We knew that the Samsung Hercules and HTC Ruby were both making their way to T-Mobile, and now, it looks like they’ll be doing so in tandem. The folks over at Tmo News have obtained a leaked back to school slideshow (pictured above) that pegs the release date for both devices as October 26th, despite earlier murmurs that the Ruby would be hitting shelves in September. There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the phones’ specs and peculiarities, though Samsung’s Galaxy S II variant is rumored to pack some pretty impressive horsepower — including, perhaps, a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060 processor. We’ll have to wait and see whether it lives up to its expectations and whether this reported release date proves valid, but we’ll let you know as soon as we do. Samsung Hercules, HTC Ruby available from T-Mobile on October 26th? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …ViewSonic ViewPad 10pro: a Windows 7 tablet that also runs Android — sort of
August 16, 2011 No Comment
Life would be so much easier if you could just switch operating systems depending on what you need, wouldn’t it? That’s the thinking behind ViewSonic’s ViewPad 10pro , a “dual OS” tablet that runs Windows 7 and Android 2.3 . The Wi-Fi enabled device comes with Intel’s new 1.5 GHz Atom Z670 CPU , a 1024 x 600 display, 2GB of memory, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, HDMI capabilities and a microSD slot. We had a hands-on in May and found out that the 10.1-inch device runs Android with Bluestacks’ virtualization layer for Windows, though we noticed that performance left a little to be desired. The base model comes with Windows 7 Home Premium and a 16GB SSD for $599, while an extra Benjamin gets you Windows 7 Professional and a 32GB SSD. If you want one soon, best get a move on, as “limited numbers” are currently available. For more information you can sonically view ViewSonic’s press release, after the break. Continue reading ViewSonic ViewPad 10pro: a Windows 7 tablet that also runs Android — sort of ViewSonic ViewPad 10pro: a Windows 7 tablet that also runs Android — sort of originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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There may not be many people willing to pay over $1,000 for an Xperia Play , but it turns out there’s at least a few willing to go nuts when there’s some Minecraft involved. That limited edition model pictured above will be given away to a few lucky winners at the upcoming Gamescon conference in Germany, but Minecraft developer Mojang has decided to let one loose on eBay beforehand, where the bidding has already topped a grand with a full six days left. Adding a bit of extra incentive for those with deep pockets, Mojang says that it will also donate all the proceeds from the auction to an as yet unnamed charity. Hit the source link below if you’re in a generous and / or Minecraft-obsessed mood. [Thanks, Andrew] Mojang offers limited edition Minecraft Xperia Play on eBay originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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After more than a week’s worth of rumors and speculation , Apple has finally released its OS X Lion USB thumb drive, available now at its online store. This little stick offers a physical media alternative to Cupertino’s otherwise App Store-centric distribution model, providing access to OS X Lion for $69. One caveat, however, is that users who download the software via thumb drive won’t be able to re-install it using the recently released Lion Recovery Disk Assistant , but will have to rely upon the USB stick, instead. The other caveat, of course, is price, as just $29 will get you the exact same OS, via the App Store. To grab one for yourself, hit up the source link, below. Apple’s OS X Lion USB sticks now available online, for $69 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 05:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Xiaomi Phone with MIUI OS: a $310 phone with 1.5GHz dual-core SoC and other surprises
August 16, 2011 No Comment
If you’ve already seen the Xiaomi M1 announcement about a month ago, well, forget it, because Xiaomi has already made some significant changes since then. What we’ve just learned from today’s Beijing launch event is that the M1 — now officially “Xiaomi Phone” — no longer packs a 1.2GHz dual-core chip; instead, it’s been given a bump to a Qualcomm MSM8260 SoC, thus becoming the first Chinese phone to sport a 1.5GHz dual-core chip. As part of the Snapdragon package, the phone is also powered by a powerful Adreno 220 graphics processor, which will no doubt make good use of the phone’s 1GB RAM and a staggering 4GB ROM. Oh, and that
Continue reading …HP’s Pre 3 goes up for pre-order in Germany, shipping in ’1 bis 2 Wochen’
August 16, 2011 No Comment
Remember the Pre 3 ? The portrait slider HP promised it’d be hawking to webOS fans by the end of summer? Well it might barely make its launch window, but only if you live in the land of the autobahn. Currently live on the Deutsches wing of HP’s online store is a pre-order page for the elusive smartphone which’ll apparently ship in “one to two weeks.” The localized variant is unlocked and comes with a QWERTZ (yes, Z) keyboard instead of the QWERTY we’re used to. And, at 349€ (or around $500), the handset is considerably cheaper than when when we first spied it on Amazon.de in May. Taking the plunge? Feel free to send one our way, preferably with bratwurst and r
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Hey, what have we here? If it isn’t the GT-I9210, a version of the Samsung Celox that we saw the other week . The Samsung Galaxy II-esque LTE handset got the blurrycam treatment on its way to Korean carrier SK Telecom. The rear of the device looks the same as what we saw earlier in the month, only with the carrier’s logo tacked on for good measure. The front, on the other hand, has been redesigned and is now sporting four capacitive keys — not an unusual move for a carrier branded version of one of the company’s smartphones. In light of SK Telecom and Verizon’s use of both LTE and CDMA, perhaps the Celox will join T-Mobile’s rumored Hercules as the other 4.5-inch screened Galaxy S II variant for the US? Fingers crossed. Samsung Celox gets its moment in the blurrycam spotlight originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Well, the list of places that won’t be seeing Nokia’s N9 seems to be growing larger everyday. And, while it won’t bring comfort to the poor souls in the US, UK or Germany, we can confirm that the fine citizens of Kazakhstan should be getting a heaping helping of MeeGo come September. A tipster sent us flyer from Texhodom advertising the Swedish company’s foray into Linux-powered smartphones as landing on September 9th for 99,990 Kazakh tenges, or about $679. The same tipster made us even more jealous when he sent in some photos of a giant billboard taunting the imminent arrival of the handset at the same electronics retailer. So, if you really have your heart set on an N9, and want one before those pasty folks in Switzerland and Sweden , looks like its time to book your ticket to Almaty. [Thanks, Aziz] Gallery: Nokia N9 coming to Kazakhstan Nokia’s N9 coming to Kazakhstan on September 9th, gets its own billboard originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …CyanogenMod founder joins Samsung Mobile, promises to make Android ‘more awesome’
August 15, 2011 No Comment
We already knew Samsung loved the guys at CyanogenMod , but we didn’t think they’d start absorbing parts of its development team. According to Steve Kondik’s Facebook page, the Android facade’s head sculptor is setting up shop at Samsung Mobile. Sammy’s new software engineer told his fans that although his ‘side project,’ CyanogenMod, is not affiliated with his employer in any way, he will be “working on making Android more awesome.” Makes sense, we heard Samsung’s phones were looking for a fresh coat of awesome . [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] CyanogenMod founder joins Samsung Mobile, promises to make Android ‘more awesome’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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MABEL the running robot has been training hard, grabbing the title of “fastest bipedal robot with knees.” Like any great sports star, it’s been plagued by many dream-crushing obstacles and injuries , but this time it’s done it: running at a speed of 6.8 miles per hour on a track. Jessy Grizzle, professor at the University of Michigan’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, attributes this bot’s success to its human-like weight distribution — a heavier torso and flexible legs with springs similar to tendons for movement “like a real runner.” This bipedal technology, which can mimic a human’s ability to run and climb over obstacles, may be used to help the disabled walk again, in rescue situations or as the basis of future vehicles that don’t require roads or wheels to drive. If MABEL doesn’t make the SWAT team this year, it can most certainly snag a spot as an extra in the next Transformers movie. Check out the PR and video of this modern day robo-Flo-Jo after the break. Continue reading MABEL running robot snags bipedal speed title, cue ‘Rocky’ theme (video) MABEL running robot snags bipedal speed title, cue ‘Rocky’ theme (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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