Engadget

Barnes & Noble Nook review

Joshua Topolsky — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST

When we first caught wind of Barnes & Noble's Nook -- a device clearly positioned to give the Amazon Kindle and Sony's options a run for their money -- we were understandably interested. As voracious readers and lovers of fresh gadgetry, a new contender on the e-reader scene is more than welcome. When we discovered that Barnes & Noble's offering would not only feature a full color touchscreen component, but would run Google's Android OS as well... let's just say we were pretty much in gadget-hog-heaven. We weren't without our reservations, mind you; the appearance of this device made for some pretty heated conversations amongst the staff over whether or not we were seeing the dawn of a truly commercially viable e-reader. Of course, for us the proof is always in the pudding, and since B&N is about to launch a full assault against the current offerings, it's our duty to turn over a report. Is the Nook the answer to our e-reader prayers, or just a stepping stone to greener pastures? We've taken a long, hard look at the device -- so read on for the official Engadget review.

Gallery: Barnes & Noble Nook review

Continue reading Barnes & Noble Nook review

Barnes & Noble Nook review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MIT-based team wins DARPA's Red Balloon Challenge, demonstrates power of social networks (and cold hard cash)

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:06:00 EST

DARPA would have you believe that it's the brilliance of modern day social networks that led an MIT-based team to win its red balloon challenge this weekend, and while there's no doubt that the presence of the internet assisted in the locating of ten randomly placed floating objects, we're crediting the bright minds at the university for their strategy of soliciting team mates. The challenge was constructed in order to "see whether social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter should be seen as credible sources of information," not to mention investigate new ways to react to various threats that need instant attention. Less than nine hours after the contest began, MIT's team had deflated the hopes of around 4,000 other teams by finding all ten, though it's hard to say exactly how many members were out looking. You see -- MIT established a website that promised hundreds, even thousands of dollars to individuals who sent in the correct coordinates of balloons, noting that the $40,000 in prize money would be graciously distributed should their efforts lead to a win. DARPA may call it a triumph of the information superhighway; we're calling it victory in numbers.

Continue reading MIT-based team wins DARPA's Red Balloon Challenge, demonstrates power of social networks (and cold hard cash)

MIT-based team wins DARPA's Red Balloon Challenge, demonstrates power of social networks (and cold hard cash) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG's projector-laden eXpo smartphone gets demonstrated on video

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:18:00 EST

The projector phone mishmash idea has been around (and even demonstrated) for quite some time now, but only recently have we seen one of these two-pronged, hunchbacked monsters land on a major US carrier. LG's eXpo is carrying that crown (or burden, depending on perspective), and while we're itching to get one into our own labs for testing, we'll happily pass along what looks to be the world's first real good look at this handset in action. Make no mistake -- the DLP-based beamer affixed on the back adds quite the bulge, but the actual video performance looks about as good as any dedicated pico projector that we've seen to date. Have a peek past the break to see for yourself.

Continue reading LG's projector-laden eXpo smartphone gets demonstrated on video

LG's projector-laden eXpo smartphone gets demonstrated on video originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC's 2010 roadmap goes on display?

Chris Ziegler — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:23:00 EST

Those among us with minds like steel traps might recall that HTC's 2009 was leaked with shocking accuracy way back in January of this year, which lends some credibility to this already-believable series of slides we have seemingly showing off most of the good stuff we can expect out of the company in the coming months. The stuff we're privy to here was allegedly presented at a meeting in Vienna back in October, with both Windows Mobile and Android designs broken up into four target demo categories: Design / Lifestyle, Social, Performance (we like the sound of that), and Productivity -- but don't take our word for it. Follow the break for everything you need to know about this very real-sounding downpour of specs and renders.

Gallery: HTC portfolio for first half of 2010

Continue reading HTC's 2010 roadmap goes on display?

HTC's 2010 roadmap goes on display? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft reportedly randomizing browser ballots to appease EU, asks 'are you happy now?'

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:39:00 EST

Some might say that Microsoft just can't catch a break. Others might argue that it's getting exactly what it deserves. Whatever your take on the situation, it seems as if Microsoft may finally have the EU off of its monstrous back (at least momentarily), as a report has surfaced noting that said software giant is nearing approval for a new browser ballot screen demanded by the European Commission. As you well know by know, rivals Mozilla, Opera and Google all submitted change requests to EU regulators in hopes of having browser selection boxes randomized and not displayed within Internet Explorer. Purportedly, the all-clear will come down on December 15th (or earlier), and the antitrust case will be settled as Windows customers have a clearer choice when it comes to selecting a go-to browser from day one. 'Course, said ballot screen wouldn't be pushed out to existing users until early next year, but when it goes live users will be able to decide between Chrome, Firefox, IE, Opera and Safari for their browsing needs. Huzzah!

Microsoft reportedly randomizing browser ballots to appease EU, asks 'are you happy now?' originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Touchtable mixer takes conventional PMP design for a wiki-wiki-twist

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:45:00 EST

Not that we haven't seen turntable capabilities shoved into production and concept devices alike before, but there's something curiously seductive about this one. Dreamed up by Sir Thomas Mascall, the Touchtable is a pocket-sized PMP that boasts a digit-friendly surface meant for scratching, mixing and all manners of interacting. Aside from playing back your favorite MP3s, this bugger can (in theory, anyway) also mix jams on the fly, cue outputs and even connect with a second Touchtable wirelessly in order to establish a more traditional DJ setup (at 1:8 scale). Plug it into a PC, and now you've got a MIDI controller. Pop that source link if you're looking for a few more images and details, and feel free to contact your local VC if interested in seeing this fast-tracked to the commercial realm.

Touchtable mixer takes conventional PMP design for a wiki-wiki-twist originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola's Opus One leaks out, whispers of 'iDEN' and 'Android' overheard

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:24:00 EST

There's an excruciatingly small amount of detail to go on right now, but the Boy Genius has managed to snag a few tasty shots of what could be the world's first iDEN Android handset. The Opus One (as it's currently codenamed) certainly smacks of the myTouch 3G in terms of design, though the bottom-mounted ball is obviously replaced with what appears to be an intensely large home button. Hit the source link for a couple more images, and drop your wildest estimations of a specs list in comments below.

Motorola's Opus One leaks out, whispers of 'iDEN' and 'Android' overheard originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aspire Timeline 1820PT convertible twists its way onto Acer's US site

Ross Miller — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:12:00 EST

Wanting yourself a good old fashioned convertible tablet PC? We've seen Acer's Aspire Timeline 1820PT hit Australia a little under a month ago, and now the US audience is getting its first telltale sign of 1820PT acceptance. The laptop now has itself a product page on the official stateside product page. No price or release date, unfortunately, but at least we know it's on the near horizon.

[Thanks, SaintAndrew]

Aspire Timeline 1820PT convertible twists its way onto Acer's US site originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest AT&T spot calls Verizon's 3G network a headless, sluggish wannabe

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:56:00 EST

We hate to point out the obvious, but it really seems that the marketing gurus at AT&T have this all wrong. Look guys -- no one's debating that AT&T's 3G isn't the fastest where available. We even saw as much ourselves. But Verizon's recent slew of ads have been calling out the size of your 3G network, which you absolutely can't argue is incredibly small when placed next to red-tinted competition. That said, AT&T is still fighting a battle to which no one has challenged it by employing the admittedly quirky Luke Wilson to show off just how much faster his favorite network can download a JPEG of himself compared to VZW. We've got to say that the results are fairly hilarious, but frankly, we would've rather seen that huge ad buy go towards a few more 3G towers here in the US of A. Vid's after the break, per usual.

Continue reading Latest AT&T spot calls Verizon's 3G network a headless, sluggish wannabe

Latest AT&T spot calls Verizon's 3G network a headless, sluggish wannabe originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yinlips YDP800 projector PMP teases your wallet with video

Richard Lai — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:45:00 EST

We're not sure what's taken so long, but the Yinlips YDP800 pico projector PMP is finally available to the US, courtesy of online store Ownta. The good folks have released a demo video of the projector in action -- not quite at the maximum 80-inch picture that Yinlips boasts, but hey, we've just about done it before on another pico projector. For around $270 including delivery this feature-packed PMP seems to give a good run for your money, especially when compared to the $299 WowWee Cinemin Swivel. No sign of any sample pictures or videos from the 1.3 megapixel camera yet, so for now just enjoy the video after the break.

Continue reading Yinlips YDP800 projector PMP teases your wallet with video

Yinlips YDP800 projector PMP teases your wallet with video originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zii Trinity's HD playback gets a quick and promising look

Ross Miller — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:27:00 EST

It's over far too quickly, but in the video after the break, what you get to see is how well the Zii Trinity mobile prototype handles outputting HD video -- in this case, a very smooth playback of a snippet from Wall-E. Can we express more excitement for Creative's little platform that could? Probably, but we're already reaching pretty high. Now if only we could get some hands-on time of our own...

Zii Trinity's HD playback gets a quick and promising look originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV Live boxes left bricked by firmware update

Richard Lawler — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:11:00 EST

In its short stay on retail shelves the WD TV Live HD media box has picked up an avid community of users for the unassuming unit -- at least until they tried to update the firmware of the last couple of days. Forum reports show formerly operational units with nothing but a blank screen after download the v1.101.12 update. For its part Western Digital has acknowledged the problem and pulled the update from its site, but given the poor ratio of successful upgraders to mourners in the thread, we hope it sees loyal customers out of RMA hell and back to 1080p video playing bliss quickly. Until then, we'd keep clear of that "upgrade now" screen until the next patch has been thoroughly vetted.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

WD TV Live boxes left bricked by firmware update originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Camangi WebStation nabs pre-order status

Laura June — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:11:00 EST

Those anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Camangi Webstation Android tablet / MID will be happy to know that the website -- which went up about a week and a half ago -- is now accepting pre-orders. The 7-inch glass touchscreen tablet boasts a 624MHz Marvell PXA303 CPU, 128MB of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, 3G connectivity, WiFi, and GPS, and it comes in white, pink or black. The $399 price is currently discounted for "early birds" to $389 -- so get going, champ!

Camangi WebStation nabs pre-order status originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Arrington says CrunchPad litigation is 'imminent,' provides more details -- but where's the contract?

Nilay Patel — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:54:00 EST

The strange saga of the CrunchPad is getting even stranger: although Fusion Garage has a press conference scheduled for Monday, the company's apparently been hinting to some members of the press that the split with Michael Arrington was no surprise, and that TechCrunch didn't actually contribute anything of value to the CrunchPad. As you'd expect, that's got Arrington on the warpath. In a post titled "CrunchPad Litigation Imminent," he offers up an email from Fusion Garage CEO Chandra Rathakrishnan and two letters dispatched from his lawyers to both Fusion Garage and would-be CrunchPad ODM Pegatron that paint a much different picture: Chandra calls the split "out of the blue," Pegatron won't produce anything without TechCrunch's "explicit approval," and there was apparently even talk of merger between Fusion Garage and Arrington's CrunchPad, Inc. That certainly puts the timeline into dispute, but Mike's various CrunchPad intellectual property claims are far less solid, and unexpectedly weak -- even if you completely accept Arrington's side of the story, his CrunchPad dealings don't reflect his reputation as a bulldog Silicon Valley attorney. Let's break 'em down:

Arrington claims he's the "outright owner of the CrunchPad trademark," but that's simply not true: the CrunchPad trademark was only applied for on November 17, the same day Arrington says Fusion Garage notified him of the split. Oops -- and even stranger because Arrington's said the CrunchPad was due to be launched on November 20. Why wasn't this sewn up months ago?
Assuming there isn't some secret CrunchPad patent application we don't know about, the only major IP rights we can see TechCrunch asserting to the CrunchPad device have to do with the copyright to the code , and that's a total mess. Since Arrington apparently didn't draw up a contract giving him sole copyright to the CrunchPad's code, he and his lawyers are arguing that TechCrunch and Fusion Garage are "joint owners" to any rights, and that's just about the weakest position Arrington can be in. Joint copyright owners are legally considered to have equal rights to the entire product, and unless there's a written agreement (see how that keeps coming up?) saying they both have to sign off, each joint owner is allowed to non-exclusively sell the entire thing without the other's approval. In our experience it's pretty rare for joint copyright ownership to be an ideal business arrangement, and we can't imagine how Arrington got to within three days of launching the CrunchPad without hammering out the details of who owned what.
In fact, the most notable thing about the letter from Arrington's lawyers to Fusion Garage is that it doesn't contain any contractual language whatsoever -- it only references emails and conversations between the two companies. That's particularly odd because the letter to Pegatron says TechCrunch will be suing for breach of contract, so you'd think Arrington's attorneys would be laser-focused on his contractual rights if he could assert them. Then again, you'd think Arrington would have known better than to start this project without doing the appropriate paperwork first, so really anything's possible.

Now, we could be totally wrong about all of this: we haven't heard anything directly from Fusion Garage, and there very well could be contracts we haven't seen. But for right now, we're absolutely mystified as to how Michael Arrington -- who, again, is an attorney -- found himself in this position, and we're still mildly convinced this is all some kind of stunt. We're sure there's more drama to come, stay tuned.

Gallery: Letter to Jason Cheng (Pegatron Corp)

Gallery: TC letter to Chandrasekar Rathakrishnan

Michael Arrington says CrunchPad litigation is 'imminent,' provides more details -- but where's the contract? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon Coolpix S70 unboxing and hands-on

Ross Miller — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:19:00 EST

Previous reviews haven't been all smiles, but we're finally able to pick up Nikon's Coolpix S70 and see for ourselves. On form factor alone, it's a pretty alluring build -- even the faux leather front is tastefully done. While the tap-to-focus feature is a nice addition, we're less enthused about the OLED screen's viewing angles when outside -- and seeing as we've go no other way to see the memories we're framing, that's pretty disappointing. We're still putting it through its paces before we dole out full impressions, but in the meantime, enjoy our unboxing and hands-on photos.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S70 unboxing and hands-on

Nikon Coolpix S70 unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twoddler lets your toddler twitter and summon the Fail Whale #cute

Richard Lai — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:27:00 EST

So you think your baby's all Twitter-ready with that Kickbee while chilling in the womb? Nah, only practice makes perfect, so the folks at Belgium's Hasselt University came up with the Twoddler: a hacked Fisher-Price activity board with buttons linked to predefined Twitter messages. Obsessive parents can put photos of themselves on the buttons, so that whenever those buttons are hit the Twoddler tweets something like "@mommy I miss you." We like this idea, but then again you'll never know if it's just someone else's kids bashing the buttons -- you'll still feel good anyway. Watch some Twoddler action after the break.

Continue reading Twoddler lets your toddler twitter and summon the Fail Whale #cute

Twoddler lets your toddler twitter and summon the Fail Whale #cute originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Direct Insight debuts SODIMM-sized, ARM-based computer-on-a-module

Donald Melanson — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:21:00 EST

Well, it may not exactly be the computer everyone's been pining for, but those that have dreamed of an ARM Cortex-A8-based computer on a SODIMM module now finally one to call their own. That comes in the form of Direct Insight's new TRITON-TX51, which outdoes the Nokia N900 with an 800MHz Cortex-A8 processor, along with Freescale's i.MX515 system-on-a-chip, 128MB DDR400 RAM, 128MB of NAND flash, and a touchscreen controller that can drive screens at resolutions up to 1,280 x 768. You'll also get some other things nice to have on a computer like a 10/100 ethernet controller and a USB 2.0 interface, and even a reasonably capable PowerVR graphics engine that can do OpenGL ES 2.0 and hardware 720p decoding for MPEG-4/H264 video. Look for this one to land sometime next month for €150 (or just over $220).

Direct Insight debuts SODIMM-sized, ARM-based computer-on-a-module originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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$10 USB power outlet leaves no plug behind

Donald Melanson — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:28:00 EST

Don't freak out or anything. But all that time you spent building a DIY in-wall USB charger may have been for naught. Of course, you've gained a useful learning experience and potentially gotten a lesson in the dangers of electricity, but you could have simply ordered this TruPower UCS outlet from FastMac, which packs the same two USB charging ports as the DIY outlet, along with two standard power outlets for your other power-hungry devices. Best of all, it only costs the same ten bucks that the DIY option would have set you back, but it looks like it won't start shipping until sometime early next year.

$10 USB power outlet leaves no plug behind originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Onion turns us on to new, better devices

Joseph L. Flatley — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:32:00 EST

It's smaller, has fewer buttons, and comes saddled with an aspirational price tag. You want it, right? "The new device is an improvement over the old device, making it more attractive for purchase by all Americans," company spokesman Thomas Wakefield told The Onion -- and we're inclined to agree. After all, the consumer electronics industry isn't just about buying items that will improve your quality of life. No, it's also about pressing your buttons, finding ways to make you feel good about a brand -- whether through totally rad product placement or ample, yet vague, product specs. All in all, we can't say it better than a certain Robert Larson: "The new device brings me satisfaction." And you can't put a price on that, can you? Available soon for $395.

The Onion turns us on to new, better devices originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mintpass Cube MP3 player features plenty of style, few capabilities

Joseph L. Flatley — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:11:00 EST

The folks at Mintpass, known for its adorable Mintpad touchscreen PMP, are back on the scene with a little something called The Cube. A schticky audio player that goes out of its way to recall the analog gear of lore, this 2-inch cube sports push button controls, analog displays for volume, battery charge, and frequency, 3.5mm audio out, and Bluetooth. We've got no idea what the storage capacity, price, or street date might be, but we do have some pretty pictures for you. Check 'em out after the break.

Continue reading Mintpass Cube MP3 player features plenty of style, few capabilities

Mintpass Cube MP3 player features plenty of style, few capabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel's Larrabee graphics processor delayed, downsized to mere software development platform

Paul Miller — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:45:00 EST

Well. NVIDIA has to be loving this. Intel has announced today that not only is its Larrabee graphics chip delayed, that chip which promised to usher in a new era of post-GPU computing, but that it's been downgraded to a "software development platform." Intel isn't even saying what that "software development" will be aimed at, though we have to assume it would be some future version of the hybrid GPU / CPU chip. As to when the kit itself might arrive is anybody's guess, Intel is merely saying "next year." Meanwhile we can look forward to Intel's first example of a GPU / CPU hybrid in the upcoming Pineview Atom processor, which kicks those lackluster integrated graphics to the curb and moves everything onto the CPU. Who knows if that will be enough to quell the NVIDIA's quiet takeover of the higher-end netbook space with its ION graphics, but with Intel's current track record in the graphics space, we doubt it.

Intel's Larrabee graphics processor delayed, downsized to mere software development platform originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How would you change Gigapan's Epic camera robot?

Darren Murph — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:59:00 EST

Gigapan's Epic camera robot is an interesting beast, and calling it a niche device would be understating things rather dramatically. We had the opportunity to take an Epic 100 for a spin earlier this year, and we're guessing that a few of you adventurous photographers have managed to pick one up since. If so, we're curious to know how you're enjoying things. Are you satisfied with the panoramic results? Is it snappy enough? Versatile enough? Any modifications you'd like to make if you were leading up the redesign? Toss your thoughts in comments below, cool shutterbug?

How would you change Gigapan's Epic camera robot? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WSJ confirms Apple purchase of Lala

Joshua Topolsky — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:54:00 EST

Well that's that, apparently. Although this story has evolved quite a bit over the day, according to Peter Kafka over at All Things Digital, Apple has indeed coughed up the dough for music streaming service Lala. If you believe what you read in the report (and you probably can, Kafka tends to be a straight shooter), Apple's snapping up the company for what will amount to a bargain-basement price... possibly less than $.50 on the dollar. However, Kafka says at least one source claims his valuation of the deal is off, but we'll have to wait for some official word before we know for sure. If this turns out to all be true, the lingering question is still about Apple's reasoning behind the purchase -- is the company after a particular technology, or is there a service in the offing? Hopefully we'll know soon.

Note: If you want a little background on Lala, Ross Rubin has covered the service extensively in his Switched On column.

WSJ confirms Apple purchase of Lala originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PsiXpda 3G UMPC hits the UK, reminds us of a PDA we had 14 years ago

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:39:00 EST

It looks like we weren't the first to think that the DigiCube MIDPhone-50 looked awfully familiar. The Psion Series 5 PDA, you may recall, featured the same sliding-clamshell design back in 1995 -- and its still a beloved gadget among many folks overseas (though it never really caught on here). One man who wishes to bring the PDA into the 21st century is an ex-Psion employee named Paul Pinnock who, with his partner, has apparently brought the Windows XP-powered MIDPhone to the west and rebranded it the PsiXpda. Being marketed as the successor to the Series 5, this guy doesn't have the RS-232 port, monochrome display, or twenty hours of battery life -- but with 3G, WiFi, and a 1.1GHz Atom processor, we ain't complaining. That said, the 2-4 hour battery life (depending on whether or not you're using 3G) is a little disheartening. For ordering info, hit the source link -- and prepare to feel about £500 (about $830) lighter.

Gallery: PsiXpda 3G UMPC

PsiXpda 3G UMPC hits the UK, reminds us of a PDA we had 14 years ago originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell creates communications division for push into handheld market

Ross Miller — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:36:00 EST

Turns out Mini 3i is only the beginning. Dell has announced plans to create a new Communications Group with a focus on mobile phones and similar portable devices. Current consumer division head and former Motorola exec Ron Garriques will take the helm. Not much else to say at this point, but make no mistake, Dell is now officially in the phone business for the long haul.

Dell creates communications division for push into handheld market originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caption contest: Ellen DeGeneres and her ʞoou giveaway

Richard Lai — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:41:00 EST

Look, sometimes show hosts can get a bit too excited, especially when it comes to Christmas giveaway segments behind a massive pile of gadgets -- most of which they've probably never heard of until ten minutes before the show. If you were Ellen DeGeneres here with the upside-down Nook e-reader, what could possibly be going through your head? Video after the break.

Ross: ".ɹıɐɥɔ ǝɥʇ uı ʞɔɐq puɐ dn ǝɯ d1ǝɥ ǝsɐǝ1d 'ʞoou sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı"
Chris: "Everyone gets a (deafening applause, people fainting)."
Joanna: "Oh cute, Ellen pulling a Michael Jackson. Where is the closest balcony?"
Vlad: "And with your purchase of the androgynous android, you get an added value ebook reader -- absolutely free!"
Don: "The good news? B&N has settled its dispute with Spring Design. The bad news? You have to hold it this way."
Richard Lawler: "Read this way, Twilight has an entirely different double meaning."
Paul: "I'm holding it upside down because it's a non-working dummy unit and it doesn't matter."
Nilay: "God I wish this was a car."
Richard Lai: "Look!! It's got the same smile as me! It's just like a magical mirror."
Ross Rubin: "Maybe one day, the Nook will be like me and finally come out."

Continue reading Caption contest: Ellen DeGeneres and her ʞoou giveaway

Caption contest: Ellen DeGeneres and her ʞoou giveaway originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple looking to buy Lala, get into streaming music? (Update: sale confirmed)

Nilay Patel — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST

There's no deal yet, but Bloomberg and All Things Digital are reporting "confirmed" buyouts talks between Apple and music-streaming service Lala. If it goes down, the deal would potentially bring free music streaming to Apple's iTunes empire, but we're assuming Steve's less interested in integrating Lala's current service than he is in its talent, back-end technology, and content licensing deals. We'll see where this all goes -- or if it even happens.

Update: The New York Times and Wall Street Journal are now saying this is a done deal.

Apple looking to buy Lala, get into streaming music? (Update: sale confirmed) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC exec promises Hero successor in 2010, debut at Mobile World Congress

Ross Miller — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:06:00 EST

Yet another reason to love the Swedes: they give us juicy details. Former LG Sales Manager turned HTC Sweden exec Patrik Andersson has dropped word that a sequel to HTC Hero is coming next year. We know what you're thinking: an upgrade to the company's successful multi-carrier flagship Android device? You don't say! The real interesting point here is when it'll make its debut, and that's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this February. Happy Valentine's, indeed, and if you get to the press conference early, save us a seat?

HTC exec promises Hero successor in 2010, debut at Mobile World Congress originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FTC moseys into Intel / NVIDIA dispute

Donald Melanson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:22:00 EST

The dispute between Intel and NVIDIA has already reached legendary proportions, and it looks like now even the FTC is getting involved as a result of its longstanding investigation into Intel regarding another matter. While Intel just settled the antitrust fight with AMD that originally kick-started the investigation last month, the FTC is now reportedly talking to NVIDIA to see if its numerous complaints against the chipmaker actually hold water. While complete details are expectedly light and none of the parties involved are saying much on the record, some "people familiar with the matter" say that the FTC is trying to determine if a lawsuit filed by Intel earlier this year is nothing more than an effort to disrupt NVIDIA's business. Of course, things could well expand from there, considering what the FTC has waded into.

FTC moseys into Intel / NVIDIA dispute originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nook early adopters promised a December 9th shipment, $10 online gift certificate

Ross Miller — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:52:00 EST

We already made it clear that the January 15th Nook date applies only to new orders, and while Barnes & Noble's retail outlets may not be getting any love (read: no units will be in stock for sale, as confirmed today), many of the faithful who pre-ordered early are receiving a happy note from the company right now with a not-quite-firm statement that "we expect to have it to you by December 9th" with free, upgraded overnight shipping. Another bonus? A $10 online gift certificate. Warm feelings for the holiday shoppers who thought ahead, and as for everyone else, at least rain checks save you money on gift wrapping.

[Thanks, Mona!]

Nook early adopters promised a December 9th shipment, $10 online gift certificate originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hell freezes over, the FCC admits that CableCARD is a failure

Ben Drawbaugh — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:52:00 EST

Well we have to say we never saw this coming, but have dreamed of it for years, but it appears that the FCC is actually listening to the CEA and is asking for comments on how to replace CableCARD with something that would actually make the network open. For those just catching up, Congress mandated that cable had to be open with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 -- yeah that long -- and 3rd party CableCARD devices first became available in 2004 and five years later there are only 14 3rd party certified devices and 443k 3rd party devices in service. The fact that CableCARDs just don't work is no surprise to anyone who has tried to use one -- ok we're exaggerating here, but we've had our fair share installed and every one makes for a funny story. Now obviously admitting you have a problem is the first step, but it also means we are years away from a solution. But since they asked, here's ours. Instead of silly cards and middleware, just specify a two way communications protocol and embed signed certificates that CableLabs will control the distribution of in the box for authentication and encryption. It really doesn't have to be any harder than that.

Hell freezes over, the FCC admits that CableCARD is a failure originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola prepping 'La Jolla' low-end Android clamshell?

Paul Miller — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST

It's a source code-palooza these days! Fresh off that huge HTC code name find, someone's dug into the Motorola CLIQ's source code and found references to a new Motorola device dubbed "La Jolla." Meaning "The Jewel" in Spanish, La Jolla apparently means "low-end Android clamshell" in Motorola-ese, with mention of a WQVGA screen, 528MHz processor and what seems to be a QWERTY keyboard. (What such a phone might look like is pictured above. Thanks, LG). In fact, a QWERTY Android clamshell (the clamshell bit was extrapolated from the display driver by the folks at AndroidandMe, but sounds reasonable) seems to be the perfect cure for the recent rash of QWERTY featurephones we've been seeing lately, perfect for the SMS / email junky that doesn't want to bother with high-powered apps or a big price tag or the resistive touchscreen-only typing of the HTC Tattoo. Now, if only could find some device source code that could solve our trigger shyness brought on by this steady stream of Android handsets -- not that we're complaining.

Motorola prepping 'La Jolla' low-end Android clamshell? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Core Values: What's next for NVIDIA?

Anand Shimpi — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

Core Values is our new monthly column from Anand Shimpi, Editor-in-chief of AnandTech. With over a decade of experience poring over the latest in chip developments, he's here to explain how things work and why our tech is the way it is.

I remember the day AMD announced it was going to acquire ATI. NVIDIA told me that its only competitor just threw in the towel. What a difference a few years can make.

The last time NVIDIA was this late to a major DirectX transition was seven years ago, and the company just quietly confirmed we won't see its next-generation GPU, Fermi, until Q1 2010. If AMD's manufacturing partner TSMC weren't having such a terrible time making 40nm chips I'd say that AMD would be gobbling up marketshare like a fat kid. By the time NVIDIA gets its entire stack of DX11 hardware out the gate, AMD will be a quarter away from putting out newly refreshed GPUs.

Things aren't much better on the chipset side either -- for all intents and purposes, the future of NVIDIA's chipset business in the PC space is dead. Not only has NVIDIA recently announced that it won't be pursuing any chipsets for Intel's Core i3, i5. or i7 processors until its various legal disputes with Intel are resolved, It doesn't really make sense to be a third-party chipset vendor anymore. Both AMD and Intel are more than capable of doing chipsets in-house, and the only form of differentiation comes from the integrated graphics core -- so why not just sell cheap discrete GPUs for OEMs to use alongside Intel chipsets instead?

Even Ion is going to be short lived. NVIDIA's planning to mold an updated graphics chip into an updated chipset for the next-gen Atom processor, but Pine Trail brings the memory controller and graphics onto the CPU and leaves NVIDIA out in the cold once again.

Let's see, no competitive GPUs, no future chipset business. This isn't looking good so far -- but the one thing I've learned from writing about these companies for the past 12 years is that the future's never as it seems. Chances are, NVIDIA's going to look a lot different in the future because of two things: Tesla and Tegra.

Continue reading Core Values: What's next for NVIDIA?

Core Values: What's next for NVIDIA? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple adds 3.33GHz Xeon, 2TB hard drive options to Mac Pro

Donald Melanson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:41:00 EST

We know it can be tough scraping by with a measly 2.93GHz Xeon processor and 1TB hard drives in your Mac Pro, so you'll no doubt be pleased to know that Apple has finally seen fit to add a bit of extra horsepower to its humble little desktop. That includes a new option for a speedy 3.33GHz Xeon processor, which will add a hefty $1,200 to the base price, and a new a 2TB SATA 3Gb/s 7,200rpm hard drive option (also now available on Apple's Xserve server), which is a comparative bargain at just $350 -- though you can, of course, add four of them. Unfortunately, anyone that's thinking about doubling up on those 3.33GHz Xeon processors is still out of luck, as the 8-core rigs still top out at just 2.93Ghz.

Apple adds 3.33GHz Xeon, 2TB hard drive options to Mac Pro originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Podcast, live at 2:45PM EST!

Nilay Patel — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:21:00 EST

We've got a couple special guests joining us live on the Engadget Podcast today: Michael Gartenberg and Chris Ziegler will be on hand to talk about Nokia's present and future products and strategy. On top of that, we've got a ton of tablet talk coming at you -- everything from the CrunchPad to the next-generation of magazines. It's going to be a wild one -- we'll be live around 2:45PM EST, but the chat below is open now, so settle on in!

Update: It's all over, but check back tomorrow for the regular podcast post if you missed it!

The Engadget Podcast, live at 2:45PM EST! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Televisions

Richard Lawler — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST

Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.

Want a gift the whole family can enjoy? A brand new television is sure to do the trick and with more HDTV content available than ever from antenna, cable, satellite, Blu-ray discs or even the internet, there will always be something to watch. Whether it's their first flat-panel or an upgrade, these picks come through in several price ranges selected to maximize ~~your~~, we mean their, viewing pleasure. The only question left we can't help you with? Who gets the first turn on the remote.

Continue reading Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Televisions

Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Televisions originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC gives Verizon the third degree over $350 'advanced device' ETF

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:46:00 EST

Early termination fees have always represented the flipside of subsidized pricing -- the necessary evil that keeps free phones free. Thing is, they were tough enough to swallow at $175 or $200, but Verizon's recently gone for the jugular in a hell-bent effort to keep subscribers locked in by upping the fee on vaguely-defined "advanced devices" (read: any phone a power user would ever want) all the way up to a mind-bending $350. Turns out the FCC is as confused and worked up as everyone else, though, having fired off a 4-page communique to Verizon's veep of legal and external affairs today asking how customers are notified of the new ETF, how the prorating formula is calculated (hint: they don't like that you still pay $120 after 23 months of a 24-month contract), and how an "advanced device" comes to be, among other things. Riding on the letter are a few extra questions about inadvertent mobile web charges for customers that aren't signed up for a data plan, totaling nine paragraph-long queries that the feds want answered by December 17. Your move, Verizon.

[Thanks, Daniel P.]

Gallery: FCC gives Verizon the third degree over $350 'advanced device' ETF

FCC gives Verizon the third degree over $350 'advanced device' ETF originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Booklet 3G review

Joanna Stern — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:10:00 EST

You might think MikroMikko is the name of some Asian fusion restaurant, but it was actually Nokia's first computer line -- and in 1987, the MikroMikko 3 was a state-of-the-art MS-DOS machine with 1MB of RAM and 20MB drive. It's been about 25 years since Nokia's made a computer bigger than an N900, but it's back in the game with its first netbook, the Booklet 3G. Nokia's pitching the Booklet as a top-of-the-line machine with an all-aluminum chassis, integrated connectivity and GPS apps, and at $599 it's certainly priced that way -- although inside it's got a low-power Atom processor and 4,200rpm hard drive. The Booklet 3G is one of the best-looking netbooks out there, but is Nokia's entry back into the market a winner? Click on to find out what we think of the entire system in our full review.

Gallery: Nokia Booklet 3G Review

Continue reading Nokia Booklet 3G review

Nokia Booklet 3G review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FusionGarage plans media event to tell its side of the CrunchPad story

Nilay Patel — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:47:00 EST

Michael Arrington may have declared the CrunchPad dead, but that's not stopping his former partners at FusionGarage, who've scheduled a video conference with CEO Chandra Rathakrishnan so he can "share his side of the story." Chandra will also be demonstrating the 12-inch capacitive web tablet -- which, somewhat amazingly, will be the first time we've ever seen proof that the elusive device actually even exists and functions. We're definitely curious to hear what Chandra has to say and how he rebuts Arrington's grandiose and melodramatic tale of woe, but let's be honest -- we're also at least mildly suspicious that this whole mess is just a calculated PR stunt. Stay tuned.

FusionGarage plans media event to tell its side of the CrunchPad story originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SmartSynch intros GridRouter for smart meters and the electric companies that love them

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:24:00 EST

The last time we heard from SmartSynch it had inked a deal with AT&T to provide communications between its smart energy products and power companies. Now the company's back with a little something called the GridRouter, an IP-based device based that connects appliances, smart grids, and utilities -- no matter which communication protocol is used. The device is built on an open platform since the current grid is a mish-mash (or a hodge-podge, if you will) of proprietary hardware and software, and includes WiMax and Wi-Fi capabilities. Sounds like it just might be the thing for utilities struggling to catch up to the 21st century smarter energy revolution -- and those of you who are really, really into Google's PowerMeter beta. Want to give it a spin? Hit the source link to get in touch with the company. PR after the break.

Continue reading SmartSynch intros GridRouter for smart meters and the electric companies that love them

SmartSynch intros GridRouter for smart meters and the electric companies that love them originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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