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• 

  Microsoft ships red wireless Xbox 360 controller for the holidays

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 11:32pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

  
  Here's an interesting one. That red / black Xbox 360 controller that was showcased back in July is now available to any ole consumer in the US, Canada, Latin America New Zealand and Asia, and it comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit and red rechargeable battery for $64.99. For whatever reason, Microsoft's totally missing a golden opportunity to cash in on the holiday shopping season by reserving the green counterpart as some "promotional item." C'mon guys, is it really that hard to understand how irresistible a red and green gamepad tandem would be in late December?
  
  [Via IGN]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  T-Mobile G1 spotted in the wild

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 10:38pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  Ah yes, the natural progression of a release. First comes the hands-on at the introduction, then comes the leaked user manual, then comes the pre-order fiasco -- now, it's time for those always titillating in the wild shots. The box and handset are nothing out of the ordinary / surprising (respectively), but at least you now know that bona fide unboxing images are just around the bend.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Microvision's PicoP-based pocket projector revamped for CEATEC

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 10:19pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

  Now that pico projectors are actually headed to end users, we're seeing a number of companies hop in the fast lane to production. Take Microvision for instance -- these guys were taking their sweet time by introducing the PicoP beamer back at CES, and now we're looking at a freshly revamped version that has already begun shipping to OEMs for "evaluation and end-user testing." Reportedly, the device shown at CEATEC featured a "thinner, smaller and brighter PicoP engine and several image quality enhancements" over the unit displayed at CES, and it officially boasted a WVGA resolution that could be blown up to 100-inches in size. Unfortunately, we're still waiting to hear how long it'll be before this one slips into consumers' hands, but we've a feeling it'll be sooner rather than later.
  
  [Via AboutProjectors]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Laptop makers and GSM Association team on Mobile Broadband branding plan

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 9:42pm EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: Laptops, Wireless

  Laptops with built-in WWAN modems aren't anything new, but there's a hodgepodge of hardware and services available -- a situation the GSM Association is trying to simplify with the new Mobile Broadband standardization initiative. Sure, it's mostly an excuse to get another sticker on your gear, but companies like Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Toshiba, Qualcomm and a bunch of carriers are on board to ensure that Mobile Broadband-certified machines will be ready and able to connect in some 91 countries around the world -- and what's more, they're committed to spending a cool billion dollars in the next year promoting MB as a "compelling alternative" to WiFi and WiMAX. That should be an interesting dilemma for the carriers that also run hotspot networks, but we've got a feeling everyone's happy as long as the sub fees keep rolling in.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Netflix API open to all: let the developing begin

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 8:55pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

  
  Good news, developers of the world -- the Netflix API will be open to all starting tomorrow. As of October 1st, absolutely anyone can self-signup by visiting the read link, and while details are a tad sketchy at the moment, it sounds like this could hold some serious promise. The API itself allows access to data for 100,000 movie and TV episode titles, is completely free and (most importantly) allows commercial use. In other words, it's kosher if a bright developer out there somewhere feels like "creating an iPhone app to sell for $0.99 (Netflix's words, not ours)." On the technical side, the API includes a REST API, Javascript API and ATOM feeds, and it also uses OAuth standard security "to allow the subscriber to control which applications can access the service on his or her behalf." It's time to get creative, folks.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Sharp's AQUOS LC-65XS1U-S and LC-52XS1U-S HDTVs get priced

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 8:03pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

  
  Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for. Pricing for Sharp's sexiest, freshest and altogether loveliest HDTVs has arrived. As stated at CEATEC in Japan, the 65-inch LC-65XS1U-S will sell for a whopping ¥1.28 million ($12,225), while the 52-inch LC-52XS1U-S goes for ¥980,000 ($9,243). We'd expect those figures to be a touch lower whenever they come stateside, but rest assured, you'll be breaking into the piggy bank if either of these is to be your next set.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Western Digital's 4TB ShareSpace NAS gets introduced and reviewed

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 7:53pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Storage

  
  It's no Drobo, but Western Digital is dabbling in the NAS space with its minty fresh ShareSpace 4TB Network Storage System. Aimed primarily at small business users and "multimedia" junkies, the 4-bay NAS comes with gigabit Ethernet, support for multiple RAID configurations, and even the ability to act as an iTunes music server. Not too many surprises beyond that -- well, aside from the $999.99 price tag; if that's too rich for your blood, the 2TB version can be had right now for three Benjamins less. As for real-world performance? We're told it's a "great NAS for the money and one of the better picks in its category." We're serious, check it out below.
  
  [Via HotHardware]
  Read - ShareSpace release
  Read - ShareSpace reviewPermalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Sony said to be hanging onto Cell processor for PlayStation 4

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 7:27pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Gaming

  
  As should be clear by now, any talk of a successor to a still relatively new game console should be taken with a hefty grain of salt but, if word from Japan's Impress is to be believed, it looks like we could possibly be getting a clearer indication of what might be under the PlayStation 4's non-existent hood. Apparently, unlike the massive shift from the PS2 to PS3, the eventually PS4 will be a decidedly smaller leap, with it relying on a slightly speedier (and, likely, 45nm) Cell processor but not a completely new architecture. That would let Sony keep the cost down considerably while also easing development for the console since, by then, developers should finally have a handle on the PS3's hardware. To further cut costs, Sony is also said to be considering a switch from the speedy Rambus XDR memory to more traditional DDR3 memory, which could apparently be tied directly to the processor to cut down on latency. Or the PS4 could be powered by a pink slime that feeds on negative energy, you never know.
  
  [Via Electronista]
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• 

  Hitachi demonstrates 15mm 37-inch LCD TV at CEATEC

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 6:50pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

  
  Hitachi drug its oh-so-sexy 1.5-inch plasma to Japan after showing it off in Denver earlier this month, but what we didn't see at CEDIA was this: a 15-millimeter thin 37-inch LCD TV. The "reference" set packed a 1,920 x 1,080 panel and a fittingly designed stand, though it won't see mass production until "2009 or later." Ugh, even 1-inch just seems so bloated now.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Windshield GPS mounting legalized again in California

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 6:19pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: GPS, Transportation

  Though one may assume Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would have, um, more pressing matters on his hands these days, the man has somehow found time to address a complaint put forth by a-many travelin' Californians. Just this week Mr. Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that was put forth earlier this year that will legalize windshield GPS mounting once more. Granted, stipulations are present, but at least you won't be forced to point your retinas down at the cup holders in order to see your navigation system after January 1, 2009. In the new year, drivers in the Golden State will be able to suction their GPS unit in the "lower 7-inch corner farthest away from the driver or in the lower 5-inch corner closest to the driver." If you go pressing your luck and throw it smack dab in the middle, be prepared for whatever fine you're due.
  
  [Via Gadling, image courtesy of GPS Tracklog]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Breakthrough in MIT's RealNose project could mean artificial noses for all - yay

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 5:47pm EDT by Stephanie Patterson

  Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

  var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/general_sciences/Breakthrough_at_MIT_Could_Mean_Artificial_Noses_For_All'; The quest for the ultimate artificial nose is still underway, and thanks to a major breakthrough by the folks over at MIT, it might be sooner than later that we're all unwrapping stylish sniffers under the Christmas tree. More importantly, the fruits of MIT's RealNose project could replace drug and explosive-sniffing dogs as well as detect certain medical conditions via the odors emitted. Up to now, the tricky part of studying the sense of smell has been in isolating proteins (olfactory receptors) to get a good look at how they work. But in this latest development, researchers are now able to produce specific receptors using wheat germ. Engineered mammalian cells can be used to the same effect. What makes this so great is, while the human nose is relatively limited in what it can detect, this discovery could unlock the potential to detect an almost infinite range of odors. G.I. Joe with "action nose" here we come.
  
  [Via PhysOrg]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  LG's 8-megapixel Renoir handset gets previewed, handled

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 5:18pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  We were already warned that the megapixel race was headed to the mobile realm, and as if you needed any more proof, here we are looking down the lens of LG's 8-megapixel Renoir. Clearly aimed at Samsung's recently unveiled Pixon, this touchscreen-based handset found itself in the loving arms of CNET's UK branch. During the limited time editors spent with it, they found the interface to be eerily similar to that found on the Viewty and the camera to be a real winner. As expected, the not-a-3.5mm headphone jack was none too pleasing to critics, but we did overhear the T-Mobile G1 voicing its support of the port. Anywho, tap the read link for the full preview / hands-on shots.
  
  [Thanks, T.I.]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  JVC unveils new Everio concept HD camcorder at CEATEC

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 4:47pm EDT by Stephanie Patterson

  Filed under: Digital Cameras

  
  JVC has hopped on-board the HD cam bandwagon and brought some tasty wares to the table at CEATEC today, with the next gen Everio HD Memory Camera. This SDHC based concept is expected to be AVCHD ready with an HDMI port. There wasn't much more info to go around, but we expect full disclosure and a review unit real, real soon (you listening JVC?) -- or at the very least a hands-on at the show. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the above photo.
  
  [Via TechRadar]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Mio's Knight Rider GPS gets reviewed, high-fived

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 4:16pm EDT by Joseph L. Flatley

  Filed under: GPS

  
  Sure, we've been totally into Mio's Knight Rider GPS, but how does it really stack up? PC Magazine took it out for a test drive and found that the device is essentially a Moov 300, which they say has solid route calculation times and a straightforward menu system. The Knight Rider version comes pre-loaded with maps for the US, Canada and Puerto Rico -- an improvement over typical Mio US-only map packs -- and the reviewer likes the device's 58 POI categories (compared to the Moov 310's paltry 35). The biggest knock on the unit is the lack of live traffic on-board; you have to purchase a subscription and a separate receiver (not yet available on Mio's web site). Of course, you could always go for the aforementioned 310 with a built-in traffic receiver (and $20 lower price tag), but how cool would that be? Not cool at all. Don't take our word for it, though, hit the read link and check out the whole review for yourself.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  KDDI au concept phones invade CEATEC

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 3:49pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  We already caught sight of KDDI au's cellphone as musical instrument concept devices last month, but it looks like the company's fanciful design group had plenty more than those to show off at CEATEC, as evidenced by Akihabara News' slew of pictures from the show. Those include the satellite-like device pictured above, as well as a neat little minimalist number pictured after the break and another folding contraption (also after the break) that we're still trying to wrap our heads around. Hopefully we'll get a chance to check these out ourselves before CEATEC wraps up but, until then, you can hit up the read link below for some more pics.

  Continue reading KDDI au concept phones invade CEATEC

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• 

  AMD debuts dirt cheap ATI Radeon HD 4550, HD 4350 graphics cards

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 3:18pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

  
  NVIDIA managed to generate quite a bit of interest with its $59 GeForce 9400 GT graphics card, and it looks like rival AMD is now taking things one step further with not one but two cards that are even cheaper. Those include the $55 ATI Radeon HD 4550 and the $39 ATI Radeon HD 4350, which pack 512MB and 256MB of memory, respectively, along with some other surprisingly not too shabby specs. Namely, each card packs DirectX 10.1 support, an HDMI port with support for 7.1 channel audio, upscaling "beyond 1080p," and even support for ATI's CrossFireX technology in case you want to pair two of them up. As usual, you can expect the cards to be available from a whole host of different manufacturers, at least some of which should have cards available by October, if not sooner.
  
  [Via bit-tech.net]
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• 

  HD DVD sales apparently still going strong

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 2:47pm EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

  
  Sure, sure, the format war is over, but we never expected HD DVD to just disappear overnight, and it looks like the combination of deeply-discounted hardware, cheap media, and a weak economy are keeping Red alive even as Toshiba pretends no one really wants true HD anyway. Players are going for as little as $60 with movies available for $10, and retailers like Buy.com say that "sales are still very strong." Of course, eventually all this stock has to run out, so we doubt this'll be a long-lasting phenomenon, but hey -- stranger things have happened.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Targus kicks out a slew of Mac-focused accessories

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 2:14pm EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: Peripherals

  
  Targus is making a big deal about how it's launching its first-ever line of Mac accessories, but we're not seeing much here that's particularly platform-dependent -- just a lot of gray and white plastic. The $70 Bluetooth Laser Mouse, $50 Wireless Mouse, and $80 Bluetooth Presenter all feature an interesting touch-sensitive scroll nub that switches to cursor control on the presenter and offers four-way scrolling on the mice. There's also a $50 USB file-transfer cable that offers direct file transfers between PCs and Macs, a $30 four-port compact USB hub with wraparound cable, MacBook and MacBook Pro privacy screens that range from $50 to $80, and a $50 dual-fan cooling pad with a slight ergonomic tilt. All this should be available now -- PC owners, you'll just have to find something else to do with your useless, useless money.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  GPS sends another driver onto train tracks of doom

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 1:42pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: GPS, Transportation

  
  We've seen some pretty extreme cases of excessive faith in GPS, but this may well be the first instance of the ill-advised practice nearly exactly repeating itself. As you may recall, earlier this year a Bedford Hills, New York man trusted his GPS so much that he apparently thought it was perfectly reasonable to follow the directions directly onto a set of train tracks. That didn't exactly work out so well, for his car or the oncoming train. Now, as The Journal News reports, another man followed his GPS onto the very same set of tracks last night and, while he did get out in time to make a surely embarrassing 911 call, that apparently wasn't enough to prevent a commuter train from slamming into the car a few minutes later, causing an hour and a half delay but, thankfully, no injuries. Maybe it's time for some signs?
  Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Dell pre-loading Iron Man, world asks "Why?"

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 1:10pm EDT by Tim Stevens

  Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

  While in the throes of customizing your dream machine over at Dell, weighing CPU cost vs. memory cost, would you click on a $19 option called "Iron Man movie with bonus content?" We sure wouldn't, but now you can, part of what the Director of Dell's Global Consumer Group is calling the company's "slow immersion into content as a major piece of the puzzle in terms of what consumers want from a PC." Right. The (surely DRM-riddled) film is available on any Inspiron, Studio, or XPS laptop or desktop, playable on that machine itself or through your choice of Windows Media Extender. Iron Man is the only film on offer now, but meaty palms are likely being pressed as you read this to drive other partnerships and more choices. This could let the company hook customers before even shipping their hardware, a potential advantage for what looks to be a looming content battle with Apple.
  
  [Thanks, SebS]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Sharp's tegakichat concept phone brings the purikura booth to girls' pockets

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 12:49pm EDT by Joshua Fruhlinger

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  Japan is drenched in arcades with female-only purikura (photo booth for you gaijin) corners in which aflutter girls take pictures, bless them with sparkly decorations, and print them to book cover friendly stickers for all to see, for better or worse, to the horror of their moms, to the delight of their potential boyfriends. Let's say Sharp was to take the purikura phenomenon and fuse it with to the teenage girl's number one obsession: the cell phone (keitai for our Japanese readers). That's exactly what it did with this concept phone and software, complete with a shared art space that can be collectively decorated over wireless networks. Scary? Perhaps. Cool enough to snap some video in awesome disbelief? Most definitely.
  
  

  Gallery: Sharp tegakichat

  Continue reading Sharp's tegakichat concept phone brings the purikura booth to girls' pockets

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• 

  Pandora pre-orders go live

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 12:32pm EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: Gaming

  
  digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Pandora_pre_orders_go_live'; We still don't really believe it, but the Pandora pre-order page is now live and accepting orders for the open-source gaming handheld. Only 3,000 units are being delivered this time around, so you'd better act fast -- $329 is all it takes to be a part of history, kids.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Dell rolls out S1909WX, S1709W LCD monitors

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 12:14pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Displays

  
  Enticed by Dell's new, slightly less hard-edged 22-, 23-, and 24-inch LCDs but looking for something a little easier on the wallet (and your desk)? Well, it looks like you're in luck, as the company has just let loose some matching 17- and 19-inch models that each come in under $200. From the looks of it, the $199, 19-inch S1909WX is by far the better bargain of the two, with it boasting a 1440 x 900 resolution, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, a 300cd/m2 brightness rating, and an HDCP compatible DVI port. The 17-inch S1709W, on the other hand, packs the same resolution and will save you twenty bucks, but you'll have to make do with a 600:1 contrast ratio, 250cd/m2 brightness, and nothing more than a plain old VGA port, not to mention just 17-inches of screen real estate. Sold? You know where to get 'em.
  
  [Via Electronista]
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• 

  AMD's 45nm Shanghai enters production, next stops are Deneb, Istanbul

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 11:49am EDT by Tim Stevens

  Filed under: Desktops

  
  Let's not beat around the bush: AMD's oft-delayed Barcelona quad-core processor was a flop. It arrived late and buggy, an undesirable reception that helped to drive the company's $1.2 billion Q2 loss this year. AMD can't afford another flub like that and is hoping that processor's successor, Shanghai, finds more success in the server market. It's a 45nm quad-core chip with three times the cache (6MB) and HyperTransport 3, apparently equating to a 20 percent boost in speed and even thriftier power consumption. AMD is saying the chip is already under production and will be available for sale before the year is out, actually beating expectations for once. That should be shortly followed by the release of 45nm Deneb processors for desktops, then six-core Istanbul chips sometime late 2009. Meanwhile, Intel's six-core, 45nm server chips are now shipping.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  WiMAX tested in Reno, doesn't work in cars

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 11:26am EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: Wireless

  
  Sprint may have just launched the XOHM WiMAX network in Baltimore, but would-be merger partner Clearwire has been running its version of the mobile broadband service in Reno for a while, and InfoWorld went down to test it out and give us a taste of what to expect. Performance was good while not in motion, with downloads speeds around 1.5 to 2.0 Mbps and uploads hitting 275 to 325Kbps, but actually getting mobile broadband seems to be out of the question -- the system simply couldn't connect to a laptop moving in a car or on a train. That seems like a dealbreaker to us, but we'll give it a pass for now since it's so early in the game -- we'll see if Sprint can do better.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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  Nintendo getting into the pedometer game? This will all end in tears

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 10:58am EDT by Paul Miller

  Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Wearables

  
  Bad / good news, folks: Nintendo is / isn't working on a pedometer peripheral that will / won't integrate with its Wii / DS console. The company has famously stated that it doesn't plan to release "a whole lot more" accessories for the Wii, which means we've got at least one or two to look forward to, and this could be one of 'em. The images surfaced on a European trademark registry site with very little supplemental info, but we do know it's a pedometer of sorts. If we're lucky, this is something that'll integrate into the existing Wii Fit setup, perhaps alongside a software update to manage more info about our unhealthiness than just how far we can jump on a pair of imaginary skis, but it's probably just as likely that we're looking at a Wii Fit sequel, or perhaps a DS version (a handy companion to that new DS?) designed to lure us out of the house. No telling, really, but the peripheral does appear to be wireless... and wholly evil.
  
  [Via Joystiq]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  OLPC's Give One, Get One returns to Amazon on November 17

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 10:32am EDT by Paul Miller

  Filed under: Laptops

  
  We knew we'd be seeing a comeback of the Give One, Get One program this year, and now OLPC has confirmed a November 17 date -- just in time for the holidays, how convenient for everyone! We're still not certain on a price, but $399 is quite likely. It's not like they're doing the volume right now to drive those costs down, and the component-reduced XO 1.5, which is supposed to actually get close to hitting OLPC's $100 laptop goals, won't be landing until next spring. Dual-booting to XP is still unconfirmed.
  
  [Thanks, Charbax]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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  LG introduces "attractively-priced" KP500, doesn't say how attractive

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 10:13am EDT by Tim Stevens

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  Got touchscreen envy but don't have the pair of Benjamins required to get yourself into a celly without a keypad? LG has a solution: the KP500, a nearly button-less and stylus-bearing handset that sounds rather like another recent cheap smartphone. LG's not giving many details about this one beyond its 3-inch display, a 3 megapixel camera, motion sensor, and availability in black, brown, silver, or gold (though based on the pic above we'd stay away from that last one). There's a short video of the TouchFLO-like UI to whet your appetite just below, but that's all we have to share until this phone hits Europe in a month, with a worldwide release to come afterward.
  
  [Via Unwired View]

  Continue reading LG introduces "attractively-priced" KP500, doesn't say how attractive

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  Emblaze Mobile's iPhone competitor detailed, hitting Russia next month

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 9:49am EDT by Tim Stevens

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  We don't hear too much from Emblaze Mobile around these parts, just the occasional boastful proclamation about revolutionizing mobile communication. So, color us surprised when we got wind of an entirely new and impressive sounding handset due to ship in just a month. The Edelweiss (named after a flower representing purity) is a 3G, touch-screen handset with internal GPS and either 8 or 16GB of storage. That may sound familiar, but what this has over the competition is a massive resolution of 854 x 480, more than twice that of the iPhone and greater even than the previous high-res handset king, HTC's Touch HD. Right now Herr Edelweiss is due only to release in Russia, but if it lives up to it promise we'd certainly expect to see it elsewhere. Oh, and that other project to revolutionize mobile communication? They're still working on that too, dubbing the Linux-based device "Monolith" and promising release sometime in the first half of next year.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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  Super Talent intros a sub-$300, 128GB solid-state drive -- things will never be the same

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 9:22am EDT by Joshua Topolsky

  Filed under: Storage

  
  If you've been waiting for SSD prices to drop to reasonable ranges -- now may be the time to put the credit card down. Super Talent has begun selling its 128GB, 2.5-inch, SATA II "MasterDrive LX" for the shocking affordable price of $299, which works out to about $2.49 per gigabyte. If that still puts of pinch on your pocketbook (and what doesn't right now?), then perhaps you can be enticed by the company's 64GB offering, which clocks in at a fairly doable $179. With prices this low, you barely have a defense against purchase... unless, you know... you don't have the money. Then we totally understand.
  
  [Via jkOnTheRun]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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  Screen Grabs: Fall Out Boy rails against product placement, enjoys the rewards of product placement

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 8:55am EDT by Joshua Topolsky

  Filed under: Cellphones

  Screen grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.
  
  
  In a rare twist of good luck, we're able to bring you a very special Screen Grabs featuring both Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz and the Nokia 7610. Apparently, the band's new video for the song I Don't Care -- which was heavily hyped by both label and artist for its multifarious cameos (Pharrell, Mark Hoppus, Spencer Pratt), and sharp lambaste of modern rock bands as "dudes wearing eyeliner and hawking energy drinks" (AKA Fall Out Boy) -- turned into something very different. According to Wentz on a now-removed blog post, the painstaking edit he worked on with director Alan Ferguson was jettisoned for an oddly product placement-filled extravaganza. In his words: "The version of the video that we worked on night after night is not the version that aired, yet somehow a cut full of glorious camera-phone shots did." Luckily for us, a major blow to the band's creative endeavors can be salvaged as another look at a piece of technology we know and certainly love. Video after the break, volume most definitely optional.
  
  [Thanks, Junior]

  Continue reading Screen Grabs: Fall Out Boy rails against product placement, enjoys the rewards of product placement

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• 

  DoCoMo and Fujitsu show off splitting phone at CEATEC

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 7:46am EDT by Joshua Topolsky

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  DoCoMo and Fujitsu are showing off some interesting phone tech in Japan at this year's CEATEC, particularly a concept device which can be split into two pieces. The gadget features a separate screen and keyboard segment, and the pieces can be configured in a standard flip-phone-like arrangement, or snapped together to form an X1 or Touch Pro-esque landscape QWERTY variation. The two halves are held together by magnets and communicate via Bluetooth. Of course, right now this is very much in the concept phase, and honestly -- aren't we trying to minimize the amount of electronic components we're carting around? Still, it's a fairly slick design, and certainly a new way of thinking about phones. Take another look after the break, and hit the read link for a slew of pics.

  Continue reading DoCoMo and Fujitsu show off splitting phone at CEATEC

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• 

  Fujifilm dishes out new platter of Secure Digital cards

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 7:08am EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Storage

  
  It's not making the same sized splash as the tidal wave created by SanDisk today, but Fujifilm is still vying for your flash card dollars with a bundle of newcomers. On the vanilla SD front, we're seeing a new 1GB SD and 2GB SD card, while those scouting a microSD card can key in on the new 1GB and 2GB flavors there, too. Stepping it up are the 4/8/16GB SDHC cards and the tinier 4/8GB microSDHC units. There's no mention of dollars and cents, but the whole colorful group should be on store shelves next month.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Crapgadget: this BlackBerry Bold dock is just for effect

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 5:59am EDT by Chris Ziegler

  Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

  
  Let's be straight: nothing says "I'm a successful businessperson" quite like a dock for your smartphone. You know, smack in the middle of that solid oak desk of yours -- the one in the corner office. What, you say your fancy new BlackBerry Bold doesn't have connections for a proper dock? Well, hell, you've got hair plugs, spray-on tan, and a house in the Hamptons you can't afford, so why not take the charade to the next level? USB Fever's fabulously generic $20 cradle for the Bold will at least charge the thing, but if you want to get all crazy and sync up with your PC, you've got to suffer the indignance of a USB cable (coiled for your convenience) flopping off the side. Should look real professional next to the red Swingline and that stupid "Teamwork" perpetual motion rowing thing of yours, sport. You know what we're talking about.
  
  [Via Gear Diary]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Kodak's Zi6 pocket HD camcorder reviewed

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 2:33am EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Digital Cameras

  Comically (and accurately, might we add) described as being "about the size of a late 90's mobile phone," Kodak's Zi6 was widely hailed as the first true competitor to the mighty Flip Video. As we completely expected, this bugger was found to be remarkably easy to use by critics at Gadling, though the portable nature and simplistic operations were overshadowed by lackluster image quality. The cam struggled to adjust when whizzed around and when going from dark to light areas, and we were told to just put the thing away rather than attempt to use it in low-light scenarios. Of course, this shooter is only $179, so it still may be perfect for a select group of daylight-lovin' users. Hit the read link for the full review and a quick sample video to help you make up your mind.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  LG KC780 strives for world's thinnest 8 megapixel camera phone

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 1:09am EDT by Joseph L. Flatley

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  An official-looking promo shot of the rumored LG KC780 has surfaced, along supposed confirmation and some details: this will be the slimmest 8 megapixel camera phone to date, offering quad-band GSM support and limited touchscreen functionality. There's still no word on 3G support, no price and no date -- but you'll know more when we do. Promise. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Sony reveals limited edition 007 VAIO TT, USB Micro Vault and Reader Digital Book

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 12:31am EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Displays, Laptops, Storage

  In a move to pump up the impending theater debut of Quantum of Solace, Sony is simultaneously opening up a new promotional game and introducing a few new pieces of limited edition gear. Obviously, we're a touch more concerned with the kit than the game, so we'll skip over those details and head right to the meat of it. The outfit will be offering up 100 limited run VAIO TT laptops that are emblazoned with a 007 logo on the palm rest and a matching leather protection case. Additionally, a Special Edition Bond bundle for the Reader Digital Book will feature an embossed cover with a 007 logo and coupon codes for free downloads of Ian Fleming's novels Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Lastly, we've got the 007 USB Micro Vault in 8GB and 16GB flavors, both of which come pre-loaded with the Quantum of Solace trailer and other miscellaneous "bonus content." Wild guesses as to price / release dates are being accepted now.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Nintendo issues a non-denial DS denial

  Posted: September 30th, 2008, 12:04am EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: Gaming

  
  Nintendo seems to be tripping all over itself denying the rumors that broke over the weekend of a new camera-packing DS, but it's not exactly doing the greatest job -- "While Nintendo is always working on new hardware, we have not made any announcement about a DS and we cannot comment on the Nikkei story" is exactly the sort of not-quite-a-no that has our new-hardware piggy bank cowering in fear. We'll see soon, hopefully -- Ninty prez Satoru Iwata is scheduled to give his fall presentation on Wednesday.
  
  [Via Joystiq, Image courtesy of Fami Blog]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Sharp LC-65XS1U-S and LC-52XS1U-S X-Series AQUOS LCD HDTVs eyes-on

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 11:44pm EDT by Joshua Fruhlinger

  Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

  
  While we knew these new Sharp Aquos HDTVs were coming, we had no idea how thin and bright they were in person. Today at CEATEC 2008 Sharp officially announced its LC-65XS1U-S (65-inch) and LC-52XS1U-S (52-inch) AQUOS LCD HDTVs right at CEATEC Japan's opening bell. The displays' 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 1080P panel are nice and all, but we now know they measure in at a super gaunt 2.28-cm (0.9-inch) depth and are outfitted with a 2.1-channel, three-way five-speaker system that Sharp jointly developed with Pioneer. Meanwhile, Sharp boasts some serious energy savings with the new displays, promising a 26% reduction in power consumption. Expect them to hit stores in Japan October 15 in limited numbers for an undisclosed (read: 'spensive) price. Check the emaciated photos in the gallery if you're so inclined.
  
  

  Gallery: Sharp Aquos XS1

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• 

  Blackberry Storm dummy hits Verizon store

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 11:22pm EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  Well, it's not quite as big as that gigantic promo Bold, but dummies of the Blackberry Storm have started appearing in Verizon stores, and it's looking a lot, uh, more robust than we remember from all those leaks. Specs include an appropriately multicultural photo of happy people, non-functioning buttons, and a list of Verizon talking points. Still no hard release date, but we're guessing something this big can't be contained for much longer.
  
  [Via Blackberry News]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Xbox 360 with Jasper arrives on the scene in all its 65nm glory

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 11:07pm EDT by Stephanie Patterson

  Filed under: Gaming

  Hey, those Jaspers we've heard so much about are finally popping up in Xbox 360 consoles -- a bit behind the anticipated August release date, but better late than never right? If you'll recall these boards come equipped with 65nm chips that draw significantly less power, along with reduced heat output. If you're thinking about picking one of the new models up, you might want to check that the manufacture date is no earlier than August 6, 2008, and lot number is 8031 or above. So if you just bought a new console, it's time to go foraging for that receipt, but if you're still not sold there's always Valhalla to look forward to.
  
  [Via Joey Gadget]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  CEATEC Japan: konnichiwa, we're here

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 10:54pm EDT by Joshua Fruhlinger

  
  So there's this place called Japan where they have all sorts of electronics, gadgets, televisions, arcades, izakayas, and a mega conference called CEATEC 2008. We're here, on the other side of the date line, inhaling coffee, and you had best stay tuned for the latest from the land of the rising sun.Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Nokia's CTO steps down for "personal reasons"

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 10:43pm EDT by Chris Ziegler

  Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

  We thought he probably would've at least stuck around long enough to see the Tube get announced later this week, but Nokia CTO Bob Iannucci has announced that he's stepping down from the world's number one cellphone maker effective immediately for undisclosed "personal reasons." Though it might seem that the move leaves a gaping hole in Espoo's senior leadership, the company actually says that Bob will continue on in an advisory role while it decides whether it even needs a CTO going forward. Bob also served as head of the Nokia Research Centre -- also known as the place where you get to play with Haptikos -- where Henry Tirri, current head of the center's Systems Research group, will be taking over.
  
  [Via mocoNews]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Aigo P8860 MID now readily available, Microsoft angles in on Intel's turf

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 9:57pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Handhelds

  
  Those really sold on Aigo's P8860 MID (also sold as the Gigabyte M528) have already been able to get their hands on one if they were willing to pay a premium and go the eBay route, but it looks like Aigo has only now finally snagged its first official reseller in the form of Direct From Japan, which means the rest of us can now readily get one for $699 (with free worldwide shipping, no less). Perhaps even more interesting that, however, is word that Aigo has also signed a deal to make official Windows XP drivers for the device available in late October, which is more than a little reminiscent of Microsoft's moves to snag a piece of the similarly Linux-friendly netbook market, though only time will tell if this relationship proves as successful.
  
  [Via Pocketables]
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• 

  Carl Zeiss' powerdomeVELVET planetarium projector: 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 8:41pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

  We've seen dynamic contrast ratios on HDTVs climb as high as 2,000,000:1, but an in-house design from the famed Carl Zeiss blows that right out of the water. The powerdomeVELVET planetarium projector was obviously not designed with home cinema in mind, though the specifications are no less impressive. We've got a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio, DLP / BrilliantColor technologies, a 1,200p native resolution and a DVI input. Not like you're actually considering one for your own domed theater, but it'll be available for a small fortune in Q1 2009.
  
  [Via DVICE]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Sanyo's 4LCD PLC-XP200L projector gets reviewed

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 7:29pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

  
  You're probably wondering if adding in a fourth panel to an LCD projector is really worthwhile. Actually, you're probably willing to bet your bottom dollar that it's a gimmick. Sound & Vision took the time to actually critique Sanyo's latest with an open mind, and believe it or not, it found the all new QuaDrive technology to be everything it was hyped up to be. To be fair, the PLC-XP200L isn't tailored for the home theater; the lowly 1,024 x 768 resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio sound downright appalling. However, reviewers focused more on the actual technology / image quality given that Sanyo already has a compact, quieter, 16:9 QuaDrive beamer slated for 2009. During a demonstration, critics found the new tech to be visibly better than 3LCD rivals, with the picture appearing "dramatically more vivid." Should you rush out and buy the XP200L? Probably not. But you may just want to delay your impending PJ purchase until that HT version hits next year.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Win a Magellan Roadmate 1400 satnav and 'Baja: Edge of Control' for the Xbox 360!

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 6:50pm EDT by Joshua Topolsky

  Filed under: Gaming, GPS

  
  You love free things, right? Well, we love giving away things -- so that's kind of a match made in virtual heaven -- and let's be honest, in these dire economic times, you probably need all the free stuff you can get. Right now, we're in the extremely delightful position of being able to hand over a Magellan Roadmate 1400 GPS unit and a copy of the new Xbox 360 game Baja: Edge of Control, and all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. That's right -- so little effort for so much reward! Interested? Read the rules below!
  
  The rules:
  

  • Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, though we'd love to hear how you plan to put this GPS unit and game into play (we're hoping not at the same time, of course).
    
  • You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
  • If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
    
  • Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
    
  • Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) Magellan Roadmate 1400 GPS unit and one (1) copy of the Xbox 360 game Baja: Edge of Control. Approximate value is $310.
    
  • Entries can be submitted until Monday, October 6th, 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
  • Full rules can be found here.

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• 

  Solar powered motorcycle now an impractical reality

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 6:22pm EDT by Joseph L. Flatley

  Filed under: Transportation

  
  Why is this guy smiling? Unlike your Zero, his electric motorcycle is solar powered. To build the bike, Jim Corning started with his wife's Ninja 250, adding a front wheel cover and extending the back end for aerodynamics. The motor is powered by lithium-ion phosphate batteries, which are recharged by four 800-watt solar panels mounted to the roof of his house (so it's not like you can just sit out in a field somewhere and charge up). The current design gets up to 70 mph and a range of about 50 miles: no power cord required. Want to make one yourself? Hit the read link for more details, and don't forget to be super rich and totally insane.
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• 

  Meizu M8 apparently launching in China, India this December

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 5:50pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  All indications have certainly been pointing towards the Meizu M8 finally, actually being released this year, and it looks like things just got a tad more official, with Taiwan-based retailer Geek IT Stores announcing that it's signed up as a distribution partner. While it didn't announce a date in its press release, a bit of prodding by Tech Ticker apparently convinced the company's sales head to reveal that the phone would be released in December, with China first on the list to be followed shortly by a roll-out in India, where it'll run you between Rs. 18,000 and Rs. 22,000 (or roughly $384 to $469) for the 8GB model -- which, incidentally, is apparently the only model that'll be available at launch.
  
  Update:some new UI pics here.
  
  [Via Electronista, Tech Ticker]
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• 

  Samsung, LG said to be releasing Android phones in Q3 '09 "at the earliest"

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 5:18pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Cellphones

  Neither LG nor Samsung have ever gone so far to as pin down an actual release date for their promised Android-based phones, but it looks like they could each now be giving themselves yet more wiggle room, at least if the supposedly in the know Mirae Asset Securities is to be believed. According to it, we now shouldn't expect to see Android handsets from either manufacturer before the second half of 2009 "at the earliest," which doesn't exactly match up with earlier word that both companies were aiming for a release in "early 2009." Venturing even further into speculation, Mirae says that the delay is a result of "negative responses" from mobile phone operators like Vodafone, as well as some general skepticism among advertising sponsors about Google's profit model for the phones. Of course, none of those parties mentioned are actually saying anything themselves just yet, so you may do well to take all of this with a hefty grain of salt for the time being.
  
  [Via Unwired View]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Verizon getting a CDMA iPhone that runs Windows Mobile, clears acne

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 4:50pm EDT by Chris Ziegler

  Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

  
  Rumors are coming fast and furious today citing unnamed tipsters that Apple is hard at work hammering out a CDMA iPhone for its friends at Verizon to be announced and released next year, the carrier it had initially approached about carrying the device back in 2005. Way we see it, though, 2009 ain't 2005; Apple's wielding boatloads more power in the wireless biz than it was before the first model launched, the industry's economics have changed, and technology roadmaps have been rewritten.
  
  So why isn't this happening, exactly? First, Apple appears to be having no trouble finding enough customers (carriers, that is) to keep iPhone 3G production at a nice clip. Second, CDMA represents a minute fraction of the world's mobile customer base that GSM / UMTS does -- no matter how big Verizon, Sprint, Telus, Bell, KDDI au, and the remaining CDMA stalwarts may be. Third, CDMA is a dying technology that will be finished off in the early part of the next decade as networks make the migration to LTE and other 4G platforms. Fourth, we have to believe Apple would sooner pour its engineering efforts into advancing the iPhone platform in the same direction as the world's networks than divert considerable resources to busting out a one-off special.
  
  Might this mythical CDMA iPhone yet exist? Yeah, Verizon's a huge carrier, and yes, stranger things have happened -- but until Steve and Ivan get on stage together at Macworld 2009, we're not buying it.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Nissan shows off bumblebee-inspired, crash-avoiding robot "car"

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 4:23pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Robots, Transportation

  
  Nissan's already hard at work on some crash-avoidance systems for regular, human-driven cars, but it looks like it's not stopping there, with it now also showing off its BR23C robotic "car," which apparently takes its inspiration from the humble bumblebee. That comes in the form of the BR23C's laser range finder (or LRF), which acts like a bee's compound eye to detect obstacles up to two meters away within a 180-degree radius. When combined with the slightly mysterious crash avoidance system, that apparently lets the car react "instinctively" the split second it detects an obstacle and maneuver accordingly. Of course, as you can see above, Nissan doesn't seem to be quite ready to test the system with any human passengers just yet, but the company has some big plans for the future, with it aiming to cut its rate of car crashes in half by 2015 compared to its stats from 1995.
  
  [Via Autoblog]
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• 

  SanDisk fesses up to 16GB microSDHC and M2 memory cards

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 3:55pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Storage

  What's been keepin' ya, SanDisk? We knew these little buggers were legit late last week, but for whatever reason, the outfit chose to keep its trap shut until today. Finally, SanDisk has confessed in painful detail that its 16GB microSDHC and M2 cards are for real, marking the largest capacity available in both formats. Of note, even Sony doesn't have a 16GB M2 card on the market, though it's possible the firm is too busy dealing with all those other proprietary formats to mess with this one. At any rate, Best Buy Mobile and Verizon Wireless stores will be your go-to place for either one, though we'd be prepared to shell out $99.99 (16GB microSDHC) or $129.99 (16GB M2) when they land in November.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Sony VAIO UX490 gets Hulkified by U7600 mod

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 3:28pm EDT by Stephanie Patterson

  Filed under: Handhelds

  
  The last VAIO UMPC mod we saw swapped out the UX280 CPU for a 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo U7600, but this new UX490 tweak beats the pants off that by a long shot. According to "computercowboy," a forum member on Micro PC Talk, he's managed to push his handheld to a 45,999 score in Crystal Mark, easily besting the UX280's 30,069. The swap of this CPU into the UX280 results in radically higher FPU and ALU figures, making it the "fastest UX in the world" -- or so says the modder. Now it's only a matter of time before someone comes along and overclocks this thing, a move which will undoubtedly result in badly singed hands and a melted VAIO -- don't say we didn't warn you!
  
  [Via UMPC Portal]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  FCC working to approve Sprint / Clearwire and Verizon / Alltell mergers by the end of the year

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 3:02pm EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: Wireless

  The FCC doesn't exactly have a track record of swiftness when it comes to reviewing mergers, but it looks like that little election thing might have lit a couple grey suits on fire -- FCC chairman Kevin Martin says that the agency is aiming to finish looking over the Sprint / Clearwire and Verizon / Alltel deals by the end of the year. That's right before a new administration takes over and potentially gums up the process, so we're guessing it'll be approvals all around, since rejecting the bids would result in some fun lawsuits for everyone, but we'll see how things shake out.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Carl Freer dishes out new Gizmondo tidbits

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 2:31pm EDT by Donald Melanson

  Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

  
  It's been a little while since we've heard from the normally very talkative Carl Freer, but the chief Gizmondo booster has now finally returned with a few new tidbits of information about the gaming handheld, which we know you've all been patiently waiting for. Most interestingly, but not surprisingly, Freer made no mention of that supposed end of 2008 release date, with him instead saying that the company plans to release the handheld's full spec list by the end of October, and that they plan to have "volume availability" of the handled by the second quarter of 2009 -- in Europe, at least. In other news, he also confirmed that the device would boast an improved camera, and that they're even planning their "own version of the Apple App Store," which would seem to be a must considering that they're apparently also going to be relying exclusively on indie developers this time around.
  Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Fujitsu-Siemens quietly intros Stylistic ST6012 tablet PC

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 2:00pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Tablet PCs

  
  Now that we think about it, it's been a hot minute since we've seen a new Stylistic tablet flow from the doors of Fujitsu-Siemens, but it has finally hit back with a new unit to keep the family alive. The Centrino 2-based ST6012 has been revealed on the firm's website without much fanfare, though the specs are decent enough. We're talking a Core 2 Duo SU9400 ULV processor, 12.1-inch WXGA (1,280 x 800) non-glare display, up to 4GB of RAM, optional WiFi / WWAN / Bluetooth modules, your choice of a 64GB SSD / 120GB to 320GB HDD, a built-in multicard reader, biometric scanner and a rather industrial motif. Mum's the word on a price and release, and quite honestly, we can't imagine those details ever being blasted from the rooftops.
  
  [Via TabletPCReview]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Sony Ericsson laying off 450 employees in Research Triangle Park, NC

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 1:45pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Cellphones

  
  "Planned" and "executed" are two very different things, and while we knew Sony Ericsson was mulling the idea of hacking 2,000 jobs, the hammer has finally fallen in Research Triangle Park, NC. The company will soon be axing 450 employees at its North American headquarters as part of a large reorganization, with most everyone knowing by the week's end whether they'll stay or go. According to Aldo Ligouri, Sony Ericsson's head of global communications and public relations, the RTP cuts are "part of company-wide changes that Sony Ericsson announced in July," and in whatever context, he added that "this is our map of how we see things moving forward." Just to put things in perspective, the outfit only has about 750 workers in the North Carolina-based facility, which is primarily seen as an R&D hub. Tough news to hear, no matter how you spin it.
  
  
  [Image courtesy of Flickr]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Motorola getting friendly with Android

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 1:28pm EDT by Tim Stevens

  Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

  
  digg_url = 'http://digg.com/tech_news/Motorola_getting_friendly_with_Android'; When a major player like Google comes up with a new mobile operating system that's better than the competition and is totally free, you would certainly expect handset manufacturers to be interested. But there's interested, and then there's interested. After lingering for nearly a year in the former category Motorola is now firmly moving to the latter, hiring and headhunting in an effort to build up a 350-person group entirely focused on development of Android phones. The company was one of the original members of the Open Handset Alliance, but seems to have waited for the release buzz from HTC's G1 before diving in head-first. There's talk that Nokia (and its "real phones") may be feeling the vibrations too, allegedly forming an internal team to do the same -- on the down low.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Alienware cans Hangar 18 HD media server before its time

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 12:59pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

  
  It was under two years ago when we initially caught wind of Alienware's Hangar 18, and while the outfit seemed pretty bullish about the thing just 12 months ago at CEDIA, things have apparently went south. As of right now, the Hangar 18 website simply redirects back to the company's homepage, and CSRs are now informing inquiring consumers that the HTPC is simply no longer available for purchase. We know, this thing was overkill in every sense of the word, but it's not like that's stopping Niveus, Exceptional Innovation and all those other guys from making headway. So long, Hangar 18 -- we barely knew ya.
  
  [Thanks, Aaron]Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  Dell's ink-free Zink PZ310 WASABI printer splashes down in FCC

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 12:36pm EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Peripherals

  
  Up until now, the words "Zink" and "Polaroid" were all but married together, but a breakup fit for The Hills is about to go down courtesy of the all-too-promiscuous Dell. Over in the deep waters of the FCC, we're seeing a new Dell printer that utilizes the ink-free Zink technology. The PZ310 WASABI is yet another handheld printer that comes bundled with a single stack of printing paper, Bluetooth technology for printing from your mobile / BT-enabled PC, a USB port for traditionalists and a Reprint button for obvious reasons. As with everything in the FCC, the agency is never kind enough to hand over any preliminary pricing / release information, but it ought not be long now before Dell starts shipping these things without even telling anyone.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• 

  DXG and Geotate team on geotagging video camera

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 12:13pm EDT by Nilay Patel

  Filed under: Digital Cameras

  
  We're still waiting for geotagging to go mainstream on consumer-level still cams, but Geotate isn't waiting around in its quest for location-aware domination -- it's teamed up with DXG to develop the first geotagging video camera we've seen. The camera itself isn't anything special -- it's just another average DXG HD cam, based on the DVH586 -- but the geotagging is powered by Geotate's Yuma software, which does most of the heavy lifting on the server at import, so we'd expect it to be pretty robust. No word on pricing or availability, but we're assuming it'll fall in line with the rest of DXG's lineup on the cheaper side.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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  Netgear launches WNR2000 / DGN2000 Wireless-N routers

  Posted: September 29th, 2008, 11:51am EDT by Darren Murph

  Filed under: Networking

  
  Netgear, we're here to tell you it's been far, far too long since you threw any new 802.11n gear our way, so we're pretty stoked to see a few new pieces roll out today. The outfit is formally introducing the WNR2000 Wireless-N router and DGN2000 Wireless-N router with built-in DSL modem this morning, both of which boast the company's own Push 'N' Connect with Wi-Fi Protected Setup to eliminate the need to remember those pesky network security passwords. Both units are available in kit form as well, which sees a USB wireless adapter bundled in just in case your rig is operating sans an 8