Thursday, January 6, 2011

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 05/01/2011



iGUGU InterneTV streams your YouTubes and your Hulus to the TV set
iGUGU, the company behind Gamecore (and the company with a name that even a neonate can say) will be demonstrating its InterneTV product at CES this week. The PC-based solution allows users to watch and share any content on their HDTV, projector or monitor, via wireless USB. It also comes packed with an RF remote and seems simple enough that even the stock photo "hippie" above can figure it out! We'll let you know what we think when we get our hands on the device itself, but until that happens you'll have to make do with the PR. Luckily, it's after the break.
Continue reading iGUGU InterneTV streams your YouTubes and your Hulus to the TV set
iGUGU InterneTV streams your YouTubes and your Hulus to the TV set originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Live from AT&T's Developer Summit
The AT&T developer summit doesn't have the most alluring name, but last year's event brought us news about Android and Palm devices hitting the carrier, so who knows what to expect this time around. We're here all the same, just in case, so join us vicariously!Continue reading Live from AT&T's Developer Summit
Live from AT&T's Developer Summit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Infuse 4G announced for AT&T: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, crazy thin
First introduced just last year on the Wave, it feels like Super AMOLED was just starting to get its sea legs... but here we go again: Samsung's latest handset -- announced today in collaboration with AT&T at CES -- is the first to tout "Super AMOLED Plus" technology that features a 50 percent boost in sub-pixel count, promising improvements both in contrast and outdoor readability. Maybe more importantly, the display clocks in at a whopping 4.5 inches, besting HTC's 4.3-inch range (the EVO 4G, Desire HD, and likely the Thunderbolt) without getting dangerously close to Dell Streak territory. It's got an 8 megapixel camera on back paired with a 1.3 megapixel shooter up front, a 1.2GHz single-core Hummingbird processor, and still somehow promises to be the thinnest smartphone on AT&T when it launches at a to-be-determined date. Now, the controversy: despite the name, the Infuse 4G apparently doesn't have a hint of LTE -- it's HSPA+, which means AT&T's now playing the same game as T-Mobile.

We've had a brief chance to play with an early Infuse 4G dummy unit, so we weren't able to turn it on, but we got a pretty good impression of how it feels. Basically, we came away encouraged that 4.5 inches isn't going to feel too big for practical use -- if you're accustomed to something like an EVO, you probably won't skip a beat (that's undoubtedly due in part to the fact that the Infuse seems to be quite a bit thinner). We're told the tastefully textured matte rear cover that we saw wasn't final, but we're crossing our fingers that the retail unit doesn't diverge far from what they've done here, because it felt exceptionally high-quality and looked a whole lot better than the typical glossy plastic on the existing Galaxy S series. Speaking of Galaxy S, the Infuse is described as "a Galaxy S phone" -- so yeah, that brand isn't going away any time soon. Software-wise, we obviously weren't able to get a feel for speed on the non-functional model, but you can expect the usual TouchWiz skin atop Android 2.2; sure, Gingerbread would've been nice at launch, but you can dry your tears on that 1.2GHz silicon.
Gallery: Samsung Infuse 4G announced for AT&T: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, crazy thin
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Casio shows Bluetooth Low Energy watch prototype, awaits Bluetooth Low Energy phones
Sony Ericsson, Citizen, and others have been taking occasional shots at integrating Bluetooth into wrist-bound baubles for several years now, but the problems have been pretty obvious -- Bluetooth wasn't really optimized to transfer nibble-sized chunks of information while sipping almost imperceptible amounts of power, so you end up with a watch that dies in hours or days rather than years. That's where Casio comes into play, showing off a prototype watch here at CES that makes use of Bluetooth Low Energy to connect to your phone and keep you abreast of calls and emails without the hassle of pulling the handset out of your pocket (or, worse yet, your belt-mounted holster). You can also silence alarms just by tapping on the watch, get your time synced, and generally look awesome while doing it -- if it were a production unit, that is. Problem is that there aren't any phones on the market with Bluetooth 4.0 support just yet, but Casio's confident enough that they're in the pipeline to say that they want to product their first BLE-enabled retail watches in 2011. The company is claiming two years of battery life off a single coin cell assuming twelve hours of use a day... so yeah, the benefits for this type of product are pretty clear. Follow the break for the full press release.Continue reading Casio shows Bluetooth Low Energy watch prototype, awaits Bluetooth Low Energy phones
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SD Association triples SDHC and SDXC speeds with UHS-II standard, adds secure eBook specification
Don't ever knock the SD Association for lagging behind. A scant seven months after the aforesaid entity revealed the UHS-I specifications, in flies the predicted successor at CES. UHS-II is a newfangled bus-interface system that promises high-def recording speeds of up to 312 megabytes per second, enabling pro shooters and videographers to actually consider an SDHC or SDXC-based camera rather than relying solely on CompactFlash or SSD. The protocol will be an integral part of the SD 4.00 specification that's going out to members later in the quarter, and naturally, it'll only be useful to SDXC and SDHC cards. We're looking at a 3x increase in transfer rates, and these same upticks will be gracing UHS-II microSDXC and microSDHC cards, too. Best of all, UHS-II cards will be fully backwards compatible with older devices and readers, as the speed increase simply relies on a new row of pins on a familiar form factor. In related news, a new eBook SD application has been announced, though the details surrounding it are murky at best. So far as we can tell, eBook SD cards will have their content pretty well contained, giving publishers the ability to rest easy while still getting content out to the myriad products that can understand SD. Peek the full release after the break.
Continue reading SD Association triples SDHC and SDXC speeds with UHS-II standard, adds secure eBook specification
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Xtrememac reveals InCharge Mobile iPhone 4 battery case, in-car USB chargers
Looking for a few peripherals to go along with all of this new gear being unveiled at CES? Have a gander at this. Xtrememac has just rolled out yet another rechargeable battery pack / protective case for Apple's iPhone 4, with this particular monster having a 2300mAh battery, an integrated kickstand and an on / off switch. The InCharge Mobile will go for $79.99, putting it in direct competition from the folks at Mophie. Next up is the InCharge Auto USB, which is a somewhat plain in-car USB charger that saves itself with ten watts of output -- plenty to juice up your iPad as it acts as the Road Trip Jukebox. The InCharge Auto Plus doubles it up with a second USB port, while the InCharge Auto AUX tosses in a 3.5mm auxiliary jack for easy connecting to one's line-in port. Those three will sell for $24.99, $29.99 and $49.99 in order of mention, and the trio should be available to ship right about... now.Continue reading Xtrememac reveals InCharge Mobile iPhone 4 battery case, in-car USB chargers
Xtrememac reveals InCharge Mobile iPhone 4 battery case, in-car USB chargers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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XpanD shows off customizable 'You'niversal 3D glasses, iPhone app
XpanD has already helped push 3D at home forward with glasses that worked with 3DTVs from all manufacturers, and not it appears the next step will be 3D glasses design to adjust to all people. Besides being lighter and having a new design, the Youniversal glasses it's releasing in 2011 feature Bluetooth or USB connectivity to iPhone or Android devices that allow their performance to be calibrated to any particular user's specifications. We didn't get a chance to test them out at the press event, but as you can see in the gallery, things like transition time can be adjusted to improve brightness or reduce ghosting. No word on price yet but the company expects these to be at the high end of the market compared to its current $129 X103s when they arrive in April. Oh, and if you're jumping on the passive glasses bandwagon like its old pal Vizio? There were some harsh words for the technology there, claiming it made broadcast 3D look SD with its loss of resolution, viewing angles and reduced quality on 2D HD content.

Gallery: Xpand Youniversal 3D glasses
Continue reading XpanD shows off customizable 'You'niversal 3D glasses, iPhone app
XpanD shows off customizable 'You'niversal 3D glasses, iPhone app originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Toshiba doesn't give up on the netbooks, officially announces Mini NB305 and NB505
Who says netbooks and tablets can't live in harmony? In addition to its unnamed tablet, Toshiba has brought along two 10.1-inch netbooks to CES. The first -- the Mini NB505 -- is really no surprise, and similar to the one released overseas, it has an Intel Atom N455 processor, 1GB of RAM, Windows 7 Starter, and a 250GB hard drive. At $300, it's officially Tosh's cheapest netbook, but we actually have to say the spotted, rubbery lid, which is available in five colors, is a nice addition. On the higher netbook end -- yes, there is still such a thing -- Toshiba has updated the Mini NB305 with an blue, aluminum lid and a dual-core Atom N550 processor. For $380, you get a 250GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, and that same great chiclet keyboard and touchpad combo. Alright, so isn't a Libretto W105 refresh, but hey, you can't say Toshiba's lacking in the mobile computing options department.
Gallery: Toshiba Mini NB305 and NB505 press shots
Gallery: Toshiba Mini NB305 and NB505
Toshiba doesn't give up on the netbooks, officially announces Mini NB305 and NB505 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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LG announces super slim Optimus Black with NOVA display
It may have already tipped its hand, but LG has now just gotten fully official with its latest flagship Android phone, the Optimus Black (previously known as the LG "B"), which packs a 4-inch NOVA display that promises to be both bright (700 nits) and energy efficient. What's more, despite being just 9.2 mm slim (and tapering down to 6 mm), the phone also packs 1,500mAh battery that promises a full day of use, and you'll get a 2 megapixel front-facing camera in addition to another one of unspecified resolution presumably 'round back. According to LG, the phone will ship with Android 2.2 (plus LG's Optimus UI 2.0), but get a Gingerbread update at some point in the future. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and look for the phone itself to roll out globally in the first half of the year.
Continue reading LG announces super slim Optimus Black with NOVA display
LG announces super slim Optimus Black with NOVA display originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs
Thanks to a couple of carefully planned slips over in South Korea, hardly anything about LG's CES 2011 is apt to take you fully by surprise. But if you just so happened to disconnect over the holidays, we'll break it all down below to ensure you remain firmly in the loop.
  • For starters, the outfit seems pretty darn proud of its new SmartTV platform. Hinted at last month, this system enables HDTVs, Blu-ray players and other sources to access all sorts of streaming media, apps and even provides users with a way to surf the web. Four main sections are given -- TV Live, Premium Content, TV Apps and a Launch Bar -- and for TV models, owners will control things with a wave of the hand (read: Magic Remote). SmartTV picks up where NetCast left off, offering access to Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand, NHL Gamecenter, NBA Game Live and MLB.tv. This here functionality is baked into quite a few of the outfit's 2011 HDTVs, but should own an older model...
  • Then there's the all-new SmartTV upgrader! The ST600 is a minuscule set-top box that aims to transform any TV into a SmartTV. So long as your set has an HDMI input, you'll be able to access the content mentioned above. But, of course, it's on you to source your own Magic Remote.
  • If it's an all-new TV you're after, the company is also revealing its 2011 LED and LCD HDTV line. Nary a one is different than those we heard about last week, but at least you can now rest easy knowing that the LW9500 and LW7700 Nano Full HD 3D models will indeed see a stateside release this month. The best news here is the use of polarizing glasses -- none of that headache-inducing active shutter mess. There are 13 new LED LCD models in all, with nine of 'em shipping with the SmartTV platform embedded. Unfortunately, LG's not dishing out pricing information on these bad boys just yet.
  • Not so keen on picking up an LCD? Plasma still lives, you know! LG's rolling out its 1080p Infinia PZ950 and PZ750 lines here at CES, with both available in 50-inch and 60-inch class sizes. Both lines come equipped with the SmartTV platform, a gesture-based Magic Motion remote andl as a free Android / iPhone app if you'd rather use your phone as a remote. The 50- / 60-inch PZ550 is saddling with NetCast 1.0, but it -- along with the PW350, PZ950 and PZ750 lines -- can handle 3D imagery. Sadly, LG's also straying from providing pricing details on these.
  • Wrapping things up, the company is debuting its 2011 line of networked Blu-ray players and home theater systems. The BD690 supports 3D BD playback and ships with an inbuilt 250GB HDD and the SmartTV platform. The majority of LG's line also includes WiFi, DLNA streaming support and a MusicID feature by Gracenote that enables consumers to play a song from a movie of TV show by mashing a single button on the remote. The BD670, BD650, BD640, BD630 and BD650 are also seeing the light of day, with the latter being LG's first portable BD deck.
  • Finally, LG snuck in an image (seen above) of a 3D mobile TV prototype. We've no details whatsoever to go on, but you can rest assured we'll be scouring the show floor in search of just that.
For more information on all of the goods here, head on past the break for the full releases. Don't expect to find any pricing information, though.
Gallery: LG's CES 2011 launch lineup: Blu-ray, HDTV, 3D mobile TV prototype
Continue reading LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs
LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Signeo reveals 'Soul by Ludacris' headphone series at CES
Here's an idea: start a headphone company, and then consult any 'ole musician for sponsorship. It's bound to work out well for you. HP has locked arms with Dr. Dre (and The Biebs!), Sleek Audio has done likewise with 50 Cent, Harman AKG has teamed with Quincy Jones, and now, Signeo is looking to Ludacris for a boost in the marketing department. Here at CES, the aforesaid outfit has just launched the cans you see above, aptly titled Soul by Ludacris. As you'd expect, they look mildly similar to the Beats headphone range that has seemingly taken the world by storm, and according to the release after the break, Luda was tightly involved in the construction of them. The Soul brand is debuting with five models in the line: the SL300 noise-cancelling headphones, on-ear SL150 / SL100 models and the SE99 / SE48 earbuds. The whole crew is tweaked to emit fairly intense bass ("without sacrificing the clarity of mids and highs," mind you), and while no pricing details are being shared just yet, we are told that you can find your own Soul when they hit shelves in "early 2011." One more look and the full release are after the break.Continue reading Signeo reveals 'Soul by Ludacris' headphone series at CES
Signeo reveals 'Soul by Ludacris' headphone series at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Live from LG's CES 2011 press event
We're entering the day of the liveblog here at CES with all the major electronics manufacturers finally ready to make their big splash announcements for 2011. LG is almost certain to drop some knowledge on us about its new triumvirate of Android smartphones, while 3DTVs, of both the mobile and supersized variety, are expected to feature strongly as well. Let's not waste time prognosticating, however -- there's a set of well groomed Korean gentlemen ready to do right by us with a surely awesome presentation. Why keep them waiting? Jump past the break for all the steaming-hot liveblog action.Continue reading Live from LG's CES 2011 press event
Live from LG's CES 2011 press event originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Spilled coffee in 777 cockpit leads to inadvertent hijack warning, FAA-mandated sippy cups look likely
Spilled coffee in 777 cockpit leads to inadvertant hijack warning, FAA-mandated sippy cups looking likely
If you've ever spilled coffee on a piece of electronics, maybe a keyboard or even a laptop, spare a thought for the pilot of United Airlines flight 940, outbound from Chicago and heading to Frankfurt. Not long after takeoff the pilot apparently dumped a cup of Joe onto the communications panel in the cockpit and things rapidly went downhill from there. The crew inadvertently sent a code 7500, which indicates that the plane is being hijacked and, as you can imagine, that led to a lot of unwanted attention. It's not clear whether the equipment malfunctioned and sent the code or the pilot, likely struggling with a scalded lap, fat-fingered things on the panel. Either way, the flight diverted to Toronto and, rather tragically, the passengers were all sent back to Chicago to try again the next day.
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Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc breaks cover, announced at CES this week?
Russian site Gagadget seems to have scored pictures of a phone that matches up perfectly with the teasers Sony Ericsson has placed strategically around the CES show grounds this week -- which, in turn, look a whole lot like the Anzu we've been seeing leaked for a few months. The site's saying this bad boy will come to market as the Xperia Arc, so called thanks to a concave backside. The specs, if legit, are decent: 1GHz Qualcomm processor (single-core, it seems), 4.2-inch 854 x 480 display, Gingerbread, 8 megapixel back-illuminated Sony sensor with HD video capture, and a body that measures just 8.7mm at the thinnest point. Sony's CES press conference is later today, so we might not have long to wait to get all the details on this one; in the meantime, follow the break for a quick promotional video Gagadget seems to have turned up.

[Thanks, SillentTroll]Continue reading Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc breaks cover, announced at CES this week?
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc breaks cover, announced at CES this week? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Qualcomm snaps up Atheros for $3.1 billion
Qualcomm is one of the wireless industry's undisputed titans, but it's looking to shore up a few holes in its component offerings today with the planned purchase of Atheros Communications, a company that primarily specializes in WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS chipsets. Atheros isn't exactly a startup, either: at $45 a share, Qualcomm will be shelling out roughly $3.1 billion to complete the acquisition (assuming it passes all the usual bureaucratic hurdles) of a company that's got WiFi silicon in products spanning the range from phones to PCs and every fledgling category in between. The deal's expected to close in the first half of this year; follow the break for the full press release.Continue reading Qualcomm snaps up Atheros for $3.1 billion
Qualcomm snaps up Atheros for $3.1 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC ThunderBolt in the wild one more time: 8GB internal, no HDMI?
Here we are a mere day away from the ThunderBolt's probable announce at Verizon's CES press conference, which, by our rough count, gives us at least one more opportunity to see the LTE-capable monster leaked in the wild. That opportunity comes courtesy of AndroidSPIN, who claims that we can expect a 1GHz single-core processor, 8GB of internal storage with microSD expansion, 8 megapixel rear and 1.3 megapixel front cams, Android 2.2.1 with Sense, HTC-customized mapping and nav (probably HTC Locations with offline caching), and DLNA compatibility -- but no built-in HDMI. Every one of those specs was either already expected or believable enough, though the lack of HDMI -- if true -- would still give the EVO 4G some bragging rights more than six months after its release. Score one for longevity, eh?

[Thanks, Taylor S.]
HTC ThunderBolt in the wild one more time: 8GB internal, no HDMI? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Canon VIXIA HF G10 boasts HD CMOS sensor and manual focus, joins new M, R, and S series camcorders
Another year, another revamping of your favorite company's camcorder lineup. Today's Mad Lib-esque fill-in-the-company-name is Canon. The VIXIA HF G10 is its new flagship with the approximately 2 megapixel (i.e. 1920 x 1080 resolution) HD CMOS sensor, a 10x optical zoom, manual focus ring, 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD, 32GB internal memory, dual SDXC slots, cinema filters, and a $1,499 price tag due in March. The M-Series all have the same HD CMOS sensor, 10x lens, 3-inch touchscreen cinema filters, dual SDXC slots and fits neatly into the new WP-V3 waterproof case. The 32GB M41, 16GB M40, and card slot-only M400 are coming in March for $799, $699, and $649 (the related case is $599 and coming out a month prior in February). The S30 has an 8.59 megapixel sensor, 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD, 32GB internal space, and is coming March for $1,099. Lastly, the new R-series. A 3.2 megapixel sensor, 3-inch touch panel LCD, HD-to-SD down conversion, dual SDXC slots, and 20x zoom. $499 for the 32GB R21, $399 for the 8GB R20, and $379 for the internal storage-deprived R200, all due out in February. We'll get hands-on when we can; in the meantime; lock your biological viewfinder on the pictures below.
Gallery: Canon VIXIA HF G10, M-series, R-series, and S30 press photos
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Canon's CES 2011 PowerShot quartet: A3300 IS, A2200, A1200, and the $89 A800
Cameras! Betcha didn't see that coming, did you? Canon's PowerShot lineup is out in full force. Actually there's just four to list, including the company's first point-and-shoot to drop below the $100 mark, but more on that one in a bit. From the top: The $179, 16 megapixel A3300 IS features 720p HD video, 5x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD, a number of creative filters including "toy camera" and monochrome, and discrete mode that turns off all sounds for when you need to snap more quietly. Next up (or rather down, on this proverbial list) is the $139 A2200, which keeps the creative filters, 720p HD video, and discrete mode while moving down to 14 megapixels, 4x optical zoom, and a 2.7-inch LCD.

The PowerShot A1200 (for $109) has similar specs to the A2200 but drops the sensor to 12.1 megapixels and nixes the discrete mode. There's also a tiny optical viewfinder -- not too useful, but hey, it's there if you want it. Finally we have the A800. 10 megapixels, VGA video with blur reduction, and a 2.5-inch LCD... doesn't look as spectacular when in the company of others, but it does rock an $89 price tag. All are due out late February. Check out the pics below.
Gallery: PowerShot A800, A1200, A2200, and A3300 IS press photos
Canon's CES 2011 PowerShot quartet: A3300 IS, A2200, A1200, and the $89 A800 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Contour adds Live Viewfinder to its ContourGPS helmet cam, real-time streaming to smartphones
Contour GPS
The Contour family of helmet cameras are among our favorite, their little lasers making it a little easier to figure out just where the heck they're pointing. Not as nice as the integrated screen as on the Drift Innovation HD170, but rather less bulky. Soon you won't have to worry about lasers with the upcoming Live Viewfinder feature. As it turns out, the $349.99 ContourGPS doesn't just have a GPS chip inside, there's Bluetooth connectivity in there somewhere too.

This enables the little cameras to connect wirelessly to your Android or iOS device and send some video its way. At least, that's the theory, as the apps aren't ready for consumption yet, though we're told iOS is coming first sometime this summer. It looks like you won't be able to tap into the camera's storage, this will exclusively work like a viewfinder, but that gives us something to hope for in coming releases. This extension is coming later this year, but we're hoping to check it out a lot sooner than that. Stay tuned.Continue reading Contour adds Live Viewfinder to its ContourGPS helmet cam, real-time streaming to smartphones
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Lexar unveils 32GB Class 10 microSDHC card, quick-fingered Android users celebrate
Lexar. It's Where Memory Matters. And it's also the only game in town to introduce a Class 10 microSDHC card. For those currently using an Android phone with a user-accessible microSD slot, you've probably gritted your teeth on a number of occasions waiting for your current Class 2 or Class 4 card to catch up with your demands. It's one of the downfalls to removable storage, but thankfully, the device you see above looks to us like a glistening solution. The 32GB Class 10 microSDHC card promises a minimum sustained write speed of 10MB per second and a read speed of nearly 20MB per second, which should all but eliminate any lag from loading up your favorite playlist. Lexar plans on shipping this guy with preloaded software to manage and sync stored images and videos, and speaking of shipping, it should be available right now on Amazon for $149.99.Continue reading Lexar unveils 32GB Class 10 microSDHC card, quick-fingered Android users celebrate
Lexar unveils 32GB Class 10 microSDHC card, quick-fingered Android users celebrate originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Isabella Products' Mini USB stick connects unconnected digital photo frames
Passed on Isabella Products' Vizit digital photo frame? 'Tis a shame, really. But hey, if you were one of the millions gifted with a lackluster, non-connected digiframe over the past few years, at least the aforesaid company is giving you a way to make things right. The outfit's newly launched Mini is one special USB key, embedded with an AT&T 3G SIM and tailor made to provide cellular connectivity to dormant frames. The key is linked to one's VizitMe content management service, and users will be able to email photos directly or have the device extract content from Photobucket and LIFE.com; once received, owners will see new images pop up on any frame that accepts USB keys. Furthermore, these same emailed images can be viewed on USB-equipped monitors and televisions. The company's planning to ship the Mini in Q2 of this year for an undisclosed rate, but naturally, we're more interested in the potential unadvertised capabilities. An off-contract, fee-free USB key with an AT&T SIM card within? Sounds like we're just a hack or two away from the most beautiful mobile broadband card this world has ever seen.Continue reading Isabella Products' Mini USB stick connects unconnected digital photo frames
Isabella Products' Mini USB stick connects unconnected digital photo frames originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sifteo announces early access details for Cubes: $99, Q1, lots of extras
We knew good and well that Sifteo's Cubits were coming in the year 2011 A.D., but little did we know we'd be seeing an update so soon, and here at CES of all places. The aforementioned company has apparently forged ahead with a name change, officially dubbing the little guys you see above "Cubes." Those looking to buy in early are certainly in for a treat, as its Early Access Program will bring a discounted rate as well as lots of extra goodies -- more for less is hard to beat, you know. At some point in Q1 of this year, $99 will enable eager early adopters to get a trio of the 1.5-inch blocks, 1000 points to purchase games and apps from the online store, a coupon to redeem once the product is launched in earnest, 50 percent off anything in the Sifteo store (up to $200) and a limited edition t-shirt. It'll be the only chance to snag a set prior to their nationwide release in the fall of this year, and if you're still wondering just how much fun you could have, head on past the break for the full release. It's a hoot, we tell ya.Continue reading Sifteo announces early access details for Cubes: $99, Q1, lots of extras
Sifteo announces early access details for Cubes: $99, Q1, lots of extras originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: 4000 / 5000 / 6000 series LCDs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems
Consider yourself an HD junkie? You're in for a treat. A feast of treats, actually. Philips has just let loose a veritable smorgasbord of new HD kit at CES this morning, from LCD HDTVs to Blu-ray decks to complete home theater systems. Here's what you need to know:
  • The 4000 LED series of HDTVs are available in 40 (40PFL4706), 46 (46PFL4706) and 55 (55PFL4706) inch sizes, these mid-range sets include MediaConnect and NetTV for getting your PC to play nice on your TV (sans wires, at that), with the latter also providing easy access to Vudu, Netflix, Blockbuster and FilmFresh. These will ship by May for prices of $749, $999 and $1499 in order of mention. For those who couldn't care less about MediaConnect of NetTV, a 19-inch, 22-inch and 32-inch version will be available this month for $199.99, $249.99 and $449.99, respectively.
  • Moving up a bit, the 5000 LCD series will ship in 40 (40PFL5706), 46 (46PFL5706) and 55 (55PFL5706) inch sizes, with these boasting the same basic functionality as the 4000 series but gaining a Pixel Precise HD engine and 120Hz de-jitter support. Look for these in the April / May time frame for $679, $899 and $1099.
  • Looking to take one more step towards high-end? The LED 6000 series is where's it at, improving upon the other two lines by adding... 3D. Naturally. Check the 40PFL6706 (40-inch), 46PFL6706 (46-inch) and 55PFL6706 (55-inch) models this September for $999, $1299 and $1699 in order of mention.
  • If you're looking to outfit your room with a full-on home theater system, Philips is revealing five new setups today, three of which have 3D support baked right in. The whole lot includes a Blu-ray deck and support for MediaConnect / NetTV, with the more expensive sets boasting wireless rear speakers and DLNA streaming. They'll be shipping from February to May for $269.99 to $449.99.
  • Closing things out are the company's five new Blu-ray decks, with the $169.99 (BDP3506), $199.99 (BDP5506) and $219.99 (BDP7506) models supporting 3D Blu-ray. The 7506 also gets MediaConnect and NetTV, with the whole range shipping between next month and April.
Check out the full releases, each chock full of details, right after the break. Oh, and sink your retinas into the gallery below while you're at it.
Gallery: Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: HDTVs, Blu-ray players, home cinema systems
Continue reading Philips CES 2011 HD lineup: 4000 / 5000 / 6000 series LCDs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems
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Pure launches Contour, One Flow and i-20, also debuts FlowSongs cloud-based music service
It's a heavy day at CES, and it's also a big day for the folks at Pure. Not only have they provided an updated release time table for the Sensia ("later in 2011" for an unknown amount) and Sirocco 550 (March for $499), but it's also branching out with a few unexpected launches. In order to get even more tunes to the outfit's blossoming line of WiFi radios, Pure has revealed its FlowSongs cloud-based music service -- put simply, it enables consumers to buy music directly from their radio and Pure's Lounge iPhone app. Users are instructed to 'Like' songs on FM or internet radio, and then within the same interface, they're able to click 'Buy' while simultaneously scratching that Instant Gratification itch. Customers can download high-quality versions of the MP3 onto their Mac and PC, and it'll work on any Flow radio. Currently, the service is expected to launch as a public beta in North America this spring, with individual tracks priced between $0.99 and $1.49 depending on the publisher. Unfortunately, there's a $5.99 yearly subscription to actually use FlowSongs, which all but guarantees failure in a world where $1.49 tracks feel too pricey on their own.

Moving on, the company is also dishing out a few hardware announcements. Up first is the Contour (shown above), an iPod / iPhone-friendly WiFi radio that touts a black crescent shape (not too unlike Meridian's M80), touch-sensitive controls and a trio of video outputs (composite, component and S-Video). The One Flow ($149) is about as basic as it gets, rocking a truly retro motif, a 3.5mm auxiliary input and a pair of alarms. Wrapping things up, there's the i-20, which is hailed as the only digital iPod dock available that supports component, S-Video and composite outputs. In a nutshell, it's a video output stand for your iPod or iPhone, which may or may not be worth the $99 asking price. Head on past the break for specifics on availability, and tap that source link once your credit card is ready.
Gallery: Pure's One Flow, i-20 and Contour at CES 2011
Continue reading Pure launches Contour, One Flow and i-20, also debuts FlowSongs cloud-based music service
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Philips crams ATSC M/H tuner into PD725 portable DVD player, intros PB9013 mobile Blu-ray player
In recent years, Philips has strayed somewhat from introducing products catering to the North American marketplace. We're thrilled to say that this year's spate of CES announcements signifies a stark turn from that approach. The most interesting release from the company during this year's blowout is probably the PS725 (shown above), a 7-inch portable DVD player that doubles as a mobile TV viewer. Before you bust out the yawn collector, you should know that Philips managed to stuff both an ATSC and an ATSC M/H tuner within, the latter of which just announced a major push into 20 major metropolitan markets back in November. The unit has an 800 x 480 resolution display, three hours of nonstop playback via a rechargeable Li-Polymer battery pack, a screen that swivels 180 degrees and a $299 price point. It'll ship in March, just as your FLO TV service keels over. In related news, the outfit is also outing a PB9013 portable Blu-ray player, which touts a 9-inch display, a battery good for three hours of enjoyment, a bundled mounting kit and an HDMI output. You'll also see this one ship in March, but with a $399 retail sticker.

Outside of those two, we're told that the GeGear Muse MP4 player is now on track to ship in March, with the 8GB model going for $149, the 16GB edition for $179 and the high-end 32GB model for $229. For those out of the loop, it'll deliver a 3.2-inch HVGA touchpanel, an FM radio tuner, 720p movie support and compatibility with FLAC and APE lossless files. Closing things up, we've got the Fidelio DS8550 and DS9010 speaker docks. The former handles your iPod, iPhone and / or iPad, streams tunes over Bluetooth and touts a built-in, rechargeable battery; this guy's on sale now for $299. As for the latter? That one's expected to ship at the tail-end of March for $599, with the price premium netting you an aircraft quality aluminum enclosure, improved audio drivers and a proximity sensor to activate a backlit control panel. Bullet points after the break, per usual.
Gallery: Philips CES 2011 product launches
Continue reading Philips crams ATSC M/H tuner into PD725 portable DVD player, intros PB9013 mobile Blu-ray player
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Hitachi GST releases CinemaStar hard drives aimed for a DVR near you
Hitachi GST has announced two new drive families that it hopes will find happy homes in living rooms soon. To survive the mean streets of entertainment, both the 2.5-inch CinemaStar C5K750 and the 3.5-inch CinemaStar C5K750 families are lauded as quiet, energy sipping, and compact -- though they're positively fat compared to their 7mm thick Travelstar brethren. The 2.5-inch line ships in capacities of 750, 640, and 500GBs, while sipping 1.5W power during read/write operation and generating 2.3 idle bels. The 3.5-inch family bumps up the storage up to 1.5TB and 2TB capacities and features a CoolSpin Technology for A/V performance when handling the onslaught of recording and playing multiple video streams. For full details check out the PR after the break.Continue reading Hitachi GST releases CinemaStar hard drives aimed for a DVR near you
Hitachi GST releases CinemaStar hard drives aimed for a DVR near you originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Military terrain-sensing tech to enable smarter electronic wheelchairs
Work being done by researchers at the Florida A&M University / Florida State University College of Engineering aims to make life a little easier for those folks who rely on electric wheelchairs by using automatic terrain-sensing tech originally developed for military robotic vehicles. Their prototype electric wheelchair can detect hazardous terrain and change driving strategies appropriately is so promising that the US Army has provided funding. If all goes well, we could be seeing these new-age chairs within five years -- CES 2016 can't come soon enough.
Military terrain-sensing tech to enable smarter electronic wheelchairs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 05:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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IKEA becomes the first major retailer to stop selling incandescent light bulbs
Remember The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which mandated that all US retailers must stop selling incandescent bulbs by 2012? If you don't, you're apparently not alone, since according to a lighting survey conducted for IKEA back in 2010, 61% of Americans weren't aware of the legislation either. Luckily for those not in the know, IKEA was kind enough to remind the world of the upcoming change by proudly announcing that they've stopped selling the power-sucking bulbs a whole year early -- making them the first retailer in the US to comply with the bill. To help customers deal with the switch the furniture giant will sell visitors compact fluorescent and halogen bulbs -- in addition to LED lamps. That's seems like smart business considering the same lighting survey says 67% of Americans care about using energy saving lights, while 81% say using more efficient lights is a good environmental practice. So much for incandescent bulbs making a comeback eh?Continue reading IKEA becomes the first major retailer to stop selling incandescent light bulbs
IKEA becomes the first major retailer to stop selling incandescent light bulbs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 03:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The first ever Engadget Podcast / Engadget Show CES livestream extravaganza is happening now!
Do you like the Engadget Podcast? Do you like the Engadget Show? Do you like gadgets? Do you like people? Do you like talking? Do you like laughing? Do you like to learn? Do you like to live? Do you live to love? After the break, now, for the first ever Engadget Podcast / Engadget Show combo -- the very first CES 2011 live podcast. Yes, there's video.

Update: It's over, but we'll have the recorded version up shortly -- and don't worry, we're doing this live every day of CES, so tune in again all week!
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Google building its own NFC-based payments system?
Can't say we're surprised to hear this at all, but Bloomberg BusinessWeek says Google's working on its own NFC-based mobile payments system. That makes perfect sense, given that Eric Schmidt has been enthusiastically extolling the virtues of NFC since just before Google launched the Nexus S -- which, of course, features an NFC chip. BusinessWeek says the system might launch as early as this year, although we think Google's got plenty of infrastructure work to do first -- and it's facing plenty of competition from the likes of Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, who are launching their own Isis payment system, as well as direct device competition from RIM and Apple. Should get interesting -- we'll see if we hear anything at CES this week.
Google building its own NFC-based payments system? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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3D movies via VUDU coming next week
VUDU 2.0 UI
Picked up a new 3DTV and you're seriously bummed that there's nothing to watch? Good news if you have one of the many VUDU capable streaming devices as next week is the week when 3D movies start heading your way. Said movies will be available in all the various resolutions we've come to expect, and will require the same amount of the bandwidth as the 2D streams. This and the fact that there's no mention of HDMI 1.4a leads us to believe this here 3D is of the frame compatible variety -- not that there's anything wrong with that. The attached press release is missing our favorite details like available titles and prices, but VUDU informed us via email that Disney's Bolt, Meet the Robinsons, and Chicken Little will be first on tap and there is a $1 premium for 3D for rentals and $2 more for purchases -- typically.Continue reading 3D movies via VUDU coming next week
3D movies via VUDU coming next week originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Toshiba's unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet powers on!
Well, would you look at what we found hanging around Toshiba's CES kick-off party. Okay, so Tosh's still unnamed tablet wasn't running Honeycomb like the final unit will, but Toshiba's loaded Android 2.2 on there to give us a better idea of how it will work when it's finally ready. There's really not much we can say that we didn't already say before -- it's still a very nicely made tablet and we're really digging that rubberized back. As for the screen, the viewing angles were quite wide and Toshiba showed off its Resolution +, which will enhance video or photos on the fly to make them look more HDish. If you're interested in seeing a bit more, hit the break for a short video.
Gallery: Toshiba 10-inch Android tablet
Continue reading Toshiba's unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet powers on!
Toshiba's unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet powers on! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Vizio Tablet hands-on preview
We just had our first in-depth experience with the Vizio Tablet, the company's opening overture into the world of Android slates, and we've got to say -- we like what we see. The device -- which was just announced Monday afternoon along with the company's new smartphone, the Vizio Phone -- is still rather unfinished (the model we looked at was a hand-built device), but based on this early look, the company is moving down the right roads. We had a good chance to play around with the tablet, and we've got all the details, specs, and an in-depth video after the break!
Gallery: Vizio Tablet hands-on
Continue reading Vizio Tablet hands-on preview
Vizio Tablet hands-on preview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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RCA does Android on TV without Google's help (video)
Just like the slew of tablets that have found their path to store shelves without official blessing from Google or access to the Android Market, RCA has chosen to go its own way People of Lava-style with this prototype Android TV, due out later this year. Obviously very early in development, it was unfortunately devoid of apps other than Picasa and a simple weather widget, and used pretty standard remote keys to guide a mouse arrow around the screen and keyboard. You can check out the video after the break to confirm, but with the official Google TV products already experiencing their own growing pains it's tough to get behind a lone challenger. RCA plans to show off some 3D products and Blu-ray players at its booth to go along with this and its mobile TVs, we'll see if we're more impressed later on this week.Continue reading RCA does Android on TV without Google's help (video)
RCA does Android on TV without Google's help (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Vizio Phone hands-on preview
Along with Vizio's new tablet, we had a chance to look at the HDTV maker's new Android device, unsurprisingly dubbed the Vizio Phone. The phone is still in the early stages (both the hardware and software aren't production ready at all), but there's a lot of promise on both the industrial design and user interface sides. We had a chance to go hands-on with the phone and take a pretty deep look at the UI, so follow along after the break for lots more info and a complete video walkthrough of the Vizio Phone!
Gallery: Vizio Phone hands-on

Continue reading Vizio Phone hands-on preview
Vizio Phone hands-on preview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mophie Pulse haptic game grip hands-on
Today at CES, Mophie showed off a prototype of its Pulse game grip for the 4th-generation iPod touch, which features battery-powered front-facing stereo speakers and haptic feedback by Reflex Technology. We spent some time using the Pulse and came away rather impressed. Game audio, music, and even the keyboard tick sound get translated into convincing pulses and vibrations. The iPod touch interfaces with the Pulse via the 3.5mm headphone jack, and a switch on the bottom left edge turns the haptic feedback on and off. As a bonus, the Pulse also offers full case protection. No word yet on availability or pricing, but you can check out the prototype in the gallery below.
Gallery: Mophie Pulse haptic game grip hands-on
Mophie Pulse haptic game grip hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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OnStar partners with Verizon to bring LTE 4G to your rear view (video)
We're lucky to be bathed in warm, refreshing 4G waves while reporting live from Vegas, Sprint and Clearwire taking care of that. Verizon's catching up in a big way with its LTE rollout and now OnStar is onboard -- conceptually, anyway. The company has outfitted a Buick LaCrosse with a 4G LTE modem for the purpose of experimenting with what can be done in a car with that kind of bandwidth. It wouldn't have been our choice of cars for such application, Buick not exactly screaming "hot new thing" at this point, but of course it's not really about the car, it's about the bandwidth.

What are they going to do with it? High-def streaming both ways, for one thing, including the ability to watch home security cameras from within the car or, alternatively, to look at cameras within the car when it's parked in the night, in an alley, somewhere you're having second thoughts about. OnStar wants real-time streaming of traffic cameras and even Skype video chat, which sounds like overkill to us, but don't let us rain on your crazy mobile video chat parade.

At this point we're not sure how much of this stuff will find its way into a proper car of the future (Buick or other), but you can get a bit of a taste in the video teaser below.
Gallery: OnStar and Verizon LTE
Continue reading OnStar partners with Verizon to bring LTE 4G to your rear view (video)
OnStar partners with Verizon to bring LTE 4G to your rear view (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC ThunderBolt for Verizon and Inspire 4G for AT&T break cover courtesy of Rolling Stone ad
So yes, it's looking about as confirmed as can be: thanks to a full-page ad in the latest issue of Rolling Stone, we're finding out that the name of HTC's first LTE phone for Verizon -- and its first LTE phone regardless of carrier, actually -- will definitely be "ThunderBolt." This is the same phone that we've seen rumored and leaked over the last few months as the Mecha and the Droid Incredible HD, but we'll admit -- ThunderBolt seems like a pretty solid name for a phone that's sporting a 4.3-inch display and some of the fastest data around.

Behind and to the right of the ThunderBolt, though, is another leak: the Inspire 4G for AT&T, though it's unclear what "4G" means in this context exactly -- AT&T's in the same boat as T-Mobile right now where they're topping out with HSPA+ and don't have any LTE markets live, so it seems they might be borrowing a play from their smaller rival's playbook and labeling the HSPA+ airwaves as straight-up 4G. We're sad to see that trend start to snowball -- but we'll admit, T-Mobile kinda forced their hand on that one. At any rate, we're pretty confident both of these suckers are going to get official here at CES this week, so keep your ear to the ground.
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Touch Revolution rolling out Tru Multitouch capacitive screens sized between 15 and 32 inches
Touch Revolution doesn't think capacitive screens are big enough. Not big enough at all. So what is the company doing about it? Why, it's introducing a line of projected capacitive displays alternately spanning 15-, 19-, 21.5- and 32-inch diagonals. The biggest model is set for production later in the year, but its smaller siblings are available now. The target market for Touch Revolution are businesses who may integrate these panels -- which also come in an "open frame" option where the OEM can slap on its own external stylings -- into their commercial offerings. Demos of all these models, replete with innovative uses of multitouch on a large-scale display, will be available at CES this week. We'll let you know just how innovative the whole shebang is when we get our fingers on the Tru Multitouch hardware. Full press release after the break.Continue reading Touch Revolution rolling out Tru Multitouch capacitive screens sized between 15 and 32 inches
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Altec Lansing's inMotion Air speaker system streams from just about anywhere
Too Anti-Apple to buy into AirPlay? We feel you, and so does Altec Lansing. Here at CES, the outfit has just unveiled its latest speaker solution, the inMotion Air. Rather than catering specifically to iDevice users, this one's universal in nature -- hook a bundled adapter into your PC, and you can stream tunes to this here speaker from up to 300 feet away. There's also support for Bluetooth streaming, an internal battery that'll keep the good times rollin' for seven straight hours and a line-out connector in case you'd like to hook up a more robust set of drivers. The whole thing weighs just over a pound, and you'll even find a handle on the back for easy toting. It'll ship next month in slate black and gunmetal grey, with a retail price set at $199.95.
Gallery: Altec Lansing's inMotion Air speaker system at CES 2011
Continue reading Altec Lansing's inMotion Air speaker system streams from just about anywhere
Altec Lansing's inMotion Air speaker system streams from just about anywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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