Urban Ears Plattan headphones prove that quilted isn't just for toilet paper anymore

Talk about padding out a product line. Urban Ears announced a new, quilted addition to its Plattan line of over-the-ear headphones. The Quilted Plattan Edition feature an extra padded headband and ear cushion.

Engadget, Urban Ears Plattan headphones prove that quilted isn't just for toilet paper anymore

Industrywide App Rating System Dissed by Apple, Google

In an effort to streamline and simplify the maturity ratings of software in mobile app stores, CTIA, the international wireless industry association, yesterday proposed a ratings system that store owners could voluntarily adopt. Google and Apple basically told the CTIA to stuff it — they're sticking with their own rating schemes. "We've put a lot of effort into Android Market's rating system, which now works well globally," Google spokesman Christopher Katsaros said in a statement.

Gadget Lab, Industrywide App Rating System Dissed by Apple, Google

Lenovo LePhone K2 & S760 Android smartphones unveiled

Yesterday, Lenovo announced five new droid devices, but the only smartphone among them was hardly inspiring. Now though, the Chinese company unveiled two more LePhone droids, the S760 and the K2, and things are starting to get somewhat more exciting. The Lenovo LePhone S760 is a relatively compact device featuring a 3.7" AMOLED screen, a 5MP main camera and a 1.3MP front-facing snapper.








GSM Arena, Lenovo LePhone K2 & S760 Android smartphones unveiled

Nokia links up with Bluetooth 4.0 for indoor positioning, because anything Google can do, it can do better

Not to be outdone by the mobile mammoth that is Google, Nokia's prepping its own version of indoor maps for wireless users. Rather than run the risk of being a me too. product, Espoo's Research labs have chosen Bluetooth 4.0 as the main ingredient for its in development location service. The Finnish company's hoping to get a slew of partners onboard so it can begin outfitting retail shops, malls and other well-trodden public spaces with inexpensive antenna arrays that would track a user's movements via device-embedded Bluetooth tags.

Engadget, Nokia links up with Bluetooth 4.0 for indoor positioning, because anything Google can do, it can do better

It's official: Asus Transformer Prime out in the US on December 8 (Taiwan tomorrow, Europe in January)

After a lot of speculation, the world's first quad-core tablet is about to finally hit the streets. In fact the Android-powered Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime will do just that tomorrow, in the company's native Taiwan. But if you're in the US, fret not for it's coming your way too. Just like the latest bit of speculative info had us believe yesterday, the Transformer Prime will become available in the US on December 8, which is a week from tomorrow.

So you'll obviously have all the time in the world to get it as a holiday gift for someone. Unfortunately though, that won't be the case if you're in Europe.

Unwired View, It's official: Asus Transformer Prime out in the US on December 8 (Taiwan tomorrow, Europe in January)

Nokia Lumia 800 coming to O2 UK on December 9

O2 UK users can now add the Nokia Lumia 800 to the list of ideas for a holiday gift. The official site of the British carrier lists the Windows Phone handset as "Coming soon: December". That's as specific as their site got, but their Twitter account pinpoints December 9 as the exact date that the Lumia 800 will go on sale. There's nothing on the color options though - only the black one is featured on O2's site and there's no mention of the other colors.

Not to worry - Phones4u lists both the black and the cyan version as available with O2 contract (there are SIM-free offers and offers for other carriers too).

GSM Arena, Nokia Lumia 800 coming to O2 UK on December 9

SSTL designs cheap radar satellite, UK government kicks in ₤21 million to build it

While we have an innate fear of the eye in the sky (and the role it'll play in the coming robot apocalypse), there's no doubt that observation satellites do a lot of good - from recording weather and climate changes to helping coordinate relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) has plans to beef up planetary monitoring capabilities with its new NovaSAR satellite, and the company just received ₤21 million from the UK government to make it happen.

Engadget, SSTL designs cheap radar satellite, UK government kicks in ₤21 million to build it

iSafe Waist Pack

People like to go around their neighborhood to explore the area or just to hike or jog. But not all areas are always that safe to begin with. People will always need to feel a bit secure when going around the neighborhood. That is why it is quite useful to have a portable alarm system to bring along like the iSafe Waist Pack when going out and about.
The iSafe Waist Pack is a waist bag fitted with an alarm system in case you find yourself in trouble or in an emergency.

Gadget.com, iSafe Waist Pack

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Teardown Reveals Easily Swappable Innards

The Galaxy Nexus houses simple yet elegant hardware, though it is not terribly easy to repair. Photo courtesy of iFixit. Rumors of Google's next-generation Nexus smartphone have been floating in the ether for months. As we approach the phone's imminent release, only a fortunate few have been able to get their hands on one, including not only we at WIRED, but also the gadget tinkerers at iFixit, who just posted a full teardown of what lies beneath the Nexus hood.

First, the Galaxy Nexus is way easier to open than any Apple phone.




Gadget Lab, Samsung Galaxy Nexus Teardown Reveals Easily Swappable Innards

Qbo robot looks in a mirror, learns who he is (video)

A robot equipped with stereoscopic vision and some object and facial recognition programs opens up a whole number of different possibilities, but few quite as interesting as what happens when you place said robot in front of a mirror. It took a bit of guidance (and no doubt a bit of prep), but the open source Qbo robot was quickly able to both recognize and learn to identify himself when he was recently placed in just such a situation.

Engadget, Qbo robot looks in a mirror, learns who he is (video)

Nielsen Data Confirms: Smartphones Popular, Android Still on Top

How popular are smartphones these days. According to the latest Nielsen data 56 percent of those purchasing a new mobile phone bought within the past three months went with a smartphone. A total of 44 percent of US mobile users own smartphones. While smart devices continue to trend upwards, Android remains the forerunner in market share with a dominant 42.8 percent divided up between its various manufacturers.

Android Phone, Nielsen Data Confirms: Smartphones Popular, Android Still on Top

Lenovo trudging into the smart TV arena, plans LeTV launch in Q1 2012

A Chinese company throwing French around in its product names. Right. Oddities aside, it looks as if the LePhone will soon have LeCompany - Lenovo will be pushing out its first smart TV in the first quarter of 2012. The simply-titled LeTV will be an internet-connected display, but outside of that, hardly anything else is being made public. There are no launch regions specified, nor a screen size. We're presuming it'll attempt to tie into the greater "Lenovo Cloud," which will purportedly be similar to services already offered by the likes of Apple and Google, though users will be granted access to 200GB at first.

Engadget, Lenovo trudging into the smart TV arena, plans LeTV launch in Q1 2012

LTE-packing Samsung Galaxy Note goes live in Korea

Samsung announced a second version of its Galaxy Note phoneblet that will be hitting its homeland. The Korean edition of the 5.3" droid will be carrying an LTE radio, adding ultra-fast network data to the already juicy specs sheet. The 4G connectivity and the mandatory for Korea CDMA radio seem to be the only difference between the international Galaxy Note and this newly introduced version.

GSM Arena

See also:
technoleap, LTE-packing Samsung Galaxy Note goes live in Korea

Protexo device could help asthma sufferers gain a good night's rest

Do you or someone you know suffer from atopic asthma. Atopic asthma refers to asthma that has been triggered due to an allergen, so if you or someone you know is affected by it, Airsonett's Protexo could be a device worth checking out, assuming that it makes its way stateside of course. As you can see in the photo above, the Protexo is a rather futuristic looking device and what it does is that it creates a layer of air, or a filtered "air zone" if you'd rather, that pretty much blankets the user below and helps to protect them from allergens or other irritants that might trigger an asthma attack in the middle of the night.

Ubergizmo

See also:
technologypulse, Protexo device could help asthma sufferers gain a good night's rest

Motorola Droid 4 Specs Leak Out, More LG Phones Will Receive Android 4 Upgrade & Apple Had A Better Black Friday Than It Expected

Quietly Brilliant Story of HTC Shows off Innovations Through the Years. While HTC has often been overshadowed by its competition, and has recently been overtaken by Samsung for overall Android market share, it had its most successful quarter ever in Q3x11, buoyed by the succes of the Sensation and EVO 3D. And with stunning devices like the Ville arriving in early 2012, its success should only be more pronounced in the quarters to come. MobileSyrup.

Cell Phones Ca, Motorola Droid 4 Specs Leak Out, More LG Phones Will Receive Android 4 Upgrade & Apple Had A Better Black Friday Than It Expected

Samsung aims to beat 2011 smartphone sales estimates

. A Samsung executive recently said his company has high hopes that it will beat its original 2011 smartphone sales estimates. The South Korea-based phone maker has already stated that the Galaxy S II is its fastest selling smartphone family ever, having sold 3 million units in just 55 days. Additionally, Samsung announced in October that it has sold 30 million Galaxy S and Galaxy S II units globally. The company recently launched a number of new Galaxy family members, including the Galaxy Note, Galaxy Nexus and a 4G LTE-equipped Galaxy S II.

Boy Genius Report, Samsung aims to beat 2011 smartphone sales estimates

Android Overload: HTC Facing Ban In Germany, Nokia N900 Receives Android 4.0 ROM and More

Greetings, Phandroids. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend full of turkey and amazing deals. Now that things are calming down around here, we can finally get back to some good ‘ol Android news. And we have a lot of it. Although we've covered all the big stories from throughout the day, there are always those that slip through the cracks. These are the stories that weren't featured but we still felt deserved a look at before falling to the way side. So have a look around and if you find anything interesting, we'd love to hear your thoughts. G'night!

Lenovo launches LePad S2005. 5-inch tabletphone for China.

Android Phone, Android Overload: HTC Facing Ban In Germany, Nokia N900 Receives Android 4.0 ROM and More

ARM launches Android development kit with focus on power efficiency

Everyone and their mother has an Android development kit nowadays. So, it's only natural, being that its chips power the vast majority of Android devices that ARM wants in on the action too. With the release of Development Studio 5 Community Edition, the company has expanded its dev kit's repertoire to include not just Linux, but Google's Linux-based mobile OS. (Really showing its versatility there) What makes DS-5 special is its focus on optimizing apps, not just for performance, but for energy efficiency — provided you're running on ARM chips, of course.

2DayBlog.com, ARM launches Android development kit with focus on power efficiency

Toyota FT-86 concept finally gets real, renamed into GT 86 instead

It's no secret that the Toyota FT-86 will finally make its production-spec debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show, and ahead of that, the automaker's UK office has released the first official photos and some initial specs. In Europe, the car will officially be called the Toyota GT 86. In Japan, however, the car will simply be called 86. Cutting right to the chase, here are the specs that are now official, from the Toyota UK announcement. Obviously, there's more to come:

As demonstrated in the photos, everything is basically in line with what we've seen so far in the various leaked materials. So, start getting excited.






2DayBlog.com, Toyota FT-86 concept finally gets real, renamed into GT 86 instead

Apple iPhone spontaneously combusts aboard flight in Australia

. An Apple iPhone spontaneously began smoking and emitting a red glow while aboard an airplane in Australia. Passengers aboard Regional Express flight ZL319 were welcomed to their destination in Sydney, Australia on Friday by a frightening ordeal. According to the airline, a passenger's iPhone began “emitting a significant amount of dense smoke” shortly after the flight landed, and the smoke was accompanied by a red glow. A flight attendant extinguished the device and no passengers or airline staff were injured according to the airline.

Boy Genius Report

See also:
computerworld, Apple iPhone spontaneously combusts aboard flight in Australia

BlackBerry Curve 9380 launched by O2 UK

Today, O2 has launched the BlackBerry Curve 9380 in the UK, becoming the first British network to offer RIM's new affordable smartphone. O2's Curve 9380 is free on plans starting at £21.50 (with a 24 month contract), or at £32 (with an 18 month contract). You can buy it here.
The 9380 runs BlackBerry OS 7, and is the first in the Curve series to come with a full touchscreen display (3.2 inches, 360 x 480 pixels) and no hardware keyboard.

Unwired View, BlackBerry Curve 9380 launched by O2 UK

Pink Samsung Galaxy S II Coming To Sweden With Three

Differently colored smartphones have proven popular with consumers. We saw iPhone sales explode when the (long delayed) white iPhone was released, and in the same vein, we have seen Best Buy and other retailers make deals to be the exclusive providers of differently colored Android devices. For those of you who like your smartphones in different colors other than black and grey, Samsung may be beginning a roll-out of a newly colored Galaxy S II. Sweden will be getting a pink Galaxy S II via the carrier Three.

Unwired View, Pink Samsung Galaxy S II Coming To Sweden With Three

Hitachi, Sony reportedly begins shipping next-gen 4-inch iPhone displays

. Sony and Hitachi are reportedly working with Apple on a 4-inch display for an iOS device presumed to be the next-generation iPhone set to launch next year. Citing unnamed sources within Apple's Asian supply chain, Macotakara.jp reports that the two suppliers have teamed up to begin preliminary production of Apple's new 4-inch iPhone displays. The two companies are also said to be working on a “fundamentally changed” display for Apple's iPad 4. As Apple's legal battles with Samsung continue, the Cupertino, California-based company has reportedly looked to a number of new parts suppliers as it distances itself from Samsung.

Boy Genius Report

See also:
itnews, Hitachi, Sony reportedly begins shipping next-gen 4-inch iPhone displays

MinuteKey, The Key-Cutting Vending Machine

Put yet another skilled laborer out of a job with the MinuteKey vending machine. Just how inconvenient is it to pop into the shoe repair store and get a new key cut. According to MinuteKey, it must be as annoying as, say, paying parking fine or buying video game carts in actual high-street stores, because the tagline promises that its key vending machines are “A Revolution in the Key Industry.”.
And it does look pretty handy. You swipe your credit card, place the key in the slot (just like putting it in a door lock) and wait.

Gadget Lab, MinuteKey, The Key-Cutting Vending Machine

Motorola Droid RAZR source code rolls out

OK, so we have seen source codes for Doom 3, the Amazon Kindle Fire and the HTC Rezound released over the month, and if you are a sucker for collecting source codes as part of your “collection” so that you are able to tinker around with it, here is some bit of news – the Motorola Droid RAZR's source code is now available, and this means the chances are pretty high as a Droid RAZR owner to be on the receiving end of some modifications as well as custom ROMs coming your way in the near future.

Ubergizmo, Motorola Droid RAZR source code rolls out

MudWatt Generates Power from Mud and Garbage

The MudWatt kit from KeegoTech is an educational DIY kit that can teach kids about soil chemistry, microbiology and electricity. By combining ordinary dirt from your yard, along with scraps from your refrigerator, kids can create a fuel cell that will light up an LED.

The Gadgeteer, MudWatt Generates Power from Mud and Garbage

Galaxy Nexus Shipments to Retailers to Resume This Week Following Software Fix

Much was made regarding the Samsung Galaxy Nexus's volume bug. Some deemed it a hardware issue and pronounced the device is doomed. Others had faith Samsung and Google would quickly find the problem and provide a quick fix (which they did). Those who were hit hardest were those who couldn't buy the device right away, though.

Android Phone, Galaxy Nexus Shipments to Retailers to Resume This Week Following Software Fix

Mazda's i-ELOOP does regenerative braking with capacitors instead of batteries

Mazda has decided there's simply no reason why hybrid cars and EVs should have all of the regenerative braking fun. Its new system, called i-ELOOP, is aimed at traditional internal combustion vehicles. But, rather than rely on batteries, the company turned to capacitors which can be charged and discharged in just seconds. The electricity generated is then fed to the car's various electronic components after being passed through a converter to step down the voltage to 12v. By alleviating some of the burden to generate power from the engine Mazda claims it can increase fuel efficiency by up to ten percent.

Engadget, Mazda's i-ELOOP does regenerative braking with capacitors instead of batteries

Samsung Galaxy S II LTE arrives in Japan, NTT DoCoMo offers up its first course of 4G phones

Japan has got its first taste of an LTE smartphone, and this one's Galaxy-flavored. Oh yes, Samsung's Galaxy S II LTE has made an appearance on NTT DoCoMo, running on the Japanese carrier's next-generation Xi network and promising top download speeds of around 37.5Mbps. The latest member to the carrier's top-drawer Next series will set you back around $260 (¥20,000) on a two-year contract. DoCoMo is aiming to reach the hands of 30 million customers by 2015, with another as-yet unnamed several more 4G devices already penned for release before the end of the year.

Engadget, Samsung Galaxy S II LTE arrives in Japan, NTT DoCoMo offers up its first course of 4G phones

Targus Stylus for iPad Review

When I recently received the Targus Versavu Keyboard and Case for iPad 2 for review, I also received a Targus Stylus at the same time.  I thought I'd save the stylus for a separate review, and I thought it would be perfect for the series of holiday gift idea reviews Julie had planned.  Let's give the Targus Stylus for iPad, iPhone, and iPod a closer look. Most of the images in this review can be clicked for a larger view.

Although the packaging says the stylus is for iOS devices, it should work for any capacitive touch screen.






The Gadgeteer, Targus Stylus for iPad Review