Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Gmail Now With Voice Chat and Video [Google]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/jVe8PUFu8UY/gmail-now-with-voice-chat-and-video

Google just added voice and video chat capabilities to Gmail, the perennially in beta web mail program. It uses a special web browser plug-in available for PC and Mac, which requires Firefox, IE, Chrome, and a camera. The plug-in only weights 2MB.

For now there's no video support in Google Chat, but you will be able to access this from the web browser, with the capability to tear the video chat into a separate window. According to Google spokesman Jason Freidenfelds, the idea is to make it "quicker and easier to communicate with other people by whatever means is best convenient." Which of course really means "easy to access video sex from any computer". [Reuters and Cnet]


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3M MPro110 Handheld Mobile Projector: Lightning Review [Review]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/-_I6kosaDCQ/3m-mpro110-handheld-mobile-projector-lightning-review

The Gadget: 3M's pocket-friendly MPro110 projector packs a sizeable screen into a tiny, battery-powered package. It's mainly for fast-moving business types, but could it also be an alternative to buying a 40-inch TV?

The Price: $350

The Verdict: I am in love with the concept, and this little LCOS-based 640x480 projector does some amazing things given its size and resolution. But even understanding its limitations, it still has some major build-quality issues that prevent it from true awesomeness.

As a portable projector for still presentations and videos alike, it has its strengths and weaknesses. It powers up easily, connects to composite and VGA sources (including component if you have the right cable adapters), and never gets so hot you can't touch it. It's got a tripod screw like most cameras, so you can easily position it where you want to. 3M doesn't disclose the lithium-ion battery life though it should given the LED's constant brightness. Still, plugging it into a wall isn't a big deal, so battery life may not matter. (I will continue to test that and update if there's anything significant.)

The MPro110 isn't going to be of help in a big boardroom—you can only get up to a 40-inch screen (by positioning it about 6 feet), but even then, fine details are blurred. Your best bet for readable viewing is a 20-inch screen at 4 feet. Update: It supports up to 1024x768 resolution input, but it doesn't display at a resolution greater than 640x480. Ironically, the fuzziness is more of a problem for the businesspeople for whom the product was intended—I didn't suffer much watching slightly blurred DVD rips or cable-box TV at the full 40 inches,! though like most projectors, near-pitch darkness is required.

As you can see from the shots, there's some pinch distortion and not a lot you can do about it. There's no optical or digital compensation like on larger projectors—in fact the only control besides on/off is focus, and that only goes so far. Brightness-wise, it's okay, but it suffers noticeably the farther back you pull. Its colors are impressive, especially here, given the fact that I was projecting against a dark yellow wall.

Again, I was forgiving of limitations based on size and functionality—my biggest problems were in construction. The focus dial felt flimsy and wouldn't hold its place if jostled. Worse, it was hard to keep my computer connected, because the projector's VGA cable wouldn't stay inside the projector's jack.

Yeah, $350 is a lot for a toy, but it's not the reason I wouldn't recommend this. If 3M could apply more quality control, this would be a novelty more of us might carry. I can see it being a fun way to watch movies in hotel rooms when traveling, and as the technology behind brightness, throw and resolution improves, these could become hot sellers indeed. [3M MPro110 Product Page]


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New Fujitsu HDD Can Erase 500 GB in Under a Second [Storage]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/toYjMxVVIuc/new-fujitsu-hdd-can-erase-500-gb-in-under-a-second

Fujitsu's new 500 GB, 5400 RPM Hard Drive isn't noteworthy for it's storage or speed—rather, it's mentionable because the 2.5-inch spinner can erase the whole of its contents in under a second. The MJA2 CH utilizes 256-bit advanced encryption that encodes data on the fly and is the first 500 GB HDD with any such technology.

The MJA2 CH drive only uses 1.4 watts of power while writing data and is considered to have eco-friendly components. The MJA2 CH HDD will surface early next year. [MarketWatch]


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Flip Mino goes H to the D with a WSJ review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/12/flip-mino-goes-h-to-the-d-with-a-wsj-review/

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Pure Digital's Flip Mino just broke free from the confines of the VGA kiddie-pool to find itself tip-toeing gingerly into the shallow end of sacred high-definition waters. But with a retail price of $230, it's best to temper your expectations of the new Flip Mino HD. For that price you get about an hour's worth of fixed zoom, 720p, MPEG-4 video recorded to 4GB of built-in flash memory. Plug the USB cam into your PC or Mac to launch the built-in FlipShare editing software for fine-tuning your videos before sharing (compressed down to 480x270) to MySpace, YouTube or direct over email -- HD sharing via an unnamed partner is coming early next year according to Pure.

Walt's buddy, Katie Boehret, over at the Wall Street Journal already put hands to gear and came away duly impressed by the video and improved sound quality. The she-Walt also found the FlipShare software to be much improved over the Flip's previous bundled wares while the camera remained dead-simple to use. All in all, well worth the $50 premium over the previous Flip Mino. Sample video posted after the break.

Continue reading Flip Mino goes H to the D with a WSJ review

Flip Mino goes H to the D with a WSJ review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia's E63 breaks free for mass market consumption

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/12/nokias-e63-breaks-free-for-mass-market-consumption/

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The E63 just broke the shackles of the rumor monger to become Nokia's latest messaging device. With a pre-tax, pre-subsidy price of just €199, Nokia hopes to see the Symbian S60 device generate some mass-market appeal. So let's see: WiFi, physical QWERTY, choice of ruby red or aquamarine blue, standard 3.5-mm audio jack, camera with video recording, and the ability to switch from an E-series business mode (corporate email, appointments, intranet) to personal mode (pictures, personal email, and browser shortcuts) with a single key press -- sounds like a winning combination to us. Nokia's even tossing in 1GB of Ovi file storage for free when the E63 begins shipping in the coming weeks -- where, is Nokia's little secret for now. We'll update you with the hard details just as soon as Nokia releases them. Until then, check the blue version after the break.

Update: We were able to hack forth the following detail from the bowels of Nokia's website: 113 x 59 x 13-mm / 126g form factor, 320 x 240 pixel display, quad-band GSM / EDGE with 660 minute talk / 432 hours standby, microSD memory slot with 110MB internal memory, 2 megapixel camera capable of QVGA video @ 15fps, and of course, Bluetooth. It'll also be released in WCDMA 900/2100, 850/1900, and 850/2100 configurations. Sorry, no HSDPA data or infrared like that found on the E71.

Continue reading Nokia's E63 breaks free for mass market consumption

Nokia's E63 breaks free for mass market consumption originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD to release Atom killer netbook CPUs tomorrow?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/12/amd-to-release-atom-killer-netbook-cpus-tomorrow/

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We've been hearing rumors of AMD's Atom killer CPUs for over a year now. Unfortunately, vapor doesn't help the bottom line -- it does however explain AMD's conspicuous absence from the deluge of netbooks now trumping laptops for shelf-space. AMD's CEO, Dirk Meyer, has promised on a few occasions (as recently as the Q3 earnings call) to unveil "Bobcat" in November. So seeing the chips on display at tomorrow's analyst conference is pretty much a given. Check back then for all the details.

AMD to release Atom killer netbook CPUs tomorrow? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's new Reader close to greatness, but a bit too dim

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/12/sonys-new-reader-close-to-greatness-but-a-bit-too-dim/

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Sony's new Reader comes close to greatness, but is a bit too dim
Sony's lithe new PRS-700 conquers many of the most annoying faults of Amazon's chunky little fire-starter, but falls just short of greatness according to MobileTechReview. First with the good: the touchscreen enables page turning with the flick of a finger (or stylus), note taking via virtual keyboard, responds quite well, and doesn't even smudge! It supports PDF and Word files, can be used landscaped, and even has LEDs built into the screen's border for reading in the dark. Sadly, though, that display can't even match the contrast of its predecessors, which are plenty murky to begin with, and with no wireless of any sort you're stuck filling this one via USB, SD, or MS Duo. In other words there's still no perfect choice in the world of the e-ink reader -- but it is awfully hard to ignore the Reader's sleek exterior when compared to the Kindle's distinctively sci-fi doorstop look.

Sony's new Reader close to greatness, but a bit too dim originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Sigma acquires Feveon, maker of the X3 image sensor

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/11/sigma-acquires-feveon-maker-of-the-x3-image-sensor/

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Foveon (developer of the X3 image sensor for digital cameras) has just announced that they have been acquired by Sigma, the Tokyo-based camera and lens company. According to the press release, Foveon -- whose image sensors are already being used in Sigma's entire digital camera line -- will remain in San Jose, continuing to "evolve and improve the X3 sensor technology." Congratulations, you crazy kids! And best of luck to you. We mean it.

Sigma acquires Feveon, maker of the X3 image sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T Quickfire is, as promised, available

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/11/atandt-quickfire-is-as-promised-available/

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As previously foreseen, the UTStarcom Sidekick knock-off Quickfire, also known as the Knick, is now available online and in AT&T stores. It's quite a deal for new subscribers -- $99.99 with a 2-year contract, mail-in rebate (ugh) and promotion card -- or $299.99 without any of those discounts. In case your memory stinks, the Quickfire is a 3G device with a 2.8-inch, 240 x 320 touchscreen display, full QWERTY keyboard, and support for microSD cards up to 8GB. You're probably not reading this anymore because you're already on your way out to get one, right? Hello?

[Thanks, Jordan]

AT&T Quickfire is, as promised, available originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung U440 / Cleo drops by the FCC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/11/samsung-u440-cleo-drops-by-the-fcc/

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Looks like Canada isn't the only country out there getting kisses from Cleo. According to documents recently filed with the FCC, the sassy cellphone looks set to emerge Stateside on Verizon with the decidedly unsassy designation U440. Will the stylish phone -- with its full QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 megapixel camera, A2DP stereo Bluetooth, threaded SMS text messaging and up to 8GB storage -- make its domestic debut soon? Not soon enough, we think!

[Via Phone Scoop]

Samsung U440 / Cleo drops by the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kairen's Projector X Pro920M is small, but not impressively so

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/11/kairens-projector-x-pro920m-is-small-but-not-impressively-so/

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The tiny projector craze has really been heating up as of late, and the introduction of the Kairen Projector X Pro920M only promises to increase the insanity. Measuring a diminutive 3.5 x 1.73 x 3.15-inches (not nearly as small as some), we hear it's got 10 lumens of brightness, a contrast ratio of 100:1, and a resolution of 640 x 480. The little projector... um, projects a 25-inch image from of a distance of up to 1 meter. It's going to be on sale in January 2009 in Japan for $400, and we can only hope it makes its way to North America at some point. Until that happens, we'll just have to make do in our wasteland of medium-sized projectors.

[Via CrunchGear]

Kairen's Projector X Pro920M is small, but not impressively so originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba, Viewsonic launch new widescreen projectors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/11/toshiba-viewsonic-launch-new-widescreen-projectors/

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Those in the market for a business / education-minded projector certainly aren't hurting for options these days, but if you somehow still haven't found one to your liking, you may want to consider one of these new models from Toshiba and Viewsonic. At about four pounds apiece, they're reasonably portable, and pack the same WXGA resolution along with some other similar specs across the board, including a 600:1 contrast ratio and 2,220 ANSI lumens on the Toshiba TLP-WX1000U, and a 500:1 contrast ratio and 2,000 lumens on the Viewsonic PJ359w. The Viewsonic also adds HDMI 1.3 connectivity to the mix, not to mention a short-throw lens, though you'll have to decide for yourself if that's worth the higher $1,299 list price or not, compared to just $959 for the Toshiba.

Read - Toshiba TLP-WX1000U
Read - Viewsonic PJ359w

Toshiba, Viewsonic launch new widescreen projectors originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Optoma teams with Apple to launch DLP Pico projector in Japan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/11/optoma-teams-with-apple-to-launch-dlp-pico-projector-in-japan/

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At long last, an official release date for Texas Instruments' DLP Pico projector. Mark it down, December 1st is the launch (delivered by December 19th) of the "world's smallest / lightest" (51 × 105 × 17-mm / 120g) projector under the Optoma PK-101 branding. And in a smart, hip-by-association marketing move, it'll be sold from the Apple Store in Japan with an iPhone / iPod kit and dock connector for a tax-inclusive price of about ¥50,000 ($511). It'll work with non-Apple gear too, of course. With up to 2-hours battery life, an integrated 0.5 watt speaker, and white LED light throwing a 60-inch, "dazzlingly bright, sharp, vivid video image" packing 480 x 320 pixels from up to 8.5 feet away, Tokyo's Golden Gai district will never be the same.

P.S. Encore video hands-on of the unit in action posted after the break.

Continue reading Optoma teams with Apple to launch DLP Pico projector in Japan

Optoma teams with Apple to launch DLP Pico projector in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo's IdeaPad U330 reviewed: nice for the price

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/11/lenovos-ideapad-u330-reviewed-nice-for-the-price/

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After launching this summer, we're heard way more about netbooks than Lenovo's shiny IdeaPad U330. For those who've refused to forget about it, the aforesaid rig has been reviewed by the kind souls over at Laptop Mag, and impressions were fairly positive overall. The biggest boon here is likely the price -- we mean, $1,199 for a 13-inch lappie of this stature isn't half bad. As with most of the other IdeaPads, the design was applauded, the mix of features and performance was satisfactory and the size (4.4-pounds) was just right. Critics did slam the mushy touch buttons and the below-average battery life, but even so, the U330 was deemed a "a compelling thin-and-light notebook that offered plenty of style and strong performance" for the price.

Lenovo's IdeaPad U330 reviewed: nice for the price originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olens Technology adds another projector to endless stream of projectors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/11/olens-technology-adds-another-projector-to-endless-stream-of-pro/

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Who knew so many had so much projecting to do? There is such a plethora of small projectors glutting the market these days that it's hard for one to stand out from the crowd. So while the Olens Technology Personal Entertainment Projector isn't the smallest (15-inches long by 7-inces wide) or the most powerful, it's pretty cheap -- which we bet will probably make it attractive to bargain hunters in dire need of a home projector. The XPJ-USA010 has a 640 x 480 resolution and 300 ANSI lumens, with s-video, RCA and VGA connections. The estimated life of the lamp is about 300 hours -- not so great, but replacements lamps are apparently "low in cost, " and easy to change, which is nice to know. It's available now for a paltry $179, and we're pretty sure it would make a better holiday gift than a digital photo frame, anyway.

[Via About Projectors]

Olens Technology adds another projector to endless stream of projectors originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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