMI connections; three USB ports; a PC input; ISF Pro Setting Menu; 240Hz with Motion Picture Pro 5, providing fast motion picture response necessary to produce crisp, cross-talk free 3D images and a lower power consumption. The TC-L37DT30 will be available in April, with a SRP of $1299.95. The TC-L32DT30 will also be available in April, with a SRP of $1199.95.

LCD/LED

The E3 series presents three screen sizes- the 32-inch class TC-L32E3 (31.5" measured diagonally), available in March ($699.95); the 37-inch class TC-L37E3 (37" measured diagonally), available in February ($799.95) and the 42-inch class TC-L42E3 (41.6" measured diagonally), available in March ($949.95). In addition to the IPS LED panel; the E3 series provides the consumer with four HDMI connections; two USB ports; DLNA connectivity and a PC input. The three E3 televisions utilize 60Hz technology with 1080p resolution. To further enhance the entertainment experience, the E3 series introduces Easy IPTV, a web entertainment solution offering 3 Movie sites – CinemaNow, Netflix, and Amazon; 2 Music sites – Napster and Pandora; 1 Social Networking site – Facebook. Also, the inclusion of Viera Image Viewer allows the user to view digital still photos and H.264 HD video recorded on a SD Memory Card.

The E30 series features the TC-L42E30, a 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally) HDTV featuring an IPS Alpha panel with LED backlighting and 120 Hz Motion Picture Pro 4, for fast motion response speeds. In addition, the TC-L42E30 also offers Easy IPTV providing multiple entertainment solutions for the customer. The TC-L42E30 easily connects to other CE devices by offering four HDMI inputs, two USB ports, DLNA connectivity and a PC input. The Viera Image Viewer allows the user to view digital still photos and H.264 HD video recorded on a SD Memory Card.

The TC-L42E30 also features a clear panel to enhance contrast and reduce ambient light reflections. The model will be available in February with a SRP of $1099.95.

The top of the line LCD/LED TC-L42D30, a 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally), available in April ($1149.95) features a 1080p IPS Alpha panel with 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 4 technology contributing to the set's overall pristine picture quality. In addition, the new flush glass design adds a sleek, fresh cosmetic to the TV. To enhance and expand the entertainment quotient, Panasonic's proprietary IPTV solution VIERA Connect is featured. The TC-L42D30 also includes the Viera Image Viewer, providing the consumer with an easy method to view digital still photos and H.264 HD video recoded on a SD Memory Card.

The TC-L19C30, a 19-inch class (19" measured diagonally), is a 720p IPS Alpha panel that will be available in May with a SRP of $249.95.

HD LCD
The TC-L32C3, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally) HDTV is a 720p HDTV with the IPS Alpha Panel. In addition, the LCD TV features two HDMI connectors; a PC Input; Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link. The TC-L32C3 will be available in March, 2011, with a SRP of $399.95. The TC-L24C3 is a 24 –inch class (24" measured diagonally) featuring Viera link and Viera Image Viewer, and will be available in June with a SRP of $299.95.

The LCD U3 series includes two models, the 37-inch class (37" measured diagonally) TC-L37U3, currently available ($599.95) and the TC-L32U3, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally) HDTV, available in March with a SRP of $499.95. These two LCD HDTVs deliver 1080p Full HD resolution with a 60Hz IPS Alpha Panel and include three HDMI connectors; a PC Input; Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link.

The U30 series features one 1080p model – the TC-L42U30, a 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally). Featuring an IPS Panel; three HDMI connectors; a PC Input; Viera Link and Viera Image Viewer, the TC-L42U30 introduces 120Hz with Motion Picture Pro 4 to the LCD line. The TC-L42U30 is currently available with a SRP of $799.95.

The TC-L32X30, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally), 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV with the IPS Alpha Panel, continues to offer the popular iPod/iPhone Entertainment kit, allowing the user to connect their device directly to the TV. The TC-L32X30 also includes Easy IPTV; DLNA compatibility; Viera Image Viewer H.264, providing the consumer with ability to view digital still photos and H.264 HD movies recorded on a SD Memory card; Viera Link; three HDMI connectors; a USB port and a PC Input. The TC-L32X30 will be available in March. SRP is $499.95.

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RIM confirms NFC intentions for full BlackBerry line-up

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 05:48 AM PST

All future BlackBerry devices will include support for NFC, according to their UK chief, in an attempt to take a sizeable bite out of the wireless payment and ticketing ecosystems. “The opportunities are endless … We don’t know how it's going to pan out, but we're in the process of building an an ecosystem” RIM UK MD Stephen Bates said today, reports Electricpig, confirming that near-field communications support would be in “all of our new devices moving forward.”

Among the potential uses Bates mentioned were Starbucks payments, travel using contactless tickets integrated into our phones, and gaining access to events without traditional passes. However, the MD didn’t confirm which BlackBerry device would be the first to launch with NFC support, nor whether RIM was looking to build its own ecosystem of services or piggy-back onto existing channels.

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Kingston offers new HyperX T1 Black triple channel RAM kits for Intel platforms

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 05:44 AM PST

When it comes to RAM one of the companies that has been around the longest is Kingston with its line of mainstream and enthusiast grade memory products for computers. Kingston also has a big line of flash drives and SSDs as well. The latest new offering from Kingston is the new HyperX T1 Black triple-channel RAM kit for Intel platforms.

The RAM is specifically designed for the Intel X58 systems and supports the new Core i7-990X CPU. The RAM has black heat sinks to complement mainboards with black components on board. The typical Kingston RAM kit has blue heat sinks. Kingston is offering the RAM in kits of three or six modules. Kit capacities range up to 24GB.

Kingston is offering the HyperX T1 Black in 1600MHz DDR3 flavor in 24GB, 12GB, and 6GB configurations. "Our new HyperX T1 Black triple-channel kits give enthusiasts the opportunity to combine performance and style into their PC build," said Mark Tekunoff, senior technology manager, Kingston. "These high-capacity kits are ideal for the X58 products on the market, especially the new GIGABYTE G1-Killer gaming motherboards." Check out the video below to see the RAM in action. The 24GB kit is $379, the 12GB kit sells for $190, and the 6GB kit is $104.

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inPulse smartwatch gets Facebook Places check-in for Android devices

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 05:26 AM PST

Facebook is certainly a cool service, but I don’t think the people that know me want to know where I am at all times. I am not a user of Facebook Places, but I know many folks that are. If you are a major Facebook Places fan that happens to own an Android smartphone, a new app for the inPulse smartwatch has been unveiled that you might make you want to wear a watch again.

The app comes from inPulse Lead Designer Eric Migicovsky and it adds the ability to check-in with Facebook Places with a single button right from the smartwatch. The watch communicates via Bluetooth with the Android smartphone that uses its data connection to access the Facebook Places service.

The watch will show the user a list of local places that they can check in and the user can choose a place from the list all with a single button. That beats having to pull your smartphone out of your pocket and navigate through multiple screens to check-in for sure. After the user checks-in, the watch shows a conformation message.

[via Android Community]

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Boxee raises $16.5m funding: More content & tablet support promised

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 05:13 AM PST

Boxee has closed a new round of funding, raising a further $16.5m in investment which the company says it will spend on adding content to the streaming media platform, increasing the number of hardware partners producing standalone Boxee Boxes, and developing the system to take on more of the established A/V ecosystem. According to Boxee VP of marketing Andrew Kippen, the company “would also like to see Boxee handle all the video on a TV with no need to switch inputs.”

Two new investors have joined the fray, Pitango and Softbank, while several existing investors have increased their stake. The previous round of funding was 18 months ago, and raised $6m. Boxee has promised more US and international content sources will be made available, and that the extra cash will allow them to roll them out quicker as well.

Meanwhile, bugfixes and tweaks will also be faster, and the company is taking on more staff. Among the openings is Senior User Experience Designer, who will in part be responsible for Boxee’s push into tablets.

Official statement:

I’m happy to announce that Boxee has just closed a $16.5M round of financing.

New investors looking for a piece of the action:
Pitango [Tel Aviv] – Led by Isaac Hillel from Pitango who will join our board.
Softbank [New York City] – Led by Jordy Levy.

Previous investors coming back for more:
General Catalyst
Spark Capital
Union Square Ventures

Funding / Company Snapshot
Our previous round of financing was $6M and at that time we were 12 employees, our software was in alpha and the Boxee Box was a dream. Fast forward 18 months and we are a different company. 34 employees, ver 1.0 of the software and the Boxee Box is available in more than 30 countries.

We are more hungry and driven than ever. Less naive, but dreaming even more ambitious dreams. We are also recruiting, so if you are a Boxee fan and passionate about what we're doing then maybe you can join us in either NY or TLV. Check out our jobs page.

The new funding will help us focus on 3 main things:

Product – The new round will enable us to grow our development team, building new functionality while continuing to squash bugs. We will add more movies, TV shows, and video while at the same time making it easier to discover and watch them. We have ideas on both fronts and are excited to get to work. We would also like to see Boxee handle all the video on a TV with no need to switch inputs.

More Content – We recently added Netflix and Vudu to the Boxee Box. There are many more sources of content on our ToDo list in the US and internationally. Every new content source makes Boxee more valuable so we’ll be upping the speed with which they’ll be coming on the platform.

More Partners – D-Link is already shipping the Boxee Box, Iomega is working on a Boxee NAS device and ViewSonic is working on a TV based on Boxee. We plan to sign up more device and distribution partners, giving users more options and more ways to get Boxee.

We are really excited to welcome our new investors and thankful for the continued support of our existing investors. Most of all we're happy that we get to continue to improve Boxee for our users.

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Penthouse Magazine launches 3D adult channel in Europe

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 04:52 AM PST

If you are waiting until there is more 3D content to enjoy before you run out and buy a 3D TV and associated gear the content is coming. We have already seen lots of 3D sporting programs hit the airwaves on cable and satellite providers and now porn is going 3D with a 3D adult channel from Penthouse. Too bad we can't get mainstream networks to go 3D, I think that is what most of us are waiting for.

The channel is called Penthouse 3D and will launch in Europe and is the first Pan European 3D formatted adult channel to launch. The launch of the new station is today and the network will offer full 3D native HD resolution programs with 30 hours of programming monthly. Apparently, the programming will run to soft core all the way to the full Monty hard-core offering.

The new 3D network comes by way of Penthouse’s partnership with NOA Productions that distributes Penthouse channels in Europe. Jacky Wauters, Head of NOA Productions, Penthouse channels' European distribution partner says, “Thanks to the increasing consumer acceptance of 3D, I am delighted to work with Penthouse to be able to satisfy the needs of the consumers and broadcasters alike who demand high quality, cutting edge entertainment backed by a solid and well established brand like Penthouse."

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Steve Jobs knighthood blocked by ex UK Prime Minister

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 04:42 AM PST

Steve Jobs was reportedly blocked from receiving an honorary British knighthood in 2009, after then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown was supposedly snubbed by the Apple CEO. According to an unnamed senior MP from the UK’s Labour party – who left the UK Parliament at the country’s last general election – Brown had invited Jobs to speak at the annual Labour party conference but been turned down. In response, Brown denied requests by the MP to honor the Apple CEO for services to technology.

“Apple has been the only major global company to create stunning consumer products because it has always taken design as the key component of everything it has produced” the ex-MP claims, according to the Telegraph; ”no other CEO has consistently shown such a commitment.” They suggest Apple was aware of the potential honor, but that plans to make “Steve Jobs KBE” (as an American citizen, Jobs would not be able to title himself “Sir”) were scuppered when Brown denied the proposal.

Brown’s office has not commented on the claims, and Apple is similarly quiet. Bill Gates was granted an honorary knighthood back in 2005, for his contributions to private enterprise and efforts to reduce poverty.

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Tobii outs world’s first eye-controlled laptop

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 04:23 AM PST

Tobii will be showing off the world’s first laptop that can be controlled by the user’s eyes. The notebook will be seen for the first time in Hanover at CeBIT that kicked off today. The Tobii eye-control technology is inside a Lenovo notebook and is the result of collaboration between Lenovo and Tobii.

The laptop is the first fully functional prototype of the Tobii eye control technology. The tech inside the notebook allows the user to point, scroll, and select things on the computer screen using their eyes. Typically, this sort of control would be done with a mount, track pad, or a touchscreen. Tobii and Lenovo claim that the eye control system is intuitive to use and natural to control.

This sounds like an excellent system for the disabled that can't use their hands or have limited control of their hands. Tobii and Lenovo constructed a first batch of 20 laptops using the tech and each will get ten of the machines to use for testing and demonstration. According to Tobii with the tech on the notebooks all the user has to do is look at a widget to get more detail on it rather than clicking.

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Matrox debuts new Extio F2208 fiber optic KVM extender

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 04:12 AM PST

If you work in the corporate setting and you need to shoot the display, keyboard, and mouse control from a computer in one room to another facility on the same campus or a really long distance away in a large building Matrox has a new KVM extender for you. The device is called the Extio F2208 KVM Extender and it supports dual monitors. The range of the KVM extender is a whopping 1KM using fiber optic cable.

The F2208 uses bus extension technology with a special PCIe bus card to shoot raw, uncompressed data over single or multi mode cable. The device has enough bandwidth to support resolutions up to 2560 x 1600 for each monitor without any issues. The two supported displays can use DisplayPort, digital, and analog inputs. The DisplayPort supports 2560 x 1600 and the other two ports support 1920 x 1200.

The KVM extender has five USB ports that allow the remote user to use keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, and other input devices from up to a kilometer from the actual computer. The KVM has BIOS level keyboard support that means the keyboard on the user side can access the computer BIOS. The KVM is also passively cooled making it silent and it will work with Windows and Linux machines. Matrox is mum on pricing at this time.

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SCE Japan unveils new Dualshock 3 charging station and candy blue controllers

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 03:44 AM PST

Sony Computer Entertainment is offering up some new accessories for the PS3 in Japan that gamers will appreciate. One of the most unsightly things about the PS3 console today is the fact that you have to plug your controllers into a USB port to charge. That means that you have wires running all over the place. You can go with an aftermarket charging station, but some folks like Sony gear.

If you are one of the folks that likes to stick to official Sony products, these new accessories from Japan might be just what you need. Sony has unveiled a new charging station that is called the Dualshock 3 Charging Station and has ports for plugging on two PS3 controllers to charge. The station looks nice and has the same black color as the standard PS3 controllers. The Charging Station will charge both the Dualshock 3 and Sixaxis controllers from an AC outlet leaving those USB ports on your console free for other things.

The charge dock comes with little adapters that are plugged into the USB port on the controllers and left there. Once the user is done with the controllers all they have to do is set the controllers in the dock to charge. The Charging Station will sell for 2,480 yen and a new Dualshock 3 controller in Candy Blue is offered as well that will sell for 5,500 yen. Both new accessories will ship in Japan on April 21. There is no word on availability in other countries at this time.

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Panasonic pulls a slash and burn on Jungle gaming handheld

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 03:32 AM PST

Remember that Panasonic Jungle handheld from last year that was supposedly already in testing in the US? No? Well, don't feel bad the thing was destined to fail. Back in November Panasonic went so far as to send out emails to some geeks telling them they had been chosen to test the Jungle in the US. If you were one of those chosen ones, Panasonic has apparently realized the other portable consoles coming like the 3DS and NGP that are actually cool and killed off the Jungle.

Reuters reports that Panasonic said today that it has stopped the development of the Jungle handheld gaming device. The only details offered by Panasonic as to why it ended development was an official statement that said, “Panasonic decided to suspend further development due to changes in the market and in our own strategic direction.”

I guess Panasonic finally realized that the Jungle really had no chance against the popular Nintendo 3DS and other portable systems already on the market and coming to market. I think this is a project that won't really be missed. The console was going to focus on MMORPG titles only and the sole game to have been spoken of was a Battlestar Galactica game. Check out the video below for a bit of nostalgia.

[via ComptuerAndVideoGames]

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Greenliant NANDrive is world’s first single-package SATA SSD

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 03:18 AM PST

A company called Greenliant from Germany has announced what it is claiming to be the world’s first industrial-grade single package SATA SSD. The drive is called the NANDrive, uses the SATA interface, and can be had in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB capacities. The drive is able to operate in harsher environments making it more robust and less prone to failure.

The drive combines a SATA controller with SLC NAND flash drive for a fully integrated SSD in a multi-chip package. The SSD resulting from the packaging is the industry’s smallest SSD at 14mm x 24mm x 1.85mm and it comes in a 145 ball grid array for mounting on a system mainboard.

All three of the available capacities for the drive use the same footprint making them all work in the same small devices. One of the big benefits of the integrated design of the drive is that it doesn't need an additional bridge chip between the storage device and the chipset to operate. Greenliant is aiming the SSD at medical equipment, networking infrastructure and factory automation among other uses. The NANDrive is sampling now.

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