Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

OQO Model 02+ to Launch at CES With OLED Screen, Atom Processor, Touch Technology [Umpc]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/K1NXLbvMQyY/oqo-model-02%252B-to-launch-at-ces-with-oled-screen-atom-processor-touch-technology

OQO will launch a revamped version of their Model 02 UMPC, dubbing it the Model 02+ and endowing it with an OLED display, embedded touchscreen, Worldwide 3G internet, and a 1.86 GHz Atom processor.

Referenced in an email by trade event organizers Pepcom, the Model 02+ will be announced at CES. Further details are pretty nonexistent, seeing as this was mentioned in passing, but it will apparently be twice as fast as the Model 02 and will be on display next week in Vegas. [OQO Talk]

BlackBerry Curve 8900 And 8MP Samsung Memoir Look Certain For Feb. 18 on T-Mobile [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/d0pRFYdPQ8M/blackberry-curve-8900-and-8mp-samsung-memoir-look-certain-for-feb-18-on-t+mobile

We had a strong suspicion before, but this release memo over at BGR appears to confirm that T-Mobile will get the Curve 8900 and the 8-megapixel Samsung Memoir (which has gone by a number of different names through its FCC process) on February 18. In other shocking news, the 3G-equipped TM506 will be available in January in...RED! [BGR]

MSI U115 Hybrid SSD / HDD netbook unleashed upon the world, could be awesome

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/29/msi-u115-hybrid-ssd-hdd-netbook-unleashed-upon-the-world-coul/

MSI's officially launched the U115 Hybrid netbook we saw not too long ago, which can operate both SSD and HDD drives at the same time. The 10-inch (1024 x 600 resolution) laptop primarily uses the SSD, reserving the HDD for storage, and boasts an "Eco Mode" button which will temporarily disconnect the HDD to save power. The hybrid functions should provide both a faster OS and longer battery life -- but we'll wait till the test results are in to form our opinions. If you've forgotten, spec-wise the U115's got a 1.60GHz Intel Atom CPU, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, plus 8GB SSD / 80GB HDD, 16GB SSD / 120GB HDD, and 32GB SSD / 160GB HDD storage options, and a 2 megapixel webcam. No word on pricing or release date for this bad boy yet. We'll keep our eyes peeled.

[Via PC Launches]

Filed under: Laptops

MSI U115 Hybrid SSD / HDD netbook unleashed upon the world, could be awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer's quad-core packing Aspire 8930G hits the streets, guns blazing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/29/acers-quad-core-packing-aspire-8930g-hits-the-streets-guns-bla/

Acer's just updated their 8930G gaming line, adding the 8930-7665 to its arsenal. This 18.4-inch beast boasts Intel's new (and surprisingly affordable) Core 2 Quad Mobile Q9000 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 500GB 7200 SATA hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT graphics with 512MB of dedicated video memory. Other than that, it's identical to previous 8930G models. Sure, it's a little extreme, but hey -- why not? It's available now, if you're willing to drop $1800.

[Via CNET]

Filed under: Cellphones

Acer's quad-core packing Aspire 8930G hits the streets, guns blazing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Display plans to melt eyes with Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/29/lg-display-plans-to-melt-eyes-with-trumotion-480hz-lcd-tv/

Seriously, there's only so much picture improving you can do before the law of diminishing returns demands some recognition. While Sony just spent boatloads creating an over-the-top advertisement for its largely unimpressive 240Hz Motionflow technology, LG Display is laughing all the way to Vegas with its Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV. Set to debut at CES 2009, said panel will boast a four-millisecond response time and an unprecedented 480 refresh rate per second. Curiously, we're not informed of the screen size nor the resolution, so we could theoretically run into a 9-inch 320 x 240 display and be totally underwhelmed. On the real, the outfit is expected to launch the world's first Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV panel in the second half of next year, but we're just about to lay down good money that Sony or Samsung accelerates development in order to beat it to the punch. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading LG Display plans to melt eyes with Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

LG Display plans to melt eyes with Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Overclocking guide shows what Intel's Core i7 is / isn't capable of

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/30/overclocking-guide-shows-what-intels-core-i7-is-isnt-capable/

Oh sure, we've seen just how far Intel's most potent Core i7 chip can be pushed under the most extreme conditions, but honestly, how's that helping you? In short, it's not. To that end, HotHardware has whipped up a useful, easy-to-digest guide on overclocking the Core i7 920, complete with benchmarks, recommendations and tips for dealing with excess heat without hooking up a liquid nitrogen tank. Interested to see how to crank a stock 920 to a level that outpaces the pricey 3.2GHz Core i7 Extreme Edition? The read link, friends -- hit it.

Filed under: Desktops

Overclocking guide shows what Intel's Core i7 is / isn't capable of originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG to debut world's slimmest LED-backlit LCD TV (LH95) at CES

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/30/lg-to-debut-worlds-slimmest-led-backlit-lcd-tv-lh95-at-ces/

Not content with just making soap opera hair look like watery strands of gold, LG is also planning to trump last year's round of ultrathin LCD TVs by bringing the planet's slimmest LED-backlit LCD TV to Las Vegas. Expected to garner fingerprints from every nationality at CES 2009, the LH95 will check in at just 24.8-millimeters thick (0.976-inches) and boast a 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and the outfit's 240Hz TrueMotion Drive dejudder technology. No word on a price or release date (or panel size, oddly enough), but hopefully we'll find out more in just under a fortnight.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

LG to debut world's slimmest LED-backlit LCD TV (LH95) at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RunCore's 1.8-inch netbook SSDs now shipping, 2.5-inch 256GB edition coming soon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/30/runcores-1-8-inch-netbook-ssds-now-shipping-2-5-inch-256gb-edi/

Remember those comparatively cheap RunCore SSDs we caught wind of last month? Yeah, well those puppies are shipping out. The unashamedly named 1.8-inch Low Cost Zif PATA SSDs can be sealed in a corrugated box and shipped off to your place of residence for $69.99, $119.99, $199.99 or $389.99 depending on size (16/32/64/128GB, respectively). If you're looking for a bit more room and have the space to install it, the February-bound 256GB Pro III Hyper Speed 2.5-inch SATA SSD is right down your alley. The drive boasts a maximum read rate of 230MB/sec and a top write speed of 150MB/sec; unfortunately, that whole "low cost" mantra fades a bit on this one, with the $699.99 list price causing the eyes to open just a wee bit wider.

Filed under: Storage

RunCore's 1.8-inch netbook SSDs now shipping, 2.5-inch 256GB edition coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG plugs YouTube, CinemaNow into next year's Blu-ray players

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/30/lg-plugs-youtube-cinemanow-into-next-years-blu-ray-players/

Never satisfied with offering only a Blu-ray disc player (see 2007's BH100 Blu-ray + HD DVD combo and 2008's Netflix-streaming BD300), LG is upping the ante for '09, promising support for YouTube and CinemaNow videos on its next gen decks. Along with the now-standard Netflix, owners can browse CinemaNow pay-per-view offerings (or other stores powered by the service) abd thumb through YouTube's catalog directly from the device. Unmentioned in the PR fluff is additional info like price and more detailed specs, but expect all to become (hopefully) clear January 7 in Las Vegas.

Filed under: CES, HDTV, Home Entertainment

LG plugs YouTube, CinemaNow into next year's Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OQO bringing Atom-powered Model 2+ UMPC to CES

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/30/oqo-bringing-atom-powered-model-2-umpc-to-ces/

If it feels like forever to you since OQO's Model 02 hit the market, your instincts are pretty darn good. But if you were overly optimistic that the Atom-powered prototype it showed off back in August (pictured) would eventually become a reality, you -- sir or madam -- take today's golden crown. In a recent Digital Experience! email blasted out to media members worldwide (full blurb is after the break), we're very clearly told that OQO will be on hand to demonstrate its new Model 2+. Said UMPC will pack a 1.86GHz Intel Atom CPU, a touchscreen OLED display, 2GB of RAM and global 3G connectivity. OQO even goes so far as to say that it will offer performance "up to twice as fast as its predecessor." Did our heart just skip a beat over a UMPC? Why, yes it did!

[Via GottaBeMobile]

Continue reading OQO bringing Atom-powered Model 2+ UMPC to CES

Filed under: Handhelds

OQO bringing Atom-powered Model 2+ UMPC to CES originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation 3 used to hack SSL, Xbox used to play Boogie Bunnies

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/30/hackers-playstation-3-make-ssl-much-less-secure/

Between the juvenile delinquent hordes of PlayStation Home and some lackluster holiday figures, the PlayStation has been sort of a bummer lately, for reasons that have nothing to do with its raison d'etre -- gaming. That doesn't mean that the machine is anything less than a powerhouse -- as was made clear today when a group of hackers announced that they'd beaten SSL, using a cluster of 200 PS3s. By exploiting a flaw in the MD5 cryptographic algorithm (used in certain digital signatures and certificates), the group managed to create a rogue Certification Authority (CA) which allows them to create their own SSL certificates -- meaning those authenticated web sites you're visiting could be counterfeit, and you'd have no way of knowing. Sure, this is all pretty obscure stuff, and the kids who managed the hack said it would take others at least six months to replicate the procedure, but eventually vendors are going to have to upgrade all their CAs to use a more robust algorithm. It is assumed that the Wii could perform the operation just as well, if the hackers had enough room to spread out all their Balance Boards.

[Via ZD Net]

Filed under: Networking

PlayStation 3 used to hack SSL, Xbox used to play Boogie Bunnies originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EMTEC bringing 10-inch Gdium netbook to America for $400

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/30/emtec-bringing-10-inch-gdium-netbook-to-america-for-400/

While EMTEC clearly knows how to have a good time, it's getting back to business with the Gdium. If you'll recall, we heard about this here netbook eons ago, but since then, we've been too overwhelmed by countless Eee models and various changes in Wind direction to even give this fellow a second thought. Now, however, we're told that the firm will be debuting the 10-inch netbook at CES in preparation for a US release. The Linux-based machine will come loaded with loads of open source software as well as a G-Key, which is described as "a bootable USB key on which the Linux operating system, applications, and personal data are stored." Expect it to ship in white, black and pink sometime between January and the end of time for $400.

Filed under: Laptops

EMTEC bringing 10-inch Gdium netbook to America for $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friday, December 26, 2008

Apple Patent Shows Nifty Keyboard Gestures for the iPhone [IPhone]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/7WA1PzquNPY/apple-patent-shows-nifty-keyboard-gestures-for-the-iphone

While many non-imminent Apple patents can edge into the realm of wishful thinking, this one is pretty doable: useful little gestures for the iPhone, which are received over the phone's onscreen keyboard.

According to the patent application, simple input commands like delete and space would be controlled with simple back and forward-swipe motions. While remapping something that is already readily available through a screen key is of minor value, this technique could also be used to introduce completely new functions, and augment the iPhone's somewhat gimped text manipulation.

To this end, the patent describes customizable functions, which could lead to multitouch gestures that trigger the deletion of entire words, switching of keyboards, or quick input of specific characters. While many users would never take to a gesture system like this, it wouldn't get in anyone's way and could be silently slotted into the next firmware update without much effort or controversy, providing a nice little feature-add for iPhone and iPod Touch users. [MacRumors]

Financiapocalypse Kneecaps Christmas Gadget Sales [The Economy]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/ujyHpFs_3-o/financiapocalypse-kneecaps-christmas-gadget-sales

Analysts knew it would be bad, but not this bad. Retail sales this year are down 5.5% in November and 8% in December overall, but electronics specifically fell by an astounding 27%.

Consumer electronics are always hit harder than average in tight times, but massive drop confirms what my various visits at barely-busy big box retailers led me to suspect. But what else can we find in this data? And is it really as bad as it looks?

First of all, the category that fell by 27% is titled "Electronics/Appliances", so it's possible that things are OK in Gadgetland, and pure carnage in Whirlpoolville. But probably not. Second, the data shows a inverse correlation between a drop in sales and utility. This isn't to say that gadgets are superfluous luxury items—you won't hear that here—but rather that the other categories like, you know, shoes, contain products that probably take priority over USB humping dogs and Monster cables.

Oh well. Expect to hear plenty more about these numbers when Q4 earnings reports start trickling out, like tears of disappointment onto so many plimsolls. [WSJ]

MSI Wind desktop now available in Japan, slightly less barebones than before

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/msi-wind-desktop-now-available-in-japan-slightly-less-barebones/

Remember that thrifty MSI Wind Desktop that came out here in August? A slightly meatier version -- which looks like the one that was supposed to be out in September -- is now available in Japan. The CD100-JP Nettop still lacks a hard drive, RAM and operating system, but it's now equipped with a slot-loading drive and a snazzy white finish in addition to that 1.6GHz Intel Atom 330 and 11.8 x 9.5 x 2.6-inch case. It's currently selling for 26,000 yen, or about $290. Still no word on a US release -- last we heard it wasn't gonna happen, but we can't keep wishing.

Filed under: Desktops

MSI Wind desktop now available in Japan, slightly less barebones than before originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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