Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Is The Crunchpad Dead? [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/qhfNZkEkfmc/is-the-crunchpad-dead

The Silicon Alley Insider has heard that Mike Arrington's vision of an affordable Crunchpad web tablet is dying due to higher-than-expected costs.

The fact is that the timeline for the Crunchpad thus far reads like a vaporware gadget or the financially-challeged launch of the OLPC project. First, the Crunchpad was $200, then it became $300, then there was supposed to be an announcement in July or August. Of course, that never happened, but another summertime rumor placed the launch in November for $400. That was months ago—and nothing has materialized so far.

Rumors are rumors, but if rising costs are a major issue, that does not bode well—especially with the threat of a sub $1000 Apple Tablet looming. [Silicon Alley]

Study Claims Motion Blur Is a Non-Issue In Most Mid-To-High-End LCDs [LCDs]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/xOXo__Hn_Hk/study-claims-motion-blur-is-a-non+issue-in-most-mid+to+high+end-lcds

A study conducted by DisplayMate Technologies claims that the issue of "motion blur" so long associated with LCDs is no longer an issue in mid-to-high-end LCDs. However, manufacturers have no problem selling you gimmicks that supposedly fix the problem.

The HDTVs included models from the top-tier brands of (alphabetically) LG, Samsung, Sharp and Sony - from the mid-line to top-of-the-line models. All of the units were from the 2008 model year. Differences between the 2008 and 2009 models are primarily in their marketing hype. For this article we had three flagship top-of-the line LCD models from Samsung (LN-T5281F), Sharp (LC-52D92U) and Sony (KDL-52XBR4). By studying the top-of-the-line models from the market leaders we were assured of examining the state-of-the-art for each display technology and each manufacturer. The consumer mid-line models included LG (42LG50), Samsung (LN40A550P3F), and Sony (KDL-40V3000). The remaining two LCD units were consumer HDTVs but not commercially available models.

The top-of-the-line Sony XBR and Sharp units had 120 Hz screen refresh, the top-of-the-line Samsung had strobed LED backlighting, and all of the other units had standard 60 Hz screen refresh. The goal was to determine the degree to which this varied advanced technology affected visible motion blur.

DisplayMate analyzed the blur using moving test patterns, moving photographs and live video (a Nikon D90 DSLR with a shutter speed of 1/160th a second was used for the photography) and found that no actual motion blur detectable in any of the live video content—although there! were in cidents that were passed off as defects in the source video or temporary optical illusions.

After extensive side-by-side objective testing with moving test patterns, moving photographs and live video we found that there was no visually detectable difference in motion blur performance for current mid to top-of-the-line LCD HDTVs, regardless of their Response Time, 60 or 120 Hz refresh rates, strobed LED backlighting, or motion enhancement processing. While there was considerable motion blur in the moving test patterns, motion blur was simply not visually detectable in real live video content during our extensive side-by-side testing. With only a handful of minor exceptions, whenever blur was seen in live video we always found it to be in the source content or a temporary visual illusion that disappeared when the segments in question were reviewed. This is undoubtedly due to the way the brain processes and extracts essential information from dynamic and complex moving images.

In other words, DisplayMate thinks you are probably seeing things. Don't be fooled by manufacturers charging extra for fancy motion blur technologies or claims of exceptional response times. If you purchased a mid to top tier model you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Of course, this test doesn't remotely cover all of the LCD brands out there, so I have to ask—based on your experience, do you believe that LCD makers have finally tamed the motion blur beast? [DisplayMate]

OS X 10.6.2 Does Not Ditch Atom Support, Hackintosh Safe [Hackintosh]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/6E_GD_85sno/os-x-1062-does-not-ditch-atom-support-hackintosh-safe

It appears that Atom support has resurfaced in the latest developer build (10C535), so users running OS X on Atom netbooks are safe, for now. Although, anything can happen between now and the final build. [Stell via 9to5Mac via Crunchgear]

The Mindflex Brainwave Game Gives Me a Headache [Review]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/8M7JB2k9WLg/the-mindflex-brainwave-game-gives-me-a-headache

Mind control games like Mindflex are poised to be a big seller this holiday season, but is it really worth spending $80 on? It gives me a headache just thinking about it.

The Game

The object of the game is simple. You must manipulate the vertical movement of the ball using the power of your thoughts. The headband detects the intensity of your brainwaves—the harder your concentrate, the higher the fan in the unit will elevate the ball. Clearing your mind makes the ball descend. Horizontal movement is controlled by a knob on the base. There are five game modes: Freestyle, Mental Marathon, Danger Zone, Chase the Lights and Thoughtshot. Each challenge provides a different test of your ability to guide the ball through a series of customizable obstacles around the track.

The Verdict

It works. Granted, it takes a little practice to master but, clearly, the Mindflex game does read and respond to your brainwaves/concentration level. I was able to alter the fan speed to raise and lower the tiny foam ball at will, although there were times when the accuracy or response time was less than stellar. Occasionally, I would relax and clear my mind only to find the LED concentration indicator (and the ball) rise to its highest level. There were also times when I would be concentrating hard, but nothing would happen. Maybe it's the game, maybe it's my awesomely complex brain—who knows.

There are five d! ifferent game modes, but I spent most of my time in "Freestyle" trying to improve my accuracy. I wasn't all that thrilled with manually guiding the ball around the course with the control knob, but I will admit that the customizable obstacles were a fun challenge—especially the funnel cannon.

You may think differently, but I'm not the kind of guy that finds this type of game interesting for long stretches of time. Although, it would be awesome if the technology matured enough to integrate it into a more complex, multi-dimensional board game. For now, Mindflex seems like something you would whip out at a party to impress your friends until everyone got a headache and stopped after 30 minutes. Speaking of headaches, I have to warn my big-headed brethren that the headset can be massively uncomfortable. I had it on it's biggest setting, but the metal sensor on the inside front part of the band was still digging hard into my gigantic grape. Plus, the clips on your ears don't help matters.

It responds fairly well to your concentration levels.

The customizable obstacles can be a fun challenge.

Some may find the game boring after the novelty wears off.

The $80 price tag is steep.

The headset can be uncomfortable.

T-Mobile HSPA 7.2 Rollout Has Begun [T-Mobile]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/3kbJIagnQzM/t+mobile-hspa-72-rollout-has-begun

Some good news follows T-Mobile's recent outages: reports are coming in that some customers are experiencing download speeds above 2Mbps, meaning that the HSPA 7.2 rollout may have begun. Is anyone here seeing increases in download speed?

Android and Me is suggesting that T-Mobile customers try checking their data speed using Xtreme Labs Speedtest or Mobile Speed Test. [Android and Me—Thanks, Slacker!]

HTC's HD2 has landed at Engadget (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/htcs-hd2-has-landed-at-engadget/

That's right... the HD2 has landed. Actually, we took the phone over to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon the other day, but didn't get a chance to show it off, so here we are. Sure, you've seen this guy in action in earlier videos... but it's still nice to get a look at this monster up close. We're still blown away by the fact that this is a Windows Mobile 6.5 device -- the skinning job that HTC has done here is nothing short of a miracle. So far we've found the phone to be snappy and responsive, but we're currently putting it through its paces. We'll have a full review shortly, but for now, feast your eyes on the photos below -- and start saving for that imminent US launch.

Gallery: HD2 hands-on

Filed under: Cellphones

HTC's HD2 has landed at Engadget (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NVIDIA confirms Intel chipsets won't support USB 3.0 until 2011

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/nvidia-confirms-intel-chipsets-wont-support-usb-3-0-until-2011/

What was once an unverifiable rumor from an anonymous source has now, sadly, become a confirmed fact. Intel won't be integrating USB 3.0 support into its chipsets until at least 2011. Motherboard makers such as ASUS can still opt to add discrete 3.0 controllers at an extra cost, but Intel -- already accused of dragging its heels on the standard's development -- won't be. NVIDIA spokesman Brian Burke has expressed, in no uncertain terms, his company's disappointment with Intel, while also claiming that chipsets by NVIDIA are more feature-rich and just plain better than Intel's own efforts. We'll add this to our ever-growing collection of things NVIDIA doesn't like about Intel, but we also hope that the immature outburst doesn't obscure the real issue. NVIDIA is correct in noting that Intel needs competition in the chipset space, and the new interconnect's dependence on Intel's whims demonstrates the market-alte! ring pow ers that reside in Santa Clara, CA. Unless another chipmaker gets serious about competing with Intel, we could face plenty more of these seemingly arbitrary delays in tech rollouts.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

NVIDIA confirms Intel chipsets won't support USB 3.0 until 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft Courier interface explained in more detail

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/microsoft-courier-interface-explained-in-more-detail/

Steve Ballmer might have no idea what's going on with the Microsoft Courier tablet, but a new set of documents leaked to Gizmodo certainly suggests the product is more than just a couple videos the boss-man hasn't seen. The images detail the Courier's unique user interface, which draws on everything from multitouch gestures to pen-based handwriting recognition. The heart of the interface appears to be the Smart Agenda, pictured above, which pulls together all your disparate content like calendar entries, emails, and to-dos into one unified starting place, described as "Cliff Notes" to the Pagestream "novel." The journal itself appears to be searchable by all kinds of data, including time, location, and tags, and it's all accessed by a special multi-button pen. There's also a camera and an offhand mention of "boos and subscriptions," so it sounds like whoever was dreaming this all up considered using the Courier as an ebook reader as well -- which would be totally sweet, given the types of annotations you could do. Of course, none of this is real yet, but we're hoping against hope -- please, Mr. Steve, make our holiday dreams come true?

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

Microsoft Courier interface explained in more detail originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Walmart's $300 HP G60 laptop gets real, detailed

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/walmarts-300-hp-g60-laptop-gets-real-detailed/

There wasn't exactly much secrecy left around this one after ads started popping up online, but Walmart's now set aside any doubt about its $300 HP G60-519WM laptop with a listing for it on its website, which also thankfully includes the complete specs for it. Apparently built exclusively for Walmart by HP, this particular model packs a 15.6-inch WXGA display, along with previously rumored specs including a 2.2GHz Celeron 900 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, a LightScribe DVD burner, and some basic Intel GMA 4500M integrated graphics -- not to mention Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit edition for an OS. Not exactly the worst deal for someone looking for bigger, more full-featured alternative to a netbook, to be sure, but we have a feeling this is just a taste of what's to come for bargain hunters on Black Friday.

[Via I4U News, thanks Luigi]

Filed under: Laptops

Walmart's $300 HP G60 laptop gets real, detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Opera Mobile 10 features tabbed browsing, disses WinMo

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/opera-mobile-10-features-tabbed-browsing-disses-winmo/

Symbian freaks, do we have a treat for you! While all your WinMo-lovin' friends are out there with Opera Mobile 9.5 (or possibly 9.7), a beta of version 10 has just been announced exclusively for Nokia / Symbian smartphones. As well as being as speedy as ever (fifty percent faster than previous Symbian versions, or so it's been claimed), this release features a new-and-improved user interface and a "speed dial" page that displays all your fave sites as icons. Not too shabby, eh? Hit the read link to get the thing for your Symbian/S60 phone -- but not before peeping the video after the break.

[Via Mobile Tech World]

Continue reading Opera Mobile 10 features tabbed browsing, disses WinMo

Filed under: Cellphones

Opera Mobile 10 features tabbed browsing, disses WinMo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Olympus E-P2 leaks out again, brings along lofty price tag

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/olympus-e-p2-leaks-out-looks-good-all-the-while/

We heard way back in August that an E-P2 could be on tap for a late 2009 release, and while it doesn't appear that the actual ship date will happen before next year, we'd be shocked if Olympus didn't come clean with its second Micro Four Thirds camera here soon. We've seen leak after leak after leak, and now we're staring at what appears to be a few press images of the not-yet-released camera. Reportedly, the 12.1 megapixel shooter will feature AF tracking, an electronic viewfinder, a black color option, 3fps shooting and a 720p movie mode. Nothing earth-shattering, but an appreciated update nonetheless. We're told that it'll be available across the pond in January for the mildly stunning price of £849 ($1,406), but at least that sum includes a 14-42mm lens. Or so they say.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus E-P2 leaks out again, brings along lofty price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Some more perspective on the DROID and multitouch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/some-more-perspective-on-the-droid-and-multitouch/

There's been a whirlwind of chatter about Apple's multitouch patents since the Motorola DROID was released to reviewers sans any built-in support for Android 2.0's multitouch APIs -- there's no pinch-to-zoom in the browser or maps app, and the soft keyboard is decidedly a single-touch affair. What's even more curious is that the DROID clearly supports multitouch, as several new apps have demonstrated, and the overseas UMTS variant of the handset, the MILESTONE, has been shown on video with pinch-to-zoom in the browser several times now. That's led to a ton of speculation that Apple's somehow blocking Google from using pinch-to-zoom in the US, so we thought we'd step in with a little refresher on the state of Apple's multitouch patents and some thoughts how they might be affecting the DROID. Read on!

Continue reading Some more perspective on the DROID and multitouch

Filed under: Cellphones

Some more perspective on the DROID and multitouch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Latest Mac OS X 10.6.2 beta build brings back Atom support

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/latest-mac-os-x-10-6-2-beta-build-brings-back-atom-support/

Well, it looks like reports that Apple might be killing Atom support in the next Snow Leopard update may have been slightly overblown, as the latest developer build of OS X 10.6.2 (10C535) has apparently restored support for the processor and simultaneously brightened the spirits of hackintoshers the world over. What's more, there doesn't appear to be any explanation for the switch-a-roo from Apple which, as Electronista notes, could indicate that it was simply a bug or a temporary measure -- although it does of course also mean that Apple can just as easily flip the switch again if it sees fit (which seems like at least a 50 / 50 shot).

[Via Electronista]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software

Latest Mac OS X 10.6.2 beta build brings back Atom support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lenovo IdeaPad U150 gets unboxed and critiqued (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/lenovo-ideapad-u150-gets-unboxed-and-critiqued-video/

We spotted the IdeaPad U150 sitting pretty as far back as CEATEC, but now it seems the 11.6-inch beaut is finally finding its way out into the wild, wild... wilds. The suave folks over at Netbooked were able to wrap their paws around a retail unit, and aside from just unboxing it on video (which was a nice gesture in its own right), they also ran it through some basic tasks and spit out a few general opinions. Hit the links below if you'd like to follow the journey from undressing to battery life testing, and hop on past the breaks if you're into this hot new thing called "video."

Read - IdeaPad U150 unboxing
Read - IdeaPad U150 impressions

Continue reading Lenovo IdeaPad U150 gets unboxed and critiqued (video)

Filed under: Laptops

Lenovo IdeaPad U150 gets unboxed and critiqued (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Flickr Opens an App Garden Full of Photo Tools [Photos]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/yHXrrKpYxRY/flickr-opens-an-app-garden-full-of-photo-tools

There are a whole lot of mobile, desktop, and helper apps tied to Flickr. The team at the photo sharing service decided to make those apps easier to find and install by opening a free "App Garden" to everyone.

Like you might expect, the App Garden is an uncluttered, keen-looking showcase for the efforts of Flickr-happy developers and companies that have made it easy to download and upload photos to the service from many platforms. Apps are tagged by developers, making it fairly easy to find, say, a desktop Mac uploader or Android-based tool.

To help users stumble across great apps, Flickr has also started tagging photos with the tools they were uploaded with, with a link back to that app in the Garden. Share some of your favorite Flickr app finds in the comments, and read up on Flickr's API if you're interested in developing an app yourself.

The App Garden [Flickr via Flickr Blog]

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)