Breaking down Apple's $1 billion courtroom victory over Samsung

With a 20-page verdict form and 100 pages of instructions to explain it, many figured it would take longer for the jury to render a decision. But, the tech trial of the century has concluded, with Apple scoring a not-quite-flawless victory over its rival Samsung. While the company didn't win on every count, its cadre of lawyers did convince the nine jurors to award Apple over $1 billion in damages for Samsung's IP transgressions. Join us after the break and we'll hit you with the legal math that gave Apple a ten-figure bump to its bottom line - and served as a shot across the bow of every other mobile phone manufacturer.



Engadget , Breaking down Apple's $1 billion courtroom victory over Samsung, Breaking down Apple's $1 billion courtroom victory over Samsung

ITU approves NHK's Super Hi-Vision as 8K standard, sets the UHDTV ball rolling very slowly

We'd heard that the International Telecommunication Union was close to approving Super Hi-Vision as an Ultra High Definition TV standard, and the UN agency hasn't waited long to confirm the rumors. The recommendation to use NHK's 7,680 x 4,320 format has gone unopposed and should define the parameters for incredibly detailed 8K video worldwide. This shouldn't lead anyone to return that 4K TV just yet - once again, it's important to remember that NHK still won't start any kind of wider testing until 2020.

Engadget , ITU approves NHK's Super Hi-Vision as 8K standard, sets the UHDTV ball rolling very slowly, ITU approves NHK's Super Hi-Vision as 8K standard, sets the UHDTV ball rolling very slowly

Portable Body Scale

For some people who are really health conscious, they need to keep track and monitor their weight all of the time. Doing so might give them that feeling that they are doing the right thing when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. This Portable Body Scale will prove to be a handy addition to the many health-related devices that they usually bring along with them. With some people needing to keep watch of their weight to the point of obsession, the Portable Body Scale will prove to be quite important. This special scale is ultra-compact that it can easily fit into a handbag or a backpack.

Gadget.com , Portable Body Scale

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gadgeter, Portable Body Scale

App.Net posts terms of service, asks for feedback

Against all odds App.Net met its funding goal, which has allowed the fledgling social network to shift its focus to the next phase of its founding. That means putting together all those essential documents that will govern its operation, including a terms of service and privacy policy. Creator Dalton Caldwell has posted first drafts of several docs and asked his backers for feedback, offering them an attempt to shape the rules that will guide how the site is run.

Engadget , App.Net posts terms of service, asks for feedback, App.Net posts terms of service, asks for feedback

Blizzard releases previews of Mists of Pandaria's new Battlegrounds

We know that there are some of you World of Warcraft gamers out there who are probably pretty darn excited about the upcoming expansion, Mists of Pandaria. Well if you didn't want to spoil the game for yourself with the in-game cinematics, perhaps Blizzard's recently released previews of the game might not be as much of a spoiler. First up, the company has released a couple of previews on the new Battlegrounds PVP gamers can look forward to in Mists of Pandaria. This includes the Temple of Kotmogu and the Silvershard Mines.

Ubergizmo , Blizzard releases previews of Mists of Pandaria's new Battlegrounds, Blizzard releases previews of Mists of Pandaria's new Battlegrounds

Alleged iPhone 5 USB cable confirms miniature port

With the iPhone 5 pre-orders opening up in a matter of weeks, another leak may confirm previous rumors regarding a smaller, miniature dock connector. Unless there is some sort of elaborate conspiracy going on between third party accessory makers, it's probably safe to say the new iPhone is coming with a smaller dock connector and a whole new set of accessories. An alleged next-generation Apple USB connector cable appeared in a leaked photo yesterday. With rumors of a similarly shaped 16-pin port for the new iPhone, iPad and iPad mini, we may be looking at the future of Apple's unique USB cables.

2DayBlog.com , Alleged iPhone 5 USB cable confirms miniature port, Alleged iPhone 5 USB cable confirms miniature port

Zotac refreshes Zbox Nano with AMD Brazos 2.0 APU

Zotac revealed on Wednesday a version of its Zbox Nano mini-PC packing AMD's “Brazos 2.0″ E2-1800 dual-core APU clocked at 1.7 GHz. This chip refreshes the Zotac device with AMD Radeon HD 7340 graphics which delivers DirectX 11 gaming and HD video playback while boosting computational and graphical processing capabilities for lightning-fast system responsiveness. “The Zotac Zbox Nano series proves itself as a user favorite with full-scale PC usage in all rooms and locations,” the company said. “The pocket-sized form factor comes extremely versatile given its new dual-core 1.7 GHz AMD Brazos 2.0 E2-1800 APU.

2DayBlog.com , Zotac refreshes Zbox Nano with AMD Brazos 2.0 APU, Zotac refreshes Zbox Nano with AMD Brazos 2.0 APU

Star Splitter Android Game App

Space games on smartphones have become quite popular that there is now quite a considerable number to choose from. Some may just offer features that many people have already seen before. And there is quite a few that offers some added unique features that make them stand out. It is that certain something game apps like Star Splitter aims to offer.
The Star Splitter Android game app is unlike any other space games available out there in that it takes players out on a space adventure. It does not just rely on the frequent space battles with enemy ships that makes this new game app quite engaging to play.

Gadget.com , Star Splitter Android Game App, Star Splitter Android Game App

Dishonored ‘Study of Stealth' Gameplay Video

Check out the latest gameplay video ‘Study of Stealth' from the upcoming Dishonored title. As mentioned before, this first-person Neo-Victorian stealth action video game will hit PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on October 9th.

TechFresh , Dishonored ‘Study of Stealth' Gameplay Video, Dishonored ‘Study of Stealth' Gameplay Video

FCC releases interactive map for latest Broadband Progress Report

The FCC has been providing regular updates on the progress of broadband rollout in the United States for some time now, but it's gone a bit further with for its latest Broadband Progress Report. It's now also released in a new web-based interactive map that that lets you zoom in on broadband availability county-by-county to get a better picture of all that data, with details on things like population, income and access to different types of broadband provided for each area.

Engadget , FCC releases interactive map for latest Broadband Progress Report, FCC releases interactive map for latest Broadband Progress Report

Canadian Auto Workers vote to merge with rival, form 'super union'

How would you respond to the headline "No More Auto Workers Union". Our northern neighbors will likely be bidding goodbye to their Canadian Auto Workers Union, as the membership has agreed to merge with the country's Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. The Vancouver Sun is reporting that a unanimous vote of delegates at the CAW's convention has approved the merger. If finalized, the new organization will have more than 300,000 members, most of them working in manufacturing, communications and transportation.

Autoblog , Canadian Auto Workers vote to merge with rival, form 'super union', Canadian Auto Workers vote to merge with rival, form 'super union'

Insert Coin: Connectify Dispatch lets you put all your internets together into one big internet (video)

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. If you've ever thought "Hey, my internet is pretty slow, maybe I can get a second line and combine them into one big, zippy connection!" then you're not alone - those of us who are broadband-deprived need all the help we can get. But a quick tour through Google will show you the difficulty of doing that process, called "bonding," at home.

Engadget , Insert Coin: Connectify Dispatch lets you put all your internets together into one big internet (video), Insert Coin: Connectify Dispatch lets you put all your internets together into one big internet (video)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 digital camera

Panasonic's foray into the mirrorless digital camera realm continues with the Lumix DMC-G5, where you will find this mirrorless shooter sporting a viewfinder that has been integrated into a rather small and light body, and this particular camera is tipped to be released this coming September 13th in Japan. Sporting a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 does seem to be shaping up to be a pretty decent Micro Four Thirds offering – on paper, at least.

Ubergizmo , Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 digital camera, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 digital camera

Nokia Phi and Nokia Arrow rumored to be announced on September 5, WP8 in tow

Nokia's apparently going to unveil two Windows Phone 8 devices during its September 5 joint event with Microsoft. These are codenamed Phi and Arrow. Obviously, when they'll get released they'll both be called Lumia something. The Phi is the high-end offering, which we've already seen get leaked at the beginning of this month.
The Nokia Phi will sport a design that's quite similar to the Lumia 900 and Lumia 800, and it will be launched in the US by AT&T. The carrier will give it a similar status to the one the Lumia 900 has had – more or less a ‘hero' device.

Unwired View , Nokia Phi and Nokia Arrow rumored to be announced on September 5, WP8 in tow, Nokia Phi and Nokia Arrow rumored to be announced on September 5, WP8 in tow

1926 releases Park Adventurers to encourage UK kids to embrace outdoor play this summer

Today, 1926 Wood Flooring has released a new downloadable game to encourage outdoor play, now the end of the school holidays is approaching. A recent study shows that nearly half of British parents are too worried about external factors such as stranger danger and traffic to let their children play outdoors *. This game, from 1926, provides a fun, educational, outdoor activity that parents can join in too. ‘Park Adventurers’ includes trivia questions about objects commonly found in parks and other natural spaces.

Press Release Distribution , 1926 releases Park Adventurers to encourage UK kids to embrace outdoor play this summer, 1926 releases Park Adventurers to encourage UK kids to embrace outdoor play this summer

Worldwide Ticketing Group for Global Artists Sings Cloud Virtues

CrowdSurge uses NewVoiceMedia to improve customer calling experienceToday, ticket sales handling specialist, CrowdSurge has announced its decision to work with NewVoiceMedia to quickly deploy a system to manage increases in call volumes and to match this with its desire to enhance the customer calling experience.CrowdSurge provides services to artists, brands, promoters, and venues around the globe to help close the gap between rights holders and their customers.

Press Release Distribution , Worldwide Ticketing Group for Global Artists Sings Cloud Virtues, Worldwide Ticketing Group for Global Artists Sings Cloud Virtues

PayPal inks Discover deal to bolster mobile payment platform

. PayPal on Wednesday made its big move to upend Google (GOOG) Wallet in the mobile payment platform wars by signing a deal to enable its mobile payment system on Discover's credit card network. As reported by GigaOM, the new partnership will deliver PayPal's in-store payment service to more than 7 million different stores across the United States starting next April.

Boy Genius Report , PayPal inks Discover deal to bolster mobile payment platform, PayPal inks Discover deal to bolster mobile payment platform

LG Display starts volume production of in-cell touch screens, we have a hunch as to who wants them

Looks like we'll be finding in-cell touch displays in our devices sooner rather than later: LG Display has confirmed that it's been mass-producing the thinner LCDs since earlier in August. CEO Han Sang-beom also notes that manufacturing has been going as smooth as, well, glass. Despite the complexity of building touch input directly into a display, the company expects to keep the supply going "without any fail," according to the executive. As to who's making the orders. LG Display isn't naming its customers on the record, and production could be as much for its sister company's phones and tablets as anyone else's.

Engadget , LG Display starts volume production of in-cell touch screens, we have a hunch as to who wants them, LG Display starts volume production of in-cell touch screens, we have a hunch as to who wants them

Calix to Acquire Fiber Access Assets from Ericsson; Companies Sign Global Reseller Agreement

Partnership will bring Calix Unified Access systems and software to communications service providers worldwidePETALUMA, CA - August 22, 2012 - Calix, Inc. (NYSE:CALX) and Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Calix will acquire Ericsson’s fiber access assets.

Press Release Distribution , Calix to Acquire Fiber Access Assets from Ericsson; Companies Sign Global Reseller Agreement, Calix to Acquire Fiber Access Assets from Ericsson; Companies Sign Global Reseller Agreement

Logitech K310 Washable Keyboard

No matter how squeaky clean your office work space may be, there is one place you may have overlooked: the computer keyboard. Try flipping the keyboard, shake it a few times, and see all the old food crumbs and other cruft that have built up. Many companies has provided cleaning tools to get rid of those nasty bits, but most of the time these brushes and sticky goos have a hard time dealing with hard-to-reach areas. Logitech has come up with an alternative solution: give your old keyboard away and buy a new $40 washable keyboard. The Logitech Washable Keyboard K310 can be submerged in up to 11 inches of water, just leave the USB cord dry.

Gadget.com , Logitech K310 Washable Keyboard, Logitech K310 Washable Keyboard

AT&T confesses: its network couldn't handle unchecked FaceTime over cellular

Well, at least no one can blame AT&T for dodging the core issue any longer. After watching Verizon Wireless snag satisfaction crown after satisfaction crown from AT&T over the years, it seems that the latter is finally using a highly defensive blog post on the issue of FaceTime over cellular in order to cop to what we've all known: AT&T's network is in no shape to handle the glut of devices currently running on it.

Engadget , AT&T confesses: its network couldn't handle unchecked FaceTime over cellular

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wgitn, AT&T confesses: its network couldn't handle unchecked FaceTime over cellular

Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350

It's here: the first Android-powered camera, and it's one that you'd actually consider buying. Nikon's $349.95 Coolpix S800c is nearly as slim as a smartphone from the middle of last decade, boasting inbuilt GPS (you know, for excessive geotagging), a 10x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, 3.5-inch OLED WVGA touchscreen, a 1080p movie capture mode and Android 2.3. That's right - there's a bona fide copy of Android running the show on a point-and-shoot camera, something that it seems Nikon beat Samsung to the punch with.






Engadget , Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350, Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350

MetroPCS offers all-you-can-eat LTE for just $55 a month

. MetroPCS isn't about to let Sprint (S) hog the spotlight when it comes to offering unlimited LTE data plans. The prepaid wireless carrier on Tuesday announced that for a limited time it will offer a $55 monthly plan that delivers unlimited voice, text messaging and LTE data on a single line. Subscribers can also add up to three additional lines to the plan for just $50 each.

In addition to its new cheap unlimited LTE plan, MetroPCS also announced that it will start selling the LG Motion 4G smartphone for just $149 with no service contract required.

Boy Genius Report , MetroPCS offers all-you-can-eat LTE for just $55 a month, MetroPCS offers all-you-can-eat LTE for just $55 a month

UI expert: Windows users will hate the new Windows 8 experience

. Microsoft (MSFT) should brace for a user backlash against Windows 8 that will make the company pine for the days of Clippy, according to usability expert Raluca Budiu of the Nielsen Norman Group. During an interview with Laptop Magazine, Budiu said that the billion-plus users around the world who have become accustomed to Windows will experience massive difficulties adjusting to the new Windows 8 user interface, going so far as to call the new UI “a cognitive burden.”.

Boy Genius Report , UI expert: Windows users will hate the new Windows 8 experience

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computerworld, UI expert: Windows users will hate the new Windows 8 experience

OnStar gets button redesign, Camaro gets frameless rearview mirror

After holding what we're sure were enough clinics to start a psych practice, General Motors has unveiled a redesign of its OnStar buttons and certain features for its 2013 products. The biggest change comes with the hands-free calling button, which gets swapped from a telephone icon to one of a person speaking. In addition to still making and taking calls, OnStar takes voice commands so that drivers can check on a saved route, traffic, weather and more. The new button also matches up with the voice command button on the touchscreen interfaces for MyLink, CUE and IntelliLink.
The two remaining buttons get less drastic makoevers.

Autoblog , OnStar gets button redesign, Camaro gets frameless rearview mirror, OnStar gets button redesign, Camaro gets frameless rearview mirror

Bag of Rhythm Portable Audio System

The House of Marley makes headphones, audio systems, and bags inspired by Bob Marley.  They say “Bob Marley was a master at his craft and we're aiming for the same peak of excellence in everything we make.” Their audio products are designed to “produce audio products with smooth, powerful bass, mids with stunning presence, and an energized high-end that brings songs to life. Each product undergoes custom tuning for its particular size, shape and material.”  They use natural, eco-friendly, and renewable products, and The House of Marley supports 1Love, the Marley family charitable foundation.

The Gadgeteer , Bag of Rhythm Portable Audio System, Bag of Rhythm Portable Audio System

Jambox from Jawbone Speaker is fully customizable

Everyone wants to be unique in his or her own special way, and I guess you cannot fault them considering how much harder it is to stand out from among nearly 7 billion other people here on earth. Well, even when it comes to wireless speakers, there are potential candidates that will grab your attention – and I would like to single out the Jambox from Jawbone Speaker this time around. The new Jambox will come in over 100 new custom color combinations, where you can pick from 13 grill and nine cap colors right on Jawbone.com itself. This particular experience allows folks to mix and match, and helps them be truly unique.

Ubergizmo , Jambox from Jawbone Speaker is fully customizable, Jambox from Jawbone Speaker is fully customizable

Xperia 2011 smartphones get an update, it's still ICS

Sony will push a new update for the Xperia 2011 smartphones in the upcoming days. It will keep the Android version at 4.0.4 but will bring some "bug fixes, performance tweaks and other improvements". In case youÂ've missed the news, the entire Xperia 2011 lineup - Xperia arc, Xperia arc S, Xperia neo, Xperia neo V, Xperia mini, Xperia pro, Xperia active and Xperia ray - is already upgraded to Android 4.0.4 ICS.

GSM Arena , Xperia 2011 smartphones get an update, it's still ICS, Xperia 2011 smartphones get an update, it's still ICS

Google grabs glove-based input patent, could spell out gesture control

Google might have already patented some nifty eye-tracking controls, but that doesn't mean it isn't considering other sensory input. A recently granted patent hints at a potential glove-based controller, with references to a pair of detectors that record "images" of an environment, and then determine gestures based on the calculated movement between them. The illustrations go on to show a hand drawing out the letter J, indicating it could be used for text input, while another suggests recognition of pinch-to-zoom style gestures.

Engadget , Google grabs glove-based input patent, could spell out gesture control

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gadgets, Google grabs glove-based input patent, could spell out gesture control

Keep Your Coffee at the Perfect Drinking Temperature

This is an indiegogo funding project.  The ThermoBuffer is “the world's first thermodynamic mug”, and it will reportedly keep your coffee at a perfect drinking temperature for up to 3 hours.  Instead of a dual-wall structure for insulation, the ThermoBuffer is has a triple wall.  The gap between the inner walls is filled with water, and the outer gap is a vacuum.  The water layer acts as a heat sink to absorb heat from the too-hot coffee as it's poured into the mug, which cools it to a comfortable temperature for drinking.

The Gadgeteer , Keep Your Coffee at the Perfect Drinking Temperature, Keep Your Coffee at the Perfect Drinking Temperature

Insert Coin: Instacube is a hip, Android-based digital photo frame for your Instragram feeds

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Ever wished you had another option aside from using Instagram's mobile apps and permalinks for viewing your retrofied photos. The folks at D2M certainly did, resulting in what it likes to call Instacube. The square gizmo is essentially a 7.5-inch (2.5 inches deep), OneStep-themed digital photo frame purposed specifically for displaying and interacting with Instagram photo feeds.

Engadget , Insert Coin: Instacube is a hip, Android-based digital photo frame for your Instragram feeds, Insert Coin: Instacube is a hip, Android-based digital photo frame for your Instragram feeds

QuBit OpenTag Launches Wordpress Plugin And Magento Extension For Universal Variable

OpenTag Tag Management Solution continues to open up cross platform integration with new additions 21st August 2012: QuBit OpenTag (http://www.opentag.qubitproducts.com/) today announced the launch of a Wordpress plugin and a Magento extension for Universal Variable.  The two additions to the company’s class-leading OpenTag Enterprise Tag Management Solution reinforce the desire to provide an open-source tag management product which integrates across a variety of platforms.

Press Release Distribution , QuBit OpenTag Launches Wordpress Plugin And Magento Extension For Universal Variable, QuBit OpenTag Launches Wordpress Plugin And Magento Extension For Universal Variable

The Bloombox is an iOS speaker dock that lets you grow a plant in the middle of it

We've seen plenty of iOS speaker docks which claim to be green because they are made out of natural materials and because no electricity is required. Instead the sound is usually amplified naturally by making use of the science of acoustics. If you're a fan of such systems, then this Kickstarter project called the Bloombox might be worth taking a look at. Pictured above is the "device" and basically it's a stand for your iPhone or iPod touch with a hollowed out middle.

Ubergizmo , The Bloombox is an iOS speaker dock that lets you grow a plant in the middle of it, The Bloombox is an iOS speaker dock that lets you grow a plant in the middle of it

T-Mobile and Orange to rebrand as Everything Everywhere, sell 4G spectrum to rival Three

When UK networks T-Mobile and Orange united under the Everything Everywhere umbrella, many people speculated if the two would become a single entity. That didn't happen, but according to Sky News, that rollout of 4G services in October will also be part of a rebrand. The sources claim that new customers will join Everything Everywhere, with existing customers to be migrated around March 2013. A statement from Everything Everywhere acknowledges there was a confidential brand review, but refuses to comment on the speculation.

Engadget , T-Mobile and Orange to rebrand as Everything Everywhere, sell 4G spectrum to rival Three, T-Mobile and Orange to rebrand as Everything Everywhere, sell 4G spectrum to rival Three

Back in the BBS days: how-to helps newbs navigate to a pre-internet playground

The web has an origin story, one that predates any cozy trip in the wayback machine. That's because where we're going, there is no internet - at least, not as you now know it - only Bulletin Board Systems. And to help guide curious digital natives on this journey back to the time tech forgot, a programmer by the handle of Proppelerpowered has whipped up a how-to that leverages nothing more than a microcontroller-based microcomputer and BASIC knowledge.

Engadget , Back in the BBS days: how-to helps newbs navigate to a pre-internet playground, Back in the BBS days: how-to helps newbs navigate to a pre-internet playground

Sony NEX-5R and NEX-6 allegedly get pictured, flaunt WiFi logos

In early August, an Indonesian POSTEL listing revealed two new mirrorless NEX shooters in Sony's pipeline, both reportedly rocking wireless LAN chips. Now VR-Zone seems to have come across certification photos of the two cameras, each modeling - you guessed it - its very own WiFi logo. As expected, this puts Sony's ILC range inline with the wireless smorgasbord it laid out at CES, eschewing less native, accessory-based solutions. VR-Zonewagers that the NEX-5R will sell for about $700, and pegs the NEX-6 somewhere around $1000.

Engadget , Sony NEX-5R and NEX-6 allegedly get pictured, flaunt WiFi logos, Sony NEX-5R and NEX-6 allegedly get pictured, flaunt WiFi logos

A case study in how not to drive a BMW M3 on a deserted road

Warning: This is not going to end well. What you're about to see is a young man driving a very fast car – an E46 BMW M3, it appears – down a deserted road in the desert. We can't say for certain where it took place, but it looks a lot like Arizona. There are just enough elevation changes to make the road a bit challenging for the inexperienced.

Judging from the result of this boy's escapades, inexperienced pretty much sums it up. There's a blind corner, a road that drops away before a sweeping left turn and way too much speed. And then there's an airbag. Fortunately, it seems the driver walked away without serious injuries.



Autoblog , A case study in how not to drive a BMW M3 on a deserted road, A case study in how not to drive a BMW M3 on a deserted road

comScore online video rankings shows 36.9 billion videos were viewed in July

Internet analytics company comScore has just released the latest data from its Video Metrix service, a comprehensive viewing intelligence platform that provides transparent and end-to-end video measurement in the online video marketplace. The data that was released last week showed that more than 184 million U.S. Internet users have watched 36.9 billion online videos in July, with over 9.6 billion views on video ads. In the Top 10 Video Content Properties by Unique Viewers category, Google sites driven via YouTube bagged the top spot last month with 157 million unique viewers.

Ubergizmo , comScore online video rankings shows 36.9 billion videos were viewed in July, comScore online video rankings shows 36.9 billion videos were viewed in July

One million robots to replace Chinese workers in Apple products factories

Why hire workers, when you can use skilled robots that are more efficient and productive. Apparently the trend has skyrocketed, particularly in China and Netherlands, where companies such as Philips and Foxconn are planning to utilize a new wave of robots in its factories. Philips is already using roughly 128 robot arms to do the same work in its factories while Apple device manufacturer Foxconn is planning to install more than a million robots within a few years to supplement its work force. However, the Taiwanese multinational electronics manufacturing company did not disclose how many workers will be displaced or when.

Ubergizmo , One million robots to replace Chinese workers in Apple products factories, One million robots to replace Chinese workers in Apple products factories

HTC burned for $40 million as cloud gaming startup OnLive implodes

. It's a good thing HTC (2498) dialed back its Beats investment last month, because the $150 million it will save on that deal might help take the sting off the $40 million the company just lost on another investment. OnLive, a cloud-based gaming company that launched two years ago, just imploded. Huge layoffs swept the gaming startup late last week as the firm's assets were acquired by a new company. According to a recent filing with the Taiwan stock exchange uncovered by IDG News, the $40 million investment HTC made in the streaming video game service will evaporate as part of that acquisition.

Boy Genius Report , HTC burned for $40 million as cloud gaming startup OnLive implodes, HTC burned for $40 million as cloud gaming startup OnLive implodes

BBC not bringing iPlayer or live streaming to Windows Phone 8, blames Microsoft

Microsoft is getting brickbats from developers unenthused by its forthcoming operating system(s), and the BBC is the latest to join the chorus. When asked about bringing iPlayer to Windows Phone, the corporation's on-demand honcho, Daniel Danker, responded by saying it's not cost-or-time effective for the system - thanks to a lack of support for HTTP Live Streaming. Mr. Danker confirmed to us that HLS is not the proprietary format it's believed to be, used on a wide variety of devices including Smart TVs and consoles - but is not included in Redmond's mobile OS.

Engadget , BBC not bringing iPlayer or live streaming to Windows Phone 8, blames Microsoft, BBC not bringing iPlayer or live streaming to Windows Phone 8, blames Microsoft

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 arrives at the Carphone Warehouse

Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 is now available at the Carphone Warehouse for the stylus-toting multi-tasker in your life. The independent UK retailer is selling the 16GB, WiFi version for £400, while the edition equipped with a 3G modem retails for £500. While the latter can make calls, you won't be holding the tablet to your ear to make 'em.

Engadget , Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 arrives at the Carphone Warehouse, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 arrives at the Carphone Warehouse

Ex-GM workers in Columbia sew mouths shut in hunger strike (video)

Seven Colombian men, all former General Motors employees, have sewn their mouths shut as part of a hunger strike that is now in its third week. The demonstrators, stationed outside the U.S. embassy in Bogota, are protesting their termination from the GM Colmotores plant. As reported by The Toronto Star, the men say that GM fired them after they incurred various debilitating job-related injuries, rather than help them obtain the proper medical treatment.



Autoblog , Ex-GM workers in Columbia sew mouths shut in hunger strike (video), Ex-GM workers in Columbia sew mouths shut in hunger strike (video)

Model numbers and pricing of SamsungÂ’s WP8 phones surface

As the latest rumor has it SamsungÂ's upcoming Windows Phone 8-based smartphones will be the I8370 codenamed Macro and the I8750 codenamed Odyssey. We already knew the code names from a previous leak. The Samsung I8370 will be the cheaper device, sporting a 4.0-inch Super AMOLED WVGA screen, a dual-core 1.5GHz Krait processor, a 5 MP rear and a 1.9MP front cameras. The 8GB internal storage will be expandable via a microSD slot.

The Samsung I8570 specs sheet is basically identical to the US Galaxy S III, featuring the same 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD screen and a 1.5GHz dual-core Krait.

GSM Arena , Model numbers and pricing of SamsungÂ's WP8 phones surface, Model numbers and pricing of SamsungÂ's WP8 phones surface

Inhabitat's week in green: solar powered toilet, pollution-fighting mural and the world's largest rooftop wind farm

Hear those school bells in the distance. It's hard to believe, but the start of the school year is just a few weeks away - and all week we've been rounding up some of our favorite eco-friendly back-to-school essentials. From green school supplies to sustainable backpacks, we've got all your back-to-school needs covered. And to top it off, we're giving away a laptop-charging Voltaic solar-powered backpack (worth $389) stuffed with green school supplies for a total prize package worth over $500.

Engadget , Inhabitat's week in green: solar powered toilet, pollution-fighting mural and the world's largest rooftop wind farm, Inhabitat's week in green: solar powered toilet, pollution-fighting mural and the world's largest rooftop wind farm