Gibson’s Firebird X robot guitar finally ready to ship after a very, very long delay
September 28, 2011 No Comment
Like the Droid Bionic of the guitar world, the Firebird X was announced almost a year ago, packed with piles of impressive technology, and delayed so many times that practically everyone forgot it existed. Well, on September 30th the Firebird X will finally start filtering into retail channels for the rather excessive price of $5,570, in your choice of either Redolution of Bluevolution finishes. On board are a boatload of effects as well as an automated tuner, which we’ve come to expect from the so-called “robot guitar” series. The Pure-Analog sound processing engine is also open to developers , allowing owners to add on new effects and sounds down the road. But, enough with our ramblings. You know the drill, gallery below and PR after the break. Gallery: Gibson Firebird X Continue reading Gibson’s Firebird X robot guitar finally ready to ship after a very, very long delay Gibson’s Firebird X robot guitar finally ready to ship after a very, very long delay originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …OWC updates its Mercury Extreme Pro 3G SSD lineup, offers 30GBs for just $68
September 28, 2011 No Comment
Say hello to Other World Computing’s latest 2.5-inch SSD, the 30GB variant of its Mercury Extreme Pro 3G series (3Gb/s, of course). This SandForce -driven SSD may not have loads of storage, but priced at a wallet-friendly 68 bucks, it’s certainly tempting if your optical drive’s been gathering dust. Whether you’re running an ungodly amount of Firefox tabs on a Mac or Windows machine, you’ll be covered with “sustained data rates of over 275MB/s,” keeping your tasks speedy. Ready to ditch the beach balls and hourglasses? It’s available now from OWC and you’ll find more info in the PR past the break. Continue reading OWC updates its Mercury Extreme Pro 3G SSD lineup, offers 30GBs for just $68 OWC updates its Mercury Extreme Pro 3G SSD lineup, offers 30GBs for just $68 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Plantronics intros Marque M155, its lightest Bluetooth headset for smartphone users
September 28, 2011 No Comment
Along with providing hands-free convenience for mobile users on-the-go, Bluetooth headsets serve a fine purpose for crazies, giving them something to point to when they’re rambling incoherently to themselves. Now, the latest offering from Plantronics brings greater comfort and style to both types of users. The Marque M155 heralds the company’s smallest and lightest headset to date, which weighs in at just 7 grams — approximately the weight of a ballpoint pen. Designed specifically for Android and iOS phones (though widely compatible with more), the M155 offers voice-guided pairing assistance, customized apps and the ability to answer or ignore calls with verbal commands. What’s more, all purchasers will receive a one-year subscription to the company’s Vocalyst service, which offers the ability to send email, update Twitter, check the weather, listen to news feeds and more — all hands free. Available in jet black or arctic white, the Marque M155 will retail for approximately $60 and is available for pre-order beginning today. Continue reading Plantronics intros Marque M155, its lightest Bluetooth headset for smartphone users Plantronics intros Marque M155, its lightest Bluetooth headset for smartphone users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …A DIY Arduino watch that’s actually wearable, still won’t win you points with the ladies
September 28, 2011 No Comment
Here’s a little fashion secret: it’s all about the details. Wear cheap square-toe shoes with that $5,000 custom-made suit and people will notice. The same is true of a watch. Your timepiece can say a lot about you, including: ” I’m a big nerd, please beat me up and take my lunch money. ” So, what does an Arduino watch tell your peers? Well, for one, that you have way too much time on your hands. And two, that you’re crafty person capable of putting your brain meats to work building actual things. Of course, telling time with a series of brightly glowing LEDs on an exposed PCB also sends the message that being fashionable is not your primary concern. If you’re looking to earn some geek cred, and can live with the fact that wearing this will probably cost you that cute girl’s number at the bar, hit up the source for instructions. At least this wearable Arduino timepiece is a slightly less conspicuous than the Steampunk version we saw last summer. One more pic after the break. Continue reading A DIY Arduino watch that’s actually wearable, still won’t win you points with the ladies A DIY Arduino watch that’s actually wearable, still won’t win you points with the ladies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Panasonic shows us its softer side, intros trio of high-tech robotic helpers
September 28, 2011 No Comment
The infirm in Japan have nothing to fear when it comes to assisted care — except maybe for a robot revolt. From the land that gave us the robo-care bear , comes three new compassionate tech solutions for elderly care taking courtesy of Panasonic . Shown off ahead of this October’s 38th International Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition in Tokyo, the electronics giant has updated its currently in residence medication monger with HOSPI-Rimo — a refreshed design that links the “bed ridden [and those with] limited mobility” to doctors, family and friends via its HD inter face . And just because you’re staying at home, it doesn’t mean the company’s Hair-Washing bot can’t help you get your hair did , and listen to you complain about how the kids never come to see you anymore. For the piece de assistance , Panasonic’s also gone and modded a bed that’s more than meets the eye — literally, as it transforms into an electric wheelchair to scoot you about the house. We have to hand it to the tech outfit, our latter days are starting to look pretty cutting edge. Continue reading Panasonic shows us its softer side, intros trio of high-tech robotic helpers Panasonic shows us its softer side, intros trio of high-tech robotic helpers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Motorola Xoom 4G LTE upgrade process begins tomorrow, new tablets on sale October 13th
September 28, 2011 No Comment
Verizon’s dangled a 4G LTE upgrade carrot in the noses of the Xoom-adopting hordes from the start. Now, it appears the carrier’s ready to make good on that promise. Starting tomorrow, current owners of Motorola’s Honeycomb tab can visit a dedicated VZW site for a step-by-step guide through the upgrade process. If you were amongst the eager few who signed up for alerts, the company’s going to prioritize you and send out a notification via email. The entire swap-out should take up to six business days, returning a freshly enhanced LTE-enabled slate free-of-charge. As for the rest of you Xoom-less onlookers, Big Red’s going to be offering up the updated tablets this October 13th for $499 on a new two-year service contract. Jump past the break to parse through the official presser. Continue reading Motorola Xoom 4G LTE upgrade process begins tomorrow, new tablets on sale October 13th Motorola Xoom 4G LTE upgrade process begins tomorrow, new tablets on sale October 13th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Mickey’s ditching the steamboat and giving up Fantasia in pursuit of all things mobile as Disney launches the DM011SH and DM010SH — joining the company’s other Android offering . The 4-inch 3D capable DM010SH handset will be Walt’s top-of-the-line variant with a 960 x 540 qHD touchscreen, 8MP camera and a 1GHz processor. Next in line is the DM011SH waterproof slider with a 3.4-inch touchscreen sporting 854 X 480 resolution and an identical processor and camera to its higher-end cousin. Both Android 2.3 phones come decorated with the signature insignia in tweentastic candy colors like pink and white, with a black version of the DM010SH available for more subdued Mouse House fans. Aside from the phones, Disney also outed the internet-enabled DM001Photo, a 9.4 x 5.6-inch digital picture frame for viewing pictures, videos and emails over 3G for
Continue reading …a-JAYS One+ earbuds bring in-line remote, Swedish flair to your smartphone experience
September 28, 2011 No Comment
JAYS has been dishing out slick looking audio gear for years , but before now it only offered models with inline remotes compatible with iDevices . Good thing the new a-JAYS One+ has arrived to bring some fashion forward ‘phones to a bevy of handsets and give Klipsch some competition. The One+ still has tangle-free flat cables, sleek looks, and the matte-black finish you know and love, but it can now control devices from HTC, Samsung, BlackBerry and LG with its one-button inline remote. This is truly an egalitarian set of earbuds, as it works whether your phone’s running iOS, Windows Mobile, or Android. Plus, there’s a free JAYS Headset Control Android app that brings voice, volume and track controls to your little green bot. It’ll be available sometime in Q4 of this year for $50, so get ready for its arrival. a-JAYS One+ earbuds bring in-line remote, Swedish flair to your smartphone experience originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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So, TransferJet hasn’t exactly taken off the way many had hoped, especially Sony which crammed the wireless tech into CyberShot cameras and Memory Sticks . But some, like Toshiba , are still holding on to the dream. By the end of January 2012 Tosh plans to ship samples of its new TC35420 TransferJet chip to manufacturers, which can move files at an impressive 560Mbps. The short-range, high-speed sharing protocol could make moving photos, videos and other media between your smartphones, tablets and laptops quick and easy… or it could just become another feature that lies dormant in a few select products collecting piles of virtual dust. It only started showing up in products last year, so we’re not ready to put a nail in its coffin just yet — we’ll just have to see if the tech can finally live up to it promise of painless connectivity. Toshiba prepping new 560Mbps TransferJet chip originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Kyocera Duramax ready to kickoff Sprint’s Direct Connect service on October 2nd for $70
September 28, 2011 No Comment
All of the hullabaloo about Sprint’s new CDMA-based Direct Connect service was not for naught, as the Now Network has finally confirmed that it will indeed be launching in a limited number of markets this upcoming Sunday, with broader expansion coming in early 2012. To get things started, however, the network ought to have a phone or two that have the tech built in, right? The Kyocera Duramax will receive the honor of being the very first phone to work with the new plans and will be a certified 810G military-standard clamshell handset with a 3.2MP camera, stereo Bluetooth, a 2.5mm headphone jack (not a typo) and a Dura-Grip rubber casing. What about the Kyocera Duracore and the Motorola Admiral ? They’re still forthcoming, but Sprint only mentions that both devices are coming out before the end of the year. The sooner the better here, because the lack of options can’t possibly be a selling point for the brand new service. The nitty-gritty details are in the presser after the break. Continue reading Kyocera Duramax ready to kickoff Sprint’s Direct Connect service on October 2nd for $70 Kyocera Duramax ready to kickoff Sprint’s Direct Connect service on October 2nd for $70 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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