Rick Deckard Lives In This Building's Penthouse [Architecture]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5505426/rick-deckard-lives-in-this-buildings-penthouse

This is Wai Think Tank's proposal for the Fashion Museum in Omotesando Street, Tokyo. I miss the flying cars, but there are lots of half-naked replicants:

[Archdaily]

Read More...

Summary only...

Starbucks Now Accepting iPhone Payments In Over 1,000 Stores [IPhone Apps]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5506092/starbucks-now-accepting-iphone-payments-in-over-1000-stores

Jumping drastically from 16 stores to well over 1,000, Starbucks branches within Target stores are now accepting payment via the Starbucks Card Mobile iPhone app.

It works by displaying a QR code, which the hot little barista behind the counter can scan and then bill you for. [Mobile Apps via MobileCrunch]

Read More...

Summary only...

ASUS Preparing One Google Tablet, One Windows [Tablets]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5506113/asus-preparing-one-google-tablet-one-windows

Forbes is reporting in an interview with ASUS' Chairman Jonney Shih that they're preparing their "own iPad rivals," two models which will launch "in the coming months" and run on Google Chrome (or Android) and Windows.

ASUS still hasn't decided between Chrome or Android for their first tablet, but presumably if it's the former choice then it won't be seen on the market until the end of the year when Chrome is launched. Also, with Google working extra-closely with Chrome manufacturers and reportedly mandating minimum specs, they might just find it easier doing something with Android instead. It's not like they're strangers to the Android OS, after all.

What to expect from ASUS' tablets? Well, Shih has said:

"Content will play a very important role on tablets...the Google tablet will have a lot of media."

And thanks to their history of low-cost products, I can't seem them going crazy with the price tag gun either. They might even take a similar approach to their Eee line, launching a bog-standard cheap model first (like the Eee 701), following it up with incremental upgrades until they've got several premium options—a carbon fiber tablet, perhaps? [Forbes]

Read More...

Summary only...

WD intros standard-height 2.5-inch 750GB Scorpio Blue HDD

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/wd-intros-standard-height-2-5-inch-750gb-scorpio-blue-hdd/

Western Digital already shipped the industry's first 2.5-inch 1TB hard drive last summer, but unfortunately for most, it couldn't be used as a drop-in solution for upgrading one's laptop drive. The reason? It relies on an unorthodox 12.5mm height form factor, while the vast majority of laptops only support 9.5mm height drives. Now, the outfit has pushed out a 750GB Scorpio Blue, a 2.5-incher that does indeed utilize the standard height form factor, and while this here unit includes Advanced Format and WhisperDrive, the 5,400RPM spindle speed is admittedly disappointing. It's tough to argue with the $149 price, though, and it's available now if you've been hankering for more space within your mobile workhorse.

WD intros standard-height 2.5-inch 750GB Scorpio Blue HDD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Western Digital  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Dell Precision M4500 now shipping with $1,549 starting price

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/dell-precision-m4500-now-shipping-with-1-549-starting-price/

With specs and prices easily reaching into the stratosphere, we weren't quite sure where Dell's new 15-inch Precision M4500 workstation would land -- the 17-inch M6500 has a starting price of $1,799, but that's only after $310 of "instant savings." Well, it looks like we're getting off (relatively) easy with the M4500, with a Core i5-520M 2.5GHz model running for $1,549 and still managing to pack in those NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M Graphics. Of course, we imagine you'll quickly be running up that bill -- 2GB of slow RAM, a 1366 x 768 LCD, and no WiFi just aren't going to cut it -- but with tempting options like a secondary 64GB SSD minicard drive and the ever-frivolous Precision ON, it's not like we were sticking near that base price anyway. Expect to spec out something truly delicious in the $2,500+ range. Our biggest disappointment? Backlit keyboard is optional, something that's standard even on the Vostro line these days.

Dell Precision M4500 now shipping with $1,549 starting price originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Dell  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...