eBay clamps down on magic spell auctions, thwarts would-be wizards

. Vindictive souls looking to buy magical curses to place on their enemies will have to go shopping somewhere other than eBay (EBAY). Wired reports that eBay will officially ban “intangible” items from being auctioned starting on August 30th, including “spells, curses, hexing, conjuring, magic, prayers, blessing services, magic potions, healing sessions” and more.
eBay is doing this presumably to prevent its users from being ripped off by fraudsters and hucksters who peddle magical wares that don't actually do anything of significance.

Boy Genius Report , eBay clamps down on magic spell auctions, thwarts would-be wizards, eBay clamps down on magic spell auctions, thwarts would-be wizards

MIT 'microthrusters' are the size of a penny, could reposition tiny satellites

Bus-sized satellites require massive engines for even the slightest movements, but as far smaller structures become a possibility, a tiny driving mechanism can offer usable thrust. To serve this next-gen tech, MIT saw a need to develop "microthrusters," which are each the size of a penny and can be mounted to tiny cubed satellites. With thruster components measuring a few microns each, the magnetic levitation system is able to accommodate 500 microscopic tips that emit ion beams in a very small package, serving to push two-pound structures through space.

Engadget , MIT 'microthrusters' are the size of a penny, could reposition tiny satellites, MIT 'microthrusters' are the size of a penny, could reposition tiny satellites

Crackle's free movie streaming expands to the Nook Tablet, Android and iOS apps updated for TV playback

It may not have quite the catalog of Netflix (or the same HD quality), but Sony Pictures' Crackle streaming service does have one big thing going for it: it's completely free. It's also found its way onto plenty of different platforms (most recently Windows Phone), and that run has now continued with its expansion onto Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet (but not the Nook Color). What's more, while there's no release date confirmed just yet, Crackle says that the app is "coming soon" to the Kindle Fire as well.

Engadget , Crackle's free movie streaming expands to the Nook Tablet, Android and iOS apps updated for TV playback, Crackle's free movie streaming expands to the Nook Tablet, Android and iOS apps updated for TV playback

Jaguar's Mad Men bump, and how the brand unknowingly helped write the episodes

Remember the story line in this year's Mad Men. The acclaimed series on AMC about an ad. agency in mid-1960s New York City [SPOILER ALERT] depicted the partners going after and ultimately landing the Jaguar account.
Today's Jaguar Cars did not advertise in the series, nor did it pay for any product or brand placement.

Autoblog , Jaguar's Mad Men bump, and how the brand unknowingly helped write the episodes, Jaguar's Mad Men bump, and how the brand unknowingly helped write the episodes

Rolls-Royce debuts Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection at Pebble Beach

As if its cars aren't already exclusive enough on their own merit, Rolls-Royce is debuting an ultra-limited production version of the Phantom Coupe at Pebble Beach today. With only 35 cars expected to be built, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection celebrates Charles Stewart Rolls – Rolls-Royce co-founder – who had a passion for flying and was only the second man in Britain to have a pilot's license before his death in 1910. Unique elements of the Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection include the Aviator Grey exterior hue accented with a matte finish on the grille, hood and window frame.

Autoblog , Rolls-Royce debuts Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection at Pebble Beach, Rolls-Royce debuts Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection at Pebble Beach

BMW Zagato Roadster breaks cover in Pebble Beach

BMW and Zagato decided that their initial collaboration on the Zagato Coupe, which debuted just three months ago at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, was so successful that an encore was called for. The result is this, the Zagato Roadster, which was conceived, designed and produced in the remarkably short time of six weeks to be ready for its debut this weekend at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Perhaps the haste with which the Z4-based Zagato Roadster came into being doesn't impress you because it is, after all, a droptop version of the Coupe, most of which has been carried over intact.

Autoblog , BMW Zagato Roadster breaks cover in Pebble Beach, BMW Zagato Roadster breaks cover in Pebble Beach

LeapFrog LeapPad2 now comes in green, pink and a special Disney Princess bundle

LeapPad2 that is available in green, pink and a special Disney Princess bundle, where has high hopes for the LeapPad2 to usher in the next generation of ‘ learning tablets, and intend to accomplish this by delivering additional features as well as an extensive library that is filled to the digital brim with the (self-proclaimed, we have yet to verify that claim) best learning and creative content. There are front and back cameras on the LeapPad2, allowing the little ones to expand their imagination and explore their surroundings while recording what they see for posterity.

Ubergizmo , LeapFrog LeapPad2 now comes in green, pink and a special Disney Princess bundle, LeapFrog LeapPad2 now comes in green, pink and a special Disney Princess bundle

2013 Nissan Leaf will go 25% further, could cost a lot less

Months ago, we heard that the U.S. version of the 2013 Nissan Leaf would go farther per charge in cold weather thanks to a better heater. This was about the Leaf that will be made in Smyrna, Tennessee starting later this year. A new report on Inside EVs (based on the Japanese language Sankei Biz site) says that the new Leaf, at least the version destined for sale in Japan, will have its range extended to over 250 kilometers (155 miles) in any weather.
Of course, since that is on the lenient Japanese test cycle, it doesn't mean that U.S. drivers will get double their range (the Leaf is rated at 73 miles by the EPA).

Autoblog , 2013 Nissan Leaf will go 25% further, could cost a lot less, 2013 Nissan Leaf will go 25% further, could cost a lot less

HP resurrects WebOS using Gram

I guess you can say that WebOS is the mobile operating system that simply refuses to die, where this former operating system of Palm that was acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP) is now the main focus of the start-up known as Gram, especially after WebOS was sidelined into an open source project. An internal email did point towards the recruitment of staff to run Gram as an independent subsidiary of HP, with the objective of doing to meant to probe the mobile device market to see whether there is still a niche for WebOS to occupy.

Ubergizmo , HP resurrects WebOS using Gram, HP resurrects WebOS using Gram

HTC chief blames company's woes on long, pointless meetings

. HTC (2498) CEO Peter Chou has a message for his employees: stop blabbing, start working. Bloomberg reports that Chou sent out an email to employees complaining that “we have people in meeting and talking all the time but without decision, strategic direction or sense of urgency,” and he also said that when HTC employees did decide to do something, they “either didn't do it or executed it loosely.”.

Boy Genius Report , HTC chief blames company's woes on long, pointless meetings, HTC chief blames company's woes on long, pointless meetings

BlackBerry usage share plummets to just 1% in the U.S.

. Research In Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry smartphones are still used by millions of people in the United States, but the smartphone market grew so quickly over the past year that RIM's usage share has dwindled to almost nothing. Ad network Chitika recently conducted an 11-month study of RIM's usage in the U.S., and the firm released its findings to BGR on Thursday.
According to the study, mobile traffic from BlackBerry devices across its network plummeted 25% between September 2011 and July 2012. RIM's smartphones and PlayBook tablet combined to account for as much as 5% of all mobile usage in the U.S.


Boy Genius Report , BlackBerry usage share plummets to just 1% in the U.S., BlackBerry usage share plummets to just 1% in the U.S.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean “confirmed” for the Samsung Galaxy S2

A week ago we reported that according to SamMobile, rumor had it that the Samsung Galaxy S2 among other Samsung devices would be receiving the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. Well the folks at SamMobile are back again and this time according to one of their sources, they have "confirmed" that the Galaxy S2 will indeed receive the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update and that Samsung is currently in the process of testing it. They also expect that the update should roll out in the September-October timeframe.

Ubergizmo , Android 4.1 Jelly Bean “confirmed” for the Samsung Galaxy S2, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean “confirmed” for the Samsung Galaxy S2

Ford underscores its love of electric cars, spends $135 million to make them happen

Ford really, really wants you to know that it's big on electric cars. Really. To that end, it's putting $135 million where its mouth is as part of the design and production for the electrified vehicles rolling out to dealer lots this year, such as the Focus Electric. A new research building in Dearborn is also being renamed as the Advanced Electrification Center to emphasize the uniform dedication to EVs and hybrids among the 1,000 researchers that call the Center their home away from home.

Engadget , Ford underscores its love of electric cars, spends $135 million to make them happen, Ford underscores its love of electric cars, spends $135 million to make them happen

Microsoft has no plans to fix ‘crap'-looking Office Suite on Apple's Retina displays

. Macworld UK reports that many Apple (AAPL) fans are upset with Microsoft (MSFT), both because its Office for Mac suite supposedly looks terrible on Retina-equipped Macbook Pros and because the company has no plans to make it better.

Boy Genius Report , Microsoft has no plans to fix ‘crap'-looking Office Suite on Apple's Retina displays, Microsoft has no plans to fix ‘crap'-looking Office Suite on Apple's Retina displays

Samsung has already sold 10 million Galaxy Note devices

LG's not the only company bragging about sales numbers today. Sure, it may have pushed 5 million LTE devices so far. But its No.1 competitor at home and worldwide, Samsung, has an even bigger number to share. It turns out that the Galaxy Note still is incredibly successful. Up until this point, Samsung has sold more than 10 million units of the world's first phone / tablet hybrid device, or phablet.

This comes after Samsung announced crossing the 1 million threshold at the end of last year, and then 5 million at the end of March. Judging by these numbers, the upcoming Galaxy Note II has to be a success too.

Unwired View , Samsung has already sold 10 million Galaxy Note devices, Samsung has already sold 10 million Galaxy Note devices

Razer announces new Kraken gaming headsets: Pros get a pull-out mic (hands-on)

Razer wasn't done with the Gamescom crowds just yet, revealing its latest Lime-doused gaming headset. The Razer Kraken is readying for a global launch next month, with a Pro version (with microphone in tow) hitting your wallet for 80 bucks and the similar-looking Music and Gaming cans priced around $60. Razer's pushing the headphone's ergonomic charms and we'll admit, they were pretty cosy, with some good (but not perfect) noise-isolation at work. The Kraken Pro packs a 40mm audio driver and the wired headphones will work with your phone or any device with a 3.5mm jack.






Engadget , Razer announces new Kraken gaming headsets: Pros get a pull-out mic (hands-on), Razer announces new Kraken gaming headsets: Pros get a pull-out mic (hands-on)

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update confirmed

Well well, what do we have here, another device from Samsung that will eventually carry the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. Yes sir, this is the direction where we are heading with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, thanks to a tweet by a certain Roger Cheng, who in his own words, “Merrill says the Note 10.1 will have a Jelly Bean upgrade later this year.”. Hmmm, there are not too many months left for the year ahead, so all you need to do is hold on and sit tight for the last quarter of the year, and you should be able to see Android 4.1 Jelly Bean come riding across the horizon soon enough.

Ubergizmo , Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update confirmed, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update confirmed

Seven-seat Fiat 500XL leaked ahead of Paris debut

The Fiat 500 continues its program of aggrandizement, going from the five-seat 500L and 500X to the seven-seat 500XL – that is, if these patent drawings and snapshots from Fiat's Centro Stile are accurate pictures of the future. The 500 is 11.6 feet long, appending the L added exactly two more feet, and the XL is said to be another six inches longer in the rear overhang to make room for that third row. The Small U.S.

Autoblog , Seven-seat Fiat 500XL leaked ahead of Paris debut, Seven-seat Fiat 500XL leaked ahead of Paris debut

Toolwire and Leeds Metropolitan University to speak at Association for Learning Technology conference - UK

A guide to delivering effective learning experience through Immersive Learning Environments and Serious Games Pleasanton, CA and London, UK - Wednesday 15th August 2012 - Toolwire, a global leader in Experiential Learning and Leeds Metropolitan University has announced today that they will host a presentation entitled, “Bringing reality to learning through Immersive Learning Environments and Serious Gaming” at the 19th international conference of the Association for Learning Technology. The event will be held at the University of Manchester, UK, during 11-13 September 2012 and online reg

Press Release Distribution , Toolwire and Leeds Metropolitan University to speak at Association for Learning Technology conference - UK, Toolwire and Leeds Metropolitan University to speak at Association for Learning Technology conference - UK

Exogear Exovolt Plus – Stackable Power

So you want backup power for your devices when you're out and about, but you don't want to go too small because you might need more, or too big (with it's additional weight and size) because you might need less?  The exovault plus from EXOGEAR is a stackable battery pack so that you can customise your reserve power based on your needs.  Start with the main battery pack which will in itself supply 5200mA and is 3.7" x 3.7" x 0.6" (95 x 95 x 15mm) and weighs 156g  (5.5 oz) and add additional battery packs as required. The system will put out 5V ± 0.5V / 2A max so will support your more power-hungry tablets as well.

The Gadgeteer , Exogear Exovolt Plus â€" Stackable Power, Exogear Exovolt Plus â€" Stackable Power

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 packing 4G LTE comes to Verizon on August 17th

Verizon subscribers jonesing for a 7-inch LTE tablet won't have to consider springing for the pricey Galaxy Tab 7.7 any longer. The carrier just revealed plans to offer up a 4G-equipped (and previously hinted) version of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 starting on August 17th. There's no revolution under the hood outside of the cellular link: it's still toting Android 4.0, the rear 3.2-megapixel and front VGA cameras, a (slightly faster) 1.2GHz dual-core chip and a somewhat thin 8GB of built-in memory.






Engadget , Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 packing 4G LTE comes to Verizon on August 17th, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 packing 4G LTE comes to Verizon on August 17th

Foxconn to invest as much as $10 billion in Indonesian plant

. Foxconn (2354) is planning to invest between $5 and $10 billion over the next 5 to 10 years in a production plant in Indonesia, Reuters reported. The plant will initially be responsible for the assembly and production of an estimated three million handsets per year, according to Indonesia's Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan. The first investment will begin in October of this year and in July 2013, the project will move to phase two, where Foxconn will begin to build a plant of its own and increase production to 10 million units per year.

Boy Genius Report , Foxconn to invest as much as $10 billion in Indonesian plant

See also:
hitech, Foxconn to invest as much as $10 billion in Indonesian plant

Blackberry 10 beta devices currently being shown to carriers

We know that RIM has plans to roll out several Blackberry 10 devices, although the question on the minds of many Blackberry fans is when. While a specific release date still eludes us, the Wall Street Journal (paid article) has reported that according to RIM's CEO Thorsten Heins, he has confirmed to the publication that the company is currently showing off two Blackberry 10 beta devices to carriers this week. One of them features a keyboard, while the other is a full touchscreen device which will also be the first Blackberry 10 device to launch.

Ubergizmo , Blackberry 10 beta devices currently being shown to carriers, Blackberry 10 beta devices currently being shown to carriers

CSR Debuts First SiRFstarV™ Chip Optimised for Mobile Devices - Selected by LG Electronics for New Flagship Smartphone

SiRFstarV 5t Quad-GNSS Tracker Delivers Highly Accurate Continuous Location, Advanced Power Savings and Unique LTE Interference ImmunityCambridge, UK and Sunnyvale, California, USA - August 15, 2012 - Continuing its SiRFstarV™ rollout, CSR plc (LSE: CSR; NASDAQ: CSRE) today introduced the new SiRFstarV 5t tracker, the first SiRFstarV architecture product optimised to deliver continuous, highly accurate location awareness to the latest generation of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

Press Release Distribution , CSR Debuts First SiRFstarV™ Chip Optimised for Mobile Devices - Selected by LG Electronics for New Flagship Smartphone, CSR Debuts First SiRFstarV™ Chip Optimised for Mobile Devices - Selected by LG Electronics for New Flagship Smartphone

Land Rover debuts lighter, sleeker 2013 Range Rover

Not long after a few images leaked onto the web, Land Rover has officially pulled the wraps off of its larger, lighter 2013 Range Rover. We still don't know if we love the new design – some of our staffers stating that it looks a bit Ford Flex-ish to us – but one thing's for sure, that new body sheds a whole mess of pounds compared to the current model. A U.S.-spec 2013 Range Rover is roughly 700 pounds lighter than a similarly equipped outgoing model.
Of course, this is a Range Rover, so off-road capability is still top notch.

Autoblog , Land Rover debuts lighter, sleeker 2013 Range Rover, Land Rover debuts lighter, sleeker 2013 Range Rover

Smaller iPhone dock connector could flood the world with e-waste

. Apple's (AAPL) smaller dock connector for the next-generation iPhone will likely annoy more than a few users but it could also have some serious environmental consequences. TechCrunch's John Biggs on Tuesday talked with Arman Sadeghi, the CEO of e-waste handler AllGreenRecycling, who said that even if Apple provides users with a way to make the new dock connector backwards compatible with the old 30-pin model, it will still result in a lot of users throwing their old Apple devices and accessories in the garbage.

Boy Genius Report , Smaller iPhone dock connector could flood the world with e-waste, Smaller iPhone dock connector could flood the world with e-waste

Hyundai working on 3 Series-fighter for 2015

According to Automotive News, Hyundai is working on a smaller rear-wheel-drive car aimed squarely at the BMW 3 Series. Reportedly dubbed "RK" internally, this new model will not launch until 2015 at the earliest, according to the report. Details on this new entry-level performance sedan are slim, with Automotive News only reporting that the new model will use a version of the rear-wheel-drive platform that underpins the Genesis Coupe.
In other RWD Hyundai news, AN states that the larger Genesis sedan is still on track for a complete refresh, with the new model expected to arrive by the end of 2013 at the earliest as a 2014 model.

Autoblog , Hyundai working on 3 Series-fighter for 2015

See also:
technologypulse, Hyundai working on 3 Series-fighter for 2015

2012 Audi RS4 Avant (video)

The Only RS4 We Need (And Won't Get). This is the B8 generation of the Audi A4 and, as with any A4 generation, there's no small wagon quite as scintillating as an RS4 Avant. The U.S. has never been gifted with this heavy hauler, and that is just one of life's many injustices. Even with the previous B7 generation that Audi pushed hard to popularize worldwide, the stunning Avant never came to the U.S. In fact, the only wagon we'll be getting for some time from Audi is the A4 Allroad, which feels like a token consolation prize.

This all seems an odd choice by Ingolstadt since the U.S.










Autoblog , 2012 Audi RS4 Avant (video), 2012 Audi RS4 Avant (video)

HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE Smartphone Review

Sifting through the Android smartphone offerings from Verizon Wireless might seem like a daunting task for someone who is new to the world of smartphones. With around 20 different phones to choose from, a lot of buyers might just throw in the towel and opt for an iPhone. My primary phone actually is the iPhone 4S, but I've been considering hopping back into the Android pool for awhile… at least till the iPhone 5 gets released and pulls me back into the land of Apple. Bryan Sherman and I recently took at look at Verizon's flagship phone, the Samsung Galaxy S III.










The Gadgeteer , HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE Smartphone Review, HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE Smartphone Review