Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Journal finds that consumers prefer vague product specs to utter ignorance

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/

A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research has confirmed something we suspected all along: consumers love specs, even vague ones, and when deciding between two products people will gravitate towards the one for which more specifications were given. According to the journal, the research sheds light on both how preferences are formed in theory, and on how marketers can sell you more crapgadgets and KIRFs. Of course, if you've begun your holiday shopping only to find yourself frightened and confused by all of the meaningless data floating around, you might want to take a peek at our Holiday Gift Guide. One hundred percent of Engadget editors agree that it's the best Holiday Gift Guide on the site, this year.

[Via Physorg]

Read - The Blissful Ignorance Effect: Pre- versus Post-action Effects on Outcome Expectancies Arising from Precise and Vague Information (Warning: subscription required)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Journal finds that consumers prefer vague product specs to utter ignorance originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Viewsonic introduces 24-inch, 1080p VT2430 LCD TV

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/viewsonic-introduces-24-inch-1080p-vt2430-lcd-tv/

It may be leaving things a little late, but Viewsonic is apparently hoping that its new 24-inch VT2430 LCD TV will attract the eyes of a few holiday shoppers and, judging from the specs, it seems to stand a pretty good chance of doing just that. Leading that list is full 1080p resolution, which is certainly a nice bonus on a set this size, as is the promised 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, assuming the results actually live up to that number. Otherwise, you can expect a built-in ATSC / NTSC / QAM TV tuner, HDMI 1.3 connectivity, 250 nits brightness, and the usual VGA, component, s-video, and composite inputs to accommodate your non-HDMI devices. Best of all, it packs an MSRP or just $399, which likely means you'll find it even cheaper if you do a bit of shopping around.

Filed under: HDTV

Viewsonic introduces 24-inch, 1080p VT2430 LCD TV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

LightDrops umbrella classes up your act, generates electricity

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/lightdrops-umbrella-classes-up-your-act-generates-electricity/

The brainchild of designer Sang-Kyun Park, LightDrops is an umbrella that uses the piezoelectric effect of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to transform falling rain into electricity, which is then used to light LEDs installed on the umbrella's underside. The heavier the rain falls (and the harder it hits the umbrella), the brighter the light shines. Combine it with the solar tie, and who knows? This might someday become de rigueur for the stylish tech professional. Ella, ella, ella...

[Via StyleCrave]

Continue reading LightDrops umbrella classes up your act, generates electricity

Filed under: Wearables

LightDrops umbrella classes up your act, generates electricity originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mac mini update rumors flare as Apple sales dip

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/mac-mini-update-rumors-flare-as-apple-sales-dip/

Although Apple just posted some ridiculous quarterly numbers, it doesn't seem like it's going to escape the current economic conditions in the US unscathed -- like pretty much everyone else, monthly sales are down in Cupertino, according to the NPD Group. The drop is only one percent total, but it's against a two percent rise in overall PC sales, which could indicate that Apple's premium pricing is hurting it as shoppers turn to netbooks and other bargain machines. That dovetails nicely with chatter we're hearing today about updated Mac minis making a debut at Macworld -- although Steve famously proclaimed that Apple doesn't "know how to make a $500 machine that's not a piece of junk" during the last earnings call, it sure sounds like he's going to try, with a $499 2.0GHz mini in a new MacBook-esque unibody enclosure rumored to arrive onstage in January. If you believe Wired, it'll be accompanied by a $700 2.3GHz version with NVIDIA graphics, and both models will feature mini DisplayPorts -- nothing shocking there. We'll see when we see -- we've been waiting for the mini to be updated forever, and while Apple did just uncharacteristically slam rumors of a new model, times like these could lead to drastic measures.

Read - Mac mini rumors
Read - Apple monthly sales drop

Filed under: Desktops

Mac mini update rumors flare as Apple sales dip originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

PowerGenix reveals potent NiZn rechargeable AA batteries

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/

Move over Li-ion, Zinc is about to get all up in your area. Energizer has already announced the Zinc Air Prismatic, and now PowerGenix is gearing up to debut its variation at Ritz Camera locales across the nation. The Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) AA cells, difficultly coined Quantaray Super Z, pack up to 30% more voltage than other rechargeables (right in line with one-time use batteries) and are entirely nontoxic. Oddly enough, no price is mentioned, but you should probably go in expecting the worst in order to not be totally taken aback upon finding out. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading PowerGenix reveals potent NiZn rechargeable AA batteries

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

PowerGenix reveals potent NiZn rechargeable AA batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mvix quietly reveals media playing / recording MvixPVR

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/mvix-quietly-reveals-media-playing-recording-mvixpvr/

Mvix has a history of pumping out reliable, multi-faceted media streamers, but it has evidently decided to branch out a touch with its latest piece. Taking a note from the HD PVR from Hauppauge, the box packs component video inputs that will likely capture high-def video from set-top-boxes and the like. It's also an HDD-based media player (bring your own hard drive, of course), which outputs content up to 1080p via HDMI. You'll also find integrated WiFi, a USB port for streaming files on external drives and UPnP / BitTorrent functionality. Mvix hasn't stated when this puppy will go on sale nor how expensive it will be, but those looking for a multi-purpose media streamer / recorder should probably keep a check on this one.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Mvix quietly reveals media playing / recording MvixPVR originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Intel delivering Classmate PC netvertible tablet at CES 2009

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/intel-delivering-classmate-pc-netvertible-tablet-at-ces-2009/

The FCC totally blew the cover of Intel's 8.9-inch convertible Classmate PC, but apparently the outfit doesn't even care. In fact, it's so anxious to get the word out that it's already showing off a pre-production rig. Reportedly, the outfit will be teaming up with longtime partner CTL in order to ship its first batch of education-minded netvertibles in January, and no, the traditional Classmate PC won't be going anywhere. The newcomer is said to have an impressively sturdy chassis, and the blue on white motif is much less sickening than the previous greenish / yellow abomination. Additionally, we're told that it'll come packing a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, a 60GB HDD and Windows XP. Tap the read link for a nice gallery of shots.

Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

Intel delivering Classmate PC netvertible tablet at CES 2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email thi! s&nb sp;| Comments

Monday, December 15, 2008

SeaDragon Mobile: Microsoft's First Ever iPhone App [Microsoft]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/krI97xwNSeo/seadragon-mobile-microsofts-first-ever-iphone-app

Yesterday evening, Microsoft quietly added the photo displaying app SeaDragon Mobile, its first-ever iPhone application, to the App Store. Could Microsoft Office for iPhone be far behind? Probably not, but this is a start.

SeaDragon Mobile is pretty much a demo of Microsoft Live Labs' photo display platform (also seen in Photosynth). Users can use the app to zoom in on photos with incredible resolution. The app achieves this by storing different resolutions, and shows only the portions needed at any given time.

When explaining the decision to use the App Store, Alex Daley, group product manager for Microsoft Live Labs, said he was impressed with the iPhone's superior hardware.

The iPhone is the most widely distributed phone with a (graphics processing unit). Most phones out today don't have accelerated graphics in them. The iPhone does and so it enabled us to do something that has been previously difficult to do. I couldn't just pick up a BlackBerry or a Nokia off the shelf and build Seadragon for it without GPU support.

It's the new Ray Ozzie Microsoft, right? [Techflash]

Foolproof Black & Decker LI4000 SmartDriver Screws Perfectly Every Time [Tools]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/F8vw4RL3Lqs/foolproof-black--decker-li4000-smartdriver-screws-perfectly-every-time

Using a screw guide to keep fasteners on track, the Black & Decker Ll4000 SmartDriver might help that special poseur carpenter in your life who's nothing but thumbs.

Because in addition to the typical magnetic drill bits that save sanity and screws from falling between the cracks of your current project, the 3.6-volt, Lithium-Ion battery powered SmartDriver also has a little extended arm that holds the screw in place while you work. Add in an LED work light and a six speed clutch and you have a pretty indispensable little gift, should you be a butterfingers handy man, like me.

Pay no attention to the wacky $4,000 Amazon price tag—the SmartDriver supposedly only retails for about $40. [Craziest Gadgets via Coolest Gadgets]

Dubai Hotelier Hasn't Heard of Flip-Flops, Plans to Refrigerate Entire Beach [Dubai]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/M1DnP-FPau4/dubai-hotelier-hasnt-heard-of-flip+flops-plans-to-refrigerate-entire-beach

There's nothing like a good bit of Dubai excess, but this just isn't impressive enough to justify the profligacy: the Palazzo Versace hotel is building a beach with refrigerated sand.

The small beach will protect guests' precious feet by piping cold air through a series of tubes underneath the sand, which will suck enough heat from the blistering surface to offset the beaming sun and 110F temperatures. A system of computers and thermostats will monitor and adjust the system.

Hotel proprietor Soheil Abedian, who holds the uniquely Dubaian job title of "Guy Who Takes Wild Guesses at What Very Rich People Might Pay For", had this to say about his project:

We will suck the heat out of the sand to keep it cool enough to lie on. This is the kind of luxury that top people want.

Top people! I can only assume that this means the hotel's patronage will be strictly limited to previous winners of Top Chef and/or America's Next Top Model. The hotel is set to open next year, or possible in early 2010. [Daily Mail]

Microsoft releases first iPhone application, Seadragon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/14/microsoft-releases-first-iphone-application-seadragon/

After some rumblings this past March, Microsoft has now officially joined the iPhone development community with Seadragon Mobile, a free app that lets you "infinite zoom" gigapixel-sized images. Although Seadragon is available as a Silverlight application on the desktop, Microsoft isn't bringing Silverlight to the iPhone, so don't get your hopes up. We're itching to see if the company has any more apps in the pipeline -- we'll wish for an Office editor, but expect a Minesweeper variant.

[Thanks, Mikkel]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Microsoft releases first iPhone application, Seadragon originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Asus unveils Celeron-based Eee Box B203

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/14/asus-unveils-celeron-based-eee-box-b203/

It looks like all those crazy rumors are true -- we've just received word that the Celeron-based Eee Box B203 has popped up on Asus' website. Aside from the the Intel C220 processor, very little has changed from the Atom-based Eee Box B202: it sports Windows XP Home, ships with up to 2GB RAM and 160GB storage, and measures a diminutive 222 x 178 x 26.9 mm (roughly 8.7 x 7 x 1 inches). Of course, it still ain't the prettiest device we've ever seen -- but if it's cheaper, faster, and small enough to fit behind your monitor anyways, we'll gladly overlook the paint job.

[Via Liliputing]

Filed under: Desktops

Asus unveils Celeron-based Eee Box B203 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

PlayStation Home already hacked?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/14/playstation-home-already-hacked/

Well, that was fast. A poster by the name of StreetskaterFU has outlined what he claims is a method of hacking into PlayStation Home's servers for download, uploading and deleting files. We're not able to verify his directions, but if true it would be a potentially calamitous oversight on Sony's part. Additionally, a PS3hax forum poster claims to have used StreeskaterFU's method and changed the movie posters and trailers (looks like it only affects what he sees locally; video embedded after the break). We haven't seen any signs of hacker malfeasance during our time with Home, but let us know if your virtual moviegoing experience has been drastically altered.

Read - HOME vulnerabilities disclosure
Read - How to mod Home with your own posters and movies

Continue reading PlayStation Home already hacked?

Filed under: Gaming

PlayStation Home already hacked? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kodak's 7.6-inch OLED photo frame now available on Amazon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/14/kodaks-7-6-inch-oled-photo-frame-now-available-on-amazon/

We knew it was coming, but Amazon is now listing Kodak's Flickr-compatible OLED 7.6-inch photo frame as in stock and shipping for $999.95. They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- here, that word is "dollar."

[Via OLED]

Filed under: Displays

Kodak's 7.6-inch OLED photo frame now available on Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cyber Sport's Orbita Mouse is a revolution

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/cyber-sports-orbita-mouse-is-a-revolution/

We've seen the Cyber Sport Orbita Mouse bouncing around the Internets for about a year in search of a manufacturer. Now they've got it, with a corresponding January 2009 retail delivery date to match. The big selling point on this 800 DPI mouse is the use of a spinning scroll-wheel that replaces the typical left and right mouse buttons (push down for left-click, squeeze for right) -- it's like a Griffin PowerMate riding optical wheels. That gives you 3-axis control over objects in 3D be they wireframe models, the world according to Google Earth, or a BFG 9000. It also makes for quick scrolling through documents or a low-cost jog dial for frame-by-frame video manipulation. Orbita communicates wirelessly over 2.4GHz "zero lag" RF to the USB charging base and includes PC and Mac compatible software to map the mouse to your different applications. $98.50, that's how much -- render of the Orbita docked after the break along with a video of an early prototype. We want.

[Via The Gadget Site, thanks K.C. K.]

Continue reading Cyber Sport's Orbita Mouse is a revolution

Filed under: Peripherals

Cyber Sport's Orbita Mouse is a revolution originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)