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| INQ Mini 3G and Chat are now posing for some photographs #hands-on
August 5, 2009 at 1:59 am
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| While you'd expect the first hands-on shots of INQ's new sociable Mini 3G and Chat to emerge on Twitpic, it's TechRadar doing the honors. Both of these featurephones are fairly attractive in their own right, with each being suitably slim and chock full of status updating power. In fact, we'd say the Mini 3G's red and black QWERTY keypad is amongst the sexiest we've seen. Why not judge Like[TM] for yourself by giving those read links below a look?
Read - INQ Mini 3G hands-on
Read - INQ Chat hands-onFiled under: Cellphones INQ Mini 3G and Chat are now posing for some photographs #hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Zune HD dock and remote hands-on
August 5, 2009 at 1:05 am
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| Glossy black gadgetry lit only by the very table on which it rests isn't exactly an ideal situation for photography, but when it's our first sighting of the Zune HD video dock, we'll do our best. Microsoft had a small booth set up at tonight's gdgt launch party in San Francisco, where they were showing off the device (no shots of the UI allowed, even if it's largely unchanged since our last handling a month back). The dock was connected to flat-panel screen via HDMI and output 720p. A separate remote is provided for navigating through your videos from the comfort of your couch while leaving the media player docked, but once we got our hands on that, it was at this point that a rep made us put the camera away. Bummer. Hopefully we can get a better glimpse soon, but for now, images in the gallery below.
Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video Zune HD dock and remote hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed
August 5, 2009 at 12:37 am
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| The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Fraunhofer Institute's fruit checker device tracks optimum ripeness so you can stop sniffing those melons
August 4, 2009 at 11:31 pm
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| Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have developed a small device that can be used to check the freshness of fruit, telling the interested parties whether it's ripe or not. Based on previous technologies which measure, for example car emissions, the device measures the volatile gases emitted by the fruit and analyzes its makeup to determine the state of freshness. The team already has a working prototype, and sees the device, which would cost somewhere in the thousands of dollars range, as having widespread application for businesses that supply food to grocery stores. So far the device has only successfully been used to test the freshness of fruit, but researchers see possible future applications in testing meat as well. Filed under: Science Fraunhofer Institute's fruit checker device tracks optimum ripeness so you can stop sniffing those melons originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Apple keyboard gets hacked like a ripe papaya, perp caught on video
August 4, 2009 at 10:34 pm
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| As far as Apple is concerned, the Black Hat 2009 hackers conference didn't end soon enough. Having promptly patched the iPhone vulnerability, Cupertino is facing another security hole, this time in its keyboards. A hacker going by the pseudonym of K. Chen has come up with a way, using HIDFirmwareUpdaterTool, to inject malicious code into the keyboard's firmware. While it's not yet possible to perform this hack remotely, the fact it occurs at the firmware level means no amount of OS cleanser or anti-virals will remedy it -- which might be a bit of a bother to MacBook owners who can't simply swap to an uninfected keyboard. Panic is hardly advisable, as Chen is collaborating with Apple on a fix, but if you want to be freaked out by his simple keylogger in action, hit up the video after the break.
[Via OS News]Continue reading Apple keyboard gets hacked like a ripe papaya, perp caught on video Filed under: Peripherals Apple keyboard gets hacked like a ripe papaya, perp caught on video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Console hacker arrested, faces up to ten years in jail
August 4, 2009 at 9:32 pm
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| | Just when you thought it was safe to get out your soldering irons, Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants you to know that its agents are still out there, on the lookout for for even more mod chip-wielding nogoodniks and their non-DMCA compliant consoles. According to the AP, a 27-year-old CSU student named Matthew Crippen was recently arrested for "modifying Xbox, PlayStation and Wii consoles in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act" and released Monday on $5,000 bond. The dime was dropped on this perp by the Entertainment Software Association, and the raid conducted by Customs agents sometime in May. He will be arraigned on August 10th, and if convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Let this be a lesson to you: while the ICE may have its hands full with human slavery, drug trafficking, transnational gangs, and stolen artifacts, there is always time to make an example out of a man that knows his way around the inside of a PS3. Filed under: Gaming Console hacker arrested, faces up to ten years in jail originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Updated FiOS Twitter and Facebook widgets add onscreen keyboard, not friends or followers
August 4, 2009 at 8:32 pm
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| Just a few weeks after debuting its Twitter and Facebook widgets, Verizon is refreshing them by giving viewers an onscreen cellphone-style keyboard to mash out their own tweets and Facebook status updates from the remote. Though we wonder if it wouldn't be easier to just use ones actual cellphone to spread your inane viewing habits amongst those unlucky enough to count you as a friend, the services have apparently been quite popular so far, with millions of Tweets and Facebook photos viewed since it was released. As usual, the free apps can be found in the Widget Bazaar, where Verizon CIO Shaygan Kheradpir will be looking for more tools that "engage viewers" once the SDK is released later this year. Not close to your TV (or an area with FiOS TV service?) check out a few screens of the new functionality below.
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment Updated FiOS Twitter and Facebook widgets add onscreen keyboard, not friends or followers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| England puts CCTVs in the homes of lousy parents
August 4, 2009 at 7:52 pm
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|  We love England, especially the way they use all these adorable names for things: "lorry," for truck, or "loo" for bathroom, or "sin bin" for an Orwellian program whereby "problem families" (currently numbering 2,000, but someday as many as 20,000) are placed under 24/7 CCTV surveillance in their own homes. Chris Grayling, something called the "Shadow Home Secretary," puts it thusly: "This Government has been in power for more than a decade during which time anti-social behavior, family breakdown and problems like alcohol abuse and truancy have just got worse and worse." Meaning, of course, that cameras must be moved from the streets of England into people's homes, where they'll be used to make sure that kids go to school, go to bed at a decent hour, and eat proper meals. If only they'd had programs like this when we were kids -- maybe things would have turned out differently. Filed under: Digital Cameras England puts CCTVs in the homes of lousy parents originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Sony Reader Pocket and Touch editions lower cost of entry, online e-book store follows suit
August 4, 2009 at 7:11 pm
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| As it turns out, those Sony Reader leaks from earlier this week were spot on. The company just went official with the PRS-300 and 600, which will more affectionately be known as the Pocket and Touch editions, respectively. The latter (pictured left, not to scale) is the 6-inch resistive touchscreen model replacing the PRS-700, with Memory Stick / Duo and SD card slots. The backlighting layer from its predecessor has been dropped to improve touch responsiveness and to alleviate concerns of glare. It also comes packing a stylus and a digitized copy of the Oxford American English Dictionary and will be available in red, black, and silver. The Pocket Edition, on the other hand, is your standard fare with no touchscreen or expandable disk port, and palettes including blue, silver, and rose. Both models have USB 2.0, 512MB internal memory, and no WiFi whatsoever -- Sony assures us a WiFi version is coming and there'll be news on those coming soon, but this isn't it. There's also Mac compatibility, a first for the series, that's trickling down to older models via a firmware update. Touch and Pocket will be available by the end of August and will retail for $299 and $199, a substantially more competitive price point than its previous generation. Speaking of which, as of tomorrow, the Sony's e-book store is dropping the prices of its bestsellers from $11.99 to $9.99. A win all around, but will it be enough to make a dent in Kindle's stronghold? Things are certainly getting more interesting.
Filed under: Handhelds Sony Reader Pocket and Touch editions lower cost of entry, online e-book store follows suit originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Acting Cybersecurity Czar resigns for 'personal reasons'
August 4, 2009 at 7:03 pm
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|  She still hasn't ever been formally named to the post she helped create, but acting White House Cybersecurity Czar Melissa Hathaway has now already taken her name out of the running and announced her resignation from the job, citing the usual "personal reasons" and the need to "pass the torch." As The Wall Street Journal reports, however, there may have been a bit more drama going on behind the scenes, with "people familiar with the matter" reportedly saying that she has been "spinning her wheels" in the post, and marginalized politically. For it's part, the White House simply says that cybersecurity remains "a major priority for the president," and that "the president is personally committed to finding the right person for this job, and a rigorous selection process is well under way."
[Via Switched]Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Internet Acting Cybersecurity Czar resigns for 'personal reasons' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Switched On: The iPad could succeed Apple TV
August 4, 2009 at 6:35 pm
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| Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
Much of the speculation around an "iPad" -- a rumored 10" Apple tablet -- has portrayed it as an Amazon Kindle-killer or a large-screen iPod touch, but there's a strong case that such a product could effectively serve as a replacement for - or more a compelling complement to -- Apple's non-platform sleeper Apple TV.
Apple faces a dilemma in moving iPhone apps to a larger screen size or higher resolution. It must either scale them (ugly), ask developers to create a large-screen version (cumbersome), or run them in a window (which would beg some level of multitasking at least beyond what the iPhone OS does today. Not only that, but a 10" device is simply inconvenient for some of the iPhone's apps. Just try focusing on the road with a 10" navigation screen suctioned to your windshield.
The base version of Apple TV is 40 GB, just a bit over the 32 GB that has been offered on the iPod touch and iPhone. By the end of the year, a 64 GB flash product could be well within reach for a flash-based iPad. That would easily store many consumers' photo libraries and a Netflix queue's worth of movies. Rumors about the "Cocktail" music experience notwithstanding, the tablet would make an excellent platform for watching and displaying video and photos. a 10" screen would be a fine fit for 720p video and the small size would mask artifacts that could show up on the 50" television. But the iPad would be even more versatile than Apple TV.Continue reading Switched On: The iPad could succeed Apple TV Filed under: Handhelds Switched On: The iPad could succeed Apple TV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| HTC support site reveals Hero for Sprint, Snap for Alltel
August 4, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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| We've been asked not to reveal the URLs, but we can assure you we've seen this official support screen pictured above with our own two eyes, which means that the HTC Hero is all but confirmed in a juicy CDMA blend for Sprint. How (or if) that'll affect the availability of the US 3G version unlocked or on any carrier is unclear, but given Hesse's huffy language regarding Pre exclusivity, we wouldn't be surprised if they've got this one locked down for a while as well. We've seen a similar support page for an Alltel-branded Snap, so if you're still tied up in one of the carrier's legacy divested markets and you've been pining after the Snap (and Ozone) on Sprint and Verizon, fear not -- your own version is on the way. We'll admit, if you had asked us a few months back what American carrier would get HTC's highest-end Android phone to date, Sprint wouldn't have been our first guess -- but hey, good for them. If you can't win the coverage battle against the Big Red juggernaut, may as well try to win the exclusive hardware battle, right?
[Thanks, Adam]
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds HTC support site reveals Hero for Sprint, Snap for Alltel originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Palm hires Apple vet Jeff Zwerner as new SVP of Brand Design
August 4, 2009 at 5:33 pm
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|  It's no secret that Palm has plenty of Apple veterans in its upper ranks (starting right at the top), and it looks like there now may be even more reminiscing about old times going on during lunch breaks, with the company recently announcing that it has hired Jeff Zwerner as its new Senior Vice President of Brand Design. In addition to working at Apple for a stint from 2001 to 2003 as Creative Director for Packaging and earlier from 1995 to 1996 as a Senior Art Director, Zwerner also founded the San Francisco branch of Factor Design, which has done work for Coca-Cola, Gap, GE, Hewlett-Packard, L.L. Bean, Nike, the Walt Disney Company and, yes, Apple. [Via PreCentral] Filed under: Cellphones Palm hires Apple vet Jeff Zwerner as new SVP of Brand Design originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Kodak Zi8 impressions: surprising functionality, but it's still a pocket camcorder
August 4, 2009 at 5:08 pm
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| We've been messing around with Kodak's latest pocket camcorder, the Zi8, and find the shooter to be an interesting hybrid. With a flip-out USB plug, HDMI out and an easily accessible SD card slot, this is clearly a "premium" mix of features for the class, but the $180 pricetag keeps the device firmly grounded in Walmart-friendly reality. Other odd perks like a line-in jack and 1080p have us scratching our heads -- but in a good way. Overall, we'd feel pretty comfortable saying the footage is about the best you can obtain at this pricepoint. Colors are great, the image stabilization isn't a gimmick (sorry, Flip), and if you squint hard enough you can almost believe the 1080p is 1080p. Still, the camera is hampered by its cheap approach to processing and compressing the footage it's taking in -- despite its limitations, we'd say the iPhone 3GS is besting most cheap pocket camcorders on this front, motion just looks much more fluid. But don't take our word for it, check out a couple of video samples after the break.
Continue reading Kodak Zi8 impressions: surprising functionality, but it's still a pocket camcorder Filed under: Digital Cameras, HDTV Kodak Zi8 impressions: surprising functionality, but it's still a pocket camcorder originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Latest Dell tablet / MID rumor: Intel-based, free-on-contract
August 4, 2009 at 4:43 pm
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|  Last we heard, Dell was secretly at work on a handheld / MID that would challenge the likes of the iPod touch, but it turns out it may also have its eye on the Kindle and the still emerging e-reader market, or the two may be one in the same -- or neither, but bear with us for a minute. According to Wired's Gadget Lab, Dell is looking to shake things up in a fairly big way by offering a touchscreen tablet of unspecified size for free to folks willing to enter into a contract and sign up for "one or more digital media subscriptions." Details are otherwise a bit light, as you might expect, but Dell is rumored to be collaborating with Intel on the device, and the pair are supposedly looking to launch it in "about six months." [Via SlashGear] Filed under: Handhelds Latest Dell tablet / MID rumor: Intel-based, free-on-contract originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 8520 unboxed and handled (with video!)
August 4, 2009 at 4:13 pm
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| That new BlackBerry Curve 8520 for T-Mobile is in the house, sucking down EDGE data like it's going out of style (oh, right, it is). For a device that can be scored for $50 at Walmart as of tomorrow ($130 at T-Mobile stores), this is a surprisingly solid handset. The keyboard is classic BlackBerry goodness, and the overall heft gives us at least a little bit of assurance that the phone can hold up to wear and tear better than its predecessors. Most of the changes are for the better, like a trio of media keys up top and the rubberized sides, but we're not completely sold on the touchpad. It works great when it works, but if it's too clean or our thumb is at the exact wrong moisture level, we found that we kind of "stuck" to the pad instead of gliding across it. A bit of texturing could go a long way. We also found the QVGA screen to be pretty dim, which is particularly unfortunate in light of RIM's higher-end, high-res wonders, but it's certainly passable. We're planning on spending some more time with the handset, testing that EDGE network to the limit, giving UMA time to handle some of legendary conversational stylings, and seeing how many Engadget Podcast episodes we can narcissistically cram onto the bundled 1GB microSD card.
In speaking with RIM, it's quite clear that the decision to go EDGE was primarily based on price, along with the fact that T-Mobile's 3G rollout is still lacking -- it's still a head scratcher to us, though. The spokesperson also seemed pretty confident that the new touchpad interface is the way of the future, and we get the feeling the BlackBerry's legendary trackball isn't long for this world. Check out a quick video hands-on after the break, or you could opt for some fine unboxing shots below.
Continue reading T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 8520 unboxed and handled (with video!) Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 8520 unboxed and handled (with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Maxell launches flash storage line
August 4, 2009 at 3:56 pm
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| | Could this mean the death of the Cassingle? Continue reading Maxell launches flash storage line Filed under: Storage Maxell launches flash storage line originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Nokia N97 Mini is seriously just a smaller, cheaper N97, it seems
August 4, 2009 at 3:29 pm
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| Eldar Murtazin over at mobile-review has chimed in on those alleged Nokia N97 Mini shots that leaked last week -- and as anyone who follows the mobile industry knows, when the ridiculously well-connected Eldar speaks, folks tend to listen. The dude says that the N97 Mini is very much real, as is the name, which -- get this -- he claims was leaked by Nokia itself in an effort to stave off an unnamed competitor who'd also been planning to release a smaller version of one of its handsets with a "Mini" label slapped on the name. At any rate, the N97 Mini apparently isn't pulling any punches -- it's said to be exactly what you see, little more than a smaller N97 with a reconfigured keyboard and no camera lens cover. That sounds like a tough sell at first, especially when you throw in Eldar's claim that it'll step down to 8 and 16GB versions from the N97's 32GB, but the good news is that Espoo's seemingly looking to get this on the market for about €100 less ($144) than the N97. As for an official announcement, Eldar says that Nokia's planning to unveil it at Nokia World next month; the original model was revealed at last year's show, and frankly, we're hoping for a little bit more innovation than this by the time they're done unveiling the new lineup. Rover, perhaps?
[Via Unwired View]
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds Nokia N97 Mini is seriously just a smaller, cheaper N97, it seems originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| New Zune HD press shots emerge showing black and silver color options, true freedom from ugly
August 4, 2009 at 2:36 pm
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| We've seen our fair share of Microsoft's upcoming Zune HD, but the company just threw together a delightful little photoshoot for its new PMP, with the black and silver versions of the device on display along with a large quantity of attractiveness in both flavors. Most of the shots are variation on a pretty basic theme (and a little small, since these haven't made their way through quite "official" channels just yet), but they do give a good idea of what the UI will look like if you're into the Black Eyed Peas. Check 'em all out below.
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video New Zune HD press shots emerge showing black and silver color options, true freedom from ugly originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| HP shocks business computing world with Compaq 515, 610 laptops
August 4, 2009 at 2:23 pm
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|  Now, let's be clear about one thing: these are laptops for business -- so the casual need not apply. That said, HP's just announced the Compaq 515 and 610, and, like most office parties, they're pretty boring. The 515 is 14.1-incher with an AMD Athlon X2 or Turion X2 CPU, ATI Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics, up to 3GB of DDR2 RAM, and an up to 250GB of hard drive. The 15.6-inch Compaq 610 boasts a choice of Intel Core 2 Duo or Celeron Dual-Core CPUs, Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics, up to 3GB of DDR2 RAM, and an up to 250GB hard drive. Both of these suit-loving laptops boast DVD burners, LED backlight, WiFi and Ethernet LAN, three USB ports, ExpressCard and secure digital card slots, plus a VGA output. Starting price for the 515 is $429, while the 610 runs $449 for the base configuration. [Via Laptoping] Filed under: Laptops HP shocks business computing world with Compaq 515, 610 laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Magazine hints at Olympus E-P2 before year's end, Leica M9 for September
August 4, 2009 at 1:58 pm
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|  There's not exactly much in the way of specifics on either of these just yet, but the usually-reliable French magazine, Chasseur d'Image, has seemingly revealed in its latest issue that Olympus will be rolling out its E-P1 followup, the E-P2, before the end of the year, and that Leica will be releasing its M8 successor, the M9, as soon as September. The real kicker is that the E-P2 is said to be bringing with it an oft-desired viewfinder, while the M9 will reportedly be a full-frame camera, and presumably cost more than a small car. Of course, neither are anywhere close to being official, but it may not be the worst idea to stick with your current gear a little while longer to see how things shake out. Read - Photo Rumors, "Chasseur d'Image magazine: Leica M9 in September" Read - Leica rumors, "Olympus EP-2: released before the end of the year, with a viewfinder" [Thanks, Tony] Filed under: Digital Cameras Magazine hints at Olympus E-P2 before year's end, Leica M9 for September originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore
August 4, 2009 at 1:23 pm
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|  The just-announced Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digicam / pico projector has been blowin' up the Interwebs this morning, and we have the video to prove it. First of all, there is a hands-on provided by What Digital Camera over in the UK, and aside from the projector they've uncovered a pretty straight forward digital shooter: 12 megapixel, 5x optical zoom, pretty standard dimensions, and a 2.7-inch LCD. However, the projector itself seems to do the job quite admirably. Sure, it's not an extensive demo, but the image looks clear and crisp. The reviewer deems it "a very, very clever party trick." And if the straight ahead tech demo doesn't get you in the mood to snap pictures and project them onto something, advertisers have offered us two visions of the future: take your pick from a spirited get together choc full o' photogenic American actors, or a somewhat subdued, more elegant affair in the presence of photogenic French actors. All that fun (and more) is to be had after the break. Continue reading Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore Filed under: Digital Cameras Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Mimo's 710-S 'Mobile Slider' USB monitor gets low... real low
August 4, 2009 at 12:58 pm
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| Well, wouldn't you know it? Those off the wall concepts of what appeared to be a next-generation USB-driven Mimo monitor seem to have found their way into the production line, as the outfit made suddenly famous for its secondary displays now has a new model on tap. The 710-S "Mobile Slider" edition is really just a tweaked version of the aforementioned 7-inch panel, but it has been completely redesigned into a "sleeker, foldable and more portable unit." We hadn't really given much thought to bringing one of these things along in a laptop case, but this critter just might change our opinion on the usefulness to road warriors. Hit the read link to get in line; you'll have the opportunity to part with $149.99 in exchange for one later this month.
[Via EverythingUSB]Filed under: Displays Mimo's 710-S 'Mobile Slider' USB monitor gets low... real low originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Palm Pre comes to Bell on August 27
August 4, 2009 at 12:35 pm
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| | Up until now, Bell's been coy about an exact availability date for the Palm Pre -- a tactic borrowed from Sprint prior to its release -- so we're happy to hear that they've finally decided on August 27 to get it out of the door. It'll run CAD $199.95 (about $187) on a three-year deal, ramping all the way up to $599.95 contract-free with a minimum 500MB / month data plan (trust us, you'll want every megabyte of it). Preorders are now being accepted online and in Bell stores, so if you want it on day one, you might want to get moving on that. Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds Palm Pre comes to Bell on August 27 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Nintendo promises 'very creative ideas' for Vitality Sensor, declines to name any
August 4, 2009 at 12:18 pm
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|  The kids at the Mercury-News have just had a sit-down with our old pal Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo's legendary head of game development, for a chat about the recession, game controllers, and trust. The company's plan for dealing with the ebbs and flows of the international economy is simple: "We're really just concentrating on creating something that people want... something the whole family will use." Does that include the admittedly silly Vitality Sensor? Of course: "[A]ny sort of changes to interface that allows people to get into games and enjoy games is a great trend." Any clues as to the exciting new forms of gameplay this Vitality Sensor will provide? "I don't have any indication for you (of what we have in the works) other than to say that we have lots of very creative ideas." It looks like we'll just have to trust the man with the sword for the time being. [Via Joystiq] Filed under: Gaming Nintendo promises 'very creative ideas' for Vitality Sensor, declines to name any originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Researchers teach ASIMO and HRP-2 a bit of real life Frogger
August 4, 2009 at 11:48 am
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| Some George Costanza-types at Carnegie Mellon have repurposed their own hard earned knowledge of Frogger maneuvers at the university arcade into useful object avoidance techniques for robots. They've outfitted both ASIMO and HRP-2 with versions of the technology, which allows the robots to detect their surroundings, create 3D maps of obstacles and plan routes accordingly (and actually has nothing to do with Frogger). If you check out the two videos after the break, you can see that these guys really put the bots through the ringer, including some death defying spinning obstacles that ASIMO avoided with ease, and the "real life" environment the HRP-2 is faced with... but seriously, couldn't they just let ASIMO have the blue dot already?
[Thanks, Poly Bug]
Continue reading Researchers teach ASIMO and HRP-2 a bit of real life Frogger Filed under: Robots Researchers teach ASIMO and HRP-2 a bit of real life Frogger originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Microsoft's Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000: ready for Windows 7, just like your haggard Vista PC
August 4, 2009 at 11:24 am
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| Microsoft has, against all odds, managed to stuff comfort and wireless into its new Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 keyboard and mouse set. Beyond the usual improvements to design (and some nice new soft touch materials), the setup includes some Windows 7 optimizations, particularly the Taskbar Favorites keys for instant access to corresponding taskbar items from a row of hotkeys (think your number row in World of Warcraft, Mr. Gnome Rogue), along with a Windows Flip button on the mouse and keyboard, and Device Stage support for checking out and setting up your fancy Microsoft hardware in glorious detail. The mouse is a BlueTrack-powered affair, and both devices hook up to the computer wirelessly through an included 2.4GHz transceiver. The pair will be out later this month for $80.
Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless Microsoft's Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000: ready for Windows 7, just like your haggard Vista PC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Palm's ad agency 'loves that you're creeped out' by new TV spots
August 4, 2009 at 10:48 am
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| | Advertising Age has taken a deep dive into Palm's latest string of unsettling, polarizing ads -- you know, the ones with the girl -- in an attempt to explain the company's intention with the creepy spots. The industry paper spoke with Gary Koepke, the co-founder and executive creative director at Modernista, the company which developed and produced the short clips. According to Gary, he's happy that viewers find the commercials upsetting, stating that "The Pre is probably being talked about more than other phones right now because of the marketing and advertising, and that's a good thing. Could the ads work harder to show exactly how the phone works? Yes, but we knew it would be polarizing people to have a woman not shout at them and tell an interesting story." Apparently the agency is taking its own stab at Microsoft's Seinfeld / Bill Gates strategy, which means viewers don't necessarily have to like (or even understand) the ads... as long as they keep talking about them. Of course, that game plan may work for a company like Microsoft, which arguably has nothing to lose if they run a few ill-received spots. Palm, on the other hand, won't get a second chance to make a first impression with a lot of people, and since its fortune is currently riding on the device these ads attempt to sell to consumers, it's a pretty risky proposition. C'mon, how could the folks that brought you the Foleo be wrong? Continue reading Palm's ad agency 'loves that you're creeped out' by new TV spots Filed under: Cellphones Palm's ad agency 'loves that you're creeped out' by new TV spots originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Altek crams a dozen megapixels of wishful thinking into T8680 cameraphone
August 4, 2009 at 10:27 am
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| There once was a time when a 12 megapixel cameraphone would have been laughed at, and, though many are still smirking (guilty), they're now a reality -- a reality that Altek wants desperately to be a part of with its T8680 handset. Its face looks rather like a PMP with a 3-inch WQVGA LCD, but on the back is the standard sort of 3x pop-out zoom that you'd expect on a compact shooter, sitting next to a tiny xenon flash. It'll capture unnecessarily high resolution images while being crippled to VGA video, play back MP3 and AAC files, and tune into the Weekly Top 40 over FM. Yes, it'll even make calls, but with only tri-band GSM/EDGE support don't expect to e-mail those gigantic pictures directly from the phone. The T8680 is expected to hit Chinese retailers in about a month for 3000 yuan (about $440), and probably won't be making much of an appearance elsewhere.
[Via GSM Arena]Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras Altek crams a dozen megapixels of wishful thinking into T8680 cameraphone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Microsoft's big new Xbox update makes some game installs much, much smaller
August 4, 2009 at 9:56 am
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| | The ability to optionally install games on the Xbox 360's hard drive is something we've been jazzed about for some time, because while the machine's DVD drive isn't terribly slow, it isn't terribly quiet either -- and who has time for progress bars? However, those of us still rocking older, 20GB machines quickly discovered that the 6-plus GB install files of some games put a real hurtin' on what little disk space we had left, leaving us to choose between reducing load-times while exploring the Urban Wasteland or deleting all those random demos we keep forgetting about. Microsoft has a solution, and this time it's not a moderately less expensive new hard drive. Included in the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard update, due one week from today, is a previously unmentioned feature that shrinks those game installs, sometimes by a huge margin. King of Fighters XII went from 3.4GB down to 703MB, while Raiden Fighters Aces is now just 484MB. Any of you early bird previewers finding other titles that have trimmed the fat? Filed under: Gaming Microsoft's big new Xbox update makes some game installs much, much smaller originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| NVIDIA clings desperately to XP with the DirectX10-hating ION LE chipset
August 4, 2009 at 9:21 am
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| Anything that makes our netbooks, nettops, and smartphones into slightly less mediocre video performers is okay in our book, so we're fond of NVIDIA's ION platform and are looking forward to finding out exactly what the company has up its sleeve for ION 2. We weren't, however, expecting an even cheaper revision of the chipset, but that's exactly what's been announced this morning. NVIDIA is creating ION LE, a sibling of the existing ION that does everything its big sister can do except support DirectX 10. The idea, of course, is to lower costs while providing all the functionality XP-packing netbooks and nettops need, but as Windows 7 sits at home getting made up for its débutante party we have to wonder just how much longer Microsoft's old faithful will be on the market -- and how much longer DX9 will be relevant.
[Via SlashGear]Filed under: Desktops, Laptops NVIDIA clings desperately to XP with the DirectX10-hating ION LE chipset originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Toshiba's capacious 64GB SDXC card sampling this December, thrilling next Spring
August 4, 2009 at 8:49 am
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| | Mmm, storage. With megapixels on the rise and the storage ceiling nowhere in sight, Toshiba has joined the likes of Panasonic and Pretec in announcing an SDXC card of its very own. The 64GB device is expected to begin sampling this December, and if all goes well, it should begin pulling in 35MBps write and 60MBps read rates en masse early next year. In related news, a 16GB and 32GB SDHC card from the company should also hit store shelves early in 2010, but really, who's interested in that? Filed under: Storage Toshiba's capacious 64GB SDXC card sampling this December, thrilling next Spring originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Kensington's iPhone / iPod charging dock throws a mini battery into the mix
August 4, 2009 at 8:17 am
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| At this point, you've probably assumed that there's simply no way any company can produce yet another iPhone or iPod dock that's significantly different from the legions of alternatives already out. And you're wrong. So wrong. In an effort to milk that Made for iPod / iPhone partnership for all it's worth, Kensington has just introduced its Charging Dock with Mini Battery Pack, which not only charges your dock connecting iPod or iPhone, but also energizes an external battery pack through the same USB cable. When you leave, you'll depart with a charged device as well as a charged battery pack in case you need to use 3G services for more than eight minutes. Brilliant, no? It's up for pre-order now for $69.99.
[Via iPodNN]Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Portable Audio, Portable Video Kensington's iPhone / iPod charging dock throws a mini battery into the mix originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Netflix rumored to be bringing Watch Instantly to iPhones, skepticism advised
August 4, 2009 at 7:44 am
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| Multichannel News is passing on word from "an industry executive familiar with Netflix's plans" that the company is prepping an app for the iPhone and iPod touch (not to mention the Wii, which we've heard before) that would let users enjoy their Watch Instantly queues from the comfort of the small screen -- likely restricted to WiFi, of course, because the mere thought of trying to stream a movie over a saturated 3G network is about as brutal as fingernails on a chalkboard. It's a cute rumor; the overlap in Netflix and iPhone owner demographics has to number in the hundreds of thousands, so it's easy to understand why the thought of catching up on Friday Night Lights on the road would go over well with the populace.
A couple problems here, though: first off, Watch Instantly doesn't store content locally, which means you've got to maintain an internet connection to enjoy the show. Assuming the no-3G thing panned out -- and rest assured, it would -- who wants to be stuck in a coffee shop for hours on end because you want to finish out a movie you've started? Secondly, if there's one thing Apple loves, it's maintaining control of the media ecosystem; we'll see hell freeze over before we'll see Watch Instantly on Apple TV, so why would the iPhone be any different? Of course, there's nothing stopping Netflix from creating a Watch Instantly app, but getting it into the App Store is another matter altogether -- and barring some wild FCC ruling, we're not seeing Apple letting that happen.
[Via Electronista]Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Portable Video Netflix rumored to be bringing Watch Instantly to iPhones, skepticism advised originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Sony's PlayStation 3 Slim to debut August 18th at Cologne gamescom?
August 4, 2009 at 7:10 am
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| Whoa, Nelly! No sooner than we hear that Sony is informing Japanese retailers that the 80GB PS3 model won't be shipping any longer after August 8th, along comes this to stoke the raging rumor fires once more. In a one-two punch that just can't be coincidental, Sony has also hacked $50 off of its 160GB PlayStation 3 bundle from Amazon. But really, it's the report from RTLinfo that has us most excited. According to it, the Sony elite are informing European retailers of an impending €100 price slashing on the 80GB console, which will dovetail nicely into the sudden and not-at-all unexpected debut of the PS3 Slim at the gamescom expo in Cologne, Germany. Reportedly, the willowy unit -- which shouldn't differ much in terms of specifications and features -- will be properly introduced to the world during Sony's pre-event press conference on August 18th. Obviously we've no way to confirm or deny just yet, but given everything else that has transpired over the past few months, we'd say an official reveal is definitely due. What say you, rumormongers?
Read - Sony PS3 Slim to be revealed at gamescom [Thanks, Dominic]
Read - 160GB PS3 price cut [Via GamesIndustry]Filed under: Gaming Sony's PlayStation 3 Slim to debut August 18th at Cologne gamescom? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Logitech's USB Unifying Receiver: one dongle to serve multiple input peripherals
August 4, 2009 at 6:53 am
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| C'mon folks, say it with us now: "finally!" While those utilizing Bluetooth-enabled input devices have enjoyed the ability to connect multiple wares to a single computer without any fuss, those relying on a USB keyboard and mouse have typically been forced to block a pair of their USB ports in order to have both operating simultaneously. Thanks to Logitech's marvelous new USB Unifying Receiver, said issue is no longer an issue. Designed to operate with the Wireless Keyboard K350 / K340 and Marathon Mouse M705 / M505 (all of which are being jointly announced here), this compact receiver is tiny enough to stay inserted in one's laptop even when it's stored, and while we can't fathom why you'd need a half dozen devices linked at once, the nub definitely supports it. Each of the four new products will ship with one of these special receivers, with the keyboards expected to arrive in the US and Europe this September for $59.99 (K350) / $49.99 (K340) and the mice landing later this month (Europe) / early 2010 (America) for $69.99 (M705) and $49.99 (M505). Incredibly informative demonstration vid is after the break.
[Via Engadget Chinese]
Continue reading Logitech's USB Unifying Receiver: one dongle to serve multiple input peripherals Filed under: Peripherals Logitech's USB Unifying Receiver: one dongle to serve multiple input peripherals originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| AMD's integrated 785G graphics platform review roundup
August 4, 2009 at 6:29 am
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| It's mildly hard to believe that AMD's DirectX 10-compatible 780 Series motherboard GPU was introduced well over a year ago now, but the long awaited successor has finally landed. This fine morning, a gaggle of hardware sites around the web have taken a look at a number of AMD 785G-equipped mainboards, all of which boast integrated Radeon HD 4200 GPUs, support for AMD's AM3 processors and a price point that's downright delectable (most boards are sub-$100). Without getting into too much detail here in this space, the general consensus seems to be that the new platform is definitely appreciated, but hardly revolutionary. It fails to destroy marks set by the 780G, and it couldn't easily put NVIDIA's GeForce 9300 to shame. What it can do, however, is provide better-than-average HD playback, making it a prime candidate for basic desktop users and even HTPC builders. For the full gamut of opinions, grab your favorite cup of joe and get to clickin' below.
Read - HotHardware review
Read - The Tech Report review
Read - Tom's Hardware review
Read - PC Perpective review
Read - Hardware Zone review
Read - Hexus reviewContinue reading AMD's integrated 785G graphics platform review roundup Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals AMD's integrated 785G graphics platform review roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| T-Mobile UK sneakily offering iPhone 3G to moneyed customers
August 4, 2009 at 5:59 am
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| We really couldn't make this stuff up -- it would seem that T-Mobile has been sneaking some hi-tech contraband into the UK in the form of unlocked iPhone 3G handsets, which it is now peddling to its most valued clientele. And by that, of course, we mean the piggies that pay up the most every month. Limited to an extremely select 150 units a week, the Apple devices are being used as incentives for high-rolling customers to renew their eye-gouging contracts of £75 per month and above, though we suspect only a few chums in corner offices know exactly how much T-Mob is charging for the handset itself.
We've done some digging, and while O2 has exclusivity on the iPhone 3G until September, that does not prevent T-Mobile from essentially functioning as a reseller of unlocked SIM-free units. Further distancing itself from legal action, the carrier is only offering the handsets to upgrading customers (as opposed to newcomers), thus the phones technically come sans a SIM. So, the suits at Magenta Towers must be feeling pretty smug right about now, having danced through a loophole and secured a wildly popular (albeit older generation) phone, all in the name of keeping high-brow customers from jumping ship. While you won't hear any PR from T-Mobile on the matter, we have a full statement from O2 on the subject of losing 3G exclusivity come September. You ready?
We have a multi-year agreement with Apple to sell iPhone in the UK. This relationship continues.
Man, those Britons keep it short and sweet, don't they?Filed under: Cellphones T-Mobile UK sneakily offering iPhone 3G to moneyed customers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Clearwire lighting up ten more markets with WiMAX on September 1st
August 4, 2009 at 5:34 am
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| | Not like we didn't have reason to believe that the ten markets mentioned in Clearwire's latest press release weren't getting a taste of that sweet, succulent 4G action in the near term, but it's sure good to see the official word passed down. On September 1st (as in, less than a month), the cool kids in Boise, Idaho, Bellingham, Washington and eight Texas markets (Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Killeen / Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Waco and Wichita Falls) will be able to laugh heartily at friends in other locales as they struggle to upload their latest YouTube clip over 3G. Each market should expect their own retail store opening as well as all sorts of other launch day shenanigans, some of which involve "promotional offers" that'll undoubtedly be too good to pass up. Filed under: Wireless Clearwire lighting up ten more markets with WiMAX on September 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| 80GB PlayStation 3 on the outs in Japan, PS3 Slim looking all the more likely
August 4, 2009 at 4:35 am
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| We know the whole "where there's smoke, there's hotness" argument is played out, but it sure feels like the pieces are coming together here. With Sony's 20GB, 40GB and 60GB PlayStation 3 already a part of history, it's just the 80GB and 160GB models holding down the fort. After August 9th, however, it seems that just the latter will be representin' in Japan. The notice above essentially informs retailer 7-Eleven (don't hate) that no more orders for the black, white and silver 80GB PS3 will be accepted after Sunday due to a request from "the manufacturer." The note also instructs store owners to take down the in-story displays for the 80GB model, giving us all the reason we need to believe that a slimmed down version of the console is within reach. Of course, that's just whimsical speculation, but we just can't talk our hearts into listening to our heads on this one.
[Via VG247, thanks Hawk]Filed under: Gaming 80GB PlayStation 3 on the outs in Japan, PS3 Slim looking all the more likely originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| HTC Rhodium spotted in Sprint "compatible phone" list, Touch Pro2 definitely maybe imminent
August 4, 2009 at 3:41 am
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| While AT&T, Telus and Verizon Wireless customers have long since known that HTC's luscious Touch Pro2 was heading their way, fans of Dan Hesse have been twiddling their thumbs wondering if said handset would ever cruise along at Sprint Speed[TM]. We wouldn't call this anything close to official confirmation, but an official Sprint portal for the outfit's NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile application definitely lists the HTC Rhodium as a "compatible phone" that supports full audio and video content. For those unaware, "Rhodium" is just another way of uttering "Touch Pro2." Don't get your hopes too high, but feel free to have a stiff drink on us.
[Thanks, Kenny]Filed under: Cellphones HTC Rhodium spotted in Sprint "compatible phone" list, Touch Pro2 definitely maybe imminent originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Transparent aluminum! Would that be worth somethin' to ya, eh?
August 4, 2009 at 2:44 am
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| | It's hard to say if boffins at Oxford University got their inspiration from Nimoy and Co., but one thing's for sure: they aren't joking about the creation of transparent aluminum. In what can only be described as a breakthrough for the ages, a team of mad scientists across the way have created "a completely new state of matter nobody has seen before" by blasting aluminum walls (around one-inch thick) with brief pulses of soft X-ray light, each of which is "more powerful than the output of a power plant that provides electricity to a whole city." For approximately 40 femtoseconds, an "invisible effect" is seen, giving the gurus hope that their experiment could lead to new studies in exotic states of matter. For a taste of exactly what we mean, feel free to voice command your PC to jump past the break. Or use the keyboard, if you're feeling quaint. Continue reading Transparent aluminum! Would that be worth somethin' to ya, eh? Filed under: Science Transparent aluminum! Would that be worth somethin' to ya, eh? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| The Shack: You have questions, we have propaganda
August 4, 2009 at 1:27 am
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| Here are some of the memorable catchphrases you can expect from the retailer formerly known as Radio Shack's rebranding, as caught on camera from an anonymous tipster: "The Shack is fluent in mobile. The Shack is a big hug for your mobile life. The Shack is music to your ears. The Shack is your path to wireless wisdom. The Shack helps you get it right. The Shack is like a GPS to your GPS. The Shack knows what you want to hear. The Shack is not camera-shy." The Shack is not at war with Eastasia. The Shack has never been at war with Eastasia.
The Shack: You have questions, we have propaganda originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends
August 4, 2009 at 1:01 am
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| Man, the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj has gone from crazy rumor to seemingly-real to whoa-here's-the-press-release in record time -- the compact cam with the integrated projector was just officially announced, along with the three other cams we saw leaked earlier today. Leaked specs for the S1000pj were dead-on: a 12.1 megapixel sensor with ISO 6400 sensitivity mounted behind a 5x wide-angle zoom lens with five-way VR stabilization, and that LED-powered projector that'll put up a 40-inch image for slideshows complete with music, effects and transitions. We're a little less excited about the $430 list price this thing will carry when it hits in September, but on the whole it's a pretty terrific idea and we're completely intrigued -- looks like we'll be saving our pennies this month. Pictures of everything in the gallery, deets on the other cams and a video of the S1000pj after the break.
Continue reading Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends Filed under: Digital Cameras Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| TeleNav GPS Navigator comes to T-Mobile's myTouch 3G
August 4, 2009 at 1:00 am
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| TeleNav has already launched its subscription turn-by-turn navigation service for the G1, so it stands to reason that official myTouch 3G support would be close behind -- and sure enough, the company has announced that its GPS Navigator app will be available for download to T-Mobile's second Android device starting tomorrow, August 5. The app features all of the goodies that TeleNav users have come to know and love, including traffic and incident monitoring with automatic rerouting, gas prices, business information, and a choice between 2D and 3D maps; additionally, you've got automatic day / night coloration, carpool lane and tollroad avoidance, and speech recognition for destination input -- a big plus when you're on the road and you need to keep distractions to a minimum.
We've been playing with a cut of GPS Navigator on our myTouch recently, and it delivers a totally usable car navigation experience -- a perfect complement to the comprehensive pedestrian capabilities of Google Maps. Most of the warnings from our G1-based review of the application carry over here -- you need true GPS reception, not merely cellular triangulation, so your phone will need a view of the sky to have a shot at picking up satellites (this also means that getting a location lock is a more time-consuming process, though it typically didn't take longer than a few seconds to do its thing). We're not digging how the colored lines that convey traffic information on highways flash; we'd rather they just stayed a solid color, the way most GPS systems handle it. We also found that the menus are a little wonky -- bringing your finger in contact with a menu item and swiping up or down to scroll would occasionally trigger the first item you touched, which ends up being a fairly annoying bug in practice. All told, though, if you can justify the expense, your $10 a month is going to net you a genuinely reasonable way to consolidate all of your help-me-I'm-lost needs -- whether by foot or by car -- into a single device.
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Transportation TeleNav GPS Navigator comes to T-Mobile's myTouch 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | 
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1 comment:
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