Where y'all be: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Weotta iOS local discovery app goes nationwide, Google Ventures approves

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Weotta iOS local discovery app goes nationwide, Google Ventures approves

Finding things to do and places to go has never been easier thanks to services that neatly pull all the options together. Weotta hopes to be another weapon in your discovery app arsenal after expanding its coverage to the whole of the US, having initially been limited to 40 cities. As the company's CEO told Forbes, the free iOS app uses "phrase extraction and natural language processing" to source its local suggestions from the nooks and crannies of the internet. That same wizardry is used to steer its rating system, which is based on what's said about a venue or event rather than aggregating numerical scores. It'll learn your likes and dislikes, tailoring recommendations as it gets to know you better, but you can discover what's happening in the area for yourself using the search feature. Via Facebook Connect, the app will also tell you what's popular among your peers. While Weotta is only available for iOS, it's attracted funding from Google Ventures, which is a recommendation in itself that suggests you give it a whirl.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

Source: Weotta, Forbes, App Store

DirecTV reportedly one of three $1 billion-plus bidders for Hulu

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DirecTV reportedly one of three $1 billion-plus bidders for Hulu

And then there were three. Bloomberg is reporting that a trio of companies are hoping to fork out over one billion dollars for the privilege of taking online video service Hulu under their wing, and DirecTV is one of them. While we're not quite sure which other companies are involved in the process, we've been told that Yahoo, Time Warner Cable and a few others have at least thrown out offers, with no confirmation on how much they were willing to spend. Although those "people with knowledge of the bid" could include a few hoping to encourage more $1b+ offers, those extra large checks increase the odds Hulu will actually sell this time. We're quietly hoping that this potential bidding war will be resolved through an arm wrestling match, though DirecTV's legal team likely wouldn't approve.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Source: Bloomberg

White Nexus 4 now available in US Google Play Store and T-Mobile (video)

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White Nexus 4 now available in US Google Play Store and T-Mobile (video)

It's just a new hue for a seven-month-old phone, but there are still a few Nexus 4 enthusiasts who are ecstatic that a white version has finally been released. It officially launched two days ago in Hong Kong, but it's now hitting the US Google Play Store (with a free white bumper), as well as T-Mobile's website "for a limited time." If the $299 / $349 Play Store price is above your budget, the UnCarrier's financing plan will be your best option: it's offering the alabaster Android device for $20 down with 24 monthly payments of $17 (bringing the full retail cost to $428). If your country's Play Store isn't selling the new color yet, be patient -- its rollout over the rest of North America, Asia and Europe will continue over the next few weeks.

Update: hit the break for our unboxing video, in case you missed it earlier this week.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Google, LG, T-Mobile

Source: Play Store

Fleksy touch keypad arrives on Google Play, now available for beta testers

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Fleksy touch keypad arrives on Google Play, now available for beta testers

The beta version of Syntellia's Fleksy keypad for Android phones and tablets has arrived on Google Play, months after it first became available on the company's website in January. However, there's a catch: You can only download it if you join its Google+ community as a beta tester. To do so, simply log in with your Google account, click Join then navigate your way to Download Fleksy Beta at the sidebar. Note that when you activate the keyboard via Settings, you'll be warned that it can access everything you type -- even your credit card details -- except your passwords. It takes practice to get used to Fleksy's predictive text engine (as you can see above, it forcibly replaced "Hi, Engadget" with "Hi, Schaefer"), but if you're searching for the elusive touch keypad of your dreams, it's worth giving the erstwhile iOS exclusive a whirl.

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Mobile

Via: Droid Life

Source: Fleksy Beta on Google+

Hulu Plus update brings enhanced UI and controls to Roku, Smart TVs and Blu-ray players

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Hulu Plus update brings enhanced UI and controls to Roku, Smart TVs and Blu-ray players

Hulu Plus has been on a roll in the mobile world this month, dishing out a brand-new Windows Phone app and updates to its Android UI. Fortunately, the service is pushing out similar efforts to the home entertainment side as well: a new refresh is rolling out to Samsung Smart TVs, select Blu-ray players and newer Roku hardware, with the Wii getting the update treatment in the near future. Enhancements in the new "experience" include a new tray-style user interface with a "shows you watch" feature, simplified controls, better search and Hulu Kids. Sounds like a pretty solid effort by the company, but if you're not convinced, head to the source link for the full list of changes.

Update: A post on the Roku blog indicates the new UI is coming to the Roku HD (2500) and later models including the Roku 2, 3 and Streaming Stick. Earlier devices will still get the old UI.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Source: Hulu Blog, Roku Blog

Zoho announces Zoho Vault, provides a hub for businesses to manage passwords

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Zoho announces Zoho Vault, provides a hub for businesses to manage passwords

Zoho announces Zoho Vault, provides a hub for businesses to manage passwords

Zoho's more commonly known around the interwebs for its document editing tools, but today the service is launching a product that's a little more business-oriented than its Office suite. With the newly introduced Zoho Vault, the company's hoping to give business owners a centralized repository where they can easily manage their passwords online -- something slightly similar to what LastPass offers. Of course, security will likely be very important for potential customers, and Zoho says it'll be able to keep a rigorous lockdown by implementing things such as Host-Proof Hosting, a measure which encrypts passwords at the browser and stores only encrypted data on the server. The Personal Edition of Zoho Vault is available now for free and can be accessed by one person, while the Enterprise Edition costs a mere $1 per month, offers an iPhone app and supports unlimited users.

Filed under: Misc, Internet

Source: Zoho

Rdio intros new social features and redesigned player

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Rdio intros new social features and redesigned player

Social media streamer Rdio rolled out a major redesign a little over a year ago and has done a bit of tweaking since then. Now, following a recent update to its mobile apps, the service is making even more changes. At the top of the list are methods for getting social on the site, with friends from Twitter and Facebook hitting its front page, alongside their listening habits and influencers selected by the service. You can also check out a curated list of potential friends, if the front page just isn't doing it for you. Autoplay, meanwhile, creates personalized stations and keeps the music going after you're out of ideas, or you can proactively create stations by clicking on album artwork. Also new is a thumbs up / thumbs down voting feature and a full-size player featuring big album artwork and upcoming tracks.

Filed under: Software

Source: Rdio Blog

Watch ABC app with live TV streaming comes to Kindle Fire, but not Google Play

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Watch ABC app with live TV streaming comes to Kindle Fire, but not Google Play

ABC dipped its toe into live network TV streaming with the Watch ABC app on the web and iOS earlier this month, and now it's followed up with a version for Amazon's Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD tablets. Unfortunately, despite the Amazon Appstore listing it's still not in Google Play so other Android devices can't get easy access yet. At launch the press release mentioned Samsung Galaxy hardware will also be supported this summer, but there's no word beyond that.

Of course, the same location restrictions still apply no matter what platform, with Watch ABC currently available in NYC and Philadelphia only. Through the end of June anyone in those areas can tune into the live streams, however after that it will require authentication with a participating cable or satellite company. Viewing areas will also start to include into other markets throughout the summer and fall based on ABC's agreements with its affiliates. The Watch strategy has worked well so far for Disney's cable networks (ABC Family is up next), whether its push to bring live network TV to the internet is spurred by Aereo or Nielsen's new ratings, we hope more can watch it soon.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Amazon

Source: Amazon

Shapeways intros squeezable Elasto Plastic 3D printing material for makers

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Shapeways intros squeezable Elasto Plastic 3D printing material for makers

See that squeezable bunny up there? It was created in a material 3D printing mail-away company Shapeways calls Elasto Plastic. The substance is the latest medium offered up from the organization, currently available exclusively to makers to help test out its effectiveness. The resulting 3D printed objects can be squeezed, squished, twisted and can hold liquids. It does have some shortcomings, however, as it dislikes high temperatures, fire and isn't so great for printing small objects. To see the material in action -- and to hear a grown man utter the phrase "flexible squishy goodness," check out the video after the break.

Filed under: Peripherals

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Shapeways

Twitter adds inline profile editing, drag-and-drop photo uploads

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Twitter adds inline profile editing, drag-and-drop photo uploads

Twitter has made it just a tad easier to tweak your profile information by offering the option of changing them inline. The feature, which is available through both the website and its official mobile apps, enables faster changes to your account bio, as well as drag-and-drop upload capability for your header and profile photos. It's a small change, but ultimately it's meant to encourage users to keep their accounts fresh and relevant. Check out the video below the break to see exactly how it works.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Via: TheNextWeb

Source: Twitter

Graphene camera sensors said to be 1,000 times more sensitive to light

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Graphene camera sensors said to be 1,000 times more sensitive to light

While we're still scratching around with Ultrapixels and OIS, scientists in Singapore claim they're working on something that could change the entire field of photography. Researchers at the Nanyang Technological University have developed an image sensor made out of graphene that's 1,000 times better at capturing light than traditional CMOS or CCD sensors, all while using 10x less energy. These new sensors may initially be used in surveillance equipment and satellites -- when they do eventually end up in regular cameras, however, they're promised to be five times cheaper than the sensors they're replacing. Combine this with the work being done on graphene batteries, and we're that much closer to the perfect smartphone.

Filed under: Cameras

Via: C|Net

Source: Science Daily

TechShop CEO Mark Hatch on his Toshiba T1100 Plus and radio tech magic

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TechShop CEO Mark Hatch on his Toshiba T1100 Plus and radio tech magic

Every week, a new and interesting human being tackles our decidedly geeky take on the Proustian Q&A. This is the Engadget Questionnaire.

In the latest installment of our high-tech queries, TechShop CEO Mark Hatch discusses annoying reboots, the ka-chunk of classic tech and much more. The full gamut of answers -- from Leatherman to Siri -- await your perusal on the other side of the break.

Filed under: Misc

Source: Distro Issue 93

Microsoft promo: buy a Surface RT, get a free keyboard cover

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Microsoft promo: buy a Surface RT, get a free keyboard cover

There's no question that the Surface RT comes into its own with a keyboard cover; we can't imagine using the tablet unadorned. Microsoft can't, either, as it's launching a promo that gives the covers away. Americans and Canadians who buy the Windows RT slate between now and the end of June can get either the Touch Cover or the Type Cover for free, no matter which color they fancy. Surface Pro customers are out of luck, but it's hard to dispute the value for prospective Surface RT owners -- the deal amounts to at least a $100 discount on the touch PC's real-world price.

Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft

Via: CNET

Source: Microsoft Store

The Wheelharp delivers string-orchestra sounds via a mechanical keyboard

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The Wheelharp delivers string-orchestra sounds via a mechanical keyboard

Currently up for $50,000 in funding on Kickstarter, the Wheelharp delivers the sounds of a chamber string orchestra via a keyboard and a full chromatic set of real strings. Oh, and it's pretty much the most striking instrument we've ever seen. Developed by Los Angeles-based Antiquity Music, the device reacts to a user's press of the keys by moving a corresponding string to a rotating wheel with an edge that bows the string. The instrument gives the player plenty of controls; the right pedal controls wheel speed, while the left mans the strings' damper system.

Though an early version was demoed at NAMM this year, the Wheelharp is currently in R&D mode, and Antiquity plans to put much of the Kickstarter money toward researching the optimal string selection. Hit up the source link to hear the instrument in action. Just don't get too excited; the instrument will retail for a cool $12,500 -- or a slightly more palatable $10,000 through the crowdfunding site.

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals, Alt

Via: Laughing Squid

Source: The Wheelharp (Kickstarter)

Samsung's Galaxy S 4 mini stars in Three UK's new video

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Samsung's Galaxy S 4 mini stars in Three UK's new video

Can't wait to get your hands on a Galaxy S 4 mini? Samsung has yet to announce its price and availability, but until then you can imagine you're Three UK's Brendan Arndt in the video below. Arndt shows off the much-rumored baby S 4 for us, as the phone poses for close-up shots in various angles. While the clip merely reiterates all the specs Samsung confirmed, it also shows how relatively tiny the S 4 mini is compared to its full-sized sibling and the gargantuan Galaxy Mega. That, despite the device boasting a 4.3-inch screen, which is even bigger than the iPhone 5's. Check after the jump to watch the S 4 mini in all its not-so-Lilliputian glory.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

Via: Android Community

Source: Three on YouTube

Mt. Gox now requires verification for non-Bitcoin transactions

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Mt. Gox now requires verification for non-Bitcoin transactions

While the Bitcoin market is advancing toward legitimacy in the financial world, that also means closer legal scrutiny -- and the Mt. Gox exchange is tightening its policies to match. As of today, the institution requires verification for every non-Bitcoin deposit or withdrawal. The move keeps Mt. Gox in line with "strict anti-money laundering rules," and it reduces the chances that security breaches will spark chaos. Verification won't be necessary for pure Bitcoin transactions, the exchange says. Some traders see the new rule spoiling dreams of a truly borderless currency, but it may help reassure those still skittish about virtual cash.

Filed under: Internet

Via: CNBC

Source: Mt. Gox

Nokia launches Music with Mix Radio app on Asha, starting in Russia

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Nokia launches Music with Mix Radio app on Asha, starting in Russia

While the Asha line lacks the glamor of Nokia's WP8 smartphones, it outsells its big-shot siblings by a wide margin. Now, owners of those handsets will be able to grab Nokia's Music with Mix Radio, an app that was previously available only on Windows and Windows Phone 8. Other WP8 hand-me-downs like Transit and Xpress Now have already hit the budget platform, showing it's far from being Nokia's neglected child. While missing some WP8 features, Asha Music users will get 2G/3G and WiFi streaming, 100 channels of curated content and offline storage of up to four mixes. You'll likely have to wait a few weeks to grab it though -- unless you're in the launch country of Russia.

Filed under: Cellphones, Nokia

Source: Nokia Conversations

Samsung's 65- and 55-inch 4K TVs launch next month in Korea for less than $8,000

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Samsung's 65- and 55-inch 4K TVs launch next month in Korea for less than $8,000

Samsung's first 4K TV came with an eye catching 85-inch frame design and an eye popping $39,999 MSRP, but its next two will apparently be much more reasonable. The 65- and 55-inch versions have just been given a release date and pricing information in Korea and while still expensive, they've followed Sony's lead to a sub-$10,000 price point. The machine translated press release indicates pre-orders should start June 1st, with the 55-inch model available for 6.4 million won ($5,670), and the 65-inch version for 8.9 million won ($7,913). Naturally, they include Samsung's upscaling technology and support for the Evolution Kit CPU upgrade as well, and as seen in the pics (above and one more after the break) feature a more standard frame design. As an additional bonus, pre-orderers will get a free coupon for the 2014 upgrade kit (we wonder if that will include any potential new HDMI standards) and a fitness bike exercise game app.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

Source: Korea Newswire

Sony will use eyeIO's video compression tech to deliver 4K movies

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Sony will use eyeIO's video compression tech to deliver 4K movies

At CES eyeIO claimed its software suite was "studio grade" 4K ready and it will be put to the test soon, since Sony Pictures is licensing it to deliver movies to the FMP-X1 4K media player this summer. Sony didn't have any more details to reveal about its 4K delivery plans just yet, but eyeIO's press release claims its tech is being used on 4K video (3,840 x 2,160) encodes with support for extended color gamut. Besides easier downloading / streaming on bandwidth-constrained connections, it also helps out on the server side by requiring less storage space and distributing files more efficiently. Netflix is another recent licensee of the tech, and while not all responses to some of its new streams have been positive, we'll wait and see what it can push to Sony's $699 box and the Sony 4K TVs it attaches to.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

LinkedIn status updates can now include photos, other types of files

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LinkedIn status updates can now include photos, other types of files

LinkedIn status updates can now include photos, other types of files

Given how simple and common it is to do it on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, you'd think being able to share images as part of a status update wouldn't be anything novel at this point. But for those inhabiting the popular (and inspiring) social networking site LinkedIn, this hasn't exactly been the case -- and that's about to change. As of today, users are able to add a little more flavor to things shared on the site, with LinkedIn letting it be known that they can now easily enclose more than just text when using the share box. And while picture uploads are certainly all the buzz, LinkedIn's also making it possible to include other file types, such as documents and presentations. Currently, the new feature only allows uploads to be done via the desktop version of the website, however LinkedIn did tell CNET that the content "will be viewable inside the mobile apps."

Filed under: Internet

Via: CNET

Source: LinkedIn

EA plans to scrap Online Pass from existing games, enable access without a code

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EA plans to scrap Online Pass from existing games, enable access without a code

EA's Online Pass program has been in the news a bit of late, but that'll soon change. The voucher's now set to be phased out completely -- earlier this month the company shared that it won't be including the certificates with new games, but now Game Informer reports that this will apply to existing titles as well. Soon, EA Sports games will no longer prompt users for a code, while numbers for other titles will be made available for free online. The rollout should wrap up over the next few weeks.

Filed under: Gaming

Via: Joystiq

Source: Game Informer

CNET: Acer will release a $400 Android AIO PC running Intel's Haswell CPU

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CNET: Acer will release a $400 Android AIO PC running Intel's Haswell CPU

Acer will soon release an Intel Haswell 3GHz, Core-i5-powered AIO at that cuts Windows out of the PC picture altogether by running Android, according to an un-sourced rumor from CNET. The PC maker has already dipped its toes into the Android AIO waters with the 21.5-inch ARM-powered Smart Display DA220HQL (shown above), but if the rumor pans out, it would mark the first Intel powered AIO we've seen from anyone packing Google's mobile OS. The lack of a license fee to Microsoft means the unit would cost around $400, and thanks to Android's lower hardware needs, would come with a mere 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM at a minimum. If true -- and that's a huge "if" -- it makes some sense considering Acer's desire to avoid Microsoft's Windows RT OS at all costs, but we're not sure how an Android-based tablet with pricier Intel underpinnings would go down with the public.

Filed under: Desktops, Acer

Source: CNET

Razer Blade Pro and 14-inch models hands-on

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Razer Blade Pro and 14-inch models hands-on

It wasn't all that long ago that we first got our mitts on the Blade 2.0, and today we came to grips with two new third-gen Razer gaming laptops: the Blade Pro and a fresh 14-inch model. On the outside, both of these Blades favor their elders -- both sport matte black anodized-aluminum shells with Razer's trademark Slimer-green accents and diminutive power bricks. Where they differ from previous Blades is in what lies beneath that familiar facade.

Gallery: Razer Blade 14-inch and Blade Pro hands-on

Each will come with Intel's fourth-generation Core-i7 quad-core silicon (a 47W chip in the Pro and a 37W CPU in the 14-incher) and a freshly revealed NVIDIA GTX 765M GPU, plus bigger batteries than ever before. If it wasn't already obvious, let us spell it out for you: a big reason for these changes is electrical economy. One of the biggest complaints with any portable gaming rig is its battery life, or more accurately, lack thereof. A more efficient CPU and GPU, plus an extra 10 to 14 Wh of juice means that Razer is acutely aware of the problem and is taking steps to fix it. Razer ran the MobileMark 2007 battery test on the new 14-inch Blade and it lasted six hours. Of course, we'll have to wait until we review these new rigs to discover real-world battery life, but at least on paper, the two new Blades will be a bit more miserly.

Filed under: Gaming, Laptops

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 and 780 review roundup: Kepler's still kicking in 2013

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 and 780 review roundup: Kepler's still kicking in 2013

Now that we have the low-down on NVIDIA's two mainstream heavyweights, the GTX 770 and the GTX 780, we figure it's time to move beyond specs and official slide decks and bring together some reviews from the specialist sites. Both cards contain the same Kepler architecture as NVIDIA's 2012 line-up, with no huge leaps in evidence, but they either add more of this silicon (in the case of the GTX 780) or drive it harder (in the case of the GTX 770) in order create new options for enthusiasts and for those upgrading from a card that is two or more generations old. At the same time, these products represent a major shift in NVIDIA's pricing strategy. At $649, the GTX 780 is priced much higher than its direct ancestor, and it aims to approach Titan-level performance without hitting the same thousand-dollar high. Meanwhile, the GTX 770 costs just $399 and yet is said to replace last year's flagship cards like the GTX 680 and Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition, which are still being sold for $450 and upwards at some retailers. Read on and we'll summarize how these claims have stacked up against reality.

Filed under: Desktops, Displays, Gaming, NVIDIA

Thursday, May 30, 2013

DARPA developing muscle-controlled prosthetic limbs that can feel (video)

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DARPA developing muscle-controlled prosthetic limbs that can feel (video)

DARPA's no stranger to bionic limb research, however two new projects under the agency's RE-NET program focus on improving amputees' link to their prosthetics. RE-NET aims to develop the technology that will connect artificial limbs to existing nerves and muscles. Once that's achieved, users will be able feel with the prosthetic as well as move it as they would a real arm or leg, unlike another project focused on one-way control. Head past the break to watch videos documenting the clinical trials of both studies -- the arms in the clips aren't quite the life-like limbs DARPA promised back in 2006, but they sure are mighty impressive.

Filed under: Science, Alt

Source: DARPA RE-NET

NVIDIA reveals GeForce GTX 700M series GPUs for notebooks, we go eyes-on

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NVIDIA reveals GeForce GTX 700M series GPUs for notebooks, we go eyes-on

We've already seen a couple of new desktop GTX cards from NVIDIA this month, and if the mysterious spec sheet for MSI's GT70 Dragon Edition 2 laptop wasn't enough of a hint, the company's got some notebook variants to let loose, too. The GeForce GTX 700M series, officially announced today, is a quartet of chips built on the Kepler architecture. At the top of the stack is the GTX 780M, which NVIDIA claims is the "world's fastest notebook GPU," taking the title from AMD's Radeon HD 8970M. For fans of the hard numbers, the 780M has 1,536 CUDA cores, an 823MHz base clock speed and memory configs of up to 4GB of 256-bit GDDR5 -- in other words, not a world apart from a desktop card. Whereas the 780M's clear focus is performance, trade-offs for portability and affordability are made as you go down through the 770M, 765M and 760M. Nevertheless, the 760M is said to be 30 percent faster than its predecessor, and the 770M 55 percent faster.

All of the chips feature NVIDIA's GPU Boost 2.0 and Optimus technologies, and work with the GeForce Experience game auto-settings utility. The 700M series should start showing up in a host of laptops soon, and a bunch of OEMs have already pledged their allegiance. Check out a video with NVIDIA's Mark Avermann after the break, where he shows off a range of laptops packing 700M GPUs, and helps us answer the most important question of all: can it run Crysis? (Or, in this case, Crysis 3.)

Gallery: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 700M slide deck

Filed under: Gaming, Laptops, Peripherals, NVIDIA

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic now available on iPad for $10

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Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic now available on iPad for $10

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic now available on iPad for $10

The iPad is no stranger to nostalgia-filled gaming sessions, and today Apple's platform is welcoming yet another popular OG title into its hefty ranks. More specifically, we're referring to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, a game which will surely bring a great deal of excitement to those who were avid fans of the original BioWare RPG back in the day. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is up for grabs now, but be prepared to pay a slight premium for it, since the near-2GB App Store download costs a cool 10 bucks. But hey, not too bad if you'd like to use an iPad to show your custom-made character what life was like before the Galactic Empire even existed.

Filed under: Gaming, Tablets, Software

Source: App Store

Sony CEO Hirai: Xperia Z coming to a US carrier shortly

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Sony CEO Hirai: Xperia Z coming to a US carrier shortly

Sony CEO Kaz Hirai had some good news to deliver on stage at D11 -- for US fans, at least. According to him, the Xperia Z, which currently serves as the company's flagship smartphone, is expected to arrive on a US carrier shortly. Unfortunately that's the extent of the details Kaz was willing to offer up, as we expect he wants to give the unnamed operator the opportunity to make the announcement itself. With that said, we have our suspicions that T-Mobile may be involved, thanks to its recent appearance in the FCC with T-Mobile radios. He did, however, mention that this success story is in part thanks to the company's increased marketing efforts in this part of the globe. We'll keep you updated with the news as it trickles out.

Update: David Beren from TmoNews grabbed a few shots of the Xperia Z with T-Mo branding, which certainly adds credence to our suspicions that the Z will wind up with the UnCarrier.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sony

Via: AllThingsD

IK Multimedia intros AmpliTube 3.0 with timeline editing, ships iRig HD

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IK Multimedia intros AmpliTube 3.0 with timeline editing, ships iRig HD

Artists going all-out on mobile music editing have relatively few options -- GarageBand won't always cut it for the pros. IK Multimedia thinks its newly launched AmpliTube 3.0 could be the solution for those producers on the move. The $20 iOS app introduces a full, multi-track audio editor that can create a final masterpiece. With the help of a guitar rig and customizable drum loop, the suite is theoretically good enough to keep computers out of the studio. Even if musicians don't want to go that far, they may be happy to hear that IK Multimedia has shipped the iRig HD. The $99 interface gives iOS and Mac users a preamped adapter for instruments with quarter-inch plugs. While we're sure some performers would rather stick to traditional recording methods, those who've embraced digital with open arms can check out both AmpliTube and iRig HD at the source links.

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Tablets, Software

Source: App Store (1), (2), IK Multimedia

Sony nominates three new board members, looks for fresh perspective

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Sony nominates three new board members, looks for fresh perspective

While Sony has been improving its bank balance as of late, most of that turnaround has come through job cuts and office sales -- the company needs new strategies to thrive in the long run. Accordingly, the firm has nominated three new board directors with experience outside of its core electronics divisions. Tim Schaaff (at right) is a relative insider with his board position at media-focused Sony Network Entertainment, but the same can't be said for his two peers. Eikoh Harada (left) has been turning around McDonald's Japan as its CEO, while Joichi Ito (center) is well-known for his roles as the director of MIT's Media Lab and the founder of Digital Garage. Both Harada and Schaaff also worked at Apple several years ago, giving them experience at one of Sony's main rivals. Provided the three become board members at a shareholder meeting on June 20th, they could bring new thinking to a company frequently accused of clinging to business as usual.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, Mobile, Apple, Sony

Source: Bloomberg

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