With a powerhouse like the Motorola Droid Bionic now lodged firmly on Verizon’s 4G lineup, we’re not expecting very many folks to be downright impressed by the Pantech Breakout . The latest offering on Big Red’s LTE network appears to be ready for its emergence in a week. The folks over at Droid-Life not only got their hands on a full spec sheet of the device, they also have come across the user manual, available for download at the source link. It looks like the Breakout will offer a 4-inch WVGA display, Gingerbread, a 1GHz single-core CPU, 512MB of RAM, a 1,500mAh battery and a 5MP rear camera paired up with a VGA front-facing video chat cam. No pricing is mentioned, though Pantech has a track record of being a budget manufacturer, so we’re thinking this is aimed directly at the lower end of the LTE price spectrum. If all goes this doc’s way, we’ll be seeing the new device on September 22nd. Who’s in? Pantech Breakout to make its LTE debut September 22nd? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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There are some cameras that we would be willing to use in a bind, some that we wouldn’t hesitate to shoot with, and a very select few that would motivate a cross-country journey, just for the chance to spend a few days behind the lens. Sony’s Alpha NEX-7 falls within that incredibly unique final category — in fact, we’ve done just that, flying from New York to San Diego to go hands-on with one of only a half-dozen pre-production samples to have landed on American soil. After seeing a very early NEX-7 prototype a few months ago, it didn’t take much convincing to get us on a plane. Sony’s 24.3 megapixel APS-C masterpiece represents a giant leap forward for the interchangeable lens market, theoretically capable of capturing images identical in quality to its much larger Alpha A77 counterpart, but in a body only slightly larger than the NEX-C3. Pair that image quality with an XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, a revamped tri-navi interface, standard hot-shoe, 1080 / 60p AVCHD video, microphone input, and a built-in flash, and you have one very worthy compact DSLR replacement. That said, the NEX-7 kit’s $1,350 price tag is far more than many are willing to spend on a camera. But is that premium pricing justified? Jump past the break to find out. Gallery: Sony Alpha NEX-7 Hands-On Preview Continue reading Sony Alpha NEX-7 hands-on preview (video) Sony Alpha NEX-7 hands-on preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Today, we’ve got a pair of Canon point-and-shoots to show you. The S100 is the successor to the highly regarded S95 , while the SX40 HS takes on the super-zoom market with its 35x lens. Both cameras use the company’s new DIGIC 5 image processor, which brings high-speed burst shooting and 1080p video to the party. The S100 features improved low-light performance thanks to its f/2.0 lens and new, larger 12.1 megapixel CMOS censor (gone is the CCD of yore). It also has a GPS receiver for embedding location data in your photos. The SX40, more or less, slaps the new processor and sensor into last year’s somewhat disappointing SX30 IS . Hopefully, those internal upgrades will solve some of the SX line’s problems with image quality and noise. Both cameras will cost $430, with the S100 set to ship in early November and the SX 40 HS in late September. Check out the gallery below as well as the PR after the break. Gallery: Canon PowerShot S100 and SX40 Continue reading Canon unveils PowerShot S100 and SX40 HS high-end point-and-shoots Canon unveils PowerShot S100 and SX40 HS high-end point-and-shoots originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The last time we reviewed the Envy 14, we concluded, by and large, that HP got it right. The company succeeded in delivering good performance and graphics punch, all while correcting a teensy overheating problem and adding an optical drive and backlit keyboard. Then there was that rock-solid, engraved metal chassis that made it one of the most attractive notebooks on the market — a distinction it still holds to this day. So as you can imagine, when HP refreshed the Envy 14 this summer, there wasn’t exactly a lot to improve. What we have here is a nearly identical machine, with the same stunning design — not to mention, $1,000 starting price. Now, though, HP is selling it with Sandy Bridge processors and USB 3.0 — the kind of tweaks laptop makers have been rolling out for the better part of this year. Normally, that kind of speed bump wouldn’t warrant us re-reviewing a laptop. In fact, we probably wouldn’t be revisiting the Envy 14 if it weren’t for two things. For starters, we’ve received an unusual number of emails, tweets and comments from readers, imploring us to weigh in on the Sandy Bridge version before they pull the trigger. Secondly, in addition to that processor swap, HP has fine-tuned the touchpad drivers, and assures us the trackpad isn’t the flaky mess it was the last two times around . So how much better is the Envy 14 in the year two thousand and eleven? Let’s find out. Gallery: HP Envy 14 review (2011) Continue reading HP Envy 14 review (2011) HP Envy 14 review (2011) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Netflix admits it will end up with fewer subscribers than predicted, shrinks DVD-only count
September 15, 2011 No Comment
Back in July, after announcing it would decouple unlimited movie streaming from unlimited DVD rentals and charge more to keep both , Netflix predicted it would end up with 25 million subscribers at the end of Q3. This morning it advised investors that prediction has been slashed by 1 million, however most of that shortfall is predicted to come from fewer DVD-only customers than expected, which is expected to come up 800,000 short. While we’ll still have to wait for the actual Q3 results to see how things pan out, the company still claims its projection of 12 million subscribers to both services is right on. While it backtracked on the total numbers, it also outlined its reasoning for raising prices by improving the DVD business, raising more cash to spend on streaming licensing and ultimately “remain price aggressive” and keep its individual offerings at $7.99 each. Much of the kicking and screaming online indicted Netflix’s streaming library for failing to live up to the new price, anyone surprised many cutters seem to be coming from the DVD-only side? Netflix admits it will end up with fewer subscribers than predicted, shrinks DVD-only count originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 08:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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There’s been a fair amount of news on the Photovine front recently — none of it particular flattering for Google , or its now shuttered Slide branch. But users of the mobile app-based photo service can now continue sharing their pics using Piictu — a slightly different, yet remarkably similar service that launched well before its Google counterpart. What initially began as a fun side project for co-founder Jon Slimak, Piictu has apparently gained quite a following, prompting its creators to add some polish to the service and push it out of beta. We’re not quite sure what to expect for its future, but Google’s involvement with its Piictu competitor appears to have helped the original service gain some traction, despite its indy status. Jump past the break for the announcement from Piictu, or hit up our source link to download the iOS app. Continue reading Piictu survives Google’s Photovine, launches out of public beta Piictu survives Google’s Photovine, launches out of public beta originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …AT&T Foundry innovation center opens its doors in Palo Alto to help devs do what they do
September 15, 2011 No Comment
We’ve heard of keeping up with the Joneses, but this is getting ridiculous. First it was Verizon , then Vodafone , and now Ma Bell — with an assist from Ericsson — has built an innovation center in Silicon Valley. This new center completes the triumvirate of AT&T Foundry facilities (the other two are in Texas and Israel), and is a part of the company’s strategy to accelerate the process of developing and delivering new products to its customers. Right now, there are over 100 projects in development in Palo Alto, and AT&T is looking to add more. Those who are chosen gain access to AT&T’s networks and expertise to ensure that new projects play nice with all of the company’s gear, and it’s already produced a few things that were on display at the center’s grand opening. Want a sneak peek at what’s in AT&T’s innovation pipeline? Read on past the break to get it. Gallery: AT&T Foundry grand opening in Palo Alto, California Continue reading AT&T Foundry innovation center opens its doors in Palo Alto to help devs do what they do AT&T Foundry innovation center opens its doors in Palo Alto to help devs do what they do originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Ballmer: Windows Phones aren’t selling very well, but we’re not worried
September 15, 2011 No Comment
Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer was his usual frank self when he met financial analysts yesterday, admitting that the world isn’t yet as keen on Windows Phone as he’d hoped. To be precise, AllThingsD reported him as saying: “We haven’t sold quite as many as I would have liked in the first year.” His cunning plan? Well, that’s easy: make it all Nokia’s problem. Or, as he put it: “With Nokia we have a dedicated hardware partner that is all-in on Windows Phones.” Indeed, the Finnish manufacturer has now staked far more than Microsoft on the success of this “third ecosystem” and, if its imminent Mango handsets fail to turn things around, we may eventually see Stephen Elop standing behind that silent cash register. Ballmer: Windows Phones aren’t selling very well, but we’re not worried originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The HTC Bliss is a phone we’ve seen so much of that new press renders don’t necessarily show us anything we haven’t seen before — there have been enough hands-on photos , walkthrough videos and leaked Sense 3.5 screenshots that there’s really no questioning its future. The image you see above was leaked with a few new pieces of quality information: the Bliss will inevitably become the Rhyme once it hits stores — which plays right into HTC’s infatuation with Beats , though the tech probably won’t be incorporated here — and will likely be announced at the September 20th event (the date on the press image is often a solid indicator). HTCInside is also reporting that the Rhyme will be available in silver / white, pink / yellow and dark blue, so perhaps it isn’t completely for the ladies, no? HTC Bliss to be called the Rhyme, launching September 20? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Razer unveils arcade fightstick prototype at TGS, looks to gaming community to hammer out the details
September 15, 2011 No Comment
It seems like the folks at Razer are taking the company’s “for gamers, by gamers” motto to heart, today unveiling a new customizable PC / Xbox 360 arcade stick at Tokyo Game Show that won’t even hit production until the fightstick community disassembles, mods, and judges the heck out of it. The yet-to-be-named arcade controller will first make its way to select applicants of a closed beta program, putting the rig in the hands of some 200-plus gamers who, after having their way with it, will provide the outfit with tips on how to fine-tune the final product. Razer’s TGS staff gave us a brief overview of the unit, and let us swap around wires, pop out buttons, and fiddle with the rig’s faceplate. The prototype unit is built with Sanwa Denshi components, but Razer tells us that mod-minded gamers are free replace, modify, or otherwise tinker with any of the controller’s major parts without fear of voiding its warranty — only the stick’s control board is off limits. Beta registration is already open, and the first test units should ship out sometime next month. Check out the gallery below for an eyeful, or point your peepers up top for a demo straight from the TGS show floor. Want more text? Hit the break for an official press release. Gallery: Razer’s unnamed mod-friendly fight stick, first look Continue reading Razer unveils arcade fightstick prototype at TGS, looks to gaming community to hammer out the details Razer unveils arcade fightstick prototype at TGS, looks to gaming community to hammer out the details originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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