Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Monday, September 21, 2009

MSI's longevous Wind U110 ECO available now for $400

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/msis-longevous-wind-u110-eco-available-now-for-400/

We'll be frank -- discovering that MSI's Wind U110 ECO didn't boast an ATI GPU as we'd originally heard really put a damper on things, but still, a 9-cell battery that promises up to 15 hours of life on a single charge is hard to ignore. Granted, we have all ideas that real-world figures will pull up well short of that, but it should still outlast the vast majority of rivals currently on the market. If you've forgotten the specs, here's a rundown: 1.6GHz Atom Z530 CPU, Windows XP Home, GMA500 graphics, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, WiFi, a 1.3 megapixel camera, gigabit Ethernet, a trio of USB 2.0 ports and a 4-in-1 card reader. If you've no interest in waiting 'til October 22nd, this one's readily available at NewEgg for $399.99.

Gallery: MSI's longevous Wind U110 ECO available now for $400

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

MSI's longevous Wind U110 ECO available now for $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer generated TV spots for Etsy are awesomer than ad agencies? http://bit.ly/zu5H - to paraphrase Chicken Little - "the sky is falling"

T-Mobile Launches 21Mbps 3G Service in Philadelphia [3G]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/SFY2hLRTgps/t+mobile-launches-21mbps-3g-service-in-philadelphia

While AT&T says 7.2Mbps is as fast as their 3G service will go before they roll out 4G, T-Mobile began rolling out HSPA+ 3G service in Philadelphia at the insane speeds of 21Mbps, ahead of their 2010 predictions.

Though as John said, this HSPA+ is a stopgap and may leave T-Mobile in the dust when the other carriers migrate to LTE, it's definitely the fastest speed around at the moment. On a personal note, it's good to see my hometown in the news for something other than Michael Vick, but having moved out west I can't test how accurate those numbers really are. Any Philadelphians want to bust out their T-Mobile handsets and see what HSPA+ can do? [Boy Genius Report]

Video: VIA EPIA-P720 Pico-ITX motherboard plays 1080p, doesn't sweat much

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/19/video-via-epia-p720-pico-itx-motherboard-plays-1080p-doesnt-s/

While NVIDIA's Ion has been getting all of the attention of late, VIA's been doing this 1080p thing for quite some time. We actually heard earlier this year that the company's EPIA-P710 Pico-ITXe board was capable of playing back glorious 1080p video clips, but now we've got video proof that the unit's successor truly can. According to VIA, this mobo is the first from it to come with the VX855 Media System Processor onboard, which is obviously the secret sauce involved in delivering the high-res graphics. Head on past the break for a peek at the demo, and good luck resisting the urge to build a new SFF HTPC over the weekend.

Continue reading Video: VIA EPIA-P720 Pico-ITX motherboard plays 1080p, doesn't sweat much

Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals

Video: VIA EPIA-P720 Pico-ITX motherboard plays 1080p, doesn't sweat much originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Haier steps out of character, builds ultra-desirable Jian i7 ultra-thin laptop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/19/haier-steps-out-of-character-builds-ultra-desirable-jian-i7-ult/

The last time Haier really wowed us was back in 2007 when the company was peddling its "screen-on-a-stick" laptop tech. Two years later we've got this little beauty to drool on: the Jian i7. The 13.4-inch Core 2 Duo ULV laptop is pretty dang thin, weighs 3 pounds, and retails for a mere 6,000 Yuan (about $879 US). Where do we sign up?

Filed under: Laptops

Haier steps out of character, builds ultra-desirable Jian i7 ultra-thin laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Leo spotted once again, friends call it "HD2"

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/20/htc-leo-spotted-once-again-friends-call-it-hd2/

This new Leo hotness from HTC sure is making the rounds, and we certainly can't get enough of it. Its latest appearance shows the handset from some sexy angles, but also gives us a new tidbit to chew on: the Bluetooth menu identifies the phone as the HD2. So, is this the much-rumored successor to the Touch HD, or an absolutely gorgeous impostor? We'd venture a guess, but we're too busy longing for that 4.3-inch capacitive LCD to care.

[Via MobileTechWorld]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

HTC Leo spotted once again, friends call it "HD2" originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo confirms $199 Wii for September 27?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/20/nintendo-confirms-199-wii-for-september-27/

It might sound confusing at first, but it all makes sense, we promise. The folks at Nintendojo were apparently on a retailer conference call where Nintendo "confirmed" the new $199 Wii price, which will supposedly go into effect on Sunday September 27. Only problem is that we have to take Nintendojo's word for it -- not that we have any reason not to, but for now we'll have to just call this an "unconfirmed confirmation" until Nintendo can summon the courage to fess up to the $50 price cut to a couple of corroborating sources. It's not like those multiple flyer price leaks are knocking anybody off the trail, but we usually to hear these things from the horse's mouth -- or at least from a retailer's shelf -- before we go into all-out celebration mode.

[Via GoNintendo]

Filed under: Gaming

Nintendo confirms $199 Wii for September 27? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BudsGoBlue teaser hints at iPhone 3GS-controlling BT headphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/20/video-budsgoblue-teaser-hints-at-iphone-3gs-controlling-bt-head/

Itching to command your iPhone 3GS via voice control, yet aren't willing to wrap one more cable around your precious dome? Your wildest dreams could possibly come true next month, when BudsGoBlue launches an iPhone-friendly set of Bluetooth earbuds that should act as headphones and a BT headset. We're hearing that the loops on each earpiece are "completely flexible," and judging by the teaser video hosted up just after the break, they look fairly seductive, too. Hop on down and have a peek for yourself, won't you?

[Via mobilitysite, thanks Toni]

Continue reading Video: BudsGoBlue teaser hints at iPhone 3GS-controlling BT headphones

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio

Video: BudsGoBlue teaser hints at iPhone 3GS-controlling BT headphones originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS adds textured pattern 'wow-factor' to purported Eee PC 1001HA

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/asus-adds-textured-pattern-wow-factor-to-purported-eee-pc-1001/

Whenever an Eee PC roadmap leaks out, it's generally followed by a torrent of new machines that are just marginally different than the ones before. Granted, we've got Microsoft to thank for that, but it's still getting tougher by the day to keep all of these things from running together. Shortly after having a peek at the supposedly upcoming Eee PC 1201n comes this -- a smattering of hands-on shots of the purported Eee PC 1001HA. Slated to be available with Linux, Windows XP or no OS at all (saywha?), this here Eee could very well slot into the Seashell lineup given that bold pattern lathered on the chassis. Internally, you'll find the tired Atom N270, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and an ExpressCard-to-Zzzzzzz adapter. But hey, at least that 3-cell battery means you'll be computing for days on end, right?

Filed under: Laptops

ASUS adds textured pattern 'wow-factor' to purported Eee PC 1001HA originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's 3G MicroCell site goes live

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/atandts-3g-microcell-site-goes-live/

We still don't have all the details we'd like on pricing and availability, but AT&T's official 3G MicroCell site is now up and running where you can enjoy some video overviews and get a good gander at what the finished product looks like (it's way better than the version briefly shown a few months back, if you ask us). Availability of an unlimited calling add-on is confirmed here, and any calls that originate on the MicroCell before being handed off to AT&T's old-school towers will be kept completely out of your minute bucket as long as you sign up for the unlimited package. Also notable is that the carrier officially recommends placing the box near a window so that its GPS receiver can get reception -- like its cousins on Sprint and Verizon, the MicroCell includes GPS so that it can't be used out of the country. So far we're not able to find a ZIP code that works with the availability checker (including the rumored limited release markets mentioned last week), so if you get through, give us a shout.

[Thanks, joe_smith55]

Update: ZIP code 28201 works, though it doesn't let you see plans or buy online -- it just hooks you up with the addresses and phone numbers of nearby stores. There'll be a few calls being made in the morning, eh? Thanks, ryan0816!

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

AT&T's 3G MicroCell site goes live originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MSI takes a break to introduce 3-inch MT-V656 PMP

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/msi-takes-a-break-to-introduce-3-inch-mt-v656-pmp/

MSI's been slinging out a healthy amount of laptops here lately, but evidently the outfit is looking to dabble once again in PMP land. The simplistic-yet-stylish MT-V656 boasts a 3-inch display, silver casing, video output, FM tuner, voice recorder, support for an undisclosed variety of games and the ability to handle just about every file format known to man. Oddly enough, it's not clear if the screen is of the touch variety, but considering the dearth of buttons, we're guessing it is. It should be available on the streets of Shanghai now for around $42, though make sure you budget for some sort of memory card -- after all, 4GB only holds so many David Bowie / Rush mashups.

[Via PlayerBites]

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

MSI takes a break to introduce 3-inch MT-V656 PMP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Colored solar panels work without direct sunlight, double as PAR Can filters

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/colored-solar-panels-work-without-direct-sunlight-double-as-par/

With eco-friendliness on everyone's mind, it's no shock to see more and more progress being made in the realm of solar. Shortly after hearing that boffins across the way were swapping carbon nanotubes for silicon, a Tel Aviv-based startup is now hoping to push its colored panels into the mainstream thanks to their ability to work sans direct sunlight. Granted, the tinted cells have only shown a 12 percent efficiency rate in testing, but they can reportedly be produced for around half of what a conventional panel costs. In essence, the cost savings comes from the dearth of silicon within, as GreenSun Energy has discovered that power can be generated by simply diffusing available sunlight over the whole panel and allowing nanoparticles to handle the rest. We'll invite you to visit the links below for the science behind it, but we're just interested in helping Ma Earth while replacing every windows in our apartment with a stained glass alternative.

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: Science

Colored solar panels work without direct sunlight, double as PAR Can filters originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel's 1.73GHz Core i7-820 QM mobile CPU maneuvers onto test bench

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/intel-cores-1-73ghz-i7-820-qm-mobile-cpu-maneuvers-onto-test-be/

The middle child of Intel's forthcoming new family of mobile performance parts, the i7-820 QM clocks in at 1.73GHz when things are relatively calm, or it can Turbo Boost its way up to an enviable 3.06GHz when your multitasking life demands it. The PC Pro crew have snatched one from Intel's presumably still warm hands, and have given it a benchmarking run to find out if it extends the Core i7 legacy of dominance into the mobile space. Their conclusion? "It's very, very fast." They couldn't avoid gushing about the dynamic overclocking and efficiency improvements relative to Intel's older generation of quad-core laptop procs, but battery life tests showed you'll still want to keep a power outlet nearby. Read link below should furnish you with more info, should you require it.

Filed under: Laptops

Intel's 1.73GHz Core i7-820 QM mobile CPU maneuvers onto test bench originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seagate 2TB Barracuda XT: world's first SATA 6Gbps hard drive

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/seagate-2tb-barracuda-xt-worlds-first-sata-6gbps-hard-drive/

Ready for this speed freaks? Seagate just announced the world's first 2TB disk with full support for the third generation SATA interface pushing data at 6Gbps -- double the rate of previous controllers. The 3.5-inch SATA 6Gbps Barracuda XT drive spins 4x 500GB platters at 7200RPM with a big 64MB cache to prevent bottlenecks. It promises a sustained transfer rate of just 140MBps (compared to 600MBps / 4.8Gbps possible), MTBF of 750,000 hours, and carries a five-year warranty. The disk hits retail this week for about $299 list. Then you'll just need to find SATA 6G controller / MoBo to make the most of your new purchase -- fortunately, SATA 6Gbps is backward compatible with SATA 1.5Gbps or 3Gbps rigs until then.

Show full PR text

[Via TG Daily]

Filed under: Storage

Seagate 2TB Barracuda XT: world's first SATA 6Gbps hard drive originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saturday, September 19, 2009

Realtime Bidding (RTB) may improve ad exchng efficiency, but it may not be necessary at all. http://bit.ly/13jbbg - shout out in comments.

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