Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Sofant SmartAntenna could double battery life, ease network congestion]]> http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/sofant-smartantenna-cou-d-double-battery-life-ease-network-cong/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/sofant-smartantenna-cou-d-double-battery-life-ease-network-cong/ http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/sofant-smartantenna-cou-d-double-battery-life-ease-network-cong/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Sofant SmartAntenna coud double battery life, ease network congestion

Battery life on your mobile can be a constant source of anxiety if, like us, you're pretty much "always on." Scottish-based firm Sofant thinks it might have the answer, or at the very least, a soothing tonic with its SmartAntenna technology. It's claimed that the tiny antenna you see above consume 90 percent less energy, and can potentially double battery life of devices. It's not just the dwindling power that gets a boost, with Sofant claiming it can also ease network congestion and dropped connections by reducing the number of devices with weak signals. SmartAntenna complements the firm's existing technologies, but can also be used individually. It's something that manufacturers will be able to license, so it's hard to predict what uptake will be like. But if the claims above hold true, it seems too good to pass up.

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]]> antennamobilemobilepostcrosssmartantennasofant Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:25:00 -0500 21|20420369 <![CDATA[Boxee TV streaming / OTA set-top box and DVR pics leak out]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/08/boxee-tv-streaming-ota-set-top-box-and-dvr-pics-leak-out/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/08/boxee-tv-streaming-ota-set-top-box-and-dvr-pics-leak-out/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/08/boxee-tv-streaming-ota-set-top-box-and-dvr-pics-leak-out/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Boxee TV streaming OTA settop box and DVR pics leak out

If you've been wondering "what will Boxee do next?" there appears to be an answer. A tipster has sent The Verge pics of a new set-top box, still built by D-Link, that ditches the original's angular design for a more conventional shape and integrates live TV tuning support as well as DVR capabilities. There's no word on the storage capabilities, but the box advertises an included antenna and remote (lightly refreshed, losing the QWERTY keyboard) and implores owners to "stop wasting money on stuff you don't watch." Boxee's healthy support for internet content, both streamed and locally stored, is still intact and a survey suggests support for viewing content on mobile devices. Not mentioned? Cloudee integration or any cable TV support, encrypted, ClearQAM or otherwise. There's a few more pics beyond the source link, we'll start updating our CES watchlist now.

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Source: The Verge

]]> antennaboxeeboxee boxboxee tvBoxeeBoxBoxeeTvd-linkdvrhdpostcrosshdpostminilive tvLiveTvminipostotaset-top boxSet-topBoxstreaming Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:38:00 -0400 21|20344606 <![CDATA[Seed-sized A*STAR antenna could open the door to 20Gbps wireless]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/seed-sized-astar-antenna-could-open-the-door-to-20gbps-wireless/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/seed-sized-astar-antenna-could-open-the-door-to-20gbps-wireless/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/seed-sized-astar-antenna-could-open-the-door-to-20gbps-wireless/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Seedsized ASTAR antenna could open the door to 20Gbps wireless

Antennas have often capped the potential speed of a wireless link -- the 450Mbps in modern 802.11n WiFi routers is directly linked to the use of a MIMO antenna array to catch signals more effectively, for example. That ceiling is about to get much higher, if A*STAR has anything to say about it. The use of a polymer filling for the gaps instead of air lets the Singapore agency create a 3D, cavity-backed silicon antenna that measures just 0.06 by 0.04 inches, roughly the size of a seed on your hamburger bun, even as it increases the breakneck pace. The new antenna generates a signal 30 times stronger than on-chip rivals at an ultrawideband-grade 135GHz, and musters a theoretical peak speed of 20Gbps -- enough that 802.11ac WiFi's 1.3Gbps drags its heels by comparison. Before we get ahead of ourselves on expecting instant file transfers at short distances, there's the small matter of getting a chip that can use all that bandwidth. Even the 7Gbps of WiGig wouldn't saturate the antenna, after all. Still, knowing that A*STAR sees "immense commercial potential" in its tiny device hints that wireless data might eventually blow past faster wired standards like Thunderbolt.

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Via: Phys.org

Source: A*STAR (PDF)

]]> 20 gbps20Gbpsa staragency for science technology and researchAgencyForScienceTechnologyAndResearchantennaantennasAStarcavity backedcavity backed slotcavity-backedcavity-backed slotCavity-backedSlotCavityBackedCavityBackedSlotmobilenetworkingpolymerresearchsiliconsingaporeultra widebandUltraWidebanduwbwifiwireless Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:32:00 -0400 21|20310937 <![CDATA[Cheap NFC-based chips run on your phone's radio waves, can be read and written]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/10/cheap-nfc-based-chips-rectenna/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/10/cheap-nfc-based-chips-rectenna/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/10/cheap-nfc-based-chips-rectenna/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Cheap NFCbased chips run on your phone's radio waves, can be read and writtenA new generation of cheaper, passively powered smart tags could accelerate NFC adoption very soon. Developed at Sunchon National University and Paru Printed Electronics Research Institute in Korea, the circuits could be printed in a similar method to newspapers, but it's the inclusion of the rectenna that makes the new chip technology so appealing. The combination antenna and rectifier can pick up residual radio waves from your phone to power itself. This new technology could apparently drop the cost of installing NFC to as little as one penny per unit, while offering up additional two-way functionality over its RFID rival. And if there's a speed boost in the process, well, all the better.

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]]> antennanear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationNFCParu Printed Electronics Research Institute in KoreaParuPrintedElectronicsResearchInstituteInKorearectennarectifierrfidSunchon National UniversitySunchonNationalUniversity Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:39:00 -0400 21|20298049 <![CDATA[Aereo doubles DVR space to 80 hours for early adopters]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/07/aereo-doubles-dvr-space-to-80-hours-for-early-adopters/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/07/aereo-doubles-dvr-space-to-80-hours-for-early-adopters/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/07/aereo-doubles-dvr-space-to-80-hours-for-early-adopters/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Aereo on iPad

Were you so entranced by Aereo's approach to over-the-air TV broadcasting that you signed up even while the legal battles were just getting started? You're likely being rewarded for your trust. The company has confirmed with GigaOM that New Yorkers who subscribed in the "earliest days" will have their cloud DVR storage doubled to 80 hours -- no limited period, no extra charge. There should likewise be some improved tools for overseeing all that extra space in the near future, although just what that might entail is left to the imagination. We won't fret about it much: given the service's still-tentative existence, any upgrades are icing on the cake for customers.

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]]> aereoantennabroadcastbroadcast tvBroadcastTvdigital video recorderDigitalVideoRecorderdvrhdpostcrosshdpostminiiptvmicroantennaminipostnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitynycotaover the airOverTheAirstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideosubscription Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:17:00 -0400 21|20295566 <![CDATA[Aereo unveils free trial and new prices for its NYC-based internet TV service (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/aereo-new-pricing-plan/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/aereo-new-pricing-plan/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/aereo-new-pricing-plan/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Aereo

Broadcast-streaming startup Aereo is busting out tweaked price plans and a free trial for New Yorkers to try the service gratis for an hour a day. $8 per month will buy you unlimited access, live pause, rewind and 20 hours online DVR, while $12 a month doubles your storage allocation to 40 hours. Annual customers can pay $80 (plus tax, naturally) to get a deep discount off the monthly price, but for the commitment-phobic viewer, 24-hours access can be purchased for a dollar, or you can try the service for an hour each and every day without need of a sign up. Unfortunately, due to legal wrangling, it's only available within the boundaries of New York City on any iOS, OS X, AppleTV or Roku devices. There's PR and Video after the jump if you're yet to be convinced -- but think, now you catch all of Good Morning America as you walk down Broadway.

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]]> Aereoaereo otaaereo ota tvAereo Try for Freeaereo tvAereoOtaAereoOtaTvAereoTryForFreeAereoTvantennabamboomboradcastbroadcastersfoxhdpostcrosshtml 5Html5internet televisioninternet tvInternetTelevisionInternetTvipad streamingIpadStreaminglawsuitmobilepostcrossnew yorkNew York CityNewYorkNewYorkCityNYCotapbsTry For FreeTryForFreevideo Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:45:00 -0400 21|20291931 <![CDATA[Aereo avoids a preliminary injunction, keeps its antenna to internet TV service on the air for now]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/11/aereo-avoids-a-preliminary-injunction-keeps-its-antenna-to-inte/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/11/aereo-avoids-a-preliminary-injunction-keeps-its-antenna-to-inte/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/11/aereo-avoids-a-preliminary-injunction-keeps-its-antenna-to-inte/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Aereo avoids a preliminary injunction, keeps its antenna to internet TV service on the air for now

While the battle between Aereo, a service that brings OTA TV broadcasts to the internet, and the broadcasters that began suing it before it even launched continues, a judge ruled today against a request for a preliminary injunction to shut it down. Reuters reports that the basis for the decision is that while the broadcasters demonstrated they faced "irreparable harm", Aereo too faced harm from a potential shutdown, and the balance did not tip heavily enough in the broadcasters favor. So, for now the subscription feeds from those microantennas to NYC residents shelling out $12 a month will continue -- we'll wait see if the upstart streamer's streak continues.

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]]> aereoantennabamboombroadcast tvBroadcastTvfoxhdpostcrosshdpostminiinjunctioniptvlawsuitmicroantennaminipostnycpbspreliminary injunctionPreliminaryInjunctionstreamingsubscription Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:15:00 -0400 21|20276375 <![CDATA[HTC Acknowledges One X WiFi bug on Tegra 3 models]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/htc-acknowledges-one-x-wifi-bug-on-tegra-3-models/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/htc-acknowledges-one-x-wifi-bug-on-tegra-3-models/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/htc-acknowledges-one-x-wifi-bug-on-tegra-3-models/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments HTC Acknowledges One X WiFi issue

There's always some snag with these big flagship devices it seems. The iPhone 4 had antennagate, Verizon's Galaxy Nexus couldn't seem to stay connected and now the One X is joining the parade with some serious WiFi issues. Some users have complained of weak WiFi reception and, alarmingly, a rather odd fix. Simply squeezing the device in the right place could drastically improve signal strength indicating the issue may be hardware based. HTC has confirmed the issue and identified a fix that involves strengthening the connecting points on the phone's WiFi antenna. Interestingly, the issue has only been reported in Tegra 3 models so far, but we'd stop shy of saying it only affects those units. If you're experiencing problems with the WiFi on your One X you can call HTC's customer support to confirm the issue and send it in for repair.

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]]> 802.11antennabughtchtc one xHtcOneXissuemobilepostminione xOneXwifi Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:19:00 -0400 21|20261118 <![CDATA[Apple secures patent on multiple-arm, multiple-frequency antenna design]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/apple-patent-multiple-arm-multiple-frequency-antenna-design/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/apple-patent-multiple-arm-multiple-frequency-antenna-design/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/apple-patent-multiple-arm-multiple-frequency-antenna-design/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments ImageIf not for Leap Day, Apple would've seen this one granted a year to the day after it was filed; as it stands, 365 days will just have to do. At any rate, Apple has not only managed to secure a patent this fine morning for an ejectable SIM tray, but also one for an antenna isolation apparatus. In simple(ish) terms, the patent details an antenna structure in a portable electronic device that's comprised of "first, second, and third resonating elements aligned along a common axis parallel to a ground plane," with a multiple-arm, multiple-frequency design taking shape. It's also pretty clear that the intention here is to reduce radio-frequency interference between the antennas -- something that'll prove increasingly important as wave support is added in future iPhones. Unfortunately, there's no word on whether this patent will allow AT&T-infused iPhone 5 handsets to display "7G" in the indicator bar.

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]]> antennaantennagateapplecallingcommunicationdual antennaDualAntennamobilepostcrosspatentreception Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:38:00 -0400 21|20201850 <![CDATA[Verizon launches 'faster than wired' broadband for the home]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/verizon-homefusion-broadband/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/verizon-homefusion-broadband/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/verizon-homefusion-broadband/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Verizon Wireless is making good on that name, aiming to rid your home of those ugly, ugly wires. The carrier wants to substitute them with the not-exactly-subtle, bucket-sized antenna you can see on the left. Its HomeFusion service aims to replace DSL-connected domiciles, with Verizon reckoning its own wireless broadband can offer up better upload and download speeds. According to the Washington Post, the hardware will set potential customers back around $200, but installation costs will be included in the service. The entry-level $60 per month package will net you just 10GB of data, with HomeFusion currently readied for launch in Dallas and Birmingham later this month. Users will be able to connect up to 50 different devices and Verizon intends to roll out the wireless internet package as far as its LTE network tendrils can reach. Plans go up to the dizzying heights of 30GB for $120 per month, with additional gigabytes charged at $10 a pop. For anyone in broadband-unfriendly homes looking for a step up in internet speed, you may want to start looking for somewhere to hide hang that antenna...

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]]> 4Gantennabroadbandfusionhomehome fusionHomeFusionhomefusion broadbandHomefusionBroadbandinternetLTEverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelesswirelessWireless internetWirelessInternet Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:57:00 -0500 21|20186620 <![CDATA[TV stations predictably sue Aereo over antenna-to-internet streaming plans]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/aereo-antenna-tv-lawsuit/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/aereo-antenna-tv-lawsuit/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/aereo-antenna-tv-lawsuit/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments We had to wonder if Aereo / fka Bamboom would actually be able to launch its $12 / month antenna-based live TV over the internet service before the networks tried to sue it out of existence and the answer is in: no. Ahead of Aereo's planned March 14th launch, AllThingsD reports several New York Area broadcasters including Fox and PBS have filed suit in US District Court to stop it from getting off the ground. Put simply, they don't believe copyright law allows Aereo to retransmit their OTA broadcasts on the internet without obtaining a license from them to do so, whether it uses one large antenna or an array of tiny antennas (pictured above) -- one for each subscriber -- as it says it will. Clearly Aereo disagrees, however we don't recall that argument working out so well for Zediva. Hit the source link to read the entire complaint in PDF form for yourself or just peep a press release from the National Association of Broadcasters after the break, we'll let you know if Aereo has any response.

Update: Check out Aereo's response, also included after the break. Just as predictably, it "does not believe that the broadcasters' position has any merit and it very much looks forward to a full and fair airing of the issues."

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]]> aereoantennabamboombroadcastersfoxhdpostcrossipad streamingIpadStreaminglawsuitotapbs Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:57:00 -0500 21|20184139 <![CDATA[Google looks to plant a field of satellite dishes in Iowa]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/google-looks-to-plant-a-field-of-satellite-dishes-in-iowa/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/google-looks-to-plant-a-field-of-satellite-dishes-in-iowa/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/google-looks-to-plant-a-field-of-satellite-dishes-in-iowa/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Google seeks to build antenna farm in IowaIowa. Fertile home to 14 million acres of corn, nine million acres of soybeans, and -- if the FCC looks favorably on a recent application from Farmer Google -- a blooming array of 15-foot satellite dishes too. The request for a "receive only earth station" comes from Google Fiber, and the bands it hopes to receive are typical satellite TV frequencies, hinting that the purpose of the station will be to receive audio and video content that will then be piped through a high-speed fiber data service. First stop, Kansas City!

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]]> antennaantenna farmAntennaFarmdishfccfiber networkFiberNetworkgooglegoogle fiberGoogleFiberiowasatellitesatellite dishsatellite tvSatelliteDishSatelliteTv Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:42:00 -0500 21|20175750 <![CDATA[iPhone 4 antennagate class-action lawsuit settled, owners to receive $15 or a free case (update)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/apple-iphone-4-antennagate-lawsuit-settlement/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/apple-iphone-4-antennagate-lawsuit-settlement/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/apple-iphone-4-antennagate-lawsuit-settlement/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments According to CNET, a class-action lawsuit over the iPhone 4's troublesome antenna, aka Antennagate, has been settled. The planned resolution will net US residents who bought one and presumably either $15 in cash or (another?) free bumper case. CNET quotes co-lead counsel Ira Rothken (who, by the way, also represents Megaupload) saying that he believes the settlement is "fair and reasonable", affecting some 25 million people who will be notified by email and through print ads in USA Today and Macworld. Once they've received the heads up, they can go to www.iPhone4Settlement.com (not up and running yet) to register their claims. When the issue first came to light back in 2010 Apple suggested holding it differently before saying it would tweak its signal display formulas and, eventually, offering the free cases. Hopefully for the company and its users, this resolution puts the issue -- which is not a problem on the new 4S -- to bed.

Update: We spoke to an Apple representative who confirmed that the settlement is for those customers who chose not to take a free case or return their phone back in 2010. It looks like holding out didn't get you much more than the option to take $15 cash instead, but we'll simply consider it a much-needed opportunity to reflect on the International Year of Biodiversity that was.

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]]> 15antennaantennagateappleclass actionClassActionfree caseFreeCaseiphoneiphone 4iphone 4 antennaiPhone 4 antenna design flawIphone4Iphone4AntennaIphone4AntennaDesignFlawira rothkenIraRothkenlawsuitmobilepostcrosssettlement Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:54:00 -0500 21|20174675 <![CDATA[Spray-on antenna revealed: best thing to come in a can since Easy Cheese (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/11/spray-on-antenna-revealed-best-thing-to-come-in-a-can-since-eas/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/11/spray-on-antenna-revealed-best-thing-to-come-in-a-can-since-eas/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/11/spray-on-antenna-revealed-best-thing-to-come-in-a-can-since-eas/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Ever found yourself without a signal and wished you could just spray one on like magic? Well, maybe soon, you'll be able to do just that. Chamtech Enterprises has developed a spray-on antenna it says is more lightweight and energy-efficient than current technology. Revealed at Google's inaugural Solve for X shindig, the antenna can be "painted" onto almost anything, including trees, walls and fabrics. Chamtech's already talking with government-based customers, and as such can't spill too much detail on how it works, but said it uses organic elements to tinker with magnetic and radio-frequency fields. The start-up's CTO, Rhett Spencer, claims the antenna could increase mobile energy efficiency by 10 percent. It was also found to work particularly well under water, and being organic, we presume, would make it ideal for sub-aquatic telecom infrastructure, and of course, rainy days.

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]]> antennachamtechorganic antennaOrganicAntennasciencesignalsignal boostSignalBoostSolve for XSolveForXsprayspray-onspray-on antennaSpray-onAntenna Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:04:00 -0500 21|20169292 <![CDATA[Let the turkey power your Christmas tree lights]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments No one's attempted this in a commercial product before, but Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co has reportedly developed a device that makes it achievable: a 'rectenna' that can fit inside a microwave oven and recycle unused wave energy. The palm-sized gadget combines both an antenna for catching waves and a rectifier for converting them into DC current, with a maximum output of 100 watts. Foods with a low water content have the worst heating efficiency, which means they offer the best opportunity for reclaiming energy -- so stodgy Christmas cuisine would be perfect.

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]]> antennachristmascookingdefrostingDengyomicrowavemicrowave ovenMicrowaveOvenNihon Dengyo KosakuNihonDengyoKosakurectennarectifierrecyclerecycling Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:12:00 -0500 21|20125674 <![CDATA[Consumer Reports finds iPhone 4S to have worthwhile antennas, says newer iPhone 4 is still problematic]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/consumer-reports-finds-iphone-4s-to-have-worthwhile-antennae-sa/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/consumer-reports-finds-iphone-4s-to-have-worthwhile-antennae-sa/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/consumer-reports-finds-iphone-4s-to-have-worthwhile-antennae-sa/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments "Consumer Reports recommends the iPhone 4S." It's only half a dozen words, but to the engineers (and marketers) at Apple, it spells "relief." After being profusely impacted by Consumer Reports' decision to recommend against buying the iPhone 4 due to those Antennagate issues, the entity has allowed all in Cupertino to breath a sigh of relief by effectively declaring the reception issue dead on the newest edition. To quote:

"Apple's newest smart phone performed very well in our tests, and while it closely resembles the iPhone 4 in appearance, it doesn't suffer the reception problem we found in its predecessor in special tests in our labs. In special reception tests of the iPhone 4S that duplicated those we did on the iPhone 4, the newer phone did not display the same reception flaw, which involves a loss of signal strength when you touch a spot on the phone's lower left side while you're in an area with a weak signal. (The iPhone 4, which is still available, continues to exhibit that problem, we confirmed in tests of new samples of the phone. Because of the flaw, we continue to omit the iPhone 4 from our list of recommended models, despite its otherwise fine performance.)"

In other words, even the newer samples of the iPhone 4 (perhaps even that one for Sprint?) continue to have antenna quirks, but at least the latest and greatest seems to have addressed 'em. Hit the source link for the full report.

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]]> antennaantennagateapplecallcallingconnectionconsumer reportsConsumerReportsdeath gripDeathGripfixiphoneiphone 4iphone 4sIphone4Iphone4smobilepostcrossproblemreception Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:59:00 -0500 21|20101301 <![CDATA[Researchers use inkjet acumen to create wireless explosive sensor from paper]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/researchers-use-inkjet-acumen-to-create-wireless-explosive-senso/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/researchers-use-inkjet-acumen-to-create-wireless-explosive-senso/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/researchers-use-inkjet-acumen-to-create-wireless-explosive-senso/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Meet Krishna Naishadham and Xiaojuan (Judy) Song. They're researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and those little devices they're holding may one day save you from an explosive device. This petite prototype is actually a paper-like wireless sensor that was printed using basic inkjet technology, developed by professor Manos Tentzeris. Its integrated lightweight antenna allows the sensor to link up with communication devices, while its functionalized carbon nanotubes enable it to pick up on even the slightest traces of ammonia -- an ingredient common to most IEDs. According to Tentzeris, the trick to such inkjet printing lies in the development of "inks" that can be deposited at relatively low temperatures. These inks, laced with silver nanoparticles, can then be uniformly distributed across paper-based components using a process called sonication. The result is a low-cost component that can adhere to just about any surface. The wireless sensor, meanwhile, requires comparatively low amounts of power, and could allow users to detect bombs from a safe distance. Naishadham says his team's device is geared toward military officials, humanitarian workers or any other bomb sniffers in hazardous situations, though there's no word yet on when it could enter the market. To find out more, careen past the break for the full PR.

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]]> ammoniaantennabombbomb detectorBombDetectorcarbon nanotubesCarbonNanotubesCNTexplosiveexplosive deviceExplosiveDevicegeorgia institute of technologygeorgia techGeorgiaInstituteOfTechnologyGeorgiaTechIEDinkjetManos TentzerisManosTentzerismilitarypaperprintingprototyperesearchsensorsilver nanoparticleSilverNanoparticlesonicationwireless sensorWirelessSensor Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:26:00 -0400 21|20094310 <![CDATA[LightSquared partners with PCTEL on antenna 'fix' for GPS interference issue]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/lightsquared-partners-with-pctel-on-antenna-fix-for-gps-interf/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/lightsquared-partners-with-pctel-on-antenna-fix-for-gps-interf/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/lightsquared-partners-with-pctel-on-antenna-fix-for-gps-interf/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments It's the problem that won't go away for LightSquared, and one that has prompted a number of different "fixes" and "solutions." The latest, as announced by the LTE wholesaler last month, is an actual hardware fix that overcomes the interference issue affecting high-precision GPS units -- the only problem being that all existing and future units will need to be upgraded with said fix. Now the company's back with yet more details, announcing that it's partnered with PCTEL to develop an antenna that lets users of high-precision GPS units easily retrofit their devices to make them "LightSquared-compatible." There's still no word on the cost for it, but LightSquared has also announced that Partron America has created a filtering component that costs $6. The company's press release is after the break.

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]]> 4g4g lte4gLteantennafixgpsgps interferenceGpsInterferencehigh precision gpshigh-precision gpsHigh-precisionGpsHighPrecisionGpslightsquaredltepartron americaPartronAmericapctel Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:33:00 -0400 21|20093160 <![CDATA[Help for the lost: a fabric antenna to keep you from being a castaway]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/help-for-the-lost-a-fabric-antenna-to-keep-you-from-being-a-cas/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/help-for-the-lost-a-fabric-antenna-to-keep-you-from-being-a-cas/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/help-for-the-lost-a-fabric-antenna-to-keep-you-from-being-a-cas/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Doesn't look like much, does it? But the next time you're lost at sea, you just might be thankful you've got it. That little square of fabric is actually a flexible antenna designed for the Cospas-Sarsat distress signal network, a Cold War-era system built to help pinpoint missing ships, planes and people. Designed to be sewn into a life vest, the antenna broadcasts an emergency beacon at a low frequency for greater range; in field tests, that helped rescuers find it within minutes. It's also tear- and water-resistant, which you'll be grateful for when you're being tossed around like a ragdoll in a sea of whitecaps. The technology was developed by the European Space Agency in partnership with a Finnish company. Next on their agenda? A round, floating companion for the marooned, codenamed Wilson.

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]]> adventureantennabeaconcold warColdWarCospas-Sarsatdistressemergencyesaeuropean space agencyEuropeanSpaceAgencyfabricfabric antennaFabricAntennarescuesurvival Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:53:00 -0400 21|20072805 <![CDATA[Sezmi's cable / satellite alternative TV service to shut down Monday, won't be missed]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/24/sezmis-cable-satellite-alternative-tv-service-to-shut-down-mo/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/24/sezmis-cable-satellite-alternative-tv-service-to-shut-down-mo/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/24/sezmis-cable-satellite-alternative-tv-service-to-shut-down-mo/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments It's been almost two years since Sezmi launched its hybrid antenna and internet TV service, and now it has announced the dream of pay-TV without cable or satellite is dead. An email went out to customers tonight informing them the ability to view or record programming on their Sezmi systems would be shut off Monday, September 26th. The only compensation given for the sudden disconnect? Free access to the VOD catalog before that disappears too, on November 1st. The $20 / month Select Plus package that offered pay-TV channels over antenna never spread beyond Los Angeles, although users happy to settle for basic channels and online VOD had access in other markets. Still, we predict it won't be missed simply because it doesn't seem like many people ever signed up. Despite nice features like unique profiles for different household members, the limited sports selection cut off many early adopters from the beginning. The company is apparently trying to pivot into selling its technology to other service providers, we'll wait and see if a Moxi-like resurgence is in the cards. Check out the letter to subscribers and our original video demo after the break while we plan a month-long memorial service for those soon-to-be-useless 1TB DVRs.

[Thanks, John]

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]]> 1tbantennabest buyBestBuybreaking newsdvrhdpostminihybridiptvotasezmisezmi selectsezmi select plusSezmiSelectSezmiSelectPlus Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:46:00 -0400 21|20065399 <![CDATA[Buckeyes embed antennas in clothes, couture to improve radio reception?]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/buckeyes-embed-antennas-in-clothes-couture-to-improve-radio-rec/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/buckeyes-embed-antennas-in-clothes-couture-to-improve-radio-rec/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/buckeyes-embed-antennas-in-clothes-couture-to-improve-radio-rec/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments We like what's in our wardrobe to be multifunctional, and we've seen threads do double duty as keyboards, flashlights and even drum kits in our day. Now, researchers at Ohio State have come up with a way to turn the shirt on your back into an omnidirectional antenna to boost radio reception. To do so, they etched brass wires into plastic film to create flexible antennae, and stitched 4 of them into the shoulders, chest and back of a vest. Using a computer controller the size of a deck of cards clipped to the wearers belt, the system senses body movement and activates the appropriate antenna to get the best signal. You see, antennae don't work so well when touching human skin -- as any iPhone 4 owner can attest -- and the multiple antenna system alleviates that problem while providing "significantly greater signal strength" than a standard antenna. The researchers see the technology having great appeal for the military, law enforcement, and emergency personnel, but here's hoping they make a consumer version, too. It'd be nice to eliminate all those cell-service dead spots by simply donning a jacket, right?

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]]> antennaantennaeclothesclothingohio stateohio state universityOhioStateOhioStateUniversityradioresearchsciencewearable antennaWearableAntenna Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:12:00 -0400 21|20024144 <![CDATA[Apple to release cheaper, 8GB iPhone 4 within weeks?]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/apple-to-release-cheaper-8gb-iphone-4-within-weeks/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/apple-to-release-cheaper-8gb-iphone-4-within-weeks/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/apple-to-release-cheaper-8gb-iphone-4-within-weeks/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments As the world waits for Apple to release the iPhone 5, Reuters is reporting that Cupertino may be refreshing the iPhone 4, as well. According to two anonymous sources "with knowledge of the matter," an unnamed Korean manufacturer has already begun producing parts for a cheaper, 8GB version of the smartphone, slated to launch within the next few weeks. As for that next-gen handset, the insiders went on to say that the iPhone 4S / iPhone 5 will feature a more spacious touchscreen, better antenna and eight megapixel shooter, and that Apple is indeed aiming for a late September launch, after having already asked manufacturers Hon Hai and Pegatron to prep their facilities for the production of 45 million units, altogether. Details, as usual, are still scarce at this point, but we'll let you know as soon as we get more information.

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]]> 8 megapixel8gb8gb iphone 48gbIphone48Megapixelantennaapplecameraeight megapixelEightMegapixelflash forwardFlashForwardhon haiHonHaiiosiphoneiphone 4iphone 4siphone 5Iphone4Iphone4sIphone5launchmanufacturermanufacturingmobilepostcrosspegatronproductionrumorsmartphonetouchscreen Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:59:00 -0400 21|20024332 <![CDATA[Australia's first mobile network celebrates 30th birthday with a quiet night in]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/australias-first-mobile-network-celebrates-30th-birthday-with-a/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/australias-first-mobile-network-celebrates-30th-birthday-with-a/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/australias-first-mobile-network-celebrates-30th-birthday-with-a/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Why is this phone staring at the ground in dismay? Because it can't believe that it's been 30 years since it made history. On this day three decades ago, this 14 kilogram beast was used to place the very first call on Australia's very first mobile network -- the Public Automatic Telephone System, operated by Telstra (or Telecom, as it was known at the time). Back then, the network could only support 1,000 users at once and provide coverage for the greater Melbourne area (things have since changed for the better). The device, meanwhile, was known simply as The Mobile Phone and, in retrospect, wasn't all that mobile; the carphone system included a 45 centimeter handset, a transceiver and rooftop antenna -- all for a little over $5,000. It could also store a whopping 16 phone numbers and would notify users of incoming calls by sounding the car's horn and flashing its headlights. The Mobile Phone's Australian reign, however, would be relatively short-lived, with the DynaTAC 8000x ushering in a new handheld era, just two years after Telstra's inaugural call. Dial past the break for a Wagnerian commercial that'll tell you everything you always wanted to know about antiquity, but were too afraid to ask.

[Thanks, Vincent]

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]]> 1980s80sanniversaryantennaaustraliabirthdaycarcar phoneCarPhonehandheldhandsethistorymobilemobile networkMobileNetworkmoneynetworkoldphonepricepublic automatic telephone systemPublicAutomaticTelephoneSystemtelstrathe mobile phoneTheMobilePhonetransceiver Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:11:00 -0400 21|20013847 <![CDATA[Russia's RadioAstron telescope finally set to launch, blanket space with its radio eye]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/17/russias-radioastron-telescope-finally-set-to-launch-blanket-sp/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/17/russias-radioastron-telescope-finally-set-to-launch-blanket-sp/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/17/russias-radioastron-telescope-finally-set-to-launch-blanket-sp/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Considering all the space nostalgia we've been swimming in recently, it's somewhat appropriate that a Cold War-era telescope is gearing up to make its maiden voyage, after more than three decades of development (and delays). The Russian mission, known as RadioAstron, will finally become a reality on Monday, when a radio telescope launches from Kazakhstan's Baikonur cosmodrome before soaring into orbit some 350,000 kilometers away from the Earth. At just ten meters in width, the craft's antenna is small in comparison to other radio 'scopes, but its reach can be dramatically expanded when combined with signals from those on the ground. This technique, called interferometry, will effectively create the largest telescope ever built, covering an area nearly 30 times the Earth's diameter and allowing RadioAstron to capture interstellar images in 10,000 times the resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope. There remains, however, one major hurdle -- because the spacecraft collects data at about 144 megabits per second, it must constantly transfer information to antennas on the ground. Problem is, there's only one antenna capable of receiving RadioAstron's signals and, unless others are constructed soon, a healthy chunk of its observations could be lost. How do you say "buzz-kill" in Russian?

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]]> antennaastronomyBaikonurBaikonur cosmodromeBaikonurCosmodromecold warColdWardatadata collectionDataCollectiongalaxyinterferometrykazakhstanlaunchobservationradio telescoperadioastronRadioTelescoperesearchrocketrussiaspacetelescopeZenit-2SB Sun, 17 Jul 2011 20:14:00 -0400 21|19993028 <![CDATA[Apple patent app sheds light on wireless charging dreams, NFMR love affair]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/apple-patent-app-sheds-light-on-wireless-charging-dreams-nfmr-l/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/apple-patent-app-sheds-light-on-wireless-charging-dreams-nfmr-l/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/apple-patent-app-sheds-light-on-wireless-charging-dreams-nfmr-l/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Apple threw quite the wireless party by introducing PC Free and iCloud at yesterday's WWDC keynote, but it seems that the engineers in Cupertino may have even more tricks up their sleeve. Judging by a recently filed patent application, the company's hoping to add charging to its list of cord-cutting services. Specifically, the patent describes building a NFMR (near-field magnetic resolution) power supply directly into your iMac so it can charge your iPhone, iPad, or even peripherals -- such as a keyboard or mouse, when equipped with a special antenna -- without the assistance of your ol' trusty charging cords or batteries. Sporting a somewhat mature iMac that's operating sans NFMR? Pop a special USB dongle in that bad boy and presto, you're good to go. The patent points out that the range is limited to one meter, though there may be ways to install repeaters in peripherals to extend that distance further. Of course, patents won't guarantee we'll be grabbing the scissors to cut our cords anytime soon, but at least we won't have to rely on these things for the rest of eternity.

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]]> antennaapplechargechargingdongleelectricityenergyiMacinductive chargingInductiveChargingiOSiPadiPhoneiPod TouchIpodTouchNFMRpatentpatent apppatent applicationPatentAppPatentApplicationperipheralspowerrepeaterusbUSB dongleUsbDonglewirelesswireless chargingWirelessCharging Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:54:00 -0400 21|19959934