Record $1.25 billion spent online on historic Cyber Monday

. U.S. consumers spent a record $1.25 billion online on Cyber Monday, the second time the U.S. has ever spent more than $1 billion online in a single day and a 22% increase from the amount spent last year. “While last year saw Cyber Monday rank as the heaviest online spending day of the year for the first time ever, it will be interesting to watch the next couple of weeks to see if any future individual days in 2011 manage to leapfrog this year's highest day-to-date,” comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni said. 50.2% the money spent on Cyber Monday originated from a work computer, comScore noted.

Boy Genius Report, Record $1.25 billion spent online on historic Cyber Monday

IRL: Thule Crossover backpack, Technocel Battery Boost and upgrading from Firefox 3.6

Welcome toIRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Part battery charger, part microSD reader. Technocel's Battery Boost has been one of the most useful gifts I've ever received. Doubling as a microSD reader, this juice pack claims it'll give your phone an hour of extra talk time, and so far, I've got no evidence against it. Surprisingly, it only takes about 15 minutes or so to completely charge. I couldn't count how many times I've used its bantam micro-USB flexi-arm to recharge my HTC Desire.




Engadget, IRL: Thule Crossover backpack, Technocel Battery Boost and upgrading from Firefox 3.6

Happy Holidroid Contest: Quick Pic Challenge

You’ll want to sign up for AndroidForums.com for today’s contest challenge AND future challenges. Because DISQUS allows comment editing without timestamps, we’re unable to assuredly identify a winner using the Phandroid commenting system for time-based contests. Make sure you read each contest post carefully to make sure you’re doing it right. If you’re unsure what this whole “Holidroid Contest” thing is all about, be prepared to get excited.




Android Phone, Happy Holidroid Contest: Quick Pic Challenge

GP Bullhound and ABG Sundal Collier advises Funcom on $15 million convertible bond placement

Funcom N.V., the world leading independent developer and publisher of MMO games, announces the successful placement of $15 million of senior unsecured convertible bonds (the "Bonds") due 2014. The proceeds from the Bonds will primarily be used to strengthen its cash base mainly to maximize the potential of their highly anticipated new MMO title "The Secret World" due out in 2012.Mr. Trond Aas, CEO of Funcom comments: “The additional capital is important in helping Funcom realize the full potential of The Secret World.

Press Release Distribution, GP Bullhound and ABG Sundal Collier advises Funcom on $15 million convertible bond placement

Gunpoint is a retro-looking, puzzle solving game

PC Gamer writer and developer Tom Francis is developing a game called Gunpoint that he's calling “a stealth game about rewiring things, punching people, and trying not to get shot”, and if you're a fan of puzzles and retro-ish graphics, this might be a game worth checking out especially since it is expected to hit the Windows platform by the end of the year. It's basically a sidescroller that puts you in the shoes as a secret agent where you break into buildings to steal secrets/data/ and hack computers.



Ubergizmo, Gunpoint is a retro-looking, puzzle solving game

Stradivarius violin recreated from CAT scan, 'sounds amazingly similar'

We've seen all kinds of crazy things being printed - from bones to blood vessels - and now you can add antique violins to that list. Music loving Radiologist Steven Sirr popped his into a CAT scanner to see what it was made of, then showed the results to a violin-making friend. Curiosity soon led them to scan everything from guitars to mandolins, so when the chance to take a peek inside a 307-year-old Stradivarius came up, how could they resist. 1000 scans later, the files were converted to 3D CAD format and another violin maker enlisted.

Engadget, Stradivarius violin recreated from CAT scan, 'sounds amazingly similar'

Honda UK and Mugen launch supercharged CR-Z iCF, feeling the itch to rival Toyota's 86? The modern CR-Z that you always wanted is here!

While Honda doesn't have any plans to bring the carbon fiber-laced CR-Z Mugen RR to production, the company has announced that buyers in the UK will have the chance to pick up a quicker version of the hybrid hatchback. The Honda CR-Z iCF will boast a little over 172 horsepower thanks to some wrenching by Mugen Euro. The base 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine packs a centrifugal supercharger along with an intercooler and a remapped ECU. As a result, the dash to 60 miles per hour takes just 6.1 seconds. For reference, the base CR-Z hobbles to the same speed in well over nine seconds.

2DayBlog.com, Honda UK and Mugen launch supercharged CR-Z iCF, feeling the itch to rival Toyota's 86? The modern CR-Z that you always wanted is here!

Amazon Kindle Fire Update Version 6.2 Now Available For Download

Amazon has made available the 6.2 update for the Kindle Fire today via their site. While no specific changelog was given, users who have already downloaded and applied the update have been reporting more responsive buttons and all around smoother UI. Oh yeah, and if you're rooted, the update will in fact remove root from the device but getting it back is just as easy using the SuperOneClick method you used to root it the first time. Hit the Amazon download link here for full instructions on how to apply the update and let us know if you guys notice any other changes.

Android Phone, Amazon Kindle Fire Update Version 6.2 Now Available For Download

SSTL designs cheap radar satellite, UK government kicks in ₤21 million to build it

While we have an innate fear of the eye in the sky (and the role it'll play in the coming robot apocalypse), there's no doubt that observation satellites do a lot of good - from recording weather and climate changes to helping coordinate relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) has plans to beef up planetary monitoring capabilities with its new NovaSAR satellite, and the company just received ₤21 million from the UK government to make it happen.

Engadget, SSTL designs cheap radar satellite, UK government kicks in ₤21 million to build it

ShopSavvy Continues To Help Shoppers Save Money This Holiday Season

I wont even lie to you, after finishing Thanksgiving dinner, I was out and about on Black Friday looking to scoop up some holiday deals. And like every year before it, I wasn't the only one with Black Friday shoppers out in droves and breaking sales records. But that wasn't the only record broken on Black Friday. Apparently, more people than ever were using their smartphones equipped with the ShopSavvy “mobile shopping assistant” app to help check prices and score the best deals.

Android Phone, ShopSavvy Continues To Help Shoppers Save Money This Holiday Season

AT&T granted approval to withdraw T-Mobile merger application from FCC

. The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday granted AT&T permission to withdraw its application to purchase T-Mobile USA for $39 billion. Two public policy groups, Public Knowledge and Media Access Project asked the FCC to publish its documents relating to the deal and to prevent AT&T from rescinding its application, although it appears it's too late for that to happen. AT&T announced its intention to withdraw its application to purchase T-Mobile USA on November 24th when it explained that it was going to instead focus on a lawsuit brought against it by the Department of Justice.

Boy Genius Report, AT&T granted approval to withdraw T-Mobile merger application from FCC

Motorola Milestone 2 Android 2.3 Gingerbread update will start rolling out in Europe tomorrow

Believe it or not, the Motorola Milestone 2 (which is the name under which the Droid 2 has been selling in Europe) is still running Android 2.2 Froyo, a version of Google's mobile operating system that hasn't been the latest since December of 2010. So naturally, those of you in Europe were probably happy when we told you that the update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread for the Milestone 2 would finally arrive in November. And Motorola is about to keep its promise, even if only just. See, the manufacturer took to Facebook earlier today to announce that the update will start rolling out across the continent sometime tomorrow.

Unwired View, Motorola Milestone 2 Android 2.3 Gingerbread update will start rolling out in Europe tomorrow

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

New Internet Explorer 10 platform preview released

If you're one of those people who just love having the latest versions of programs before everyone else, we've got some good news for you. Microsoft has just released a new version of its platform preview build for Internet Explorer 10. This version includes hardware acceleration technologies like SVG, CSS3 transforms and animations, and more. Unfortunately you'll need to be running the developer preview of Windows 8 for IE10 to work - though if you fit the aforementioned criteria of wanting to try everything before everyone else you probably already have it installed.

Ubergizmo, New Internet Explorer 10 platform preview released

From transportation to lifestyle, the car's journey is far from over

Concept car by digitaleyes on forum.cg-cars.com. In its relatively short lifespan, the car has gone through a great deal of transformations, from a curious object to a real transportation tool, to today's fun vehicle without forgetting the "status symbol" aspect. But there's never been a better time to be a car enthusiast than today because automobiles have gone far beyond their "transportation" aspirations: they can adapt to us and to our lifestyle in ways that were unimaginable 100 years ago.






Ubergizmo, From transportation to lifestyle, the car's journey is far from over

SE Xperia users get 50GB of free storage space on Box.net

If you own a Sony Ericsson Xperia Android smartphone, you'll be able to get no less than 50GB of free cloud space from Box.net, for life. All you have to do is install the Box.net Android app on your Xperia handset, and register for an account. It's not quite clear if the offer is available to Xperia users all over the world, or only to those in the UK, as this article suggests.

Unwired View, SE Xperia users get 50GB of free storage space on Box.net

Lenovo LePad S2005 heads to China first

For those living in China, great news as Lenovo has announced that the LePad S2005 will be headed your way. For those wondering, the LePad S2005 is Lenovo's hybrid offering in the sense that it will be rocking a massive 5" display that seems to blur the line between a smartphone and a tablet. As far as hardware is concerned, the LePad S2005 will sport a 5x480 LTPS display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor under the hood with 1GB of RAM, a micro USB and micro HDMI port, HSPA+ connectivity, a 1680mAh battery and will come loaded up on Android's Gingerbread 2.3.5.

Ubergizmo, Lenovo LePad S2005 heads to China first

South Korea plans trial run of robot prison guards, first Skynet jail coming?

This isn't the first time we've seen a prison turn to robots for a little assistance, but South Korea looks to be going a bit further than most with its latest robotic endeavour. The country's Ministry of Justice has announced that it will be conducting a one-month trial run of robot guards at a prison in the city of Pohang starting in March — a project that's expected to cost one billion won (or about $863,000).

2DayBlog.com, South Korea plans trial run of robot prison guards, first Skynet jail coming?

Toyota FT-86 concept finally gets real, renamed into GT 86 instead

It's no secret that the Toyota FT-86 will finally make its production-spec debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show, and ahead of that, the automaker's UK office has released the first official photos and some initial specs. In Europe, the car will officially be called the Toyota GT 86. In Japan, however, the car will simply be called 86. Cutting right to the chase, here are the specs that are now official, from the Toyota UK announcement. Obviously, there's more to come:

As demonstrated in the photos, everything is basically in line with what we've seen so far in the various leaked materials. So, start getting excited.






2DayBlog.com, Toyota FT-86 concept finally gets real, renamed into GT 86 instead

Motorola XT928 heading to China Telecom next month

China Telecom customers will be excited to hear that the Motorola XT928 will be available next month. The XT928 is a relative to the DROID RAZR and the latest addition to the DROID X line. Specs wise, the XT928 spots a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4.5-inch 1280 x 720 HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass, 1 GB of RAM, a 13 megapixel camera in the rear with 1080p HD recording, a 1.3 megapixel camera in the front, and Android 2.3. The usual array of Motorola accessories including the Laptop dock will be available.

This device will be available in December, although we do not have a specific price yet.

Unwired View, Motorola XT928 heading to China Telecom next month

Sony Ericsson points to Google Sync service

It is rather nice to see a company or organization know when they have reached the end of something or are in the final stages of a particular service – Sony Ericsson's Sync service will no longer be made available to the masses, where December 29th is the last date in operation, and in a show of being sporting, the telecommunications company has pointed its users towards other similar offerings from Google as well as other companies.

Ubergizmo, Sony Ericsson points to Google Sync service

Sony Ericsson Xperia phones: Ice Cream Sandwich by March 2012

Sony Ericsson has previously mentioned that it will be upgrading its 2011 Xperia portfolio to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but it didn't say when it was going to happen. Well, we now have a 4-month window of when that is going to be. Sony Ericsson's head of marketing Maurizio de Palma mentioned on Facebook that the Ice Cream Sandwich updates should arrive by March. There was no mention of which phones will be receiving it first, but the folks over at Sony Ericsson should already be hard at work now, seeing that Google has already released Ice Cream Sandwich's source code to the public.

Ubergizmo, Sony Ericsson Xperia phones: Ice Cream Sandwich by March 2012

Caption Contest: KIRF Facebook shop clicks 'like' on fashion

Apple isn't the only one to get some shop-based imitation flattery - now it looks like Facebook's got its first retail homage. Yep, this clothing store in Nablus, Palestine is unlikely to be a Zuckerberg-sanctioned outlet. A giant Facebook sign hangs over several mannequins, although we're not exactly sure what angle they're trying to work here. Most of them appear to be channeling the Facebook founder's mute, inoffensive fashion stylings.

Engadget, Caption Contest: KIRF Facebook shop clicks 'like' on fashion

BlackBerry PlayBook rooted

After being out on the market for a number of months now, it looks like the developer community has finally made some headway with the device. A developer named Chris Wade managed to root the QNX tablet over the weekend. This basically means that he'll be able to access, files, folders and settings that are normally unavailable to non-rooted users. It's a pretty big step forward for the developer community as this appears to be the first case of the tablet being rooted successfully.
No, you won't be able to load custom ROMs onto the tablet just yet (that requires unlocking of the bootloader) but it's a start.

Ubergizmo, BlackBerry PlayBook rooted

ASUS Transformer Prime said to launch on December 8th

. Android fans could have a big day coming up next week as three sought-after devices are rumored to be launching on December 8th. According to a recent report accompanied by what was claimed to be a screenshot of an internal memo, Verizon Wireless plans to launch both the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Motorola DROID 4 next Thursday. Now, according to online retailer Newegg, ASUS plans to launch its Eee Pad Transformer Prime convertible tablet on the same day. Currently available for pre-order, the Transformer Prime is set to be the first tablet to tout a quad-core Tegra 3 processor when it launches next month.

Boy Genius Report, ASUS Transformer Prime said to launch on December 8th

As Testing Continues, Official Galaxy Nexus Volume Bug Fix Leaks

As is too often the case with big handset releases, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus launched with an erratic volume bug that was deemed a big enough problem for shipments of the device to be halted.  Google’s team of Android engineers has been busy cooking up a fix for the problem, one which is now available to Galaxy Nexus owners courtesy of Paul O’Brien of MoDaCo. O’Brien got his hands on an early version of the official fix, which has been packaged up for installation on bootloader unlocked Galaxy Nexus handsets.

Android Phone, As Testing Continues, Official Galaxy Nexus Volume Bug Fix Leaks

Samsung GT-S7500 leaks in live pictures, is Galaxy S mini version

Here we go again with yet another mid-range phone from Samsung. This time it's the GT-S7500 which has leaked in two live photos showing us how the droid will look like. And from what we are seeing it's not that much different from the other phones in Samsung's mid-range line-up. Although the photos aren't as detailed as we'd like them to be, it's clearly visible that the phone is like a pigmy Galaxy S with the shiny plastic outline and Samsung's usual big home button with two capacitive ones on each of its sides.

Keeping true to it's purpose of being somewhat an affordable device, it is highly likely to run Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

GSM Arena, Samsung GT-S7500 leaks in live pictures, is Galaxy S mini version

Cricket Wireless and the ZTE Chorus

Music is the stuff of life – that alone is undeniable, and for those of you who are on the lookout for an entry level smartphone that does not break the bank in terms of its pricing and yet is able to deliver all the music that you want, look no further. Granted, you will be strapped to a lesser known carrier outside of the Big Four (AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile), but if being with Cricket Wireless is all right with you, then you might be interested to pick up the Android-powered ZTE Chorus. What makes the ZTE Chorus so special.

Ubergizmo, Cricket Wireless and the ZTE Chorus

Lenovo 1068AFU – B570 Series Laptop

Best Buy has launched the Lenovo 1068AFU 15.6-inch laptop for only $319.99. Aimed at budget-minded business customers, the laptop is powered by an Intel Pentium B950 processor with a 500GB hard disk drive, a 4GB of RAM, a DVD burner, a 1366x768 screen resolution, an HDMI output, a webcam and a fingerprint reader. The Lenovo 1068AFU – B570 Series laptop runs on the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition OS. Its battery offers up to 4.5-hour of operation time.

TechFresh, Lenovo 1068AFU â€" B570 Series Laptop

Samsung Galaxy S II LTE now available on NTT DoCoMO in Japan

Japan has just gotten its first LTE phone, and it just happens to be the Samsung Galaxy S II LTE. The Galaxy S II LTE is now available on NTT DoCoMo and will run on the carrier's Xi network with average download speeds of 37.5Mbps. Specs wise, the Galaxy S II LTE spots a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, a 4.5-inch screen with 480×800 resolution, Super AMOLED Plus display with Gorilla Glass, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of onboard storage, and a 8 megapixel camera in the front with 1080 HD video recording and a 2 megapixel camera on the front.
The Galaxy S II LTE will set you back $260 (¥20,000) on a new two year contract.

Unwired View

See also:
digitalhouse, Samsung Galaxy S II LTE now available on NTT DoCoMO in Japan

Unlocked Nokia Lumia 800 Now Available For $789!

The unlocked Lumia 800 should work with the SIM card of your choice and is therefore not bound to any carriers or contracts which otherwise offer it at subsidized prices against a periodic customer contract. Hit past the break to know more or jump into the other side of the link to get yourself one. Here's a refresher of sorts from Expansys on what's an “unlocked” phone:

“Many cell phones are designed to use a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card to store subscriber data. These SIM cards are issued by the carrier and provide cell service to the phone.


Technology Nerd, Unlocked Nokia Lumia 800 Now Available For $789!

Ukulele taking up too much space? Fold it.

If you're looking for a cool gift for your favorite ukulele player, this is it. It's a kit for a folding soprano ukulele. The parts are made of laser cut bamboo. All you need is some sandpaper, glue and a few other miscellaneous items and you'll be able to build your own instrument that just happens to fold up into a nifty little package that can easily stow in your backpack. The resulting uke won't sound as good as a traditionally built instrument, but it will make a fun do-it-yourself project. There are two kit designs to choose from, which are priced from $75-$87.50 (pictured).

The Gadgeteer

See also:
techblog, Ukulele taking up too much space? Fold it.

Porsche Design Tower opening in Miami complete with car elevators

While Porsche styles its own sports cars, SUVs and sedans, its consumer goods division, Porsche Design, styles all manner of goods: watches, phones, yachts, bars, appliances, tools, toys, clothing and accessories… even condominium buildings. At least it does now as a new project on Miami Beach prepares for construction. Called Porsche Design Tower, the project is a joint effort between the design studio and real estate developer Gil Dezer. The 57-story block on 2.2 acres of prime Collins Avenue real estate is set to incorporate 132 housing units, each with its own parking spaces.

2DayBlog.com

See also:
cherryapple, Porsche Design Tower opening in Miami complete with car elevators

Sales of Apple's iPhone 4S stall in South Korea as handset is deemed ‘uncompetitive'

. Sales of Apple's iPhone 4S have reportedly been surprisingly slow in South Korea, where wireless customers are reportedly disappointed with the phone's poor performance and lack of features. The Korea Times on Wednesday said that customers are passing on the iPhone due to problems with the phone's battery life and the lack of support for 4G LTE. The paper reports that pre-sales of the iPhone 4S have totaled between 150,000 and 300,000 units combined at SK Telecom and Korea Telecom, citing unnamed carrier officials in stating that a number of pre-orders have recently been cancelled.

Boy Genius Report, Sales of Apple's iPhone 4S stall in South Korea as handset is deemed ‘uncompetitive'

FCC Fridays: November 25, 2011

We here at Engadget Mobile tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don't need). Enjoy.

Engadget, FCC Fridays: November 25, 2011

Panasonic reconfirms plans to sell Android phones in Europe, North America

Panasonic hasn't abandoned its plans to start offering Android phones outside its home country (Japan). According to Reuters and Nikkei, the Japanese company is currently negotiating with "a major telecommunications firm" to bring Android handsets to Europe in early 2012. There are no other specific details on this, but the "major telecoms firm" is likely one of the following: Vodafone, Orange, Telefonica / O2, or T-Mobile.

Unwired View, Panasonic reconfirms plans to sell Android phones in Europe, North America