Ofcom has released its latest piece of research into the average speed of the UK’s broadband connections. And the organisation reckons that in November 2011, speeds are up 22% on the previous year. The average connection was 6.2Mbps in November … Continue reading
Techwatch: Tech News
We already got a brief introduction to the Spark Linux-based tablet, but details were a little sparse. Since then, a few more key bits of info have been added to its Q&A page, which might help sway your purchasing decision. That KDE Plasma Active UI we knew it’d be sporting will stare out at you via a modest 800 x 480 screen, and there’s a 1.3 megapixel snapper tucked in alongside for video calling. The 1GHz / 512 MB internals we initially reported remain unchanged and the two USB ports and 3.5mm audio jack we saw in the pre-release picture above also get the official seal. There’s talk of GPS making it into the next iteration, but for now you’ll have to find your own way. The main news, however, is that pre-orders are pegged for next week, and shipping set for May. The initial focus is on Europe, but plans for it to arrive in US retailers are apparently underway. If that’s suitably tickled your fancy, head on over the break and tap the source for more info.
Spark Linux tablet specs updated, going up for pre-order next week originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink 
Netbook News | 
Aseigo | Email this | Comments
Engadget
Sony Ericsson is looking to start a bromance with the McTwist-loving, Double-Cork-landing, A-Frame-riding masses jonesing for a new Android device. The handset maker has announced a “global strategic alliance” with Billabong to launch the Xperia Active Billabong Edition smartphone in select markets. The handset will come preloaded with exclusive content, including Billabong screen savers, and bundle several Billabong-branded games and applications. As the two companies tell it, the Xperia ABE is the “ideal smartphone for extreme sports enthusiasts.” Accordingly, Sony Ericsson hardware is about to start making appearances at various “major” Billabong events. Unfortunately, this next bit is really going to harsh your mello: the hardware is identical to that of the Xperia Active announced back in June, complete with a single-core 1GHz processor, Gingerbread, a 3-inch Reality display and a five-megapixel shooter. Even with its no-so-extreme spec sheet, we give SE a gnar-lay for effort.
Continue reading Sony Ericsson hangs ten, launches Xperia Active Billabong Edition
Sony Ericsson hangs ten, launches Xperia Active Billabong Edition originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
The super-fast broadband race continues, as BT and Virgin Media attempt to outdo each other hooking the nation – or at least the major population centres – up to very speedy pipes. Virgin Media struck the latest blow, with the … Continue reading
Techwatch: Tech News
An in-depth look at Facebook user behavior reveals some interesting trends among this more than 800- million constituency: One, Facebook users tend to receive more from the Facebook friends than they give out; two, there is a solid core of users that are very active on the site. The Pew Research Center’s report on the subject is based on data mined from the server logs of Facebook activity and survey data that explores the structure of Facebook friendship networks and measures of social well-being.
TechNewsWorld
The future of Windows Phone has just become a lot clearer. We already knew that Microsoft is already aiming for uniform operating systems across its platforms, from smartphones to tablets, through consoles and PCs. But that cross-platform integration is going … Continue reading
Techwatch: Tech News
A change to the 1988 Video Privacy Protection Act recently sailed through the House of Representatives without a hitch. The bill would allow a provider of rental DVDs or videos to get consent to share their customers’ title selections, as long as users were provided with an opportunity to withdraw that consent. That smooth ride ended in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, when opponents of the measure took the opportunity to grill Netflix, which has been pushing hard for the change.
TechNewsWorld
Twilio’s cloud-based communications platform allows anyone with rudimentary Web-development knowledge to build a voice and SMS text application. An API, client, and various XML and other helper code is available that lets you build in PHP, C# and more. The basic concept behind all Twilio cloud telephony applications is that a user calls or texts a Twilio-provided number; Twilio then sends a request based on that call to your developed application; your application receives the request and sends XML to Twilio; Twilio then runs the instructions and interfaces with the caller.
TechNewsWorld
Someday, people whose ability to speak has been damaged by illness or injury may be able to vocalize anyway with the help of technology. Researchers at UC Berkeley have made strides toward translating the words a person thinks into real speech. The researchers used 15 patients undergoing neurosurgery as subjects. They placed electrodes on the subjects’ brains, then recorded the activity detected as the subjects listened to a conversation. This recorded data was reconstructed and played back. Algorithms were used to process the data.
TechNewsWorld
Two years after bending to Warner’s demands and delaying its kiosk rentals 28 days in exchange for lower acquisition costs and a steady supply of Blu-ray discs, Redbox announced the agreement has expired. This comes as a result of Warner’s desire to extend the delay between the time movies are available for purchase to the time they can be rented in kiosks or by subscription to 56 days, and instead Redbox will go back to buying the studio’s movies at retail — coincidentally, it has renewed its lease agreement with Walmart for 3,700 retail locations for three more years. While that means more expense and possibly unsure supply for Redbox — we’ll wait and see if retailer interference is an issue again — the good news for consumers is that for the time being, they’ll have the choice of renting as soon as movies go on sale. The first flick affected by the new reality is A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, so until Warner backs off, or Redbox blinks once its streaming service comes into play, then go forth and enjoy those .10 rentals freely.
[Thanks, Stephen]
Redbox refuses to push Warner movie delay to 56 days, will rent flicks as they go on sale originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Variety, Company Town, Redbox / Walmart agreement | Email this | Comments
Engadget
