It’s the most wonderful time of the week once again, pals. Like most seven-day periods, this one comes to a close with the latest issue of our e-magazine for your gadget reading pleasure. Front and center this time around, our own Darren Murph pays a visit to the South Carolina HQ of accessory maker Twelve South to chat about making a big splash while staying small. On the review side of things, we take a gander at the TiVo Premiere XL4 and the HTC EVO 4G LTE to see how they stack up and we go hands-on with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Sounder’s iOS app. Reaction Time makes an appearance too — taking a long look at Max Payne 3 while listing this week’s must-have game releases. The usual suspects fall in line as well, as you might expect. Switched On discusses RIM and Nokia, IRL sneaks a look in at our gear collections, former Doctor Who script editor Christopher H. Bidmead pauses for the QA and Dustin Harbin has the Last Word on what killed dinosaurs. Go ahead. Grab the device of your choice and hit the appropriate download link to grab a copy of this week’s e-publication.

Distro Issue 41 PDF
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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/distro-issue-41-twelve-south/

Making his first appearance on the Engadget Mobile Podcast since Episode 86, Chris Ziegler has returned to dive into the week’s wireless news. Joining him will be the wacky duo of Myriam Joire and Brad Molen, so head past the break and hop into our chat at 5PM ET, won’t you?

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/engadget-mobile-podcast-chris-ziegler/

If your cine-cave is already decked out with the Super Hi-Vision display, the Super Hi-Vision camera, and the Super Hi-Vision-supping antenna, we guess you just need the 120fps Super Hi-Vision projector to complete the set? Guess what? Working with JVC, NHK has developed just that. It might not be much to look at, but that hunk of tech up there comes with the extra frame rate that also makes it play fast nice with the sensor technology NHK was kind enough to develop first. The projector will be giving its first public demos on May 24th , and we hope that 7680 x 4320 resolution will make all those hi-res skate-slams come out a charm.

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/nhk-and-jvc-develop-120fps-super-hi-vision-projector/

If you’ve been staring lustfully at an electric motorcycle but needed that little extra push to make the jump, Zero Motorcycles has a unique incentive in store: it’ll pay for your first 25,000 miles on the road. Should you take the keys to any one of the company’s two-wheelers between now and the end of May, you’ll get a Visa gift card for the amount within a few weeks. Of course, the reason it can make such a seemingly generous offer is through the sheer efficiency of an electric engine: at a typical 10 cents for every kilowatt-hour, you’re looking at just under $200 for what’s likely several months or more of driving, even if you’re particularly enthusiastic. Knowing that riding the same amount with a gas-powered bike practically requires taking out a small mortgage in the current economy, though, we’d say that Zero is just reminding us of an an advantage e-motorbikes already have.

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/zero-motorcycles-first-25-000-e-motorbike-miles-free-promotional/

ITASCA, Ill., May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Gogo, a leader of in-flight connectivity and a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, announced today that it will partner with satellite equipment provider, AeroSat, to bring a Ku-satellite solution to commercial airlines. A Ku-satellite solution will allow Gogo to offer airlines connectivity services that extend beyond the United States, including transoceanic routes, and will serve the needs of some of our airlines partners in the near-term until Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-satellite service becomes available.

“As a company, Gogo has always considered itself technology neutral. Our goal is to provide the right technology to meet the connectivity needs of any aircraft size and any aircraft mission,” said Gogo’s president and CEO Michael Small. “By adding a Ku-based offering, we will be qualified to offer our airline partners a wide range of technology solutions. Whether it’s by using our exclusive air to ground and ATG-4 technologies, Ku-satellite or, in the near future, Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-satellite technologies, we expect to be able to service all aircraft.”

AeroSat will deliver the Ku-satellite antenna, radome, antenna control and modem unit and high power transceiver to Gogo. The AeroSat equipment will be coupled with Gogo’s onboard hardware and software (server and access points) to deliver a complete solution to the airlines. The components have already been developed and are currently going through the airworthiness qualification and certification process. Gogo expects to be able to install the Ku-systems on commercial aircraft as soon as the fourth quarter of 2012.

“Ku is the here and now satellite technology and will allow us to service airline clients who want an overseas solution today,” added Small. “However, in many cases we see this as a bridge technology that will allow us to offer overseas service until Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka satellite service is available.”

“AeroSat has been a proven leader in the development of aviation communications solutions for more than a decade and we are delighted to work with Gogo on addressing their equipment needs as they bring a Ku-satellite solution to market,” said AeroSat CEO, Dennis Ferguson. “AeroSat now has developed antenna systems for more than 380 corporate and commercial aircraft operating in every region of the world using multiple commercial satellites.”

Gogo also recently announced that it will be one of two global service providers of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress(TM) Ka-satellite service. Working with Inmarsat, Gogo expects to begin testing of the Global Xpress Ka-aeronautical services after the launch of the first of the three Inmarsat-5 satellites, which is scheduled for mid-2013. Gogo expects to offer Global Xpress Ka-satellite service after the launch of all three I-5 satellites starting in late 2014 or early 2015.

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/gogo-and-aerosat-friendly-on-international-in-flight-wifi/

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), May 18, 2012 – Sprint (NYSE: S) today has made it easier for individuals with speech disabilities to initiate calls using a wireless phone. Sprint’s newly launched “My Wireless STS” service enables individuals with speech disabilities to simply dial a short wireless code – *787 – to place an operator-assisted call.

A Speech to Speech (STS) operator listens to the conversation and repeats the words of the person with a speech disability to the other party. STS users can instruct the STS operator to repeat every word spoken or to simply repeat the words that are unclear. No special equipment is needed.

STS users can access the *787 service from anywhere in the country 24 hours a day, 365 days per year – and at no charge to the user.

“We are very excited to announce *787 – a service that’s tailored to the needs of STS users,” said Michael Ellis, Director, Sprint Relay. “We are the first in the industry to bring this service to market, and we’re pleased to have developed it in collaboration with speech disabled communities across the country.”

Sprint also offers “My Email Set-up” for STS users with access to email. “We know that some STS users may tire and speech may become more difficult during long calls. Our new Email Set-Up makes it easier,” Ellis said. “To reduce the amount of energy needed to provide calling instructions, STS users can email that information directly to the STS operator 2 to 24 hours prior to the call. This can include information such as the number to be dialed, the name of the person being called, any special instructions and subject of the call, or anything that makes it easier for the STS user to complete the call.”

Sprint also recently announced the availability of dedicated customer service for STS users. Sprint’s STS support staff provides one-on-one assistance, training on the STS service and can assist STS users to register their calling preferences. The new STS support toll-free number is 1-877-787-1989.

More information about the enhanced STS features can be found at www.sprintsts.com

For its innovation and industry-leading customer service in the deaf, hard of hearing and speech disabled communities, Sprint has been lauded with third-party awards and endorsements. The Paisley Group National Relay TTY Performance Index™ ranked Sprint Relay highest in customer care and speed of service. Sprint Relay also earned ABILITY Magazine’s Best Practices Award for its “spirit of inclusion” in the workplace and in the consumer marketplace.”

Sprint now provides relay service to 32 states and the federal government, to the country of New Zealand and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Sprint also provides Captioned Telephone “CapTel” services to 31 states and the federal government.

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/sprint-my-wireless-sts-speech-to-speech-service/

At the end of last year, an Administrative Law Judge issued an initial ruling that Motorola’s mobile devices infringe a bit of Microsoft’s IP. Now, the Commission has affirmed that decision and issued an exclusion order to ban Moto’s offending devices from importation into the US. In case you weren’t aware, the four patent claims at issue generally cover technology for scheduling meetings over email using a mobile device. So, unless Motorola removes the feature, pays for a license or whips up a workaround Microsoft’s patent in short order, its inbound RAZRs, Droid 4s, Bionics and other offending handsets will be stuck in customs alongside HTC’s One X and EVO 4G LTE — that is, unless Obama steps in to save the day during the prescribed presidential review period. Microsoft, naturally, is quite pleased with this development and has issued a statement:

Microsoft sued Motorola in the ITC only after Motorola chose to refuse Microsoft’s efforts to renew a patent license for well over a year. We’re pleased the full Commission agreed that Motorola has infringed Microsoft’s intellectual property, and we hope that now Motorola will be willing to join the vast majority of Android device makers selling phones in the US by taking a license to our patents.

– David Howard, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel Microsoft

We’ve reached out to Motorola for comment on the matter as well, so stay tuned to see what it has to say.

Update: Motorola has issued an understandably somber statement on the ruling:

Microsoft started its ITC investigation asserting 9 patents against Motorola Mobility. Although we are disappointed by the Commission’s ruling that certain Motorola Mobility products violated one patent, we look forward to reading the full opinion to understand its reasoning. Motorola Mobility will not experience any impact in the near term, as the Commission’s ruling is subject to a $0.33/per unit bond during the 60 day Presidential review period. We will explore all options including appeal.

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/itc-bans-motorola-mobile-devices-for-infringing-microsoft-patent/

Here’s an expansion of mobile competition in the US that comes out of left field, even for us: GameStop as a cellular provider. GameStop Mobile, as it’s called, is that rare bird of an ATT-based MVNO that relies on a bring-your-own-device strategy. As long as your hardware works on ATT’s 850MHz and 1,900MHz bands and isn’t locked to another carrier, you can bring any GSM- and HSPA-based phone (or data-only device) and use it contract-free: rates start at anything from a strictly pay-as-you-go $5 through to a $55 monthly plan with unlimited voice and text, if just an anemic 500MB of data. Tablet owners and other data-only fans can pay the same $55 for 1GB per month — a bit stiff considering that those on ATT proper can get 5GB of data for slightly less. No doubt this is to take advantage of iPad and iPhone trade-ins, PlayStation Vitas and the overall rise of unlocked devices. We’re just wondering whether GameStop will catch a few customers subscribing as they pick up their Diablo III pre-orders or else face the uncertain future that befalls many MVNOs.

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/gamestop-mobile-launches-as-att-virtual-carrier/

It’s safe to say that anticipation is high for the upcoming Windows 8 Release Preview, which will become available in the first week of June. While we’re still curious to see if Microsoft can better integrate the desktop and Metro environments of its latest operating system, the company has now revealed a significant change to the desktop portion of Windows 8 — a completely restyled visual appearance. As you might remember from the Consumer Preview, window borders and widgets featured a simplified and subdued look in comparison to the glass-like materials of Aero, which Microsoft now calls “dated and cheesy.” With the latest refresh, however, the company has pushed its modernistic philosophy even further to reveal a spartan (yet functional) interface that draws less attention to the chrome elements and allows the user to focus more on content.

Microsoft’s latest reveal was made as part of a larger, retrospective look at its development of Windows and the evolution of the operating system. At every step, the company states that its emphasis has been on the overall “learnability” of the environment. As such, Microsoft claims that it’s making great strides to ensure that consumers may quickly get up to speed with the latest OS, and hints that it has a number of reveals yet to be seen. In its very next breath, however, it also emphasized people’s ability to adapt and move forward, which suggests the number of changes might not be as concilatory as some might’ve hoped. Regardless, we’ll know for sure what Microsoft has in store in just a few weeks.

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/microsoft-reveals-new-windows-8-desktop-ui/

There’s been hints of it coming as early as February, but we now have a smoking gun at the FCC: the Galaxy S III is coming to T-Mobile. A Samsung SGH-T999 has popped up at the agency sporting newly added 1,700MHz AWS support that’s the telltale sign of a T-Mobile device, along with the T999 name itself (the T989 is the network’s Galaxy S II). It also totes 850MHz and 1,900MHz WCDMA bands being used for HSPA+ data rather than just voice, a clue that the phone is ready for refarmed GSM spectrum. Just in case there was any remaining doubt, we’ve further spotted a related T999V entry at the Bluetooth SIG with a rather familiar-looking image as well as a Samsung-hosted T999 user agent profile on the web that matches what we know about the Android 4.0 hardware. We have yet to get a look at whether or not the T-Mobile version is any different on the outside, but with the FCC’s help, there’s not much left to know before the expected summer US launch.

Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-for-t-mobile-hits-fcc/