marvel

BlackBerry PlayBook: What's under the hood?

So, who makes the processor humming under the new BlackBerry PlayBook's hood? That important question was not answered yesterday when RIM announced the 7-inch tablet.

Yesterday, when Research In Motion co-CEO Michael Lazaridis unveiled the BlackBerry PlayBook during the opening keynote event at the DevCon developer conference, the dual-core processor was touted by Lazaridis as a marquee feature. But little else was revealed about what is probably the single most important piece of internal hardware.

Here's what we know about the tablet, due early next year in the U.S.: The PlayBook uses "1 gigahertz dual-core processors that take advantage of built-in symmetric multiprocessing," according to Lazaridis during the keynote speech. In symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), the operating system handles all allocation of threads, or tasks, to the processors. Most current high-level operating systems have built-in support for this mode of operation, according to a description of SMP on ARM's Web site.

That open-ended statement by Lazaridis presents a few possibilities that could fit the bill. Nvidia is shipping a dual-core Tegra processor and Texas Instruments has a dual-core OMAP processor due soon. Both chips--technically referred to as application processors--are based on the ARM Cortex A9 design and support symmetric multiprocessing. And Qualcomm will offer a chipset with a dual-core processor running at up to 1.5GHz next year.

Linely Gwennap, principal analyst, the Linley Group, said the only dual-core 1GHz ARM processor that is in production today is Nvidia's Tegra 2. He also cited TI's OMAP 4, which is due to enter production in Q4 this year as a candidate.

But RIM is a longtime user of application processors from Santa Clara, Calif.-based Marvell Semiconductor.… Read more

Web slinging on the iPhone

Spider-Man: Total Mayhem brings the famed comic-book web slinger to the touch screen with a high-action oriented game that's fun, though a bit mindless. The controls include a directional joypad on the left and buttons for jumping, attacking, and web skills on the right. You'll also be presented with extra buttons under specific circumstances, like when Spider-man uses his "Spidey sense" to get the jump on bad guys, for example. You also have a super move that can only be used once you fill up an action bar, dealing big damage using multiple hits and kicks. … Read more

Audi 2010 A8 sedans get mobile hot spot

Don't even think of surfing the Net while you're driving, but... the 2010 Audi A8 will be what is believed to be the first vehicle to feature a factory-installed mobile hot spot, Marvell and Harman announced Monday.

The companies have come together to bring a built-in WLAN module to the car that enables high-speed online and Internet access via cellular link or Bluetooth. The 802.11 (WPA2) hot spot will support up to eight devices, including smartphones, digicams, laptops, tablets, and portable gaming devices.

"I believe today's consumers want the convenience of seamless connectivity and live … Read more

20 great, free iPad comic books

One of the under-the-radar killer apps of Apple's iPad is the collection of comic book storefronts (which also double as comic readers). They're all free, and connect you to virtual comic shops that sell digital issues of comics for about $2 each--with transactions handily conducted through Apple's app store back end.

There are official Marvel and DC Comics apps, along with indie apps such as Comics + app from iVerse, IDW Comics, and the Comics app from ComiXology, which sell titles from a variety of large and small publishers. All of these apps have a very similar layout, … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 1: This Android show is still in beta? (podcast)

Welcome to Android Atlas Weekly! From phones to tablets to set top boxes, if it runs Android, we'll cover it. We also throw in a hot app pick of the week and a special tip that should help you get even more use out of your Android device. Justin and I will bring in special guests to help us cover everything Android! This week, Jessica Dolcourt joins us! Now, excuse a few of the rough edges. Apparently, like Google, we keep our show in Beta longer than expected.

Palm Loses Mobile Design Guru Matias Duarte to Google http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100527/exclusive-palm-loses-mobile-design-guru-matias-duarte/

Fring picks up video calling on Android http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20006181-251.html

That Extra $5 Add-On For Qik is Optional, For "Premium Features" http://phandroid.com/2010/05/31/that-extra-5-add-on-for-qik-is-optional-for-premium-features/

New Video Shows Sling Player Private Beta In Action And Its Incredible http://droidedup.com/2010/05/new-video-shows-sling-player-private-beta-in-action-and-its-incredible/

Motorola Droid 2 Might Be Released by Verizon in July http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=16611

Motorola Bets Big on Google, Verizon http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704269204575270872420145294.html… Read more

China's Hanwang unveils new e-book reader

China's Hanwang Technology has teamed up with chipmaker Marvell to create a new line of inexpensive e-book readers powered by the latter's Armada processor.

Hanwang, which is also known as Hanvon and is China's largest e-reader maker, already sells devices such as the Wisereader N516 and N518 in China and internationally.

Marvell's Armada 166E system-on-a-chip includes an integrated e-paper display controller. It is designed to offer quick display of high-resolution PDF and ePub electronic documents, according to Marvell. It also features a hibernation mode to conserve power.

Hanwang's new e-reader line will hit the market … Read more

preGAME 11: PSP roundup

This week on preGAME we bring you a trio of some of the most unique PSP games around. That's right, on today's episode we bring you live demos of Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake, Patchwork Heroes, and Echoshift. Joining us on the phone to chat about the PSP version of Fat Princess will be Matt Morton, the U.S. producer on the game.

But first, we'll take a look at the just-released teaser-trailer for one of the most acclaimed mashup fighting games around. Join us as we screen the first-ever video for Capcom Vs. Marvel 3! Sure the game may not be out for another year, but Mark tells us why this title is so important. Next, we'll talk about some of the most highly anticipated Xbox Live Arcade games due out this year. From Limbo to Sonic the Hedgehog 4, there's something for everyone on our list.

Been to a 7-Eleven lately? The company has announced that after a successful trial, used console games will be available for sale in most of the nation's stores by September. Games will go for $20 or lower and classic consoles may soon be supported as well.

Next we'll chat about publisher Ubisoft and the announcement that it will soon be removing paper instruction manuals from games to reduce the cost of production and help prevent waste. Finally, Mark and Jeff discuss software piracy and how it affects portable gaming consoles the most, especially now that Nintendo blames it for a 50 percent sales drop in Europe.… Read more

Get 50 comic books for $9.99

Mind if I shake things up a little today? I realize comic books have very little to do with gadgets, gear, or technology in general, but this is such a unique and attractive deal, I couldn't pass it up.

Today only, Graveyard Mall is offering 50 assorted comics for $9.99 (plus around $6 for shipping). The selection includes titles from Dark Horse, DC, Epic Comics, Marvel, and more--but "most will be Marvel," according to the order page.

If memory serves, these days the average comic book sells for around $3.99. Needless to say, a stack … Read more

Marvel comics in your pocket

Marvel Comics brings the largest U.S. comic book publisher to the iPhone and iPad with an interesting, but effective, way to read your favorite Marvel comic books. The interface of the app, before you start actually reading, includes buttons across the bottom to view My Comics (comics downloaded to your device), Featured titles, Free titles, a Top 25 list, and a Browse button, so you can sort by series, creator, genre, and other criteria. Clearly, the Marvel Comics app was made to sell and view comics, with several titles you can buy going all the way back to "… Read more

Marvel Comics, iPad team-up reviewed

The largest comic book publisher in the United States has joined forces with the hottest device so far in 2010 to create a seamless comic book reading experience. Marvel on the iPad is slick and sexy, as users have come to expect from high-end apps on Apple devices, but it's not the digital panacea that comic book readers or publishers have hoped for. At least, not yet.

The app opens to a splash page image of some of Marvel's best-known superheroes: Wolverine, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Woman, and Thor. That's no small irony that Marvel's version … Read more