Saturday, September 11, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 11/09/2010

BusinessWeek profiles Foxconn founder (and veritable pitbull) Terry Gou
As you might imagine, becoming the dominant player in electronics component manufacturing in China -- particularly at a time when competition has never been fiercer -- takes a particular personality type, and after reading BusinessWeek's profile of Foxconn founder Terry Gou, you get a very real sense that the dude meets the criteria. His reaction to this year's factory suicide controversy is a bit unusual; he basically comes out and says that he didn't worry about the first few before realizing that he needed to make some changes somewhere around the fifth death, but given that he says he's been living in his office for a while now and eating three meals at his desk trying to make things right, it sounds like he's finally on top of it. The story of Foxconn's stratospheric rise is an interesting one, starting with its early coup making components for the Atari 2600 leading through to its purchase of 1,000 Fanuc milling robots generally reserved for prototyping -- valued at $20,000 apiece -- that it needed to buy to secure Apple's iPhone 4 contract. Gou envisions a fully-automated (and presumably almost employee-free) component factory inside of five years, has qualms about expanding his manufacturing presence in America ("I don't want to spend time having people sue me every day"), and pays executive bonuses out of his own dividends to protect the company's bottom line... so yeah, he's quite the industrialist. Follow the link for the fascinating full profile.
BusinessWeek profiles Foxconn founder (and veritable pitbull) Terry Gou originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Lenovo Power Hub stuffs four powered USB ports into your laptop charger
There's really no better way to say it: the item you're peering at above is genius. Lenovo's Power Hub is a sight for sore eyes, and a product innovation we've needed for decades. Put simply, this ThinkPad charger (compatible with 90W and 65W machines) has a breakout USB cable that plugs into a single USB socket on your machine; from there, you can plug four USB devices directly into the power brick. At long last, laptop users can charge / sync their phone, their iPod and their MiFi all at once -- and yeah, that last port is most definitely reserved for your treasured Hello Kitty warming blanket. There's no word on if (or when) Lenovo will start bundling these chargers with their machines, but at least this thing is more than a concept -- it's available to order right now from the source link at $74.99. So much for counting that ultraportable out due to having "only" one or two USB ports, eh?
Gallery: Lenovo Power Hub
Lenovo Power Hub stuffs four powered USB ports into your laptop charger originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLenovo Blog, Lenovo (purchase link)  | Email this | Comments
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FaceTime headed for Mac OS X and Windows next?
It seems more than a little odd to us that Apple hasn't bothered to make FaceTime compatible with its own longstanding desktop video chat service, iChat, but we've at least supposed that it's an inevitability with whatever upcoming Mac OS X update or software bundle that Apple deems appropriate. Now Mac4Ever, who was spot on with a pile of rumors last year, but hasn't succeeded with its recent prediction of an iLife '11 launch in August, is saying that Apple is prepping FaceTime both for Mac and PC. We don't know if that means building a whole copy of iChat for Windows, or just making FaceTime compatible with some existing PC video chat service, but it would certainly improve the odds of us ever finding a legitimate use for FaceTime.
FaceTime headed for Mac OS X and Windows next? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Mac Rumors  |  sourceMac4Ever  | Email this | Comments
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Archos 32 'internet tablet' now shipping for $150, redefining the bounds of 'tablet'
We're still struggling to understand how exactly a device with a 3.2-inch display is considered a "tablet," but at any rate, the Archos 32 is now available for those who'd like to pretend their shiny new PMP is -- in fact -- a tablet. Shortly after we sat down with this here handheld, Archos has managed to get 'em rolling off of the production line, and since you're curious, we'll have you know that $149.99 buys a 0.39-inch thick device with a 3.2-inch touchpanel (400 x 240), Android 2.2, 800MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, an internal microphone, G-sensor and playback support for nearly every file format under the sun. The battery's good for up to 24 hours when cruising through tunes, but that dwindles to 6 once you fire up those bootleg copies of Family Guy. Still, not bad for a tablet. Right?

[Thanks, Brett]
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Logitech Z506 review
Audiophiles are quick to name the umpteen flavors of Dolby, but when you go back to basics, there are just three types of surround sound today -- each easily identified by their plug. Virtual surround uses just a single stereo jack, emulating multiple channels from two, while digital surround travels across optical or coaxial S/PDIF cables (or HDMI) and has to be decoded. Finally, there's analog surround sound -- the cheapest solution of all -- where you basically just plug a pair of dumb speakers into each of front, rear and center 3.5mm sockets on your existing PC sound card. Unsurprisingly, the $100 Logitech Z506 speakers use this last technique to deliver their true 5.1 sound, but that's no reason to count them out. The question is, do they deliver enough bang, boom and tweet for the buck? Read on to find out.
Gallery: Logitech Z506 surround sound speakers unboxing and hands-on
Continue reading Logitech Z506 review
Logitech Z506 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google: Android 2.2 'not designed' for the tablet form factor
Hello, obvious! Anyone who has actually used an Android-based tablet for any length of time would probably tell you that the experience is far from optimal. It works, sure, but it doesn't take a CSC major to understand that Google's existing builds of Android were crafted for smartphones and nothing more. Thankfully for those who are tired of arguing the point, Hugo Barra, director of products for mobile at Google, is stepping up to the plate and giving you some backing. Quoted over at Tech Radar, Hugo noted that "Android is an open platform, and we saw at IFA 2010 all sorts of devices running Android, so it's already running on tablets; but the way Android Market works is it's not going to be available on devices that don't allow applications to run correctly." He followed up by proclaiming that "Froyo is not optimized for use on tablets," and while he wouldn't go so far as to affirm that Gingerbread would be built for use on the aforementioned form factor, he did say that the company's working "to ensure our users have [the] right experience." How's that strike you, Galaxy Tab?
Google: Android 2.2 'not designed' for the tablet form factor originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Enso shutting down retail sales, finally refunding zenPad orders
Enso shutting down retail sales, finally refunding zenPad ordersWe didn't want to get sucked into this whole Enso debacle, but our first post on the company and it's too good to be true zenPad resulted in a flurry of warnings about unsatisfied customers and never-appearing shipments. After numerous delays we finally got one to try out -- and a sad, sorry review unit it was. Now, nearly six months on from that original post, the company is finally, finally processing refunds for those who ordered their zenPads back in March but were left with nary a gadget in sight. With all that behind it, Enso is shifting its efforts exclusively to B2B sales, meaning that you can still buy any of its various and KIRFy wares but the minimum order is 25 units. C'mon now, who wants to be the proud owner of two-dozen zenDroids?

[Thanks, @PitchingAFit]
Enso shutting down retail sales, finally refunding zenPad orders originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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T-Mobile G2 retails for $199 on October 6th at Best Buy
Outside of confirming the phone's existence and predicting pre-orders this month, T-Mobile hasn't put out its own official price tag and launch date for the G2 yet, but that's apparently not stopping Best Buy from publishing its own version of upcoming events. Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile are accepting pre-orders for the phone as of today, and will launch the device in stores on October 6th for $199 with a two year contract. That doesn't rule out a higher price or some rebate shenanigans from T-Mobile's own retailing efforts (though $199 is the rumored official pricetag), but it's comforting to know that this phone, the great gray / white / black hope for QWERTY sliders running stock Android, will retail for the industry standard $199 at least somewhere.Continue reading T-Mobile G2 retails for $199 on October 6th at Best Buy
T-Mobile G2 retails for $199 on October 6th at Best Buy originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Philips claims first AC-powered OLED module, points the way to cheaper, more reliable bulbs
Sure, you've fawned over razor-thin OLED TVs and vibrant AMOLED screens, but as Philips keeps reminding us, the organic diodes are good for more than displays -- they also make a fancy light bulb, too. This week, the company's took the wraps off the latest advance in that direction: an bright-white OLED module that takes alternating current. Philips says that up until now, OLED technology required low-power DC voltage, which necessitated costly switching mechanisms built into such products in turn, but now they've got panels that sip fresh-squeezed AC juice directly from the wall. Now, it's just a question of when they'll be bright and cheap enough to be remotely worth your while. PR after the break.Continue reading Philips claims first AC-powered OLED module, points the way to cheaper, more reliable bulbs
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Nokia celebrates its users' inventiveness in latest N8 ad (video)
There might be a tiny bit of upheaval up at the peaks of Nokia management today, but that doesn't mean we all need to stand around looking serious and forecasting who'll leverage what synergies in order to actuate the requisite paradigmatic shift in the company's device portfolio. No, we're much more inclined to go check out a new ad video that show off the mods and hacks Nokia users have put together with their handsets. It's quite the breathless run-through, this ad, but if you're careful you'll spot a few of your old favorites used in quirky new ways. March past the break for a gander.Continue reading Nokia celebrates its users' inventiveness in latest N8 ad (video)
Nokia celebrates its users' inventiveness in latest N8 ad (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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QNAP pops Intel's 1.8GHz Atom D525 into refreshed Turbo NAS family
Can't have your NAS being held back by a wimpy processor, eh? QNAP, a long-standing name in the networked storage biz, just announced a revision in its Turbo NAS lineup, placing Intel's hot-off-the-fab-line Atom D525 into four Turbo NAS products. The 2-drive TS-259 Pro+, 4-drive TS-459 Pro+, 5-drive TS-559 Pro+ and 6-drive TS-659 Pro+ are all seeing the aforesaid 1.8GHz chip fall into place, enabling transfer speeds as high as 116MB/sec while maintaining low power consumption. Outside of that, it looks as if these guys are the same as they ever were, boasting compatibility with 2.5- and 3.5-inch hard drives, v3.3 of the QNAP NAS management software and support for more RAID variations than you can shake a decently sized stick at. Pricing is all hush-hush at the moment, but we're sure someone would talk dollars if you dial up the right dealer.
QNAP pops Intel's 1.8GHz Atom D525 into refreshed Turbo NAS family originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Intel to show off Sandy Bridge at IDF next week, AMD counters with Zacate demo nearby
0diggsdigg Now this is what you call a juicy standoff. Intel has announced that Paul Otellini will grace the stage at IDF next week with a demo of his company's next-gen CPU/GPU chip, codenamed Sandy Bridge, and not to be outdone, AMD has immediately retorted with plans to put its own Zacate competitor up on display -- at the same time, in the same city, but at a slightly different location. Both Zacate and Sandy Bridge meld general-purpose and graphical processing duties into one slice of silicon, consolidating the traditionally discrete CPU and GPU into a power-efficient do-it-all chip. You'll find details of where AMD's impromptu demo will be taking place after the break, whereas the Intel Developer Forum will probably be discoverable by the masses of bespectacled engineers trudging in its general direction. Boy, San Fran's gonna be one happening place next week!Continue reading Intel to show off Sandy Bridge at IDF next week, AMD counters with Zacate demo nearby
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Panasonic finally adds Netflix streaming to VIERA Cast equipped 2010 HDTVs & Blu-ray players
To the last person on Earth (that reads this site) who can't already stream Netflix to their home theater in at least four different ways: if you have a 2010 Panasonic HDTV or Blu-ray player your sometime is now, as the video streaming widget originally promised way back during CES should have recently shown up in a software update. You'll find it in the VIERA Cast menu next to existing tools like Amazon VOD, Skype and Pandora (pictured above) unless of course you're sporting one of last year's models, which are sadly and inexplicably left wanting. If there's any confusion, peep the press release after the break to make sure your specific model made the cut, we'll be double checking for a 5.1 audio option on any of our Watch Instantly movies, again.

[Thanks, Justin]Continue reading Panasonic finally adds Netflix streaming to VIERA Cast equipped 2010 HDTVs & Blu-ray players
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Pink DualShock 3 arriving September 21, who's manly enough to buy one?
Should the classy white, or the patriotic red and blue PlayStation controllers not take your fancy, Sony's rolling out another hue just for you, discerning consumer: pink! The Japanese maker of everything with an electronic pulse has a bit of a tradition with this color and it's not like the great PS3 hasn't been licked by a few strokes of red lite before. Pricing is your typical $54.99 for this wireless console commander and GameStop should have them in within a couple of weeks.
Pink DualShock 3 arriving September 21, who's manly enough to buy one? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceGameStop  | Email this | Comments
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Pentax K-5 DSLR leaks out, leaves us guessing at the specs
Quite appropriately for a camera, all we have in this here leak is the one image above. It shows a purported K-5 DSLR from Pentax, whose body looks almost a carbon copy of the well loved, but now aging, K-7. The biggest (only?) difference we've been able to spot between the two is in the jog dial on its top left shoulder, which now looks quite a bit taller. Also making the transition from the K-7 is the 18-55mm Weather Resistant lens, which should make the K-5 another well fortified shooter from Pentax. Now if we could only know what's inside the shell as well, we'd be as happy as our jaded souls can be.
Pentax K-5 DSLR leaks out, leaves us guessing at the specs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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iLoveHandles turns nano iPods into oversized watches
0diggsdigg What happens when Apple introduces a square-shaped new iPod and adorns it with an analog watch face for a lock screen? A whole new cottage industry sprouts up, whereby entrepreneurial types dust off old and mostly worthless watch straps, cut out an iPod nano-shaped compartment in them, and charge you $19.99 for the privilege of turning your tiny PMP into a somewhat bulky wristwatch. The saddest part about this is that we've got a feeling they might be on to a winner here.
iLoveHandles turns nano iPods into oversized watches originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 05:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Kno receives new funding for its humongous dual-screened tablet, still hoping to ship this year
Kno receives new funding for its humongous dual-screened tablet, still hoping to ship this year
If you need a tablet with presence you need the Kno. Its dual capacitive 14-inch IPS displays, each clocking in at 1,440 x 990, make this thing closer to a Surface than a Courier and surely present some unique challenges when it comes to pricing. Kno, the company, plans to sell it by the end of the year for an MSRP of under $1,000, and a new $46 million injection in financing should go a long way toward making that happen. Kno's primary market is education, offering partnerships with various textbook publishers and functionality that's focused more on research and less on quelling the rage of disgruntled birds. But, will the college kids want to make room in their organic hemp messenger bags for this monster? And, will their parents pay a grand for the thing?Continue reading Kno receives new funding for its humongous dual-screened tablet, still hoping to ship this year
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ViewSonic MB-P702, the color e-reader and HD video player you didn't yet realize you needed
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and the same usually goes for tablets. But in the Great Venn Diagram of slate form factors, the ViewSonic MB-P702 seems to hover around the intersection of tablets and e-readers. It's got a 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution touchscreen LCD display and functions as both an e-reader and a movie player -- but not, as far as we can tell, an internet-based experience. Looking to the former function, the MB-P702 reads PDF, TXT, EPUB and others with handwritten notation capabilities. For video, we're looking at MKV, AVI, WMV, MPG, MP4, and RMVB, with 1080p support and HDMI out. Unfortunately, all we've got is rough machine translation and some renders of the product. A sea of 7-inch slates on the horizon -- ViewSonic's own ViewPad 7 included. With any luck, it's an "optimized experience" (and a competitive price point, knowing the company's MO) that'd keep it in check.
Permalink SlashGear, MP4 Nation Blog  |  sourceimp3  | Email this | Comments
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Keepin' it real fake: the affordable, off-contract Nokia Booklet 3G you've been waiting for, maybe
It may not be the most timely KIRF we've seen, but it looks like folks that were taken with the Nokia Booklet 3G's design but not its high, on-contract price will soon have the device they've been waiting for -- sort of. While its 3G-ness is still in question, this as yet unnamed netbook does pack a 10.1-inch, 1,024 x 600 display, along with an Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a non-removable battery, and "maybe" an HDMI output. Still no word on an exact price or release date, but M.I.C Gadget expects it to be "at most" 2,000 yuan, or just under $300.

[Thanks, Chris]
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Nokia's OPK is out, Microsoft exec in as President and CEO (updated)
The rumors were true. Nokia just announced a change in leadership: Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo is out, Stephen Elop, the current head of Microsoft's Business Division, is in. That's right, the very Finnish Nokia will now be led by a Canadian. Before Microsoft, Elop, a computer engineer by education, held senior executive positions at Juniper Networks, Adobe Systems, and Macromedia. The embattled OPK will vacate his position as President and CEO on September 20th and will continue to chair the Board at Nokia Siemens Networks. Money quote:
"His (Elop's) strong software background and proven record in change management will be valuable assets as we press harder to complete the transformation of the company."
Naturally, OPK leaves with a severance package honoring his 30 years of service. That translates to 18 months gross base salary and target incentive totalling about €4.6 million plus 100,000 restricted Nokia shares that will vest on October 1, 2010. Once again, proof that it's good to be king.

Update: Click through if you'd like to gaze into the hopeful eyes of Nokia's new CEO.

Update 2: Nokia just introduced Stephen Elop to the world in a live press conference (available now for replay) from Espoo. Jorma Ollila, Nokia's Chairman and former CEO, confirmed that the CEO search had been ongong since late May and OPK, for his part, has been very professional and "very gallant" throughout the process. Jorma then praised Stephen for his "very strong cultural sensitivity," a question that's very near and dear to Fins concerned about a North American taking control of their beloved Nokia. Elop will be moving to Helsinki in the very near future and his first order of business will be to "listen." Elop said that Nokia is well aware of the challenges it faces as well as the solutions to those challenges. It's his job, then, to surface those solutions and to execute on them going forward. Understandably, Stephen refused to talk about specific next steps. Stephen did say that the North American smartphone market is absolutely critical to Nokia and will be an emphasis under his leadership (as it had under OPK, unfortunately, with poor results). Hopefully, Elop's contacts in the US can help.

One final tidbit of interest. When Stephen sat down with Ballmer to express his intention to leave Microsoft for Nokia, Ballmer was said to be disappointed but supportive due to his respect for Nokia as a company. He even helped with the transition. Don't you hate it when your stereotypes are debunked?Continue reading Nokia's OPK is out, Microsoft exec in as President and CEO (updated)
Nokia's OPK is out, Microsoft exec in as President and CEO (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Android Notifier sends notifications to your desktop
If you've ever used Android for any period of time, you know that the notification system can be both a blessing and a curse -- it's one of the most powerful, useful, and flexible approaches out there, but if you don't keep up, your menu bar can stack up into a mess of cryptic numbered icons. So we were really hoping Android Notifier could help us with that -- it pipes notifications to your OS X desktop over WiFi or Bluetooth. (Linux support is coming soon, and the project is looking for a Windows volunteer.) While it works as described -- we had it up and running with Growl on our iMac in just a few moments -- it's also unfortunately a little limited: only phone, SMS, MMS, and voicemail notifications are sent, and clearing them on the computer doesn't clear them on the phone, which sort of misses the point. We can't knock it too hard, since it's free, it works, and we're sure the developers will extend it soon enough, but until then our quest for the perfect continuous client... continues.
Android Notifier sends notifications to your desktop originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ask Engadget: Best e-reader for school use / PDF viewing?
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 Noah, who needs a bit of assistance in making the transition from textbook to e-book. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"I have a class that has gone paperless. All of our readings are posted online as PDF scans of books. I have become quite annoyed with having to read these on my computer. So I have thought about purchasing an e-reader. The best choice seems to be a Kindle, but would you recommend a Sony, Nook, or something else instead? My primary interest is great PDF support / viewing. Thanks."
We know, you're "too busy" with "classes" to really answer here, but everyone deserves a study break or three. Take a breather and help your fellow student out -- it's just the right thing to do.
Ask Engadget: Best e-reader for school use / PDF viewing? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple backpedaling on some iOS development restrictions, will allow third party tools and ad services
Woah, who saw this coming? Apple has changed its super-controversial stance on third party developer tools for iOS apps, now allowing any and all comers, "as long as the resulting apps do not download any code." We're guessing this is mostly a nod to game developers, who use ported engines like Unreal and interpreters like Lua, but it also apparently covers apps developed in Adobe Flash CS5. In addition, the rules on mobile advertising have changed, so AdMob ads are seemingly back in, and Apple's also publishing its App Store Review Guidelines at long last, which will give developers a better idea of how their apps are going to be scrutinized by Apple before they submit them. We're sure we'll be hearing plenty in the coming weeks as developers and arm chair analysts rifle through Apple's so-far-secretive guidelines, but mostly we're just excited to see what sort of innovation and development accessibility we've been missing out on while these third party tools have been off the market. The full (and brief) release can be found after the break.

Update: Google's responded to the newly-relaxed restrictions, saying "Apple's new terms will keep in-app advertising on the iPhone open to many different mobile ad competitors and enable advertising solutions that operate across a wide range of platforms."

Update 2: Our friend John Paczkowski at All Things Digital has Adobe's statement: "We are encouraged to see Apple lifting its restrictions on its licensing terms, giving developers the freedom to choose what tools they use to develop applications for Apple devices."

Update 3: In case the last update didn't give it away enough, Adobe announced in a blog post that it'll resume development on its Packager for iPhone tools, for Flash CS5 devs who want to convert their work to the portable powerhouse.

Meanwhile, it seems like it's time for a little recap: Continue reading Apple backpedaling on some iOS development restrictions, will allow third party tools and ad services
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Australian researchers trap tiny particles in tiny tractor beam
Lasers. Is there anything they can't do? The latest addition to the 50-year-old technology's bag of tricks comes courtesy of a team of researchers from the Australian National University, who've managed to create a laser beam that effectively functions as a tiny tractor beam. The key, it seems, is that the laser beam is hollow, which allows tiny particles to be trapped in what the researchers describe as a "dark core," which in turn causes the particles to be pushed along the beam by an effect known as the "photophoretic force." As you might expect, that only works on very tiny particles, but the researchers are able to move them as far as one and a half meters, and they say that the technology could have a number of practical applications, including directing and clustering nano-particles in the air, and even transporting dangerous substances and microbes -- in small amounts, of course.

[Thanks, Lester]
Australian researchers trap tiny particles in tiny tractor beam originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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LG does the IPS dance with IPS2062T, IPS226V, IPS236V and IPS231P monitors
It's becoming progressively easier to land LCD monitors with IPS panels (as opposed to the decidedly less stunning TN panels), but given that there's rarely ever enough competition to truly push prices as far south as we consumers would like, we're welcoming LG's latest with wide open arms. The outfit has just issued a new foursome -- the IPS2062T, IPS226V, IPS236V and IPS231P -- of LED-backlit displays, with sizes running 20-, 21.5-, 23- and 23-inches in order of mention. The larger three offer 1,920 x 1,080 resolutions with a six millisecond response time, and the whole lot offers a deceiving 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 250 nits of brightness and 178-degree viewing angles. You'll find plenty of glossy black to go around, but sadly you'll find plenty of questions when it comes to pricing and release dates.
LG does the IPS dance with IPS2062T, IPS226V, IPS236V and IPS231P monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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ASUS Windows Phone 7 proto shows up on video
Remember that mysterious Windows Phone 7-powered ASUS from early August? Turns out it showed up at Gnomedex this year, and there's video floating around to prove it. The phone stars in a nearly 12-minute epic detailing the various parts of the platform -- all of which we've seen before -- but obviously, our attention is focused squarely on this hardware that we haven't really seen before (and looks very different from the ASUS device that Microsoft was using to demo WP7 in the early days). It's hard to say if the talk of an AMOLED display is true -- or whether this is a retail or near-retail piece of hardware -- so we'd hold off on saving up for this one just yet. Since Garmin-Asus came into existence, ASUS' phone efforts have been squarely focused on the joint venture -- and seeing how this steady supply of prototype hardware proves that they'll be making commercial WP7 devices, it'll be interesting to see whether Garmin's involved. Follow the break for the full video.

[Thanks, Jack]Continue reading ASUS Windows Phone 7 proto shows up on video
ASUS Windows Phone 7 proto shows up on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMobileTechWorld, Lockergnome (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments
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Qualcomm's CEO confesses: tablets killed the smartbook star
We remember it like it was yesterday -- pressed against the edge of our seat, speakerphone on 11, listening to Qualcomm preach about how these so-called "smartbooks" were coming to take over the world. Can't fault 'em for trying. A little over a year after the (admittedly valiant) effort began, Qualcomm's CEO is effectively putting this whole nightmare behind him. According to Slashgear, Paul Jacobs admitted during an event this morning that "tablets such as the iPad had already occupied the niche his company expected smartbooks to." Essentially, the iPad delivered on the concept of an "always-on, all-day device" long before smartbooks ever had a chance at gaining traction, and judging by the fact that only a handful of these guys ever made it to market, we'd say that brutally honest assessment makes a lot of sense. We aren't necessarily better off for it, mind you, but it definitely seems that the resurgence of the tablet (and the proliferation of the longevous netbook) has extinguished any hope of smartbooks dominating the world. Hey, at least this guy's man enough to know when a journey's reached its end. Sayonara, smarties.
Qualcomm's CEO confesses: tablets killed the smartbook star originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSlashgear  | Email this | Comments
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Olympus E-5 leaks point to September 15th launch, familiar design
We've already heard a few rumors about Olympus's supposed E-3 successor, the E-5, and the folks at 4/3 Rumors have now turned up another pair of leaks ahead of the DSLR's expected launch later this month. That includes a teaser that seemingly confirms that the camera will be announced on September 15th (just a day off the earlier rumor), and what appears to be the first image of the camera itself -- or a tiny corner of it, anyway. Those both suggest that the camera will sport a strikingly similar design to the E-3 it's replacing (something backed up by 4/3 Rumors' "trusted sources"), and the camera's specs also seem to be in line with what we've heard before -- including a bump from ten to twelve megapixels, and new 720p/30fps recording mode.Continue reading Olympus E-5 leaks point to September 15th launch, familiar design
Olympus E-5 leaks point to September 15th launch, familiar design originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  source4/3 Rumors (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments
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HDR video accomplished using dual 5D Mark IIs, is exactly what it sounds like
Are you ready for a wave of HDR to crash over the consumer electronics industry, leaving nothing but oversaturated photos and full-to-the-brim Flickr groups in its wake? We've got a sneaky suspicion that Apple's inclusion of HDR in the iPhone is one of those telling warning signs that you ignore at your own risk, and now we've got HDR video to cower from behind our fast-aging current gen devices. As you might expect, HDR video looks just like HDR stills (an underexposed and an overexposed image combined into one), except in motion. The effect has been accomplished by Soviet Montage Productions, who used two Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLRs and a beam splitter, which allows each camera to look at the exact same subject, to accomplish the effect. They're short on details on the post-processing end, but we're sure there will be "an app for that" before too long. Sample is after the break.

[Thanks, Mike]Continue reading HDR video accomplished using dual 5D Mark IIs, is exactly what it sounds like
HDR video accomplished using dual 5D Mark IIs, is exactly what it sounds like originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSoviet Montage  | Email this | Comments
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Intel CEO reveals Google TV launch is this month, explains McAfee purchase
Today's Wall Street Journal has a few key words from Intel CEO Paul Otellini, with a few comparing his company's Google TV approach to the refreshed (and now Intel-free) Apple TV. The biggest revelation is a mention that Google TV will start shipping this month (more specific than Google's own fall prediction of a few days ago) with no word whether that includes products from Sony, Logitech or both. According to Otellini, Intel's success will mean using "the right chip for the right job," and that includes getting its hands dirty on the software side, where he claims his company is responsible for 50% of the code in Google TV. When asked about Apple's simplified approach to the living room he referenced them as two different approaches that may appeal to different audiences, pointing out Apple TV as something his mother might enjoy while his son could make use of Facebook on the Google TV.

Oh, and the $7.68 billion Intel dropped on McAfee last month? He considers it a "valuable asset" and says the best security relies on a combination of hardware and software. The theme of the day is how Intel can compete beyond the PC, but whether it's tethered to the TV or in tablets, the head guy is confident Intel's industry partners won't let Apple run away with either.
Intel CEO reveals Google TV launch is this month, explains McAfee purchase originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Electronista  |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments
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Google Walking Navigation beta and Street View now available for Android
Man, we're starting to think Google should just host an I/O event every month. As the search giant continues to roll out new innovations, today's introduction involves none other than Android. Starting today, folks with Android phones using version 1.6 or greater have a pair of must-downloads to tackle: Walking Navigation (Beta) and Street View smart navigation. The former is bundled into Google Maps for Mobile 4.5, offering pedestrians a more robust routing option when using their own two feet to maneuver from place to place. It's still in beta, obviously, but we're definitely digging the "vibrate to turn" alert and the map's ability to rotate with you as you turn the phone. Street View smart navigation is the same stuff you're used to seeing on a bona fide desktop browser, but tailor made for operation on your smartphone. Finally, the new Google Maps search bar will make it even easier to find places you're in need of finding, and if you need some visual stimulation while your downloads progress, hop on past the break and mash play.Continue reading Google Walking Navigation beta and Street View now available for Android
Google Walking Navigation beta and Street View now available for Android originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGoogle Mobile Blog  | Email this | Comments
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Debunk: Bing not replacing Google on all Verizon Android devices
There's a rumor going around today that Verizon is stripping Google services out of its Android devices going forward in favor of their Bing equivalents (much the same way that AT&T has gone with Yahoo on some phones), but the company says this afternoon that it's simply false:
"...that is not true. We have a relationship with Microsoft and Bing is the search engine on our multi-media phones but we have never said it would be exclusive on all of our devices."
We think the wording here is pretty important: "on our multi-media phones." We take this to mean that Verizon's looking at using Bing on its high-end featurephones and its midrange smartphones, possibly keeping the end-to-end Google experience exclusive to its cream of the crop -- which would also explain why the recently-launched Fascinate didn't get the coveted Droid brand as a part of its name.

On a related note, we're hearing from a tipster today that an upcoming low-end Android device for Verizon from LG is loaded with Bing services, which strengthens the case -- it looks like Bing is the "cheap" experience for Big Red right now. We've gotta admit, we're wondering how Microsoft feels about that positioning.

Update: Microsoft is basically corroborating Verizon's statement, saying that "the deal for Verizon Android devices is not exclusive."

Update 2: Verizon is additionally saying that Google's revamped search box that includes its new voice action capabilities will be available for download once the Fascinate hits Android 2.2 -- in other words, they're not explicitly blocking Google services from being installed on the device. Of course, that doesn't solve the root problem, which is that Bing is baked into the shipping ROM -- but it's something, we suppose.
Debunk: Bing not replacing Google on all Verizon Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceThe Droid Guy  | Email this | Comments
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HTC Desire HD rendered, looks pretty legit to us -- oh, except for that WinMo UI
The stars are really aligning for this shindig HTC has scheduled in London for next week, aren't they? All signs point to the launch of the Android-powered Desire Z and Desire HD -- international versions of the G2 and EVO, respectively -- and this render pulled off of German site BestBoyZ matches up perfectly with in-the-wild shots we've seen of the HD before. The only sticking point, really, is that there's a Windows Mobile 6.5 Sense UI shot inexplicably plastered on top, which makes about as much sense as... well, re-releasing the HD2 right now. Bottom line, we think the hardware part of this picture is real; software, not so much.

[Thanks, Kamal]
HTC Desire HD rendered, looks pretty legit to us -- oh, except for that WinMo UI originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBestBoyZ  | Email this | Comments
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FanVision handheld makes NFL nosebleeds far more bearable
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has just made public his own Kangaroo TV operations, but the end product is something far different than just in-stadium televisions. The FanVision handheld (shown above) has been reportedly shopped to every single NFL team, but only a dozen of 'em decided to take Mr. Ross up on his offer (along with the University of Michigan, curiously enough). Essentially, this here handheld works only while within the stadium, enabling fans to view instant replays from multiple angles, out of town games, real-time stats from around the league, NFL Red Zone, live fantasy football updates, on-demand video from your home team, a cheerleader cam (yeah, seriously), highlight reel of the game and the actual network telecast of the event that you're at. 'Course, this type of fan customization isn't exactly new -- the Mariners have been offering something similar to Nintendo DS owners for awhile now -- but given the high absurd price of front row seats, we'll take any extra angles we can get. FanVision will be available within the stadiums of the signed-on teams (listed after the break) for $199 without any activation or recurring fees, though the MSRP is tagged at $259. Sure beats paying for PSLs, huh?Continue reading FanVision handheld makes NFL nosebleeds far more bearable
FanVision handheld makes NFL nosebleeds far more bearable originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFanVision  | Email this | Comments
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Acer Liquid Metal wraps Android 2.2 in aluminum
Well, this one's come a bit out of left field (or Russia, actually), but it looks like Acer may be set to release yet another Android device. Apparently dubbed the Liquid Metal, this one is said to pack Android 2.2 beneath Acer's own skin, along with a 3.6-inch 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, an 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230-1 processor, Bluetooth 3.0, and a camera of unspecified megapixels with a flash -- all wrapped in what appears to be an aluminum casing. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but it looks like the phone exists in both black and silver versions at the moment -- head on past the break for another shot.
Continue reading Acer Liquid Metal wraps Android 2.2 in aluminum
Acer Liquid Metal wraps Android 2.2 in aluminum originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink A bit of technology  |  sourcehabrahabr.ru  | Email this | Comments
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Samsung i8700 for Windows Phone 7 leaks, puts developer prototype to shame
Could this be the best-looking Windows Phone 7 device yet? That's open to some personal interpretation, of course, but Sammy's alleged i8700 is looking like quite the beast -- and it should assuage any lingering fears that the Omnia HD-based prototypes floating around would be influencing final ID for the company's numerous WP7 launches later this year. If we had to venture a guess, we'd say this is probably that unnamed model we saw not long ago, identified by its sharp, squared-off edges and the button layout below the display. The about screen reveals 8GB of internal storage and the backside shows a camera of unknown resolution paired to an LED flash, so if you're not tied to the idea of a physical QWERTY keyboard, this might be the Windows Phone 7 handset you've been looking for. Question is, what carriers?

[Thanks, Pradeep]
Samsung i8700 for Windows Phone 7 leaks, puts developer prototype to shame originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGizmodo  | Email this | Comments
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ECTunes adds sound to silent EVs, but only where and when you need it (video)
The debate rages on about the sound, or rather the lack of sound, coming from electric vehicles. Their relative quietude could make roadside-housing rather more tenable in the future, but, if you ask some people, will turn those cars into silent killers. We've seen some crude noisemakers attempt to make those cars a bit less lethal, but that just brings us back to the noise pollution issue again. ECTunes has what sounds like a solution that will better appeal to both camps: directional sound. The prototype Citroen pictured above emits tones only audible to those right in its path, straight ahead when traveling forward and behind it when in reverse, silencing altogether at 30mph when wind and tire noise is enough of a deterrent to those who can't see oncoming traffic -- or who simply choose not to. A solid, reasonable solution to the problem? Absolutely. Will it make those on both sides of those topic agree? Unlikely.Continue reading ECTunes adds sound to silent EVs, but only where and when you need it (video)
ECTunes adds sound to silent EVs, but only where and when you need it (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Autoblog Green  |  sourceECTunes  | Email this | Comments
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Sony's PSP Go post-mortem continues, Kaz Hirai concedes 'pricing is perhaps an issue'
Sony's PSP Go post-mortem continues, Kaz Hirai concedes 'pricing is perhaps an issue'We're still perplexed by the PSP Go's failure. Who doesn't want to pay more for a device that lacks the hardware to play UMD games, only compatible with downloadable versions that release days or weeks later and then cost more to boot? Sony's Andrew House stepped up in June to put a positive spin on the situation, saying the PSP Go helped them "learn more about what the consumer wanted" -- something they obviously didn't do before shipping the thing. Now Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai is giving a similar angle in an interview with MCV, addressing concerns of both price and content availability:
...we did get a lot of feedback, both good and bad. I think we need to make sure we have as many titles available to download as possible, to make the experience as easy as possible. But also pricing is perhaps an issue.
If nothing else the PSP Go has certainly generated a lot of consumer feedback, and encouragingly it seems like Sony is actually listening.
Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceMCV  | Email this | Comments
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iOS 4.1: any problems for you?
Okay, so we've given you about a day to download, install, and tear iOS 4.1 into microscopic shreds. What's the end result? We've been tipped on a handful of troublesome nuances in the update, ranging from unsolved proximity sensor woes to a sudden onslaught of voicemails -- and we're trying to get a feel for how widespread they all are. Care to chime in? Follow the break!Continue reading iOS 4.1: any problems for you?
iOS 4.1: any problems for you? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft, SRS team up on surround sound for Silverlight, will this finally bring 5.1 to Netflix?
Of course, this press release from SRS Labs doesn't actually say Netflix will use its technology to enable surround sound audio on Watch Instantly streams, but when you claim your tools add "easy and seamless" surround sound decoding to Silverlight apps then we have an immediate suggestion as to how they could be put to use. Whether you give any credit to (or have even noticed) the SRS stamp on a bevy of media playing software and hardware, its ubiquity certainly means that interested parties (like, say, Netflix) could be sure the audio would be supported across the multitude of platforms they stream video to. Microsoft and SRS have issued the tools for anyone (even Netflix) to support 5.1 streams just by adding this code to their apps and are demonstrating it at IBC 2010 and on a demo website, all we have to do is sit back and wait for the technology to be implemented. If only we knew of somewhere an upgrade to surround sound on streaming video was in high demand...Continue reading Microsoft, SRS team up on surround sound for Silverlight, will this finally bring 5.1 to Netflix?
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