Friday, August 6, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 06/08/2010



Robot equipped with hook-like claws and pendulum can climb carpeted walls
ROCR -- the Oscillating Climbing Robot -- was developed at the University of Utah by William Provancher. Its main talent is the ability to climb carpeted walls by using its hook-like claws and is powered by a motor and a pendulum tail that wings like a grandfather clock. Designed to move efficiently and in the vein of a human rock climber, ROCR is able to climb an 8-foot carpeted wall in just about 15 seconds. The team's findings will be published in Transactions on Mechatronics this month, and while future applications include possible uses as an inspection or maintenance tool, Provancher says that in the short term, ROCR will likely be used for education or as a "really cool toy." Video is below.Continue reading Robot equipped with hook-like claws and pendulum can climb carpeted walls
Robot equipped with hook-like claws and pendulum can climb carpeted walls originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePhysorg  | Email this | Comments
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Volkswagen Beetle converted to run on methane headed for the UK streets
Meet the Bio-Bug, a custom modded Volkswagen Beetle which has been converted to run on biogas -- fuel created from human waste. The process of conversion isn't brand new, but this will be the first automobile fully converted to run on biogas in the United Kingdom without any loss of performance. In fact, the car is so reliable that its makers believe it can "blow away" electric vehicles, and that consumers won't even notice the difference. The Bio-Bug is a regular old 2 liter VW convertible modified to operate on both gasoline and compressed methane gas: once the methane runs out, the car reverts back to running on gasoline. The cars run on so little methane that just one regular sized sewage plant could run a car (or cars) over 95,000,000 miles per year. Developed by GENeco, a sustainable energy company in the UK, the Bio-Bug is going into a trial period, and the company plans on converting its entire fleet if successful.
Volkswagen Beetle converted to run on methane headed for the UK streets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Inhabitat  |  sourceDaily Mail  | Email this | Comments
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Mutewatch aims to be a less watch-like watch
Watches that try do something really different aren't exactly all that common, but you can certainly say that about the just-announced Mutewatch. Described as a "silent alarm in the shape of a vibrating wristband," the watch features a hidden screen that activates on touch and lets you swipe to scroll between the timer, clock and alarm -- the latter of which simply vibrates rather than making a sound, and can be dismissed by pinching the watch. Best of all, this isn't simply a concept -- you can secure a pre-order for your choice of a white, gray or red watch now for €19, which will be deducted from the full €199 (or about $260) price when it eventually ships.
Mutewatch aims to be a less watch-like watch originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Garmin: revenue from phone segment in Q2 was 'below our plan'
Garmin's second-quarter results hit the wires this week, and overall, the company seems to be pretty healthy; its automotive, outdoor, aviation, and marine businesses all posted growth, average selling price was up, and shipped units grew a solid 8 percent year-over-year. If you read a little deeper, though, there's one segment that undelivered -- smartphones, a joint venture the company shares with ASUS -- which contributed $27 million in revenue in the last three months. $27 million in profit would be business as usual for a division of a company of Garmin's size, but $27 million in revenue is a drop in the bucket -- and sure enough, the earnings report goes on to say that the performance was "below [its] plan." They go on to say that they're "working aggressively with T‐Mobile and other carriers around the globe on the appropriate positioning and pricing of our devices in the competitive smartphone space," interesting wording considering our shock at the Garminfone's initial pricing (and the fact that it's more recently come down to $130 for new subscribers). In Garmin's own words, the smartphone business is competitive to say the least -- you can't waltz in with an overpriced first-gen product and expect the world -- so it'll be interesting to see how they adjust going forward.
Garmin: revenue from phone segment in Q2 was 'below our plan' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Unwired View, Phone Arena  |  sourceGarmin  | Email this | Comments
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Droid 2 mockups land at a Best Buy Mobile store
Boy are we tired of this phone leaking instead of launching.

[Thanks, anonymous]
Droid 2 mockups land at a Best Buy Mobile store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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TiVo Premiere vs Windows 7 Media Center
TiVo Premiere vs Windows 7 media Center
Although TiVo and ReplayTV were the first DVRs on the market, Microsoft's software actually powered the DISHPlayer Satellite DVR in late 1999. So here we are over 10 years later and while TiVo and Microsoft took different approaches to the same space, of the three original DVR software companies, they're the only two left. Which is the bigger success depends on your perspective, because while TiVo has the mind share (and sold more consumer branded products) Microsoft's technology is present in many other brand DVRs, like Verizon's FiOS DVR, and AT&T's U-Verse (which is built on Microsoft's Mediaroom platform). But our perspective of success is based on the user interface experience, so while we previously reviewed both the TiVo Premiere and Windows 7 Media Center, we wanted to also tackled the task of directly comparing the two. Of course there are some obvious differences that might sway someone in one way or another, like TiVo's simpler out of the box setup or Media Center's 3rd party plug-in architecture, there are many other points of distinction to discover if you click on through and read about the less obvious user interface differences as well as a few other baked-in non-DVR features.
Continue reading TiVo Premiere vs Windows 7 Media Center
TiVo Premiere vs Windows 7 Media Center originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google and Verizon sign net neutrality agreement, begin the end of net neutrality? (update: Google denies claims)
Google and Verizon sign net neutrality agreement, begin the end of net neutrality?
It's been a bumpy road for net neutrality in the US, and the latest word on the subject, of a partnership between Verizon and Google, could result in American internet freedom taking one step forward and two steps back. Last year, the two companies said together that they were all for net neutrality regardless of the source being a traditional or wireless ISP. Now, according to Bloomberg, they may have changed their tune somewhat, striking a deal that, up front, prevents Verizon from gimping traffic it doesn't like on its DSL and FiOS networks.

That sounds good, but according to Politico the deal still allows Verizon to "prioritize certain traffic" -- more or less defeating the whole purpose if true. More troublingly, Verizon is able to do whatever it wants when it comes to managing wireless broadband, through mobile hotspots or, indeed, the plethora of Android handsets it now offers. Mind you, neither company is coming forward to discuss these supposed plans (Google saying it has "nothing to announce at this point") so this could all be much ado about nothing. We certainly hope it is, especially since we're talking about two companies who last year pledged they wanted to "ensure the openness of the web around the world."

Update: Phew... we think. Google's Public Policy Twitter account just belted out a denial of these claims, straight-up saying that the New York Times "is wrong." Here's the full tweet, which certainly makes us feel a bit more at ease. For now. "@NYTimes is wrong. We've not had any convos with VZN about paying for carriage of our traffic. We remain committed to an open internet."
Permalink   |  sourceBloomberg, Politico  | Email this | Comments
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HP rolls out Mini 5103 business netbook with optional touchscreen, SSD
HP's quietly busted out the successor to the Mini 5102 -- the Mini 5103 -- on its Italian website. This business-oriented 10.1-incher boasts options galore, including a choice of Atom N455 or N475 CPUs, an up to 320GB HDD or an up to 128GB SSDan optional touchscreen display, optional Broadcom Crystal HD video accelerator, and optional Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. Other than that, it's going to feature up to 2GB of RAM, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, gigabit ethernet, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA, and an SD card reader and WiFi b/g/n and a 2 megapixel webcam. This puppy's going to run €429 (that's around $565) in Italy -- and while there's no word yet on pricing or availability elsewhere, we do know that the Mini 5102 is currently nowhere to be found on the US site, either, so we wouldn't be surprised to see this one pop up any day now.
HP rolls out Mini 5103 business netbook with optional touchscreen, SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Netbook News  |  sourceHP  | Email this | Comments
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Nexus One lives on as Google's official developer phone
Well, it looks like the now slightly dated Google Ion finally has an official successor -- Google has just announced that the Nexus One is its new developer phone. It apparently remains unchanged from the recently-axed consumer model, however, and Google notes that it will ship with Android 2.1 but receive Android 2.2 shortly after you turn it on. Got your developer credentials handy? Then you can log in and get your order in right now for $529.

Update: We just got a look at the specs on Google's developer site and it looks like the Nexus One on offer is unfortunately T-Mobile only. Check out the tell-tale bands for yourself after the break.

Update 2: The specs mention that the device has "no root access" and that the bootloader is locked, but we're taking this to mean it's no different from any other Nexus One you'd buy. More ominously, though, it says that fastboot isn't enabled, which leads us to wonder whether this is going to cause problems with bootloader unlocks in the field. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Thanks, Carson!Continue reading Nexus One lives on as Google's official developer phone
Nexus One lives on as Google's official developer phone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Developers Blog  | Email this | Comments
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FTC denies request for documents on Adobe complaint, confirms investigation of Apple's SDK rules?
FTC denies request for documents on Adobe complaint, confirms investigation of Apple's SDK rules?
Sure, Apple and Adobe aren't the best of friends, but their disagreement goes a little further than mild distaste. Apple moved to ban iOS apps not written through its own developer framework (SDK), which more or less killed off Adobe's iPhone Flash developer tools. Adobe in turn issued a complaint to the FTC, a complaint that Wired requested a copy of under the Freedom of Information Act. The release of that complaint was denied on the grounds that "disclosure of that material could reasonably be expected to interfere with the conduct of the Commission's law enforcement activities." That is another strong indication that the FTC is currently investigating Apple and deciding whether the company is acting properly by preventing third-party access to its iOS devices. What's next? We likely won't hear anything until the FTC makes up its mind, and even then only if it decides Apple isn't playing as nice as it should be.
Permalink Electronista  |  sourceWired  | Email this | Comments
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Hama Zero's Solar Bike Fujin runs thanks to the sun, not on it (video)
Hama Zero's Solar Bike Fujin runs thanks to the sun, not on it (video)
Upon hearing the name "Solar Bike Fujin," designed by a Japanese space rover engineer, we leaned back in our chairs and dreamed up dramatic images of a futuristic bicycle dashing across the void before cruising the turbulent surface of the sun. However, when we watched the rest of the video below we realized that the bike will instead conquer rather more terrestrial routes at speeds well short of escape velocity (72km/h, or about 45mph). It is, however, powered by the sun, able to run 220km on a full charge or, thanks to its aerodynamicaly profiled solar wings, can give itself 50km worth of juice just by sitting in the sun while you put in your 9-to-5. This is helped by incredibly low rolling-resistance wheels, the front one able to keep rotating for 20 minutes on its own with just a gentle spin, technology borrowed from creator Mr. Yamawaki's Minerva rover that was part of the Hayabusa probe. Hopefully this bike manages to get a little further than that rover did.Continue reading Hama Zero's Solar Bike Fujin runs thanks to the sun, not on it (video)
Hama Zero's Solar Bike Fujin runs thanks to the sun, not on it (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceDigInfo TV  | Email this | Comments
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eStation Zeen is HP Slate? Update: Or a Compaq Android tablet for printing?
Reach deep into the grey matter and try to recall a little post we did back on December 30th of 2009. That's the day we learned about HP's filing for the "Zeen" trademark on a "portable handheld device." Now here we are today, eight months and one major aquisition later, with an FCC filing for a very tablety device with 802.11b/g/n WiFi. The name? HP eStation Zeen. Unfortunately, that's all we know due to the short-term confidentiality request put in place until December 31st. Still, product CQ720A looks very much like the mythical HP Slate don't you think? It's definitely a tablet of some kind. Now if only we knew the chosen OS, price, ship date, consumer or business focus, and about a dozen or so other details. Baby steps, people, baby steps.

Update: This is crazy, but we've now gotten multiple tips claiming that the Zeen is actually an Android-based tablet with e-reader functionality that can also dock with an HP printer and become its interface. E-reading, Zeen, magazine -- get it? Based on HP's repeated previous statements about webOS hitting printers and tablets, we'd assume the Zeen has since been shifted over to Palm's OS, but we can't be sure, as that would undoubtedly add development time and we're told this thing has been kicking around for months.

Whatever this is, it appears HP still has some work to do: one of our sources described the Android-based prototype as feeling like a "brick" and being "extremely unpolished" with poor battery life. It's also been pointed out in comments that the CQ in the product number typically indicates a Compaq device, so that could eventually be the branding. We'll see what's real soon enough, we suppose.Continue reading eStation Zeen is HP Slate? Update: Or a Compaq Android tablet for printing?
eStation Zeen is HP Slate? Update: Or a Compaq Android tablet for printing? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFCC  | Email this | Comments
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EVGA's dual-CPU Classified SR-2 motherboard put to the test: worth the money if you know what you're doing
You know things are changing when cooling units that could once stave off overheating on top-tier graphics cards are starting to show up on motherboards. EVGA's Classified SR-2 is a supersized, dual-socket desktop building block that tries to do it all, and -- unusually for dual-CPU logic boards -- it's targeted at enthusiasts rather than buttoned-down business types. Four PCI-Express x16 slots, room for a dozen memory sticks (up to 48GB of RAM), and two USB 3.0 ports add some spec sheet glamor, but you'll likely be wanting to know how much performance you can wring out of two 3.33GHz Intel Xeon 5680 chips working in tandem. The short answer is a lot. The long answer is, of course, that you'll need to apply those 24 threads of power to applications that can really utilize them, such as the predictable video processing and 3D rendering. That's where the multithreaded, multicore, multiprocessor rig really shone in this review, and the EVGA board underpinning it also acquitted itself with distinction. Hit the source for the benchmark results and more photography of exposed circuitry.
Permalink   |  sourceHot Hardware  | Email this | Comments
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German designer brings Wipeout racing game to life, burns up cardboard tracks with an R/C car (video)
The intersection of video games and real life is a fantastic place to play, as evidenced by Roombas, Halo and the occasional six-string guitar, but all you really need to blur reality is a webcam, an R/C car and a studio filled with cardboard. That's what Malte Jehmlich and company used to create this rendition of Wipeout, which moves practically as fast as the PlayStation original due to the blinding scale speed of its 1/28 model cars. It's all controlled by an arcade racing cabinet complete with steering wheel and on-screen display wirelessly connected to an Arduino board. Originally a two-month hobby project, the designers are presently working towards an advanced version with force feedback and powerups (including boost!) using sensors built right into the track -- and hopefully a forklift to lug all that corrugated wood pulp around. See it in action after the break.Continue reading German designer brings Wipeout racing game to life, burns up cardboard tracks with an R/C car (video)
Permalink Engadget German  |  sourceRacer  | Email this | Comments
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LG U+ cloud service links connected devices, requires a relocation to South Korea to enjoy
Microsoft's Steve Ballmer is probably dreaming of three screens and a cloud right now, so it makes sense that his company has extended its hand to LG in order to build out the new U+ cloud storage service. Launched over in South Korea, this new service is expected to provide a "seamless connection" between a smorgasbord of connected devices -- everything from TVs to digital photo frames to PMPs to tablets (plus a few we're missing). The goal is to allow any connected device to enjoy the same content, and rather than putting it on each individual consumer to setup their own wireless NAS (or use Air Sync), LG's taking some of the load off while adding a few nifty extras (streaming VOD, anyone?). The standard U+ box arrives with 1GB of storage, but consumers can opt for a 10GB package as well as the ability to access their material across the country via LG's U+ WiFi hotspots. Actual costs don't seem readily apparent, but given that paltry storage maximum, we're guessing the majority of you won't even bother to investigate.Continue reading LG U+ cloud service links connected devices, requires a relocation to South Korea to enjoy
Permalink Akihabara News  |  sourceLG  | Email this | Comments
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Logitech G700 mouse and G930 headset review
Logitech's been making quality peripherals for as long as many of us have been computing, introducing some of us to our first wheel, wireless and infrared mice in the process. But when it comes to the latest in gaming peripherals, the company's not always ahead of the curve. Razer and Microsoft have had high-end hybrid wireless mice for over a year now, and the 2.4GHz wireless headset isn't exactly a new concept. That said, the company's reputation is strong for a reason, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that Logitech's created a mouse and headset that leapfrog -- rather than just catch up to -- what competitors have offered. See what we mean in our review after the break.Continue reading Logitech G700 mouse and G930 headset review
Logitech G700 mouse and G930 headset review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Amazon's Kindle Store opens digital doors in UK
Amazon has just announced the launch of its UK Kindle Store, furnishing UK netizens with a localized storefront from which to browse and purchase their ebooks. It starts life with an imposing 400,000 book collection, and is claimed by Amazon to offer the lowest prices "of any e-bookstore in the UK." Guess that gives price comparison sites a new avenue to branch out into. More than 170 magazines and newspapers are also available, for one-off purchases or on a subscription basis, while the new lighter, better, cheaper Kindle is up for pre-order and set to ship at the end of the month. Good to see that Amazon isn't neglecting its extra-American markets.Continue reading Amazon's Kindle Store opens digital doors in UK
Amazon's Kindle Store opens digital doors in UK originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gizmodo  |  sourceUK Kindle Store  | Email this | Comments
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Razer Lachesis gets new 5600dpi sensor, customizable LEDs, new lease on life
Nearly three years to the day after its original introduction, Razer's Lachesis (also known as a sniper's best friend) is seeing its first major upgrade. The most significant of which is the 3.5G Precision sensor, which bumps the dpi from 4,000 (previously) to 5,600 (now). For the eye-candy lovers, there's also a functionally worthless customizable multi-color LED lighting system, but it's bound to extract a few oohs and aahs at your next LAN party. Other than the new threads and the enhanced eye, the critter is remaining the same as it ever was, but mama always said not to worry over reinventing the (scroll) wheel. Check it later this month for $79.99, and feel free to start scoping out an appropriate burial spot for your original.Continue reading Razer Lachesis gets new 5600dpi sensor, customizable LEDs, new lease on life
Razer Lachesis gets new 5600dpi sensor, customizable LEDs, new lease on life originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Hot Hardware  |  sourceRazer  | Email this | Comments
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Innocent glasses transform into GPS-equipped routing mechanism... on video!
The Powers That Be may think that they're pulling the wool over our eyes, but we can see the planned fate unfolding in front of us. Before long, our arms will be effectively useless -- after all, once you can game and navigate with just your face, why bother pumping iron and keeping those biceps toned? Over at Wireless Japan 2010, the Nakajima Laboratory at the University of Electro-Communications showcased a prototype that helps explain the latter. Dubbed a Wearable Personal Navigation System, this GPS-infused pair of glasses has integrated LEDs in the frame that wearers can see in their periphery; there's also a magnetic direction sensor, which detects the orientation of the user's head. Once you point your face in a given direction, the LEDs change color to let you know which way you need to head in order to walk, sprint or gallop to your destination. It's hard to tell how long we'll have to wait before we see these on Pearle Vision's Buy 1 Get 1 rack, but the video after the break ain't making it any easier to wait.Continue reading Innocent glasses transform into GPS-equipped routing mechanism... on video!
Innocent glasses transform into GPS-equipped routing mechanism... on video! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Slashgear  |  sourceDigInfo  | Email this | Comments
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Nokia's app development strategy: Qt, Qt, Qt (video)
Been wondering about Nokia's strategy for conquering the rapidly expanding app space? Great! So were we, which is why we joined up with a recent dev event carried out by the Finnish company for an update on how and where things are going. It's a familiar narrative by this point: Qt is all set to become the way that Nokia-friendly apps are made -- whether it be for Symbian smartphones or MeeGo-powered mobile computers, coffee machines or infotainment consoles. Nokia did stress that its developer workflow has also been streamlined dramatically, and promised coders a better distilled experience that treats their time and money like the valuable commodities that they are. It's an encouragingly frank discussion of where things have gone wrong in the past and how Espoo intends to remedy them in the future, and we've got it all on video for you after the break -- no reading required!Continue reading Nokia's app development strategy: Qt, Qt, Qt (video)
Nokia's app development strategy: Qt, Qt, Qt (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Lenovo's M70e and A70 desktops are coming soon to a cubicle near you
Lenovo's M70e and A70 desktops are coming soon to a cubicle near you
It's rare that a company spends any time talking about the visual design of a desktop intended to be sold en masse to big corporations before being unceremoniously stuffed onto or under desks. Odd, then, that Lenovo is highlighting the aesthetics of two new ThinkCentre PCs for enterprises, pointing out such things as silver rings around power buttons and crimson eject buttons. Right. Moving on to the hardware, there are two models here, the M70e pictured above and the rather more slim A70, shown after the break. Each come with your choice of Intel processors, up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM, gigabit Ethernet, DVD burners, and storage capacities of 500GB on the A70 and 1TB on the M70e. That latter machine starts at $559, going up from there, while the A70 starts at a rather more affordable $379. That, it seems, is the machine for your new posse of go-getter interns, while you can save the M70e for the clock-watching middle-management types.Continue reading Lenovo's M70e and A70 desktops are coming soon to a cubicle near you
Lenovo's M70e and A70 desktops are coming soon to a cubicle near you originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLenovo files  | Email this | Comments
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Dell UltraSharp U3011 about to join 30-inch IPS monitor crew
As one company moves out of the 30-inch display race, another looks set to step back into it. Dell's unannounced, but seemingly all too real UltraSharp U3011 has been snapped over in China, and we're being told it'll offer a formidable 2,560 x 1,600 resolution while maintaining the styling of the smaller U2711. TFT Central reports it'll be a 10-bit H-IPS panel from LG Display, bearing a 7ms response time, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 370 nits of brightness (ahem, overkill), and 178-degree viewing angles on both the horizontal and vertical axis. HDMI and DVI connections come in packs of two, accompanied by a lone DisplayPort. Sounds like it's shaping up to be a fine competitor to HP's ZR30w.Continue reading Dell UltraSharp U3011 about to join 30-inch IPS monitor crew
Dell UltraSharp U3011 about to join 30-inch IPS monitor crew originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Engadget Chinese, Flatpanels HD  |  sourcePC Pop  | Email this | Comments
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BlackBerry Curve 9300 for sale on Rogers, still not announced
Uh, RIM ol' buddy, is there something you'd like to tell us about this unannounced BlackBerry Curve 9300 that's up and dancing on Rogers' website right now with a $79.99 Canadian price tag on a three-year contract? We're looking at a quad-band GSM and HSDPA 850/1900/2100 candybar with 802.11n WiFi, GPS, 256MB of RAM, a 2 megapixel camera, microSD expansion (2GB in the box), and 2.4-inch display throwing 320 x 240 pixels. And no, that's not the latest and greatest OS which makes us wonder about the possibility for a BlackBerry 6 upgrade. Maybe T-Mobile USA would like to say something, anything?

[Thanks, Samir A.]
BlackBerry Curve 9300 for sale on Rogers, still not announced originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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OLPC's Negroponte offers India help in realizing $35 tablet dream, probably has a few other motives
The late Joker said it best: "If you're good at something, never do it for free." The truth ingrained in that very statement makes the bold words of OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte all the more curious here. In an open letter to the Indian government published in the Times of India, Nik Neg has seemingly eased up on his apparent grudge against the nation, but there's a decent chance that something's in it for him. Largely, no one with any link to reality believes that India will indeed deliver $35 laptops -- their $10 laptop eventually soared to $100 before evaporating completely. But in the letter, Negroponte offers the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development "full access to all of [OLPC's] technology, cost free," further urging them to "send a team to MIT and OLPC at your earliest convenience" in order to talk about world domination, the latest Cricket happenings and janky PCs that may or may not ever land in the classroom. Of course, some are surmising that the scheme will enable the MHRD to easily give up their own aspirations, buy a truckload of XO-3s and save face in the process, but hey -- so long as the children win, it's all good. Right?
Permalink OLPC News  |  sourceTimes of India  | Email this | Comments
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Huawei bids high, loses hard on two major US assets
Huawei has been kicking for well over two decades, and while a great deal of its business revolves around the enterprise, the company still has a presence in the consumer arena (most recently with its S7 tablet). But for whatever reason, it's having one bear of a time breaking into the US acquisition game. According to a pair of people sourced by Bloomberg, Huawei wasn't selected as the winning bidder of two large US assets in recent months despite having offers of "at least $100 million more in each case." Ouch. As the story goes, the sellers (2Wire and Motorola) "doubted Huawei's ability to win US government approval," possibly because of the founder's prior role as an official of the People Liberation's Army. It's also not the first time that Hauwei has been deterred in the US; the outfit dropped a bid in 2008 for 3Com after America began "investigating whether a deal would give China access to anti-hacking technology used by the Defense Department." 'Course, given the existing legal trouble between Huawei and Motorola right now, we're not sure a +$200 million bid would've sealed the deal on its recently hawked wireless equipment unit. Hit the source link if you're down for a serious read. Mystery, drama, deceit -- it's all there.
Huawei bids high, loses hard on two major US assets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 04:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink GSMA  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments
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Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse rumor resurfaces, expected in September for $69.95 (updated)
It was almost exactly a month ago that we reported on swirling rumors of Microsoft pulling together a multitouch-capable mouse to call its own, while earlier this week we saw the company's Twitter feed enlivened with teasers of a mysterious new touch-input device. Coincidence? No chance, says Neowin, whose insider source confirms the Arc Touch Mouse moniker and also adds that launch is expected in September. It's said this peripheral will come with just basic touch functionality initially, with multitouch presumably being thrown in via a later update. Sounds like Microsoft's version of the Magic Trackpad, though the Mouse part of its name suggests it'll also be able to track around your desktop like a more conventional rodent as well. That'd certainly offer more versatility than the stationary Apple option, but we have our doubts about the ergonomics of using a flat mouse over long periods of time. More should be known soon, provided @msfthardware keeps feeling loquacious.

Update: Never mind waiting for MSFT to tell us, the Arc Touch Mouse has appeared in a reseller's price list with an MSRP a few cents south of $70 -- right in line with Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse pricing.Continue reading Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse rumor resurfaces, expected in September for $69.95 (updated)
Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceNeowin  | Email this | Comments
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ASUS Eee 30GB external hard drive fits the mold, may just be cuter than a button
It's easy to give ASUS a hard time about the million billion different Eee PC flavors floating around out there, but darn if we are awestruck here. In a product introduction that'll probably be tops for the week in terms of cuteness, the company's diminutive Eee 30GB external hard drive has surfaced, and while we won't deny lusting for more space, it's hard to gripe about the value proposition. Turns out, this little bugger was actually making (gentle) waves a couple of months ago, but it's just now found time to hit the mainstream and tease us all with a $31 price tag. Of course, $1 per gigabyte isn't exactly a steal these days (when referring to HDDs, anyway), but it's far more capacious than whatever USB drive you could snag for that same tally. There's no mention of a US release, but frankly, this thing is screaming "stocking stuffer." Make it happen, ASUS.
ASUS Eee 30GB external hard drive fits the mold, may just be cuter than a button originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Liliputing, Slashgear  |  sourceNetbook News  | Email this | Comments
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Logitech's G700 mouse and G930 headset cut the cords, G510 chops price tag of primo keyboard parts
If you've already got a headset, mouse or keyboard, here's hoping they suit you just fine, because if they don't you'll be tempted to blow oodles of money on Logitech's latest gaming peripheral lineup. Today, the company revealed (and is launching) the G510 keyboard, the G930 headset and G700 mouse, and while the first is merely an amalgamation of solid peripherals that have come before (customizable RGB backlighting, USB audio, 18 programmable buttons, the whole nine yards) the latter two are premium wireless products. That's right, Logitech finally has an answer to Razer's Mamba and Microsoft's Sidewinder X8 with its own 2.4GHz, 1000 report-per-second hybrid wireless mouse (with thirteen programmable buttons on tap) and they've ripped the wires right out of the G35 surround sound headset to stuff a play n' charge battery and two 2.4GHz antennas on board. They'll run you a pretty penny, of course, at $160 for the headset, $120 for the keyboard and $100 for the mouse, but you'll find out if two of the three are worth your while later today when we publish our full review. We'll let you guess which two. Press release after the break.

Update: Logitech's got a breakneck video rundown of all the hot new G-series features; spot it right after the break. All three products are also on Logitech's website now, though the headset and keyboard are labeled "out of stock."Continue reading Logitech's G700 mouse and G930 headset cut the cords, G510 chops price tag of primo keyboard parts
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Acer Aspire One D255 netbook dual boots Android and XP for about $375
Attending the Taipei Computer Applications Show today? Lucky you. Then be sure to pick up your specially priced Acer Aspire One D255 netbook with dual booting Android and XP operating systems before leaving the venue. Otherwise, the NT$9,500 (about $300) 10.1-inch netbook configured with an Atom N450 processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory, 160GB hard disk, and 3-cell battery (with optional 6-cell) will cost you NT$11,900 (about $375) when it hits traditional retail channels sometime in the days ahead.
Acer Aspire One D255 netbook dual boots Android and XP for about $375 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePCWorld  | Email this | Comments
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Barnes & Noble Nook Study now available to download, just in time for fall semester
Take heart, freshmen -- six months from now, you'll be kickin' it on holiday break, while the rest of us working folk glare angrily and curse the wasted chances that haunt us still today. Positive thinking goes a long way, right? At any rate, Barnes & Noble has made sure that its newly announced Nook Study is live prior to the start of most fall semesters and as of today, both Windows and OS X users can head to the source link to get those bits a-flowin'. We'll be interested to see just how many students take advantage of the portal -- not everyone's keen on digital textbooks, you know -- but hopefully it'll have a better go at things than did the Kindle DX.
Permalink   |  sourceBarnes & Noble  | Email this | Comments
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Google's Schmidt boasts 200K Android devices sold daily, waxes intellectual on society and technology
Google CEO Eric Schmidt is quite the quotable man -- we hear he's pretty chatty at coffee shops, too -- and at the Techonomy conference, he hasn't failed to disappoint. First, some cold hard data: according to Schmidt, about 200,000 new Android devices are being sold each day, which he claims is up from 100,000 daily sales about two months ago (and up from the 60,000 daily activations from April). That number is just one drip from a stream of good news for the platform this week, including 866 percent year-over-year growth and the top spot in NPD's sales rankings. We're fairly confident there's a team of top mathematicians, statisticians, and engineers in Mountain View right now tasked with finding new and innovative ways to boast about Android's success.

Speaking of Techonomy, Schmidt used some of his on-stage time to discuss the new concerns technology has engendered. "The technology of course is neutral but society is not fundamentally ready," he said, claiming AI today could very likely use location-based services and predict where a person was going next, among other nightmares for privacy advocates. Schmidt opines that it's up to the society on how the collected information is regulated while computers do what they do best -- gather and recall information. We like think adorable kitten pictures falls nicely into that latter category, and that's all we care about anyway.
Permalink   |  sourceCNET (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments
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Dell Inspiron M101z review
We've been having a hard time figuring out what to call the recent influx of 11.6-inch laptops -- you know, the ones which are slightly larger and more expensive than netbooks, yet pack more than double the graphics and performance power. But regardless of what we call them - we're thinking notbooks -- the new category certainly has been building steam by the day, and we can't help but think Dell's new Inspiron M101z could be our favorite yet. Yes, unfortunately, our review unit was adorned in that bright pink color above that's most likely causing your eyes to tear, but don't let its sissy exterior fool you -- it's powered by AMD's new dual-core Athlon Neo II processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 320GB 7,200rpm hard drive. Yep, she's a heartbreaker on paper, but hit the break to find out if the $579 M101z is in fact a worthy companion.
Gallery: Dell Inspiron M101z
Continue reading Dell Inspiron M101z review
Dell Inspiron M101z review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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China's maglev trains to hit 1,000km/h in three years, Doc Brown to finally get 1985 squared away
Look out Japan -- your neighbor to the west might just steal your thunder. Years after the Land of the Rising Sun proudly boasted plans to create a maglev train that could soar along at 500km/h, China is now claiming that they'll have similar ones ready in just three years. Oh, but they'll travel at twice the aforesaid speed. According to the laboratory at Southwest Jiaotong University, a prototype is currently being worked on that'll average 500km/h to 600km/h, with a far smaller train to hit upwards of 1,000km/h in "two or three years." The trick? Tossing the maglev train inside of a vacuum tube, enabling greater velocity due to decreased friction. If you're scoffing at the mere thought of how much such a setup would cost, you're probably not alone -- it's bruited that the tunnel would cost "10 to 20 million yuan ($2.95 million) more than the current high speed railway for each kilometer." Pony up, taxpayers!
Permalink Engadget Spanish  |  sourceEastday, China Daily  | Email this | Comments
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RIM's Lazaridis: if goverments can't deal with the internet, 'they should shut it off'
RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis has made some pretty bold statements in the past, but he may just have topped himself in responding to the recent issue of countries banning or threatening to ban BlackBerrys -- to which you can now add Indonesia to the list. Speaking with The Wall Street Journal in what's described as a "fiery" interview, Lazaridis said that "this is about the Internet," and that "everything on the Internet is encrypted. This not a BlackBerry-only issue," before adding that if "they can't deal with the Internet, they should shut it off." But that's not all. Lazaridis further went on to saying that "we're going to continue to work with them to make sure they understand the reality of the Internet," noting that "a lot of these people don't have Ph.Ds, and they don't have a degree in computer science." Despite those statements, however, Lazaridis seems confident that the situation will get sorted out, saying that it "will get resolved if there is a chance for rational discussion."
Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal, AP  | Email this | Comments
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Hacker reveals how Apple artificially restricts iPhone chargers (video)
Most cell phone manufacturers have charging standards these days, even if they can't always agree on which version of USB to use, but as the hair-tearing message above shows, third-party renditions of Apple's proprietary dock connector haven't always been universal solutions for iPods and iPhones. Now we know another important reason why -- secret resistors placed on the data lines in connectors for each iDevice. Minty Boost creator ladyada recently reverse-engineered the chargers for a variety of Apple gadgets, and discovered that iPhones in particular don't draw electricity until they detect 2.8V and 2V signals when they attempt to charge. At that voltage, the handsets suck down about one amp, leading to a rapid filling of your device's Li-ion belly, but by adding additional resistance to drop the voltage further, the iPhone can be coerced into accepting 500mA instead -- perfect for the set of AAA batteries you stashed away in that Altoids tin. Video after the break, full explanation at our source link.Continue reading Hacker reveals how Apple artificially restricts iPhone chargers (video)
Hacker reveals how Apple artificially restricts iPhone chargers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Slashdot  |  sourceMinty Boost  | Email this | Comments
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BlackBerry Torch review
45diggsdigg When we began our review of the BlackBerry Torch (aka the Bold 9800), our hearts were all aflutter. The leaked shots we'd been seeing of some kind of Palm Pre-esque RIM slider were different and frankly weird enough to cause a kind of low hum gadget lust. Furthermore, although no one on the Engadget team was blown away by what the company had shown us in recent BlackBerry OS 6 demo videos, the promise of a substantially revamped UI and new, Webkit-powered browser certainly got us interested. Even if Research in Motion had been slipping on its once-unassailable smartphone game, there was a sentiment amongst the team that the opportunity for a return to innovative, industry-driving design was wide open for the Canadian company. So when we got our very own Torch to play with, we were understandably excited. A new OS, a new form-factor (completely new for RIM), and from what we could tell, a new outlook from the company about where it wanted to target this product: namely, the average consumer. A great story in the making, no? But it's a fiercely competitive market out there, with devices like the EVO 4G, iPhone 4, and Galaxy S line all vying for the hearts, minds, and pocketbooks of the buyer. Can the BlackBerry Torch pick up where hugely successful models like the Curve and Bold have left off? Or is the new phone too little and too late in an industry where technology advances not by tiny step but leaps and bounds? Get the answer to that question -- and many, many more -- in the full Engadget review below!
Gallery: BlackBerry Torch review hands-on
Continue reading BlackBerry Torch review
BlackBerry Torch review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Engadget Show Live! with Peter Molyneux, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry Torch, and more!
Keep your eyes tuned to this post -- because at 8:00 PM ET, we'll be starting The Engadget Show live, with Peter Molyneux! Josh, Nilay, and Paul are back of course, plus we'll have music from Zen Albatross and visuals from invaderbacca and much, much, more! You seriously don't want to miss it! Check out the live stream after the break!

Continue reading The Engadget Show Live! with Peter Molyneux, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry Torch, and more!
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Apple: PDF security hole fix is already ready to go
JailbreakMe brought root to the iPhone 4-wielding masses, but also unearthed a nasty exploit in a PDF font. Thankfully for the rooted and those who never intended to root, Cupertino claims it has already patched the hole. "We're aware of the reported issue, we have already developed a fix and it will be available to customers in an upcoming software update," an Apple spokeswoman told CNET. We're not sure exactly when it will arrive, but we'd lay odds on soon -- in the meantime, don't open any PDFs you don't trust, don't do anything illegal or immoral, and hit up Comex's hack ASAP if your heart's still set on that shiny new unlock.

[Image Source: F-Secure]
Apple: PDF security hole fix is already ready to go originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink 9 to 5 Mac  |  sourceCNET  | Email this | Comments
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Nikon D3100 shooting around Page, Arizona in run-up to August 19th press events?
Nikon Rumors does its best to keep an ear to the ground on DSLR whispers of a certain company. This time, however, the whispers might resonate a bit louder as they bounce off the rocky walls of Page, Arizona-based Canyons. It's here that the site claims commercial shots are or have been taken related to the Nikon D3100, an oft-rumored memory-capturing device (at one time apparently was called the D4000) for the company that might include 1080p video with a continuous autofocus mode. NR seems pretty certain this camera will rear its interchangeable head for at least one of the multiple press events across Europe that Nikon has scheduled for August 19th. Then again, if it's not the D3100, we wonder what the camera maker does have in store for then.
Nikon D3100 shooting around Page, Arizona in run-up to August 19th press events? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceNikon Rumors (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments
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Be the first to show up at the Engadget Show with Lucky Charms and Peter Molyneux will put you in Fable III! (We've got winners!)
Hey, Peter Molyneux is here at the Engadget Show, and his Fable III demo assistant Dimitri mentioned that he's looking for a box of Lucky Charms, since he can't get it in England. That prompted Peter to make an insane crowd-sourcing offer: the first person to bring a box of Lucky Charms to the Engadget Show will become a character in Fable III. Insane, right? What's more, everyone else who brings a box will get a free signed copy of the game, which is some seriously serious cereal. The show starts in 30 minutes -- we'll see you soon!

Updated: See that lucky guy and girl right up there?! Yep, they're going to be characters in Fable III. Congrats, Monica and Jay -- we'll see you in the game.
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