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Wednesday, November 02, 2011

drag2share: Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: tablets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-2011-tablets/

Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.

Of all the electronic gifts you could buy someone right now, a tablet seems like one of the safer bets. It's a cheaper way of saying "I love you" than bestowing a $1,000 laptop, and it takes less chutzpah than signing someone up for a smartphone (along with two years of data fees). And let's be real here: what's more festive than flopping onto the couch in pajamas after opening gifts and lazily playing Angry Birds while It's A Wonderful Life airs in the background? Yeah, we can't think of anything either.

Sadly, we don't have any webOS-flavored tablets this time around, and we couldn't include some hotly anticipated numbers like the Transformer Prime, since they're not shipping yet and we don't even know much they'll cost. Still, we managed to find a slew of Android tablets (and one iPad) across a range of budgets. Been on the fence about what to get? Skip past the break for some ideas.

Continue reading Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: tablets

Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: BlackBerry Torch 9810 up for pre-order, illuminating T-Mobile stores November 9th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/blackberry-torch-9810-up-for-pre-order-illuminating-t-mobile-st/

T-Mobile is getting ready for another BlackBerry-flavored spark -- the Torch 9810 is now up for pre-order for the carrier's business customers. The 3.2-inch slider will be bringing its full QWERTY keyboard, 4G, 1.2GHz processor and BlackBerry OS 7 to T-Mobile stores on November 9th for $250 -- after the mail-in rebate and with a two-year plan, naturally. Press info after the break.

Continue reading BlackBerry Torch 9810 up for pre-order, illuminating T-Mobile stores November 9th

BlackBerry Torch 9810 up for pre-order, illuminating T-Mobile stores November 9th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: DIY unmanned airship soars 95,000 feet above Earth, lays claim to new record (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/diy-unmanned-airship-soars-95-000-feet-above-earth-lays-claim-t/

Are you entertaining dreams of launching your own private spacecraft? All you need is about 30 grand in your bank account, and lots of spare time. Last weekend, a company called JP Aerospace sent its unmanned Tandem airship 95,085 feet above the ground -- a height that, according to the company, establishes a new record for remotely controlled airships. In fact, JP Aerospace says this altitude is a full four miles higher than any other airship has ever flown. To pull this off, the team strapped its 30-foot-long aircraft with two balloons, and packed it with a pair of electric motors that manipulated the Tandem's specially designed propellers. It's a relatively simple method, and one that didn't exactly break the bank, either. All told, it took about five years and some $30,000 to launch the aircraft, as part of the company's Airship to Orbit project. The long-term goal is to use the Tandem or similar airships as a launch pad for rockets or other interstellar aircraft. No word yet on when that could happen, but you can float past the break for a brief video on the Tandem, coupled with a brief PR.

Continue reading DIY unmanned airship soars 95,000 feet above Earth, lays claim to new record (video)

DIY unmanned airship soars 95,000 feet above Earth, lays claim to new record (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

drag2share: Logitech's Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/logitechs-mini-boombox-is-a-99-bluetooth-speaker-we-go-hands/

$99? For a portable speaker? Yup, that was our reaction too -- especially when the Mini Boombox's larger sibling boasts four times as many drivers (eight instead of two) and costs just $50 extra. But then we gave this more suitcase-friendly version a whirl and discovered that it's actually loud and balanced enough to do some justice to your tunes while you're on the move. In fact, it could well make a smarter purchase than those $30 speakers you keep buying in airports and then deliberately losing. It's available now, works with any Bluetooth-equipped smartphone or tablet and incorporates a mic for handling calls -- plus its rechargeable battery is claimed to last up to ten hours. Ears-on video and a quick round of 'name that tune' right after the break.

Gallery: Logitech Mini Boombox hands-on

Continue reading Logitech's Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video)

Logitech's Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Kinect commercial SDK coming in 2012 (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/kinect-commercial-sdk-coming-in-2012-video/

So much for it being a fad. Kinect has evolved from a way to play with Elmo to a key tool in scientific research, delivering interactive presentations and managing your bank account. We've always called these non-standard uses of the device "Kinect Hacks" as people find more weird and wonderful ways to use it to their advantage. Unsurprisingly, Redmond has been paying attention and it's planning a commercial Kinect SDK. It's teaming up with developers to create the new software and has already received 200 applications from interested parties. It all kicks off early next year, and interested parties should be chatting up the company as we speak. Stuck for inspiration? We've got you covered, check out what other clever bods have already achieved with the technology in the video after the break.

Continue reading Kinect commercial SDK coming in 2012 (video)

Kinect commercial SDK coming in 2012 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Pantech's Gesture Recognizing Vega LTE Will Do More Than Smile When You Wave At It [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5855256/pantechs-gesture-recognizing-vega-lte-will-do-more-than-smile-when-you-wave-at-it/gallery/1

Pantech isn't known for their cutting edge phones 'round these parts, but that will soon change with their upcoming Vega LTE line that recognizes touchless gestures using its front facing camera, like a miniature version of Microsoft's Kinect.

The Android based handsets employ eyeSight's gesture recognition technology, which is a software-only solution that works with even the low resolution cameras typically found on the front of smartphones. It's capable of detecting simpler gestures, like waves and taps, and isn't tripped up by motion or poor lighting conditions. Though, I'm suspecting the dark of night could be a problem. Out of the gate the functionality looks like it will be limited to placing and answering calls, as well as controlling your music. So it seems like a feature better suited for use when driving. But there's no reason a software update down the line couldn't increase its functionality and make it a more appealing feature. [All Things D via Phandroid]

Pantech's Gesture Recognizing Vega LTE Will Do More Than Smile When You Wave At It

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drag2share: Siri Can Even Tell You a Story (If You Ask Her Enough Times) [IPhone]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5855355/siri-can-even-tell-you-a-story-if-you-ask-her-enough-times

Siri Can Even Tell You a Story (If You Ask Her Enough Times) Bored with Siri yet? Ran out of things to ask her? Then ask her to tell you a story! She'll refuse at first but if you keep on bothering her, she'll relent and tell you her origin story. It's funny!

Easter eggs like this one turn Siri from a really great voice control system to a really great voice control system you actually want to use. There's more depth to her than any robot around. [Geeky Gadgets]

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drag2share: BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860 coming to AT&T November 6th, Curve 9360 inbound November 20th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/blackberry-bold-9900-and-torch-9860-coming-to-atandt-november-6th/

It's been a few months in the works, but the BlackBerry 9900 and Torch 9860 have finally received AT&T's stamp of approval and will be available this coming Sunday. And as an added bonus, the Curve 9360 isn't too far behind, jumping onto the lineup November 20th (though if you're a business or government customer, you'll be able to snag one on the 14th). Pricing? With two-year commitments, the Bold 9900 will wind up costing $200, the Torch 9860 can be yours for $100 and the Curve 9360 will be a mere $30. The Torch appears to be destined only for virtual shelves right now, though we're not certain if it'll be making a physical appearance in retail stores any time soon. Get all of the deets in the presser after the break.

Continue reading BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860 coming to AT&T November 6th, Curve 9360 inbound November 20th

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860 coming to AT&T November 6th, Curve 9360 inbound November 20th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Dell XPS 14z available now for $1000, ready to assail your eyes with a Shuriken display

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/dell-xps-14z-available-now-for-1000-ready-to-assail-your-eyes/

From IFA to retailers' shelves, Dell's XPS 14z has finally completed its marketplace destiny. The 14-inch Windows 7 laptop we recently reviewed as a sensible buy is now up on the company's site in three configurations, with the base model starting at $1,000. For your money, you can choose from a Core i5-2430M or Core i7-2640M processor, DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB, up to 750GB of storage, an Intel HD Graphics 3000 or NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M graphics card and, of course, you get that narrow bezeled Shuriken display. Looking for a lightweight laptop to add to your computing arsenal? Then hit up the source below and get to ordering.

[Thanks, Jordan]

Dell XPS 14z available now for $1000, ready to assail your eyes with a Shuriken display originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Google GoMo thinks your site isn't mobile enough, wants you to change

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/google-gomo-thinks-your-site-isnt-mobile-enough-wants-you-to-c/

Do mobile sites matter? Google thinks they do. In fact, the company has introduced GoMo, a "Google Initiative" aimed at bringing you over to its side. The site contains information driving this point home, resources to help you go mobile and an emulator to let you know how your site looks on mobile devices, so you can either GoMo or go home.

Google GoMo thinks your site isn't mobile enough, wants you to change originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: LG myTouch, myTouch Q available on T-Mobile November 2nd for $79

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/lg-mytouch-mytouch-q-available-on-t-mobile-november-2nd-for-79/

Magenta's taken to its Facebook wall to announce the availability of its latest LG-made, Android 2.3.4 phones: the 3.8-inch myTouch and 3.5-inch myTouch Q. Word of these handsets' existence leaked out via YouTube a few months back, but the carrier's since made both official. The duo will hit T-Mobile's site on November 2nd, each at a budget-pleasing $79.99 -- that's after a mail-in rebate on a two-year contract. But if you're the sort to pick up your wares in-store, then expect to see this pair on offer come November 9th. What'll you get for that sub-$100 price? Well, the devices run along the operator's 4G HSPA+ network and pack a single-core 1GHz Qualcomm processor, as well as front-facing / 5 megapixel rear cameras. The only thing setting these two apart is your predilection for a landscape QWERTY slider, in which case you'll want to snag the Q. So, if you've been waiting on T-Mo to roll this twosome out of the gate, consider tomorrow your lucky day.

LG myTouch, myTouch Q available on T-Mobile November 2nd for $79 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Insert Coin: BoardX is an open-source, modular motherboard for prolific prototypers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/insert-coin-boardx-is-an-open-source-modular-motherboard-for-p/

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

BoardX

We're more than a little enamored with Arduino and its DIY microcontroller ilk. But we'll admit, there are a few limitations that the compulsive prototyper might find bothersome. Chief amongst them is the lack of modularity, Now, sure, you can easily add all sorts of sensors, ports and radios to your Uno (or Duemilanove if you're old school) but that generally requires piling shield, upon shield, upon shield, until you've got a stack of boards three-feet high. And, if you want to use an ARM chip instead of an AVR for a project? Well that's a whole other set of boards. Kevin Greene has decided to address these perceived "weaknesses" with BoardX -- a modular, open-source prototyping platform.

Continue reading Insert Coin: BoardX is an open-source, modular motherboard for prolific prototypers

Insert Coin: BoardX is an open-source, modular motherboard for prolific prototypers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: BeagleBone offers up ARM A8 processor, Linux and 10-second boot for 89 bones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/beaglebone-offers-up-arm-a8-processor-linux-and-10-second-boot/

BeagleBoard has kept our collective news-tails wagging with plenty of (often disparate) DIY hardware projects. Now, the BeagleBone ($89) has arrived, with Linux Angstrom preinstalled, and power provided through a USB port. Giving the hardware more of a chew reveals Open GL ES 2.0, a microSD connector and two 46-pin female expansion headers for easy augmentation. There's also a 100Mbit Gigabit Ethernet connection on this new development platform, which promises to play nice with older BeagleBoard, er, boards. Serial (port) DIYers can check out a full run-down video after the break.

Continue reading BeagleBone offers up ARM A8 processor, Linux and 10-second boot for 89 bones

BeagleBone offers up ARM A8 processor, Linux and 10-second boot for 89 bones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Google Street View walks through parks, so you don't have to

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/google-street-view-walks-through-parks-so-you-dont-have-to/

Need to take a walk through the park, but hate all of the fresh air, foliage and sunshine that comes with it? Good news: Google has added a number of parks to Street View, including New York City's High Line, elevated train tracks that have been converted into a 1.5 mile plant-filled walkway. Also on the list are the statue-filled Kensington Gardens in London and Tokyo's cherry blossom-lined Koganei Park. The parks and their blurry-faced visitors can be easily accessed in the source link below. There's also a video of the High Line project after the break.

Continue reading Google Street View walks through parks, so you don't have to

Google Street View walks through parks, so you don't have to originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Seagate merges Barracuda range, renounces small platters for hungry storage diners

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/seagate-merges-barracuda-range-renounces-small-platters-for-hun/

Seagate's decided its desktop drives were getting a bit flabby. It's ditching the Green and XT brands, and in turn, deeming the entire range Barracuda. The revamped series now carries 1TB platters rather than the five 600GB layers in the older models and all will run at 7200RPM with a 64MB cache. It's part of an initiative to slim a bloated inventory channel for the company's OEM partners. Those with an environmental bent should know that the new drives more than match the Green's environmental prowess, whilst those who are speed hungry will be excited to hear news on the mooted new Barracuda XT. This replacement XT will match the hybrid stylings of the Momentus XT, a hybrid HDD that includes a 4GB SSD to increase cache speed. The 3TB monster will be available for $179.99 as soon as it hits the shipping channels -- which, so far as we can tell, should be anytime between next week and next year.

Continue reading Seagate merges Barracuda range, renounces small platters for hungry storage diners

Seagate merges Barracuda range, renounces small platters for hungry storage dine! rs o riginally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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