With Brian in our nation's capital, it's up to Tim and Peter to hold things down remotely, once again. Get ready for a double dose of Engadget editor-in-chief action on this week's podcast, just after the break.
when.eng("eng.perm.init")Tuesday, July 2, 2013
The Engadget Podcast is live at 3:30PM ET!
The Engadget Podcast is live at 3:30PM ET! data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20589173' !== '') ? 'bsd:20589173' : ''; var postID = '20589173'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"brian-heater", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("348-14-15-14d",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93319229", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93308280", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});The Engadget Podcast is live at 3:30PM ET!ByBrian HeaterpostedMay 30th, 2013 at 3:00 PM 0
Mt. Gox now requires verification for non-Bitcoin transactions
Mt. Gox now requires verification for non-Bitcoin transactions data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20589413' !== '') ? 'bsd:20589413' : ''; var postID = '20589413'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"internet",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"jon-fingas", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("348-14-15-14d",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93319229", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93308280", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});Mt. Gox now requires verification for non-Bitcoin transactionsByJon FingaspostedMay 30th, 2013 at 8:44 PM 0 
While the Bitcoin market is advancing toward legitimacy in the financial world, that also means closer legal scrutiny -- and the Mt. Gox exchange is tightening its policies to match. As of today, the institution requires verification for every non-Bitcoin deposit or withdrawal. The move keeps Mt. Gox in line with "strict anti-money laundering rules," and it reduces the chances that security breaches will spark chaos. Verification won't be necessary for pure Bitcoin transactions, the exchange says. Some traders see the new rule spoiling dreams of a truly borderless currency, but it may help reassure those still skittish about virtual cash.
when.eng("eng.perm.init")Atheer Labs unveils 3D augmented reality mobile platform and a natural human UI (hands-on)
Atheer Labs unveils 3D augmented reality mobile platform and a natural human UI (hands-on) data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20589384' !== '') ? 'bsd:20589384' : ''; var postID = '20589384'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"michael-gorman", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("348-14-15-14d",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93319229", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93308280", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});Atheer Labs unveils 3D augmented reality mobile platform and a natural human UI (hands-on) Hands-onByMichael GormanpostedMay 30th, 2013 at 2:33 PM 0 
With the advent of Google Glass and the continued development of platforms like the Epson Moverio and Vuzix Smart Glasses, head-mounted wearables are getting a lot of attention these days. Atheer Labs is a small company looking to catch that wave of interest with a new set of intelligent spectacles and a novel way for folks to interact with them. What you see above is company founder Sleiman Itani wearing Atheer's prototype device that delivers 3D augmented reality and implements what the company calls a "natural human interface."
The hardware is still very much in the prototype stage, and the unit we saw was clearly a hand-built affair. It packs a pair of displays, a rechargeable battery, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, plus an accelerometer, gyro and an IR camera into it's relatively bulky frame -- so it's not not exactly a form factor ready for retail shelves. However, because of that bulk, it can function as a standalone device (it runs an an open source OS that runs Android apps), though it also has the ability to offload some processing to a smartphone.Atheer Labs prototype 3D smart glasses
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The UI is sort of a cross between Kinect and Leap Motion, and is unique in that it's a natural, direct form of interacting with software elements displayed in three dimensions. In practice, this means that to interact with a displayed object, a user actually reaches out and 'touches' that object in space instead of manipulating it via gestures. Itani explains the approach thusly: "it's like the difference between using a mouse and a touchscreen on a regular computer... it's an intuitive solution." The interface can also utilize voice control -- the platform can hook into any voice recognition API from Nuance or elsewhere -- but no such capabilities were enabled on the device we saw.
We got to use the natural human interface ourselves in a rudimentary demo, and this editor found himself agreeing with Itani's assessment. It does feel more natural to poke and prod objects in a three dimensional workspace than manipulating them remotely with gestures (though the UI not totally devoid of them -- holding up a hand in a 'stop' gesture closes programs, for example). That said, we didn't get to use an actual OS or do any real computing on the platform. So, it remains to be seen how the UI will translate to uses other than spinning a three dimensional cube or popping bubbles with a fingertip in a simple game. Atheer will be offering APIs, however, so we look forward to seeing what devs can come up with when the time comes.
While we were impressed with the system's ease of use, interacting with objects rendered close to the eyes was a bit disorienting at times. However, Itani and company CTO Allen Y. Yang assured us that Atheer has some IP on technology that personalizes the displays to each individual users's visual needs -- and the company's VP is an opthamologist who is helping them refine the system. Needless to say, we didn't get to tailor a set of specs for our eyeballs, so we can't comment on how well that IP does its job.
The real question is, of course, when (and if) Atheer's platform will be available for purchase. For now, the plan is to have a retail device ready for sale next year -- which gives the company plenty of time to refine their software and line up the partners and developers needed to help make the platform a success.
Show full PR textAtheer Pioneers the Mobile 3D Platform of the Future to Seamlessly Fuse an Interactive Digital Layer into the Real WorldUses Stereoscopic 3D, Seamless Human Interactions, and Augmented Reality, to Create the First-Ever Natural Human InterfaceMOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – (May 30, 2013) – Atheer, the company that is integrating the digital world into the real world, today unveiled its groundbreaking mobile 3D platform and natural human interface technology to spring forward into the future where users compute on the go with the swipe of a hand or the flick of a finger, and never have to touch a physical screen.
The company and platform were launched on stage at The Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital conference in front of an audience of international business and technology leaders. Atheer was one of only a handful of companies selected to demo innovative technology on stage.
Atheer's technology is unlike anything that currently exists in the industry, taking the mobile interface from 2D to an interactive 3D platform centered on human actions. The platform is breaking the display size barrier and has created an experience that is more immersive than a tablet, and more portable than a smartphone. Atheer's technology enables a wearable, portable 3D platform for the first time.
"Our mobile 3D platform fundamentally alters the way people access information on the go, adding a natural interface that can be controlled with natural gestures and motions," said Soulaiman Itani, Founder and CEO of Atheer. "The possibilities and advantages of adding an interactive digital layer to the existing physical world are endless, and this is the future of not only technology, but the human experience."
Atheer's 3D interface is completely immersive and overlays information into users' visual fields in a way that intuitively and effortlessly fits within their frame of reference. This allows users to seamlessly interact with the information by using natural gestures that do not interfere with their regular activity. The mobile 3D platform has effects on daily activities ranging from navigation and gaming, to interactive education and health.
Atheer is grounded in the most advanced technology, using complex algorithms, software and hardware to provide the best form factor and user experience, and is the brainchild of dozens of patented and patent-pending inventions. These include time and power optimal AtheerCoreTM algorithms for detecting hands and gestures, and patented ergonomic benefits that can improve visual comfort and performance by adjusting to each person's specific characteristics. Atheer has patented Retinal Mapping™ and Vision Optimization™ to dynamically improve users' visual experience on the platform, and Personalized-Ergonomics™ to enable a truly natural experience for users' eyes, hands and posture as the platform learns the ideal operating conditions for each particular user.
"What we're doing is so complex and novel that we had to pull together an interdisciplinary team of specialists at the top of their fields to integrate their expertise. The result has been innovative, patented technology that allows our platform to solve a large number of interconnected problems from low-power detection, natural gesture interfaces and sensor fusion, to user ergonomics and UX," continued Soulaiman. "Because our talented team has integrated their diverse skills to test the technology in a natural mobile paradigm, we've been able to create the first fully portable platform."
The platform allows users to leverage regular 2D Android applications, and has the capability to be integrated with any operating system. It also allows for the development of 3D applications specifically for the platform. Atheer gives developers an opportunity to develop 3D augmented reality applications for the first time, allowing them to build more immersive apps and user experiences. The Atheer technology and 3D applications built for the platform are fundamentally disrupting the existing mobile market, and will usher in a 3D mobile device market.
Atheer is currently in the product development phase. The company will be working closely with developers to build 3D applications for the platform, and will be conducting developer demonstrations throughout Summer 2013. Interested developers can find more information here: http://atheerlabs.com/devs.
Roku takes $60 million in funding, wants to be the front end for your TV
Roku Receives $60 Million Investment from a Leading Institutional Investor, BSkyB, Hearst Corporation and News Corporation
Strategic Relationships Position Roku for Accelerated Growth in Streaming Software and Services
SARATOGA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Roku® Inc. today announced that it has received a $60 million investment that readies the company for growth around its streaming software and services businesses. Led by one of the world's largest institutional investors, the investment includes participation from large global media and television distribution companies. Two new Roku investors participated in the Series F round-the institutional investor and Hearst Corporation which is known for its diversified media and information assets. They join prior Roku investors, including British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) and News Corporation in the Series F round.
The new investment will fuel Roku's growth which has accelerated in the last year. Best known for its lineup of popular streaming players, including the new Roku 3 which has quickly become the new streaming standard in the U.S., the company is extending its streaming platform by working with other consumer electronics brands. Today, Roku is working with two dozen OEMs who are making more than 3.5 million Roku Ready® devices, predominantly TVs that will be in retail by the end of the year. Roku Ready devices access the Roku streaming platform through the Roku Streaming Stick™, a small USB-sized device sold by Roku. In the coming months, Roku will continue to expand access points to its streaming platform.
"Roku has built a strong brand that is widely recognized for great technology and a broad selection of high-quality content," said Ken Bronfin, senior managing director at Hearst Ventures, a unit of Hearst Corporation. "We are truly impressed that Roku has built such a unique position in the market and we look forward to working with them to develop innovative products and services for our television audiences."
As well as expanding distribution for its platform, Roku continues to provide the largest and best collection of streaming entertainment made for the TV experience. In 2012 Roku streamed more than one billion hours of video and music. Whether it's the game of the season, an Oscar-winning movie, a favorite TV show, the hottest single or a few minutes of casual game play, Roku provides more entertainment choices and a better TV-quality experience than any other streaming device.
"Roku has a significant portfolio of investment and strategic partners with very successful global businesses. Their recognition of our brand success and belief in the Roku platform is a tremendous endorsement of our potential to shape the future television experience," said Roku Founder and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Wood. "BSkyB and News Corporation are exceptional partners and we look forward to deepening our relationship with Hearst in the months to come."
The Daily Roundup for 05.30.2013
The Daily Roundup for 05.30.2013 data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20593644' !== '') ? 'bsd:20593644' : ''; var postID = '20593644'; var modalMNo = '93312529', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"david-fishman", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("348-14-15-13f",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93312529", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93312530", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});The Daily Roundup for 05.30.2013ByDavid FishmanpostedMay 30th, 2013 at 7:35 PM 0 
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
It wasn't all that long ago that every month offered up yet another Android tablet for review. Since then the output of Google-powered slabs has generally slowed. Then there's this, the Xperia Tablet Z, a device which serves as an excellent second screen, and a display that's one of the best we've seen from Sony's Xperia range, if not the market in total. Read on for more.
If you told us Acer was coming out with an innovative new take on the Windows 8 convertible, we'd probably laugh in your face. But the Aspire R7 wipes the smile away, and we're actually kind of glad. Acer offers up a unique take on the Windows 8 laptop, with an adjustable display and an attractive hinge design. And, at $1,000, it's also a pretty good deal. Click on the link above for our full review.
How big of an upgrade is Windows 8.1? Put it this way: we just might need to review the OS all over again. Microsoft just unveiled the first major update to Windows 8, and it includes tweaks to nearly every aspect of the operating system: the lock screen, Start menu, Windows Store and onscreen keyboard. Read on for our first impressions.
Speaking to Walt Mossberg at D11 this morning, Google's Sundar Pichai offered glorious news for anyone who loves the HTC One but craves an untouched Android experience: he confirmed that there is indeed a stock Android 4.2.2 version of the flagship device One coming, and it will be fully unlocked for T-Mobile and AT&T at the solid price of $599.
You also might like:Google Play Music All Access coming to iOS 'in a few weeks'Apple unveils new iPod touch: 16GB storage, no back-facing camera, $229Tesla details Supercharger expansion, NYC to LA road trips possible by year's end when.eng("eng.perm.init")Sony CEO Hirai: Xperia Z coming to a US carrier shortly
Sony CEO Hirai: Xperia Z coming to a US carrier shortly data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20593462' !== '') ? 'bsd:20593462' : ''; var postID = '20593462'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"cellphones",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"brad-molen", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("348-14-15-14d",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93319229", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93308280", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});Sony CEO Hirai: Xperia Z coming to a US carrier shortly MobileByBrad MolenpostedMay 30th, 2013 at 5:13 PM 0 
Sony CEO Kaz Hirai had some good news to deliver on stage at D11 -- for US fans, at least. According to him, the Xperia Z, which currently serves as the company's flagship smartphone, is expected to arrive on a US carrier shortly. Unfortunately that's the extent of the details Kaz was willing to offer up, as we expect he wants to give the unnamed operator the opportunity to make the announcement itself. With that said, we have our suspicions that T-Mobile may be involved, thanks to its recent appearance in the FCC with T-Mobile radios. He did, however, mention that this success story is in part thanks to the company's increased marketing efforts in this part of the globe. We'll keep you updated with the news as it trickles out.
Update: David Beren from TmoNews grabbed a few shots of the Xperia Z with T-Mo branding, which certainly adds credence to our suspicions that the Z will wind up with the UnCarrier.
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