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Samsung First Company To Commercialize Transparent LCD Panels

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 04:47 AM PDT

Samsung has been working on transparent displays for a while now, but all we have seen so far were prototypes. Today, however, big S announced that it began mass-producing transparent LCD panels earlier this month, as the “world’s first company”. Samsung says that the panels will be available as a black-and-white and as a color type and that they boast the world’s highest transparency rates.

Here are the main specs:

  • screen size: 22 inches
  • contrast ratio: 500:1
  • resolution: 1,680×1,050 (WSXGA)
  • transparency rate: over 20% for the black-and-white type, over 15% for the color type
  • interfaces: HDMI, USB

According to Samsung, the panels need up to 90% less power when compared to ordinary LCDs with backlights because their transparent panels can use sun light.

The company plans to target advertisers, event organizers, corporations with its new product (but fails to state an exact release date).

Daily Crunch: Distortion Field Edition

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 12:00 AM PDT

End Of The Road For Spirit Mars Rover?

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:32 PM PDT


Although the Mars rovers have gone way, way beyond the call of duty (the original mission was for 90 days; Opportunity is still active after more than six years), the dream has to end sometime — and evidence is mounting that for Spirit, the first of the two rovers to touch down, may be down for the count. After a year of being trapped in sand, its last big hope was a big solar boost over this last month, but it seems that was insufficient to bring the poor little guy back to life, and NASA is moving on.

It’s not impossible that it could be reinvigorated by a fresh breeze and some sun (like many of us), but things don’t look good.

This Car Stereo Eats Phone Books With Its Bass

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:10 PM PDT


I think we can all agree that while bass is an important part of most music, there is a limit past which it is pointless to amplify that part of the sound spectrum. This video is about going so far beyond that point that the sound starts being measured in gut punches rather than decibels. That poor phonebook never had a chance.

The system being demonstrated is from audio outfitter Steve Meade Designs, and is the owner’s own 2001 Tahoe. Its setup consists of “four 18-inch subwoofers, backed by a total of 13 amps and 26 smaller speakers, including 10 6.5-inch mids, and 10 one-inch tweeters.”

I like that the hood gets knocked down at about the three-minute mark.

[via Autoblog]

Video Demo Of Real Photoshop On iPad

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:20 PM PDT


Eric over at Photography Bay captured this demo of Adobe’s in-development Photoshop app for iPad on video. It’s way more full-featured than the Photoshop Express already available — if file management was a little easier, this would go a long way towards making my iPad an actual full-powered blogging station.

Look at that layers animation! That’s insane. Is it practical? I don’t know. But it’s definitely cool.

There’s no release date yet, but I can’t wait. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear more.

Full Trailer: Child Of Eden For Kinect

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:06 PM PDT


One of the games for Kinect that I’m genuinely excited about is Child of Eden, from the geniuses behind the mesmerizing Rez and Lumines. The system seems just perfect for it, and the aesthetic is… well, just watch the trailer.

In between the aren’t-we-cool gamer shots and sparkly hands, we have what looks like a straightforward yet hypnotic on-rails shooter. Now just give me that vibro-belt and I can really get into it.

Here’s the HD version, by the way.

Contest: Want to win a battery chargin’ Mophie iPhone case? Here’s how.

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:45 PM PDT

As promised yesterday, we’ve got a bit of a giveaway goin’ on over at MobileCrunch’s brand new Facebook page. Two lucky MobileCrunch fans are gonna be walkin’ away with a brand new Mophie Juice Pack Air iPhone case. Part protective case, part external battery, this thing should keep your iPhone safe and juiced up.

So, how do you enter to win? It’s crazy easy. Find out how after the jump.

Read the rest at MobileCrunch >>

Cardboard Pinhole Hasselblad Is Short On Megapixels, Long On Cute

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:30 PM PDT


So you want your very own Hasselblad, but don’t want to spend the $40K? Well, this is right up your alley, though some assembly is required.

It’s a functional pinhole camera, though the dials don’t really do anything and of course you can’t use the viewer. But it will take pictures on 35mm film, and if you’re patient enough to put it together correctly and store it high enough, someone might think it’s the real thing.

Kelly Angood designed the papercraft camera, and you can get the PDF here. Want a 120 film version? She’s got that too.

[via PetaPixel]

Review: ONA Union Street Camera/Laptop Bag

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:00 PM PDT


Short version: A good-looking and fairly durable alternative to your usual black-nylon camera bag. Not an all-purpose bag, though — definitely for the photographer who loves waxed canvas, not the gadget guy or world traveler, despite its Indiana Jones looks.

Features:

  • Waxwear waxed canvas exterior
  • Leather/brass details and clasps
  • Velcro-adjustable internal compartments for SLR and lenses
  • Fits up to 15″ laptop
  • MSRP: $279

Pros:

  • Gorgeous finish
  • Plenty of room for laptop, cameras
  • Nice little details and build quality

Cons:

  • Relatively fixed shape (not collapsible or expandable)
  • Wimpy shoulder pad
  • Interior material clashes with exterior

Full review:

I’m a big fan of waxed canvas. It’s old-school, it looks great, it wears well, and it’s reasonably resistant to the normal dangers of life: rain, dirt, light physical abuse. I’d drape myself in canvas if it were socially acceptable. So I was pumped to check out this bag from ONA. It’s their only “bag-size” bag, and it’s made more for photographers than tomb raiders, but it wouldn’t look out of place in an Indiana Jones movie. The grey and black colors, not so much, but hey.

First, let’s establish the size, since it seemed smaller than I expected from their pictures and size is a very important factor when picking a bag at this price. The actual measurements are 16.5″ wide, 5″ deep, and 11″ high. Add an inch or so for strap, bulge, and so on. It’s not petite or extra-large, but it’s bigger than many camera-only bags and a bit more compact than many messenger bags.

Old-school style

The material on the outside is the famous Waxwear cotton canvas infused with wax. If you’re not familiar with waxed canvas, it’s got a nice organic feel to it like normal cloth, but it’s also stiff and resistant to day-to-day wear. I wouldn’t call it waterproof; it sheds water, as you can see here, but it will soak in eventually. Rain, snow, and mud won’t penetrate easily, though. Scratches register easily but rub away, leaving a softer mark. The accumulation of scratches and wear is part of the charm of this material, and of course if that doesn’t appeal to you, this bag is definitely not your style.

The clasps and buckles are of a nice warm brass, with attractive studs and visible stitching. I didn’t hear any creaking or clicking, and they seem to be put together pretty well. The fastening method is what they call “tuck-lock,” and it works well most of the time, but if you’re trying to keep the flap on tight, you’ll have to fiddle with them a bit. Fortunately adjusting the straps is a piece of cake.

Cargo features

There is one external pocket on the back of the bag, flat and simple, for scrap paper or what have you. Under the flap is a zippered pocket with… not much room, but enough to put your phone, a pad of paper, some pens and such. The zipper itself is plastic, and feels a little out of place, but the inside is canvas with leather detailing and feels authentic.

I like these little flaps (above) right at the edge of the main opening, which fold in and protect the insides from splashes, hands, or what have you. It’s a nice little detail and whoever noticed that there’d be a conspicuous gap there without them should be given a pat on the back.

The main compartment is lined with a material whose color I can only call “seafoam.” Well, maybe it’s a little more greenish-beige than that, but I find it very incongruous with the rough-and-tumble Waxwear exterior. I asked about this, and the material was chosen because it’s velcro-compatible; more canvas on the interior would limit the configurations for your camera and gear, increase the cost, and wouldn’t be quite as soft and protective. Good points all, and all reasons why this bag should really be considered a camera bag first an a laptop/other bag second, if at all.

So the main cargo area has five removable divider pieces: one large one that creates a spot for your laptop, then three medium-size ones for creating lens and accessory compartments, and a small one for supporting your SLR and perhaps stowing some gels or wipe cloths. The velcro on both sides makes them really want to stay in place, and each has a good 3/4″ of padding. Here it is empty, with camera gear inside, and with the dividers removed to allow book and laptop storage:



There’s a medium amount of room in there — it doesn’t stretch or expand at all, and it doesn’t collapse very well. On the other hand, its semi-rigid shape makes it stand on its own quite easily and resist falling: great for setting down on the go and leaving it open for quick access to accessories. My MacBoook Pro fit in with lots of spare room, so if you’ve got a chunkier 15″ laptop (I don’t think 17″ would go) you’ll be fine; and after all you can adjust the space used for the laptop compartment.

Small reservations

The most disappointing part of the bag has to be the shoulder strap. Although the strap itself is of nice thick nylon, it’s not very wide, and the leather “pad” that sits on your shoulder is microscopic and provides almost no padding at all. If you’re carrying a laptop, two lenses, a 7D with a lens attached, and a couple other miscellaneous things, that’s quite a bit of weight and you’re going to want something more cushy on your shoulder. The leather didn’t grip my shoulder well, either. The Booq Cobra messenger bag had a fabulous shoulder strap — something to think about, ONA.

I also could have used a little more ready access on the outside, as a photographer. There are a couple very small pockets underneath the strap attachments, which will hold a small lens cap or a couple pens, but a little more room for quick stowage would have been appreciated.

Conclusion

This bag should be on the short list for fashion-conscious photographers. It’s functional, sure, but so are a hundred other bags. This isn’t branded like a photo bag, so it won’t attract attention to you either as a tourist or thievery target, but it will serve perfectly well for a day bag while getting around. I’m concerned that the interior material might fuzz and ball up, but if you get a configuration you like and stick with it, it should be fine. At $279 it’s approaching luxury territory, but the fact is you can’t get Waxwear cheap. There aren’t many bags like this available at all, much less for under $300 (Manhattan Portage has one for cheap, but it isn’t as nice, and Jack Space has some nice ones, but for significantly more). If you’re an adventurous and tasteful photographer, you should definitely give the ONA Union Street a look.

Product page: ONA Union Street camera bag

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Roland Introduces V-Drums Friend Jam

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:39 PM PDT

Roland, makers of all things MIDI and beyond, have a new product out called V-Drums® Friend Jam. The software lets you connect your Roland V-Drums (electronic, MIDI drums) to your Mac or PC with a MIDI interface (not included) and, in the words of the press release, “allows V-Drums users across the globe to interact with each other while improving their drumming skills with play-along MP3 songs and practice evaluation features.”

So what does that mean? It means the software lets you:

  • Play along with included practice tracks, of various styles
  • Add your own MP3s as practice tracks
  • Record your playing and evaluate individual performance elements including beat, stamina, and technique
  • Share your playing results with others via Twitter and compare how they rank with other V-Drums Friend Jam users around the world
  • Use an embedded calendar feature to track and achieve practice goals

The website claims “This is a social tool for drummers” which is just begging for a deluge of  ”drummer” jokes in the twittersphere, however maybe it really will let “electronic” drummers around the world unite and compare notes? If you are a V-Drummer out there with the tools and the talent, let us know in the comments if this thing is ready for prime time or DOA.

 

Acer Acknowledges Its Whole Strategy Needs Reassessment

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:13 PM PDT


Acer is realizing that the iPad isn’t going to topple itself. While the strategy of just making shells for other companies’ OSes and components has worked for Acer for years, that clearly isn’t an approach that had any effect at all on the iPad’s dominance of the tablet sector. People will get tired of the closed iOS, said Acer, and just spontaneously choose a crappy Android 2.x tablet made by people who truly don’t care. Not so much!

Acer’s founder, Stan Shih, speaking recently at an event in Taipei, said that Acer needed to take its sights off of being the world’s biggest PC vendor and (presumably) focus on better and more distinguishable products. As part of this transition, he adjusted their first-quarter sales targets to 10% less than last year’s, rather than the 3% growth originally planned.

Millions of people around the world would be unable to tell the difference between an Acer laptop and any of the other major brands. You tell me, is that a healthy business model, when your product is indistinguishable from your competition and you’re only making money because your volumes are so big?

Hopefully Acer makes a change for the better. The fewer totally anonymous laptop manufacturers out there, the better.

[via Apple Insider]

The Archos Arnova 10 Trades High Amounts Of Memory For A Lower Price

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 02:34 PM PDT

Archos quietly became the favorite low-cost Android tablet maker of fanboys everywhere thanks to a solid 2010 offering. The company’s Arnova brand builds upon the same formula with even cheaper tablets. The secret sauce? The bare minimum amount of internal memory. But buyers might overlook that little detail especially with the Arnova 10 shipping for only $180.

Under the Arnova 10′s 1024 x 600 10-inch screen is an ARM-based CPU running Android 2.1, 802.11 b/g, front-facing camera and an SDHC slot. Archos says there’s enough computing juice to handle 720p video . The only downside is the 4GB of internal memory, but the SDHC slot effectively counters that altogether. Liliputing points out that the model carries a $199 MSRP but can be found for $180.

Witness App Turns iSight Into Security Camera

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 02:17 PM PDT

Meet Witness. Witness is the little Mac app that turns iSight into a motion-activated security camera. If an intrusion is detected, Witness will send instant alerts to users along with videos and stills to their iPhone or iPad.

Witness requires Mac OS X 10.6 and of course, a Mac with built-in iSight. It’s available now for $39, or $29 for students

[via Macnn]

Samsung Reportedly Installing Keyloggers On Its Laptops

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:20 PM PDT


Update: Samsung has said they are looking into this: “Samsung takes Mr. Hassan’s claims very seriously. After learning of the original post this morning on NetworkWorld.com, we launched an internal investigation into this issue. We will provide further information as soon as it is available.” So far Hassan is the only person to report this, so it could be any number of things, including a false alarm or a bad retailer.

This is… potentially disturbing. Mohamed Hassan recently purchased a brand-new Samsung laptop, an R525. As part of his normal setup procedure, he ran a complete scan with security software and found a keylogger installed in the Windows directory. Now, Samsung wouldn’t be the first company to accidentally ship infected computers — Asus had such a disaster back in 2008.

Thinking this might be the case, Hassan removed the keylogger (Star Logger in C:\Windows\SL) and went about his business. But after an issue with the display driver a short time later, he returned the laptop and picked up a higher-end R540. Lo and behold, on running his security scan, Star Logger was found yet again!

This isn’t some system failure logging utility, by the way. It’s a full-blown keylogger that records every key press.

I’ll let Hassan tell the story here:

On March 1, 2011, I called and logged incident 2101163379 with Samsung Support (SS). First, as Sony BMG did six years ago, the SS personnel denied the presence of such software on its laptops. After having been informed of the two models where the software was found and the location, SS changed its story by referring the author to Microsoft since “all Samsung did was to manufacture the hardware.” When told that did not make sense, SS personnel relented and escalated the incident to one of the support supervisors.

The supervisor who spoke with me was not sure how this software ended up in the new laptop thus put me on hold. He confirmed that yes, Samsung did knowingly put this software on the laptop to, as he put it, “monitor the performance of the machine and to find out how it is being used.”

So. After denying the software existed, then saying that they just make the laptops, they finally acknowledge that yes, Samsung installs malicious software on their own laptops in order to record user behavior.

I don’t think I need to go into the specifics of why this is a shocking breach of trust and presumably illegal as well. We’ll keep an eye out for further developments, but in the meantime, if you have a Samsung laptop, look in C:\Windows for a \SL directory. If you see one, contact Samsung and get mad. This is totally unacceptable and hopefully we’ll get some satisfaction from Samsung on this point soon. I just don’t understand how they could think this was even close to okay, and even after justifying it, how it could possibly escape detection.

Mohamed Hassan and his collaborator Mich Kabay at Network World have contacted Samsung several times for comment, but have received no response so far. I look forward to their answer. Let’s hope it’s all just a big mistake.

Popular Science iPad Subscriptions Not Exactly Blowing Up

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:45 PM PDT

Popular Science is a good magazine, and a popular one. With a circulation of around 1.3 million, they can afford a little iPad experiment. And while of course 10,000 subscriptions on the iPad is nothing to sneeze at, it’s still just a drop in the bucket, especially after six weeks of promotion.

And although PopSci says they’re happy that the experiment is working out all right, I suspect they understand that the platform isn’t quite ready to be the true magazine alternative they want it to be. Apple’s monstrous 30% cut and in-app sales fees hobble the system to begin with, and then there’s the fact that even early adopters have trouble with the idea of a tablet having original content. Games, maybe, and better ways to get at Twitter and video, but stuff that lives just on the iPad? Still a pretty weird idea.

There’s also a lack of information about subscribers, though I don’t really sympathize with them here. People have an easy way to opt out of having their information shared, and while that means PopSci can’t target marketing as well, it’s just plain good for consumers, so tough.

[via Electronista]

The I’m Watch: Risible Garbage Or Ridiculous Frippery?

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:39 PM PDT

It’s not every day that we see something so high-minded and, simultaneously, ham-handed. The I’m Watch (“iWatch” would have brought the wrath of Apple down with the certainty of the seasons’ change) is a “luxury” tech watch that is supposed to connect to your iPhone and preview your messages, email, and make calls. It is pure and utter buffoonery to think that this thing is worth more than $50 let alone 599 euro in Titanium and a piquant 11,999 Euro in “black gold,” really PVD-coated yellow or rose gold.

The I’m Watch is in its concept stages right now and it is my sincere hope that it stays there.

The best thing is that the site includes a heartfelt message from the designers:

"We are convinced that there are things innate in man, things that are intangible yet truly unique and great: creativity, imagination, the ability to formulate brilliant ideas and the determination to put these into practice.
This we have done, and have tried to do it to the best of our ability. In other words, we have taken an innovative, highly technological idea and rekindled in ourselves that fundamental impulse in which we Italians excel: creative design.
Our philosophy is to make that which surrounds us not only more useful but also more beautiful.
What we were waiting for is now here: i'm."

Good on ya, lads. Why not make a proper watch and not stick a cheap “phone watch” into a metal case?

 

Product Page via Accesoweb

Boxee Outlines The Upcoming Boxee Box Firmware Changes

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:18 PM PDT

Talk about timely. Boxee’s Avner Ronen just posted the worklist for the next Boxee Box firmware, which is schuduled to drop in May. Among other fixes the browser is getting a major update that seems to address many of my concerns. Also, Boxee Box support for the iPad app is coming. May can’t get here soon enough.

Video: DiRT 3 ‘Group B Rally’ Trailer

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:57 AM PDT

Dear John Biggs. I won’t be around for a few days following the release of DiRT3 on May 24. I’m….going to be sick. Sorry. *cough* (Yay Ford RS200!)

Yahtzee Doesn’t Like Dragon Age II

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:28 AM PDT


Maybe it’s just the indie snob in me, but I have to say that Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect (oh, and Fallout 3/NV) are some of the most overrated games of all time. So I wasn’t really expecting much from Dragon Age II except a new style and perhaps faster combat. You know, for the kids.

Yahtzee finds that this game suffers from a bad case of sequel-itis, not really offering any real story or gameplay advances — just another entry in a successful new franchise. Oh well! I’m happy playing Secret of Mana anyway.

Dell Enterprise Wonk Derides iPad As It Eats Dell’s Market Share

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:46 AM PDT

Dell’s Andy Lark may know a thing or two about heavy iron in the enterprise but when it comes to the gadgets that are quickly replacing that heavy iron, he’s sorely mistaken. Take the iPad, for example. In a CIO interview, Lark says:

“An iPad with a keyboard, a mouse and a case [means] you’ll be at $1500 or $1600; that’s double of what you’re paying,” he claimed. “That’s not feasible…. Apple is great if you’ve got a lot of money and live on an island. It’s not so great if you have to exist in a diverse, open, connected enterprise; simple things become quite complex.”

ORLY? Considering, as Darren Murph points out, a majority of Fortune 100 companies are piloting the device and allowing many execs to use and carry it, harping on price is probably not the way to go, especially when the harping is wildly out of whack with reality.

Dell has every right to be worried about Apple. For most of the Information Age they’ve ruled the roost when it came to enterprise laptops and desktops and they continue to do well in that space. But now that the vast majority of start-ups hand out MacBook Pros to their new hires instead of Dell Latitudes, they have a problem. FUD isn’t the answer here.

via Engadget


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