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1) Pulse Music Box evokes 1930s factory life, also happens to play tunes
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/pulse-music-box-evokes-1930s-factory-life-also-happens-to-play/
We've seen more designer iPod docks than we can shake a stick at, but we've never laid eyes on one quite like this. Part pipe organ, part black monolith, this one-of-a-kind work of art is called the Pulse Music Box, and actually uses that brass organ crank to control the volume from the amp and stereo speakers tucked inside its black tiled frame. Creators Johannes Tjernberg and Rasmus Malbert told Moco Loco the dock's design was inspired by the classic Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times; hopefully, we won't have to drag them through the bowels of a giant machine to get hands-on. We hear the creation's currently headed to Milan, probably to take part in the 2010 Milan Furniture Fair -- and sorry potential buyers, we can't seem to get a lock on whether or not it's for sale.Continue reading Pulse Music Box evokes 1930s factory life, also happens to play tunesPulse Music Box evokes 1930s [...]
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2) Barnes & Noble Nook arriving at Best Buy, will go on sale April 18
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/barnes-and-noble-nook-arriving-at-best-buy-will-go-on-sale-apri/
Looks like the e-reader wars are heating up, retail-style: we just found out that Target will be selling the Kindle later this month, and now multiple sources are telling us that Best Buy will start selling the Barnes and Noble Nook on April 18th -- a rumor we can back up with this shot of Big Blue's inventory system. We're also informed that units are arriving at stores right now, so keep your eyes peeled -- we're assuming an overeager stocker will let one slip out onto the floor sooner or later. You know you can take a photo and tip us right from the Engadget smartphone apps, right?Barnes & Noble Nook arriving at Best Buy, will go on sale April 18 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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3) Dell refreshes Latitude E series with latest Intel chips
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/dell-refreshes-latitude-e-series-with-latest-intel-chips/
Targeted at the enterprise, there's plenty of stuff in the Latitude E series (which has been floating around here and overseas, but is finally official) that Joe Consumer couldn't care less about, like "Distributed Device Management" and "Client Configuration Toolkit" to handle massive rollouts of identical computing environments across a company. Still, there's plenty of Latitude left over for those of us with simpler, lower volume tastes. The new E6410 (14.1-inch, pictured) and E6510 (15.6-inch) start at $1,129 and $1,164, respectively, with a rugged version of the 14.1-incher, the E6410 ATG rounding out the crew. All the laptops offer Core i5 and Core i7 processors and DDR3 RAM, with options for discrete NVIDIA NVS 3100M 512MB (non-switchable) graphics and the Latitude ON instaboot auxiliary system. Of course, outside of those basics you can go wild with the configuration options [...]
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4) KARVT wooden MacBook skins -- because sometimes aluminum just isn't enough
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/karvt-wooden-macbook-skins-because-sometimes-aluminum-just-is/
Is the Apple logo on your MacBook not brash enough for everyone in the coffee shop to see? Is that streamlined aluminum appearance too Pro for you? Time to enter the newly opened KARVT online store, where unabashed Apple fans can finally add the sophistication of "100% real authentic wood" to their beloved machines. Most popular tastes can be accommodated, with different shades of cherry, bamboo, pine, and walnut on offer, and there's even an artists' section where some design flair is added to your timberrific purchase. The skins will fit on any recent Apple laptops, and prices are $35 for the wood grain or $50 for the artsy ones, with deliveries starting on May 1. Bargain or what?
Gallery: KARVT wooden MacBook skinsKARVT wooden MacBook skins -- because sometimes aluminum just isn't enough originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use [...]
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5) Nexus One complaints mount, no firmware update in sight
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/nexus-one-complaints-mount-no-firmware-update-in-sight/
We've had a Nexus One in daily use for a couple months now with relatively little drama, but Google's official support forums for the so-called superphone appear to be piling up a good head of steam on a handful of issues troubling owners. Perhaps the highest profile among them is the 3G signal strength issue -- a problem that predates the Nexus One's first and only firmware update -- but users are complaining about everything from unresponsive touchscreens, to failed text messages, to problems with the ambient light sensor, and there are enough "me too" responses in the support threads to warrant some serious attention. We know Google hasn't been sitting on its hands behind the scenes, so this is probably more of a timing issue than anything else -- could it be that they're waiting for Flash 10.1 before pushing the next release?
[Thanks, Ramon]Nexus One complaints mount, no firmware [...]
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6) Intel's Intelligent Home Energy Management device is an OLED beauty, sadly just a concept
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/intels-intelligent-home-energy-management-device-is-an-oled-bea/
We know, the last thing the world needs is another home tablet (see Sony Dash, HP Dreamscreen and Chumby), but bear with us for a second on Intel's Intelligent Home Energy Management proof of concept. Instead of providing just the typical weather, Pandora, and video memo apps, the Atom Z530-powered screen also manages your home's energy consumption. The idea is that the WiFi-enabled device works with your local energy company to provide data as well as suggestions on how to lower that insane monthly bill. It also apparently can update you as to what government subsides are being offered and deals on more power efficient appliances. If that all sounds too earthy to you, we at least can tell you it's one beautiful gadget -- the 11.2-inch capacitive OLED screen is simply stunning and the user interface that's been built on top of Windows XP isn't so bad looking itself. For now the whole [...]
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7) Plastic Logic expects to ship QUE proReader in June
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/plastic-logic-expects-to-ship-que-proreader-in-june/
So, Plastic Logic perhaps isn't for sale, but what about that long-awaited QUE proReader of theirs? Well, we just got an update on that front. A hapless tipster who pre-ordered the devices way back on January 9th just got an email from Plastic Logic saying they should expect a June 24th ship date now. Pre-orderers at least have the opportunity to confirm or deny that they still want the device, and won't be charged until it ships. So, will it be worth the wait? And more importantly: what color will your hovercar be?
[Thanks, Shane B.]Plastic Logic expects to ship QUE proReader in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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8) Orange Music puts PC into guitar amp -- ours is not to reason why
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/orange-music-puts-pc-into-guitar-amp-ours-is-not-to-reason-wh/
Now this is an interesting one. Classic British amp maker Orange Music had a bit of a surprise behind its booth at the 2010 Musikmesse show. The O PC is, well, a guitar amp and a PC rolled into one convenient package. We didn't catch the processor, but there will be an option to use either the NVIDIA GeForce 9300 or ramp up to the 512MB ATI Radeon 5670. Standard fare is there, USB ports and WiFi, but no clue as to processor / memory. On the aural side of things, there's a stereo option for plugging in an extension speaker, a 1/4-inch guitar jack, basic EQ knobs, and yet-to-be-finalized modeling software -- nothing trial, everything full version, assures the Orange rep. Once that's sorted, the estimated ship time is two to four months, with price unmentioned. Video presentation after the break.
[Thanks, Hessel]Continue reading Orange Music puts PC into guitar amp -- ours is not to [...]
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9) Our live coverage of Apple's iPhone OS 4 event starts tomorrow, 10AM PT, 1PM ET!
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/our-live-coverage-of-apples-iphone-os-4-event-starts-tomorrow/
We don't know what the future holds for the iPhone OS. Will we see multitasking? Will there be widgets? Will Apple forgo the whole idea of icons in exchange for constantly mutating digital lifeforms? Luckily, we're less than 24 hours from finding the answer to those questions (and hopefully many more). We'll be bringing you live, up-to-the-minute coverage of Apple's event starting tomorrow morning, delivering each astounding factoid with the speed and precision that only Engadget can provide. Tune in at the times (and URL below), and be prepared for more magical revolutions.
Here's where the liveblog will be, and the start times (by timezone) are below. See you then!
07:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - MoscowOur live coverage of Apple's iPhone OS 4 event starts tomorrow, 10AM PT, [...]
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10) Squeezebox Touch ships at long last
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/squeezebox-touch-ships-at-long-last/
Pulling back from the verge of a bottomless pit of vaporware despair comes the Squeezebox Touch, the latest in Logitech's line of connected music players that had originally been slated to launch way back in December of last year. The device is the spiritual successor to the Squeezebox 3, eschewing the older model's VFD display for a 4.3-inch color touchscreen LCD and adding in support for SD cards and USB mass storage devices directly from the unit itself. At $299, it's not the kind of knee-jerk purchase you can make without thinking twice -- but compared to Sonos, it's still the value brand. Anyone else see the potential for a Chumby app on this thing?
[Thanks, remd]Squeezebox Touch ships at long last originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Squeezebox forums | Email this | Comments
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11) DIY VR rig makes neck pain an un-virtual reality
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/diy-vr-rig-makes-neck-pain-an-un-virtual-reality/
Sure, there's plenty of practical VR options available these days (DIY and otherwise), but there's also something to be said for rigs that stick to virtual reality's cumbersome, unwieldy roots. Sharing that sentiment is DIYer Gavan Woolery, who combined an Acer GD235HZ 3D monitor, a pair of shutter glasses, and a TrackIR 5 head-tracking system to build this rig that manages to make the helmet from Videodrome look comfortable. Of course, Woolery is completely up front that the rig is "not in any way designed to be practical," but it does seem to work remarkably well, and it's reasonably inexpensive to build yourself if you're so inclined -- at least compared to other dedicated VR rigs. Head on past the break to check it out in action, and hit up the source link below for the complete details.
Continue reading DIY VR rig makes neck pain an un-virtual realityDIY VR rig makes neck pain [...]
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12) Sorry your iPod nano got so scratched five years ago, here's your $37.50
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/sorry-your-ipod-nano-got-so-scratched-five-years-ago-heres-you/
Hey, remember five years ago when the first-gen iPod nano came out and everyone in the world (literally) was sad because it scratched so easily? And then Walt Mossberg was sad, too? And then, inevitably, there was a class-action lawsuit filed, even though the lead plaintiff was like, "no, really guys, I'm cool?" No? Well shake off those cobwebs and get ready to party in a moderate way, because your check for $37.50 is in the mail. Yep, that's all individual consumers get in the settlement, which first started processing claims in December -- we're guessing the plaintiff's attorneys managed to score themselves a little more than that, because they worked so hard defending our interests. But hey -- one thirteenth of an iPad ain't so bad, right? And you wonder why we rarely cover class-action lawsuits.
[Thanks, Phil]Sorry your iPod nano got so scratched five years ago, here's your $37.50 [...]
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13) Smart Devices announces R7 e-book reader to a world in apathy
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/smart-devices-announces-r7-e-book-reader-to-a-world-in-apathy/
It's a fact of life: Every company gets into e-readers sooner or later. Therefore, Smart Devices has surprised no one by announcing that it will be branching off from its usual MID fare to launch one of its own. The R7 sports a color LCD (no E ink for these folks!), 7-inch (800 x 600) resistive touchscreen, buttons, and some form of storage (presumably). How's that for vague? We do know one thing, however -- seeing as how the company has been peddling the same functionality with its MIDs forever, and seeing as how the budget e-reader is the new budget mp3 player, this thing better be either really awesome in the specs department, or really really cheap.
Smart Devices announces R7 e-book reader to a world in apathy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Cloned in China | Email this | Comments
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14) myTouch Slide leaks from Radio Shack Direct2U system
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/mytouch-slide-leaks-from-radio-shack-direct2u-system/
What do we have here, then? According to an anonymous tipster, this is the first appearance of the rumored myTouch Slide -- the alleged and presumed successor to the G1 on T-Mobile -- in Radio Shack's (um, "The Shack's") Direct2U system. These things are always to be taken with a grain of salt, but really -- who would fake this? All we can say is that we sure hope that when the image does arrive ("soon") it looks a sight better than the pics we've already seen.
myTouch Slide leaks from Radio Shack Direct2U system originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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15) Intel's SENS platform pictures a world of Moorsetown-powered and sensor equipped phones
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/intels-sens-platform-pictures-a-world-of-moorsetown-powered-and/
We wish we could tell you those were working Intel Moorestown or Atom powered phones, but alas, they are just mockups that were created to illustrate what Chipzilla is hoping to do with its tiny silicon parts and SENS concept platform (not to be confused with HTC's Sense or Samsung's old Sens laptops). Now, we have to warn you to understand this whole SENS thing, you've got to be able to dream big -- the idea is centered around the "phones of tomorrow" being able to understand what we are physically doing through sensors, including accelerometers, audio, location, and so on. In other words, these phones not only know that you are talking on the phone to Mom, but they also can tell you're in a meeting by reading your calendar and cross referencing that information with your geographic location.
Still with us? Then once the phone knows exactly what you're doing it can alert your [...]
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16) Apple confirms iPad issues with dual-band WiFi routers, offers fix (sort of)
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/apple-confirms-ipad-issues-with-dual-band-wifi-routers-offers-f/
Judging from our recent poll, a sizable number of folks have had problems with their iPad losing its WiFi connection, and Apple has now confirmed that such an issue does exist -- although it's not exactly saying there's any problems with the iPad itself. According to a new knowledge base article, the issue is known to occur with some third-party dual-band WiFI routers, and tends to happen if you're the same name for each network or different security settings for each network. To ensure your iPad automatically rejoins WiFi networks, Apple suggests (you guessed it) giving the networks different names, and making sure that they're using the same security settings. Of course, that doesn't explain why other devices are able to work just fine with said routers, but this looks to be the most we'll get out of Apple for the time being.
P.S. At least some users have also reported some success [...]
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17) Kindle coming to Target on April 25?
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/kindle-coming-to-target-on-april-25/
We've always wondered if and when Amazon would get the Kindle into brick-and-mortar stores to counteract the see-it-with-your-eyes marketing advantage held by competitors like Barnes and Noble, and it looks like we just got our answer -- this is a shot of a Target inventory handheld showing a listing for Amazon's e-reader. We're told that the in-store date is April 25, so we'll be keeping an eye out -- and we're definitely curious to see if Amazon's retail packaging for stores is any flashier than the current Kindle box.
[Thanks, zeroleonheart]Kindle coming to Target on April 25? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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18) Fujitsu's power strip graphs your electrical gluttony
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/fujitsus-power-strip-graphs-your-electrical-gluttony/
We have a long wait before the world becomes solar powered, so between now and then we need to get a lot smarter about how much of the good stuff our gadgets are sucking down. Fujitsu's prototype power strip does just that -- with a little bit of help from a PC. Unlike other strips we've seen in the past, this one has a USB port on the side through which it feeds consumption data about each of its four outlets. From there users can graph the draw of each one and see which of their little vampires has the sharpest teeth. No price or availability was provided for this smart strip, so don't be too demeaning to your current dumb ones just yet.Fujitsu's power strip graphs your electrical gluttony originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Tech-On! | Email this | Comments
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19) Dell's Mobile Activation Center launches, getting trapped in contracts gets a whole lot easier
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/dells-mobile-activation-center-launches-getting-trapped-in-con/
We never thought that getting our mobile broadband devices activated was all that complicated, but apparently there are plenty of Dell customers that will disagree -- so many, in fact, that the company has rolled out something called the Mobile Activation Center. The whole thing is pretty much idiot-proof: after you purchase your mobile broadband-packin' notebook or netbook on Dell.com, you'll be prompted to activate the data card and select your data plan (adding to your existing account or setting up a new one). Rebates even get flipped back to your Dell shopping cart -- and you can never have too many rebates, can you?
Dell's Mobile Activation Center launches, getting trapped in contracts gets a whole lot easier originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Direct2Dell | Email this | Comments
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20) Geohot brings back other OS support with PS3 3.21OO custom firmware
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/geohot-brings-back-other-os-support-with-ps3-3-21oo-custom-firmw/
Well, Geohot promised a workaround for Sony's removal of the "install other OS" feature in PS3 firmware 3.21 and now Geohot has delivered. While it's not available to the public just yet, Geohot's 3.21OO custom firmware will apparently be simple to install and, as you can see in the video after the break, it works just as you'd expect and simply restores the "other OS" option to its previous place. Geohot even says that the custom firmware might actually enable the other OS feature on the PS3 Slim, but he hasn't yet had a chance to try it out.
[Thanks, Milo]Continue reading Geohot brings back other OS support with PS3 3.21OO custom firmwareGeohot brings back other OS support with PS3 3.21OO custom firmware originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Geohot | Email this | Comments
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21) Windows 7 SP1 beta leaks out, screenshots ensue
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/windows-7-sp1-beta-leaks-out-screenshots-ensue/
Microsoft's already let out word that it's working on Windows 7 Service Pack 1, but it looks like the OS' first big update has now leaked out slightly ahead of schedule -- or a recent build of it, anyway. As expected there aren't any significant changes that are immediately apparent -- the biggest is the added RemoteFX functionality when paired with Windows Server -- but the install process is apparently at least much faster than it was for service packs on Windows Vista. Still no word on a proper release date from Microsoft just yet, but you can now check out a few more screenshots at the source link below.Windows 7 SP1 beta leaks out, screenshots ensue originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | GeekSmack | Email this | Comments
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22) Turn your iPad into a MIDI controller in 3,700 easy steps
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/turn-your-ipad-into-a-midi-controller-in-3-700-easy-steps/
It was only a matter of time before someone took a look at that 9.7-inch display and decided they wanted to do some serious dancefloor damage with it. Not to be outdone by the likes of Looptastic HD or iElectribe, our man Ryan Noise (dot com) has just posted a video detailing his experiments with the iPad as MIDI controller and, as long as you don't have your heart set on your instrument providing some sort of tactile response, it looks like things are working out pretty well. Using a combination of the TouchOSC open sound control app, Osculator, a Python script, and Ableton Live 8, we've seen this basic setup before: the iPad (or iPhone, or iPod touch) sends open sound commands to the Mac, which translates them into MIDI commands for your instrument / DAW of choice. But why read when you can watch? Peep the video after the break for the gist, and hit that source link for technical [...]
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23) ARRI's ALEXA busts out native ProRes recording, plans for RED smiting
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/arris-alexa-busts-out-native-prores-recording-plans-for-red-sm/
It's taken three years, but one of the big boys may finally have an answer to the RED ONE camera -- the device that took the cinema world by storm in 2007 as the first affordable digital movie cam with a 35mm, full-frame sensor, 4k resolution, and rugged good looks. Venerable camera-maker ARRI has finally revealed both the full specs for its upcoming ALEXA digital camera and reconfirms Hollywood's propensity for over-capitalization. Regarding the specs, you can color us impressed. The ALEXA is something of a follow up to the ARRIFLEX D-21, the company's first foray into digital cams, but besides writing data in 0s and 1s the two cameras share little in common. ARRI is positioning the ALEXA to compete directly with the RED ONE (and forthcoming EPIC and SCARLET cameras), so you can expect a price point in the sub-$60k range. Besides the low price tag (for a professional movie camera), a [...]
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24) Comcast's 3D channel goes live, just in time for the Masters
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/comcasts-3d-channel-goes-live-just-in-time-for-the-masters/
Customers in a handful of Comcast markets might have noticed that the switch on their promised 3D content just got flipped in the past 24 hours or so; viewers were greeted with a short loop of test content at first, but now, they're getting a message pimping coverage of the Masters Tournament that starts later today. We caught this particular message above in Chicago, but folks with HD boxes in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Twin Cities, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, and Indianapolis should all have access to the programming. Naturally, you'll need a 3D-compatible set and glasses to enjoy the footage, but be warned: if the ball comes straight at the camera, it's going to be really, really scary for a second.
Update: Oh, and if you don't have a 3D TV or Comcast service handy, no sweat -- you can still watch it online if you've got the right [...]
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25) CE-oh no he didn't!: Reggie Fils-Aime says the iPhone OS isn't a 'viable profit platform for game development'
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/ce-oh-no-he-didn-t-reggie-fils-aime-says-the-iphone-os-isnt-a/
| Email this | Comments
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26) Flip Slide HD caught at Best Buy, slides into camera's view (updated)
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/flip-slide-hd-caught-at-best-buy-slides-into-cameras-view/
All we have is this one image, care of a gracious anonymous tipster who said it was found at Best Buy. Our best guess? Well, it's a Flip camcorder, and there's a sliding element to it -- amazing deduction skills, we know. Perhaps Cisco has something up its sleeve soon? Inquiring minds want to know.
Update: We got some more pics in from a tipster -- they're after the break!Continue reading Flip Slide HD caught at Best Buy, slides into camera's view (updated)Flip Slide HD caught at Best Buy, slides into camera's view (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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27) Shuttle gets serious with Pro Series, teases hexacore-ready SFF for June
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/shuttle-gets-serious-with-pro-series-teases-hexacore-ready-sff/
Say hello to Shuttle's finest toaster-sized workstations yet. The G2 7600P (above right) is the AMD-loving variant that can be yours for $899 with a dual core 2.93GHz Athlon II CPU and low-end ATI FirePro or NVIDIA Quadro graphics options, or you can crank it up to a quad-core Phenom II X4 at 2.6GHz and up to 8GB of RAM. Switching over to the Intel channel -- with the J1 4100P, above left -- you'll find a pretty sweet $999 package built around a Core 2 Quad Q8300 running at 2.5GHz, as well as the option to upgrade to a super duper Radeon HD 5850 GPU. Should those specs be just that little bit too far from the cutting edge for you, heed Shuttle's teaser that a third Pro Series model is coming up this June, with an LGA 1366 socket that counts among its supported CPUs Intel's latest Xeons and the famed beast that is the Core i7-980X. Not bad, eh? Click past the break for the full press [...]
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28) iPad apps: creativity unleashed
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/ipad-apps-creativity-unleashed/
We love to create things: drawings, movies, photos, songs, and, on occasion, stunning literary imagery with the help of text styling. While Apple didn't necessarily blow us away with its offerings on this front for the iPad (no GarageBand, iPhoto, or iMovie, for instance), 3rd party developers are naturally happy to oblige. We were frankly surprised at some of the depth and functionality we discovered in the App Store, but while what we have here is a nice start, we're even more curious to see what sort of creativity these developers can coax out us with a few months of iPad experience under their belts and a better handle on the strengths and weaknesses of the system. For the time being follow us after the break as we run you through some of our existing favorites. Not enough apps for you? Check out some of our other roundups!Continue reading iPad apps: creativity unleashediPad apps: [...]
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29) Nexaria's NexConnect SOHO router does 3G and 4G on the trot, BYO modem (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/nexarias-nexconnect-soho-router-does-3g-and-4g-on-the-trot-byo/
Little wireless routers with built-in modems, like the MiFi, are great for getting easy access to 3G (or, soon, 4G) wireless on the go and for sharing it with a few friends. But, they're not exactly meant for sharing with the whole office. Nexaria's NexConnect 3G/4G SOHO router is (for small-to-medium offices, anyway) and it brings some impressive compatibility to the table, able to connect to 3G networks from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, plus others, and even 4G WiMAX from Clear. How does it manage all this? Simple: you bring the modem. There's a PCMCIA slot on the top and a USB port on the back, either of which can be used to get this thing connected -- even Ethernet if you have a little Cat-6 lying around -- and setup is handled through a simple GUI shown after the break. The router is due to start shipping in May with a cost of $99.95.Continue reading Nexaria's NexConnect SOHO [...]
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30) Intel's Atom D525 to offer 1.8GHz with no bump in consumption?
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/intels-atom-d525-to-offer-1-8ghz-with-no-bump-in-consumption/
The solder has barely hardened attaching Intel's Atom D510 to a suite of nettops and the like, but already we're getting word of its successor, the supposed D525. Many have expressed disappointment that the D510 offers no better performance than its predecessor, but the new D525 should do better thanks to both a slight bump in speed (up to 1.8GHz) and compatibility with DDR3 memory. Despite that the new chip is said to have the same 13W TDP rating and, according to Fudzilla, will be shipping sometime in the second quarter -- so not too far off. Netbook Choice is also reporting the existence of the chip in a chart from Intel, but that chart pegs it at the same 'ol 1.6GHz. We're still inclined to think the 1.8GHz rating is correct, but we won't be placing any bets until Intel makes things official. We're just not the betting kind, really.Intel's Atom D525 to offer 1.8GHz with no bump in [...]
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31) iSuppli pegs iPad component costs at as little as $259.60
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/isuppli-pegs-ipad-component-costs-at-as-little-as-259-60/
This shouldn't come as a shock to anyone: just because Apple's touting the "magical" $499 pricepoint of the iPad doesn't mean they're selling it at a loss. After carefully poring over the iPad's internals, iSuppli has waved its hands in the air and added up a thoroughly guesstimated bill of materials as low as $259.60 for the 16GB iPad, including $95 for screen and $26.80 for the A4 processor. Sure, we suppose we can believe that, although that number doesn't really explina the final price tag, since it fails to include include gigantic costs like, oh, say, "development." The good news for us is that there's actually a lot more complexity inside the iPad than iSuppli was expecting, and that means the raw component prices might come down over time as things like the three-chip touchscreen controller get simplified over time. What might seem silly and wasteful at $499 could seem [...]
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32) iPad apps: books and comics galore
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/ipad-apps-books-and-comics-galore/
Reading on the iPad is something that is part of the device's DNA. Whether or not you think that LED-backlit display is a killer or a cure for the world's third favorite bedtime activity, you can't deny that Apple has pushed the idea of the iPad as e-reader pretty heavily. So, if you've got one you must be thinking about what kinds of reading choices you really have. Unlike a lot of platforms, you're not just locked into Apple's iTunes-integrated iBookstore for getting your textual kicks -- you can also utilize Amazon's Kindle service and a handful of other distribution channels for the books and comics of your choosing. So, which ones stand out? Take a look beyond the break and see our picks for reading on your magical new device. Oh, and be sure to check out our other app roundups right here.Continue reading iPad apps: books and comics galoreiPad apps: books and comics galore [...]
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33) Engadget rides the Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Device! (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/engadget-rides-the-honda-u3-x-personal-mobility-device-video/
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Engadget_rides_the_Honda_U3_X_Personal_Mobility_Device_vid'; We just had a chance to go hands... er, rear-on with Honda's latest R&D experiment, the U3-X Personal Mobility Device, and we've got the say -- it was a moving experience. If you'll recall, the tiny, uni-wheeled unit is built on the same balancing principles which the company's ASIMO uses, and utilizes the world's first omni-directional driving wheel system. What does all that mean? Well, it means that when you sit down on the thing, it moves in whatever direction you lean in, however slightly. The experience is kind of amazing, as it requires very little effort on the rider, and though you feel like you could easily go flying off of the U3-X, you always retain a solid center of balance. As opposed to something like the company's Walking Assist devices (which you can see us taking for a spin [...]
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34) Nintendo teams with Google for glorified 'Google Fight' gameplay for Wii
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/nintendo-teams-with-google-for-glorified-google-fight-gameplay/
A 'Google Fight,' in case you're unfamiliar, is pitting one keyword against another on Google and seeing which one gets more hits. It's a favorite pastime around the Engadget HQ, where it's often used to keep intern ego in check, when we point out their inferior PageRank. Apparently it's a bit of trend at Nintendo as well (or maybe Nintendo just likes money), because they've teamed up with Google to release a game for the Wii in Japan called Ando Kensaku comprised of just such a mechanism. Players compete by guessing the most popular search term, an action we hope is somehow augmented by a dramatic Wiimote flourish. Unfortunately, with a name like Ando Kensaku and no specific plans mentioned, we're not sure if we should even hope for a US release. Oh well, we'll always have the interns.Nintendo teams with Google for glorified 'Google Fight' gameplay for Wii originally appeared on [...]
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35) StreamTV's 42- and 37-inch 3D TVs don't require glasses, do include Blu-ray, might not exist
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/streamtvs-42-and-37-inch-3d-tvs-dont-require-3d-glasses-do-i/
Ever heard of StreamTV? Us neither. Yet there it is, a pair of entries just added today to Amazon.com. Most interesting is the 42-inch 3D TV that, like its 37-inch bro, includes a built-in 500GB HDD, Blu-ray player, and "full browsing capabilities using Entertainment Portal." Oh, and it doesn't require 3D glasses. Do you believe it? Take our advice and wait for a bit more info before entering your $5,999.99 pre-order. May 7th isn't too far away.StreamTV's 42- and 37-inch 3D TVs don't require glasses, do include Blu-ray, might not exist originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink 3D Display Info | Email this | Comments
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36) Santander Visitors Center infested by swarms of helpful robots (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/santander-visitors-center-infested-by-swarms-of-helpful-robots/
Santander's Group City in Madrid is a big place; nine buildings sheltering 5,500 employees of one of the largest banks in the world. Guiding visitors around such a massive complex is a challenge, and what's the best way to solve any challenge? Robots, of course. Santander turned to YDreams, who we've seen before playing with augmented reality, but in this case produced something more tangible: a fleet of little red guys called "Interactive Guest Assistants" that use swarm interactions to guide fat cat bankers to their next conference -- and maybe to face off against the evil Maximilian in a harrowing battle at the end of the movie. There's also a giant virtual wall full of boring financial information presented in fancy ways, even an augmented reality map of the complex, all shown in a video after the break. It's the bots we like the best, so we'll be ordering a gaggle to guide our own [...]
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37) Toe Mouse!
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/toe-mouse/
You know what, the more we look at this thing, the less crazy we think it is. While the concept of mousing around your desktop on foot may appear foreign at first, we imagine we can get used to it after a while. Not that it's designed for lazybones like us anyway, as the wireless Toe Mouse concept is primarily intended to help out people with upper limb disabilities, who aren't able to navigate in the usual manner. Just to score some extra flair points, designer Liu Yi also points out it has a "streamline model that symbolizes the motorboat surfing the internet." So it's not just practical, it's also poetic. Click the source link for more pictures of this flip flop-inspired creation.Toe Mouse! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 07:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Yanko Design | Email this | Comments
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