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With federal loans blocked, Fisker halts work on Project Nina, lays off 66 workers

Posted by Amar Toor | Filed under Techie Stuff

Fisker Automotive's bumpy 2011 appears to have given way to an even rockier 2012. A little more than a month after recalling 239 of its Karma plug-ins, Fisker has now stopped working on its second electric vehicle, following the US government's decision to suspend its federal loans. The manufacturer confirmed the news in an email yesterday, adding that a total of 66 workers in Delaware and California have been laid off, as a result. In 2009, the Department of Energy provided Fisker with $528.7 million in federal loans, but according to spokesman Roger Ormisher, access to those funds have been blocked since May. The money was supposed to be used to launch the Karma and Fisker's second, US-manufactured EV, known as the Nina. The Karma began rolling out to market in July, but did so well behind schedule, spurring the DOE to suspend its loan.

"Our loan guarantees have strict conditions in place to protect taxpayers," Department spokesman Damien LaVera explained in an email to Bloomberg. "The department only allows the loan to be disbursed as the company meets certain milestones and demonstrates results." Thus far, Fisker has drawn on only $193 million of federal funds and is looking to renegotiate the terms of the loan, in the hopes of accessing the remaining $336 million. The DOE, however, is still under intense scrutiny because of September's Solyndra debacle, so it's difficult to say what a renegotiated deal would look like. The manufacturer, for its part, says it's taking no risks, telling GigaOM that it "continues to pursue alternative funding sources." In the meantime, it'll continue to focus on the Karma for 2012, and hopes to revive Project Nina at a later date.

With federal loans blocked, Fisker halts work on Project Nina, lays off 66 workers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read more | Comments (0) | February 7th, 2012

Belle update arrives for compatible Nokia Symbian phones (video)

Posted by Mat Smith | Filed under Techie Stuff

The latest reformation of Symbian has started to appear for compatible handsets -- and it's arrived a few days earlier than planned. MyNokiaBlog has already began the upgrade process on its N8, through the Nokia Suite software. (Update: Nokia's now officially announced the release.) Belle will furnish your smartphone with NFC sharing, more homescreens, adjustable widgets and, yes, a pull-down notification bar. Handsets fortunate enough to be blessed by the update include the N8, E6, E7, X7, C7, C6-01 and Oro, arriving on the Nokia 500 in the next few weeks. A cheerful upgrade tour awaits after the break.

Continue reading Belle update arrives for compatible Nokia Symbian phones (video)

Belle update arrives for compatible Nokia Symbian phones (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MyNokiaBlog, Nokia Conversations | Email this | Comments

Read more | Comments (0) | February 7th, 2012

RIM indulges in some ‘myth busting’ at BlackBerry DevCon Europe

Posted by Sharif Sakr | Filed under Techie Stuff

Alec Saunders, VP of Developer Relations, just took the stage at RIM's DevCon gathering in Amsterdam to build up and promptly knock down a few "myths" about RIM's state of health. First up, he tackled the notion that BlackBerry is a declining platform by saying that App World is seeing six million downloads per day, which is up 30 percent from three months ago. He also rejected the idea that BB app devs don't make money, revealing that 13 percent of them have made over $100,000 from their products and that App World generates 40 percent more revenue than the Android Market. Lastly, Saunders said "we're sorry" that RIM's strategy has been "hard to understand" for "some people", but added that BB 10 will solve that problem. He said that the new OS represents a "simple and easy-to-understand strategy" that is about combining the best of QNX and the current BB OS, offering consistent cloud services and making software that is both backwards and forwards compatible.

RIM indulges in some 'myth busting' at BlackBerry DevCon Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read more | Comments (0) | February 7th, 2012

Sony PlayStation Vita charging accessories detailed in Japan

Posted by Sharif Sakr | Filed under Techie Stuff

Sony's website now lists Japanese release dates and prices for two PS Vita power accessories that you're likely to need. The PCH-ZPC1 J portable charger is a 135g (4.8-ounce) unit that takes seven hours to charge to its full 5,000mAh capacity and is then good for around one and half charges of your console -- we reckon that'd equate to over 12 hours of mixed-use sessions or at least seven hours of solid gaming. It'll be out on April 5th for ¥4,500 ($60). Meanwhile, the PCH-ZCA1 J car charger will hit retailers a couple of weeks earlier on March 22nd priced at ¥1,500 ($20) -- and there's really not much more to say about it except that a dead Vita on a road trip would be both a travesty and an oxymoron. Oh, just in case it hasn't already been etched into your memory, February 22nd is launch day in the US and Europe.

Sony PlayStation Vita charging accessories detailed in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TheVerge | source

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Read more | Comments (0) | February 7th, 2012

Nokia accidentally reveals white Lumia 900

Posted by Mat Smith | Filed under Techie Stuff

It looks like it. It seems plenty of you were enraptured by that hypnotic white Lumia 800 we paid a visit to yesterday, but in all the glossy fun, Nokia accidentally revealed the above press shot -- a white Lumia 900. The picture was soon lifted from Nokia's Conversations blog, but it remains on its Facebook page, flashing an exposed micro-USB port and front-facing camera that identifies this snow-white slab as the Lumia 900 kind. The press shot also flashes a view of that non-curved glass front; it certainly looks like our wishes are coming true. Now we just have to wait and see if this color option is ready for that plausible March release date.

Update: Dave Zatz was apparently offered a choice of white or black models when discussing his Lumia 900 pre-order options at a Microsoft store. Maybe we'll see this one from launch.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

Nokia accidentally reveals white Lumia 900 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read more | Comments (0) | February 7th, 2012

RIM wrecks its own devices, so you don’t have to (video)

Posted by Joseph Volpe | Filed under Techie Stuff

Bend, drown, drop and zap? No, that's not your mnemonic device for surviving a fire, it's actually RIM's protocol for destroying their own products. In a trio of behind-the-scenes videos released today, the company's pulled back the curtain on its Hardware Support Lab's process, giving users a peek at the rigorous testing involved with any of its pre-market releases. Designed to keep that pricey kit functioning in top form, these various tests replicate everyday foibles, so when you actually do drop your phone in the toilet, it'll (hopefully) still work. Wondering what sort of travails and pitfalls have been perpetrated upon Waterloo's own portfolio of gadgets? For starters, there's something called a "Moisture Ingress Test" which gauges the quality of a device's seal by dropping it into dyed water -- repeatedly. Or a series of durability tests, that simulate the crushing weight of your posterior upon a defenseless BlackBerry, amongst other potentially embarrassing scenarios. It's the stuff of standard gadget abuse, as well as a panacea for the worries of the accident prone. Click on past the break below to engage in a brief bit of rubbernecking.

Continue reading RIM wrecks its own devices, so you don't have to (video)

RIM wrecks its own devices, so you don't have to (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MobileSyrup | source

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Read more | Comments (0) | February 7th, 2012

Google Fiber rollout now ready to begin in both Kansas Cities

Posted by Donald Melanson | Filed under Techie Stuff

It reportedly suffered a slight delay due to some disagreement with local officials over just how its thousands of miles of wires would be hung, but Google announced today that it's finally ready to begin the rollout of its Google Fiber network in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. Expectedly, that effort will initially focus on the network's backbone, after which Google will then turn its attention towards connecting homes and businesses in the two cities to the gigabit network (promising speeds 100 times faster than the average high-speed connection). Unfortunately, there's still no firm word as to when the first customers can expect that to happen.

Google Fiber rollout now ready to begin in both Kansas Cities originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GigaOm |

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Read more | Comments (0) | February 6th, 2012

Canon welcomes ELPH 530 HS / 320 HS, SX260 HS and D20 to PowerShot lineup

Posted by Zachary Lutz | Filed under Techie Stuff

Canon welcomes ELPH 530 HS / 320 HS, SX260 HS and D20 to its PowerShot lineup

Alongside the new additions to Canon's A-Series of digital cameras, the company is also giving more demanding consumers a similar outpouring of love with four additional shooters in the PowerShot family, which sport a diverse array of features such as WiFi connectivity, 20x optical zoom and rugged designs. Leading the charge for the ELPH lineup is the 530 HS. Along with the 320 HS, it features the ability to wirelessly upload images to Canon's online portal, where users may then post their latest captures to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The ELPH 530 HS features a 12x optical zoom lens paired with a 10 megapixel sensor and is expected to retail for $349 in April. Meanwhile, the 320 HS delivers a 5x optical zoom lens and a 16.1 megapixel sensor. It'll carry a $280 price tag and is set to hit stores in March. Both ELPH models feature Canon's DIGIC 5 image processor, capture 1080p video and include a 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen.

Those who roll Rear Window style may want to check out Canon's new SX260 HS, which packs a 25mm wide-angle lens that boasts up to 20x optical zoom. Like the latest ELPH's, it also offers the DIGIC 5 processor and captures 1080p video. Unique to the SX260 HS, it features GPS for location tagging and a burst shooting mode that captures a continuous 10.3 frames per second. It'll be available in March for $349 and is set to come in black, green and red finishes. Lastly, the D20 offers up a few ruggedized features for outdoor enthusiasts. It features underwater shooting abilities (including a specific macro mode), and is also said to be shock-proof and freeze-proof -- no mention of it tolerating heat, though. The D20 incorporates a 12.1 megapixel sensor, captures 1080p video and features a 5x optical zoom lens. It also offers GPS, but unlike the other cameras here, it uses the DIGIC 4 image processor. If you're considering the D20 for your next adventure, it'll be available in May for $349. You'll discover more about these four additions in the PR, after the break.

Gallery: Canon PowerShot D20, ELPH 530 & 320

Continue reading Canon welcomes ELPH 530 HS / 320 HS, SX260 HS and D20 to PowerShot lineup

Canon welcomes ELPH 530 HS / 320 HS, SX260 HS and D20 to PowerShot lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read more | Comments (0) | February 6th, 2012

Canon unveils new PowerShot A-Series cameras, brings image stabilization to its entry-level

Posted by Michael Gorman | Filed under Techie Stuff

Thought Canon was done with the point-and-shoot updates after refreshing its ELPH lineup last month? Think again, as the company is updating its PowerShot A-Series shooters with six new models in a variety of colors. All the cameras pack a 16-megapixel sensor, 28mm wide angle lens and can take 720p video. First up is the A4000 IS, which brings image stabilization, 8X optical zoom and a 3-inch LCD for $200 later this month. The A3400 IS and A2400 IS make their debuts in March, and bring the same image stabilization as the 4000, but have a lesser 5X optical zoom. Additionally, the 3400 packs a 3-inch touchscreen LCD and costs $180, while the 2400 gets a smaller non-touchscreen 2.7-inch LCD and retails for $150. Meanwhile, the A2300 has the same specs as the 2400, minus the image stabilization, and will cost ten bucks less than its brother when it drops next month. Finally, the PowerShot A1300 and A810 each come with 5X optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD when they debut in April, with the A810 priced at $110 and the A1300 available for $120.

Gallery: Canon PowerShot A-Series