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Thursday, February 24, 2011

NEC's razor-thin MEDIAS N-04C Android launched in Japan, gets carefully manhandled

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/necs-razor-thin-medias-n-04c-android-launched-in-japan-gets-ca/

We've already seen product shots of the crazy thin, drool-inducing NEC MEDIAS N-04C, but for a product boasting the "world's thinnest" title, it's always useful to see comparison shots for the sake of our curiosity. Thankfully, the good folks over at Akihabara News were present at DoCoMo's launch event, and they were able to get up close to inspect this 7.7mm-thin Android 2.2 handset (with Android 2.3 upgrade available around July). It's pretty amazing considering all the goodies packed within this phone -- here's a quick recap: NFC, 1seg TV Tuner, infrared port, 5 megapixel camera, 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230 chip, etc. Oh, and this phone uses Gorilla Glass, too. If you happen to reside in Japan -- which is where it'll remain exclusive to -- you'll be able to pick up this NEC in black or white flavor on March 15, though price has yet to be announced. Video after the break, and more hands-on photos over at Akihabara News.

Continue reading NEC's razor-thin MEDIAS N-04C Android launched in Japan, gets carefully manhandled

NEC's razor-thin MEDIAS N-04C Android launched in Japan, gets carefully manhandled originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IMEC creates flexible microprocessor with organic semiconductors -- computational clothing right around the corner

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/imec-creates-flexible-microprocessor-with-organic-semiconductors/

Organic semiconductors have been teasing us with the possibility of computationally-inclined clothing for years, but until now we could only dream about our pants being the computer. That dream is closer to reality than ever, as researchers from IMEC have created a cheap (potentially 1/10th the cost of silicon chips), bendable microprocessor by layering a plastic substrate, gold circuits, organic dielectric, and a pentacene organic semiconductor to create an 8-bit logic circuit with 4000 transistors. Executing 6 instructions per second, these things won't be challenging Watson any time soon, but the chips should prove useful in creating cheaper flexible displays and sensors to tell us whether that week-old chicken in the fridge has gone bad. The trick was to overcome individual organic transistors' variable switching voltage thresholds -- as opposed to silicon's predictable nature -- that eliminated the possibility of organic-based logic circuits previously. But by adding a second gate to each transistor, IMEC was able to control the electrical field in each to prevent unwanted switching and usher in the dawn of plastic processors. The zenith of nerd fashion can't be far behind.

IMEC creates flexible microprocessor with organic semiconductors -- computational clothing right around the corner originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone & iPad updated with video out support

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/slingplayer-mobile-for-iphone-and-ipad-updated-with-video-out-supp/

If you have an iPod, iPhone or iPad with the SlingPlayer Mobile app, you now have a Slingbox to go since the app was just updated with support for video out over component cables in high quality mode. Version 2.1 also includes a few unspecified bugfixes, but we're figuring the opportunity to watch TV, on a TV in high bitrate streams is more than enough to get users mashing that update button and digging out their unused connectors.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone & iPad updated with video out support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple's holding an iPad 2 event on March 2nd... we'll be there live!

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/apples-holding-an-event-on-march-2nd-well-be-there-live/

Hey look at that! The rumors were true. Apple will be holding a media event on March 2nd... and Engadget will be there live covering the whole thing. As you can tell by the image above (sent with the invite), this is going to be all about tablets -- iPads, to be exact.

Apple's holding an iPad 2 event on March 2nd... we'll be there live! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Captivate update to Froyo pegged for tomorrow, February 24th (update: HTC Aria update coming 'very soon')

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/samsung-captivate-update-to-froyo-pegged-for-tomorrow-february/

One false alarm is bad enough, but two would be positively evil, wouldn't it? We're cautiously optimistic that Samsung and AT&T are serious this time about posting the Captivate's update to Android 2.2 starting tomorrow, another step in Sammy's long, drawn-out road to getting all of its promised Galaxy S upgrades out the door. We're sure owners are going to appreciate some of the simple pleasures in life that Froyo (and Gingerbread) owners have come to take for granted like being able to move apps to external storage... and it's all just hours away. Can you feel the excitement?

Update: in an official Facebook video just posted, AT&T mentions that it's already in the process of testing a Froyo upgrade for the HTC Aria as well -- and it should be coming "very soon."

Samsung Captivate update to Froyo pegged for tomorrow, February 24th (update: HTC Aria update coming 'very soon') originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Talent debuts CoreStore MV, super small, super fast mini PCIe SSD

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/super-talent-debuts-corestore-mv-super-small-super-fast-mini-p/

Super Talent is living up to its name today with the release of the world's "smallest and fastest" mini PCIe SSD. When we last took a look at the company's mini PCIe offerings, they were rocking 40MBps reads and 15MBps writes, but with the release of the new CoreStore SSD line, these exceptional storage makers have destroyed those 2009 specs with speeds topping out at 350MBps and 80MBps. The speedy CoreStore MV measures a mere 30mm x 50.95mm, combines Marvell's latest controller with DDR ONFi 2 flash, and is compatible with netbooks, notebooks, and other devices sporting a second gen mini-PCIe slot. Those devices working a standard PCIe slot can expect 350MBps reads and 220MBps writes with MV's big brother, the CoreStore MP. Both drives come in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB and should be available starting next month at an undisclosed price -- though we figure true speed freaks will pay just about anything to get their fix. Jonesing for specs? Check out the source link below.

Super Talent debuts CoreStore MV, super small, super fast mini PCIe SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked Photo Shows MacBook Pro "Thunderbolt" Light Peak Connector [Apple]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/#!5768073/leaked-photo-shows-macbook-pro-thunderbolt-light-peak-connector

Apple's Thunderbolt connector has shown up in a supposed leaked pic of the new MacBook Pro, which we could see as early as tomorrow. While it looks just like a Mini DisplayPort connector, it could actually be Intel's Light Peak behind the lightning bolt icon.

Now Light Peak, which has been around for a couple of years, was designed as a replacement for USB, FireWire and other ports (like the SCSI, SATA and PCI Express), but as you can plainly see in the photo above, the lightning bolt icon is shown alongside two USBs, FireWire and ethernet.

Another leaked photo shows supposed Apple documents calling the technology "Thunderbolt," and listing the MacBook Pros as having Core i5 dual-core processors.

So what's going on? Either Apple's using Light Peak for different purposes, or this photo is fake. I guess all shall be revealed tomorrow if the rumors are correct—but do tell us what you think, below. [Mac4ever via @charavel via SlashGear]

Tiny EGO pseudo-submarine for the super rich is aptly named

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/22/tiny-ego-pseudo-submarine-for-the-super-rich-is-aptly-named/

Imagine you are so rich you want your own underwater pleasure vehicle, and you don't mind dropping what is likely to be a boatload of cash get it, today may be your lucky, lucky day. A company called Raonhaje has developed the EGO mini-submarine which floats atop the water, but which boasts a submersible capsule for passengers to check out what's going on beneath the surface. Sounds intriguing, right? Sure does! The relatively eco-friendly EV vehicle cruises at just less than five knots for four hours on a full charge. There are no details on price yet, but we expect it will be quite a lot. Video of the rendered model is after the break.

Continue reading Tiny EGO pseudo-submarine for the super rich is aptly named

Tiny EGO pseudo-submarine for the super rich is aptly named originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Atrix 4G gets the teardown treatment, fourth G nowhere to be found

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/22/motorola-atrix-4g-gets-the-teardown-treatment-fourth-g-nowhere/

If our review of the Atrix left you hungering for more, you can now feast your eyes on the guts of Motorola's new Android powerhouse. Thanks to the folks at iFixit, its teardown reveals a familiar range of parts -- 16GB of NAND flash, 960x540 PenTile LCD, 1GB DDR2 RAM and that beast of a NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU. What's more, is that the teardown brings to light some enticing news -- the glass panel is not glued to the LCD. This allows for the clumsy to not have to spend the extra dough if they crack the glass (which is usually affixed to the display). Hit the source link if you've got your Atrix and are ready to dismantle the thing yourself.

P.S. -- There is a Qualcomm MDM6200 HSPA+ chip inside the phone. The title is meant to be a joke in reference to misconceptions about 4G wireless technology. You can read about them here.

Motorola Atrix 4G gets the teardown treatment, fourth G nowhere to be found originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S II first with MHL port for dual-purpose USB or HDMI out (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-first-with-mhl-port-for-dual-purpose-usb-or/

There's a small but important fact about Samsung's newest Android flagship that slipped under our radar last week at Mobile World Congress. The Galaxy S II is the first smartphone to feature an MHL port. MHL, as you'll recall, was first announced in 2008 as the Mobile High-Definition video Link "standard" for mobile devices promoted by a consortium that includes Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, and Silicon Image. So yeah, another mobile interconnect standard just like DisplayPort, mini-HDMI, or Light Peak. Essentially, the micro-USB shaped MHL jack at the base of the Galaxy S II features internal circuitry that recognizes USB or MHL impedance and then automatically switches the phone into USB data / charging or MHL audio / video / charging modes. A special 5-wire micro-USB to HDMI cable lets you send video and audio to existing HDMI-equipped displays. Unfortunately, the TV won't charge the Galaxy S II during playback unless you insert a phone charger adapter between the GSII and TV or wait for MHL-enabled TVs to begin shipping later this year. Once connected, you can then use your TV's HDMI-CEC compatible remote to navigate and control the Galaxy S II's media interface. The GSII is just the first MHL device with a half-dozen phones, at least one tablet, and a few TVs coming this summer. More details are available in the video interview after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S II first with MHL port for dual-purpose USB or HDMI out (video)

Samsung Galaxy S II first with MHL port for dual-purpose ! USB or H DMI out (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 2.3.3 gives you another reason to want it: WebM support

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/android-2-3-3-gives-you-another-reason-to-want-it-webm-support/

Our first indication of a delivery date for the Gingerbread iteration of Android came way back in May when we were perusing the FAQ to Google's then newly announced WebM video format. There should be no expressions of shock, therefore, to hear that WebM support has indeed been added into Google's mobile OS, with the lowest compatible version being today's freshly introduced Android 2.3.3. Google has already demonstrated its intention to brute-force this format into our lives, which we'll be quite happy to accept just as soon as Gingerbread starts appearing on more devices than its own Nexi.

Android 2.3.3 gives you another reason to want it: WebM support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CHART OF THE DAY: Amazon Streaming News Hammers Netflix Stock (AMZN, NFLX)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-netflix-stock-performance-2011-2

Netflix shares took a pretty substantial tumble today on news that Amazon was jumping into the streaming video subscription business.

This is just round 1 in a long fight between the companies. For now, it's hard to envision Netflix subscribers quitting for Amazon, but in the long run Netflix is going to have to deal with a tough new foe.

If you're looking for a bull case for Netflix keep in mind it does one thing -- video rentals and streaming. It's not going to lose its only battle with out putting up a serious fight.

chart of the day, neflix stock, feb 2011

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Perfect example of an industry replaced by a more efficient version of itself (pic) - http://bit.ly/g10caC

Seeking e-commerce rock star to teach a module at Rutgers' Digital Marketing class with me; ping me ASAP thru usual private channels, thx

HP TouchPad on sale in April?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/22/hp-palm-touchpad-on-sale-in-april/

The official TouchPad launch date isn't even a date per se, but a season: summer. So we're surprised to see DigiTimes reporting that HP will take delivery of shipments in March with the TouchPad going on sale in April with plans to ship 4 - 5 million units from the TouchPad "series" in 2011. Based on what we know, both from using the software-incomplete pre-production tablet and from our detailed discussions with Jon Rubinstein, an April retail date would be extremely aggressive to say the least. And DigiTimes' accuracy with regard to rumors for companies located outside of its home country of Taiwan is spotty at best. Nevertheless, HP's new CEO Leo Apotheker did say originally, that products announced at the February 9th event would be on sale just a few weeks later. Unfortunately, only the wee Veer handset got an early spring promise with the Pre 3 joining the TouchPad for a summer launch. Perhaps this will be a case of HP under promising and over delivering? We can't say for sure. But with any luck, HP could bring some clarity to the matter on March 14th -- a day Apotheker had promised a big reveal regarding a "secret answer" and "vision of what HP is capable of in the future... the starting point." Why so mysterious, Leo?

HP TouchPad on sale in April? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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