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Thursday, January 20, 2011

T-Mobile confirms Galaxy S with 4G, Android-based Sidekick 4G are coming

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/t-mobile-confirms-galaxy-s-with-4g-android-based-sidekick-4g-ar/

Whoa, this is kind of out of the blue: on top of the Vibrant 4G that we've already had leaked ad nauseam (though he refers to it as a "Galaxy S 4G"), T-Mobile USA CEO Phiipp Humm mentioned at an event this morning that the company is preparing an HSPA+ Sidekick -- yes, a Sidekick -- albeit with Android slotted in place of the defunct Danger Hiptop operating system. For the record, T-Mobile hasn't had any Sidekicks in its lineup since the middle of last year, though it does own the Sidekick brand -- not Danger / Microsoft -- and would undoubtedly love to bring it back to relevance. Coincidentally, Mister Android himself, Andy Rubin, came from Danger -- so the Sidekick's starting to follow him around. Kind of like... you know, a sidekick. Both products are said to be "coming soon."

T-Mobile confirms Galaxy S with 4G, Android-based Sidekick 4G are coming originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW gets Nokia C7 remote control, James Bond can eat his heart out (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/bmw-gets-nokia-c7-remote-control-james-bond-can-eat-his-heart-o/

BMW gets Nokia C7 remote control, James Bond can eat his heart out (video)

At CES and the NAIAS in Detroit this year we saw ever more powerful smartphone integration, but nothing like this. Nokia Asia teamed up with two Chinese coders, An Jiaxuan and an unnamed friend, to whip up a C7 app that controls a BMW 1 Series. They said it took them only 20 days to get things ready but we're thinking adding the remote controls to the car itself must have added some further time to that. The result is in the video below, a short test drive that Nokia promises "isn't special effects." See for yourself and let us know if you spot a meatbag driver hiding in there somewhere.

Continue reading BMW gets Nokia C7 remote control, James Bond can eat his heart out (video)

BMW gets Nokia C7 remote control, James Bond can eat his heart out (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Dell pricing mistake $399 for macbookair-like V13 laptop w/Core2Duo, 2GB, Win7 (half off still seems to work) - http://bit.ly/e9P2vH

A Sneak Peek of the MacBook of the Future [Blockquote]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5737171/a-sneak-peek-of-the-macbook-of-the-future

Apple looks at the MacBook Air as the "MacBook of the future, shipping today," according to COO Tim Cook. What does he mean?

It's all solid

If the MacBooks of the future are like the Air shipping today, the biggest difference internally is that they're going to move to flash memory—solid-state storage—across the board. It matches perfectly with what Apple itself says is so great about the Air and bringing the things it's learned from the iPad and iOS to Macs.

Moving to flash storage would deliver the biggest, most dramatic performance increase to the Mac, way more than any other component upgrade. Way more jaw-dropping than a screaming Intel processor, blistering Nvidia graphics chip or crazy amounts of RAM. Crazy fast startup times, instant on from sleep, and less fear about a catastrophic hard drive crash if you drop your MacBook. The truth is, performance increases—the kind you can really feel—have been hitting the point of diminishing returns with faster processors and graphics cards. There's only so much boost you notice. A second sliced here, a second there. But cutting the startup time down to 10 seconds? Launching programs instantaneously? The amazing performance you get out of flash storage is the kind of thing people really notice.

If you're not convinced by the performance power of an SSD, just look at some reviews of the MacBook Air. Even with a dinky 1.4GHz processor and 2GB of RAM, the 11-inch Air runs like the wind, for all but the most CPU-driven of tasks (namely, video). Imagine delivering that in every Mac. It's the kind of here-today-and-awesome-but-sorta-inaccessible technology upgrades that Apple likes to drop into its products as a differentiator, the kind of thing that puts them subtly ahead of other computer makers. (Like the retina display in the iPhone, multitouch buttonless trackpad, etc.)

Cost doesn't seem like much of an issue, either, since they're able to shove SSDs in their cheapest MacBook product, the $999 Air. I expect they can afford to put them into the pricier Pros. And even if it does cost more, it wouldn't be the first time they've offered more expensive components in a product that costs the same price, just look at the retina display in the iPhone 4. One possible issue though: less storage space. So, like the iPod classic sticks around, they'll probably still offer regular old spinny hard drives for data packrats.

The other bits

Thinner! Maybe lighter! Higher resolution screens by default. (Apple seems to have a boner for higher res displays lately.) Priced not unlike current MacBook Pros.

Overall, I think I'm a fan of the MacBook of the future.

A $1 Million 3D Printer Could Give You the Tiny Titanium Balls You've Always Wanted [3D Printing]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5737307/a-1-million-3d-printer-could-give-you-the-tiny-titanium-balls-youve-always-wanted

This funky—and surprisingly tiny—ball was created out of pure titanium powder using a $1 million 3D printer. You could have one made for $124 to $192.

The ball—which has a 2cm diameter—was created by i.materialise, a company who is taking custom orders for titanium 3D prints right now. This is actually a new thing to be available to consumers, who have only been able to have plastic or stainless-steel 3D prints made up until now.

You can follow the link for more details on how to get your own titanium model printed, but I'll stay here and continue waiting for adamantium to become an option. [i.materialise via The Next Web via Courtney Boyd Myers]

Linksys E4200 Dual-Band Router Is Their Newest Top of the Line [Routers]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5737296/linksys-e4200-dual+band-router-is-their-newest-top-of-the-line

Not only does the latest Cisco/Linksys E4200 router look amazing for a router, it's got upgraded features from their older models, like 3x3 antennas and dual-band wireless-N.

The six antennas (both internal and external) are supposed to make this reach farther inside larger homes, and can shoot up to 450Mbps at 5GHz, or 300Mbps at 2.4GHz. It's priced at $180 and will hit in the next few months. It still only has four Gigabit Ethernet ports, whereas I'd love if routers upped it to 8 as a standard. [Cisco]

Silver Tesla Model S Alpha hits the road, carves some corners (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/silver-tesla-model-s-alpha-hits-the-road-carves-some-corners-v/

Silver Tesla Model S Alpha hits the road, carves some corners (video)

We've seen it inside and out. We've seen it naked. Now we're seeing it do its thing. Tesla has just released a tasty video of the Alpha version of the Model S carving some corners, and while this isn't the first time we've seen the car in motion this is the best taste of the Alpha we've yet been given. Check out the video after the break and, no, your speakers aren't broken, it is that quiet. Oh, and if you'd like to know more about what's going on under all that chrome and silver make sure you peruse our chat with Chief Engineer Peter Rawlinson.

Continue reading Silver Tesla Model S Alpha hits the road, carves some corners (video)

Silver Tesla Model S Alpha hits the road, carves some corners (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The (geek) decision: Kinect developer Johnny Chung Lee leaves Microsoft for Google

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/the-geek-decision-kinect-developer-johnny-chung-lee-leaves-mi/

After spending the last two and a half years helping Microsoft develop Kinect (and spending countless hours hacking Wiimotes before that), the illustrious Johnny Chung Lee has decided to take his talents to Mountain View and work for Google. Mr. Lee didn't say exactly what he'll be doing for Google, but we do know that he's joining a special projects team, and his title is "Rapid Evaluator." It's curious that Johnny has seemingly left his gaming roots to work for the search giant, but regardless we look forward to seeing what he's up to at El Goog and wish him the best in his new job. Here's hoping his new duties won't quell his penchant for at-home tinkering.

The (geek) decision: Kinect developer Johnny Chung Lee leaves Microsoft for Google originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC ThunderBolt will support simultaneous voice and data in LTE areas

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/htc-thunderbolt-will-support-simultaneous-voice-and-data-in-lte/

At CES, Verizon had mentioned that "some... but not all" of its first LTE handsets would support the simultaneous use of voice and data. That's not news for 3G customers on T-Mobile and AT&T, nor WiMAX customers on Sprint -- but for Verizon subscribers, this is a very novel concept, indeed. Well, we can chalk up the mighty ThunderBolt from HTC as one of the models that'll support it, if leaked training materials for the phone over on Android Central are to be believed. On a related note, the very existence of these materials gives us hope that we'll be seeing it on store shelves before too long; don't get us wrong, the two USB modems Big Red's launched for LTE service so far are all well and good, but we could really use some handsets on these airwaves.

HTC ThunderBolt will support simultaneous voice and data in LTE areas originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/megareader-brings-true-multitasking-to-the-iphone-lets-you-walk/

Galaxy S owners will already be familiar with the awesome power of overlaying text on a live view of their phone's camera feed, but now their iPhone counterparts get to join in the fun as well. MegaReader, an e-reading app that's survived the cutthroat App Store waters long enough to reach version 2.1, has just added a "Heads Up Display" feature to its list of attributes. Its function is to make your iPhone appear transparent, which is achieved by relaying camera images of what's behind the phone to its front. A real life saver, a mere gimmick, or a golden opportunity for a hilarious promo video? Why not all three?

Continue reading MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video)

MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sanyo PLC-WL2503 ultra-short-throw projector does built-in interactivity a tad cheaper

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/sanyo-plc-wl2503-ultra-short-throw-projector-does-built-in-inter/

The Sanyo PLC-WL2503 isn't the first whiteboard-less whiteboard solution we've seen -- in fact multi-surface projector interaction dates back at least as far as 2007. As for a projector with built-in interactive capabilities, well, Epson's BrightLink 450Wi has been on the job since last year, albeit at a much higher price: the Epson projector costs $2,200 while this Sanyo comes in at about $500 less. Both tout short-range projection: the BrightLink provides 80-inch displays from two feet, while the PLC-WL2503 requires at least 34 inches to do the same. They pack identical WXGA 1280x800 resolution and 2500 lumens of brightness, and they both use IR pens to communicate with front-facing cameras built into the projector for multi-surface interactivity. Really, the only thing separating these two on paper is price. If the BrightLink is just too rich for your blood, and you can wait a little while longer, the Sanyo PLC-WL2503 can have you writing on walls by the end of January.

Sanyo PLC-WL2503 ultra-short-throw projector does built-in interactivity a tad cheaper originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Exclusive: HP / Palm's webOS tablets -- pictures, plans, and more

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/exclusive-hp-palms-webos-tablets-pictures-plans-and-mor/

Oh, hello. A trusted tipster just sent in these internal renders of HP / Palm's "Topaz" webOS tablet, which is one of two tablets currently being developed in Sunnyvale. That's right, two tablets: the 9-inch Topaz and a 7-inch model codnamed Opal -- a lineup that fits nicely into Palm's "Something big, Something small, Something beyond" tagline for its upcoming February 9th event. Looking at the render, we're seeing the no-button design we'd previously heard about (we're assuming the gesture area rotates with the display), a front-facing camera, a micro USB port on the bottom, and what appears to be a Vizio Tablet-style three speaker arrangement for stereo audio in both landscape and portrait modes -- that's two speakers along the left side and a third on the right. (That's just a guess, though.) We'd also note the back appears to be a glossy material, which might rule out a giant Touchstone for charging -- Touchstone backs have heretofore been soft-touch, but anything can change, we suppose.

We're told that units will start to arrive at Palm HQ in June as production ramps up for launch later this year -- a timeline backed up by an internal marketing slide we received that lists WiFi-only, AT&T 3G, and Verizon LTE versions of the Opal arriving in September 2011, and on AT&T LTE in July 2012. The slide also indicates the Opal will have a particular e-reading focus, which makes sense for a 7-inch device, and there's a mention of "premium audio," which nicely reinforces our speaker hypothesis. Unfortunately, we don't have any word on specs or pricing yet, but these things had better be packing some serious heat for cheap if Palm is really planning to wait until September to launch them -- they'll be going head-to-head with the Xoom, the PlayBook, and presumably the iPad 2. We're still digging for more, so keep an eye out -- things are going to get crazy leading up to February 9th.

Update: We're told that they both have unspecified 1.2GHz processors, and that Topaz may arrive before Opal. We'll let you know if we learn anything else.

Gallery: Exclusive: HP / Palm's webOS tablets -- pictures, plans, and more

Exclusive: HP / Palm's webOS tablets -- pictures, plans, and more originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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$99 concept NoteSlate tablet does electronic ink in color, but only one at a time

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/99-concept-noteslate-tablet-does-electronic-ink-in-color-but-o/

$99 concept NoteSlate tablet does electronic ink in color, but only one at a time

E-readers could use a little color in their lives -- and getting a little cheaper wouldn't hurt either. The NoteSlate has color, but not certainly not all colors. It's a touchable slate with a 13-inch diagonal, 750 x 1080 display that's said to be "eInk" -- which may or may not mean "E Ink," the company behind the displays used in the Kindle, Sony Reader, and others. When it's produced, supposedly by June, you'll be able to select from the traditional white background and black foreground or go with a black background with white. Other colors, including green, blue, or red text, or a "4 colour edition" that does all of them at once, are due sometime down the road. The tablet works with touch or pen input, will offer 180 hours of battery life, and is to be fully open-source, with the initial software release supporting simple drawing, storing of notes, and MP3 playback. Version 1.5 will add PDF and text viewing, while version 2.0 will be rocking OCR handwriting recognition. The best news? It's said to be just $99, though surely the multi-color edition will cost more. Right now it exists only as renders but with, a release mere months away and a decidedly attractive price point, we're intrigued. Skeptical, but intrigued.

Gallery: NoteSlate

$99 concept NoteSlate tablet does electronic ink in color, but only one at a time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bloodhound SuperSonic Car begins construction: 1,000mph on Intel Atom processors (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/bloodhound-supersonic-car-begins-construction-1-000mph-on-intel/

Bloodhound SuperSonic Car begins construction: 1,000mph on Intel Atom processors -- and a jet engine (video)

We saw the mockup back in July and, soon, we'll be seeing the real thing. Construction of the Bloodhound SSC is underway, with a planned top speed of over 1,000mph courtesy of a jet engine borrowed from a Typhoon jet fighter sitting in the back -- and a trio of Intel Atom processors in the cockpit that will run a number of onboard diagnostics and telemetry systems. Sure, they won't be adding to the overall thrust of the thing but neither will they be putting much of a drain on the electrical system. If all goes according to plan the car will be completed by the end of this year and will start speed runs by the beginning of 2012. Maybe by then Intel will have something a little quicker to slap in there.

Continue reading Bloodhound SuperSonic Car begins construction: 1,000mph on Intel Atom processors (video)

Bloodhound SuperSonic Car begins construction: 1,000mph on Intel Atom processors (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Groupon could be BAD for local businesses, great analysis by @glenngabe - http://bit.ly/fMe7uV

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