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Tuesday, June 01, 2010

PCIe Radeon HD 5850 connected to Lenovo T410s, great gaming ensues

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/pcie-radeon-hd-5850-connected-to-lenovo-t410s-great-gaming-ensu/

Radeon HD 5850 connected to Lenovo T410s laptop, great gaming ensues

Despite various mobile graphics solutions making laptops a little better at slinging pixels while maintaining great battery life (Ion, Optimus, etc.), sometimes you have ready access to an AC outlet and just want to get your game on. This is a situation that external graphics adapters are looking to manage, and while we've seen a variety of official options in the pipeline we just had to share this rather unofficial solution from HardForum member Cyclone. He took an $85 PCIe to ExpressCard adapter, slotted in a 2GB Radeon HD 5850, added a 550 watt power supply, and connected it all to his Lenovo T410s. The result? A "major pain in the ass" to configure, apparently, but it bumped his 3DMark06 score from a 1,720 on integrated graphics to a 12,765! That's a bit low compared to running that card in a dedicated gaming rig, as it's being forced to run at 1x over ExpressCard, but it is impressive regardless, and a possible option for anyone looking to turn their portable into a rather more grounded gaming machine.

[Thanks, Chris R.]

PCIe Radeon HD 5850 connected to Lenovo T410s, great gaming ensues originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hitachi working on cheaper, higher quality IPS touchscreens for cellphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/hitachi-working-on-cheaper-higher-quality-ips-touchscreens-for/

In case you haven't heard, IPS panels are making inroads into the lucrative mobile market this year, and Hitachi's been working behind the scenes on something that should keep that momentum going. In the mainstream, touchscreen IPS displays are currently only available on Apple's iPad (and expected to show up in its next-gen iPhone), but should Hitachi's new production technique pan out, we might be seeing this screen tech in much more affordable devices as well. The company has fiddled with the arrangement of the touchscreen elements inside the panel, which it argues has made them cheaper and easier to produce and replace. All good news, but these things do take a while to filter through into reality, until which time you might wanna sate yourself with the latest desktop IPS displays, those ain't too shabby or expensive either.

Hitachi working on cheaper, higher quality IPS touchscreens for cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What Your Email Address Says About Your Computer Skills [Humor]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5552089/what-your-email-address-says-about-your-computer-skills

This chart justifies all your fears regarding Yahoo! and AOL users. And then some.

Reprinted with permission from Matthew Inman aka "The Oatmeal," a former web designer turned comic artist. You can see more of his work on The Oatmeal. Matthew is a one man operation, so be sure to check out posters and prints from his shop.

Oh, and Matthew wants you to know that if you enjoyed this comic, you might like the one about how to use semicolons as well:

How-to: push Chrome / Firefox links to your Android 2.2 Froyo device (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/how-to-push-chrome-firefox-links-to-your-android-2-2-froyo-de/

While we absolutely adore our Nexus One -- now that it's got a bellyful of that fabulous frozen yogurt -- one of the most exciting Android additions shown off at Google I/O isn't actually slated for Froyo: the ability to push apps and music over the air from computer to phone. The underlying framework apparently is, though, and thus a bite-sized version of the functionality is already available at Google Code. If you're one of the lucky few running Android 2.2, you can get an extension for Chrome and Firefox web browsers that will let you push URLs, Maps and YouTube video links direct to your device using a Google Account. You can think of it as an early foray into a Continuous Client, perhaps, sharing with yourself before you head to a business meeting. Better yet, share an account with a group of friends and push interesting items to everyone on the go. See how (and see it in action) right after the break.

Continue reading How-to: push Chrome / Firefox links to your Android 2.2 Froyo device (video)

How-to: push Chrome / Firefox links to your Android 2.2 Froyo device (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 May 2010 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola XT502 another Android phone for North America?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/motorola-xt502-another-android-phone-for-north-america/

There's no shortage of Motorola buzz going around lately -- thing is, nearly all of that buzz is focused on the Verizon side of the camp. What about the other six-odd national carriers in the States and Canada, five of which are using GSM? Well, for you guys, we submit this so-called XT502 -- a phone that may be codenamed "Greco" thanks to the naming of the image file found over in the Bluetooth SIG's certification directory. We can't gather much from the microscopic image the SIG is using, but they've kindly listed radio details, which indicates we can expect a triband HSPA setup working on the 850, 1900, and 2100MHz bands -- perfect for AT&T, Bell, Telus, and Rogers with a little dash of Europe thrown in for good measure. It'll also have WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, and AGPS; in other words, all the basics you expect on a modern Android device. No word on a release plan, but at least it'll be coming out with some totally legal Bluetooth, right?

Motorola XT502 another Android phone for North America? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 May 2010 22:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel boosts netbooks with dual-core Atom, slims 'em down with 'Canoe Lake'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/intel-boosts-netbooks-with-dual-core-atom-slims-em-down-with/

You're really coming full circle at this year's Computex, aren't ya, Intel? It was at the Taipei show two years ago that Chipzilla introduced the first Atom netbooks, and though it's taken awhile, the company is finally announcing dual-core Atom processors for the category (not to mention slightly changing its party line on the power of the sub-laptops). While the details on the speeds and feeds of the new Pine Trail N series CPUs are being kept under wraps for now, we've been told that they'll support DDR3 RAM and provide comparable performance to the dual-core desktop Atom processors, yet still maintain similar battery life to current netbooks. Intel still plans to keep these Atom chips in 10-inch systems, and told us that users will see the speed benefits in multitasking and browsing, rather than in HD playback and gaming.

But netbooks aren't only about to get faster, they're also going to go on a serious diet. Intel also unveiled its new "Canoe Lake" innovation platform for netbooks, which is what's behind that 14mm thick machine pictured above. The platform can support single- and dual-core Atom processors, but provides significant cooling to allow for 50 percent thinner systems. However, "Canoe Lake" is merely a reference guideline for other manufacturers to use, so there's no telling what the machines that use this could end up looking like. The dual-core Atom for netbooks goes into production next week and should be shipping in netbooks before the holiday season. And as for that super thin laptop you're inevitably still peering at? Intel expects its partners to use the platform and have products out by the end of this year. We don't know about you, but the pictures below may keep us salivating until then.

Gallery: Intel "Canoe Lake" netbook

Continue reading Intel boosts netbooks with dual-core Atom, slims 'em down with 'Canoe Lake'

Intel boosts netbooks with dual-core Atom, slims 'em down with 'Canoe Lake' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel 'Oak Trail' is headed for tablets in early 2011

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/intel-oak-trail-is-headed-for-tablets-in-early-2011/

Intel's been quite forthcoming over the past few weeks about its intentions to play in the booming tablet market, and apparently Oak Trail's going to be its ticket. Despite its name, the Atom SoC platform is actually closer to Moorestown than Pine Trail or Pine View -- the major difference here is that Intel's added Lincroft and Whitney Point to enable support for Windows 7. It will also support Google and MeeGo operating systems, so feel free to let your imagination run wild with that. Intel's not sharing much else right now in terms of architecture, but the long and short of it is that the fanless solution will enable thinner tablets with better battery life than the current Menlow platform, and will also add full 1080p playback and HDMI support. But we've still got a time to go until Oak Trail will be powering slates, as it won't ship until early 2011 at best. Funny enough, that certainly seems to line up well with ASUS Eee Pad's 2011 Q1 ship date, but feel free to make what you will of the so-called coincidence. Either way, it looks like the next year will be another interesting one for tablets, and the players look to be multiplying by the minute.

Continue reading Intel 'Oak Trail' is headed for tablets in early 2011

Intel 'Oak Trail' is headed for tablets in early 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:! 00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Streak free on contract in UK, assuming Â£25 monthly plan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/dell-streak-free-on-contract-in-uk-assuming-25-monthly-plan/

You know that Dell Streak tabletphone that's got us all hot and bothered these days? Yeah, well, what with all the stabbing, we totally didn't notice that the device has already been priced in the UK. When it launches on June 4th at The Carphone Warehouse, the Streak will cost you a sizable £429 off-contract -- the same Apple wants for an iPad 16GB -- but not a penny if you opt for its data plans (carried by O2). With a £25 mobile broadband contract or a £35 voice and unlimited data contract, the five-inch WVGA slate will be yours to take home free -- the same as Carphone's iPhone 3G pricing. We don't know quite yet if O2 UK's official tariffs will be cheaper or more expensive, but the tree doesn't grow too far from the apple, as they say.

Continue reading Dell Streak free on contract in UK, assuming £25 monthly plan

Dell Streak free on contract in UK, assuming £25 monthly plan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel HD graphics to support 3D this summer, 30 more WiDi laptops on the way

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/intel-hd-graphics-to-support-3d-this-summer-30-more-widi-laptop/

Intel's integrated graphics are about to get a stereoscopic shot in the arm this summer. Although the Computex presentation today wasn't clear on whether it would come in the form of a firmware update or all-new hardware, we're being promised the ability to watch 3D movies straight off Blu-ray discs. Mind you, the GMA HD graphics aren't aimed at competing with NVIDIA's 3D Vision or any other heavyweights, not least because they'll be relying on polarized lenses to generate that extra sense of depth. Intel had even better news regarding its Wireless Display tech -- which throws your laptop's picture onto a nearby HDTV -- as it will soon be spreading out to "over 30" laptop models and going global. You can count on Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, and Samsung to bundle this Google TV-killing functionality in with their portable computers sooner rather than later.

Continue reading Intel HD graphics to support 3D this summer, 30 more WiDi laptops on the way

Intel HD graphics to support 3D this summer, 30 more WiDi laptops on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hitachi stuffs 320GB into world's fastest 7mm hard drive

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/hitachi-stuffs-320gb-into-worlds-fastest-7mm-hard-drive/

Well look at that: it's the world's first 320GB hard disk drive to spin at 7,200 RPM in a 7-mm high package -- take that Seagate. The 2.5-inch Serial ATA 3Gbps Travelstar Z7K320 features a 1,334Mbps max transfer rate assisted by a 16MB cache. The HDD draws 1.8 watts during read/write operations and 0.8 watts on lower-power idle while humming along at 23dB when idle or 24dB when seeking. And that skinny 7-mm form factor means it'll go places no standard 9.5-mm thick drive could even dream of when it hits the mass production lines in August -- like say next generation ultra-thin netbooks.

Continue reading Hitachi stuffs 320GB into world's fastest 7mm hard drive

Hitachi stuffs 320GB into world's fastest 7mm hard drive originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: LG UX10 tablet preview at Computex

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/exclusive-lg-ux10-tablet-preview-at-computex/

Microsoft isn't kidding around about showing Apple it's serious in regard to competing in the tablet space, and while most of the devices surrounding its Computex booth were locked down tight, we were able to spend a few exclusive minutes with a brand new LG that showed some serious promise. Boasting a 10.1-inch LED capacity touchscreen, the UX10 was one of the most solid tablets we've had the opportunity to touch. The prototype on the floor was equipped with an Intel Atom Z530 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing webcam, an SD card slot, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, a 7200mAh battery and a micro-HDMI output. The entire front was smothered in glass, with an itty-bitty bezel and a striking pearlescent white paint job around back. Though, we couldn't help but notice the similarities in the logo when thinking of a certain Streak. Microsoft representatives couldn't comment on an estimated price, though they did affirm that the device will escape the prototype stage and ship to consumers at some point in the future. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look, and peek past the break if you're a fan of videos.

Gallery: LG UX10 prototype hands-on at Computex 2010

Continue reading Exclusive: LG UX10 tablet preview at Computex

Exclusive: LG UX10 tablet preview at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MeeGo Moorestown-powered tablet preview

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/meego-moorestown-powered-tablet-hands-on/

We saw a lot of new technology demoed at Intel's Computex keynote this afternoon, but the most impressive thing may have just been MeeGo running on a 10-inch Moorestown Quanta Redvale tablet. While the demo on stage was very brief, we caught up with some of the product managers right after the presser and convinced them to give us a peek at what is coming in 2011. To say we're impressed with the "pre-alpha" version of the software is a huge understatement. So, what are you still doing up here? Hit the gallery for a ton of hands-on shots and then that read more button for some impressions and video.

Gallery: MeeGo tablet hands-on

Gallery: Redvale MeeGo tablet press images

Continue reading MeeGo Moorestown-powered tablet preview

MeeGo Moorestown-powered tablet preview originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 05:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, May 31, 2010

ASUS showcases ROG CG8490 gaming desktop: Core i7-980X, dual OC'd Radeon HD 5870s

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/asus-showcases-rog-cg8490-gaming-desktop-core-i7-980x-dual-oc/

ASUS' ARES line of gaming PCs has been kicking for a few years now, but regardless of how many iterations we see, we're still a wee bit terrified when approaching a chassis this gargantuan. Just after the outfit's press conference in Taipei, we daintily hurried over to the newest member of the family in order to snag a few shots and get the low-down on what users could expect when it ships between now and next century. Aesthetically, we're told that the CG8490 was inspired by "ancient and modern armor of both Eastern and Western cultures," likely a politically correct statement with no actual meaning. Regardless, this monster can overclock itself by as much as 20 percent without boiling over, and the six-core Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition CPU is suited for slicing up even the most complex of tasks. There's also 12GB of DDR3 memory, 2TB of hard drive space, a standard DVD burner and a pair of overclocked ATI Radeon HD 5870 GPUs to handle DirectX 11 and Eyefinity duties. Mum's the word on a price or release date, but we're going with "too much" and "not soon enough."

Oh, and be sure to peek the limited edition ARES GPU as well as the company's Rampage III Extreme motherboard in the gallery below.

Gallery: ASUS ROG CG8490 gaming desktop at Computex 2010