Thursday, August 26, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 26/08/2010



iPADock overachieves in the best sort of way
Yeah, it's iPAD, not iPad, for this dock. PhotoFast's iPADock can be configured to handle dual iPads, four iPhones, or two iPhones and one iPad, thanks to its modular design. Of course, you have to thread your own iPad or iPhone charging cables through the dock, and then jack into one of the plentiful powered USB plugs in the back (three regular, four power-only), but that's only a minor detail. The back also harbors memory card slots galore and a stash for your iPad Camera Connection Kit dongles, so quit whining. You'll be able to score the iPADock in Japan at the end of next month for 5980 yen (about $71 US), and PhotoFast is on the hunt for a US distributor.
iPADock overachieves in the best sort of way originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gearlog  |  sourcePhotoFast  | Email this | Comments
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Logitech intros Z623 2.1 speaker system for $150, gloats about THX certification
Logitech has a history of pumping out better-than-average PC speakers at below-average prices, and the outfit's at it once more with the Z623 system. This simplistic setup is a 2.1 rig, complete with a pair of mobile satellites and a ported subwoofer. Logi's marketing this as the perfect setup for PC users and bedroom home theaters, and it's including RCA / 3.5mm input sockets along with an inbuilt headphone jack. All told, you're getting 200 watts (RMS) of power, and we're guessing that prominent THX logo factors into the $149.99 asking price. If that's still lower than you were expecting, you can fetch these for your own flat this September in the US and Europe. Oh, and there's a promo video just past the break... you know, if you're into that type of thing.Continue reading Logitech intros Z623 2.1 speaker system for $150, gloats about THX certification
Logitech intros Z623 2.1 speaker system for $150, gloats about THX certification originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLogitech  | Email this | Comments
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Panasonic's RP-HC700 headphones cancel a whole lotta noise
We can't say they're the most stylish noise cancelling headphones we've ever seen (far from it, actually), but Panasonic's RP-HC700 sure do cancel out an awful lot of unwanted sine waves. In fact, these retro-inspired cans nix 95 percent of surrounding noise, and they'll also ship in both black and white hues for somewhat obvious reasons. Other specs include 40mm drivers, a 10Hz to 30kHz frequency range and 15 hours of noise cancelling with a single AAA battery. If you're into keeping tunes in while keeping -- well, everything else -- out, you'll need to free yourself of ¥20,000 ($237) next month.
Panasonic's RP-HC700 headphones cancel a whole lotta noise originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Akihabara News  |  sourceImpress  | Email this | Comments
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OSU Buckeye Bullet 2 sets new battery-powered speed record
Ohio State's Buckeye Bullet 2 has just set a new battery-powered vehicle record after hitting a speed of 291 mph averaged over two separate runs done back-to-back in opposite directions. Yes, it's technically slower than the two-way land speed record of 300.992 mph the original Bullet set back in 2009, but that car was powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This year's model instead was developed in partnership with boutique Monaco-based electric car manufacturer Venturi and replaced the fuel cells with lithium-ion batteries from A123 Systems. It's also apparently a testing prototype for a new car that's coming in 2011. Will that car hit these kind of world record speeds? Probably not, but we're not letting that dash our newly formed geek fantasy of seeing it drag against a Tesla.
OSU Buckeye Bullet 2 sets new battery-powered speed record originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAuto Blog  | Email this | Comments
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Possible iPod touch LCD and digitizer assembly compared to older gen, iPhone 4 (video)
Look who's back. The LCD plus digitizer combo that we first laid eyes on last month seems to have leaked out again, still claiming it'll be part of Apple's upcoming (unannounced, but popular knowledge anyway) iPod touch 4th generation refresh. It continues to insist it'll have a front-facing camera, pointing to the rounded hole in its forehead as evidence, and we're now inclined to trust it that little bit more given the leaking site's prior record. A visual inspection reveals it to have the same fused design as on the iPhone 4, which naturally invites speculation that the retina display will be pulling some PMP duty as well. Skip past the break to see the new screen side-by-side with Apple's latest phone display and third-gen iPod touch hardware.Continue reading Possible iPod touch LCD and digitizer assembly compared to older gen, iPhone 4 (video)
Permalink NowhereElse.fr  |  sourceSmartPhoneMedic (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments
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Samsung Galaxy S Power Pack: when internal batteries are just too convenient
Somebody at Samsung apparently forgot that its very popular Galaxy S handset (in all its varieties) has -- are you ready for this -- a user-replaceable battery. Now, we don't mean a warranty breaking, two-screws-and-it's-out replaceable battery. No, the battery in the Galaxy S is designed (and promoted) to be switched out by the user. Just pry off the back cover and there it is, ready to swap whenever more juice is required. So why anyone would slap a big, bulky, external slab onto their svelte S is beyond us, regardless of the extra 8.5 hours of talk time listed in the Samsung Germany newsletter. We'd understand if it had a working GPS radio, but like the Galaxy S, it doesn't.
Samsung Galaxy S Power Pack: when internal batteries are just too convenient originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink AndroidSpin  |  sourceMobiflip  | Email this | Comments
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Panasonic proves its Toughbook U1 is Rammer-resistant
It must be getting pretty difficult at this point for Panasonic to come up with new ways to show just how tough its Toughbook line of devices are, but it looks like the company's still got a few surprises in it, as evidenced by a new video that pits its Toughbook CF-U1 handheld against a Rammer. As you can probably guess, the Toughbook pictured above manages to pass the test easily, but there's also another surprise in store at the end -- head on past the break to see for yourself. Of course, Panasonic didn't let an opportunity for a bit of cross-promotion slip by -- it also shot the video on a Panasonic GH1.Continue reading Panasonic proves its Toughbook U1 is Rammer-resistant
Panasonic proves its Toughbook U1 is Rammer-resistant originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Geek.com  |  sourceToughbook (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments
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Sharp's e-reader ready to 'rival the iPad' by year's end, may have a 3D future
Sharp is going to launch its brand new e-reader in Japan this fall with US retail availability to follow by the end of the year. Riveting stuff, isn't it? Well, the company's President Mikio Katayama does his best to spice things up by proposing this device will aim "to rival the iPad," and it may well sport a color LCD if earlier indications still hold true, but what's really got us hot under the collar is the potential for 3D down the line. Katayama claims to have witnessed great enthusiasm for 3D -- particularly when it comes to games -- and posits it as a likely future direction for this new ebook reader. Multifunctional devices are what people want, he says, and since Sharp already has a 3D smartphone in the pipeline and a glasses-free 3D tablet display in the lab, we can't see many technical hurdles to the realization of his vision. Let's just hope his depth perception is accurate when it comes to measuring the interest in three-dee.
Sharp's e-reader ready to 'rival the iPad' by year's end, may have a 3D future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceChunichi  | Email this | Comments
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Apple holding a media event September 7, says Bloomberg
Not sure how exactly this slipped our neural net, perhaps it was added in a later update, but yesterday's Bloomberg revelation about a potential Apple TV show rental service now also includes the following tip: Steve Jobs et al plan on hosting an event in San Francisco on September 7. This just so happens to be on a Tuesday and meshes perfectly with Apple's annual Mac plus iPod touch promotion (which ends on the same day). Of course, we could've told you Apple would be holding an early September iPod refresh event this time last year -- the real question is what else might be revealed during the keynote?
Apple holding a media event September 7, says Bloomberg originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink MacRumors  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments
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Sony ponders charging for 'online pass' game functionality
We specifically told you guys not to tell your friends at Sony about a certain "feature" of EA Sports whereby the player is charged $10 to unlock online content and multiplayer functionality. And what do we have here? It looks like someone spilled the beans, because GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that Sony Computer Entertainment head Andrew House has been giving the matter some serious thought. "On the principle of making online portions of the game available or unlocked from the disc-based release for a fee," he said, "we're broadly supportive... and we're exploring actively the same option for our own content." Of course, this runs counter the free and democratic nature of PlayStation Network, but you know how strategies can change once someone gets dollar signs in their eyes.
Sony ponders charging for 'online pass' game functionality originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Engadget Spanish, Joystiq  |  sourceGameIndustry.biz  | Email this | Comments
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ViewSonic doing 3D like crazy at IFA, plans to debut 3D camera, camcorder, photo frame, and portable TV
You're sitting alone, your house is quiet. You turn your phone off and reach for a novel -- your favorite novel. You run your hand along the book's well-worn spine, then crack open the yellowing pages to the spot you were at last. Suddenly you put the book down. Where are you? You stand up and take off your glasses, looking around frantically at your surroundings. Where are you?

Well, you're not in Berlin, Germany between the dates of September 1st and 7th, attending IFA. ViewSonic just announced, no, threatened an onslaught of 3D product for the upcoming tradeshow, including a 720p 3D camcorder that will pack a built-in 3D display for a mere $300 (we're sure it will be delightful). Details are scarce, but our guess would be that it'll utilize a glasses-free 3D display akin to Nintendo's 3DS or the Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D W3. Other 3D members of the brood will include a 3D handheld TV, 3D stills camera, and a 3D photo frame -- all of which will undoubtedly scream quality. As if that wasn't enough, ViewSonic will also be showing off a 7-inch Android tablet dubbed the ViewPad 7, along with a 10-inch tablet that can dual boot to Android and Windows. PR is after the break, we'll let you get back to your book.

Update: Does that 3D camera (the two images on the left) look familiar? It should, it's almost certainly a rebadge of the Aiptek i2. Poor Viewsonic, what happened to you?Continue reading ViewSonic doing 3D like crazy at IFA, plans to debut 3D camera, camcorder, photo frame, and portable TV
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LG's C900 Windows Phone 7 handset for AT&T gets FCC approval
If you wade through LG's alphabet soup of upcoming WinPho 7 goodies, you might recall that several of them seem to be headed directly for AT&T later this year. Evidence for one of them in particular -- the C900 landscape slider -- just got a little stronger this evening on news that a phone by the very same model code has just been hooked up with FCC approval in the past few hours. Indeed, a quick look at the SAR report shows that we've got WCDMA bands II and V here, which means it'll work like a champ on AT&T; unfortunately LG is (and always has been) particularly awesome at making its ID label documents useless for identifying phones, so there isn't much other evidence to go on from this. Needless to say, though, we're convinced it's going to be a very interesting fourth quarter of the year for the Microsoft camp.
LG's C900 Windows Phone 7 handset for AT&T gets FCC approval originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Windows Phone 7's short-term future includes phone-to-console gaming, Twitter?
At this point you'd think we covered almost every nook and cranny of Windows Phone 7, from games and UI to a launch device or six, but of course there's a few dust balls of info our swiffer of newsgathering has yet to grab up. Microsoft Canada's Greg Milligan has revealed at a recent Xbox 360 event. The big takeaway is future plans for phone-to-console gaming. While suggesting an initial use would be companion games that bring enhancements to full 360 titles (our first thought is how both a web game and Arcade casino title directly tied into Fable 2), he says it's something they are "absolutely" working on for the "near future" -- likely initially through WiFi only due to network speed sensitivities. "Near future," on that note, is a lot sooner that the impression we got at the recent hands-on, but in either case, we won't believe it until we see it with our own eyes.

In news that won't directly affect your gamer score, Twitter, which has been noticeably (and annoyingly) absent from our time with the device, Milligan had this to say: "Twitter is not part of the base platform, but we're working closely with a number of software developers to make sure we have a twitter experience... on or very shortly after launch." Some on the staff are divided whether or not this implies full integration or just some third-party apps, but let's be hopeful for the former, aye? Video interview after the break.Continue reading Windows Phone 7's short-term future includes phone-to-console gaming, Twitter?
Windows Phone 7's short-term future includes phone-to-console gaming, Twitter? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq, WMPoweruser  |  sourceRGB Filter  | Email this | Comments
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FCC cracks open Sony's Xperia X8, posts user's manual and revealing photos
Sure, that Xperia X8 in the picture may look demure, but the FCC doesn't mess around -- mere seconds after we found this shot of the 3-inch, Android 1.6 handset, we stumbled across a PDF showing the phone in -- ahem -- various states of dress. Now, we try to run a clean site here, so you'll have to hit our source link to find those salacious pics (and manual) yourself, but if you want some nice, tasteful shots of the device's exterior and ports you'll find them immediately below. No new specs here, by the way -- it's the same quad-band GSM HSPA handset with WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, A-GPS and FM radio we've seen before.
Gallery: Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 hits the FCC
FCC cracks open Sony's Xperia X8, posts user's manual and revealing photos originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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WD intros HomePlug-compatible powerline networking package
Western Digital's bread and butter is (and will likely remain) storage, but as we all know, all the storage in the world is useless if you can't access it. It only makes sense, then, that the company would get behind the HomePlug bandwagon for networking all your connected devices over your home's existing electrical power lines. The WD Livewire Powerline AV Network Kit includes two HomePlug AV adapters with four Ethernet ports each, boasting data transfer speeds up to 200 megabits per second. And it's HomePlug compatible, meaning your previous investments in the technology won't go to waste. Available now for $140. PR after the break.
Continue reading WD intros HomePlug-compatible powerline networking package
WD intros HomePlug-compatible powerline networking package originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Marvell says Armada chips will power new game platform
Marvell's been teasing potent little processors for over a year now, but we've yet to see the firm's Armada appear in anything we'd actually want... but co-founder Sehat Sutardja just let slip that Marvell silicon will power a genuine game console of some sort. "Approximately 15% of the sequential increase [in quarterly sales] was due to the initial production revenue from our ARMADA application processors, primarily as a result of a major customer preparing to launch a new gaming platform," he told investors in a conference call last week, which roughly translates to "We just sold a load of processors for a new game console, yo" if our business-speak is correct. While there's absolutely nothing connecting this transaction to Nintendo's 3DS (which was confirmed to have a Pica200 GPU), we honestly can't think of a single other game platform slated to launch anytime soon -- so don't be surprised if there's a quad-core Armada 600 under that variably-stereoscopic hood.

[Thanks, Roxanne]
Marvell says Armada chips will power new game platform originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSeeking Alpha  | Email this | Comments
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Get Him to the Greek Blu-ray includes a free streaming copy -- of a different movie
Universal's added a new wrinkle to persuade people to buy Get Him to the Greek on Blu-ray -- throw in a copy of an entirely different movie. Sure, during the MTV Video Music Awards we imagined not having to watch Russell Brand was a feature that should be included more often, but we didn't expect to see it tucked in among these other Blu-ray exclusive extras -- karaoke, the Pocket BLU iPhone remote control app, social BLU access, Mobile-To-Go support for taking bonus content with you and keyboard support. Anyone who buys the flick between September 28 and March 31, 2011 can also gain access to one of the following movies streamed to the player over BD-Live or directly to their mobile phone: Uncle Buck, Dazed & Confused or Life (Eddie Murphy & Martin Lawrence, not David Attenborough.) The flicks are notable not only because they appear to have been randomly chosen, but also since they're not available on Blu-ray yet. Unlike The Office, there's no promise of HD resolution here so the quality is still in question, but really, what Blu-ray release couldn't use an extra dose of John Candy? Check out all the details and extras in the press release after the break.Continue reading Get Him to the Greek Blu-ray includes a free streaming copy -- of a different movie
Permalink   |  sourceGetHimtotheGreek.net  | Email this | Comments
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ColorWare's Magic Trackpad magically eliminates 145 magic dollars from your magic bank account
Look: if you want an all-red Magic Trackpad, we can't and won't judge you. We can, however, judge you for spending $145 for the privilege of getting it. Like clockwork, custom paint job guru ColorWare has just flipped the switch on Magic Trackpad orders, letting you choose separate colors (in flat, metallic, or pearlescent paint) for the case and the pad itself. If you've already got a unit handy, you can send it in for $75, meaning you'll save a full dollar over the "buy new" option. It'll go great with your baby blue iMac and orange / black Magic Mouse, won't it? Peep ColorWare's promo video after the break.Continue reading ColorWare's Magic Trackpad magically eliminates 145 magic dollars from your magic bank account
Permalink   |  sourceColorWare  | Email this | Comments
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Apple reportedly in talks with networks for 99 cent TV show rentals
We've already heard rumors that Apple was working to convince networks to offer 99 cent TV show rentals on iTunes -- and possibly on a forthcoming Apple TV / iTV as well -- and it looks like things might now be starting to firm up a bit. According to Bloomberg, "three people familiar with the plan" say that Apple is now in "advanced talks" with News Corp about offering Fox TV show rentals for 99 cents apiece, and it's reportedly talking with CBS and ABC-parent company Disney as well, although the state of those talks apparently aren't as clear. No mention of streaming-only episodes this time around, but those same people familiar with the matter do say that the episodes would only be viewable for 48 hours.
Apple reportedly in talks with networks for 99 cent TV show rentals originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments
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ASUS N53JN and N73JN with Blu-ray and SonicMaster sound now available in the UK
So it's been six months since ASUS announced its new N Series laptops, but who's counting? Okay, we are, but there's good news, at least for the dear Brits -- the 15.6-inch N53JN and the 17.3-inch N73JN are now available in the UK. The N53JN will range from £649.99 to £999 ($1,005 - $1,545) and has an impressive array of specs, including a Core i5 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GT325/415M graphics with Optimus, 320GB of storage, a Blu-ray drive and USB 3.0 ports. The wider £1,099 N73JN is pretty much identically configured, but has 640GB of storage (with two 320GB drives). However, ASUS is hoping the major lure of these systems will be its new SonicMaster sound technology, which has been developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower. The press release claims the audio feature is not a "gimmick" and that ASUS's "Golden Ear" team toiled over the audio fidelity...for months we assume. There's some bold assertions, but we guess there's really no knowing what these bad boys really sound like until you take one home and pump up the volume.
Gallery: ASUS N53JN and N73JN
Continue reading ASUS N53JN and N73JN with Blu-ray and SonicMaster sound now available in the UK
ASUS N53JN and N73JN with Blu-ray and SonicMaster sound now available in the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google responds to Android DRM breach, promises how-to on obfuscating code
Well, that was snappy. Just 24 hours after Android Police published a piece describing how easy it was to circumvent Google's new Android licensing server, the Big G is hitting back with a brief response that it promises to elaborate on in the future. In order to address any doubts that developers may have, Google has noted that its new service is still "very young," and "the first release shipped with the simplest, most transparent imaginable sample implementation, which was written to be easy to understand and modify, rather than security-focused." Interestingly, the outfit doesn't hesitate to pass some of the blame, saying that some devs "are using the sample as-is, which makes their applications easier to attack." For those who'd like to better obfuscate their code, Google will be publishing detailed instructions on how to do so in the near future. We also appreciate the honesty in this quote in particular: "100 percent piracy protection is never possible in any system that runs third-party code." As stated, the bullet points listed in the source link should be fleshed out in due time, but at least you hard working developers can rest easy knowing that Google isn't standing by and letting pirates run amok.
Google responds to Android DRM breach, promises how-to on obfuscating code originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Developers Blog  | Email this | Comments
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Nissan rep confirms delivery of 25,000 Leaf EVs to US by the end of 2011
Nissan has responded to rumors that high demand for its Leaf EV in Japan could cause the company to limit delivery in the United States to just around 3,000 units by the end of March, 2011. That rumor sprang from comments made by a Mossy Nissan general manager, and luckily for electric vehicle lovers in the States, seem to be wholly untrue. Mark Perry, Nissan's director of product planning says that the statement from Mossy Nissan was "purely speculative," and that product allocation is decided based on customer orders. Furthermore, he says the company is still targeting around 25,000 units for the US by the end of 2011. So now we can all sleep better: the nightmare has seemingly ended.
Nissan rep confirms delivery of 25,000 Leaf EVs to US by the end of 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Autoblog Green  |  sourceNissan Leaf blog  | Email this | Comments
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New AWS-equipped HTC in FCC -- is it the T-Mobile G2, the Glacier, or something else?
So we've collected enough circumstantial evidence recently to safely say that T-Mobile's getting at least two potentially ultra-awesome Android phones in the next few months: the G2 (aka Vision, aka Desire Z), and the multi-core Glacier. We don't know which, but we're thinking that one of those bad boys has just garnered FCC approval thanks to a filing today for a model code PC10100 that features support for AWS 3G -- the frequency pair T-Mobile USA uses -- along with 802.11n WiFi. Notably, the filing also points out that HSPA+ is in the cards, which is a feature T-Mobile has been quick to trumpet in its G2 advertising thus far. Given that the G2 seems closer to retail than the Glacier, we'll go ahead and surmise this is almost certainly the G2 here -- but then again, crazier things have happened.
Permalink   |  sourceFCC  | Email this | Comments
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KeyCase iPad Folio packs a Bluetooth keyboard, scores FCC approval
23diggsdigg
It's not the laptop-style ClamCase iPad case that we saw renders of way back in May, but this so-called KeyCase iPad Folio does manage to do a similar trick, and it's thankfully very much real -- it's just landed FCC approval and is already listed at one online retailer (though it's out of stock). The big selling point here, of course, is a Bluetooth keyboard that fits in the case and props up your iPad while in use, which can also be removed whenever you're looking to lighten the load a little. Unfortunately, there's still no official word on a widespread release for the case, but UK retailer GearZap has it listed at £60, or just over $90.
KeyCase iPad Folio packs a Bluetooth keyboard, scores FCC approval originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceGearZap, FCC  | Email this | Comments
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Acer 'ZGA' Chrome OS netbook starts popping up in Google bug reports
Some more interesting stuff on the Chrome OS hardware front has started to pop up courtesy of Google's own Chromium OS bug reports. Multiple references have been made to a mysterious Acer ZGA machine, which we have on good authority is also referred to generically as Google's "dogfood device" in bug reports -- dogfood referring to the practice of using your own products before you unleash them on the world. Even more interesting, someone actually managed to post a syslog of the machine, which is running an Atom N455 processor, has a 8GB SanDisk pSSD-S2 drive, sports a webcam, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, an ambient light sensor (for screen dimming, or possibly a backlit keyboard), and a Synaptics touchpad. Synaptics makes all sorts of touchpads, but is best known for its higher-end innovations, such as the MacBook-style clickpads found in the HP Envy series. Of course, all of these specs could change, or this machine could be merely in as a test bed for Chrome OS, and not planned for market -- like Microsoft is using its ASUS prototype with Windows Phone 7 -- but a July 26th mention of a "PVT run" (Product Verification Test) could point to this machine being almost ready for actual production.

[Thanks, Mark P]
Acer 'ZGA' Chrome OS netbook starts popping up in Google bug reports originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcemacles  | Email this | Comments
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Exclusive: HTC's Windows Phone 7-equipped T8788 breaks cover for AT&T
22diggsdigg In case you needed any more evidence that AT&T is going all-in with Windows Phone 7, take a gander at this little beast, a phone known only as the HTC T8788 at this point (rest assured, you'll get a snappy, memorable, trademarkable name by the time it's on shelves). Though it's a landscape slider, it doesn't slide to reveal what you'd normally expect -- a keyboard, that is. Instead, you get a speaker, an unusual (though not unprecedented) concept that should make this a decent media device... and the kickstand around back should help with that, too. We'd argue that this is the prettiest WinPho 7-powered device we've seen so far -- not surprising, considering HTC's reputation -- though we're sure plenty of folks would prefer the QWERTY. Check another shot in the gallery below!
Gallery: Exclusive: HTC's Windows Phone 7-equipped T8788 breaks cover for AT&T
Exclusive: HTC's Windows Phone 7-equipped T8788 breaks cover for AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Homemade Fallout 3 plasma rifle makes our post-apocalyptic future seem less bleak
33diggsdiggThe A3-21 Plasma Rifle is quite the little devastator in Fallout 3 and it doesn't look half bad in the so-called real world either. Lovingly pieced together by one Ryan Palser, this homebrewed replica (the lower of the two in the image above) took five months to complete and involved the enrollment of his wife's painting skills for the weathering job. The final result is enough to convince us that Fallout would be well served by a movie adaptation, if only so we can see more of these retro-futuristic rifles get their shot at corporeality. You can scope out one more image showing off the lights inside the rifle after the break, but only if you promise to hit up Ryan's Flickr account for the full set.Continue reading Homemade Fallout 3 plasma rifle makes our post-apocalyptic future seem less bleak
Homemade Fallout 3 plasma rifle makes our post-apocalyptic future seem less bleak originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceRyan Palser (Flickr)  | Email this | Comments
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Researchers use sensors to find the perfect surfboard, Gidget still looking for that perfect bikini (video)
Researchers use sensors to find the perfect surfboard, Gidget still looking for that perfect bikini (video)
Surfing and science are something of an odd mix, but we've seen time and time again that the two subjects to together like, well, salt and water. The latest high-tech stick to hit that briney mix comes from a team at UC San Diego, who outfitted a board with eight sensors on the bottom that measure the speed of the water as it rushes beneath. All are controlled by a waterpoofed computer embedded in the nose, which transmits data wirelessly to an Eee PC left sadly on the beach while its partner splashes around in the waves. The goal is to attempt to determine what level of flex is optimal and, once determined, to create the ultimate board and rule the world... the surfing world, at least.Continue reading Researchers use sensors to find the perfect surfboard, Gidget still looking for that perfect bikini (video)
Permalink Switched  |  sourceJacobs School of Engineering  | Email this | Comments
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Iomega pushes ahead with USB 3.0 transition, promises to keep drives at USB 2.0 prices
Iomega's already begun its transition to SuperSpeed USB 3.0 hard drives, but it's making a bit more news on that front today -- it's announced that it plans to keep all its USB 3.0 hard drives at USB 2.0 prices. As expected, that transition begins with its eGo line of portable hard drives, which are officially set to be available this October in 500GB and 1TB capacities, each of which will include Iomega's Drop Guard Xtreme to guard against drops of up to seven feet. Those will be followed by Iomega's Prestige line of portable hard drives, which will begin their transition to USB 3.0 sometime in the first quarter of 2011. We should note, however, that plenty of retailers are already selling USB 3.0 eGo drives now, but it seems that it'll take until early October for the full line to make the jump and receive the aforementioned price-match. Head on past the break for the complete press release.Continue reading Iomega pushes ahead with USB 3.0 transition, promises to keep drives at USB 2.0 prices
Permalink   |  sourceIomega  | Email this | Comments
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Raytheon's 'pain ray' to be installed in LA County jail, Charlie Sheen contemplating move to Portland
Raytheon's been cranking on its 10,000 pound Silent Guardian for years now, and we always try to keep abreast of its... progress. The device, popularly known as a 'pain gun,' is a non-lethal weapon designed to deliver an overwhelming heat to say, members of a mob scene or rioters at a prison, causing an immediate flight response. The Air Force, which helped test the device, has assured the world of its safety, and recently the devices went on sale. So what's next for the Silent Guardian? Installation at the LA County jail in Castaic, where a large scale riot recently broke out, injuring more than 20 people and lasting well over an hour. Now, we're in no position to form an opinion about whether the pain ray is going to help situations like these or not, but we're pretty sure of one thing: it'll likely have little to no effect the next time Britney Spears is brought in.
Permalink   |  sourceDaily News  | Email this | Comments
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Neato XV-11 robotic vacuum review
We've been waiting since December to get our hands on the Neato XV-11 robot vacuum. In preparation we steadfastedly refused to sweep up a single flake of dust, going on something of a cleaning strike until the thing finally hit retail. Of course, that wait was supposed to be a mere three month affair, and we've certainly gone that long without vacuuming before. The further six months of delays, however, left us questioning our resolve as Engadget HQ became less and less livable. Finally we've been able to unleash this smartypants vac onto our filthy floors, and all we can say is that it was well worth the wait.
Gallery: Neato XV-11 robotic vacuum
Continue reading Neato XV-11 robotic vacuum review
Neato XV-11 robotic vacuum review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung leaving the e-paper business, citing cost issues
Samsung Electronics announced Monday that its halting production of e-paper due to cost issues. While Samsung has yet to out an actual device boasting e-paper, but did show off a prototype late last year which boasted a color display. The official word from Samsung itself is that it will not actually exit the e-reader market, rather that it will produce a device with an LCD, with plans to launch said reader next year. We wait expectantly.
Samsung leaving the e-paper business, citing cost issues originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceYonhap News Agency  | Email this | Comments
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Samsung Galaxy Tab gets official teaser video
42diggsdigg Whoa, now we're talking. It's short, sweet, and dramatic, yet the official Samsung Galaxy Tab teaser video still manages to reveal a number of features previously only rumored. We've got Android 2.2 running on a 7-inch display, video calling, Swype, HD movie playback, "Flash support," GPS navigation, an e-reader, and plenty more. Now get ready to be teased mercilessly by the video embedded after the break -- it's as close as you'll get before the official reveal in Berlin (at IFA) on September 2nd. Yeah, we'll be there.

Update: here's a few other things we've noticed from the trailer. In addition to the aforementioned details, the floating text also references augmented reality and video calling (perhaps indicating a front-facing camera as well). Speaking of cameras, you'll notice in one shot what appears to be a LED flash bulb next to the camera. Must we really wait another 9 or so days?
Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Tab trailer: frame-by-frame
Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab gets official teaser video
Samsung Galaxy Tab gets official teaser video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dell Aero available today for $100 with AT&T contract
We'd actually kind of assumed this thing had been deep-sixed as faster, better phones have passed it by all summer long, but nay: Dell's Aero is finally in the land of the living. You can score the 3.5-inch 640 x 360 Android phone today with two-year AT&T contract for $99.99, though only through Dell's interwebs -- it's still "coming soon" to AT&T's site. Features include 2GB of onboard storage with microSD expansion, triband 3.6Mbps HSDPA and quadband EDGE, a 5 megapixel cam, and a 3.67-ounce claimed weight that makes it "one of the lightest" Android devices money can buy. Follow the break for the full press release.

Update: After checking with Dell, we've learned that the Aero is indeed still running Android 1.5, though the company is quick to note that it's actually a "superset" with a "tremendous amount of customization" with features like handwriting recognition and Facebook baked into the platform. We'd argue Dell still has a bit to learn from HTC on how to iterate its customizations as quickly as Google can pump out Android versions -- but maybe they'll figure it out by the time the Thunder comes out.Continue reading Dell Aero available today for $100 with AT&T contract
Dell Aero available today for $100 with AT&T contract originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceDell  | Email this | Comments
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Samsung Galaxy S sporting Gorilla Glass to protect that precious AMOLED
Remember this horribly painful video? The Gorilla Glass protection on the Dell Streak is undoubtedly a selling point, and now Corning, the maker of said glass, has announced that the Samsung Galaxy S (which includes the Vibrant, Captivate, Fascinate, and Epic 4G in its brood) employs the same alkali-aluminosilicate glass shield. The glass is similar to the "helicopter windshield" stuff Apple uses on the iPhone 4, which was rumored to be Gorilla Glass at one point, and while neither tech is impervious to shattering, they certainly can take a beating -- but just try and do that pen stab torture test while we're not looking, alright? We don't have the stomach to witness another beautiful Android handset so roughly handled. PR is after the break.Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S sporting Gorilla Glass to protect that precious AMOLED
Samsung Galaxy S sporting Gorilla Glass to protect that precious AMOLED originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Prius gets optional underhood, zombie-deterring noisemaker, sounds appropriately futuristic (video)
Prius gets optional underhood, zombie-deterring noisemaker, sounds appropriately futuristic (video)
Electric vehicles and hybrids are here to save the environment (or at least kill your fuel bill), but if you listen to some people they're also here to mow down our pedestrians thanks to their ninja-like ways. Nissan's Leaf has already gone the way of sci-fi by offering a Blade Runner-inspired exterior soundtrack to make sidewalk replicants take notice, and now the Prius is joining in on the fun with its own under-hood speaker system. Curiously, this one will be optional, Toyota apparently expecting that purchasers are so philanthropically minded that they'll pay an extra 12,600 yen (about $150) to protect poor pedestrians. You can see how it's supposed to work in the image above, in which a Prius is shown emitting sound waves to deter a toupee-wearing zombie. But, if you'd rather watch a flashy presentation and hear it for yourself, check out the thrilling video after the break. It'll make you wish your auto sounded like a hovercar.Continue reading Prius gets optional underhood, zombie-deterring noisemaker, sounds appropriately futuristic (video)
Permalink PhysOrg  |  sourceToyota  | Email this | Comments
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LG C900 due to bring Windows Phone 7 to market near September 28th, according to Bluetooth SIG
The Bluetooth SIG has a long history of promoting its members' "special interests" by leaking valuable tidbits about their handsets before they're announced. The recently unearthed LG C900 is the latest of these, being pegged for a launch date "around" September 28th by the SIG's detail page on the phone. The QWERTY slider, which is referred to in C900N, C900k, and C900B versions, will be available in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Phone Arena conjectures that the launch date lines up with AT&T's marketing materials timing and the slated Q4 launch of Windows Phone 7, so the C900 probably has a decent chance of being the first Windows Phone 7 phones to market if LG's own GW910 or some more secretive set doesn't beat it to the punch. Still, September is a bit earlier than any of the launch windows Microsoft has managed to let slip, and as far as we know Microsoft won't even be accepting apps in the Marketplace before October.
Permalink Phone Arena  |  sourceBluetooth SIG  | Email this | Comments
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Lung-inspired hydrogen fuel cell skimps on platinum, sees efficiency boost
For as spectacular as hydrogen fuel cells are on paper, they haven't been able to replace combustion engines in vehicles. Or much of anything else, really. But thanks to Signe Kjelstrup at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in Oslo, the tried-and-true fuel cell is getting a serious boost. Kjelstrup's crew determined that by using less platinum in a cell, a substantial increase in efficiency and a significant decrease in cost could be achieved. The new design relies on an architecture that's "modeled on the bronchial structure of the lungs to supply hydrogen and oxygen gas to their respective electrodes," which is said to help "spread the gases more uniformly across the catalyst than current channel designs and provides a greater surface area so less platinum is needed." It's still early on in the discovery process, though, and there's certainly no solid word on when this will reach a point where widespread implementation is feasible. Seventh-generation Prius, perhaps?
Lung-inspired hydrogen fuel cell skimps on platinum, sees efficiency boost originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceNew Scientist  | Email this | Comments
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Dell Streak procures a hacked-up mini USB adapter, gets friendly with your dusty cables
Even if you can look beyond the SIM lock and the aging Android 1.6 OS on the Dell Streak, there's still one irksome problem: the lack of a mini or micro-USB port (Dell clearly missed the USB party last summer). Dissatisfied with this state of affairs, John from Linux Slate decided to build an adapter for his tabletphone's dock connector, which he confirmed to be PDMI instead of a proprietary design. The procedure was simple: John cut up his Streak's cable plug, soldered a mini USB socket onto the board, and housed the new assembly within the Streak's cable clip. Voilà! Until third-party USB-to-PDMI cables start to show up in the stores, it's either this mod or cough up $20 for a spare cable from Dell. See the adapter in action after the break.Continue reading Dell Streak procures a hacked-up mini USB adapter, gets friendly with your dusty cables
Permalink Streak Smart  |  sourceLinux Slate  | Email this | Comments
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Panasonic launches six new BDXL-compatible DVRs, the media you'll need to feed them
anasonic launches six new BDXL-compatible DVRs, the expensive media you'll need to feed them
The BDXL format offers 100GB on a single-sided disc, and while that sounds great for archiving content, we're a little leery about Hollywood adopting it to stuff even more deleted scenes on our discs. Why? Because no current Blu-ray players can read the things, and we can't say we're keen to buy another. We're getting a little closer to that kind of support with Panasonic's new Diga-series recorders. There are six in total, all shipping on September 15 and each offering dual tuners used to stuff HDDs ranging from 500GB up to 2TB. From there, content can be dumped onto BDXL discs, so Panny is also announcing availability of its first 100GB, single-sided, write-once media. Naturally BDXLs can also be played back on the things and, in all but the smallest two models, can even be played in 3D. We're still warming up to 3D, Panasonic, don't push too much change too fast.
Permalink Akihabara News  |  sourcePanasonic (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments
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