Sony Xperia Z for T-Mobile approved by the FCC with compatible LTE

The FCC's approval process can be incredibly secretive, since most companies prefer not to leak out any information that could give away the identity of their star products. Sony, on the other hand, is typically the most liberal when it comes to letting us in on the scoop, and its latest device is no exception. In this case, the T-Mobile version of the Xperia Z was spotted with a full spread of external and internal photos along with a detailed user manual (which also gives away the model, carrier association and features such as WiFi calling). If you're still in denial for any odd reason, the docs confirm the inclusion of AWS LTE (band 4) and pentaband HSPA+. T-Mobile still hasn't confirmed that Sony's flagship is coming to its smartphone lineup, but we likely won't have to wait very long before we get an official announcement from the Uncarrier. Head below to check out the docs for yourself; or, for the Cliff Notes version, we have a small gallery of images and screenshots below to get the point across.

Sony Xperia Z for T-Mobile at the FCC See all photos

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Canon 5D Mark III firmware update enables improved AF, uncompressed HDMI output

If your camera arsenal includes a 5D Mark III, prepare to get your download on. Earlier today, Canon released a major firmware update for the hit DSLR -- version 1.2.1 enables clean, uncompressed HDMI output with simultaneous LCD display and recording to CF or SD cards, along with cross-type autofocus for apertures as small as f/8, bringing that aspect of AF capability in line with the EOS-1D X. You'll be able to take advantage of improved autofocus performance even when using an f/5.6 lens with a 1.4x extender, or an f/4 lens with a 2x extender. On the video front, version 1.2.1 will let you boot an uncompressed YCbCr 4:2:2 feed to an external recorder, enabling your pick of codecs and frame rates, while also eliminating arbitrary limits on record time. The free download, available for recent versions of Mac OS and Windows, is yours for the taking at the source link below.

Sequoia supercomputer breaks simulation speed record, 41 times over

While we've seen supercomputers break records before, rarely have we seen the barrier smashed quite so thoroughly as by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Sequoia supercomputer. Researchers at both LLNL and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have used planet-scale calculations on the Blue Gene/Q-based cluster to set an all-time simulation speed record of 504 billion events per second -- a staggering 41 times better than the 2009 record of 12.2 billion. The partnership also set a record for parallelism, too, by making the supercomputer's 1.97 million cores juggle 7.86 million tasks at once. If there's a catch to that blistering performance, it's not knowing if Sequoia reached its full potential. LLNL and RPI conducted their speed run during an integration phase, when Sequoia could be used for public experiments; now that it's running classified nuclear simulations, we can only guess at what's possible.

The Daily Roundup for 04.30.2013

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

Google Glass review (Explorer Edition)

Google's Glass is a fascinating innovation and has more potential than any new device category we've seen in years. But, it's very early days and its cost makes it an impossibility for most. Read on to get our own Tim Steven's full impressions.

Synrgic Uno hands-on

Taiwan might have an HTC One and an HTC First, but starting today, Singapore has a Synrgic Uno to join the banter (get it?). The name Synrgic might not immediately ring a bell, but if you dig a little deeper, you'll see a mention of its earlier phone plus three tablets from a while back. Alas, said phone was eventually canned as the quality didn't meet expectations, so consider this Uno a new attempt by the same Singaporean startup.

Microsoft says Illumiroom isn't yet ready for next Xbox, but will get public demo in July (video)

Since we saw Illumiroom at CES in January, the research has come quite a ways. But while it's still a spectacular technology display, don't look for it to pop up in any Xbox announcements in the near future.

The iTunes influence, part two: Setting the music free

In 2003, the iTunes Music Store established an environment for downloadable music at exactly the time when consumers needed a safe and stable online music store. iTunes sold a million songs in the first week, 10 million in five months and 25 million songs after eight months.

You also might like: Eyes-on: MIT Media Lab's Smarter Objects can map a user interface onto... anything (video) LeapFrog's LeapReader pen teaches reading and writing, on sale in July for $50 Thorsten Heins: tablets aren't a good business model, BlackBerry aiming to lead mobile computing in five years

Microsoft's next revision of Facebook for Windows Phone 8 hits beta

Last year's revision to Facebook for Windows Phone may have gotten fans closer to the Facebook grail, but it was still lagging behind its iOS and Android siblings. Microsoft is finally catching up though, with the latest beta of the app. This build supports the new Facebook Timeline, higher-quality photos and post sharing. It's currently listed as being compatible with Windows Phone 8 -- which might leave some 7.5 and 7.8 users feeling a bit salty. You'll have to download it straight from the link below if you're up for giving it a whirl, since it can't be directly from your device.

Netflix's 'Orange is the New Black' debuting July 11th as part of its original series

Despite having recently introduced the likes of Hemlock Grove and House of Cards, Netflix isn't staying put and is now boosting its original content with yet another production: Orange is the New Black. The new comedic drama series, created by Weeds' own Jenji Kohan, is set to start streaming to worldwide Netflix subscribers beginning July 11th. Similar to Netflix's House of Cards, Orange is the New Black consists of thirteen episodes running at around 60 minutes -- however, the main story here won't be based on drama coming out of D.C., but rather a "world populated with unforgettable characters and no-holds-barred humor set against the backdrop of a women's prison." Be sure to peruse over the PR after the break, where you'll find more deets about the plot as well as the full cast.

Show full PR text

Netflix Original Series "Orange is the New Black" Premieres Thursday, July 11

Taylor Schilling Stars in Series Created by Jenji Kohan, Based on Piper Kerman's Best-Selling Memoir

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Netflix will premiere its upcoming original series "Orange is the New Black" on Thursday, July 11, 2013. Created by Jenji Kohan ("Weeds"), the comedic drama starring Taylor Schilling is set in a women's prison and is based on the U.S. best-selling memoir by Piper Kerman. All thirteen one-hour episodes in the series from Lionsgate Television will be available at launch.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101014/SF81638LOGO)

Netflix members will have access to "Orange is the New Black" at 12:01 AM PDT in all territories where Netflix is available – U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Latin America, Brazil and the Nordics.

"With 'Orange is the New Black,' Jenji Kohan has created a dramatic yet deeply funny world populated with unforgettable characters and no-holds-barred humor set against the backdrop of a women's prison," said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer for Netflix. "Jenji is one of the most fearless voices in television and we are proud to share her uncompromising vision with Netflix members."

"Orange is the New Black" follows engaged Brooklynite Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), whose decade-old relationship with drug-runner Alex (Laura Prepon) results in her arrest and year-long detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper must trade her comfortable New York life with fiance Larry (Jason Biggs) for an orange prison jumpsuit and a baffling prison culture where she is forced to question everything she believes and form unexpected new alliances with a group of eccentric and outspoken inmates. The series' diverse ensemble also includes Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne, Pablo Schreiber, Danielle Brooks, Laverne Cox and Taryn Manning.

"Orange is the New Black" is executive produced by Kohan, who also wrote the first and final episodes of the season. The series is produced by Lionsgate Television for Netflix.

About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix is the world's leading Internet television network with more than 36 million members in 40 countries enjoying more than one billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. Learn more about how Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) is pioneering Internet television at www.netflix.com or follow Netflix on Facebook and Twitter. Netflix's original series include the political drama "House of Cards," which stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright; "Hemlock Grove," Eli Roth's murder mystery series based on Brian McGreevy's gripping novel of the same name; the fourth season of the critically-acclaimed comedy "Arrested Development;" and the second season of "Lilyhammer," which stars Steven Van Zandt, and "Sense8" the upcoming global tale of minds linked and souls hunted from the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski.

Redact offers £10,000 if you crack its messaging app, bets UK government you can't

Software developers looking to kickstart (or simply brag about) their security have a common trick up their sleeve: give away prizes to successful crackers. Redact is trying just such a strategy with its Secure Messenger app for iOS. It's offering £10,000 ($15,482) to anyone who can visit London and successfully intercept an encrypted message delivered through the company's peer-based, PIN-to-PIN communication system. Entrants have until June 1st to prove that they're worthy of making an attempt. Redact has more reason to hope we lose beyond its pride and a big fat check, however -- it wants approval for handling the UK government's secure data, and it wouldn't hurt to have proof that the app design is airtight. If you're convinced that it's all just bluster, you can challenge the company yourself at the source link.

Hulu: Paid subscriptions have doubled to four million in past year

Hulu's future ownership may be in question, but the video streaming site is apparently doing fairly brisk business on the paid subscription front. During an advertiser event this morning, the site announced that it has managed to double its Hulu Plus accounts in the past year, up to four million. The site's revenue also hit a record for the first quarter of the year, though Hulu's not giving out any numbers. As with rivals Netflix and Amazon, the company's making a big bet on original programming, with a number of exclusive series, including the animated The Awesomes and western Quick Draw.

Linux kernel version 3.9 adds better support for Chromebooks, maybe even yours

Linus Torvalds has pulled the big red lever marked Version 3.9, unleashing the latest Linux kernel onto the world and at the same time bringing some good news for Chromebook tinkerers. The update builds on the Chromebook Pixel tweak we saw back in February by adding support for components in "Chrome laptops sold by many companies" -- with the changelog specifically mentioning the x86-powered Samsung Series 5, Acer C7, HP Pavilion 14 as well as support for the Pixel's touchscreen, all of which should make it easier to run your preferred distro in place of Chrome OS on those machines. Other general improvements include better support for Intel power-saving features, the ability to use an SSD as a hard drive cache as well as KVM visualization for users with ARM-powered gear. Just make sure there's no NVIDIA hardware inside any of those boxes -- you know it makes Linus cranky.

Nielsen preparing 'Digital Program Ratings' pilot program to track streaming viewers

According to the Wall Street Journal, Nielsen's TV ratings are about to get some company, with a system that covers internet watchers. A "Nielsen Digital Program Ratings" pilot program will debut with participation from NBC, Fox, ABC, Univision, Discovery and A&E, tracking the viewership of streaming video they post on their websites. AOL (parent company of Engadget) is also reported to be participating, as the networks compare the data to their internal statistics before the ratings system gets a wider rollout. Of course, even the system they're testing will only jump so far into the future -- while it will track viewing on computers, it's still leaving out phones and tablets. Networks want to track anywhere content is viewed -- one of the issues we've been told they have with tech like Aereo or TWC TV -- to sell ads against it, we'll wait for more details to see if they'll have any success extending the current model to other types of screens.

Softbank founder goes on the attack, sees 'no need' to improve offer for Sprint network

Despite bidding competition from Dish, Softbank's founder, Masayoshi Son, has told Reuters that he sees no need to adjust his company's offer for Sprint. In fact, he's even seen support from Intel CEO Paul Otellini, who stated in a letter to the FCC last week that a third competitive national carrier is "very compelling."

During the company's financial results today, Softbank's Son went on the attack, spending a big chunk of the presentation pitching what his company would offer over its rival's bid. He kicked off by saying that Dish's offer (and comparisons) was "illusory" and how the Japanese carrier's offer had a 21 percent premium over its rival's, along with a swifter turnaround: two months compared to a year. Son also said that his company's offer would sidestep the difficulties in combining spectrum in the US, as Softbank doesn't currently hold any US wireless spectrum at the moment. The CEO added: "If our deal doesn't go through with Sprint... the carrier won't have the cash to follow through with their network vision [this year]."

Earlier in the earnings event, Son said that his company's healthy native position was "just a stepping stone", and that he's now aiming for the number one spot in mobile internet globally -- Sprint appears to be a big part of those plans.

Developing...

Nokia to invest in 'array' mobile cameras that use small lenses to capture big images

If the name "Pelican" rings a bell, it's possibly because we covered its array imaging camera prototype back in 2011. The technology uses an array of lenses that are relatively tiny in terms of how much space they take up in a mobile device, but which work together to capture an image of the same quality as a much larger camera -- just as array telescopes replace the need for one huge telescope. Now, it appears we weren't the only ones taking an interest, because Nokia's investment wing has revealed to Bloomberg that it's been watching the startup since 2008 and plans to invest. Bo Ilsoe, of Nokia Growth Partners, describes Pelican's technology as being "on the cusp of being commercialized" -- so who knows? One day, a future Lumia might house 41 megapixels, image stabilization and the voodoo known as plenoptics.

Synrgic Uno debuts as one of the last TI OMAP-powered Android phones

Taiwan might have an HTC One and an HTC First, but starting today, Singapore has a Synrgic Uno to join the banter (get it?). The name Synrgic might not immediately ring a bell, but if you dig a little deeper, you'll see a mention of its earlier phone plus three tablets from a while back. Alas, said phone was eventually canned as the quality didn't meet expectations, so consider this Uno a new attempt by the same Singaporean startup. Announced in its home city just now, this device is positioned as a mid-tier Android phone with some modest specs, namely a 4.7-inch, 720p IPS display with Gorilla Glass and, more interestingly, a dual-core 1.5GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4470 SoC (with 1GB DDR2 RAM and SGX 544 graphics chip). With the upcoming TI OMAP 5 series shifting towards automotive systems, chances are the Uno will be one of the last OMAP-powered smartphones before TI waves goodbye to the mobile world. More after the break.

Synrgic Uno debuts as one of the last TI OMAP-powered Android phones See all photos

16 Photos

Synrgic Uno hands-on See all photos

13 Photos

This 9.5mm-thick, 133g-heavy phone also packs 16GB of built-in storage along with up to 32GB of microSD expansion, which should give plenty of space for the 8-megapixel main camera (with 1080p video capture) plus 2-megapixel front imager. And in case you're wondering, yes, the 2,300mAh battery is removable. As for radios, the Uno comes with quad-band HSPA 3G (up to 21Mbps) as well as the usual package: 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, GPS, FM and NFC. The software? Just vanilla Android 4.0.4 (with 4.2 update coming in this quarter) with Google services included, as the 26-year-old Chairman and CEO Cheo Suan Jin isn't too keen on bloatware; and he also promises to release the source code in about two weeks so that the enthusiasts can tinker with other ROMs. The Singapore-designed, South Korea-made Uno is available today for $320 (excluding tax) on Synrgic's website, and free shipping plus "1 for 1" exchange warranty will be provided to select countries in South East Asia.

Eyes-on: MIT Media Lab's Smarter Objects can map a user interface onto... anything (video)

While patrolling the halls of the CHI 2013 Human Factors in Computing conference in Paris, we spied a research project from MIT's Media Lab called "Smarter Objects" that turns Minority Report tech on its head. The researchers figured out a way to map software functionality onto tangible objects like a radio, light switch or door lock through an iPad interface and a simple processor / WiFi transceiver in the object. Researcher Valentin Huen explains that "graphical user interfaces are perfect for modifying systems," but operating them on a day-to-day basis is much easier using tangible objects.

To that end, the team developed an iPad app that uses motion tracking technology to "map" a user interface onto different parts of an object. The example we saw was a simple radio with a a pair of dials and a speaker, and when the iPad's camera was pointed at it, a circular interface along with a menu system popped up that cannily tracked the radio. From there, Huen mapped various songs onto different positions of the knob, allowing him to control his playlist by moving it -- a simple, manual interface for selecting music. He was even able to activate a second speaker by drawing a line to it, then "cutting" the line to shut it off. We're not sure when, or if, this kind of tech will ever make it into your house, but the demo we saw (see the pair of videos after the break) seemed impressively ready to go.

Wikimedia Android and iOS app exits beta, aims for easy Wikipedia photo gathering

Wikimedia Commons, which acts as Wikipedia's media repository, has pushed its Android and iOS app out of the beta phase, giving photo collecting for the digital encyclopedia a workflow that isn't chained to a browser. By registering an account online and wielding the software, users can upload photographs taken with the application -- or within their device's library -- straight to the organization's database, and endow them with titles and descriptions. With the Android flavor, multiple photos can be uploaded at once, images can be assigned categories and those torn between snapping pictures for the open source book of knowledge and their social circles can share their contributions through the likes of Facebook, Twitter and other services. Ready to start pitching in? Hit the source links below to grab the apps.

Must See HDTV (April 29th - May 5th)

This week the NHL joins the NBA in celebrating its postseason, with plenty of games on the schedule for each. There are a number of premieres and finales this week, as well as the debut of individual seasons of Friends on Blu-ray. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.

Star Trek: TNG S3 / The Best of Both Worlds
The third season of Star Trek The Next Generation comes home this week remastered in HD, and it should be a good for fans. If you can't live with its cliffhanger ending until the fourth season arrives, The Best of Both Worlds Part 1 & 2 are also being released, edited together as a single episode. either way you get it, judging by the first two seasons, the adjustments should be well-received.
($59.99 and $14.99 on Amazon)

The Americans
FX's cold war spy drama closes out its first season this week. While it hasn't grabbed the mindshare of other popular cable series yet, the quality of the writing and acting is still there.
(May 1st, FX, 10PM)

Parks & Recreation
It appears that NBC's best remaining comedy will be renewed after this season, so this week's season finale will represent only the start of a vacation for the residents of Pawnee, IN. The Office finally getting yanked from the stage, 30 Rock calling it a series recently and Community... well. Let's just hope we have more PnR to look forward to this fall.
(May 2nd, NBC, 9:30PM)

Blu-ray & Games

Silver Linings Playbook Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds The Guilt Trip Friends (S1) Friends (S2) Strictly Ballroom Broken City

Monday

Bulls/Nets, TNT, 7PM Pacers/Hawks, NBA TV, 7:30PM The Voice, NBC, 8PM How I Met Your Mother, CBS, 8PM Bones (season finale), Fox, 8PM Oh Sit, CW, 8PM Dancing with the Stars, ABC, 8PM The Secret Life of the American Teenager, ABC Family, 8PM WWE Raw, USA, 8PM Rules of Engagement, CBS, 8:30PM Defiance, Syfy, 9PM The Following (season finale), Fox, 9PM 90210, CW, 9PM Thunder/Rockets, TNT, 9:30PM The Big C (season premiere), Showtime, 10PM Warehouse 13 (spring premiere), Syfy, 10PM Castle, ABC, 10PM Scam City, Science, 10PM Revolution, NBC, 10PM Bates Motel, A&E, 10PM

Tuesday

Kings/Blues, CNBC, 8PM Wild/Blackhawks, NBC Sports Network, 8PM Warriors/Nuggets, TNT, 8PM The Voice, NBC, 8PM Splash, ABC, 8PM NCIS, CBS, 8PM Hart of Dixie, CW, 8PM New Girl, Fox, 9PM Dancing With The Stars, ABC, 9PM Deadliest Catch, Discovery, 9PM The Mindy Project, Fox, 9:30PM NCIS: LA, CBS, 9PM Awkward, MTV, 10PM Who Gets the Last Laugh?, TBS, 10PM Grimm, NBC, 10PM Golden Boy, CBS, 10PM Tosh.0, Comedy Central, 10PM Inside Amy Schumer (series premiere), Comedy Central, 10:30PM Grizzlies/Clippers, TNT, 10:30PM Red Wings/Ducks, NBC Sports Network, 10:30PM

Wednesday

Maple Leafs/Bruins, CNBC, 7PM Islanders/Penguins, NBC Sports Network, 7PM Manhunt, HBO, 8PM The Voice, NBC, 8PM Survivor, CBS, 8PM Arrow, CW, 8PM The Middle, ABC, 8PM American Idol, Fox, 8PM WWE Main Event, Ion, 8PM Family Tools (series premiere), ABC, 8:30PM Mythbusters (spring premiere), Discovery, 9PM Law & Order: SVU, NBC, 9PM Criminal Minds, CBS, 9PM Supernatural, CW, 9PM Rogue, DirecTV, 9PM How to Live With Your Parents (for the rest of your life), ABC, 9:30PM CSI, CBS, 10PM Chicago Fire, NBC, 10PM The Big Brain Theory (series premiere), Discovery, 10PM The Real World: Portland, MTV, 10PM Psych, USA, 10PM The Americans (season finale), FX, 10PM Nashville, ABC, 10PM Sharks/Canucks, NBC Sports Network, 10:30PM

Thursday

Senators/Canadiens, CNBC, 7PM Rangers/Capitals, NBC Sports Network, 7:30PM The Big Bang Theory, CBS, 8PM Community, NBC, 8PM Impact Wrestling, Spike TV, 8PM American Idol, Fox, 8PM The Vampire Diaries, CW, 8PM The Office, NBC, 8:30PM Two and a Half Men, CBS, 8:30PM Glee, Fox, 9PM Grey's Anatomy, ABC, 9PM Person of Interest, CBS, 9PM Kings/Blues, CNBC, 9:30PM Parks & Recreation (season finale), NBC, 9:30PM Anger Management, FX, 9:30PM Hannibal, NBC, 10PM Elementary, CBS, 10PM Men at Work, TBS, 10PM Scandal, ABC, 10PM Red Wings/Ducks, NBC Sports Network, 10PM The Show with Vinny (series premiere), MTV, 10PM Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous (series premiere), MTV, 10:30PM Brand X with Russell Brand (season finale), 11PM

Friday

Happy Endings (season finale), ABC, 8 & 8:30PM Nikita, CW, 8PM WWE SmackDown, Syfy, 8PM Vegas, CBS, 9PM Shark Tank, ABC, 9PM Da Vinci's Demons, Starz, 9PM Touch, Fox, 9PM Wild/Blackhawks, NBC Sports Network, 9:30PM Maron: Internet Troll (series premiere), IFC, 10PM Merlin (spring premiere), Syfy, 10PM Sharks/Canucks, CNBC, 10PM XIII, Reelzchannel, 10PM Blue Bloods, CBS, 10PM Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO, 10PM Rock Center with Brian Williams, NBC, 10PM Vice HBO, 11PM

Saturday

Rangers/Capitals, NBC, 12:30PM NASCAR Nationwide Series @ Talladega, ESPN, 3PM Maple Leafs/Bruins, CNBC, 7PM Ducks/Red Wings, NBC Sports Network, 7:30PM Cops (season finale), Fox, 8PM Doctor Who , BBC America, 8PM Smash, NBC, 9PM Orphan Black, BBC America, 9PM The Nerdist, BBC America, 10PM Blues/Kings, NBC Sports Network, 10PM Saturday Night Live: Zach Galifianakis/Of Monsters and Men, NBC, 11:29PM

Sunday

IndyCar Racing@ Sao Paulo, NBC Sports Network, 11AM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series @ Talladega, Fox, 12PM Penguins/Islanders, NBC, 12PM Blackhawks/Wild, NBC, 3PM 60 Minutes, CBS, 7PM Canadiens/Senators, NBC Sports Network, 7PM The Cleveland Show, Fox, 7:30PM The Amazing Race (season finale), CBS, 8PM Once Upon A Time, ABC, 8PM The Simpsons, Fox, 8PM Dodgers/Giants, ESPN, 8PM Bob's Burgers, Fox, 8:30PM The Apprentice, NBC, 9PM Family Guy, Fox, 9PM Nurse Jackie, Showtime, 9PM Game of Thrones, HBO, 9PM Mr. Selfridge, PBS, 9PM Revenge, ABC, 9PM American Dad, Fox, 9:30PM Mad Men, AMC, 10PM The Bletchley Circle (season finale), PBS, 10PM The Borgias, Showtime, 10PM Veep, HBO, 10PM The Mentalist (season finale), CBS, 10PM Red Widow (season finale), ABC, 10PM Canucks/Sharks, NBC Sports Network, 10PM

Adafruit explains how to build your very own HAL 9000 for less than $100

It may be 2013, but 2001 will forever hold a special place in our hearts, in no small part due to the that lovable, red-eyed supercomputer known as HAL 9000. ThinkGeek has given us a couple ways to purchase HAL for our homes, but for folks who'd rather build their own, Adafruit's got you covered. User Phillip Burgess has posted the full instructions on how to craft your own, provided you've got access to a laser cutter and the requisite soldering, spray painting and sanding chops to complete the task. Adafruit's version will have you crafting HAL from an oversized arcade button and a sheet of acrylic -- and if you want your HAL to talk (and really, why wouldn't you), you'll need to build a voice box from an Arduino Uno board and an Adafruit Wave Shield. Total cost: just shy of $100. Check out the video of it in action after the break, and head on down to the source link for the full how-to. Oh, and feel free to whistle Sprach Zarathustra while you work.

HTC 608t spied, brings dual speakers to a One SV-like design

HTC might be gearing up for a wider audio assault. Just days after the 606w made a pass through China's TENAA with stereo sound, a 608t cousin has made the agency rounds carrying its own pair of front speakers. If the 608t looks familiar, it should -- it's effectively a spin on the One SV body (or rather, the somewhat similar One ST from China) with both the reworked audio as well as the same navigation layout that first appeared on the One. While we can't verify rumors that the 608t will step up to Jelly Bean, a quad-core chip and an 8-megapixel rear camera, the TENAA report does show that it will include TD-SCDMA for China Mobile as well as GSM and WiFi. However subtle an upgrade the phone will be, about all that's left is for HTC to orchestrate a formal launch.

Nest 3.5 update adjusts for humidity and sunlight, fine-tunes fan control

Nest Labs isn't counting solely on the allure of discounts from power companies to reel us in this spring. It's pushing out a 3.5 update to all versions of the Nest Learning Thermostat that should be make it smarter about saving money -- even if it means spending a little up front. Along with the utility tie-ins from last week, the upgrade adds a Cool to Dry mode that invokes air conditioning when it's too humid, raising the energy bill slightly to avoid a costlier mold outbreak. The thermostat also won't be easily duped by the sun: a new Sunblock setting prevents unnecessary cooling whenever direct sunlight affects the temperature reading. Homeowners who just want more precision, meanwhile, may be happy with both refined fan scheduling (shown above) as well as mobile app updates that introduce alert messages and a more thermostat-like interface. Those with Nest units connected to WiFi should see version 3.5, and hopefully its intended savings, by 9PM Eastern tonight.

Google Now available on iOS devices starting today

When it comes to major news, we didn't expect to hear much from Google in the run-up to I/O, but clearly, the company just couldn't wait that long. Google Now, a service that Android users have enjoyed for a year, just became available on iOS devices in the form of an update to the Google Search app, confirming those leaked videos we saw a few weeks ago. It won't have integration with notifications or alerts at launch -- it may come in a future update, but the company wasn't willing to divulge its future plans -- so you'll need to enter the app and swipe up to refresh your list of cards. The iOS version won't have every type of card that you'll find on Android, either: boarding passes, activity summary, events, concerts, Fandango and Zillow aren't included this go-round. Improvements and additional features will likely trickle in over time, but it's certainly better than nothing for iOS fans who've looked at Jelly Bean users with a slightly jealous eye. We've included Google's blog post in its entirety below, and you can jump to More Coverage to download the app.

Download here.

Show full PR text

Google Now on your iPhone and iPad, with the Google Search app

Many of us can no longer imagine life without our smartphones. We use them for all sorts of things, like getting reminders of important calendar appointments (say, a first date), and driving directions to the Italian restaurant where your table for two awaits. Today, with the launch of Google Now on iPhone and iPad, your smartphone will become even smarter.

Google Now is about giving you just the right information at just the right time. It can show you the day's weather as you get dressed in the morning, or alert you that there's heavy traffic between you and your butterfly-inducing date-so you'd better leave now! It can also share news updates on a story you've been following, remind you to leave for the airport so you can make your flight and much more. There's no digging required: cards appear at the moment you need them most-and the more you use Google Now, the more you get out of it.

Google Now for iPhone and iPad is available as part of the updated Google Search app. Together, Google Now and Search will make your day run a little smoother.

In addition to the handy cards in Google Now, the Google Search app still gives you instant answers to all your questions. Try tapping the microphone and speak to your phone-you'll get quick answers spoken back to you. For example, ask Google, "Do I need an umbrella this weekend?" and you'll get the forecast. Or ask "Who's in the cast of 'Oblivion'?" to decide if you want to see it. Voice Search is particularly handy on the go-try "Show me nearby pizza places" and you'll see a map of restaurants around you with directions, phone numbers, ratings and hours.

Get the Google Search app with Google Now from the App Store. Drag it to the tray, open it, sign in and you're ready to go.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z now up for pre-order, scheduled to ship May 24th (video)

If you've been waiting for the least burdensome tablet you could find, Sony's 17.5 ounce, 6.9mm thick Xperia Tablet Z is now up for pre-order in the US. On top of being the lightest, slimmest 10-inch slate on the market, it's not exactly slumming spec-wise either: there's a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, 2GB RAM, an 8.1-megapixel Exmor R camera, NFC, LTE, S-Force virtual surround sound, 32GB storage and a 10.1-inch 1,920 x 1,200 display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 tech. To round it off, the tab is dust- and water-resistant, and Sony's pre-loaded its TV SideView app, which uses the built-in IR to let you change your TV's channel and get scheduling, recommendations, voice search and IMDB-like info. The downside? We noted that the ambitiously thin design made the device a bit bendy and creaky, and then there's the $600 price tag -- frugal shoppers need not apply. You can pre-order at the source, or check the video after the break to see how a three-legged dog might use the slate while taking a bath. No, you didn't just misread that.

Skinny Huawei smartphone shows off 6.2mm profile in Chinese certification

The FCC isn't the only agency playing with devices we don't even know exist, and its Chinese equivalent has recently had some hands-on time with an unknown Huawei smartphone, codename P6-U06. Luckily, there are a few pics and specs to accompany the filing, which tell us it weighs 120g (4.2 ounces) and measures 132.6 x 65.5 x 6.18mm (5.2 x 2.6 x 0.2 inch), meaning it could be one of the super-slim P series handsets a Huawei exec hinted at CES. We didn't see any evidence of these at MWC, but the same exec promised more was to come in 2013, possibly starting with this P6-U06.

Those dimensions house a 4.7-inch TFT screen at 720p resolution, quad-core 1.5GHz processor, 2GB RAM, an 8-megapixel camera on the back and an unusually large 5-megapixel sensor in the shooter up front. Unsurprisingly, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean is listed as the OS, while dual-SIM support and GSM / WCDMA radios suggest Asia as the target market (not to mention the Chinese certification). That's all we've got on the P6-U06 for now, but in lieu of official press shots, the handset strikes a couple more candid poses after the break.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 announced, joins the Android tablet line-up with a 7-inch screen

If an 8-inch stylus-enabled Galaxy Tablet wasn't your cup of tea, perhaps Samsung's new seven-inch model will do the trick. The Galaxy Tab 3 has gone official and the third iteration of the company's first Android tablet arrives with a 1.2GHz processor, 8GB or 16GB of storage (with expansion up to 64GB), a 3- and 1.3-megapixel camera array and a substantial 4,000mAh battery. That 7-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) TFT display suggests it's likely to be a keenly-priced slate, although we're still waiting to hear on specifics. Samsung's loaded up the Galaxy Tab 3 with Android 4.1 and says that the WiFi version will launch "globally" in May, while an incoming 3G model (no LTE at this point, but it'll be able to make calls) will follow in June. Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 See all photos

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Samsung Unveils GALAXY Tab 3


SEOUL, Korea, April 29, 2013 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the introduction of the GALAXY Tab 3 - 7-inch tablet featuring sleek design and enhanced capabilities that bring capabilities that bring better performance and multimedia experiences to your fingertips.

With the new GALAXY Tab 3, Samsung has evolved its range of innovative tablets, making them smaller and easier to carry, while increasing the user experience overall

• Easy Handgrip and Portability: Its compact, one-hand grip form factor ensures users can hold comfortably for hours as well as store in a pocket or small bag for reading and entertainment on the go. The sleek and stylish design encompasses thinner bezel than the previous GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0).
• Better Multimedia Performance: Powered by a 1.2GHz Dual Core processor, the device allows for faster downloads and sharing, while providing easy access to videos, apps, games, and the web. Offered with either 8/16 of internal storage plus up to 64GB of expandable memory, the device has plenty of space to hold your favorite photos, music, apps, videos and more.
• Enhanced User Experience: The GALAXY Tab 3 7-inch is equipped to better capture life's moments in stunning clarity and resolution with its 3-megapixel camera rear camera and 1.3 -megapixel front camera. Combined with the latest Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), it allows users to share photos, videos, and life's special moments through a few quick taps and swipes.

The GALAXY Tab 3 7-inch WiFi version will be available globally beginning May and 3G version will follow in June. The product availability varies by market and will be rolled out gradually.