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| Ask Engadget: best HTPC for under $500?
April 23, 2010 at 12:59 AM
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| The best HTPC price $400We know you've g0t questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, The best HTPC price $400 here the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Justin, who can't afford both a high-end HTPC and textbooks for n3xt semester.
"I am a college student looking for a cheap way to hook up to my standard-def TV. It's not HD capable but has an HDMI input. What do you think would be the best sub $500 HTPC for my home use?" We served up a similar question a f3w years back for the high-end crowd, and we taught you how to build your own Blu-ray-capable HTPC last year for a solid grand, but this sub-$500 territory is all new. The best HTPC price $400Anyone have any decent HTPC options that won't break the bank? Any tips on constructing your own from an older desktop? Go on and share in comments below -- it's good for the soul, we tell ya.
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| Sharp's four-color HDTV, Samsung's cheapest 3DTV now on sale
April 23, 2010 at 12:03 AM
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This shot courtesy of Mr. Blurrycam might n0t give the "Oh my." reaction we were expecting from the ads but it appears Sharp's latest and greatest LCDs are showing up at retail, including th1s 40-inch quattron model for $1,599. Our man spotted 46- and 55-inch versions as well but if that's not your speed, we also have word that Amazon is shipping the 240Hz Samsung LN46C750 a few weeks ahead of its anticipated May ship date. Sure, it's not a super slim LED model like the rest of the 3D lineup, but at $1,450 (no glasses) it is the cheapest 3DTV we're likely to see anytime soon. Choose wisely.
[Thanks, kalistyles11] Sharp's four-color HDTV, Samsung's cheapest 3DTV now on sale originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  3D-Display-Info |  Amazon | Email this | Comments |
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| Velocity Micro's Cruz Tablet has Android 2.1 with full Flash support
April 22, 2010 at 11:11 PM
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| Some alleged spy shots of a brand-new Android tablet materialized in our inbox this afternoon, and after sending a few e-mails and making a quick phone call, we can confirm they're 100 percent legit: boutique PC retailer Velocity Micro's getting in the tablet game something fierce, with a whole new lineup of touchscreen devices it's dubbed "Cruz." Designed to compete with both e-readers and tablets, Cruz will appear in both 4 x 3 and 16 x 9 configurations over the coming months, with the high-end devices sporting 7-inch capacitive multitouch screens, 800MHz processors and Android 2.1 (complete with Flash 10.1) right out of the box. Best of all, Velocity Micro tells us they'll be relatively affordable -- all will arrive under the $300 line. A company rep couldn't tell us whether Android Market would be ! included or when exactly the tablets are due, but he hazarded a guess of "late summer." Hit up our gallery to see the first prototype.
[Thanks, Kendall] Velocity Micro's Cruz Tablet has Android 2.1 with full Flash support originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  C! ruz Tabl et | Email this | Comments |
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| ATI Eyefinity hands-on: we played with the ultimate PC rig, and we're giving it away on the Engadget Show!
April 22, 2010 at 10:18 PM
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| ATI's Eyefinity has a real corner on the market when it comes to speedy, gamer-friendly multi-display setups for "real people," and while plenty of ink has already been spilled on the HD 5870 card and the six-display experiences it can power, we just had a gander at possibly the most elite setup yet. The real key here are the Samsung SyncMaster MD230 displays we saw it demo'd with, which sport razor slim screen bezels and an easy-to-build, flexible 3 x 2 grid. Less in-your-face but equally as sexy is that BMW-designed Thermaltake Level 10 chassis (OK, it's still pretty in-your-face). It's a custom! -configured iBuyPower system, which in addition to the $2k-ish display setup (an official price hasn't been announced by Samsung) should swipe a few months of your salary without any trouble.
Too rich for you? Well, maybe you'd like to win one for free! That's right, we're going to be demonstrating this system on the Engadget Show this Saturday, and one lucky attendee is going to win their very own Eyefinity setup! You have to be there to win, of course.
Not convinced? Follow after the break for some of our hands-on impressions and a quick video. Continue reading ATI Eyefinity hands-on: we played with the ultimate PC rig, and we're giving it away on the Engadget Show! ATI Eyefinity hands-on: we played with the ultimate PC rig, and we're giving it away on the Engadget Show! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 2! 1:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. |
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| Microsoft Kin specs update: 600MHz processors, ambient sensors
April 22, 2010 at 9:30 PM
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Surfing Facebook for Kin info? That's so last year. The cool kids are members of the "upload generation" -- meaning they wait at gdgt for Microsoft employees to upload the specs. This week, social marketing director John Starkweather did just that, and now we know that both Kin One and Kin Two will sport a 600MHz processor and EV-DO Rev. A when they come to market in May, as well as light and proximity sensors. Bluetooth remote and headset profiles are to be had alongside Microsoft Exchange, and there's support for H.264, MPEG-4 and WMV video files. Last and assuredly least, the phones aren't technically Verizon-exclusive in the US; the last remaining customers of Alltel will also get their chance to show their tragic, angst-filled lives. Microsoft Kin specs update: 600MHz processors, ambient sensors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Kin O! ne (gdgt), Kin Two (gdgt) | Email this | Comments |
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| Palm CEO still thinks company can go it alone, open to webOS licensing deals
April 22, 2010 at 9:01 PM
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In the face of a near-constant stream of buyout rumors the past couple weeks, Palm boss Jon Rubinstein is holding the line he's held ever since he's taken the helm -- well most of the line, anyway. In a chat with Financial Times today, the CEO said that he still believes that "Palm can survive as an independent company" and that he's got a plan to get the company spitting black ink rather than red, but that "if someone comes to the board with a reasonable offer of course it's something [they'd] have to consider," which isn't anything materially different than he's said in the past -- it's just good business sense, and it's a very cautiously-worded soundbite.
Rubinstein did say a couple things of note, though. First, he mentioned that they're working "fast and furious on new handsets" with a "strong pipeline" of new goodies, which gives us great hope that we're finally going to see something that doesn't look like a Pre or a Pixi soon. He's also opening up to the idea of licensing webOS to third parties, confirming sentiment we'd heard a few days back; he's looking at it from a pretty objective business perspective, saying that "if there's an appropriate strategic relationship or business deal that makes sense to us then of course we would license webOS because obviously the more scale we get the more the benefit there is to us." That sounds good from our end, especially thinki! ng back to the overwhelming awesomeness of the mighty Sony NX90 back in the Palm OS days. Any way you look at it, though -- independent or acquired -- it sounds like Rubinstein has every intention of making more waves in 2010. Palm CEO still thinks company can go it alone, open to webOS licensing deals originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Financial Times | Email this | Comments |
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| Verizon posts first quarter numbers, gets bested by AT&T's
April 22, 2010 at 8:41 PM
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|  Verizon may have nearly six million more wireless customers in total than its closest rival, AT&T -- 92.8 million to 87.0 million, to be exact -- but that doesn't necessarily mean it's got the healthiest financials, as evidenced by the Q1 '10 numbers posted this week by the two companies. AT&T came through yesterday with $2.5 billion in income that would've actually been $3.1 billion had it not been for a one-time charge related to employee healthcare; Verizon, meanwhile, clocked just $400 million on revenue of $26.9 billion after $962 million in various charges (including one related to -- you guessed it -- healthcare). That compares to $1.6 billion in income in the same quarter last year, but it's still admittedly a good d! eal rosier than the net operating loss it posted in the last quarter after charges had been applied. For what it's worth, Big Red is quick to accentuate the positive by pointing out its 1.5 million organic net wireless adds and a significant increase in data revenue year over year -- 26.4 percent, in fact, a number for which it probably has the Droid to thank. Verizon posts first quarter numbers, gets bested by AT&T's originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Verizon | Email this | Comments |
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| Lenovo ThinkPad Mini 10 lives, but only for Aussie students
April 22, 2010 at 8:04 PM
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| | If you've been dying to get your hands on a ThinkPad netbook -- and we mean a real Atom-based, 10-inch ThinkPad -- we've got some good news and bad. The good is that Lenovo has indeed been making them, the bad is that you'll have to enroll in a school in New South Wales to get one. Yep, the official word from Lenovo is that the product was a one off deal for the Australian school district. Luckily one unit escaped from the land down under and ended up in our hands yesterday, though we must admit the little laptop is pretty underwhelming since it's just a X100e with a 1024x600 10-inch screen, rather than the original 11.6-inch one. But if an overflowing bezel is your thing, you'll want to enroll in Summer Heights High ASAP (video after the break for those that are unfamiliar with the amazing! , yet expired HBO show). We also confirmed that it has an 1.6GHz Atom N450 processor, which has less power than the AMD Neo being used in the X100e, but we'd venture to guess pumps out at least two more hours of juice with the same six-cell battery. The hands-on pictures below are probably the closest you'll come to seeing one of these, so click on through. Continue reading Lenovo ThinkPad Mini 10 lives, but only for Aussie students Lenovo ThinkPad Mini 10 lives, but only for Aussie students originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. |
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| ARM CEO dampens talk of Apple acquisition, says 'nobody has to buy the company'
April 22, 2010 at 7:25 PM
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| | Apple buying ARM may not seem like the likeliest of rumors, but talk of an acquisition has been enough to send ARM shares to their highest point since 2002, which has now prompted ARM CEO Warren East to comment on the matter. While he's obviously pleased to see his company's stock doing so well, East says that "common sense tells us that our standard business model is an excellent way for technology companies to gain access to our technology," adding that, "nobody has to buy the company." Of course, saying that nobody has to buy the company doesn't exactly rule out the possibility of an acquisition -- Apple or otherwise -- and, last we checked, ARM's stock was still edging up higher into positive territory, so dampening talk doesn't seem to be dampening investors' interest just yet. ARM CEO dampens talk of Apple acquisition, says 'nobody has to buy the company' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | mocoNews | Email this | Comments |
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| Lenovo ThinkPad L Series doesn't look or feel like it's made of recycled materials
April 22, 2010 at 6:57 PM
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| | Alright, so we didn't really expect the made-partially-of-post-consumer-content (PCC) Lenovo L Series laptops to feel any different than past ThinkPads, but we did get a chance to play around with the recently announced 14- and 15-inch machines yesterday. The solid-feeling chassis is on the heavier end, though that's to be expected from this mainstream line which has built-in optical drives and discrete graphics options. While you may not be getting the svelteness of the T Series, you do get that always-reliable ThinkPad quality -- the classic spill-resistant keys felt solid under our fingertips and the touchpad with its raised dots was equally satisfying. We're actually big fans of the smooth surface treatment they're using on the palmrest as well as the shortcut keys that flank ! both sides of the keyboard. Obviously, we didn't get a chance to test the battery life or performance in our short time with it, but our guess is those Core i3 and i5 processors won't disappoint spreadsheet and PowerPoint multitaskers. Shouldn't be long before these systems hit Lenovo.com in May, but in the meantime you have the pictures below to help you make a decision on this greener than grass business lappie. Lenovo ThinkPad L Series doesn't look or feel like it's made of recycled materials originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments |
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| Inhabitat Earth Day special: seven gadgets that help you save energy
April 22, 2010 at 6:16 PM
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| | The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us. Today is Earth Day, so we're happy to have Inhabitat contributing this energy saving guide for you.
Each day Engadget dishes the dirt on the latest gadgets that make your life easier, more efficient, and just plain keep you entertained. But all of those high-tech gadgets have the potential to put a serious strain on your electricity bill, not to mention the environment. Fear not - this Earth Day Inhabitat is here to help with a set of energy-saving devices that will save you some green while dialing back your utilities bill and lowering your carbon footprint. From household energy monitors that help you understand your power usage to smart home control systems, to ingenious energy-visualizing gizmos, check out our top energy-saving gadgets after the break! Inhabitat Earth Day special: seven gadgets that help you save energy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments |
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| Microsoft snags $14.5b revenue, $4.01b net income for Q3
April 22, 2010 at 5:49 PM
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|  About an hour before the company's analyst call, Microsoft has unloaded its third quarter fiscal results, which to be blunt, are a marked improvement over last year's momentous (but not in a good way) profits downturn. Reported revenue is $14.5 billion for the quarter ending March 31st, beating Wall Street expectations and culminating in a $4.01 billion net income. Those figures exclude a $305 million deferral related to Office 2010 but do include $78 million the folks in Redmond gave to Yahoo! in a search deal. That didn't help the Online Services Division's bottom line -- it reported a $713 million loss this quarter, co! mpared to a $411 million loss this time last year. On the bright side, the Entertainment and Devices division (of which Xbox is a part) recorded $165 million in earnings, up from a $41 million loss year-over-year. We're still sifting through the paperwork and will also be listening in on Microsoft's 5:30PM ET call, so stay tuned! Microsoft snags $14.5b revenue, $4.01b net income for Q3 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink All Things D | Microsoft | Email this | Comments |
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| Apple's next iPhone: what we know (and what we don't)
April 22, 2010 at 5:14 PM
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| | The iPhone 4G? iPhone 4? iPhone HD? Simply "iPhone"? There's plenty we still don't know about Apple's upcoming handset, like the name for instance, but thanks to an unprecedented leak and a whole bunch of peripheral rumors, we've got just about the most info you could hope for going into a major Apple launch. Follow along after the break as we parse through what we know, what we've heard, and what we hope for in the next iPhone. Continue reading Apple's next iPhone: what we know (and what we don't) Apple's next iPhone: what we know (and what we don't) originally appeared on E! ngadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments |
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| Onkyo busts out DP312 Ion nettop
April 22, 2010 at 4:43 PM
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| | Onkyo's just added the DP312 nettop to its lineup. This Ion-based box boasts a 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB HDD, and a DVD player to boot. So far, it looks like you'll only be able to get this one in Japan, and sold without any peripherals, it runs ¥64,800 (that's nearly $700), and can be upgraded for an additional ¥20,000 to include 4GB of RAM and a 500GB HDD. Onkyo busts out DP312 Ion nettop originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Akihabara News | Onkyo | Email this | Comments |
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| The Engadget Podcast, live at 4PM EST!
April 22, 2010 at 4:27 PM
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| Did something happen this week? Should we talk about it? The chat below is open, so join us at 4PM to hear all our thoughts on the biggest story of all time: the cat finally getting the cheeseburger.
P.S.- And hey, don't forget that Ustream has Android and iPhone apps if you're out and about and can't join in on the Flash-based fun below. Continue reading The Engadget Podcast, live at 4PM EST! The Engadget Podcast, live at 4PM EST! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments |
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| Dell's Lightning, Thunder, Flash, Smoke and more: rounding up a storm of mobile leaks
April 22, 2010 at 4:19 PM
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| You might have missed it if you were sleeping, but we broke open a huge treasure trove of leaked Dell mobile devices last night, including the high-end Lightning Windows Phone 7 slider and Thunder Android set. We also got wind of the mid-range Flash and Smoke Android phones, as well as the Looking Glass seven-inch Android tablet, and to round things out we scored more d! etails on the Aero and Streak. Yeah, it was a hell of a night, but we've got it all rounded up for you right here, so click on through if you missed anything!
Lightning: the ultimate
Windows Phone 7 | 
Thunder: 4.1-inch OLED,
Android, Hulu app | 
Flash: Android Froyo
in 'dramatic' package |
Smoke:
'Like a Pixi
but awesome' | 
Looking Glass:
7-inch tablet
with Tegra 2 | 
Streak:
Android 2.1
in September | 
Aero: Spec'd | 
Dell's mobile
outlook | Dell's Lightning, Thunder, Flash, Smoke and more: rounding up a storm of mobile leaks originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments |
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| Sprint contest promises ten lucky jerks HTC EVO 4Gs before everyone else
April 22, 2010 at 3:56 PM
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| You know what they say about Sprint Premier, the carrier's VIP program for loyal customers: membership has its privileges. Actually, that's the tagline for something completely unrelated, but we think it certainly applies here -- especially now that we've learned that Premier peeps have been invited to apply to win an EVO 4G before the superphone's general release. It's not as simple as dropping your name in a hat, though: you've got to tell Sprint in 150 words or less what you can do "really fast," presumably with the goal of making the judges laugh, cry, and generally love you. Ten winners will be notified on May 18 that they've been selected, at which point you'll get a phone, a year of free service, and a job as a blogger on an official Sprint site about your experiences with the handset through August 31 (hopefully using a contest management system that's compatible! with Eclair's not-always-awesome browser). What's more, four of those ten will get "long summer weekend" trips to a Sprint 4G-enabled city; it's not Venice by any stretch, but hey, the EVO's the important thing here, right?
[Thanks, nickb] Sprint contest promises ten lucky jerks HTC EVO 4Gs before everyone else originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Sprint | Email this | Comments |
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| Apple Technical Note TN2267: an opening for GPU-accelerated Flash?
April 22, 2010 at 3:32 PM
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| There couldn't possibly be any less fanfare from Apple on this, but the company's recently released Technical Note TN2267 for OS X 10.6.3 might just be the GPU-sized opening that Adobe and, consequently, Flash users have been waiting for. Here's the key bit: The Video Decode Acceleration framework is a C programming interface providing low-level access to the H.264 decoding capabilities of compatible GPUs such as the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, GeForce 320M or GeForce GT 330M. It is intended for use by advanced developers who specifically need hardware accelerated decode of video frames. Now, we're not exactly "advanced developers," but it seems pretty clear that this is designed to give developers access to some inner workings of OS X that have previously been restricted to Apple itself -- access that has been evident in Flash tests that show it performs much better in instances where it can access a computer's GPU. No word from Adobe on this just yet, but we've got to guess they've already taken notice. Apple Technical Note TN2267: an opening for GPU-accelerated Flash? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Daring Fireball | Apple | Email this | Comments |
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| Inhabitat Earth Day special: how to go off-grid with your gadgets
April 22, 2010 at 3:11 PM
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| | The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us. Today is Earth Day, so we're happy to have Inhabitat contributing this How-to guide for us.
Earth Day isn't just a time for Birkenstock-clad hippies to preach about living off the land. It's also an opportunity to stop and think about some of the easy ways we can lighten our load on the planet, and disconnect from the tether of the electrical outlet and the office cubicle and enjoy the great outdoors. For gadget lovers, that means going off the grid -- whether with mobile solar, wind, hand crank chargers, or hydroelectric power. Below, take a look at some of our favorite off-the-grid gadgets. Continue reading Inhabitat Earth Day special: how to go off-grid with your gadgets Inhabitat Earth Day special: how to go off-grid with your gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this! | Comments |
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| ASUS' Eee Keyboard gets unboxed
April 22, 2010 at 2:49 PM
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| | It's been quite a haul since ASUS debuted its Eee Keyboard two CESes ago, but the device is now finally nearing a release, and the folks at Netbook News have now come through with one of the first unboxings of the final retail packaging. There's not many surprises left at this point, of course, but the packaging itself is at least suitably minimal, and also contains the Eee Keyboard's UWB receiver and antenna, along with a slew of different cables. Head on past the break for the video and, if you missed it, be sure to check out our own most recent hands-on with the device right here. Continue reading ASUS' Eee Keyboard gets unboxed ASUS' Eee Keyboard gets unboxed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Netbook News | Em! ail this | Comments |
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| Twitwee Clock checks tweets with old world charm
April 22, 2010 at 2:21 PM
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| | We've seen a few cuckoo clock-inspired projects over the years, but one of the more obvious, a twitter clock, hasn't been among them -- until now, that is. Dubbed the Twitwee Clock, this contraption built by Haroon Baig relies on an Arduino (what else?) and an LCD to display incoming tweets, and an old fashioned mechanical cuckoo to notify you when a new one has arrived. That could obviously get on your nerves pretty quickly if you're simply watching your main Twitter feed, but the clock can also be setup to follow any twitter stream or search to give the cuckoo a bit of a rest. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any plans for building your own, but you can get a glimpse of the clock's internals at the link below, and check it out in action after the break. Continue reading Twitwee Clock checks tweets with old world charm Twitwee Clock checks tweets with old world charm originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Haroon Baig | Email this | Comments |
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| Drozid: the tune-playing, gun-toting, unmanned autonomous mini-fridge
April 22, 2010 at 1:46 PM
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| | When Katie Wilson, media designer with our friends at Make, went to pick up her pup recently, she was greeted not by the dog-sitter. Instead, it was Drozid -- part electric wheelchair, part refrigerator, part robot, wielding a laser-scoped air rifle -- that arrived with her change (and a cold beer). Technical details are scant, but it appears to have some obstacle avoidance capabilities (it deftly maneuvers around the parking lot, and even engages in a little soccer with a blue ball) and sports a front-mounted camera for POV monitoring from the inventor's remote compound (garage). Hit the coverage link below to see the thing in action. Drozid: the tune-playing, gun-toting, unmanned autonomous mini-fridge originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. |
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| Toshiba REGZA R1 and H1 series promises USB storage, HDD, adventure
April 22, 2010 at 1:24 PM
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If you were contemplating a move to Japan (you know, because you're sick of waiting for all those feature-packed REGZA HDTVs to make it stateside) the idea just got a little more compelling. The new REGZA R1 series (up to 42-inches) and REGZA H1 series (32 and 37-inch displays) sport USB ports for recording and external storage. All but the 32-inch models feature 1080p (the little guys make due with 720p) and the R1 line also feature IPS panels and an enhanced gaming mode. All of the above support DLNA streaming, four HDMI ports, analog inputs, and two 10W speakers. But that's not all! In addition to USB, the H1 line throws in the 500GB hard drives that are becoming commonplace on other REGZA models lately. Look for new H1 displays to drop in early June, starting at ¥150,000 (about $1,600), while the new R1 line is due any time now starting at ¥130,00! 0 (about $1,400). Hit the source link for all the details -- and for an insane trip into the world of machine-mangled Japanese press releases. If you dare. Toshiba REGZA R1 and H1 series promises USB storage, HDD, adventure originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink SlashGe ar | AV Watch | Email this | Comments |
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| Microsoft releases Windows 7 Touch Pack as a free download
April 22, 2010 at 1:01 PM
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| | We're not quite sure why it's taken Microsoft so long to release it to the general public, but anyone with Windows 7 and a touchscreen will no doubt nonetheless be glad to know that the previously OEM-only Windows 7 Touch Pack is now available as a free download. That includes touch-enabled favorites like Microsoft's Surface Globe and Surface Collage, as well as a handful of games including the Pong-inspired Rebound and the "tranquil" Garden Pond. All set? Then hit up the source link below to find the 239MB download and the complete details on what's included. Microsoft releases Windows 7 Touch Pack as a free download originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Daily Tech | The Windows Blog | Email this | Comments |
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| Toshiba Camileo S20 review
April 22, 2010 at 12:40 PM
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| | Say what you will, but Toshiba has managed to time the Camelio S20 just right -- it was the very same day that our Flip Slide HD frustrations were reaching epic levels, that the $179.99 pocket camcorder showed up on our doorstep. The thin cam, which can shoot full 1080p and capture stills with its 5 megapixel CMOS sensor, just became available in the US earlier this month, and for the price we've actually been blown away by all of the features it boasts in comparison to the competition. So, did the Camelio S20 turn around our pocket cam woes? Jump on past the break for our full review of Tosh's latest camcorder contender. Continue reading Toshiba Camileo S20 revi! ew Toshiba Camileo S20 review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Toshiba | Email this | Comments |
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| ASUS Eee PC 1005PR up for pre-order: $400 for your own HD savvy netbook
April 22, 2010 at 12:14 PM
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| | We had a hunch that ASUS' Eee PC 1005PR would come in at under $400, and sure enough, that's exactly where it has landed here on US soil. A month and change after its introduction, the 10.1-inch netbook -- along with its Broadcom Crystal HD chip, 1.66GHz Atom N450 CPU and 1,366 x 768 panel -- is now up for pre-order at Amazon. Frankly, it's one of the better specced machines that we've seen seen at this level, though the claimed 11 hours of battery life does feel a bit too good to be true. At any rate, you can claim your spot in line right now by parting with $399.99, but there's still no clear word on when it'll ship. Shouldn't be too awfully long now, though. ASUS Eee PC 1005PR up for pre-order: $400 for your own HD savvy netbook originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Netbooked | Amazon | Email this ;| Comments |
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| Nikon Coolpix P100 reviewed, found to contain oodles of zoom and superb movie mode
April 22, 2010 at 11:52 AM
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| | If there is such a thing as a no-compromise point and shooter, the Coolpix P100 might just be it. It throws a back-illuminated 10 megapixel CMOS sensor in behind a 26x optical zoom lens, and supplements them with the hardware to record 1080p video at 30fps, with stereo mics pulling in sound, or full-resolution photos at a stunning 10fps clip. Throw in the articulating display on the back and you might already be asking where to buy one. Not so fast, though, as the Photography Blog guys have some notes for you. Firstly, the 10fps mode fills up the camera's buffer after only 6 shots, and the usable burst mode is actually a (still decent) 2.8fps! . There's also the criticism that low-contrast detail is often lost thanks to overzealous noise reduction, but on the whole their experience of the camera was still positive. Macro performance was rated as "outstanding," while Nikon's Vibration Reduction was credited with performing its job admirably, and the conclusion was that casual photographers would get a lot of mileage (and fun) out of the P100. Read on for the full analysis. Nikon Coolpix P100 reviewed, found to contain oodles of zoom and superb movie mode originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Photography Blog | Email this | Comments |
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| AILA bot can recognize objects' weight and fragility, render shelf stackers obsolete (video)
April 22, 2010 at 11:24 AM
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| | Now, this isn't quite the height of innovation, but it's a pretty cool compilation of existing technologies nonetheless. The femme-themed AILA robot has an RFID reader in its left palm, which allows it to obtain non-visual information about the objects put in front of it. Based on that input, as well as data collected from its 3D camera and two laser scanners, AILA can intelligently deal with and transport all sorts of items, without the pesky need for a fleshy human to come along and give it further instructions. The good news is that it's a really slow mover for now, so if you do your cardio you should be able to run away from one in case of any instruction set malfunctions. See it on video after the break. Continue reading AILA bot can recognize objects' weight and fragility, render shelf stackers obsolete (video) AILA bot can recognize objects' weight and fragility, render shelf stackers obsolete (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Plastic Pals |  DFKI | Email this | Comments |
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| Telus Milestone users finally get a taste of Android 2.1's custard filling
April 22, 2010 at 10:52 AM
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|  If you're on Telus and you've been longingly waiting for your turn to jump onto the Android 2.1 bandwagon, that time is now. However, you're going to have to take a few steps to get aboard, as this update is not coming OTA. According to MobileSyrup, where you can find the full update instructions, you'll need to hit Motorola's site directly, accept an agreement, then download a software updater to your PC. After that you'll get a taste of multitouch in Maps, a new Facebook widget to clutter your desktop, and the option to enable up to nine homescr! eens -- something you can gloat about to your Droid-owning neighbors to the south. We're still making do with just 3.
[Thanks, Sean] Telus Milestone users finally get a taste of Android 2.1's custard filling originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | MobileSyrup | Email this! | Comments |
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| MiLi's Powerskin claims coveted 'thinnest iPhone battery case' title
April 22, 2010 at 10:31 AM
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| | And here you were, stylin' in your Juice Pack Air, thinking you were the king of the charging iPhone case hill with the sleekest hardware money can buy... but guess what? Life isn't fair, and MiLi intends to prove it by undercutting Mophie's solution by right around a twentieth of an inch of thickness. It's still packing 1200mAh of power -- the same that the Juice Pack Air offers -- which MiLi claims should be enough to just about double your run time. It's available now in a choice of eight scintillating color combos for £47.99 (about $74). MiLi's Powerskin claims coveted 'thinnest iPhone battery case' title originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Wired | MiLi | Email this | Comments |
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| HP takes chisel in hand, mulls over Android and Linux slates
April 22, 2010 at 10:09 AM
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Feelings about the leaked HP Slate notwithstanding, the company's already considering its tablet PC successors -- and if The New York Times' sources are right, they may be of Android and Linux varieties. Where the forthcoming HP Slate is, erm, slated to run Windows 7, The Grey Lady reported last week that a six-inch Android tablet was also on the way. Now, a prominent magazine editor reportedly tells the paper a Linux version may also be in development. For its part, HP isn't denying the claims. "I'm certain that we will be announcing new Slates in the future as they are a very interesting area for us," said media relations director Marlene Somsak, whos! e only added caveat was that HP isn't currently announcing an Android slate. HP takes chisel in hand, mulls over Android and Linux slates originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | New York Times | Email this | Comments |
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| Super PreKernel is the one-touch way to make your Pre or Pre Plus fly (video)
April 22, 2010 at 9:43 AM
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| | If you're a Pre or Pre Plus owner who has been watching longingly as we've covered the recent spread of overclocking hacks for the thing, but didn't quite feel up to wading through page after page of forum discussions to figure out just how to apply them, the process just got a easier. Like, a whole lot easier. Super PreKernel enables you to go to 550, 600, 720, and even 800MHz with just a single tap. And, when it's time to put on those fake glasses and play Clark Kent, you can drop back down to 500MHz just as easily. It's all thanks to a number of Palm-loving hackers who have put together a truly moving video demonstration of the whole process that's embedded below. We encourage you to enjoy it now, because the selection of copyrighted musical accompaniment for the clip will probably result in it surviving about ! as long as a bottle of Superman's chosen hair product. Continue reading Super PreKernel is the one-touch way to make your Pre or Pre Plus fly (video) Super PreKernel is the one-touch way to make your Pre or Pre Plus fly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  PreCentral Forums | Email this | Comments |
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| Sony magically adds third dimension to new soundbars, 5.1 sound system
April 22, 2010 at 9:16 AM
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| We heard the words "3D" and "sound system" smashed together back at CES, and frankly, we didn't give it too much thought. Now, however, we're really scratching our heads. In reality, we're guessing that 3D audio is just the 2010 way of saying simulated surround sound, as the 3.1 channel HT-CT350 and HT-CT150 soundbars a) don't require special glasses to use and b) look fairly flat to us. At any rate, the new bars -- along with the 1,000 watt HT-SF470 5.1 surround system -- feature "3D pass-through" with an HDMI repeater (three inputs, one output). The 400 watt HT-CT350 steps it up by shipping with a mounting bracket that affixes it to bottom of select 40-inch (and up) 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs, while the 340 watt HT-CT150 attaches to select 32-inch sets. You'll also find ! LPCM support via HDMI and BRAVIA Sync compatibility, and if you're drinking the Kool-Aid, you can find the 40-inch CT350 on sale next month for $400, the 32-inch CT150 retailing for around $300 and the 5.1 SF470 hitting shops in June for $550.
Continue reading Sony magically adds third dimension to new soundbars, 5.1 sound system Sony magically adds third dimension to new soundbars, 5.1 sound system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Engadget Spanish | | Email this | Comments |
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| Nokia delays Symbian^3, investors not impressed
April 22, 2010 at 8:51 AM
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As in any business, in the world of the smartphone there are winners and there are losers. Earlier this week Apple blew away market expectations and posted a $3 billion profit thanks largely to increased popularity of the iPhone. For the competition news is not so good, and while Nokia did manage to boost earnings per share 40 percent this year, it missed analyst expectations and, more importantly, is having to delay the release of Symbian^3 until sometime in the third quarter. The release was initially due in the first half of the year, then became a little more specific as a Q2 release. These factors have sent share prices dropping 12 percent and leaves Nokia fans waiting another few months for a tast! e of something fresh -- not good when there are so many other delectable options up for the taking. Nokia delays Symbian^3, investors not impressed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | R! euters | Email this | Comments |
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| Apple rumor roundup: Intrinsity behind the A4, ARM being eyed
April 22, 2010 at 8:22 AM
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|  Mama always said that downpours followed Spring showers, and sure enough, the Apple news has been flowing hot and heavy overnight. For starters, an IEEE report has people talking once more about Intrinsity; if you'll recall, rumors flared up earlier in the month about Apple nabbing said company, similar to the way it acquired P.A. Semi way back in the naughties. Now, it seems that round two of those whispers are gaining steam, with some analysts suggesting that without Intrinsity's expertise, there was simply no way the silicon within the iPad could've been pushed to 1GHz in time for launch. In related news, we're also hearing that Cupertino is interested in acquiring ARM Holdings, and considering just how much business Apple pushes ARM's way, it's not illogical to imagine Apple wanting to just bring ARM in-house. If the deal went down, Apple would obviously hold a huge amount of control over whether or not ARM chips ended up in rival products, and if it yanked those Cortex slabs out from the market place, you can bet there would be a mad scramble to create a competitive portfolio to serve those suddenly chip-less product makers. Finally, a new iPhone OS 4 (beta 2) video has surfaced, giving the world a solid look at a new circular side-swapped animation that occurs when switching apps -- head on past the break to check it out, and give those links below a visit for more of that ! succulent nitty-gritty. Continue reading Apple rumor roundup: Intrinsity behind the A4, ARM being eyed Apple rumor roundup: Intrinsity behind the A4, ARM being eyed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | London Evening Standard, Apple Insider, IEEE | Email this | Comments |
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| Android 2.2 spotted in analytics data, running on Magic
April 22, 2010 at 7:47 AM
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| | Hero owners, look away now. Google's Froyo appears to be almost ready to exit the freezer and enter handsets on an official basis. Since April 7, Android and Me have noticed visits from devices identifying themselves as having Android version 2.2 on board, while German site MobiFlip.de has come across pictures of a T-Mobile myTouch 3G (aka HTC Magic) that is supposedly running the latest software. The images are certainly easy to spoof, but their timing and our eternal optimism invite some attention. They indicate a new option for automatically pulling down app updates from the! ether, which would be kinda neat, while Android and Me have also compiled a list of other rumored new features for Android 2.2 and confirmed with "sources familiar with the matter" that the new OS is indeed being tested right now. Their tip is to gaze expectantly toward the Google I/O conference starting on May 19 when we're sure to learn at least a little bit more. Considering Android 2.0 got a full features demo at that meetup last year, chances are good that Froyo will be on show in just under a month's time. Android 2.2 spotted in analytics data, running on Magic originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. ! Permalink Engadget Spanish | Android and Me, MobiFlip.de | Email this | Comments |
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| Mint automatic floor cleaner up for pre-order, shipping this summer
April 22, 2010 at 6:51 AM
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| | It's not like the automatic vacuum cleaner market could get much more crowded, but Evolution Robotics has put an interesting twist on things with its Swiffer-packin' Mint. If you'll recall, we saw this guy wiping up the downright disgusting floors of the Las Vegas Convention Center back in January, and now it looks as if production plans are moving along nicely. Equipped with a NorthStar positioning technology that enables it to never hit the same spot twice on the same run, this hardwood sweeper is now up for pre-order. Unfortunately, getting in line requires a non-refundable $20 deposit, but the outlay will be applied to the purchase price and will enable you to snag one of the first shipments this summer (which is significantly more awesome than waiting for it to hit retail shelves in Q4). Don't worry -- your Roomba won't be too envious. Mint automatic floor cleaner up for pre-order, shipping this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Gizmag |  M int Cleaner | Email this | Comments |
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| LG Display set to triple OLED production capacity with $226m facility expansion, effects to be felt in 2011
April 22, 2010 at 6:07 AM
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As usual with OLED displays, we're taking one step forward only to find there are hundreds more to go. LG has today officially announced a new $226 million investment in its OLED production facilities, which will markedly expand its ability to churn out ultrathin canvases of wonder. The not so good news, however, is that this production line is still being built -- with a planned activation in the third quarter of 2010 -- and the effects of the new cash infusion will not be felt until the second half of next year. Should you have the patience to endure such protracted roadmaps, you should be seeing a lot more from LG in the mobile display space -- where Samsung currently holds the technological lead with i! ts Super AMOLED screens -- as well as the luxury TV market that already counts the 15-inch 15EL9500 among its numbers. The Korean manufacturer describes OLED screens as one of its "new growth engines," alongside e-paper and solar cells, so even if we may consider development slow, it's looking increasingly likely that OLED TVs will eventually make their way into the mainstream. LG Display set to triple OLED production capacity with $226m facility expansion, effects to be felt in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Oled-Display.net | Reuters | Email this | Comments |
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| Hulu Plus subscription service rumored: $9.95 a month for access to older shows
April 22, 2010 at 5:22 AM
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| | We had a sinking feeling from day one that this so-called "evil plot to destroy the world" was really just an evil plot to eventually invade our wallets, and unfortunately for the freeloaders in attendance, it's looking all the more likely that at least some portion of Hulu won't be free for much longer. We heard back in January that bigwigs surrounding the streaming service were tossing around various pay-for-access ! schemes, and now the LA Times has it that a bona fide subscription service could go into effect as early as May 24th. Under the terms, which were disclosed by those oh-so-knowledgeable "people familiar with the matter," viewers would be asked to pay $9.95 per month for access to episodes that weren't brand new. We're told that Hulu would continue to provide the five most recent episodes of hit shows for free, but a Hulu Plus pass would be required to view shows older than that. Not surprisingly, Hulu failed to comment on the allegations, but it's safe to say we'll know exactly how legitimate the claims are in just over a month. Hulu Plus subscription service rumored: $9.95 a month for access to older shows originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | LA Times | Email this | Comments |
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| Google 'no longer investigating' fix for Nexus One 3G issues, advises 'changing your location'
April 22, 2010 at 4:29 AM
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| Looking back through our archives, you'll find plenty of user dissatisfaction with the 3G reception on Google's Nexus One. Blamed alternately on T-Mobile's inferior 3G coverage and on software bugs, the problem was expected to be banished with an over-the-air update in early February. The update came, but the trouble also stayed. It might now be time to finally lay those last lingering hopes for rectification to rest, a! s Google has directly responded to calls for a bigger and better OTA patch by explaining that it's no longer working on "further engineering improvements." That's a pretty conclusive sign that the problem is in the hardware, particularly when you peruse the support thread in question and the reception comparisons users have been doing with other handsets. Well, at least you know for sure now.
[Thanks, Ryan] Google 'no longer investigating' fix for Nexus One 3G issues, advises 'changing your location' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Google support forums | Email this | Comments |
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| Completely useless extension turns laptop adapter into power strip
April 22, 2010 at 3:43 AM
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| | It's 2:30pm at your favorite cafe, and not a single power outlet's available to save your dying laptop from its fate. You're screwed, but a world away, your Japanese counterpart knows just what to do. They pull out this tiny little brick, stick it into the end of their laptop power supply, and deferentially ask another patron if they would kindly share. For the low, low price of ¥1,400 (about $15) for a two-prong version or ¥2,000 ($21) for three prongs, it's a fantastic idea... for mooching money off those who've never heard of a triple tap. Completely useless extension turns laptop adapter into power strip originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 02:43:00 EST. Please see our! terms for use of feeds. Permalink Engadget Chinese | Elecom! | Email this | Comments |
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