Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Amazon Kindle DX first hands-on (with video!)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/amazon-kindle-dx-first-hands-on/


We just got a quick first in-person look at Amazon's new Kindle DX. It looks bigger! Some quick thoughts on the device:

  • It's not really drastically different from the Kindle 2. Not in any way. The ability to auto-rotate is nice, and the big screen is definitely easier on the eyes when it comes to reading newspapers, but largely this is the same beast.
  • The screen looks great. It may just be the demo units here, but the blacks seem to be darker than they are on the Kindle 2. We'll have to hold this judgment for when we've got a review unit in our hands.
  • Screen refresh is largely unchanged. You'll still see those black flashes when you turn the page.
  • The keyboard seems better to us than the Kindle 2's. The keys are more raised, and there's more real estate for typing. It's still not an awesome experience, but it's improved.
  • The size difference really is notable. The DX is a large device. It's not the kind of thing you'll be throwing into a purse, though it's not so large that you wouldn't consider it over the Kindle 2. In fact, if we had to choose right now, the Kindle DX wins hands-down.
  • $489 is a lot of money for a device like this. Amazon is really going to have to show some considerable cuts on pricing for their deals with the NYT / schools to make this attractive to end-users.
And check out the videos after the break!

Continue reading Amazon Kindle DX first hands-on (with video!)

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Amazon Kindle DX first hands-on (with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Studio XPS 13 reviewed, loved, and respected

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/dell-studio-xps-13-reviewed-loved-and-respected/


There's been much talk of Dell's leather-bound Studio XPS 13 ever since it made its first appearance... and now the fine folks over at Hot Hardware have put it through the motions for you, and we can tell you that they really liked what they found. Really really. In terms of overall build, they were very impressed, specifically with the chunky hinges and that decorative leather strip (the one which we found to be rippled in our own hands-on). They also claim that the Studio XPS 13 might have the "best keyboard" they've "ever touched" on an ultraportable, and they similarly loved the trackpad's clickiness (although we found the trackpad cramped and awkwardly placed). Performance-wise, they consider themselves blown away by the laptop, though they noted a few hiccups here and there (while tabbing around Firefox), and said that they felt the Studio XPS 13 outperforms others in its class. Hit the read link for the full on, glowing review -- one more shot after the break.

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Dell Studio XPS 13 reviewed, loved, and respected originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 12:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's PRAM chips hit mass production in June

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/05/samsungs-pram-chips-go-into-mass-production-in-june/

Mark your calendars, memory enthusiasts, for the date you've all been waiting for. Samsung's phase change RAM will go into mass production starting in June. The PRAM chips -- not to be confused with paramter RAM, often what you curse / reset if you've got a Mac on the fritz -- can rewrite data without having to erase what's already on there first. The company's still boasting it's 30x faster and has 10x the lifespan of traditional flash memory. You want to know what gadgets and gizmos will first use these chips? Us too, but we're all gonna have to wait because Sammy's not talking yet.

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Samsung's PRAM chips hit mass production in June originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 21:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RealD LP makes 3D projection a touch more portable

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/05/reald-lp-makes-3d-projection-a-touch-more-portable/

It may be stretching the definition of what we'd call "portable" around here by quite a large margin, but RealD's touting its latest creation as the world's first mobile, single-projector 3D solution. The RealD LP can blast video on screens up to 17 feet wide with a 150:1 contrast ratio -- glasses still required for the full effect, of course. No price mentioned, but we reckon it's still in the realm of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it."

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RealD LP makes 3D projection a touch more portable originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 23:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LaCie adds to NAS catalog with Big Disk, d2 Network

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/lacie-adds-to-nas-catalog-with-big-disk-d2-network/

Looking to add some color to your extensive NAS collection? Well, you find it here, save for the company's characteristic blue button. If you're willing to look past that cold, aluminum exterior, however, LaCie's Big Disk and d2 Network storage solutions should serve you well. The former sports up to 1.5TB capacity with eSATA port for expansion, while the latter goes up to 3TB by concactenating two drives in RAID 0. Both support the usual array of backup software, including Apple's Time Machine, and work with all DLNA-compliant devices. LaCie says they're on sale now, $190 for d2 Network and $380 for Big Disk Network.

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LaCie adds to NAS catalog with Big Disk, d2 Network originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 00:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's HMX-H106 Full HD camcorder with 64GB SSD takes first peek at retail

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/samsungs-hmx-h106-full-hd-camcorder-with-64gb-ssd-gets-first-pe/

Here's one that might trigger an electrical pulse across the synapses, Samsung's HMX-H106. This tiny Full HD camcorder with a 64GB SSD tooling about its inanimate innards has been quietly preparing for May launch ever since its reveal back in January at CES. That's enough storage for an impressive 12 hours of 1920 x 1080 pixel video with further expansion by SD/SDHC card. Word has it that it launched this morning in its hometown Korea and is set for a May 22nd Stateside launch according Amazon.com. 900 bucks for a H.264 camcorder with an optical image stabilized Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens touting a 10x zoom and 37mm wide-angle focal length -- is that new baby worth it?

Read -- Korea launch
Read -- Amazon May 22nd pre-order

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Samsung's HMX-H106 Full HD camcorder with 64GB SSD takes first peek at retail originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SmartQ 7 is an Internet Tablet with dedicated FN

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/smartq-7-is-an-internet-tablet-with-dedicated-fn/

Oh look, another 7-inch device with an identity crisis. Too big to be called a smartphone, definitely not a netbook, it must be a MID, UMPC, or maybe a PMP. Wait, we see it now, the SmartQ 7 aspires to be an "Internet Tablet." Good, because its WVGA (800ish x 480 pixel) resolution is the same as Toshiba's 4.1-inch TG01 (to name just one smaller device) only stretched across a 7-inch touchscreen display -- not exactly ideal for video in 2009. The SmartQ 7 runs an unspecified Linux distro with specs that include WiFi, a USB-host mode, stereo speakers, and up to 2-days of music off a single charge to its 4500mAh Li-Poly battery. More importantly, there's a dedicated FN button along the top for instant fun. No launch date or price but we've got the backside, front, after the break.

[Via Pocketables]

Continue reading SmartQ 7 is an Internet Tablet with dedicated FN

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SmartQ 7 is an Internet Tablet with dedicated FN originally appeared on Engadget on We! d, 06 Ma y 2009 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, May 05, 2009

The Problems with a Hackintosh Netbook, Six Months Out [Hackintosh]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/dkfTaZL0zfA/the-problems-with-a-hackintosh-netbook-six-months-out

More than a few Lifehacker readers were probably intrigued when reports popped up about how easy it was to install OS X on an MSI Wind netbook (and it's gotten easier lately with the Dell Mini 9). Before you splurge on what seems like a cheap, portable MacBook replacement, consider the experiences of Wired GadgetLab's Brian X. Chen, as he dealt with software, hardware, and hardware design problems. He's not alone, either—Dave "MacSparky" Sparks and Steven Sande at The Unofficial Apple Weblog are near the breaking point with their Mini 9s. Got a counter-argument for your beloved HackBook? Agree that it's best to go official with Apple products? Tell us your take in the comments. [Wired GadgetLab]



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Manhattan Mapped Without a Horizon [Art]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/OMGYARBJ7aE/manhattan-mapped-without-a-horizon

It's rare that we get excited over maps, but this idea by graphic designers Jack Schulze and Matt Webb would be great for GPSs, combining 3D, first person and overhead views into one übermap.

The art project, called Here & There, bends the world into horizon-less, roller coaster loop topography, which allows the viewer to see their position from the first person perspective (complete with those 3D buildings that usually just get in the way) alongside the route/terrain to come.

For now, the designers' work is available in limited edition prints only that go for $65 (per a set of two). But we can still dream that someone like Google, Apple or Garmin might come around and drop a big pile of money on the small agency before automating this visualization for real time navigation. [Here & There and Background Info via FastCompany]

Also check out these two similarly themed, Dyson Spheresque images. The first, Halo. The second, RingWorld.



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DDRdrive's RAM-based SSD is snappy, costly

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/05/ddrdrives-ram-based-ssd-is-snappy-costly/


In the race for ever faster storage, manufacturers have increasingly been looking towards the PCIe bus. And while we've seen lots of interesting things out of companies like Fusion-io, it will probably be a few long moments before anything comes around that's feasible, or reasonable, for the consumer. That said, PC Perspective has put in some quality time with the DDRdrive X1, which places 4GB DRAM and 4GB NAND in parallel on a full height PCIe card, keeping that volatile memory of yours safely backed up on a static disk, just in case. According to the reviewer, this device offers the user nothing less than "pure unadulterated random IO" that is "unmatched by any other device available." Other pluses include its cost (I / O operations per second are calculated at about a fifth of the ioDrive) and snappy custom drivers for both 32 and 64-bit members of the Windows family (Linux drivers are promised for the near future). The Cons? This bad boy is currently limited to 4GB, and it'll run you a cool $1495. Not exactly the stuff dreams are made of for 99% of our readers, but if you should happen to find yourself the admin for an eneterprise server of some type (as many of us do, from time to time) this might be something worth looking into.

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DDRdrive's RAM-based SSD is snappy, costly originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi's 4GB WiFi Video cards now with more options for Internet regret

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/05/eye-fis-4gb-wifi-video-cards-now-with-more-options-for-internet/

You know that video mode you haven't used since first bought your compact point and shoot? Right, the one that does 720p HD video if you've purchased a camera within the last 6 months? Well, Eye-Fi's back to remind you that it's now selling its $99 Eye-Fi Explore Video (with geotagging) and $79 Eye-Fi Share Video SDHC cards nationwide. They've also enabled video sharing with Picasa, Photobucket, and SmugMug in addition to Flickr and YouTube. The result is dead-simple, un-edited direct-to-internet video sharing without the need for a tethered computer. Of course, these cards work equally well for dumping your films and photos over WiFi to your Mac or PC at home -- but why live your life in a bubble?

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Eye-Fi's 4GB WiFi Video cards now with more options for Internet regret originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gmail gets pushed to select BlackBerries

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/05/gmail-gets-pushed-to-select-blackberries/

Gmail gets pushed to select BlackBerries
There's a new push purveyor on the mobile scene, come to show the competition what's what -- despite being completely dependent on that competition, at least for the moment. Hot on the heels of RIM adding a push API, Google is enabling some BlackBerry users to get their Gmail and Google Calendar goodies shoved straight to their handsets. However, there are a number of shortcomings here that make this addition somewhat limited in usefulness. For one thing users have to be connecting to BlackBerry Enterprise Server instances, and furthermore those instances have to be backed by Microsoft Exchange. Additionally, only 250 users per Enterprise Server instance can get their mobile Gmail on, changes made to appointments on a handsets cannot be pushed back to Google Calendar, and to top it all off searching for Gmail messages still requires a separate app. Updates and improvements are coming, but until then it's caveat emailor.

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Gmail gets pushed to select BlackBerries originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's in Store for Verizon FiOS: Slingbox-Like Streaming and More [FiOS]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Gh30GPVbtgY/whats-in-store-for-verizon-fios-slingbox+like-streaming-and-more

Gear Live had a sit-down with a senior rep from Verizon and found a few tasty hints as to what's in FiOS's future. Most exciting? They're working on a Slingbox-like service for streaming live TV.

That content streaming feature, confirmed by senior VP Eric Rabe, is definitely in the works, pending the resolution of some agreements (we imagine they'll have many tiresome meetings with the networks before that gets ironed out). In addition, they'll be adding support so the FiOS box can stream video content from networked PCs (and Macs)—at the moment, only audio and photos are supported, so this'll be a nice change.

Not so interesting is the distressing news that Verizon has apparently discovered social networking. That means Facebook and Twitter support in the form of widgets, because lord knows that's what we all need. The Twitter widget could be used to discuss programs as they air, in case you don't have a laptop or friends.

An interesting tidbit: Looks like Verizon has, right now, the capability to bring us 100Mbps internet, but they've made the decision not to offer it at the moment. Their reasoning is that their highest speed plans are already not particularly popular, and, oddly, that there's "no practical use" for such blazing speed.

And finally, it looks like they'll be making the guide widescreen and HD instead of the positively archaic full-screen guide they use now. HD for all! [Gear Live]



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Microsoft, take a page from Wolfram Alpha. Spend ~$0, launch in social channels, let others call it "awesomer!" - http://ping.fm/WFmWP

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Wolfram Alpha and Google Tested Head-To-Head [Obvious]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/HdYuJgPpnh8/wolfram-alpha-and-google-tested-head+to+head

Technology Review did something obvious with their access to Wolfram Alpha: they plotted the computational search engine against Google. The results? As we knew, Wolfram Alpha is no Google. It's completely different, and awesome.

Its makers have never appreciated sensationalist "Google Killer!" labeling, and rightly so: Wolfram Alpha excels at interpreting huge data sets, and only at interpreting huge data sets. A revealing taste of the contrast from TR:

SEARCH TERM: Sydney New York

WOLFRAM ALPHA: I got tables showing the distance between the two cities in miles, kilometers, meters, even nautical miles; a map of the world with the optimal flight path; and the fact that the trip spans 0.4 of the earth's circumference. I learned how long it would take to make the trip: 18.1 hours flying; 13 hours for a sound wave, 74 milliseconds for a light beam in fiber, and 53 milliseconds for a light beam traveling in a vacuum. I also got comparative populations, elevation in meters, and current local times.

GOOGLE: I got a mix of things: a form for finding flights between Sydney and New York; a Google Maps-plotted list of businesses in New York City that contain the word "Sydney"; and links to the municipal government of Sidney, a small town in upstate New York.

It's also a huge nerd:

SEARCH TERM: Aspirin Tylenol

WOLFRAM ALPHA: Alpha gave me molecular diagrams for aspirin and acetaminophen and lots of scientific information co! mparing their molecular weights, boiling points, vapor pressure, and so forth.

GOOGLE: Usefully (to nonchemists suffering from headaches), the top link was to a Wiki-answers page telling people whether they can take aspirin and Tylenol together. Other links gave information about toxicity, danger to kidneys, and the like.

In other words, Wolfram Alpha is like a beefed-up, research-oriented take on Google's extras (stock price, calculator, unit conversion), with Aspergers.

I'm aware of the theoretical differences between the two, and I'm sure Wolfram Alpha's creators' blood would boil at the thought, but the engine's most natural home might be as a direct complement to Google, as a tab on their homepage or as a replacement for their modest current nonsearch functions. Anyway, TR has plenty more comparative search tests, and they give a pretty full picture of what you can expect when this thing finally goes public. [Technology Review]



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