Engadget Podcast 223 - 12.31.2010

What are you doing tonight? How about..................listening to all 100 minutes of the 2010 wrap-up edition of the Engadget Podcast? The Engadget Podcasters reminisce and predict as we peer into the void of yet another year of exciting and flawed technology. They just keep coming, and rest assured -- we'll just keep podcasting.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, Nilay Patel
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: 99 Luftballoons

14:30 - Engadget's biggest stories of 2010


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Engadget Podcast 223 - 12.31.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/31/engadget-podcast-223-12-31-2010/

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Swype Beta for Android opens up again -- don't miss out this time!

Swype, by far the best on-screen input method for Android phones, is yet again available to download. The beta has been coming and going since the end of 2009 -- but for the second half of 2010 it's been impossible to get in on the action... until now! You can now sign up on the Swype Beta for Android website, and installation details will be emailed to you instantly.

If you haven't seen it in action before, the best idea is just to try it out yourself. But if you don't have an Android phone, our video review is after the break. Basically, rather than hitting each key individually, you draw a single 'line' through the letters you require. Swype, with uncanny accuracy, then works out what you're trying to write. It's very fast, and incredibly refreshing if you're used to jabbing at a touchscreen.

Continue reading Swype Beta for Android opens up again -- don't miss out this time!

Swype Beta for Android opens up again -- don't miss out this time! originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/21/swype-beta-for-android-opens-up-again-dont-miss-out-this-tim/

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Newer Technology Universal Drive Adapter Review

Newer Technology’s Universal Drive Adapter bills itself as the Swiss Army Knife of drive connectivity. The USB 2.0 adapter supports: ATA/IDE/SATA/ATAPI Compatible with any 2.5″, 3.5″, 5.25″ IDE or SATA device Supports IDE & enhanced IDE 3.5″ internal IDE hard disk Supports ATA/ATAPI-66 specification 1.0 Supports SATA I and SATA II USB 2.0 up to [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/12/30/newer-technology-uda-review/

Washington Capitals Western Conference Calgary Flames

Dragon Dictate for Mac Is an Expert Listener

For many years, the speech recognition world for PCs and Macs was split between Dragon Naturally Speaking for Windows and MacSpeech for OS X. That changed earlier this year when Nuance, the maker of Dragon, bought its Mac rival. Both companies continued to produce their programs that allow spoken words to be turned into computer text until recently, when the combo released Dragon Dictate for the Mac.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/71539.html

Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Montreal Canadiens

Favimon lets you collect and do battle with your favorite Web sites -- Time Waster

Ah, Pokemon. Your collect-train-battle cuteness is a guilty pleasure for so many geeks. But wouldn't it be nice if we had an alternative to the cutesy little monsters (no offense, Squirtle)? Matthew Hollett thinks so, and he decided to create one for all of us to enjoy. Witness: Favimon!

You'll begin the battle by collecting Favimon's own favicon, and you can then begin searching for other Favimon to do battle with -- just type a domain name into the search box. The game analyzes your choice and assigns stats and abilities to the new Favimon, and the battle is on! Special abilities include winners like Microsoft's Blue Screen of Death and Missed Opportunity to the powerful Tyrannosaurus Chomp packed by Mozilla.

I began by going after a few small, expendable sites so that I could wear down a beefier Favimon I actually wanted to keep -- like Mozilla. The Foxy Favimon powered through opponents like Opera, WebKit, Microsoft, and Chromium without breaking a sweat (dig that crazy defense stat).

Favimon is ridiculously addictive, and it's only going to get worse (or is that better?). Hollett plans to add a save game feature -- right now you've got to leave your Favimon tab open to keep the game going. That said, I've had the tab on my main desktop computer open for two days now...

Favimon lets you collect and do battle with your favorite Web sites -- Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/favimon-lets-you-collect-and-do-battle-with-your-favorite-web-si/

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White Jigsaw is a very minimalistic puzzle -- Time Waster

I used to think the whole point of putting together a jigsaw puzzle was the satisfaction of seeing the image at the end. You know, they always sell those huge puzzles that take up half a wall once you're done making them - it's like creating a poster, one step at a time.

White Jigsaw proves that it's not all about the picture. It's as bare-bones as can be: just a bunch of puzzle pieces, and a frame they all have to fit into. No sound effects, no images, nothing but the zen-like essence of the jigsaw.

The game starts you off with a basic 4x3 puzzle, and gradually increases in complexity as you progress (the next level is 5x3). The pieces snap into position as you drag them, and they all seem to be aligned correctly, so no rotation is needed. This really helps - I think if they could be rotated it would get a lot more confusing, especially since they're blank so you can't match pieces of the image to figure out the orientation.

While the game doesn't save your progress on a single level, it does let you carry on from the last level you reached before you stopped playing. All in all, it's a great way to rekindle your love for jigsaw puzzles.

White Jigsaw is a very minimalistic puzzle -- Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/14/white-jigsaw-is-a-very-minimalistic-puzzle-time-wasters/

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White Jigsaw is a very minimalistic puzzle -- Time Waster

I used to think the whole point of putting together a jigsaw puzzle was the satisfaction of seeing the image at the end. You know, they always sell those huge puzzles that take up half a wall once you're done making them - it's like creating a poster, one step at a time.

White Jigsaw proves that it's not all about the picture. It's as bare-bones as can be: just a bunch of puzzle pieces, and a frame they all have to fit into. No sound effects, no images, nothing but the zen-like essence of the jigsaw.

The game starts you off with a basic 4x3 puzzle, and gradually increases in complexity as you progress (the next level is 5x3). The pieces snap into position as you drag them, and they all seem to be aligned correctly, so no rotation is needed. This really helps - I think if they could be rotated it would get a lot more confusing, especially since they're blank so you can't match pieces of the image to figure out the orientation.

While the game doesn't save your progress on a single level, it does let you carry on from the last level you reached before you stopped playing. All in all, it's a great way to rekindle your love for jigsaw puzzles.

White Jigsaw is a very minimalistic puzzle -- Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/14/white-jigsaw-is-a-very-minimalistic-puzzle-time-wasters/

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Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Today we've got great deals on a 14" Dell laptop, a 21" LED LCD monitor, a free sample of Tide with Febreeze, and much more. This is the last #deals post of 2010...see you next year! More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Xvguxxcjnfw/deals-of-the-day

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Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal is an awesome Time Waster

A couple of months ago, our friends over at TUAW wrote about Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal for iOS. And I'm here today to tell you this momentous game is now available as a Time Waster for the rest of us -- and it's free! In terms of gameplay, what can I say? You're a robot unicorn and you attack while grooving to heavy metal, which is probably why the game is called Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal!

To be a tad more clinical about it, the game can be described as a platformer, but each run is fairly short-lived. You launch from the left side of the screen, hitting Z to leap into the air. Once you gain a bit of speed, you can hit X to dash forward. You can also hit Z to double-jump (i.e, jump up while still airborne). With a clever combination of Z and X, you might not touch the ground for quite a while.

However, not touching the ground isn't enough to win: the level changes, and there are cliffs and all sorts of tricky topography. Run into a wall, and you die. The goal is to continue moving for as long as possible. If you're into heavy metal and unicorns, you owe it to yourself to try this game.

Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal is an awesome Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/17/robot-unicorn-attack-heavy-metal-is-an-awesome-time-waster/

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Authentic NASA artifacts, Buzz Aldrin's dinner set for auction

Your long-held desire to own some authentic, Apollo-era vacuum-sealed, freeze-dried pot roast is about to be fulfilled. That's right: RR Auction is, well, auctioning artifacts from the Golden Age of the space program this upcoming January, including Gordon Cooper's father's gold and diamond 32nd degree Masonic ring and some random part of a Mercury capsule that's been mounted on a commemorative plaque. But that ain't all! To see a complete list of all five hundred items, or to get in on the action yourself, hit the source link.

Authentic NASA artifacts, Buzz Aldrin's dinner set for auction originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 02:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/31/authentic-nasa-artifacts-buzz-aldrins-dinner-set-for-auction/

Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins * Chicago Bears *

Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on)

All signs have been pointing to this release for a few days now, but we'll admit: we expected Skype to wait until CES next week to pull the covers off what could become its crown jewel service over the coming months. Skype's official iOS client has finally sprouted the ability to make video calls, allowing iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and fourth-generation iPod touch users to share real-time video amongst each other and users of Skype's Windows, Mac, and Linux clients along with the ASUS Videophone (obviously, 3GS users won't have the convenience of a front-facing camera, but they'll still be able to broadcast video from the rear-facing one). Additionally, you'll be able to receive video from others if you're using an iPad or a third-generation iPod touch. The service is free and works over both WiFi and 3G -- and considering Skype's existing PC footprint, we'd argue this stands a very real chance of putting the hurt on FaceTime usage. No word on when Skype will be making video-capable clients available for Android or other mobile platforms, but Skype says that there'll be "plenty more" announcements in Vegas next week, so we wouldn't be surprised.

Update: So we just gave 3.0 a spin, calling iPhone-to-iPhone (both WiFi), iPhone-to-desktop (both WiFi), and again iPhone-to-iPhone (both 3G). The first two worked great, although the desktop camera produced better quality. As for the worst-case scenario, 3G-to-3G video calling, well... we wouldn't recommend it unless absolutely necessary. Video after the break, and be sure to note the battery life -- after about 10 minutes of use, we dropped from 66 percent to 61.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Gallery: Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available today

Continue reading Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on)

Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/skype-video-calling-for-iphone-is-official-available-today/

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Robbery with a Giant Stick Is Way Funnier Than It Should Be [Video]

If you were a convenience store clerk faced with a robber wielding a comically large stick as a weapon, you probably wouldn't think it was too comical. But after the fact, the security camera footage is pretty ridiculous. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/kII1AhyzSXo/robbery-with-a-giant-stick-is-way-funnier-than-it-should-be

Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles

Android Central Podcast Episode 45

Short Description: 

We take a look back at 2010, a look forward at 2011 and preview the upcoming CES show. Plus, your e-mails and voicemails.

Podcast MP3 URL: 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/acpc45.mp3

Top o' the news

• Your favorite stories of 2010
• The most popular videos of 2010

Hardware news

• Droid Thunderbolt breaks cover -- with a speaker under that kickstand?
• HTC Evo Shift 4G breaks cover again, with a Jan 9 sale date
• New hardware GPS fix emerges for Samsung Vibrant
• Rumor: AT&T to announce the Motorola Olympus at CES
• Sony Ericsson Android slider leaks out, successor to the X10 Mini Pro?
• New device renders show off the Motorola Cliq 2

Software news

• Updated Music app leaked -- shows off awesome UI overhaul
• ADWLauncher EX brings a whole lot of awesome to your home screens
• Android Quick App: TuneIn Radio

Tablet news

• HTC Scribe trademarked, to be company's first tablet?
• BN's Android-based Nook line is the company's top holiday seller
• Archos 70 available now for $350, sports 250GB hard drive, Android 2.2
• More pics of the Dell Streak 7 emerge, appears aimed at T-Mobile USA

Android Central Podcast Episode 45 posted originally by Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/XRNQw8xeiBY/android-central-podcast-episode-45

New Orleans Hornets San Antonio Spurs Chicago Fire

Need help with your New Year?s Resolutions?

There are only few hours left of 2010, so you know what that means… It’s time to bust out your New Year’s Resolutions. Whether you plan to stop smoking (always a worthy resolution), get physically fit or something else, January 1st, 2011 will be a good day to start working towards those goals. The only [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/12/31/need-help-with-your-new-years-resolutions/

Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks Atlanta Hawks

The best (or worst) security breaches of 2010

Very soon now -- probably in a year or two -- once everyone carries a smartphone, there won't be any discernible difference between our offline flesh-and-blood body and our online persona. That's not to say that real-life face-to-face interaction will slither into the abyss -- far from it! -- but we are reaching a stage where almost anything can be done online.

This obviously raises security concerns. If I can transfer money out of my bank account with just a name and password, so can you. That isn't to say that online security is worse than offline, however. SSL-encrypted communications are infinitely more secure than banking over the phone, or speaking in hushed tones in a brick-and-mortar bank. Passwords are a lot more secure than merely providing a 4-digit PIN or a mother's maiden name, too.

The actual problem is databases, or centralized repositories of information. It's no good having a password to your account if a nefarious types hacks a bank and takes all of the accounts. Likewise, putting your bag in a locker doesn't help if someone lifts the entire block of lockers into a truck and drives off.

2010 was a bad year for digital security breaches, and it won't get better until every organization and institution hires a security specialist and puts proper safeguards in place. This post, then, is dedicated to the organizations and institutions that left the barn door open in 2010 -- shame on you!

Continue reading The best (or worst) security breaches of 2010

The best (or worst) security breaches of 2010 originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/29/best-or-worst-security-breaches-of-2010/

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Freemake Video Converter adds Blu-Ray support, Web video downloading

Freemake's free Video Converter was already a very solid app, handling more than 200 import formats and able to output converted videos for playback on a wide array of devices. In the recently-released version 2.0, however, one major piece of missing functionality has been added.

Freemake 2 now supports Blu-Ray burning, allowing you to output dozens of hours of downloaded video to a single disc. If you don't have a Blu-Ray burner, no worries -- Freemake claims their media conversion kung-fu lets them cram 20 hours onto a single-layer DVD.

The upgrade doesn't stop there, however. Freemake 2 also adds the ability to download and convert videos directly from popular sharing sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Metacafe. Beyond sharing sites, Freemake can also grab video from Hulu, South Park Studios, The Daily Show, Megavideo, and several others -- including a good number of sites in the red light district. There's also a more full-featured preset editor, giving you advanced control over your default conversion settings.

The .Net 4.0 framework is required, but Freemake will install it for you if it's not already on your system.

Download Freemake Video Convertor 2.0

Freemake Video Converter adds Blu-Ray support, Web video downloading originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/freemake-video-converter-adds-blu-ray-support-web-video-download/

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Monitor your heart with the iPhone 4 ECG case [video]

The iPhonECG by Lifetone Technology is a case that turns your iPhone 4 into a fully functional �ECG (Electrocardiography) device that can be used to monitor your heart. It works via �interpretation of the�electrical activity of the�heart over�time captured and externally recorded by skin electrodes. The case is a simple enough snap on type plastic case [...]

Monitor your heart with the iPhone 4 ECG case [video] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/Qrzxfngg4vk/

Real Salt Lake San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Sounders FC

World's Teensiest Battery Could Drive Big Innovations

With electron microscopes and tiny wires far thinner than a human hair, DoE researchers have pinpointed key events in the life of a consumer electronics staple -- the lithium ion battery. Their findings could lead to smaller, longer-lasting, more powerful batteries ready to rev up next-gen electric vehicles, laptops, cellphones and tablets.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/71548.html

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VirtualBox 4 available for download, adds extension support, disk resizing

VirtualBox 4 has finally exited beta, and it comes bearing tons of updates, improvements, and new features. Among them are truly welcome additions like the ability to re-size both VHD and VDI virtual hard disks, a smoother and more thorough VM deletion process, and support for more than 2GB of memory on 32-bit hosts. There's also an updated set of virtual hardware including the Intel ICH9 chipset and Intel HD audio, and the new scaled display mode makes VMs play nice with your physical displays regardless of their respective resolutions.

The new option to create .vbox shortcuts is a real convenience, as it allows you double-click (or single, depending on your preferences) launching of your favorite VMs. Windows, Linux, and Solaris guests can also now auto-mount shared folders, which makes it easier to access files on your host system.

Oracle has also polished up the VirtualBox UI with improvements such as a sortable VM list. Hit up the changelog for full details about the new release.

Download VirtualBox 4

VirtualBox 4 available for download, adds extension support, disk resizing originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/23/virtualbox-4-available-for-download-adds-extension-support-dis/

Washington Redskins * Chicago Bears * Detroit Lions *

What Is This? [Imagecache]

My guess: An alien beacon recently discovered at Llano Chajnantor, 16,450-feet high in the Chilean Atacama desert, 50 kilometers to the east of San Pedro de Atacama. In reality, its name is APEX, and it's a galactic vacuum cleaner. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/ZYrsGoPBo6g/what-is-this

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