Google's bid to acquire Motorola may face DOJ scrutiny

In brazen defiance of modern tradition, the U.S. Justice Department appears to attempting to enforce U.S. laws as though they have the authority to do so granted to them by the U.S. Constitution. Less than a month ago, they surprised everyone by actually noticing that AT&T's attempt to purchase T-Mobile probably runs afoul of U.S. Anti-Trust law, and issued a motion to block the acquisition. And it appears that they're treating Google's proposed purchase of Motorola Mobility with similar skepticism. Today, news emerged that the DOJ has made a second request for information about the buyout.

2DayBlog.com, Google's bid to acquire Motorola may face DOJ scrutiny

Remembering James Dean and the curse of Little Bastard (video)

Today, Friday, September 30, 2011, marks the 56th anniversary of the death of American icon James Dean. Far less significantly but also noteworthy, it rather obviously marks the same anniversary of the passing of Little Bastard, the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder that Dean was driving west on U.S. Route 466 (now known as State Route 46) in Cholame, California, on his way to a race in Salinas. Dean's death was caused, not by speeding as some believe, but by a fellow motorist who veered into Dean's path. Dean's last words, as quoted by his mechanic and passenger that day, Rolf Wütherich, were, "That guy's gotta stop...




Autoblog, Remembering James Dean and the curse of Little Bastard (video)

IBM's THINK Exhibit invades NYC, aims to inspire (video)

Leaving the confines of a Manhattan apartment, Lincoln Center has the uncanny ability to make one feel dwarfed. Home to the performing arts and haunt to New York City's glitterati, the landmark received the IBM makeover as part of the company's THINK exhibit - an interactive installation designed to weave the story of technology as it applies to the fabric of life, achievement and change. The first thing that catches the eye is IBM's sparkling 123-foot long, 12-foot high LCD wall lining a tunnel leading into the bowels of the NYC landmark.






Engadget, IBM's THINK Exhibit invades NYC, aims to inspire (video)

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S Now Available in the UK, But Not Really

This phone has been delayed a couple of quick times, but retailer Clove UK has finally made available the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S That’s unless, of course, you wait for it to actually ship on October 3rd. It’s comforting to know that they finally have the devices in stock, though, and that you’ll be able to get them bright and early next weekend. It’ll cost you £349.99 incl. VAT but don’t let that deter you as this package is pretty worth it.

Android Phone, Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S Now Available in the UK, But Not Really

Kodak unveils Playfull Waterproof video camera

Granted that summer is over and there's less time or reason to go to the beach, but if you've ever needed a waterproof video camera that will allow you to capture the fun times shared with your friends on the beach, Kodak has just announced their Playfull Waterproof video camera, which is basically the waterproof version of the original Playfull video camera series. The device will feature 720p video recording, which is a drop from 1080p that was featured on the original Playfull, but we guess that's the price you have to pay for waterproof features.

Ubergizmo, Kodak unveils Playfull Waterproof video camera

Google to build a trio of data centers in Asia, earmarks $200 million for expansion

IT specialists in Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong better start polishing their resumes, because Google is rolling into town. Yesterday, Big G announced plans to build a brand new data center in each of the three Asian locales, as part of an expansion slated to cost at least $200 million. When completed, these complexes will represent the company's first fully owned and operated data centers in the burgeoning Asia-Pacific region — where, according to Asia policy communications manager Taj Meadows, Google is “seeing large numbers of new users coming online every day”.

2DayBlog.com, Google to build a trio of data centers in Asia, earmarks $200 million for expansion

TARGET Australia managt seine Produktstammdaten zukünftig mit Stibo Systems

Einzelhandelskette nutzt STEP zur Erstellung verlässlicher Multi-Channel-Informationen und Unterstützung der GeschäftsprozesseSINGAPUR UND ATLANTA, 30 September 2011 - Stibo Systems, unabhängiger Marktführer für Master Data Management (MDM) und Product Information Management (PIM), gab heute den Einsatz der STEP-Lösung bei Target Australia Pty Ltd bekannt. Das australische Einzelhandelsunternehmen erstellt und verwaltet mit STEP seine Produktinformationen, um Promotionplanung sowie Werbemaßnahmen optimal zu unterstützen.

Press Release Distribution, TARGET Australia managt seine Produktstammdaten zukünftig mit Stibo Systems

iPhone 5 to have 21 Mbps HSPA+ data speeds?

Apple won't unveil the iPhone 5 until next Tuesday, but we may have stumbled upon some early details about Apple's next generation smartphone. China Unicom's, the world's third largest telecom provider, attended MacWorld Asia and had an important presentation today. Deputy Director Huang Wenlian was making the presentation and stated that the iPhone 5 would utilize China Unicom's own HSPA+ 21 Mbps network. This is very interesting since the HSPA+ network would provide three times faster speeds than the 3G speeds on the iPhone 4 and previous iPhone models.

Unwired View, iPhone 5 to have 21 Mbps HSPA+ data speeds?

Apple develops hybrid drive system

It seems that Apple is currently developing their very own hybrid drive system that intends to merge the best of both worlds – we're talking about traditional platter-based and flash storage. Apple's patent that was recently published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) served up a rather innovating idea for a SSD/HDD combo drive down the road.

Ubergizmo, Apple develops hybrid drive system

Adidas Adizero f50 revamp gets a whole lot smarter

Adidas' Adizero f50 has undergone a revamp – where it also picked up another gram in weight, but the amount of features that comes with that extra gram is well worth its weight, can I say, even in gold. Director of miCoach at Adidas, Simon Drabble, described the new f50 boots as “the next generation of football innovation”. What went into the boot is a micro-chip known as the miCoach Speed Cell, where it will be slotted right under the sock-liner in a strategic position so that performance of insanely paid footballers will not be affected negatively.

Ubergizmo, Adidas Adizero f50 revamp gets a whole lot smarter

[Update]: Motorola XOOM WiFi Update Brings Updated Market

The Motorola XOOM WiFi has received a quick maintenance update. Users are reporting that it brings with it the new Android market update that stylistically resembles the version for phones. Other than that, there are no other obvious changes (we'll just assume the obligatory round of bug fixes are in here). HTK75D is the version you're looking for. Go to Settings>About tablet>System updates to pull it down.

Android Phone, [Update]: Motorola XOOM WiFi Update Brings Updated Market

Rumor: Best Buy Discounting HTC Flyer to $300 October 6th

PhoneArena has heard it from someone they believe is reliable that Best Buy will be offering the HTC Flyer to consumers starting October 6th for just $300. The 6th is not a Sunday (where Best Buy usually posts temporary price cuts) and PhoneArena didn't mention anything about it being anything other than temporary. Yesterday's big announcement by Amazon for the Kindle Fire likely drove this change, they believe, as their new Android tablet (which is hardly Android at the surface, from what we can tell) will come in at just $200. Simply the joys of good competition.

Android Phone, Rumor: Best Buy Discounting HTC Flyer to $300 October 6th

Battlefield 3 Open Beta now live

For those of you who didn't get the early access to the Battlefield 3 beta, now's your time to try the game before it gets released next month. Earlier today, EA/Dice officially announced the launch of the Battlefield 3 Open Beta on its official Battlefield blog. Users on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC can all get into the action right away. (well, you'll need to download the game of course, but that's besides the point).
The Battlefield 3 Open Beta for the PS3 can be downloadable from the storefront (US) and in the Demos section (Europe). Xbox 360 users can head over to the Xbox Live Marketplace and find the game under Demos.

Ubergizmo, Battlefield 3 Open Beta now live

Ram unveils 1500 Tradesman HD, expanded Express lineup, bigger Rambox

Ram has announced a slew of additions to its line of pickup trucks, starting with the 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty. The vehicle combines all of the excellent value of the standard Tradesman, but throws in the joy of three-quarter-ton towing and cargo capacity as well. Ram says that the vehicle now boasts the best-in-class title for both of those categories. With a maximum trailer weight of 11,500 pounds, the Tradesman HD tops the Ford F-150 by 200 pounds and the Chevrolet Silverado by 800 pounds.

Autoblog, Ram unveils 1500 Tradesman HD, expanded Express lineup, bigger Rambox

China Unicom: iPhone 5 supports HSPA+

Whenever you hear word that a phone has “4G” connectivity – it would be best to do more research on the handset and see whether it is just “marketing 4G” being bandied about, or the real deal. Well, you can always check our previous guide to 4G for more details, but what we've learned is this – a China Unicom executive confirmed that Apple's iPhone 5 will sport 4G connectivity in the form of 21Mbps HSPA+ technology. This information came about in a photo of a slide by Japanese site PC Watch, where said presentation was done by China Unicom's Research VP Huan Wenilang at Macworld Asia 2011.

Ubergizmo, China Unicom: iPhone 5 supports HSPA+

Google Nexus Prime, Ice Cream Sandwich likely stars of Samsung's October 11th press event

Samsung recently sent out press invites to an event on October 11th during which Google's next Android iteration, Ice Cream Sandwich, and the Nexus Prime are expected to be unveiled. Samsung's invite is titled “Google Episode” and it promises “a look at what's new from Android.” We reported exclusively in June that the Nexus Prime is manufactured by Samsung, much like the Nexus S was, and we expect it will be packed with high-end hardware.

Boy Genius Report, Google Nexus Prime, Ice Cream Sandwich likely stars of Samsung's October 11th press event

Droid 3 Update Rolling Out Now, Includes Google Talk with Video Support

We first caught wind of the Motorola DROID 3 update assigned build number 5.6.890 via a changelog posted to Verizon’s support site. It has been a few weeks since we first viewed that document, but the update is now rolling out to handsets. You will recall the feature to receive top billing in this new software version is support for Google Talk with Video. Other fixes and tweaks abound.

Android Phone, Droid 3 Update Rolling Out Now, Includes Google Talk with Video Support

CustVox Opens New Office in Milan to Support Demand for Customer Experience Management

CustVox is expanding geographically to support customers locally with both technology and people.(ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND) - CustVox AG, a global leader in Customer Experience Management software solutions, today announced the inauguration of new representative offices in Milan, Italy - the first step of a multi-phase plan to expand globally.

Press Release Distribution, CustVox Opens New Office in Milan to Support Demand for Customer Experience Management

iFixit busts Apple's Thunderbolt Display wide open, can't find Thundercat's sword

It's been more than two months since Apple unveiled its Thunderbolt Display, and the gadget sadists over at iFixit are just getting around to picking the thing apart — quite literally. So what has this dive into the 27-incher revealed. Well, for starters, the iFixit crew found that the LG-made LCD display in this Thunderbolt monitor appears to be the same one found in Dell's UltraSharp U2711, though favoring a cursed glossy finish. That's also the same setup we saw in Cupertino's 2009 iMac. This teardown also features a slew of chips from the likes of Texas Instruments and Broadcom and a miniature subwoofer.

2DayBlog.com, iFixit busts Apple's Thunderbolt Display wide open, can't find Thundercat's sword

Caught in the Wild: Huawei Prepping 4G Tablet for T-Mobile

Some new photos have surfaced revealing an unknown Huawei tablet supposedly headed for the 4G shores of T-Mobile. Along with the pictures, the mystery device was detailed to feature a 7-inch 1280×800 display, 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, and run Android 3.2. It is said we could be in for an unveiling at the upcoming CTIA show next month. The tablet, which also sports 16GB of internal storage, dual cameras, and a 4100mAh battery, could offer a mix of top-notch specs and competitive pricing for those willing to sign a two-year contract. It is rumored that the 4G tablet from Huawei will cost a mere $199.99 when subsidized.

Android Phone, Caught in the Wild: Huawei Prepping 4G Tablet for T-Mobile

Nokia cuts 3,500 more jobs

Nokia announced on Thursday that it will “continue to align its workforce and operations” by reducing its headcount by roughly 3,500 workers. This new round of personnel reductions is in addition to earlier cuts announced this past April, and it will take effect by the end of next year. Approximately 2,200 of the laid off workers will come from the closure of Nokia's factory in Cluj, Romania, which began operations in 2008, and another 1,300 cuts will take place within the company's Location & Commerce unit.

Boy Genius Report, Nokia cuts 3,500 more jobs

C-Shaped Sponge Hugs Faucets, Drips Dry

I use a scouring sponge to wash the dishes and frankly it's disgusting. After use, it sits on the countertop looking innocent as its damp innards fester with multiplying bacteria until the next time I use it and it contaminates every dish, spoon and cup it touches. So my poor, soon-to-be-poisoned dinner guests have reason for hope with Robert Audroué's simply-named Sponge.

Gadget Lab, C-Shaped Sponge Hugs Faucets, Drips Dry

Amazon announces three new ultra-cheap Kindles

Amazon's Jeff Bezos today took to the stage at a press conference to unveil not one but three brand new cheap-as-chips Kindle e-readers. We all know that the company is also launching a Kindle tablet today, but for those of us that can't get past our love of e-Ink displays, Amazon is not leaving us behind. The new lines of Kindles start at $79, with the new entry-level Kindle representing a refresh from the old Kindle 3. Measuring in at less than six ounces and 18 percent smaller than the old model (just the body, the display is still a 6-inch job), this one has just three buttons and sports a sleek and sexy design.


2DayBlog.com, Amazon announces three new ultra-cheap Kindles

Samsung Galaxy Skin confirmed for 2012 launch

We talked about the Samsung Galaxy Skin a few days ago, brandishing rumors of the flexible smartphone arriving sometime next year – and that rumor has been confirmed. Here is more information about this stunning new smartphone that will definitely make Apple's iPhone 6 (no, that was not a typo) look as though it was something cobbled together during Alexander Graham Bell's era. Using the material 'graphene' for its display, this has been touted to be "the miracle material" which will make flexible displays a reality by the time the Skin hits the market.

Ubergizmo, Samsung Galaxy Skin confirmed for 2012 launch

Should Toyota's rumored Supra revival look like this?

The rumormill is churning full blast at the thought of a resurrected Toyota Supra, and while we don't have any more reliable information on whether or not Toyota will reintroduce the high-horsepower sports car, we have been treated to a rendering of what the vehicle might look like. Artist Andreas Fougner took the time to stretch his skills over the notion of a Supra successor, and the result is the machine you see above. Fougner says that he drew his inspiration from both current and vintage Toyota models, as well as other vehicles that have made the jump from past to present while skipping a generation or two. What's under the hood.

Autoblog

See also:
itnews, Should Toyota's rumored Supra revival look like this?

The Microsoft Tax is official: Samsung will pay royalties for each Android phone or tablet it sells

Samsung finally caved. The Korean giant agreed to pay Microsoft royalties for each and every Android-powered tablet or smartphone it sells. This then is the day that the Microsoft Tax has become official. Unlike the (in)famous Apple Tax, which is just a way of saying that Apple products are more expensive than the competition, the Microsoft Tax is fueled by the company's patents and is something that very soon will hit every company that makes any kind of hardware that runs Android.

Last year, HTC did what Samsung is doing now and signaled a rather grim future for Android device manufacturers.

Unwired View, The Microsoft Tax is official: Samsung will pay royalties for each Android phone or tablet it sells

KDDI Unveils Three New Android Smartphones

Japanese mobile carrier KDDI unveils three new handsets in its stable, all of which are Android-powered, waterproof, have WiMAX connectivity support, and possess an 8-megapixel camera. The Kyocera Digno is a slim smartphone line that comes in three different colors, while the Sharp AQUOS IS13SH features an ASV display, and the NEC Medias BR IS11 will come in pink, white, and blue color options. The announcement comes after KDDI introduces to its lineup the Fujitsu-Toshiba Arrows Z, HTC Evo 3D, and Motorola Photon.

Gadget.com, KDDI Unveils Three New Android Smartphones

AT&T vacation blackout may indicate mid-October iPhone launch

So we know that Apple is planning an event for the 4th of October having issued media invites just yesterday. Based on the invite, it's without doubt that this will be the event where Apple will be announcing their next-generation iPhone, but as to when the device will be launched remains a mystery. We had previously reported on a rumor that the iPhone could be launched on the 14th of October in the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan, and it looks like that date may not be so far fetched after all.

Ubergizmo, AT&T vacation blackout may indicate mid-October iPhone launch

Amazon reveals $79 Kindle, ships today!

As if a $199 Kindle Fire wasn't enough, Amazon's also launching a Kindle e-reader that'll dip below triple-digits for the first time. You heard right - a $79 Kindle. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the company's Kindle line will "start" at the aforesaid price as of today, a marked decrease from the $114 being charged for its lowest end unit earlier in the week. If anything, that's a huge blow for Barnes & Noble, and we're surmising that a reactionary drop will be coming soon in the Nook family if it hopes to keep pace.


Engadget, Amazon reveals $79 Kindle, ships today!

Samsung is Microsoft's Latest Android Cashcow With Cross Licensing Settlement

Samsung and Microsoft have settled on an agreement for patent royalties and cross licensing. In short, Samsung pays Microsoft money for every Android smartphone sold to use their patents and Microsoft also gets free access to Samsung's patents. Kind of lopsided if you ask me. Microsoft also has HTC to bring money in for every Android smartphone of theirs sold. If you don't remember, elementary math once suggested that Microsoft is making more money on Android phones sold than Windows phones sold. That's probably a good thing for Microsoft, but the rest of the industry prefer to see it the other way around.

Android Phone, Samsung is Microsoft's Latest Android Cashcow With Cross Licensing Settlement

LG Esteem MS910 with Android Gingerbread and LTE launched by MetroPCS

The LG Esteem MS910 that was spotted in official photos last week has been just announced by MetroPCS as it second LTE-capable Android smartphone (after the Samsung Galaxy Indulge). The Esteem runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and is similar to the LG Revolution (introduced by Verizon earlier this year). It features a 4.3 inch WVGA Gorilla Glass display, Wi-Fi, GPS, Dolby Mobile Surround, access to Rhapsody Unlimited Music and MetroSTUDIO, micro HDMI, 5MP rear camera with 720p video recording, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1GHz single-core processor, and 8GB of internal memory.
The LG Esteem can be ordered as of now at MetroPCS' website.



Unwired View

See also:
newgadgets, LG Esteem MS910 with Android Gingerbread and LTE launched by MetroPCS

Batman: Arkham City bundle announced for Europe

We brought you word of the Batman: Arkham City - Secret of the Joker trailer being released last week, and it did create quite a stir among the gaming community – but today, there is even better news for folks living in Europe. A bundle for Batman: Arkham City has been announced, where it will make its way to Europe. You can be sure that this is going to generate a whole lot of buzz considering how the title's predecessor, Batman: Arkham Asylum, proved to be one of the best games of last year – so most folks who gave it a go will most probably have no qualms about getting the sequel.

Ubergizmo, Batman: Arkham City bundle announced for Europe

Apple blocking off October vacations for staff in conjunction with new iPhone launching

With Apple supposedly planning an event for next week, it looks like staffs are getting refused vacation for certain dates. We've all heard the rumors about Apple's plans to launch the iPhone 5 in October, and these were recently bolstered by reports that AT&T was rejecting all applications for vacation time during the last two weeks of September “due to an event blackout.” Now, there are rumors that Apple is blocking off October vacations for staff. Apple Insider reports that the Cupertino-based company is rejecting all applications from retail staff seeking vacation time in the second week of October.

2DayBlog.com, Apple blocking off October vacations for staff in conjunction with new iPhone launching

Motorola Droid 4 aka Maserati will boast 4G LTE and slideout keyboard

Funny how the latest Motorola smartphone has been given the codename as that of luxury car marque – Maserati. Well, touted to be the fourth model in the Droid series, the Motorola Droid 4 or Droid 4G has been tipped to come with a 4″ display (or somewhere in the vicinity, I think 4.3″ would be more decent to keep up with the times), in addition to the lack of a D-pad that clearly disqualifies this as a bona fide gaming device.

Ubergizmo, Motorola Droid 4 aka Maserati will boast 4G LTE and slideout keyboard

Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSRs available for pre-ordering

The green flag just waved on pre-orders for Fanatec's line of Forza Motorsport accessories, including the CSR Wheel ($250), CSR Elite Pedal Set ($150) and CSR Shifter Set ($60). To refresh your memory: all feature metal construction that gives them a solid, rugged feel. The wheel's force feedback is powered by a Mabuchi RS550 motor, with two additional actuators simulating motor and ABS vibration. The pedals are fully adjustable; a pressure-sensitive brake pedal can be tuned to mimic any car. Finally, the shifter set features a six-speed H-pattern design and can be mounted on either side of the steering wheel.

2DayBlog.com, Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSRs available for pre-ordering

Kyocera DuraMax announced

The Kyocera DuraMax was just announced yesterday in a Sprint exclusive, where it will offer yet another option for a handset that targets those who work in less than comfortable environments. Yes sir, we're talking about another rugged phone which comes in a clamshell form factor to help you stay in touch with your colleagues even though a volcano has just erupted, spewing rocks and lava all over the place.

Ubergizmo, Kyocera DuraMax announced

Toshiba Announces New Thrive 7-inch

In case you felt Toshiba's last tablet offering was a little too. uh — big boned for ya — they're at it again this time with smaller Thrive 7-inch in both 16GB and 32GB versions. The biggest appeal with the original 10-inch Thrive was its full sized USB and HDMI ports as well as SD card slot. The 7-incher continues the tradition but this time with mini/micro versions of each.
And thank goodness they did. The Thrive 7-inch is now noticeably slimmer than that brick of a 10-incher, coming in at only .47-inches thick.



Android Phone, Toshiba Announces New Thrive 7-inch

We'll be reporting live from tomorrow's Amazon Kindle tablet event

We're less than 24 hours away from the unveiling of what many believe to be the iPad's first real competition: a low-cost Amazon tablet with a customized version of Google's Android OS that includes with deep integration with a variety of Amazon services.

Boy Genius Report, We'll be reporting live from tomorrow's Amazon Kindle tablet event

Apps of the Day: Smozzy and Smartr

Every day we peruse the Android Market looking for the best, worst, interesting, and most unique apps in an effort to sift out a few gems. We call it Apps of the Day. We can’t guarantee that every app featured below is a real winner, but each is worth at least a quick look. It’s all in an effort to help you, our faithful readers, get the most out of your Android handsets. Read on to see what we found today!

Smartr Contacts - Smartr Contacts is an address book on steroids.

Android Phone, Apps of the Day: Smozzy and Smartr

Kindle Fire to Be Succeeded by More Enticing Amazon Tablet in Early 2012?

Amazon is set to announce their first Android tablet tomorrow, but if new rumors have any veracity to them the retail giant already has their sites set on what comes next. When whispers of an Android-powered slate from Amazon first popped up, all reports pointed towards the release of two tablets. It was then learned that the second tablet was being held off until Amazon could gauge the reception of what is now known as the Kindle Fire, but according to gdgt the more powerful device is on track for a Q1 release in 2012.

Android Phone, Kindle Fire to Be Succeeded by More Enticing Amazon Tablet in Early 2012?