Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Intel crams 48 cores onto stamp-sized processor, wants to do what Cell did]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/intel-crams-48-cores-onto-stamp-sized-processor-wants-to-do-wha/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/intel-crams-48-cores-onto-stamp-sized-processor-wants-to-do-wha/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/intel-crams-48-cores-onto-stamp-sized-processor-wants-to-do-wha/#comments
Just when we thought Intel's yet-to-release six-core Core i9 would be the future, the silicon giant drops the bomb yet again with more multi-core madness -- the experimental 48-core Single-chip Cloud Computer (SCC), a.k.a. Rock Creek. While it looks like Intel still has a long way from their 80-core target in 2011, this bad boy packs an impressive 1.3 billion transistors on a 45nm fabrication, but sucks up just 125 watts which is a far cry from Core i9's 130 watts. Intel's stated that their main goal is to use SCC's parallel computation -- a field where high clock speed isn't necessary -- to enhance gesture control. Sounds familiar? Yes, it was Toshiba's SpursEngine, but there's no harm in having a new contender for the challenge. You go, girl!

Intel crams 48 cores onto stamp-sized processor, wants to do what Cell did originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ZDNet  |  sourceIntel  | Email this | Comments]]>24 dual-core24Dual-core48 core48-core48-core chip48-core cpu48-core processor48-coreChip48-coreCpu48-coreProcessor48Corechipcpugesture controlGestureControlintelmulticoremulticore processorMulticoreProcessorprocessorRock CreekRockCreeksccSingle chip Cloud ComputerSingle-chip Cloud ComputerSingle-chipCloudComputerSingleChipCloudComputersix coreWed, 02 Dec 2009 17:47:00 EST<![CDATA[EA CEO says digital gaming will overtake console market next year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/ea-ceo-says-digital-gaming-will-overtake-console-market-next-yea/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/ea-ceo-says-digital-gaming-will-overtake-console-market-next-yea/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/ea-ceo-says-digital-gaming-will-overtake-console-market-next-yea/#comments Need more evidence that physical media is inching towards the door? Enter this Reuters conversation with Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello. While the company -- the largest publisher of "interactive entertainment" (AKA video games) -- is hurting on sales during the awesome global recession currently underway, he thinks the future is digital. All digital. Riccitiello had this to say on the matter:
"When people think of games, they traditionally think, in the U.S., of what sells on the Xbox, the PlayStation, and the Wii, and they forget about all these online services that are out there... if you add all that stuff up, it's almost half the industry now. It's about 40 to 45 percent. Next year it's likely to be the larger share of the total industry and it'll be bigger than the console games all put together."
He went on to say that if EA's digital arm was a standalone company, "it would be like the darling of Wall Street." Of course, he's not just talking about XBLA and the App Store -- this is an all-encompassing view of the digital market, including casual gaming, Facebook apps, and WoW transactions as well. It may not be the kind of all-encompassing push needed, but we are hoping this sort of noise rattles the industry enough to mobilize smarter, more centralized methods of online distribution.

EA CEO says digital gaming will overtake console market next year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 1UP  |  sourceReuters  | Email this | Comments]]>digital game salesDigitalGameSaleseaelectronic artsElectronicArtsgamesgamingJohn RiccitielloJohnRiccitielloonline game salesonline gamesonline gamingOnlineGamesOnlineGameSalesOnlineGamingrecessionsalesWed, 02 Dec 2009 17:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Logitech working on UMD drive add-on for the PSP Go?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/logitech-working-on-umd-drive-add-on-for-the-psp-go/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/logitech-working-on-umd-drive-add-on-for-the-psp-go/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/logitech-working-on-umd-drive-add-on-for-the-psp-go/#comments
There may have been plenty of folks pushing Sony to ditch UMD once and for all with the PSP Go, but there's at least as many sorry to see it left behind, as evidenced by the continued strong sales of the venerable PSP-3000. While nothing's official just yet, it looks like Logitech just might now be set to bridge the divide the two handhelds with a UMD drive add-on of some sort for the PSP Go. That word comes form an unnamed source speaking to CVG, who reportedly said that the only problem with the drive is that "it'll make the PSP a little bulky," but offered no other details. Of course, there's also the small problem that the add-on would only add more to the cost of the PSP Go along with the bulk, thereby making the PSP-3000 an even more attractive option, but we'll hold off on any futher speculation until this thing gets a bit more real.

Logitech working on UMD drive add-on for the PSP Go? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceCVG  | Email this | Comments]]>logitechpsppsp gopsp-3000PspGoumdumd add-onumd driveumd drive add-onUmdAdd-onUmdDriveUmdDriveAdd-onWed, 02 Dec 2009 17:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast delivers data usage meter in Portland, Oregon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/comcast-delivers-data-usage-meter-in-portland-oregon/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/comcast-delivers-data-usage-meter-in-portland-oregon/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/comcast-delivers-data-usage-meter-in-portland-oregon/#comments
The lucky residents of Portland, Oregon are the first to test out Comcast's just deployed and long-expected data usage meter for its customers. The interface is self-explanatory, but customers who have long been trying to guesstimate how close they are to their 250GB limit (and the nasty overage charges) should be jumping for joy right about now. Comcast says the data is refreshed about every three hours, and that the median usage of its customers is somewhere around 2 - 4GB per month. No word on further rollout of the usage meter -- but we'll keep our eyes peeled for you.

[Thanks, Jerry]

Comcast delivers data usage meter in Portland, Oregon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceOfficial Comcast Blog  | Email this | Comments]]>comcastdatadatausagemeterinternetmeterusageWed, 02 Dec 2009 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii parts production said to be shrinking, still plenty of Wiis being sold]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/wii-parts-production-said-to-be-shrinking-still-plenty-of-wiis/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/wii-parts-production-said-to-be-shrinking-still-plenty-of-wiis/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/wii-parts-production-said-to-be-shrinking-still-plenty-of-wiis/#comments
Well, we've already seen demand for the Wii finally begin to slow and Nintendo's profits shrink as a result, and it looks like the inevitable trickle down effect is now also starting to take place. According to Nikkei, parts makers Mitsumi and Hosiden are expected to be particularly hard hit, with each forecasting a more than fifty percent drop in profits for the fiscal year ending next March. That still leaves them each with profits in the 5.3 to 6 billion yen range, however, and things should pick back up sooner or later whenever Nintendo decides the Wii needs a refresh or a revamp -- and, if not, there's always room for more Wu.

Wii parts production said to be shrinking, still plenty of Wiis being sold originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceMarketWatch  | Email this | Comments]]>console salesConsoleSalesnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiiparts supplierparts suppliersPartsSupplierPartsSupplierswiiWed, 02 Dec 2009 16:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint handed customer GPS data to law enforcement over 8 million times last year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/sprint-handed-customer-gps-data-to-law-enforcement-over-8-millio/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/sprint-handed-customer-gps-data-to-law-enforcement-over-8-millio/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/sprint-handed-customer-gps-data-to-law-enforcement-over-8-millio/#comments
Privacy advocates and career criminals alike are in a lather over reports that between September 2008 and October 2009, Sprint Nextel ponied up customer location data to various law enforcement agencies more than 8 million times. Speaking at ISS World 2009 (a conference for law enforcement and telecom industry-types responsible for "lawful interception, electronic investigations and network Intelligence gathering"), Sprint Nextel's very own Paul Taylor, Manager of Electronic Surveillance, lamented on the sheer volume of requests the company's received in the past year for precise GPS data for Sprint customers. How did the company meet such high demand? Apparently, his team built a special "web interface" which "has just really caught on fire with law enforcement." We're glad that Sprint's plans to streamline the customer service experience don't stop short of those who serve and protect, but as the EFF points out, plenty of nagging questions remain, including: How many individual customers have been affected? Is Sprint demanding search warrants? How secure is this web interface? Check out an excerpt from Taylor's speech after the break.

Continue reading Sprint handed customer GPS data to law enforcement over 8 million times last year

Sprint handed customer GPS data to law enforcement over 8 million times last year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PPC Geeks  |  sourceSlight Paranoia  | Email this | Comments]]>big brotherBigBrothercellphoneChristopher SoghoianChristopherSoghoianeffgpsGPS dataGpsDataPaul TaylorPaulTaylorprivacysecuritysprintsprint nextelSprintNextelsurveillanceWed, 02 Dec 2009 15:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Confused school district fires sysadmin for running SETI@home: 'As an educational institution we do not support the search for E.T.']]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/confused-school-district-fires-sysadmin-for-running-seti-as-an/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/confused-school-district-fires-sysadmin-for-running-seti-as-an/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/confused-school-district-fires-sysadmin-for-running-seti-as-an/#comments We've dealt with a number of confused and outright foolish school administrators in our time, but it seems like Arizona's Higley Unified School District might be run by the most bonkers of the bunch: they've fired IT director Brad Niesluchowski for running SETI@Home on some 5,000 of the district's machines. Why? According to confidently-underinformed superintendent Denise Birdwell, Higley Unified "certainly would have supported cancer research," but does "not support the search for E.T." Well, that's just peachy -- except that her flippant dismissal of SETI belies a complete ignorance of one of the oldest and most respected distributed-computing projects in the world, and what it's actually looking for. Oh, but it gets worse: Birdwell thinks SETI@home -- which primarily runs as a screensaver -- was somehow slowing down "educational programs in every classroom," and magically estimates that it's cost her district "$1 million in added utility fees and replacement parts," with a further huge cost required to remove the software. Completing her transformation into the worst-possible stereotype of a school district superintendent, Birdwell's even got the local cops on the case. Yeah, it's idiotic, but it could be worse -- we can only imagine the hell that would have broken loose had Higley's machines been a part of the renegade Engadget Folding@home team.

Update: So there's apparently more going on here as well, including allegations of stolen equipment and -- inevitably -- downloaded porn, but none of that explains why Superintendent Birdwell is giving press conferences where she slams SETI. Check the more coverage links for the full story, and make sure to hit the source link for the video.

Confused school district fires sysadmin for running SETI@home: 'As an educational institution we do not support the search for E.T.' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFox 5 Vegas  | Email this | Comments]]>awesomeBrad NiesluchowskiBradNiesluchowskiDenise BirdwellDeniseBirdwellHigley Unified School DistrictHigleyUnifiedSchoolDistrictidiotsschoolsetiseti at homeSetiAtHomesuperintendentWed, 02 Dec 2009 15:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Smartphones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-smartphones/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-smartphones/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-smartphones/#commentsWelcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.



If your BFF's HTC has a code name like Blue Angel, Harrier, or Canary, trust us: the time has come to intervene and forcefully bring that particular chapter of their technological life to a close. It's 2009, after all, and with devices like the Pre, iPhone 3GS, and Droid all coming to market in the past few months, there's never been a better time to be a smartphone lover, buyer, or -- in this case -- giver. Of course, in the States, giving a phone as a gift isn't the easiest thing in the world since you've got contracts to worry about, but it can be done -- even if you've got to drag the lucky recipient kicking and screaming into the store and hold their hand to the dotted line. So let's get to it, shall we?

Continue reading Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Smartphones

Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments]]>gift guideGiftGuidehgghgg 2009Hgg2009holiday gift guideholiday gift guide 2009HolidayGiftGuideHolidayGiftGuide2009smartphonesWed, 02 Dec 2009 14:54:00 EST<![CDATA[RedEye turns your iPhone and iPod touch into bona fide universal remote (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/redeye-turns-your-iphone-and-ipod-touch-into-bona-fide-universal/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/redeye-turns-your-iphone-and-ipod-touch-into-bona-fide-universal/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/redeye-turns-your-iphone-and-ipod-touch-into-bona-fide-universal/#comments Apple's 'Remote' application was a good start, but we've known for some time now that the platform was capable of far, far more. ThinkFlood is stepping up today and proving our assumptions right, as the RedEye universal remote control system effectively converts your iPhone or iPod touch into a remote for any IR-equipped component. The app itself is completely free to download, though it's the $188 base station that really makes the magic happen; your handheld talks to said dock via WiFi, and if you've got an AV device, home automation system or pretty much anything that responds to IR signals, your iPhone can now control it. The setup supports multiple rooms, controllers and users simultaneously, and we're told that it "controls a virtually unlimited number of devices and can store a virtually unlimited number of commands." Heck, this thing even reacts to multitouch gestures and accelerometer controls. Don't believe us? Check the vids just past the break.

Continue reading RedEye turns your iPhone and iPod touch into bona fide universal remote (video)

RedEye turns your iPhone and iPod touch into bona fide universal remote (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Marketwire  |  sourceThinkFlood  | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesaccessoryappapp storeappleAppStoreinfrarediphoneiphone remoteIphoneRemoteipod touchIpodTouchIRredeyeremoteremote controlRemoteControlthinkflooduniversal remoteUniversalRemotevideowifiWed, 02 Dec 2009 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Large Hadron Collider grinds to a halt... again]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/large-hadron-collider-grinds-to-a-halt-again/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/large-hadron-collider-grinds-to-a-halt-again/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/large-hadron-collider-grinds-to-a-halt-again/#comments In an increasingly unsurprising turn of events, the Large Hadron Collider suffered a major power failure this morning, knocking the machine and its website out of service. The failure occurred in an 18,000-volt power line in Meyrin, Geneva where the LHC is housed beneath the ground, causing pretty much everything to shut down. The LHC's magnets maintained a temperature of 1.9 degrees above absolute zero (having to re-cool them would have been a pretty sizeable setback), however, and no long-term damage seems to have occurred. The trouble-prone Large Hadron Collider is expected to resume full operations sometime later today, and is currently operating on limited power from a backup supply. Regardless, the unfortunate event is sure to resurrect that zany Higgs boson time-travelling theory.

Large Hadron Collider grinds to a halt... again originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Register  | Email this | Comments]]>cerngenevalarge hadron colliderLargeHadronColliderlhcphysicspowerscienceWed, 02 Dec 2009 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[The Engadget Show: Kindle etching and DIY adventures with Adafruit Industries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/the-engadget-show-kindle-etching-and-diy-adventures-with-adafru/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/the-engadget-show-kindle-etching-and-diy-adventures-with-adafru/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/the-engadget-show-kindle-etching-and-diy-adventures-with-adafru/#comments If you'll recall, some months ago we held a little competition for readers to submit artwork destined for laser-etching on the backsides of Amazon's Kindle. After everyone voted on the top five out of the mountain of selections, we took the gaggle of readers down to our friends at Adafruit Industries (headed up by the lovely and delightful Limor Fried and Phil Torrone) for some time under the laser. While we were there getting our etch on with their massive laser, we convinced Limor and Phil to show off some of the other crazy kit they've got in the labs -- and we've captured it all on film... er, video. Take a look at our excursion into the world of dynamic DIY'ing -- we think you'll like what you see. Check it out after the break!

Host: Joshua Topolsky
Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm
Edited by: Michael Slavens
Titles by: Julien Nantiec

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Gallery: Etched Kindles

Continue reading The Engadget Show: Kindle etching and DIY adventures with Adafruit Industries

The Engadget Show: Kindle etching and DIY adventures with Adafruit Industries originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments]]>adafruit industriesAdafruitIndustriesengadget showEngadgetShowengadgetshowcastthe engadget showTheEngadgetShowvideoWed, 02 Dec 2009 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola Sholes Tablet detailed, sounds as tasty as we'd hoped]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/motorola-sholes-tablet-detailed-sounds-as-tasty-as-wed-hoped/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/motorola-sholes-tablet-detailed-sounds-as-tasty-as-wed-hoped/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/motorola-sholes-tablet-detailed-sounds-as-tasty-as-wed-hoped/#comments Knowing what we now know of the Droid -- codename Sholes -- the mere mental image of that "Sholes Tablet" that we've been hearing about for a while brings us to our geeky knees. Taiwanese forum Mobile01 seems to have details on just what the Sholes Tablet is all about, and while we'd normally be skeptical to the point of dismissal, the presence of a few believable-looking images has us on the bandwagon. The biggies on the rumored spec sheet include HDMI out, 720p video recording paired to an 8 megapixel cam (which is hopefully of much, much higher quality than the Droid's miserable 5) with xenon flash, and Motorola's own CrystalTalk tech for background noise reduction on calls. It'll apparently be running Android 2.0 -- the presence of BLUR is unknown -- and the screen is a predictably awesome 3.7 inches at WVGA resolution with multitouch support; missing, as the name suggests, is the original's sliding QWERTY keyboard. All signs point to use seeing this in the next few months, so enjoy those Droids and Milestones while you can, yeah?

Motorola Sholes Tablet detailed, sounds as tasty as we'd hoped originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink BGR  |  sourceMobile01  | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.0Android2.0motomotorolarumorsholes tabletSholesTabletWed, 02 Dec 2009 12:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingston 40GB SSDNow review]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/kingston-40gb-ssdnow-review/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/kingston-40gb-ssdnow-review/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/kingston-40gb-ssdnow-review/#comments From the moment that we heard of the the new 40GB Kingston SSD, we couldn't help but get our hopes up. Who knows if (or more likely, when) SSD drives will ever completely replace spinning platters with all the digital media people collect today, so rather than stretching your budget and compressing your media in order to stuff everything onto a 256GB solid state drive, we dug the idea of snagging a small (and affordable) SSD for boot / application operations and utilizing a spacious HDD for archival. Not to mention -- regardless of how fast a disk is -- two are almost always better than one. If you're interested in rigging up a similar setup, hop on past the break to have a look at our impressions.

Gallery: Kingston 40GB SSDNow Review

Continue reading Kingston 40GB SSDNow review

Kingston 40GB SSDNow review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments]]>40gbfeaturesKingstonMedia CenterMediaCenterreviewsolid state driveSolidStateDriveSSDssdnowstorageWindows 7 Media CenterWindows7MediaCenterWed, 02 Dec 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T and Verizon drop lawsuits, make nice for the holidays]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/atandt-and-verizon-drop-lawsuits-make-nice-for-the-holidays/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/atandt-and-verizon-drop-lawsuits-make-nice-for-the-holidays/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/atandt-and-verizon-drop-lawsuits-make-nice-for-the-holidays/#comments Well well, maybe we can all get along after all: AT&T and Verizon just dropped their various advertising-related lawsuits against each other. We can't say we're surprised, considering AT&T lost its request to have Verizon's ads pulled down for the holidays -- spending money to litigate this further would have have simply been a waste, and generated even more bad PR. Now let's just hope these two suck it up and battle it out over service quality and pricing, like they should have been doing all along. Or AT&T can just make some more nonsensical Luke Wilson commercials, whatevs.

Update: Whoa, so this is crazy. We just checked out the other suit that was dismissed, and it turns out that Verizon actually sued AT&T back in July, but not for any damages -- instead, Big Red asked the court to rule that its various "Most Reliable 3G Network" taglines were actually true. That wackiness certainly explains why AT&T felt the need to push back, we suppose, and it makes Verizon's current whining over Sprint's "Most Dependable 3G Network" claims part of a larger, lamer pattern. We've included a shot of the case after the break, check it out.

Continue reading AT&T and Verizon drop lawsuits, make nice for the holidays

AT&T and Verizon drop lawsuits, make nice for the holidays originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments]]>adadvertisingattbreaking newsBreakingNewscommerciallawsuitlegalmap for thatMapForThatverizonWed, 02 Dec 2009 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Phone-O-Scope brings SLR lenses to the iPhone the hard way]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/phone-o-scope-brings-slr-lenses-to-the-iphone-the-hard-way/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/phone-o-scope-brings-slr-lenses-to-the-iphone-the-hard-way/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/phone-o-scope-brings-slr-lenses-to-the-iphone-the-hard-way/#comments
We've seen a few iPhone camera mods and even the odd off-the-shelf case with interchangeable lenses -- but why buy new lenses when you already have some perfectly good ones for your SLR camera? That's the thinking behind this so-called Phone-O-Scope built by camera modder Bhautik Joshi, at least, which makes use of an always handy laser pickup from a CD player, some PVC pipe couplers and, of course, duct tape to let you attach any regular SLR lens to your iPhone. As you might expect, however, the end result isn't exactly flawless, but the Bhautik does seem to be happy with the "fuzzy, Holga-like images" he's able to get with the rig. Judge for yourself after the break, and find the details for building your own at the link below.

Continue reading Phone-O-Scope brings SLR lenses to the iPhone the hard way

Phone-O-Scope brings SLR lenses to the iPhone the hard way originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceCaptain Nod  | Email this | Comments]]>camera hackcamera modCameraHackCameraModcameraphonesdiyiphoneiphone cameraiphone camera modiphone hackiphone modIphoneCameraIphoneCameraModIphoneHackIphoneModlensesmodslrslr lensslr lensesSlrLensSlrLensesWed, 02 Dec 2009 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung Omnia II unboxing and hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/samsung-omnia-ii-unboxing-and-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/samsung-omnia-ii-unboxing-and-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/samsung-omnia-ii-unboxing-and-hands-on/#comments It's here at last, and we're frankly thrilled to be holding Samsung's very first TouchWiz 2.0 device, the Verizon Wireless-bound Samsung Omnia II. The 2.0 software brings with it a Widget Store, and as a general UI manages to skin over a majority of Windows Mobile 6.5, which is puttering along underneath. The handset is a tad on the bulky side, but makes up for it with a wonderful 3.7-inch AMOLED WVGA screen and a very nice 5 megapixel camera. We'll have a review for you before long, but for now you can check out a quick video rundown (including some playtime with the Samsung-exclusive "Swype" keyboard) after the break. And if that video is enough to convince you, the phone is available now on Verizon Wireless for $200 after rebate.

Gallery: Samsung Omnia II unboxing and hands-on

Continue reading Samsung Omnia II unboxing and hands-on

Samsung Omnia II unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments]]>featureshands-onomniaomnia iiOmniaIisamsungunboxingwindows mobilewindows mobile 6.5WindowsMobileWindowsMobile6.5Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell Vostro 1015 now on sale in America: starts at $429]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/dell-vostro-1015-now-on-sale-in-america-starts-at-429/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/dell-vostro-1015-now-on-sale-in-america-starts-at-429/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/dell-vostro-1015-now-on-sale-in-america-starts-at-429/#comments
 Wait a second -- a business-centric laptop... with style? Dell's 15.6-inch Vostro 1015, which was announced alongside the still-unavailable (in the US, anyway) Vostro 1014 and Vostro 1088 back in August, has just emerged for purchase, and the relatively attractive case and low starting price definitely has our attention. Granted, the $429 base model gets saddled with a 2.2GHz Celeron 900 processor, but $629 buys you a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo T6670, Windows 7 Professional, 3GB of DDR2 RAM, a 320GB (5400RPM) hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, 2 megapixel webcam, integrated WiFi, GMA 4500MHD graphics and a 6-cell battery. Anyone down for stroking their inner suit?

[Thanks, Peter]

Dell Vostro 1015 now on sale in America: starts at $429 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDell  | Email this | Comments]]>1015business laptopBusinessLaptopcore 2 duoCore2Duodelldell vostro 1015DellVostro1015laptopOn SaleOnSalevostrovostro 1015Vostro1015Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:38:00 EST<![CDATA[ViewSonic outs 23-inch VP2365wb and 26-inch VP2655wb IPS LCD monitors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/viewsonic-outs-23-inch-vp2365wb-and-26-inch-vp2655wb-ips-lcd-mon/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/viewsonic-outs-23-inch-vp2365wb-and-26-inch-vp2655wb-ips-lcd-mon/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/viewsonic-outs-23-inch-vp2365wb-and-26-inch-vp2655wb-ips-lcd-mon/#comments ViewSonic's last round of LCDs were nothing short of unforgettable, but these two might actually grab (and retain) your attention if you consider yourself a "professional." The 23-inch VP2365wb and 26-inch VP2655wb both fall into the firm's VP series of 1080p pro LCDs, and the both of 'em are blessed with IPS panels and 4-port USB hubs. You'll also find pivoting stands on the pair, and while the 23-incher gets a 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution, the big boy steps it up to 1,920 x 1,200 and offers a 118 percent NTSC wide color gamut for those discerning retinas of yours. Interested? The duo is available now if you look in the right places, and while the VP2365wb will cost you just $399, the larger sibling will ding you for $1,299.

Continue reading ViewSonic outs 23-inch VP2365wb and 26-inch VP2655wb IPS LCD monitors

ViewSonic outs 23-inch VP2365wb and 26-inch VP2655wb IPS LCD monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceLewis Wire  | Email this | Comments]]>1080p23-inch26-inchdisplayipslcdmonitorpropro lcdpro monitorprofessionalprofessional lcdprofessional monitorProfessionalLcdProfessionalMonitorProLcdProMonitorViewSonicVP2365wbVP2655wbWed, 02 Dec 2009 10:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Cyber Wednesday brings half price Peek service, discounted Wii]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/cyber-wednesday-brings-half-price-peek-service-discounted-wii/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/cyber-wednesday-brings-half-price-peek-service-discounted-wii/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/cyber-wednesday-brings-half-price-peek-service-discounted-wii/#comments Ever heard of Cyber Wednesday? Yeah, same here. But seriously -- when's the last time you heard us kvetch over a deal? Effective today only, Peek's email-only handhelds are being offered up with lifetime service for half of the normal price. Buy any Peek handheld and you'll get service for just $9.99 per month for as long as you keep the device, which is certainly a bargain compared to the $19.99 that's typically charged. In other news, Wally World has announced that from December 5th through the 12th (while supplies last, obviously), a $50 gift card will be handed over when you purchase a Wii console in-store. Just think -- Walmart is actually incenting you to buy a Wii. Man, how the times have changed.

Cyber Wednesday brings half price Peek service, discounted Wii originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink I4U News  |  sourcePeek, Wii  | Email this | Comments]]>consolecyber wednesdayCyberWednesdaye-maile-mail only handheldE-mailOnlyHandheldemailemail only handheldEmailOnlyHandheldgame consoleGameConsolegaming consoleGamingConsolegift cardGiftCardholidazenintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiipeeksalewalmartwiiWed, 02 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Snowflake DSC-TX1 comes with engraved holiday spirit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/sony-snowflake-dsc-tx1-comes-with-engraved-holiday-spirit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/sony-snowflake-dsc-tx1-comes-with-engraved-holiday-spirit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/sony-snowflake-dsc-tx1-comes-with-engraved-holiday-spirit/#comments
For a limited time only -- and you should be able to guess how long that is -- Japanese SonyStyle customers can order up the TX1 in the especially wintry attire you see above. Already available in a choice of five colors, the cam will also let you choose between black, silver and pink for the engraved models, and we also hear these snowflakes are part of a wider range of engraved designs. Options titled Safari, Race, and Heart are also available, and you can even add your own message to the front, or just tag it with your name if you're feeling narcissistic. Either way, you can see the other color options after the break, or try out all the different looks using the interactive skinning tool at the source link.

Continue reading Sony Snowflake DSC-TX1 comes with engraved holiday spirit

Sony Snowflake DSC-TX1 comes with engraved holiday spirit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Sony Insider  |  sourceSonyStyle  | Email this | Comments]]>cameracompactdigital cameraDigitalCameradsc-tx1engravedengravingjapanpoint and shootPointAndShootslimsnowflakesnowflake tx1SnowflakeTx1sonysony dsc-tx1sony tx1SonyDsc-tx1sonystyleSonyTx1tx1ultrathinWed, 02 Dec 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[iriver Story reviewed, incites rebellion over price]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/iriver-story-reviewed-incites-rebellion-over-price/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/iriver-story-reviewed-incites-rebellion-over-price/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/iriver-story-reviewed-incites-rebellion-over-price/#comments
If you didn't feel you got the whole Story yesterday, here's a pleasing helping of seconds, this time in the form of a full-on review. The PC Pro team rates iriver's Kindle emulator as a "serious contender," and places its readability on par with Sony's touch-less Readers. While congratulations are also meted out for a decent integrated MP3 player, 3.5mm headphone jack, and the wide variety of supported formats, two issues stood out for the reviewers. One was that the support for Word, Excel and Powerpoint files was somewhat hit-and-miss, with zooming sometimes not working and rendering some files unreadable. But the major gripe related to the asking price of £230 including taxes (around $380), which the Story was not considered capable of justifying. Hit the link below for more -- even if your interest is purely academic.

iriver Story reviewed, incites rebellion over price originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePC Pro  | Email this | Comments]]>e-book readerE-bookReadere-readerebookebook readerEbookReaderebooksepaexceliriveroggpdfpowerpointreaderreviewstorywmawordWed, 02 Dec 2009 08:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel SSD firmware 02HD brings back Trim support, sans bugs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/intel-ssd-firmware-02hd-brings-back-trim-support-sans-bugs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/intel-ssd-firmware-02hd-brings-back-trim-support-sans-bugs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/intel-ssd-firmware-02hd-brings-back-trim-support-sans-bugs/#commentsIntel's 34nm X25-M G2 drives might not've had the most peaceful of existences so far, but you can't fault the company's efforts to fix whatever maladies have popped up. The latest firmware update from Santa Clara brings back the lauded Trim support, but this time leaves the drive-killing antics behind. User experiences so far have been positive, though unsurprisingly a couple of people have questioned whether Trim is in fact enabled on their drives -- clearly, the difference between fast and really, really fast is not as distinguishable as we like to think. The source link will provide you with the latest firmware update tool and the precious new code -- if you dare risk it.

[Thanks, Alex]

Intel SSD firmware 02HD brings back Trim support, sans bugs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Intel Support Community  |  sourceIntel  | Email this | Comments]]>02HDbug fixBugFixfirmwarefirmware updateFirmwareUpdatefixintelsolid stateSolidStatessdstoragetrimx25-mx25-m g2X25-mG2x25mWed, 02 Dec 2009 08:08:00 EST<![CDATA[LinkedIn profiles reveal Windows Mobile 7 clues, folks with really great people skills]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/linkedin-profiles-reveal-windows-mobile-7-clues-folks-with-real/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/linkedin-profiles-reveal-windows-mobile-7-clues-folks-with-real/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/linkedin-profiles-reveal-windows-mobile-7-clues-folks-with-real/#commentsLinkedIn profiles reveal Windows Mobile 7 clues, folks with really great people skills
 Much to Ballmer's chagrin, Windows Mobile 7 is still a rather nebulous thing, but it's getting a wee bit clearer thanks to some bits and bytes extracted from the LinkedIn profiles of current and former Microsofties and Motorolites, the latter group indicating the company that brought you the Droid is also rather committed to Microsoft's theoretical new hotness. Various experience line-items reveal that the OS will support Silverlight (natch), will have a new navigation app, and will include much better game support along with some sort of Zune integration -- finally. Now, any guesses on how many people will lose their jobs for being so open about what those positions entail?

LinkedIn profiles reveal Windows Mobile 7 clues, folks with really great people skills originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MobileTechWorld  |  sourceMicrosoft Kitchen  | Email this | Comments]]>linkedinmicrosoftmicrosoft windows mobile 7MicrosoftWindowsMobile7navigationsilverlightwindows mobilewindows mobile 7WindowsMobileWindowsMobile7zuneWed, 02 Dec 2009 07:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia promises to take "Symbian user interface to a new level" in 2010, Maemo 6 in 2H]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/nokia-promises-to-take-symbian-user-interface-to-a-new-level-i/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/nokia-promises-to-take-symbian-user-interface-to-a-new-level-i/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/nokia-promises-to-take-symbian-user-interface-to-a-new-level-i/#comments It's Nokia Capital Market Day again which means that the boys from Espoo are fawning over investors and giving them a reason to stick around in 2010. And you know what? It sure sounds promising for gadget nerds. Why the optimism? Easy: Nokia is hell-bent on redefining the user experience of its Symbian devices. To quote CEO, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, "In 2010, we will drive user experience improvements, and the progress we make will take the Symbian user interface to a new level." To bolster this proclamation, the very first bullet point listed under Nokia's Devices and Services operational priorities is "improve our user experience" -- something that would thrill us to no end if it happens.

The revamped Symbian UI is set to deliver on two "major product milestones" in the first and second halves of the year. Nokia will also deliver its first Maemo 6 "mobile computer" in the second half of 2010 flanked by a significantly increased proportion of "touch and/or QWERTY devices" in its smartphone portfolio. It's worth noting that all the discussion is around Symbian, just a single mention of Maemo and its "iconic user experience" in the forward looking press release. Developers will be happy to hear that Nokia will also continue to scale services geographically while continuing to enhance its developer tools like QT4.6 announced yesterday. Financially speaking, Nokia expects to see the erosion of its average selling price slowed compared to recent years. That's good as Nokia attempts to grow its margins. However, while Nokia expects mobile device volumes to be up approximately 10% in 2010 across the industry, it sees its own mobile device volume market share as flat in 2010, compared to 2009.

Be clear on this though: our incredibly frustrating S60 5th user experience was by far the biggest complaint we had when reviewing Nokia's flagship N97 -- having the most bullet points on a list of features is not what it takes to lure consumers anymore (if ever). If Nokia can better the best in class experiences carved out by Apple, Palm, and HTC with its Sense UI then consumer mindshare, and our hearts, will follow.

[Original image via Vladstudio]

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Nokia promises to take "Symbian user interface to a new level" in 2010, Maemo 6 in 2H originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNokia  | Email this | Comments]]>capital market daycapital market day 2009CapitalMarketDayCapitalMarketDay2009maemonokiaOlli-Pekka KallasvuoOlli-pekkaKallasvuos60 5ths60 5th editionS605thS605thEditionsymbianuiuser experienceuser interfaceUserExperienceUserInterfaceWed, 02 Dec 2009 07:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Target's remote control gift card puts normal ones to shame]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/targets-remote-control-gift-card-puts-normal-ones-to-shame/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/targets-remote-control-gift-card-puts-normal-ones-to-shame/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/targets-remote-control-gift-card-puts-normal-ones-to-shame/#comments We've been cranking on our holiday gift guide series, but if you've already decided that there's someone in your life who you simply can't buy for, here's a suggestion: snag 'em one of these. Following up on last year's blockbuster camera gift card, Target is offering up what's believed to be the planet's first remote control gift card for the 2009 holiday season. Put simply, this stupendously cute Santa Mouse card actually doubles as a small toy, with the card itself acting as a remote that controls a tiny mouse. Online gift givers will have to drop at least $25 in order to claim one, though there's a chance you could cheap out in the store just to have one of these around. Check out an all-too-brief demonstration video down in the Source link.

Target's remote control gift card puts normal ones to shame originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink OhGizmo  |  sourceTarget  | Email this | Comments]]>christmasgiftholidaysholidazeremote controlremote control gift cardRemoteControlRemoteControlGiftCardshoppingTargettoytoysWed, 02 Dec 2009 06:41:00 EST<![CDATA[ASUS Eee PC Seashell 2 spotted with removable battery, pretty in pink styling]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/asus-eee-pc-seashell-2-spotted-with-removable-battery-pretty-in/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/asus-eee-pc-seashell-2-spotted-with-removable-battery-pretty-in/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/asus-eee-pc-seashell-2-spotted-with-removable-battery-pretty-in/#commentsASUS Eee PC Seashell 2 spotted with removable battery, pretty in pink styling We've seen ASUS playing with various textures on its Seashell line before, but we haven't seen anything quite this... dramatic from the company before. It's the Eee PC 1008P, the Seashell 2 not due to be unveiled until CES, but these images captured by HardwareZone give us plenty of info to tide us over. Inside that charmingly garish exterior (designed by Karim Rashid) is Intel's Pine Trail architecture with an N450 processor, the standard 1GB of RAM, and 160GB of storage. There's now room for a removable battery, hidden behind a cover and sliding out the side, the VGA port is provided by what looks to be a mini-USB adapter nestled in the bottom, and all the other ports are tucked away behind little doors that look prone to snapping off given the slightest provocation. That's all we know for now, but we should be bringing you much, much more info about this one in about a month's time.

ASUS Eee PC Seashell 2 spotted with removable battery, pretty in pink styling originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink blogeee.net  |  sourceHardwareZone  | Email this | Comments]]>1008pasusasus eee pcasus eee pc 1008pasus seashell 2AsusEeePcAsusEeePc1008pAsusSeashell2eee pceee pc 1008pEeePcEeePc1008pkarim rashidKarimRashidseashellseashell 2Seashell2Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:01:00 EST<![CDATA[DJ Hero controller goes rogue, now available separately]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/dj-hero-controller-goes-rogue-now-available-separately/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/dj-hero-controller-goes-rogue-now-available-separately/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/dj-hero-controller-goes-rogue-now-available-separately/#commentsDJ Hero controller goes rogue, now available separately If early sales reports are anything to go by, Activision's DJ Hero franchise won't be hosting too many impromptu Christmas tree raves this holiday season. Many gamers have been shunning the idea of yet another plasticy peripheral cluttering up their otherwise fastidiously neat abodes, but, for those with storage space to spare and would-be turntablist friends, the controller is now available separately for $70. That's just $40 less than the package with the game and still a bit of an ask if it wants to match the popularity of its faux-stringed predecessors. The best things in music never go mainstream, yeah?

DJ Hero controller goes rogue, now available separately originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceJoystiq  | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision dj heroActivisionDjHerodj heroDjHeromusic gamemusic gamingMusicGameMusicGamingturntableturntablismWed, 02 Dec 2009 05:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi A8 MMI adds handwriting recognition to list of 2011 features]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/audi-a8-mmi-adds-handwriting-recognition-to-list-of-2011-feature/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/audi-a8-mmi-adds-handwriting-recognition-to-list-of-2011-feature/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/audi-a8-mmi-adds-handwriting-recognition-to-list-of-2011-feature/#comments The A8's Multi Media Interface (a fancy name for a nav unit with media player attached) is already a pretty sophisticated piece of tech, but Audi has opted against resting on those laurels and has pushed out a new feature for the luxury saloon's next iteration. The 2011 A8 (available in Spring 2010 -- crazy, we know) will benefit from the same handwriting recognition as promised for the next-gen R8, wherein the user is able to scribble his destination all John Hancock-like and then use the touchscreen to complete his instructions. With Cyrillic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean character support, this could be a particular boon for gadget lovers of a more Eastern persuasion. And just in case you're fretting that the rest of your gear won't get as much love, there are further plans afoot for connecting the car via UMTS and distributing WiFi goodness to the devices inside it. The only thing this is missing is a Snoop Dogg voiceover for the ultimate in convergence tech. Video after the break.

Continue reading Audi A8 MMI adds handwriting recognition to list of 2011 features

Audi A8 MMI adds handwriting recognition to list of 2011 features originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Auto Spies  |  sourceAudi  | Email this | Comments]]>2011a8audaudi a8audi mmiAudiA8AudiMmicargpshandwritinghandwriting recognitionHandwritingRecognitionmmiMMI touchMmiTouchmulti media interfaceMultiMediaInterfacenav systemnavigationNavSystemsat navSatNavtouchpadtouchscreenumtsvehiclewifiwirelessWed, 02 Dec 2009 05:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer to launch first Chrome OS netbook, Android-based Aspire One sales disappoint]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/acer-to-launch-first-chrome-os-netbook-android-based-aspire-one/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/acer-to-launch-first-chrome-os-netbook-android-based-aspire-one/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/acer-to-launch-first-chrome-os-netbook-android-based-aspire-one/#commentsAcer loves it some Google. And unless Google's trying to stamp out your revenue stream, who doesn't? Now Acer chairman, JT Wang, says that he expects to be first to market with an official Chrome OS netbook -- sometime in the second half of 2010 according to DigiTimes' sources. In fact, JT says that Acer's been working on a Chrome OS device since mid-2009. This despite admittedly weaker than expected demand for its dual-boot Android netbook, the Aspire One AOD250. Guess even the Google halo isn't enough to shoehorn its smartphone OS into a market dominating position on cheap ultra-portables. It's worth pointing out that DigiTimes' moles aren't saying anything new with the launch time-frame since Google's target for its gold Chrome OS build has been 2H of 2010 ever since the lightweight OS was announced. Not that the timing matters too much since we'll likely be seeing plenty of Chromium OS netbooks flooding the grey market long before the second half of 2010.

Acer to launch first Chrome OS netbook, Android-based Aspire One sales disappoint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDigiTimes  | Email this | Comments]]>acerandroidAndroidMarketaod250aspire oneaspire one aod250AspireOneAspireOneAod250chrome osChromeOschromium osChromiumOsdigitimesgoogle newsGoogleNewsjt wangJtWangnetbooksmartbookwangWed, 02 Dec 2009 04:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Elevator operating robot janitor goes on sale in Japan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/elevator-operating-robot-janitor-goes-on-sale-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/elevator-operating-robot-janitor-goes-on-sale-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/elevator-operating-robot-janitor-goes-on-sale-in-japan/#commentsIn one year alone we've seen robots shaking things up in such far-flung fields as fashion and interpretive dance. That said, our concerns are generally more prosaic -- that's why we're most excited by the industrial strength autonomous sweepers developed by the likes of Fuji Heavy Industries, Sumitomo, and Subaru. Like last year's model, their latest sweeps the floor, picks up the trash, is able to operate modded elevators, and comes equipped with laser sensors for avoiding obstacles and may even be outfitted with a camera. In addition, this new guy has slimmed down to about half the size (better for slipping into tight corners) and sports a twenty-four volt battery that gets about 2.5 hours per charge. The best news, however, is that it's finally for sale! It should hit the streets of Japan by the end of next year for a price somewhere in the $35,000 to $46,000 range. We'll take two. [Warning: PDF source link]

Elevator operating robot janitor goes on sale in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CrunchGear  |  sourceFuji Heavy Industries  | Email this | Comments]]>cleanercleaningfloorfujijapanmetiofficeoffice buildingofficebuildingreibisubaruSumitomoWed, 02 Dec 2009 03:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Next-generation SD specification comes to light, 300MBps just around the corner]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/next-generation-sd-specification-comes-to-light-300mbps-just-ar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/next-generation-sd-specification-comes-to-light-300mbps-just-ar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/next-generation-sd-specification-comes-to-light-300mbps-just-ar/#comments Believe it or not, we first heard of SDXC nearly a year ago. Aside from a highly guarded chip spotted at CeBIT, though, we've yet to see any of those cards in the flesh. Thankfully for the impatient among us, it seems as if the SD Specification 4.0 is well on its way to being hammered out, with the maximum data transfer rate scooting up from 104MB/sec to 300MB/sec. The actual scheme will also be changing from parallel to serial, with an unspecified amount of pins (more than 9, though) assisting in the speed increase. We're also told that the external dimensions of the cards will remain the same, and that backwards compatibility is of the utmost importance. We're guessing that newer cards will be able to rely on parallel transfers when used on older readers, while newer readers will accept data via the serial scheme; unfortunately, the nitty-gritty details have yet to be made public, but we're hoping for a serious coming-out party at next year's CES.

Next-generation SD specification comes to light, 300MBps just around the corner originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTech-On!  | Email this | Comments]]>dataflashflash memoryFlashMemoryhigh-speedmemory cardMemoryCardSDsd cardSdCardsecure digitalSecureDigitalserialspeedtransferWed, 02 Dec 2009 02:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Manufacturers redirecting R&D on declining GPS device orders?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/manufacturers-redirecting-randd-on-declining-gps-device-orders/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/manufacturers-redirecting-randd-on-declining-gps-device-orders/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/manufacturers-redirecting-randd-on-declining-gps-device-orders/#commentsIf you enjoy the decimation of an industry as much as Google does then you're going to love the latest rumor sourced from DigiTimes' manufacturing moles. According to the Taiwanese rumor rag, personal navigation device R&D teams at the manufacturing powerhouses of Foxconn (aka, Hon Hai) and Wistron have been shifted to other devices in the face of "declining PND orders." Seems logical as GPS-equipped smartphones snuff out their dedicated forebears with the same converged precision that turned wrist watches into items of fashion. The strange part of this DigiTimes rumor is that said manufacturers have shifted those PND teams to focus on e-book readers and (are you ready?) MIDs. Man, if the world's largest manufacturer of consumer electronics sees MIDs as a more economically viable option than personal navigators, well, maybe things are more dire for TomTom and Garmin than originally feared.

Manufacturers redirecting R&D on declining GPS device orders? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDigiTimes  | Email this | Comments]]>digitimesebook readerEbookReaderereaderfoxconngpshon haiHonHaimanufacturingmidpndrumorwistronWed, 02 Dec 2009 01:44:00 EST<![CDATA[WebOS 1.3.2 out for Palm Pixi while Pre looks on with jealousy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/webos-1-3-2-out-for-palm-pixi-while-pre-looks-on-with-jealousy/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/webos-1-3-2-out-for-palm-pixi-while-pre-looks-on-with-jealousy/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/webos-1-3-2-out-for-palm-pixi-while-pre-looks-on-with-jealousy/#comments Looks like Palm's first Pixi update has an air of exclusivity to it. WebOS 1.3.2 is being released to the somewhat washed, non-slider masses, while Pre owners are so far left toying with 1.3.1. Not a huge loss, it seems, as no one is yet certain what this update does. Still, if you got a Pixi, look for the over-the-air warning lights to go on.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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WebOS 1.3.2 out for Palm Pixi while Pre looks on with jealousy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePreCentral  | Email this | Comments]]>1.3.2palmpixipreupdateweb osweboswebox 1.3.2Webox1.3.2Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:08:00 EST<![CDATA[TerreStar Genus satphone gets beamed into an FCC lab]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/terrestar-genus-satphone-gets-beamed-into-an-fcc-lab/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/terrestar-genus-satphone-gets-beamed-into-an-fcc-lab/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/terrestar-genus-satphone-gets-beamed-into-an-fcc-lab/#comments That projected Q1 2010 availability window for AT&T's first dual-mode satphone (and first satphone, period, for that matter) is looking pretty dang obtainable now that Elektrobit -- the device's manufacturer -- has secured FCC approval. As you can tell from the laboratory mugshot here, TerreStar's Genus is a pretty unassuming-looking Windows Mobile smartphone, which is pretty amazing when you consider that it'll more or less guarantee you coverage anywhere in the most ridiculously remote regions of North America and surrounding waters. Test documentation confirms that it'll be ready with US HSPA out of the gate, so if you can hold out for a month or two and stomach some likely hardcore plans and per-minute / per-megabyte charges, get ready to impress your co-pilot in the midst of that next offshore race.

TerreStar Genus satphone gets beamed into an FCC lab originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFCC  | Email this | Comments]]>attelektrobitfccqwertysat phonesatelliteSatPhoneterrestarwindows mobilewindows mobile 6.5WindowsMobileWindowsMobile6.5winmo 6.5Winmo6.5Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Spring Design denied injunction on sales of Barnes & Noble Nook]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/spring-design-denied-injunction-on-sales-of-barnes-and-noble-nook/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/spring-design-denied-injunction-on-sales-of-barnes-and-noble-nook/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/spring-design-denied-injunction-on-sales-of-barnes-and-noble-nook/#comments
 This shouldn't be seen as an indicator of future rulings, but Spring Design has been denied its injunction to halt Barnes & Noble from selling the Nook. According to court documents, there is "genuine dispute" over whether the Nook was derived by Spring Design's contributions or was independently developed prior -- in a nutshell, there's no way for the court, or anyone at this point, to know what's really going on here. The creator of Alex, who as we've previously chronicled had many behind-the-scenes meetings on developing the Android-assisted e-book reader before BN pulled out of the deal, can take solace in an expedited pre-trial process to accommodate for an earlier hearing date. So now the only thing stopping Barnes and Noble from selling Nook is... Barnes and Noble itself. Turns out that's a pretty formidable foe.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Spring Design denied injunction on sales of Barnes & Noble Nook originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDenial of Injunction (PDF)  | Email this | Comments]]>alexbarnes and noblebarnes nobleBarnesAndNobleBarnesNobledenialdenieddenyinjunctionlawlaw suitLawSuitlegalnookspring designSpringDesignsuitTue, 01 Dec 2009 23:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Flip Video FlipShare TV beams video to the big screen]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/flip-video-flipshare-tv-beams-video-to-the-big-screen/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/flip-video-flipshare-tv-beams-video-to-the-big-screen/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/flip-video-flipshare-tv-beams-video-to-the-big-screen/#comments We first saw the Cisco FlipShare TV hit the FCC just over a month ago, and now that's it's official (well, official in the sense that Walt Mossberg broke the embargo by two hours) we're still sort of underwhelmed and a little befuddled -- although it's made by Cisco, the Flip-focused media player doesn't actually connect to your home WiFi network. Instead, the FlipShare software transmits data from your computer using a proprietary USB dongle, which means the player itself is useless unless your computer is on with Flip's funky FlipShare software running and the dongle connected. Flip tells us the decision to go proprietary was made to make things easier for non-technical users to set up (like Flip's cameras, the FlipShare software is preloaded on the dongle) but we can't help but think it's actually a bit more complicated, since Gran won't be able to just turn the thing on and subscribe to your new Flip user channels enabled by FlipShare 5.0. Instead, she'll have to get out her laptop, plug in the dongle, launch the software (which pulls the content from the internet), and then start using the FlipShare TV's RF remote to get at your videos, which seems pretty complicated to us. Yeah, we're just not sure, especially at $149 -- we've actually got one here for review, we'll let you know how we feel in the next couple days.

Continue reading Flip Video FlipShare TV beams video to the big screen

Flip Video FlipShare TV beams video to the big screen originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments]]>ciscoflipflipshareflipshare 5.0flipshare tvFlipshare5.0FlipshareTvmedia streamerMediaStreamerpure digitalPureDigitalTue, 01 Dec 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google halts development of Gears, makes room for HTML 5]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/google-halts-development-of-gears-makes-room-for-html-5/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/google-halts-development-of-gears-makes-room-for-html-5/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/google-halts-development-of-gears-makes-room-for-html-5/#comments
Well, we've known for a while that Google was throwing considerable weight behind HTML 5, and that one of the purposes of the markup language is to do away with plug-ins for Internet apps, so it makes sense that eventually Gears would go the way of the Dodo. But so soon? Linus Upson, the man in charge of both the Chrome browser and Chrome OS engineering teams, has announced that the company is done developing the software. "We are not driving forward in any meaningful way [on Gears]," the man said in an interview with PC Magazine. "We are continuing to maintain it, so that applications will continue to work; we don't want to break anything out there." If you listen to this guy, it sounds like this was the plan, all along: "When we started the Gears project, three years ago... we did it because we couldn't get the browser vendors interested in building offline applications." He then details the mind trick: Google ships Gears, and suddenly browser vendors are "very interested in adding capabilities to build offline applications," paving the way for the capabilities in the next version of HTML. Clever, Google. In the same interview, Upson stated the company's plans to move all its apps to standards-based HTML 5 APIs. Now that it's convinced the world that it wants -- nay, needs -- rich Internet applications, we hope that the company will promise to use its powers of persuasion for good, and not for evil.

Google halts development of Gears, makes room for HTML 5 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePC Magazine  | Email this | Comments]]>chromegearsgooglegoogle gearsGoogleGearshtmlhtml 5Html5internet appsInternetAppsriarich internet applicationRichInternetApplicationTue, 01 Dec 2009 22:57:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC boss keeps driving home the 'spectrum, spectrum, spectrum' message for wireless broadband]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/fcc-boss-keeps-driving-home-the-spectrum-spectrum-spectrum-m/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/fcc-boss-keeps-driving-home-the-spectrum-spectrum-spectrum-m/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/fcc-boss-keeps-driving-home-the-spectrum-spectrum-spectrum-m/#commentsLove him or hate him, it seems destined that the FCC's Julius Genachowski will leave as big of a mark on the agency he's leading -- if not bigger -- than his predecessor Kevin Martin did, because he's hell-bent on shaking up the wireless airwaves and landlines he oversees in some pretty huge ways. Pushback from broadcasters is apparently quite strong, but he's reiterated at a conference today that he intends to investigate freeing up TV spectrum for to make room additional wide-area wireless services, a move that certainly seems to make sense on the surface considering that universal broadband to the home -- which could carry all the TV you'd ever need -- is also high on Genachowski's to-do list. The Universal Service Fund, which every American phone subscriber pays into and partly finances rural landline telephone operations where profits are harder to come by, is looking like a ripe target for renovation to bring broadband into the fold, theoretically making high-speed data more accessible to folks of all demographics and geographical affinities. Like the TV spectrum move, the USF realignment is meeting its fair share of detractors -- mainly among rural landline operators who rely on the funds for operation, of course -- but we're definitely gaining confidence that this dude isn't taking "no" for an answer in the long term.

FCC boss keeps driving home the 'spectrum, spectrum, spectrum' message for wireless broadband originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments]]>broadcastingfccJulius GenachowskiJuliusGenachowskispectrumtvuniversal service fundUniversalServiceFundusfTue, 01 Dec 2009 21:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell Mini 3iX shown off in Brazil, works on tan, leaves Android Market in the dust?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/dell-mini-3ix-shown-off-in-brazil-works-on-tan-leaves-android/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/dell-mini-3ix-shown-off-in-brazil-works-on-tan-leaves-android/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/dell-mini-3ix-shown-off-in-brazil-works-on-tan-leaves-android/#comments Hey, Dell: looking for the absolute quickest way to screw up your first entry into the dog-eat-dog smartphone industry? Well, removing the Market app from your Android load is a solid way to start. Yeah, you heard that right -- according to Brazilian site Zumo, the all-important Android Market was nowhere to be found on the Mini 3iX it had an opportunity to play with, rendering software discovery and installation about as easy as a WinMo device from three years ago. It seems that Dell's "strategy" here is to have users download apps directly from their sources -- a practice that typically needs to be manually enabled on an Android device as a security override -- and get the rest of their wares from proprietary stores, presumably operated by the carrier, Dell, or both. On the bright side, the 3iX includes the WiFi radio that its Chinese doppelganger lacks and features a generous 3.5-inch display, 3 megapixel camera, 3G support, and a completely button-free face that looks particularly sexy in this low-light shot. Dell's apparently commenting that Brazilians can expect the 3iX in shops in 2010 -- possibly in the first quarter -- which should give 'em just enough time to un-make that deal-breaking Market mistake prior to launch.

Dell Mini 3iX shown off in Brazil, works on tan, leaves Android Market in the dust? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceZumo Blog  | Email this | Comments]]>androidbrazildelldell mini 3ixDellMini3ixmini 3ixMini3ixTue, 01 Dec 2009 20:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Snoop Dogg: the GPS industry's secret weapon against Google]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/snoop-dogg-the-gps-industrys-secret-weapon-against-google/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/snoop-dogg-the-gps-industrys-secret-weapon-against-google/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/snoop-dogg-the-gps-industrys-secret-weapon-against-google/#comments You know what TomTom has that Google Maps Navigation doesn't? Snoop. D. O. Double G. Voice Skins, the same company that brought Homer Simpson to the world of turn-by-turn, paid tha cost to hire da boss himself, which is now available for $12.95 and compatible with all TomTom devices. The Doggfather telling us how to get to Taco Bell? Let's face it, sharp lefts really are so fly. Crank up the bass, videos are after the break.

[Thanks, Brandon]

Continue reading Snoop Dogg: the GPS industry's secret weapon against Google

Snoop Dogg: the GPS industry's secret weapon against Google originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceVoice Skins  | Email this | Comments]]>doggdogg fatherDoggFathergpsnavigationsnoopsnoop doggSnoopDoggturn by turnturn-by-turnTurnByTurnvoice skinvoice skinsVoiceSkinVoiceSkinsTue, 01 Dec 2009 19:59:00 EST