Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, October 09, 2009

Burger King Updating 12,000 Locations with 'Futuristic' Look [Architecture]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/KntpWXoj7zs/burger-king-updating-12000-locations-with-futuristic-look

Touchscreen menus. Corrugated metal. Red chandeliers. Brick. Burger King will add these elements to 12,000 locations in renovations costing franchisees between $300,000 and $600,000 apiece.

The goal? "A contemporary, edgy, futuristic" look, according to CEO John Chidsey. One of an "upscale restaurant."

You can see the new design in the lead shot (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan). It certainly looks more industrial, like a motorcycle shop or maybe a Chipotle. But there are more aggressive design elements, like the saucer ceiling, that you don't really see in a stock chain restaurant...and that honestly feel a it more retro than they do "futuristic." (And on another note, are a couple of touchscreens randomly dispersed through the tables really enough to encourage casual, table ordering?)

Apparently 60 locations have already gone over the "20/20" makeover. Having witnessed their touchscreen menus in action, I'll say that while the system is somewhat intuitive, it's quite slow. Then again, maybe Burger King believes that if their restaurants are nicer, you might actually want to stay a while. [AP via ChipChick]

RIM goes pale, shows white Curve 8520 for T-Mobile and Bold for AT&T

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/rim-goes-pale-shows-white-curve-8520-for-t-mobile-and-bold-for/

We know it's after Labor Day, but that doesn't seem to be stopping RIM from rolling out a couple BlackBerrys in bright white this season -- and who are we to accuse Waterloo of a fashion faux-pas? First up, the Curve 8520 on T-Mobile is now available, complementing the black and "frost" versions that have already landed; perhaps more interesting, though, is direct confirmation from RIM that there'll be a white version Bold hitting AT&T in mid-October. With the Bold 2 seemingly around the corner, recoloring the current model seems like an odd move -- but if they can continue to sell the Bold at a moderate discount a la iPhone 3G / 3GS, there might yet be a strategy there. The version RIM had on hand wasn't AT&T-branded, but... you know, just imagine the silkscreened logo and customized wallpaper, and you'll get the idea.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

RIM goes pale, shows white Curve 8520 for T-Mobile and Bold for AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Motion brings durable Gorilla Glass to C5 and F5 tablets, tries to break it

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/motion-brings-durable-gorilla-glass-to-c5-and-f5-tablets-tries/

It's been a minute since we've heard from the gang at Motion Computing, but as always they've used the time wisely, quietly working to improve their beloved C5 and F5 slate PCs. If recent upgrades to Verizon EV-DO, WiFi n, 64GB SSDs and the like weren't enough to get you psyched for your next trip to the ER, the company is proud to announce that you can now order your tablet with some of that hardcore Gorilla Glass you've read so much about. Just how durable is the display, you ask? How would you like a video to demonstrate it? What if we told you that some vaguely U2-esque stock music provided the soundtrack? Go ahead, you know you want to -- it's after the break.

Continue reading Motion brings durable Gorilla Glass to C5 and F5 tablets, tries to break it

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Motion brings durable Gorilla Glass to C5 and F5 tablets, tries to break it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T's HTC Tilt 2 coming October 18? (updated)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/atandts-htc-tilt-2-coming-october-18/

AT&T's official press materials might coyly say that the HTC Tilt 2 will launch "in the coming weeks," but we just noticed that an official Windows Mobile 6.5 PR blast we got from Microsoft lists Blue's take on the Touch Pro2 as launching October 18. Sounds about right, we'd say -- anyone planning to grab one?

Update: We were just sent an internal AT&T memo that says the Tilt 2 is actually being stocked and sold to business customers as of today, but that it won't go widely on sale until the 18th. So, our question stands, with an addendum -- anyone planning on pretending to a businessperson today in order to grab one?

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T's HTC Tilt 2 coming October 18? (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Light Peak supplier says mass production to start early 2010

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/light-peak-supplier-says-mass-production-to-start-early-2010/

The more we hear about Intel's Light Peak optical interconnect, the more it seems like Intel was playing it way too cool at IDF -- Foci Fiber Optic Communication, which supplied the gear used during that Hackintosh demo, told CNET today that pilot manufacturing runs of Light Peak equipment are scheduled for November, with mass production to start in early 2010. That's right on track with what we've seen and been told about Apple and Intel's plans for the tech, which forecast a line of back-to-school Macs featuring Light Peak in the fall of 2010. And, well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, but Intel was pretty high on Light Peak for devices that needed maximum connectivity in the smallest amount of space, like an iPhone -- or, say, a tablet. Quite a nice little package of rumors, don't you think? Okay, we'll calm down now.

Filed under: Peripherals

Light Peak supplier says mass production to start early 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NVIDIA halting chipset development after all

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/nvidia-halting-chipset-development-after-all/

It's been about two months since NVIDIA called rumors that it was leaving the chipset business "groundless," so perhaps it's no big shock that PC Magazine is now reporting that the company is putting its nForce chipset line "on hiatus." On hiatus, that is, until the company gets a few sticky legal questions out of the way, including whether or not its four-year deal with Intel covers Core i7 processors. Thus we have the delicate line that NVIDIA walks with Intel: for the time being, the two companies need each other, but they don't have to like each other, and as the latter continues to pursue graphics integration with the CPU, manufacturers are going to be increasingly pushed towards all-Intel solutions. All this leads us to wonder if NVIDIA might decide chipsets in general are more trouble than they're worth, especially considering Intel's general attitude about them -- and whether ION might be the next on the block.

Update: We've just received an email from NVIDIA's Ken Brown that sheds a little light on the matter. It reads, in part: "[B]ecause of Intel's improper claims to customers and the market that we aren't licensed to the new DMI bus and its unfair business tactics, it is effectively impossible for us to market chipsets for future CPUs. So, until we resolve this matter in court next year, we'll postpone further chipset investments for Intel DMI CPUs." Fair enough. Peep it for yourself after the break.

Continue reading NVIDIA halting chipset development after all

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

NVIDIA halting chipset development after all originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

GSM Palm Pre to launch on Telcel in Mexico, feature storage expansion?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/gsm-palm-pre-to-launch-on-telcel-in-mexico-feature-storage-expa/

Well, this is interesting: we'd been under the impression that Telefonica had pretty much wrapped up a global exclusive on the GSM Palm Pre under the O2 and Movistar brands, but here we are, looking at two videos which claim that the Pre will launch in Mexico under rival América Móvil's Telcel label. That's certainly interesting -- and even more intriguingly, we're told that the gentlemen in this video are discussing storage expansion slots on the Pre, which is basically like having a conversation about Santa winning the Super Bowl in terms of Things That Are Real. Did Telcel just manage to pull the rug out from under Movistar and land what could be the best Pre of them all? We're on pins and needles, here. Videos after the break -- and if anyone wants to leave a better translation for us in comments, we're all ears.

Continue reading GSM Palm Pre to launch on Telcel in Mexico, feature storage expansion?

Filed under: Cellphones

GSM Palm Pre to launch on Telcel in Mexico, feature storage expansion? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read&! nbsp;|&n bsp;Permalink | Email this | Comments

Archos5 Android PMP now on sale at Amazon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/archos5-android-pmp-now-on-sale-at-amazon/

Considering the tablet rumors swirling lately, we find it rather funny that Archos calls the new Android-based Archos5 an "Internet Tablet," but they've been doing it for so long we suppose they're allowed to cash in on the hype a little, right? In any event, the 5-inch PMP is now on sale at Amazon for in both 160GB ($390) and 32GB ($370) sizes -- yep, you can finally buy a non-phone Android device, and it's a pretty capable media player too boot, even if the usual Archos resistive touchscreen issues get in the way. Still, we know quite a few of you have been waiting for this -- anyone throwing down?

[Via Pocketables]

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Archos5 Android PMP now on sale at Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tesla Roadster Sport gets taken for a test drive, photo shoot

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/tesla-roadster-sport-gets-taken-for-a-test-drive-photo-shoot/

Like the Tesla Roadster but think it's just not expensive enough for you? Then fear not, person we'd like to get to know, 'cause the Tesla Roadster Sport is here complete with a $19,500 premium over its less sporty counterpart. Thankfully, according to the lucky folks at Autoblog Green, you will get quite a few bonuses for that extra cash, including an improved 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds, a new suspension that can be set to one of ten different settings and, perhaps most importantly, a new set of black-finish forged wheels (paired with some Yokohama ADVAN A048 tires) that'll ensure no one mistakes it for a "low end" Tesla. Be sure to hit up the read link below for Autoblog Green's full report, not to mention plenty of pics inside and out.

Filed under: Transportation

Tesla Roadster Sport gets taken for a test drive, photo shoot originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Australian power grid attacked by virus, Linux saves the day

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/australian-power-grid-attacked-by-virus-linux-saves-the-day/

This isn't the first time we've heard of an institutional virus outbreak -- even the crew of the International Space Station had a neat little scare not too long ago -- and now various outlets in Australia are reporting that Integral Energy, which supplies energy to homes and businesses in New South Wales and Queensland, has suffered a particularly nasty visit by the W32.Virut.CF virus. When all was said and done, the company had to repair all 1000 of the facility's desktops. Furthermore, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the company's anti-virus software hadn't been updated since at least February. Between the lack of anti-virus updates and the fact that segregation between the company's main network and the grid was "typically none at all" this story has all the makings of a disaster. Luckily, the grid itself runs on Sun Solaris -- and when control systems became infected, how did they fix the mess? That's right: by replacing them with Linux machines. A word to the wise: they do make anti-virus auto-updates for a reason.

[Via The PC Report]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Australian power grid attacked by virus, Linux saves the day originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T's HTC Tilt 2 handled: it's very much a Touch Pro2

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/atandt-tilt-2-handled-its-very-much-a-touch-pro2-2/

Unlike the Pure's transformation from its Touch Diamond2 roots, AT&T's Tilt 2 is very much a Touch Pro2 for look and feel. Given our past experiences with the device, we'd say that'll suit the phone's business-oriented clientele just fine -- it's not like you'd want to turn it into a "fun" phone by coating it in wacky colors and preloading it with every social networking client this side of Orkut, after all. We didn't have a ton of time to pore over the interface, but we get the impression that TouchFLO is largely intact (though tweaked by AT&T, naturally) and the keyboard's different than what you'll find on the generic European version -- the top row is all symbols with a numeric pad (a little staggered, unfortunately) near the right side. Check out a few more sexily-lit shots in the gallery.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

AT&T's HTC Tilt 2 handled: it's very much a Touch Pro2 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Getac figures out multitouch input for gloved hands, doesn't know the meaning of 'impossible'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/getac-figures-out-multitouch-input-for-gloved-hands-doesnt-kno/

We've seen plenty of manufacturers struggle with accurate multitouch input up against our own highly-sensitive, desperately fleshly fingers, so for Getac to be touting multitouch screens that work with ordinary gloves is certainly a wild claim. Getac's new screen uses a resistive technology -- something we've seen pull off great multitouch in the past, when it really puts its mind to it -- and can track 100 points per second at a sub-35ms response time on the Getac V100 tablet's 2048 x 2048 screen. A sealed touchscreen is naturally a boon to weatherproof applications if it's actually usable, though it's enough of a chore to stab at the smaller controls in a standard desktop UI, so we shudder to think how difficult it might be with mulch-covered work gloves.

[Via Electronista]

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Getac figures out multitouch input for gloved hands, doesn't know the meaning of 'impossible' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Anxious Sprint users ordering HTC Hero now through telesales

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/anxious-sprint-users-ordering-htc-hero-now-through-telesales/

Too impatient to wait for October 11th to arrive? Yeah, we feel you. If you're up with killing a few minutes and dealing with what may end up being four or five CSRs, word on the street has it that the Android-powered Hero can be ordered this very moment via Sprint telesales. A number of members over at Sprint Users have had success in getting the phone headed their way, and one even mentioned that his SERO plan was set to remain firmly in place even with this new phone on the bill. Let us know if you stumble across similar luck in comments below, won't you?

[Thanks, JayTV]

Filed under: Cellphones

Anxious Sprint users ordering HTC Hero now through telesales originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kingston's MobileLiteG2 card reader makes your thumb look huge

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/kingstons-mobileliteg2-card-reader-makes-your-thumb-look-huge/

There's diminutive, and then there's Kingston's MobileLiteG2 card reader. The second-generation of this here reader supports a wide variety of formats (SD, SDHC, microSD, microSDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and Memory Stick Micro), and it also boasts retractable covers on each side to protect the USB connector and the memory card. At just 2.45- x 1.16- x 0.646-inches in size, there's an 87.425 percent chance that you'll lose this before the MobileLiteG3 comes out, but honestly, that's probably a-okay with Kingston. Those looking to downsize in a big way can order this bugger up for $11 (for the reader itself), $28.50 (bundled with a 4GB SDHC card) or $46 (bundled with an 8GB SDHC card).

[Via OhGizmo]

Filed under: Storage

Kingston's MobileLiteG2 card reader makes your thumb look huge originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toshiba 43nm MLC NAND-based SSDs spotted in retail

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/09/toshiba-43nm-mlc-nand-based-ssds-spotted-in-retail/

If you were lusting after those 43nm drives that Toshiba recently started shipping to OEMs, we found a source for you. If you're in Japan (or comfortable ordering from Japan) ioPLAZA has the 256GB (2.5-inch) SSDs listed for ¥85,800 (about $970). Intrigued? We bet you are. Orders placed now ship later this month. Hit the read link to see for yourself.

Filed under: Storage

Toshiba 43nm MLC NAND-based SSDs spotted in retail originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)