Thursday, May 31, 2012

Sony Xperia neo L skips out on global launch

Sony Xperia neo L skips out on global launch

I would like to apologize for sharing word that the Sony Xperia neo L is slated for a worldwide launch, as that does not seem to be the case. It was just speculation, considering how the handset did appear on the global Sony Mobile website, so that would be nothing but the logical conclusion for most of us out here. Well, it is sad to say that the Sony Xperia neo L will not be released worldwide after all, as in hindsight, there does not seem to be any plausible reason as to why Sony Mobile will launch a phone globally considering how it sports similar hardware specifications as those found in the 2011 Xperia line up.

Ubergizmo, Sony Xperia neo L skips out on global launch

BMW launching M Performance Editions in the UK with three new Frozen matte colors

BMW launching M Performance Editions in the UK with three new Frozen matte colors

If you're tired of the usual shiny paint job that appears on 99-percent of the cars on the road, a matte finish could be just what the proverbial doctor ordered. But while matte black is the common choice among the anti-gloss set, to our eyes, it can often look like someone simply forgot to apply the primer. That's why many of us around the virtual Autoblog watercooler like matte color wraps – such as those displayed by Alfa Romeo with the red 4C Concept and Ferrari with the green 599 HY-KERS prototype.

Autoblog

See also:
supertechnologies, BMW launching M Performance Editions in the UK with three new Frozen matte colors

Google Glass to Come with Trackpad

Google Glass to Come with Trackpad

Google co-founder Sergey Brin met with California's Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom to show off his company's latest development on its Project Glass, even letting the LG try on the product himself. The government official, who also happens to host his own namesake show on Current TV, learned that the Google glass (there is just one, not two as previously reported) comes with a touchpad, which appears as a big chunk of plastic located on the right side. Photos displayed on the small transparent screen can be navigated using the trackpad.

Gadget.com, Google Glass to Come with Trackpad

Another Angry Birds theme park to open in the UK

Another Angry Birds theme park to open in the UK

Given the immense popularity of Rovio's Angry Birds game, which has spawned countless merchandise both official and unofficial, we guess building a theme park would be testament to its popularity, assuming its millions of downloads did not count already. Well it looks like one theme park isn't enough and now it seems that another Angry Birds theme park is set to be built and launched in the UK as well. Before you think that Angry Birds theme parks will be the new Disneyland, unfortunately not just yet as this particular park will be opened within the compound of the Sundown Adventureland.

Ubergizmo, Another Angry Birds theme park to open in the UK

UN-W700, Panasonic new all purpose video system

UN-W700, Panasonic new all purpose video system

Here you are a rather interesting new product from Panasonic, the UN-W700. This new 7" Tablet like device is in fact a new all purpose Android video system that can let you easily enjoy streaming video coming from a Blu-Ray Panasonic player or stored on your local network, as well as being able to place a VoIP call thanks to its Skype support and integrated camera. The UN-W700 comes with a 800×480 7" screen, WiFi, DLNA, does not feature any internal memory but support SDXC cards up to 64GB and play only a few video formats including MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264/ISDB-T Mobile Video Profile and WMV.
UN-W700, Panasonic new all purpose video system


Akihabara News, UN-W700, Panasonic new all purpose video system

Tesla shows us how a Model S is made, tailors EVs to your exact liking online

Tesla shows us how a Model S is made, tailors EVs to your exact liking online

Tesla is just three weeks away from delivering the Model S, but that hasn't stopped it from getting more in-depth with the construction of its first four-door EV. The automaker's first peek behind the scenes shows us just how quickly it can make the aluminum body parts that make the electric sedan: a single part can be stamped out in just six seconds. If you'd rather get to ordering a Model S than watching it built, though, Tesla is about to kick off Design Studio, a new way to customize the company's EVs for orders.

2DayBlog.com, Tesla shows us how a Model S is made, tailors EVs to your exact liking online

Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration

Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration

Oh, we know you've been waiting for this one. Earlier today, Archos announced its kid-friendly Child Pad tablet is finally up for grabs — which was bound to happen after having passed the FCC's meticulous inspection. In case your brain needs a quick refresh, those $129.99 get your little ones a 7-inch, 800 x 480 screen, Android 4.0, an unpretentious 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of built-in storage (expandable by way of microSD).

2DayBlog.com, Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration

Docomo demonstrates transparent double-sided touchscreen display Android smartphone prototype

Docomo demonstrates transparent double-sided touchscreen display Android smartphone prototype

NTT docomo have developed a prototype smartphone that works through touch on the front and back, using touchpanels on both sides of a see-through display. This smartphone is being co-developed by DoCoMo and Fujitsu. By using it from the back, you can scroll the screen without obscuring the display, and reach the slide down notification bar easily with your index finger. DoCoMo also implemented a new way of using smartphones, by touching both sides at once.

“You could hold down an icon on the front, and slide on the back to move an icon, or use the message bar, or create a new application.

Akihabara News, Docomo demonstrates transparent double-sided touchscreen display Android smartphone prototype

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Samsung Galaxy S III Canadian availability is now official

Samsung Galaxy S III Canadian availability is now official

It was a rumor a few days ago, and now it is official. Samsung Galaxy S III will be available in Canada on June 20. There will be two versions of the Android powerhouse - the LTE sporting SGH-i747 and the 42 Mbps HSPA+ flavored SGH-iT999. The former will hit Bell Mobility, Virgin Mobile, SaskTel, TELUS and Rogers Wireless, while the iT999 will be available on Videotron, Wind and Mobilicity. Pricing is yet to be announced.

As we suspected, the handset has gone through a slight change of character in order to play nice with the speedy networks across the Atlantic.

GSM Arena, Samsung Galaxy S III Canadian availability is now official

Google now selling accessories for Galaxy Nexus on Google Play

Google now selling accessories for Galaxy Nexus on Google Play

It was a month ago when the Galaxy Nexus popped out from the Google Play store, retailing for $399 without the hassle of getting locked into a two-year contract. Well, just a month after that, Google is now selling accessories for the device. Samsung Galaxy Nexus owners in the U.S. will now have the chance to wreathe the device with nifty accessories including the regular Desktop Dock, the HDMI Portrait Dock and the Vehicle Dock. But we'd like to point out that the three accessories will require the HSPA+ version of the Galaxy Nexus, so you might want to take that into consideration before buying.

Ubergizmo, Google now selling accessories for Galaxy Nexus on Google Play

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 with Android 4.0 ICS announced for the US, will cost $349

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 with Android 4.0 ICS announced for the US, will cost $349

First seen back in April, Lenovo's new IdeaTab S2109 will be officially released in the US soon. More exactly, the tablet should become available Stateside in early June, both at Lenovo directly, and via Office Depot.

Unwired View, Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 with Android 4.0 ICS announced for the US, will cost $349

Volkswagen Scirocco GTS commemorates 30-year anniversary of original

Volkswagen Scirocco GTS commemorates 30-year anniversary of original

It's been 30 years since the very first Volkswagen Scirocco GTS rolled off the assembly line. Featuring little more than a slightly reworked front valance and some trippy decal work, the original Scirocco GTS was likely most notable for the fact that it was the first in the family to rock a blacked-out B-pillar. Now Volkswagen is paying homage to the machine with a new Scirocco GTS. Unveiled at the Auto Mobil International, the modern hatch rocks the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, complete with 210 horsepower, as the rest of the Scirocco range.

Autoblog, Volkswagen Scirocco GTS commemorates 30-year anniversary of original

HP shows off Net Zero Energy Data Center architecture

HP shows off Net Zero Energy Data Center architecture

HP Labs' research has come up with something that will definitely pique your interest – architecture for a data center which is said to require no net energy at all from traditional power grids, calling it the Net Zero Energy Data Center in the process. This architecture will merge with holistic energy-management techniques so that organizations are able to reduce total power usage by up to 30%, at the same time lowering their dependence on grid power as well as costs by over 80%.

Ubergizmo

See also:
wareground, HP shows off Net Zero Energy Data Center architecture

User-adjustable glasses is adaptable

User-adjustable glasses is adaptable

Those of us wearing glasses tend to be subject to taunts at the playground, being called all sorts of names in the process as other kids mercifully tease the weaker members or “outcasts”, but as we grow up, we know that wearing glasses are also handy in attracting certain demographic of the opposite sex. Heck, glasses design has come a long way as well, where some of them are far out sexy these days. Unfortunately, the problem with wearing a pair of glasses is this – you will need to go for annual eye exams to see whether there is a need to change the lenses to coincide with your visual power.

Ubergizmo, User-adjustable glasses is adaptable

Play-A-Grill transforms bling into an MP3 player

Play-A-Grill transforms bling into an MP3 player

Moving on with the times, the word ‘grill' no longer means a piece of equipment that you use to cook meat in a certain way, and neither does it signify a verb. In fact, ‘grills' these days can be referred to what rappers wear on their teeth – which is basically a gold or platinum piece of jewellery. I suppose it has something to do with the kind of wealth flaunting culture, but that aside, Aisen Chacin has come up with a singing grill – calling it Play-A-Grill.

Ubergizmo, Play-A-Grill transforms bling into an MP3 player

Canadian carriers put Galaxy S III launch on June 20th, back dual-core 1.5GHz chip for LTE models

Canadian carriers put Galaxy S III launch on June 20th, back dual-core 1.5GHz chip for LTE models

Canadian carriers flocked to the Galaxy S III before we'd barely even left our seats in London to try it, and it looks like they're also more than a little eager to provide launch details ahead of their American counterparts. Telus and Videotron have both confirmed the leaked June 20th release date, and Telus has gone so far as to reinforce suspicions that LTE models will use the Snapdragon S4 instead of the Exynos 4 Quad - it expects the phone to use a "1.5GHz dual-core processor," which sure sounds like Qualcomm's latest to us.

Engadget, Canadian carriers put Galaxy S III launch on June 20th, back dual-core 1.5GHz chip for LTE models

All HTC droids have now cleared US customs

All HTC droids have now cleared US customs

Earlier this month, some HTC phones got held up at the US customs due to patent complaints from Apple, but now the Taiwanese corporation has resolved the issue. The HTC One X and the HTC EVO 4G LTE were affected by these proceedings, but the review process of the US customs is now done and the droids are free to enter the country. Here's the note from HTC that announced the end of the import ban:

HTC devices have been released by US Customs as they are in compliance with the ITC's ruling. HTC has completed the review process with US Customs and HTC devices have been released, as they are in compliance with the ITC's ruling.

GSM Arena, All HTC droids have now cleared US customs

Student protests in Montreal threaten Canadian Grand Prix

Student protests in Montreal threaten Canadian Grand Prix

As Formula One racing expands around the globe, we've come to expect certain potential disruptions. Demonstrators in Bahrain scuttled last year's grand prix there, and nearly did the same again this year. Violent crime in Brazil has caused some issues at that country's F1 race as well. And over in the rally raid column, threats from al-Qaeda forced the Dakar Rally to move from North Africa to South America. But in Canada? Peaceful, non-threatening Canada?

That's the issue that racers and fans alike could be facing next week as Montreal gears up for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Autoblog, Student protests in Montreal threaten Canadian Grand Prix

Microsoft's Photosynth app lets (some) Windows Phone users in on the panorama craze

Microsoft's Photosynth app lets (some) Windows Phone users in on the panorama craze

Are you one of those folks who enjoys taking snaps of everything around you and own a Mango-flavored Windows Phone slab. Well, we've got some phenomenal news for you: Microsoft has placed its Photosynth application up for grabs on the Marketplace. It's simple, the app - which doesn't cost a dime - will let you shoot some 360-degree photos in both landscape and portrait mode. Additionally, you'll be able to share those all-around shots with your friends on Twitter as well as the newly public Zuck network.

Engadget, Microsoft's Photosynth app lets (some) Windows Phone users in on the panorama craze

Motorola: a brief history

Motorola: a brief history

A snapshot of the last several years in Motorola's history shows a company in flux, culminating last week, when the smartphone manufacturer's sale to Google was finally given the green light. After undergoing governmental scrutiny from the US, China and the EU, the move, priced at around $12.5 billion, seems a logical fit, given the phone maker's push toward a portfolio built nearly exclusively around the search giant's mobile operating system. Of course, it's hard to imagine such a transaction taking place, had the Mobility wing not been spun off from Motorola a year and a half prior.

Engadget

See also:
alldigits, Motorola: a brief history

LoveFilm signs multi-year digital deal with NBCUniversal, looks Kick Ass

LoveFilm signs multi-year digital deal with NBCUniversal, looks Kick Ass

LoveFilm is living by its name, and snapping up more movie content for its online service. The latest signing. NBCUniversal. So, if you're a paid up member, this means you'll now get exclusive access to the latest Universal Pictures flicks during the second "pay window" (i.e.

Engadget, LoveFilm signs multi-year digital deal with NBCUniversal, looks Kick Ass

Huawei hotspot supports 110Mbps downstream on Softbank's 4G network

Huawei hotspot supports 110Mbps downstream on Softbank's 4G network

Huawei's 102HW Ultra WiFi 4G router might not be bathing in the same irradiated limelight as Sharp's Pantone 5, but it's said to support the fastest mobile data service in Japan. Announced at SoftBank's summer product rollout, the 102HW sports download speeds of up to 110 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up on AXGP (Advanced eXtended Global Platform) 4G, though it'll fall back to 3G when necessary. Up to ten users can simultaneous surf the web via 802.11b/g/n WiFi at 300 Mbps and share files through a built in microSDXC card slot. The box can also switch to and from SoftBank WiFi hotspots on the fly if cellular connections alone won't cut it.

Engadget, Huawei hotspot supports 110Mbps downstream on Softbank's 4G network

WWDC 2012 schedule confirmed, adds keynote details and companion app

WWDC 2012 schedule confirmed, adds keynote details and companion app

Apple has revealed a little bit more on what's going down in San Francisco next month. The big keynote has been penned for June 11th, at 10am PT (1pm ET), but if you're likely to forget that, Apple's already prepared an app to keep you clued in. Too busy for these midday conferences. Then be assured that we'll be there to unfurl everything Mr. Cook has to offer next month.

2DayBlog.com, WWDC 2012 schedule confirmed, adds keynote details and companion app

Toshiba Regza 50G5 is a golf friendly TV

Toshiba Regza 50G5 is a golf friendly TV

Are you a huge fan of golf. If you have answered in the affirmative, then you might be pleased to hear that Toshiba has released the first ever golf-friendly TV in the market. Now, what do you think of that. This does not mean that this particular TV is immune to the force of golf balls hitting its display and cracking it, and neither does it mean you can carry this TV around with you whenever you go to the golf course.

Ubergizmo, Toshiba Regza 50G5 is a golf friendly TV

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Verizon Posts Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4 Update On Support Page – Rolling Out Soon (For Real This Time)


It’s been dragging its feet, but the official Android 4.0.4 update for the Galaxy Nexus should be hitting your device any minute/day/week now. Verizon’s support page has just posted the update, letting users know an OTA will be issued in the coming days. The IMM76K software update not only brings the Verizon Galaxy Nexus up to speed with GSM versions of the Nex, but should fix a few nasty bugs users have been experiencing since the device’s release. Good luck, everyone, and godspeed.


Android Phone, Verizon Posts Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4 Update On Support Page â€" Rolling Out Soon (For Real This Time)

Tim Cook at D10: 'we're going to double down on secrecy on products,' be 'super transparent' on other things

Tim Cook at D10: 'we're going to double down on secrecy on products,' be 'super transparent' on other things

Apple CEO Tim Cook opened AllThingsD's D10 conference this evening with a sit down interview, and provided a slightly surprising answer when questioned about the company's penchant for secrecy. Asked by Walt Mossberg whether Apple would be less secretive going forward, Cook replied that "we're going to double down on secrecy on products." That was said with a bit of a smile on his face, it should be noted, but he was clear that it's something he's serious about.

Engadget, Tim Cook at D10: 'we're going to double down on secrecy on products,' be 'super transparent' on other things

Android 4.0 ICS updates for Sony Xperia Arc and Neo rolling-out now

Android 4.0 ICS updates for Sony Xperia Arc and Neo rolling-out now

As promised last week, Sony has started rolling-out Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich updates for its Xperia Arc and Xperia Neo smartphones (launched back in 2011). Both handsets are being blessed with Android 4.0.4. Sony notes that the update is being released "in batches", so your Arc or Neo may not get it as of today. Luckily, Sony is detailing exactly which Arc and Neo models are receiving updated on its official blogs.

Unwired View, Android 4.0 ICS updates for Sony Xperia Arc and Neo rolling-out now

Photos of the next iPhone panels reveal larger screen, metal back

Photos of the next iPhone panels reveal larger screen, metal back

After all the rumors of the next iPhone getting a 4-inch display, we finally get to see a glimpse of what the end result might look like. Acquired by 9to5mac from a Chinese iPhone parts supplier, the allegedly authentic photos below show the next Apple smartphone from both the front and the back. Most notably, it looks like the width of the phone hasn't been altered and the phone is much taller. As a result, according to various sources the resolution is 1136 x 640 pixels, making the screen 3.99 inches in diagonal.

The next major change is the back, which is now almost fully metal with only a small part of the top and bottom being glass.
Photos of the next iPhone panels reveal larger screen, metal back

Photos of the next iPhone panels reveal larger screen, metal back


GSM Arena, Photos of the next iPhone panels reveal larger screen, metal back

Max Payne 3 system requirements updated, new PC screenshots released

Max Payne 3 system requirements updated, new PC screenshots released

Max Payne 3 is about ready to hit the PC after a couple of weeks warming up on consoles. We'll get to take charge of Max make him dive point blank into walls this Friday. But what kind of framerate will we get as we send him sprawling into lampposts. What kind of resolutions can we expect to see as we send him and soaring over sheer drops. Rockstar have updated the Max Payne 3 system requirements with a few system profiles outlining the lowest and highest tested specs, and their recommended set ups.
Max Payne 3 system requirements updated, new PC screenshots released

Max Payne 3 system requirements updated, new PC screenshots released


2DayBlog.com, Max Payne 3 system requirements updated, new PC screenshots released

Kaspersky: Apple not serious enough about iOS security

Kaspersky: Apple not serious enough about iOS security

With its closed ecosystem, you would think Apple takes protecting the iPad, iPhone and iPod from malware seriously. Well, IT take note: Endpoint security for iOS is, apparently, not an important enough part of Apple's agenda for its juggernaut of a mobile device platform - at least according to Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of the well-known security company that bears his name. Speaking with The Register, Kaspersky spoke of how he's a "little bit disappointed" the Apple SDK does not allow anti-virus vendors like his company provide the type of software necessary to fully protect iOS products from malware.

2DayBlog.com, Kaspersky: Apple not serious enough about iOS security

Monday, May 28, 2012

Toshiba announced the first Golf friendly REGZA TV in Japan with the 50G5

Toshiba announced the first Golf friendly REGZA TV in Japan with the 50G5

Well it seems to be a first, or at least for me, but here you are ladies and gentlemen the first Golf Friendly TV ever made. So what is this all about. This may not come to a surprise for you but in Japan, despite being amazingly expensive, golf is way more popular than Sumo and maybe as popular as Baseball. There are tons of Golf related TV programs in Japan and it made total sense for a manufacturer like Toshiba to start building a TV with the world first "Golf" mode that will enhance image quality to better see the green texture for example as well as being to reduce motion blur when following the ball.
Toshiba announced the first Golf friendly REGZA TV in Japan with the 50G5

Toshiba announced the first Golf friendly REGZA TV in Japan with the 50G5

Toshiba announced the first Golf friendly REGZA TV in Japan with the 50G5

Toshiba announced the first Golf friendly REGZA TV in Japan with the 50G5


Akihabara News, Toshiba announced the first Golf friendly REGZA TV in Japan with the 50G5

Volvo's driverless road train in Spain is public mainly on the plain (video)

Volvo's driverless road train in Spain is public mainly on the plain (video)

It's been awhile since we saw Volvo's SARTRE (, which was last running out of harm's way on a test track near Gothenburg. Volvo has just taken a big step forward in fostering confidence by conducting its road train on public asphalt. The 124-mile Spanish test both proved that the cars could stay driverless without posing a threat and upped the ante for what the cars could do: the lead truck, an S60, a V60 and an XC60 all moved along at a brisk 53MPH with a tighter gap between vehicles than there was in the original test, at just 20 feet.

Engadget, Volvo's driverless road train in Spain is public mainly on the plain (video)

AT&T-bound LG E970 with possible quad-core Snapdragon and Andreno 320 graphics gets benchmarked

AT&T-bound LG E970 with possible quad-core Snapdragon and Andreno 320 graphics gets benchmarked

A new LG smartphone headed to AT&T has been revealed thanks to a benchmark it ran. The LG E970 looks like it's going to be a high-end Android device, and will probably be AT&T's equivalent of Sprint's LG LS970 which was leaked twice in the last month. Some of the specs of the LG E970 have been uncovered, and others can easily be inferred using the leaked specs for the LS970 which is on its way to Sprint. Since these two handsets have an almost identical model number, it's safe to assume that their hardware will be incredibly similar.

First of all, the LG E970 will come with Adreno 320 graphics and a processor clocked at 1.5 GHz.

Unwired View, AT&T-bound LG E970 with possible quad-core Snapdragon and Andreno 320 graphics gets benchmarked

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Facebook reportedly back to building phones, recruiting former iPhone engineers

Facebook reportedly back to building phones, recruiting former iPhone engineers

If the HTC Status' dedicated Facebook button fell shy of satisfying your obsessive social networking needs, sit tight: the house of Zuckerberg may be building a slab of tech just for you. According to the New York Times Bits blog, those old Facebook phone rumors are making a comeback. A handful of Facebook employees and engineers familiar with the matter reportedly say that the firm is collecting former Apple engineers, specifically, ones that worked on the iPhone and iPad. Like Zuckerberg said, mobile is the company's top focus, and one employee says the man at the top is afraid of getting overlooked in a sea of apps.

Engadget, Facebook reportedly back to building phones, recruiting former iPhone engineers

Get your camping kits ready, Londoners. First 50 Galaxy S III owners to be given tickets to the Olympics

Get your camping kits ready, Londoners. First 50 Galaxy S III owners to be given tickets to the Olympics

As if they aren't fortunate enough to be the first ones to get their hands on the Samsung Galaxy S III, Londoners now have another reason to buy the phone as soon as the stores open: tickets to this summer's Olympics. Just to be clear, you have to have pre-ordered the device, as these customers have been invited pick up their phones before regular customers are allowed to. Considering the mess that was the ticket lottery system, this might actually be the easier way to watch one of the events at the Games (though which one hasn't been specified).

Android Phone, Get your camping kits ready, Londoners. First 50 Galaxy S III owners to be given tickets to the Olympics

Solid state solar panels are more affordable, say researchers, don't leak

Solid state solar panels are more affordable, say researchers, don't leak

Researchers at Northwestern University have found one way to stop a leak: get rid of the liquid. A new variation on the Grätzel solar cell replaces a short-lived organic dye with a solid alternative. The molecular dye the solid substance replaces was corrosive, at risk of leaking and only lasted about 18-months - by replacing it, researchers plan to pave the way for a more affordable (and less toxic) alternative. Northwestern's new design flaunts a 10.2-percent conversion efficiency, the highest ever recorded in a solid-state solar cell of its type - but that's still only half of what traditional sun collectors can do.

Engadget, Solid state solar panels are more affordable, say researchers, don't leak

Motorola releases demo videos for Android 4.0 update

Motorola releases demo videos for Android 4.0 update

Motorola has released a bunch of videos on its Japanese site detailing the upcoming Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for its phones. The videos are meant to highlight the changes between the current Gingerbread ROM and the new ICS ROM. We must say we are very impressed with what Motorola has to show here. While most of the other OEMs are busy slapping heavy layers of custom skin on top of stock Android, Motorola's is practically stock.

Some of the additions Motorola has made include a new lockscreen.







GSM Arena, Motorola releases demo videos for Android 4.0 update

Friday, May 25, 2012

V-Pole concept could be the next generation utility pole

V-Pole concept could be the next generation utility pole

Earlier this month, a concept utility pole dubbed as V-Pole (V for Vancouver) was unveiled at the New Cities Summit in Paris. The V-Pole is the brainchild of Douglas Coupland, a Canadian writer and artist who is known for writing about the intersection of culture and technology. Essentially, the V-Pole concept hopes to introduce the future of urban utility poles. The V-Pole is a slim, modular utility pole connected to underground optical wiring.

Ubergizmo, V-Pole concept could be the next generation utility pole

Samsung spills Galaxy Note's ICS guts, releases kernel source code to devs

Samsung spills Galaxy Note's ICS guts, releases kernel source code to devs

Back when it was unveiled at IFA 2011, Sammy's famed phablet was more of an attractive oddity than sure hit. Skip to now, and that 5.3-incher's not only taken the European continent by storm, it's also made inroads onto these American shores via AT&T. In keeping with the open source embrace begun last October, the OEM's once again offering up the device's kernel code, this time for the skinned ICS OS unlocked versions currently run.

2DayBlog.com, Samsung spills Galaxy Note's ICS guts, releases kernel source code to devs

M3-fighting Volvo S60 Polestar spotted testing

M3-fighting Volvo S60 Polestar spotted testing

If news of a more powerful Volvo S60 sounds familiar, it's because we just reported on this subject earlier in the week. Now, though, a reader of the same Swedish site that initially broke the news has fired back with a set of spy photos, and we can clearly see that Volvo is indeed making improvements to the S60. As for what exactly those improvements are, your guess is as good as ours. As we reported before, Polestar – the tuning firm that now offers power upgrades for the current range of Volvo products – is said to be handling the more potent S60, with horsepower slated to be somewhere in the 350 to 400 range.

Autoblog, M3-fighting Volvo S60 Polestar spotted testing