Wednesday, April 20, 2011

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 20/04/2011





Alienware M18x and M14x first hands-on!
Now that Alienware's latest gaming notebooks have broken free from their classified captivity, perhaps you'd like to know how their form factors stack up? Well, we just so happen to have gotten our grubby paws on the extraterrestrials, and they're looking mighty fine. We'll warn you though, that the chart-topping M18x is a beast in more ways than one -- it may not be a literal 600-pound gorilla, but after one heft of its 16-pound frame we started wondering if luggables were back in vogue.



While the M18x's factory-overclocked 4GHz processor and HDMI-input sorely tempted us, we were rather more taken with the Alienware M14x's svelte frame, which should prove quite tempting for those who dig its more petite profile. While it doesn't have the anodized aluminum shell of its big brother the M18x, its red matte plastic exterior has a high-quality feel to it, though we spotted an unsightly seam along the right edge of the prototype unit. We briefly played Call of Duty: Black Ops on the M14x, and found the keys to have plenty of travel and provided a satisfying click with each press as we wandered Cuban streets, and the touchpad was quite responsive as well (though we didn't have a chance to test its multitouch capabilities). It's heavier than other laptops with similar screen real-estate, but it's still an totally totable PC -- and the heft is a welcome tradeoff in exchange for the added horsepower under the hood as compared to its Jenny Craig competition.

Gallery: Alienware M14x, M18x and M11x R3 hands-on




Sean Hollister contributed to this report.
Alienware M18x and M14x first hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sprint to pay at least $1 billion to use Clearwire's 4G network through 2012
Although it might not make a difference to consumers, the 4G network ripping through Sprint-branded devices such as the EVO 4G doesn't actually belong to the carrier. Rather, Sprint rents use of Clearwire's network, and the two have been duking it out for months over just how much that service is worth. That battle finally came to an end today when Sprint, which happens to be Clearwire's majority owner, agreed to pay at least $1.03 billion this year and next to run its WiMAX devices on the network. The two companies also agreed to mutual wholesale rights, meaning they can sell access to each other's 3G and 4G networks to other providers. And they reached a pricing agreement for phones that offer both 3G and 4G connectivity -- a bone of contention for Sprint, whose customers can't all take advantage of 4G speeds, depending on where they live. Then again, Clearwire needs those billions precisely so that it can expand its network. As for Sprint, it can now blow less cash on legal fees -- and instead gird itself for a potential three-horse race against Verizon and AT&T&T.



[Image courtesy of Mobiledia]
Continue reading Sprint to pay at least $1 billion to use Clearwire's 4G network through 2012
Sprint to pay at least $1 billion to use Clearwire's 4G network through 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceReuters, Forbes  | Email this | Comments

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Acer's Jim Wong named Corporate President, will head new Touch Business Group
The changes just keep on coming at Acer these days -- following a shakeup at the top and a new, friendlier logo, the company has now announced that longtime company exec Jim Wong will be stepping up to the role of Corporate President. What's more, he'll also be heading up Acer's brand new Touch Business Group, which combines the company's former tablet PC and smartphone teams, and promises to help Acer "make significant inroads" in the mobile device business -- or so it hopes, at least. Elsewhere in the company, Acer's traditional PC Global Operations business will be led by the former VP of its handheld business unit, Campbell Kan, while a number of other Acer execs have also been appointed to some new positions, including Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Technology Officer. Head on past the break for the official word from Acer itself.
Continue reading Acer's Jim Wong named Corporate President, will head new Touch Business Group
Acer's Jim Wong named Corporate President, will head new Touch Business Group originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft's Ashley Highfield says no dedicated tablet OS until the time is right
In an interview with Pocket-lint, Microsoft UK's Ashley Highfield said the company won't be delivering a dedicated OS for tablets anytime soon. "We won't do anything in the tablet market unless we can be distinctive," he said. Given, we've already seen a number of slates rocking Windows 7, but Highfield was apparently tight-lipped about any solid plans to move into the tablet market in any substantial way, saying Microsoft sees itself as an underdog in certain areas. As far as we know, Highfield made no mention of how this relates to Windows Compact 7, which we've seen in prototype form in the past. Of course, all of this is coming from the guy who warned of the impending death of television as we know it, but we're inclined to believe him on this one. On another note, Microsoft's UK managing director said he gets his tablet fix on a Dell Inspiron Duo -- we suppose it's a good sign he's not rocking an Android or iOS tab.
Microsoft's Ashley Highfield says no dedicated tablet OS until the time is right originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePocket-lint  | Email this | Comments

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Maxell's Vibrabone HP-VBC40 earbuds can rattle your skull, if you'd like
Maxell has taken a slightly different approach to the bone conduction trope with its new Vibrabone HP-VBC40 earbuds - headphones that combine standard stereo drivers with the same bone-rattling, vibration-based technology we've all come to know and love. According to Maxell, the Vibrabone's hybrid system enhances the bass that would be coursing its way through your cranium, while its dual volume control allows users to fine tune that bass flow. Apparently, this bass adjustment mechanism puts less stress on your eardrums, which might make the entire bone conduction concept seem slightly less creepy. The earbuds come in black, blue and white, and will be available in Japan toward the end of April, for a little under ¥4,000 or about $50.
Maxell's Vibrabone HP-VBC40 earbuds can rattle your skull, if you'd like originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Akhiabara News, OhGizmo  |  sourceMaxell  | Email this | Comments

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Otomata sequencer creates generative music for the melodically challenged (video)
It won't bring you the success or adoration that Brian Eno's enjoyed, but the Otomata sequencer could have you making noise like the Roxy Music alum in seconds. Way back in 1996, Eno espoused the idea of generative music, which is a non-repetitive form of music created, in this case, anyway, by a piece of software. Otomata takes that idea and puts it to use in a cellular automaton, consisting of a simple grid of cells in different states. With Otomata, each selected cell has four states: up, down, left, and right. When activated, the cells move in the direction of their given state, and when they encounter an obstacle, like a wall, a pitched sound is created. After each collision, the cells turn around and head in the opposite direction until they hit another obstacle, and the process continues indefinitely. The result is a chaotic but somehow lulling symphony of electronic sounds, a la Mr. Eno, that anyone with a mouse can muster. Head on past the break to see for yourself.
Continue reading Otomata sequencer creates generative music for the melodically challenged (video)
Otomata sequencer creates generative music for the melodically challenged (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceEarslap  | Email this | Comments

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Alienware M18x, M14x and M11x R3 finally official, world can now move on
Last week, we received a top-secret communique from Dell's Alienware division, bidding us attend a San Francisco event -- where, we were told, we'd be privy to some highly classified announcements. Of course, this being Dell and not the CIA, we already knew more or less what we'd see: Alienware's latest batch of powerhouse gaming machine. Today, the aliens have landed with two new notebook computers -- the Alienware M18x and M14x -- and a hefty spec bump for the littlest alien in the form of the M11x R3. Each brings Intel's new Sandy Bridge processors and NVIDIA Optimus switchable graphics to the fore, as well as some oh-so-slightly tweaked frames, and the M14x and M18x bring WirelessHD tech to sling images to your screen.



The M11x and M14x are available now on Dell's site starting at $999 and $1,199, respectively. For your cash, you'll get 8 hours of battery life in the M11x and 6 hours in its chunkier sibling. Scheduled to land in May, the M18x weighs a scale-tipping 16 pounds, and adds an HDMI input (because PC gamers own consoles, too), and the factory overclocked 4Ghz processor and five programmable keys with up to fifteen different macros for your customizing delight. We're off to get some hands-on time with Dell's new little green (and blue and red) extra terrestrials, so stay tuned... PR after the break.

Gallery: Alienware M11x R3, M14x and M18x, eyes-on
Gallery: Alienware M18x, M14x and M11x R3 press shots
Continue reading Alienware M18x, M14x and M11x R3 finally official, world can now move on
Alienware M18x, M14x and M11x R3 finally official, world can now move on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAlienware M14x (Dell), Alienware M11x R3 (Dell)  | Email this | Comments

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BlackBerry Bridge not available for PlayBook users on AT&T, unofficial workaround available
We're not sure why this was never mentioned before the BlackBerry Playbook launch, but it looks like AT&T customers opting for RIM's new tablet won't be able to take advantage of one key feature, at least officially. For reasons yet unknown, AT&T appears to be blocking folks from downloading BlackBerry Bridge to their BlackBerry smartphones, with the speculation being that it doesn't like the free tethering the Playbook enables. As the folks at CrackBerry have discovered, however, AT&T is only blocking the Bridge app, not the actual Bridge process -- which means you can still download the app though unofficial means and Bridge your AT&T BlackBerry to your Playbook. Here's hoping AT&T figures out a workaround of its own sooner rather than later.



Update: We just heard back from AT&T, and it's looking like you'll need to have a bit of patience here as the kinks are worked out. Here's the direct quote from a company spokesperson: "AT&T is working with RIM to make the BlackBerry Bridge app available for AT&T customers. We have just received the app for testing and before it's made available to AT&T customers we want to ensure it delivers a quality experience for our customers."
Permalink   |  sourceCrackBerry  | Email this | Comments

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Bang & Olfusen's BeoVision 4-85 TV combines 3D and Full HD with superfluous sleekness
Bang & Olfusen's new BeoVision 4-85 isn't just another run-of-the-mill 3D TV for the unwashed masses. It's a really pretty 3D TV, for the refined and the opulent. The 85-inch plasma screen comes encased in a high-grade aluminum frame, and combines anti-reflection coating with automated image controls, to guarantee crystal clear, Full HD viewing at any time of day. B&O's first foray into the 3D/Full HD realm also features a BeoLab 10 central loudspeaker, which uses Acoustic Lens Technology to deliver consistently high-frequency sounds, regardless of where you're sitting in relation to the speaker. And, much like its 103-inch brethren, this 85-incher comes with a motorized stand, which automatically elevates and tilts the screen to ideal viewing position whenever the system is turned on. Once you've finished marveling at the BeoVision 4-85's robust design, you can turn it off and watch in awe, as the display magically lowers itself to "within inches" of the floor (where, incidentally, you'll also be able to find your jaw). No word yet on the price of this experience, but we're gonna go out on a limb and assume that it's pretty steep. The beast is set to be unleashed in Moscow tomorrow, but you can check out an appropriately slick car commercial video on the BeoVision 4 family, after the break.
Continue reading Bang & Olfusen's BeoVision 4-85 TV combines 3D and Full HD with superfluous sleekness
Permalink FlatPanelsHD  |  sourceBang & Olfusen  | Email this | Comments

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Amazon beats Dell to the punch, quietly ships WiFi-only Streak 7 in the US
If you've been impatiently waiting for that $380 WiFi-only Dell Streak 7 you pre-ordered, you can stop your fidgeting because it looks like Amazon, at least, has quietly started to ship them out to eager US customers -- the second market to get the Android tablet this week. Just to refresh your memories, it offers a dual-core 1GHz Tegra T20 processor, 16GB of storage, dual cameras, and, eventually, an upgrade to Android Honeycomb (3.0), something Samsung's 7-inch Galaxy Tab isn't guaranteed to get. But is that worth the Streak's higher price and shorter endurance? We'll let you and your wallet be the judge.
Amazon beats Dell to the punch, quietly ships WiFi-only Streak 7 in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink NetbookNews  |  sourceAmazon  | Email this | Comments

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Lenovo ThinkPad X220 and X220T now shipping, starting at $849
Laptop makers seem to enjoy making our lives difficult by sneaking "buy now" labels onto their latest products and Lenovo has kept up that tradition by making its 12.5-inch ThinkPad X220 available without telling anyone. It's now ready to purchase at the company's online store, starting at $849 with a Core i3-2310M processor, and its convertible tablet sibling, the X220T, is also eager to be snatched up, though its starting price is $1,249 with the same CPU on board. Eight business days will be required for delivery to reach you, but we'd wait a whole lot longer than that for the gorgeous IPS display and extreme battery life on offer. Sadly, you can't upgrade beyond the 1366 x 768 resolution nor away from the Intel HD Graphics 3000 "option," but then we hear that PowerPoint presentations should be blindingly fast on these machines anyhow. Hit the source links to see just how high you can raise the price by maxing out the rest of the specs.



[Thanks, Dave]
Lenovo ThinkPad X220 and X220T now shipping, starting at $849 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLenovo (X220), (X220T)  | Email this | Comments

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Sony's MDR-DS6500 wireless headphones serve up surround sound in style
We've seen some rather homely cans in our time -- wireless and otherwise -- which is why we were delighted to see that Sony's latest set of 7.1 channel headphones doesn't sacrifice form for function -- at least not on paper. The MDR-DS6500 setup offers up a slew of surround sound modes, including Dolby Digital, Sony's Virtualphones Technology, a 100-meter (330-foot) operating range, and automatic tuning. Sony's also promising 20 hours of listening for every three hours the things spend on their charging dock. We're not sure how much they'll set you back, but they are set for release sometime this May. Of course, we'll hold our judgment until we actually hear how they stack up. Full PR after the break.
Continue reading Sony's MDR-DS6500 wireless headphones serve up surround sound in style
Sony's MDR-DS6500 wireless headphones serve up surround sound in style originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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White iPhone 4 used to demo new multitasking, Spotlight search in 'test version' of iOS? (video)
We've just laid eyes on a video from the prolific leaksters over at Tinhte, who claim they not only have a white iPhone 4 from Apple, but it's one with a "test version" of iOS that nobody else has yet seen. It's difficult to ascertain how legitimate this software is -- it could just be a neatly done jailbreak mod -- but that site has a track record of getting its hands on Apple gear ahead of the pack. With that said, the multitasking menu shown here substitutes the current use of apps' icons to represent them with a visual of each app's open window. You can tap on a window to expand it (replete with animation) to fill the screen or long-press on it to bring up the familiar "x" button for shutting it down. This is all accompanied by a new "Search iPhone" dialog at the very top, which sends you into Spotlight search that looks very much the way it currently does (though it seems to no longer be accessible with a left swipe from the first homescreen as on previous versions of iOS). Jump past the break for the video.



Update: A second video has been uncovered, this one showing that we're looking at a prototype unit and taking us on a tour around its body. A visit to the Settings menu shows a 64GB storage capacity, while app folder creation is also handled a little differently from iOS 4. The presence of the Touch Fighter app on this phone, which Apple built to show off the capabilities of earlier versions of the handset, and other internal-looking software seems to point to this indeed being some form of iOS beta build. Of course, it might not be iOS 5 at all, but simply a never-released version of iOS 4. All we know for sure is that the video's after the break.



Update 2: All indications are that this is indeed an early, unreleased version of iOS 4. Interesting, but probably not something to get your hopes up about.
Continue reading White iPhone 4 used to demo new multitasking, Spotlight search in 'test version' of iOS? (video)
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Sonos adds AirPlay support as Android Controller app hits the Market
For months we've been wondering aloud how Sonos would respond to Apple's September AirPlay announcement. After all, Apple's promise to "stream music throughout your entire house" steps all over Sonos' reason to exist. Would Sonos start building its systems with BridgeCo chips? As it turns out: no. Instead, Sonos is opting for a rather ingenious solution, at a cost of $99. Rather than licensing BridgeCo technology at additional expense atop Sonos' already costly components, the company has instead devised an approach that links Apple's own AirPlay-compliant AirPort Express into Sonos' proprietary wireless mesh network. The solution (illustrated after the break) works by first shutting off the WiFi on the AirPort Express base station and then stringing a cable between its audio-out and the line-in jack on any Sonos ZonePlayer, including the S5 all-in-one speaker. You then run an ethernet patch cable between the two and you've just enabled your iOS devices to play AirPlay audio to any (or all) Sonos device in the home from any compatible AirPlay app. Naturally, the Sonos solution does not integrate with AirPlay speakers like those from iHome, JBL, B&W, Klipsch, or Philips and the AirPlay audio won't be synced with video; but it's a start. The new functionality requires a software update to your system in the form of Sonos System Software version 3.4 -- available now -- which also adds iOS multitasking amongst a few other goodies.



Today also marks the official release of the free Sonos Controller for Android app in the Android Market making it a pretty good day to be a Sonos owner.
Continue reading Sonos adds AirPlay support as Android Controller app hits the Market
Sonos adds AirPlay support as Android Controller app hits the Market originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dish Network takes over 500 Blockbuster locations for some reason
Earlier this month, when Dish Network announced that it would be taking over Blockbuster's remaining assets, we openly wondered about what the deal would mean for the thousands of (mostly) empty rental stores still scattered across the country. Shuttering all of them seemed like a very real possibility, but it now looks like Dish has plans for at least a few of Blockbuster's old stomping grounds. On Saturday, the company agreed to assume the leases for about 500 of the 1,700 Blockbuster locations still in operation, according to papers filed with a New York Bankruptcy Court. Of course, it's still unclear what Dish plans to actually do with these stores -- or, for that matter, with the Blockbuster brand, as a whole. But it certainly looks like its long-term vision may incorporate at least some of Blockbuster's brick-and-mortar roots.
Dish Network takes over 500 Blockbuster locations for some reason originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAP (USAToday)  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung Galaxy S Gingerbread update pulled 'by Google,' needs a little more work
Come on, this is Samsung we're talking about here -- you didn't think a software update from Korea's leading smartphone maker would go without a hitch, did you? The Gingerbread build that made its way out to European Galaxy S handsets over the weekend has now been halted, on account of an unspecified issue that has been identified after release. Vodafone reports that it's Google who's actually responsible for temporarily suspending the Android 2.3 delivery over Kies, although the problem is apparently not universal -- Voda's Galaxy S devices are said to be unaffected, which is why the carrier's working hard to get things rolling again as soon as possible. Oh Samsung, when will it end?



[Thanks, Jake]
Samsung Galaxy S Gingerbread update pulled 'by Google,' needs a little more work originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony said to have stopped PSP Go production, curiously fails to deny it
Oh, what tangled webs of non-denials we all weave. A Japanese blogger working for an official Sony retail partner has reported intel from the PlayStation maker that production of its PSP Go handheld has been halted. Moreover, the Sony Style Japan online store no longer lists the portable and searching for it provides no results. You can only access its product page via a direct link (provided below), but even that shows it as out of stock. So, what has Sony got to say on the matter to allay fears that its troubled console lives on? Well, demand for "current generation PSPs" will continue to be met, apparently, and the NGP is going be really, really awesome when it launches at the end of the year. Hey, if there's zero demand for the PSP Go and you produce zero PSP Go units, then you are technically matching supply to demand. Well played, Sony, well played.
Sony said to have stopped PSP Go production, curiously fails to deny it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 07:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Andriasang  |  sourceC-TEC3, EuroGamer  | Email this | Comments

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Philippines launches electric tricycles, reignites your infatuation with Big Wheels
The lowly tricycle: occupying some hazy middle ground between car and bicycle, all too often it's dismissed as a novelty, a lark suitable only for children and dedicated iconoclasts - see, for example, T3 Motion's R3. But some places recognize the tricycle's usefulness, and one of those places is the Philippines, where the three-wheeled wonders are a keystone of public transit. Now the country is taking another step forward by upgrading its gasoline-powered trikes to electric. Obviously not designed to compete with, say, electric motorcycles on speed or style, they do have a certain yellow-school-bus charm. More important than aesthetic concerns, the new electric models will have one-quarter the carbon footprint of their gas-burning predecessors; in a nation where tricycles burn nearly five billion dollars worth of fuel each year, emitting ten million tons of carbon dioxide, that's a huge impact. The government also hopes to save tens of millions of dollars by upgrading; it's already committed to 20,000 trikes for the capital, with more to follow nationwide. If electric tricycles succeed in the Philippines, maybe we'll all be one step closer to eliminating the stigma of the third wheel - at least when it comes to transportation.

Permalink   |  sourcePhysOrg  | Email this | Comments

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Ziiiro Aurora and Orbit watches tell time with color, orbs of wonder
Time: how does it work? Well, the physicists are still trying to figure that out. And while they're tinkering with bosons and quarks and dark matter, the designers at Ziiiro are working on an equally important task: how to represent time, preferably in wrist-compatible form. Now they've got two new attempts, dubbed "Aurora" and "Orbit," that show time as a mix of colors or as a pair of circling orbs, respectively. They have about the same learning curve as earlier Ziiiro watches, and the company's website helpfully walks you through how to read them - "It's no rocket science at all!" If the designs are too minimalist for you, you can always treat yourself to Harry Winston's Opus Eleven. Otherwise, these will ship in late May and set you back €129 (about $184).
Ziiiro Aurora and Orbit watches tell time with color, orbs of wonder originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Core77  |  sourceZiiro  | Email this | Comments

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Erase a CD like a boss (video)
And here we thought that electricity was only good for reanimating monsters.
Continue reading Erase a CD like a boss (video)
Erase a CD like a boss (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink HardOCP  |  sourcePhotonicinduction (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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HBO Go app set to stream its way to iPhones, iPads and Android devices
Are you familiar with the HBO Go online streaming service that lets subscribers catch up on HBO's award-winning and ass-kicking TV content? Well, 'appy news for you, dear reader, for it's about to hit smartphones and tablets early next month. Android and iOS HBO Go apps have been teased by a new video on HBO's YouTube channel, with promises of "instant and unlimited access" to "every episode of every season" of your favorite shows, garnished with a selection of hit movies. The apps and streaming will be free to HBO subscribers, who'll be able to get their Sopranos nostalgia on over 3G as well as WiFi. May 2nd is the date on which the teaser video ends, though it doesn't explicitly say that the service will be enlivened then. We'll just have to wait and see.



[Thanks, Joe]
Continue reading HBO Go app set to stream its way to iPhones, iPads and Android devices
HBO Go app set to stream its way to iPhones, iPads and Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceHBO (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung sells HDD division to Seagate for $1.375 billion
We're firmly of the belief that SSDs are our future and Samsung would seem to agree. The Korean electronics giant has just announced that it's selling its hard disk drive-manufacturing arm to Seagate Technology for a neat $1.375 billion in equal measures of cash and stocks. As a result, Samsung Electronics will own approximately 9.6 percent of Seagate and get to nominate one new member to join Seagate's Board of Directors, while the two companies have further agreed to deepen their strategic relationship with related cross-licensing and supply stipulations. Samsung will provision Seagate's solid state drives with NAND flash memory, whereas Seagate will furnish Samsung's PCs and consumer electronics products with hard disk storage. The deal is expected to complete in full by year's end and you can read all about it in Seagate's press release after the break.



[Thanks, Pavel]
Continue reading Samsung sells HDD division to Seagate for $1.375 billion
Samsung sells HDD division to Seagate for $1.375 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSeagate  | Email this | Comments

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Panasonic chains Toughbook to a snowmobile, shows signs of life post-torture (video)


We've never questioned the rigidity of Panasonic's Toughbook line -- after all, we've been shown just how rugged these things are time and time again -- but a new video from the company is just too clever to pass over. Sure, it hardly makes any clearer what's already clear, but just in case you were still having doubts, Panny's Toughbook line is mighty tough. As in, tough enough to survive being towed behind a snowmobile in bitterly cold conditions. Unfortunately, the company only shows the screen lighting up after the ride's done, so there's still the possibility that the keyboard is totally shot -- but hey, props for being alive at all, right? Have a look yourself in the video above.



[Thanks, Tsuyoshi]
Permalink   |  sourceYouTube (Panasonic)  | Email this | Comments

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Apple spent nearly $5.7b on Samsung parts in 2010, faces 'strong' response to its patent suit
Want some numerical context to last night's revelation that Apple is suing Samsung Electronics for copying the iPhone and iPad? How does $5.7 billion sound? That's how much Apple spent on buying up parts from Samsung last year, according to the AFP, which cites the Cupertino company as Samsung's second-biggest client after Sony. Given the breadth of Samsung's component manufacturing, these expenditures can and probably do span everything from flash storage and RAM to processing chips to displays. What's fascinating here -- and illustrative of the psychopathic nature of corporations -- is that in spite of this massive interdependency, Apple's lodged a broadly worded patent assault on a major prong of Samsung's business (smartphones and tablets) and now Samsung's been quoted as saying it has "no choice but [to] respond strongly." A company official has apparently expressed the belief that Apple may be infringing on some of Samsung's wireless patents, which means we can probably look forward to another fat batch of papers being submitted to the Northern District of California court. Lovely.
Permalink   |  sourceAFP (Yahoo! News)  | Email this | Comments

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HECTOR insect-inspired hexapod walking robot is a smooth operator (video)
We've seen some rather nightmare-inducing robots inspired by insects, but, once again, the folks at Germany's Bielefeld University have managed to turn something inherently creepy into a rather lighthearted affair. HECTOR, or hexapod cognitive autonomously operating robot, was designed to help its creators understand how exactly real animals manage to move so gracefully. Physically speaking, HECTOR sports six legs, with 18 joints in total, that protrude from an exoskeleton made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Its legs are given a rather life-like range of motion provided by a special set of "elastic joint drives" and a series of "biologically inspired" algorithms, and its exoskeleton can carry a load weighing 30 kilograms -- the robot itself weighs a mere 12 kilograms. What's more, HECTOR's built to learn from its experiences. Okay, so a three foot robotic insect that can carry nearly three times its weight does sound kind of creepy in retrospect, but HECTOR really does have some smooth moves. You can see at least one of its legs in action after the break.
Continue reading HECTOR insect-inspired hexapod walking robot is a smooth operator (video)
HECTOR insect-inspired hexapod walking robot is a smooth operator (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gizmag  |  sourceBielefeld University  | Email this | Comments

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BlackBerry PlayBook now on sale in the US and Canada, starting at $500 with 16GB of storage
Today is the day in BlackBerry land. The wait for a dual-core device with an up-to-date operating system and that stylized BB logo is now over, and a vast array of stores in the US and Canada are now ready to sell you your PlayBook. Whether you'll actually want to buy one is less clear-cut, however, as basic productivity apps like native email and calendar aren't yet available, Android app compatibility hasn't yet been rolled out, and the PlayBook has an unfavorable dependency on having a BlackBerry smartphone nearby in order to be the best tablet it can be. Still, if you believe in RIM's ability to overcome those early software hurdles, the PlayBook's ready for ownership in exchange for $500 for the 16GB model, $600 for the 32GB version, or $700 for the 64GB-equipped top option (prices are the same in both US and Canadian dollars).
Permalink   |  sourceBest Buy (16GB), (32GB), (64GB)  | Email this | Comments

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Gigabyte motherboard with Intel Z68 Express chipset on sale in Taiwan ahead of schedule
Intel's Z68 Express chipset and its SATA 6Gb/s connections, CPU and memory overclocking, and SSD caching capability weren't supposed to hit store shelves until the eighth of May. But, at least one Taiwanese retailer didn't get the memo -- or maybe it's just another instance of Intel's early far-east distribution on the down-low -- because pics from across the Pacific show a shiny new Z68 Express motherboard from Gigabyte can already be had for the princely sum of NT $11,900 (about $407 here in the land of greenbacks). That's quite a stack of cash for a place to put your speedy Sandy Bridge CPU, but perhaps its expeditious performance can be had for a more reasonable price once it lands on western shores... or maybe we should just start saving now.



[Thanks, Daz]
Permalink   |  sourceXfastest  | Email this | Comments

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Tabula scores $108 million to bring cheap, programmable chips to the masses
Tabula 3PLD ABAXIf you were to pry open your laptop, microwave or TV you'd find they're all loaded with an array of highly-specialized silicon. Designing, manufacturing, or just purchasing these chips is a major cost for electronics makers. Semiconductor company Tabula, which just secured $108 million in funding to help bring its 3PLD ABAX reprogrammable chips to market, hopes to make these dedicated components a thing of the past. Compared to similarly customizable FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), Tabula's chips are cheaper, smaller, and faster. This magic trifecta of attributes could put programmable logic into consumer products like HDTVs and may one day allow for hardware to be updated over the internet the way software is now. However, the immediate promise is being able to use the same chip for multiple purposes across several products. That should drive down costs -- and there's no way to make consumers happier than by slashing prices. Full PR and video after the break.
Continue reading Tabula scores $108 million to bring cheap, programmable chips to the masses
Tabula scores $108 million to bring cheap, programmable chips to the masses originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink PhysOrg  |  sourceTabula  | Email this | Comments

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Galaxy Tab 10.1v up for pre-order at Vodafone Australia, shipping to start May 1st
Oh, sure -- it's pretty much an ultrathin Galaxy Tab 10.1, but then again, it's an ultrathin Galaxy Tab 10.1. The newly-christened Galaxy Tab 10.1v has finally found itself a pre-order host over at Vodafone Australia, with select customers receiving the newsletter shown above in their email accounts. Purportedly, this "exclusive" offer enables Vodafone customers camped out in the Land Down Under to pre-order the Honeycomb-based slate, with a trio of payment options available. A two-year agreement will cost you zilch upfront (but AU$39 a month over 12 months), a one-year plan dings your credit card for AU$259, and an off-contract option will demand a far stiffer AU$729. A book cover seems to be included with each option, and if you get your order in today, shipping should commence on May 1st. One nation down, six five continents to go. (Sorry, penguins.)



[Thanks, Jeremy]
Continue reading Galaxy Tab 10.1v up for pre-order at Vodafone Australia, shipping to start May 1st
Galaxy Tab 10.1v up for pre-order at Vodafone Australia, shipping to start May 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceVodafone AU  | Email this | Comments

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T-Mobile G-Slate review
The tablet wars are building, petty disputes that will soon lead to bloodshed. Products will be launched into battle only to be gunned down straight out of their boxes, crying for their fabricators as bigger, faster, better slates step over the stricken chassis of their predecessors, running on to their own brief bits of glory. At a high level it's obviously Android vs. Apple vs. The Rest, but battle lines are forming as we consumers, caught in the middle, try to decide just what the right size is for a tablet.


Right now two camps seem to be getting the most supporters: seven-inchers, like the Streak 7 and BlackBerry PlayBook, and 10-inchers, like the Motorola Xoom and the Apple iPad. But, sometimes weapon systems need to be a little more specialized. Sometimes the templates don't fit, and the $530 (after rebate, on-contract) T-Mobile G-Slate by LG isn't fitting into those categories, slotting somewhere in between with its 8.9-inch display backed with Tegra 2 graphics, 4G HSPA+ wireless, and all the oomph you want in a modern Android device. It's a little smaller and little lighter than the 10-inchers, bigger and meatier than the sevens and, by cutting down the middle, it hits almost all the right marks.

Gallery: T-Mobile G-Slate
Continue reading T-Mobile G-Slate review
T-Mobile G-Slate review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Fastec's DSLR-sized TS3Cine does 720p at 720fps for $30,000
For years, consumers have been able to shoot slow-motion videos -- mostly with the help of Casio's line of slightly gimmicky point-and-shoots. But Fastec's TS3Cine aims for a more discerning customer -- the kind of videographer who might spice up a promo or short with some slow-mo action. Unlike Casio's cameras, which cut the resolution to little more than thumbnail-size as you crank the frame rate, the TS3Cine does 720p video at 720fps, and 1280 x 1024 at 500fps. It's only when you further slow down the video (up to 20,000fps) that the image size starts to shrink. This camera also has a badass design, pairing a DSLR-like body with a gargantuan 7-inch WVGA LCD that effectively eliminates the need for an external monitor. Pros have their choice of a C-Mount, F-Mount, and optional SL-Mount, and can upgrade to a 256GB SSD for a cool two grand if the standard 128GB one isn't roomy enough. It also has Gigabit Ethernet and USB ports, HDMI-out, support for an external power source, and a removable battery. Can't afford the $29,900 price tag? If you're in the Boston area, at least, you can rent it for $625 a day, a price that includes a tripod and two batteries -- enough juice for up to six hours of shooting. Head on past the break for a sample video clip and a tour of this beastly camera in action.
Continue reading Fastec's DSLR-sized TS3Cine does 720p at 720fps for $30,000
Fastec's DSLR-sized TS3Cine does 720p at 720fps for $30,000 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Wide Open Camera  |  sourceTS3Cine  | Email this | Comments

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redsn0w untethered jailbreak updated for iOS 4.3.2, still no love for iPad 2
Good news for all iOS jailbreakers: turns out the latest 4.3.2 update is still vulnerable to the same untethered hacking method used by redsn0w for 4.3.1, so Dev-Team's @i0n1c simply had to port his code over to the new kernel to keep the jailbreak alive. As before, the almighty iPad 2 is still not supported here, and ultrasn0w unlockers are reminded to wait for the new PwnageTool release later this week; but the rest of you can go ahead and grab the new tool at the source link.



Update: Eke! Looks like the existing build is causing issues for iPhone owners -- hang tight, we're hearing that a fixed version is on the way!



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
redsn0w untethered jailbreak updated for iOS 4.3.2, still no love for iPad 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceDev-Team  | Email this | Comments

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Alienware M14x laptop now available to order... in Malaysia (update: M11x too)
Well, it looks like those eager to get their hands on Dell's much-leaked Alienware M14x laptop now finally have at least one option, although it might not be the most convenient one. The gaming laptop has just turned up on Dell Malaysia's website, where it's now already available to order starting at RM 4,799, or roughly $1,600. Of course, this is an Alienware laptop, so there's also quite a few higher-end options available for some extra cash, including up to a Core i7 2820QM processor, 8GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M graphics with 3GB of DDR3 memory (and Optimus technology), and your choice of either a 1,366 x 768 or 1,600 x 900 resolution on the 14-inch display. As for a broader release, Pocket-lint is reporting that both the M14x and M18x will be officially announced (if not released) on April 19th which, last we checked, is tomorrow.



[Thanks, koinmove]



Update: Looks like the US (or global, perhaps) release for the M14x is indeed on. Or, Alienware's coincidentally teasing something else entirely at the exact same time. Thanks, Jason.



Update 2: Ah, and now we have the little M11x R3 showing up on Dell's Australia and New Zealand sites. Thanks everyone.



Update 3: As expected, the UK's also getting the M14x and the new M11x. Thanks, Thomas.
Alienware M14x laptop now available to order... in Malaysia (update: M11x too) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceDell Malaysia  | Email this | Comments

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ASUS works Sandy Bridge magic on thin-and-light U31E, U31SD, and U36SD
ASUS U31SD
It appears that ASUS is finally ready to show its line of thin-and-light machines some Sandy Bridge love. Swedish site Technytt claims to have the exclusive scoop on a trio of laptops -- the U31SD, U31E, and U36SD -- that will find their way to retail channels in late May. The U31SD is already showing up on the ASUS site, with the option of either a Core i5 2410M or Core i3 2310M , and a choice of Intel integrated graphics or a 1GB GeForce GT 520M card. All three 13.3-inch machines will reportedly have similar specs, though the U31E will supposedly lack a discrete graphics option. The U31SD tips the scales at a perfectly portable 3.9 pounds and it's safe to assume the U36SD will match up size-wise with the svelte U36JG, which is just 0.75-inches thick and weighs 3.5 pounds. There's no official word from ASUS regarding price or availability but, while you wait to get your paws on one, feast your eyes on the U31SD in the gallery below.



Gallery: ASUS U31SD
ASUS works Sandy Bridge magic on thin-and-light U31E, U31SD, and U36SD originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Engadget Spanish  |  sourceTechnytt, ASUS  | Email this | Comments

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Nokia launches Ovi Maps 3D beta, challenges Google Earth as your virtual tour guide of choice
Still searching for today's internet time sink? Then look no further than Nokia's just launched beta version of Ovi Maps 3D. Thanks to some software wizardry and mysterious mapping know-how, it's now able to display cities in a new 3D view that you're able to zoom in and around to your heart's content. You can also do the same thing in Google Earth's 3D view, of course, but Nokia just might have a leg up in some respects. Unfortunately, it's still staying mum on exactly how it all works, but you can dive right in and start exploring for yourself at the link below.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]



Update: Nokia's now finally gotten official with this on its blog, and revealed that C3 is responsible for the impressive 3D mapping technology. Hit up the links below for some additional details, and head on past the break for a quick video demo if you need a bit of incentive to install the necessary plug-in.
Continue reading Nokia launches Ovi Maps 3D beta, challenges Google Earth as your virtual tour guide of choice
Permalink   |  sourceOvi Maps 3D  | Email this | Comments

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Arduino geiger counter brings open source radiation detection to the geeky masses (video)
Need to detect radiation? We sure hope not -- but if you're looking for a straight-forward, altogether geeky geiger counter, the Libelium gang has your back. En route to the Tokyo Hackerspace as we speak (and believe us, they need it), the Radiation Sensor Board for Arduino is a low-cost alternative to existing devices. It's available now either with a compatible geiger tube for €95 ($135) or without for €65 ($50). Hit up the source link to get started, but not before peeping the thing in action after the break. Is there anything you can't do with Arduino?
Continue reading Arduino geiger counter brings open source radiation detection to the geeky masses (video)
Permalink Hack-A-Day  |  sourceCooking Hacks  | Email this | Comments

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Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics
ContourHD Plus
If you're the type who likes to risk life and limb in pursuit of pleasure, then you know the best way to document your exploits is with a little helmet cam action. Bike Rumor is reporting that Contour, one the leaders in this (admittedly niche) field, will soon be releasing a new POV shooter called the Contour Plus. The site came across some Giant pro cyclers testing the device, who claim the Plus will improve on the ContourGPS by adding an HDMI-out port, boosting image quality, and widening the viewing angle from 140 degrees to 170. And, for those who really like to live dangerously, the Plus will supposedly pack a Bluetooth radio so you can stare at the iPhone viewfinder app while hurtling down a snow-covered slope or through an obstacle-riddled bike path. Of course, this is all unofficial at the moment, but the "little birdy" whispering in Bike Rumor's ear said the updated cam will land in the next month or two. One more blurry shot after the break.
Continue reading Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics
Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBike Rumor  | Email this | Comments

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TI aims to bring wireless charging to more devices with smallest receiver chip to date
Well, it looks like we could be about to see wireless charging spread to more places than ever before -- Texas Instruments just unveiled its next-generation, Qi-compliant wireless power receiver chip today, which is a full eighty percent smaller than its previous chip. That promises to make it far easier for manufacturers to implement in everything from cellphones to game consoles to digital cameras, and that small size apparently comes without any compromises, with it providing 5W of output power and a 93-percent peak efficiency that's comparable to an AC adapter. Unfortunately, there's no indication as to when we might see any actual devices that use the chip, but those should be coming before too long -- the complete bq51013 wireless power package is now already available for just $3.50 in quantities of 1,000. Full press release is after the break.
Continue reading TI aims to bring wireless charging to more devices with smallest receiver chip to date
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SRI unveils Taurus, DaVinci's bomb-defusing little brother
This is SRI International's Taurus. Brought to you by the minds behind the DaVinci robo-surgeon, the diminutive (14 x 5-inch) bad boy is used to detect and defuse IEDs. Piggy-backing on existing devices such as Talon or PackBot, the device delivers hi-def 3D images and haptic feedback (via gloves) to a bomb disposal tech operating from a safe distance. According to IEEE Spectrum, it works so well that users forget they're working remotely. Right now it's a prototype, but with any luck the system could be in the field as early as this summer.
SRI unveils Taurus, DaVinci's bomb-defusing little brother originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceIEEE Spectrum  | Email this | Comments

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Apple sues Samsung for 'copying' the iPhone and iPad
Whoa! In the world of big-time lawsuits, this must be just about the biggest. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has sued Samsung Electronics for copying "the look and feel" of its iPad tablet and iPhone smartphone. This relates to the Samsung Galaxy S 4G, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the iPhone 3G / 3GS models, and the slightly less obvious Epic 4G, Nexus S, and Galaxy Tab (presumably the older 7-inch model, since the newer ones aren't out yet) devices. The claim for intellectual property infringement is phrased as follows:
"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products."
The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of California on Friday and seeks injunctions against Samsung, damages (both actual and punitive), and a finding that the infringement was willful. Lest we forget, the rarest outcome in such legal tussles is for an actual judgment to actually be handed down, so the greatest likelihood is that this will just lead to another round of grudging handshakes and licensing going one way with money going the other way, but still, it's fun to see the big dogs barking at each other.



Another aspect to these proceedings that shouldn't be overlooked is that, on the software front, they boil down to iOS versus Android (again). When Apple calls Samsung uninventive in its user interface, it's talking more about Android's perceived imitation of the iPhone's interface than whatever TouchWiz tweaks Samsung has slapped on top. And hey, if you're going to sue Google indirectly, you can't leave a major player like Samsung outside the courtroom, it just wouldn't be fair.
Apple sues Samsung for 'copying' the iPhone and iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

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Available Tags:4G , tablet , BlackBerry , TV , 3D , Amazon , Dell , Lenovo , wireless , iPhone , Android , Samsung , Galaxy , Sony , HDD , Seagate , Panasonic , Apple , Gigabyte , Intel , Galaxy Tab , iPad 2 , iOS , iPad , Sandy Bridge , ASUS , Nokia , Google , brother , iPad ,
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