Saturday, September 18, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 17/09/2010



Pictures of Sony's new technicolor PSPs, and Monster Hunter 3 Special Edition preview
Pictures of Sony's new technicolor PSPs, and Monster Hunter 3 PSP preview
Nothing spices up waning interest in an aging console like a special edition, and while one could say that announcing three special editions is something of a stretch for the word "special," these certainly are some... vibrant color schemes. At its press event yesterday, Sony announced a couple of new, pupil-assaulting two-tone color schemes for the PSP, along with a Monster Hunter edition that left many an otaku fainting in the aisles thanks to its gold highlights and redesigned analog nub. Read on for our impressions of all three noble beasts.
Continue reading Pictures of Sony's new technicolor PSPs, and Monster Hunter 3 Special Edition preview
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HP V5020u camcorder does 1080p in style
HP's just outed a new camcorder, the 1080p loving V5020u. Among it's other attractions, this camcorder boasts full HD 1080p video recording at a resolution up to 1920×1080, a built-in gyroscope for image stabilization, 10x digital zoom, a 5 megapixel sensor, a motion detector, a 2-inch LCD, and an SDHC slot for extra storage capacity. This bad boy, which we think is pretty good looking, will be available in October for $159.
HP V5020u camcorder does 1080p in style originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Audi robot arms take over London, write messages with LEDs day and night (video)
Here's yet another fine preview of the inevitable robot apocalypse -- car-assembling arms in the city center overlooking us feeble humans. For now, though, these machines are merely part of an Kram/Weisshaar art installation dubbed Outrace. Throughout the week-long London Design Festival, you can go to Outrace.org to submit a short text message that you wish to be displayed in Trafalgar Square, and with a bit of luck, the monitoring staff will pick up your greeting. What happens next is that the eight LED-equipped Audi robot arms will start scribing your message in the air, which is then captured by the 36 long-exposure cameras surrounding the stage (even during the day, courtesy of welding glass filter), and it'll end up on the LED board as pictured. Stuck outside London? Fret not, as you can see the beasts in action via the website's live video stream, or you can watch bullet-time videos of each message on Outrace's YouTube channel -- we've got one for you guys in both clips after the break. Enjoy!Continue reading Audi robot arms take over London, write messages with LEDs day and night (video)
Audi robot arms take over London, write messages with LEDs day and night (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Desire HD hits the FCC, lacks American love
We certainly weren't expecting it, but we can now confirm that the Desire HD announced yesterday lacks any 3G for use in North America thanks to the FCC filing that just hit today. Frequently, we don't know how HTC's internal product codes map to unreleased devices, but by pure happenstance we got a shot of the Desire HD's battery slot during our hands-on where we see that "PD98100" definitely lines up. What does this all mean? Well, it means that the EVO 4G seems poised to soldier on as HTC's only 4.3-inch Android option for Americans in the near term, though there have been plenty of situations in the past where they've snuck in a second model code with 850 / 1900 on board. We'll hold out hope, we suppose.
HTC Desire HD hits the FCC, lacks American love originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Engadget Show - 013: NASA Technologist Bobby Braun, exclusive mobile demos from TAT, Tim Wu on net neutrality, and more!
Get ready humans, because we have an all new, amazing Engadget Show fresh out of the box. For your viewing pleasure, Josh sits down with NASA Chief Technologist Bobby Braun to find out about the next generation of NASA technology. Next, Engadget explains wireless net neutrality with animation and Rick Karr sits down with Columbia law professor and author of The Master Switch, Tim Wu in an interview that you absolutely do not want to miss, with Nilay and Rick breaking it all down afterward on stage. Up next, Josh and Nilay welcome Paul Blomdahl of TAT, The Astonishing Tribe, for a look at some never-before-seen mobile interface concepts... including TAT's upcoming Android skin and some of the most exciting uses of 3D we've ever seen. One lucky audience member walks away with a brand new Parrot AR Drone and Starscream brings the show to a close with a set of mind-bending chiptunes music with visuals from J.Y.K. What are you waiting for? Watch it now! Hit up the new video stream after the break, now with convenient chapter markers!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Rick Karr
Special guests: Bobby Braun, Tim Wu, Paul Blomdahl
Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm
Executive Producer: Joshua Fruhlinger
Edited by: Danny Madden
Music by: Starscream
Visuals by: J.Y.K.
Net Neutrality Animation by: Ornana Films
Opening titles by: Julien Nantiec

Taped live at The Times Center

Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 013 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 013 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted)

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[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.Continue reading The Engadget Show - 013: NASA Technologist Bobby Braun, exclusive mobile demos from TAT, Tim Wu on net neutrality, and more!
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Lenovo LePad to ship in December, IdeaPad U1 Hybrid dock slated for January 2011
Seeing that swiveling Dell Inspiron Duo earlier this week immediately made us think of the other really enticing tablet / laptop we've been waiting for... Lenovo's IdeaPad U1 Hybrid. To recap: it was over eight months ago that the company unveiled it at CES only to tell us a few months later that it was being shelved for the time being. However, we're hearing now that it's definitely still kicking! According to Lenovo, the 10.1-inch LePad (the tablet part of the U1 Hybrid) will be released in China in December running some version of Android. The LePad (apologies for repeating the name, we just love saying it in a French accent) will then be greeted in January by its "hybrid option" -- a separate case containing a keyboard and laptop guts. Lenovo didn't have any updates on the internal specs of the docking / hybrid part, though we're assuming it'll still pack some sort of Intel processor and Windows 7 to transform it into a real life laptop. Unfortunately for now, Lenovo's saying the LePad and the Hybrid part will only be available in China, but we're gonna keep wishin' and prayin' that both actually see the light of day and journey across the rough seas.
Lenovo LePad to ship in December, IdeaPad U1 Hybrid dock slated for January 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Intel plans to shrink its Atom chip circuits to just 15 nanometers, and other glorious tales of wonder
Earlier this week at IDF Intel dropped some very, very tiny news on us... namely that the Atom SoCs will soon include circuits which are 22 and 15 nanometers in size. The smaller, 15 nanometer width is the size of about 60 atoms -- seriously. Intel's processors, which are categorized by the size of their circuitry, are currently 32 nanometers at their smallest. So, we'd say you should be on the lookout for them but... yeah, well, you know where we're going with this.
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CiragoTV platinum CMC3000 network multimedia center announced to join set top box masses
Not satisfied with the current rat pack of set top media players flooding the market like the Popbox, Boxee Box, AppleTV, or WD Elements Play? Then perhaps the CiragoTV platinum CMC3000 might tickle your fancy. Yes it lacks brand name recognition, but it's no slouch in the specs department and supports all manner of codecs, 1080p playback, UPnP networking, timeshift recording, and even includes a built-in NAS with a BitTorrent client. Connectivity wise, the box features an HDMi output, two USB ports for tacking on additional storage, and a media card reader that also takes MemorySticks for you die-hard Sony fans. Though it's sold in 500TB for $229, considering the 1TB sizes is only $249, we're not sure who'd balk at coughing up an additional $20 for double the storage. Remember that's twice the space for Voltron folks. For more details watch the PR video after the break.Continue reading CiragoTV platinum CMC3000 network multimedia center announced to join set top box masses
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PlayStation Move shooting attachment preview: it's a shooting attachment!
We're not sure what we were expecting to experience when we picked up this gun-style "shooting attachment" for the PlayStation Move, but it was hardly full of surprises. Basically, it's a comfy, lightweight attachment that makes holding your Move controller feel like holding a gun, and pulling the trigger button feel like pulling a trigger. We do love the retro look, quality Sony construction (we're pre-rolling our eyes at the inevitable crappy third party versions and their inferior plastics) and pretty much everything else about the attachment. The biggest perk is that for shooting games you'll be able to hold your arm out straight more naturally, instead of pointing "up" at the screen with the traditional Move controller grip. Unfortunately, the Big 3 Gun Shooting title we tested it on wasn't showing off 1:1 aiming to really let us know how this would feel in that scenario, but for the on-rails-shooter lovers out there (the attachment puts the face buttons out of thumb's reach, so it's useless for more in-depth games like SOCOM 4 or Killzone 3) we'd say there are worse things you could spend $20 on. Check it out on video after the break. Continue reading PlayStation Move shooting attachment preview: it's a shooting attachment!
PlayStation Move shooting attachment preview: it's a shooting attachment! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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TravelTeq's 'The Trip Sound' luggage boasts integrated speaker, USB charging port
Heaven only knows if you could actually squeeze this thing into the overhead bin of an Airbus A319, but darn if we wouldn't give our left arm to try. TravelTeq's newest piece of luggage makes just about every other average piece of zip-up cloth look downright antediluvian, but with a price tag well north of $700, that's certainly to be expected. It's engineered to be toted onboard your aircraft, with the top doubling as a seat and a set of pull-out wheels ensuring that you never tip it over whilst darting from one end of PHX to the other. It's fairly clear that the technophile was in mind during this unit's creation, as it touts a dedicated laptop pouch, a reinforced aluminum exterior, inbuilt speaker system (two drivers and 15 total watts of power), a 3.5mm auxiliary input, and a port for charging your mobile (or anything else with a USB port, save for an iPad). The Trip Sound is up for order right now, and we're guessing the toughest decision of all will be deciding between white or red wheels.
TravelTeq's 'The Trip Sound' luggage boasts integrated speaker, USB charging port originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Acquire Mag  |  sourceTravelTeq  | Email this | Comments
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Ctrl+S PS3 controller for professionals and burgeoning arthritics
We really thought we'd seen it all when it comes to handheld video game controllers, but this upcoming "Ctrl+S" model from UNIQ brings a surprising quantity of new ideas. The most basic innovation is the weird "UNIQ wing" that sticks out from the rear edges of the controller, allowing you to passively support the controller with the insides of your index fingers instead of having to "grip" the controller to hold it up. Yeah, that sounds lazy, but the idea is to reduce muscle stress and cramps, which makes sense for people who game a few hours a day. The relaxed posture is also supposed to help improve thumb mobility, though we'll have to test it out with a game to see if that's actually the case. Around back are some nicely oversized and easily worked analog triggers, along with a grid of repositioned "face buttons."

The feel of the prototype we were playing with felt just a little too light and a little too "cheap," but that's typical for prototypes, and the promises of improved ergonomics and optimized control placements are certainly compelling. The best news is that the controller will be highly customizable, with tweaks available for the analog sticks, "wings," and even the force feedback motors. We'll see how well this impacts gameplay when the controller hits the market in December for $69.99. Check it out on video after the break. Continue reading Ctrl+S PS3 controller for professionals and burgeoning arthritics
Ctrl+S PS3 controller for professionals and burgeoning arthritics originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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PS3 holds breath waiting for Gran Turismo 5 release, turns blue at TGS
PS3 holds breath waiting for Gran Turismo 5 release, turns blue at TGS
We knew it was coming, and now here it is: Sony's special edition PS3. To commemorate the impending release of GT5 the console is turning blue, and while the rather vibrant version we saw in the official press photos from August didn't do much for us, seeing the thing in the flesh (admittedly behind glass) gave us quite a different impression. It has the same matte finish as the current PS3 slim, but the rich blue gives it almost a metallic effect. It's really quite a looker, and while we wouldn't normally splurge for such "special" editions, how often does a new Gran Turismo come around? Once a decade at most. This Gran Turismo 5 Racing Pack hits Japan on November 3 for 35,980 yen. That's about $420 of those dollars you've been saving for oh so long.
PS3 holds breath waiting for Gran Turismo 5 release, turns blue at TGS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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3D Blu-ray on the PS3: it works! (video)
3D Blu-ray on the PS3: it works! (video)
We've been waiting for 3D Blu-ray support to hit the PS3 for a good long while now, and Sony's been promising it would happen for, well, exactly that same amount of time. Yesterday the company confirmed that the 3D-enabling 3.50 firmware update is less than a week away, dropping on September 21, and here's proof that it works: a demonstration unit up and running at TGS. Fully animated evidence after the break.
Continue reading 3D Blu-ray on the PS3: it works! (video)
3D Blu-ray on the PS3: it works! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 09:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Greensound's glass speakers: stunning visually and aurally, far from kid-friendly
Yeah, we've seen our fair share of glass speakers in the past, but it looks as if Greensound has hopped on the bandwagon at just the right time. In the past, these kinds of music makers were largely looked at as gimmicks, but the Floe series looks to offer a serious advantage over equally expensive conventional drivers. Put simply, audio is created at the base of each speaker, and it's distributed up (and around) the pane with the lows coming from the bottom, the mids from the middle and the highs from the top. We're pretending to ignore the fact that these things will probably be far outside the budget of every sect save for the affluent, but you can tease yourself by pressing play just after the break.Continue reading Greensound's glass speakers: stunning visually and aurally, far from kid-friendly
Greensound's glass speakers: stunning visually and aurally, far from kid-friendly originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink DVICE  |  sourceGreensound Technology  | Email this | Comments
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PlayStation Move on sale now at Amazon
While the PlayStation Move isn't supposed to go on sale until September 19th, that hasn't stopped a few local brick-n-mortar shops from breaking the street date. Now Amazon's jumped the gun and put the PlayStation Move $99.99 Starter Bundle up for sale a few days early. And with local express delivery, you can even get it shipped today if you qualify. Worse case, use one-day shipping and you'll still get it before the Joneses.

Update: Oh, and we just found the $399.99 PlayStation 3 320GB with Move Bundle, $49.99 Move Controller, and $29.96 Move Navigation Controller ready for purchase too. Full press release detailing all the items after the break.Continue reading PlayStation Move on sale now at Amazon
PlayStation Move on sale now at Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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LG's FB614M micro stereo plays DVDs, streams tunes, fits nicely in your pal's spaceship
We've seen our fair share of funky micro stereos over the years, but LG's latest just might be the most bodacious yet. Curvaceous and compact, the FB614M all-in-one system is ready for every DVD and CD you could toss at it, and streaming jams from your phone or PMP won't be an issue so long as your device is equipped with a little-known protocol by the name of Bluetooth. Naturally, there's an iDevice dock up top as well as a touch sensitive control dial, and the inbuilt USB ensures that most every other player is well taken care of, too. Your guess is as good as ours when it comes to wattage and sound quality, but South Koreans can find out themselves later this week for â‚©299,000 ($257).
Permalink Engadget Korea, Akihabara News  |  sourceHankyung  | Email this | Comments
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PhotoFast's PowerDrive-LSI PCIe SSD screams past the competition at 1400MB a second
Usually we find overwrought product names, ostentatious paintjobs, and flame decals tacky, but all's forgiven with this PCI Express 2.0 SSD. CompactFlash stalwart PhotoFast has unveiled its all-new PowerDrive, which claims it can read your mind data at 1.4GBps and write it at an even faster 1.5GBps. That's the rough equivalent of reading two full CDs' content every second! Need we say more? The PowerDrive's speed puts the stinking fast Fusion-io ioXtreme to shame, humbles PhotoFast's own 1GBps G-Monster, and matches OCZ's otherworldly Z-Drive. The supported OS list includes a nice selection of Linux flavors as well, and sizes stretch from 240GB up to 960GB. Pricing? One word: unaffordable.
Permalink Akihabara News  |  sourcePhotoFast  | Email this | Comments
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First biofuel cell successfully implanted into living creature, living creature to be implanted into The Matrix
While miscreants are harvesting organs from unsuspecting tourists, researchers are busy harvesting energy from the human body. One promising tech that could power future generations of implanted medical devices is the Glucose BioFuel Cell (GBFC). In fact, a team of researchers have created the first known GBFC to function inside a living body -- 11 days inside "Ricky" the lab rat's peritoneum, to be exact. The small device produced 2 microwatts of power over several hours, achieving a peak energy density of 24.4 microwatts per milliliter. The study concludes that a larger GBFC could be used to power a standard pacemaker (requiring ten microwatts of sustained power) yet still be smaller than the batteries in use today. Co-author Serge Cosnier of the Université Joseph Fourier says that an improved GBFC could even power biosensors like the ones proposed for insulin pumps. Until that day arrives, click through for the before- and, um, organic after-implant pics. The fact that the rat's body had coated the GBFC device with tissue and newly grown blood vessels is proof that the body had accepted it for glucose and oxygen processing.

P.S. That's the Engadget Lolrat, not Ricky, pictured above. Ricky was apparently unharmed... this time.Continue reading First biofuel cell successfully implanted into living creature, living creature to be implanted into The Matrix
Permalink Treehugger  |  sourceNational Geographic  | Email this | Comments
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Logitech S715i and Z515 portable speakers hands-on (video)
You're sick of audio docks, we know. So are we. But as much as we wanted to skip merrily along beyond Logitech's S715i set, we couldn't help but note that it's something of a rarity. Whereas most other iDevice speakers tend to keep themselves safely tethered to the nearest wall plug, this unit claims it can get an ambitious eight hours of music playback from its battery, while boasting a whopping eight drivers (two rear-firing ones on the back) in total, including a pair of "laser-tuned" neodymium 3-inchers for midrange delivery. We could hardly gauge audio quality in our noisy environment, but we'll say this much: Logitech isn't fooling around with the volume the S715i can put out. Even our video after the break doesn't do justice to the surprising roar you can generate from this otherwise compact package.

A standard 3.5mm audio input will let you stray outside of the Apple product family if you wish, and there's a bundled remote too. Yet, in spite of all these goodies, we still can't recommend this as a sage purchase at Logitech's lofty $150 price. Don't get us wrong, the S715i looks neat, just not that neat. We also managed to grab a few images of its family mate, the Z515 Bluetooth speaker, which similarly rolls on its own power (for up to 10 hours, it's claimed) and captures tunes from your nearest Bluetooth-equipped device. It's another well built and easily portable little thing, priced at $60 by Logitech.
Continue reading Logitech S715i and Z515 portable speakers hands-on (video)
Logitech S715i and Z515 portable speakers hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 07:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Impressive HRP-4 robot will make you bow in deference (video)
Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is back with the mighty impressive HRP-4 humanoid. Created in partnership with Kawada Industries, this 151-centimeter (5-feet) tall, 39-kilo (86-pound) walking followup to the HRP-4C, HRP-3 and HRP-2 robots (pictured in the background) was developed to help take over manufacturing duties from a rapidly aging Japanese work force. The highly mobile HRP-4 features 34-degrees of movement with AIST proprietary control software running on a Linux core. Things get weird at the 5:30 mark of the video embedded after the break when a human enters the stage for a good ol' fashioned stare down. Probably has something to do with his hot wife.Continue reading Impressive HRP-4 robot will make you bow in deference (video)
Impressive HRP-4 robot will make you bow in deference (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 06:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink CrunchGear, CNNGo  |  sourceRobomaganet (YouTube), AIST  | Email this | Comments
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Motorola 'eager' to get into tablet market, but won't do so until next year
Motorola's been thinking about tablets for a while now, but according to Sanjay Jha, it won't be entering that flourishing new market segment until it's absolutely certain it'll have a product that's "competitive in the marketplace." Depending on how you perceive the Droid X, Moto might arguably be said to already have a tablet out on sale, but rumors have mostly circulated around a 10-inch slate device, most probably in partnership with Verizon and most likely using Android 3.0 as its OS. Google itself has admitted that Android won't be fit for tablets until Gingerbread is delivered, and Jha's reluctance to introduce any new hardware before 2011 seems to be motivated by a corresponding desire to have the latest and greatest version on board from the start. Can't say we blame him.
Motorola 'eager' to get into tablet market, but won't do so until next year originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 06:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments
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Brother's AirScouter floats a 16-inch display onto your eye biscuit (video)
First announced in July, Brother's updated AirScouter wearable display is finally getting its first live demonstration at Brother World in Japan. The prototype Retinal Imaging Display (RID) projects safe, fast-moving light directly onto your retina that appears to the viewer as a 16-inch display floating transparently at a distance of about 3 feet. The tech used by Brother was harvested from its own optical system technologies found in laser and inkjet printers. Brother plans to launch the AirScouter for industrial uses in Japan where the glasses could overlay operating manuals onto machinery, for example. Later, Brother plans to adopt its RID tech into consumer products worldwide making for a more immersive (and practical) augmented reality experience.Continue reading Brother's AirScouter floats a 16-inch display onto your eye biscuit (video)
Brother's AirScouter floats a 16-inch display onto your eye biscuit (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 05:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink CrunchGear  |  sourceDigInfo (YouTube), Brother  | Email this | Comments
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Apple's 27-inch Cinema Display is now shipping
Your favorite fruit-flavored company couldn't stand idly by and let Dell take all the IPS glory this week. Apple's 27-inch Cinema Display, announced in late July, has at long last been set free to venture forth and mesmerize people with its glossy screen and 2560 x 1440 resolution. The entry fee is set at $999, though deliveries will take a pretty glacial one to two weeks to reach your porch.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Apple's 27-inch Cinema Display is now shipping originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 05:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Crestron iPanel controller for iPad does twice as much for half the price

Crestron is a name synonymous with two things in the world of home automation: cost and quality. So it's always good to the see the company shed its proprietary nature and embrace an off-the-shelf consumer product. Take its new iPanel for example. Instead of dropping a few thousand dollars on a Crestron touch-panel that does just one thing, you can purchase this $500ish snap-on case with thirteen dedicated buttons for home, lights, guide, and info functions. In other words, for the half the price of a typical touchscreen Crestron touchscreen controller you also get a WiFi-connected iPad. Sounds like a winning combination to us. Look for the iPanel to get official at CEDIA next week.
Crestron iPanel controller for iPad does twice as much for half the price originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 04:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceCEPro  | Email this | Comments
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Panasonic's Evolta robot plans 500km trek to sell batteries
So you're Panasonic and are looking for a way to prove that your batteries really are the longest lasting batteries in the world -- what do you do? Enlist the help of a robot to do the dirty work, of course. Just like last year, the company is sending its Evolta-powered bot on a long-distance trek, this time in an attempt to crush the previous endurance record of 23 kilometers by traveling the full 500 kilometers from Tokyo to Kyoto. If all goes as planned, the trip will start on September 23rd and end on December 10th -- hey, nobody said being a robot mascot was easy.
Panasonic's Evolta robot plans 500km trek to sell batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 04:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Far East Gizmos  |  sourcePanasonic  | Email this | Comments
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iPad has halved laptop sales, claims Best Buy CEO
Well, the iPad is about one half of a laptop -- both in its form and functionality -- so it makes perfect sense that it'd chop laptop sales by 50 percent. We might be pulling your leg, but Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn isn't. The dude in charge of the yellow label empire has told the Wall Street Journal that his company's internal estimates indicate the iPad has eaten up as much as half of laptop PC market demand. In response to this perceived trend toward more portable gadgets, Brian's outfit is rearranging its inventory to include more e-readers, tablets and smartphones for this holiday season, while slimming down its selection of desktops and HDTVs. Moreover, new demo zones will be set up in-store to allow people to experience the wonders of Microsoft's Kinect and Sony's Move motion-controlled gaming solutions. So it looks like the future's coming, whether we like it or not.
iPad has halved laptop sales, claims Best Buy CEO originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Digital Trends  |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments
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Dell UltraSharp U3011 now shipping: $1,499 for a 30-inch IPS panel with 2560 x 1600 res
Time to set aside childish things, dear readers. Dell's just added the imperious U3011 monitor to the list of chattels available to purchase from its online store. This 30-inch IPS wonder offers a 7ms response time, 178-degree viewing angles on both axes, an eye-searing 370 nits of brightness, and a satisfyingly dense 2560 x 1600 resolution. A pair of DVI-D ports are kept company by a single DisplayPort and two HDMI inputs on the back, meaning that if you've got the cables, you'll probably never have to reach around back after the initial setup. CNET's done an early review of this fresh new UltraSharp below and, if you must know, the 10-bit IPS panel walked away with an Editor's Choice badge and a few stolen hearts. That menace!

[Thanks, Dan]
Permalink   |  sourceDell  | Email this | Comments
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Final Fantasy XIV wireless router sure to make the next 14,000 hours of your life zip by
Our first impulse when we spotted this abstractly formed Final Fantasy XIV-branded 802.11n router on the TGS show floor was that Planex Communications was some sort of rogue IP-infringing KIRFufacturer. It turns out that's not the case. Planex Communications is a totally upstanding manufacturer of all things networking and Japanese-video-games-branded, and the fact that this ¥9,980 (about $116 US) router was located a few feet from Square Enix's own booth should quell any other misgivings. Now, as for misgivings about dedicating the majority of your life over the next couple years to another treadmill of XP, loot, and Moogles, those are in your hands.
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Ask Engadget: simplest, cheapest way to stream movies from PC to TV?
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 Willem, who may actually land the love of his life if you'll lend a hand here. 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 computer that houses an entire collection of digital movies. In another room I have a TV. I want to stream a selection of MKV and AVI videos to the TV. I can also put all the movies on an external hard drive if that makes it easier. What would be the cheapest way to display the movies on my TV? Solving this problem would let me finally watch a nice movie in my apartment with this cute girl I like!"
If we've ever seen an important Ask question, this is it. Stop whatever you're doing and help Bro Montana here. You don't overlook this kind of thing... at least not if you believe in karma.
Ask Engadget: simplest, cheapest way to stream movies from PC to TV? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 02:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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New Apple TV's iOS can be jailbroken and made to run apps?
Remember the mysterious reference to iProd 2,1 that appeared in the iPad's code? We thought it might be a new CDMA or camera-equipped iPad, but it just might have been the new iOS-based Apple TV instead. Diving through the iOS 4.2 beta, a TUAW tipster allegedly uncovered the above key, which hints that we might have been right about the device's app potential all along. Though Apple may rely on a simpler media streaming UI for the home theater to enhance accessibility and ease of use, there's always the chance the community might jailbreak the $99 set-top box to do far greater things. While you wait with bated breath for confirmation of this wondrous possibility, why not check out our Apple TV hands-on?
New Apple TV's iOS can be jailbroken and made to run apps? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 01:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony Ericsson's Xperia Android upgrade roadmap leaks out, shows 720p recording but no Froyo
Sony Ericsson made it clear way back in May that the Xperia X10 family wouldn't stay at the antiquated Android 1.6 forever -- come Q4 2010, they'd get an Eclair with freshly revamped Timescape and Mediascape filling. Now, it looks like the company's codified that promise in this allegedly leaked German roadmap. Spotted by a tipster at the Xperia X10 Blog at IFA 2010 in Berlin, the document describes a 720p video recording mode (with continuous autofocus) for the Xperia X10 alone, plus Facebook and Twitter contacts integration, an HTML5-compliant browser and five homescreen pages for the entire Xperia series with the release of Android 2.1. There's also a separate "2.1x" release after that to bring the two 'scapes up to snuff, and it seems the Xperia X8's being bundled with the mini and mini pro as far as updates go. There's sadly no mention of Android 2.2, but we wouldn't yet count it out -- for all we know, the very next page of that leaflet could be oozing delicious frozen yogurt all over these phones.
Permalink Pocketnow, Android Central  |  sourceXperia X10 Blog  | Email this | Comments
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LG Electronics CEO resigns in wake of waning mobile phone sales
Times are tough for top-level executives these days, from HP to Nokia and even this side of Dell. The latest in that dubious list is LG Electronics. Wanting to "take responsibility for the slack performance" (i.e. declining sales) in the handset market, CEO Yong Nam has resigned and will be replaced next month by LG International head (and member of the founding family) Koo bon-joon. Sad to see Mr. Yong after three years and nine months in the position, but on the bright side, as far as we can tell this won't have an effect on the company's upcoming Windows Phone 7 lineup.
LG Electronics CEO resigns in wake of waning mobile phone sales originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Shocker: Verizon says Droid Eris won't get Froyo
Though the HTC Droid Eris soldiers on in user pockets in a variety of guises, Verizon has unsurprisingly decided to disavow future updates for the canceled device. Carrier spokespersons told Computerworld that the Eris won't see Android 2.2. "We have other options in Android devices, so this is part of the normal evolution of our portfolio," a spokeswoman reportedly said. While we didn't really expect Verizon to pull a T-Mobile and support phones that died even before the original G1, we have to imagine there'll be a few ruffled feathers at that particular choice of words. No one likes to be told to buy a new device in order to get a software update. On the plus side, we expect XDA-developers will get a few new members this week, the better to unleash the potential of future neglected devices for us all.
Shocker: Verizon says Droid Eris won't get Froyo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceComputerworld (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments
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Samsung Galaxy Tab keyboard, desktop, and car docks eyes-on
The press release from earlier today provided all the textual details, but now we've gotten our own eyes on the Samsung Galaxy Tab accessory lineup -- not to be touched at the event, but we could gaze all the same. Pictured above is the $99.99 keyboard dock that gives you a full physical QWERTY on top of a charger / sync dock, along with stereo audio output. Then comes the desktop dock (formerly referred to as the HDMI dock) that allows you to watch videos up to 1080p, view pictures, and listen to music via HDMI All the pictures are below, can ya dig?out. Last but not least is the car / GPS dock for $99.99, for GPS turn-by-turn navigation on the go.
Samsung Galaxy Tab keyboard, desktop, and car docks eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dell Inspiron Duo touched for the very first time
Yeah, you made me feel, shiny and new... We digress. That's jkkmobile's finger in the photo above, testing out Microsoft Surface Globe on the Dell Inspiron Duo convertible's swiveling 10-inch screen -- a rite of passage that you can watch after the break in all its low-res glory. We're seriously jealous of this dude right now, but thankful that he discovered a few more facts about the device: for one, that swivel only spins in one direction, and for another, we're looking at a capacitive multitouch screen. We still don't know what those sensors are on the left side of the netbook's clamshell frame nor what resolution that webcam shoots at, but we do see a set of flaps on the left-hand side presumably concealing some ports, and what could be a flat removable battery pack on the bottom of the cherry-red unit. Video after the break.Continue reading Dell Inspiron Duo touched for the very first time
Dell Inspiron Duo touched for the very first time originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Confirmed: Intel says HDCP 'master key' crack is real
It's been just a few days since we broke news of the HDCP master key crack -- a rogue unlocking of the code that keeps HD content under strict control. Now Intel has independently confirmed to both Fox News and CNET that the code is indeed the genuine article. According to company spokesman Tom Waldrop, "It does appear to be a master key," adding that "What we have confirmed through testing is that you can derive keys for devices from this published material that do work with the keys produced by our security technology... this circumvention does appear to work." Coming from the company that developed and propagated the protocol, that's about as clear as you can get.

If Intel is worried about the potential damage to copyrighted material and a new flood of super high-quality pirated material, however, the company certainly isn't showing it. "For someone to use this information to unlock anything, they would have to implement it in silicon -- make a computer chip," Waldrop told Fox News, and that chip would have to live on a dedicated piece of hardware -- something Intel doesn't think is likely to happen in any substantial way. Of course, like any major corporation, Intel seems prepared to duke things out in the legal arena should any super-rich hackers decide to do the unthinkable. So, to the Batcave then?
Confirmed: Intel says HDCP 'master key' crack is real originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFox News, CNET  | Email this | Comments
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Toshiba slims down its LED lit HDTVs with UL605, SL400 series
Just because it's introducing its new 3DTVs to an unsupecting US populace this fall doesn't mean Toshiba has forgotten about sets that come in slightly lower on the price and feature scale. The UX600 series that just launched this year is already getting a refresh -- now dubbed the UL605 series, these LCD HDTVs keep the edge lit LED lighting, but in a slimmer frame. NET TV widgets are still in effect bringing DLNA access, VUDU, Facebook and Twitter, all of which connect easier to the 55- ($2,499), 46- ($1,699) and 40-inch ($1,399) TVs with an included WiFi dongle. After that, the SL400 series drops all extra frills for a simple edge LED lit TV with two HDMI inputs in smaller sizes from 19- to 32-inch versions for between $399 and $649. More details on spcs and pricing follow after the break, these should be popping up on shelves locally any day now.Continue reading Toshiba slims down its LED lit HDTVs with UL605, SL400 series
Toshiba slims down its LED lit HDTVs with UL605, SL400 series originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft: Windows Phone 7 to be GSM-only until first half of 2011
Well, damn -- Verizon told us earlier that it wouldn't be carrying Windows Phone 7 devices until 2011, and now Microsoft's twisting the knife by confirming that its new platform will be GSM-only until the first half of 2011. So much for our dreams of a 4G Windows Phone 7 device on Sprint, we suppose. Product manager Greg Sullivan told CNET that trade-offs had to be made in order to meet the schedule and GSM was prioritized since it's used worldwide, but that CDMA devices would be available early next year. Of course, we've also heard that the failed Kin project soured the Verizon / Microsoft relationship and that's why AT&T is the "premier carrier" for WP7, but either way, it's down to Ma Bell and T-Mobile to get this thing off the ground now -- and we'll say right now that launching CDMA devices with the current Windows Phone 7 spec list later into 2011 isn't going to do anyone any favors.
Microsoft: Windows Phone 7 to be GSM-only until first half of 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab loses voice capabilities in the US
Bad news, folks: not only is the Sprint Samsung Galaxy Tab a 3G-only device, but Samsung just confirmed to us that telephony was cut out of the Tab for the US market. That means you won't be able to pair up a Bluetooth headset and use the Tab as a really large phone like you can on the Euro model. That's super lame -- telephony features might have been the only way the inevitable two-year carrier contract would have been justifiable. Suffice to say, we're even more curious to hear about official pricing now, but it doesn't look like we'll be getting it until Samsung and its carrier partners are good and ready. We'll let you know.
Samsung Galaxy Tab loses voice capabilities in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab for US (and Media Hub) hands-on (update: video!)
By and large, there aren't really any surprises with the Galaxy Tab we just tried out -- it was only two weeks ago that we tried it at IFA. We did hear from Samsung that the company might change the back, but what we said about hardware and experience before remains true here. The Media Hub, which is new, is sleek and convenient, and the Iron Man preview we watched looked great on the screen. If you're in need of more Tab pictures, we got you covered just below.

Update: We've got video, just after the break!Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab for US (and Media Hub) hands-on (update: video!)
Samsung Galaxy Tab for US (and Media Hub) hands-on (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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