Thursday, July 30, 2009

A Guide To Finding The Best SSD For Your Money [Storage]

A Guide To Finding The Best SSD For Your Money [Storage]

If you want to boost your computer's performance, solid state drives can deliver. However, if you find the choices out there to be daunting, LaptopMag's comprehensive SSD roundup can help you get the most performance for your money.

They tested seven 2.5-inch 128GB SSDs with SATA that ranged in price between $200 and $450. In the end the OCZ Vertex came out on top in terms of overall performance, but the Kingston SSDNow V-Series held its own with a "budget" price tag of $249. Hit up Laptop Mag for the full breakdown. [LaptopMag]

Kodak debuts EasyShare Z950, M381 and M341 digicams

Kodak debuts EasyShare Z950, M381 and M341 digicams

Had enough Kodak this fine morning? No? Good. Just hours after showcasing its newest 1080p pocket camcorder, the aforesaid firm is hitting us up with a few more new pieces to digest. First up is the EasyShare Z950, a modest megazoom-in-a-P&S-body that packs a 10x optical zoom, 12 megapixel sensor and a $279.99 price tag. Next, we've got the totally ho hum EasyShare M381, which also offers a dozen megapixels alongside a 3-inch rear LCD, 5x zoomer, easy upload to Facebook / YouTube, face detection, a variety of lovely hues and an MSRP of $179.99. The last cam is the M341, which steps down to a 3x optical zoom and a smaller 2.7-inch LCD for $149. Closing things out is the EasyShare D830 (£119.99; $196) and D1030 (£169.99; $279) digital photo frames, which check in at 8- and 10-inches respectively (in terms of display size) and tout interchangeable face plates, 512MB of internal memory, a Quick Touch border, memory card reader and a USB port. Everything here should ship in the US and UK by September, though those hungry for additional details are welcome to tap that read link.

[Via DigitalCameraInfo]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Kodak debuts EasyShare Z950, M381 and M341 digicams originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's 1TB Spinpoint F3 hard drive serves 500GB per platter

Samsung's 1TB Spinpoint F3 hard drive serves 500GB per platter

Oh sure, Seagate did it first, but since when have we been ones to kvetch about one-upmanship? Over in South Korea, Samsung has debuted an all new high-density hard drive family for use in "high-end computing environments," or in more comestible terms, your next desktop / workstation. The Spinpoint F3 hums along at 7,200RPM, uses a 3Gbps SATA interface, packs 16/32MB of buffer memory and will be made available in sizes as large as 1TB by utilizing a pair of 500GB-per-platter disks. The boost in areal density provides up to 30 percent higher performance when compared to a three platter 1TB drive in the same 3.5-inch form factor, and the reduction in mechanical parts also makes it less likely to fail prematurely. Sammy isn't being too forthright when it comes to MSRPs, but those looking to snag one regardless can find the 500GB model on shelves now and the 1TB edition later next month.

Filed under: Storage

Samsung's 1TB Spinpoint F3 hard drive serves 500GB per platter originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2GB Eye-Fi Geo automatically geotags wirelessly uploaded photos, makes your day

2GB Eye-Fi Geo automatically geotags wirelessly uploaded photos, makes your day

Check it, wireless uploaders -- Eye-Fi has just outed its latest WiFi-enabled Secure Digital card, and this one promises to disclose your every move to anyone who'll bother to follow your image feed. Announced today, the Eye-Fi Geo is a 2GB card that will enable users to automatically upload photos from a digital camera while geotagging them as they hit the 'net. The geotagging service is included for life, and for whatever reason, this one's being made exclusively available through Apple stores and online. Of course, it could have something to do with that "seamless integration" with iPhoto and MobileMe, but we're guessing it ought to play nice with other applications and image portals as well. If you're suddenly unable to move on with your life until you've got one of these in your hands, you can snag one today for $59.99. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading 2GB Eye-Fi Geo automatically geotags wirelessly uploaded photos, makes your day

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Storage

2GB Eye-Fi Geo automatically geotags wirelessly uploaded photos, makes your day originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy

BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy

Looks like viewers in the Benelux countries have one more option for their Eurovision parties this year. BenQ has just announced the MK2442, a 23.6-inch LCD TV / computer monitor that sports a 5ms response time, full HD at 1920x1080 / 1080p / 24Hz, an HDMI 1.3 interface, and something called Senseye Human Vision Technology (a proprietary image enhancement engine that, you know, "mimics the human eye" for "deeper, richer and more detailed images"). Available from August 20 all over Europe -- and just the thing for all your Russian techno-pop viewing needs.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

Continue reading BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy

Filed under: Displays

BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 7 activation already cracked with Lenovo's OEM license key

Windows 7 activation already cracked with Lenovo's OEM license key

Sort of funny that Microsoft made a big show of handing over the Windows 7 RTM code to Lenovo and other manufacturers last week -- the first activation crack for the OS has just appeared, and it's based on Lenovo's OEM license key. Oops. The crack apparently works with 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Ultimate, and it apparently passes Genuine Advantage, so things are looking good for all you wannabe pirates out there. You did buy an upgrade disc, though, right?

[Via DownloadSquad]

Filed under: Software

Windows 7 activation already cracked with Lenovo's OEM license key originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer's ultraslim DVR-XD09 burner is more jewel case than drive

Pioneer's ultraslim DVR-XD09 burner is more jewel case than drive

While ASUS is busy stuffing DVD burners into Eee PCs, Pioneer and others are working hard to make the integrated optical drive a thing of the past. The freshly announced XD09 measures in at 5.24 x 0.58 x 5.24-inches and 8 ounces, or slightly beefier than your average CD case. Pioneer claims that it's the most compact drive design yet. Essentially this means if you can carry your optical media around with you, then you can carry the player for it too. Power comes via the USB 2.0 connection, and all the usual DVD plus, minus, reading, writing, dual-layer mumbo jumbo is retained with top writing speeds of 8x on single-layer and 6x on double-layer media. This inspired minimalism can be yours for $79.99 in August.

[Via Hot Hardware]

Filed under: Peripherals, Storage

Pioneer's ultraslim DVR-XD09 burner is more jewel case than drive originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP reportedly beginning production of new 10.1-inch, 11.6-inch netbooks / ultralights

HP reportedly beginning production of new 10.1-inch, 11.6-inch netbooks / ultralights

This is about as early and unofficial as it gets, but DigiTimes is reporting that HP has contracted Quanta to begin production of an apparently all new 11.6-inch netbook in August, and another new 10.1-inch before the end of the year, which SlashGear rightly speculates could well be CULV ultralights rather than standard "netbooks." That's further bolstered by the fact that HP has separately contracted Inventec to build a revision to its current 10.1-inch netbook at the end of September. It's not all netbooks and ultralights for HP, however, as Quanta has also landed a deal to produce some new 15.6- and 17.3-inch laptops, while Compal will be handling HP's new 13.3- and 14-inch enterprise notebooks.

[Via SlashGear]

Filed under: Laptops

HP reportedly beginning production of new 10.1-inch, 11.6-inch netbooks / ultralights originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-ordered Viliv X70s delayed to August 11, new customers might have to wait till September

Pre-ordered Viliv X70s delayed to August 11, new customers might have to wait till September

The way we hear it, there are plenty of Viliv fans out there disappointed that Dynamism missed its promised delivery date for pre-ordered X70 units this week. The retailer says that component shortages are responsible for the delay and is now hoping to deliver by August 11, but there's worse news: new orders aren't expected to ship until September 2, turning what was once a fashionably late arrival to US shores into a rather embarrassing month-long delay.

[Via Pocketables]

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

Pre-ordered Viliv X70s delayed to August 11, new customers might have to wait till September originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Creative Zii EGG 3D gaming demo

Video: Creative Zii EGG 3D gaming demo

Now that the gang at Creative have 'fessed up to the Zii EGG first seen at the FCC earlier this month, we imagine we'll be encountering this bad boy quite often over the coming months. If you need your StemCell Computing fix right now, we have a video that showcases the newest developer platform running a racing game in all of its accelerometer-packing, 3D OpenGL ES-enhanced glory. Peep for yourself after the break.

[Via EpiZENter, thanks Michael]

Continue reading Video: Creative Zii EGG 3D gaming demo

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Video: Creative Zii EGG 3D gaming demo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kodak's 1080p Zi8 HD pocket camcorder in hand

Kodak's 1080p Zi8 HD pocket camcorder in hand

Yeah, you don't really need 1080p in a compact like this. You know it, we know it. Kodak probably knows it too. Still, it's always pretty wild to pick up a little piece like this and know it can shoot to a native resolution that our parents can't even pronounce. The new Zi8 is certainly bulky for a "pocket" camcorder, but makes up for it by sporting a rechargeable battery, line-in audio jack, HDMI out, 2.5-inch LCD and even keeping the pop-out USB plug around for old times sake. The perks of face recognition for improved exposure and gyroscope-based image stabilization are also pretty snazzy at this $180 pricepoint. We still aren't quite sold on the way this camera (like most of these compacts) processes video -- it seems to do a lot of damage to frame-to-frame motion, something that Apple fought off pretty well with the iPhone 3GS -- but we're going to take one home and test it out a little before we throw down a verdict.

Gallery: Kodak's 1080p Zi8 HD pocket camcorder in hand

Filed under: Digital Cameras, HDTV, Portable Video

Kodak's 1080p Zi8 HD pocket camcorder in hand originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic upgrading CinemaNow movie streaming to 1080p

Sonic upgrading CinemaNow movie streaming to 1080p

VUDU and Xbox Live, welcome your new competition in the 1080p movie streaming arena, now that Sonic Solutions has announced its CinemaNow service will offer "Blu-ray Disc resolution" (3D is already on the way) with buffer-free playback thanks to its new Cinevision Adaptive HD encoding and delivery system. Sonic claims to have a leg up since the system is already used for Blu-ray disc production, and it's teaming with Widevine for the adaptive streaming backend. As usual, even if you're not directly a CinemaNow user, its wide compatibility and position behind Blockbuster's store and upcoming ones from Best Buy and Zip.ca should mean 1080p streaming to an ethernet equipped home theater device will be available no matter where you are, whether you're ready to ditch the discs (and downloads) or not.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sonic upgrading CinemaNow movie streaming to 1080p originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile myTouch 3G preorders now shipping, arriving, being touched

T-Mobile myTouch 3G preorders now shipping, arriving, being touched

If you've preordered one o' them fancy new myTouch 3Gs, check your mailbox, front porch, back door, administrative assistant, or dirty, thieving neighbor -- because it might be there. T-Mobile said that preorders would be shipping at the tail end of July, and sure enough, some folks are starting to get lucky; plebes without preorders will still need to wait until August 5, though, so, you know, either sit there and drool or shout nasty remarks about how you'd rather have a Hero in the meanwhile.

[Thanks, sun]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

T-Mobile myTouch 3G preorders now shipping, arriving, being touched originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unofficial Google Voice client for Palm Pre makes the scene

Unofficial Google Voice client for Palm Pre makes the scene

Google Voice might have just been unceremoniously thrown out of the iPhone App Store, but that doesn't mean development isn't racing forward on other platforms -- say hello to dkGoogleVoice, an unofficial client for the Palm Pre. Yeah, it's buggy and has a bare-bones feature set, but hey -- it exists, and it's only going to get better. Can't say that about your little phone, can you Steve?

[Via PreCentral]

Filed under: Cellphones

Unofficial Google Voice client for Palm Pre makes the scene originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Atom architecture Pine Trail on schedule for this year, says Intel's Eden

New Atom architecture Pine Trail on schedule for this year, says Intel's Eden

The ever-entertaining Mooley Eden, Intel's General Manager of Mobile Platform Group, wants you to know as succinctly as possible that the rumors of Atom evolution Pine Trail's delay have been greatly exaggerated. "Pine Trail is on schedule. You can quote me on that... The three chip solution down to two chip solution [is] coming this year." Now how about a hint as to where we'll first see this chip, eh Eden?

Filed under: Laptops

New Atom architecture Pine Trail on schedule for this year, says Intel's Eden originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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