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Researchers develop silicon ReRAM chip, send warning shot to Flash memory
May 20th
Does the word ReRAM ring a bell? No? Well, the key point is that it’s much faster than NAND memory, and it’s making its way into chips from Elpida, Sharp and Panasonic. Further proof that ReRAM is on the up and up? Researchers at University College London have used this technology to make a chip that operates at 100 times the speed of standard Flash memory. The device is composed completely of silicon oxide, which improves the chip’s resistance, and it doesn’t require a vacuum to work (which makes it cheaper to produce). But this new chip is more than just a faster alternative to Flash; its ability to move between different states of conductivity means it can be configured as a memristor, or a device that handles both data-processing and storage tasks. In the long term, researchers hope this technology can pave the way for silicon oxide CPUs — and UCL is already using this design to help develop transparent memory chips for mobile devices. Need to know more? Feast your heart on the gritty details via the link below.
Researchers develop silicon ReRAM chip, send warning shot to Flash memory originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 06:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Alternative Wii U controller design makes brief appearance on Twitter, goes into hiding
May 20th
Excited for Nintendo’s new tablet-esque controller? So are the kids in TT Games’ QA department. An over-excited tester tweeted out an image of a slightly different Wii U slab than the one we laid hands on at E3 2011, teasing “look we what we have at work!” Answering the call does indeed reveal something worth looking at — a somewhat wider looking Wii U slate featuring two full-sized analog sticks (as opposed to 3DS-like circle pads), a pair of unmarked button-like squares, and a new starboard home for the controller’s plus and minus buttons.
The tweet was summarily pulled, of course, but not before our friends at Joystiq nabbed a screenshot. Naturally, the rumor mill started right up, churning out speculation of developer specific slabs, early prototypes and late redesigns. The truth? We’ll probably need to wait until E3 to find out, but we reached out to Nintendo for a comment all the same. We’ll let you know if we hear anything more than the usual “Nintendo doesn’t comment on rumors and speculation” line.
Alternative Wii U controller design makes brief appearance on Twitter, goes into hiding originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 02:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ask Engadget: Electric commuting on the cheap?
May 20th
We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is from is from Warren, who wants to find an electrical moped within his budget. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
“What’s the cheapest two-wheeled electric vehicle that goes over 45mph available in the US? I looked at the Gas-powered ,500 Sym Symba, but as far as I can tell, I’d have to spend four times that much for an electric equivalent. Am I missing something? Thank you!”
Unfortunately, you are. The biggest barrier to joining the EV parade is the price of batteries, which are often more expensive than the vehicles they’re situated inside. For example, even a motorized bicycle like the Grace One is ,000 — but that’s as far as our knowledge goes on the subject. Perhaps there is a solution out there, all it needs is for one of our friendly commenters to tell all in the river of text below.
Ask Engadget: Electric commuting on the cheap? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 May 2012 22:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Galaxy S III S Voice APK leaked online
May 19th
If you find yourself with nothing better to do this weekend, then you might have a bit of fun playing around with Samsung’s soon-to-be-released S Voice application on your rooted Android 4.0 smartphone. The APK has now made its way into the wild, and we couldn’t help but take it for a spin on our Nexus S. First off, while we can’t vouch for the security of the file, we can confirm that it’s indeed functional. Secondly, while some of the S Voice features work just fine — such as search or contact queries — other requests such navigation repeatedly caused the app to crash. In other words, if you’re expecting this app to behave as it should on the Galaxy S III, you might be in for a disappointment. If you’re merely looking to poke around with the S Voice functionality, however, the download seems quite worthwhile. At this point, we’re most curious to know whether non-Samsung owners have similar luck. If you’re willing to give ‘er a go, let us know your experience in the comments below.
Update: We’ve also now tested the leaked APK on our Galaxy Nexus, and are happy to report that S Voice works quite flawlessly. As always, your mileage may vary.
Samsung Galaxy S III S Voice APK leaked online originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 May 2012 21:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hasselblad cuts H4D prices by up to 23 percent, might let you afford rent
May 19th
Hasselblad is typically known for everything but price cuts, and sometimes goes in the opposite direction. As such, we’re more than a little caught off-guard by a round of price cuts on what’s usually considered the definitive medium format camera line. The ‘entry’ H4D-31 has been cut down by as much as 23 percent; we’re not sure we’d call it a steal at ,995 without a lens, but it’s now an option if you think even a Nikon D800′s full-frame sensor is puny. Price slashes aren’t reserved for the bargain models, either, as even the 200-megapixel, status symbol H4D-200MS shaves enough off the cost (now ,995) to be a worth look for those sitting on the fence. You can get the full details at the source link, and you won’t have to survive on ramen noodles for a year to shoot billboard-sized photos.
Hasselblad cuts H4D prices by up to 23 percent, might let you afford rent originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 May 2012 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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China clears Google acquisition of Motorola, eliminates last barrier to Googorola bliss
May 19th
The final significant roadblock to Google’s buyout of Motorola has been cleared, as Chinese regulators have just given their rubber stamp. Their approval follows a few months after the simultaneous American and European clearances, and virtually all that’s left now is to formally close the deal and start integrating the two mobile giants. It might still come too late for the combined entity to present a united front at Google I/O, but at least they won’t have any awkward glances at each other across the room. We’re just trying to decide on whether or not Googorola is the best pet name for the loving, .5 billion-dollar Android union. Update: Google has since told the AP that the deal will likely wrap up early next week, so Motorola should be part of the family well in advance of Google I/O.
China clears Google acquisition of Motorola, eliminates last barrier to Googorola bliss originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 May 2012 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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