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- Dyson Turns Up The Heat, Releases The Dyson Hot AM04 Air Multiplier
- Canon Updates Classic PowerShot Cameras, Announces The S100 & SX40 HS
- Sharp Discontinues 2 Of 3 Galapagos Tablet Models, Only The 7-Inch Version Lives On
- Daily Crunch: Meeting Of The Minds
- The Ultimate Guide To TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2011
- Reminder: The TC Gadgets/Mobile Meet-Up Is Tomorrow In San Francisco
- Apple Looks To Postpone Motorola Patent Suits Courtesy Of Googorola Deal
- Sphero Sports New Body, Rolls Closer To Official Release
- Intel: 75 Million 2nd Generation Core CPUs Shipped, Fastest Selling CPU In Company’s History
- Windows 8 Has A Friendlier Blue Screen Of Death
- 50 Cent To Serve As CEO Of His Own Headphone Company As SMS Audio Acquires KonoAudio
- Sony Will Offer 28 Titles When The Vita Launches In Japan (Full List)
- Sony Has Two New iPad Docks For Your Listening Pleasure
| Dyson Turns Up The Heat, Releases The Dyson Hot AM04 Air Multiplier Posted: 15 Sep 2011 05:07 AM PDT  No common household product is save from a Dyson disruption. This time around the company is taking on the household space heater and just announced an air multiplier fitted with a ceramic heating element. The result is a heater that not only looks freakin’ awesome but also one that draws in surrounding air and recirculates it without the traditional choppy air effect or spinning blades. A handy remote allows for operation from afar and a temperature gauge allows you to precisely dial in the desired temperature. Heating is optional. The AM04 also possesses all the goods as Dyson’s traditional Air Multipliers, which gives owners a valid excuse to keep this functional conversation piece in their room year round. Just like the other models, the fanless design allows for easy cleaning and save operation but Dyson included a tip-over sensor that automagically cuts the power if the 5 lbs heater is tipped over. The new AM04 is available for $399 in either iron/blue or white/silver. The company just announced the models so local retailers might not have them in stock, but you can be sure these heaters will eventually occupy prime retail locations well before the holiday spending season kicks off. So what’s next for Dyson? The company already reinvented vacuums, hand dryers, household fans and now with this announcement, heaters. I hope toasters are next. I love toasters.
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| Canon Updates Classic PowerShot Cameras, Announces The S100 & SX40 HS Posted: 15 Sep 2011 04:57 AM PDT  Canon took the wire this morning to announce two new significant point & shoot cameras. The PowerShot S100 replaces the much-loved S95 while the PowerShot SX40 HS becomes the company’s latest mega zoom shooter. Both hit at respectable price points and bring impressive new features including the DiGiC 5 processor that promises better low capture, improved color accuracy and even less digital noise — you know, overall better performance than the previous version.
A CMOS sensor rests ehind a f2.0 lens that’s slightly wider and longer than used in the S95. Gone is the CCD chip used in the previous model, but this new sensor allows for 1080p video capture and an ISO of 6400, twice that of the S95. The camera also features the new DiGiC 5 processor that among the aforementioned abilities allows for an impressive burst mode dubbed Highspeed Burst HQ that captures 8 frames at full resolution at a rate of 9.6 photos per second. This burst mode, also featured on the SX40 below, is Canon’s first full resolution mode as previous incarnations dropped the resolution down to 2MP. The S100 is housed in an even smaller casing than the already-pocket friendly S95 despite retaining the multi-function lens ring, 3-inch rear LCD panel and the new integrated GPS chip. Expect the S100 sometime in early November for $429.
Canon Inc. is a multinational corporation that specialises in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.
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| Sharp Discontinues 2 Of 3 Galapagos Tablet Models, Only The 7-Inch Version Lives On Posted: 15 Sep 2011 03:57 AM PDT  About a year ago, Sharp decided to enter the rapidly growing tablet market with the terribly named Galapagos, two Android devices sized at 5.5 and 10.8 inches that went on sale in Japan last December. The company then launched a 7-inch version on the Japanese market last month and announced that model will hit the US “this year”. But sales must have been really bad for the initial models, the 5.5- and the 10.8-inch versions, as Sharp Japan today announced [JP] it will stop taking orders for the Galapagos in those sizes from September 30. The company said, however, that it will continue to offer the 7-inch version in Japan (where it costs US$587). Just like in the rest of the world, the iPad is the tablet to beat in Japan: Tokyo-based market research firm BCN estimates that the Apple device commanded 64.8% of the Japanese market for tablets in July.
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| Daily Crunch: Meeting Of The Minds Posted: 15 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT  Here are some of yeterday’s Gadgets posts:
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| The Ultimate Guide To TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2011 Posted: 14 Sep 2011 08:28 PM PDT  TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco has just wrapped. In the feverish air of anticipation we carefully cultivate during the Disrupt season, you may have missed some of the talks, panels, launches, or startups that have taken place here at this incomparable conference. Don’t worry. We’ve collected all the content by our writing and video teams here in this handy omnibus post. If you only share one item today, make it this one. Almost everything that happened on stage was captured by the unblinking eye of TechCrunch TV, so there is video at the bottom of most posts and many even have crowdsourced transcriptions. More video can be found here at the TCTV archive for the event. Literally thousands of photos from our capable photographer can be found here, including most of the companies in the startup alley, and my photos (which appeared in the posts) are free to download from the TechCrunch Flickr page. And of course, all news relating to this and other Disrupt conference can always be found at disrupt.techcrunch.com. Read on for links to the rest of our coverage.
Launches, panels, and Fireside Chats
BattlefieldSession one: Disrupting traditional markets Tonara: a tablet-based sheet music program that listens and adjusts as you play Session two: Moving the web forward Spool: saves full webpages for mobile consumption later using an intelligent content scraper Session three: Entertain us Shaker: a social, network-agnostic mingling environment
Launches, panels, and Fireside Chats
BattlefieldSession four: Customer-friendly enterprise TalkTo: contacting local businesses for appointments, feedback, etc. via text message Session five: Local networks Postmates: a sort of ad-hoc courier network for excess bike messenger capacity Session six: Increasing understanding JiffPad: a platform for facilitating useful communication between doctors and patients
Launches, panels, and Fireside Chats
And the winner is…Our hundreds of applicants were reduced to 29 battlefield companies (plus two selected day-of by the audience) then to the last six, who were given an extended period in which to re-pitch their companies to a new set of judges. After an hour’s retirement and consideration, they returned, with the news that Shaker would be receiving the $50,000 prize and prestigious TechCrunch Disrupt Cup. Prism Sky Labs, the runners up, have received a gilded shoe. Congratulations to the winners! We would also like to extend our thanks to everyone who applied, attended, sponsored, or supported Disrupt this year. We look forward to seeing you all again here in San Francisco next year, or earlier, in New York or even Beijing. On another note, this summary wouldn’t be complete without an acknowledgement of Mike Arrington and his contributions to tech journalism. For years TechCrunch has grown bigger and better under his leadership. I’d like to extend a personal thanks to Mike, but I think the standing ovation prompted by Ron Conway’s closing comments is more eloquent: Best of luck, Mike.
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| Reminder: The TC Gadgets/Mobile Meet-Up Is Tomorrow In San Francisco Posted: 14 Sep 2011 04:01 PM PDT  To recap: on September 15 at 6:30pm TechCrunch Mobile and Gadgets will host our first meet-up at Roe @ 651 Howard St. in sunny SF. Sponsored by Samsung, this meet-up will be the first chance for our readers to get ahold of some of Samsung’s latest products including the just-announced Galaxy S II. It is an event not to be missed. We’ll have some finger food, a little dancing, maybe some networking and an open bar (It’s 21 and over, obviously). We invite you to meet the entire TCG/M team and chill with some of Samsung’s newest gear and the chance to win a new Samsung Infuse 4G – we’re giving one out ever half hour! Specs: Tickets are sold out but if you RSVPed, be sure to show. Special thanks to Samsung for the sponsorship and we hope to see you in SF on September 15. Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
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| Apple Looks To Postpone Motorola Patent Suits Courtesy Of Googorola Deal Posted: 14 Sep 2011 12:43 PM PDT  Along with that sushi, Apple has a lot on its plate. The company has been battling Samsung since April in one of the most widespread patent wars ever, but many forget that Apple and Motorola Mobility have been duking it out for the past year. Motorola started it, and then Apple fired back with some multitouch patents, and the back-and-forth never ends. The point? Apple has asked to postpone two of the ongoing cases in the U.S. — one in the Southern District of Florida and the other in the Western District of Wisconsin arguing that Moto has lost its “standing.” This has everything to do with the Googorola deal. When Google announced its proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility, Motorola effectively lost a great deal of control over its patents, reports CNET. That means litigating or settling in these patent suits is kind of out of the question. Apple’s official statement:
In other words, Motorola can’t really continue on in its suits with Apple. And if it could, Apple would be at an unfair advantage, says Apple. Let’s say Motorola wins. Then Apple would not only spend a huge amount of money litigating against a party with no standing, but the company would also face an injunction brought upon it by a party with (again) no standing. Let’s say Apple wins. In that case Apple lawyers say, “[Apple] risks an attack on its victory on appeal by a third party, whether Google or another Android smartphone manufacturer, contending that the judgment should be overturned due to a lack of prudential standing,” It’s hard to tell whether Apple’s request to postpone will be granted, but responses from Motorola are expected shortly. Company: Motorola Mobility Website: motorolamobility.com Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to mobile and wireline digital communication devices that provide compelling experiences, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $22 billion in 2009 Started by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, Apple has expanded from computers to consumer electronics over the last 30 years, officially changing their name from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple, Inc. in January 2007. Among the key offerings from Apple’s product line are: Pro line laptops (MacBook Pro) and desktops (Mac Pro), consumer line laptops (MacBook) and desktops (iMac), servers (Xserve), Apple TV, the Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server operating systems, the iPod (offered with...
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| Sphero Sports New Body, Rolls Closer To Official Release Posted: 14 Sep 2011 12:26 PM PDT  Orbotix has spent the last few months hustling, and it shows: they landed a $5 million dollar Series B investment in April, and now they have made it known that fans won’t have to wait much longer to purchase their robotic balls. That’s right, robotic balls. For the unfamiliar, the Colorado-based company has been hard at work on the Sphero, a small robotic ball that can be controlled via smartphone. The applications for a controllable ball may seem a bit limited, but Orbotix fancies itself as creating a “mixed-reality” experience where games take place both on the phone and in the real world. The final Sphero production design differs a bit from what we’ve seen in the past, with a slightly different, translucent white chassis replacing the original. Spheros will also ship with a nifty induction charger: just drop the ball in the dock in between rounds of office golf and you’ll be golden. While the $130 price tag may elevate the Sphero out of “impulse buy” status, the inclusion of an open API means that people can develop new games and applications that take advantage of the Sphero hardware. If the concept of a hackable robo-ball piques your interest, the Sphero is currently up for pre-order, but those of you on the fence can watch our hands-on video from CES and imagine the fun.
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| Intel: 75 Million 2nd Generation Core CPUs Shipped, Fastest Selling CPU In Company’s History Posted: 14 Sep 2011 10:38 AM PDT  Intel clearly has a hit on its hands. Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group, took to the IDF 2011 stage today and announced several things including that, as this posts headline states, the company’s current crop of Core CPUs, codenamed Sandy Bridge, is Intel’s fastest selling platform yet with more than 75 million chips shipped. This major milestone comes as Intel’s next big thing, ultrabooks, are about to hit retailers. Eden went on to state that by Intel estimates approximately 1 million computers are sold each day with emerging markets leading the growth. Intel likely hopes ultrabooks will spur a revival and bump that number up even higher. Of course more Sandy Bridge chips will ship before its successor hits computers. The first generation of these ultraportable notebooks will sport Sandy Bridge chips, further extending the sales record, but later versions, will feature 3rd generation chips built around a new 22nm architecture. Intel has invested heavily in Ultrabooks. Per Eden the first phase is currently underway with the first products hitting retailers this holiday season and phase two comes when Ivy Bridge chips bow in 2012. But then in 2013, phase 3 starts with the power-friendly 22nm “Haswell” processor, which was demonstrated on stage today and is said to allow for unprecedented battery life. By then Windows 8 will be out and the two will likely team up for the next phase of personal computing — or at least I hope. Intel is best known for producing the microprocessors found in many personal computers. The company also makes a range of other hardware including network cards, motherboards, and graphics chips. Intel created the first commercial microprocessor chip in 1971, but it was not until the success of the personal computer that microprocessors became their primary business. In the 1980’s they were an early developer of SRAM and DRAM memory chip, and during the 1990s they invested heavily in new microprocessor...
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| Windows 8 Has A Friendlier Blue Screen Of Death Posted: 14 Sep 2011 07:38 AM PDT  While Windows 8 was widely expected to have a black screen of death, the developer build released yesterday has revealed that Redmond has opted to stick with the historic blue. It does, however, come with a peculiar twist. Rather than inundate people (who hopefully remembered to save their work) with a breakdown of why their computer stopped working, it seems Microsoft has chosen to take things in a more compassionate direction. Unlike the classic, wordy blue screen of yore, the latest version instead makes a sad face at the user. In addition to flashing that large frown, the new BSoD also provides some key search terms just in case the user feel likes digging into what just happened. Users are given a few seconds to write it down or commit it to memory before before the PC automatically restarts, and voila: it’s back to business. It’s a step in the right direction, as the classic blue screen was nigh unintelligible to most users. This latest version manages to make the process a little less headache-inducing, but I (perhaps naively) long for the day when Microsoft can tell me in plain English why my computer just failed.
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| 50 Cent To Serve As CEO Of His Own Headphone Company As SMS Audio Acquires KonoAudio Posted: 14 Sep 2011 07:22 AM PDT  Watch out, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent is ready to challenge Beats headphones with his own line of headphones. Curtis Jackson’s vast empire includes a headphone company, SMS Audio, which recently acquired KonoAudio for an undisclosed amount and is set to unveil a complete portfolio of products in the coming weeks. Sounds sort of familiar, right? 50 Cent previously had a deal with Sleek Audio to produce and distribute a so-called wireless hybrid headphone system dubbed Sleek by 50. Sleek Audio even showed off the model at CES 2011, but that deal fell through last May. 50 Cent’s G-Unit Brands, Inc affiliate, SMS Audio, LLC, then picked up the baton and is now running towards the release with at least three headphones in tow. The company has yet to revel much about the upcoming headphones besides stating that the line will consist of three product categories: wired, wireless, and earbuds. Reportedly at least one model will feature full on-board playback controls and some sort of shared listening experience described in a press release as allowing “up to four listeners to simultaneously experience the highest-caliber wireless sound from a single source.” The purchase of KonoAudio gives SMS Audio established worldwide distribution and marketing channels along with the founder of KonoAudio, Brian Nohe, who will bring his 25 years of executive leadership experience to the role of president at SMS Audio. KonoAudio also provides SMS Audio with more experience in headphone manufacturing and marketing of high-end headphones. I’m told that headphones will debut in the coming weeks, likely in the heat of the holiday spending spree. No word on pricing, but they’ll probably follow the price point proven possible by the Beats line although it remains to be heard if 50 Cent’s headphones will feature the same sound quality — not that sound quality is the most important feature for lifestyle headphones.
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| Sony Will Offer 28 Titles When The Vita Launches In Japan (Full List) Posted: 14 Sep 2011 06:12 AM PDT  Apart from fixing the Japan release date for the Playstation Vita (December 17) today, Sony also announced [press release in English] the handheld’s full launch line-up for its home market: a total of 28 different titles (games and applications) will be made available for early buyers of the device. Sony also said there are a total of 100 different games being developed by companies worldwide for the Vita currently (details), but here’s the full list of which titles will be ready by the time the device launches in Japan:
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| Sony Has Two New iPad Docks For Your Listening Pleasure Posted: 14 Sep 2011 05:49 AM PDT  iPhone docks are everywhere. iPad docks? Not so much. Sony just outed two new models that work with both and in true Sony fashion, are loaded with colorfully named proprietary technologies. The RDP-X500iP features (ready for this?) Clear Phase DSP, DMC technology, Dual Passive Radiators, and Magnetic Fluid Speakers. All that nonsense probably works in harmony to produce a quality sound. With a $299 MSRP, it better sound great, too. The ICF-CS15iP lacks all the fancy-named technology and instead employs MEGA BASS and Mega Xpand sound modes along with featuring a multi-function alarm clock and AM/FM radio. Expect this model to hit Sony Stores next month for $99. Sony is one of the leading manufacturers of electronics, video, communications, video game consoles, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets.
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