Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Monday, September 21, 2009

Haier steps out of character, builds ultra-desirable Jian i7 ultra-thin laptop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/19/haier-steps-out-of-character-builds-ultra-desirable-jian-i7-ult/

The last time Haier really wowed us was back in 2007 when the company was peddling its "screen-on-a-stick" laptop tech. Two years later we've got this little beauty to drool on: the Jian i7. The 13.4-inch Core 2 Duo ULV laptop is pretty dang thin, weighs 3 pounds, and retails for a mere 6,000 Yuan (about $879 US). Where do we sign up?

Filed under: Laptops

Haier steps out of character, builds ultra-desirable Jian i7 ultra-thin laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

HTC Leo spotted once again, friends call it "HD2"

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/20/htc-leo-spotted-once-again-friends-call-it-hd2/

This new Leo hotness from HTC sure is making the rounds, and we certainly can't get enough of it. Its latest appearance shows the handset from some sexy angles, but also gives us a new tidbit to chew on: the Bluetooth menu identifies the phone as the HD2. So, is this the much-rumored successor to the Touch HD, or an absolutely gorgeous impostor? We'd venture a guess, but we're too busy longing for that 4.3-inch capacitive LCD to care.

[Via MobileTechWorld]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

HTC Leo spotted once again, friends call it "HD2" originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo confirms $199 Wii for September 27?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/20/nintendo-confirms-199-wii-for-september-27/

It might sound confusing at first, but it all makes sense, we promise. The folks at Nintendojo were apparently on a retailer conference call where Nintendo "confirmed" the new $199 Wii price, which will supposedly go into effect on Sunday September 27. Only problem is that we have to take Nintendojo's word for it -- not that we have any reason not to, but for now we'll have to just call this an "unconfirmed confirmation" until Nintendo can summon the courage to fess up to the $50 price cut to a couple of corroborating sources. It's not like those multiple flyer price leaks are knocking anybody off the trail, but we usually to hear these things from the horse's mouth -- or at least from a retailer's shelf -- before we go into all-out celebration mode.

[Via GoNintendo]

Filed under: Gaming

Nintendo confirms $199 Wii for September 27? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: BudsGoBlue teaser hints at iPhone 3GS-controlling BT headphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/20/video-budsgoblue-teaser-hints-at-iphone-3gs-controlling-bt-head/

Itching to command your iPhone 3GS via voice control, yet aren't willing to wrap one more cable around your precious dome? Your wildest dreams could possibly come true next month, when BudsGoBlue launches an iPhone-friendly set of Bluetooth earbuds that should act as headphones and a BT headset. We're hearing that the loops on each earpiece are "completely flexible," and judging by the teaser video hosted up just after the break, they look fairly seductive, too. Hop on down and have a peek for yourself, won't you?

[Via mobilitysite, thanks Toni]

Continue reading Video: BudsGoBlue teaser hints at iPhone 3GS-controlling BT headphones

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio

Video: BudsGoBlue teaser hints at iPhone 3GS-controlling BT headphones originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

ASUS adds textured pattern 'wow-factor' to purported Eee PC 1001HA

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/asus-adds-textured-pattern-wow-factor-to-purported-eee-pc-1001/

Whenever an Eee PC roadmap leaks out, it's generally followed by a torrent of new machines that are just marginally different than the ones before. Granted, we've got Microsoft to thank for that, but it's still getting tougher by the day to keep all of these things from running together. Shortly after having a peek at the supposedly upcoming Eee PC 1201n comes this -- a smattering of hands-on shots of the purported Eee PC 1001HA. Slated to be available with Linux, Windows XP or no OS at all (saywha?), this here Eee could very well slot into the Seashell lineup given that bold pattern lathered on the chassis. Internally, you'll find the tired Atom N270, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and an ExpressCard-to-Zzzzzzz adapter. But hey, at least that 3-cell battery means you'll be computing for days on end, right?

Filed under: Laptops

ASUS adds textured pattern 'wow-factor' to purported Eee PC 1001HA originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalin! k&nb sp;| Email this | Comments

AT&T's 3G MicroCell site goes live

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/atandts-3g-microcell-site-goes-live/

We still don't have all the details we'd like on pricing and availability, but AT&T's official 3G MicroCell site is now up and running where you can enjoy some video overviews and get a good gander at what the finished product looks like (it's way better than the version briefly shown a few months back, if you ask us). Availability of an unlimited calling add-on is confirmed here, and any calls that originate on the MicroCell before being handed off to AT&T's old-school towers will be kept completely out of your minute bucket as long as you sign up for the unlimited package. Also notable is that the carrier officially recommends placing the box near a window so that its GPS receiver can get reception -- like its cousins on Sprint and Verizon, the MicroCell includes GPS so that it can't be used out of the country. So far we're not able to find a ZIP code that works with the availability checker (including the rumored limited release markets mentioned last week), so if you get through, give us a shout.

[Thanks, joe_smith55]

Update: ZIP code 28201 works, though it doesn't let you see plans or buy online -- it just hooks you up with the addresses and phone numbers of nearby stores. There'll be a few calls being made in the morning, eh? Thanks, ryan0816!

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

AT&T's 3G MicroCell site goes live originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

MSI takes a break to introduce 3-inch MT-V656 PMP

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/msi-takes-a-break-to-introduce-3-inch-mt-v656-pmp/

MSI's been slinging out a healthy amount of laptops here lately, but evidently the outfit is looking to dabble once again in PMP land. The simplistic-yet-stylish MT-V656 boasts a 3-inch display, silver casing, video output, FM tuner, voice recorder, support for an undisclosed variety of games and the ability to handle just about every file format known to man. Oddly enough, it's not clear if the screen is of the touch variety, but considering the dearth of buttons, we're guessing it is. It should be available on the streets of Shanghai now for around $42, though make sure you budget for some sort of memory card -- after all, 4GB only holds so many David Bowie / Rush mashups.

[Via PlayerBites]

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

MSI takes a break to introduce 3-inch MT-V656 PMP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Colored solar panels work without direct sunlight, double as PAR Can filters

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/colored-solar-panels-work-without-direct-sunlight-double-as-par/

With eco-friendliness on everyone's mind, it's no shock to see more and more progress being made in the realm of solar. Shortly after hearing that boffins across the way were swapping carbon nanotubes for silicon, a Tel Aviv-based startup is now hoping to push its colored panels into the mainstream thanks to their ability to work sans direct sunlight. Granted, the tinted cells have only shown a 12 percent efficiency rate in testing, but they can reportedly be produced for around half of what a conventional panel costs. In essence, the cost savings comes from the dearth of silicon within, as GreenSun Energy has discovered that power can be generated by simply diffusing available sunlight over the whole panel and allowing nanoparticles to handle the rest. We'll invite you to visit the links below for the science behind it, but we're just interested in helping Ma Earth while replacing every windows in our apartment with a stained glass alternative.

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: Science

Colored solar panels work without direct sunlight, double as PAR Can filters originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Intel's 1.73GHz Core i7-820 QM mobile CPU maneuvers onto test bench

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/intel-cores-1-73ghz-i7-820-qm-mobile-cpu-maneuvers-onto-test-be/

The middle child of Intel's forthcoming new family of mobile performance parts, the i7-820 QM clocks in at 1.73GHz when things are relatively calm, or it can Turbo Boost its way up to an enviable 3.06GHz when your multitasking life demands it. The PC Pro crew have snatched one from Intel's presumably still warm hands, and have given it a benchmarking run to find out if it extends the Core i7 legacy of dominance into the mobile space. Their conclusion? "It's very, very fast." They couldn't avoid gushing about the dynamic overclocking and efficiency improvements relative to Intel's older generation of quad-core laptop procs, but battery life tests showed you'll still want to keep a power outlet nearby. Read link below should furnish you with more info, should you require it.

Filed under: Laptops

Intel's 1.73GHz Core i7-820 QM mobile CPU maneuvers onto test bench originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Seagate 2TB Barracuda XT: world's first SATA 6Gbps hard drive

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/seagate-2tb-barracuda-xt-worlds-first-sata-6gbps-hard-drive/

Ready for this speed freaks? Seagate just announced the world's first 2TB disk with full support for the third generation SATA interface pushing data at 6Gbps -- double the rate of previous controllers. The 3.5-inch SATA 6Gbps Barracuda XT drive spins 4x 500GB platters at 7200RPM with a big 64MB cache to prevent bottlenecks. It promises a sustained transfer rate of just 140MBps (compared to 600MBps / 4.8Gbps possible), MTBF of 750,000 hours, and carries a five-year warranty. The disk hits retail this week for about $299 list. Then you'll just need to find SATA 6G controller / MoBo to make the most of your new purchase -- fortunately, SATA 6Gbps is backward compatible with SATA 1.5Gbps or 3Gbps rigs until then.

Show full PR text

[Via TG Daily]

Filed under: Storage

Seagate 2TB Barracuda XT: world's first SATA 6Gbps hard drive originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Realtime Bidding (RTB) may improve ad exchng efficiency, but it may not be necessary at all. http://bit.ly/13jbbg - shout out in comments.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Core i7 Laptops: Early Tests of Mid-Range Quad-Core Chip Say It's Fast, Real Fast [Intel]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/q8DpzJoFr-U/core-i7-laptops-early-tests-of-mid+range-quad+core-chip-say-its-fast-real-fast

Looks like Core i7 could dominate laptops the way it has desktops. We should see the chips in new machines at next week's Intel Developers Conference, but PC Pro has already tested the mid-range quad-core 1.73GHz i7-820QM, and they're impressed.

The UK Magazine's test laptop was a 16-incher with modest specs: 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 5400rpm hard disk, Nvidia GeForce GT240M graphics, and a 32-bit Vista install.

So they were surprised when it almost matched the results of the their top-performing laptop to date: a much higher-specified Dell Precision M6400 Covet with a 2.53GHz Core 2 Quad QX9300, twice the RAM, faster 7200rpm hard disk, high-end Nvidia Quadro FX 3700M graphics, and 64-bit Vista OS.

PC Pro's write-up also digs into the i7-820QM's heat and power saving efficiencies, and sums things up as follows: [PC Pro]

3D Gaming And Video Coming To A Dell and HP Laptop Near You? [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/8bxJxy86Nl4/3d-gaming-and-video-coming-to-a-dell-and-hp-laptop-near-you

I was just thinking that my laptop's screen was way too two-dimensional. Ok, no I wasn't but these rumored 3D laptops from Dell and HP could be pretty freaking cool for 3D games and movies.

The rumor is that Dell and HP have placed orders with Taiwanese manufacturer Wistron for 3D notebooks and they could arrive soon. Acer has been rumored to release a notebook with a 16-inch 3D display as soon as next month. I have to expect 3D technology would add quite a bit to these types of notebooks especially if they use Nvidia's GeForce 3D Vision.

Now I am convinced I would look like a tool wearing 3D glasses in front of my laptop, but I've always wanted to read my e-mail in 3D. [Digitimes]

Ustream Video Streaming Android App Out Now [Android]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Pq60yI-ssyY/ustream-video-streaming-android-app-out-now

While the Android app store is still far from the gajillion iPhone mark, some software is better on the former because of Apple's third-party developer limitations. Like the new Ustream for Android, which can broadcast live video to the web.

While on the iPhone version you can't broadcast video straight to the web, the Android version can do it just fine. It's not a hardware limitation. It's just that Apple's politically-driven limits don't allow it.

The Android version of Ustream seems to work great. In fact, according to TechCrunch's test it, it only has a lag time of three seconds over 3G. Can't wait for the first on-the-go Android-based sexcam website. [TechCrunch]

LG introduces XPION X30 Ion-based nettop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/lg-introduces-xpion-x30-ion-based-nettop/

Apparently not content to let ASUS have all the fun, LG's just announced the XPION X30, its first Ion-based nettop. This little fella features an Atom N230 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, and ships with Windows Vista (for the time being, at least). Aside from sporting six (count 'em!) USB ports, it weighs in at a mere 2.4 lbs, draws just 40 watts of power, and can be VESA mounted to the back of your LCD. But never mind all that -- as long is it allows us to stream American Ninja from Netflix with minimal fuss we're happy. Debuts tomorrow in Korea.

Gallery: LG XPION X30

[Via SlashGear]

Filed under: Desktops

LG introduces XPION X30 Ion-based n! ettop originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nokia N86 8MP finally available stateside

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/nokia-n86-8mp-finally-available-stateside/

It's still showing as a preorder on Nokia USA's own site, but Amazon and the brick-and-mortar flagship stores in Chicago and New York are finally stocking the N86 8MP -- a little bit of a stretch for the "coming weeks" claim made at the North American version's launch announcement back in July. The beefy dual slider features a 2.6-inch QVGA OLED display, US 3G up to 3.6Mbps on the downlink, and WiFi -- but clearly the big draw is its 8 megapixel cam with Carl Zeiss optics around back accompanied by a dual LED flash. We would've liked this last month, but the good news is that it's launching for less than the $558 originally mentioned: Amazon's got it written up at $469, while the flagship stores are apparently hawking 'em for $30 more.

[Via The Nokia Blog]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Nokia N86 8MP finally available stateside originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nokia Booklet 3G hits the unboxing phase of its product cycle

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/nokia-booklet-3g-hits-the-unboxing-phase-of-its-product-cycle/

Might as well add your own soundtrack, because chances are, you won't be able to understand what the narrator with a tattoo on his left hand is saying. Not that you really need, as you can probably get the gist of this Nokia Booklet 3G unboxing. We've got blue packaging, a power brick, a "Hello, Hei" greeting just under the portable itself, and a fairly sleek portable to boot. Of course, with a $800 price tag on the outside and an Atom processor on the inside, it's not the most attractive of combinations. See the whole kit and caboodle after the break.

[Thanks, mimo]

Continue reading Nokia Booklet 3G hits the unboxing phase of its product cycle

Filed under: Laptops

Nokia Booklet 3G hits the unboxing phase of its product cycle originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/volkswagen-l1-concept-is-crazy-efficient-could-ship-in-2013/

Look, it's a well-known fact that the world is ending in either 2012 or when the Large Hadron Collider starts back up (whichever comes first). But, assuming neither of those scenarios actually cause planet Earth to fold in on itself, you should have some pretty swank Volkswagens to choose from in 2013. Just days after hearing that the highly-anticipated E-Up! concept would be landing in around four years, VW is now proclaiming that the L1 concept you see above could also hit production at the same time. What's odd, however, is that the automaker is already calling this the "most fuel-efficient automobile in the world," but at 170MPG, you'd think the suits at Chevy would have a thing or two to say about it. At least in theory, the hybrid TDI vehicle can cruise 100 kilometers on just 1.38 liters of diesel, but we'll wait until the EPA gets a go before buying in completely.

Filed under: Transportation

Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

HP and Dell working on 3D gaming laptops?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/hp-and-dell-working-on-3d-gaming-laptops/

After the IFA show in Berlin a few weeks ago, it's clear that 3D is getting a big push by some powerful players in consumer electronics. Unfortunately, you won't find many editors around here chompin' at the bit to replace their new Full HD flat screens for a 3D-capable one... and we've seen the demos! Now a Commercial Times report has HP and Dell signed on with Wistron to produce 3D laptops -- Lenovo and Sony are still negotiating. Of course, we've already seen desktop systems powered by NVIDIA's GeForce 3D Vision solution. And rumors have swirled in the past regarding a possible HP laptop using 18.4-inch 3D panels developed by Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) and a Wistron-developed 3D laptop solution based around NVIDIA's Vision technology. Thing is, if 3D isn't that compelling on screens 40-inches and above, how's it going to woo consumers at this size?

Read -- HP and Dell
Read -- 18.4-inch 3D laptop
Read -- Wistron 3D laptop

Filed under: Gaming, Laptops

HP and Dell working on 3D gaming laptops? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mattel's Mindflex: now stressing brain muscles for $80

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/mattels-mindflex-now-stressing-brain-muscles-for-80/

It's taken nine whole months for this mental-stresser to go from CES show-stopper to household mainstay, but at long last, the only Mattel product we could ever recommend (with a straight face) to those with an age larger than 12 is finally shipping. In short, the Mindflex forces your brain -- as in, that hunk of meat between your ears -- to keep a ball suspended in the air, and if you're thinking Matrix, you're thinking correctly. Sort of. Hit the read link to get your own for $79.99, and make sure you do so before these things sell out and break the $1,000 mark on eBay. It's almost the holidays, don'tcha know?

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Mattel's Mindflex: now stressing brain muscles for $80 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T launching 3G Microcell in some markets in the next few days?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/atandt-launching-3g-microcell-in-some-markets-in-the-next-few-days/

Zacks Investment Research is reporting in a matter-of-fact tone that AT&T's long-rumored, long-desired 3G Microcell femtocell will be hitting some markets "in the next week." The full list of initial launch areas hasn't been disclosed, but Atlanta, San Antonio, Seattle and North Carolina are all specifically mentioned; as you might recall, Sprint restricted the launch of its Airave for some time, too, so limited availability out of the gate wouldn't really come as a surprise. AT&T had no comment when asked about the report, so it's a wait-and-see game -- but if you're clinging to one bar of service, have hope that help is on the way.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

AT&T launching 3G Microcell in some markets in the next few days? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mitac takes Tegra to MID-land

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/mitac-takes-tegra-to-mid-land/

We've spotted an early prototype of an upcoming MID from Mitac powered by Tegra and running Windows CE, and we like where it's headed. There are actually a lot of similarities to Mobinnova's smartbook, though we suppose it's more of a Tegra thing: CE with a custom interface on top, emphasis on 720p media playback and output (there's an HDMI jack and TV tuner) and what promises to be an uber-competitive price and good battery life for the form factor. Mitac also plans on selling the thing with a fold-out case / keyboard combo to sweeten the deal. The unnamed device is quite thin, but unfortunately the unit we saw was out of battery -- though NVIDIA assured us it was "really cool" while it worked. Sure guys, sure.

Gallery: Mitac takes Tegra to MID-land

Filed under: Handhe! lds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Mitac takes Tegra to MID-land originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toshiba dynadock wireless U puts wireless USB to good use at last

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/toshiba-dynadock-wireless-u-puts-wireless-usb-to-good-use-at-las/

We just spotted Toshiba's new wireless U dynadock in the flesh, and guess what: it looks a lot like a dynadock. The good news is that wireless USB makes the whole docking concept a lot more attractive, though we'd much rather have a solution that's integrated into the laptop -- the included wireless USB dongle looks quite precarious, and kind of ruins the whole idea of not having to plug anything in. The $300 pricetag also makes this hard to swallow, but there's a real logic to wireless docking that we hope can expand in the industry as the components become more integrated in laptops, or least a bit more miniature.

Gallery: Toshiba dynadock wireless U hands-on

Filed under: Laptops, Networking

Toshiba dynadock wireless U puts wireless USB to good use at last originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile starts 21Mbps HSPA+ rollout in Philadelphia, nationwide in 2010

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/t-mobile-starts-21mbps-hspa-rollout-in-philadelphia-nationwide/

T-Mobile USA's really kicking things into high gear, coming from behind (way behind, actually) on its 3G launch to become the first to bring 21Mbps HSPA+ here -- and possibly the only one to do it, considering that its closest GSM rival is leapfrogging from 7.2Mbps HSPA to LTE. Speaking at 4G World in Chicago, T-Mobile's Neville Ray has gone on record saying that its 3G footprint will be blanketed by HSPA+ next year and is actually already up and running in parts of Philadelphia; amusingly, he was apparently a little weirded out by AT&T's earlier comments at the show that it'd have 90 percent of its 3G coverage upgraded to 7.2Mbps by the end of 2011, suggesting that was slow (we'd agree, but then again, considering how far behind T-Mobile still lags in raw 3G coverage, we're not sure they've got room to talk just yet). If we had to guess, this huge push for mega-fast data has to do with investor discontent on the Deutsche Telekom side of things, so you can bet there are some crossed fingers out in Bellevue as this stuff lights up; now, just give us the world-class phone selection to match and we'll be good to go.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

T-Mobile starts 21Mbps HSPA+ rollout in Philadelphia, nationwide in 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

RAmos Android event scheduled for next week, mystery MID getting real?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/ramos-android-event-scheduled-for-next-week-mystery-mid-getting/

Any time a good conundrum is solved there's bound to be mixed feelings -- and The Case of the Mysterious Android MID was certainly no different. Has it really only been a month? Certainly you remember the affair -- how pictures (and eventually video) of this handheld Internet device, running Android, kept popping up all over the place? Well, we were somewhat comforted to discover that it was a Rockchip-powered concept device, although at the same time we felt a little cheated: how dare RAmos flaunt such a thing and fail to deliver? But not so fast! According to a teaser that's made its way to us on the Internet machine, a press event scheduled for September 25th will feature some combination of: "Android" and "ramos digital." Whether or not its the Rockchip-powered device we've been taunted by remains to be seen, but it's definitely a fair guess to say that it will be. Besides, RAmos, after Apple's recent iPod event, we need this.

[Via Pocketables]

Filed under: Handhelds

RAmos Android event scheduled for next week, mystery MID getting real? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NYC, just saw a woman handing out parking vouchers to people WALKING to work. Hmm... what is the rate of success of this marketing campaign?

Thursday, September 17, 2009

#digiday - of Ashton's 3.6M followers or JetBlue's 1.2M whose followers can have greater business impact for an advertiser? Why?

@shivsingh - no one cares about your temple (site); your pages need to be social too (findable, sharable).

Samsung S7550 Blue Earth reviewed, Monkey Wrench Gang unavailable for comment

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/samsung-s7550-blue-earth-reviewed/

We're not sure if the recent trend for greener gadgets comes from a wish to save the planet, assuage consumer's guilt, cash in on a trend, or some combination of the three, but we'll tell you one thing: it's not going anywhere. Of course, with a product named "Blue Earth" you know that you're not just getting a handset, but some vageuly eco-friendly ID, including: an outer shell (mostly) fashioned from recycled water bottles, a solar panel, and a pedometer (you know, to encourage walking / discourage driving). Of course, these are all things we can abide, but the question remains: how does this handset hold up, you know, as a handset? Well, GSM Arena recently put one through its paces and was kind enough to let us in on its findings. As feature phones go, says the author, this one stacks up quite nicely with something like Nokia's 5530 XpressMusic -- and even does it one better by throwing in a GPS. On the other hand, this isn't the thinnest phone in the world, the lack of HSDPA will be a deal breaker for some folks, and the 3 megapixel fixed focus camera leaves something to be desired. And how about the solar panel? According to Samsung, one hour of solar charging is good for 2 hours of standby and a little over 15 minutes of call time in 2G (or 10 minutes of talk time in UMTS). Also, it seems that they make the phone bulkier and harder to handle -- although we imagine it can't be as bad as whatever users of after-market solar panel attachments are experiencing. Other features include a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen (quite responsive, apparently) and WiFi. But that ain't all -- you really need to wade into this review yourself if you want all the juicy details. Luckily, it's but one click away: hit the read link to see ! for your self.

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung S7550 Blue Earth reviewed, Monkey Wrench Gang unavailable for comment originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toshiba's dynadock wireless U: it's a universal docking station, but wireless

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/toshibas-dynadock-wireless-u-its-a-universal-docking-station/

Wireless docking stations have been around for years now, but the main issue has been bandwidth. Sure, it's easy to send a wireless mouse signal through the air, but try shoving 720p video, four USB signals and a little bit of arrogance though those highly-spaced particles. Toshiba's new dynadock wireless U USB docking station does a commendable job of doing the best it can with what it has, tapping into wireless USB technology in order to nix the need for your laptop to actually be seated into your docking station. The device can be setup to auto-connect when your machine is in range, and a one-touch undock button carefully shuts down all of your peripherals as you exit. There's six USB 2.0 sockets (included two of the Sleep-and-Charge variety), integrated 7.1 audio and support for a VGA / DVI monitor with resolutions as high as 1,680 x 1,050. Nah, that's not quite 1080p, but we'll take it for now. The $299.99 asking price, however, is a bit harder to swallow.

Filed under: Laptops, Peripherals

Toshiba's dynadock wireless U: it's a universal docking station, but wireless originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)