That’s right! We’re back in Japan for this year’s Tokyo Game Show, and obviously we’ll be getting intimate with the closer-to-final PlayStation Vita along with, hopefully, some of its just announced launch titles. While Nintendo’s absent as usual (though it did throw its own party on Tuesday), we’re still expecting some fresh goodies from the Xbox and PlayStation folks that should keep us entertained for awhile, plus we’ll be scanning the show floor for the eccentric peripherals and other odd pieces, so wish us luck. Oh, and be sure to also check out our sister site Joystiq to get your extra dosage of TGS — you know you want it. To follow all the action from TGS, use the tag TGS 2011 . We’re live from the Tokyo Game Show 2011! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …MOG FreePlay brings 11 million songs to the web gratis, makes you work for free tunes
September 14, 2011 No Comment
Free? Yeah, we all like free, but when it comes to streaming music, there’s always a catch. This time it’s a FreePlay “tank,” which lets you stream any of MOG’s 11 million songs from the web without subscription fees — well, at least until that looming gauge hits empty. The system adds a rather unique social media twist, filling tanks to different levels based on virtual interactions. And MOG’s CEO says many users should never hit empty — there are a variety of ways to earn free music, such as “interacting with advertisers in meaningful ways.” Like Spotify , MOG’s ultimate goal is to convert freeloaders to paid subscribers, and forking over $5 (Basic) or $10 (Primo) per month does have its benefits, including hardware integration and mobile access — both of which won’t work with the free version. Now that we have several free streaming options, it ultimately comes down to availability — having access to 11 million tracks could be great, but only if you can play the songs you want to listen to. So, do you MOG? And no, we also have no idea what that means. Continue reading MOG FreePlay brings 11 million songs to the web gratis, makes you work for free tunes MOG FreePlay brings 11 million songs to the web gratis, makes you work for free tunes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Mophie intros Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition for adventure loving iPhone owners (video)
September 14, 2011 No Comment
It’s been just over a week since Mophie quietly intro’d updated Juice Packs at IFA, and now — as we’ve reacquainted with our offices — the company’s given us a sneak peek at its Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition. Aside from a special olive drab and orange colorway, the charging case itself is your standard $100 iPhone 4 Juice Pack Plus . So what’s the big deal, you ask? This Pack’s bundled with Mophie’s Outdoor Navigation app (a collaboration with NeoTrecks) positioning itself as an alternative to pricier handheld GPS units . Purchased separately, said app’s slated to sell for $30 along with optional desktop access priced at $20 annually, while you’ll get the software and that first year included out of box with the OE. The app works using your iPhone’s GPS to provide highly detailed maps and a robust suite of options to get you where you’re going, even if you’re offline for most of the US — sorry, Alaska. We checked out an early build of the software showcasing its three modes for tracking, downloading new maps, and a library you can check back on. The maps feature hand-shaded topography for extra clarity and a unique “grid-mode” for downloading new sections, although it appears you’ll be stuck there while you wait for it to finish. The software also pulls up points of interests and you’ll be able to track your trips, allowing you to then view your statistics or even share the details over the web. Mophie’s expecting to have these available sometime in October with full details forthcoming, but in the meantime, there’s a brief demo on how it’ll help you navigate your local trail past the break. Gallery: Mophie Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition hands-on Continue reading Mophie intros Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition for adventure loving iPhone owners (video) Mophie intros Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition for adventure loving iPhone owners (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If you keep close watch over your digital belongings like we do, security is an utmost concern for external storage devices . Now you can keep your valuables under lock-and-key with Satechi’s LockDown — a SATA HDD enclosure that guards data via an encrypted 256 bit protection and allows lightning fast USB 3.0 transfer speeds . Utilizing a touch keypad on an OLED display, the device is only accessible through a 4 to 8 digit passcode — even if it’s connected to a PC or another device. This gives you the ability to keep “your backup data as secure as the data on your personal computer.” Pretty sweet, right? The LockDown plays nice with both Mac and PC and is shipping now for $90. Hit that PR link just past the break if you’re looking to lock down those precious research papers… see what we did there? Continue reading Satechi will LockDown your SATA hard drive, boasts USB 3.0 too Satechi will LockDown your SATA hard drive, boasts USB 3.0 too originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …AMD Fusion tablets running Windows 8 at Build 2011: hands-on with video
September 14, 2011 No Comment
You’ve already seen our in-depth hands-on with Samsung’s Series 7 Slate, boasting an Intel processor and running Windows 8, and now it’s time to give the other guys a little love. We got a chance to sit down with the folks at AMD, masters of the Fusion APU, before the Expo doors opened here at Build, and it would be an understatement to say that they’re excited about getting their x86 chipsets running on Windows 8 machines. As with Samsung’s Slate, AMD was showing off a pair of slates we’ve seen before, specifically the Acer Iconia Tab W500 , running on the company’s C-50 APU, and MSI’s WinPad 110W , sporting the Z-01 APU. This is the first the company’s seen of the Metro UI running on its chipsets, and like them, we’re impressed with its performance. You’ll get the same speedy boot-up here, as well as fast and fluid touch navigation. Unfortunately, they aren’t giving up details on future devices, but we should see Brazos powering Windows 8 tablets, desktops , and notebooks in due time. For a look at AMD powering Windows 8, check out our video after break. Gallery: AMD Fusion tablets running Windows 8 at Build 2011: hands-on Continue reading AMD Fusion tablets running Windows 8 at Build 2011: hands-on with video AMD Fusion tablets running Windows 8 at Build 2011: hands-on with video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …IDT’s power-saving Panel Self Refresh tech coming to laptops, Ultrabooks and tablets (video)
September 14, 2011 No Comment
We aren’t talking Pixel Qi -style savings or anything, but then again, IDT’s not asking you to ditch the conventional LCD your retinas refuse to step away from. The company’s Panel Self Refresh technology just got a major shot in the arm here at IDF , with the introduction of the world’s first Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) 1.3-compliant Timing Controller with integrated PSR technology. A lot of technobabble, sure, but here’s the lowdown: with this stuff in the mix, most users will see upwards of 45 minutes of battery gain, as the panels don’t require constant refreshing. Granted, power savings are only seen with static images on-screen, and you’ll need a PSR-enabled graphics processor to take advantage. The good news, however, is that Intel seems to be into the idea of using this stuff to boost the overall battery life of Chipzilla-based machines, so it shouldn’t be too long before it starts popping up in laptops and Ultrabooks. As to how the magic actually works? IDT’s PSR technology “identifies a static image and stores it local to the TCON in an integrated frame buffer; then, it seamlessly displays the image from the local frame buffer allowing the eDP main link and a majority of the GPU functions to be powered-down, resulting in significant power savings.” Have a look at the unveiling video just after the break. Gallery: IDT’s power-saving Panel Self Refresh tech shown at IDF 2011 Continue reading IDT’s power-saving Panel Self Refresh tech coming to laptops, Ultrabooks and tablets (video) IDT’s power-saving Panel Self Refresh tech coming to laptops, Ultrabooks and tablets (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Windows 8 BSoD ditches confusing error codes for uninformative frowny face
September 14, 2011 No Comment
As with any version of Windows, the Metro-slathered Win 8 has one of those oh so familiar Blue Screen of Death thingies. But, this time around, there’s a change. Gone are the confusing and uninformative error codes, and in its place you get an equally uninformative sad emoticon. OK, there’s also some text informing you that your PC is about to reboot, but it still doesn’t get you any closer to tracking down the root of the problem. Well, at least it’s little less cutesy than the Sad Mac (though, no less infuriating). Windows 8 BSoD ditches confusing error codes for uninformative frowny face originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Windows Server 8 and Azure platform introduced, Metro-style app building starts today
September 14, 2011 No Comment
Server and Tools Business President Satya Nadella, amongst others, took the stage at Build today in order to showcase something a bit less consumer-facing: Windows Server 8 and the revised Windows Azure platform. Fret not, though — this all plays a vital role in how you’ll be enjoying Windows 8 in the months to come. A Visual Studio 11 Developer Preview will be made available to coders starting today, enabling devs to concoct Metro-style applications with HTML 5, JavaScript, C#, Visual Basic and C++. We’re told that the Visual Studio 11 Developer Preview is available today for Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscribers and will be made available to the public on Friday. Microsoft also announced that Server 8 would provide multi-tenant infrastructure for cloud services, while the Azure Marketplace would expand to 25 new nations in early October. Those hoping to dig deeper can head on past the break (and visit the source links below). Continue reading Windows Server 8 and Azure platform introduced, Metro-style app building starts today Windows Server 8 and Azure platform introduced, Metro-style app building starts today originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …HP goes display crazy, unveils eight new models, four IPS panels (hands-on)
September 14, 2011 No Comment
HP may not have much going on when it comes to cellphones and tablets at the moment, but the company is hardly resting on its laurels. As if to prove it’s still got a bit of fire in its corporate belly, it unleashed a total of eight new displays today (nine, if you count the updated HP rp5800 Retail System). The trio of digital signage models, including the 47-inch multitouch LD4720tm, probably aren’t of much interest to you, but the four new ZR series Performance Displays and the more budget friendly LE2202x Essential display are worth at least a quick glance. The LE model is an LED backlit, 1,920 x 1,080 monitor with 21.5-inches of real estate and a 5ms response time. The ZR line are all IPS displays, ranging in size from 20 to 27-inches, with a resolution of 1,600 x 900 at the low end and up to 2,560 x 1,440 for the ZR2740w. The 2740 also sports the ability to display over one billion colors, while the three other models make do with just 16.7 million. The ZR2040w, ZR2240w and ZR2440w are available now for $189, $289 and $425 respectively, while the ZR2740w is expected to follow in October for $729. Those with less demanding eyes and occupations will be able to grab the LE2202x on September 19th for $179. Check out the galleries below, as well as the PR after the break. Dante Cesa contributed to this report . Gallery: HP LE2202x, ZR2740w, ZR2440w, ZR2240w and ZR2040w monitors Gallery: HP performance displays hands-on Continue reading HP goes display crazy, unveils eight new models, four IPS panels (hands-on) HP goes display crazy, unveils eight new models, four IPS panels (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Looking for a Cedar Trail -powered update to the long running Classmate PC line of netvertibles? Intel’s got you covered here at IDF 2011 , with a refreshed edition of the very familiar hardware on display. All the usual elements are here, with a handle, touchscreen and stylus combined with a tough rugged casing ready to take the worst a 3rd grader can dish out. It felt a little lighter in our hands, and while this was just a demo unit as usual we’re told OEMs should have production versions available soon. If you need to see it in motion to believe all that next generation Atom power could be packed inside, just watch the video after the break. Myriam Joire contributed to this report Gallery: Intel’s Classmate PC at IDF 2011 Continue reading Cedar Trail-based Classmate PC hands-on at IDF (video) Cedar Trail-based Classmate PC hands-on at IDF (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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