[CEBIT 2012] ASUS N77SF-V2G-TZ158V Gaming Laptop

Planning to finish Mass Effect 3 this weekend. So like Sheldon Cooper why not doing it on the go thanks to ASUS latest Gaming Laptop the ASUS N77SF-V2G-TZ158V. Sure the ASUS N77SF-V2G-TZ158V is far from being the "Smallest" notebook on the market and its massive 17.3" Full HD Screen may not fit into your fanny bag , but at least you will be able to enjoy this Gaming laptop raw power including an Intel Core i7-2670QM, 8GB of RAM and its Gaming oriented GeForce GT 555M Video card and its 2GB of VRAM.



Akihabara News

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wareground, [CEBIT 2012] ASUS N77SF-V2G-TZ158V Gaming Laptop

iRiver i10 MP3 Player

Check out this new MP3 player from iRiver, the i10. Shaped just like a cute little dog, the i10 comes with a 96 x 64 pixel OLED screen, a 2GB of storage and a built-in lithium battery that can last up to 25 hours of music playback. The i10 retails for 269 Yuan (about $43).

TechFresh, iRiver i10 MP3 Player

Hex Code Folio case for the iPad

HEX has expanded their product range to include the Code Folio that will cater for the iPad. This folio will play nice with the iPad 2, and not only does it add an extra dash of glamor, substance and style will also be part of the equation. For those who are familiar with Hex products for the iPhone 4S, they will most probably realize that the Code Folio iPad case would closely resemble the Code Wallet. It boasts of a custom molded soft-touch bed that will be able to fit the iPad 2 as well as the recently announced iPad, while offering improved protection from accidental bumps and drops.

Ubergizmo, Hex Code Folio case for the iPad

Apple sells out of launch-day iPads

. Apple began running out of launch-day iPad inventory less than 24 hours after pre-orders were first made available. Now, it looks like all of Apple's initial iPad stock has been depleted. The company's online store currently shows an estimated ship date of March 19th for every available iPad model, including the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB Wi-Fi models and each of the three iPad Wi-Fi + 4G versions for AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Apple unveiled the new iPad this past Wednesday at a press conference in San Francisco.

Boy Genius Report, Apple sells out of launch-day iPads

Dropbox website revamped

Dropbox users would have probably noticed by now that the useful cloud storage service has given its web interface a brand new facelift. The new Dropbox UI adds some new features and improves on some existing ones. Firstly there's the new action bar that is available above your Dropbox files - it lets users sort their files by name, uploaded date, size and file type. If you select a file or folder, the buttons on the action will change to options such as copy, delete, rename and more.

Ubergizmo, Dropbox website revamped

HP TouchPad triple boots into webOS, Android and Arch Linux

The HP TouchPad might be as extinct as dinosaurs, but that does not mean it is dead and buried – yet. It seems that the HP TouchPad does not only run on webOS, but it is also capable of booting up in at least two more different mobile operating systems. We are talking about Google's Android as well as a range of Linux-based operating systems that have been ported over to the HP TouchPad. Obviously, you need not purchase a trio of TouchPads from the second hand market in order to experience all three operating systems on the tablet – just triple boot it in a multi-boot setup, and you are good to go.

Ubergizmo, HP TouchPad triple boots into webOS, Android and Arch Linux

3D computer patient ‘avatars' are virtual guinea pigs

The field of medicine has now advanced to a point where doctors are able to perform a trial treatment on a virtual patient, and depending on the reaction in the virtual patient ‘avatar', a more accurate treatment can be formulated before being prescribed to the actual patient in real life. This is already happening in the UK, where doctors are able to create a digital 3D replica of a patient using their own medical data, and the detailed simulation that follows after that will alert doctors to potential (and of course, unwanted) side-effects – before it even happens to the actual patient.

Ubergizmo, 3D computer patient ‘avatars' are virtual guinea pigs

Xbox 720 will reportedly ditch disc drive

. Microsoft's next-generation video game and home entertainment console may use online downloads and a swappable solid state card port of some kind in place of a traditional disc drive. The news comes from British gaming magazine MCV, which cites an unnamed person who claims to have obtained the information directly from Microsoft. The Xbox 360 already supports digital content distribution models and it is expected that Microsoft will continue to increase its focus on non-physical media. At the same time, however, this new rumor counters earlier reports that the next-generation “Xbox 720″ will include Blu-ray disc support.

Boy Genius Report, Xbox 720 will reportedly ditch disc drive

Safety groups file lawsuit against new U.S. trucking standards

A range of safety groups are calling for judicial review of federal rules for truck drivers' hours of service. According to a lawsuit filed by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Public Citizen, the Truck Safety Coalition and two truck drivers, the new rule doesn't protect the public from tired truckers. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently ruled drivers could only work 70 hours within a seven-day period, down from a previous limit of 82.

Autoblog

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techabout, Safety groups file lawsuit against new U.S. trucking standards

Major Google Chrome vulnerability uncovered by hacker at Pwnium contest

. Russian university student Sergey Glazunov was able to hack into a secure Windows 7 machine using a remote code execution exploit in Google's Chrome web browser in five minutes, ZDNet reported Wednesday. The exploit was found during CanSecWest's Pwnium hacker contest, a competition similar to the popular Pwn2Own contest. Google offered a total of $1 million dollar in prize money to hackers who could exploit the company's Chrome web browser. Glazunov was rewarded $60,000 for his exploit, which found a way around Chrome's sandbox using vulnerabilities in the extension system.

Boy Genius Report

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wgitn, Major Google Chrome vulnerability uncovered by hacker at Pwnium contest

LG Rumor Reflex QWERTY phone announced for Sprint and Boost Mobile

Sprint has officially unveiled a new LG Rumor handset, which will become available starting March 11. The new phone is called LG Rumor Reflex, and is a pretty basic touchscreen device with a sliding QWERTY keyboard. Its other features include a 3 inch WQVGA display, GPS, 2MP camera, and MicroSD card support.
The Rumor Reflex is Sprint's fifth eco-friendly device. It is Carbon-free, its "outer cover is constructed of 31% post-consumer recycled materials", and it doesn't use tally sensitive materials like PVC, BFR, beryllium, nickel, phthalates, and halogen.

Unwired View, LG Rumor Reflex QWERTY phone announced for Sprint and Boost Mobile

Verizon will support Mobile Hotspot on the new iPad, AT&T still working on it

It's no secret that the new iPad will offer the ability to share a data connection with other devices through a mobile hotspot, but the feature doesn't do any good if your wireless network doesn't offer it. Representatives from Verizon and AT&T sent tweets this morning that raised more questions than they answered, leaving us concerned that both companies had decided not to allow the hotspot capability at all.

Engadget, Verizon will support Mobile Hotspot on the new iPad, AT&T still working on it

Magna MILA Coupic Concept is a shape-shifting convertible crossover pickup

Please excuse us while we banish thoughts of David Letterman's hosting of Oscar night – Magna; MILA. Uma; Oprah – and instead focus on what this concept car brings to the table. This is the sixth MILA Concept from Magna-Steyr, the Austrian arm of Canadian auto parts giant Magna International, and it's meant to showcase the capabilities of the supplier. First and foremost, the MILA Coupic's two-door crossover shape can convert into a convertible or a pickup truck, depending on the configuration of the rear seat.

Autoblog, Magna MILA Coupic Concept is a shape-shifting convertible crossover pickup

Citroën DS4 Racing Concept is our kind of Gaul

Wide, chunky, low-down and matte gray. There aren't many things for which we'd consider that a flattering descriptive, but the Citroën DS4 Racing concept is just such a thing. Developed by Citroën Racing and a step up from the DS3 Racing limited edition, it's 35 millimeters lower, 55-mm wider than the production car and sits on two-tone wheels hiding massive brakes.

Autoblog, Citroën DS4 Racing Concept is our kind of Gaul

iOS 5.1 increases mobile data download limit to 50MB

Great news for those of you who spend a lot of time away from your WiFi connection at home - you now have the freedom to download larger apps thanks to iOS 5.1. According to reports online, iOS 5.1 now lets users download music and apps up to 50MB in size over their data connection - users were previously limited to only 20MB.  This bump in the download cap comes with the launch of the new iPad, which has a higher resolution display (which should result in larger, heavier apps) and its 4G LTE connectivity - after all, what's the point of 4G if you're not using it to download large files right.

Ubergizmo, iOS 5.1 increases mobile data download limit to 50MB

Thick core arctic ice melting faster than its edge

Scientists also believe they have detected a 9-year cycle for Arctic ice, in which sea ice extent grows for a few years, and then shrinks until the cycle starts again. Joey Comiso, senior scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland found that the Arctic multi-year ice – ice that survives for several years – is shrinking by about 17.2 percent per decade. Multi-year ice extent, which is defined as areas of the Arctic Ocean where multi-year ice covers at least 15 percent of the ocean surface, is declining by 15.1 percent per decade.

2DayBlog.com, Thick core arctic ice melting faster than its edge

SK Telecom Smart Learning robots add twist to interactive learning, we go hands-on (video)

They aren't quite up to Johnny Number Five's level of fame and stature, but SK Telecom's new "Smart Learning" robots have something it (he?) never could have dreamed of: the power of a smartphone. The mechanical critters are designed to be next-gen educational tools for our posterity, and only function thanks to a Bluetooth-connected Android handset which serves as both the brains of the operation and the interactive display. We saw the robots in action last week at Mobile World Congress in a few different scenarios: a board game, a reading comprehension tool and other clever learning activities.

Engadget, SK Telecom Smart Learning robots add twist to interactive learning, we go hands-on (video)

Readability Reading Platform Coming Soon To Android – Available March 12th

You can never have too many reader apps, that's what I always say. Joining up with some of the greats such as Google Currents and Pulse currently available is newcomer, Readability, a reader app and service that will arrive in Google Play on March 12th. The app, already a hit on iOS, focuses on making cluttered webpages more readable but getting rid of all the fluff and leaving nothing but nice, clean, readable text for reading now, or later.
Features include:

Readability automatically turns web pages into a clean, elegant, single-column reading view.

Android Phone, Readability Reading Platform Coming Soon To Android â€" Available March 12th

Smart ForTwo Brabus Electric Drive is a black and green upgrade

If given the choice, we'd grab the keys to an all-electric Smart ForTwo way before its gasoline-powered sibling, if for no other reason than it would mean we wouldn't have to put up with that horrid automated manual transmission. But such faint praise isn't really fair to the Brabus Electric Drive. After all, it's got 80 horsepower on tap, which is plenty for the little urban runabout, and its 100 pound-feet of torque ought to be available from zero rpm.

Autoblog

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itworld, Smart ForTwo Brabus Electric Drive is a black and green upgrade

The new iPad puts the camera back in focus: 5 MP sensor, AF lens, 1080p video

Tired of taking average shots with that 1280x720 non-AF camera module in your iPad 2. Well rejoice. The new iPad packs a five megapixel backside-illuminated sensor, five-element autofocus lens with IR filter and captures video at 1080p - slightly better specs than the iPhone 4. Apple's built the ISP (Image Signal Processor) right into the new A5X chip, enabling features like face detection and image stabilization - just like the iPhone 4S.






Engadget, The new iPad puts the camera back in focus: 5 MP sensor, AF lens, 1080p video

Yitoa M9704 9.7-inch ICS tablet has a keyboard that doubles as a case, we go hands-on (video)

Hall 17 at CeBIT in Hannover could just as well be downtown Shenzhen. Step inside its cavernous walls, and the air lights up with the sound of chirpy pop music, and excited sales chatter. But once you tune out the aural assault and look past the swathe of Gingerbread MIDs, you might just find yourself a catch. This M9704 9.7-inch, Android 4.0 slate from Yitoa is one such get. Okay, so it won't be winning any awards for original design, but with a 1.2GHz Cortex A8 processor and 1GB of RAM - all for $120 - we were certainly curious to know more. The first thing you might notice from the pictures is the combination keyboard and case.








Engadget, Yitoa M9704 9.7-inch ICS tablet has a keyboard that doubles as a case, we go hands-on (video)

Ford SYNC owners access tablets with voice

The power of voice was once again demonstrated at the new iPad's unveiling earlier this morning, and here is more news concerning voice functionality – Ford SYNC owners are now able to enable one to access tablet functionality through speech alone. Among the SYNC-compatible devices include both iPads, the Amazon Kindle, Amazon Kindle Fire, the defunct HP TouchPad, the HTC Flyer, the Barnes & Noble Nook Color and the Sony Tablet S. Of course, SYNC will ensure that some tablets and e-readers will be able to receive their dose of juice when plugged in via SYNC's USB connection.

Ubergizmo, Ford SYNC owners access tablets with voice

Apple announces 1080p Apple TV, available March 16th

. Apple on Wednesday unveiled an updated Apple TV unit with a new streamlined user interface during the company's press conference in San Francisco.

Boy Genius Report, Apple announces 1080p Apple TV, available March 16th

Microsoft Device Center Beta for Windows 8 can now be downloaded

Are you currently running on Windows 8 Consumer Preview. If you have answered in the affirmative, then you might be pleased to hear that there is a spanking new beta app for this particular (and potentially revolutionary) operating system – the Microsoft Device Center. This new app that can be downloaded for free will help you customize your Microsoft mouse and keyboard, merging the current existing mouse software (IntelliPoint) with keyboard software (IntelliType) into a singular, simple solution.

Ubergizmo, Microsoft Device Center Beta for Windows 8 can now be downloaded

BitPerfect High-quality Audio Player for OSX

Let's be real here, OK. iTunes has never been a great program where sound quality is concerned. Steve Jobs famously said that music was in Apple's DNA.  That may be, but I wouldn't call Apple an audiophile company. Despite that, I use iTunes every day mainly because it's just so darned easy, plus it does sound good enough.
And there lies the problem. We learn to settle for inferior audio either because we don't know better or it's too complicated to deal with. But what about the rest of you? It's not lost on me that each link in the audio chain can be – and often is – not cheap. Sometimes it can be outrageously expensive.

The Gadgeteer, BitPerfect High-quality Audio Player for OSX

The Next Big Thing: Bridgestone prints patterns on tires

How many times have you said to yourself, "Self, I've modded every single part of my car, but those tires, they're just so. black. And boring." Bridgestone has the answer in the form of its Tire Printing Technology. Comprised of two layers of ink – one above and one above a protective coating – you can fully customize the design of your sidewalls using any kind of vector-based graphics.

Autoblog

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hightech2012, The Next Big Thing: Bridgestone prints patterns on tires

Redbox notches its second billion rentals, offers freebies Thursday to celebrate

It took six years for Redbox to cross the one billion discs rented mark, but clearly the pace is picking up as it's taken only 18 months to duplicate the feat. Sure, two billion is no 25 billion, but at least the red kiosk company isn't only going to share the love with the milestone maker who just wanted to check out Ryan Gosling in Drive.

Engadget

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alldigits, Redbox notches its second billion rentals, offers freebies Thursday to celebrate

Omron releases a pair of sleep monitoring gadgets that watch you slumber

Insomnia and a love of gadgets go hand-in-hand, so it's no surprise that more companies want a piece of Zeo's sleep-monitoring action. Omron's the latest to supply an offering with a pair of sensors to work out how much shut-eye your getting. Working on the principle that you stop moving when you're deep in sleep, the devices measure your movement while in bed and count up how long you remain static. The HSL-101 uses a radio-frequency sensor that measures movement to any object within its 5-foot range. The HSL-001 is a pebble-sized kit that sits underneath your pillow and uses an accelerometer to measure your restlessness instead.

Engadget, Omron releases a pair of sleep monitoring gadgets that watch you slumber

Samsung Shows Of New Stereo Speakers With Dual-Dock For Android Devices

There’s no question that Android devices rule the mobile world when it comes to market share, so why don’t we see more products built with the Android user in mind. A few weeks back, I showed you guys the Fidelio speaker docks from Philips that were tailored made for Android devices, thanks to the inclusion of a micro USB dock for charging your device while playing your smooth jazz. And now it looks like Samsung will follow Philips’ lead with their new line of speakers featuring dual-docks for both iPhone and Android devices. The new high quality speakers come in 2 form factors and 2 sizes for each.


Android Phone, Samsung Shows Of New Stereo Speakers With Dual-Dock For Android Devices

Android finally gets an official TED app

TED - it's exclusive, endlessly fascinating, pretentious and addictive as hell. Sadly, for those of you out there rocking Android devices, getting your fix on the go required you download the talks as podcasts or use one of many unofficial and highly unreliable apps from the market. That source of frustration comes to an end now, though, with the launch of the official TED app for Android. It's free, it works on tablets and phones and it's available now - what more could you ask for.

Engadget, Android finally gets an official TED app

2012 Volvo V40 takes aim at A3, 1-Series

With the S40 gone and the C30 on its way out the door, Volvo has a few holes in its line that Audi and BMW are happy to fill with the all-new A3 and 1-Series, respectively. Enter the V40, a five-door hatch that's one of the most attractive designs from Sweden since the Ikea Skürg. It's a svelte bit of kit, with an organic fascia bleeding into a subtly sculpted hood and capped off with a sloping roofline that can be had in full panoramic glass.

Autoblog, 2012 Volvo V40 takes aim at A3, 1-Series

Huawei Vision U8850 with Android Gingerbread headed to North America, maybe via AT&T?

The Huawei Vision U8850 is a pretty nice (at least on paper) mid-end Android smartphone that was announced in August 2011, and started to become available in select markets towards the end of last year. Now, it looks like it will be released in North America, too. According to the Bluetooth SIG, the Vision is indeed coming to North America, as well as South America. The unit that the SIG is referring to comes with HSDPA 850x1900 MHz, hence it would play nice with AT&T's 3G network. Since AT&T has introduced its very first Huawei smartphone in September - the affordable Impulse 4G - maybe it will want to release the Vision, too.

Unwired View, Huawei Vision U8850 with Android Gingerbread headed to North America, maybe via AT&T?

The Android Market is now Google Play, complete with apps, music, movies, and books

It turns out that Google Play was not a tablet after all. Sure, Google may still be working on a ‘Nexus'-type tablet, but it certainly won't be called Google Play. The company has recently registered a bunch of domain names related to the Google Play brand, so we all thought it was getting ready to announce a new tablet. Instead, Google was gearing up to discontinue the Android Market. Don't panic – all the content is still there. Apps, movies, music (the last two of those in select markets only, just as before).

Unwired View, The Android Market is now Google Play, complete with apps, music, movies, and books

Amazon patents intelligent pen for adding annotations to digital and printed media

We wouldn't call it a comeback, but the stylus is definitely enjoying a mini-renaissance of sorts in the world of phablets. So it should come as no surprise to see Amazon patenting an intelligent input device (most likely a Kindle Pen), as well as a "computer-implemented method" for that associated accessory which can read, write, search, print and email annotations and highlights made on digital (ebooks and video) and physically printed works. The theoretical service also has a social aspect to it, allowing a primary account holder to grant outside users access to notes, in addition to the ability to edit and create their own.

Engadget, Amazon patents intelligent pen for adding annotations to digital and printed media

2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet pops its top, just can't stop

Despite the current trend, not every car looks good with its top lopped off. We're looking at you, Nissan and Land Rover. The Volkswagen GTI doesn't get any prettier after losing its roof and seems to get, well, a little softer, more, ok, we're just gonna say it – girly. A bit like the earlier VW Cabriolets but with enough horsepower to leave its critics in the dust.

Autoblog, 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet pops its top, just can't stop