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| Latest ASIMO prototype is made of wood, requires one human
August 11, 2009 at 10:23 pm
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|  Honda may have bestowed plenty of improvements on ASIMO over the years, but it looks like an alumni of rival robot maker Waseda University has taken it upon himself to deliver some improvements of his own that make it even more lifelike, though no doubt just as prone to tumbles. The key, it seems, is to ditch the robotics and high-tech materials altogether and instead use something called "wood," which can be fashioned into a shell (or "costume," if you will) that's able to accommodate one slightly uncomfortable human. Either that, or ASIMO has been robot-napped from Honda and is now being held at an undisclosed location. Check out the video after the break to decide for yourself. Continue reading Latest ASIMO prototype is made of wood, requires one human Filed under: Robots, Wearables Latest ASIMO prototype is made of wood, requires one human originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| DraganFlyer X4 UAV puts the camera where it needs to be, even when the floor is lava
August 11, 2009 at 9:37 pm
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|  It's been a while since we've heard from Draganfly, a name familiar to connoisseurs of unmanned aerial photography. The company's latest outing, the DraganFlyer X4, is a four-rotor UAV that measures only 30.5-inches across and since it ships with your choice of either a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580, Watec WAT-902H2 Ultimate (for shooting in low light), FLIR Photon TAU (infrared), or the Highg Res 480 Board Camera (analog motion video with an 8GB DVR), we imagine that this thing ain't going to be cheap. That said, if you are a well-heeled creepy stalker, southern border vigilante, or even someone with legitimate military / industrial business, there are plenty of features to make it worth a second look, including: computerized stabilization, altitude hold (maintains its position in the air without user input), and an automatic landing feature that kicks in if the control link is lost. But most importantly for the airborne auteur, this guy sports a wireless video downlink that sends the viewfinder signal that can be displayed either on the device's handheld controller or a pair of video goggles, allowing real-time manipulation of zoom, tilt, and shutter settings. Get a closer look at the thing after the break. Continue reading DraganFlyer X4 UAV puts the camera where it needs to be, even when the floor is lava Filed under: Digital Cameras, Robots DraganFlyer X4 UAV puts the camera where it needs to be, even when the floor is lava originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| ECCEROBOT emulates your musculoskeletal system, looks like Beaker from the Muppets
August 11, 2009 at 9:06 pm
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| Anthropomimetic robots. It's not something that rolls off the tongue, but the ECCEROBOT is just such a robot, and it's really a sight to behold. Developed by a consortium of European robotics labs, the motivation behind the creation is to more accurately copy human internal structure, using thermoplastic polymer for bones, screwdriver motors and shock cord for muscle, and kiteline for tendons. The results are impressive, if not a bit creepy. According to IEEE Spectrum, scientists hope in the future to use ECCEROBOT's human-like form to "explore human-like cognitive features," which may or may not include starring opposite Christian Bale in science fiction films. See for yourself in the video after the break.
Continue reading ECCEROBOT emulates your musculoskeletal system, looks like Beaker from the Muppets Filed under: Robots ECCEROBOT emulates your musculoskeletal system, looks like Beaker from the Muppets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Intel and Micron announce smallest, cheapest NAND flash yet
August 11, 2009 at 8:34 pm
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| Hynix was first out of the gate with triple-level-cell flash memory, but Intel and Micron just pushed the MLC state of the art with their new 34nm three-bits-per-cell NAND, which they say will produce even smaller and cheaper 32Gb chips than those currently on the market. That means we should be seeing some monster storage in some tiny packages later this year when these guys ship -- everyone ready for another round of flash drive purchases?
[Via CNET]Filed under: Storage Intel and Micron announce smallest, cheapest NAND flash yet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Nokia and Microsoft to announce an "alliance" tomorrow -- what? Update: Office on Nokia phones
August 11, 2009 at 7:59 pm
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| We're not sure what to make of this, but we were just invited to a joint Microsoft / Nokia teleconference during which the two companies will announce an "alliance." Yeah, there are some pretty wild possibilities there -- Nokia going WinMo? Redmond going Symbian? The creation of MaeWinMo? -- but considering the featured speakers are Stephen Elop, president of Microsoft's business division, and Kai Öistämö, Nokia's EVP for devices, we're guessing the real announcement will be something more pedestrian, like native Exchange support on Symbian or possibly that upcoming Atom netbook running Windows 7. Otherwise, hell -- Nokia would be supporting three different mobile OSs, and that seems just a little too crazy, even for Espoo. We'll see -- it all goes down tomorrow at 11AM Eastern.
Update: This is probably unrelated, but Microsoft's Mac BU just called its own presser for Thursday, so if you're looking to spend the night weaving wild nonsensical conspiracy theories, we'd say all the pieces are in place.
Update 2: Told you it was nothing too out there -- the Wall Street Journal says Microsoft will announce it's working on a version of Office for Nokia phones. Anyone surprised? Didn't think so.Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops Nokia and Microsoft to announce an "alliance" tomorrow -- what? Update: Office on Nokia phones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Dell's slime-covered Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition primed for kids, nostalgic adults
August 11, 2009 at 7:58 pm
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| Because Disney and ASUS can't have all the fun -- sharing is caring, you know -- Dell and Nickelodeon have teamed up to make some kid-catering netbooks of their own. While exact specs aren't confirmed, the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition is said to be based on Mini 10v, so following in the footsteps of virtually every other netbook on the market, it's more than likely got the Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. Software-wise, this baby's chockfull of parental control (courtesy of a 15 month trial version of McAfee), security, and educational applications to keep your loved ones on the right track in life -- along with exclusive early access to certain Nickelodeon episodes before they air. The slime motif is actually pretty nice and tame, but if you're wanting something more gaudy, designs based around SpongeBob SquarePants and iCarly are also in the works and sure to fit that bill. Look for this one to set up shop on Dell's website and in-store at Walmart sometime in October -- price is unknown, but we can't imagine it'll stray too far from the Mini 10v's $300 tag. Full press release after the break.
Continue reading Dell's slime-covered Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition primed for kids, nostalgic adults Filed under: Laptops Dell's slime-covered Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition primed for kids, nostalgic adults originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Nintendo patent filing reveals inflatable cushion controller for horse riding, shark jumping
August 11, 2009 at 7:26 pm
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|  "For centuries throughout the world, horseback riding has captured the imagination of adventurous people. In the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, the horse was a symbol of power. In medieval Europe and Japan, horses were essential for quick movement across large distances and were often used in warfare. In the American wild west, the horse was a cowboy's constant companion and a symbol of self-reliance and adventure." - Nintendo patent application, building up to... an inflatable cushion for your Wiimote. Really. [Via Joystiq] Filed under: Gaming Nintendo patent filing reveals inflatable cushion controller for horse riding, shark jumping originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Sprint officially announces 17 more WiMAX markets, mostly in Texas
August 11, 2009 at 6:26 pm
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| What's that old saying? "Where Clearwire goes, Sprint is sure to follow (and resell)?" Something like that. Anyway, we'd gotten word last week of Clearwire's next planned expansion, and Sprint just followed up with word that it'll also offer service in most of those same cities. As you'd expect, Sprint's list is just as Texas-heavy as Clearwire's -- San Antonio and Midland-Odessa, get ready to party -- but there's a couple cities on there that were just rumored or we hadn't heard about, like Raleigh, N.C. and Maui. As for New York, Boston, D.C., Houston, and San Francisco, well, Sprint says WiMAX is coming in 2010, but won't commit to a date -- so we guess we'll see all of you down in Lubbock this winter. Full list after the break.
[Via PhoneScoop]Continue reading Sprint officially announces 17 more WiMAX markets, mostly in Texas Filed under: Wireless Sprint officially announces 17 more WiMAX markets, mostly in Texas originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Zune HD video hands-on: chock-full of media edition
August 11, 2009 at 5:52 pm
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| We've witnessed a very interesting development cycle with the Zune HD, getting to witness the software at various early stages of development, instead of a completed device all at once. Our latest glimpse of the player is along the lines of what's been cropping up the last week or so: wild transitions, fun motion graphics and plenty of beautiful media to show it all off with. We did get to touch the new keyboard briefly, and while there's no telling what sort of predictive text Microsoft has worked in, since we only had a URL bar to work with, it's a passable (and certainly beautiful) attempt to cram a full QWERTY touchscreen keyboard into such a small device. Reports are conflicting as to whether there will be a landscape keyboard in the final build of the device, but it's been spotted in some iterations of the device -- it didn't show up when we tried to rotate the player, however.
Unfortunately, while the browser is up and running, the hotel we were at wasn't able to offer us a working internet connection -- hopefully we'll be able to rectify that soon. For now hold tight, check out the gallery below and the peep the video after the break for a magical exploration of the Zune HD's truly impressive interface.
Continue reading Zune HD video hands-on: chock-full of media edition Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video Zune HD video hands-on: chock-full of media edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Apple 'fesses up to 7200 RPM HDD issues, aims to dispatch a fix forthwith
August 11, 2009 at 5:32 pm
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|  MacBook Pro owners suffering from 7200 RPM noise pollution and performance issues, Apple has acknowledged your pain and wants you to know that it's working hard to remedy the situation. According to CNET, the problem seems to be restricted to 500GB / 7200 RPM hard drives, with the likely culprit being code that's somehow "causing the drive to sleep during use." No word yet on a release date for the patch, but you'll know as soon as we do. As you know, we'll pretty much take any opportunity we can find to run a Lloyd Dobler Photoshop. [Via Register Hardware] Filed under: Laptops Apple 'fesses up to 7200 RPM HDD issues, aims to dispatch a fix forthwith originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Video: Gigabyte T1028X unboxed, handled, available in good ol' USA
August 11, 2009 at 5:07 pm
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| | Looks like we've got not one, but two nuggets of good news for you today: firstly, the latest Gigabyte swivel-screen tablet has been unboxed, undressed and appropriately groped up, and secondly, Amazon have now got stock of the device at $679 plus shipping. That might still seem a bit rich for a netbook, albeit with expanded functionality, but it's significantly more affordable than what our European comrades have to pay. As to the unboxing -- and there's a lot of it since Gigabyte decided to pack the unit in like a matryoshka -- the Liliputing crew do a thorough inspection as well as a size comparison against devices from ASUS and Lenovo. Slide past the break to see the pair of videos and judge for yourself. Continue reading Video: Gigabyte T1028X unboxed, handled, available in good ol' USA Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs Video: Gigabyte T1028X unboxed, handled, available in good ol' USA originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| New Sony lithium ion batteries promise 4x the capacity, 99% recharge in 30 minutes
August 11, 2009 at 4:38 pm
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|  Sony's certainly had its share of battery problems but, like most battery-makers, it's also doing its part to try to improve things, and it's now announced a new lithium-ion battery that should not only be more stable, but last significantly longer than traditional batteries as well. That's apparently possible in part due to its use of an olivine-type lithium iron phosphate for the cathode material, which should help boost the battery's overall lifespan to four times that of conventional lithium ion batteries, not to mention provide an 80% capacity retention after 2,000 charge-discharge cycles and, perhaps most impressively, a promised 99% recharge in just 30 minutes. According to Sony, the batteries are especially well suited for use in power tools (where they'll first show up), but it does say they'll also eventually be "expanded to a wide range of other mobile electronic devices." [Via Sony Insider] Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Household New Sony lithium ion batteries promise 4x the capacity, 99% recharge in 30 minutes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Sprint details proposed $14 million ETF class action settlement
August 11, 2009 at 4:04 pm
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|  It's a far cry from the $1.2 billion number that was bandied about at one point, but it looks like Sprint could still be taking a fairly sizable hit over those pesky early termination fees, at least if a proposed class action settlement plays out as it seems likely too. As Sprint itself announced today, the company's reached a $14 million settlement in the case, which will be placed in a common fund to be distributed accordingly to all the parties involved, which is where you come in (assuming you're a current of former Sprint, Nextel, or Sprint Nextel customer, that is). The short of it is that you can either sign on to the class action suit or opt out of it by hitting up the site linked below, and then you'll have to wait for the final approval hearing now scheduled for October 21st, which should actually settle the settlement once and for all. Details on the exact payout amounts to customers are buried in the documents on the settlement website, but it looks like the majority of customers will be receiving between $25 and $90 depending on their contract, plus some free bonus minutes.
Read - Sprint ETF Settlement website
Read - Sprint statement
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Cellphones Sprint details proposed $14 million ETF class action settlement originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Flash Zunes mysteriously disappear from Zune site
August 11, 2009 at 3:36 pm
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| Looks like the rising tide of Zune HD news has taken some casualties along the way: Microsoft's official Zune store no longer lists any flash players at all, leaving just the Zune 80 and Zune 120 to hold things down while we wait for the next generation. Amazon and some others still have stock, so if you're looking to pick one up on the rebound you know what to do -- but we think you're better off holding out for a little Tegra action.
[Thanks, Nathan]Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video Flash Zunes mysteriously disappear from Zune site originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| LG's phone division cooking up netbook integration, 'blooming' keyboards, and a form factor you've never seen
August 11, 2009 at 3:05 pm
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| There's no rest for the wicked, the insomniacs, or the phone manufacturers that want to keep climbing the global top-five ladder, and LG seems to have a good grip on that fact as evidenced by some juicy concepts that have turned up in a recent survey. Last time this happened, the concept in the survey went on to become the Versa -- so we fully expect everything you see here to turn up in a retail product eventually (unless respondents vote overwhelmingly against 'em, we suppose).
First up is "Synergy" -- not to be confused with Palm's Synergy concept in webOS, of course -- which appears to be the codename for a netbook that would integrate tightly with your phone (presumably via Bluetooth). Tethering isn't mentioned, but you'd be able to see and respond to text messages, peep caller ID, and instantly browse photos stored on your handset right from the convenience of Synergy's 10-inch display. Feature-wise, the netbook's got an integrated camera, mobile broadband (again, we're not sure if this would come via tethering or an internal card), and XP Home, which we're guessing would likely morph into Windows 7 by the time of its release. The idea's been floated at $149 on a two-year contract, which falls in line with what carriers seem to be charging for on-contract netbooks these days.
Follow the break for more goodies straight out of LG's labs!
[Thanks, Panic]
Continue reading LG's phone division cooking up netbook integration, 'blooming' keyboards, and a form factor you've never seen Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops LG's phone division cooking up netbook integration, 'blooming' keyboards, and a form factor you've never seen originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Dell Vostro All In One now available in North America
August 11, 2009 at 2:45 pm
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|  Vostro fans may have been counting down the days since Dell's new Vostro All In One desktop made its debut in Japan last month, but those not among that select few may still be pleased to know that the system is now finally available in North America, right on schedule. Better still, the all-in-one rig now packs a starting price of just $599 (after a $30 instant savings), which will get you a somewhat lightweight Pentium Dual-Core E5300 processor, along with 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a built-in DVD burner and, of course, that integrated 19-inch display at the heart of the system. Things are also still pretty affordable when you max out those specs, with the top-end Core 2 Duo-based model with 4GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive setting you back just over $900. Hit up the read link below for the complete breakdown, and to get your order in if you like what you see. [Via Electronista] Filed under: Desktops Dell Vostro All In One now available in North America originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it
August 11, 2009 at 2:15 pm
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| So you're thinking about going to Windows 7, eh? Chances are your head is swimming in a sea of TLAs and confusing charts -- enough to have the most adamant Microsoft defender reaching for a something with an Option key. Fear not, noble purchaser of legal software. Though XP users have been punished for skipping Vista by not being able to directly upgrade now, the process of backing up your data, formatting and installing Windows, and then restoring your goods again has never been easier -- even if you're on a netbook with less storage than your smartphone. Vista users have even less to worry about. We'll have our full impressions of the finally finalized OS later this week, but for now let's journey hand in hand down the gently sloped path of the upgrade process.Continue reading How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Android turns up on MIDs from Eston, SFR
August 11, 2009 at 1:51 pm
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|  Two more MIDs were spotted running Android recently, and the kids over at Pocketables were kind enough to clue us in on the developments. First off, Eston's MID-02 (also known as the M4301) is a dual Windows CE 6.0 / Android device that boasts a 4.3-inch touchscreen, a Marvell XScale PXA300 (624MHz) CPU, 128MB DDR-RAM, 256MB Flash (supports up to 16GB) and a screen resolution of either 480 x 272 or 800 x 480, depending on whose product page you believe. Apparently one of the company's main markets is Europe, so keep your eyes peeled if you're interested. And why not? The keyboard is "almost entirely in English." But that ain't all! There's also an interesting video making the rounds of the SFR's Intel-powered M! PC Pocket at least booting the open source OS -- not necessarily compelling evidence that the rumors are true, but if the French wireless carrier isn't developing an Android device of their own at this very moment, it isn't a stretch to believe that they're toying with the idea. See for yourself after the break. Read - Eston MID-02 slider runs Android and Windows CE 6.0 Read - SFR M! PC Pocket caught on video booting Android Continue reading Android turns up on MIDs from Eston, SFR Filed under: Handhelds Android turns up on MIDs from Eston, SFR originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Xbox Live Update has arrived, everything is going to be alright
August 11, 2009 at 1:32 pm
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| It was almost a little cruel of Microsoft to offer its Xbox Live Update preview program so widely -- sure, all your stupid friends had the update, with their fancy new avatar clothing purchases and their cutesy little shared virtual Netflix screenings -- but there was you, updateless, sitting all alone, trying to squeeze out a few more experience points in Call of Duty while you held back the tears. Well, your wait is over. The newly improved Xbox 360 dashboard is live for everybody. Games on Demand, User Ratings, Avatar Awards... it's all there. Just ripe for the picking.
Filed under: Gaming Xbox Live Update has arrived, everything is going to be alright originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| TruFocals make steampunk glasses a functional, expensive reality
August 11, 2009 at 1:28 pm
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| Glasses with an adjustable focal length -- sounds so simple, somebody must have already done it, right? Well, yes, but earlier efforts have looked more like diving goggles than something you could, you know, wear in public. The Harry Potter-esque TruFocals, on the other hand, are (only just) acceptable looking and operate via the golden slider you see above. By tweaking translucent fluids between a pair of lenses for each eye, it alters the distance at which the specs focus, sort of like having your very own zoom function. The price for such flexibility is $895, which inventor Stephen Kurtin considers a sterling bargain, and we've got video of him after the break explaining just how awesomely revolutionary his product is.
[Via CNET]Continue reading TruFocals make steampunk glasses a functional, expensive reality Filed under: Wearables TruFocals make steampunk glasses a functional, expensive reality originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Sony finally admits NVIDIA chips are borking its laptops, offers free repair
August 11, 2009 at 1:09 pm
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| Last summer, while Dell and HP were busy pinpointing and replacing faulty NVIDIA chips in their notebooks, Sony was adamant that its superior products were unaffected by the dreaded faulty GPU packaging. Well, after extensive support forum chatter about its laptops blanking out, distorting images and showing random characters, the Japanese company has finally relented and admitted that "a small percentage" of its Vaio range is indeed afflicted by the issue. That small percentage comes from the FZ, AR, C, LM and LT model lines, and Sony is offering to repair yours for free within four years of the purchase date, irrespective of warranty status. Kudos go to Sony for (eventually) addressing the problem, but if you're NVIDIA, don't you have to stop calling this a "small distraction" when it keeps tarnishing your reputation a full year after it emerged?
[Thanks, Jonas]Filed under: Laptops Sony finally admits NVIDIA chips are borking its laptops, offers free repair originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Humanthesizer turns 15 bikini models into a live dancing synth
August 11, 2009 at 12:51 pm
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| And you thought conductive paint was boring. Say hello to the Humanthesizer, a joint creation between electronic musician Calvin Harris, Sony Music UK, and Bare conductive body ink, which turned 15 bikini-clad ladies into a giant Arduino-powered synth capable of playing Harris's track "Ready For The Weekend" though Max/MSP and Ableton Live. Each patch is triggered by one of the girls closing a circuit with her hands or feet -- you can see the "wires" painted on their arms and legs if you look closely -- and the final performance bounces right along in that blurry space between dancing and playing. You have to see it to understand -- check out the videos after the break.
Continue reading Humanthesizer turns 15 bikini models into a live dancing synth Filed under: Misc. Gadgets Humanthesizer turns 15 bikini models into a live dancing synth originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Samsung's E1107 with built in solar panel gets a thorough shakedown
August 11, 2009 at 12:32 pm
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| Sure, a cellphone made out of 80 percent recycled materials might be considered pretty environmentally friendly, but a cellphone with a built-in solar panel? Now that's something with the potential to make Al Gore cry. Enter the Samsung E11077. It's solar panel-equipped back cover comes in at 1.2-mm thin, and is said to revive a dead battery after just 15 minutes in the sun. Besides the FM radio and flashlight features, the only other noteworthy addition is an "Eco" profile, that essentially just changes screen brightness and shuts the Bluetooth off. If you're interested, the cost of entry is a reasonable $59, but you'll probably have to find an importer, as we don't expect this tree hugger to land stateside any time soon.
[Thanks, Vadik]Samsung's E1107 with built in solar panel gets a thorough shakedown originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Disney Netpal finally up for pre-order, ships this week
August 11, 2009 at 12:06 pm
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| We've waited... oh, how we've waited! After two long, torturous months of anticipation, Disney is finally letting the "Magic Blue" and "Princess Pink" Netpal netbooks out to play with us. Featuring the zaniest paintjobs this side of the RilakKuma, customized XP themes, shell control for parents and no shortage of magic dust, the two machines are available to order now for $350 with deliveries likely by next week.
[Via Netbooked]
Read - Toys R Us
Read - AmazonFiled under: Laptops Disney Netpal finally up for pre-order, ships this week originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| IntensaFIRE chip adds programmable / rapid fire modes to Xbox 360 controllers
August 11, 2009 at 11:43 am
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| The hardcore modders in attendance need not apply unless they're looking for a quick jaunt down easy street, but those terrified of solder guns, glue and screwdrivers best listen up. A newly formed company, BGRMODS, has just introduced its very product, and it's pretty much a must-have for Xbox 360 owners. IntensaFIRE is an easy-to-install chip (we're talking five minutes, tops) that modifies the Xbox 360 wireless controller in order to enable 5-mode sleeper settings (including a customizable user programmable mode) as well as a rapid-fire mode that should finally compensate for your lack of skill in Call of Duty 4. Hit the read link for the specifics on installation (trust us, there ain't much to do), and get ready to upgrade your game on September 7th for $29.99.
[Via TestFreaks, thanks Vincent]Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals IntensaFIRE chip adds programmable / rapid fire modes to Xbox 360 controllers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| World's first 'wireless' pacemaker talks to your doctor daily, whether you like it or not (though you probably do)
August 11, 2009 at 11:13 am
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| In the past we've been clued in to both deadly pacemaker hackers and the development of a cloaking device to deal with that sticky situation. Now, according to Daily Tech, a woman in New York has become the first in the world to receive a pacemaker that communicates wirelessly with a monitoring service, which is in turn accessed daily by her doctor. "If there is anything abnormal," says Dr. Steven Greenberg from St. Francis Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Center, "it will literally call the physician" and notify him or her. In addition, most of the tests that were done in the doctor's office are now automated, saving everybody time and effort. There is no word yet on possible Twitter integration, but we're sure "Biz" Stone is already on it.
[Via Switched]Filed under: Wireless World's first 'wireless' pacemaker talks to your doctor daily, whether you like it or not (though you probably do) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Is Sony Ericsson eyeing the netbook market?
August 11, 2009 at 10:51 am
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|  According to a "reliable" source cited by Netbook News, the mobile phone manufacturer / adorable couple known as Sony Ericsson is looking to follow Nokia into the netbook (or is that "smartbook?") market. There's not much more to this story at present, although it does make sense -- so we'll take it, with the proverbial grain of salt. And while we're on the subject, does anyone have any more info on the PlayStation Phone? [Via Register Hardware] Filed under: Laptops Is Sony Ericsson eyeing the netbook market? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Controversial Palm Pre ads judged to be effective, still creepy
August 11, 2009 at 10:22 am
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| Palm's slightly disturbing Pre ads continue to make news, putting to rest any doubts about their effectiveness. Hot on the heels of ad agency Modernista totally loving that you're "creeped out" by them, analyst MediaCurves has done a little online study --"little" meaning a small sample group of only 305 viewers. Still, the results are interesting, with half of all respondents feeling inspired or happy after viewing the commercial, nine percent feeling disturbed. Sixteen percent were, however, confused, but that didn't stop 21 percent from saying the commercial was "extremely effective," and 46 percent indicating "somewhat effective." At the read link you can watch the ad with a line graph drawn over it rating peoples' interest realtime, generally going up when the phone is shown (the "bing, bing, bing" segment) and down the rest of the time, perhaps inspiring a new series of Pre adverts with more time for demos and less for dazed-sounding, tight-haired, 60-foot-tall women.
[Via everythingpre]Filed under: Cellphones Controversial Palm Pre ads judged to be effective, still creepy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Chevy Volt nabs shaky 230 MPG rating, might not ship in 2010
August 11, 2009 at 10:03 am
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| We've always heard that you've got to take the bad with the good, but who said it had to be done at the same time? This morning, Government General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson had some rather sensational news to share about Chevrolet's Volt, but according to a report over at Autocar, that very vehicle is looking at some serious (potential) issues. As for the good news, we're told that the Volt has snagged a staggering 230 MPG rating in the city, but we should caution you that it's not as cut and dry as GM would have you believe. The EPA has released "a new methodology for determining a draft fuel economy standard for extended-range EVs like the Volt," and it's that murky measurement system that has blessed Chevy's wonder child with a triple digit MPG rating.
Now, for the bad news. This past Sunday, GM reportedly submitted a regulatory filing with the US Treasury, and while it can't be taken as official word per se, it does provide reason to believe that the promised November ship date will slip to an undisclosed month and year. The report also noted that there is "no assurance" that it will qualify for any remaining energy loans to develop advanced fuel technology automobiles, and if you needed more reason to doubt the whole ordeal, have a look at this zinger: "Our competitors and others are pursuing similar technologies and other competing technologies, in some cases with more money available; there can be no assurance that they will not acquire similar or superior technologies sooner than we do." Ah well -- at least we know the four or five prototype models destined for eBay will do Ma Earth proud, right?
Update: CNN has a nice look at this incredibly large MPG figure, and -- surprise, surprise -- it's not nearly as fantastic as it looks at first glance.
Read - Chevy Volt gets "230 MPG" rating
Read - Chevy Volt may be delayed [Via AutoblogGreen]Filed under: Transportation Chevy Volt nabs shaky 230 MPG rating, might not ship in 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Major labels show eagerness to fail with new CMX digital audio format
August 11, 2009 at 9:39 am
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| Let's think about this, shall we? How did Sony's ATRAC format do? How did all those DRM-laced formats fare? Call us zany, but we've got a feeling an all new format developed by the astoundingly brilliant (ahem) minds at the world's largest record labels is apt to follow the aforementioned formats right on down to Irrelevant Boulevard. According to Times Online, Sony, Warner, Universal and EMI are currently looking to go head-to-head with Apple's own "Cocktail" by introducing a CMX format (codenamed) that will "give music fans a computerized version of the sleeve notes that come as standard with a CD, including lyrics and artwork, and videos." Reportedly, the format is expected to launch in November in an effort to boost whole album downloads (as opposed to singles), and while the labels approached Apple in order to gain its support, the Cupertino-based company purportedly decided to concoct its own mixture. Oh, and you can pretty much consider this extra DOA should iTunes not support it; fair or not, that's just the way it is.
[Via Guardian]Filed under: Portable Audio Major labels show eagerness to fail with new CMX digital audio format originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Ion-equipped Samsung N510 netbook shipping stateside next month
August 11, 2009 at 9:21 am
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| | Momma always said you had to pay to play, and it looks like those Europeans won't be the only ones coughing up dearly for the pleasure of having NVIDIA's Ion platform shoved within Samsung's forthcoming N510 netbook. According to the fine folks over at Liliputing, a Samsung rep has confirmed to them that said machine will begin shipping to US soil starting in September (far later than the "July" date we heard earlier in the year), bringing with it a sizable 11.6-inch display, HDMI output, GeForce 9400M GPU, Atom processor and the ability to handle high-def and Blu-ray content. Trouble is, all that multimedia prowess will demand a stiff premium, and by "stiff," we mean "$599." So, is anyone actually planning on laying down six bills for a netbook, or did you just convince yourself that a thin-and-light is the way to go? Filed under: Laptops Ion-equipped Samsung N510 netbook shipping stateside next month originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Intel issues X25-M G2 SSD firmware fix for BIOS password conundrum
August 11, 2009 at 8:59 am
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| Eagerly waiting to change that drive password within the system BIOS on your fancy new X25-M G2 solid state drive? Good news, storage junkies -- today you can. After Intel saw its next-gen SSD launch party hit a snag with an off-the-wall quirk that could cause data corruption for those who altered or disabled a drive password within the system BIOS, the company has finally come forward with a firmware update that solves the dilemma, along with world hunger, "the economy" and an undisclosed amount of other universal pains. Hit the read link for instructions on how to update your drive, but don't blame us if every precious memory you've ever collected goes down in flames during the process. Just kidding.
[Via HotHardware]Filed under: Storage Intel issues X25-M G2 SSD firmware fix for BIOS password conundrum originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Xbox 360 officially the only console to stream Netflix -- sorry, PS3 and Wii
August 11, 2009 at 8:27 am
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| We actually had to brush the fog off of our spectacles to ensure that hazy conditions weren't clouding our comprehension abilities, but sure enough, that Netflix streaming that Xbox LIVE members have grown to love won't ever land on Sony's PlayStation 3 nor on Nintendo's Wii (PlayOn notwithstanding). At the very bottom of Microsoft's long list of details surrounding today's Xbox LIVE update, we're clearly told that the Netflix Watch Instantly integration is now an "exclusive partnership," with Microsoft going so far as to say that the "Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix unlimited plan subscribers." Of course, we'd heard rumors over the years that Netflix could sashay over to other consoles in due time, but it looks like the suits in Redmond had the foresight to lock things down while they still had a chance. So, are you reconsidering that Xbox 360 purchase, or just looking that much more intently in Roku's direction? Full blurb is after the break.
[Thanks, David]Continue reading Xbox 360 officially the only console to stream Netflix -- sorry, PS3 and Wii Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment Xbox 360 officially the only console to stream Netflix -- sorry, PS3 and Wii originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| HP to sell contract-free, WWAN-equipped PCs in Japan
August 11, 2009 at 7:48 am
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| | In a presumed effort to shake up the Japanese wireless industry and provide consumers with 3G-equipped PCs that aren't tied to multi-year contracts, Hewlett-Packard has quietly announced a deal with Japan Communications that will allow its machines to be sold with SIM cards that can be used on a pay-as-you-go basis. For those unaware, JCI leases network space from NTT DoCoMo, and as part of the agreement, HP will not only get to choose which devices can connect, but it'll get to keep a nice slice of the mobile data revenue as well. Here's the crazy part: the initial wave of netbooks will be sold for between $50 and $100 sans contract. That's about what users pay in America now for subsidized WWAN-ready netbooks, but there's a two-year contract tagging along. If all goes well, we could even see full-sized laptops, smartphones and digital cameras hop on the same bandwagon, but for now, we'll be keenly watching how brisk sales are when things kick off next month. Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCs, Wireless, Internet HP to sell contract-free, WWAN-equipped PCs in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Turtle Beach keeps tweens boasting with Ear Force X41 Xbox 360 headset
August 11, 2009 at 7:03 am
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| Just over a year after Turtle Beach gave whining teenyboppers a decent Xbox 360 headset to annoy mature gamers with, the outfit is hitting back with the third-generation. We should caution you that these are far from a major upgrade, but those just now looking to take the plunge into cord-free bragging should find plenty to appreciate. The Ear Force X41 cans claim to handle Dolby 7.1 channel surround sound, but given that there are precisely two ear cups here, we're somewhat (read: tremendously) skeptical of said claims. At any rate, the RF-based headphones now sport a dedicated Digital Signal Processor along with a feature that will likely entice young brats and frighten those with actual jobs: Chat Boost. As you can imagine, this enables users to automatically jack the volume of the Xbox Live chat as the game gets louder, which -- in our experience -- is probably not a good thing. Those with the patience of Job can buy in anyway for a nickle under $200.
[Via TG Daily]
Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio Turtle Beach keeps tweens boasting with Ear Force X41 Xbox 360 headset originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Apple reinstates matte display option on 15-inch MacBook Pro, charges $50 for it
August 11, 2009 at 6:24 am
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| We'd heard just under a month ago that Apple was mulling the possibility of adding matte display options to more than just its flagship 17-inch MacBook Pro, and lo and behold, it seems the anti-glare revolution has begun. Starting now (like, right now), those in the market for a new unibody 15-inch MacBook Pro can order one directly from Apple with an anti-glare widescreen display, packing 1,440 x 900 pixels and a LED backlight. Sadly, the privilege will run you an extra $50 over the traditional mirrored glossy panel, and it will replace that svelte borderless look present on glossy MBPs with a silver frame bezel (check here to see just what we mean). A brief look around Apple's international sites also shows it available elsewhere in the world for similar amounts, though we're still curious as to what machine will be next in line for the upgrade, er, "option."
[Thanks, Pascal and Khattab]Filed under: Displays, Laptops Apple reinstates matte display option on 15-inch MacBook Pro, charges $50 for it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Bluetooth-enabled Modula therapy lamp changes color via cellphone
August 11, 2009 at 6:06 am
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| | Details are exceedingly light (almost dangerously light, in fact), but the Modula color therapy lamp is simply too soothing to overlook. The three-ringed lamp is built with a slew of multi-color lights (LEDs, we're guessing), all wired up to be controlled via Bluetooth. The video demonstration shows a Sony Ericsson W880i doing the dirty work, but there's no indication of how exactly end users are supposed to accomplish the color changing once it arrives. Those in the camp of "buy now, ask questions later" can get their pre-order in through the read link, but considering that only an EU-friendly 230V version is currently available, those on this side of the pond will need to invest in some serious converters to make it all compatible. The pain? Just €199 ($281) for hours upon hours of endless entertainment. Filed under: Cellphones, Household Bluetooth-enabled Modula therapy lamp changes color via cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Logitech's Harmony 900 remote controls components behind closed doors
August 11, 2009 at 5:00 am
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| Remember Logitech's Harmony Adapter for PS3? How could you forget, right? Turns out a similar device is shipping alongside the company's fresh Harmony 900 remote, as it seeks to turn RF signals into IR commands that components in your AV rack can understand. The device ships with an IR blaster and two "mini blasters," all of which work together in order to get crucial instructions from your remote to devices neatly hidden behind closed doors. The remote itself packs a full color touchscreen and can pull down codes for over 225,000 devices, and there's also a rechargeable battery and a base station to keep things juiced up when not in use. As with most Harmony remotes, this setup definitely won't run you cheap, with the entire kit getting priced at $399.99 when it ships later this month.
Update: Looks like CNET has a review up, and we'd say the bottom line pretty much sums it up: "The Logitech Harmony 900 is, hands down, the best universal remote control we've ever tested."
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals Logitech's Harmony 900 remote controls components behind closed doors originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Kingston dials things up to 256GB with new SSDNow V+ line
August 11, 2009 at 4:02 am
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|  Kingston is still a relative newcomer to the SSD game, but it looks like it's already well on its way to endless, somewhat confusing product refreshes, with it now rolling out three drives in its new SSDNow V+ line. Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB capacities, the new drives best the previous non-plus SSDNow V line with read and write speeds up to 220MB/sec and 180MB/sec, respectively, and pack some higher input and output operations per second (or IOPS) to boot, which should also help to deliver an overall boost in speed. As you might expect, however, while things start a somewhat reasonable $254 for the 64GB model, things get decidedly more out of reach from there, with the 128GB drive running $500 firm, and the 256GB drive setting you back a hefty $992. Filed under: Storage Kingston dials things up to 256GB with new SSDNow V+ line originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Nabaztag can't make RFID cool, has to file for bankruptcy
August 11, 2009 at 3:27 am
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| We always knew that any company courageous enough to take a technology designed to help mega-corps monitor their inventory levels and make it mainstream would face an uphill battle, but we never envisioned Nabaztag caving entirely to the pressure. If a snippet in a recent issue of Les Echos (a French financial paper) is to be believed, the creator of the rabbit-inspired Violet RFID Mirror has filed for bankruptcy, giving any company interested in keeping the brand alive until September 4th to toss out a cash infusion. Not like we're looking at you, Mr. VC, but we're definitely hoping to not be sobbing about this in just under a month. Tick, tock.
[Voa Loic Le Meur]Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wireless Nabaztag can't make RFID cool, has to file for bankruptcy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Palm Pre soap brings webOS to the tub
August 11, 2009 at 2:57 am
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| Okay, so we sort of understand molding soap into familiar gadget shapes, but this bar of Pre soap utterly baffles by being scented "bourbon and Coke," which seems a bit self-defeating. Smell like a hobo with webOS for just $13 -- and don't worry, there's BlackBerry, iPhone, and Playstation soap on offer as well, presumably scented with Boone's Farm and OE 800.
[Via Pocket-Lint]Filed under: Cellphones Palm Pre soap brings webOS to the tub originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| BlackBerry 9700's arranged marriage to T-Mobile leaves its mark, seen in the wild
August 11, 2009 at 1:57 am
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| Sure, it's more or less just a BlackBerry Onyx with a trackpad, but slap a T-Mobile logo on it, and the excitement is all rejuvenated. Such a device was spotted in the wild by the folks at Crackberry, sporting a silver chrome and a leather-clad battery cover. Not much to say here, but with that branding, we're hoping it's not long before heading into the consumer channels. Don't worry AT&T friends, we're sure your GSM-equipped 9700 is just around the corner, too. [Thanks, Glenn]
Filed under: Cellphones BlackBerry 9700's arranged marriage to T-Mobile leaves its mark, seen in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Roku Video player now streaming live HD baseball games from MLB.TV
August 11, 2009 at 1:01 am
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| We've always loved the Roku Video Player, and it's getting even more flexible over time -- in addition to Netflix and Amazon video rentals, the $99 box can now play, pause, and rewind live HD baseball games in 720p from MLB.TV, as well as play archived games from the previous week on demand. You'll have to pay the one-time MLB.TV subscription fee of $35, but that's not terrible, especially if you're an out-of-market fan looking to catch your favorite team without having to trek out to a bar. Now if only the NFL would let anyone but DirecTV carry Sunday Ticket, we'd be all set.
Filed under: Home Entertainment Roku Video player now streaming live HD baseball games from MLB.TV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Dell's China-bound smartphone possibly called 'mini 3i,' but questions abound
August 11, 2009 at 12:19 am
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| Alright, you know how Dell's seemingly been going through hell and high water for years now to try to bring a smartphone or two to market? China's been a special focus of this clandestine effort, and we've got some new information here -- possibly. Chinese site NetEase is reporting on an email supposedly received by developers on China Mobile's Mobile Market mailing list, discussing a handful of S60, WinMo, and Android-based Open Mobile System (OMS) devices that the carrier would really love devs to concentrate on as Mobile Market goes live and tries to gain some footing. Most of the content is mundane, but there's a section for an OMS device called the Dell "mini 3i," a name that would certainly fall right in line with Dell's branding -- but there are a couple issues here. First, the phone is said to operate on China Mobile's legacy GSM network, not the homegrown TD-SCDMA 3G tech that the carrier is working diligently to deploy right now; it seems illogical at best for Dell to get into the game with a phone that's immediately walloped by Lenovo with its 3G-capable O1 as the first volley of OMS phones comes to market over the coming weeks. Secondly there's absolutely zero discussion about the supposed email on OMS' official forums, which seems odd if the email's real. To its credit, the claimed 640 x 360 -- that's a perfect 16:9, if you can't be bothered to get out your graphing calculator -- sounds about right to match the rumored shot we've seen floating around lately, but we're still staying guarded on this one until we hear something official from the folks in Austin or Hong Kong.
[Via Cloned In China]
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds Dell's China-bound smartphone possibly called 'mini 3i,' but questions abound originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed
August 11, 2009 at 12:03 am
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| The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| TG Sambo announces trifecta of Full HD 16:9 monitors
August 10, 2009 at 11:04 pm
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| TG Sambo is all set to refresh its display line with four new models, three of them proudly pimping full 1080p panels and making your 4:3 display look all the more tired and washed up. The 24-inch TGL 2400A, 23-inch 2300A and 21.6-inch 2250A all have an integrated digital TV tuner, 2ms response time, 20,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (which probably means real contrast is around 500:1), HDMI, DVI, VGA, and menu presets for internet, movie and gaming use. There's also a similarly outfitted 2000A version, which alas loses the 1920 x 1080 resolution. Only the price for the biggest 'un is known at present: 449,000 KRW ($336), but the PR indicates "the second half of the market strategy is to attack," so we'll go ahead and assume availability is coming shortly.
[Via AVING]Filed under: Displays TG Sambo announces trifecta of Full HD 16:9 monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| USAA's Deposit@Mobile app puts check deposits a mug shot away
August 10, 2009 at 10:17 pm
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| The problem with banks, you see, is that they're one of the few remaining weak links in our ultimate goal of eliminating all human interaction. If you've got a check you need to deposit in your account, you've got to trek all the way out to your local branch; sure, granted, you can slip the check in an ATM, but your odds of encountering another living creature in the process of doing that are nonzero. Fortunately, USAA -- which counts military personnel as a significant percentage of its customer base -- is helping to close that loop with its "Deposit@Mobile" service, a component of its just-launched mobile banking app in the iPhone's App Store. The secret, you see, lies in the iPhones magical camera which can "take" a "picture" of the check, transmit it to USAA, and boom -- your cash is instantly deposited. No muss, no fuss, and no pesky people to get between you and your hard-earned cash. Of course, that doesn't change the fact that you've got to get the check from someone in the first place... but, you know, one thing at a time.
[Via The New York Times]
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds USAA's Deposit@Mobile app puts check deposits a mug shot away originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | | | 
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