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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Belkin Switch-to-Mac Cable automatically switches you to Mac, gives you a high-five

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/12/belkin-switch-to-mac-cable-automatically-switches-you-to-mac-gi/

PC-to-Mac USB file-transfer cables and migration utilities have been out for a while, but Belkin's out today with a new take on the idea it says makes the transition "as seamless as possible." We're guessing that has more to do with the Switch-to-Mac Cable's bundled software than the dongle itself -- Belkin's custom Migration Assistant (not the OS X assistant) automatically transfers your media, files, and internet prefs, leaving you free to try on mock turtlenecks and practice your air of quiet superiority. Should be out soon for $50.

Belkin Switch-to-Mac Cable automatically switches you to Mac, gives you a high-five originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlona's AT-HDPiX USB-to-HDMI adapter answers an age-old prayer

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/12/atlonas-at-hdpix-usb-to-hdmi-adapter-answers-an-age-old-prayer/

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Peripherals

Okay, so maybe Atlona Technologies' latest whiz-bang adapter isn't that awesome, but then again, it's pretty awesome. The AT-HDPiX USB-to-HDMI adapter does precisely what it says by enabling any PC / digital signage display to accept an HDMI cable so long as a USB 2.0 socket is currently unoccupied. The device supports resolutions up to 1,600 x 1,200 (or 720p), and because it takes audio from a 3.5-millimeter stereo jack rather than through the USB port, the full bandwidth of the USB connection is reserved for high-def video. Expect this miracle worker to start shipping next month for $179.

Atlona's AT-HDPiX USB-to-HDMI adapter answers an age-old prayer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Curve 8900 hits FCC, destined for US airwaves early next year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/12/blackberry-curve-8900-hits-fcc-destined-for-us-airwaves-early-n/

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

With the 8900 having just launched on T-Mobile Germany, it only stands to reason that T-Mobile's US subsidiary would be a logical next step; after all, it's already brought in the WiFi-equipped 8320, and the 8900 is the next progression in that bloodline. It also makes a ripe competitor for the Bold, which just saw the light of day on T-Mobile's much-larger rival -- and seeing how RIM has now mentioned that the 8900 will be coming stateside in the first quarter of 2009, we're feeling like a T-Mob launch is about as close to a sure thing as you can find these days. The only question is, why wait so long? When you consider that the darned thing just passed the FCC, we're not seeing a compelling reason to hold it until after the crucial holiday season unless they're looking to give the 8220 some breathing room -- and hey, sorry, 8220, but in a battle against the 8900, you're going to go down every time.

Read - Coming to the US
Read - FCC filing

BlackBerry Curve 8900 hits FCC, destined for US airwaves early next year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ARM to release netbook, MID chips

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/13/arm-to-release-netbook-mid-chips/

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Intel's Atom is enjoying some pretty lonely dominance in the netbook market, with nary a spot of competition from VIA's ephemeral Nano or whatever AMD has in store for us -- a void ARM has just announced it plans to fill with ARMv7 chips. The mobile device chipmaker has partnered with Canonical to develop a version of Ubuntu specifically tailored to run on netbooks and MIDs with ARM Cortex-A8 and Cortex-A9 processors, a platform ARM says will offer all-day battery life as well as advanced video functionality. That sounds pretty good to us (and Intel, actually) -- too bad we won't see any of these mythical machines until at least Ubuntu's April 2009 steet date for the ARM port. Good thing Intel will be lying around counting cash and not developing anything until then, right guys? Sigh.

ARM to release netbook, MID chips originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official RED Scarlet and EPIC pics are sure to induce drool [Updated with OMG]

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/13/more-red-scarlet-and-epic-pics-sure-to-induce-drool/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

While the announcement isn't scheduled for another 7 hours and change, RED's Jim Jannard is whipping his fanbase into a frenzy with a steady stream of fragmented pictures. The one above looking every bit the 5D Mark II-killer we've been expecting. Jim's even dropping facts about Scarlet and EPIC being "completely modular and upgradeable in every way." What's more, he's offering hope to RED ONE owners who might feel cheated by today's introduction of Scarlet and EPIC. After all, he did promise to make "Obsolescence Obsolete" with his modular approach to camera building. So in addition to a TBD upgrade price for RED ONE owners to make the jump to a Mysterium-X sensor, owners will also have the option of trading in their cams for a $17,500 value towards the purchase of "any EPIC" (there's more than one?) or keep the RED ONE and receive a 12% credit on a Scarlet system. Nice... expensive, but nice. Check the gallery for all the images including one that looks like a telephoto lens for a RED DSLR.

P.S. Jim confirmed that, "Scarlet and RED EPIC are part of the same DSMC system." While you may not know what DSMC stands for, we're pretty sure that Canon and Nikon are well aware that DSMC means Digital Still & Motion Camera.

Update: Three-pound Scarlet and four-pound EPIC Mysterium-based "brains" capable of shooting 3K and 5K video, respectively, pictured after the break -- choose the brain then build a system around it. What look to be final (and complete!) product shots added to the gallery.

Gallery: More RED Scarlet and EPIC pics sure to induce drool