Friday, September 26, 2008

HappyWakeUp S60 Alarm App Uses Your Phone's Microphone to Decide When to Wake You [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/402321521/happywakeup-s60-alarm-app-uses-your-phones-microphone-to-decide-when-to-wake-you

HappyWakeUp is a new cellphone alarm app developed for S60 (the other open platform) that only wakes you when it knows you're in a light sleep cycle. How does it know? Well, Computerworld says HappyWakeUp actually uses the microphone from your phone to statistically analyze your sleep habits based on noises you make, and when placed under your pillow, it determines what phase of sleep you're in.

HappyWakeUp runs through your normal alarm clock and won't delay the alarm any later than you have it set for. Rather, it's meant to wake you if you're in a lighter state of sleep 20-30 minutes before your wake up time, and could actually make getting up easier. [HappyWakeUp via Computerworld via Raw Feed via Wired]


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Posted by Augustine at 7:21 AM

Hitachi makes like Toshiba and touts "super resolution technology"

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402823320/

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We actually had to dust off our spectacles to make sure this wasn't some sort of misunderstanding, but clearly, Hitachi is pulling a Toshiba. Generally, we wouldn't make such a claim, but given that Tosh also calls its wizard-like upconverting technology Super Resolution, we'd say the likeness requires such a comparison. Reportedly, Hitachi has been toiling day and night on its own "super resolution technology," which will theoretically take SD images and scale them to near-1080p. Amazingly, we're told that it can also "convert HDTV images, such as digital terrestrial broadcasts, into images with even higher (what, SHV?) definition." The tech is executed on a frame-by-frame basis and should be exhibited at the upcoming CEATEC trade show in Japan; as for a release, Hitachi's currently aiming to get this into LCDs and plasmas "after 2010."
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Posted by Augustine at 7:17 AM

Dell's tiny M109S pocket projector gets hands-on treatment

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402856245/

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It's one thing to hear 3.46- x 4.12- x 1.46-inches. It's another thing to see how giant someone's hand looks beside Dell's absolutely minuscule M109S pocket projector. Based on a hands-on session with a near-final prototype of the pico-PJ, the cats over at Popular Mechanics were mighty impressed with what they saw. They noted that "colors were a little more washed-out than a top-end home theater projector," but given the size and the manageable $499 price tag, it still managed to wow. Peep the in-action video in the read link.
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Posted by Augustine at 7:17 AM

Art Lebedev's Scartel WiMax handset concept: we're moving to Russia

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402879826/

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Never one to settle, Art Lebedev's design shop is trying its hand at handset design, and we like the looks of it. Art is teaming up with Scartel, a Russian carrier which just launched a WiMax network in Moscow and St. Petersburg, for a flagship handset of sorts, and has left no spec unturned -- at least in the wishful-thinking conceptual stage. In addition to a WiMax radio, the device has WiFi, tri-band GSM, microSD, dual cameras, 3.5mm audio, an A/V plug and a gargantuan 850 x 480 screen. There are minimal buttons at the base: a five-way joystick and call / end, and no keypad, so we're going to assume that we're looking at a touchscreen device. Now all that's left is to pick an OS -- would Android be too much to ask? Another shot is after the fold.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Continue reading Art Lebedev's Scartel WiMax handset concept: we're moving to Russia

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Posted by Augustine at 7:17 AM

Olympus confirms micro Four Thirds cams coming in the next year

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402890348/

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Panasonic might be the first to ship its new micro Four Thirds G1, but Olympus definitely stole the hotness crown with that retro concept cam, and the company just confirmed that it'll join the ranks of the shipping -- Olympus European marketing director Miquel Angel Garcia told Pocket-lint that we should expect a camera similar to the prototype within the next 12 months. According to Garcia, micro Four Thirds is "about design and style, not about a smaller black box" -- take that, Panny. Hopefully this means we'll be seeing the DSLR-sized micro Four Thirds sensor shake up the fashion cam market, but we'll see what Olympus has in store -- the sooner the better, guys.
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Posted by Augustine at 7:17 AM

New LG netbook lands gently in Korea

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402915410/

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LG can be forgiven for receiving a little help in getting its first netbook, the X110, out the door. However, the company doesn't seem to be really trying to distinguish itself from the herd with its second one either, the 10-inch Xnote Mini. It features the same basic setup as the rest, including an Atom processor, 160GB hard drive, 1.3 megapixel camera, and 3-cell battery all contained in a svelte 2.6 pound enclosure. No word on price or availability outside of Korea, where it's been released, but if you're looking for a lightweight 10-incher we think you can already do better without breaking the bank.

[Thanks, Chris]
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Posted by Augustine at 7:16 AM

Road to G1 has been a three-year endeavor for Google, HTC

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/403061338/

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How many Google and HTC engineers does it take to build an Android phone? We don't have the punchline to that one, exactly -- but at least we have a pretty good idea of how long it takes. HTC's Chief Marketing Officer has revealed that it kicked off negotiations with Google some five years ago -- before it had even acquired Android, interestingly -- and has been deeply embedded in the Android team for the past three years. That's a long frickin' time, but we figure the first model's probably ten times harder to throw together than its successors are, so hopefully we'll see a nice cadence of "HTC Innovation" from here on out. We know it's been said many times before, but it probably bears repeating: Touch Pro and Touch HD with Android, guys. Please.
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Posted by Augustine at 7:16 AM

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 gets reviewed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/403101241/

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The folks at Laptop Magazine already offered up a few thoughts on Lenovo's IdeaPad S10 netbook after they got their hands on one last month but, as is their nature, they've now followed things up with a full review now that the unit is actually landing into the hands of customers. As you might expect, while they did find the netbook to be one of the most stylish options currently avaialble, they also found quite a few trade-offs, including a slightly less spacious keyboard than is normally found on a 10-inch netbook, and an unfortunately weak three-cell battery. Somewhat notably, they also found that while the S10 was a "bit warmer" than other netbooks, it wasn't the worst they've seen, with the highest measured temperature being 101° fahrenheit, which is a bit less toasty than some earlier reports. Be sure to hit up the read link below for the full rundown, including some benchmarks and, of course, plenty of pictures.
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Posted by Augustine at 7:15 AM

Sony intros VAIO CR / SR bundles in support of breast cancer research

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/403171172/


It's crazy to think, but October is merely days away. That also means that Breast Cancer Awareness month is just around the bend, and Sony's being ultra proactive by announcing two new pink laptop bundles to support breast cancer research. First up is the Cosmopolitan Pink VAIO CR pack, which features a 14.1-inch LCD, 1.3-megapixel camera, Core 2 Duo CPU, Bluetooth, a built-in DVD burner and a matching case / mouse. If that's a tad large and / or underpowered for your tastes, you can check the Glossy Pink VAIO SR, a 4-pound rig with a 13.3-inch LED backlit display, up to 320GB of HDD space and a "Switch" mode that gives users the ability to toggle between high performance and power saving modes on the fly. The two bundles start at $870 and $1,399, respectively, though you can CTO them both 'til your wallet cries uncle.

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Posted by Augustine at 7:15 AM

Celio's REDFLY down to $199, still $198 too expensive

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/403202184/

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For those who've managed to avoid hearing about Celio's REDFLY up until now, we hate that you've been absent for so many laughs. Essentially, this here is a Foleo wannabe that somehow made it into production, and no, you can't even use the thing without your smartphone. Still down for throwing away $199 for a handset companion? Be our guest.

[Via jkOnTheRun]
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Posted by Augustine at 7:15 AM

iRex's 1000SW e-reader won't have 3G -- no matter how much we say otherwise

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/403266715/

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If you've been following the new iRex reader, the 1000 series, you'll be disappointed to know -- as we were -- that the high-end 1000SW will not come equipped with 3G connectivity as we previously reported. Apparently jkOnTheRun got in touch with iRex rep Loeki van der Lee after unsuccessfully searching for hard evidence on the feature, and he confirmed that the device will sport WiFi and Bluetooth, but nothing more. Honestly, based on his short responses and the information we snagged from Forbes the day before the announcement, it sounds as if plans might have changed at the last minute. Still, it won't alter the fact that the $849 device won't provide the same functionality as a $359 Kindle... though it does have that snazzy Wacom stylus.
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Posted by Augustine at 7:14 AM

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