s-1

Apple's A5 processor includes noise-reduction circuitry licensed from a start-up called Audience, and a chip analyst believes that fact resolves an iPhone 4S mystery and explains why the iPhone 4 lacks the Siri voice-control system.

Audience revealed details of its Apple partnership in January, when it filed paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO) of stock. Teardown work from iFixit and Chipworks revealed a dedicated Audience chip in the iPhone 4, but the iPhone 4S integrates Audience's "EarSmart" technology directly into the A5 processor, the company's S-1 filing said.

The details answered a question that … Read more

If you've ever compared a Formula 1 racer steering wheel with the one in your street car, you probably found yourself taken aback by the sheer number of buttons, knobs, and controls crammed onto the relatively small surface of the former.

That's exactly the feeling that I got when unboxing the SteelSeries SRW-S1 steering wheel for the Simraceway online racing game. Compared with, for example, the Microsoft Wireless Speed Wheel, S1 (for short) more than doubles the number of buttons available to the player--an attribute that may be daunting to some novices and enticing to many hard-core gamers. However, despite my initial impressions, I'd learn during testing its control scheme (and lack of pedals) it is probably a better fit for casual players than its complex appearance belies. … Read more

Once Groupon goes public on Friday, its founding trio won't be giving up their sway over the daily deals giant they started in October 2008, thanks to a dual-class share structure that's rigged in their favor.

According to an amended SEC filing posted today, Groupon's three founders--CEO Andrew Mason, Executive Chairman Eric Lefkofsky, and Director Bradley Keywell--will control 58.1 percent of the voting shares of outstanding capital stock. Specifically, the founders will own 34.1 percent of Class A common stock--each share of which gets one vote--and 100 percent of supervoting Class B shares, which each … Read more

As Groupon wrapped up the first leg of its no-frills roadshow in New York City on Friday, the daily deals giant was said to be considering raising its IPO price.

The Chicago-based company may file an amended S-1 document early next week, ahead of its anticipated IPO pricing date on November 3, Reuters and Bloomberg are reporting.

Groupon has filed with regulators to sell 30 million shares at $16 to $18 per share. And in that range, Groupon could raise $621 million and be valued at up to $11.4 billion, bankers said.

Earlier this year Groupon was valued at $… Read more

CNET has learned some new details on Sony's upcoming S1 and S2 tablets.

A source familiar with the company's plans for the Android devices tells us that four versions of the S1 will be available at launch: 16GB Wi-Fi only; 16GB Wi-Fi and 3G; 32GB Wi-Fi; and 32GB Wi-Fi and 3G. The S2 will come in 16GB and 32GB models that have both Wi-Fi and 3G, but no separate Wi-Fi-only variant like the S1, the source says. Those desiring more capacity will be pleased to know that the S1 tablet has a full-size SD memory card reader onboard for additional storage.

The source also pointed out that the S1 features an 9.4-inch IPS display with TruBlack and Bravia display technologies.

We weren't able to confirm the battery life of the S1 tablet, but our source did mention that it's "comparable to the iPad 2." The battery life of the S2 is unknown, but could possibly suffer from the dual-screen setup. Several accessories will also be made available for the S1, including a dock and at least one Bluetooth keyboard. The top of the BT keyboard described to CNET curves slightly, which may allow it to clip onto the bottom of the S1 when not in use, the source adds. … Read more

Sony has taken some heat for being late to the tablet party, but we cut it some slack the minute we glimpsed the S1 and S2 tablet prototypes back in April 2011. Both tablets promise a unique spin on what has so far been a series of cookie-cutter 10-inch Android tablets. Sony may be late, but at least it's bringing something special.

Though they won't hit shelves until the fall, we were lucky enough to get our hands on both tablets today. Sony is mum on pricing, but given Sony's history, we think it's fair to say these tablets will not be positioned as a cheap iPad alternative. To give each tablet sibling its fair time in the spotlight, here's our separate take on each of Sony's Honeycomb tablets. … Read more

Sony is preparing to make a major splash into the tablet market this year, but I fear the company is missing a key component: heart.

Earlier today, I was sitting face to face with Sony executives way up on the 35th floor of the company's New York headquarters on Madison Avenue. The occasion? Two new Google Android-based tablets, the slate-style S1 and the dual-screen compact S2, which were announced earlier this year but revealed to reporters in the flesh for the very first time today.

(The flat S1 is thicker and rounded at one end, like one feather of the modern NBC peacock logo; the dual-screen S2 is a cross between a Nintendo DS and an eyeglasses case: oval in shape and just small enough to fit into a suit jacket or purse.)

Draping the eye candy: several partner announcements (AT&T, for exclusive HSPA+ support of the S2 model; Adobe, for an Air App Challenge; ESPN, for continued 3D sponsorship) and some coquettish refusals to reveal more details about the technical components inside the devices.

For Sony's big entrance into the tablet market, though, I couldn't help but notice a distinct lack of excitement in the room from the Sony executives assembled--as if they were already past thinking of the S1 and S2. … Read more

It looks like Sony's partnership with AT&T will go beyond the PSP Vita.

On Wednesday AT&T announced that it will be the exclusive broadband provider for the Sony S2 tablet.

Sony Electronics' Senior Vice President of Networked Technology and Services Division Mike Lucas said, "AT&T provides the speed and coverage that are integral to the different features and functions of our tablet. We value our relationship as they share our commitment to growing the 'Sony Tablet' S2 and the tablet market overall."

According to AT&T, the Sony S2 will, … Read more

Sony's Phil Molyneaux doesn't offer a lot of new information about its forthcoming S1 and S2 tablets in this video from CNBC this morning, but the hands-off demo at least provides an idea as to their proportions.

Sony still won't talk about the prices of either Android-based tablet, although it does mention easy-to-predict support for Sony's Q Music and Q Video services, as well as a soft keyboard for the lower screen on the S2.