PlayStation Vita won't get along with your antique games, for now...

While Sony confirmed that the PS Vita will be able to dive into the PSP's back-catalog from launch, it looks like it'll miss out on anything pre-millennium. An updated page from the PS Vita's Japanese site has backed up rumors that PSOne Classics and other “archive games” won't be available when the quad-core console arrives in Asian stores next month.

2DayBlog.com, PlayStation Vita won't get along with your antique games, for now...

Too lazy to grab your TV remote? Use Siri instead

Siri hasn't been caught cooking dinner yet, but hackers worldwide have boldly taken Apple's personal assistant to a whole new level by incorporating its functionality with a plethora of different devices. We've seen Siri use custom commands, change the temperature in your house, and even allow select car owners to utilize their automobile's Bluetooth integration. Nifty, no doubt, but this assistant's evolution towards greater heights isn't over yet. Vimeo user toddtreece has whipped up a slick demo of the iPhone 4S' right hand gal (or guy) taking command of his television set.

Engadget, Too lazy to grab your TV remote? Use Siri instead

Researchers print bone-like material with 3D printer

With the advancement of our technology, 3D printers have been making great strides in replicating various objects, going beyond creating mere models to parts that can actually be used in real world applications. Now it appears that researchers have managed to use a 3D printer to create a bone-like structure that can be used as scaffolds to stimulate the growth of replacement bone tissue. This is achieved by optimizing a ProMetal 3D printer that is not only commercially available, but was originally designed to create metal objects.

Ubergizmo, Researchers print bone-like material with 3D printer

Australian court overturns Samsung tablet ban in Apple patent case

. Samsung recently won a appeal lawsuit against Apple in Australia that overturned a ban on sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the country. An appeals court, which recently said the ban was “not terribly fair” to Samsung, explained that the original judge in a lower court had made a mistake in approving Apple's request for an injunction against the tablet. “We cannot see how Samsung's conduct in refusing the offer of an early trial could properly be weighed," the appeals court said, noting that the original court "erred in principle” for basing part of its decision on a ban on that ruling.

Boy Genius Report, Australian court overturns Samsung tablet ban in Apple patent case

Open Your Beer with Your Universal Remote Control

The Clicker has been mentioned in passing in a gift-ideas post last year, but I thought it might deserve its own post this gift-giving season.  The Clicker universal remote control was designed by a Civil Engineer/building contractor.  He worked for years perfecting his idea of incorporating a bottle opener into a remote control – to keep things simple in your man cave, you know.  The remote has been programmed with over 800 factory pre-sets, so it works with almost all major cable and satellite dish boxes, plus TVs, and other equipment.

The Gadgeteer, Open Your Beer with Your Universal Remote Control

Candle Lighting Ceremony to mark World Aids Day 1st December

80,000 people die every week globally from HIV-AIDS – Enough to fill Croke Park  Aids Partnership with Africa (APA), today announced that they will be marking World Aids Day with a Candle Lighting Ceremony led by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr. Andrew Montague.On lighting the Candle the Lord Mayor Mr. Andrew Montague said: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to highlight the issue of HIV-AIDS today.

Press Release Distribution

See also:
techcrunch, Candle Lighting Ceremony to mark World Aids Day 1st December

Rumor: Microsoft Bringing $10 Office Apps to iPad

Word's clean interface could soon be seen on the iPad. Illustration Charlie Sorrel, toolbars image Robots.org.uk. Today's juicy Apple rumor is that Microsoft is planning to bring some form of its Office software suite to the iPad. For a company whose business is based on selling software for the most popular hardware platforms, this make a lot of sense.

Gadget Lab, Rumor: Microsoft Bringing $10 Office Apps to iPad

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus root method discovered

If you own the recently release Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, the good news is that if you have been itching to install some custom ROMs or make some modifications to the device, a root method for the tablet has recently been uncovered, although we're not sure if this root method will work across the board (i.e. T-Mobile's version of the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus). However for those interested in rooting their tablet, you can head on down to the XDA forums for more information regarding the download link and instructions. Once again we advise caution when attempting to root your device especially if this is your first time doing it.

Ubergizmo, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus root method discovered

Ricoh GXR Zoom Module

Ricoh has introduced the GXR Zoom Module for the GXR modular camera system. It will add a f3.5-5.5 24-85mm zoom to a DSLR-sized 16-megapixel APS-C sensor. Ricoh will launch the GXR Zoom Module on January 20th, 2012. No word on pricing at this time.

TechFresh, Ricoh GXR Zoom Module

Nikon launches $550 Speedlight SB-910 flash: light-up controls and thermal cut-out protection

You know what $549.95 gets you in the camera world. About 90 percent of a T3i. Or, you know, a flash. Nikon has just outed the proper successor to the Speedlight SB-900 (pictured), and at over half a grand, it best be packin' more than just bright lights. The Speedlight SB-910 touts an enhanced operating system and graphic user interface, and comes equipped with a wide zoom range as well as FX / DX-format identification that optimizes zoom settings based on the camera body.

Engadget, Nikon launches $550 Speedlight SB-910 flash: light-up controls and thermal cut-out protection

Amazon sees huge jump in Kindle Black Friday sales, Fire leads the way

The pandemonium of Black Friday has now subsided, leaving Amazon with nothing but a big grin and stellar sales. According to the retailer, the Kindle Fire dominated this year's one-day extravaganza, standing proud as the top-selling product across all of Amazon.com and the best-selling tablet at Target. Amazon also claims to have sold four times as many Kindle products as it did during last year's post-Thanksgiving rush, though it didn't divulge any precise figures — Cyber Monday, after all, is far from over.

2DayBlog.com, Amazon sees huge jump in Kindle Black Friday sales, Fire leads the way

Chanel counterfeiters beware: US federal court orders domain names seized and de-indexed

We're well versed in the art of the gadget KIRF 'round these parts, but counterfeiting's a problem faced by the fashion world, too. Chanel filed suit in federal court to stop hundreds of websites from selling KIRFs of its gear, and the judge recently ordered the seizure and transfer of those domain names to GoDaddy to hold in trust until the case is resolved. It was also decreed that they be stricken from the indices of search engines and social media - including, but not limited to Bing, Google, Facebook, and Twitter.

Engadget, Chanel counterfeiters beware: US federal court orders domain names seized and de-indexed

Futuremark Hopes to Usher in a New Era of Android Benchmarking

Futuremark, a name familiar with most connoisseurs of high-end PC hardware, is looking to make a splash in the mobile market with the announcement that their popular 3DMark series will soon find its way to Android. 3DMark for Android is being designed with an emphasis on providing results relevant to folks interested in gaming on their devices, and cull its results from physics tests, rendering speeds, and CPU analysis. The in-development benchmark software will use real-tim graphics based on the OpenGL API with results compared to other smartphones, tablets, and even Windows 8 PCs.

Android Phone, Futuremark Hopes to Usher in a New Era of Android Benchmarking

iFixit Tears Down Galaxy Nexus, No Ice Cream Sandwiched Inside

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is one of the most feature-packed releases of the year, but how did Samsung pack all of those features, from the 1.2GHz dual-core CPU to an NFC chip, inside its plastic frame. The size required to house a 4.6-inch screen certainly helps to provide plenty of space. iFixit has taken their precision screw drivers to the task in what turned out to be a rather painless teardown for all parties involved.

Android Phone, iFixit Tears Down Galaxy Nexus, No Ice Cream Sandwiched Inside

New Version of Google Maps Brings Indoor Floor plans to Your Phone

The new Maps lets airport patrons navigate sites like San Francisco International from the inside. Photo courtesy of Google. Google's Maps team has made fantastic advances in surveying and mapping seemingly every square inch of navigable ground on the planet. But for mobile users, those maps have always stopped just short of indoor spaces — until now.

Google Maps 6.0 for Android launched Tuesday with a bold initiative: indoor mapping.


Gadget Lab, New Version of Google Maps Brings Indoor Floor plans to Your Phone

Samsung Galaxy Note will be launched in Canada in Q1 2012

Already launched in Europe and Asia, the Samsung Galaxy Note is going to be released in Canada soon, too - although it won't happen this year, but sometime in the first quarter of 2012. There's no word on what Canadian carrier will offer the Galaxy Note, but Mobile Syrup has it that the device is going to "end up being an exclusive" - so it's likely that only one carrier will have it. The Note is a massive smartphone / tablet hybrid with a 5.3 inch Super AMOLED HD (1280 x 800) display.

Unwired View, Samsung Galaxy Note will be launched in Canada in Q1 2012

Deal of the Day - 12.5' Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Multi-touch Tablet with Intel Core i5

Today's LogicBUY Deal is the 12.5" Lenovo ThinkPad X220t multi-touch tablet PC for $1039.20.  Features:  Core i5 2.5GHz, 4GB memory, 320GB 7200rpm hard drive, bgn WiFi, DisplayPort output, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 4-in-1 card reader, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit OS.  IPS screens with increased brightness and viewing angles available on all models; available in multitouch or outdoor viewable with Gorilla Glass versions. $2124  -$825 instant savings - 20% coupon code  =  $1039.20 with free shipping.  This is the lowest price seen by LogicBUY and is $40 less than their last mention. This deal expires November 29, 2011 or sooner.

The Gadgeteer, Deal of the Day - 12.5' Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Multi-touch Tablet with Intel Core i5

LTE-Enabled (Verizon) Test Galaxy Nexus Devices Getting 4.0.2; Almost Ready for Primetime?

We’ve been hearing that the reason the Galaxy Nexus isn’t out on Verizon by now is due to it not exactly being ready. Verizon usually has no problem delaying a device to ensure a worry-free experience for users out of the box. Some test users have begun to receive test updates to Android 4.0.2, and although they weren’t clear on what it brings some say it could be due to the volume bug. “But the HSPA+ European versions haven’t gotten it,” you shout?

Well, it’s only on test devices for Verizon so that may be the reason they haven’t gotten it yet.

Android Phone, LTE-Enabled (Verizon) Test Galaxy Nexus Devices Getting 4.0.2; Almost Ready for Primetime?

Sony Ericsson latest Xperia phones support WebGL

WebGL, a technology which allows compatible browsers to display interactive 3D graphics without the use of plugins has been around for awhile but not widely supported yet - especially when it comes to mobile devices. But seeing that open standards are the future of the web, it's comes as no surprise that companies are doing their best to adopt them. Sony Ericsson has recently jumped on the bandwagon and announced that its 2011 Xperia phones now support WebGL thanks to the latest update that was released.



Ubergizmo

See also:
wwws, Sony Ericsson latest Xperia phones support WebGL

iPhone 4 goes into 'self combustion' mode on a flight

One of the iPhone 4 decided to go rogue yesterday while on board a flight to Sydney. Just as the flight was about to land the device was said to produce 'a significant amounts of dense smoke, accompanied by a red glow', according to the Australian airline Regional Express. No one knows what could have triggered the incident but looking at the marks on the back of the phone, it was likely caused due to a faulty battery.
Fortunately, other than creating a bit of panic no one was harmed due to the occurrence of this incident.

GSM Arena, iPhone 4 goes into 'self combustion' mode on a flight

Windows Phones may soon become available in China

. Microsoft is reportedly in talks to partner with Chinese retailer Suning in an effort to distribute Windows Phones throughout the country. Suning has more than 700 stores in China and Microsoft is rumored to have agreed to give the retailer first dibs on Windows Phone and upcoming Windows 8 devices, Chinese news source QQ Finance reported recently. The deal may be imminent although it remains unclear which Windows Phone models will be sold in the country.

Boy Genius Report, Windows Phones may soon become available in China

UK boards the Acer Liquid Express, Tom Hanks not embedded with NFC

Because phones, like fashion, must always look to the future, Acer's hitching its ride to NFC. The oft-talked about, but still sparsely used tech gets top-billing here as the company refreshes its Liquid line for T-Mobile UK and Orange UK with the Express. It's a solidly mid-range Gingerbread affair, packing an 800MHz Qualcomm 7227 processor, Android 2.3 and 5 megapixel shooter into a 3.5-inch package. Okay, so it's not the best of what's around in wireless, but can you really argue with free (on a two-year contract). We didn't think so.

Engadget, UK boards the Acer Liquid Express, Tom Hanks not embedded with NFC

HTC Ville is thinnest HTC device to date

Slim is in – and the mantra still stands, even though we have seen an evolution in phone size from large to small, and back again to large with the thickness being trimmed away this time around. Well, the HTC Ville that was touted to be released at Mobile World Congress next year is said to be the thinnest handset from HTC just yet – and PocketNow, who supplied the image that you see above, also has a sheet of its leaked specifications to whet your appetite before spring arrives in 2012.

Ubergizmo, HTC Ville is thinnest HTC device to date

TellMe and Siri: Fight!

Now here is an extremely interesting video that you might want to check out, even more so if you are an iPhone fan. I know that some of you are reeling from the recent video of Samsung's ad that poked fun at those who lined up for the iPhone 4S will probably be able to find some solace in the latest video when an Australian dude decided to test out the TellMe voice recognition compared to Apple's Siri that has hit the iPhone 4S.



Ubergizmo, TellMe and Siri: Fight!

Alleged Galaxy Nexus Verizon Ad Shows $200 Price Tag

While many people are concerned about which day Verizon's Galaxy Nexus is coming out (which we hear may be November 8th), there still hasn't been much mention regarding its price. We expected the device to come to retail for $300 but recent evidence suggesst Verizon was set to offer it for $200 on a new two-year agreement. This sale was allegedly set to take place on Black Friday (it's already passed, of course) meaning the $200 price tag may only be temporary. In fact, we're not sure if the device will ever make its way to market at such a relatively attractive price save for deals from Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers.

Android Phone

See also:
gadgetsblog, Alleged Galaxy Nexus Verizon Ad Shows $200 Price Tag

Ordro HDV-V16 Ultra-Slim Full HD Pocket Camcorder

The HDV-V16 is another ultra-slim Full HD pocket camcorder for you to grab from Ordro. Measuring only 17mm thick, this ultra-slim camcorder sports a 5.0MP CMOS image sensor, a 4x digital zoom, a 3.0-inch LCD display, a 128MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot (up to 32GB), a USB port, an HDMI port and can capture 1080p Full HD video at 30fps. The HDV-V16 can be yours for $159.99.

TechFresh, Ordro HDV-V16 Ultra-Slim Full HD Pocket Camcorder

T-Mobile Vivacity Hits UK

The all new T-Mobile Vivacity has finally hit the UK market. Available via T-Mobile UK, this Android smartphone can be yours for free with plans starting at 10 GBP (about $15) per month or for 99.99 GBP (about $154) on Pay As You Go. In case you didn't know, the handset offers a 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen display, a microSD card slot (2GB card included), a 5MP camera with flash, GPS, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headset jack and runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.

TechFresh, T-Mobile Vivacity Hits UK

No Samsung Google TV at CES 2012

We've previously announced that Samsung will be introducing Google TV televisions in 2012, but it's not going to be at CES 2012 (Consumer Electronics Show). The folks over at Korea Times have reported that Samsung is going to need more time to unveil its Google TV. The company is still in the final stages of talks about the Google TV with Google, so while they'll be able to comment on a release date at CES next year, they won't have anything to show. After the negative response that Google TV has been getting recently, Samsung needs to come up with a noteworthy product and spending a little more time to get it right seems justified anyway.

Ubergizmo, No Samsung Google TV at CES 2012

Samsung Galaxy W Now Available at Bell, Nokia Siemens to Slash 17,000 Jobs & Has the Windows Phone Marketplace Reached Critical Mass?

Samsung Galaxy W Now Available at Bell. Right on schedule is Bell releasing the Samsung Galaxy W, an affordable entry level Android that runs Android 2.3 and no word on an upgrade path to OS 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. MobileSyrup. LG, Prada Officially Renew Phone Partnership, Confirm v3.0 for Early 2012
LG and Prada have announced the renewal of their exclusive phone partnership, as well as the planned arrival of the third phone in the series early next year.

Cell Phones Ca, Samsung Galaxy W Now Available at Bell, Nokia Siemens to Slash 17,000 Jobs & Has the Windows Phone Marketplace Reached Critical Mass?

T-Mobile Vivacity with Android Gingerbread launched in the UK

The T-Mobile Vivacity Android smartphone that we've been seeing around since the beginning of the month is now available for purchase n the UK. T-Mobile is asking only £99 for the Vivacity on Pay As You Go, making it one of the most affordable Gingerbread handsets on the market. The device is also offered for free on £10 monthly tariffs.

Unwired View, T-Mobile Vivacity with Android Gingerbread launched in the UK

Finis SwiMP3 Waterproof MP3 Player

People listen to music just about anywhere. But if there's one place that they might not be able to do it, it's in the water. For people who wish to listen to music while swimming or frolicking in the water just for fun, a special portable music player like the new Finis SwiMP3 Waterproof MP3 Player might be needed. The Finis SwiMP3 is a waterproof MP3 player that can be attached to a swimmer's goggles. It allows swimmers to listen to their favorite songs or audiobooks while underwater. It creates audio by means of bone conduction technology, doing away with earbuds.

Gadget.com, Finis SwiMP3 Waterproof MP3 Player

Court holds European ISPs can't be forced to filter traffic, users free to fly the jolly roger

It's been a sliver under a month since UK ISP British Telecom was ordered to cut all ties to filesharing site Newzbin 2. Now, a European court decision deals a counter blow to media owners by denying their demands to hustle ISPs into tracking freeloading downloaders. Specifically, the court held that it was illegal to force an ISP to install and maintain a system filtering all of its traffic as it could infringe customer privacy rights.

Engadget, Court holds European ISPs can't be forced to filter traffic, users free to fly the jolly roger

Infinity Blade 2 Demo Video

We have a demo video of Infinity Blade 2 for iOS devices. The video game will be released on December 1st, 2011. Infinity Blade 2 is powered by Epic's cutting-edge Unreal Engine 3 technology.



TechFresh, Infinity Blade 2 Demo Video

Huawei Vision Android Gingerbread Smartphone Released In Australia

Huawei has finally released the unlocked version of Vision Android smartphone in Australia via Allphones stores for $279. Measuring at only 9.9mm thin, the smartphone is powered by the Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS with a custom 3D UI. The Huawei Vision has an aluminum unibody design, a 3.7-inch WVGA display, HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, GPS, a 5MP digital camera with 720p video recording, a 1GHz single-core processor, a 512MB of RAM and a 2GB of storage space.

TechFresh, Huawei Vision Android Gingerbread Smartphone Released In Australia

Online Retailer Claims To Have Verizon Galaxy Nexus For Sale On December 9th

Until we get an official word from Verizon, there's not much else we can do right except speculate. And speculate we shall. Thanks to a Phantip, it appears as if the online retailer, Negri Electronic, plans to make available the Verizon Galaxy Nexus come December 9th. This information apparently comes directly from their Verizon contact and Negri seems pretty confident on that date. So much in fact, they joked(?) on their Twitter about receiving a possible C&D from Verizon regarding the leaking of that date.

Once again, that December 9th (or 8th) launch date is sounding a little more solid.

Android Phone, Online Retailer Claims To Have Verizon Galaxy Nexus For Sale On December 9th

Carl Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Sonnar Optical Lens Available For Pre-Order

Carl Zeiss' latest optical lens '24mm f/1.8 Sonnar' is now available for pre-order in the US via Sony online store. Made for Sony NEX cameras, this wide-angle lens features a large f/1.8 aperture, making it ideal for shooting interiors in low light as well as for superb background defocusing. Not only that, the lens also adopts the Direct Manual Focus (DMF), which allows for direct manual focusing after autofocus lock-on without having to switch modes. The Carl Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Sonnar sells for $999.99.

TechFresh, Carl Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Sonnar Optical Lens Available For Pre-Order

Top Android Market Movie Rentals Just $0.99 for the Holidays

The holidays are here, and with them comes plenty of folks traveling far and wide to visit friends and family. Google is hoping to make long trips by car and plane a bit more bearable with top movie rentals in the Android Market getting a price drop to a mere $0.99. Considering most usually sell for $2.99 or more, a deal is to be had indeed. Which brings me to a question: are many people using the Android Market to rent and watch movies.

Android Phone

See also:
gadgetsdaily, Top Android Market Movie Rentals Just $0.99 for the Holidays

iPad 3: Super-High-Res Displays a Go, But Yields Will Be Low

By all accounts, the screen in the upcoming iPad 3 should be two times more spectacular than the display in the iPad 2, shown here. Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com. It's the most definitive assurance yet that Apple's next iPad will include a screen with a near “retina display”-quality resolution: DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim has told CNET that “production has started” for 2048×1536, 10-inch-class tablet screens, and three manufacturers — Samsung, Sharp and LGD — are supplying parts to Apple.

Gadget Lab, iPad 3: Super-High-Res Displays a Go, But Yields Will Be Low

Lenovo's diminutive Q180 HTPC dishes out multimedia for $349

Ultrabooks have been getting a lot of love from PC makers these days, and Lenovo's no exception. But laptops aren't the only machines getting slim and trim, and the Chinese firm has outed its svelte IdeaCentre Q180 home theater PC to fulfill your entertainment needs. Stuffed inside a 22mm-thin frame that makes other skinny HTPCs look downright portly, is a 2.13GHz Intel Atom dual-core CPU plus Radeon HD 6450A graphics and up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM to keep video playback buttery smooth. You can also get up to a 750GB HDD or a 128GB SSD to store all of your myriad media, and a Blu-ray drive's available for those digging disc-based content.

Engadget, Lenovo's diminutive Q180 HTPC dishes out multimedia for $349

Acer and ASUS could debut 1080p ultrabooks in 2012

According to the rumors, the iPad 3 is expected to feature a Retina display with a whopping resolution of 2048×1536 packed into a presumably 9.7" display. Without doubt if those rumors are to come true, it would be one heck of a display, but according to new rumors, manufacturers Acer and ASUS are attempting to create high density displays of their own in an effort to head off the rumored iPad 3 Retina display. Digitimes is reporting that both AU Optronics and Chi Mei Innolux are currently working on 1920×1280 LCDs that would be part of Acer and ASUS's new ultrabooks as early as January or February of 2012.

Ubergizmo, Acer and ASUS could debut 1080p ultrabooks in 2012

Researchers create spinal cord connectors from human stem cells, heralding breakthrough

It's taken many years and more than a bit of brainpower, but researchers at the University of Central Florida have finally found a way to create neuromuscular connectors between muscle and spinal cord cells, using only stem cells. Led by bioengineer James Hickman, the team pulled off the feat with help from Brown University Professor Emeritus Herman Vandenburgh, who collected muscle stem cell samples from adult volunteers.

Engadget, Researchers create spinal cord connectors from human stem cells, heralding breakthrough

BenQ Joybee GP2 is a tiny and portable projector

Tiny projectors are all the rage right now - gone are the days where projectors required a large surface area and ample distance from the wall or projector screen to function. To add to the list of such projectors, BenQ has a new model called the Joybee GP2. A successor to the GP1, it features the same black and white housing, but features enhancements such as an intuitive UI, 720p HD-video capability, short-throw projection, an integrated iPhone/iPod dock, a 3-hour battery pack and a multitude of connectivity options. The projector has a brightness of 200 ANSI lumen and can project a 44″ image a mere 1 meter away from the surface.

Ubergizmo, BenQ Joybee GP2 is a tiny and portable projector

Archos G9 to feature Gamelof titles

Gaming is big business – just the recent releases of Battlefield and Call of Duty did manage to splice gamers down the middle in terms of devoting their time between those FPS titles, not to mention Skyrim also helping others kiss goodbye to their social life after work. Well, Gameloft has teamed up with Archos to deliver new high definition titles for the Archos G9 tablet range – where among the titles made available are Asphalt 6: Adrenaline and Spider-Man: Total Mayhem which will come pre-installed to deliver a console-like gaming experience regardless of where you are.

Ubergizmo, Archos G9 to feature Gamelof titles

ASUS Transformer Prime goes up for pre-order in North America

It's only been a few weeks since ASUS went official with it's Tegra 3-packing Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet. We knew the keyboard-dockable hybrid would available sometime this December, but now the Android 3.2 Honeycomb-running slate (later upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich) has just popped up for pre-order at various North American retailers. If you'll recall, inside of its Zenbook-esque shell you'll find a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 1.2 megapixel front facer — not to mention other goodies like a micro HDMI port and a SD card reader.

2DayBlog.com, ASUS Transformer Prime goes up for pre-order in North America

Motorola Triumph Gets Ice Cream Sandwich Build

While it is getting a bit superfluous to list every phone receiving an Ice Cream Sandwich ROM in the wake of the Android 4.0 AOSP source code release, we thought we’d mention one development triumph. The Motorola TRIUMPH (pun make sense now?) has received an extremely early build of the latest Android OS courtesy of isaacj87 over at AndroidForums. He has made some progress, but isn’t quite ready to share his hard work with the general public. We can’t say whether or not the Triumph will get an official build of ICS, but it deserves one.

Android Phone, Motorola Triumph Gets Ice Cream Sandwich Build

Penguin pulls new e-books from library distributor, citing concerns over security

. This kerfuffle hasn't gone over too well with some libraries. In an e-mail sent to the Digital Shift, Cynthia Laino of the C/W Mars Library Consortium lamented the turn of events - and the fact that her organization was left in the dark. "Neither Penguin nor OverDrive made any sort of announcement to library staff regarding this issue," wrote Laino, whose consortium represents more than 150 libraries across the US. "We have bought many additional copies of our most popular titles simply to meet the increased demand for them once Kindle users were added to our borrowers.

Engadget, Penguin pulls new e-books from library distributor, citing concerns over security

YouTube HTML5 player gets improvements

YouTube's HTML5 player has been around for quite some time now, but it's still in its trial mode, with the player missing a number of features that are only present in the Flash player. Well it looks like the gap between the two players is starting to close right now. Reports online indicate that the HTML5 YouTube player now supports 1080p playback, native fullscreen playback, closed captioning, annotations and a new menu that makes it easier to embed and share videos. While Google is improving its HTML5 player, it's worth nothing that they haven't abandoned Flash yet.

Ubergizmo

See also:
gadgeter, YouTube HTML5 player gets improvements

iPad 3 will be thinner, sports Retina Display

There were whispers of Apple's upcoming iPad 3 coming with a Retina Display, but along the way, those rumors got debunked simply because some quarters claimed that it would be too expensive to manufacture even across a large scale, and the hike in price would definitely make people shun away from the iPad 3. Well, I guess just like Adidas, Apple's fellow partners in hardware manufacturing decided that “impossible is nothing”, with proof that an iPad 3 with a 2048x1536 display is well on its way, currently undergoing testing.

Ubergizmo, iPad 3 will be thinner, sports Retina Display

SlingPlayer for Connected Devices is here, arrives first on Boxee Box (video)

Sling first expanded its SlingPlayer app to Facebook and Chrome a few days ago, and now the company is extending those streams to the TV (without a dedicated SlingCatcher or mobile device TV-out) with apps for connected devices. Today the company announced the Boxee Box app would be first out of the gate, arriving ahead of the promised Google TV version we're also expecting. Interestingly, there does not appear to be a charge for the app (which runs $30 on mobiles and tablets), so if you have a Slingbox Solo or Pro-HD and one of the green and black media streamers all you have to do is download and press play.

Engadget, SlingPlayer for Connected Devices is here, arrives first on Boxee Box (video)

Apple teases Black Friday sale

. Apple recently announced that it will hold its own one-day Black Friday sale this Friday, November 25th, during which it will offer “amazing iPad, iPod, and Mac gifts for everyone on your list.” It remains unclear how much Apple will knock off of its standard prices but, if your kids are among those who have the iPad at the top of their list this holiday season, this might be a sale you'll want to take advantage of.

Boy Genius Report, Apple teases Black Friday sale