Yep, that thing is a computer, and while it probably won’t be your next computer, it’s definitely an interesting one. Made by hardware startup Xi3, the aluminum case (yes, it’s available in more than just that orange mocha frappuccino color) houses three separate boards — one holds the AMD Athlon 64 processor and 2GB of DDR2 RAM, another the power / video card, and the last the input / outputs. As you may have guessed, the 20 watt modular system is meant to be tinkered with, and in addition to those internal boards, it has only two sides, eight screws, and that colorful chassis; the company will sell additional modules on its site. So, how much will that little thing set ya back? Obviously, it’s customizable, but the base model, which includes a 1.8GHz AMD Athlon 64 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of flash storage rings up at $850. That’s pricey considering it doesn’t include a Windows OS, but Xi3 told us that it’s primarily aiming this thing at the embedded market and cloud computing customers. Still, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t configure it with a larger hard drive, install your OS of choice, and find a home for the little guy on your desk. It’s available now at the source link, but before heading over there you’ll want to check out some pictures of the Xi3′s internals in the gallery below and then journey past the break for the full press release. Gallery: Xi3 computer hands-on Continue reading Xi3 Modular Computer is one cool-looking desktop in a cube Xi3 Modular Computer is one cool-looking desktop in a cube originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
So it was written , and so has it been done. Hot on the heels of T-Mobile , the little Samsung Galaxy Tab 7-inch Android tablet that could just hit Verizon retail for $599.99. Of course, that’s before taxes and options for month-to-month data plans (with $35 activation fee) are factored in starting at $20 per month for 1GB on up to $80 for 10GB. So feel free to jump right in if the idea of waiting for a Super AMOLED version , a 10.1-inch flavor , or a tablet-tuned Android release sounds like crazy talk. [Thanks, Spencer T.] Samsung Galaxy Tab on sale now at Verizon for $599.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
NEC’s LifeTouch Android tablet wasn’t exactly turning heads for all the right reasons when it was first unveiled it back in June, but it looks like the company has managed to at least slightly refine it for its official launch today. In addition to ditching a handful of buttons, the tablet is also now being pitched specifically as a “cloud communicator” that’s especially well-suited for corporate customers, although exactly what that means in terms of capabilities still isn’t clear. The tablet’s specs apparently remain unchanged, however, and include a 7-inch pen input-capable display (described as a “Retina Touch Panel”), an ARM Cortex A8 processor, a 3 megapixel camera, an SD card slot, built-in WiFi and GPS, and Android 2.1 for an OS. Don’t count on this one being released over here, but folks in Japan will be able to pick it up by the end of the month for a yet to be specified price. Continue reading NEC rolls out Android-based LifeTouch ‘cloud communicator’ NEC rolls out Android-based LifeTouch ‘cloud communicator’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Motorola slaps Microsoft with a pair of patent infringement lawsuits, says it’s such a shame
November 11, 2010 No Comment
Looks like Motorola’s about to fight a legal battle on two fronts — Apple on one hand , and Microsoft on the other. Microsoft fired the first shot last month with a nine-patent ITC complaint and a second salvo alleging that Motorola was charging unfair licensing fees for 802.11 WiFi and H.264 video last week, it’s now Moto’s turn to retaliate with a pair of legal complaints. The cellular company now claims that Redmond’s infringing a total of sixteen patents with everything from Microsoft Exchange to Bing Maps to the Windows operating system itself — as well as the aforementioned video codecs and wireless tech, of course. Moto’s also determined to rub a little salt in the wound, it seems, as the company just pushed out a press release with the following statement: “It is unfortunate that Microsoft has chosen the litigation path rather than entering into comprehensive licensing negotiations, as Motorola has mutually beneficial licensing relationships with the great majority of technology companies industry-wide.” PR after the break. Continue reading Motorola slaps Microsoft with a pair of patent infringement lawsuits, says it’s such a shame Motorola slaps Microsoft with a pair of patent infringement lawsuits, says it’s such a shame originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
We can’t say we’ve ever dreamt of a pico projector / speaker dock combo, but we also can’t say the idea doesn’t make a bit of sense. Continuing its expansion into into the projector space with its Cinemin sub-brand , WowWee ‘s Slice is much more than your usual unitasking pico — it packs six-watt stereo speakers along with a 854 x 480 resolution, 16 lumens DLP projector. As you can see, it’s been designed for your choice of Apple products — its 30-pin connector is compatible with the iPad, iPhone 3G/3GS/4, etc. — but the back of the device does hold additional VGA, mini-HDMI and AV ports for hooking up whatever other gadget you’ve been dying to project on a wall. Speaking of that projection, the maximum image size is 60 inches, though you’ll have to set it back quite a bit from the projected surface to achieve that viewing size — WowWee says the viewable range is anywhere between 11 to 125 inches. We caught a look at the Slice at the CES Press Preview event in NYC, and have to say it’s not a bad looking dock — the glowing red LED buttons give it some pizzazz. Obviously, it was hard for us to judge the image and sound quality from the brief look, but we were able to hear Bolt over the event background noise if that counts for anything. The Slice will be priced around $400 but won’t be hitting stores until January — until then you’ve got the pictures in the gallery below and some more tech specs at the source link. Gallery: WowWee Cinemin Slice hands-on WowWee Cinemin Slice takes the pico out of your pocket originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
When technology company executives want to show their dedication to an idea, some get a tattoo . Boxee’s Avner Ronen, apparently, puts a giant button on his media center’s otherwise minimalist remote control. The image above may well be ‘shopped, but the man’s dead serious about the final result — not only is Netflix coming to the Boxee Box , we’ve confirmed it will be front and center on future remote controls. Hit up our full Boxee liveblog to find out what else we learned! Boxee Box remote gets dedicated Netflix button originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
Some big news out of the Boxee Box launch event just now: Netflix and Hulu Plus are both coming to the asymmetric streamer. There’s no timeline on Hulu Plus — Boxee told us talks have just begun — but Netflix should be live by the year, and that’s a major requirement if Boxee is going to be competitive with the various other connected TV devices on the market. It’s also nice to see the Boxee / Hulu relationship finally thaw out, but we’d guess there’s no chance regular Hulu will work in the Boxee browser now, and we’d bet the rest of the networks block it just like Google TV as well. That’s okay, though — adding Netflix and Hulu Plus to the Box’s insane codec list, Webkit browser with Flash support, and Vudu integration should still make it pretty easy to get anything you want on your TV. Now if only we could get our hands on a review unit. Netflix and Hulu Plus coming to the Boxee Box originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
You may have been lucky and able to find one floating around before now, but Logitech has just officially announced that its Mini Controller for Google TV is now widely available for purchase. As you’ll recall, the controller is basically just a Google TV-friendly version of Logitech’s classic diNovo Mini controller, and a decidedly smaller alternative to the standard keyboard that comes with the Logitech Revue . At $130, though, it’s not exactly a cheap alternative — head on past the break for a brief video of the controller courtesy of Logitech, and don’t forget to check out our hands-on with it right here . Continue reading Logitech Mini Controller for Google TV now available Logitech Mini Controller for Google TV now available originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
Sure, the Boxee Box has been teasing us since CES , but it’s finally here, new Intel-based chipset and all. We’re live at the huge launch party, and Boxee CEO Avner Ronen and crew always have a few surprises in store, so join us after the break for the full blow-by-blow! Continue reading Live from the Boxee Box launch event! Live from the Boxee Box launch event! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
If you were hoping for surefire proof Apple was about to start making stereo Bluetooth headphones so that you didn’t have to make a difficult choice among the many already-great options on the market, you’re not in luck. A rumored acquisition of iMuffs manufacturer Wi-Gear has turned up false, with the CEO Mark Pundsack himself refuting the claims. Turns out Wi-Gear and its IP are up for sale, and the company has ceased operations due to lack of funds, but Apple apparently hasn’t picked up the tab. Mark’s response to the rumored buy? “Two words: ‘I wish!’” Apple didn’t buy Wi-Gear, according to Wi-Gear CEO originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …