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Thursday, April 08, 2010

Comcast's 3D channel goes live, just in time for the Masters

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/comcasts-3d-channel-goes-live-just-in-time-for-the-masters/

Customers in a handful of Comcast markets might have noticed that the switch on their promised 3D content just got flipped in the past 24 hours or so; viewers were greeted with a short loop of test content at first, but now, they're getting a message pimping coverage of the Masters Tournament that starts later today. We caught this particular message above in Chicago, but folks with HD boxes in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Twin Cities, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, and Indianapolis should all have access to the programming. Naturally, you'll need a 3D-compatible set and glasses to enjoy the footage, but be warned: if the ball comes straight at the camera, it's going to be really, really scary for a second.

Update: Oh, and if you don't have a 3D TV or Comcast service handy, no sweat -- you can still watch it online if you've got the right equipment.

Comcast's 3D channel goes live, just in time for the Masters originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel's SENS platform pictures a world of Moorsetown-powered and sensor equipped phones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/intels-sens-platform-pictures-a-world-of-moorsetown-powered-and/

We wish we could tell you those were working Intel Moorestown or Atom powered phones, but alas, they are just mockups that were created to illustrate what Chipzilla is hoping to do with its tiny silicon parts and SENS concept platform (not to be confused with HTC's Sense or Samsung's old Sens laptops). Now, we have to warn you to understand this whole SENS thing, you've got to be able to dream big -- the idea is centered around the "phones of tomorrow" being able to understand what we are physically doing through sensors, including accelerometers, audio, location, and so on. In other words, these phones not only know that you are talking on the phone to Mom, but they also can tell you're in a meeting by reading your calendar and cross referencing that information with your geographic location.

Still with us? Then once the phone knows exactly what you're doing it can alert your contacts not through text, but with animated avatars. Yes, we just said "avatars." So, the idea is that your friend could then see you as a digital rendering in that meeting, picking your nose or whatever it is you do in the conference room. We told you it was out there -- but it's certainly interesting considering these phones will need to have Intel inside to communicate in this way. We'll be waiting on the more realistic Moorestown-powered LG GW990 to arrive, but really, SENS is way better illustrated in video so you'll want to hit the break to see just how Intel is picturing this whole future thing.

Gallery: Intel SENS / phone mockups

Continue re! ading Intel's SENS platform pictures a world of Moorsetown-powered and sensor equipped phones

Intel's SENS platform pictures a world of Moorsetown-powered and sensor equipped phones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plastic Logic expects to ship QUE proReader in June

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/plastic-logic-expects-to-ship-que-proreader-in-june/

So, Plastic Logic perhaps isn't for sale, but what about that long-awaited QUE proReader of theirs? Well, we just got an update on that front. A hapless tipster who pre-ordered the devices way back on January 9th just got an email from Plastic Logic saying they should expect a June 24th ship date now. Pre-orderers at least have the opportunity to confirm or deny that they still want the device, and won't be charged until it ships. So, will it be worth the wait? And more importantly: what color will your hovercar be?

[Thanks, Shane B.]

Plastic Logic expects to ship QUE proReader in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel's Intelligent Home Energy Management device is an OLED beauty, sadly just a concept

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/intels-intelligent-home-energy-management-device-is-an-oled-bea/

We know, the last thing the world needs is another home tablet (see Sony Dash, HP Dreamscreen and Chumby), but bear with us for a second on Intel's Intelligent Home Energy Management proof of concept. Instead of providing just the typical weather, Pandora, and video memo apps, the Atom Z530-powered screen also manages your home's energy consumption. The idea is that the WiFi-enabled device works with your local energy company to provide data as well as suggestions on how to lower that insane monthly bill. It also apparently can update you as to what government subsides are being offered and deals on more power efficient appliances. If that all sounds too earthy to you, we at least can tell you it's one beautiful gadget -- the 11.2-inch capacitive OLED screen is simply stunning and the user interface that's been built on top of Windows XP isn't so bad looking itself. For now the whole thing is just a concept, but Intel was quite confident in saying that we will see gadgets with its Home Energy platform popping up sooner or later. We just hope someone picks up that beautifully designed hardware. Don't you worry you can see it too in the video demo after the break.

Gallery: Intel Intelligent Home Energy Management system hands-on

Continue reading Intel's Intelligent Home Energy Management device is an OLED beauty, sadly just a concept

Intel's Intelligent Home Energy Management device is an OLED beauty, sadly just a concept originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell refreshes Latitude E series with latest Intel chips

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/dell-refreshes-latitude-e-series-with-latest-intel-chips/

Targeted at the enterprise, there's plenty of stuff in the Latitude E series (which has been floating around here and overseas, but is finally official) that Joe Consumer couldn't care less about, like "Distributed Device Management" and "Client Configuration Toolkit" to handle massive rollouts of identical computing environments across a company. Still, there's plenty of Latitude left over for those of us with simpler, lower volume tastes. The new E6410 (14.1-inch, pictured) and E6510 (15.6-inch) start at $1,129 and $1,164, respectively, with a rugged version of the 14.1-incher, the E6410 ATG rounding out the crew. All the laptops offer Core i5 and Core i7 processors and DDR3 RAM, with options for discrete NVIDIA NVS 3100M 512MB (non-switchable) graphics and the Latitude ON instaboot auxiliary system. Of course, outside of those basics you can go wild with the configuration options Dell is so well known for. 4-cell batteries come standard on the 1-inch thick systems, but you can ramp up to a 9-cell, or even add on a 12-cell battery slice, and Dell promises roughly an hour per cell with the integrated graphics. The ATG model can be configured exactly like the E6410 outside of a lack of discrete graphics, but adds in MIL spec STD 810G for shock, vibration, temperature, humidity and altitude resistance. Check out a family press release after the break.

Gallery: Dell Latitude E press shots