In the Metal: Toyota GT 86 vs. Subaru BRZ

. Badge engineering is the ironic label for when a company replaces the badge or branding of a product with that of another and considers it something new. Domestic automakers like Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have been vilified for their overuse of this practice. Then again, they weren't often badge engineering rear-wheel-drive sports cars (though they've done that, too).

This week, Toyota and Subaru both revealed their own versions of a RWD sports car jointly developed between the two companies: the GT 86 and BRZ.





Autoblog, In the Metal: Toyota GT 86 vs. Subaru BRZ

Zebra Sharbo X ST3 Multi-Pen Review

I haven't used a multi-tip pen on a long time, so when Brad at JetPens asked if I might like to review the  Zebra Sharbo X ST3 multi-tip pen, I was happy to say yes. The multi-tip pens from years gone by were usually bulky and not very sleek. People would never guess that the Sharbo X houses 3 separate tips because it looks no larger than a one tipped pen. Let's see if it works as well as it looks.
Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

The Zebra Sharbo X ST3 has a paint coated brass barrel and is available in 3 colors, which include Silver, White and Black.









The Gadgeteer, Zebra Sharbo X ST3 Multi-Pen Review

Jeremy Clarkson wants strikers get shot in front of their families, Union wants him fired

Jeremy Clarkson says a lot of things, some funny, some not, but all designed to get a rise out of people. We loved it, be it good or bad, and we always take it with a pint of salt and a big laugh. This time, however, he may have crossed a line and offended some narrow-minded people, like always. “I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families,” said Clarkson, referring to striking workers in Great Britain. “I'd have them all shot.

2DayBlog.com, Jeremy Clarkson wants strikers get shot in front of their families, Union wants him fired

Sharp's slim 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor to further trim smartphone silhouettes

Mobile waistbands are about to get tighter. Sharp's taking that whole thin is in thing to the extreme with its just outed 12.1 megapixel, 1x3.2-inch CMOS camera module. Measuring in at 5.47 millimeters thick, this component's set to ship out to manufacturers for ¥12,000 apiece (about $154) starting tomorrow and is, apparently, the result of overwhelming demand for anorexic handsets — we're looking at you, dear readers. Okay, not really.

2DayBlog.com, Sharp's slim 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor to further trim smartphone silhouettes

Verizon Continues to Prep Site for Galaxy Nexus Launch, Hi-Res Image Uploaded

A couple days back a user YTram over at Android Forums uncovered new images of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus stored away in the backend of Verizon’s site. In his continued search for new info on the upcoming handset he has found yet another, this time a hi-res press shot (click to get an even bigger view) giving us a full-frontal look at G-Nex. Worth noting is that the header associated with the file logs a last-modified date of December 1st, showing that Verizon is actively preparing for the eventual announcement of the phone’s release date.

Android Phone, Verizon Continues to Prep Site for Galaxy Nexus Launch, Hi-Res Image Uploaded

Half-Life 3 shirt spotted on a Valve employee

Half-Life is one of the most loved first person shooters of all time, and everybody who has ever played Half-Life 2 (and the mini episodes after that) will probably tell you they're looking forward to the next installment in the series. While Valve hasn't officially announced anything yet, there has always been speculations (or wishful thinking) of a sequel being in the works. Well, it looks like those hopes have not been in vain. Yesterday, a marketer at Monday Night Combat sent a tweet that was attached with a very interesting picture: it showed a Valve worker wearing a Half-Life 3 T-shirt.

Ubergizmo, Half-Life 3 shirt spotted on a Valve employee

Congressman Implores FTC to Open Investigation on Carrier IQ

As if a class action lawsuit wasn't bad enough, Carrier IQ may have an FTC investigation to deal with, as well. After Senator Al Franken raised his own concerns over the practices of the company and the manufacturers and carriers they work with, Massachusetts congressman Edward Markey has taken things a step further. Markey is imploring the FTC to look into the data-gathering tactics Carrier IQ employs and how the collected information is handled. Privacy concerns and the potential violation of federal laws on wiretapping are at the heart of the congressman's plea for greater accountability on behalf of Carrier IQ.

Android Phone, Congressman Implores FTC to Open Investigation on Carrier IQ

Transparent crab shells: the future of bendable screens?

If you've ever wondered what sort of materials can be used to create bendable screens in the future, it looks like some researchers over at the Kyoto University recently discovered Chitin - a long-chain polymer that is the main component of crustacean exoskeletons can be used to create flat panel displays, solar cells and bendy screens. The researchers took an entire dead crab, treated its body with some acids and chemicals to strip it of minerals, proteins, lipids, fats and pigments. The shell was then immersed in an acrylic resin monomer, and turned completely transparent.

Ubergizmo, Transparent crab shells: the future of bendable screens?

HTC Rezound headphone problems appear to be isolated

Just yesterday we reported that there were some complaints regarding the HTC Rezound. A quick recap for those who may not have been aware – there were complaints that suggested interference or static when listening to music or audio while using headphones together with the HTC Rezound. While there are indeed complaints from several HTC Rezound owners, the problem appears to be less widespread than what was initially thought. According to HTC:.
“HTC has received a very small number of calls related to audio on the Rezound, but nothing that so far points to a broader issue.

Ubergizmo, HTC Rezound headphone problems appear to be isolated

Voodoo Carrier IQ app scans your phone for Carrier IQ presence

For those of you who have been following the tech news, you're probably aware of a the drama and controversy surrounding a certain company by the name of Carrier IQ. Now if reading all that news has gotten you a little paranoid as to what sort of hidden software might be installed on your phone, an app for Android called Voodoo Carrier IQ is available for download from the Android Market which supposedly will scan your phone and check to see if Carrier IQ's software has been installed on it. If you're unfamiliar with the drama, Carrier IQ is a piece of software that some phone manufacturers and carriers have installed on your device.

Ubergizmo

See also:
newgadgets, Voodoo Carrier IQ app scans your phone for Carrier IQ presence

me2me et Adicor signent le 1er accord de partenariat français

Ce partenariat permet à Adicor, premier Certified Frisbee Partner, de promouvoir et vendre Frisbee, solution de transcription, workflow et dictée numérique avec reconnaissance vocale, en France.

Press Release Distribution, me2me et Adicor signent le 1er accord de partenariat français

IO Interactive to begin new franchise after Hitman: Absolution

Agent 47 and his magical murder adventures may be what IO Interactive's best known for, but that's hardly the only number on the developer's calling card. Most recently, IO gave the Hitman franchise a break in favor of Kane & Lynch. And sure, it wasn't everybody's cup of tea, but it was definitely different. Never one to tread water, IO plans on taking a similar approach after Hitman: Absolution.

2DayBlog.com, IO Interactive to begin new franchise after Hitman: Absolution

Google releases Galaxy Nexus stock image for easy reinstall

Google has released a factory image for its pure-blood Galaxy Nexus GSM/HSDPA+ device and made it available to anyone. The image can be used to easily recover the stock Ice Cream Sandwich software on the Galaxy Nexus in case of a manipulation gone wrong. This should come in handy to both experienced modders and newbies alike. If something goes wrong while flashing a custom rom, for example, you can revert your Galaxy Nexus to stock ICS in no time.

You'll need to set the device in fastboot mode before using the factory image. Google advises to lock your bootloader after restoring to secure the Galaxy Nexus.

GSM Arena, Google releases Galaxy Nexus stock image for easy reinstall

Toyota FCV-R concept brings fuel cell cars closer to reality, aiming for 2015 launch

Amongst the many concept EVs we've seen at the Tokyo Motor Show this week, Toyota thinks that fuel cell vehicles still have a chance. Hence the above cool-looking FCV-R, an actual functional hydrogen car featuring a multi-LCD panel dashboard along with a driving range of around 700km or 435 miles. Alas, interested buyers will have to wait until around 2015 before Toyota launches its first fuel cell car, which is currently projected to cost around $125,000. And of course, there's no saying on whether hydrogen fuel stations will be widely available across the nation by then.







Engadget, Toyota FCV-R concept brings fuel cell cars closer to reality, aiming for 2015 launch

Color for Facebook iPhone app hands-on

When you first download the app, you'll be prompted to sign in via Facebook and add friends you'd like to bring on-board. The app itself looks great - Color clearly put a lot of thought into the UI, and its experience from the first iteration certainly helps. The app defaults to a feed page, offering up images and visits from your friends. The images take up the full width of the screen, overlayed with transparent captions. Visits, meanwhile, feature four screen shots from the video you've taken.






Engadget, Color for Facebook iPhone app hands-on

Ladder-climbing robot brings us one step closer to extinction (video)

Will finding high ground save you when SkyNet becomes self-aware and Terminators annihilate the human race. Doubtful, thanks to Japanese robotics company Muscle Corp., which has built a robot that can climb ladders...and other stuff. "Dream Robo" certainly isn't the first wall-climbing robot, but its eerie anthropomorphic shape is guaranteed to send its victims into paroxysms of terror when it slowly, inexorably make its way up the side of a building to sate its hunger for human blood. Muscle Corp. President Hirofumi Tamai says the robot only took three months to build, with 15 companies collaborating to create the vertical killing machine.

Engadget, Ladder-climbing robot brings us one step closer to extinction (video)

Verizon Samsung Fascinate Android 2.3 Gingerbread update finally rolling out now

Verizon's Samsung Fascinate has finally received its serving of Gingerbread. After many, many months, if you still own a Fascinate you've got something to be happy about. That is, of course, unless you know that Gingerbread simply isn't the latest Android version anymore. But hey, at least you're getting an update. Or about to. According to Android Police, the EH03 Android 2.3 Gingerbread update for the Fascinate has started rolling out and should hit your device via OTA. That said, it's quite possible that this rollout is staggered, so if you don't see the update just yet, don't panic. It will probably arrive in the next few days.

Unwired View, Verizon Samsung Fascinate Android 2.3 Gingerbread update finally rolling out now

Galaxy Nexus may launch at Best Buy on December 11th

. Verizon Wireless's upcoming Samsung Galaxy Nexus handset may launch at Best Buy on December 11th. Engadget has obtained what is purportedly an image of Best Buy's internal inventory system, which shows the 11th as the in-stock date for Samsung's new Galaxy Nexus. Recent rumors suggested that Verizon plans to launch the phone on December 8th alongside the Motorola DROID 4, and that still may be the case - Verizon's retailer partners may have to wait a few extra days for their initial shipments. We reviewed the Galaxy Nexus last month and called it the best Android phone to date.

Boy Genius Report, Galaxy Nexus may launch at Best Buy on December 11th

Honda Micro Commuter concept car looks awesome

At the Tokyo Motor Show 2011, Honda revealed its “micro commuter” concept car that looks like it could have been pulled straight out from the TRON movie. The vehicle features an eco-friendly electric engine and can seat three people - one driver and two passengers. The driver sits in the middle and controls the car via two joystick-like levers, while two passengers can be seated behind. The car also features smartphone integration that lets users interact with the car via their smartphones.

Ubergizmo

See also:
maximum, Honda Micro Commuter concept car looks awesome

Sony Ericsson Nozomi allegedly official photo leaks

You cannot expect many new product announcements to happen in December as manufacturers are concerned it would hurt the sales of their current crop of devices, but there's no stopping the rumor train. Today we've got what might be an official photo of the upcoming Sony Ericsson flagship, nicknamed Nozomi. That smartphone, which is expected to come at the MWC in February 2012, is said to feature a 12MP camera, 720p screen and, as evident from the render, an impressively slim waistline.

GSM Arena, Sony Ericsson Nozomi allegedly official photo leaks

Droid Incredible 2 gets beta Ice Cream Sandwich ROM

If you own the Droid Incredible 2 and you've been craving for some Ice Cream Sandwich, the good news is that a beta of the Ice Cream Sandwich ROM is now available for download from RootzWiki thanks to developer ProTekk. It should be noted that it is a beta and there are certain features that don't work yet. "What works:.
Booting

Wi-Fi

SMS

Calls

Audio

Sensors

Capacitive keys

SU

SDCard

EGL

Rotation

3G

What doesn't work:

Headsets (logcat claims that the kernel doesn't support it)

Gallery

Live Wallpapers

Camera

GPS

Bluetooth"

If you feel like those are features that you must have, i.e.

Ubergizmo, Droid Incredible 2 gets beta Ice Cream Sandwich ROM

Deal of the Day - Dell Vostro 260 Dual-Core Mini Tower with 18.5' Dell LED-backlit LCD Monitor

Today's LogicBUY Deal is the Dell Vostro 260 2.7GHz Dual-core mini tower bundled with an 18.5" Dell LED-backlit LCD monitor (E1912H) for $399.  Features:  2GB memory, 250GB hard drive, DVD burner, Intel HD graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), 15-month Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services subscription, and more.  Can be customized (upgradeable to Core i3). $489  - $89 off  =  $399 with $8 shipping.  .
This deal expires December 2, 2011 or sooner.

The Gadgeteer

See also:
itworld, Deal of the Day - Dell Vostro 260 Dual-Core Mini Tower with 18.5' Dell LED-backlit LCD Monitor

Trigger iPhone Shutter with Bluetooth Headsets, Keyboards

Many volume-changing Bluetooth devices can be used to snap photos remotely. Photo Johan Larsson/Flickr. All of you know that iOS 5 turns the volume-up button on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch into a shutter release button. Just press to snap a photo when using a compatible app (the built in Camera app, for instance).

Gadget Lab, Trigger iPhone Shutter with Bluetooth Headsets, Keyboards

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Now Optimized For AMD APU's

It was only a few weeks ago I showed you some videos of Android 3.1 Honeycomb that had been ported to PC's and laptops running on Intel processors. Well, just like I speculated in my post — the boys over at the Android-x86 project have done it again, this time releasing Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich into the wild for PC's. But why should Intel users get all the fun. This time around, those crafty Android-x86 devs have managed to bring AMD into the fold with Android's hardware acceleration optimized for their low power consuming APU (CPU/GPU combo).

Android Phone, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Now Optimized For AMD APU's

Clearwire In Talks With Sprint To Acquire $1 Billion In Funding

If you thought (more or less hoping) Clearwire — Sprint's current 4G WiMax provider — would just go away already it seems their demise may be put off a little bit longer. Reports are saying that Clearwire is close to securing even more funding from Sprint to the tune of $1 billion that, besides being used to help keep the 4G provider afloat, will help upgrade their WiMax network and coverage to more places than just that Chick-fil-A down the street.

Android Phone, Clearwire In Talks With Sprint To Acquire $1 Billion In Funding

Nokia Siemens Networks looks to unload WiMax division onto NewNet Communication

WiMax expansion isn't exactly all the rage as of late, and so it comes as no surprise that Nokia Siemens Networks is shedding itself of the extraneous baggage. Following its recent whopping round of layoffs, the move is a continuation of the company's efforts to bring stability to its bottom line. NewNet Communication Technologies has agreed to bring the castoff WiMax technologies into its fold, along with approximately 300 NSN employees - all for an undisclosed price - in a deal that's expected to be finalized before year's end.

Engadget, Nokia Siemens Networks looks to unload WiMax division onto NewNet Communication

Motorola ET1 tablet targets enterprise market

, did not really make that much of a headway, although there are sequels coming our way so much so that it cannot qualify as a failure. After all, if at first you don't succeed, try again, right. Well, Motorola's suits probably thought that they would have better luck in the enterprise market by rolling out the Motorola ET1, and I do hope for the name plastered on it, it will have a performance that is truly out of this world.

Ubergizmo

See also:
wwws, Motorola ET1 tablet targets enterprise market

Sony PS3 System Software Update v.4.00

Do you own a Sony PS3 console in your living room or bedroom, and have neglected it as of late simply because Skyrim came out. Well, you might want to wipe the dust off this bad boy, as the PS3 System Software Update has just leveled up – to touch version 4.00, to be exact. This is not a major system update, but rather, is a preparatory one to co-incide with the PlayStation Vita's launch (also known as the PS Vita for short) in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Ubergizmo, Sony PS3 System Software Update v.4.00

The Kaspersky ONE Transantarctic Expedition: Follow Felicity Aston and win a Sony Tablet protected by Kaspersky Tablet Security

Abingdon, UK – 30 November 2011 – Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content and threat management solutions, has announced a global contest on Facebook dedicated to the Kaspersky ONE Transantarctic Expedition. First prize is a Sony Tablet, an elegant Android tablet with a unique set of features, protected by Kaspersky Tablet Security. 15 runners-up will receive copies of Kaspersky ONE*. The winners’ profile pictures will be printed on a banner that will greet Felicity at the end of her journey.

Press Release Distribution, The Kaspersky ONE Transantarctic Expedition: Follow Felicity Aston and win a Sony Tablet protected by Kaspersky Tablet Security

Autonomy CEO talks about HP's future, promises 'really stunning technology'

New details are emerging today about HP's plans for Autonomy, nearly two months after Whitman & Co. purchased the software-maker for a cool $10.4 billion. In an interview with ZDNet UK, Autonomy chief executive Mike Lynch said his company's search, data analysis and AR technologies will be integrated within a range of HP products, including its printers, servers and storage unit, and its consumer-focused Personal Systems Group, which handles phones, tablets and PCs. "There is a lot of work going on between the different business units at HP," Lynch explained.

Engadget, Autonomy CEO talks about HP's future, promises 'really stunning technology'

Gunpoint Debut Trailer

Here is an 8-minute trailer video of Gunpoint that shows a majority of game features. Gunpoint developer Tom Francis talks you through the basics and then some of the most complicated solutions to the levels.

TechFresh, Gunpoint Debut Trailer

Google continues its massive facelift, intros new persistent nav bar (video)

We hope you're enjoying that new Gmail and Reader interface, because Google isn't done repainting every nook and cranny just yet. The next bit to get a facelift is the Google Bar. The thin dark gray strip of text is going away, and in its place is a new persistent UI element that combines search and Google+ tools, including a share button and notifications. There's still quick access to other services available in the Google menu - just hover over the logo and you'll be presented with a bunch more links. Love it? Hate it? Doesn't really matter... it's coming, so you might as well embrace it.

Engadget, Google continues its massive facelift, intros new persistent nav bar (video)

Google Maps 6.0 hits Android, adds indoor navigation for retail and transit

Google's already put its stamp on the great outdoors, what with its Street View fleet chronicling the well-trodden ways of our world for Maps. Which is precisely why Mountain View's turning its attention inward for that next, great navigation innovation, as it attempts to chart a course through the wilds of indoor spaces. Hitting the Android Market in the U.S. and Japan today, the company's ever-popular app gets a full version bump to 6.0, bringing with it the inclusion of retail and airport floor plans.



Engadget, Google Maps 6.0 hits Android, adds indoor navigation for retail and transit