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Thursday, March 10, 2011

iPad 2 review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/09/ipad-2-review/

To say Apple's iPad 2 is an easy tablet to review is somewhat of an understatement. The device, a follow up to last year's wildly successful (and currently market-defining) iPad, is nearly identical when it comes to software, and though improved, closely related on the hardware side as well. With a 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 display, the general size and shape of the device has remained the same, and though inside there's a new dual core A5 CPU, more memory, and a pair of new cameras, most of the iPad 2's changes are cosmetic. Still, the previous tablet soared far above most of its competitors when it came to the quality of both the hardware (if not its raw specs) and its software selection -- something Apple still stands head and shoulders over its adversaries on. So this new model, a thinner, sleeker, faster variant of the original may not be breaking lots of new ground, but it's already at the front of the pack. But is the iPad 2 worth an upgrade for those that took the plunge on the first generation? More importantly, does the device have what it takes to bring new owners into the fold? Those questions -- and more -- are all about to be answered in the full Engadget review, so read on!

Gallery: iPad 2 review hands-on

Continue reading iPad 2 review

iPad 2 review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel and Lenovo release the Classmate+ PC for the kids

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/intel-and-lenovo-release-the-classmate-for-the-kids/

Thinking that netbook up there looks exactly like Intel's latest Classmate PC with a Lenovo sticker smacked on? Well, you'd be entirely correct. Lenovo and Intel have teamed up to bring out the Classmate+, which is indeed just a rebadged Classmate PC (or Intel Learning Series reference design). The 10.1-inch netbook doesn't have Intel's fresh Atom N570 processor, but it has all the other netbook essentials, including an Atom N455 CPU, Windows 7, 1GB of RAM, a 1.3 megapixel camera, WiFi, and three- and six-cell battery options. However, like most of the other Classmate PCs, the Classmate+ won't be available directly to consumers -- they will be sold in bulk to educational institutions or agencies, primarily in the developing world. And the Classmate+ is off to a great start -- 158,000 are already set to be deployed this spring in Buenos Aires. See kids, netbooks are far from dead! Hit the break for the full press release / specs and the gallery below for a few more images of the lunch box-like laptop.

Gallery: Lenovo Classmate+ PC press shots

Continue reading Intel and Lenovo release the Classmate+ PC for the kids

Intel and Lenovo release the Classmate+ PC for the kids originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fusion-io IPO filing discloses list of prestigious clients, led by Facebook

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/fusion-io-files-for-ipo-discloses-list-of-prestigious-clients/

Before last week, we'd gone well over a year without discussing solid state storage purveyors Fusion-io -- and their extremely expensive and expeditious flash drives -- but things seem to have been ticking along just fine behind the scenes. While the company's unlikely to have sold many ioDrives to good old Joe Consumer, its upcoming IPO application features an impressive list of corporate clients, highlighted by Facebook, its biggest customer, IBM, HP, and Credit Suisse -- the latter using Fusion-io technology to speed up the mathematical alchemy of making money where there was none before. Taken together with strategic investments from Samsung and Dell, these deals paint a rosy outlook for the Woz-employing startup, however it's worth noting that profitability is still a decent way away. Fusion-io's rapid growth is costing it more than it's making at the moment, which is most likely to have catalyzed its current decision to go public and collect its biggest round of investments yet. Let's hope the investor prospectus includes a forecast for when things like the ioXtreme might actually become affordable to non-millionaires, eh?

Continue reading Fusion-io IPO filing discloses list of prestigious clients, led by Facebook

Fusion- io IPO filing discloses list of prestigious clients, led by Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visualized: NVIDIA's dual-Fermi card that never was

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/visualized-nvidias-dual-fermi-card-that-never-was/

PAX East 2011, which kicks off tomorrow, is widely expected to finally deliver a dual-GPU solution from NVIDIA's Fermi family of graphics chips, a PCI Express-saturating single-card workhorse to be known as the GTX 590. While we wait for its arrival, however, here's a sentimental look back upon 2010 and another little prototype that NVIDIA had kicking around its labs back then. Emerging over in a Chinese forum, this dual-GPU board features two GF104 chips (the same that made the GTX 460 such a winner) and a snow white PCB paintjob that makes it look utterly irresistible. We're loving the four DVI outputs and, just like you, have no idea why this card never came out, but that shouldn't obstruct the enjoyment of looking at the darn thing. More pics after the break.

Continue reading Visualized: NVIDIA's dual-Fermi card that never was

Visualized: NVIDIA's dual-Fermi card that never was originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lifelapse app promises to turn your iPhone into a life-logger

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/lifelapse-app-promises-to-turn-your-iphone-into-a-life-logger/

We've seen a few dedicated "life-logging" devices that let you record your every waking moment, but why spend a couple of hundred bucks on something when you're already carrying around a perfectly capable smartphone? That's the thinking of the folks behind the Lifelapse iPhone app which, like the Vicon Revue we've tested, promises to simply record a time-lapse video of your entire day -- they've even developed a "LifePouch" so you can conveniently wear your iPhone around your neck (no iPad version just yet). Unfortunately, the developers aren't offer a peek at the app itself just yet, but the are now accepting applications for those that wish to participate in the beta.

Lifelapse app promises to turn your iPhone into a life-logger originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Billable Makes Creating an Invoice Ridiculously Quick and Simple [Invoice]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/#!5776884/billable-makes-creating-an-invoice-ridiculously-quick-and-simple

If you need to create an invoice fast, Billable wants to help you out. All you need to do is visit the Billable site, edit the invoice template, and print.

Billable is ridiculously simple. When you visit the Billable website you'll be able to click in any field and start typing. Once you're done entering all your info, you can print your invoice or save it as a PDF. Pretty simple, and definitely useful if you ever need to create a quick invoice.

Billable | via The 99 Percent

You can follow Adam Dachis, the author of this post, on Twitter and Facebook. If you'd like to contact him, Twitter is the most effective means of doing so.

Samsung's latest 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab teaser hints impressive slimness

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/09/samsungs-latest-8-9-inch-galaxy-tab-teaser-hints-impressive-sli/

Samsung hasn't been entirely shy about its forthcoming 8.9-inch tablet, though Mr. Blurrycam seems to be having some trouble getting on a plane in Seoul. Fortunately for us, today the Korean giant decided to give us mere mortals a sneak peek at said device, and it sure looks promising -- as you can see above, the bulge seems to imply that the tablet's general thickness almost matches the headphone jack's height. If true, this would put Samsung's 8.9-incher head to head with Apple's 8.8mm thick iPad 2 in a fitness contest. Bring on March 22nd!

Samsung's latest 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab teaser hints impressive slimness originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VMware View brings virtual desktops to iPad with touchscreen-friendly controls (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/09/vmware-view-brings-virtual-desktops-to-ipad-with-touchscreen-fri/

Remote controlling your personal desktop from an iPad is one thing, but today VMware is offering something a little heftier -- a streamlined app to connect to enterprise-class virtual desktops. Like Citrix Receiver, the idea is that you'll get the iPad client for free, and hopefully pay to have the cloud computers served up, but instead of streamlining applications for tablet use, VMware's app hands you customizable PC-like controls. There's a handy-looking virtual touchpad you can use for fine control over the mouse cursor if your fingers prove too pointy, a set of Windows shortcut keys at the top of the virtual keyboard, multi-finger gestures and more -- but why not just watch the video after the break to see what's in store?

Continue reading VMware View brings virtual desktops to iPad with touchscreen-friendly controls (video)

VMware View brings virtual desktops to iPad with touchscreen-friendly controls (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, March 08, 2011

FoodieRegistry.com Lets Newlyweds Eat Great Meals, Avoid Paper Towel Holders [In Brief]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/#!5779879/foodieregistrycom-lets-newlyweds-eat-great-meals-avoid-paper-towel-holders

FoodieRegistry.com Lets Newlyweds Eat Great Meals, Avoid Paper Towel Holders These days, some couples getting married have lived together long enough to acquire most of what they want. So where do they direct wedding gift buyers? One good idea, especially if you live near Chicago or San Francisco: FoodieRegistry.com. It lets guests chip in or buy entire certificates to great, higher-end eateries around town, rather than pretend they're excited to buy you cream bath towels. FoodieRegistry is taking suggestions on eateries in other cities; we're wondering how one could piece together their own FoodieRegistry for their less-major cities. Ideas welcome in the comments. [FoodieRegistry.com via SlashFood]

Intel brings vPro to Sandy Bridge CPUs, makes losing your work laptop slightly less painful

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/intel-brings-vpro-to-sandy-bridge-cpus-makes-losing-your-work-l/

Imagine, if you will, business travelers gallivanting across the globe with nary a care in the world -- secure in the fact that should they lose their laptop by hook or by crook, they can disable it with a simple text message. Well, the dream is now a reality as Intel has put its third-gen vPro technology in Sandy Bridge Core i5 and i7 business chips, giving users the ability to lock down and reactivate a PC remotely via SMS. Not exactly a fresh idea, but nice to see it passed on to more modern chipsets. To further simplify the lives of IT professionals, the new version of vPro also has an encryption login requirement upon awakening from sleep mode, 1920 x 1200 resolution remote management, and host-based configuration to allow the set up of countless PCs at once. Of course, that assumes your employer's willing to pony up for Chipzilla's new gear -- the economic downturn's almost over, right?

Intel brings vPro to Sandy Bridge CPUs, makes losing your work laptop slightly less painful originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plugable DC-125 dock turns your solitary PC into a multiple workstation powerhouse (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/plugable-dc-125-dock-turns-your-solitary-pc-into-a-multiple-work/

We've seen a few docking stations 'round these parts that use the venerable DisplayLink technology to great effect, but nothing quite like this before. Plugable's DC-125 USB 2.0 Docking Client connects to your PC allows you to connect your display, speakers, keyboard, and mouse via one USB port -- small potatoes, right? Well, if said PC has a compatible multi-user OS (such as Windows Multipoint Server or Userful Multiseat Linux) you can daisy chain docks to add several terminals to the setup. Terminals! Now you can relive the dark, backwards days when you had to go to the college computer lab to get any work done -- in the comfort of your own home. Available now for $65 a pop. Get a closer look after the break.

Continue reading Plugable DC-125 dock turns your solitary PC into a multiple workstation powerhouse (video)

Plugable DC-125 dock turns your solitary PC into a multiple workstation powerhouse (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eyez video recording glasses promise to 'revolutionize' social networking

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/eyez-video-recording-glasses-promise-to-revolutionize-social-n/

Could this pair of relatively normal looking glasses "revolutionize" video on social networking sites? That's the bold claim made by the folks behind these so-called "Eyez," at least, which unsurprisingly seem to be filled more with vapor than any actual hardware at the moment. If the company is to be believed, however, they'll eventually pack a built-in camera that's able to record 1080p video, 16GB of flash memory, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a 350 mAh lithium ion battery that promises three hours of recording on a charge. You'll even apparently be able to pair the glasses with your phone via Bluetooth, and automatically upload or even stream live video to various social networking sites via an app. Of course, there's not even so much as a hint of a release date or a price, nor is there any evidence that an actual prototype even exists. There is, however, dramatic music on a Flash-heavy website -- and that counts for something, right?

Continue reading Eyez video recording glasses promise to 'revolutionize' social networking

Eyez video recording glasses promise to 'revolutionize' social networking originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Asus reveals ET2700 all-in-one desktop, lets you get touchy-feely with all ten digits (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/asus-shows-off-et2700-all-in-one-touchscreen-desktop-lets-you-g/

After HP dropped its TouchSmart 2, myriad manufacturers jumped on the all-in-one touchscreen bandwagon -- and Asus has a new 27-inch beaut riding shotgun. Unveiled at CeBIT last week and dubbed the Asus All-in-One ET2700, this prototype machine comes with ten-finger multitouch, 178-degree vertical and horizontal viewing angles, SonicMaster audio, and some decidedly Apple-inspired aesthetics. Details on price and specs shan't be revealed for a few weeks, so the video below must suffice to sate your all-in-one appetites -- patience is a virtue, after all.

Continue reading Asus reveals ET2700 all-in-one desktop, lets you get touchy-feely with all ten digits (video)

Asus reveals ET2700 all-in-one desktop, lets you get touchy-feely with all ten digits (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teradek Cube Broadcasts Live Video From Your Camera Over Wi-Fi or Verizon 4G [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/#!5779644/teradek-cube-broadcasts-live-video-from-your-camera-over-wi+fi-or-verizon-4g

Running in the $2000 range, it might not be the most practical way to show far flung relatives your kid's birthday party, but for those in the business of live streaming, the Teradek Cube crams a lot of solution in a little package. The deck of cards-sized box is a miniature, battery-powered H264 encoder that sends video directly from your camera—be it a fancy schmancy RED or a standard Handicam—to Livestream.com over Wi-Fi or Verizon LTE.

Operation is simple: the Cube slides into your camera's hot shoe and, once configured via a web interface, goes live with a single button—it's purportedly unhampered by firewalls, blocked ports, and other network roadblocks. Easy. And early adopting streamers get a nice little bonus: a month of Livestream.com premium membership—about a $350 value—is now included with a Cube purchase. [Teradek Cube]

Cisco's Umi and TelePresence video calling systems: now with work at home and home at work

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/ciscos-umi-and-telepresence-video-calling-systems-now-with-wor/

It was only a matter of time before Cisco's Umi and TelePresence services got together for some HD video calling synergy, and the company has finally enabled "full interoperability" between the two. Not only that, but the networking giant is also rolling out a free HD calling client called Umi Connect for PC and Mac (think SkypeHD) and a new Umi 720 system that works with slower broadband connections. The 720 will cost $399 upon its market arrival this summer, while the already available Umi 1080 gets a much-needed-yet-still-underwhelming hundred dollar price drop to $499. Service fees have also fallen from $275 to $99 a year and from $24.95 to $9.95 monthly for those who are commitment-averse. Maybe now you can persuade the bossman (or bosslady, as it were) to finally let you work from home -- though pants-free employment will undoubtedly remain off, or maybe just under, the table. PR's after the break.

[Thanks, Adam]

Continue reading Cisco's Umi and TelePresence video calling systems: now with work at home and home at work

Cisco's Umi and TelePresence video calling systems: now with work at home and home at work originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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