Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Mashable: Latest 29 News Updates - including “Need a Rugged Tablet? Panasonic Has Two New Toughpads”

Mashable: Latest 29 News Updates - including “Need a Rugged Tablet? Panasonic Has Two New Toughpads”


Need a Rugged Tablet? Panasonic Has Two New Toughpads

Posted: 09 Jan 2013 04:10 AM PST


Panasonic has launched two new Toughpad tablets at the 2013 International CES show, one running Android and the other based on Windows 8 Pro.

The FG-Z1 (pictured above) runs Windows 8 Pro and is quite a powerful beast, with a 10-inch, 1,920x1,200 pixel display, a 1.9GHz Intel i5 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, while the microSD slot is an option.

On the connectivity front, it packs USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, wired LAN, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and -- optionally -- a Verizon LTE or 3G chip.

The Android-based JT-B1 (pictured below) sports a 7-inch, 1,024x600 display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage memory, further expandable via microSD cards. It also has…
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More About: CES, ces2013, Panasonic, Toughpad

Silence Annoying Electronics With This Battery Gadget

Posted: 09 Jan 2013 02:37 AM PST


A new concept allows you to turn off AA-batteries remotely via your iPhone or iPad.

More About: 2013, Batteries, CES, Gadgets, iphone, iPhone 5, Mobile

Google+ Gets Pan and Zoom for Large Photos

Posted: 09 Jan 2013 01:56 AM PST


Google has introduced the ability to pan and zoom large photos on its social network, Google+.

Users can now use their mouse wheel to zoom in or out when watching high-resolution photos. Also, clicking and dragging will pan the photo in any direction.

The same can be done on touch-sensitive trackpads, such as the one on Apple's MacBook Pro.

The new feature, announced by Google's Dave Cohen on his Google+ profile, comes weeks after Google launched full-size backups for Android photos.

What do you think of this new feature? Tell us in the comments below.

More About: Google, pan, zoom

iPhone Cases Framed as Beautiful, Collectible Art

Posted: 09 Jan 2013 01:28 AM PST


Che Guevara




Click here to view this gallery.


Sure, iPhone cases protect your device, but with so many creative designs on the market, who's to say they can't double as modern-day art?

More About: CES, CES 2013, iphone, iPhone 5, iphone cases, Mobile

Rare ‘Dolphin Stampede’ Captured in Breathtaking Viral Video

Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:57 AM PST


In a rare display, 1,000 common dolphins stampeded off the coast of California, captivating onlookers on a whale-watching boat.

Footage of the stampede, captured by tour company Dolphin Safari, has attracted nearly 200,000 views since going online Sunday.

It features the dolphin pod swimming near a boat of whale-watchers who ooh and ahh at the breathtaking sight.

"The line of dolphins could be seen miles away churning up the water," Dolphin Safari wrote on the video's YouTube page. "The dolphins turned and stampeded directly over to the boat. Often this unusual behavior happens without warning or anything frightening them as was the case this time."

Dana Point, Calif., whe…
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That Flat Screen TV May Cost More Than You Think

Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:29 AM PST


LAS VEGAS – Running your electronics can get pricey. You already know about Vampire energy and how simply having your TV or DVR plugged in can cost you money. But do you have any idea how much it actually costs to run those devices?

A new gadget being shown at the International CES – MeterPlug -- will not only tell you how much your new flat screen TV costs to run, it will send the data to your smartphone via Bluetooth.

It's a small plug that sits between the device's plug and the outlet or power strip. Once paired with your phone, it will tell you your current wattage and costs.

MeterPlug does this by finding the electric rates in your area based on the GPS in your phone.…
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More About: CES, CES 2013, energy, meter, power

Your Landline Could Get a Second Life With ‘The Home Phone’

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 11:58 PM PST


Dust off that landline -- household phones may be making a comeback with a new Kickstarter project.

The Home Phone, designed by French husband and wife team UrbanHello, is a smartphone for the whole family, allowing shared conversations with its automatic hands-free mode. When placed on a surface, the 360-degree loudspeaker activates, and its use reduces electromagnetic wave exposure by 99%.

You may not trade your iPhone in just yet, but the Home Phone's sleek, modern design and HD sound is a minimalist alternative to bulky, cordless home devices on the market.

"It's a device which is so beautiful it can be given to someone as a present just like a bouquet of flowers," Herve and…
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More About: CES, CES 2013, home phone, kickstarter, smart phone

Microsoft Officially Ditching Messenger, Switching Users to Skype in March

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 11:30 PM PST


Windows Live Messenger will officially retire this March, Microsoft announced Tuesday in a mass email to the chat service's users.

On March 15, all users will be switched over to Skype, which the software giant acquired for $8.5 billion in October 2011.

"We are retiring the existing Messenger service globally ... and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together," Microsoft said, adding that Messenger will continue to be available in mainland China. Last November, Skype president Tony Bates confirmed in a blog post that Messenger would be shuttered in the first quarter of 2013.

The company also encouraged users to "update to Skype," and sign in using their Microsoft a…
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More About: microsoft, microsoft live messenger, Skype

You Can Now Apply to Be a Mars Colony Pioneer

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 10:59 PM PST


If you think you have the right stuff to help colonize Mars, you'll soon get your chance to prove it.

The Netherlands-based nonprofit Mars One, which hopes to put the first boots on the Red Planet in 2023, released its basic astronaut requirements on Jan. 8, setting the stage for a televised global selection process that will begin later this year.

Mars One isn't zeroing in on scientists or former fighter pilots; anyone who is at least 18 years old can apply to become a Mars colony pioneer. The most important criteria, officials say, are intelligence, good mental and physical health and dedication to the project, as astronauts will undergo eight years of training before launch.

"Gon…
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More About: Mars, Mars Colony, space

Brain-Controlled Puzzlebox Orbit Helicopter Makes Waves at CES

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 10:35 PM PST


If you think about it just enough, you can make a helicopter fly.

More About: 2013 CES, CES, Gadgets, Mobile

Soccer Stars on Twitter: Who Follows Who?

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 10:01 PM PST


This infographic explores the Twitter presence of soccer's biggest stars and clubs.

More About: soccer, Sports

DanceDance Revolution Comes to the Classroom

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 09:28 PM PST


It won't be long before students are playing video games at school.

A new interactive fitness game announced at International CES 2013 brings at-home fitness video games to school. DanceDance Revolution Classroom Edition was made with school physical education class in mind.

With the DanceDance Revolution games, users follow steps to dance choreography while listening to hit songs. Players hold a control that senses their movements or move on a mat, depending on the game console used. Players get points based on how close their moves matched-up to the ones on the screen. The fun calorie-burning game is played by both adults and children. This particular edition was made to bring that…
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More About: CES 2013, Children, classroom, fitness

The Football Helmet That Could Save Your Kid’s Brain

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 09:07 PM PST


Violent collisions in the NFL are getting more attention from players, journalists and medical professionals -- and for good reason. We're just beginning to grasp the effects that repeated big hits can have on the brain, and a troubling series of violent deaths of current and former pros has only raised the stakes for trying to understand how to manage the damage players do to themselves and one another.

But what about tackle football at the youth level? Surely, slamming into one another over and over can't be good for growing bodies either, right?

Well, longtime helmet-maker Riddell may have just come up with an innovative solution to track and minimize the damage to young players'…
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More About: Sports

Woof! These 15 Slush Puppies Are Crazy About Snow

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 08:25 PM PST


Warning: Snow excitement may cause eyes to pop out of head.




Image courtesy of Flickr, oakleyoriginals

Click here to view this gallery.


Humans often greet cold weather with grumbles and gripes, but us two-legged creatures could learn something from our best furry friends. Dogs skip the snow complaints, and lick Jack Frost's face. (Or, lift their leg on him.)

SEE ALSO: 12 Animals With Hangovers Worse Than Yours

Barking about the enjoyable side of snowfall might do little to persuade warm-weather worshippers. Instead, let's give the dogs a chance to show the wonderfulness of chilly temperatures and falling flakes. Grab a toboggan, and take a ride through the gallery to see 15 dogs pumped about winter.

BONUS: GIF!

GIF courtesy of Imgur

Thumbnail image courtesy of Imgur

More About: cute animals, dogs, Watercooler

NFL Star Uses Twitter Avatar to Send Trash Talk Message

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 07:43 PM PST


Did Arian Foster just make Twitter avatars the new locker room bulletin board?

More About: nfl, Sports

Artist Looks for Drone Pilots on Craigslist, Gets Threatened by FBI

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 06:45 PM PST


An Israeli filmmaker attracted the attention of the FBI when he posted an ad on Craigslist, looking for U.S. drone pilots. While doing some research for his short film about drone strikes, 5,000 Feet Is The Best, Omer Fast posted an anonymous ad looking to talk to pilots based at Creech Air Force Base, one of the main bases where pilots remotely operate the flying bots from ground control stations (see the picture below).

That's when the FBI called. "We were told to stop what we were doing and threatened in suggestive, spy-movie language," Fast told UK magazine Photoworks. The FBI was able to trace the ad back to Fast and his production team even though the ad was anonymous.

"I imagi…
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More About: Drones, FBI

Samsung Shows Off Curved OLED TV

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 06:11 PM PST


LAS VEGAS -- You're not seeing things: This TV from Samsung has a slight curve to it. The company claims it's the world's first curved OLED TV, and we don't doubt it.

What advantage does a curved TV have over flat panels? Samsung says the curves gives panoramic images such as nature scenes a more life-like viewing experience.

A curved panel would theoretically also make viewing angle less of an issue, since the curve would bend pixels slightly toward the user. That would be more of an advantage for LCD TVs, however, which tend to lose color saturation at off angles, than OLEDs, which don't.

Samsung's Curved OLED is just a concept right now, with no plans to bring it to market at the…
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More About: CES, CES 2013, OLED, samsung

Lego-Inspired iPhone 5 Cases Will Make You Geek Out

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 05:56 PM PST


Fighter jet




Click here to view this gallery.


Who wouldn't want to use an iPhone with a giant dinosaur attached to the back that you built yourself?

More About: CES, CES 2013, iphone, iPhone 5, iphone cases, legos, Mobile

T-Mobile to Expand Value Plans and Let You Upgrade Early

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 05:48 PM PST


LAS VEGAS -- T-Mobile originally launched its value plans in September 2011 and Tuesday it announced plans to move all of its devices to the Value plan model.

Most phones you purchase at a carrier are subsidized by that carrier. What that means is you might get a $600 phone for $200, with the carrier picking up the tab for the leftover $400 of the device's purchase price.

"We're not a big fan of the subsidy model," T-Mobile's Brad Duea told Mashable. "We think the value plan is a better model for the customer, because it's more transparent: here's the price for your device and for your service."

With the value plans, phones will be available for a low, out-of-pocket pri…
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More About: CES, CES 2013, T-Mobile

T-Mobile Brings Free Data to Windows 8 Laptops and Tablets

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 05:29 PM PST


T-Mobile announced 4G Connect Tuesday, a new program that gives customers a free 4G data connection with the purchase of select notebooks, tablets, and Ultrabooks.

With the program, customers will be able to access the web from their device, straight out of the box, for free. Every device comes with 200MB of data included for two years from the purchase date, with additional contract-free data available for purchase if and when they need it. 1GB of data, for instance, will be an additional $10.

'We're trying to really challenge the model of contracts –- and provide a delightful, easy experience for customers," T-Mobile's Brad Duea told Mashable.

Traditionally, devices with bui…
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More About: 4G, CES, CES 2013, T-Mobile

Apply for Scholarships in a Flash With ‘Personal for Education’ App

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:59 PM PST


Filling out scholarship forms is easier when you don't have to write your basic information over and over again. "Personal for Education" is a web and mobile app that lets you store all of your basic information and populate online applications, making the process faster.

Personal.com can store and share all kinds of personal information -- your birth certificate, passport, passwords, driver's license number and more. This new offering simplifies the college scholarship and financial-aid application process by saving students valuable time.

Personal, along with a small number of private companies, promised to help students and future students make use of their college information --…
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More About: apps, college, education, scholarships

‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Mobile App Will Blast off During Super Bowl

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:39 PM PST


Movie studio Paramount has teamed up with Qualcomm to create a new app for the upcoming film Star Trek Into Darkness. Announced at CES 2013, the app uses context-aware technologies to bring specific information to users at specific times.

When the app launches at the end of January, fans will be able to get special Star Trek Into Darkness content, such as videos, photos and wallpaper delivered directly to the mobile device.

That sort of functionality is standard fare for promotional apps for tentpole films. To kick things up a notch, the Star Trek Into Darkness app will also be able to unlock exclusive content and interactive features.

The first opportunity to unlock content will co…
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More About: CES, CES 2013, Star Trek Into Darkness

Japanese Cat Carries Clues to Bizarre Bomb Hacker Case

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:34 PM PST


A cat in Japan carried a memory card police say is the latest clue in a chase for a hacker who's sent anonymous bomb threats to schools, airlines and malls.

More About: cats, hacking, japan

Ro Marley Talks Sustainable Tech at CES 2013

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:31 PM PST


Ro Marley at CES 2013




Ro Marley, the son of late reggae artist Bob Marley and head of audio and accessory company House of Marley, joined Mashable for a Google+ Hangout Tuesday in the CES 2013 showroom.

Click here to view this gallery.


The CES 2013 showroom opened for business Tuesday, and Vegas is buzzing with innovation, new gadgets and devices.

Ro Marley, the son of late reggae artist Bob Marley and head of audio and accessory company House of Marley, stepped away from the excitement to join Mashable for a Google+ Hangout.

Marley is attending CES to promote House of Marley's new line, including in-ear and on-ear headphones and Bluetooth-enabled audio systems that have been created with earth-friendly materials from the brand's exclusive upcycled fabric, REWIND. The products will be available later this year.

"We try to stay away from the trends," Marley said about his brand. "We try to deal with things that re…
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More About: bluetooth, CES, CES 2013, google hangout, Headphones, sustainable technology, Tech

Star Wars Episode VII: Who Will Direct it Now?

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:28 PM PST


Is there a director on this planet who's up to the monumental task -- and the potential fan backlash -- of helming the as-yet-untitled Star Wars Episode VII?

Or is the risk of disappointing rabid fans around the world, the legions who dressed up in character for the supposed Mayan apocalypse last month (such as the guy pictured above, at a rally in Kiev) just too great for any aspiring director to throw years of his or her life into the project?

The first Disney-produced episode in the Lucasfilm franchise is due in 2015. A great screenwriter, Michael Arendt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine) has written a treatment that covers the brand new trilogy. But fans are starting to get a lit…
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More About: Episode VII, Star Wars

FunTab Kids’ Tablets Provide Safe Online Experience

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:57 PM PST


Your kids can't keep their hands off your tablet. And they are certainly entertaining while playing around with the devices. But as parents of children in the digital age, you probably wonder how to keep them safe from inappropriate content or from clicking on links that download viruses or spyware. You've also likely worried about the little tykes dropping your pricey device.

At International CES 2013, a new line of tablets for kids was introduced by tablet maker Ematic who partnered with Zoodles, a company that makes safe and intuitive platforms for kids to search the Internet.

The tablets come in four different sizes: FunTab Pro, FunTab, FunTab XL and FunTab Mini. The tablets use…
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More About: CES 2013, Kids, Tablet

Caught Red-Pawed! Cat Found Smuggling Jailbreak Tools Into Prison

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:49 PM PST


This cat, Brazilian police say, was attempting to aid prisoners in an escape.

More About: cats, Newsy, prisoner escape, videos

Does App Store Lack Educational Games for Preteens?

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:43 PM PST


It's true -- kids love tablets and laptop games and apps. At Mashable we've seen a ton of tablets made just for kids, and more and more developers are creating apps just for kids. Some of these apps offer pure entertainment (the tablet babysitter) while others are educational. But what developers are missing out on, according to a company called OutThink Inc., is the opportunity to make educational games for children ages 8-13.

You can see in the infographic below that app stores are lacking in games for this age range. And it's not as though children in this age range began to dislike tablets and computers -- the iPad was the most requested present by kids ages 6-12 during the 2012 holi…
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Race for First Tightens on Day 2 of CES Challenge

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:22 PM PST


The Mashable team has spent its second day at CES 2013. Thanks to the FuelBands team members were wearing, we were able to track their physical activity and fitness throughout the day. The team member to log the most miles will win our CES Mashable Challenge. Over the course of one day in the Las Vegas convention center, they collectively logged almost 30 miles in about 100 hours.

Here's how they measured up:

CES Day 2 Mashable

Lifestyle editor Andrea Smith got very close to upsetting the streak of two-day champion Evan Engel, Mashable's video producer. Though she couldn't match Evan's 4.86 miles, Andrea did rack up an impressive 4.78 miles over her 13-hour day. Andrea's day started bright and early,…
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More About: 2013 CES, CES, fitness, fuelband, Nike+ FuelBand

20 TV Shows With the Most Social Buzz This Week

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:13 PM PST


Sports scored big in the first week of 2013, inspiring activity across a range of social networks. Thirteen of the top 20 most discussed programs on broadcast and cable were sports-related.

Not very surprising in a week that held six NCAA bowl games and three NFL playoffs. Sunday's Ravens-Colts matchup on CBS drew the most attention and social comments on either cable or broadcast, just ahead of FOX's Seahawks-Redskins game, leaving Ryan Seacrest's New Year's Eve celebration buried at third place.

SEE ALSO: Piers Morgan Confronts Man Behind Deportation Petition

The data is courtesy of Trendrr, which measures social media activity related to specific television shows (e.g., mention…
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More About: Entertainment, features, infographics, Social Media, social tv, social tv charts, Trendrr

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