Acer launches Ultrabook-like Aspire V5 series, we go hands-on (video)

After trotting out some mobile fare at MWC, Acer hasn't pulled in the reigns on its new product horse, announcing its new V5 notebook this morning at CeBIT. Yes, notebook. At 30 percent slimmer than the class it replaces, these are still trim machines. The 11.6-inch model is only 15mm thick, which is way into Ultrabook territory, while the 14- and 15-inch models land at 21 and sub-23mm respectively. It's Intel on the inside, including Core i3 and Core i5 processors, with NVIDIA GeForce GT series on-board to handle graphics. Release is penciled in for Q2, and pricing is expected to range from €499 to €699 (about $650 to $920). If you're in the market for something a bit less expensive but you're into the V5's design, you might take notice of the Aspire One netbook, which is set to use the same chassis but will ship with Intel Pentium and Celeron processors instead, with pricing estimated between €399 and €449 (about $525 to $590).

We went hands-on with a dummy model of the V5 at CeBIT, though the prototype we saw today may not be the exact design you'll find in stores later this month. The 15.6-inch sample was very thin and relatively light, with a full-size chiclet keyboard and numberpad on the side. There's a USB 3.0 port on the left-hand side, along with two standard USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI connector and proprietary Ethernet port. There's also a pop-out optical drive on the right, though there's no SD slot in sight. Overall, it's a very nice design, but we'll need to wait for the company to demo functional versions before we can pass judgement on performance. As always, you'll find our video overview just past the break.

Continue reading Acer launches Ultrabook-like Aspire V5 series, we go hands-on (video)

Acer launches Ultrabook-like Aspire V5 series, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/E14NxVcJk84/

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The ukulele's future is now with 'Futulele' iPhone, iPad app (video)

Nothing quite says "check me out" to the ladies like riffing on a frickin' pink ukulele -- until now. For folks rocking both an iPhone and an iPad, Touch DJ app maker Amidio Inc., is releasing its latest magnum opus, the "Futulele." Ah, be still, your beating heart. This dual-device ukulele synthesizer connects the aforementioned iOS devices via Bluetooth, creating a virtual four-string strummer on which to throw down a soulful rendition of "Tiny Bubbles." Users get their groove on by touching the iPhone to select up to 12 chords per song and using the iPad to strum; chord sets also can be changed on the fly. Amidio says the app should drop sometime in April, and will be optimized for the iPad 3, to boot. Sure, a regular ukulele might be cheaper, but who are you to argue with the future? Speaking of the future, check it out in all its cheerful glory with the Futulele video posted after the break, as well as some not-so-futuristic PR.

Continue reading The ukulele's future is now with 'Futulele' iPhone, iPad app (video)

The ukulele's future is now with 'Futulele' iPhone, iPad app (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Gizmodo  |  sourceAmidio Inc.  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/the-ukuleles-future-is-now-with-futulele-iphone-ipad-app-vi/

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Speedtest.net overhauled with new look, new features

speedtest
Speedtest.net is pretty much the go-to site for quickly figuring out how fast (or slow) your connection really is and comparing the numbers your ISP boasts with what it actually delivers. And now it's got a new coat of paint and a couple of neat features. In brief:
  • New UI: The map widget is much improved; it actually looks like a map now, and it's easy to see where you are.
  • Smart server selection: If there are several test servers nearby, Speedtest will now ping each to see which has the least latency and use that for the test. You can still specify servers manually, too.
  • User accounts: You can sign up for a free account and aggregate results from several computers/connections.
  • Speed Wave: This new feature lets you add your test results to the results of many other users, and get a nice composite view.
All in all, you get some nice, new functionality and a snazzier interface to boot. Nice!

Speedtest.net overhauled with new look, new features originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/speedtest-net-overhauled-with-new-look-new-features/

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Zombies!!! Run!!!

Yeah, yeah, we know we need at least thirty minutes of exercise a day, but come on, it’s just so boring.  You know what would make it better?  That’s right–Zombies!  Zombies, Run! is an app for the iPhone/iPad/Android that casts you as a survivor in the zombie apocalypse.  You become Runner 5, and it’s your [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/03/03/zombies-run/

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MIT opens App Inventor to all, launches public Beta

App Inventor
You'd be forgiven for thinking you've already read this article. Truthfully, you pretty much already have. The software is the same (App Inventor), the milestone is the same (public availability), even the development status is the same (beta). So, what praytell is new then? Well, the Android apps creation tool is no longer being managed by Google -- MIT has snatched up the source and worked up its own version. Now you, or anyone else for that matter, can go and log into the MIT App Inventor, so long as you have a valid Google ID. Interested in giving it a try? Did you miss out when it was the Google App Inventor? Hit up the source link for more.

MIT opens App Inventor to all, launches public Beta originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/mit-opens-app-inventor-to-all-launches-public-beta/

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Violin Strings Made by Spiders Sound Smooth as Silk [Science]

The world's best violins come with strings made from catgut—which isn't typically from cats, but does definitely come from the inside of an animal. If you want a more vegetarian alternative, though, how about a set made from spider silk? More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/1VF7bLnHwa8/violin-strings-made-by-spiders-sound-smooth-as-silk

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Turn a Pile Of Dishes Into a Designer Clock [Clocks]

Tired of being nagged about the ever-growing pile of dishes next to your kitchen sink? With Kyouei Design's Water Clock you can just turn them into a stylish timepiece, and not worry about prepping them for the dishwasher like you're supposed to. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/huSLNBrh0ew/turn-a-pile-of-dishes-into-a-designer-clock

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Windows 8 now available to OEMs via Microsoft Connect

windows 8Select Microsoft Connect partners -- major players like HP -- have been given their first taste of Windows 8. According to various sources, the build string currently sits at 7971.0.110324-1900, which is the third milestone build of the successor to Windows 7.

So far, there haven't been many details revealed about Windows 8. An actual System Restore -- which is being referred to as History Vault -- has been reported, and the feature will allow users and administrators to completely roll back a system to a previous state. A factory reset option is also said to be included.

We've also seen Windows Live integration taking shape on the desktop. It's believed that you'll be able to log in to Windows 8 using your Windows Live credentials, not just a traditional offline Windows username and password.

All that's left now is for a leaked Windows 8 build to show up on a torrent site. Feel free to tip us if you see that happen.

Windows 8 now available to OEMs via Microsoft Connect originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/windows-8-now-available-to-oems-via-microsoft-connect/

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webOS 3.0 beta now available to developers

hp touchpad webos 3.0
With the webOS 3.0 SDK available for almost two months, HP has now given developers access to a beta download of webOS 3.0 -- which powers the upcoming TouchPad and will likely ride along on HP desktops and laptops in the form of an emulator.

Right now, the webOS 3.0 beta is only available to Early Access developers. The crew at PreCentral states that HP appears to have eased up on access restrictions, however, so hopefully more devs will get on board and those of you who are planning to buy a TouchPad in the next couple months will have plenty of slick webOS 3.0 apps to install on your new tablet.

webOS 3.0 beta now available to developers originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/webos-3-0-beta-now-available-to-developers/

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Ping Pong Playa: What if the Stereotype Chooses You? [Video]

It's really easy to look at a movie like Ping Pong Playa and see a super-dumb comedy which leans on nothing but stereotypes about Asian people or ping pong players or white people (which constitute a very massive venn diagram). And yeah, maybe it's not smart enough to enlighten you about racial identity. But the reaction to that last joke in the trailer up there? Perfect. [Netflix] More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/wDlrTrAO2bQ/ping-pong-playa-what-if-the-stereotype-chooses-you

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