Tag Archives: distro

Distro Issue 107: How Edward Thorp gambled his way into wearable-tech history

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Distro Issue 107 How Edward Thorp gambled his way into wearabletech history

Edward Thorp was banned from casinos in Vegas for counting cards. He even published a book on his system for winning at the blackjack table using the mathematical theory of probability. While working at MIT, he built what many consider the first wearable device for -- you guessed it -- beating roulette. In a fresh issue of our weekly, Donald Melanson profiles Thorp's gaming of the system and how he ended up the unlikely father of wearable computing. Eyes-On has a look at Sennheiser's cans, Hands-on grabs up both of the new iPhones and IRL takes a gaming focus. Jump down to your digital library of choice to snag your copy and settle in for a gadget-centric history lesson.

Distro Issue 107 PDF
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Source: iTunes, Google Play, Windows Store

Raspberry Pi gets audiophile credentials thanks to RaspyFi Linux distro

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Raspberry Pi gets audiophile credentials thanks to RaspyFi Linux distro

Raspberry Pi and the Raspbmc OS already make a solid combo as a media center, but if you encounter music-related limitations then it may be worth giving the RaspyFi distro (v1.0) a shot instead. In addition to supporting Apple AirPlay and a range of lossless file types, this audio-centric form of Linux also works with a long list of external USB DACs, including asynchronous playback, so you can avoid relying your Pi's tiny stock DAC and amplifier. RaspyFi's other big feature is that it comes with its own web-based UI (shown in the video after the break), which ought to make it easy to control playback of both local and streamed content (such as web radio or Spotify) from virtually any browser-equipped device on your network. A quick health warning, though: audiophilia is a slippery slope that may subsequently cause you to develop an unhealthy suspicion towards your Pi's standard power supply.

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Source: RaspbyFi

Daily Roundup: iPhone 5S and 5C rumors, Distro Issue 106, LG Nexus 5 at the FCC, and more!

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DNP The Daily RoundUp

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.

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The last days of Distro

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The last days of Distro

On Friday, September 27th, Engadget will publish the last issue of our weekly tablet magazine, Distro.

However, Distro (unlike disco) isn't dead. When Distro launched in October 2011, we were entering a relatively new space. At the time, we were one of the first online-only publications to produce a companion magazine app. We launched the same day as Apple's Newsstand and landed there (and on the Android Market) less than two weeks later, while some of the biggest names in publishing stood by to see if the tablet was worth the investment. Over the course of two years, Distro has served as a jumping-off point for award-winning design, in-depth analysis and a focus on long-form storytelling, and we plan to bring everything we've learned to Engadget at large. Along with a commitment to thoughtful design and feature content, you'll start to see some of our favorite recurring features popping up here on Engadget's homepage. So, while Distro will no longer live in the Newsstand, or Google Play or Windows Store, it's not quite time to pull out the bagpipes. So instead of saying goodbye, let's leave it at we'll see you tomorrow.

Distro will continue to be available in the Newsstand, Play Store and Windows 8 marketplace until early October. After that, you'll be able to download archived PDFs from Engadget.

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Europa Report screenwriter and author Philip Gelatt on the Atari Lynx and function over fashion

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Europa Report screenwriter and author Philip Gelatt on the Atari Lynx and function over fashion

Every week, a new and interesting human being tackles our decidedly geeky take on the Proustian Q&A. This is the Engadget Questionnaire.

In this week's installment of our regular session of inquiry, author and Europa Report screenwriter Philip Gelatt dishes on convenient fact-checking and rewind dreams for broken iPhone screens. Head on past the break for the full response rundown.

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Source: Distro Issue 106

Distro Issue 106: The best (and the rest) of IFA 2013

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Distro Issue 106 The best and the rest of IFA 2013

Over the course of the last week, we sent a crew of Engadget editors across the pond to liveblog press conferences and scour the show floor for hottest gadgets that IFA 2013 had to offer. In a brand-new issue of our slate magazine, we serve up the top devices and the best of the rest from Germany's annual tech show. We also have a look at Microsoft's recent acquisition, take a bite out of Android 4.4 and oogle quite possibly the most handsome activity tracker around. Settle in folks, because all of that and so much more lies inside the e-pages of another jam-packed issue that's ready for broswing.

Distro Issue 106 PDF
Distro in the iTunes App Store
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Source: iTunes, Google Play, Windows Store

Editor’s Letter: Color commentary

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In each issue of Distro, Executive Editor Marc Perton publishes a wrap-up of the week in news.

DNP Editor's Letter Color commentary

There's a very good chance you're reading this on a tablet. Distro is, after all, first and foremost, a tablet magazine. There's also a reasonable chance you're reading this on a computer. Distro works on Windows 8; we have a platform-neutral PDF version; and most of what we publish in Distro also appears on Engadget. There is, however, almost no chance that you're reading this on a color e-book reader (no, not a color tablet; an e-paper reader). And that's too bad.

In this week's Distro, Sean Buckley tells the story of color e-paper, a once-promising technology that simply couldn't make it in a tablet-centric world. Despite years of development work and the tantalizing promise of high-resolution, daylight-readable, low-power displays, color e-paper was rendered an also-ran once the iPad began gaining popularity and low-cost Android tablets followed suit. Major e-reader makers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo, all released their own color tablets -- at prices below their $300-plus color e-ink competitors. That strategy wasn't without its fallout; B&N eventually got out of the tablet market, and Kobo continues to struggle to gain market share in the US. But color e-book readers fared even more poorly, and color e-paper's future is now tied to other devices, such as smartwatches.

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MoDaCo founder Paul O’Brien on console update woes and Glass envy

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MoDaCo founder Paul O'Brien on the HTC Butterfly S, ZX Spectrum 48K and Glass envy

Every week, a new and interesting human being tackles our decidedly geeky take on the Proustian Q&A. This is the Engadget Questionnaire.

After a brief hiatus, our regular smattering of queries is back as MoDaCo founder Paul O'Brien chats carrier lockdowns and brand name clarity. Meet us on the other side of the break for the full gamut of responses.

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Source: Distro Issue 105

Distro Issue 105: The tale of the amazing multi-colored e-paper display

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Distro Issue 105 The tale of the amazing multicolored epaper display

Once upon a time, the possibility of a color e-reader seemed a reality just around the bend. As the sun set on the 2000s, though, prototypes and the potential for multi-hued e-paper devices seemed to disappear. In this issue of our weekly, Sean Buckley examines the events surrounding the once bright future of the tech and why we're still e-reading in black-and-white. As far as reviews go, we offer up our detailed analysis of the TiVo Roamio Pro, OLPC XO Tablet and Motorola Droid Ultra. Eyes-On peeks at Blue Microphone's latest, Weekly Stat examines the broadband build-up and Recommended Reading profiles Marissa Mayer. The weekend is finally here, and there's plenty to peruse, so go on cozy up with a fresh copy via the usual download spots.

Distro Issue 105 PDF
Distro in the iTunes App Store
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Source: iTunes, Google Play, Windows Store

Distro Issue 104: Prep for class with Engadget’s back to school guide

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Distro Issue 104 Prep for class with Engadget's back to school guide

Unfortunately, it's time to hit the books once more. Don't get completely bummed out by the start of classes because this special issue of our weekly e-magazine has all of the top picks for back to school gear. That's right, from laptops to portable audio, we've narrowed down the best tech selections in over a dozen categories to ease the transition back to academia. Of course, they'll also make stellar pickups for those who have already joined the work force too. We sprinkled in a few Distro regulars as well: Eyes-On, Visualized and Time Machines are all here. There's plenty to consider this time around, so grab a copy for your e-reading gadget of choice via any of the app stores that follow.

Distro Issue 104 PDF
Distro in the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Google Play Store
Distro in the Windows Store
Distro APK (for sideloading)
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Source: iTunes, Google Play, Windows Store