Hasta La Gadget!

Skype, the company that made VoIP communications famous around the world and has used their SILK audio codec since 2009 to serve over 750 billion Skype-to-Skype minutes, is back with a new idea of developing and standardizing a codec that was specially built just for Internet use, calling it Opus. Opus would sound to be rather fitting, as it has everything to do with the audio world, and not only that, it does send the meaning straight and true even to a non-geek. Opus was built on the foundation of Skype’s highly-successful SILK codec, and Skype hopes that the Opus standard will be more widely adopted in due time.

Opus is said to improve audio experiences across the spectrum from narrowband mono to fullband stereo, regardless of whether it is voice or music that we are talking about here, pardon the pun. It will be higher-quality compared to a range of current codecs for both voice and music, and they are keeping their fingers crossed that mobile data network operators will fall in love with it due to its higher level of efficiency that takes up less megabytes than normal. How does CD quality conversations over Skype sound in the future?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Skype used to present thesis by students, Skype turns 9 today,

It is slightly more than an hour away before we bring you live news of Apple’s event at the Yerba Buena center in San Francisco, California, which will most probably see the introduction of the iPhone 5; not to mention nano SIM cards that are required to run in this puppy. Of course, some folks do wonder whether it is possible to cut their micro SIM cards to the size of the nano SIM, similar to how one “upgraded” their once standard SIM cards (2FF) to the micro SIM form factor (3FF) using a micro SIM cutter.

Giesecke & Devrient, inventor of SIM as well as the manufacturer of the nano SIM card, did mention that the particular method mentioned earlier is a one trick pony so to speak, as the nano SIM is 15% thinner compared to its previous two generations, so even if it is cut in the same size, the thickness would be different, meaning the cut micro SIM cannot fit into the nano SIM slot.

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By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Vodafone stockpiles nano-SIMs for iPhone 5 launch, Nano-SIMs make their way to telco in Europe possibly ahead of iPhone 5 launch,

The official list of the first “fiberhoods” Google’s Gigabit internet + TV service will be available in doesn’t come out until tomorrow, but it’s already looking like an even more attractive option thanks to a few newly announced channel additions. The team’s blog post lists several ABC channels that will be available on the HDTV service, not the least of which is sports giant ESPN, along with ESPN2, Classic, Goal Line, Buzzer Beater, Deportes, ESPNews, Longhorn Network and ESPNU. We’ve confirmed ESPN3 is also included, while WatchESPN and WatchDisney mobile access is planned for the “near future.” Overall it appears that ABC has squeezed its entire bundle including the Disney channels into the lineup (check the list after the break). That may not curry favor with those hoping for some revolutionary a la carte options, but should make switching to the $120 bundle easier for sports fans and families. Check the original launch announcement for more details on the Nexus 7-controlled service that blends standard TV and streaming options if you’re pondering a move to Kansas City.

Continue reading Google Fiber announces qualified areas tomorrow, snags ABC channels including ESPN, Disney

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD

Google Fiber announces qualified areas tomorrow, snags ABC channels including ESPN, Disney originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Hurricane Andrew rolled ashore in South Florida back in 1992, it destroyed $27 billion worth of property. The storm was the third most destructive to ever hit the US, an outcome due in part to the insufficient building codes of the time. Structures simply weren’t built to withstand the storm’s fury. These days, Florida ensures that new construction can stand up to the next Andrew by torture-testing building materials against a massive Wall of Wind. More »

So it seems that Samsung is set to sue Apple if they were to release an iPhone with 4G LTE capabilities, and thanks to some last minute leaks and if Samsung is going to keep to their word, Apple’s iPhone 5 could be hit with some legal trouble as soon as it launches. Pictured above (via HDblog.it) is the alleged logic board belonging to the iPhone 5. It shows off Apple’s A6 processor along with the MDM9615M modem that will bring LTE connectivity to the device. Also spotted is a nano SIM slot which corroborates earlier reports that nano SIM cards were being shipped to carriers in anticipation of the iPhone 5 that supposedly will be using the new SIMs. Could this logic board be the real deal? If it is we guess there aren’t really many surprises left in Apple’s announcement, but do check back with us in a couple of hours as we’ll be back with the official details.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: More alleged iPhone 5 backplates appear, iPhone 5 held back by… dogma,