Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Motorola Shadow: a Droid For the Light Side? [Shadow]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/bknAhq6calE/the-motorola-shadow-a-droid-for-the-light-side

There's not a whole lot that's certain about these images, which popped up at Mobile01, showing Motorola's Shadow as a friendlier-looking Droid. But they're interesting.

These aren't the first rumors that have trickled out about the Motorola Shadow. One leak, a few weeks ago, pegged it as having a super-thin body and a 4.3-inch, 800 x 484 screen. These renders, of admittedly dubious provenance, suggest a more Droid-like form factor, except with a white keyboard and wrist strap.

Mobile01 also suggests that the Shadow could be a candidate for the next official Google Phone and thus the designation of Nexus Two. Maybe, but it seems a little too early for Google to be picking the Nexus One successor. And what of HTC? [Mobile01 via Engadget]




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Dell Froot Concept Design Does Away with Keyboard, Monitor [Concepts]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/PCQwrP4-0Hw/dell-froot-concept-design-does-away-with-keyboard-monitor

With the environment and sustainability firmly in mind the Dell Froot concept saves the planet courtesy two projectors: One for the virtual keyboard, and another for the monitor.

Designed by Pauline Carlos as part of a sustainability contest sponsored by Dell, the Froot also uses a colorful case that's constructed out of a biodegradable starch-based polymer. As it's a futuristic concept, the lack of a mouse is understabdable—we'll no doubt be using our brains by then.

More seriously, Pico projectors are *almost* there, but not quite, otherwise I'd be asking why this is still just a concept. [Behance Network via technabob via OhGizmo]




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Motorola Shadow is Nexus Two with sliding QWERTY keyboard?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/16/motorola-shadow-is-nexus-two-with-sliding-qwerty-keyboard/

Fan-made render? Very possible, but we're intrigued by the notion. The gang at Mobile01 have laid out two more photos of what is being called the Motorola Shadow (not to be confused with the T-Mobile Shadow), which in a nutshell looks like Droid / Milestone with a white keyboard and wrist strap. Even more interesting is the assertion that this could be Google's next flagship device, here lovingly dubbed the Nexus Two. Now while there is no way to corroborate at this point, we could totally buy this as feasible. After all, what better way to complement the Nexus One slate than with one with physical QWERTY? And who better than the company whose Android 2.0 device increased the platform's mindshare at supersonic speeds, with a CEO willing to signify support even at the launch event for a competitor's product? Color us curious -- wrist strap-laden render after the break

[Thanks, Serge]

Continue reading Motorola Shadow is Nexus Two with sliding QWERTY keyboard?

Motorola Shadow is Nexus Two with sliding QWERTY keyboard? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAlfred's Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Archos phone tablet in limbo, awaiting 'at least two major operators' to sign up

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/16/archos-phone-tablet-in-limbo-awaiting-at-least-two-major-opera/

Oh, Henri Crohas, you tease. In an interview with French site L'Expansion, the Archos CEO made reference to fate of the Archos phone tablet, saying that the company has built a device with strong multimedia capabilities... but it's not gonna see the light of day without the support at least two major operators. Sad to hear, as the proposed specs -- Android OS, 4.3-inch touchscreen, 1GHz ARM processor, 3.5G bands, 10mm titanium casing, and a possible front-facing camera -- were mighty intriguing. In the meantime, keep dreaming of that Android-powered HTC HD2, k?

Archos phone tablet in limbo, awaiting 'at least two major operators' to sign up originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PMP Today, JBmm.fr  |  sourceL'Expansion  | Email this | Comments

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Sanwa's ultra-cheap pico projector available, probably worth the money

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/17/sanwas-ultra-cheap-pico-projector-available-probably-worth-the/

We're kind of fans of pico projectors around here, even if finding a way to justify spending big cash on them is occasionally a little hard. Sanwa's just unleashed a cheap little pico that may just be worth the money. There's nothing terribly standout about the Sanwa 400 PRJ-001 -- a Himax LCoS projector with a 640 x 480 resolution, USB connectivity and the little guy weighs in at only 85 grams. The best part of the story here, is of course, the price -- for $119, well, maybe we'll grab two. We can't be sure it's the cheapest pocket projector in the history of micro projecting, but it's pretty close. Hit up the source link to buy one for yourself.

Sanwa's ultra-cheap pico projector available, probably worth the money originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Pico Projector Info  |  sourceAmazon  | Email this | Comments

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Create Link Formats Link Text for Faster Copying [Downloads]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/Rfju-0w85bA/create-link-formats-link-text-for-faster-copying

Chrome: If you're someone who copies and pastes a good number of URLs and text every day, Create Link extension for Google Chrome is a must-install extension. It's a semi-equivalent to Firefox's mighty CoLT add-on.

The missing element that makes Create Link a "semi-" equivalent to the link-prepping, time-saving powers of CoLT, and even its direct Firefox inspiration, is that Create Link only works from its Chrome toolbar button. That means it grabs the title and URL the page you're currently on, rather than letting you grab the link text and URL from links you right-click on the page. That's more of a Chrome extensions deficiency than Create Link's own fault, but it must be pointed out.

Create Link is, however, open-ended in how you format your links, allowing you to prepare text for blogging, forums and bulletin boards, and anywhere else you need to write in HTML style or paste in URLs or page titles. It's a free download, works wherever Google Chrome extensions do.

Create Link [Google Chrome Extensions]



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Foodspotting Catalogs Delicious Dishes [Food]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/SUYRqB8Rjek/foodspotting-catalogs-delicious-dishes

If you like documenting a good meal and enjoy checking out the delicious culinary delights other foodies are finding, Foodspotting offers a platform for cataloging and browsing delicious eats from around the world.

Foodspotting was founded on the idea that it's more about a good dish than it is about the entire restaurant. Rather than review entire establishments, Foodspotting focuses on delicious dishes and where you can find them.

After signing up for a free account at Foodspotting you can browse entries by other amateur food photographers and critics, search for entries by name or geographic location, and flag food "Nom It" if you've eaten it and approve of the food and "Want It" if you're craving it. In addition to name and location-based search you can browse the most popular food by the number of people who have given it their approval or put it on their wanted list.

Foodspotting is currently only accessible via their website, although according to their FAQ file an iPhone app is slated for this quarter. Foodspotting is a free service that requires a basic registration. Have a favorite tool or service for finding great meals? Let's hear about it in the comments.




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Root Coverage Offers Detailed Crowd-Sourced Cellular Coverage Maps [Cell Phones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/cfVAY0d-Lpc/root-coverage-offers-detailed-crowd+sourced-cellular-coverage-maps

The coverage maps provided by cellphone companies don't really tell you all that much about the quality of the coverage they offer. If you'd like a real-world look at coverage, you can check out Root Coverage.

Root Coverage takes data from actual users and compiles it into hexagonal overlays that provide a variety of information about the map you're looking at. You can check not only signal strength but also the quality of the data connection and transmission rate. You can also switch between map view, aerial view, and topographical view—handy for seeing if that odd deadzone here or there is caused by odd geographic features.

Root Coverage is a free service. You can currently check the coverage in several major US markets like New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington D.C., and more. You can also sign up to participate in currently mapped markets or to be alerted when the service is rolled out where you live.

If Root Coverage doesn't cover your locale currently, you might want to check out similar services like previously reviewed GotReception, DeadCellZones, and SignalMap. Have your own trick or tool for making sure you're getting the carrier with the best coverage in your area? Let's hear about it in the comments.




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NPD: Wii leads video game industry to 'biggest sales month ever'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/npd-wii-leads-video-game-industry-to-biggest-sales-month-ever/

Well, what a difference a couple of months and a holiday season can make. Just after finding that the video game console market shrunk by a fifth in October, NPD is now back with a new report that finds that December was the video game industry's "biggest sales month ever." Specifically, the group found that console sales jumped 4% compared to last December, with the Nintendo Wii unsurprisingly leading the way with 3.81 million units moved (up from 2.15 million the previous year). That's followed by the collective DS offerings at 3.31 million and, somewhat surprisingly, the PlayStation 3, which racked up sales of 1.36 million (its first time cracking the one million mark) compared to the Xbox 360's 1.31 million. Of course, no one's expecting sales to stay at quite that lofty level, but NPD says that the spike in December sales might well indicate that 2010 could be a recovery year.

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NPD: Wii leads video game industry to 'biggest sales month ever' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePC World  | Email this | Comments

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Toshiba Mini NB305 review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/toshiba-mini-nb305-review/

If there's been a Renaissance man in the world of first-gen netbooks it'd be the Toshiba Mini NB205. Its long battery life, comfortable keyboard and attractive and sturdy build distinguished it from the others, even when it made a late entrance to the little laptop market last year. Like most manufacturers, Tosh has gone and refreshed its knockout netbook with Intel's Atom Pine Trail platform and slightly altered the design. But has the competition caught up to the $399 Mini NB305? Or does the Mini NB305 still hold a place in our hearts as the most versatile netbook out there? Find out after the break in our full review.

Continue reading Toshiba Mini NB305 review

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Toshiba Mini NB305 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Avatar vs Modern Warfare 2: Billionaire Earnings Fight! [Movies]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/DWoI_ceFFTo/avatar-vs-modern-warfare-2-billionaire-earnings-fight

Avatar, the soon king of movies, vs Modern Warfare 2, the king of videogames. Here's a look at how their earnings stack up by the numbers. The biggest surprise? Modern Warfare had a significantly larger ad budget. [Business Management]




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Google Hacked the Chinese Hackers Right Back [Google]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/yLyo8ZgiGoE/google-hacked-the-chinese-hackers-right-back

One of the cooler stories out the whole Google-China debacle is that Google hacked the hackers. It "began a secret counteroffensive," breaking into a computer in Taiwan, gathering evidence the attacks originated from mainland China, possibly orchestrated by the government.

Google's delta force found evidence that the hackers had attacked 33 other companies, like Adobe, and that the onslaught actually came from China, not Taiwan. More to the point, "much of the evidence, including the sophistication of the attacks, strongly suggested an operation run by Chinese government agencies, or at least approved by them." Unfortunately, Google can't prove the Chinese government's involvement 100 percent, which is why the Obama administration is pussy-footing around the issue.

Still, it's pretty awesome: If you hack Google, they will hack your ass right back. [NYT]




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Kingston SSDNow V 30GB Flash Drive for $80 [Storage]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/OL-n_mDmjg0/kingston-ssdnow-v-30gb-flash-drive-for-80

Lost in the CES maelstrom, we missed the Kingston SSDNow V 30GB, a solid state hard drive designed to run your operating system, faster faster, kill kill, pussycat. The best thing is the price: Only $80 after rebates.

• Sequential Speed**: up to 180MB/sec. read, 50MB/sec. write
• Performance: enhances productivity; makes users more efficient
• Innovative: 2.5" form factor; uses NAND Flash memory components
• Silent: runs silent and cool with no moving parts
• Reliable: less likely to fail than a standard hard drive
• Shock Resistant: no moving parts; handles rougher conditions than a hard drive
• Supports S.M.A.R.T.: Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology
• Guaranteed: three-year Kingston warranty, 24/7 tech support
• Capacity1: 30GB
• Storage temperatures: -40° C to 85° C
• Operating temperatures: 0° C to 70° C
• Vibration operating: 20G Peak, 10-2000Hz, (20min/Axis)x3 Axis
• Vibration non-operating: 20G Peak, 10-2000Hz, (12 Cycle/Axis) x 3 Axis, x 20min.
• Power specs: Read: 1.4W (TYP), 2.5W (MAX)
• Write: 1.7W (TYP), 4.2W (MAX)
• Idle, Standby, Sleep: 55mw (TYP)
• Life expectancy: 500,000 hours MTBF

** Test system: Intel® DG945ID Desktop Motherboard; Intel® Quad Core Q9550; 4GB DDR2 800MHz system memory; on-board SATA 3Gbps with ACHI enabled in BIOS; OS: Windows® 7 Professional x64 or Windows XP Pro x86 SP3 (Intel® IMSM installed in both operating systems).
** Based on internal testing. Performance may vary based on system settings.

It's coming in February for $110 without the promotional rebates. ! [Kingston]




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Apple Wants to Do the Same Thing for Mobile Ads It Did for Digital Music [Unconfirmed]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/8go7MtSoQrQ/apple-wants-to-do-the-same-thing-for-mobile-ads-it-did-for-digital-music

Apple's interest in mobile advertising clearly goes beyond flicking Google in the nads, since they spent $275 million on mobile ad company Quattro after losing AdMob to Google. In fact, according to BusinessWeek, Apple's mobile ad plans are downright ambitious.

"Mobile ads suck" is a sentiment BusinessWeek vaguely ascribes to Steve Jobs through a "source familiar with his thinking." So Jobs, along with "his lieutenants," have been talking about "ways to overhaul mobile advertising in the same way they had revolutionized music players and phones," two sources told BusinessWeek.

Why care so deeply about mobile ads? Besides the ongoing Google rivalry, which stands to get even testier in the mobile space—just check out figures like ones out of this 424-page Morgan Stanley report, which talk about how the mobile internet will be twice as big as it is on the desktop. (Also, this.) The first guy to really figure out mobile ads (whatever that entails)? Wins a truckload of money. Case in point: Google figured out search advertising. Look where they are today.

Mobile browsers aside, just think of all of those free and cheap iPhone apps with room for innovative advertising to make somebody even more money. Not us, though. [BW via Alley Insider]




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