Thirty years ago today IBM officially ushered in what many consider to be the modern computing era with the 5150. What ultimately became known simply as the IBM PC was the first machine to run a Microsoft operating system (the recently acquired PC-DOS ) on an Intel processor (the 4.77MHz 8088) and inspired countless clones. The bare-bones model, which cost $1,565, was cheap enough to become a serious commercial success, and spawned an entire cottage industry of machines that touted their IBM-PC compatibility. We won’t spend too much time recounting the story of how IBM’s decision to build a computer with off the shelf components and commercially available software forged a standard whose descent survives to this day in the form of Wintel . But, if you’re feeling a little nostalgic, you can read the original PR from August 12, 1981 just after the break. Continue reading The IBM PC turns 30, we hurt our hands giving it birthday punches The IBM PC turns 30, we hurt our hands giving it birthday punches originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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You might think the Engadget Podcasters are a bunch of dudes and dudettes who sit around and obsess over consumer electronics all day for a living. Aaaaaaannnnd…….you might be right. That’s why we brought in Garry Dell’Abate, a guy who obsesses over executive-producing The Howard Stern Show every day (for a living), for a little bit of an outside take on the big issues of the week. But never fear, traditionalists: he’s still quite the nerd, it turns out. It’s the Engadget Podcast, this time with perspective . Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater Guest: Gary Dell’Abate Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Money 04:34 – Nokia to retire Symbian in North America, going all-in on Windows Phone 11:00 – Nokia: the N9 isn’t coming to America 19:05 – German Apple suit ruling blocks Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 sale in Europe 23:21 – NL ruling on Apple vs. Samsung dispute due on 9/15, courtroom antics catalogued 42:30 – Spotify reported to have 175,000 paid-up Americans, valued at $1.1 beeellion 52:17 – Sonos Play:3 review 56:34 – Listener questions Hear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [ iTunes ] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [ RSS MP3 ] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [ RSS AAC ] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [ Zune ] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast Send your questions to @tim_stevens . Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005) E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot com Twitter: @tim_stevens , @bheater , @robertAbooey Engadget Podcast 252 – 08.12.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Looking for a little FCC Friday rapture? HTC’s rumored “women only” smartphone, the Bliss, just passed through the Commission’s gates for a bit of strut and tell. Sporting the model number PI46110, the handset seems destined for a Big Red debut with CDMA 850MHz / 1900MHz bands, WiFi and Bluetooth on-board. The carrier looks to be continuing its recent trend of global-capable phones , as the device also packs a GSM 900MHz radio. While we weren’t able to dig out any concrete dimensions for the phone, we’d err on the side of a 4-inch or below display, considering VZW’s past dalliances with gender-specific marketing — no, we haven’t forgotten those Pre Plus ads. If that leaked roadmap is any indication, you ladies can expect to see this stylish (we assume) Android 2.3 accessory hit on September 29th. HTC Bliss stops by the FCC dressed in Verizon red originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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A tipster sent in what looks to be a video of a forthcoming HP all-in-one . The TouchSmart 520 is a slim device, propped up by two “sweeping support arms,” which allow the PC to be adjusted, much like in past models. Not a lot of specs to go on at this point, though the system does sport a “high definition display” and souped up audio courtesy of Beats. Enjoy the rendered slickness in the video after the break. Continue reading Slim new HP TouchSmart AIO highlighted in leaked promo video Slim new HP TouchSmart AIO highlighted in leaked promo video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Samsung plans August 29th mobile launch… Galaxy S II finally landing in the US?
August 12, 2011 No Comment
Well, we have few other details beyond what you see in that invite above, but you better believe we’ll be in New York City on August 29th. We’re definitely expecting Samsung to announce a Galaxy S II launch in the US, especially given Samsung Mobile President Shin Jong-kyun’s promise of a release ” sometime in August ” — along with that intriguing II graphic in the invite up top. We also have on good authority that the S II will be launching on several carriers at once, which likely explains why Samsung is putting on the show, rather than deferring to a single partner. Check back on the 29th for the full scoop, and head on over to our full review to whet your appetite in the meantime. Samsung plans August 29th mobile launch… Galaxy S II finally landing in the US? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Quantum Phantom prototype lets you control your computer screen with a webcam (video)
August 12, 2011 No Comment
A guy named Ben Wu sent us this video recently and it sort of blew our minds. Wu, an engineer and self-described dreamer, has spent the past year developing a program he calls Quantum Phantom — an Iron Man -inspired system that allows users to control a computer’s cursor using only an ordinary webcam . With his Windows software onboard, Wu can draw, write and move onscreen icons or widgets, simply by waving his camera in front of a set of dual monitors. The prototype is even sophisticated enough to recognize his own webcam-produced handwriting and automatically convert it to rich text. In most cases, the sensor relies upon an ordinary cursor to navigate a screen, but Wu has also developed a pointer-free solution, as demonstrated toward the end of the above, three-part video. Be sure to check it out for yourself and get lost in the magic. [Thanks, Ben] Quantum Phantom prototype lets you control your computer screen with a webcam (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s been nine months — nine months! — since Acer first announced it was getting into the tablet game, with a promise of both 7- and 10-inch slates. Well, the 10-inch Iconia Tab A500 has been on the scene for months, but until now we’ve been tapping our feet impatiently waiting for the other tab to drop. Acer came out and said it wouldn’t be here until the second half of the year, and meanwhile we’d heard rumors it would arrive in September and that it was delayed due to ” Honeycomb compatibility issues “. Well, folks, dog years later it’s finally here. Say hello to the Acer Iconia Tab A100, the company’s first 7-inch tablet, and the first 7-inch tablet to run Android 3.2. Other than its OS, its specs are fairly run-of-the-mill: a Tegra 2 SoC, five- and two-megapixel cameras, and micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports. And rejoice, geeks, because that’s vanilla Honeycomb loaded on there — you won’t find any custom skins or proprietary widgets clogging your home screens. As much promise as these vitals might have for nerds, though, Acer is clear the tablet is for mainstream consumers (“moms,” among others, according to the press release). We’re not sure how your mother would feel about the precious pattern on the back, but chances are she’d appreciate the bargain factor: the 8GB version costs $329.99 while the 16GB number rings in at a reasonable $349.99, undercutting the 16GB HTC Flyer by $150. We’ve been lucky to get some quality time with the A100 the past few days, and let’s just say we’re coming away with some mixed feelings. But do we like it enough that we feel this little guy was worth the wait? That’s a toughie, guys. Gallery: Acer Iconia Tab A100 review Continue reading Acer Iconia Tab A100 review Acer Iconia Tab A100 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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V-Moda remixes headphone lineup with Crossfade M-80 supra-aurals, yours for $230
August 12, 2011 No Comment
V-Moda’s been in a vampire swing recently, sinking its design teeth into some True Blood branded headphones. It’s finally seen the light though — one of its existing on-ear headphones, the V-80, has now officially been re-released as the Crossfade M-80. The metal-clad M-80 looks nearly identical to the company’s veteran LP over-ear headphones , but this noise-isolating set is actually 53-percent smaller using 40mm dual-diaphragm drivers (down from 50mm) equalized to 31 points for more versatility across musical genres. There’s memory foam padding on the earcups with an ultra-flexible headband wrapped in suede to keep things comfy, and vents on the swappable faceplates for a wider soundstage . Two kevlar-wrapped cables with a microphone and different in-line controls are included to support most smartphones. When it’s finally time to take them off an included hardshell case will keep ‘em safe — though V-Moda claims they can survive over 70 six-foot drops onto concrete. Hot stuff, and thankfully above the collar. The M-80s are available now for $230 from V-Moda — PR with more details after the break. Gallery: V-Moda Crossfade M-80 Metal on-ear headphones Continue reading V-Moda remixes headphone lineup with Crossfade M-80 supra-aurals, yours for $230 V-Moda remixes headphone lineup with Crossfade M-80 supra-aurals, yours for $230 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 05:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Wrist sensor turns the back of your hand into a meaty haptic interface (video)
August 12, 2011 No Comment
We’re all intimately familiar with the backs of our hands, so why not use them as a haptic interface to control our gadgets? That’s the idea behind the device pictured above — a nifty little wrist sensor that turns your paw into a flesh-toned trackpad. Designed by Kei Nakatsuma, a PhD student at the University of Tokyo, this contraption employs infrared sensors to track a user’s finger as it moves across the back of a hand. These movements are mirrored on a wristwatch-like display, thanks to seven IR detectors and a set of piezoelectric sensors , effectively turning any digit into an organic stylus or mouse. Nakatsuma, who unveiled his work at this week’s SIGGRAPH , says his creation can’t handle the more complicated, pinching or rotating gestures you could manipulate on most smartphone touchscreens and acknowledges that the screen can be difficult to read in direct sunlight. But the underlying technology could pave the way for similarly handy designs, while allowing users to interact with their gadgets without having to constantly glance at their screens, or go fishing in their pockets. Feel your way past the break to see a video of the device in action. Continue reading Wrist sensor turns the back of your hand into a meaty haptic interface (video) Wrist sensor turns the back of your hand into a meaty haptic interface (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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