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1) ASUS G73JH-X1 gaming laptop hits the US
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/10/asus-g73jh-x1-gaming-laptop-hits-the-us/
ASUS introduced its G73JH-X1 gaming laptop right at the start of CES this year, but it unfortunately didn't have much to say about pricing or availability at the time. That's now changed in a big way, however, as the laptop is available right now (at Newegg, at least) for the not-so-crazy price of $1,449.99. That will get you a 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 display, a Core i7 720QM processor, 8GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics, and a DVD burner, among other more standard fare -- all in a suitably angular, eight-pound package, of course.ASUS G73JH-X1 gaming laptop hits the US originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Laptoping | Email this | Comments
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2) Panasonic debuts HDC-HS700 and HDC-TM700 1080p camcorders
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/panasonic-debuts-hdc-hs700-and-hdc-tm700-1080p-camcorders/
Panasonic's brewing up some 1080p goodies in the new HDC-HS700 and HDC-TM700 (pictured) camcorders, both of which do up 1080p video at a nice 60 fps (or 60i or 24p), and record using a 3MOS sensor system. The new cameras are differentiated with a 240GB HDD in the HS700 and the 32GB of flash memory in the TM700, and act as a followup to the well-lauded HS300 / TM300 series. Both of the new shooters are otherwise pretty much identical, including SD / SDHC / SDXC memory card expansion, new 35mm-style wide angle lenses, 12x optical zoom and some gyroscope-based "Power O.I.S." image stabilization to beef up the experience. They can also do 14.2 megapixel stills and record 5.1 surround sound with the five built-in microphones. There's no word on price yet, but it'll be announced 30 days in advance of when they ship, whenever that might be. For reference, the TM300 hovers around the $1,100 [...]
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3) Conceptual Corky mouse gets charged through motion, doubles as a wine stopper
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/conceptual-corky-mouse-gets-charged-through-motion-doubles-as-a/
It's still in concept form at the moment, but America's own Adele Peters just might have a winner with Corky. This obviously cork-based mouse relies on "piezoelectric elements to generate energy every time you click or move it around on your desk," meaning that nary a battery would ever be used to power it. In case that's not sustainable enough for you, the whole thing is made from easily recyclable materials, so it shouldn't mar Ma Earth when it gets tossed at the end of its useful life. Too bad that design has been trumped forty times over by more ergonomic options, but hey, there's always v2.0.Conceptual Corky mouse gets charged through motion, doubles as a wine stopper originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Inhabitat | Greener Gadgets | Email this | Comments
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4) HTC Scorpion with 1.5GHz Snapdragon, WiMAX tipped in build file of dubious provenance
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/htc-scorpion-with-1-5ghz-snapdragon-wimax-tipped-in-build-file/
Sure, this next item might be a little bit of a stretch, but why the hell not: according to MobileCrunch, there's a build file from an-as-yet unknown device called the HTC Scorpion making the rounds. If the tea leaves are being read correctly (and, more to the point, if they're real tea leaves and not some sort of bogus tea leaf substitute) we're looking at a 1.5GHz Snapdragon device with WiMAX support, which means it could potentially be HTC's long-rumored Android smartbook, or at least a spiritual successor to the Shift. We're also told that the mysterious device is codenamed Olympian, and that it could sport a new version of Android (build ID FRE65C -- being billed as Android 2.2). Since you're adults, and we feel that we can trust you, we're placing the alleged file after the break, so you can make up your own mind -- handset, smartbook, or nothing at all? Just remember, it was a [...]
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5) Adobe: Flash 10.1 will require 'some enhancements to existing versions of Android'
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/adobe-flash-10-1-will-require-some-enhancements-to-existing-ve/
As you may have noticed, there were a few reports making the rounds earlier today that suggested Flash 10.1 for Android would be limited to phones running Android 2.1. Adobe itself didn't seem to be saying much about the matter, however, so we inquired with them and received a statement that raises about as many questions as it answers. According to Adrian Ludwig, group product marketing manager for Flash Platform:
Adobe, Google, and other members of the Open Screen Project are working together to make ensure the full Web experience can be delivered on largest possible number of devices. Support for full Flash Player 10.1 requires some enhancements to existing versions of Android. These enhancements are expected to be available as an upgrade to existing devices and for new devices starting in Q2 2010.
The key detail there, obviously, is that support for the full Flash Player 10.1 will [...]
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6) Entelligence: Another view of Microsoft's creative destruction
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/entelligence-another-view-on-microsoft-s-creative-destruction/
Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.
Last week, the New York Times ran an op-ed piece by former Microsoft executive Dick Brass, in which he took the company to task on many issues. Brass was a VP at Microsoft who left in 2004, and prior to his departure he worked on various projects from e-books and ClearType to the Tablet PC. I've met Dick through the years and he's a super smart guy, but I'm not sure I agree with everything he wrote in his op-ed. Dick argues that internal politics and unwillingness to do "risky" hardware have led Microsoft away from innovation. [...]
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7) Google Maps 4.0 with Buzz support now available in Android Market
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/google-maps-4-0-with-buzz-support-now-available-in-android-marke/
Looks like Android's getting in on the new Google Buzz party in more ways than one today -- in addition to support in the browser, Maps 4.0 is now in the Android Market and it's all Buzz-ed up and ready to go. We've heard from both Droid and G1 owners that it works on their devices, so we're guessing every other Android set out there running 1.6 or higher will work as well -- let us know if you find anything else cool, won't you? Same goes for you S60 and WinMo kids out there.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Google Maps 4.0 with Buzz support now available in Android Market originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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8) HTC Legend makes an encore appearance, this time with specs
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/htc-legend-makes-an-encore-appearance-this-time-with-specs/
The race is on to see how many angles of HTC's upcoming Legend can be snapped before the phone's official debut, so here's our next submission. As you can see, the hard-edged aluminum theme continues to wrap its way around the side with a touch of black plastic along the bottom, presumably to give the antenna some room to breathe. We've got a list of specs this time, too, most of which match up with what we've already heard:
3.2-inch HVGA AMOLED capacitive touchscreen
600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 processor (the same class of core used by the Pixi and Devour)
5 megapixel camera with LED flash
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
WiFi
Quadband GSM / EDGE plus dualband HSPA
Magnetic compass
3.5mm headphone jack
1300mAh battery
It's no Nexus One or Bravo, but that's the beauty of the way HTC's love affair with Android is turning out -- there's a little something for everyone.
[Thanks, Dion]HTC Legend [...]
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9) iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 2 busts loose
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/iphone-sdk-3-2-beta-2-busts-loose/
You've got to be one of the cool kids that shelled out a Benjamin to get into the iPhone Developer Program to get access, but if you're already a card-carrying member, it looks like you've now got a green light to download beta 2 of the iPhone SDK for OS 3.2. We don't know what's new, changed, or removed, but presumably, most of the updates would center around the sundry changes Apple has made to support the iPad in the latest version of its mobile platform -- so drop us a line and let us know what you find, alright?iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 2 busts loose originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TUAW | Email this | Comments
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10) HTC Hero update to Android 2.1 pegged for mid-March
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/htc-hero-update-to-android-2-1-pegged-for-mid-march/
We've known for ages that HTC's been working on yanking its custom-skinned Hero off of Cupcake's rusty frame, but so far, the only way to drop Android 2.0 or 2.1 on your phone has been to cheat, root, and load a custom or leaked ROM in place of the official first-party firmware. If you're too straightedge for that, though, keep the faith -- your binary isn't too far off. PR released today indicates that we can expect the Hero to get an Android 2.1 update with Sense in "mid March" according to HTC's Benelux team, and it'll feature a new Friend Stream widget that aggregates user updates across services (presumably a nod to Blur), tweaked Exchange support, and a handful of other goodies. This isn't necessarily indicative of when Hero versions in other regions (Sprint's version, for instance) will pick it up, but it's a solid start.
[Image via EnglishRussia]HTC Hero update to Android 2.1 [...]
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11) GeeksPhone One lands in France for a hands-on
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/geeksphone-one-lands-in-france-for-a-hands-on/
Plenty of other Android phones have come and gone since the GeeksPhone One was announced way back in July of last year, but the phone is now finally available in Europe, and the folks at Android France have managed to get their hands on what seems to be one of the first ones. Unfortunately, the device is looking a tad less polished than some of the earlier shots we've seen suggested, and the device's specs don't seem to have seen any upgrades during its prolonged launch (definitely no Snapdragon here). There's also not much in the way of actual impressions of the phone just yet (Android France is promising a full review), but there are plenty of pictures to keep you busy in the meantime at the link below.GeeksPhone One lands in France for a hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Android France [...]
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12) Lenovo unleashes cut-rate ThinkStation E20 workstation on an unsuspecting public
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/lenovo-unleashes-cut-rate-thinkstation-e20-workstation-on-an-uns/
Kids, are you a corporate buyer of CAD and DCC (digital content creation, duh!) systems looking to save a few pennies in a difficult economic environment? Well, you're in luck: we've dug up yet another demure, innocuous Lenovo with an oversized novelty handle for you, the ThinkStation E20. Shipping with your choice of an Intel Core i3, i5, Pentium, or Xeon 3400 Series processor and either Intel Core HD or NVIDIA Quadro graphics, this guy supports DDR3 memory and carries certifications from Autodesk, Siemens, Dassault Systemes, among others. If that weren't enough, the company is really pushing the green thing, with more than half of the plastic here coming from post-consumer recycled materials. Available sometime mid-month at prices starting at $599, so start save those pennies! You didn't really want that Tesla GPU anyways, did you? PR after the break.Continue reading Lenovo unleashes [...]
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13) Openmoko brings improved keypad / scrolling and math equations to WikiReader
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/openmoko-brings-improved-keypad-scrolling-and-math-equations-t/
It sort of blows our mind that OpenMoko has managed to sell more than a smattering of its $99 WikiReaders (you know, considering just how limited in scope this thing is), but evidently there's a huge demand out there for improvements. The company has just rolled out its Spring 2010 update, which adds math equations, fluid scrolling, and enhanced navigation. Reportedly, the latter comes in the form of an improved touchscreen keypad, which is said to make "finding Wikipedia entries easier and faster and makes enjoying one of the largest reference archives known to mankind even better." We won't bother pointing out the gross exaggerations in that there comment, but at any rate, existing users can download the update today free of charge. Don't all hurry over at once and crash the servers, okay?Openmoko brings improved keypad / scrolling and math equations to WikiReader originally appeared [...]
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14) Warner CEO: iTunes price increase led to lower sales, recession might also factor in
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/warner-ceo-itunes-price-increase-led-to-lower-sales-recession/
Don't pat yourself on the back too much for calling this one, but Warner CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr. has now confirmed what many have suspected: higher iTunes pricing has led to slightly slower sales. Specifically, he says that while the variable pricing introduced early last year has been a "net positive" for the company, revenue growth on iTunes slowed to just eight percent in the last quarter, compared to a hefty 20 percent a year earlier. He is also quick to point out, however, that raising prices 30 percent during a recession may not have been the best idea in hindsight. Interestingly, Bronfman seems to think that e-books actually stand a better chance at holding to up to price increases than music, noting that the "book publishing industry, on the iPad, has much more flexibility than the music industry had."Warner CEO: iTunes price increase led to lower sales, recession might also [...]
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15) Dog-e-Minder keeps tabs on your dog's vitals so you don't have to (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/dog-e-minder-keeps-tabs-on-your-dogs-vitals-so-you-dont-have-t/
You're already weighing down the massive head of your Frenchton with some sort of bark collar and GPS-enabled location tracker, so what's another pendant around the neck, anyway? Dog-e-Minder, which is cleverly being marketed to the "As Seen On TV!" crowd, is a battery-powered device that records the last time your pup (or cat, or iguana, or anything else that rocks a leash) ate, walked or took his / her medications. Essentially, owners simply mash the corresponding button after an event has occurred, and an internal timer keeps track of how long it has been since said event has happened. It also doubles as a dog identification tag (displaying the owner's contact information and the pet's name) whenever it's idle, and it's even available in a foursome of hues to match your canine's personality. The pain? $19.95, and the second one is thrown in absolutely free. Obligatory TV spot is [...]
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16) Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 exhaustively previewed, screenshotted to death
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/sony-ericssons-xperia-x10-exhaustively-previewed-screenshotted/
While we patiently wait for the X10 to make its way into retail channels (or, you know, give up and buy something else instead), mobile-review's Eldar Murtazin has come through once again with one of his world-famous eleventy billion page previews rife with thousands of screenshots, which should take you long enough to skim through so that the phone's available by the time you're done. Thing is, you may not want it anymore: Eldar's concerned by the phone's cheap plastic shell, which is particularly alarming in light of the direction competitors are going, and the screen could apparently be better. Add in the fact that it'll be launching with Android 1.6 and there's no question Sony Ericsson's first Android effort is going to face an uphill battle -- let's just hope they learn from the complaints and get an updated Android build rolled out on the double.
[Thanks, Alex]Sony Ericsson's [...]
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17) Google Buzz takes mobile location services to the next level
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/google-buzz-takes-mobile-location-services-to-the-next-level/
Google just announced that it's bringing some serious location-based integration to its services, all centered around the new Buzz social networking tool built into Gmail. Google's going to do location better than the usual latitude / longitude coordinates -- it's able to snap those to actual place names and then take context-aware actions depending on where you are. The new location services is integrated into the main mobile Google.com search page and the new buzz.google.com page for the iPhone and Android, and into maps for Android, S60, and Windows Mobile. Buzz is rolling out starting today, and it should hit everyone within "the next few days."Continue reading Google Buzz takes mobile location services to the next levelGoogle Buzz takes mobile location services to the next level originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of [...]
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18) Google's Street View snowmobile takes your voyeurism to the Olympic slopes
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/googles-street-view-snowmobile-takes-your-voyeurism-to-the-olym/
There's something deliciously futuristic about the fact that Microsoft and Google are patrolling our roads, documenting their every nook and cranny with large multidirectional cameras strapped to SUVs. But what about the unpaved wilderness? Well, Google's after that too now, with its new Street View snowmobile it's unveiled just in time for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Sure, it's a bit of a gimmick, but also it's surprisingly thrilling to chase down the various slopes in use for the Olympics, and Google Earth even has most everything mapped out in 3D for your aerial viewing pleasure. Check out a video of the snowmobile in action after the break, or hit up that source link to "hit the slopes." If something gets in your way, turn.Continue reading Google's Street View snowmobile takes your voyeurism to the Olympic slopesGoogle's Street View snowmobile takes your voyeurism to the [...]
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19) Handheld US rolls out rugged Algiz 7 tablet
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/handheld-us-rolls-out-rugged-algiz-7-tablet/
It's been quite a while since an Algiz tablet last popped up on our radar, but Handheld US is now back with another model: the Algiz 7. In addition to a fresh new white enclosure, this one packs a 7-inch touchscreen display, along with a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD, and Windows 7 Professional for an OS. To help you out in the field, you'll get a hot-swappable 2400 mAh dual battery pack, built-in GPS, and optional 3G -- not to mention ruggedization to MIL-STD-810G standards. No word on a price just yet, but this one will apparently start shipping next month.
[Thanks, Mark S]
Handheld US rolls out rugged Algiz 7 tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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20) Screen Grabs: DJ Roomba mixes business with pleasure on Parks and Recreation
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/screen-grabs-dj-roomba-mixes-business-with-pleasure-on-parks-an/
Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.
An automated vacuum cleaner that pumps out rap while tidying your mess? Call us crazy, but this very well may be the most intelligent thing the United States government has ever done.Continue reading Screen Grabs: DJ Roomba mixes business with pleasure on Parks and RecreationScreen Grabs: DJ Roomba mixes business with pleasure on Parks and Recreation originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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21) Raiding the Android pantry: after Froyo comes 'Gingerbread'
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/raiding-the-android-pantry-after-froyo-comes-gingerbread/
Anyone who's been following Google's codename saga for Android builds is probably 15 pounds heavier just from hearing the names themselves -- Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, you get the idea. Delectable dessert names aren't the only common theme here, though: they're going in alphabetical order, so we need a "G" sweet next. Well, Google's Brian Swetland -- who works on Android's Linux-based kernel in Mountain View -- has dropped that knowledge in passing while discussing kernel versions on LWN.net. Ready for this? "Gingerbread." Sounds good to us, but naturally, we're more concerned about what's in the build than what it's named, and we don't have those details yet other than Swetland's belief that they'll "likely be on [Linux kernel 2.6.].33 or .34" by the time it hits. Time to start thinking about the "H" treat -- any ideas?Raiding the Android pantry: after Froyo comes 'Gingerbread' [...]
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22) Displax multitouch film actually developed by Visual Planet, frowny faces all around
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/displax-multitouch-film-actually-developed-by-visual-planet-fro/
Ready for another dustup in multitouch land? Turns out that cool Displax multitouch film we saw a few days ago is actually called ViP Interactive Foil, and was developed in 2004 by a company called Visual Planet -- Displax was just showing it off to promote their new touch controller, but didn't tell anyone about the source of the film when that's where all the interest was. Naturally that's got Visual Planet in a bit of a tizzy, especially since it's developing a touch controller of its own for release down the line; the two companies have been partners in the past but there's no agreement now. Displax says it's looking at several suppliers for the film as it rolls towards that promised July ship date -- we'll see if any of this gets sorted out by then.Displax multitouch film actually developed by Visual Planet, frowny faces all around originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb [...]
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23) Panasonic announces new 3D Blu-ray recorders, players
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/panasonic-announces-new-3d-blu-ray-recorders-players/
Looks like Panasonic's push to lead the 3D pack continues unabated. It's been just over a week since the company announced the opening of its first Blu-ray 3D authoring facility and now word's coming out of Tokyo's Yurakucho District that the world will soon be getting not one but four devices, including the DMP-BDT900-K, a pretty straight forward player that features the latest Advanced AVC encoding engine and a generous helping of ports (including two USB, Ethernet, two HDMI outs, one component out, and an SDXC compatible memory card port). If playback alone doesn't float your boat (and we don't blame you), three of the new models include 3D Blu-ray recorders, including the DMR-BWT3000 (2TB), DMR-BWT2000 (1TB), and DMR-BWT1000 (750GB). All the aforementioned recorders sport 2Digital BS / 110°CS TV tuner, 1 Analog TV tuner, i.Link, SDXC memory card slot, Ethernet, VIERA Link, VOD [...]
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24) Samsung TicToc PMP player lets you shake right past that Ke$ha song
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/samsung-tictoc-pmp-player-lets-you-shake-right-past-that-ke-ha-s/
Back at CES Samsung apparently unveiled this little guy -- the TicToc PMP, which seems to be aiming firmly at the iPod shuffle demographic -- whatever demographic that is. This little bad boy's got just one physical button (for power and volume control) while other functions of the player -- playback, skipping past songs and the like -- are all controlled by shaking. The TicToc will come in 2GB and 4GB varieties, have a supposed battery life of up to 12 hours, and it'll also have a cute little docking station to go with it. There's no pricing information yet, but we hear it'll definitely be available later this year. There's one more shot after the break.Continue reading Samsung TicToc PMP player lets you shake right past that Ke$ha songSamsung TicToc PMP player lets you shake right past that Ke$ha song originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:09:00 EST. Please see our [...]
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25) Green House delivers USB 3.0-friendly PCI Express interface card
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/green-house-delivers-usb-3-0-friendly-pci-express-interface-card/
Like it or not (and honestly, why would you not?), USB 3.0 is upon us, and we're guessing it's just a matter of time before every single USB peripheral in the entire world is equipped with SuperSpeed support. Exaggerations aside, there's still a good chance that you'll snap up an item or two over the course of your life that could benefit from hastier transfer rates, and that's where Green House comes in. The Japanese-based outfit has just revealed a USB 3.0-compatible PCI Express interface card, enabling mildly ancient desktops to gain USB 3.0 support by simply slapping a card into a free PCIe slot. The company claims that you'll see maximum data transfer rates of 5Gbps, but you'll have to wait a few more months to snag it for ¥3,780 ($42).Green House delivers USB 3.0-friendly PCI Express interface card originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our [...]
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26) TI stuffs WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and FM radios on a single chip, UWB and LTE are like 'hello?'
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/ti-stuffs-wifi-gps-bluetooth-and-fm-radios-on-a-single-chip-u/
Heads-up, kids -- Mobile World Congress is but days away from liftoff, and it looks like Texas Instruments will be there with a purpose. The company has today introduced what it's calling the "industry's first quad-radio single chip," which throws 802.11n, GPS, FM transmit / receive and Bluetooth radios onto a single 65-nanometer WiLink 7.0 solution. Purportedly, this device reduces costs by 30 percent, size by 50 percent and bragging rights by 894 percent. The chip is currently sampling to OEMs with undisclosed names, which could mean that a prototype phone or two will be taking advantage in Barcelona. Fingers crossed.Continue reading TI stuffs WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and FM radios on a single chip, UWB and LTE are like 'hello?'TI stuffs WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and FM radios on a single chip, UWB and LTE are like 'hello?' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:22:00 EST. [...]
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27) Apple Store down globally, let the speculation begin (updated)
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/apple-store-down-globally-let-the-speculation-begin/
Sometimes it's nothing, but often, especially when it's a Tuesday and we're sitting on a stack of overdue rumors, an Apple Store outage is a tell that new products are due. Especially when the store goes down on a global basis as it has just now. So take a moment to reflect on the latest rumors and chime in with your predictions in the comments. Our guess? Refreshed MacBook Pros... or iPonies, either or. Then check back at 08:30 ET (as is the norm) to see who got it right.
Update: 64-bit Aperture 3 with faces and places tagging announced. Store's back up. Even after the NVIDIA Optimus announcement we're still left waiting for those elusive Core i5 and Core i7 MacBook Pros.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Apple Store down globally, let the speculation begin (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink [...]
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28) Samsung's S2 Portable gets Michael Jackson makeover, promises to heal the world
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/samsungs-s2-portable-gets-michael-jackson-makeover-promises-to/
You know, something deep, deep inside of us knew that this was going to happen, but with Michael Jackson's untimely departure of Planet Earth back in the news thanks to Mr. Conrad Murray's arraignment, it seems like the glut of This Is It-related gear is even touching the typically straightforward tech industry. The drive you're weeping at above is the February 22nd-bound 500GB S2 Portable, complete with a paint job that can only be described as overkill. Jackson's final film is pre-loaded on here (and likely entangled in DRM), as well as Samsung's own Auto Backup feature that'll keep your aged concert photos safe for a few more decades. Of course, the inclusion of a "SecretZone" service -- which encrypts specific files while requiring a password to access -- seems a bit tasteless given the subject matter here, but leave it to Samsung to Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'.
Gallery: Samsung [...]
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29) Elecom introduces SDXC-compatible card reader, waits for you to afford SDXC cards
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/elecom-introduces-sdxc-compatible-card-reader-waits-for-you-to/
Panasonic's duo of SDXC cards should be shipping out this month, which means that you'll be needing a new card reader on the double. Of course, it's not like you're really about to pay upwards of $450 for 32GB of wicked fast Secure Digital storage (or $600 for the 64 gigger), but hey, it's hard to knock Elecom for being proactive. Said outfit has just released what looks to be the first multicard readers to openly support SDXC, with the MR-A001BK handling ten formats and the MR-A002 supporting a grand total of 32 -- some of which haven't been used regularly since Vikings ruled the north. Both are expected to ship in Japan later this month, with pricing set for ¥1,890 ($21) and ¥2,415 ($27) in order of mention.Elecom introduces SDXC-compatible card reader, waits for you to afford SDXC cards originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of [...]
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30) NVIDIA Optimus automates graphics switching, promises the best of both worlds
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/nvidia-optimus-automates-graphics-switching-promises-the-best-o/
We've always thought switchable graphics made a lot of sense on laptops, and NVIDIA's new Optimus tech looks like it's going to bring it mainstream in a serious way -- there's no more manually toggling between the powerful discrete GPU and the power-saving integrated chip. More than just automatically switching off the discrete GPU when the laptop is unplugged, the idea is that you don't have to think about when you want to use the different graphics options: the software and hardware combo will take care of deciding which graphics processor is best for the application or content. For instance, launch Call of Duty 4 and the discrete GPU will power on, close out and start writing an e-mail and it will switch to the IGP. Sounds pretty simple, but under the hood its much more complicated as NVIDIA has moved to running the drivers for both graphics subsystems concurrently and removed the [...]
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31) Navigon keeps MobileNavigator iPhone app fresh with 3D terrain views, Facebook / Twitter integration
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/navigon-keeps-mobilenavigator-iphone-app-fresh-with-3d-terrain-v/
Hey, software engineers of all shapes and sizes -- are you keeping an eye on this? Navigon is releasing yet another significant update for its continually improving MobileNavigator iPhone GPS app, and at this point, we reckon these guys and gals should get some sort of medal for pursuing innovation on an existing product rather than leaping to "the next best thing." The latest refresh adds in three primary features: 3D terrain views, a 3D panorama view ($9.99 extra) and in-app connectivity with Facebook and Twitter. As you'd expect, the latter enables users to broadcast current position, destination and ETA to social media outlets, which should make existing Foursquare addicts overwhelmed with joy. Version 1.5.0 also throws in MyRoutes, which is said to analyze your driving habits, patterns, location and time / day in order to provide "up to three routes clearly displayed in-map with [...]
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32) Brando camera holster is cheap, might actually hold your camera
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/brando-camera-holster-is-cheap-might-actually-hold-your-camera/
Say what you will about Brando, but you can always count on them to take a good idea and sell a cheaper (if not necessarily better) version of it. The latest example is the discount retailer's Camera Waist Belt Lock, which is basically a $14 version of the $110 Spider Camera Holster that we checked out first hand a few months back. Needless to say, we'd feel a bit more comfortable entrusting a $1,000+ DSLR to the weapon-like Spider, but those willing to take a chance to save a few bucks can grab the Brando alternative right now at the link below.
Brando camera holster is cheap, might actually hold your camera originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Brando | Email this | Comments
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33) Peter Moore wants to be convinced by OnLive, already a fan of Arc controller
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/peter-moore-wants-to-be-convinced-by-onlive-already-a-fan-of-ar/
Peter Moore, formerly the big cheese in charge of Xbox, is now the head of EA Sports, but he's lost none of the forthrightness that's made him a popular man to interview in the past. In his latest sitdown with CVG, Peter expressed his admiration for the nascent OnLive cloud gaming service, but also noted that he remains uncertain as to whether it will actually work when millions of people decide to play the same game at the same time -- a reservation we probably all share. He did point out that the sort of readily accessible gaming OnLive represents was in his company's plans, and would be expanded with more browser-based games. Finally, as someone who's seen the PlayStation 3 Arc controller in action Peter should be well qualified to assess it, and he describes it as a "great complement to what's out there," claiming that it brings a substantially different experience to Nintendo's Wii [...]
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34) ATI Radeon HD 5570 fills the last remaining gap in DirectX 11 empire
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/ati-radeon-hd-5570-fills-the-last-remaining-gap-in-directx-11-em/
ATI seems to be so enamored with its 40nm DirectX 11 Evergreen chips that at this point it's bringing out new graphics cards just to remind us of how awesome its technology is. Slotting in between the $100 HD 5670 and $50 HD 5450, the new Radeon HD 5570 will predictably retail at around $75 to $80, with up to 1GB of onboard GDDR3, a 650MHz core clock speed, and a thrifty 43W power budget under full load. Reviewers were big fans of its performance relative to the HD 5450 -- nearly doubling it in some cases -- but still struggled to recommend this as a better value for gamers than the only marginally more expensive HD 5670. Then again, the low profile card, single-slot cooler, and minimal power requirements make the 5570 an absolute gem for HTPC or SFF setups, so whether you're in that particular market or just curious, we recommend you check out the full reviews below.
Read - [...]
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35) Samsung's first Bada phone with Super AMOLED to be announced on February 14th? Sure.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/samsungs-first-bada-phone-with-super-amoled-to-be-announced-on/
By now you're undoubtedly aware than Samsung has a new smartphone OS (Bada) and touchscreen technology (Super AMOLED) in the works. In this case, putting 2 and 2 together yields 14, a number that matches Samsung's February 14th press event at Mobile World Congress. How so? Well, first of all, Sammy is promoting the Samsung Unpacked teaser page from its Bada site. The ocean-themed teaser ("bada" means "ocean" in Korean) says, "on 2.14 a new mobile from Samsung is born. See it first in Barcelona." A quick look at the teaser site's source reveals the keywords "Bada," "smartphone," and "AMOLED." In other words, you can bet that Samsung will be unveiling a 3.3-inch, 800 x 480 pixel Super AMOLED (already rumored for a next week reveal) touchscreen Bada phone on February 14th.
P.S. The image above comes courtesy of GSM Arena. While the site won't say what the device is on the left it's [...]
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36) Swiss firm claims huge boost in Android app performance, battery life with new virtual machine
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/german-firm-claims-huge-boost-in-android-app-performance-batter/
At the core of Anrdoid lies a little bundle of code known as the Dalvik virtual machine, a runtime environment for Java apps that's specifically optimized for hardware with limited memory and processor power -- you know, the kind of situation you find in your average smartphone. The relative success of the Android Market suggests that Dalvik's getting the job done on some level (as long as you're not looking for a texture-intense FPS), but the fact that Google bothered to create a separate native development kit to speed up intensive operations certainly serves as a damning counterpoint. Enter Swiss firm Myriad -- a founding and code-contributing member of the OHA, coincidentally -- which is touting this week that it's crafted a much higher-performance replacement for Dalvik, appropriately known as "Dalvik Turbo." Just how much higher-performance are we talking? Myriad claims apps run [...]
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37) Cube's 6-inch capacitive touchscreen e-reader is a Windows Mobile 6.5 fantasyland
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/cubes-6-inch-capacitive-touchscreen-e-reader-is-a-windows-mobil/
If you're a sucker for immaculate specs at a discount price then the Cube e-book reader might be the device for you. The Chinese outfit is said to be working on a 6-inch, E Ink reader built around the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system with baked-in WiFi (sorry, no mention of 3G data) for "remote server synchronization." And as declared in the image above, the Cube e-reader features a capacitive touchscreen just "like the iPhone." Apparently, it'll do more than just display e-books though, with a touted ability to make VoIP calls, browse the web, send and receive email, and download music and photos -- all this for just 999 Chinese Yuan or about $146. Sure, go ahead and build it Cube, but until we see a product render at least forgive us for being skeptical.Cube's 6-inch capacitive touchscreen e-reader is a Windows Mobile 6.5 fantasyland originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb [...]
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