Hasta La Gadget!

After Google’s elusive Project Glass made a cameo appearance at a subway in New York last week, the augmented reality device was spotted today at the FCC, possibly hinting an imminent release. But first things first, it’s worth noting that Google previously said that it will release the Explorer Edition in about 6 months or so, although the finished product will not be available to the consumer market until 2014. Given the case, the device that has been spotted at the FCC today could be the Explorer Edition that developers pre-ordered during last year’s Google I/O conference.

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Engadget has spotted an application for Google’s Project Glass approval from the FCC. It gives us a closer look at the heads-up display and it might mean we aren’t far from the release of the Explorer Edition developer units. After all, Google held its first hackathon last weekend in San Francisco, with another scheduled for this weekend in NYC. More »

Smartphone cameras have come a long way in a relatively short period of time, progressing from sub-1-megapixel sensors incapable of taking images in anything but the brightest locations to modern sensors that are challenging the point-and-shoot camera market. Earlier today, a patent filing from Google cropped up showing a multi-flash camera model for smartphones, an intriguing idea that may never see the light of day.

Despite the improvements in mobile phone cameras, inadequate lighting is still a common issue and one of the reasons photographs end up dim and grainy. Google’s patent filing would seem to be a partial solution to that issue with multiple flash lights on a phone. Depending on the external lighting situation, one flash or multiple flashes would be utilized by the phone.

One of the sketches gives us a good idea of what Google is up to, showing multiple flash bulbs that can be re-positioned via tracking in the back of the phone. Another image shows a different design with the flashes stationary. The flashes that are mobile are nestled in different designs, with one being circular in nature and the other resembling the π symbol.

Not only would multiple flashes increase the overall lighting, but it would also provide better lighting in individual environments and help eliminate shadows by adjusting which lights go off. Another use indicated for the multi-flashes is HDR photography, with the flashes being used to simulate different exposures, which would then be stitched together. Of course, as with all patents, this might never come to fruition, but it is an interesting concept nonetheless.

[via Android Community]

Google patent filing shows off multi-flash smartphone camera is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

An FCC filing has popped up showing a new Apple TV model smaller than the current version, dubbed model A1469. As far as design goes, not much appears changed besides the smaller dimensions, although there isn’t much to go on at this point. Not surprisingly, Apple hasn’t said anything about the device. You can check out its diagram after the jump.

According to the diagram, the A1469 model measures in at 93.7mm, while the current model is 98mm, making it just a tad smaller. MacRumors noted Apple TV’s software update shows an AppleTV3,2 model, rumored to be for international shelves. Whether it is and this model is that one or a different one altogether is unknown.

This follows the Apple TV update we reported on yesterday, which added Bluetooth keyboard support, iTunes Match improvements, and a feature called Up Next. Owners of 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TVs can nab the update over-the-air if they haven’t already installed it. After downloading, the device can be synced with a Bluetooth keyboard, freeing things up.

The Up Next feature added via the update is the same that was rolled out on iTunes 11, queuing and automatically playing content for the user without the need to create a specific playlist. As for the A1469 model, little else is known aside from its existence and dimensions. We’ll keep an eye out for any new details that surface, so stay tuned.

[via Engadget]

Apple TV shows up at the FCC as the smaller model A1469 is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

There’s a new Apple TV on the way. Per these FCC documents, the new model is physically slightly smaller and as noted by TheNextWeb, rocks an A5X SoC. With the faster core, the new model should provide a better user experience with a smoother UI and improved app performance. Plus, with the recent Apple TV update that added a bunch of features, it seems the Apple is about to make another assault on the living room.

In traditional FCC fashion, the documents fail to reveal anything tantalizing about the upcoming model. There’s no mention of additional capabilities over the current model — nothing about Siri, motion control or anything hinting that this is something special. Without additional information, this model looks like an exercise in supply chain management rather than reinventing the Apple TV experience.

It only makes sense for Apple to move the Apple TV onto the A5X, the same chip used in the third-generation iPad. It had to happen sometime. As Apple moves other products off the 32 nm A5 chip, it cannot forget its little hobby in the Apple TV.

The revised 32 nm A5 chip is still used in the iPad 2, iPad mini, and the latest iPod touch. But with the exception of the evergreen iPod touch, the other two are set for changes sooner versus later. The iPad 2 will be cut from the team while Apple will likely release an upgraded iPad mini with an A5X to allow the hot little tablet to keep up with iOS revisions.

Apple has long treated the Apple TV as a so-called hobby. But even though the company doesn’t treat it as a pillar of its business, the Apple TV remains the company’s best path into consumers’ living rooms. During its Q1 2013 conference call last week, the company revealed that it sold 2 million Apple TVs during the holiday quarter, an increase of 60 percent over the previous year.

There’s no word on when this new model will hit stores. But chances are, since it passed through the U.S. government wireless gatekeepers, it will be in the near future — maybe as soon as this week.