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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Revo K2 is a mountainous slab of music-blasting aluminum

Revo K2

Revo's K2 can pull in FM, DAB and DAB+ broadcasts, stream internet radio and tunes from Last.fm. Not enough? Well you can hook up your iPod, iPhone or iPad too, and pull in music wirelessly from the library on you computer. It pumps out a total of 40-watts of "room-filling" audio using four drivers powered by a pair of Class-D amps. But let's be honest -- you want' it cause it's pretty. The hidden-until-activated OLED screen, aluminum body, and black rubber accents are the real draw here. Sure the iOS remote apps and DLNA compatibility are nice to have, but this £299.95 ($488) radio is all about drawing attention. The K2 is available for pre-order now and will start shipping on October 17th, while the Revo RadioControl app should land in iTunes around the same time. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.



Gallery: Revo K2

Continue reading Revo K2 is a mountainous slab of music-blasting aluminum

Revo K2 is a mountainous slab of music-blasting aluminum originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Windows Phone 7 Connector 2.0 tastes of Mango, makes conspicuous debut in Mac App Store



Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 Connector will always be a curious oddity in the Mac App Store. After all, the tool is designed solely for those who use OS X and Windows Phone. Fortunately, Ballmer and company have gone to great lengths to make this unholy union as seamless as possible, and its latest version adds additional support for Mango devices and a whole host of new features. Amongst the mix is the ability to sync with Aperture, import files via drag-and-drop and transfer ringtones (although, that last feature is only for Windows Phone 7.5 users). You'll also find improved video conversion, refined backup and restore options, and support for 13 additional languages. Hey, nobody said it was easy to stand out from the crowd, but at least Microsoft has made it just a bit easier.

Windows Phone 7 Connector 2.0 tastes of Mango, makes conspicuous debut in Mac App Store originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iZON Remote Monitor Turns Your iPhone Into Surveillance Tool (Video)

Casting our fears of voyeurism aside, seen below is the iZON remote room monitor from Stem Innovation. It actually works on any iOS enabled device, so the action isn’t confined to your beloved iPhone. It’s compact too, small enough to fit inside a pocket and stay hidden while its lens captures compromising footage. Okay, our imagination is getting the better of us, sorry about that.

iZon

(...)

Original Story iZON Remote Monitor Turns Your iPhone Into Surveillance Tool (Video)


Pre-order Klipsch Image S4A Headphones for Android at $99.99

headphones from just plugging in and working to control your tunes and calls like similar headphones on iOS though. You need an app to get the inline remote working on these headphones.

(...)

Original Story Pre-order Klipsch Image S4A Headphones for Android at $99.99


Motorola Pro+ Android Smartphone For Europe Announced

Motorola has announced its latest Android smartphone for Europe and Asia, the Motorola Pro+, which is an Android 2.3 Gingerbread device with a QWERTY keyboard.

The Motorola Pro+ features a 3.1 inch multi-touch display with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, there is also a 4 megapixel camera with an LED flash and built in auto-focus.

Motorola Pro+ Android Smartphone(...)

Original Story Motorola Pro+ Android Smartphone For Europe Announced


Samsung to Launch Chat Service

Samsung to Launch Chat Service

Samsung is launching ChatON, a cross-platform mobile chat service, in the coming weeks, hoping to lure more customers to their handsets and challenging the growing competition in mobile messenging services.

ChatON is expected to support a variety of mobile operating systems, including Samsung's own Bada mobile operating system, Android, feature phones and even competitors' platforms, including iOS and BlackBerry.

Reportedly, the service, which also supports sharing media like photos, videos, voice messages and contacts, will allow users to have private one-to-one conversations or participate in group chats.

Smartphone users will also have the ability to comment on each other's profiles, send multimedia messages that combine text and audio, and view their own "Interaction Rank," which displays how active they are on the ChatOn network. The service is expected to let feature phone users text, send images, use calendar appointments and contact sharing.

Samsung's announcement comes at time when people are increasingly turning away from traditional and more costly text messaging to mobile device apps to communicate and share with friends and family. Last week, TheNextWeb reported the simple text message, or SMS, may become a thing of the past in three to five years, a likely casualty of the other instant messaging services now available on smartphones and tablets.

Research in Motion's BlackBerry messenger smartphone app, for instance, often cited as the leading communications method in the recent London riots, is one example of this movement toward alternative messaging services.

BBM provides a free alternative to text messaging for BlackBerry users and has demonstrated an ability to operate during times of heavy communication traffic, such as in the wake of Hurricane Irene. The resulting activity jammed traditional wireless carriers' lines and disrupted most mobile communication, but not BBM.

Apple's new iMessage client is also expected to launch this fall, providing instant iOS-to-iOS texting for all iOS devices, including the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, and is set to run over 3G and Wi-Fi rather than via SMS text.

IMessage will allow iOS users to send texts, photos, video and contact information all in one messaging window, and even have group messaging like in a private chat room.

Also, earlier this month, Facebook launched a standalone app called Facebook Messenger, which lets users to exchange instant messages, images and location information by using contact numbers stored on smartphones, regardless of whether they are friends on the site.

Facebook's offering may be in response to rival social network Google+ and its highly praised Hangout and Huddle features, which allow group videos and instant chat with friends, illustrating how both standalone apps and emerging social networks are exploring new ways for their customers to communicate.

Samsung's entry into an increasingly crowded field may have a strong chance of finding an audience, especially with its cross-platform capabilities, but it may have initial difficulties building a base outside its own device users. While Samsung phone consumers may take to the service since they already own the company's handsets, reaching out to other phone makers' users may prove more difficult.

Samsung's ChatON will reportedly go live next month in over 120 countries and in 62 languages.

Apple Patent Paves Way for Voice Recognition

Apple Patent Paves Way for Voice Recognition

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded Apple a patent for voice recognition, paving the way for new features in future versions of the iPhone.

The new patent comes in a group of 16 patents granted to the Cupertino, Calif.-based company this week. The official name of the patent is "User Profiling for Voice Input Processing," and reportedly covers technology that allows users to be identified by the sound of their voices.

Apple's new patent takes voice technology to the next level by adding in the factor of "sound of voice," which pinpoints unique qualities of a voice like pitch and timbre. Key words and phrases are currently what current voice command technology in the iPhone and certain Android-based phones. If the technology is used in a future iPhone, however, it would allow new privacy features, like having personal information only be accessible by a person's individual voice.

While the patent has officially been awarded to Apple, there's no indication the company will use it in the coming iPhone 5. Apple has filed several patents in the past that have not ever shown up in its hardware to date. For example, the company holds patents for 3D technology, solar powered devices and half e-ink, half LCD screens, all of which haven't been used in publicly released products yet.

However, analysts believe Apple might use the voice technology soon. While 3D screens and solar powered devices require new hardware that is likely some time away, Apple could conceivably begin to introduce its new voice technology through a software update to iOS 5.

In getting this patent, the iPhone maker is likely looking for any advantage it can gain over Android phones. Once the leader in market share and innovation, the iPhone has ceded ground to Android-based devices, which also feature apps, touch screens and other hallmarks once exclusive to Apple's handset. The iPhone may better differentiate itself if it includes voice recognition tech that users can't get anywhere else.

If Apple can execute this technology in a future version of the iPhone, the company may once again boast a feature that competitors would love to duplicate.

Google+ to Use Personal Data in Services

Google+ to Use Personal Data in Services

Google intends to use personal information gleaned from Google+ to add value to other products, including advertising, sparking debate among privacy advocates.

The Mountain View, Calif.-based company's chairman and former CEO Eric Schmidt said Google+ is requiring people use their real names when making profiles for its new social network because it considers Google+ a platform for future projects.

Privacy advocates have criticized Google for requiring people use their real names on the new social network, but Schmidt said Google won't change the policies to accommodate those who don't want to use their real names.

He said people who want to remain anonymous should not use Google+.

Google executives in recent months said having real names on the site allows the company to maintain a tone of behavior preferable to anonymous forums.

Facebook also officially requires people to use their real names, but does not enforce that rule. Meanwhile, Google has been adamant about the real-name rule, and has removed profiles from Google+ if it believes the names are fabricated.

The real-name issue likely has an impact on Google's advertising strategies. When a social networking site user adds his or her age, gender, location and other details to their accounts, advertisers can easily use those details to target people.

For example, Facebook capitalizes on its site because it is set up to attract advertisers. When users click a "like" button, it helps set up a profile advertisers can target, which then brings Facebook revenue. Because millions of people use Facebook, this means a steady, ready-made audience for major advertisers.

The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company is the top seller of display ads in the U.S., is set to collect more than $2 billion from ads this year, and controls nearly 20 percent of the U.S. market.

This year, the social network more than doubled its global ad revenue from last year, reaching over $4 billion in sales, according to a study by research firm eMarketer.

Google is likely competing against Facebook, and its real-name policy may be its way of guaranteeing demographic information for potential advertisers.

In addition to attracting advertising, Google+'s real-name policy may also benefit the company as e-commerce grows. Google is heavily marketing its e-wallet service,.

If it can tie in the e-wallet service with users on its social network, this connection may allow advertisers to target shoppers through their social networking identities as well as through their purchases.

The policy could, however, create even more worries for Google as investigations into privacy violations continue. Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission ruled Google violated people's privacy, so the company agreed to create a privacy program for current and future products that protects users' names, e-mail, contact information, location data, and the unique identifiers for their personal devices.

If the company insists on real names for its social network users, it will likely need to go out of its way to protect that information more stringently.

HP TouchPad Gets Second Life, Software Updates

HP TouchPad Gets Second Life, Software Updates

HP's successful fire sale of TouchPad renewed discussion of its reappearance, as the device finds a surprising second life.

HP tablets, now priced at $100 for the 16-gigabyte model and $150 for the model with 32 gigabytes, have sold out so quickly and generated so much interest that the company may consider making more of the devices -- and possibly supporting them.

"We have been surprised by the enthusiastic response to the TouchPad price drop, and we understand that many customers were disappointed that HP and our retail partners ran out of supply so fast," wrote HP spokesman Mark Budgell in a blog post Monday.

Customers began snatching up the discounted tablets after HP announced plans to scrap the company's WebOS system, spin off its profitable PC division, and purchase U.K. software maker Autonomy for $10 billion.

The WebOS-run TouchPad, which originally sold for about $400 more than its current sale price, may appeal to those looking to test the tablet waters and those who love affordable gadgets.

The steep discounts moved the device, which, because of its discontinuation, was not expected to get software updates. WebOS is considered essentially a dead platform, although fire-sale shoppers don't seem to mind.

The company today, however, announced it will provide updates that "add functionality" to the WebOS tablet, helping to keep the device alive in spite of its official demise.

HP will "continue to investigate the best ways to leverage WebOS software and grow the applications," said the company in a statement.

Because of brisk sales, the device seems to have found a place in a market dominated by Apple's iPad and garnered largely positive reviews, possibly fueling consumer interest.

Tech savvy segments of consumers are also snatching up the devices to modify them and run Android OS, giving the TouchPad another second life. The website Hack N Mod is offering a reward for anyone who can prove they've modified the tablet to efficiently run Google's Android operating system, effectively creating a tablet with updated software able to run new apps if WebOS runs dry.

The tablet's resurgence even sparked surges in advertising on the WebOS platform. Reportedly, Jumptap, a mobile advertising agency, released statistics that show HP TouchPad apps have already gathered eight percent of the tablet mobile advertising share, comparable to Android's nearly 10 percent.

Not all analysts agree this surprising number represents the big picture, however, since Android tablets have been on sale for some time while the HP Touchpad has been on the market for only a few weeks. Still, the possibility is generating interest in the advertising industry.

While analysts are still debating what the TouchPad buzz means, it does demonstrate consumers respond very favorably to a low-priced tablet. As for what healthy fire sales mean in the longer term future for HP, the surprising second life of the TouchPad may indicate promising directions to come.

Apple Hires IPhone Hacker

Apple Hires IPhone Hacker

Apple hired infamous 19-year-old iPhone hacker, Nicholas Allegra, turning a longtime headache into a useful asset as companies and governments bolster device security.

Allegra, who goes by the online handle Comex, tweeted about his new position at the Cupertino, Calif.-based company.

"It's been really, really fun, but it's also been a while and I've been getting bored," he wrote. "So, the week after next I will be starting an internship with Apple."

Comex boasts an impressive resume, as he created jailbreakme.com to let people unlock their iPhones with ease. Unlocked phones work on any wireless carrier and can also download apps outside of Apple's App Store, giving the handset owners more freedom in how they use the device.

Apple declined to comment on Comex' reported role at the company, but the decision may likely help Apple bolster its device security.

"Apple, by taking the carrot instead of stick approach, has saved itself that massive PR headache," said tech writer Andy Greenberg in Forbes. "And by hiring someone who actually understands its products' security weaknesses, it may just be making its users safer, too."

The Cupertino company may be angling for Comex to help identify and patch security holes before other hackers use them to exploit iOS devices.

Apple isn't the only tech company adopting the "If you can't beat 'em, hire 'em" motto. Facebook this spring hired hacker George Hotz, known as Geohot, after Sony sued him for posting instructions on how to root PS3's and install Linux software on the consoles.

Although the case is now settled, Sony's decision to attack rather than hire Geohot spurred a massive hacking spree that left the Japanese company crippled.

As hackers become more sophisticated, more tech companies may want to follow Apple and Facebook's example in snatching up even black hat talent rather than see it turned against them. The government as well is looking to bolster its ranks with hacking talent in light of high-profile data breaches, recently recruiting at hacker gatherings like DefCon.

However, working with hackers has its limits, as the recent arrests of Anonymous and LulzSec hacktivists indicate, but businesses and government officials may have no other choice as data breaches and hacks become more prevalent.

Samsung May Buy WebOS

Samsung May Buy WebOS

Samsung may purchase HP's WebOS, in a move that would help the phone maker differentiate itself from other Android phone makers in the wake of Google's Motorola acquisition.

HP recently announced it will spin off its consumer PC division and discontinue its WebOS operations, essentially exiting the smartphone and tablet business despite its software's good reviews. Samsung, which earlier debunked rumors of acquiring HP's PC division, may be investigating WebOS instead, according to website Digitimes.

The Korean company staked a claim for itself in the smartphone market with Android devices, like the growing Galaxy line, and has already developed its proprietary Bada platform, designed for newer smartphone users.

However, Google's recently announced acquisition of phone maker Motorola is anticipated to change dynamics in the Android phone ecosystem as the company shifts from software into the hardware business. If Google becomes a probable rival, phone makers previously reliant on Android may choose to diversify their software options.

Many companies have already been doing this. HTC is set to launch a group of phones running Microsoft's Windows Phone Mango release, and Samsung today announced it will roll out a line of Wave smartphones powered by Bada.

Acquiring WebOS would be another option for Samsung, as recent fire sales of HP's discontinued TouchPad device illuminate the software, which has garnered strong reviews. With TouchPad stock nearly sold out, whoever owns the software may have a strong base of users that buys apps and attracts advertisers.

The OS already increased its market share in mobile advertising on the strength of the recent fire sale, one of many signs of a strange, surprising second life for the tablet and its platform. But HP may choose to retain its rights to WebOS and license the platform, as previously hinted.

However, because Samsung already has Bada, some believe HTC may be a more probable buyer of WebOS. The company uses third-party software on all of its phones, but may choose to increase its options as the Google-Motorola acquisition's effects play out in the longer term.

WebOS was considered a moribund product when it initially launched with HP's TouchPad a few weeks ago, but the surprisingly brisk fire sales may have given the OS at least a new lease. A new user base now exists for the software, and HP itself today promised software updates to cater to this new audience.

As the fate of Android after Google's Motorola acquisition -- as well as its increasing legal vulnerabilities in patent lawsuits -- begins to loom over Android makers, many companies may eye WebOS in a new, favorable light.

Samsung to Spend $9.3 Billion on R&D

Samsung to Spend $9.3 Billion on R&D

Samsung plans to spend $9.3 billion on research and development this year, as it looks to expand both its business and portfolio to fend off competitors.

The Korean manufacturer has already spent half this amount on R&D to date, exploring mobile devices, semiconductors, displays, and even software development.

By comparison, rival Apple last year spent $7 billion less on R&D than Samsung's planned expenditure. If Samsung can surge ahead of Apple in this respect, it may have a greater chance of beating its arch-enemy in the innovation department.

Software especially may be key, as rumors are circulating that Samsung plans to buy HP's discarded WebOS. After HP ditched its mobile platform, slashed prices on its TouchPad and even declared intentions to scrap its PC business, WebOS appears to be up for grabs, and Samsung may benefit from the purchase.

WebOS may grant Samsung an outlet to further develop its Bada software and decrease its need to rely on outside software. The company today announced four Bada phones it likely hopes will give its OS a boost: the Wave 3, Wave M and Wave Y are all set to run Bada 2.0 OS.

Purchasing WebOS and spending R&D dollars on Bada may ultimately better position Samsung against Google, too. The company currently borrows the Android OS for its smartphones and tablets, but since Google bought Motorola, Samsung may find itself slowly squeezed out of the picture as a leading Android manufacturer.

In addition to shoring up its position against Google by becoming more autonomous in the smartphone and tablet market, Samsung's planned R&D shopping spree could help it secure more patents, which will insulate it against the onslaught of lawsuits and trade injunctions that threaten to hobble the company.

Patents would help Samsung repel Apple in courts around the world, where Apple is currently attacking its Korean counterpart. Apple alleges Samsung's Galaxy line "slavishly" copies the "look and feel" of iPhones and iPads, and is seeking injunctions against all Galaxy products in Australia, Germany, the Netherlands and in the U.S.

But Samsung could fight back if it spends money to acquire more patents. The company already owns 100,542 patents from this year alone, putting it in second place behind IBM in the U.S.

If Samsung can acquire more patents under its new $9.3 billion budget, it may challenge Apple's court cases and reverse standing bans on its Galaxy Tab and smartphones.

Although $9.3 billion is no mean sum, but Samsung could eat into that amount quickly purchasing expensive patents, expanding Bada and possibly purchasing WebOS as a means to remain a strong contender in the mobile market. But it may be money well spent as the company consolidates its position against aggressive rivals.

Samsung launches YP-R2, YP-Z3, MP3 HD compatible PMPs



Samsung has had its sights set on a PMP with MP3 HD support for some time now -- first announcing (and later killing) the IceTouch in 2010, and now launching the YP-R2 and YP-Z3 in markets including Russia and Korea. Claiming that the lossy/lossless HD MP3 sound is five times better than the standard variety, the company will put it to the test with access to Melon, Korea's largest 2.2 million song music store. So far, Samsung has only confirmed the R2 has a 3-inch WQVGA full touch display, is .3-inches thick and weighs around 52 grams, while the Z3, on the other hand has a 1.8-inch display and measures in at 36 grams. The music players also support photo and text viewing, FM radio and 5.1-channel surround sound. The R2 comes in black and silver and costs 149,000 KRW ($140) for 4GB, and 169,000 KRW ($160) for 8GB. The Z3 comes in white, pink and blue and costs 89,000 KRW ($83) for 4GB, and 119,000 KRW for 8GB ($110). There's no word yet if these devices will ever see US release, but check out the source for more pictures.

Samsung launches YP-R2, YP-Z3, MP3 HD compatible PMPs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sony's head-mounted 3D visor is real, HMZ-T1 arrives in Japan November 11th



Remember that crazy wearable 3D display concept Sony was showing off at CES 2011? Turns out the company is actually going to make it, and the HMZ-T1 is scheduled to be released in Japan on November 11th. While the design has changed slightly since we first laid our eyes, and heads, on it, the specs appear to be the same, with two 1280x720 0.7-inch OLED panels mounted in front of each eye giving the wearer an experience similar to viewing a 750-inch screen from 20m away, as well as 5.1 surround sound from headphones integrated into the Head Mounted Display (HMD). You can see the helmet above, as well as the processor unit (complete with HDMI input and output, so you can take off the helmet and watch on TV) that it must remain tethered to. Pricing is expected to be 60,000 yen ($783 US). Check out the press release and our hands-on video from CES after the break and decide if living out a Geordi La Forge-style fantasy is worth it.



Continue reading Sony's head-mounted 3D visor is real, HMZ-T1 arrives in Japan November 11th

Sony's head-mounted 3D visor is real, HMZ-T1 arrives in Japan November 11th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Scosche's RDTX-PRO for iPhone and iPod touch detects radiation, funds charities





Scoshe already offers a fairly impressive range of mobile accessories, but its now branched out into some uncharted territory with its latest offering. The company has just announced its new RDTX-PRO radiation detector and app for the iPhone and iPod touch, which launches in Japan next month. With no calibration needed, the device attaches to your iOS handheld via the dock connector and offers gamma radiation detection above 60keV within +/- 5% accuracy. If that wasn't enough, the peripheral can also be used as a standalone alarm for radioactivity for up to 96 hours, and the aforementioned app will let you to share your findings via Facebook, Twitter or Google Maps. Still not convinced Scosche is fighting the good fight? Well, $10 from each $330 unit sold will benefit a group of charities dedicated to aiding those affected by the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. For an closer look at the UI, take a peek at the gallery below, or for the full rundown, hit the PR after the break.



Continue reading Scosche's RDTX-PRO for iPhone and iPod touch detects radiation, funds charities

Scosche's RDTX-PRO for iPhone and iPod touch detects radiation, funds charities originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPad dock shopping cart keeps footie fans and their other halves happy





British football fans agree on very few things: how much everyone likes Jimmy Bullard, Arséne Wenger's need to buy a proper centre-half and how painful it is to be dragged out shopping just before kickoff on Saturday. It's those sympathetic and forward-thinking people at Sky who have the answer, at least to that last one. The company has teamed up with supermarket Sainsbury's (which has a track record of innovation) to trial a new trolley with a solar-powered iPad dock and speakers. Now you can watch the game, or anything else, via the Sky Go app on your device and get the grocery shopping done at the same time. Worried about getting so engrossed in Juan Mata's footwork that you'll be a danger to others? Rest easy, the cart has proximity sensors attached to let you know when you're about to sideswipe a pensioner. It's being trialled in the Cromwell Road Sainsbury's in West London -- all you need to try it yourself is an iPad, Sky Go access and a desire to be on the cutting edge of sports and technology. If the thought of shouting 'Taxi for Bent!' down the fruit aisle appeals, you can catch another pic and the press release after the break.

Continue reading iPad dock shopping cart keeps footie fans and their other halves happy

iPad dock shopping cart keeps footie fans and their other halves happy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Hillcrest Labs' Scoop Pointer is decidedly less loopy than its predecessor



Remember the ringtastic Loop that motion control manufacturer Hillcrest Labs introed back in 2009? The Scoop Pointer is its more straightforward followup, an in-air mouse with six-axis control, nine programmable buttons, and souped up hardware and firmware. The pointer will be dropping in Q4, likely carrying a non-Hillcrest brand name.

Continue reading Hillcrest Labs' Scoop Pointer is decidedly less loopy than its predecessor

Hillcrest Labs' Scoop Pointer is decidedly less loopy than its predecessor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Toshiba rumored to be announcing ultra-thin tablet at IFA after chunky Thrive did anything but





With a tablet market dominated by the svelte iPad 2, a device with a "chunky design" isn't bound to Thrive. According to Notebook Italia, Toshiba's expected to announce a new ultra-thin tablet at IFA this week, swapping full-size USB and HDMI ports for micro-USB, micro HDMI, and microSD slots in order to shave off a few millimeters from last year's model, leaving the new device with a sleeker, much more appealing design. The rumored slate is expected to ship with a TI OMAP4460 dual-core 1.5GHz processor, an edge-to-edge screen, and a brushed-metal housing. Other specs, including Android version and screen size are a bit thin at this point, but we should have only a few more days to wait before Toshiba's new tab makes its glorious IFA debut in Berlin.



Toshiba rumored to be announcing ultra-thin tablet at IFA after chunky Thrive did anything but originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Parrot Asteroid to drive music, Android from your dash this October (video)





We've seen flavors of Android on our tablets, smartphones -- even a microwave oven -- but Parrot's Asteroid receiver is finally ready to park in your car's dash, bringing a tricked out version of Google's mobile OS to yet another innovative platform. In addition to an FM radio and a line-in connection (duh), the Asteroid also includes USB connectivity, an SD card slot, music on demand, and voice activated music search. There's also hands-free calling over Bluetooth, contact voice recognition, and automatic phonebook sync -- all controlled using a built-in jog wheel or your voice, and displayed on a 3.2-inch LCD. The device connects to the web using your smartphone's WiFi hotspot feature, or by attaching a USB 3G dongle. Asteroid's built-in Maps app and external GPS antenna will be ready to help you navigate the highway for $349 beginning in October, but jump past the break for a peek at the receiver's red-light-cam-spotting iCoyote app in the meantime.

Continue reading Parrot Asteroid to drive music, Android from your dash this October (video)

Parrot Asteroid to drive music, Android from your dash this October (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

GScreen's Spacebook begins shipping this November, doubles your laptop editing fun



Twins, like cupcakes, are universally regarded as a good thing. So, it stands to reason that GScreen's attempt to double your laptop's screen size would be an equally appealing idea. Turns out, duping a display took the Alaska-based company a wee bit longer to fully flesh out, but the time has finally arrived for its debut. Shipping this November, the aptly-named Spacebook will bring a capacious, portable desktop solution to on-the-go creative professionals. The girthy, 10-pound rig won't be winning any style points from the svelte is better crowd, but that's easy to overlook given its dual 17-inch 1920 x 1080 screens, choice of a Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 8GB DDR3 RAM, 500GB of storage, NVIDIA's GeForce GTS 250 (1GB) and DVD burner -- all encased in a magnesium alloy frame. You can grab the entry level model for $1899, but the higher-end, two-headed beast will cost you $2099. If you're in the market for the king of all laptop displays, then head to the source to get your order on.

GScreen's Spacebook begins shipping this November, doubles your laptop editing fun originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Olympus PEN E-P3 Micro Four Thirds camera review



Being the gadget hounds that we are, we're still struggling to fully digest the Micro Four Thirds / interchangeable lens camera market. The performance freak in us suggests that one simply buy a smaller DSLR given the parallel annoyance of carrying around a bag full of lenses, but the mobility junkie in us does appreciate the downsizing -- however minor. Olympus' PEN line has been a beautiful one from the start, but one that found itself out of consideration for many due to the poor value proposition. Even the newest PEN E-P3 isn't a bargain; at $900 with a somewhat versatile 14-42mm lens, it's well north of most entry-level DSLRs, and on-par with many mid-rangers. So, is it really worth splurging on a slightly more compact frame, devilishly good looks and "the world's fastest autofocus system?" Read on for our take.



Continue reading Olympus PEN E-P3 Micro Four Thirds camera review

Olympus PEN E-P3 Micro Four Thirds camera review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Nintendo's Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and golden Wiimote headed for November 20th release



It's hard to believe Link (read: you) has been saving Hyrule and the kidnap-prone Zelda for 25 long years. To commemorate this video gaming milestone, and its upcoming Skyward Sword installment, Nintendo's issuing a limited edition Fabergé egg. Alright, we kid, it's actually the golden Wii Remote Plus we told you about back at E3, except now we've got a release date and pricing. Hitting retailers' shelves on November 20th, gamers can opt for the golden remote bundle at $69.99, or the standalone game for $49.99. Although the swanky controller won't be sold separately, all initial units of both offerings will come with a gratis The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony Concert music CD. You can head past the break to check out the Big N's official presser.

Continue reading Nintendo's Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and golden Wiimote headed for November 20th release

Nintendo's Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and golden Wiimote headed for November 20th release originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

HTC Sense 3.5 caught on camera, gets a manicured walkthrough (video)



It was only a matter of time before leaked screen shots of HTC's Sense 3.5 became leaked video footage. Purportedly running on the OEM's unreleased, ladies-only Bliss handset, XDA.cn has a hands-on of the Android-based UI that looks to be more of a refinement, than revolutionary update. So, what can we glimpse from this apparent sneak peek? The ROM, shown to be running atop Android 2.3.4, now sports a more pared-down look, as evinced by the lock screen's sleeker ring. There's still the same seven homescreens on offer, although it now appears you can delete the contents of a selected screen by dragging it to the trash. Gone is the familiar home panel with its curved shape, in favor of two non-intrusive, dedicated app and phone buttons on the left and right sides of the screen. The widgets also look to have taken on a roomier size, and the volume can now be controlled via an on-screen widget. Aside from those minor tweaks, not much else has changed, but you can definitely see an improvement in the UI's fluidity. Could this be HTC's very next upgrade to its popular Android skin, or are we looking at a slickly-produced ROM? You can judge for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading HTC Sense 3.5 caught on camera, gets a manicured walkthrough (video)

HTC Sense 3.5 caught on camera, gets a manicured walkthrough (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

DJ Sound Control computer mod redefines luggable





Few would look at Lenovo's decidedly ordinary A700 all-in-one desktop and think: DJ rig, but then you wouldn't be PC modder Chris Blarsky (of the Hulk PC mod fame). After four months of work, he's managed to transform the 23-inch system into the so-called DJ Sound Control rig you see above, which comes complete with sliding drawer to accommodate a keyboard or other DJ gear in case the slew of built-in options aren't enough for you, not to mention a separate I/O box that also doubles as a power supply (also of the luggable variety). Hit the source link below for a closer look, although you might want to grab a cup of coffee while the this particular experiment in Flash excess loads.

DJ Sound Control computer mod redefines luggable originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.