How would you change Samsung's Series 9?

It's not that many devices that we ever really go to bat for, but Samsung's Series 9 Ultrabook has a small place in our heart. When we reviewed the mid-2012 refresh, we could only find a few problems -- the flaky trackpad, the limited storage options and the fact it was a bit on the pricey side. We've known for a while that Samsung's product engineers scour your comments for useful suggestions, so if you bought one of these, why not share your experiences with 'em?

Filed under: Laptops, Samsung

Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/10GMm7WhmV8/

ELECTRONIC ARTS ECLIPSYS EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES DIODES INORATED

Facebook's Android Homescreen Could Expose Apple's Inflexibility

The mainstream has had little reason to care that Android gives developers much more customization freedom than iOS. But if Facebook's fabled Android homescreen is a hit, the stubbornness of Apple's closed mobile platform could be framed as a drawback after years of its cohesive design and ease being seen as assets.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/x2Jp327Jg1M/

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL FAIR ISAAC FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS F5 NETWORKS EPICOR SOFTWARE EMULEX EMS TECHNOLOGIES

NASA JPL controls rover with Leap Motion, shows faith in consumer hardware (video)

If you think using the Leap Motion controller for playing air guitar and typing without a keyboard was cool, try using it to control a NASA rover. Victor Luo and Jeff Norris from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab got on stage at the Game Developers Conference here in San Francisco to do just that with the ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer), which was located 383 miles away in Pasadena. As Luo waved his hand over the sensor, the robot moved in kind, reacting to the subtle movements of his fingers and wrists, wowing the crowd that watched it over a projected Google+ Hangout.

We spoke with Luo and Norris after the panel to gain further insight into the project. As Luo explains, one of JPL's main goals is to build tools to control robots needed for space exploration. Seeing as the gaming industry is already rife with user-friendly controllers ripe for the plucking, it made sense to harness them for the job. "We're very used to the bleeding edge," he said. "From the Kinect to the PlayStation Move, they represent major investments into usability." Hit the jump for our impressions of the simulation software, a look at JPL's grander goal and for video clips of the demo and panel itself.

Filed under: Gaming, Robots, Science

Comments

Source: NASA JPL

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/fBf0HyNOXzI/

PALM OSI SYSTEMS ORACLE OPENWAVE SYSTEMS ON SEMICONDUCTOR NVIDIA NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS

Stanford researchers create genetic transistors, make biologic computing possible

When constructing computer circuits, most folks start with silicon and metal, but not the researchers at Stanford. The boffins in Palo Alto want to build computers out of living tissue, and to that end they've created a biological transistor, called the transcriptor. Transcriptors substitute DNA for semiconductors and RNA for the electrons in traditional transistors -- essentially, the transcriptor controls the flow of a specific RNA protein along a DNA strand using tailored combinations of enzymes. Using these transcriptors, researchers built logic gates to derive true/false answers to biochemical questions posed within living cells. Using these bio-transistors, researchers gain access to data not previously available (like whether an individual cell has been exposed to certain external stimuli), in addition to allowing them to control basic functions like cellular reproduction.

This new breakthrough -- when combined with the DNA-based data storage and a method to transmit DNA between cells the school's already working on -- means that Stanford has created all the necessary components of a biologic computer. Such computers would allow man to actually reprogram how living systems operate. Of course, they haven't built a living genetic PC just yet, but to speed up its development, the team has contributed all the transcriptor-based logic gates to the public domain. Looking to build your own biologic computer? A full explanation of the transcriptor awaits below.

Filed under: Science

Comments

Via: The Verge

Source: Stanford University, Science Magazine

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/2MLwxlSGAUg/

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS SILICON LABORATORIES SI INTERNATIONAL SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY SCIENTIFIC GAMES SANDISK

Sony's Light Shaft, Motion Shot apps now available for NEX-5R and NEX-6 cams

One could easily argue that apps are a dime a dozen nowadays, but for those with a WiFi-ready, mirrorless Sony shooter, the in-cam software selection is still somewhat limited. As of a few hours ago, though, NEX-5R and NEX-6 owners now have two more options to choose from, thanks to Sony's new Light Shaft and Motion Shot applications. For starters, Light Shaft, as the company describes it, brings "a splash of light" to any picture using numerous differently shaped effects, such as Beam, Flare, Ray and Star. Motion Shot, on the other hand, takes multiple, continuous shots that are then superimposed to add a little flavor to action snaps, allowing users to easily pick the first and last images of every sequence. Available now via the PlayMemories shop, both apps are priced at $4.99 each -- which, to some, might feel like too steep a price to pay for a little unorthodox editing. We'll leave that decision up to you, though.

Filed under: Cameras, Software, Sony

Comments

Via: DPReview

Source: Sony

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/LK9EMIh2t-0/

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY AMPHENOL ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL APPLE COMPUTER APPLIED MATERIALS ARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ARROW ELECTRONICS

Survey of online access finds digital divide

A first-of-its-kind federal survey of online access found that Americans in lower-income and rural areas often have slower Internet connections than users in wealthier communities.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=82331e2ab3d84a77a20984bb53ec92ab

TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED TRIDENT MICROSYSTEMS TRANSACTION SYSTEMS ARCHITECTS TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES TNS TIBCO SOFTWARE TIBCO SOFTWARE

Analysts: Dell could be unstable if alternative bids accepted

A long battle looms as bids are evaluated to take over Dell, but analysts are warning customers of operational instability if an alternative proposal to acquire the company is accepted.

Blackstone Group and Carl Icahn have made counterproposals to acquire Dell, competing with a $24.4 billion bid from company founder and CEO Michael Dell and Silver Lake partners.

A group led by Blackstone offered in excess of $14.25 per share, while Carl Icahn and affiliates offered $15 per share. Michael Dell and Silver Lake offered $13.65 per share when it first announced its intent on Feb. 5 to take Dell private.

Dell in a statement said that a special committee would investigate the counterbids, which “could reasonably be expected to result in superior proposals, as defined under the terms of the existing merger agreement.” The board will continue to support the original $24.4 billion until the alternative proposals are reviewed. The board has the option to terminate that agreement.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2032033/analysts-dell-could-be-unstable-if-alternative-bids-accepted.html#tk.rss_laptopcomputers

LINEAR TECHNOLOGY LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS LAWSON SOFTWARE LAND SOFTWARE LAM RESEARCH L1 IDENTITY SOLUTIONS

In Egypt, should Internet access be an inalienable right?

Riots and unrest in Egypt have been ongoing all week, but the Internet only seemed to take notice when it affected the Internet. On Friday, news reports revealed that the government had shut down Internet access to its 80 million citizens, also blocking text messaging and mobile services. Access ...

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=01b4076394520d54c847216f970b1d1a

METHODE ELECTRONICS MENTOR GRAPHICS IMS HEALTH IMATION IKON OFFICE SOLUTIONS IDT IBASIS

How to Stop Robocalls Once and For All

You've just sat down to a nice home-cooked meal with your family when the phone rings. Could be Grandma, you think. She still actually uses the phone for talking. But no, it's a robocall shilling for some debt relief scam, the fifth in as many days. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/wCC1Z6xdvtE/how-to-stop-robocalls-once-and-for-all

ATandT AUTODESK AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING AVNET BHARTI AIRTEL BT GROUP CANON

Business Insider's Owen Thomas Is In Talks To Be The New Editor At ReadWrite

My old boss Owen Thomas is very close to becoming the new editor-in-chief at the SAY Media-owned tech site ReadWrite, according to sources with knowledge of the company. I'm hearing that it's not quite a done deal, but that it's looking very likely. Naturally, I called Owen to ask if this was the case, but he declined to comment. A SAY spokesperson told me, "There's obviously a lot of interest in ReadWrite. There are a lot of good candidates in the mix, and no one's been hired yet." (Just to reiterate — I'm not saying he's been hired, just that the discussions are pretty far along.)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/Aaycjhsnrlo/

INTUIT INTERSECTIONS INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM) INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS INTEL

2020 US Census expected to move online, catch up with 2010

The US Census is an expensive beast to run when paper is involved: multiply the $96 per household of the 2010 Census by millions of households and you'll feel the government's pain. When the mandate is to keep those expenses in check for the 2020 study, it's almost no surprise that the Census Bureau is now telling the Washington Post that it expects to rely on the internet for its next decennial survey in the wake of smaller-scale trials. The anticipated move is about more than just cutting the costs of lengthy forms and postage stamps, though. While frugality is the primary goal, joining the modern era should also reduce the need for follow-ups -- the Bureau would know as soon as we were done, after all. There's no question that an online Census is overdue when swaths of the US government (and society) can already skip traditional paperwork, but we still appreciate having a tentative schedule for one of the last great digital transitions.

[Image credit: USDA, Flickr]

Filed under: Internet, Alt

Comments

Source: Washington Post

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/Lf8z98LUlo0/

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS NOVELLUS SYSTEMS NOVELL NETWORK APPLIANCE NETGEAR NCR NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR

New Cyber Therapists Can Diagnose Depression Using Kinect

Going to a therapist in itself already makes a many people uncomfortable, but what if their wise and licensed confidant was actually just a fancy, upgraded Sim? Well, we may not have to wait too long to find out—a new computer program is already planning to be your depression-diagnosing assistant shrink. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/eohQOX-4CW0/a-new-kinect+based-digital-therapist-can-diagnose-depression-using-body-language

MICRON TECHNOLOGY MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY METHODE ELECTRONICS MENTOR GRAPHICS IMS HEALTH IMATION IKON OFFICE SOLUTIONS