Home / engadget.com rss archive / September-14-2007


The bicycle-powered supercomputer
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsIn an attempt to illustrate the low power requirements of its latest Linux-based supercomputer, a company called SiCortex put together a demonstration showing the massive number-cruncher performing billions of calculations per-second while a team of between eight to ten bicyclists pedaled to keep it going. The NextFest presentation was a ploy to showcase the small power consumption of the new machine, and to point out that energy conservation for both system power and cooling are major issues facing manufacturers and end-users. As the custom Trek bikes churned out 260-watts of power each, Dr. John Mucci -- the company's CEO -- said, "Ten years ago, this analysis was impossible on even the biggest computers, and now it's being done on a bicycle powered machine," then added, "Ten years from now, we'll probably be doing it right down at the docks as they unload the ships." Which sounds kind of weird, but isn't.[Via I4U] Read | Permalink | Email...

Revolymer develops new non-stick chewing gum
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsNah, Revolymer's latest concoction won't play music or record your favorite shows, but if it passes European health and safety tests, it could end up in your mouth before long. The Bristol University spin-out company "claims that it has created a new material (dubbed Rev7) which can be added to gum that makes it much easier to remove from surfaces," and in testing, it actually "vanished from street surfaces within 24 hours," presumably from rain or street sweepers whisking it away. Moreover, the newfangled gum would even dissolve quicker than traditional pieces, and if all goes as planned, it could be launched as "early as next year." Shoe soles, rejoice.[Via NewScientist] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Laser fire extinguisher simulator threatens arsonist's livelihoods
Filed under: HouseholdLook, we know how hard it can be to put out a fire with your typical, under -the-sink extinguisher. Sure, the flames are brightly colored and searingly hot, but it can be difficult to know where to aim that thing sometimes. Enter the BullsEye Fire Extinguisher Training System, which combines a laser-equipped, mock extinguisher, and a digital, on-screen "fire" display. Thanks to the BullsEye technology, you and your family and / or friends can learn to put out fires from the safety and comfort of your home or office, without actually have to burn down your safe, comfortable home or office. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

iPhone SIM unlock giveaway: round 5
Filed under: Announcements, CellphonesSorry we're running a little bit late on today's contest, but here it is! If you haven't (or don't want to) hit up iUnlock, the free, open source iPhone SIM unlock solution (which is still early on yet, but does indeed work), why not try your hand at taking home one of our iPhoneSIMfree "retail" unlocks? The IPSF crew has hooked us up with five iPhone unlock licenses to give away to you, our faithful, iPhone obsessed readers, so just hit up the simple rules below if you want to give it a shot. Here's how it works:Details about the unlock Bring your own iPhone. We're not supplying the device, just the unlock. You must send us your iPhone's IMEI; you can't resell the unlock. If we don't receive your IMEI in a timely manner, we may award the unlock to someone else. We will not be offering tech support on the unlock. Once you've got it, it's out of our hands, ok? We do not make any guarantees about the unlock. We're not guaranteeing...

iPhone firmware v1.1.1 with "international" support coming soon?
Filed under: CellphonesWith the launch of the iPod touch and the iTunes WiFi Music Store this week, it's pretty obvious that the iPhone is due for an update soon -- Apple can't leave all those iPhone users wondering what song is playing in Starbucks, after all -- but what's not certain is how much of an update we're going to see. The eagle-eyed posters at HowardForums might have spotted a clue, though -- the iPhone early-adopter $100 credit signup page clearly shows an iPhone running firmware v1.1.1, with a couple interesting additions: a setting for "Home Button," and another marked "International." The Home Button setting will likely bring the iPod touch's nifty double-tap music controller to the iPhone, but we have no idea what the International menu is for -- maybe for reducing some of those crazy roaming bills? Either way, we should know soon.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in][Via HowardForums] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget:...

Save the date and call for space: Engadget reader meetups coming to New York, San Francisco, Tokyo
Filed under: AnnouncementsEngadget fans! We know it's been a solid year since our last meetup (Boston, you rock!) so we figured it was time to add some dates to the October 2007 Engadget reader meetup world tour.We're also on the lookout for an event space at all three towns, so if you have a spot you'd like to lend us (or know of a good one we should hold our event at) hit is up at event at engadget dawt com. Please bear in mind, we're expecting 500 - 1000 people at our SF and NY events, and will also need room for companies we've invited to show off their wares. We'll be sure to show your space / business some love on Engadget if we wind up hosting our event there.Readers! Here are the event dates we're looking at:Tokyo - October 4th (unconfirmed tentative)San Francisco - October 10thNew York - October 30th (unconfirmed and tentative) We'd also like to thank our two event sponsors, Citi Mobile, who is the premium sponsor of our upcoming New York event, and the Bluetooth SIG,...

Walt Mossberg gives Ubuntu the cold-shoulder
Filed under: Desktops, LaptopsCaptain Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal Brigade delivered a pounding frontal attack to the good folks in the Ubuntu bunker today, sounding off about the Linux OS distribution that's been taking a lot of people (but not old Mossy) by storm. According to his review yesterday of the burgeoning (and free) Canonical operating system, Walt Mossberg says that although Ubuntu is, "Relatively slick," he feels that there are too many, "little complications and hassles that will quickly frustrate most people who just want to use their computers, not maintain or tweak them." Apparently, after testing on a stock Dell system with the software pre-installed, Walt argued that the lack of codecs for playing some audio and video formats, trouble connecting iPods, and a trackpad which can't be adjusted, are just a few of the problems that most people will find intolerable in the open-source OS. Mossberg talks about users who, "...simply want their digital products...

CE-Oh no he didn't! Part XLII: BDA hints that 51GB HD DVD is a publicity stunt
Filed under: HDTV, Home EntertainmentNot long after we got wind of Sony and Toshiba's latest cat-fight, along comes Frank Simonis, chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association, to stir the ever-whirling pot even more. In a recent interview with Tech.co.uk, Mr. Simonis was said to have insinuated that "the HD DVD Group's BD-trumping 51GB disc announcement is purely a publicity stunt," and he actually noted that he was "not surprised at all." Additionally, he claimed that the HD DVD camp was "very much in a reactive mood," and added that he had "not heard anything about a production line for the odd format." Oh, and on the topic of whether existing HD DVD players would actually be able to read the newfangled discs should they actually appear, he frankly proclaimed that we "better ask them," as he "questions it very much."[Thanks, Dave J.] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

HD video: Robots, robots, robots (and other stuff) at Nextfest 2007
Filed under: Displays, Features, RobotsYou saw the Nextfest 2007 gallery, now see the video. In our highlights reel we've got (in order): Keepon dancing Multi-touch Collaboration Wall by Perceptive Pixel FT by Kyoto University Atlas Devices rope ascender Outerspace by Andre Stubbe and Markus Lerner (Berlin University of the Arts) Albert Hubo "dances" to Yeah! by Usher + Lil Jon + Luda Recon Scout by Recon Robotics Kiyomori samuraibot by TMSUK Laptop_Orchestra by LIMITEAZERO Will the real Zou Ren Ti please stand up? Bipedal transport by Waseda University, TMSUK Shadow dextrous hand by Shadow Robot Co. E-TAF automatic door by Tanaka Seisakusho Morpho Towers by Sachiko Kodama (EUC), with Yasushi Miyajima (Sony CSL)These HD videos are taking forever, but the embedded player is after the break, and download links will be posted below as they finish.[MP4] Download in wide VGA (165MB)Continue reading HD video: Robots, robots, robots (and other...

Sennheiser rolls out four new CX earbuds
Filed under: Portable AudioNot satisfied with simply unveiling a single set of new earbuds today, Sennheiser decided to roll out four new flavors for your ears' enjoyment. Up first is the CX 400 ($99.95), which touts a short cord ideal for arm-worn MP3 players, but does include a three-foot extension cable for other applications. Upping the ante is the CX 500 ($129.95), which enters as the flagship unit in the Classic lineup and arrives in a trio of colors. The CX 55 Street ($79.95) boasts a bit more bass than the other guys, and the CX 95 Style ($139.95) places its emphasis on lookin' good whilst parked in your ear. The whole lot is slated to be available starting this month, and you can take a peek at photos of the rest after the break.Continue reading Sennheiser rolls out four new CX earbuds Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Razer cranks out Pro|Click Mobile Bluetooth mouse
Filed under: PeripheralsRazer has certainly been on a tear of late, and the firm is keepin' the new gear flowing with the Pro|Click Mobile. Shipping worldwide today (to retailers, we presume), this diminutive critter touts an ambidextrous design, Bluetooth 2.0, an optical sensor, and four interesting titled colors including "naughty, nice, sugar, and spice (black, white, pink and red respectively)." Unfortunately, interested customers won't be able to get their hands around one until "mid-October" for $49.99 Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

The hundred gadget giveaway, grand prize round: Nikon D40 DSLR
Filed under: Announcements, Digital CamerasHere we go -- you ready to take home a Nikon D40 as a grand prize in our hundred gadget giveaway? Follow the rules below, and hope for the best. The rules (yeah, there are always rules): Leave a comment below. You know the drill. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) In other words, be careful when commenting and if you submit more than once, only activate one comment, ok? If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Contest is open to anyone worldwide! Winner will be chosen randomly. Entries can be submitted until Sunday, September 16th, 11:59PM EDT. After that we're all done. Good luck! Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

The final grand prize round of the hundred gadget giveaway
Filed under: Announcements, Cellphones, Digital Cameras, HDTVOk, it's here: the final round of the hundred gadget giveaway. We've got three grand prizes -- one for each Engadget site -- ready for the taking, listed below. Yes, you most definitely can enter all three. Read the rules and put in your entries before Sunday night. Good luck!P.S. -Thanks to everyone who entered our 37 other rounds in the hundred gadget giveaway! Winners have been contacted and should be receiving their prizes shortly.Engadget classic: Nikon D40 DSLREngadget Mobile: unlocked iPhone (4GB)Engadget HD: Insignia NS-LCD37 LCD HDTV Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Asus intros GPS-equipped U3S laptop
Filed under: GPS, LaptopsAsus looks to be keeping busy on the GPS front these days, with it now following up its just-introduced navigators with what it claims to be the "world's first mainstream notebook PC with integrated GPS capability." That particular distinction goes to the company's new U3S laptop, which relies on NXP Software's swGPS system for navigation duties. Among other things, NXP's system does all the necessary GPS signal processing entirely in software, which not only allows it to be much smaller, but also opens up the possibility of fairly significant software upgrades (including support for Galileo). From the looks of it, the laptop itself is also no slouch, with the usual Centrino Duo-related goods and some unspecified discreet graphics under the hood. Just don't expect "mainstream" to mean "cheap," with the laptop set to run €2,300 (or $3,200) when it's released later this month.[Via NaviGadget] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice...

Sony, Sharp, and Hitachi out to cut your LCD power bill
Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home EntertainmentSony, Sharp, and Hitachi have joined forces with the goal of developing LCD television tech that will have displays sipping less than half the current juice by 2011. A recent CNET study shows that a typical plasma television uses 328 watts of power, whereas the average LCD uses 193 watts. By researching LED backlighting -- which also helps with expanded-range color reproduction -- and other energy-saving technologies, the companies hope to keep the costs of operating an LCD down as the sizes go up. And let there be no mistake, sizes will go up. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

NEC introduces 17-inch Versa P9110 laptop
Filed under: LaptopsShortly after doling out a few new LaVies, NEC has now unveiled a new 17-incher for the media-centric set. The Versa P9110 comes in a trio of standard configurations, and offers up a range of Intel Core 2 Duo processors, Vista Home Premium / Ultimate, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, between 160GB and 250GB of hard drive space, 7.1-channel audio, NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M GS, a 56k modem for connecting up in dire situations, and a built-in mic for chatting, too. Furthermore, you'll get a dual-layer DVD burner, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, an ExpressCard slot, three USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire connector, VGA / HDMI outputs, a four-in-one multicard reader, 1.3-megapixel webcam, a numeric keypad, WXGA+ widescreen panel, and of course, a built-in "subwoofer" to compliment the four speakers. No word on price just yet, but it's slated to land within the next couple of weeks.[Via PCLaunches] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360...

Samsung's SGH-F700 gets (really) official on Vodafone
Filed under: CellphonesThose paying attention should know full well by now that Samsung's SGH-F700 (you know, the Croix) is set to make everyone not a Vodafone customer uber-envious here soon, but just in case you missed it, Sammy is making sure you're up to speed. The handset will boast a three-megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch 432 x 240 resolution touchscreen, QWERTY keypad, Bluetooth 2.0, USB, a microSD expansion slot, HSDPA, and an integrated media player that handles H.263 / H.264, MP3, and AAC formats. We know what you're really after, so check out a bit more eye candy after the jump.Continue reading Samsung's SGH-F700 gets (really) official on Vodafone Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Sony (briefly) reveals all about Alpha a700 DSLR
Filed under: Digital CamerasYup, Sony's Advanced Amateur DSLR is definitely called the a700, and we've definitely got all the specs for you, courtesy of a just-posted Sony UK flash mini-site -- which suddenly went down, so these details are all from memory. We're talking about a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor backed by a BIONZ image processor, 3-inch, 921,000 pixel LCD, 3200 maximum ISO (with a ridiculous ISO 6400 "expanded mode"), 11 point autofocus, and wireless flash support. Furthermore, the Super SteadyShot and anti-dust features seem to have been given a boost over those found in the a100, MemorySticks now have their own dedicated slot next to their CF brethren, portrait grip is now possible, and while other metrics have also improved, you'll be paying for it in the form of almost 100 fewer shots on a full battery. No price or release date have been given, of course, but maybe we can get a little more info from Sony now that the cat's out of the bag. Check out the gallery...

DIY'er makes a pet access control system
Filed under: HouseholdIf you're looking for a way to get your pups eating what you want, when you want, you might want to check into one DIY'ers clever solution for an RFID feeding scheme. The trouble all began when a gentleman named Mike Larsen needed to feed one of his dogs a special diet even though food had to be out constantly for his canines -- thus making that goal quite difficult to achieve. After discovering no commercial products to suit his needs (likely due to an apparent patent-hoarder), he decided to put his own solution together, using some RFID key fobs, a small proximity card access kit, a Radio Shack AC adapter, some loud buzzers... and a little bit of elbow grease. The system works by essentially "scaring" the special-diet-dog away from the food by the use of a loud buzzing sound, which isn't subtle, but certainly effective. Check the video after the break to see the system in action.[Via Make]Continue reading DIY'er makes a pet access control system Read...

Shure busts out $99 SE110 earphones
Filed under: Portable AudioThose put off by the high prices of Shure's earphones now have a slightly lower barrier of entry, with the company's new SE110 buds coming in just under the $100 mark, apparently making them the cheapest Shure phones to date. Of course, you'll have to put up with a few comprises -- namely, one driver instead of the usual two or three -- but you will get Shure's trademark "Balanced MicroSpeaker" technology, as well as an accessory package of sleeves, a cleaning tool, and a carrying case. According to IGN, the jack on the earphones is also small enough to use with an iPhone without an adapter, in case that's a top concern for you. Look for these to be available from all the usual sources on September 17th.  Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Apple store is down, yada yada yada, blah blah blah
Buckle yourselves in, the Apple store is down (globally) and should come back with plenty of new action. Ready for it? Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

NYC cabbies strike over GPS units
Filed under: GPS, TransportationAs we reported back in July, and then in August, a large number of taxi drivers in New York City have been planning a strike over GPS systems which the city wants installed in yellow cabs. Well, the strike is officially on, with the New York Times reporting that nearly 90-percent of cabs are off the road today (at least according to a cabbie representative). If you'll recall, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a quasi-union, has been threatening the strike over GPS / entertainment units the city demands be put into taxis. The new units have a number of functions -- not the least of which is tracking the cab's pickup and drop-off points -- and the drivers aren't having it. Currently, reports have come in concerning extended waits on airport pickups, and a new pricing scheme for cabs that are working, though from what we can tell, the strike hasn't put the hurt on commuters too badly. Of course, the litmus-test of a New York evening rush hour has...

Apple adds iPhone ringtones to iTunes
Filed under: Cellphonesdigg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_adds_iPhone_ringtones_to_iTunes'; A new version of iTunes supporting custom ringtones for the iPhone ships this evening. They'll run 99 cents on top of the cost of the song, but in trade, you'll be able to make your own custom ringtone from the song. They can run up to 30 seconds in length, denoted by bells that appear next to "ringtoneable" songs -- which'll be 500,000 of 'em at launch. Apple flips the switch to enable the feature "next week." Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Apple announces (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, new colors
Filed under: Portable Audio var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_Announces_Product_Red_Shuffle'; Here it is, just like we expected: the 1GB (PRODUCT) RED shuffle. Same $79, available today. Buy it and make little Oprabono cry. Put on your Easter Bunny suit and check all the pastel action in the gallery below. Red, Ah... Lavender, Ew.Gallery: Apple announces (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, new colors Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Apple announces new 3rd gen iPod nano
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_Announces_new_iPod_Nano_Fatty'; El-Jobso just dropped news that the whole iPod lineup is getting a refresh or replace -- including the nano. Apparently those "spy photos" weren't too far off, as the new nanos look almost identical to the stout, squat player we've come to know and love. The new units will include 2-inch, QVGA, 320 x 240 screens that are 65-percent brighter than previous models and have the highest pixel density the company has ever shipped (204 pixels per inch). In addition to the new screens, the extra-wide player will sport an "enhanced" UI (which looks a lot like the video we saw recently) and its own version of Cover Flow. The nano will come bundled with three games, including a circular-Arkanoid rip-off called Vortex, and apparently you'll be able to purchase more from the iTunes store. The player's battery life has also been extended, with Apple touting 24 hours of playback...

Apple's new iPod classic
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_announces_the_6th_gen_iPod'; Apple today announced the latest in its kind-of-sort-of successful iPod line, the sixth generation iPod "classic." Like the brand new iPod nano, the flagship iPod is also sporting an all-new interface, headlined by Cover Flow. The iPod comes in 80GB and 160GB capacities, with 30 hours of battery for audio playback, 6 hours of video on the 80GB version, and 40 hours / 7 hours for the 160GB unit. In addition to the new interface, the iPod classic is getting a new all-metal shell, and is selling at $249 for the 80 gigger, $349 for 160. You can order one today, and they should be hitting stores by the weekend.Gallery: iPod Classic Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Apple's iPod touch gets official
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Videodigg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_s_iPod_Touch_gets_official';Well, what do you know. Turns out the iPod touch is a reality after all. While we initially assumed that Mr. Jobs wouldn't be so kind as to bless us all with two new full-fledged iPods in a single day, we're elated that he had other ideas. The new flagship iPod has "the same size screen as the iPhone, but it's even thinner" (eight-millimeters, for those taking notes), and it also touts the "same multi-touch interface" found on the firm's handset. Additionally, it boasts a 3.5-inch widescreen display, the ability to "flick through your photos," and you even get the "slide to unlock" feature, too. And yes, this thing actually has WiFi. Of note, the built-in wireless antenna isn't exactly attractive, but if it means that we can surf the web (YouTube included) and buy tunes on our iPod, we suppose it may be an acceptable flaw. As for battery life, the touch is said to last...

Apple announces iTunes WiFi Music Store
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wireless digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_announces_iTunes_wifi_music_store_2';It looks like you'll be able to do plenty more than browse YouTube and Facebook with the new iPod touch's built-in WiFi, with Jobs also taking the opportunity today to announce the iTunes WiFi Music Store. It'll let you search for anything in the iTunes Store, preview it, and download it directly to your iPod touch. That then gets synced to your main iTunes library for safe-keeping and, if the download isn't quite done, it'll even finish things up for you. Those less certain of what they're looking for can also make use of the buttons for featured music and top tens. Unlike the ringtones for the iPhone, songs bought on the iTunes WiFi store cost the same as they do in the regular store and it'll be available in all 22 countries Apple operates in. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System...

iPhone to get iTunes WiFi Music Store, too
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Videodigg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/iPhone_to_get_iTunes_WiFi_music_store_too';The iTunes WiFi Music Store is coming for iPhone too friends, as it's only fair that the iPhone gets the same treatment as its newer -- and less capable -- sibling. From the keynote, it would seem that the iTunes update will arrive for iPhone sometime this month via a software update, though no specific date was mentioned. While we dig the idea of iTunes on the go, only having the option of using it over WiFi seems a bit weak, sure it'd be slow, but we're all pretty used to EDGE by now Steve.Gallery: Apple announces iTunes WiFi Music Store gallery Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Apple and Starbucks join up for iTunes WiFi purchases
Filed under: Portable Audio, Wirelessdigg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_and_Starbucks_join_up_for_iTunes_Wifi_purchases'; Before you get too excited about this new "feature" Apple announced today in regards to its iTunes WiFi Music Store, you should be warned it's not half as neat as it sounds. Apple and Starbucks are partnering to bring you that lame sauce song playing way too loudly over your local Starbucks's soundsystem. When you're in a Starbucks T-Mobile hotspot, an icon will pop up on the iTunes WiFi Music Store that allows you to purchase that track from a playlist of recently played songs in that store. You also get free WiFi access to the iTunes Music Store -- not quite as great as full-on free WiFi, but we'll take what we can get. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Steve Jobs live -- Apple's "The beat goes on" special event
Filed under: Features var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/apple/Engadget_live_blog_from_Apple_you_re_getting_widescreen_ipods_conference'; 9:20AM PDT - They kept everyone outside a little longer than we would have liked, but they're finally admitting. This is the Moscone West -- we're assuming the huge hall Steve launched the iPhone in back in January.9:23 - We're in and headed up!Continue reading Steve Jobs live -- Apple's "The beat goes on" special event Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Apple cuts 8GB iPhone price to $399
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Videodigg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_Cuts_iPhone_Price_to_399'; With the new heat the iPhone will be getting from the iPod Touch, Apple decided to lower the barrier of entry to a much more palatable $399, and that's for the 8GB model, which just yesterday was rocking at $599 pricepoint. It also looks like Apple is doing away with the 4GB version, which was seriously lagging behind its big brother in sales, but there's no official word yet. Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Meet the new iPod family
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Videodigg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Meet_the_new_iPod_family'; Apple's been a little busy it seems, since the company just announced three all-new iPods, plus a few new colors and price points for existing products. From smallest to largest we have the PRODUCT (RED) iPod shuffle, which is accompanied by some other new colors, the iPod nano on the left up there, the iPod classic in the middle, and the iPod touch on the right. Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

iPod touch first hands-on
Filed under: Features, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wirelessdigg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/iPod_Touch_First_Hands_on'; Here she is, the iPod touch! It's definitely thinner than the iPhone, and feels completely solid (as we'd hope it would). The home button is far smaller, the face is completely flat, and generally the whole thing feels far more angular than the iPhone -- but it's all familiar territory. We were kind of hoping the touch would have a matte rear screen, but that just isn't the case, it's all chrome.Gallery: iPod touch first hands-on Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

iPod nano 3G first hands-on
Filed under: Features, Portable Audio, Portable Videodigg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/iPod_nano_3G_First_Hands_on'; Ok, we know we've been calling it the fatty, but we'll be straight up with you guys: the third gen iPod nano is friggin' tiny. It's maybe not the most beautifully proportioned iPod we've ever seen, but its tapered edges and ridiculously thin frame make up for the squatness going on here.Gallery: iPod nano 3G first hands-on Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

More details on Samsung's $999 BD-UP5000 combo player
Filed under: HDTV, Home EntertainmentWell, would you look at this. No sooner than LG gets official with its second HD DVD / Blu-ray hybrid player, along comes Samsung with more details on its forthcoming competitor. The device will indeed support HDi and BD-Java, tout HQV video processing, and play back imagery at 1080p24. Additionally, users can look forward to "selectable DVD upconversion (720p / 1080i / 1080p)," coaxial / optical digital audio connections, Dolby Digital / Digital Plus / TrueHD / DTS-HD support, HDMI 1.3, component / composite / S-Video outputs, MPEG2, VC-1, H.264 and HD JPEG decoding, and an Ethernet port for good measure. Unfortunately, the release date is still a bit vague, but we do know it'll run you $999 when it lands sometime during Q4. [Warning: PDF read link] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Apple killing 4GB iPhone, $299 while supplies last
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Video var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/apple/Apple_killing_4GB_iPhone_299_while_supplies_last'; It's true, Apple has no more use for the puny capacity of its 4GB iPhone, and is selling off the remaining stock at $299. Get 'em while the getting's good! Oh, and yeah, that means the Apple Store is finally back up, after an extended hiatus, so feel free to plunder your checking account with all of Apple's new wares. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

iPod classic first hands-on
Filed under: Features, Portable Audio, Portable VideoAnd to round out the day's hardware hands-ons we wrapped our mitts around the new iPod classic. It's thin, it's solid, but it's still hard drive based, which for our flash-loving selves will always be kind of a bummer. But if you're the type that carries around 80 (or 160 friggin gigs) of media and you like to use iPods, this is the new king of the hill. (Photographed is the 80GB model, not the thicker 160GB iPod.) Unfortunately, tasks like Cover Flow ran about as (un)smoothly as on the nano, so if you're expecting a fully iPhone-like experience, don't get your hopes up.P.S. -The new shuffles were difficult to find, but we also threw a couple shots of those in the gallery for good measure.Gallery: iPod classic first hands-on Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

iTunes WiFi Music Store first hands-on
Filed under: Features, Portable Audio, WirelessAs you already saw a bit of in our iPod touch hands-on, we got to spend a bit of time with the iTunes WiFi Music Store today. As far as these things go it's appropriately straightforward -- find tracks, buy them, play them on your device without using your PC. Of course, the whole concept kind of flies in the face of Apple's long standing philosophy of keeping your computer (read: your Mac) at the "center of your digital life" now that you can acquire content without using iTunes proper. But does this mean we can look forward to the Apple TV being able to download content directly from the store? Speaking of downloading video -- it's probably worth mentioning you can't download video over WiFi to the touch (and presumably also the iPhone). Hit the gallery for the full rundown on screens.Gallery: iTunes WiFi Music Store first hands-on Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System...

Vigor Gaming rolls out a bundle of new gaming laptops
Filed under: LaptopsIt looks like Vigor Gaming's deemed it necessary to refresh its line of gaming laptops, with the company introducing no less than five new models today. On the very top end of those is the company's new Atlantis Pro model (seen above with a rather unfortunate choice of artwork), which boasts a mighty 20-inch widescreen display, along with an AMD Turion 64 X2 processor, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX graphics, and a pair of 250GB hard drives in a RAID 0 configuration. It'll set you back $2,800. For few hundred bucks less you can get the standard Atlantis model, which includes a 17-inch WUXGA display, backed up by a Core 2 Duo processor and the same NVIDIA graphics as the pricier model. Rounding out the new models, the Ares, Ares Pro, and Artorius Pro each boast your choice of Core 2 Duo processors, with 15.4 displays on the Ares models and a 17-incher on the Artorius, and various levels of NVIDIA graphics depending on the model. Each of those also comes equipped...

Intel rolls out quad-core Tigerton processors
Filed under: DesktopsIntel previewed its quad-core Tigerton processor way back in October of last year, but the company has just now let all that server-specific power loose on the general populace, with a couple of slightly scaled back versions also thrown in for good measure. Likely to attract the most interest, however, is the top-end X7350 processor, which clocks in at 2.93GHz with 8MB of shared on-chip cache and a thermal design power rating (otherwise known as TDP) of 130 watts.Rounding out the quad-core line-up are the 2.4GHz E7340, the 2.13GHz E7320, and the 1.6GHz E7310, each of which boast a TDP of 80 watts, as well as the 1.86GHz L7345, which drops the TDP back to 50 watts. If that's all a bit too much for you, Intel's also rolled out two dual-core Tigertons, including 2.93GHz E7220 and the 2.4GHz E7210, each of which have a TDP of 80 watts and 8MB of shared on-chip cache. Look for these to set you (or your company) back anywhere from $856 to $2,301 per chip, in 1,000-uni...

Meridian's iRIS iPod dock upscales videos to 1080p via HDMI
If you're having a flash of déjà vu, fret not, as this device certainly isn't the first from Meridian to output 1080p content from your iPod. Unveiled today, the iRIS universal dock for iPod claims to pump out your stored videos in resolutions as high as 1080p via HDMI, all thanks to the "high-end video upconversion processing." Of course, we're admittedly skeptical about how well this thing truly walks the talk, but nevertheless, users who opt for component outs instead of HDMI can purportedly witness 720p / 1080i content straight from their Pod. Notably, the Qdeo technology is said to "further incorporate advanced DSP for per-pixel, motion-adaptive video processing that corrects both color and contrast losses," and while there's no word on whether this thing plays nice with the new family of iPods, users will enjoy the coaxial / optical audio outputs, headphone and line-level outs, and the HDMI input for external sources. We know you're intrigued, so...

Planet Earth: now home to four billion phone lines
Filed under: CellphonesGo on, pick your jaw up off the floor -- this isn't that staggering, now is it? Considering all those cellphones that have been sold here recently, and the plethora of folks who just refuse to ditch that landline, four billion total phone lines seems just about right, truth be told. According to the International Telecommunications Union, our planet is now home to about "1.27 billion fixed lines and 2.68 billion mobile accounts," but the total number of people represented by these data is much less clear. Notably, the study found that "61-percent of the world's mobile subscribers are in developing countries," and further added that China and India were greatly to thank for reaching the milestone. And just think, there were less than 1 billion lines combined across the globe just 11 years ago.[Image courtesy of OwlRecruitment] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring...

Where the hell is the 3G iPhone for Europe? We might know.
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable VideoThe only thing more slippery than an iPhoneSIMFree release date has to be the magically, mystical 3G iPhone rumored for Europe. At least with the latter, Apple has been kind enough to drop a few dreggy hints. Add 'em all up and Apple Expo -- kicking off September 25th -- seems to be the prime time for Apple to announce a new flagship 16GB, 3G iPhone. Don't believe it? Check this:Continue reading Where the hell is the 3G iPhone for Europe? We might know. Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

The hundred gadget giveaway: round 8 on Engadget Mobile
Filed under: AnnouncementsThis round of the hundred gadget giveaway is all phone gear, so you'll find it over at Engadget Mobile. Head on over! Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Sony's PSP slim hitting stores... today?
Filed under: GamingSony's been none to clear about a launch date for the new PSP-2000 "slim" PSP, but really there's no better time than the present to get your slim on, and Sony just announced that its new PSP is available today. Coming in silver, as part of a $200 "Entertainment Pack" alongside Daxter, Family Guy and a 1GB Memory Stick, the new PSP should be hanging out at most major retailers by the time you read this, though you might want to call around a bit just to be sure.[Via Joystiq] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

HP announces the Blackbird 002 gaming machine
Filed under: Desktops, GamingWe'd heard it was coming Monday, but HP apparently decided to wait until today (because nothing else was going on, obviously) to launch its Blackbird 002 gaming rig. While HP still hasn't told us exactly what you'll be getting for that $2500 - $7100 price tag, whatever chips you order will be liquid-cooled, fully overclockable via a completely open BIOS, and be easy to get at via the tool-less chassis. Check the gallery for some more beauty shots.Gallery: HP Blackbird Press Photos Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

HP's Blackbird 002 gaming rig up close
Filed under: Desktops, GamingHere it is, the HP Blackbird 002 we've been hearing about. Built with "Voodoo DNA" (marketing term for love), this all-metal monster is ready to rumble in a variety of user-specified hardware configurations, and with options for air or liquid cooling (either CPU or CPU and GPU). Highlights you'll want to scope out in our gallery include easy access everything, the mood-lit aluminum foot, and the pop-up media reader. Gallery: HP's Blackbird 002 gaming rig up close Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Apple's "The Beat Goes On" event news roundup
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable VideoApple came out swinging today, with three entirely new iPod models, a color refresh of the shuffle, the launch of the iTunes WiFi Music Store, iPhone ringtones and a price cut, and a partnership with Starbucks -- if you blinked and missed something, here's a brief recap of what went down at Moscone West:Live Coverage / Hands-on Steve Jobs live -- Apple's "The beat goes on" special event iPod touch first hands-on iPod nano 3G first hands-on iPod classic first hands-on iTunes WiFi Music Store first hands-on iPod / iTunes Meet the new iPod family Apple announces (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, new colors Apple announces new 3rd gen iPod nano Apple's new iPod classic Apple's iPod touch gets official Apple announces iTunes WiFi Music Store Apple and Starbucks join up for iTunes WiFi purchase iPhone Apple adds iPhone ringtones to iTunes iPhone to get iTunes WiFi Music Store, too Apple cuts 8GB iPhone...

NYLON and Urban Outfitters getting limited edition pink Zune
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable VideoQuickly hipsters, look this way! We know you're staring down your credit card this very moment to see if you can manage to be rocking 3rd gen iPod nano on the L train by next week, but were you aware that a company named "Microsoft" makes a product with similar music-playing capabilities? Sure, it won't work with your Mac, but the Zune makes up for all that by rocking this new look torn straight from the pages of NYLON magazine. But you'll have to act fast, because they're only selling 1000 of these custom Zunes at Urban Outfitter stores. The first ones will be at NYLON's Fashion Week party on September 6th in Soho, and the rest will be available later this month across the country. Hit up the read link to see the "making of." Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Poll: iPhone price drop blues
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable VideoIt's never a bad thing when you can get good gear for less money, but we totally feel the pain of all those that spent hours or days waiting in line to buy an iPhone for $600 only to have that price cut by a third within the first few months. Then again, we know it's a little bit of a contradiction: c'mon, chances are if you bought an iPhone really early on you probably didn't care too much about the price anyway. Or maybe you did -- now's your chance to sound off.P.S. -Apple offers a 10 day price guarantee -- you knew that right? If you snagged an iPhone in the past ten days (we've also heard two weeks), get some of that money back!View Poll Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Sony unveils the BDP-S2000ES Blu-ray player
Filed under: HDTV, Home EntertainmentWe saw Sony's new BDP-S500 Blu-ray player at IFA last week, but just in case you felt like dropping more than $700 to get into the high-def media game, Sir Howie's got you covered with the ES model, the BDP-S2000ES. You'll be getting everything in the S500, including HDMI 1.3, 1080p/60 and 24p output , x.v.Color, 7.1-channel Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD1, as well as separate audio / video boards to minimize interference, and a "rigid drive bracket" to minimize vibrations. The S2000ES should be hitting stores soon for $1300 -- that must be quite the drive bracket. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Sony intros the HES-V1000 media server and 200 disc Blu-ray player
Filed under: Home EntertainmentSony is making some interesting announcements at CEDIA today, not the least of which is the new HES-V1000, a "home entertainment center" / massive Blue-ray disc-changer meant to keep all your media in one place... Sony style! Imagine if you will a small tower, stacked with a 500GB hard drive and the outrageous room for 200 discs from your personal Blu-ray collection. That's right, if you've purchased almost every single disc available on Blu-ray right now (or as we like to call it, the Sony Movie Library), you can cram them all into this tall, black, polished drink of water. Of course you can store your other music and movies on the internal drive, and play it all back in 1080p wherever it seems appropriate (living room, family room... boudoir). Stream your hot action wirelessly using the oddball DLNA "standard," allowing connections with ten devices, and four independent audio streams. The HES-V1000 also boasts Sony's x-Pict Story HD and x-ScrapBook,...

Gateway unloads Professional business segment on MPC
Filed under: DesktopsThe shakeups at Gateway just seem keep on coming these days, with the planned acquisition by Acer and the seemingly imminent takeover of Packard Bell now being followed by the sale of Gateway's Professional business segment to MPC Corporation. According to Gateway, the sale, valued at some $90 million, is being done in order to "simplify its business model," "leverage reduced cost structure," and, of course, concentrate on the worldwide consumer market. For its part, MPC unsurprisingly says the newly combined company will be a boon to its customer base, which mainly consists of those in government, education, and small-and-medium businesses. To help it on its way, Gateway is also investing some $10 million in MPC, and it'll also be getting a 19.9% equity stake in the company. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Sony to raise $2.9B for electronics and gaming divisions
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsWar ain't cheap, kids -- just take it from Sony, which is currently duking it out on both the PS3 and Blu-ray fronts. According to Bloomberg, the company is organizing a ¥332B ($2.9B) IPO of its insurance unit, and plans to funnel the cash back into its electronics and gaming divisions, which have been doing well, but not exactly blowing the competition out of the water. Pretty stuffed-shirt news, to be sure, but we're certain the Sony fanboys in the house can spin this into something bigger -- 3D Blu-ray license, perhaps? Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

The hundred gadget giveaway: round 9
Filed under: AnnouncementsAlright everybody, round nine of Engadget's hundred gadget giveaway! Up for grabs for the next six hours:Gold - Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 Silver - V-moda "bass freq" headphonesBronze - Netgear WiFi finderThe rules (yeah, there are always rules): Leave a comment below. You can just say something nice about us, or you can tell us what you'd prefer to win -- but if you're picked you may not necessarily get it. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) In other words, be careful when commenting and if you submit more than once, only activate one comment, ok? If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Contest is open to anyone worldwide! Winner will be chosen randomly. Entries can be submitted for the next six hours. After that we'll move...

Microsoft debuts Extenders for Windows Media Center, adds DivX and XviD
Filed under: Home Entertainment, NetworkingOk, we're gonna break this down, Microsoft really didn't do us any favors of simplicity this time. As you may remember, back in late 2004 Microsoft's hardware partners announced Windows Media Center Extenders, which were basically STBs that could replicate a cheesy version of Media Center's interface on your TV over your home network. Not surprisingly, people didn't want another box (let alone a box with a crappy UI that wasn't as good as a real Media Center) so those boxes never took off. But the best (and most frequently used) implementation came way later on with the Xbox 360, which was able to far better replicate the XP and Vista Media Center experience.So today Microsoft is announcing a reinvigorated Media Center Extender effort called... wait for it... Extenders for Windows Media Center. Ok, the name totally sucks, but the important part is Microsoft upgraded its wayward Extender system with a new version that takes full advantage...

Kyocera gettin' serious about buying Sanyo's mobile biz?
Sure, it was all fun and games when folks were just tossing about the idea, but it seems that Kyocera may be taking this whole deal a bit more seriously than we previously assumed. Reportedly, "Kyocera [is aiming] to buy Sanyo's cell phone operations for about ¥50 billion ($435 million)," and just in case you still had doubts, these same sources are suggesting that the two are "entering the final stage of talks." Of course, a Kyocera spokeswoman declined to comment on the validity of the claims, but if this deal does indeed get done, it will create "the world's seventh-largest mobile phone maker." Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Reminder: Engadget's home theater contest ends tomorrow
Filed under: AnnouncementsJust in case you needed a reminder, our massive home theater contest is ending tomorrow, offering one lucky winner a truckload of gear totaling upwards of $5,000. That includes your choice of an LCD or plasma HDTV, an Onkyo 7.1 surround system, a TiVo HD DVR, an Xbox 360 (with HD DVD), a PlayStation 3, a Harmony remote, a Slingbox Pro, and more. If you've already entered, good luck, and if you haven't, be sure to head on over to Engadget HD to get your entry in before the 11:59PM EDT deadline. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Kansas researchers readying unmanned polar plane
Filed under: TransportationIt's been a long time coming, but the Meridian aircraft that Kansas researchers set out to build late last year is nearly complete. Reportedly, the unmanned polar plane is part of "a larger effort at the University of Kansas's Center for the Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets," and it will head to locales such as Greenland and areas of the Antarctic in order to "provide a detailed picture of ice layers and, in particular, the boundary between ice and ground." To withstand the chilly temperatures it's bound to face, designers have even equipped the wings with de-icing capabilities and heaters to keep the internal electronics from freezing up. If all goes as planned, Meridian will head out on its "maiden flight next summer," with another trip slated for later in 2008. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Desktop Factory's cheapo 3D printer is coming
Filed under: PeripheralsTinkerers, schemers, makers and DIY-buffs: grab your ball-peen hammer and heaviest piggy bank, because you're about to need a loan. A company called Desktop Factory is going to make your 3D-printing dreams a serious reality with the introduction of its 125ci 3D printer, a $4,995 hunk of concept-plastic magic which could possibly represent a paradigmatic shift for the state of three-dimensional printing for the masses. The DF crew calls the pricing "disruptively lower than the nearest competitive offering," and we're inclined to agree, as most 3D printers crest easily over the $10,000 mark. The printer takes up a paltry 25 x 20 x 20-inch space, and weighs about 90-pounds, while the maximum size of printed objects is 5 x 5 x 5-inches, and Desktop Factory says per-cubic-inch printing costs will hover somewhere around $1. One of these beautiful babies could be all yours, just put down your $495 reserve fee, and then go to work on that string of robberies...

George Harrison confirms his Nintendo retirement
Filed under: GamingIt wasn't like we didn't see this one coming, but George Harrison has finally made his retirement from Nintendo official: He'll be leaving his post as Senior VP of Marketing in December, instead of making the move to San Francisco or New York with the rest of the marketing team that's getting kicked out of Redmond. Our guess is he just couldn't stand idly by while Nintendo snuck a fitness regimen into the unsuspecting homes of US citizens. Stand strong, George.[Via Joystiq] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Interactive nightclub to thrill Londoners
Filed under: DisplaysRest assured, there's no shortage of glamorous nightclubs, but a new spot is set to excite Londoners that have a thing for exaggerated lighting and all things interactive. Dubbed the "first interactive bar in the world," each wall will be lined in blank canvas so that projections can be beamed out and altered on a whim to really get you trippin'. Additionally, there will be "hundreds of LEDs" to treat your retinas to, and the bar itself will even be touch sensitive, allowing you to alert the bartender of your drink needs by simply laying your hand down. Sounds like a bloody good time for you blokes (and dames) in the area, but for the rest of us, we'll have to settle with a few more stills after the jump. [Warning: PDF read link][Via CNET]Continue reading Interactive nightclub to thrill Londoners Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55 reviewed
Filed under: Digital CamerasPanasonic first took the wraps off its Lumix DMC-FX55 camera back in July, but reviews of it have been fairly slow in coming, with the folks PhotographyBLOG seemingly among the first to offer their take. On the whole, they seem to have been mightily impressed with the camera, and especially its better than usual 28mm wide-angle lens, quick focusing, and its "Intelligent Auto" mode, which they say provided "great results in most situations." They also found the overall image quality to be improved over previous generation Lumix models, with the camera's new image stabilization system a welcome addition. On the downside, the camera apparently proved to be less adept at higher ISO settings, with the ISO 800 and 1600 settings virtually useless due to noise. The seems to have been an acceptable compromise, however, as PhotographyBLOG goes as far as to call it a "fantastic" point-and-shoot camera,...

Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson team up on memory card standard
Filed under: Storage2009 may be the year when we finally see a unified memory format, that is, if Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson have their way. The "Universal Flash Storage specification" would see memory cards travel between cellular devices, digital cameras and other memory hungry devices without the need for adapters -- and it'll likely save us some coin, too. Some big name memory manufacturers are purportedly onboard, with names like Micron Technology Inc., Spansion LLC, STMicroelectronics NV, and Texas Instruments Inc., being bandied about. We look forward to that magical day, when our stacks of memory cards can be reduced to a stack of one type of card, ahhh... progress. Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Asus' R300 and R700 GPS navigators get leaked
Filed under: GPSAsus has been getting into all kinds of wild activity as of late, from its Eee ultra-cheap laptop, to wooden concept computers, and of course, entry into the GPS market. Well, hot on the heels of the R600 (the company's first foray into navigation) comes the R300 and R700, two new GPS / PMPs that do just about what you'd expect, and maybe a little bit more. The R300 has a 3.5-inch touchscreen, a 400MHz Samsung CPU, 128MB of RAM, FM tuner, Bluetooth 2.0, can playback MP3, WMA, AAC audio and MPEG-4, H.263 video, and sports a microSD slot. The R700 has a larger, 4.3-inch touchscreen, and an integrated RDS-TMC traffic receiver, though otherwise the specs are pretty much the same as the R300. No word on price, but the units are expected to arrive sometime in November, at least in Europe.[Via Unwired View] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

First Optimus Maximus hits Moscow
Filed under: Displays, PeripheralsIt's been a long time coming, but the first Optimus Maximus OLED keyboard has finally shown itself in Moscow and, as you can see in the picture above, it's already being put to good use. Of course, the lucky few that got in on the first batch of orders will still have to wait a while longer to get a taste of all that excess first hand, with the keyboards apparently still on track for a release by the end of the year. We somehow suspect there will be plenty more pics to whet the appetites of the rest of us in the meantime though, and if you just can't wait for that inevitability, you can hit up the read link below for a slightly larger version of this one. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

iPhone for T-Mobile Germany announcement on the way?
Filed under: CellphonesEver since (and perhaps before) the iPhone hit the US market, we've been hearing rumors of an imminent European release, which was confirmed by the company many, many months ago. Of course, there's been no movement besides rampant speculation and high-school style gossiping... but that may all be changing. According to the ridiculously-respected Reuters in an article published today, the German telephone giant Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile to you and me), has inked a deal with Apple to release the iPhone in the Fatherland (AKA Germany), with an official announcement to be made next week. The report (which is still considered rumor) claims that the phones will go on sale for the initial price of 399 ($554), and that Apple and T-Mobile will split voice and data revenue generated by the phones. Additionally, Reuters says that Apple will make similar arrangements with O2 for the UK, and Orange in France. If this news is accurate, it all but squashes the Vodafone...

iPhone's $100 Apple Store Credit program goes live
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable VideoCall 'em suckers or Apple faithful, early adopters or cutting edge, any way you slice it those who shelled out for a full-priced iPhone before August 22 can now enter their digits and get a $100 Apple Store Credit for use online or at an Apple Retail Store, just like Jobs promised. The process couldn't be easier, and you don't need a receipt, just enter your phone number and serial number, the latter which can be found on the back of your iPhone, and Apple will SMS you an access code. Once you enter that you're home free, and can finally go on that iPod accessory shopping spree you've always dreamed of -- or if you're a true fanboy, put the credit towards an iPod touch just to see what all this "iPhone without the phone" fuss is about.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

The first iPod nano clone rears its fat head
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable VideoOf course, we all know that the knock-off producers in China never rest, but this new iPod nano clone you're looking at was definitely turned around in an impressively short period of time. Right now we have only this photo -- apparently taken at a Shenzhen factory for use in piquing importer's interest -- to go on, but it certainly isn't any kind of surprise that the copy-cats have already put the dirty deed in motion. Just remember guys, you're taking food off of Steve Jobs' table... which is made of diamond-studded platinum.[Via GenerationMP3, thanks BrianB] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Hasbro's Power Tour guitar finally launches
Filed under: Gaming, Portable AudioIt's been a long time comin', but the Power Tour guitar we peeped back in January is nearly ready for your youngster's hands. Modeled after a Gibson SG, this axe enables your little ones (or you, it's alright) to plug in any source and rock right along with it, and the built-in learning mode should do a decent job in creating the Guitar Zeros of tomorrow. Ships on the 15th for just under $70.[Via OhGizmo, image courtesy of Popular Science] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Nintendo's Wii continues to be a smash with seniors
Filed under: GamingWe know that Nintendo's Wii has been a massive hit with families, but we've also noticed a growing trend with the physically-interactive game system that is honestly a bit of a surprise -- apparently, senior citizens can't put their Wiimotes down. Similar to stories we've seen before, the UK's gossip rag The Sun is reporting that seniors at the Sunrise Home in Birmingham, UK, have taken to the console like super-old fish to water. The pensioners at the institution have been engaging in knock-down, drag-out contests in Wii Sports -- playing tennis, boxing, and bowling with a cut-throat competitiveness not seen since the Dark Ages. Barrie Edgar, 88, one of the home's residents said, "It's great fun. We've only had it a few days but we can't put it down." Mr. Edgar then glanced at Tilda Montgomery, another Sunrise Home occupant and exclaimed, "Prepare to be pwned, you old bird."[Thanks, Arnar] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured...

Kenwood's high-end Media Keg features gold plating... on the internal frame
Filed under: Portable AudioGold plating is often used as a means to lower the electrical resistance (and substantially increase the price) of so-called, high-end audio cables and plugs. Fine, we're used to that. This is the first time, however, that we've seen it used on a internal DAP frame as a basis to tout superior sound achieved through superior fit. We kid you not, that's Kenwood's pitch for their new 60GB, HD60GD9EC audio player. The Media Keg series was already acclaimed for its superior sound quality and the introduction of AAC support is a welcome addition to Kenwood lossless and WMA/MP3 compressed formats. Still, a gold plated internal chassis demanding a ¥57,800 (about $503) premium? Puhlease. Oh, and since you don't seem to be paying attention Kenwood, slim 160GB 1.8-inch drives are now available. Yeah, really. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Nokia's N94i to run Windows Mobile OS, not Symbian?
Believe everthing you see? Good, then this is an unannounced Nokia N94i running the Windows Mobile (not Symbian) operating system. We have no way of knowing for sure, but that looks like an engineering prototype of something which has gone up for auction somewhere on this great blue planet. According to the listed specs, we're looking at a touchscreen (with stylus) multimedia device synonymous with the N-Series packing a 2 megapixel camera, speakerphone, Bluetooth 2.0 and MicroSD expansion. It's also listed as a dual-sim device with quad-band GSM support. Of course, Microsoft has been slowly making in-roads into Nokia handsets for several months with Nokia's purchase of Intellisync and and the recent announcement to integrate Windows Live services into some Nokia handsets. Still, WinMo on Nokia, are we dreaming!? Or is that WinXP.jpg an indicator of something more foolish?Gallery: Nokia's N94i to run Windows Mobile OS, not Symbian?[Thanks, Matthew B.] Read | Permalink...

Thrustmaster unveils the T-Wireless NW Wii classic controller
Filed under: GamingWe're not certain how many people are clamoring for Virtual Console controller that apes the look-and-feel of the 360 controller, but Thrustmaster's got you covered with its new T-Wireless NW controller. Eschewing the need to plug into the Wiimote, the NW comes with a receiver dongle that plugs into the Wii's GameCube ports -- a design decision that doesn't seem quite right to us. On the other hand, it's just $19.99, the same price as a Classic Controller, so we'll see how gamers respond when these things ship in October[Via IGN] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

The USB Greenhouse makes Al Gore cry
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsThe USB Greenhouse grows plants which is good for the environment right? Oh sure, 'cept you have to keep your PC running 24/7 in order to provide the fake USB sunlight to the artificial soil. It's what life will be like when robots farm, only with Marigolds not the wee babies harvested of their electrical properties. $43 for you without a soul. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

French newspaper goes electronic
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsIt's not like this is the first e-newspaper we've seen, but France's Les Echos is now offering up an electronic flavor of its product to those with an iRex iLiad or STAReBook. Oh, and the Amazon Kindle, too as you'll recall from that little inadvertently mentioned tidbit from their press release. Reportedly, the e-paper edition "will include whole articles just like in the printed" version, but unlike the traditional medium, those with e-readers will receive constant updates of the day's hottest stories and will actually be able to read the 6:00AM print edition at 9:00PM the night prior. Notably, the newfangled Les Echos edition will cost a stiff €365 ($506) per year if you provide your own reader, and for those of us far, far away from the Eiffel Tower, check out a video demonstration after the jump.[Via MobileRead]Read - Press Release [PDF]Read - Photos of Les Echos e-newspaperRead - Videos of Les Echos e-newspaperContinue reading French...

An iPod touch ships without OS X -- hints at disabled Bluetooth
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/apple/What_s_an_iPod_touch_without_OS_X'; You can argue that the iPod touch is an iPhone without the phone. So what's an iPod touch without OS X? You're looking at it. That's Dave's swanky new iPod touch, fresh off the boat and out of the box with nothing more than a diagnostic utility. Ha, Cheerios icon for the cereal serial number -- clever Apple. Not quite as clever as shipping a working product though. Now besides a temperature sensor, what's interesting here is that Bluetooth icon showing a disabled radio. Does that mean the hardware is there like we heard but disabled in firmware? Not sure. Still, we'll chalk this little snafu up to first production run jitters unless you tell us differently, dear readers. More after the break.Continue reading An iPod touch ships without OS X -- hints at disabled Bluetooth Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox...

USB pedometer logs your steps on the cheap
Filed under: WearablesIf you've somehow managed to avoid buying a gizmo with some sort of pedometer built in, the simply-titled USB Pedometer could be the device that finally gets you jazzed about walking. The target-styled unit can be rocked proudly (or not) on one's belt, displays steps taken to 999,999, keeps a log of up to three days of step data, and allows you to upload your information to your Windows-based PC in order to chart your progress. Best of all, this motivator will only set you back $16.99.[Via EverythingUSB] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Marantz wises-up, offers two remotes with CR101 CD player
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable AudioWhat's so interesting about another vertically oriented CD player? Well, besides the fact that Marantz's CR101 looks like a programmable thermostat, it also features a pair of remote controls: a mini, 8-button remote along side the giant slab of input-clutter we've all grown woefully accustomed to. Bravo Marantz, bravo. Otherwise we're looking at a 2.1ch (10W sub and 2x 5W speakers) with AM/FM tuner for ¥38,000 or $331 when these hit Japan later in the month. [Via Impress] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!