Thursday, April 29, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 29/04/2010



Great Wall GBook fills that 11-inch Windows 7 tablet hole in our hearts
In case you hadn't noticed, there are just a few folks in China heck bent on building every conceivable tablet form factor, and your potential indifference, horror, or focus-on-the-software pleas can't stop them. Here's an interesting example: the GBook tablet from Great Wall. The 11-inch number runs a 1.2GHz Intel ULV SU2300 processor with integrated Intel graphics and 2GB of RAM. There will apparently be options for a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD for storage, but most refreshing is the 10-point multitouch panel Great Wall has on top of Windows 7 here. There's no word on price or when this will be hitting the market, but we're sure it will be out just in time and priced just appropriately to disappoint us completely and utterly. There's video after the break.

Continue reading Great Wall GBook fills that 11-inch Windows 7 tablet hole in our hearts

Great Wall GBook fills that 11-inch Windows 7 tablet hole in our hearts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Cloned In China | sourcedigi-163 | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Mahru robot dances via telepresence, Kate Gosselin never had it so good (video)
We are such suckers for a cute robot. Take Mahru, for instance -- every time it does a jig or grabs a slice of toast we are charmed just a little bit more. And while the thing is impressive, it might be the manner with which they program the device that might be the most interesting part. Apparently, the gang at KIST have a system in place whereby an operator can wear a motion capture suit and send movements to the robot in real-time (well, mostly real-time -- there is still quite a bit of lag below the waist, so to speak). The video below shows said operator waving his arms and moving his torso, only to have the robot mirror his every move. Wild, huh? And if that ain't enough, the thing has learned a dance or two since we last laid eyes on it. Talk about giving Asimo a run for his money! Peep for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Mahru robot dances via telepresence, Kate Gosselin never had it so good (video)

Mahru robot dances via telepresence, Kate Gosselin never had it so good (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceIEEE Spectrum | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Ben-Q debuts E1260 HDR digicam with 12-megapixels, 720p video
Ben-Q might not be the most well-known name in the gadget game, but it does have a pretty solid track record when it comes to entry-level consumer electronics. The company's newest shooter might not come in the most eye-pleasing package, but the 12-megapixel E1260 HDR should do well enough in capturing those spontaneously heartwarming (or cloying) scenes with the family this summer: 720p video! 28mm 4x optical wide angle zoom lens! A 'passable' 2.7-inch LCD display! And how about that HDR image enhancement technology? Apparently, this bad boy's "high dynamic range" feature manages high contrast lighting to eliminate excessive backlight. Intrigued? This one should hit store shelves sometime next month. PR after the break.

Continue reading Ben-Q debuts E1260 HDR digicam with 12-megapixels, 720p video

Ben-Q debuts E1260 HDR digicam with 12-megapixels, 720p video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Far East Gizmos | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Pentax Option M90 compact shows that VGA isn't dead
Pentax Option M90 compact shows that VGA isn't dead
Image sensors keep getting more and more pixels shoved onto their tiny surfaces, but still VGA video capture just won't die. The latest to extend its legacy is the Pentax Optio M90, a 12.1 megapixel compact that gathers light through a 5x (28-140mm equivalent) lens up front and records to SD/SDHC cards. It naturally sports all the fancy smile- and blink-detection modes you'd expect in a little shooter, plus a so-called Copy mode, which pledges to somehow make it act like a hand-held scanner. We're intrigued, but the lack of HD video capture is a definite bummer. Neither price nor specific availability have been announced, but we're going to guess cheapish and soon.

Pentax Option M90 compact shows that VGA isn't dead originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceEngadget Spanish | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Joby's Gorillapod Magnetic now sticking cameras in unexpected places worldwide
Joby's Gorillapod Magnetic now sticking cameras in unexpected places worldwide
Did you finally run out of precarious places to suspend your camera using an original Gorillapod? We find that hard to believe (did you try the chandelier?) but just the same are happy to inform you that a world of new possibilities is now open with the Gorillapod Magnetic, which is shipping worldwide for $24.95. Sadly it still only manages to support a meager 11.5 ounces, so SLR-toting shooters will not want to rely on this lodestone-augmented franken-pod, but those of you rocking compacts should be receiving theirs soon. We look forward to see what new and exciting places people stick theirs too -- just note that the one wood has already been done, and so anyone looking to replicate that feat is a low-down, dirty copycat.

Gallery: Joby Gorillapod Magnetic flexible tripod hands-on

Continue reading Joby's Gorillapod Magnetic now sticking cameras in unexpected places worldwide

Joby's Gorillapod Magnetic now sticking cameras in unexpected places worldwide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Kaoiro emoticon stamp turns bureaucracy on its head
It's a well established norm in civilized geek society that visual representations such as "=)" can and should be used to substitute for the laborious exercise of expressing emotions through words or actions. Taking that notion to its logical extreme, the Kaoiro emoticon stamp comes with 7 rows of symbols that the hardworking digi-linguist can convert into an almost limitless variety of text-based visualizations. Just look above should you need inspiration. You'll need to pull together $51 to buy one, plus $18 for shipping, but that's surely peanuts to pay for having the ultimate document tarnisher around.

Kaoiro emoticon stamp turns bureaucracy on its head originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink OhGizmo! | sourceJapan Trend Shop | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Nokia E72 gets white paint option, firmware update
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more direct competitor to the BlackBerry businessphone hegemony than Nokia's E7x series. It's therefore quite logical that only a day after RIM chief Mike Lazaridis made the white Bold official, Nokia is following up with its own pale-hued E72. Coming with a skinned UI to match the externals, the new handset is being announced alongside a firmware update (for E72s of all colors and creeds) that updates Ovi Maps, improves social networking integration, and allows location sharing through Facebook. You know, for when you wanna let your hair down after a hard day at the office. Internet radio of an unspecified variety has been included as well, along with general performance and stability improvements. Both the white handset and new firmware are available through Nokia today.

Nokia E72 gets white paint option, firmware update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceNokia Conversations | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Apple's WWDC kicks off on June 7th this year
35diggsdiggSure, you might hear the words "Worldwide Developers Conference" and start to yawn, but in Apple parlance we're looking at a likely announcement of a new iPhone (the 3GS was shown at last year's event) and maybe a sneak peak at a new version of OS X. Whatever else Apple might have in store for all of us is anyone's guess, but suffice it to say that we expect to be bringing you the meat from the opening keynote just like always, though specifics on that keynote have yet to be announced. PR is after the break, full of non-revelatory software development topics that will be covered at the conference.

Continue reading Apple's WWDC kicks off on June 7th this year

Apple's WWDC kicks off on June 7th this year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceApple | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Boy Scouts introduce videogame badge, other badges ask 'Really?'
Boy Scouts introduce videogame badge, other badges ask 'Really?' 24diggsdigg Yes, really. The Boy Scouts of America have finally recognized that most important of modern children's pastimes with the creation of a "Video Games" belt loop and pin. However, our initial excitement on this momentous day is drastically lessened after reading how one goes about earning them. Here are the belt loop's three requirements:
  1. Explain why it is important to have a rating system for video games. Check your video games to be sure they are right for your age.
  2. With an adult, create a schedule for you to do things that includes your chores, homework, and video gaming. Do your best to follow this schedule.
  3. Learn to play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher.
To go on and earn the pin, Scouts will need to teach adults how to play videogames, participate in a family gaming tournament, and learn how to comparison shop for prices. In other words, the Boy Scouts aren't interested in how many digits you have in your Gamerscore, don't care how stuffed your Trophy Room is, and shun your techniques for surviving the latest Trials HD expansion. We, however, are all ears.

Boy Scouts introduce videogame badge, other badges ask 'Really?' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Gamesindustry.biz | sourceBoy Scouts of America | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Unannounced Lenovo Ideapad Z460 shows up in China? Sure seems like it!
It looks like Lenovo's got some new Ideapads heading our way... if we're lucky. This photo was apparently taken at a recent company event in Beijing, and shows off a new model -- the 14-inch Z460 -- which reportedly boasts a 2.13GHz Intel Core i3 processor, ATI HD5145 graphics, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB SATA, and Windows 7 Home Basic operating system. That's about all the detail we have on this one, and there's no word yet on pricing or availability stateside. We'll keep our eyes peeled for you!

Unannounced Lenovo Ideapad Z460 shows up in China? Sure seems like it! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Cloned in China | sourceZol | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Android goes Korean: Samsung debuts Galaxy A, LG intros LG-SU950
As Google quietly continues to take over the smartphone space, along with just about every other crevice in the technology realm, a trio of handsets have popped up over in Asia with its Android operating system loaded on. LG has seen fit to make official a pair of Snapdragon-based handsets -- the LG-LU2300 that we spotted earlier in the month, as well as a newfangled LG-SU950 -- the latter of which will go by KU9500 on KT. Both of these will sport a 3.5-inch WVGA display, DivX playback, 3.5mm headphone jack, DMB mobile TV, multimedia playback and a May / June release on Korean soil. Over in Samsung's court, it has just announced its first Android-powered smartphone for the Korean market: the Galaxy A. Otherwise known as the SHW-M100S, this bad Larry will ship with Android 2.1, a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display, 720MHz CPU, mobile TV onboard, DivX playback, a 5 megapixel camera, HD video recording, A-GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi, with availability on SK Telecom scheduled by the end of this month. Pricing seems to be absent for each of these, but plenty more details can be found in the links sitting just below.

Continue reading Android goes Korean: Samsung debuts Galaxy A, LG intros LG-SU950

Android goes Korean: Samsung debuts Galaxy A, LG intros LG-SU950 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Engadget Spanish, Akihabara News | sourceLG (Korean), PhysOrg (Samsung) | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
The future of US Army helicopters: pilots optional
Five years ago, the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter got a digital cockpit and fly-by-wire controls. Starting in 2011, the US Army would like it to perform missions without a pilot at the helm. In a 140-page "Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap" released earlier this month, the Armed Forces reveal that the UH-60, AH-64, CH-47 and OH-58D whirlybirds will all be part of a new aircraft category called Optionally Piloted Vehicles (OPV) -- meaning in future, the flick of a switch will turn them into giant UAVs. If an unmanned Apache gunship makes your boots quake, you're not alone, but you won't truly have reason to fear until 2025. That's when the government estimates half of all Army aircraft will be OPV, and those bots will learn the more deadly behaviors, like swarming. Sikorsky says the unmanned UH-60M will fly later this year; read the full roadmap PDF at our more coverage link.

The future of US Army helicopters: pilots optional originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceArmyTimes, DefenseNews | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sony teases VAIO Ultra Mobile, Clippy chuffed (Update: new VAIO P)
Interesting. Sony's teasing a new VAIO "Ultra Mobile" in Japan. No idea what this could be: refreshed VAIO X lappie, VAIO P netbook, or a new take on its venerable VAIO UX micro PC? With Intel's Moorestown just around the corner we're leaning towards the latter, hoping for it anyway -- Sony doesn't tease just any old product without good reason. Oh, wait.

Update: A previously proven Sony tipster tells us that a new VAIO P is the mystery device. In fact, it's orange and the paper clip to the left actually represents the unit as viewed from the side. Trippy.

Sony teases VAIO Ultra Mobile, Clippy chuffed (Update: new VAIO P) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceSonyStyle | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Garmin-Asus A10 brings pedestrian-optimized GPS to European and Asian Android lovers
You ain't nobody if you don't have an Android handset (or two) these days, and Garmin-Asus has just added the A10 to its own stable of devices. It's a pretty humble 3.2-inch HVGA communicator, but it has a healthy 1,500mAh battery, a multitouch-friendly WebKit browser, and an autofocusing 5 megapixel camera with automatic geotagging. Coming with preloaded Garmin Navigation maps and software, the A10 eliminates the need for a web connection when looking up your local topography, and similarly retains turn-by-turn voice instructions while used offline. It's not altogether clear what the pedestrian optimizations are, aside from the public transport-aware cityXplorer maps, but in-car navigation is also obviously fully supported and encouraged. We're told to expect the A10 in mid-2010 for European and Asia-Pacific markets. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Garmin-Asus A10 brings pedestrian-optimized GPS to European and Asian Android lovers

Garmin-Asus A10 brings pedestrian-optimized GPS to European and Asian Android lovers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Nokia N8 fights back with heavenly HD video sample (updated)
Nokia is doing its best to rewind the negative spin placed on its flagship N8 after one of its children went missing. As part of the effort, it just published the first un-retouched 720p video captured by a pre-production N8's Carl Zeiss lens as followup to the first sample images released yesterday. We downloaded the H.264 video's .MP4 container to view natively (that's a 600 pixel wide screencap above) and sure enough came away impressed -- though we're curious to hear the original audio that was replaced by a dramatic soundtrack. Now, we're not saying it's better or worse than other similarly equipped smartphones shooting well-lit video -- without seeing side-by-side video of the same footage it's difficult to tell. But Nokia, a company known for using decent optics, sensors, and flash units in its N-series devices, certainly won't be disappointing impromptu photogs making their first jump into Symbian^3. Just imagine what Nokia hardware coupled with a killer user experience could do. Could do. Embedded video sample after the break.

Update: All About Symbian has a marvelously detailed breakdown of the N8's camera that dives deeply into the phone's optics, mic, flash, and more.

Continue reading Nokia N8 fights back with heavenly HD video sample (updated)

Nokia N8 fights back with heavenly HD video sample (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceNokia Conversations | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
JooJoo now available in Europe and Canada, new firmware promised 'shortly'
Who says down necessarily means out? Despite our qualms with the JooJoo tablet, it looks as if the startup is pushing forward with plans to expand availability beyond US borders, as the Fusion Garage order page now clearly states that orders are being accepted from those with addresses in Europe and the Great White North. There's no exact ship date listed for either of those nations (we're guessing it'll depart within 24 to 48 business hours), but pricing is pegged at $499 CAD with free shipping for our northerly neighbors, while those in Europe are being asked to pay €359 ($473) plus €13 ($17) in shipping fees. As to those user experience shortcomings, Chandra Rathakrishnan promises us a "robust software update" in short order that will apparently eliminate many of the widely reported problems with the device. You'll be justified in retaining your reservations, but some hope is better than none, we suppose.

JooJoo now available in Europe and Canada, new firmware promised 'shortly' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Liliputing | sourceJooJoo (1), (2) | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
NASA's robot submarine achieves perpetual motion, of a sort
The Sounding Oceanographic Lagrangrian Observer Thermal Recharging (SOLO-TREC) autonomous underwater vehicle is, well, quite a mouthful. It's also the first submarine that can run a sizable percentage of forever without requiring a charge. When the 183-pound buoy dives, cooler water temperature causes a liquid wax-like substance inside to solidify, squeezing out oil that drives a hydraulic generator; when it surfaces, the wax softens once again, ready for another round. Every dive produces 1.7 watt-hours of electricity, enough to power all the instruments, GPS and buoyancy-control pump on board. It's like a drinking bird that never runs out of water. Designed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Scripps researchers, the thermal engine is envisioned as an oceanography tool... but since the US Navy also has a finger in the pie, don't be surprised if it plays a minor role in the coming robot apocalypse as well.

NASA's robot submarine achieves perpetual motion, of a sort originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink NewScientist | sourceNASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Firefox now available for Android 2.0 and above, still at pre-alpha stage
Fennec, Mozilla's codeword for mobile Firefox builds, has just made its pre-alpha debut on Android. The tastefully named Vladimir Vukićević informs us that it's pretty much a debug release, with unoptimized memory utilization and some quirks rebooting the app when it's started and when add-ons are installed, but it is at a stage where the devs felt they could get useful feedback from a broader user base. It's not yet available on the Android Market, so you'll be needing to download it from the link below, and remember that you'll have to have an Android 2.0 or higher device, with OpenGL ES 2.0 capabilities also being recommended. If you've got all those boxes ticked, get downloading and come back to tell us how that WeaveSync is working out for you. We've got video of an older build running on a Nexus one after the break, just to whet some appetites.

[Thanks, Jonathon]

Continue reading Firefox now available for Android 2.0 and above, still at pre-alpha stage

Firefox now available for Android 2.0 and above, still at pre-alpha stage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceVlad1, Mozilla (download) | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Microsoft says Android infringes on its patents, licenses HTC
The lawyers up in Redmond seem to have been woken from their slumber with the sudden realization that -- oh look! -- Google's Android OS infringes on Microsoft's boatload of software patents. How specifically it does so is not identified, but Microsoft believes that elements from both the user interface and the underlying operating system are in violation of its rights. This is very much in keeping with the Windows maker's crusade to assert patent claims over Linux, which in the past has garnished it with cross-licensing deals with Amazon and Xandros, as well as a settlement from TomTom. Lawsuits are not yet being discussed here, but lest you think this is a small-time disturbance, longtime Windows Mobile / Windows Phone partner HTC has already decided to shorten its list of troubles by ponying up for a license from Microsoft that covers its Android phones -- it would be pretty insane if Microsoft sued one of its biggest and most important hardware manufacturers for patent infringement, after all. Even still, it's now an unfortunate fact that HTC is having to pay Microsoft royalties to use Google's operating system. Strange days, indeed.

[Thanks, Jack]

Microsoft says Android infringes on its patents, licenses HTC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceCNET, Microsoft | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
ASUS Eee PC 1015P netbook hits the FCC
We already managed to go hands-on with ASUS' Eee PC 1015P netbook at CeBIT back in March, but the company has been relatively quiet about it since then, and hasn't even offered so much as a hint of a release date. It looks like that could now be coming sooner rather than later, however, as the netbook has just passed through the FCC and left with its seal of approval. In case you missed it, the netbook itself is part of ASUS' Seashell line, and packs a 10.1-inch screen, an Atom N450 processor and, perhaps most notably, a promised 14 hours of battery life -- keyword "promised."

ASUS Eee PC 1015P netbook hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceWireless Goodness | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Pixel Qi manufacturing delays fixed, ready for 'some of the largest computer companies in the world'
We've long had a thing for Pixel Qi and its energy sipping dual-mode LCDs with switchable backlight; displays that carve out a niche between traditional LCDs hungry for power and long living e-paper displays. Unfortunately, even though Pixel Qi began to ramp production lines late last year, we still haven't seen the displays shipping in any retail products. Turns out that while the screens have been made available in some "specialized products that aren't sold in stores yet," Pixel Qi's manufacturer of choice ran into some snags that slowed down deployments. That seems set to change according to a new blog post by CEO Mary Lou Jepsen. Manufacturing has now ramped to the schedule and scale required to meet "strong pull from the some of the largest computer companies in the world." Mary Lou also tells us that Pixel Qi's DIY display kit partner will be announced shortly and that it has "wider viewing angle technology" coming in the fall that should help rectify one of Pixel Qi's weaknesses. So yeah, good news all around, but we've heard these promises before and still don't have product in hand.

Pixel Qi manufacturing delays fixed, ready for 'some of the largest computer companies in the world' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourcePixel Qi | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
HTC 'PC70110' slider tested by FCC with love of AT&T's 3G, probably Android
Why hello there, Mr. Blue Hue QWERTY slider from HTC. Looks like you've found yourself clamped to a complementary orange FCC testing unit, and the related paperwork tells us you're down with AT&T's 3G bands. The home, menu, back and search keys up top suggest you've Android coursing through the circuitry, but without some official word from your company or a proper name -- "PC70110" just doesn't suit you, really -- we're left only to gaze upon a handful of snapshots. Oh, you tease.

Gallery: HTC 'PC70110' from FCC

HTC 'PC70110' slider tested by FCC with love of AT&T's 3G, probably Android originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceFCC | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Nokia C2 render spins QWERTY right round
Render plus logo does not a new phone make, but that didn't keep us from admiring the ridiculous form factor on this supposed Nokia C2. While the 'C' label puts the device squarely in dumbphone territory and the only specs available (320 x 240 display, 2 megapixel camera) don't belabor that point, split-horizontal keyboards have a special place in our heart, and we eagerly await their return. That said, Nokia better get cracking if they want to beat the MOTOSPLIT -- the way we see it, they're one whole leaked, possibly fake render behind the competition.

Nokia C2 render spins QWERTY right round originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhoneArena | sourceCiaomondo.it | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Switched On: Revamps in Motion
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Before the iPhone's release, there were four major smartphone operating systems -- Symbian, Palm OS, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry OS. And after the iPhone's release, their user interfaces all seemed dated in some way. Palm OS and Windows Mobile have essentially been replaced by new operating systems dubbed WebOS and Windows Phone 7. Symbian stakeholders, though, has decided that there is no need to throw out the past completely, and are instead looking toward a series of evolutionary upgrades to make the now open source operating system more competitive.

This week at RIM's WES conference, the company is announcing a similar evolutionary path for the BlackBerry OS. Like Symbian, the BlackBerry OS has a reputation for being fast and efficient but has not kept up with many of the aesthetic and input amenities offered by more modern competitors. The challenge will be to preserve what users love about the platform while disrupting it in many ways. For example, while the new BlackBerry OS will be better optimized for touchscreens, reports are that it will not require one.

Continue reading Switched On: Revamps in Motion

Switched On: Revamps in Motion originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
IR-detecting OLED film could mean cheap night vision on everything
IR-detecting OLED film could mean cheap night vision on everything
160diggsdigg Night vision, once the exclusive property of military special forces and dreadlock'd aliens, has over the past few years become far more accessible for the everyman -- even everymen with small pockets. But, we could be on the verge of a green-screen revolution if research taking place at the University of Florida, led by Dr. Franky So, comes to fruition. He and his students are working on OLED film that is excited by infrared. Multiple layers of the stuff convert that light into a spectrum that we can see and, if all goes well, could be inexpensively layered onto anything from glasses to car windshields. So is indicating this film could start production in 18 months, but given the accuracy of original predictions regarding monstrously huge yet inexpensive OLED displays we won't exactly be holding our collective breath over here.

IR-detecting OLED film could mean cheap night vision on everything originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink OLED-Display.net | sourceDiscovery | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Enso's zenPad finds the funds to become reality
With only 500 units ordered and 30 scheduled to ship on May 8th, it's clear the Enso zenPad won't blow up the world, but it's nice to see a startup make good on its promises. We've yet to receive one of the cheap Android tablets ourselves, but we do finally have proof they're on the way: Enso CEO Alberto Armandi just sent us an official, signed receipt for the purchase of 500 MID-560A tablet computers from OEM SMiT, along with a bank document proving they have been bought and (mostly) paid for. What happens now is threefold: The 250 buyers who held out receive a rebranded SMiT tablet, the 250 who didn't get their money back (anecdotal reports indicate refunds are underway), and the whole mess hopefully fades into obscurity, letting the three young entrepreneurs who brought us this niche Chinese device get on with their lives. See the slightly redacted proof Enso actually purchased these things, right after the break.

Continue reading Enso's zenPad finds the funds to become reality

Enso's zenPad finds the funds to become reality originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Windows 7 hits 100 million licenses mark, becomes Microsoft's fastest-selling OS
It's hardly been a secret that Windows 7 was on track to become Microsoft's fastest-selling operating system, but the company has just now finally made that designation official, and also revealed that the OS has crossed the magical 100 million licenses sold mark in the process. In other words, that translates to Windows 7 being installed on one in ten of the world's PCs just six months after it launched, which is pretty darn impressive any way you slice it -- or punch it, as the case may be.

Windows 7 hits 100 million licenses mark, becomes Microsoft's fastest-selling OS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ZDNet | sourceSilicon.com | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Nokia says leaked N8 has early software, shouldn't be reviewed
It looks like Nokia isn't too happy that its big N8 / Symbian^3 reveal this morning was tarnished by Eldar Murtazin's harsh preview of the device and OS a few days ago: in a new Conversations blog post, the company says that Eldar's "salacious headlines" masked the fact that he was looking at a "very early, pre-production prototype with dated software that is not yet ready," and that it only ships products that are "refined, tested, re-tested, evaluated, [and] tested again." Now, Eldar says the devices he examined had the very latest hardware and software, so it's a bit of a he-said-she-said at this point, but there's no denying that Nokia's definitely shipped some not-quite-ready-for-prime-time devices lately -- the N900 and Maemo 5 shipped in pretty roughed-out form, and the company itself has said the N97 was a "tremendous disappointment." How that recent history reflects on Symbian^3 and the N8 remains to be seen, but it's clear that Nokia's feeling pretty defensive about things; Eldar's been scooping Espoo's gear for years now and the company's never made a peep about it. Either that, or someone at Nokia is just trying to cash in on all this iPhone 4 drama by saying things like "we want our prototype back" and "we are not the Secret Police, and we want to maintain our culture of openness," but come on -- that would be a pretty crass publicity stunt, right? We want to believe.

Nokia says leaked N8 has early software, shouldn't be reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceNokia Conversations, Eldar's LiveJournal | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Apple purchases Intrinsity, just 498 more ARM licensees to go
With P.A. Semi under its belt, and now "people familiar with the deal" reporting to The New York Times that a purchase of Intrinsity is a go, Apple's march to ARM preeminence is becoming much more clear. A rumor about an Intrinsity purchase surfaced a few weeks ago when the processor design firm's website went down and a few of its employees switched their LinkedIn employee status over to Apple, but now we've got some solid confirmation -- though Apple and Intrinsity are still staying tight-lipped about the deal. Intrinsity's rumored contribution to the iPad's A4 chip is a modified A8 core it designed dubbed the Hummingbird, which squeezes 1GHz of performance out of a chip regularly limited to a mere 650MHz. It's unlikely that this acquisition will shed much more light on the internals of the iPad or future Apple devices -- in fact, it might help obfuscate them -- but it's clear that Apple is dead set on owning as much IP and "smart people" in relation to ARM as it can muster. Of course, the next big rumor on this front is a purchase of ARM itself, but that's an entirely different can of worms.

Apple purchases Intrinsity, just 498 more ARM licensees to go originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceThe New York Times | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 external HDD to hit stores this May
The gang at LaCie sure do love their orange, life raft-esque external HDDs. As you've probably guessed, the Rugged USB 3.0 takes the already familiar device, which is designed to resist drops up to 2.2 meters, and throws SuperSpeed USB into the mix. The 500GB (7200 RPM) model becomes available in early May for $150. If anything, it looks like this company definitely got its money's worth out of Neil Poulton!

LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 external HDD to hit stores this May originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceLaCie | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Google's Andy Rubin talks Android and Apple, promises Flash support in Froyo
Gather 'round, Android fans, because Google's Android boss Andy Rubin has done a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, and we're guessing you're going to want to hear what he has to say. The biggest news to come out of it is word that Android 2.2, a.k.a. Froyo, will come complete with full support for Flash, which is far and away the most official confirmation we've had to date, and slightly contradicts earlier talk that Flash support wouldn't necessarily be built into the OS. Why the change? Rubin says that sometimes being open "means not being militant about the things consumers are actually enjoying." On a similar note, Rubin also said that while he doesn't know when the number of Android phones sold would exceed the number of iPhones and BlackBerrys sold, he's "confident it will happen," adding that "open usually wins." And the hits just keep on coming from there, with Rubin not so subtly working in a mention of North Korea after a discussion about Apple and closed computing platforms, before closing things out with the line: "with openness comes less secrets." Hit up the source link below for the complete interview, in which Rubin also address the issue of Android fragmentation, and reveals that he does indeed own an iPad, but naturally has a few things to say about it.

Google's Andy Rubin talks Android and Apple, promises Flash support in Froyo originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceThe New York Times | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Windows 7 Media Center coming to embedded devices
Windows 7 Media Center screen shot
We love Windows 7 Media Center, but at the end of the day we'd never give one to our mom and expect it to just work the way an embedded DVR like a TiVo or a Moxi would. But dependability isn't the only concern about using a PC as a DVR, there is noise and how it looks in the living room to consider as well. The compromise before us might just be a thing of the past as Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 Embedded has been released to manufactures and includes many of the great features of the regular Windows 7 family, like Windows Media Center. At this point there aren't any announcements from manufactures leveraging these new found features, but in the press release Microsoft is certainly bolstering the broadcast TV and other media features in a set-top box. AOpen is the only manufacturer mention by name that we're familiar with, which also makes good small-form-factor PCs, but that won't stop us from dreaming of the best, easy to use and dependable whole house DVR ever.

Update: Video of Media Center on an embedded device in action after the jump.

Continue reading Windows 7 Media Center coming to embedded devices

Windows 7 Media Center coming to embedded devices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Allerta's inPulse watch for BlackBerry spied at WES, turns on this time
You might recall that we got a quick look at the inPulse back at CES, but it didn't turn on back then, so we were excited to see the Allerta dudes back in action here at WES this week with a more functional prototype. This time, we were able to see the Bluetooth-connected watch flash its AMOLED display and it was plenty readable in harsh meeting room lighting; outdoor readability is another matter altogether, but we won't be able to answer that until we've got a review unit secured. What we saw was just a demo unit without a functional connection to a phone, but it was pre-loaded with enough content so that we got the basic idea of how it's going to work.

From the quick run-through of the UI, it seemed clear to us that Allerta understands its target demographic -- they're not trying to do anything with the inPulse other than present enough message, calendar, and caller ID content to get you by during that meeting when you'd feel uncomfortable pulling your phone out of your pocket. We're told that the hardware we're seeing here represents final ID -- paying customers will get exactly what you see here -- but they still don't have a firm shipping date, simply saying that they'll send them off to customers as soon as they have them in their hands. We're told the company has compatibility for other platforms in the works, but there's no date on that; for now, it's all BlackBerry, all the time. Oh, and the neatest trick? Firmware updates happen over the Bluetooth connection from your phone. Check it out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Allerta's inPulse watch for BlackBerry spied at WES, turns on this time

Allerta's inPulse watch for BlackBerry spied at WES, turns on this time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Jumper JK01-TT tablet enters the states with multitouch, 3G, Windows 7 (video)
Looking for a sweet, sweet tablet to compliment your GiPhone? The import/export folks at Ownta wholesale have recently dug up Jumper's JK01-TT, a 10.1-inch touchscreen device that features Windows 7, an Intel Atom N450 processor (667MHz) with GMA950 graphics, Realtek audio, 2GB RAM, 250GB SATA HDD, 2 megapixel camera, three USB ports, 4-in-1 card reader, HDMI out, WiFi b/g, and 3G. But wait, there's more: this bad boy ships with a wireless keyboard, mouse, and a stand (which you'll need -- this thing weighs in at well over 2.5 pounds). When you put it like that, it almost sounds like a netbook, don't it? Available now for $671. Video after the break.

Continue reading Jumper JK01-TT tablet enters the states with multitouch, 3G, Windows 7 (video)

Jumper JK01-TT tablet enters the states with multitouch, 3G, Windows 7 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PMP Today | sourceOwnta | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Horus coffee table/iPod dock will make friends question your sanity
Pyramid-shaped coffee table is an iPod dock, object of shame
Hey, you know that whole Silent Hill design theme you've been aiming for, with the faceless nurse mannequins scattered about and the constantly running fog machine? We think we've found a coffee table for you. It's (naturally) called the Horus and its made of "ultra-high performance concrete," offering a spot for you to dock your iPod or iPhone on top, a pair of speakers down below, and an illuminated glass plane bisecting the thing. It's the creation of designer Stephane Thivend and, while it doesn't appear to be available in red nor does it come with a giant sword, it would certainly serve as a visual symbol of your guilt over spending so much on high-concept furniture.

Gallery: Horus coffee table

Horus coffee table/iPod dock will make friends question your sanity originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink DVICE | sourceStephane Thivend | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sanwa rolls out wattage-watching power strip
Devices that keep watch on the amount of electricity you're using are hardly anything new, but Sanwa has managed to refine the idea somewhat with its new 700-TP1052DW power strip, which is considerably more compact and a tad less unsightly than some other similar options. Nothing too complicated here -- just plug in your devices, switch on each outlet as needed, and keep watch on the total wattage being used on the handy built-in LCD (it'll even alert you if you reach a critical level). No word on pricing or availability just yet, but you can check out an enthralling 21 second video of the power strip after the break.

Continue reading Sanwa rolls out wattage-watching power strip

Sanwa rolls out wattage-watching power strip originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceAkihabara News | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Portuguese carrier TMN pairs Samsung Blue Earth with world's first paper SIM card
Tiny SIM cards seems like the last thing worth worrying about in our bid to save the environment one tree at a time -- but let's not forget that you end up throwing away about 80 percent of the card as soon as you pop the actual chip out and stick it in your phone. Portuguese carrier TMN has rolled out what it claims to be the world's first recycled paper SIMs in combination with the release of the Samsung solar-charging Blue Earth handset, delivering a powerful one-two combo of feel-good environmental responsibility that should boost your karma for a solid day or two (if not more). You can't get the paper SIM with TMN's other devices just yet, but in the meantime, you can pick up the Blue Earth package for a stout €239 ($318).

[Thanks, Ricardo]

Portuguese carrier TMN pairs Samsung Blue Earth with world's first paper SIM card originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink sapo.pt | sourceTMN | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Bayer Didget blood glucose monitoring system does double-duty as a DS game
Bayer Didget blood glucose monitoring system does double-duty as a DS gameUntil we reach the time when tattoos make checking blood glucose levels cool, we're going to need another way to keep kids with diabetes healthy. And hey, kids love videogames, right? Bayer's Didget is based on the company's Contour glucose meter, but instead of connecting by USB it's shaped like a Game Boy cartridge, enabling it to slot into a Nintendo DS or DS Lite. When kids upload their scores to a custom game (the less than thrilling sounding Knock 'Em Downs: World Fair) they'll unlock new characters and items, but there's one fatal flaw in this plan: the system necessarily isn't compatible with the DSi (or its XL brother) and we're guessing the big cartridge slot isn't due for a comeback in the 3DS. In other words, this meter is on a fast-track to obsolescence.

Bayer Didget blood glucose monitoring system does double-duty as a DS game originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq | sourceBayer Didget | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Geely IG is covered in solar cells, two years away from marketability
Chinese carmaker Geely is no stranger to building derivative designs, and its latest PHEV effort takes so much inspiration from Volkswagen's Beetle that even the press release begins with a metaphor about caterpillars flourishing into butterflies. That's also a little nod to the car's development, which has seen its initial design overhauled into the four-seater, photovoltaic cell-laden transporter you see above. The powertrain is still a hybrid number and not entirely electric, but seagull-wing doors have been added for some extra flair. Geely's IG is currently on display at the Beijing Auto Show, alongside its all-electric EK-1 and EK-2 brethren, the latter of which is promised to deliver 150kmph top speeds together with 180km cruising ranges and an 18-minute recharge time for 80 percent of the battery capacity. We'll believe it when we see it. This trifecta, along with a pair of other alternative fuel vehicles, is slated to "be marketed" in two years' time. You can wait that long, can't you?

Continue reading Geely IG is covered in solar cells, two years away from marketability

Geely IG is covered in solar cells, two years away from marketability originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceAutoblog Green | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
TomTom rolls out Urban Rider motorcycle GPS
We didn't get a glimpse of this one when we checked out TomTom's new Go Live 1000 navigation unit earlier today, but the company has also just introduced a new GPS device for motorcycle enthusiasts: the Urban Rider. This one sticks fairly close to the company's previous RIDER units, but apparently simplifies even further with a revised interface designed to allow easier operation with gloved hands -- yeah, you can bet this screen is resistive. Otherwise, you can expect features like TomTom's IQ Routes and Map Share, along with advanced lane guidance, and a promised six hours of use from the battery -- that larger battery comes at the expense of an SD card slot this time around, though. No word on a release over here just yet, but this one will be available in Europe next month for €249 (or about $330).

TomTom rolls out Urban Rider motorcycle GPS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | sourceT3, PocketGPSWorld | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
في 5:00 PM
التسميات: ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)