Wacom announces Intuos5 graphics tablets, we go hands-on! (video)

It's a couple of months since we spotted paperwork for a mysterious "PTK-450" device at the FCC and now Wacom has finally revealed the gadget that goes with the label. The Intuos5 tablet is available to purchase immediately in Small (4 x 6 inches), Medium (6 x 8) and Large (13 x 8) sizes, priced at £200, £330 and £430 respectively. We're still waiting on confirmation of US pricing, but it'll no doubt be less than what a straight currency conversion suggests (i.e. somewhere below $320, $525 and $680).







Engadget, Wacom announces Intuos5 graphics tablets, we go hands-on! (video)

Mazda under fire for 'crass commercialization' of Dr. Seuss' Lorax (video)

Over on Twitter, we recently had a discussion over whether or not it was fair for the cinematic version of Dr. Seuss' Lorax to be out shilling for the Mazda CX-5. Turns out, we're not the only ones who question the logic here – the Lorax speaks for the trees, not Skyactiv CUVs, right. Seemingly of like minds, an organization called Rethinking The Automobile is circulating a petition to "Protect The Lorax" by pulling the "offensive" ads.




Autoblog, Mazda under fire for 'crass commercialization' of Dr. Seuss' Lorax (video)

Genius Imperator Pro gaming keyboard

Gamers do take their hardware very seriously, and Genius has something special up their sleeves for those who want an edge in their gaming – the Imperator Pro gaming keyboard. This is touted to be a full speed professional gaming keyboard that targets MMO/RTS gamers, where it is capable of supporting up to 18 macro keys being assigned.

Ubergizmo, Genius Imperator Pro gaming keyboard

Watch Siku the polar bear cub grow up on YouTube

The introduction of YouTube has certainly led to an explosive growth in user generated content, as anyone with a video recording device, a computer, and a decent Internet connection is able to upload their recorded memories for all and sundry to see. The trick is, how do you make sure your video goes viral, or is watched by millions around the globe. Being creative would be one way, while playing the unique card always helps. Case in point, you are now able to view Siku the polar bear cub on YouTube grow up at Denmark's Scandinavian Wildlife Park thanks to a live webcam, marking the start of the International Polar Bear Day.

Ubergizmo, Watch Siku the polar bear cub grow up on YouTube

Volvo drops the full skin on new V40

Few vehicles have received the kind of gradual, bit by bit roll-out that - intentionally or otherwise - the new Volvo V40 has. The Swedish premium hatchback has been the subject of teasers, spy shots and leaks aplenty -but they've all lead up to this, its full reveal. (Well, this and its official unveiling next week.). Scandinavia's answer to the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series - and a potential replacement not only for the C30 but also the S40 and V50 - the new V40 is shaping up as quite a looker, but now we've got the details to go with it.




2DayBlog.com, Volvo drops the full skin on new V40

Whole Foods experimenting with Kinect-powered shopping carts that are smarter than you (video)

Here's a little secret Whole Foods doesn't like to advertise: they want, nay, demand, that a rather large percentage of residents near its highfalutin grocery stores have a college degree. Apparently you've gotta be smart to navigate its aisles crowded with over-priced organic wares and exotic condiments. Perhaps, though, the company has realized the error of its ways and wants to move in to new markets. That doesn't mean it trusts you and your high school diploma to decipher all those labels with difficult to pronounce words on them.

Engadget

See also:
maximum, Whole Foods experimenting with Kinect-powered shopping carts that are smarter than you (video)

Sony boosts superzoom collection with DSC-HX200V, HX30V, HX20V, HX10V, H90 Cyber-shots

Sony unleashed a small handful of cameras before this month's CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show, but its spring 2012 line was far from complete. Today's announcements round out the collection, however, with a total of nine new models making their way through the Tokyo camera maker's news gate. Five of these point-and-shoots fit within the company's new H-Series, including the Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V, HX30V, HX20V, HX10V and H90. As you may have gathered, that H represents high-zoom — this recent offering ranges from the H90 and HX10V, which sport 16x (24-384mm) optical zooms, to the HX200V, with a whopping 30x (27-810mm) lens.




2DayBlog.com

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newtech, Sony boosts superzoom collection with DSC-HX200V, HX30V, HX20V, HX10V, H90 Cyber-shots

AT&T should be investigated for ‘fraudulent' data policies, public interest group says

. AT&T on Monday announced a new plan that will let developers pay for the data used by their apps and services. The data consumed by apps that make use of this new feature would not apply toward a user's data cap. The new service was pitched as a way for content providers to ease customers' growing concerns over wireless data usage, however one public interest group sees the feature as a slap in the face to AT&T subscribers.

Boy Genius Report, AT&T should be investigated for ‘fraudulent' data policies, public interest group says

Mercedes-Benz to bring Siri integration to all A-Class vehicles

. Mercedes-Benz has unveiled plans to integrate Apple's Siri voice assistant into its A-Class vehicles, according to a report from PSFK. The integration would allow drivers to access their iPhone apps using voice commands. The feature is being called the Drive Kit Plus program and will work in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz' Digital DriveStyle app to translate the iPhone's screen onto the in-car display.

Boy Genius Report, Mercedes-Benz to bring Siri integration to all A-Class vehicles

iPad 3: Look ma, no Home button!

So, it seems that the rumored March 7th date that signified the release of the iPad 3 to the masses has been confirmed thanks to the invitation to Apple's iPad 3 event. Not only that, we do think that the new iPad 3 is shown on the invite itself, splashed all over in a blown up manner, touting something that is nice to see and touch. You don't say, Apple. Eagle eyed folks who eat, sleep and breathe Apple products would be quick to point out to you that the iPad 3 will not feature any Home button – either that, or, the Home button has been moved to somewhere else, or the image shown was cleverly captured from a different angle.

Ubergizmo, iPad 3: Look ma, no Home button!

LG Optimus Vu First Impressions

[MWC 2012] With the LG Optimus Vu, LG is entering deep into Galaxy Note territory, and while many consider these big smartphones to be a nice market (we haven't heard actual sales numbers), both LG and Samsung seem to think that it's more than that. I personally like the idea of a bigger smartphone - because I tend to use it more as a computer than as a phone, but obviously not everyone is of this opinion and it's fine, because there are definitely other form factors to address a more "classic" smartphone market. Industrial design.
Pretty much everyone notices right away that the LG Optimus Vu looks a little (too) wide, if not "fat-ish".

Ubergizmo, LG Optimus Vu First Impressions

Monopoly: Street Fighter Collector's Edition

If you're a fan of Street Fighter and Monopoly, you've probably heard about the special Street Fighter edition of Monopoly that will be coming out soon. However, that's not all - it looks like you'll be able to choose which characters will be part of the tokens that ship with the final version. Instead of a top hat, iron or boot it looks like you'll be able to use one of the Street Fighter characters - how awesome is that. The decision of which fighters to include haven't been finalized yet, so Capcom has put up a poll on its website to let users choose which characters they would like to see in the game.

Ubergizmo, Monopoly: Street Fighter Collector's Edition

SMEs set to compete with the megabrands due to powerful new marketing tool

London – 28 February 2012 – SMEs are being given the chance to compete with the marketing power of the megabrands thanks to the launch of Magiq’s new software service ‘LifecycleMAGIQ’, aimed at enhancing online marketing results quickly and simply.For the first time, businesses with an online presence of any size will be able to compete with their larger counterparts by delivering a personalised and individual experience to each visitor based on a complete view of their online behaviour.

Press Release Distribution, SMEs set to compete with the megabrands due to powerful new marketing tool

Accumulate launch mobile merchant app

The Accumulate merchant app works as a mobile POS terminal and no extra hardware is needed. It’s a perfect complementary product for PSP’s and payment terminal vendors that want to reach a new target group, small merchants and event- or season based trade.MWC Barcelona – February 28, 2012 Accumulate launches a mobile merchant app for small merchants and event-based trading (markets, fairs, seasonal trade, etc.). It is based on Pera Mobile, the standard for mobile payments, and requires no special hardware or additions.

Press Release Distribution, Accumulate launch mobile merchant app

Intel reportedly delays Ivy Bridge launch until June, manufacturing process to blame

Looking forward to splurging for some tech decked out with Ivy Bridge. Well, you may have to wait a bit longer. Financial Times is reporting that Intel's new 22nm processor has been pushed from April to June. The site caught up with executive VP and chairman of Intel China Sean Maloney who said that the manufacturing methods used to make the heir to Sandy Bridge was to blame for the change in schedule. Furthermore, a spokesperson for the component manufacturer communicated that the Q2 shipping plans for Ivy Bridge remain the same.

Engadget, Intel reportedly delays Ivy Bridge launch until June, manufacturing process to blame

Google and Apple fighting on the same side, sued over Street View maps

. Google and Apple have a love-hate relationship. They are fighting each other, patent over patent, in an epic battle of technology giants. But then they work together when doing business with each other. Regardless, they don't have the best of friendships, but it seems they will have to work together to fight off a patent lawsuit aimed at both companies.

The common enemy is PanoMap, and it is suing both companies for using Street View in Apple products (Google provides mapping services to Apple). The Company complained to a Florida court about the fact that both companies are infringing on patent No.

Android Phone

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at2359, Google and Apple fighting on the same side, sued over Street View maps

RealVNC teams up with Sony to bring Android apps to the dashboard

Sony and RealVNC have announced a partnership that aims to liberate your smartphone's applications and content, bringing the wares to your car's dashboard. Once a VNC-enabled vehicle and Android handset are paired, users can access and manipulate the device's applications, music library and stream web content directly to the car's infotainment system. In order to preserve public safety, and meet "regulatory requirements," the system can detect vehicle velocity and will revoke the proverbial keys to your mobile kingdom while you're in motion.

Engadget, RealVNC teams up with Sony to bring Android apps to the dashboard

Apple scores a victory over Motorola in German patent case

. Apple on Monday won a ruling over Motorola Mobility in a German appeals court over a recent patent infringement suit, reports Bloomberg. The Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court ruled in Apple's favor, stating that Motorola cannot further enforce its standard-essential patent injunction against the Cupertino-based company. The ruling allows Apple to continue to offer its products in its online store while it appeals a ruling that temporarily banned the company's iPhone and iPad.

Boy Genius Report, Apple scores a victory over Motorola in German patent case

Fujitsu's Ultra High Spec Smartphone (Tegra 3)

[MWC 2012] We stumbled upon this Fujitsu Tegra 3 smartphone prototype, and although we could not boot or use the interface, we snapped some photos and here are our first impressions: it has a very classic look and is pretty much your average Android smartphone. In the back, there's what seems to be a tactile sensor, but we're not completely sure and are waiting for the official answer (or any answer, haha). Of course, the inside is more "high-end" and you can expect a hardware configuration that is very similar to other Tegra 3 phones, the cameras or displays being the main differentiators between Tegra 3 phones as far as we can tell.

Ubergizmo, Fujitsu's Ultra High Spec Smartphone (Tegra 3)

HTC stock price and social media buzz rally ahead of Mobile World Congress

It's no secret that HTC has been struggling a bit lately. Late last year, HTC announced that they would not meet earnings estimates for Q4 of 2011 and subsequently posted their first down quarter in several years. Fortunately, HTC was swift to react by announcing a change in focus for 2012. Rather than pushing out dozens of phones to please every segment of the market, HTC would focus on a few hero devices which would allow them to recapture higher profit margins and focus on performance and design.
HTC also announced a new department named HTC Studio which reports directly to CEO, Peter Chou.

HTC Source, HTC stock price and social media buzz rally ahead of Mobile World Congress

Roding Roadster confirmed for Swiss reveal

The Roding Roadster 23 is one of the few complete surprises we'll expect at the Geneva Motor Show, the tiny Swiss company having managed to avoid getting its car snapped so far. In development for five years, the company's released a bit more info on it before the reveal: still limited to 23 examples, the turbocharged inline-six has been identified as a BMW unit with 320 horsepower 332 pound-feet, the carbon fiber monocoque includes carbon fiber A-pillars, the front and rear subframes are aluminum and carbon fiber, and it will come with an installable roof. There's a battery-electric Roadster in development that we don't expect at the show.

Autoblog, Roding Roadster confirmed for Swiss reveal

Apple scores temporary ruling in Motorola battle, can keep selling iPads, iPhones in Germany

Apple today won a victory in Germany in its on-going legal dispute with Motorola Mobility. An appeals court in that country ruled that Cupertino can continue to offer its wares in its online store while it appeals a ruling that temporarily barred their sale.

Engadget, Apple scores temporary ruling in Motorola battle, can keep selling iPads, iPhones in Germany

Rain delays Daytona 500 again, will start at 7PM

NASCAR officials have once again decided to delay the start of the Daytona 500, and their Sprint Cup season, on account of rain, this time pushing the contest back from noon today to 7PM EST. Steady rain is called for in the region through 6PM, which should give NASCAR about an hour to dry off the track. If everything goes according to plan, you'll be able to watch the race on FOX beginning at 7PM EST. Unfortunately, we've heard reports on Twitter that WWE superstar John Cena will not be there to wave the green flag as planned; he had to fly to Portland, Oregon for a taping of Monday Night RAW.

Autoblog

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maximum, Rain delays Daytona 500 again, will start at 7PM

Phoenix Photonics in US launch of Firebird Instrumentation portfolio at OFC

Phoenix Photonics, the UK-based optical fiber components specialist, will next week unveil two additions to its Firebird Instrumentation product range at OFC (6 - 8 March, booth #2637) as part of a widening portfolio of equipment for the global fiber optics market. The Firebird range launched in September last year with the programmable 4-channel polarization controller gives customers a “plug and play” capability to manage polarization issues.“We are tremendously excited by the response we have had to Firebird,” says Dean Giles, Operations Director of Phoenix Photonics.

Press Release Distribution, Phoenix Photonics in US launch of Firebird Instrumentation portfolio at OFC

Adax and Aricent Group Collaborate on LTE Packet Core

Pre-Integrated ‘Network In A Box’ for LTE EPC ApplicationsMOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA, February 27th, 2012 – ADAX, an industry leader in high-performance packet-processing, security and network infrastructure, and ARICENT GROUP, a leading global innovation and technology services company have announced a development collaboration for Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved Packet Core (EPC).

Press Release Distribution, Adax and Aricent Group Collaborate on LTE Packet Core

F5 Converged Carrier Infrastructure Enables Spanish Operator R To Scale For Improved Subscriber Services

Legacy point products replaced by VIPRION® platform to consolidate infrastructure, reduce Total Cost of OwnershipBARCELONA, FEBRUARY 27th, 2012 – F5 Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV), the global leader in Application Delivery Networking (ADN), today announced that Spanish fibre optic telecommunications operator R has implemented F5 converged carrier infrastructure solutions in its ISP network to take advantage of service virtualization, global load balancing, more robust web application security and a vastly improved ability to scale service provisioning on a single VIPRION platform.

Press Release Distribution, F5 Converged Carrier Infrastructure Enables Spanish Operator R To Scale For Improved Subscriber Services

Mass Effect 3: Take Earth Back Cinematic Trailer

Here we have a new cinematic trailer ‘Take Earth Back' from the upcoming Mass Effect 3 title. As mentioned before, this action role-playing video game will hit PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on March 6th.

TechFresh, Mass Effect 3: Take Earth Back Cinematic Trailer

HTC One series SIM-free price and availability

. Carriers are starting to call dibs on all the HTC One smartphones like it is the end of the world. None of them have been able to say much about pricing and availability, though. And if you are one of those that prefer SIM-unlocked devices, English company Clove Technology has some good details for you.
Clove has just announced price and availability for all three SIM-unlocked versions of the HTC One series. So here are the details if you prefer going this route:

The HTC One X will be prices at £492, while the HTC One S will go for £450, and both will be available coming April 5th.

Android Phone, HTC One series SIM-free price and availability

HTC One V hands-on

. Rounding out the trio of smartphones HTC unveiled at its Mobile World Congress 2012 press conference on Sunday is the HTC One V, an entry-level smartphone that picks up where the HTC Legend left off. This will be the most affordable One-branded smartphone HTC launches in the first half of the year, and while the specs don't hold a candle to the One X or One V, this is absolutely a phone that will go far among budget-conscious consumers in Europe and other regions where the phone will be released.





Boy Genius Report, HTC One V hands-on

MWC 2012: LG Optimus Vu preview (video)

Earlier today, I said that the Optimus 4X HD is LG's highlight device at MWC 2012, but there's another one that's at least as interesting: the LG Optimus Vu. When you first look at it, the Optimus Vu surprises you with its square-ish design - a consequence of the fact that its 5 inch display with 1024 x 768 pixels has a 4:3 aspect ratio. There's no doubt about it: using the Optimus Vu with one hand just doesn't feel natural. With two hands, though, typing (or gaming) feels great.

Presented as being a smartphone "for ultimate productivity", the Vu comes with a stylus - like Samsung's Galaxy Note.






Unwired View, MWC 2012: LG Optimus Vu preview (video)

HTC brings back the Android chin with entry-level HTC One V smartphone

. HTC took particular care to address the widest possible range of smartphone users with its new device announcements at Mobile World Congress this year. The Taiwan-based vendor unveiled its new “HTC One” flagship brand during a press conference on Sunday, and within the initial batch of One devices lies the entry-level HTC One V. Don't let the term “entry-level” fool you, however - this is an extremely capable smartphone that replaces the HTC Legend and can easily hold its own against other Android devices.

Boy Genius Report, HTC brings back the Android chin with entry-level HTC One V smartphone

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 leaked prior to announcement

Just outside of the main MWC venue area, we glimpsed a billboard of an upcoming Note tablet from Samsung. Not to be confused with the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, the Galaxy Note will possibly be targeted towards a different audiences. From the ad, we can tell it also features the S Pen stylus, which the Tab 2 does not. Samsung's press conference is scheduled for tomorrow, and historically, it's not uncommon for their unannounced devices to be leaked across the MWC grounds.

As you'll recall, the original Galaxy Note is a 5.3 inch device, which could be either regarded as a large smartphone or as a small tablet.

GSM Arena, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 leaked prior to announcement

Live from Sony's MWC 2012 press conference!

. Mobile World Congress doesn't officially get started until tomorrow, but a handful of technology giants couldn't wait that long to kick off the show. Among them is Sony, formerly Sony Ericsson, and it looks like the struggling smartphone maker could have quite a show in store for us this year. Sony Ericsson posted a €247 million loss in the fourth quarter as its smartphone market share continued to decline.





Boy Genius Report, Live from Sony's MWC 2012 press conference!