PBS Kids brings 'Super Why' to Android

OK, all you parents out there. Here's another one that's sure to keep the kids occupied for a good three, maybe four minutes. Chances are you've sat through an episode or two of PBS Kids' "Super Why" -- and now it's available on Android. For the uninitiated, "Super Why" is an award-winning children's TV show that teaches reading, spelling and story-telling. PBS describes the app as:

The SUPER WHY App for Android helps children achieve the power to read with four fun SUPER WHY interactive literacy games in addition to a colorful virtual sticker book. Young learners can play along with each of the four main characters from the PBS KIDS series: Alpha Pig, Princess Presto, Wonder Red, and, of course, Super Why, while practicing the alphabet, rhyming, spelling, writing and reading.

The app will cost $2.99 (ask your kids for help -- they probably already know how to buy them), though it's free today on Amazon. Download it at the source link.

Download: Amazon Appstore; Source: PBS

PBS Kids brings 'Super Why' to Android posted originally by Android Central

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/JgpDz53ZdOc/pbs-kids-brings-super-why-android

MICROSOFT MICROSEMI MICROS SYSTEMS

Booq Viper Slider Case for iPad 2

The Gadgeteer has reviewed a lot of Booq cases over the years.� They make cases and bags for Apple products, so it’s no surprise they’ve introduced the Viper Slider Case for iPad 2. This two-piece case slides over the back of the iPad 2; the bottom half slides off so you can use the iPad [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/04/27/booq-viper-slider-case-for-ipad-2/

SHAW COMMUNICATIONS MCAFEE MAXIMUS

OmmWriter brings its clean, calm writing interface to Windows

I have a thing for full-screen text editing. I use WriteMonkey for my creative writing needs, and VIM in a full-screen PuTTY session for my Web development work. That being the case, I'm all over the monospace, dark-background, focused editing scene.

OmmWriter attempts to take that aesthetic and make it somehow more spiritual, with three picturesque backgrounds and ambient background audio tracks (there are seven of each in the paid version).

I'm of two minds about this app. On the one hand, yes, it's beautiful. But if you want music as a background to your writing, why not pick your own soundtrack with Winamp or Foobar2000 running in the background?

OmmWriter also offers three keyboard-clicking sounds, which are kind of nice. None of these features are groundbreaking, really. OmmWriter could be seen as a way to gently ease into the world of distraction-free writing -- in case something like WriteMonkey's dark background is just too oppressive for you.

After the fold you can see a video showcasing several of OmmWriter's features and creative soundscapes.

Continue reading OmmWriter brings its clean, calm writing interface to Windows

OmmWriter brings its clean, calm writing interface to Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/01/ommwriter-brings-its-clean-calm-writing-interface-to-windows/

FORMFACTOR FISERV FIRST SOLAR

Daily Crunch: Birdlime Edition

Video: Talking Parakeet Toy Repeats What You Say, Randomly Blurts Out Phrases This LEGO Lunchbox Wants Nothing More Than To Hold Your PB&J Lexon?s Buro Collection, For Design-Conscious Desk Jockeys Homemade Tron Board Game Glows With Nerdy Fun Why Is This Plain Wall Clock So Compelling?

Source: http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/04/07/daily-crunch-birdlime/

ARROW ELECTRONICS ASML HOLDING ASUSTEK COMPUTER

Speaking of? sex toys with Ethan Imboden from Jimmyjane [TCTV]

Vibrating sex toys have been around for over a century, starting out as crude�steam powered devices and now resembling something very cool that you might pick up at an Apple store. Sex toys have been the source of giggles, controversy, pleasure and up until the last 5 years, were not a mainstream product. They were devices you bought and had shipped in unmarked brown packaging or slipped into a toy store late at night to buy, but were not something you'd ever imagine picking up at Nordstrom or your local Wal-Mart. Millions of men and women use them every day and yet, it isn't something we talk about much. Considering there's a lot of tech that go into these devices these days, I think it is a topic worth exploring and definitely something we should no longer be ashamed of.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/q3WQkUnCp4o/

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Verizon document suggests LG Revolution will have Netflix pre-installed

We didn't exactly need any more evidence that the LG Revolution would be the first Android phone to support Netflix, but a new, seemingly authentic Verizon document posted by an Android Central forum member has now all but confirmed that fact. What's more, considering that Verizon touts Netflix as one of the phone's main features, it seems safe to assume that the app will also come pre-installed for your convenience. As you can see, Verizon also says that the phone is "coming soon," which is unfortunately about as specific a release date as we've seen so far. Wondering what's in store? Then you might want to check out the hands-on we did with the app back at Mobile World Congress in February.

Verizon document suggests LG Revolution will have Netflix pre-installed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/29/verizon-document-suggests-lg-revolution-will-have-netflix-pre-in/

FORMFACTOR FISERV FIRST SOLAR

Deal of the Day ? Samsung Charge 4G LTE Smartphone for Verizon

Today?s LogicBUY deal is the Samsung Charge 4G LTE Smartphone for Verizon for �$249.99.� This phone features a 4.3? Super AMOLED Plus Display, a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor, dual facing cameras (1.3MP front, 8MP back), and 2.2 GB of built-in storage.� The phone is ready for DLNA streaming, runs Android 2.2, and offers 11 hours [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/04/28/deal-of-the-day-%e2%80%93-samsung-charge-4g-lte-smartphone-for-verizon/

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Amazon launches 69-cent MP3 store for chart-toppers

Those with more obscure tastes may not find much to their liking, but we're guessing Amazon's latest move to sway customers from a certain other music store will please plenty of folks. The company's just launched a new $0.69 section on its website, which offers best-selling tracks for (you guessed it) 69 cents apiece. That's down from $0.89 before, which already had iTunes handily beat in terms of pricing -- Apple is still asking $1.29 for many of the same songs. Hit up the source link below to check out the current chart-topping singles available.

Amazon launches 69-cent MP3 store for chart-toppers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/29/amazon-launches-69-cent-mp3-store-for-chart-toppers/

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Whipping Post Leather Guitar Cases

Most people like leather cases for their electronic gear, so why not leather cases for your other toys?� Whipping Post Leather has three gorgeous 100% full-grain leather cases that will do your guitar proud.� These cases are hand-sewn with marine-grade threading, have 1″ thick padding, and stainless hardware.� The strap can be used as a [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/04/26/whipping-post-leather-guitar-cases/

WESTERN DIGITAL VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY

Sprint, Google Voice tight integration is live (hands on)

The new integration that lets Sprint users tie their accounts even tighter with Google Voice -- make your Sprint number work through Google Voice without porting it over or just make your Google Voice number show on outgoing calls or tests from your phone -- appears to be live, judging by reports from tipsters and our own account shown above. While there's been a limited rollout and beta testing going on already, as soon as we logged in to Google Voice today we were teased by the ability to check our eligibility for Sprint integration. As shown in the screenshot above, going with option number one appears to be a one way trip that will result in the eventual deletion of your Google Voice number, so make sure that's what you want before clicking through. Option two can be reversed later so feel free to toggle (given a ~15 minute delay) at will. Still not sure how this all works? Check out our video demo from CTIA embedded after the break.

Gallery: Sprint / Google Voice integration

[Thanks, Jason, Victor]

Continue reading Sprint, Google Voice tight integration is live (hands on)

Sprint, Google Voice tight integration is live (hands on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/sprint-google-voice-tight-integration-is-live-hands-on/

FIRST SOLAR FINISAR FEI COMPANY

Deal of the Day ? Lenovo IdeaPad Z470 14? Core i5 Laptop with Blu-ray

Today?s LogicBUY deal is the Lenovo IdeaPad Z470 14? laptop with the Sandy Bridge Core i5 CPU and Blu-ray for $854.10.� Features: three USB 2.0 ports, one USB 2.0/eSATA combo port, card reader, HDMI output, 6-cell battery, and 1 year warranty. Z470 with Blu-ray:� $1199 – $250 instant savings ? 10% coupon = $854.10 with [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/04/27/deal-of-the-day-%e2%80%93-lenovo-ideapad-z470-14%e2%80%9d-core-i5-laptop-with-blu-ray/

YAHOO XILINX WESTERN DIGITAL

British royal family announces iOS and Android wedding app

To celebrate the imminent marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Royal Collection will release an Android an iOS app that chronicles the last seven royal marriages, including Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert in 1840.

Ironically, the app won't actually feature anything to do with William and Kate's marriage -- rather, it will focus on the "tradition, splendor and romance" that are intrinsic to British royal marriages. "[The app] will share the stories of past royal weddings and offer a wealth of historical context for the ceremony on April 29."

Unfortunately, the app, which has been lumbered with the fantastically creative name of 'Royal App,' won't be available until April 18 -- just 11 days before Kate's big day. It won't be free, either: it'll cost the rather princely sum of £1.79, or three of your Tea Party-loving dollars. The money will go to the Royal Collection, though, which is a good cause!

British royal family announces iOS and Android wedding app originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/british-royal-family-announces-ios-and-android-wedding-app/

LAWSON SOFTWARE LAND SOFTWARE LAM RESEARCH

Gladinet maps Amazon Cloud Drive to your Windows desktop

Amazon's recently-introduced Cloud Drive is a great place to store your files online. It offers 5 gigs of totally free space, and U.S. users also get access to the handy Cloud Player app (for Web and Android!) which streams music you upload to your Cloud Drive.

The service could be a little easier to use, however. Until Amazon releases a desktop client, Windows users might want to take another look at Gladinet. The multi-service cloud connector has now added Amazon Cloud Drive support and will let you map a network drive letter to your account with minimal fuss.

Once you've added your credentials to Gladinet, just pick the letter you want to assign to the drive and you're good to go. You can then copy files to and from your Cloud Drive, rename items, and manage folders like you would any local hard drive in your system.

The only downside is that the free version of Gladinet gives you a limited number of cloud interactions. Once you use those up, you'll need to upgrade to the paid version, which costs $49.99. If you work with a number of cloud-based storage providers, however, it could be well worth the price tag.

Gladinet maps Amazon Cloud Drive to your Windows desktop originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/map-amazon-cloud-drive-to-windows-local/

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TERADATA TELETECH HOLDINGS

Google Chrome now uses SPDY HTTP replacement, halves page load time

We're not entirely sure of the time line here, but it looks like Google has now rolled out the SPDY HTTP replacement to its full bevy of Web services, including Gmail, Docs, and YouTube. If you're currently using Google's Chrome browser you're probably already using SPDY.

We originally reported on SPDY way back in November 2009, when Google introduced it as yet another experiment in making the Web faster, like Go, Native Client and speculative pre-connections. Over the last 18 months, though, SPDY support has found its way into the stable build of Chrome.

SPDY is basically a streamlined and more efficient version of HTTP. At its most basic, SPDY introduces parallel, multiplexed streams over a single TCP connection -- but at the same time, SPDY allows for prioritization, so that vital content (HTML) can be sent before periphery content (JavaScript, video). All in all, the SPDY protocol can halve page load times, which is obviously rather significant.

The best bit, though, is that SPDY is an open-source project. HTTP 1.1 is a lumbering beast that needs to be replaced before low-latency real-time computing really becomes a reality, and SPDY is one of the best options currently on the table. To be honest, we're not sure why SPDY hasn't received more coverage -- it's awesome in every way. At the moment, though, the only way to help speed up SPDY's proliferation, is with an experimental Apache mod.

As far as actually 'trying it out,' your best bet is downloading Chrome, hitting up some Google sites, and then checking chrome://net-internals to see your active SPDY sessions. SPDY is a transparent replacement for HTTP, though, and as such it's rather hard to see its effects. Google's sites definitely feel fast in Chrome, but there are more technologies than just SPDY at work.

Google Chrome now uses SPDY HTTP replacement, halves page load time originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/11/google-chrome-now-uses-spdy-http-replacement-halves-page-load-t/

TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES TNS TIBCO SOFTWARE

GNOME 3 released, ushers in an interesting amalgam of iOS and OS X

GNOME 3, after more than two years of development, has been released into the wild. GNOME 3 is not merely the logical successor of GNOME 2: it is an entirely new project, started from scratch, to create a "completely new, modern desktop designed for today's users and technologies."

The best way to check out GNOME 3's new features -- and it has lots of new features -- is to run a live version of openSUSE or Fedora, or simply head over to the GNOME 3 website and watch the (rather pretty) introductory videos. If you want a synopsis, though, here it is: GNOME 3 looks a lot like Mac OS X, with a healthy dollop of iOSesqueness for good measure, but yet it still somehow retains an underlying feel of Linux.

The overall aesthetic is very simple, very elegant, and despite being slightly out of fashion, there are plenty of rounded corners, too. The main addition, workflow-wise, is the addition of an app-launcher-cum-alt-tab screen, where you can launch apps, or flip through your open windows. For a complete list of the new features and changes, check the GNOME 3 release notes.

Despite GNOME 3 being officially launched, there aren't actually any releases for existing, stable Linux distros -- it's the live CD/USB images, or Ubuntu users will have to wait for the launch of 11.04 for a GNOME 3 PPA, but it will break Unity in the process. Fedora users will have to wait for for the May 24 release of Fedora 15. Of course, if you're feeling crazy, you can always build GNOME 3 from source.

GNOME 3 released, ushers in an interesting amalgam of iOS and OS X originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/07/gnome-3-released-ushers-in-an-interesting-amalgam-of-ios-and-os/

VIEWSONIC VERISIGN VERIFONE HOLDINGS

Sharp walk-in display over-stimulates 32 guests at a time in Japanese theme park

We've seen plenty of building-sized televisions -- like the 80,000-square-foot ceiling screen in Beijing, or that record-breaking monstrosity that the Cowboys installed in Dallas -- but those single-dimension LCD's have nothing on this "5D" cube opening on Friday. Constructed from 156 Sharp 60-inch HD displays, the 5D Miracle Tour can only be found at Huis Ten Bosch, a "residential-style resort built after a medieval 17th-century Dutch town" located in Sasebo City, Japan. The unique attraction accommodates 32 guests at a time, and consists of one main front screen, surrounded by additional panels on the top, bottom, left and right. Lasting eight minutes, the tour presents the story of a mermaid named Sirena, though content will occasionally change -- given the transient nature of mermaids, of course. We've only been able to dream of the modern-day curiosities we'd encounter while visiting 17th-century Holland, but we certainly hope this magical place won't elude us the next time we're near Nagasaki.

Continue reading Sharp walk-in display over-stimulates 32 guests at a time in Japanese theme park

Sharp walk-in display over-stimulates 32 guests at a time in Japanese theme park originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/sharp-walk-in-display-over-stimulates-32-guests-at-a-time-in-jap/

MICROSEMI MICROS SYSTEMS MICRON TECHNOLOGY

Cult Clothing Line Betabrand Pockets $1.3 Million From OATV

Home of the "DARPA" hoodie, the "Bike To Work" pants, the "Disco" shorts, the "Cornucopia" backpack, the "Vagisoft (yes)" blanket and the TSA-proof "Privates" underwear, Betabrand is an online-only marketplace for unconventional clothes in the same eclectic�e-commerce space as Modcloth and Threadless. The company's emphasis on original in-house designs, in addition to its 100K-200K in monthly revenue, certainly piqued the interest of O'Reilly Alpha Tech Ventures which led Betabrand's $1.3 million Series A round followed by�Morado Ventures�this week. Along with the recent financing, OATV's Mark Jacobsen will be joining the Betabrand board.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/D5fKiIcEXA0/

MOBILE TELESYSTEMS NANYA TECHNOLOGY NII HOLDINGS

How the iPad Has Helped Create More Jobs

Last week Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. made a comment about the iPad being a “job killer” which really got me thinking. My first reaction was how could someone possibly make such a statement? I have to say I totally disagree and I sincerely mean that in an unbiased way. Also, I mean absolutely no disrespect [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ipadbuzzblog/~3/OiEdsuCPOhA/

MICRON TECHNOLOGY MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY METHODE ELECTRONICS

C Skills team discovers Gingerbread root exploit

The folks at C Skills have done their magic again, this time with Gingerbread (and possibly Honeycomb) and have released GingerBreak.  If you don't keep up with this sort of thing, the C Skills team are the people who brought us the rageagainstthecage exploit.  Besides having a run-on sentence for a name, this is the trick that can root any device running Froyo.  Since it isn't going to work on Gingerbread, the fellas have jumped ahead of the game and found one that will, and are pretty confident that it will crack Honeycomb and Froyo, too. 

Now all we need is devices that aren't OEM unlockable to ship with Gingerbread so we can test it. 

Source: C Skills. Thanks, KSmithInNY!

 

C Skills team discovers Gingerbread root exploit posted originally by Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/NYP7c-ta2WI/c-skills-team-discovers-gingerbread-root-exploit

KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY KEY JDS UNIPHASE

Google Docs Gets an Appy Home on Android [Apps]

Cruising Google Docs via browser is fine, but nothing beats a dedicated app—which is now an option for you Android users. The app does what the browser version does, for the most part—though collaboration is a bit delayed. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/mxU7rG1IQgw/google-docs-gets-an-appy-home-on-android

MANTECH INTERNATIONAL MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES LSI

Windows Phone and BlackBerry struggle to attract developer attention

We're taking this with a grain of salt, since it applies only to users of the cross-platform Appcelerator Titanium development environment, but it appears that Windows Phone 7 is facing an increasingly uphill battle for mobile mind-share. At this point it should go without saying that a platform lives and dies by its developers and, according to Appcelerator, they're growing less and less interested in creating apps for Microsoft's smartphone OS. Only 29-percent of devs responded to the company's quarterly survey that they were "very interested" in putting their wares on WP7, a fall of 7 points from last quarter and far less than market leaders Android and iOS. News is even worse for RIM, which saw a fall of 11-points in developer interest for BlackBerry, and now trails the folks from Redmond. Again, this survey is based only on the responses of 2,760 developers using a particular product, so we'd refrain from calling the results incontrovertible. Still, it reinforces something that even a casual observer could discern: BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7 have a tough row to hoe. Two more charts after the break.

Continue reading Windows Phone and BlackBerry struggle to attract developer attention

Windows Phone and BlackBerry struggle to attract developer attention originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/windows-phone-and-blackberry-struggle-to-attract-developer-atten/

MICROSEMI MICROS SYSTEMS MICRON TECHNOLOGY

You can now rent Adobe Photoshop for $35 per month, CS 5.5 available soon

Rejoice! No longer will you have to fork over $700 for a Photoshop CS5 license! Adobe has unveiled a new subscription scheme where you can rent the entire Creative Suite, or individual packages, by the month, or for an entire year.

Adobe Photoshop can be yours for $35 per month if you agree to rent it for 12 months, or $49 per month if you require its services for a shorter period. Dreamweaver can be had for even cheaper, at just $19 per month. The entire Master Collection is still rather expensive, though, at $125 per month.

Today, Adobe also ushered in the release of Creative Suite 5.5, and simultaneously upped its release cycle from 18 months to 24 months. This means, if you rent Photoshop for two years, it's actually the same cost as buying it outright. There's no rent-to-own option, though -- so you wouldn't have access to the cheaper upgrade price once Creative Suite 6 rolls around next year. Still, if you need access to Photoshop, After Effects or Premiere for a one-time project, the new rental scheme could be exactly what you're looking for.

In other news, Adobe has announced that it will be launching three rather exciting iPad apps that work in conjunction with Photoshop: Eazel, Nav, and Color Lava. Eazel lets you five-finger paint on your iPad, and export the result into Photoshop; Nav acts as some kind of workspace, brush and menu extension, and the hopefully named Color Lava is a paint mixing palette. The apps are expected to appear in the App Store in the next 30 days.

You can now rent Adobe Photoshop for $35 per month, CS 5.5 available soon originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/11/you-can-now-rent-adobe-photoshop-for-29-per-month/

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS ALLTEL AMAZONCOM

Kids Hijack an Excavator, Cause Massive Damage at Mining Site [Kids]

Boys will be boys? A 12-year-old and 9-year-old hopped into an excavator, drove it around a strip mining site and destroyed anything that got in their way. It got pretty bad. They flipped over a bulldozer, smashed windows and sprayed fire extinguishers at whatever they could find. The total damage the two boys caused is estimated to be $164,000. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/JCQMFKr9WFc/kids-hijack-an-excavator-cause-massive-damage-at-mining-site

NVIDIA ORACLE POWERCHIP SEMICONDUCTOR