Saturday, August 21, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 21/08/2010



Pandigital Novel review
It's our guess that the Pandigital Novel has been turning quite a few heads at retailers across the US during the last few weeks. How could it not? It's got a full-color, 7-inch touchscreen, 2GB of on-board memory, runs a skinned version of Android and is priced around $180 (depending on where you're shopping). Oh, and it's got access to Barnes & Noble's e-book store. About one-third the price of the iPad, we sure can see the attraction, but after attempting to read an entire novel on it we can't help but wonder how it found its way past product development and into the stock rooms of Walgreens, Bed, Bath & Beyond and JCPenny, to name a few. Hit the break for our full review and to see just exactly we're talking about.
Gallery: Pandigital Novel review
Continue reading Pandigital Novel review
Pandigital Novel review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Engadget Podcast 209 - 08.20.2010
Burritophones, Paul McCartney riots, and miraculous new extensions of the English language take center stage on the Engadget Podcast this week. Don't sleep.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Guest: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl)
Music: Rock Lobster

00:04:07 - Epic 4G review
00:21:38 - Motorola Charm hitting T-Mobile on August 25 for $75 (update: Telus version caught on video!)
00:33:45 - Nokia's QWERTY-slidin' N9 shows up in the wilds of China (update: running MeeGo!)
00:35:20 - Nokia N9: the MacBook Pro Phone
00:51:27 - Xbox Live launch titles for Windows Phone 7 finally revealed, we've got the full preview
01:06:15 - Next gen PSP to have touch controls -- on the wrong side?
01:07:00 - Synaptics Fuse concept hands-on (second video)
01:09:10 - Canon PowerShot S95, the SD4500 IS, and SX130 IS play the low-light, HD video cards
01:11:38 - Nikon D3100 DSLR hands-on
01:13:00 - Nikon D3100 gets real, adds 1080p movie mode with continuous autofocus
01:14:54 - Nikon Coolpix S1100pj projector cam arrives with USB projection and touchscreen telestrator capabilities; S5100 arrives in tow
01:16:22 - Nikon Coolpix S1100pj and S5100 hands-on
01:18:53 - We finally, really did it: Engadget gets a new commenting system
01:29:24 - The Engadget Show returns next Friday, August 27th with Samsung CSO Omar Khan, Rock Band 3, and much more!

Hear the podcast

 Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).
[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace

Download the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)
LISTEN (OGG)

Contact the podcast

1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.

Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadgetFiled under:
Engadget Podcast 209 - 08.20.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Exclusive: LG C900 for AT&T has Windows Phone 7, shows off a little carrier branding
If you're prepping for a Windows Phone 7 purchase later this year and the Cetus doesn't really do it for you, we understand -- not everyone can live without a physical keyboard, and devices like the Touch Pro2 have gotten us used to the idea that Windows Mobile and great QWERTY go hand-in-hand. To that end, we present to you the LG C900, a rounded landscape slider equipped with a four-row keyboard and a simplified two-button capacitive layout beneath the screen paired with a chrome Windows key. Notably, this is the first time we've seen carrier branding on Windows Phone 7's home screen in the wild -- you can see AT&T's logo prominently displayed as a tile in one of the pictures in the gallery after the break. We're not sure we're digging the matte plasticky look up front, but to each his own, we suppose.
Gallery: Exclusive: LG C900 for AT&T has Windows Phone 7, shows off a little carrier branding
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
T-Mobile G2 again, this time with less Mr. Blurrycam
So we just got a second batch of T-Mobile G2 shots dropped in our mailbox -- and this time, you can get a much better look at the inner workings of the carrier's version of the upcoming HTC Vision. Looks like this bad boy slides and tilts, which eliminates the need for a kickstand and is very likely causing you to breathe an audible sigh of relief right about now. Meanwhile, the backside reveals that HTC looks ready to really get into this asymmetrical design concept -- something we've definitely seen on the Schubert / Mozart -- and realistically, it's probably going to polarize some buyers. Check out the gallery for a few more shots!

Update: We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we've just been told that the G2 doesn't have a tilting screen, despite what you see up there -- it's just the inner workings of the slide being pulled up. Our hearts have been ripped from our chests on this one, rest assured.
Gallery: T-Mobile G2 again, this time with less Mr. Blurrycam
T-Mobile G2 again, this time with less Mr. Blurrycam originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Phasma the terrifyingly adorable, six-legged insectoid bot
Is it possible for something to scamper into our heart and our nightmares simultaneously? Phasma is making a bid for that distinction. The hexapedal running robot, built by Takram Design Engineering, is based on Stanford's cockroach-inspired iSprawl, and is built to look all cold and mechanical at rest, but to move very much like an insect, churning those springy six legs in a tripod gait. At first we were terrified by the motion, depicted on video after the break, but the more we watch it the more we're struck by how eager and exuberant it looks. Eager and exuberant to dwell inside our hollowed out carcass during the end of days? May we never find out. The robot is currently on exhibition at the Science Museum in Tokyo, if you care for a look.
Gallery: Phasma the terrifyingly adorable, six-legged insectoid bot
Continue reading Phasma the terrifyingly adorable, six-legged insectoid bot
Phasma the terrifyingly adorable, six-legged insectoid bot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink DigInfo TV  |  sourceTakram Design Engineering  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Pioneer Computers soon shipping 7-inch Tegra 2-powered DreamBook ePad N7 to dags down under
Pioneer Computers soon shipping 7-inch Tegra 2-powered DreamBook ePad N7 to dags down under
Is the device above familiar to you? It should be if you've been following the release of Android Tegra 2 tablets, as it looks conspicuously like Aigo's N700, which is, itself, a rebadged Compal NAZ-10. It's now the recipient of another applique, this time getting inked with the name "Pioneer Computers" (an Aussie company unrelated to that other Pioneer) and now up for pre-order with a price of AUD $599 -- about $530 US. For that you get a seven-inch tablet with a 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, Tegra 2 internals, 512MB of RAM with 4GB of internal storage and microSD expansion, HDMI output, and 802.11b/g wireless. A 3G antenna will cost you another $99, though if you order right now they'll throw in the optional 1.3 megapixel webcam for free. That's a nice offer on a somewhat overpriced tablet, but it remains to be seen whether this sucker is eligible for Android 2.2 (it's currently rocking 2.1) and, indeed, whether it's a licensed install with the Market and whatnot. We'd guess the answer is "no," as earlier rebrands of these tablets went without, but we're always ready for surprises.Permalink Carrypad  |  sourcePioneer Computers  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Xbox 360 S 250GB hard drive sneaks into stores, Microsoft cackles as you fall into its trap
Yeah, you thought you were so clever waiting for the 4GB Xbox 360 to come out. A mere $199, while all your sucker friends had already sprung the $299 for the hard drive-equipped model. You thought you could live a happy, fulfilling life swapping thumb drives and carefully cropping your download collection. But you can't, can you? Night sweats, day sweats, you've got it bad. You need a hard drive, and now Microsoft's got a $130 250 gigger just for your wreck of a self. The drive has started popping up in GameStop stores and on GameStop.com, and while Microsoft still hasn't actually officially announced the accessory, when has that stopped you before?Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceGameStop  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Exclusive: Samsung Cetus i917 bows for AT&T, shows off its Windows Phone 7 ways
Does the almost Pre-esque shape of this beast look vaguely familiar? It should, because it matches up nicely with the outline of the Samsung Cetus we saw in the FCC a little while back. Indeed, we're told this is the Cetus i917 destined for AT&T, featuring Windows Phone 7 in a glossy, black, curved shell that should fit nicely in those new skinny pants you just overpaid for. We don't know when this is hitting exactly, but we suspect everyone involved -- Microsoft, AT&T, and Samsung -- wants to have this on shelves in time for the holiday season. Hit up the gallery below for a couple more shots.
Gallery: Exclusive: Samsung Cetus i917 bows for AT&T, shows off its Windows Phone 7 ways
Exclusive: Samsung Cetus i917 bows for AT&T, shows off its Windows Phone 7 ways originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Droid X upgrade to Android 2.2 leaks out
What we're looking at here is allegedly the leaked over-the-air update to Froyo that Verizon plans on deploying to Droid X customers in the next few weeks, which means two critical things for customers: it should generally be faster all the way around, and -- of course -- you've got support for Flash, which was a big topic of interest at Motorola's launch event for the phone a couple months back. The update is available both in rooted and non-rooted versions, so if you're feeling adventurous today and you enjoy the thrill of doing something that offers a remote possibility of bricking your phone, you may want to go ahead and grab it. Good luck, and let us know your experiences in comments, alright?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Droid X upgrade to Android 2.2 leaks out originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMy Droid World  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Exclusive: T-Mobile G2 in the wild!
These shots of a real, live G2 confirm what we'd already suspected from renders: this is basically an Americanized version of the upcoming HTC Vision. What does that mean? Well, it means you can expect a 3.7-inch display paired with Android and a sliding QWERTY keyboard -- higher-end than the myTouch 3G Slide and a fitting successor to the trailblazing G1, if you ask us (though admittedly not quite as geeky as the model it replaces). Follow the break for another shot!Continue reading Exclusive: T-Mobile G2 in the wild!
Exclusive: T-Mobile G2 in the wild! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
PowerPhone patent approved for sending MMS messages to 911
We've seen 911 call centers that accept text messages, and now if PowerPhone gets its way you'll some day be able to use MMS messages to further pinpoint the source of your distress. Patent number 7,764,769, "Integrated Call Handler and E-Mail Systems and Methods," has just been approved by the Patent and Trademark Office, detailing the use of the company's Incident Linked Multimedia (ILM) software to receive and prioritize multimedia messages at a call center near you. There is also something there about the software integrated with "existing Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems," which we imagine must be good news for someone looking to implement these features. But let's be honest: we're just looking forward to watching the inevitable "World's Most Embarrassing Drunken Videos to 911" special on Fox. PR after the break.Continue reading PowerPhone patent approved for sending MMS messages to 911
PowerPhone patent approved for sending MMS messages to 911 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Mobile Burn  |  sourceGoogle Patents  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Lenovo sees $54.9 million net profit in Q1 earnings, hits double digits in global market share
Look out, world -- Lenovo's on a serious tear, and it doesn't look to be stopping anytime soon. In the company's latest earnings report, it proudly announced its first-ever double digital market share of 10.2 percent. As if that milestone wasn't enough to make upper management grin, the outfit also nailed down just under $55 million in net income (a pre-tax income of $75 million) on sales of $5.1 billion. This quarter also marks the third in a row that it has been the fastest growing of the top five PC makers, and the fifth consecutive quarter that it outgrew the industry. Specifically, the outfit's PC shipments increased some 48.1 percent year-over-year, and consolidated sales for its fiscal Q1 saw an insane 49.6 percent uptick from last year. As of now, things are looking mighty rosy for Lenovo, and it just seems logical for the company to revive the Skylight in celebration. Who's with us?Permalink Mobile Tech Review  |  sourceLenovo  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sony's Alpha A580 and A560 leak out with 1080i video recording mode?
If Sony's camera division were a ship, the crew would be shiftily eying the rowboats right about now, because yet another pair of Sony Alpha DSLRs have just sprung out another gaping hole. Sony Alpha Rumors brings convincing pictures of two Alpha A550 successors, the A580 and A560, which reportedly feature 16 megapixel and 14 megapixel sensors respectively. Like their predecessor, both feature 100-12,800 ISO ranges, Memory Stick and SD card slots and a fancy tilting LCD display, but now also reportedly sport 15 autofocus points (up from 9) and a 1080i AVCHD video recording mode. Pricing and availability are still in the cards, but don't fret -- we'll find out soon enough.
Sony's Alpha A580 and A560 leak out with 1080i video recording mode? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSony Alpha Rumors  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
BlackBerry App World 2.0 leaves beta, includes cheaper apps and new payment options
The latest version of BlackBerry App World is now available to all, and it includes a number of welcome additions. First off, RIM has dropped the $2.99 minimum from paid apps, so now BlackBerry developers can release $0.99 and $1.99 apps just like everybody else. It's also easier to buy those apps now, with credit card and carrier billing becoming available, and the new BlackBerry ID function lets you both perform those credit card payments and to easily move all your apps over to a new BlackBerry device when the time comes. RIM has also enacted a few new app discovery mechanisms for hunting down those "Super Apps" (BlackBerry users know what we're talking about), but it's not all gravy: the developer revenue split is down to 70 / 30 from RIM's original exception-to-the-rule 80 / 20. PR is after the break.Continue reading BlackBerry App World 2.0 leaves beta, includes cheaper apps and new payment options
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Pico projector camera concept is, as usual, better than the real thing
Oh, don't get us wrong, we rather enjoyed our time with Nikon's S1100pj projector camera, but this here Pico concept design is on a whole other level. We're talking both in terms of cuteness and inventiveness. You might have recognized by now that one of the Pico's "eyes" is the camera lens while the other is the projector, but what of the "smile?" Why, that's your microphone's sound intake port. And its little feet -- acting as a stabilizing stand when in projector mode -- also double up as covers for the external connection jacks. Masterful. Look for it to appear in your dreams some time very soon.
Pico projector camera concept is, as usual, better than the real thing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceYanko Design  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Power line inspecting robot isn't afraid of getting juiced
Inspecting power lines isn't the safest job we can imagine having, so we're pretty happy to see that robots -- which don't have the same... feelings we do about getting injured -- can be hacked to do the job. Hydro-Quebec's LineScout can get past most power line obstacles by partially detaching itself from the line and then grabbing a hold of it again once said obstacle has been cleared. It can also easily get from one section of the line to the next relatively quickly, and of course, the best part of this bot's ability is that it can pull all this off while the lines are powered. Check out the video below to see the bot in action.Continue reading Power line inspecting robot isn't afraid of getting juiced
Power line inspecting robot isn't afraid of getting juiced originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Hacked Gadgets  |  sourceBot Junkie  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
David Kassan uses THQ's uDraw to express his Wii ennui (video)
David Kassan uses THQ's uDraw to express his Wii ennui (video)
David Kassan made something of a name for himself as the guy who is really good at fingerpainting with the iPad Brushes app. Now he's been tapped by THQ to work with something other than his fingers: the uDraw GameTablet for Nintendo's Wii. Announced earlier this week, the $70 tablet pledges to let anyone with an artistic bent get all creative on the little console that rules them all (at least in terms of sales), but can it actually create meaningful art? See for yourself in the video after the break.Continue reading David Kassan uses THQ's uDraw to express his Wii ennui (video)
David Kassan uses THQ's uDraw to express his Wii ennui (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceJoystiq  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
VIZIO XVT HDTVs with LEDs, WiFi, apps & Bluetooth ready to ship
This year's iteration of VIZIO's top of the line XVT LCDs (at least until the XVT3D -- née XVT Pro -- series hits in Q4) are finally ready to ship and, as we've come to expect, pack a long list of features to go along with their price tags. The 240Hz 42-, 47-, and 55-inch versions all feature LED backlighting, which may be ready to beat criticisms of of light black levels with a claimed 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Whether or not you believe any TV manufacturer's contrast measurements, an increased 120 zones of backlighting (up from 80 last year, up to 160 from 120 on the 47-inch) and a profile that's 2 inches slimmer (down to just 3 inches deep) this time around should be easily noticeable. The 37- and 32-inch XVT models rely on the company's edge lit Razor LED lighting tech and are less than 2 inches this, with stated 1,000,000:1 contrast ratios.

Other than arbitrary and easily fudged specs, VIZIO's fighting the competition with its VIA suite of features -- widget based app platform with Netflix, Pandora & others, built-in WiFi and QWERTY Bluetooth remote -- and they're all here, along with plenty of HDMI inputs and SRS audio technology. The 32-inch isn't the cheapest model that size you'll find at $699 and neither is the top of the line XVT553SV with its $2,199 MSRP, but after perusing the list of specs in the press release after the break, it's hard to imagine finding many with a similar resumé at those prices.Continue reading VIZIO XVT HDTVs with LEDs, WiFi, apps & Bluetooth ready to ship
VIZIO XVT HDTVs with LEDs, WiFi, apps & Bluetooth ready to ship originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Visa gets Bank of America on board for mobile payments trial, starting in New York next month
It didn't take long for Visa to react to the three-headed beast of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon entering the mobile payments arena. The world's foremost payment processing company has just announced that it's about to start a trial of its contactless payment system in partnership with Bank of America. Kicking off in the New York area this September and lasting through the end of the year, the scheme will most likely involve the MicroSD NFC communicator and In2Pay iPhone case that DeviceFidelity has been developing for Visa. No disclosures are being made on the size of this pilot scheme, though we're told that only a "select" group of employees and customers will be getting the mobile payment chips. Don't worry if you miss out on this one, though, as a similar trial is scheduled to begin in October with US Bancorp. That should give you enough time to turn yourself into a high-rolling select customer, right?Permalink   |  sourceReuters  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Google TV demo shows off Dish Network integration, universal search (video)
For those still wavering over the possibility of dropping a few Ben Franklins on something rocking the Google TV logo this fall, maybe the best idea is to get to know this new flavor of Android a bit better. StuffWeLike grabbed video of a Comic-Con 2010 demo that showed off its universal search in a level of detail we hadn't previously seen. Our earlier hands-on with Google TV partner Logitech (also included after the break) focused mostly on its ability to control other devices, but this has a decided emphasis on the user interface and what Google brings to HDTVs, particularly when fully tied in to Dish Network's DVR, and its ability to shift seamlessly from internet to live or recorded TV and back. The second half of the video shifts the focus to the Google Queue, a single menu for DVR recordings and podcasts (video or audio.) The camera's a bit jerky, but there's plenty of info in those menus flashing by including icons for previously announced apps from Netflix and Pandora and an inadvertent cameo from vlogger RayWJ about two and a half minutes in.Continue reading Google TV demo shows off Dish Network integration, universal search (video)
Google TV demo shows off Dish Network integration, universal search (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink GTVHub, SimplyGoogleTV  |  sourceStuffWeLike  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
ioSafe SoloPRO takes rugged external storage to USB 3.0 heights
We made a point to mention last November that USB 3.0 and eSATA were both sorely missing from ioSafe's Solo hard drive, and lo and behold, the company seems to have answered our prayers directly. The SoloPRO -- which purports to be just as outrageously rugged as the original -- is the company's fastest rugged external HDD, offering up USB 3.0 and eSATA / USB 2.0 connections. There's also full support for Windows and Linux servers as well as any desktop OS, and ioSafe will be shipping these in 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB capacities. Still concerned about toughness? Fret not -- both the USB 3.0 and eSATA versions of the SoloPRO can withstand temperatures up to 1550° F for 30 minutes or being submerged to a depth of 10 feet for up to 3 days, and there's even a heat-resistant paint option for those who prefer to run their server rooms under the Moroccan sun. As for pricing? Expect 'em to run $249.99, $319.99 and $419.99 in order of mention, buster.Continue reading ioSafe SoloPRO takes rugged external storage to USB 3.0 heights
ioSafe SoloPRO takes rugged external storage to USB 3.0 heights originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceioSafe  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Qualcomm building a $2b Mirasol plant after winning 'major client'?
Well, if this isn't a statement of intent, we don't know what is. Those good old market sources are reporting today that Qualcomm has set aside a cool $2 billion to build a new Mirasol display production plant in Taiwan. The chipmaker already has a Mirasol facility in Longtan, a joint venture with Foxlink, but is said to be the sole investor in this new build. The whole thing has apparently been spurred on by a major client having "already started the design-in process" after seeing production samples of the 5.7-inch, low power, color display. We can't know for sure who that client may be, but Qualcomm's been doing some real heavy flirting with Amazon and all those overtures might (might!) finally have paid off. Of couse, as Jeff Bezos himself said, a color Kindle isn't likely to hit the market anytime soon, and this new factory isn't expected to begin volume production until 2012, but we'll take a slow and speculative roadmap over no roadmap at all.
Qualcomm building a $2b Mirasol plant after winning 'major client'? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceDigiTimes  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
CE-Oh no he didn't!: LG's Ma promises Optimus tablet 'will be better than the iPad'
There's brave talk, there's foolish talk, and then there's the 5nm line that separates the two. While LG's Chang Ma didn't seem to be dabbling in either during yesterday's Wall Street Journal interview, some subsequent revelations from the financial paper do quote him straying into daring new territory. Having already described the upcoming Optimus tablet as something that will surprise us with its productivity and focus on content creation, LG's Marketing VP (we know, not exactly the CEO) has apparently gone the full way and straight up claimed that "our tablet will be better than the iPad." We'll let you judge on which side of the brave/foolish divide that falls, but it's certainly an indication of searing ambition on LG's part, and should, together with the promise that the US will be "a key market" for the tablet, make pleasant reading for Android slate aficionados.Permalink Gizmodo  |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
PALRO buddies with its first apps, busts new moves on video
Well, that didn't take long. Just a few months after Fujisoft's PALRO was formally introduced to the Japanese education segment, said humanoid is now set to receive a host of new applications as well as become useful as a people tracker. It's bruited that PALRO will soon gain a Twitter client (to read tweets aloud as best it can), a cooking app, a Japanese word game and remote monitoring abilities (among others), but it's unclear how these obviously commercial apps will help / not help the robot inch closer to a citizen's release. In related news, PALRO has been spotted with a few newfound abilities, namely the instinct to track people and objects via its built-in camera. We'll spare you the rhetoric on why teaching these things to watch our every move is a tragic, tragic mistake, but feel free to peek the video after the break if you're brushing the inevitable downfall of mankind off as a silly rumor.Continue reading PALRO buddies with its first apps, busts new moves on video
PALRO buddies with its first apps, busts new moves on video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Plastic Pals  |  sourceFujisoft  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sony replacing handset wiring with a single copper cable
Sure, it's just boring ol' component news but you can guarantee that this advance will affect the appearance of Sony (and Sony Ericsson) products some time soon. Sony just announced the development of a "single wire interface technology" that replaces the 22 or so cables (used for power, control signals, audio, video, etc) typically found inside mobile devices (tucked away in the hinge or rotating parts) with a single copper wire cable capable of transmitting data at 940Mbps. That should translate into greater reliability while giving Sony's product teams more flexibility with their designs. Sony plans to "swiftly" implement the technology by licensing the IP to ROHM to help jointly develop the required silicon. More with less, as they say.
Sony replacing handset wiring with a single copper cable originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSony  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Ricoh's 10 megapixel, 10x zoom CX4 compact hits Japan next month
Ricoh's 10 megapixel, 10x zoom CX4 compact hits Japan next month
Why, it seems like just yesterday we were talking about the CX3 and now here we are, but a few weeks away from the release of Ricoh's CX4. The camera is set to hit Japanese retailers on September 3, offering a 10 megapixel backside-illuminated sensor perched behind a 10.7x (28 - 300mm) zoom lens, with a three-inch LCD 'round the back. Ricoh is also talking up an advanced new image stabilization system, five fps burst shooting, 720p video recording, plus all the smile- and scene-detection modes you'd expect out of a modern shooter. MSRP for all this is set at 45,000 Yen in Japan, which equates to about 525 of your American dollars.
Ricoh's 10 megapixel, 10x zoom CX4 compact hits Japan next month originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Akihabara News  |  sourceRicoh  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sanyo Xacti VPC-PD2BK 1080p pocket camcorder with 3x optical zoom
With smartphones and point-n-shoot cameras doing most of our impromptu video recordings, it's getting harder and harder to justify the purchase of these pocket-sized camcorders. Perhaps that's why Sanyo is positioning its Flip competitor as a "dual camera" -- capable of capturing 10 megapixel stills or 1080p/30fps MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video with stereo audio. Model VPC-PD2BK features an integrated USB jack that swivels out for some hot laptop mating sessions, a 3X optical zoom, 37-mm wide-angle lens, mini-HDMI port, and support for SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. Look for it in September with a suggest price of $169.99 in North America.Continue reading Sanyo Xacti VPC-PD2BK 1080p pocket camcorder with 3x optical zoom
Sanyo Xacti VPC-PD2BK 1080p pocket camcorder with 3x optical zoom originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 01:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Check out the new Switched!
Do you like technology? Do you like the internet? Have you ever prepared a sandwich consisting of only technology, the internet, and two slices of wholesome pumpernickel bread? If you answered yes to any of the above, you might just want to take a peek at the brand new Switched. Our main homeboys over at the site have gone and totally revamped their look, coming up with something more suited to the areas of coverage you'll find when you make it part of your daily read. But don't take our word for it, after all, we're being treated for early dementia! Just truck on over to switched.com and see what's what. If you're not 100 percent satisfied, we'll refund your money -- no questions asked.
Check out the new Switched! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSwitched  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sony's new e-readers pictured, last one-third longer on a charge?
We'd heard Sony was wrangling up a bunch of new Readers, and it looks like here they are -- a pair of familiar-looking e-readers with a distinctly different UI. If these legit-looking images are the real deal, you'll be getting a good bit more for your buck -- especially with the Reader Pocket Edition, which apparently finally managed to ditch the directional pad for a lovely E Ink touchscreen. We won't list all the improvements here, as you can obviously read them for yourself in the image immediately above, but our tipster confirms the new Pocket Edition will have a 5-inch display and the Touch Edition a six-incher, though he reportedly hasn't heard a word about 3G connectivity for either model. 2,500 extra page turns and a thinner, faster screen ain't nothing to sneeze at, but when Sony said it would compete on quality, we have to admit we began hoping for a wee bit more. Spot another picture after the break. Continue reading Sony's new e-readers pictured, last one-third longer on a charge?
Sony's new e-readers pictured, last one-third longer on a charge? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Ask Engadget: best messaging phone that doesn't need a data plan?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Josh, who simply ain't interested in spending the loot necessary to get a full-on smartphone. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"I'm a student right now on a tight budget. That said, I can't afford a data plan. What is the best messaging phone that doesn't require data? Also, I am a medical student, and for our third- and fourth-year rotations, we have to purchase something with Windows Mobile in order to communicate to our school's software for submitting patient data. They recommend the iPAQ handhelds, but what will happen since Microsoft has come out with Windows Phone 7 and HP has acquired Palm?"
Hate to hear about your Windows Mobile dilemma, but hopefully that OS will be pushed aside as far more capable ones hit the market. It's tough to say at this point whether webOS or Windows Phone 7 will be your answer (probably not for some time, though), but we're pretty sure our commenters would be more than happy to assist with your need for a messaging phone. Right, guys / gals?
Ask Engadget: best messaging phone that doesn't need a data plan? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Kia's 'Pop' electric car concept makes our inner urbanite swoon
Kia has largely steered clear of the electric car battlegrounds, focusing instead on smaller, lower-cost options that get good enough gas mileage as-is. It ain't a bad tactic, but considering that even Rolls Royce is purportedly mulling an EV, the automaker was bound to cave to the peer pressure soon or later. During the upcoming Paris Motor Show, Kia is expected to formally introduce the oddity you see above, which is (for now) only known as the "Pop concept." The battery-powered whip will emit no emissions whatsoever, measures in at just three meters long and somehow finds enough room for three humans within. Details beyond that are scant (read: nonexistent), but you can head on over to Autoblog Green if you need a few more images to chew on.
Kia's 'Pop' electric car concept makes our inner urbanite swoon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAutoblog Green  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
HP confirms webOS tablet for 'early 2011'
We'd heard HP's Todd Bradley had confidentially told employees that a webOS tablet would arrive in Q1 2011, but now the man's gone on the record in the company's Q3 2010 earnings call. "You'll see us with a Microsoft product out in the near future and a webOS-based product in early 2011," he told investors and analysts in response to a direct question about tablets this afternoon, adding that potential slates were part of the reason HP bought Palm in the first place. Now, we're not financial experts, but we've heard it's typically a good idea not to promise things to your shareholders if you don't intend to deliver. In other words, there's a good bet the PalmPad is actually not an imaginary friend our subconscious created after Mark Hurd's hateful words in June.

[Thanks, Robert]
HP confirms webOS tablet for 'early 2011' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePreCentral  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Android-booting Acer Aspire One D255 extensively demoed, yet far from loved on video
Acer's just told us that it has "no imminent plans" to bring the dual-booting Android and Windows XP Aspire One D255 stateside, and after seeing an in-depth video (no, really it's 14 minutes long!) of the 10-inch netbook in action we can't say we're all that upset about the news. Yep, the NetbookNews team snatched up a light blue version of the new netbook in Taipei, and though they were impressed with the thin design and included case, they had less positive things to say on the software end. Not only is the Windows XP desktop ridden with crapware, but the Android implementation is still half baked. Similar to the first generation Acer Aspire One D250, the Android 2.1 interface is really only good for searching the web and checking e-mail since it doesn't have access to the Market. Of course, we urge you to sit back and watch the lengthy hands-on video after the break to make your own call on this $299 lappie, but ultimately, we're assuming you'll have the same question as us: Acer, how's that Chrome OS netbook coming along?Continue reading Android-booting Acer Aspire One D255 extensively demoed, yet far from loved on video
Permalink   |  sourceNetbookNews  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Exclusive: Dell Thunder prototype preview (video)
23diggsdigg Christmas came early at Engadget HQ this year, as evidenced by the picture above -- you're looking at two Dell Thunder prototype smartphones, each with some surprising quirks, and hints that they might include global HSPA, AWS for the likes of T-Mobile, and maybe even a dash of CDMA support. We'll warn you ahead of time that these are labeled EVT1 for "engineering verification test" and date back to the April leak, so they're about as early as you can get -- don't expect the final handset to arrive without some significant differences. Good? Then peek the gallery below, hit the break, and let's get on with the show.
Gallery: Dell Thunder prototype preview
Continue reading Exclusive: Dell Thunder prototype preview (video)
Exclusive: Dell Thunder prototype preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sony phasing out 120GB and 250GB PS3 SKUs, the latter now going for $299 at Fry's
From a supply chain management standpoint, this all makes sense -- why have four separate PS3 SKUs with various HDD sizes when just a pair will do? After announcing last week that a 160GB and 320GB PS3 Slim would be making landfall in the US and Europe, it seems as if Sony has decided to phase out the existing 120GB and 250GB flavors. There's no definitive word on when production on those will stop (we're surmising that the stop order has already been placed), but it looks as if some retailers are already starting up fire sales on the now-old models. For those curious, that's a Fry's installation pictured above, which is selling their leftover 250GB units for just $299, or the same price as the incoming 160GB unit. Decisions, decisions...
Sony phasing out 120GB and 250GB PS3 SKUs, the latter now going for $299 at Fry's originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink CVG  |  sourceMCV  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Dell's Q2 2010 sees 16 percent increase in net income, flat revenue from Consumer unit
First with HP, and now with Dell. The PC maker (and occasional phone dabbler) posted its second quarter fiscal 2010 report, which actually gives a good perspective on the relative position of each company in the global PC market. Whereas the House that Hurd once ran reported a $30.7 billion revenue and $2.3 billion operating profit, Dell posted $15.5 billion (up 22 percent) in revenue and $745 million operating income. Like we said earlier, operating income shouldn't be confused with net income, which deducts those massive corporate taxes. Looking at net, the company profited $545 million, up an impressive 16 percent year-over-year. Focusing on the Consumer unit, revenue was flat at $2.9 billion, while at the same time operating income incurred a $21 million loss. According to the press release, the company "remains confident that initiatives underway will improve operating margins for the segment." Is all this enough to quell irate shareholders? Chances are slim, but hey, it's a start.Permalink   |  sourceDell  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Canon's PowerShot G12 leaks out, promises HD video mode
To say that Canon's PowerShot G11 is growing long in the tooth would be understating things rather dramatically, and with Photokina just a few weeks away, now's as good a time as any to launch a prominent new camera into the world. In fact, Canon just got finished outing a trio of point-and-shoot models, but it seems that Cnet Asia didn't get the memo that a full foursome wouldn't be introduced. The publication's original writeup on the company's new cameras featured a number of G12 mentions throughout the text, and a full-on specifications chart was captured above. If all this is to be believed, we're looking at a 10 megapixel CCD sensor, 5x optical zoom, 2.8-inch tilt-and-swivel LCD, "HD-quality" video recording, optical image stabilization and an inbuilt HDR mode, topped off with a pinch of "sheesh, finally!" Obviously, there's no mention of a price or expected launch date, but something tells us that'll change dramatically before we touch down in Köln.
Canon's PowerShot G12 leaks out, promises HD video mode originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink UberGizmo  |  sourcePocket-lint, Canon Rumors  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
HP reports Q3 2010 earnings, posts $2.3 billion operating profit
And to think -- that $2.3 billion figure might have been a few million higher if not for the absurd Golden Parachute that Mark Hurd will continue to float on for centuries to come. All jesting aside, HP published its Q3 2010 financials today, reporting a healthy $2.3b in operating profit (not to be confused with net income, which deducts those massive corporate taxes) and a five percent increase year-over-year. All told, third quarter revenue was listed at $30.7 billion (an 11.4 percent uptick from last year), with a "record" amount of services signings. Interestingly, a whopping 63 percent of total HP revenue came from outside of America, though we're struggling to find any specific mentions of Hurd or Palm in the release (embedded after the break). We'll be checking in on the press call shortly -- we'll let you know if anything crazy goes down.Continue reading HP reports Q3 2010 earnings, posts $2.3 billion operating profit
HP reports Q3 2010 earnings, posts $2.3 billion operating profit originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceHP  | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
CVS to sell $100 Sylvania netbook and $179 e-reader this fall, Tylenol not included
Watch out Kmart, CVS is getting its very own $100 smartbook and $180 e-reader and there's nothing you can do about it! We've gotten a hold of some marketing materials which confirm that this fall your neighborhood drugstore will be stocking a Sylvania netbook running Windows CE and a color e-reader. There aren't too many details on the little laptop itself, although we can only guess that the thing will be very similar to many of the other cheap smartbooks we've seen lately. Oh, it does claim to be able to stream video / YouTube, but we'll believe it when we see it play Bieber's Segway escape without freezing up. There are a few more details on the 7-inch LookBook e-reader after the break, but it will pack 512MB of storage space, a full keyboard and will have access to Kobo's e-book store. Seems like some good old cheap tech to us, but we're willing to bet that more than a few CVS shoppers will be tempted to throw one of these into the basket along with the deodorant and shampoo.Continue reading CVS to sell $100 Sylvania netbook and $179 e-reader this fall, Tylenol not included
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Dish Network survey hints at Google TV pricing options
So just how much would you pay for a set-top box or Blu-ray player with Google TV built in? That appears to be what Dish Network is trying to find out with this online survey sent to potential customers, laying out some of the features offered and presenting several different pricing options from a one time up-front purchase of up to $300 at retail or cheaper possibilities with a monthly fee (pictured above). It also helpfully points out that Dish will be the only one with "advanced integration," meaning search across internet sources, TV listings, VOD and programming stored on the DVR at launch to probe the potential of enticing switchers. Check out the gallery for all the questions and imagine what fits your budget before Google TV gets real this fall.
Gallery: Dish Network Google TV pricing survey


[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Dish Network survey hints at Google TV pricing options originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
في 10:30 AM
التسميات: ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)