Microsoft inks Android patent deal with Itronix, causes more heads to explode

We’ve already noted our slip into Bizarro World, a strange and topsy-turvy land where — thanks to patent-infringement claims — Microsoft strikes licensing deals with Android device makers. Redmond has used a carrot-and-stick strategy thus far, suing competing manufacturers ( Barnes and Noble , Motorola ) while reaching a protective royalty agreement with HTC , which, not coincidentally, also makes Windows Phones. Today, another company joins the licensee list: General Dynamics Itronix, known for its rugged computers , some of which do run Windows . Neither company offered much in the way of details, other than declaring that Itronix will pay royalties, but we’ve no reason to believe it’s too different from HTC’s arrangement. See the press release after the break for an excellent example of terse, unrevealing business-speak. Continue reading Microsoft inks Android patent deal with Itronix, causes more heads to explode Microsoft inks Android patent deal with Itronix, causes more heads to explode originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

HP Envy 14 Beats Edition gets a slice of Sandy Bridge silicon, costs $1,050 at Amazon

HP’s Envy 14 is quite the looker of a laptop, with its etched aluminum skin beckoning you to explore the capabilities of the Sandy Bridge CPU that lies beneath . For those who prefer the murdered-out look, the HP Envy Beats Edition is the preferable PC, but until now it lacked the upgraded Intel innards of its showy stablemate. That’s right, Amazon’s offering a second-gen Intel Core i5-2410M chip clocked at 2.3 GHz to go with those dark Dr. Dre aesthetics you crave (oddly it’s not yet for sale on HP’s website). The inky Envy with the big red “B” is priced at $1,050, or half a hundred more than its equivalently-equipped cousin — what, you thought the paint job was free? HP Envy 14 Beats Edition gets a slice of Sandy Bridge silicon, costs $1,050 at Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds

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HP Envy 14 Beats Edition gets a slice of Sandy Bridge silicon, costs $1,050 at Amazon

Verizon dominates ‘Fastest Mobile Networks’ testing, considers calling AT&T to brag

Not all wireless carriers are created equal, nor for that matter is all 4G — anyone who’s ever swapped networks or done any sort of traveling across the country can tell you that. And while it seems like we have fewer and fewer choices as the days go by, our increasing reliance on mobile devices makes the efficiency of our data delivery all the more important. PCMag invested some serious man / woman-hours for its annual “Fastest Mobile Networks” story, gathering mobile data in 21 cities — running more than 140,000 tests in all. According to the results, Verizon’s LTE rules supreme in pretty much every area tested, save for those “in-between” rural locations, where AT&T nabbed the top spot. Perhaps it’s time to take old “Test Man” out of retirement for celebratory victory lap? Verizon dominates ‘Fastest Mobile Networks’ testing, considers calling AT&T to brag originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds

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Verizon dominates ‘Fastest Mobile Networks’ testing, considers calling AT&T to brag

TomTom’s iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride

Hate gridlock? We’d surmise you aren’t alone, so pardon our excitement surrounding the latest addition to TomTom’s longstanding iPhone app. New in version 1.8 is the addition of HD Traffic , which extends congestion data to both “major” and “secondary” US roads. Existing TomTom Traffic subscribers get the functionality gratis, with the rest of us dishing out $20 via an in-app purchase. Free for all who upgrade are multi-stop routes, allowing one to tweak excursions to your heart’s content — provided you can count those diversions on one hand. The updated app is already live in the App Store, but please, pull over before downloading — cool? Continue reading TomTom’s iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride TomTom’s iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:46:00 EDT.

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TomTom’s iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride

Windows Phone 7.5 Mango in-depth preview (video)

Make no mistake, Microsoft isn’t playing coy in the smartphone market any longer. The folks in Redmond are making a significant jump forward in the mobile arena, announcing that the upcoming version of Windows Phone, codenamed “Mango,” will be heading to a device near you in time for the holidays. As its competitors have raised the bar of expectations to a much higher level, Microsoft followed suit by adding at least 500 features to its mobile investment, which the company hopes will plug all of the gaping holes the first two versions left open. We received a Samsung Focus preloaded with the most recent developer build (read: not even close to the market release version) and we had a few good days to put it through its paces. It’s still far from completion, as there were several key features that we couldn’t test out; some weren’t fully implemented, and others involved third-party apps that won’t be updated until closer to launch. Yet we don’t want to call this build half-baked — in fact, it was surprisingly smooth for software that still has at least four months to go before it’s available for public consumption. At the risk of sounding ridiculously obvious, we’re mighty interested in seeing the final result when all is said and done this holiday season. As a disclaimer, we can’t guarantee that the stuff we cover here will actually look or act the same when it’s ready to peek out and make its official introduction in Q4; as often happens, features and UI enhancements are subject to be changed by the Windows Phone team as Mango gets closer and closer to release.

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Choosing a Good Computer Configuration for your Business

No matter what kind of business you’re in, you will most probably need to buy a computer to run it. Choosing a computer for your business is a bit different than choosing a home PC. Although computer prices are continuing to fall, ¡t is still important to strike the proper balance between low cost and true value.

Review Available Systems and List Your Needs

Look through the sales fliers for your local big box stores like Best Buy and Wal-Mart. Also check with warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco if your business has a membership.

Make a list of the components you need in your business computer, including memory, hard drive space, processor speed and networking capabilities. When shopping for a business computer, avoid value and entry-level computers. These PCs are designed primarily for home users, not for businesses. Check that the computer you are considering has at least 1 to 2 gigabytes of RAM, the more the better. Additional memory will help the computer run more quickly and help your business avoid wasted time.

Think About Security

Consider the security implications of removable media when deciding whether to purchase a computer with a CD or DVD writer or just a reader. Giving front line workers the ability to burn CDs and DVDs could inadvertently cause the loss of proprietary information if that media is lost or stolen. Locking down the USB drives with a physical or software lock is a good idea as well.

Plenty of Space

Select computers with a large hard drive, but do not focus too much on storage capacity if you will be using a network. Business users should keep their files on the network for backup and security purposes, so a computer with a 60-80GB hard drive should be sufficient.

Dual Monitors

Consider choosing a computer with a video card that supports dual monitors, or buying an add-on card for the computer you choose. Having two monitors available can boost productivity and make the screens easier to read.

Network Capable

Choose a computer with a wired network card, even if you plan to use a wireless network in your business. Having a wired network card in place provides additional flexibility and makes it easier to share information. When choosing a network card, be sure the card supports 1Gbit communications, even if your existing network is limited to 100 Mbit. This gives you more capacity for growth without the expense of replacing equipment down the road.

Shop Around

Enter your specifications into the website of a major computer manufacturer like Dell or HP. Make sure all of the specs are correct, then price the PC you have just built. Keep in mind that you might be able to negotiate a lower price on each unit if you plan to purchase multiple computers.

By using the above checklist, you can ensure that you get the best possible computer for the least amount of money. Chances are that money is tight in your new small business, so finding the best deal on a computer will leave you with more money to invest in your new enterprise.

 

Picking an eBook Reader

Dedicated ebook readers are hot sellers these days; prices are dropping and ebook files are readily available, so more consumers are taking advantage of dedicated readers. People like ebooks because they don’t require storage space, are instantly available when people make the purchase, and are easy to take out in public with an ebook reader or smartphone. Which reader should you buy? There are lots of manufacturers offering devices these days and each reader has its own pros and cons.

Before you invest your money in any of these offerings, consider these factors.

Screens. Not all manufacturers use the same technology. How important is the screen quality to you? Do you want to read outside, possibly in direct sunlight? Do you find that screen glare from “traditional” materials and technology strains your eyes? Also, screen size can matter. If you’re used to reading on a smartphone, getting a paragraph or two of text on the screen at onetime is standard. However, what if you want more text at once?

Battery life. If you plan on recharging your reader on a regular basis, this probably isn’t as important as other factors. However, long battery life can be great if you’re going on vacation or simply forget to recharge your device. Speaking of batteries, remember that some devices use internal batteries while others use plain, disposable types you can easily find and replace on your own.

Storage space. Some ebook vendors, like Amazon, will archive your ebooks; you can grab them whenever you want assuming you can connect to the service. Storage space isn’t top priority in this case, but what if you want to keep your collection on hand? What if you’re not planning on syncing your device in the near future? Some readers have external, removable storage, which might be important.

File compatibility. If you do most of your ebook shopping at Barnes & Noble’s website, you probably don’t want a Kindle, and will most probably get the Nook. Before you buy a reader, make sure you know which files will work on it so that you don’t have to buy another version of the same book or do without.

Extra features. Do you want a full keyboard for making notes? Does a color screen appeal to you? Do you like the idea of being able to walk into Barnes & Noble with your device and get coupons and other bonuses? Do you want to temporarily loan ebooks to friends and family? Read company information about each device you’re considering and decide which additional features are important to you.

Price. Even though prices are falling, an e-reader is still an investment. Finding a device that fits your budget and is expected to give you quality service for years is one way to make your dollars work hard for you.

Ultimately, the final decision depends on your budget, preferences, and needs. There are lots of devices on the market, just like there are lots of people reading ebooks, so you’re bound to find one that’s nearly perfect for you.

 

Getting the most out of your Laptop

Laptop computers rarely perform up to the levels of their desktop counterparts. A complete desktop replacement laptop will typically cost 2-3 times more than a desktop with similar specifications. Fortunately, there are some ways of improving the performance of a laptop which cost little or no money. Upgrading a laptop is far more complicated than upgrading a desktop. This is because most of the components are integrated.

In most laptops, the only upgradeable part tends to be the memory. In many laptops it is also possible to upgrade the CPU or even the graphics card (providing it is not an integrated model). Beyond upgrading the memory, laptop upgrades tend to be prohibitively expensive and hard to come by. The process is often too complicated for the average user. The following tips will help you to improve the performance of your computer easily and cheaply.

1. Adding More Memory. Upgrading the memory in a laptop is often the only practical option for improving the performance. While laptop memory is more expensive than desktop memory, it is not drastically so. Most laptops can handle at least four gigabytes of memory and, provided you have a 64-bit operating system installed, this is often worth doing.

The process is much the same as installing new memory in a desktop computer. You will need to have exactly the same type of memory as your existing memory if you are upgrading. If, however, you are replacing the memory entirely, you will have more options at your disposal. There are many online retailers which specialize in laptop memory. They can help you to find the perfect memory upgrade for your specific machine.

2. Increasing Graphics Memory. To get a little extra performance in video games on laptops with integrated graphics processors (IGPs), increasing the amount of RAM to be used for video processing can be done easily. You can normally do this by entering the BIOS when you turn on the computer. On most laptops, the BIOS can be accessed by pressing the F2 key at startup. The option to increase the available graphics memory can usually be found in the ‘Integrated Peripherals’ page of the BIOS, under a setting called ‘AGP aperture size’. On newer computers, you should find a setting called ‘UMA Frame Buffer Size’ or something similar to ‘Shared Video Memory’.

Do not set this too high, since the available RAM for your computer will be used for video processing. On machines with 2GB of RAM or more, 256 MB of allocated video graphics is often ideal. If you don’t use your laptop to play games, setting this to the minimum amount of memory is fine. Increasing available graphics memory only applies to integrated graphics processors rather than those which have dedicated memory.

3. Overclocking a Laptop. Overclocking a laptop is riskier than overclocking a desktop. Laptops tend to run hotter than desktop computers due to the cramped space into which the components are installed. Overclocking will also void your warranty. If you still want to try overclocking, you should ideally have a decent laptop cooler, which can reduce the temperature of your laptop. There are a lot of tools for overclocking, which you can find on Google and specialized websites. Sometimes, this can be done within the BIOS as well. You should only overclock with small increments and make sure to test everything so that it works well (no overheating, lockups, blue screens, etc).

The above steps are practically the only things you can to do to get the most performance out of your laptop – anything else is not possible or practical. The good news is that you can get a considerable increase in performance, so it’s worth trying, especially if you have an older laptop.

 

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