.::REALITYRECALL::.

RCMP say they have received dozens of calls about the theft of flood-damaged goods taken from yards since Yorkton was swamped three weeks ago.

The National Hockey League has rejected Ilya Kovalchuk’s 17-year, $102-million US contract with the New Jersey Devils.

Cisco and company, you’ve got approximately seven days before a security researcher rains down exploits on your web-based home router parade. Seismic’s Craig Heffner claims he’s got a tool that can hack “millions” of gateways using a new spin on the age-old DNS rebinding vulnerability, and plans to release it into the wild at the Black Hat 2010 conference next week. He’s already tested his hack on thirty different models, of which more than half were vulnerable, including two versions of the ubiquitous Linksys WRT54G (pictured above) and devices running certain DD-WRT and OpenWRT Linux-based firmware. To combat the hack, the usual precautions apply — for the love of Mitnick, change your default password! — but Heffner believes the only real fix will come by prodding manufacturers into action. See a list of easily compromised routers at the more coverage link.

Researcher will enable hackers to take over millions of home routers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s no secret that ARM ideas are powering much of the mobile revolution these days, but the company doesn’t print its own systems-on-a-chip, that duty gets outsourced to silicon foundries — like TSMC, who just got all buddy-buddy with the firm to transition future smartphone chips to the 28nm and obscenely tiny 20nm high-k metal gate processes. (We’re not sure what this means for GlobalFoundries, who had a similar deal earlier this year.) As per usual with a die size reduction, ARM chips will see higher speed and have decreased power consumption, but since 20nm is (relatively) unexplored territory it could be years before chips hit the market. PR after the break, or hit the more coverage link for further explanation by an ARM VP of Marketing.

Continue reading ARM and TSMC team up for tinier 20nm Cortex SOCs

ARM and TSMC team up for tinier 20nm Cortex SOCs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists in Toronto are trying to crack the secrets of regeneration to trigger the human body to grow tissues and organs damaged by disease.

Several of the HP Slate 500’s leaked specs have been confirmed today, including that it will run Windows 7 Premium, sports an 8.9-inch touch screen, has a 1.6 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM, and that it has two cameras—video and still. New: it's Energy Star certified. Still unconfirmed: whether it's capacitive touch, what the graphics card is, and how it scores on battery life. [HP and Energy Star via Ubergizmo] More »

By Joe Wilcox, Betanews

Today, Apple set the stage for a historical competitive upset: Exceeding Microsoft revenue during the same quarter. Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple’s quarterly earnings again blew past Wall Street consensus, which already were $1.55 billion to $1.75 billion higher than company guidance. Apple also exceed quarterly revenue consensus estimates for Microsoft, which announces fiscal 2010 results on Thursday. I first posted about Apple revenue exceeding Microsoft revenue in April and again in June, not once but twice.

After the bell, Apple reported $15.7 billion revenue and net profits of $3.25 billion, or $3.51 a share. A year earlier, Apple reported revenue of $9.73 billion and $1.83 billion net quarterly profit, or $2.01 per share. Revenue rose 61 percent year over year and earnings by 78 percent. Fiscal 2010 third quarter ended June 26, 2010. By the way, analyst revenue consensus for Microsoft is $15.27 billion.

Three months ago, Apple forecast revenue between $13 billion and $13.4 billion, with earnings per share ranging between $2.28 and $2.39. Analyst average estimates were much higher than Apple guidance: $14.75 billion revenue and $3.11 earnings per share. Apple blew past the Street. Again.

Apple exceeding Microsoft, should it happen this quarter, would be more symbolic victory — representing the shift from the PC era to the cloud-connected mobile device era. The reasons why are more substantive: iPad and iPhone. During fiscal third quarter, Apple opened up a completely new line of business that generated $2.17 billion in new revenue. Additionally, despite all the fuss over so-called “Death Grip,” Apple sold 3 million iPhone 4s during the quarter. Combined, iPad and iPhone accounted for nearly 48 percent of fiscal third quarter revenue.

For fiscal 2010 forth quarter, Apple forecasts $18 billion in revenue and $3.44 earnings per share. Apple’s guidance beats current analyst consensus for Microsoft revenue by more than $2 billion during the same quarter, which would be Microsoft’s fiscal 2011 first. Apple plans to defer about $175 million during the current quarter until fiscal 2011 Q1– related to free cases the company will offer to iPhone 4 owners.

In a statement, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said: “It was a phenomenal quarter that exceeded our expectations all around, including the most successful product launch in Apple’s history with iPhone 4. iPad is off to a terrific start, more people are buying Macs than ever before, and we have amazing new products still to come this year.”

Q3 2010 Revenue by Product

• Desktops: $1.3 billion, up 15 percent from $1.13 billion a year earlier.
• Portables: $3.1 billion, up 40 percent from $2.2 billion a year earlier.
• iPod: $1.55 billion, up 4 percent from $1.5 billion a year earlier.
• Music: $1.2 billion, up 27 percent from $958 million a year earlier.
• iPhone: $5.33 billion, up 74 percent from $3.06 billion a year earlier.
• iPad: $2.17 billion; no comparable — new product.
• Peripherals: $396 million, up 16 percent from $340 million a year earlier.
• Software & Services: $646 million, up 22 percent from $530 million a year earlier.

Apple’s gross margin was 39.5 percent, with the margin decline significantly less than guidance given 3 months ago. Apple ended the quarter with $45.8 billion in cash, up from $41.7 billion a quarter earlier.

Apple ended fiscal Q3 with normal inventory levels for Macs and iPod. However, iPad and iPhone supplies are seriously constrained, with Apple ending the quarter with a big backlog. “In the scheme of things, it’s a good problem to have,” Apple COO Tim Cook said during a conference call with financial analysts late this afternoon. “We’re selling everything we can make currently,” he later emphasized. “My phone is ringing off the hook for people that want more supply.”

iPhone. Apple shipped — what company executives really mean by sold — 8.4 million iPhones worldwide during fiscal third quarter. If not for inventory adjustments between new iPhone models, shipments would have been about 225,000 higher. That number does not include lost sales to the backlog.

A year earlier, Apple shipped 5.21 million iPhones. Apple shipments into the channel are usually several million units higher than numbers released by Gartner, which measures actual sales. However, the backlog means that shipments more closely equal sales. During the quarter, iPhone was available from 154 carriers in 88 countries. The average selling price for iPhone was about $595.

Wall Street analyst average estimate was 8.5 million units, with some analysts lowering estimates following Apple’s July 16 announcement of 3 million iPhone 4s sold. The smartphone is backordered between two to four weeks. Revenue rose 74 percent year over year, giving the biggest boost to Apple’s quarter. The smartphone and supporting services accounted for about 33 percent of total Apple revenue, down from 41 percent the previous quarter.

Q3 2010 Unit Shipments by Product

• Desktops: 1 million units, up 18 percent from 849,000 units a year earlier.
• Portables: 2.5 million units, up 41 percent from 1.75 million units a year earlier.
• iPod: 9.4 million units, down 8 percent from 10.2 million units a year earlier.
• iPhone: 8.4 million units, up 61 percent from 5.21 million units a year earlier.
• iPad: 3.27 million units; no comparable — new product.

Computers. Apple shipped 3.47 million Macs during the quarter, up from 2.6 million units a year earlier. Wall Street consensus ranged from about 2.7 million to 3.5 million units worldwide, with consensus around 3.2 million.

Last week, Gartner and IDC released preliminary second calendar quarter PC shipment data. In the United States, Apple shipped 1.75 million computers, for 24.7 percent year-over-year growth, according to Gartner. However, IDC put Apple shipments lower, at 1.62 million, with growth a much lower 15.4 percent.

Q3 2010 Revenue by Geography

• Americas: $6.3 billion, up 39 percent from $4.47 billion a year earlier.
• Europe: $4.16 billion, up 66 percent from $2.5 billion a year earlier.
• Japan: $910 million, up 63 percent from $560 million a year earlier.
• Asia Pacific: $1.83 billion, up 160 percent from $703 million a year earlier.
• Retail: $2.6 billion, up 73 percent from $1.5 billion a year earlier.

Apple ranked fourth in the United States, moving back up one place, with 9.8 percent market share, up from 9.1 percent a year earlier, according to Gartner. But IDC put Apple’s market share lower — 8.8 percent, up from 8.6 percent year over year. Just two years ago, Apple had risen to third place in US PC shipments. Gartner and IDC won’t tabulate Apple’s worldwide ranking until the final figures are released, and generally the information is not publicly available.

iPod. Apple shipped 9.4 million iPods during fiscal third quarter, down from 10.2 million a year earlier. Analyst consensus for Q3 was around 9.4 million units. While units declined, revenue rose 4 percent from a year earlier.  ASPs declined about $7, in part because of a back-to-school promotion giving away iPod touch with new Macs.

Q3 2010 Unit Shipments by Geography

• Americas: 1.36 million units, up 18 percent from 1.15 million units a year earlier.
• Europe: 914,000 units, up 46 percent from 626,000 units a year earlier.
• Japan: 129,000 units, up 19 percent from 108,000 units a year earlier.
• Asia Pacific: 394,000 units, up 71 percent from 230,000 units a year earlier.
• Retail: 677,000 units, up 38 percent from 492,000 units a year earlier.

iPad. Apple shipped about 3.27 million iPads during the launch quarter. Analyst consensus was about 3 million units. The tablet was available in 10 countries, and the ASP was $640. About half of Fortune 100 companies are testing or deploying iPad, the company revealed during today’s conference call. The product added $2.17 billion new revenue.

Retail. Revenue rose 73 percent year over year, with Apple retail stores selling 677,000 units, compared to 492,000 a year earlier. Apple opened seven new stores in the quarter, for a total of 293 retail outlets worldwide. There was an average 288 stores open in the quarter, with average revenue of $9 million. Apple retail stores had 60.5 million visitors during the quarter up 27 percent year over year. Apple plans to open 24 new stores during fiscal Q4.

[Editor’s Note: This was a live document posted at 4:45 p.m. EDT and completed at 6:15 p.m. — following Apple’s quarterly earnings call.]

Copyright Betanews, Inc. 2010















Apple – IPhone – Steve Jobs – Wall Street – Microsoft

Looks like Samsung’s 3D Blu-ray players aren’t the only ones coming in cheaper versions, as it’s unveiled the new 680 Series and 490 Series plasma HDTVs. Both were shown off in Korea yesterday, though the US website only features a product page for the 50-inch PN50C680 so far, showing off its 1080p specs and DLNA access. You will give up a few features from higher end plasmas, which add picture-in-picture, widgets, a higher contrast ratio and slimmer designs to the mix. The PN50C490’s situation is a bit murkier, but FlatpanelsHD reports it will be the first 720p 3DTV of the current generation. With current series 4 plasmas retailing for around $720, it could also be the first flat 3D set to crack (or at least approach) the $1,000 barrier — if you’re willing to miss out on the extra pixels.

Update: A listing on ABC Warehouse shows the PN50C490 with a few specs plus $1,099 MSRP, but already up for preorder for just $989. Perfect for some PS3 gaming or ESPN3D watching, right? Of course, as a few commenters have mentioned, you can get a 60-inch 1080p projection 3D capable HDTV from Mitsubishi for even less, so that’s hardly your only cheap 3D option. [Thanks, John Doe]

Continue reading Samsung’s new plasmas will do 3D for much cheaper – Update: $989 for 50-inch 720p

Samsung’s new plasmas will do 3D for much cheaper – Update: $989 for 50-inch 720p originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Google signs 20-year deal to power data centers with wind energy

Google signs 20-year deal to power data centers with wind energy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At a press conference celebrating 25 years of laptop-making, Mark Whittard, Managing Director of Toshiba Australia, concluded by showed off a prototype for the Toshiba SmartPad, a tablet he said would hit sometime around October of this year. More »

Repetitive stress injury (RSI) and eye strain are common ailments among computer users, and there’s no silver bullet for avoiding them beyond taking regular breaks to relax. Following his doctor’s advice, tech blogger Amit Agarwal suggests a simple 20-20-20 rule. More »

Women’s breasts are larger than ever – and it’s not due to implants. As stars like Christina Hendricks flaunt their curves, Erika Woods investigates a phenomenon of va-va-voom proportions.

Today, Google’s launching what they’re saying is the most radical redesign of Google Image Search since 2001. The new, Bing-esque results page is just pictures, naked of text, and they load dynamically so you can scroll for-ev-er. More »

By Tim Conneally, Betanews

Today, Microsoft has released the next version of Microsoft Security Essentials in beta. The free anti-malware service was first debuted in 2009 after Microsoft discontinued Windows Live OneCare.

The beta, available on Microsoft Connect today, includes a number of new features: a new protection engine and network inspection system, integration with Windows Firewall, and integration with Internet Explorer for web-based malware protection.

This is a limited beta, available in English in the US and Israel, and is available to genuine Windows users on a first-come first-serve basis until it reaches the maximum number of participants. To download the beta, visit Microsoft Connect, and fill out the beta registration info.

Copyright Betanews, Inc. 2010















Microsoft Security Essentials – Microsoft – Windows Live OneCare – Malware – Internet Explorer

Amazon Germany just couldn’t keep a secret. Microsoft’s just announced that a shiny new Xbox 360 Arcade replacement — with 4GB internal flash memory, a matte finish, and built-in 802.11n WiFi — will be shipping August 3rd for $199.99. A stark difference in capacity to the current 250GB model, but at least it’s cheaper. Looking ahead to November, the standalone Kinect, it’s coming for (yeah, you guessed it) $149.99 with Kinect Adventures. Act surprised, Microsoft would really like you to. As for the pièce de résistance — that'd be the 4GB console, Kinect sensor, and game — that's due out "this holiday" for $299.99. Press release after the break, pretty pictures just below.

Update: Looks like the Britons will be paying £129.99 for Kinect.

Continue reading New Xbox 360 4GB ships August 3rd for $199, Kinect standalone priced at $149, bundle coming this holiday for $299

New Xbox 360 4GB ships August 3rd for $199, Kinect standalone priced at $149, bundle coming this holiday for $299 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda says will it start selling an electric vehicle as well as a plug-in hybrid in 2012 in the U.S. and Japan.

The lesser of ASUS’ two Eee Pad tablets announced at Computex this year, the EP101TC, is getting itself a software rejig ahead of its planned early 2011 launch. Originally slated to run on Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Compact 7 — a wordy OS, if nothing else — the Pad will now entrust its operational infrastructure to Google’s Android. ASUS is currently working on prototypes with Froyo on board, but Gingerbread (or Android 3.0) has not been ruled out as a possible final OS choice. We’re told to expect the first public demos at CES 2011, with retail units likely following on from there at a relatively brisk pace.

ASUS Eee Pad EP101TC opts for Android, dumps Windows Embedded Compact 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Liu Jun, Senior VP and President of Lenovo’s Consumer Business Group, has revealed his company’s intention to deliver an Android tablet by the end of this year. To be known as LePad, this apparent resurrection of the Skylight / U1 Hybrid R&D effort seems destined to follow LePhone in seeking its fortunes in China first before expanding out to the rest of the world. Lenovo’s chairman did recently note that Apple’s relative inaction toward mainland China creates opportunities for others, so this may well represent the IdeaPad maker’s play for that burgeoning market. Of course, we’d love to be wrong and see a simultaneous release around the world — it’s about time the iPad got some legitimate competition in the slate realm.

Lenovo promises LePad Android tablet for the end of the year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nobody can resist Waldo. Especially Saskatchewan Roughriders fans of the Canadian Football League. If you feel as if nobody talks to you in life, just dress

Windows: It’s all too easy to brush your laptop’s touchpad while typing and inject what should be at the end of the current sentence into a previous one. TouchpadPal disables the touchpad while you type for fewer cursor-created errors. More »