Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Unused Adamo XPS prototypes reveal touchscreen trackpads, key-less keyboard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/unused-adamo-xps-prototypes-reveal-touchscreen-trackpads-key-le/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/unused-adamo-xps-prototypes-reveal-touchscreen-trackpads-key-le/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/unused-adamo-xps-prototypes-reveal-touchscreen-trackpads-key-le/#comments
Dell certainly managed to cram plenty of inventive, even far-fetched touches into its Adamo XPS laptop, but it looks like it went even further out on a limb during the prototype stage, as PC World was able to discover during a brief hands-on time with a few cast off concepts. As you might expect, one of the ideas Dell toyed around with was a full-fledged touchscreen trackpad, which was apparently rejected because Dell couldn't justify the cost of the panel based how much people would actually use it. Another, possibly even more ambitious concept is one that would have completely replaced the traditional keyboard with a series of capacitive-touch buttons (pictured after the break), which would have allowed for a true zero-profile design, albeit at some potential expense to usability. Hit up the link below for a look at a few more prototypes.

[Via SlashGear]

Continue reading Unused Adamo XPS prototypes reveal touchscreen trackpads, key-less keyboard

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Unused Adamo XPS prototypes reveal touchscreen trackpads, key-less keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adamoadamo xpsAdamoXpsconceptdelldell adamodell adamo xpsDellAdamoDellAdamoXpsprototypeFri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[ASUS to dizzy eyes with G51J3D and G72GX 3D laptops]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/acer-to-dizzy-eyes-with-g51j3d-and-g72gx-3d-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/acer-to-dizzy-eyes-with-g51j3d-and-g72gx-3d-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/acer-to-dizzy-eyes-with-g51j3d-and-g72gx-3d-laptops/#comments Well, lookie here. ASUS has just jumped in on the 3D bandwagon. Just a few weeks after the 5738DG was unveiled, two more 3D laptops are now said to be on tap. Yeah -- as if the planet really needs another duo of laptops that require glasses to fully enjoy. All misplaced bitterness aside, the 15.6-inch G51J3D and 17.3-inch G72GX both tout a fairly respectable NVIDIA GPU (the 1GB GeForce GTX 160M was specifically mentioned in the former), and while the tester was indeed stuck looking like the dude above (exactly like that dude, in fact), he felt that the 3D playback was nothing short of incredible. Both machines will also be equipped with a Core i7 processor, oodles of HDD space and the ability to show off 3D content to up to 15 people who circle around it. We're told that the G51J3D will ship out next month, while the G72GX won't land until Q2 2010 (at least in the UK).

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ASUS to dizzy eyes with G51J3D and G72GX 3D laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d laptop3dLaptopaceracer G51J3DAcerG51j3dasusasus g51 j3dAsusG51J3ddell G72GXDellG72gxG51J3DG72GXlaptopFri, 06 Nov 2009 07:51:00 EST<![CDATA[NVIDIA Tegra 2 to double performance, arrive in 2010?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/nvidia-tegra-2-to-double-performance-arrive-in-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/nvidia-tegra-2-to-double-performance-arrive-in-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/nvidia-tegra-2-to-double-performance-arrive-in-2010/#comments Word on the grapevine is that NVIDIA is preparing to mount a fresh assault on the mobile front, with a successor to Tegra that moves to a dual-core ARM9 CPU and adds improved graphical performance to produce what's said to be twice the power. This sort of aggressive roadmap meshes with earlier rumors of a Tegra platform powering the next generation of Nintendo's DS, and promises an equally tantalizing upgrade to the Zune HD specs. Keep in mind that the info comes from those highly anonymous and entirely unaccountable "industry sources," but given the time that will pass between the availability of the first Tegra chipset and the suggested 2010 release of Tegra 2, it makes sense to believe that the engineers have had sufficient opportunity to optimize and energize their platform. It's not like NVIDIA has been wasting its time setting up anti-Intel websites and putting together snarky cartoons about its competition, right?

[Via Electronista]

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NVIDIA Tegra 2 to double performance, arrive in 2010? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arm 9Arm9chipsetmobile chipsetmobile platformMobileChipsetMobilePlatformnvidianvidia tegraNvidiaTegraplatformrumortegrategra 2Tegra2Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Gigabyte Booktop M1305 ultraportable gains external GeForce GT220 GPU (update: now with video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/gigabyte-booktop-m1305-ultraportable-gains-external-geforce-gt22/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/gigabyte-booktop-m1305-ultraportable-gains-external-geforce-gt22/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/gigabyte-booktop-m1305-ultraportable-gains-external-geforce-gt22/#comments Gigabyte's Booktop M1305 was shown as far back as June, but now it seems the stark white ultraportable is nearing its ship date. Nothing about the 13.3-inch rig seems too special at first glance -- after all, a Core 2 Duo, GMA 4500MHD graphics set, 1,366 x 768 panel, 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 320GB or 500GB HDD won't set any carpets on fire -- but it's the docking station that makes this one special. When situated in the dock, the M1305 can take full advantage of the discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT220 GPU that's squeezed within, making it entirely more capable of pushing out 3D graphics or HD multimedia to connected displays. We know, docking stations are all but dead outside of the enterprise, but who's kvetching about more power once your portable gets home?

Update: hands-on video now after the break!

[Via DVHardware, thanks Thomas]

Continue reading Gigabyte Booktop M1305 ultraportable gains external GeForce GT220 GPU (update: now with video!)

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Gigabyte Booktop M1305 ultraportable gains external GeForce GT220 GPU (update: now with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booktopbooktop m1305BooktopM1305culvdocking stationDockingStationexternal gpuexternal graphicsexternal graphics cardExternalGpuExternalGraphicsExternalGraphicsCardgeforceGeForce GT220GeforceGt220gigabytegigabyte booktop m1305GigabyteBooktopM1305laptopnvidiaultraportablevideoFri, 06 Nov 2009 02:56:00 EST<![CDATA[NVIDIA takes its feud with Intel to cartoonish new levels]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/nvidia-takes-its-feud-with-intel-to-cartoonish-new-levels/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/nvidia-takes-its-feud-with-intel-to-cartoonish-new-levels/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/nvidia-takes-its-feud-with-intel-to-cartoonish-new-levels/#comments
Oh, boy. Just when you thought NVIDIA 's feud with Intel couldn't rise above endless name-calling, lawsuits and production shutdowns, NVIDIA does this. In a series of not-so-subtle cartoons on the recently established Intel's Insides website -- which NVIDIA's spokesperson has confirmed is, in fact, hosted by NVIDIA -- NVIDIA takes aim at Intel (and CEO Paul Otellini, specifically) over a range of alleged ill doings, and even goes so far as to include a cheeky disclaimer that the site "is not provided, sponsored or endorsed by Intel Corporation." Hit up the gallery below for a quick retrospective, and stay tuned for what we can only hope is a decent comeback from Intel.

[Via ExtremeTech]

Gallery: NVIDIA takes its feud with Intel to cartoonish new levels

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NVIDIA takes its feud with Intel to cartoonish new levels originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartooncartoonsfeudfightindustryinfightingintelThu, 05 Nov 2009 20:21:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: Windows 7 sales 234% higher than Vista's first few days]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/windows-7-sales-234-higher-than-vistas-first-few-days-accordin/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/windows-7-sales-234-higher-than-vistas-first-few-days-accordin/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/windows-7-sales-234-higher-than-vistas-first-few-days-accordin/#comments Looks like Windows 7 is off to a much stronger start than Windows Vista, with the NPD Group claiming the first few days of sales saw a 234% increase over Vista's start. Part of that can be attributed to special deals and low-cost pre-sales -- total revenue was only 82% higher -- but it's hard to deny people are stoked for Windows 7. Interestingly, the PC hardware growth was actually stronger for Vista than 7 (48% year over year compared to 68% year over year), but there are enough variables at play there to make sure Microsoft won't lose sleep over it. In fact, 7's biggest threat seems to be Microsoft's other products, since Windows 7 PC sales were up against 20% of PC sales being comprised of Vista and XP computers, compared to the 6% of non-Vista PCs sold during that launch.

[Via Windows 7 Team Blog]

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NPD: Windows 7 sales 234% higher than Vista's first few days originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftnpdnpd groupNpdGroupvistawindowswindows 7windows vistaWindows7WindowsVistaThu, 05 Nov 2009 17:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell Adamo XPS coming 'in time for the holidays' for $1799 (unboxing and hands-on video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/dell-adamo-xps-coming-in-time-for-the-holidays-for-1799-unbo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/dell-adamo-xps-coming-in-time-for-the-holidays-for-1799-unbo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/dell-adamo-xps-coming-in-time-for-the-holidays-for-1799-unbo/#comments Dell's finally run its finger along the edge and unhinged the last bit of details for its enigmatic, 0.4-inch-thin Adamo XPS. As it turns out those leaked specs weren't entirely off. We're looking at a LED-backlit 13.4-inch, 720p widescreen display, 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ultra-low voltage processor, GS45 integrated graphics, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 128GB thin-micro SSD, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. In terms of connectivity, there's 802.11a/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, location awareness, DisplayPort, two USB 2.0 ports (one on each side). The 20WHr Li-Ion battery can last up to 2 hours and 36 minutes, or you can get the optional 40WHr version instead for 5 hours and 17 minutes of claimed, lab-tested use. Other packaged goods include dongles for ethernet and VGA / HDMI, and for an added fee you can nab a DVD+/-RW drive, a Blu-ray drive, or an external hard drive measured at 250GB or 500GB in capacity.

At $1,799, the price isn't as bad as originally thought, but it's still far from great if performance takes any precedence for you over style. Earlier this week, we got to spend some time with the ultra-thin chez Dell's PR firm -- not enough to really get a feel for how it performs, but enough to admire the hardware and enjoy unboxing what we're told is the final retail packaging. We saw an expected launch date listed for this month, but a rep was quick to note the current line is officially "in time for the holidays" -- just in case the company misses Black Friday, of course. Read on for some more impressions and video unboxing / hands-on!

Gallery: Dell Adamo XPS unboxing


Gallery: Dell Adamo XPS hands-on

Continue reading Dell Adamo XPS coming 'in time for the holidays' for $1799 (unboxing and hands-on video!)

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Dell Adamo XPS coming 'in time for the holidays' for $1799 (unboxing and hands-on video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adamoadamo xpsAdamoXpsbreakingbreaking newsbreakingnewsdellfeaturedfeatureshands onhands-onHandsOnlaptopultraportableun boxun boxingUnBoxUnBoxingThu, 05 Nov 2009 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenovo goes crazy, lets you switch Fn and Ctrl keys in BIOS]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/lenovo-goes-crazy-lets-you-switch-fn-and-ctrl-keys-in-bios/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/lenovo-goes-crazy-lets-you-switch-fn-and-ctrl-keys-in-bios/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/05/lenovo-goes-crazy-lets-you-switch-fn-and-ctrl-keys-in-bios/#comments Some people, including certain Engadget editors, just can't live without a Ctrl key in the bottom left of their keyboard and a Delete key in the top right. Call it Windows shortcut addiction, but the miniscule adjustment of having to step one key inwards to do our thing totally messes with our mojo. Well, after slapping on some massive Delete and Esc buttons on its T400s, Lenovo is now taking care of the Ctrl freaks by offering up a BIOS option to switch that all-important key with the Fn button. Regrettably, current Lenovo owners won't be getting it as an update, but the Switch Mode will be available "in all future ThinkPad models," giving us yet more reason to be excited about that rumored X200e machine.

[Via ThinkPads]

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Lenovo goes crazy, lets you switch Fn and Ctrl keys in BIOS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biosbios optionBiosOptionctrlctrl keyCtrlKeyfn keyFnKeykeyboardkeyboard layoutKeyboardLayoutlaptoplaptop keyboardLaptopKeyboardlaptopslenovolenovo switch modeLenovoSwitchModeswitch modeSwitchModethinkpadthinkpadsThu, 05 Nov 2009 04:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenovo IdeaPad U150 gets unboxed and critiqued (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/lenovo-ideapad-u150-gets-unboxed-and-critiqued-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/lenovo-ideapad-u150-gets-unboxed-and-critiqued-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/lenovo-ideapad-u150-gets-unboxed-and-critiqued-video/#comments We spotted the IdeaPad U150 sitting pretty as far back as CEATEC, but now it seems the 11.6-inch beaut is finally finding its way out into the wild, wild... wilds. The suave folks over at Netbooked were able to wrap their paws around a retail unit, and aside from just unboxing it on video (which was a nice gesture in its own right), they also ran it through some basic tasks and spit out a few general opinions. Hit the links below if you'd like to follow the journey from undressing to battery life testing, and hop on past the breaks if you're into this hot new thing called "video."

Read - IdeaPad U150 unboxing
Read - IdeaPad U150 impressions

Continue reading Lenovo IdeaPad U150 gets unboxed and critiqued (video)

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Lenovo IdeaPad U150 gets unboxed and critiqued (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ideapadideapad u150IdeapadU150laptoplenovoLenovo IdeaPad U150LenovoIdeapadU150netbooku150ultraportableunboxedunboxingvideoWed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest Mac OS X 10.6.2 beta build brings back Atom support]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/latest-mac-os-x-10-6-2-beta-build-brings-back-atom-support/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/latest-mac-os-x-10-6-2-beta-build-brings-back-atom-support/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/latest-mac-os-x-10-6-2-beta-build-brings-back-atom-support/#commentsWell, it looks like reports that Apple might be killing Atom support in the next Snow Leopard update may have been slightly overblown, as the latest developer build of OS X 10.6.2 (10C535) has apparently restored support for the processor and simultaneously brightened the spirits of hackintoshers the world over. What's more, there doesn't appear to be any explanation for the switch-a-roo from Apple which, as Electronista notes, could indicate that it was simply a bug or a temporary measure -- although it does of course also mean that Apple can just as easily flip the switch again if it sees fit (which seems like at least a 50 / 50 shot).

[Via Electronista]

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Latest Mac OS X 10.6.2 beta build brings back Atom support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackintoshnetbookos xos x 10.6.2OsXOsX10.6.2snow leopardSnowLeopardWed, 04 Nov 2009 18:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Walmart's $300 HP G60 laptop gets real, detailed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/walmarts-300-hp-g60-laptop-gets-real-detailed/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/walmarts-300-hp-g60-laptop-gets-real-detailed/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/walmarts-300-hp-g60-laptop-gets-real-detailed/#comments There wasn't exactly much secrecy left around this one after ads started popping up online, but Walmart's now set aside any doubt about its $300 HP G60-519WM laptop with a listing for it on its website, which also thankfully includes the complete specs for it. Apparently built exclusively for Walmart by HP, this particular model packs a 15.6-inch WXGA display, along with previously rumored specs including a 2.2GHz Celeron 900 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, a LightScribe DVD burner, and some basic Intel GMA 4500M integrated graphics -- not to mention Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit edition for an OS. Not exactly the worst deal for someone looking for bigger, more full-featured alternative to a netbook, to be sure, but we have a feeling this is just a taste of what's to come for bargain hunters on Black Friday.

[Via I4U News, thanks Luigi]

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Walmart's $300 HP G60 laptop gets real, detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bargaindealg60gp60 519-wmGp60519-wmhphp g60hp g60 519-wmHpG60HpG60519-wmlaptopwalmartWed, 04 Nov 2009 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[NVIDIA confirms Intel chipsets won't support USB 3.0 until 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/nvidia-confirms-intel-chipsets-wont-support-usb-3-0-until-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/nvidia-confirms-intel-chipsets-wont-support-usb-3-0-until-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/nvidia-confirms-intel-chipsets-wont-support-usb-3-0-until-2011/#commentsWhat was once an unverifiable rumor from an anonymous source has now, sadly, become a confirmed fact. Intel won't be integrating USB 3.0 support into its chipsets until at least 2011. Motherboard makers such as ASUS can still opt to add discrete 3.0 controllers at an extra cost, but Intel -- already accused of dragging its heels on the standard's development -- won't be. NVIDIA spokesman Brian Burke has expressed, in no uncertain terms, his company's disappointment with Intel, while also claiming that chipsets by NVIDIA are more feature-rich and just plain better than Intel's own efforts. We'll add this to our ever-growing collection of things NVIDIA doesn't like about Intel, but we also hope that the immature outburst doesn't obscure the real issue. NVIDIA is correct in noting that Intel needs competition in the chipset space, and the new interconnect's dependence on Intel's whims demonstrates the market-altering powers that reside in Santa Clara, CA. Unless another chipmaker gets serious about competing with Intel, we could face plenty more of these seemingly arbitrary delays in tech rollouts.

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NVIDIA confirms Intel chipsets won't support USB 3.0 until 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipsetchipsetsconnectionconnectivitydelayintelinterconnectmotherboardmotherboardsnvidiastandardssuperspeedsuperspeed usbSuperspeedUsbusbusb 3usb 3.0usb controllerUsb3Usb3.0UsbControllerWed, 04 Nov 2009 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon getting a little VAIO P to join its netbook offerings]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/verizon-getting-a-little-vaio-p-to-join-its-netbook-offerings/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/verizon-getting-a-little-vaio-p-to-join-its-netbook-offerings/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/verizon-getting-a-little-vaio-p-to-join-its-netbook-offerings/#commentsVerizon getting a little VAIO P to join its netbook offeringsMotorola's DROID is just a few days away from dropping on Verizon, but why pay $299 (minus $100 rebate) for that when you could instead pay $299 (possibly also minus $100) for a fully-featured definitely non-netbook VAIO P? Yes, Sony's littlest ultraportable looks to be coming to VZW, popping up on a test page in a configuration with 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and Windows 7 Home Premium. Seemingly (and curiously) no SSD versions will be on offer, possibly to keep down on costs, as the subsidized $299 price is quite a bit lower than the $800 or more you'd be looking to buy one new -- not to mention a good bit more appealing than the other netbooks Verizon currently has on offer for the same price. Mind you, that two year wireless broadband contract won't pay for itself...

[Via GadgetMix.com]

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Verizon getting a little VAIO P to join its netbook offerings originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>netbooksonysony vaio pSonyVaioPvaiovaio pVaioPverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwWed, 04 Nov 2009 07:44:00 EST<![CDATA[HP Envy 14 on the horizon?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/hp-envy-14-on-the-horizon/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/hp-envy-14-on-the-horizon/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/hp-envy-14-on-the-horizon/#comments We'll keep this short and sweet -- the same amateur sleuths who were responsible for revealing the majority of HP's fall lineup ahead of time are back again, this time indicating a forthcoming Envy 14 model. It doesn't take much genius to find this information out, mind you, as HP's Softpaq support docs just keep coming out ahead of official announcements. Two Envy 14 iterations appear to be in the works, though their specifications remain open to speculation. There still shouldn't be too much of a wait before finding out if this will be just a range filler or a distinctive advancement in its own right, so we'll leave it to you to decide whether to delay that Envy purchase for just a little while longer.

[Thanks, Al]

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HP Envy 14 on the horizon? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coming soonComingSoonenvyenvy 14Envy14hphp envyhp envy 14HpEnvyHpEnvy14laptopspeculationthin and lightThinAndLightultraportableWed, 04 Nov 2009 06:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaked Walmart ad reveals Xbox 360 Arcade with $100 gift card, $300 HP G60 laptop]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/leaked-walmart-ad-reveals-xbox-360-arcade-with-100-gift-card/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/leaked-walmart-ad-reveals-xbox-360-arcade-with-100-gift-card/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/leaked-walmart-ad-reveals-xbox-360-arcade-with-100-gift-card/#comments It's not quite a $99 Xbox 360, but if this apparent Walmart scan via Kotaku is to be believed, that $199 Arcade version is getting a $100 gift card promotion going into effect this Saturday. In real terms, that boils down to a $234 Xbox 360 Pro for first-time buyers, seeing as you'll be needing that $135, 120GB hard drive, too. Also listed are a Sony Blu-ray player for $148 (we're guessing the currently-MSRP'd $199 BDP-S360), and a $298 HP G60-519WM, which touts a 2.2GHz Intel Celeron, 15.6-inch HD display, Windows 7 Home Premium, 3GB RAM, and a 250GB HDD -- not a bad followup at all for that Compaq CQ60. Some interesting spy shots from the Slick Deals forum seem to give credence to the scan, although we're still playing wait-and-see -- that $100 gift card with the Xbox 360 arcade is almost too good to be true, even if it is just a clever tactic to clear shelf space in the lead-up to Black Friday.

Update: Sure as the sun, an official ad has popped up on Yahoo's front page. Screenshot after the break.

[Thanks, just4onepost]

Read - G60-519WM spotted
Read - $199 Xbox 360 Arcade with $100 gift card?

Continue reading Leaked Walmart ad reveals Xbox 360 Arcade with $100 gift card, $300 HP G60 laptop

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Leaked Walmart ad reveals Xbox 360 Arcade with $100 gift card, $300 HP G60 laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360 arcade360Arcadeadadsarcadebdp s360bdp-s360BdpS360blu rayblu-rayblu-ray playerBlu-rayPlayerBluRayg60g60 519 wmg60-519wmG60519Wmhpleakleaksmicrosoftmicrosoft xboxmicrosoft xbox 360MicrosoftXboxMicrosoftXbox360rumorrumorssalesalessonywal martwal-martWalMartxboxxbox 360xbox 360 arcadeXbox360Xbox360ArcadeWed, 04 Nov 2009 00:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rejoice! BlackBerry support arrives on Celio REDFLY]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/rejoice-blackberry-support-arrives-on-celio-redfly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/rejoice-blackberry-support-arrives-on-celio-redfly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/rejoice-blackberry-support-arrives-on-celio-redfly/#comments We heard it'd be here in mid-Q4, and sure enough, it's here. And by "it," we mean "BlackBerry support for Celio's largely unwanted REDFLY Mobile Companion." Starting today, those looking for the Foleo's long lost cousin can snap up a REDFLY and download a free driver that adds compatibility for RIM's BlackBerry Bold 9000, Curve 8900 and Tour 9630. Granted, it's not like the BlackBerry web browser will be any less painful to use on an enlarged screen, but hey, whatever suits your fancy.

[Via TestFreaks, thanks Nirckolas]

Gallery: Rejoice! BlackBerry support arrives on Celio REDFLY

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Rejoice! BlackBerry support arrives on Celio REDFLY originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryBlackBerry Bold 9000BlackBerry Curve 8900BlackBerry Tour 9630BlackberryBold9000BlackberryTour9630c7c8nceliocelio corpcelio redflyCelioCorpCelioRedflycompanionMobile CompanionMobileCompanionnow availablenow shippingNowAvailableNowShippingRedflyredfly companionredfly companion c7redfly companion c8nREDFLY Mobile CompanionRedflyCompanionRedflyCompanionC7RedflyCompanionC8nRedflyMobileCompanionresearch in motionResearchInMotionrimshipshippingtourtour 9630Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:11:00 EST<![CDATA[OLPC shakeup: dual-screen XO-2 out, ARM-based XO 1.75 in]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/olpc-shakeup-dual-screen-xo-2-out-arm-based-xo-1-75-in/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/olpc-shakeup-dual-screen-xo-2-out-arm-based-xo-1-75-in/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/olpc-shakeup-dual-screen-xo-2-out-arm-based-xo-1-75-in/#comments
OLPC's plans for a dual-screen XO-2 laptop / tablet always seemed a little... ambitious, and it looks like even Nicholas Negroponte himself has now realized that it may be more than the organization is able to pull off at the moment. That word comes from a recent interview with Xconomy, where Negroponte confirms that OLPC has indeed scrapped plans for the dual-screen XO-2, and says it will instead focus on a "model 1.75" that has a design similar to the current OPLC XO but gets a boost from a faster ARM processor. Negroponte isn't completely giving up on the idea of a revamped OLPC, however, and says that model 3.0 will have a "totally different industrial design, more like a sheet of paper." That model apparently also includes "aspirational aspects" like an unbreakable, waterproof enclosure that's just a quarter inch thick, a full color, reflective and transmissive display with no bezel, 1W of power consumption, and (here's the real kicker) a $75 price tag by 2012.

[Via Liliputing]

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OLPC shakeup: dual-screen XO-2 out, ARM-based XO 1.75 in originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>negropontenicholas negroponteNicholasNegroponteolpcolpc xoolpc xo-2OlpcXoOlpcXo-2xoxo-2Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenovo's rumored ThinkPad X200e gets two more spy spots, another shot of believability]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/lenovos-rumored-thinkpad-x200e-gets-two-more-spy-spots-another/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/lenovos-rumored-thinkpad-x200e-gets-two-more-spy-spots-another/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/lenovos-rumored-thinkpad-x200e-gets-two-more-spy-spots-another/#comments Aw, snap. We'll be frank -- we didn't have too much hope that the supposedly leaked ThinkPad we spotted over the weekend was a legitimate product, but now that the evidence is mounting, we're finding it difficult to contain our excitement. Two new spy shots of the purported ThinkPad x200e (or ThinkPad x100e) have emerged over in China, and we're being told that Lenovo's not going out of its way to deny their genuineness. Are we really looking at a ThinkPad netbook? And will the Earth really continue to spin if Lenovo deviates from the tried-and-true ThinkPad design that has held things in balance for so long? Color us disquieted.

[Via Cloned In China]

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Lenovo's rumored ThinkPad X200e gets two more spy spots, another shot of believability originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>leaklenovolenovo thinkpad thinkpad x200elenovo ThinkPad x100eLenovoThinkpadThinkpadX200eLenovoThinkpadX100enetbookrumorspy shotSpyShotthinkpadThinkPad x100ethinkpad x200thinkpad x200eThinkpadX100eThinkpadX200ThinkpadX200eultraportablex100ex200eTue, 03 Nov 2009 10:56:00 EST<![CDATA[VIA Nano 3000 CPU series finally launches to rival Intel's Atom]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/via-nano-3000-cpu-series-finally-launches-to-rival-intels-atom/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/via-nano-3000-cpu-series-finally-launches-to-rival-intels-atom/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/via-nano-3000-cpu-series-finally-launches-to-rival-intels-atom/#comments We suppose dreams really do come true. Nearly a full year after we heard that VIA was toiling on a new processor line to really give Intel's aging Atom a run for its money, the company has come clean and confessed that those whispers were indeed true. The Isaiah-based Nano 3000 Series is a range of six new CPUs clocked between 1GHz and 2GHz, all of which boast an 800MHz FSB, 64-bit support, SSE4 instructions, Windows 7 / Linux compatibility and power ratings that check in some 20 percent more efficient than existing VIA Nano processors. There's also the promise of 1080p multimedia playback, and VIA swears that we'll see these popping up in all-in-one desktops as well as thin-and-light laptops in the very near future. How soon, you ask? Samples are shipping now to OEMs, with mass production slated for Q1 2010.

Gallery: VIA Nano 3000 CPU series finally launches to rival Intel's Atom

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VIA Nano 3000 CPU series finally launches to rival Intel's Atom originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3000 series3000Seriesall in oneall in one pcall-in-oneall-in-one pcAll-in-onePcAllInOneAllInOnePccpuisaiahL3050L3100laptoplaptopsnanoprocessorthin and lightthin-and-lightThinAndLightU3100U3200U3300U3500ultraportableviavia nanoViaNanowindows 7Windows7x86Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[MSI's Wind12 U230 flaunts AMD Athlon Neo X2 chip, Windows 7 OS, stress-free keyboard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/msis-wind12-u230-flaunts-amd-athlon-neo-x2-chip-windows-7-os/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/msis-wind12-u230-flaunts-amd-athlon-neo-x2-chip-windows-7-os/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/msis-wind12-u230-flaunts-amd-athlon-neo-x2-chip-windows-7-os/#comments Don't call it a netbook. MSI's latest sits just out of the low-end category with its 12.1-inch, 1,366 x 768 resolution screen, roomy "ergonomic de-stress" keyboard, and 1.6GHz AMD Athlon Neo X2, a chip that should best Intel's Atom offerings of the same spec -- at least slightly. A mere four hours of battery life is also decidedlynon-netbooky, but beyond that the usual suspects are here, including a 1.3-megapixel webcam and 160GB hard drive. It weighs in at 2.9lbs and will be running Windows 7 Home Premium (a genuine copy, MSI seems proud to point out) whenever it ships. We'd guess soon.

[Via electronista]

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MSI's Wind12 U230 flaunts AMD Athlon Neo X2 chip, Windows 7 OS, stress-free keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMDAMD athlon neo x2AmdAthlonNeoX2athlon neoathlon neo x2AthlonNeoAthlonNeoX2msimsi u230msi wind12msi wind12 u230MsiU230MsiWind12MsiWind12U230u230windTue, 03 Nov 2009 09:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer wants the Aspire 8940 to be your Core i7-packing portable of choice]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/acer-wants-the-aspire-8940-to-be-your-core-i7-packing-portable-o/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/acer-wants-the-aspire-8940-to-be-your-core-i7-packing-portable-o/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/acer-wants-the-aspire-8940-to-be-your-core-i7-packing-portable-o/#comments You'd think you've seen all the Windows 7 holiday laptops to last you through this yuletide season, but in comes Acer with another offering, the Core i7-packing Aspire 8940. The 18.4-inch 1080p widescreen monitor brings with it a NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M, Blu-ray drive, 600GB HDD, and 4GB RAM. Let's also throw in a webcam, 802.11 a/b/g Draft-N, webcam, multi-card reader, HDMI and eSATA ports and a 8-cell Li-Ion battery for good measure. Quite a hefty number, so expect a little bit of workout if you're wanting to haul this around. Suggested price is $1,349 and all we know of the release date is "holiday season" so it should be safe to add this to your wishlist.

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Acer wants the Aspire 8940 to be your Core i7-packing portable of choice originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8940aceracer aspireAcerAspireas 8940As8940aspireaspire 8940Aspire8940corecore i7CoreI7intelTue, 03 Nov 2009 06:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony introduces limited edition VAIO Nebula FW laptop]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/sony-introduces-limited-edition-vaio-nebula-fw-laptop/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/sony-introduces-limited-edition-vaio-nebula-fw-laptop/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/sony-introduces-limited-edition-vaio-nebula-fw-laptop/#comments
Sony's done plenty of limited edition "Signature Collection" laptops before, but it sure does seem to be particularly excited about its new VAIO Nebula FW model -- how else can you explains such imaginative advertising copy as the blurb above? Better still, the laptop demands a relatively non-premium starting price of $809.99, and packs some more than respectable specs across the board, including a 16.4-inch display, your choice of Core 2 Duo processors, up to 8GB of RAM, a range of SSD or standard hard drive options up 500GB, and a Blu-ray drive that comes at no added cost to the base price. Of course, if that nebula design is a little too flashy for your liking, you can also still grab the laptop in basic black or brown for the same price.

[Via Chip Chick]

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Sony introduces limited edition VAIO Nebula FW laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>signature collectionSignatureCollectionsony signature collectionsony vaiosony vaio nebula fwSonySignatureCollectionSonyVaioSonyVaioNebulaFwvaiovaio fwvaio nebula fwVaioFwVaioNebulaFwMon, 02 Nov 2009 21:19:00 EST<![CDATA[HP Mini 311 unboxed, torn apart]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/hp-mini-311-unboxed-torn-apart/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/hp-mini-311-unboxed-torn-apart/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/hp-mini-311-unboxed-torn-apart/#comments Someone on the big wide internet has the HP Compaq Mini 311 and did up an unboxing for us all to share in. Spoiler alert: the packaging is about as exciting as a shoe box, which is pretty unfortunate for such an exciting product. Meanwhile, someone on the other end of the internet went to the trouble of actually ripping apart their Mini 311, so the rest of us can see how HP squeezed that ION in there without getting our hands dirty. Spoiler alert: doesn't look too hard to us. Video of the unboxing is after the break.

Read - MyHPMini.com teardown
Read - NewGadgets.de unboxing

Continue reading HP Mini 311 unboxed, torn apart

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HP Mini 311 unboxed, torn apart originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compaqhphp compaqHpCompaqionmini 311Mini311nvidia ionNvidiaIonunboxingMon, 02 Nov 2009 12:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Slinky Lenovo laptop prototype outed by FCC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/slinky-lenovo-laptop-prototype-outed-by-fcc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/slinky-lenovo-laptop-prototype-outed-by-fcc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/slinky-lenovo-laptop-prototype-outed-by-fcc/#commentsSlinky Lenovo laptop netbook prototype outed by FCC Ooh, what's this? A new netbook from Lenovo, or some other flavor of tiny laptop? Little is known about the subject of this FCC filing from hardware assembler (and resurrector) Wistron, other than it will have a 10.1-inch screen, a 3-in-1 media reader, and plenty of wireless options including Bluetooth, WiFi, and HSDPA data. Dimensionally the device, referred to as the 0251, would fit into the IdeaPad category, but with no mention of processor or storage there's still some room to hope for something equally small but with a bit more chutzpah. Yeah, we're optimists.

[Via wireless goodness; Warning: PDF read link]

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Slinky Lenovo laptop prototype outed by FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0251fccideapadlenovonetbookwistronMon, 02 Nov 2009 07:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple killing Atom support, dreams of netbook hackintoshers in next Snow Leopard release?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/apple-killing-atom-support-dreams-of-netbook-hackintoshers-in-n/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/apple-killing-atom-support-dreams-of-netbook-hackintoshers-in-n/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/apple-killing-atom-support-dreams-of-netbook-hackintoshers-in-n/#commentsApple killing Atom support, dreams of netbook hackintoshers in next Snow Leopard release?Nobody said running a netbook hackintosh would be easy -- but nobody said they'd make it this hard. Apple is currently engaged in a war of compatibility with Palm and, if the developer build of Snow Leopard version 10.6.2 is any indication, the Atom processor is next on the smack down list. Word on coder street is that the upcoming revision of OS X will kill support for Intel's little powerhouse. That could certainly change before it hits the world at large, but we wouldn't bet on it. So, if you're viewing this on an netbook install of your own devising, you may be stuck at version 10.6.1 (or earlier) for awhile -- or you may need to do a little custom kernel building. Either way, we're thinking that if Apple ever gets around to making a netbook it probably won't be an Atom-powered one.

[Via OS X Daily]

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Apple killing Atom support, dreams of netbook hackintoshers in next Snow Leopard release? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10.6.2appleatomhackintoshintel atomIntelAtommacnetbookos xOsXsnow leopardsnow leopard 10.6.2SnowLeopardSnowLeopard10.6.2Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Unfinished Windows 7 feature exploited for virtual WiFi hotspots]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/unfinished-windows-7-feature-exploited-for-virtual-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/unfinished-windows-7-feature-exploited-for-virtual-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/unfinished-windows-7-feature-exploited-for-virtual-wifi-hotspots/#comments It wasn't all that long ago that Microsoft was talking up the Virtual WiFi feature developed by Microsoft Research and set for inclusion in Windows 7, but something got lost along the road to release day, and the functionality never officially made it into the OS. As you might expect with anything as big and complicated as an operating system though, some of that code did make it into the final release, and there was apparently enough of it for the folks at Nomadio to exploit into a full fledged feature. That's now become Connectify, a free application from the company that effectively turns any Windows 7 computer into a virtual WiFi hotspot -- letting you, for instance, wirelessly tether a number of devices to your laptop at location where only an Ethernet jack is available, or even tether a number of laptops together at a coffee shop that chargers for WiFi. Intrigued? Hit up the link below to grab the beta.

[Via PC World]

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Unfinished Windows 7 feature exploited for virtual WiFi hotspots originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hotspotvirtual wifivirtual wifi hotspotVirtualWifiVirtualWifiHotspotwifi hotspotWifiHotspotwindowswindows 7Windows7Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Is this a next generation ThinkPad, or the cruelest Photoshop ThinkPad fans have ever witnessed?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/is-this-a-next-generation-thinkpad-or-the-cruelest-photoshop-th/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/is-this-a-next-generation-thinkpad-or-the-cruelest-photoshop-th/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/is-this-a-next-generation-thinkpad-or-the-cruelest-photoshop-th/#comments So, before we get ourselves in a tizzy, we'll caveat that there are some seeming signs of Photoshoppery here, namely the edge around the keyboard and of course the pure insanity of putting chiclet keys and a white skin on a ThinkPad (Cloned In China thinks it might be an outright KIRF). That said, there's something about the laptop that smacks of ultraportability and simplicity which we're not entirely averse to. And for the purists there's still that nipple and the third mouse button to be smug about, which is something for them to think about while the burn down the Engadget HQ in a rage for us even suggesting this could be a good direction. Check out another shot after the break, and shots of another even odder design at the read link.

[Via Cloned In China]

Continue reading Is this a next generation ThinkPad, or the cruelest Photoshop ThinkPad fans have ever witnessed?

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Is this a next generation ThinkPad, or the cruelest Photoshop ThinkPad fans have ever witnessed? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in the wildInTheWildkirfleakleakedlenovorumorthinkpadMon, 02 Nov 2009 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[NVIDIA ION LE hack adds DirectX 10 support, raises interesting questions]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/nvidia-ion-le-hack-adds-directx-10-support-raises-interesting-q/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/nvidia-ion-le-hack-adds-directx-10-support-raises-interesting-q/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/nvidia-ion-le-hack-adds-directx-10-support-raises-interesting-q/#comments
If myHPmini forum member runawayprisoner is to be believed (and why not?), rather than featuring some sort of dumbed-down hardware, the sole difference between the NVIDIA ION and the XP-friendly ION LE is that the latter has DirectX 10 support disabled in the device drivers. Indeed, when the full-blown ION drivers are hacked to recognize the ION LE device ID, not only do you get to run DX10, but performance increases markedly as well. Of course, DX10 is Windows 7 only, but you should conceivably be able to take your ION LE machine, install Windows 7 and the driver hack, and get on with your life (and save a few bucks in the process). Why bother with the charade, you ask? Theories abound, but we think it's a pretty good guess that NVIDIA is merely adhering to Microsoft licensing requirements here, and that in the long run crippling an existing chipset is cheaper than developing an entirely new one for an OS that's likely to be phased out sooner than later.

[Via SlashGear]

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NVIDIA ION LE hack adds DirectX 10 support, raises interesting questions originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>directx 10directx 9Directx10Directx9hackionion leIonLemodnvidia ionnvidia ion leNvidiaIonNvidiaIonLespeculationwindows 7windows xpWindows7WindowsXpFri, 30 Oct 2009 12:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Rechargeable zinc-air batteries promise a lot, we'll see if they deliver in 2010]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/rechargeable-zinc-air-batteries-promise-a-lot-well-see-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/rechargeable-zinc-air-batteries-promise-a-lot-well-see-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/rechargeable-zinc-air-batteries-promise-a-lot-well-see-if-they/#comments Is there any other field of technology that promises as many revolutionary innovations as battery makers do yet delivers so few? We've heard of battery life being made four times, eight times, even twelve times better... and seen pretty much none of it pan out in any sort of meaningful way. Zinc-air batteries are also nothing new, but now some whizkids up in Norway have figured out how to make them rechargeable and set up an entire company, ReVolt, for their commercialization. With more than double the energy density of regular Lithium-Ion batteries, safer operation, lower cost of production, and environmentally friendlier ingredients, ReVolt's tech sounds as sweet as anything, but we'd advise waiting for the pudding-based proof before getting excited. Plans are for small hearing aid and cellphone batteries to show up in 2010, and if all goes well there, larger cells for electric vehicles could also follow. Sure.

[Via PhysOrg]

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Rechargeable zinc-air batteries promise a lot, we'll see if they deliver in 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterybattery lifeBatteryLifemetal-airmetal-air batteriesMetal-airBatteriesrechargeablerevoltzinc-airzinc-air batteriesZinc-airBatteriesFri, 30 Oct 2009 06:58:00 EST<![CDATA[ASUS' Android-based 'secret weapon' smartbook launching in Q1]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/asus-android-based-secret-weapon-smartbook-launching-in-q1/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/asus-android-based-secret-weapon-smartbook-launching-in-q1/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/asus-android-based-secret-weapon-smartbook-launching-in-q1/#comments
We got our first glimpse at a computing future filled with low-cost, ARM-based ASUS smartbooks running Android on a 1GHz Snapdragon processor all the way back on June 1st. Since then, however, the pencil-spinning boys in Taiwan have been poo-pooing plans to launch such a device due to what ASUS called an uncertain market opportunity -- or was it pressure from Wintel, we never can tell? Then yesterday, ASUS' Jerry Shen pulled an about-face at an investor meeting in Taipei with talk of launching a $180 smartbook in Q1 of 2010. Bristling with confidence, Shen goes so far as to call it a "secret weapon" in a category offering potential for huge, Eee PC-like growth. Well, with the first big-name smartbooks just starting to ship, even a dozen or so sales could be considered statistically significant.

[Via Shanzai]

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ASUS' Android-based 'secret weapon' smartbook launching in Q1 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armasusinvestorjerry shenJerryShennetbooksmartbooksnapdragonFri, 30 Oct 2009 02:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Ericsson's Spider Computer makes portable computing downright creepy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ericssons-spider-computer-makes-portable-computing-downright-cr/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ericssons-spider-computer-makes-portable-computing-downright-cr/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ericssons-spider-computer-makes-portable-computing-downright-cr/#comments
It seems like the future, as it's unveiled in prototypes, always seems much more exciting than the one we end up inheriting. Between Segway-esque unicycles, braille labelmakers, and Bluetooth-enabled gowns, the road ahead looks pretty sweet (if only in concept). Among the various ideas floated by Ericsson as part of its Life in 2020 project, the company has unveiled something called the Spider Computer. Named after the creepy spider-like legs of the initial design, the thing houses a PC, pico proj, a keyboard that's projected onto your desk with a laser, and a memory card reader. According to Pocket-lint the device, shown here at the 2009 Taiwan Broadband show, has a rather poor battery life and lacks network connectivity, but once they figure out how to pack WiFi and some reasonable juice into the thing we might start seeing a few more ultraportables that look more like Maglites than netbooks. Peep the prototypes (and some renders) in the gallery below.

Gallery: Ericsson's Spider Computer prototype


[Via Pocket-lint]

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Ericsson's Spider Computer makes portable computing downright creepy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadband show 2009BroadbandShow2009conceptericssonlife in 2020LifeIn2020portable computerPortableComputerprototypespider computerSpiderComputerultraportableThu, 29 Oct 2009 14:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer Aspire One AOD250 impressions: Android gone bad]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/acer-aspire-one-aod250-impressions-android-gone-bad/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/acer-aspire-one-aod250-impressions-android-gone-bad/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/acer-aspire-one-aod250-impressions-android-gone-bad/#comments We admit, we were pretty stoked when we first saw the Acer Aspire One AOD250 running Android in dual-boot mode. What could possibly be bad about it? Fast start-up, Google apps... other good things that aren't coming to mind at the moment... what could go wrong? Turns out, just about everything. See, the Aspire One AOD250 has an unfortunate lack of Google blessing, so that means no Gmail, which is really Android's killer app, and no Marketplace either -- so no opportunity to track down a different killer app. You can use your Google account for hooking up with Gcal, Gtalk and Google Contacts, but your Gmail account gets set up as a webmail shortcut to the included Firefox app -- which does an alright, slightly hacked-on job of augmenting the standard Android browser, including support for Flash. Unfortunately, with connection woes over WiFi and Ethernet (as seen on the video), there wasn't much redeemable even there, and perhaps the best news about the device is that it can be fully booted to XP at any time by clicking on the corner of Android's home screen. We still think there's promise for Android on a netbook, but it's going to need some serious TLC (also, Gmail) before it's ready for prime time. Check out our video impressions after the break.

Continue reading Acer Aspire One AOD250 impressions: Android gone bad

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Acer Aspire One AOD250 impressions: Android gone bad originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aceracer aspire oneAcerAspireOneandroidaod250aspire oneAspireOnefeaturesnetbookThu, 29 Oct 2009 12:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubuntu 9.10 'Karmic Koala' released, could decide your OS fate]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala-launching-today-could-decide-your-fu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala-launching-today-could-decide-your-fu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala-launching-today-could-decide-your-fu/#comments It's October 2009 which means something very special for Linux fans: a 9.10 release of Ubuntu. Today we see the launch of "Karmic Koala" featuring a faster graphical boot sequence (no more scary text scrolls), a revamped audio framework that improves sound control across multiple applications, and a new Software Center that visually simplifies the Add/Remove Applications tool. These are just a few of the user-centric improvements meant to have a "transformative effect" on the OS experience and help bring "the world of open source closer to the user." It's available in desktop, server, and netbook editions now so get to it, before you know it you'll be updating to Lucid Lynx.

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Ubuntu 9.10 'Karmic Koala' released, could decide your OS fate originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9.10breaking newsBreakingNewsdownloadkarmic koalaKarmicKoalareleaseubuntuThu, 29 Oct 2009 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony recalls 69,000 AC adapters due to shock hazard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/sony-recalls-69-000-ac-adapters-due-to-shock-hazard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/sony-recalls-69-000-ac-adapters-due-to-shock-hazard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/sony-recalls-69-000-ac-adapters-due-to-shock-hazard/#comments Oh, Sony. You've been doing so well with not making things blow up lately. Even a seemingly minor fizzle turned out to be a false alarm. While it's not laptop batteries this time, it seems that Sony has run into a bit of trouble with some of the AC adapters used for its VAIO all-in-one desktops and docking stations. Specifically, the insulation used in adapters for the company's VGC-LT and VGC-JS2 series desktops and VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1 docking stations can apparently fail over time and pose an electrical shock hazard for users, although there have been no reports of injuries to date (and only four reports of any short circuiting). Still, it's probably a good idea to take Sony up on its offer for a free replacement. Hit up the link below for all the necessary details.

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Sony recalls 69,000 AC adapters due to shock hazard originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ac adapterAcAdapteradapterrecallsonyvaiovaoivgc-js2vgc-ltvgp-prbx1vgp-prfe1Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia Booklet 3G running Windows 7 Home Premium unboxed (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/nokia-booklet-3g-running-windows-7-home-premium-unboxed-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/nokia-booklet-3g-running-windows-7-home-premium-unboxed-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/nokia-booklet-3g-running-windows-7-home-premium-unboxed-video/#comments
Now we're talking Nokia. Although the Booklet 3G spotted at Best Buy last week was saddled with the arbitrarily limited Windows 7 Starter Edition, the Booklet 3G sent to Engadget Spanish is configured with Windows 7 Home Premium -- a more suitable companion for this premium netbook... an oxymoron, we know. See the full unboxing video after the break and a picture paella just beyond the read link. And hey, feel free to dance along if so moved -- nobody's watching 'cept the robots.

Continue reading Nokia Booklet 3G running Windows 7 Home Premium unboxed (video)

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Nokia Booklet 3G running Windows 7 Home Premium unboxed (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booketl 3gBooketl3gbookletnetbooknokiapremiumunboxingvideoWed, 28 Oct 2009 05:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Litl Easel 'web computer' is cute as a baby-blue button]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/litl-easel-web-computer-is-cute-as-a-baby-blue-button/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/litl-easel-web-computer-is-cute-as-a-baby-blue-button/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/litl-easel-web-computer-is-cute-as-a-baby-blue-button/#comments Sorry Litl, but the FCC just spoiled your surprise party. Described as "a web computer" running Litl OS (sorry Microsoft), the 3.38-pound Litl Easel (built by FIC) packs a 1.86GHz Atom Z540 processor beneath that 12.1-inch 1280x800 pixel display, a meager 2GB of storage, 1GB of DDR2 memory, 802.11b/g WiFi, and webcam all powered by a 2600MAh battery. There's also HDMI, a single USB jack, and an IR receiver for a Litl remote. A dedicated baby-blue "Litl" key on the keyboard would appear to act like a home key that takes you back to the "Card View" home page. Based on the description from the manual, the Litl OS will present information in stacks of cards: blue cards are "permanent" cards for the card catalog, family and friends, and settings; white cards are web cards displayed in a Mozilla browser; and black "channel" cards (known as widgets everywhere else) feature a Litl alarm clock, New York Times headline ticker, and weather channel. And if the cutsie-wutsie factor of the Litl Easel is lost on you then perhaps the "best results if plugged in" label on the power brick will help drive the message home. Litl already has a teaser page up so we expect this to launch Stateside sometime before the holidays.

Gallery: Litl Easel netbook is cute as a baby-blue button

Read -- FCC document
Read -- Litl teaser

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Litl Easel 'web computer' is cute as a baby-blue button originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomeaselfccleaklitllitl oslitleLitlOsnetbookweb computerWebComputerz540Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenovo's IdeaPad S12 finally on sale with Windows 7, NVIDIA Ion]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/lenovos-ideapad-s12-finally-on-sale-with-windows-7-nvidia-ion/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/lenovos-ideapad-s12-finally-on-sale-with-windows-7-nvidia-ion/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/lenovos-ideapad-s12-finally-on-sale-with-windows-7-nvidia-ion/#comments Lenovo made us a promise back in August that the Ion-powered version of its IdeaPad S12 would finally be loosed after the introduction of Windows 7, and lo and behold, that very machine is now available to order directly from the outfit itself. The lone Ion configuration starts at $599, and as predicted, it packs a 1.6GHz N270 processor, Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit), a 256MB Ion GPU, 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 12.1-inch display (1,280 x 800), a 250GB hard drive, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, WiFi and a six-cell battery. So, if you've held on this long, are you finally jumping in now that the opportunity has presented itself?

[Via Mark's Technology Blog]

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Lenovo's IdeaPad S12 finally on sale with Windows 7, NVIDIA Ion originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>availableideapadideapad s12IdeapadS12ionlenovolenovo ideapadlenovo ideapad s12LenovoIdeapadLenovoIdeapadS12netbooknow availableNowAvailablenvidia ionNvidiaIonon saleOnSalewindows 7Windows7Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Next-gen Atom N470 to relax netbook spec restrictions slightly further]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/next-gen-atom-n470-to-relax-netbook-spec-restrictions-slightly-f/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/next-gen-atom-n470-to-relax-netbook-spec-restrictions-slightly-f/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/next-gen-atom-n470-to-relax-netbook-spec-restrictions-slightly-f/#comments Netbook specs have been held in check by Microsoft and Intel's dizzying array of rules and restrictions for low-cost machines, but now that Windows 7 is out and Intel's getting ready to release the next generation of Atom chips it sounds like things are about to get slightly better. Microsoft has already started allowing netbook manufacturers to load Windows 7 Home Premium on machines without restrictions, and now Fudzilla says Intel will lift the 1GB RAM limit from Atom machines when the 1.83GHz N470 Pine Trail chip hits in March. That means we'll start to see more of a range of netbook specs going forward, but the low-end will probably still be dominated by Windows 7 Starter and the Atom N450, which will still be limited to 1GB of RAM, so don't expect to be happy with the cheap stuff anytime soon.

[Via Slashgear]

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Next-gen Atom N470 to relax netbook spec restrictions slightly further originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomatom n470AtomN470intelmicrosoftn470netbooknettoppine trailPineTrailstarterwindows 7 starterWindows7StarterTue, 27 Oct 2009 14:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell's Latitude XT2 XFR rugged tablet gets official]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/dells-latitude-xt2-xfr-rugged-tablet-gets-official/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/dells-latitude-xt2-xfr-rugged-tablet-gets-official/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/dells-latitude-xt2-xfr-rugged-tablet-gets-official/#comments
As is often the case, the FCC spoiled the surprise on this one, but Dell's keeping its PR machine chugging along with its new Latitude XT2 XFR rugged tablet nonetheless, and it's fleshed out a few details in the precess. As expected, this one is more or less just a rugged version of the company's existing Latitude XT2, including the same 12.1-inch multitouch display, a modestly upgraded Core 2 Duo SU9600 processor, up to 5GB of RAM, your choice of a standard hard drive or SSD, a range of hot-swappable modules (soon to include GPS) and, somewhat curiously, no Windows 7 option -- just Vista or the ever popular XP downgrade. Of course it's the ruggedness that's the real selling point, and this one looks to deliver the goods on that front (for a starting price of $3,599) -- just check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Dell's Latitude XT2 XFR rugged tablet gets official

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Dell's Latitude XT2 XFR rugged tablet gets official originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convertible tabletConvertibleTabletdelllatitudelatitude xt2 xfrLatitudeXt2Xfrruggedrugged tabletRuggedTablettabletxfrxt2 xfrXt2XfrTue, 27 Oct 2009 13:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi and Toshiba subpoenaed in DOJ optical drive price fixing probe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/hitachi-and-toshiba-subpoenaed-in-doj-optical-drive-price-fixing/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/hitachi-and-toshiba-subpoenaed-in-doj-optical-drive-price-fixing/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/hitachi-and-toshiba-subpoenaed-in-doj-optical-drive-price-fixing/#comments We kinda knew that there couldn't be any antitrust smoke without the fire of market collusion, and sure enough, Sony Optiarc has been joined on the naughty step by Hitachi-LG Data Storage and Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corp. As the names should tell you, these are joint ventures involving some of the world's biggest electronics manufacturers, whose American optical drive divisions appear to be under suspicion of fixing prices. We'd have expected Hitachi and LG to wise up after paying out fines for LCD price fixing recently, but when you look at Hitachi's stock trading up after this news -- with traders confident any forthcoming fines will be too small to dent the company's bottom line -- maybe "by hook or by crook" is actually a viable business plan?

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Hitachi and Toshiba subpoenaed in DOJ optical drive price fixing probe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antitrustcollusiondojhitachiinvestigationLGmarket collusionMarketCollusionopticaloptical disc drivesoptical drivesOpticalDiscDrivesOpticalDrivesprice fixingPriceFixingprobeSamsungsubpoenasubpoenastoshibaTue, 27 Oct 2009 05:31:00 EST