Welcome to Growing Up Geek , an ongoing feature where we take a look back at our youth and tell stories of growing up to be the nerds that we are. Today, we have our very own Contributing Editor, Kevin Wong . Okay, so let’s get the pink pencil elephant out of the room first. Yes, that is a Superman t-shirt and yes, I thought I could fly — with some help from my pops, of course. Back then I wasn’t aware that physics had laws, and to be honest, all I thought holding me flat was my love for robots. What I did know was that Transformers were are awesome, and that ice cream was a perfect supplement for vegetables. Continue reading Growing Up Geek: Kevin Wong Growing Up Geek: Kevin Wong originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If your laptop spends more time spinning Netflix hits from yesteryear than yomping around campus, you’ll probably love these new offerings from ASUS . It’s launching the 15.6-inch N55SF and 17.3-inch N75SF laptops — depending on budget, you can select an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 chip and a variety of displays that go up to 1920 x 1080 on the high-end units. Each model gets a HD webcam, instant-on (which picks up where you left off in under two seconds) and USB Charger+, a USB port powered directly from the battery for hasty, direct charging. The company is pushing these as multimedia machines, bundling in Bang & Olufsen’s ICEpower tech and a standalone SonicMaster subwoofer as standard — the latter isn’t recommended for those frequenting the library, of course. 15-inchers will arrive later this month, with pricing to start at around €1,100 / $1,500; meanwhile, the larger ones will arrive in early October and begin closer to €1,350 / $1,800. Oh, and we’ve got some press shots to whet your appetite. They’re below. Gallery: ASUS N55SF and N75SF ASUS N55SF, N75SF multimedia laptops are back… in piano black originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …HTC invites us to ‘celebrate in style,’ we try to squeeze into our prom tuxedos
September 9, 2011 No Comment
Well, we know where we’ll be on September 20th — hanging out with HTC in our classiest threads. The handset manufacturer sent out an invite for an upcoming event in NYC. So, what’s on the agenda? The Bliss ? The Holiday ? The Vigor ? The Amaze ? Some kind of wind machine for blowing red curtains around? Your guess is as good as ours, but feel free to mark your own calendar — we’ll be bringing you the blow-by-blow as it happens. HTC invites us to ‘celebrate in style,’ we try to squeeze into our prom tuxedos originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Kaleidescape adds iPad control, ultrawidescreen support to its media servers
September 9, 2011 No Comment
Two years after launching its iPhone remote , Kaleidescape has brought a new iPad app to CEDIA 2011 that gives owners of its media servers full control of their media from anywhere in the house. Users can browse their collections based on various metadata, jump directly to favorite scenes of stored movies, or control displays and audio in other rooms of the house. Also new for 2011 is support for 2.35 widescreen viewing with its CinemaScape feature, a software upgrade that can automatically process the video internally and reformats the UI as well. Check after the break for a quick demo of the iPad app which will launch later this year as a free add-on — assuming you can afford the hardware of course. Gallery: Kaleidescape iPad app, M700 media server Continue reading Kaleidescape adds iPad control, ultrawidescreen support to its media servers Kaleidescape adds iPad control, ultrawidescreen support to its media servers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Just a few weeks after the LG Optimus 3D got placed in the hot seat at our European offices, we’re ready to give its American counterpart its fair share of warmth. Better known in the states as the Thrill 4G, this AT&T device is the latest smartphone to follow in the footsteps of the HTC EVO 3D by tossing an extra dimension into the mix. As it so happens, two rear cameras and some fancy special effects are just enough to change a person’s judgement of the device in a split-second. We get it. Few people want to spend their hard-earned cash on a gimmick. But like any other phone with a defining feature, there’s more to this glasses-free 3D handset than meets the eye (pun intended). And after peering under the hood and seeing what the Thrill is capable of, there’s a possibility this phone can hold its own against the competition in the same price range ($100 on AT&T). How does it differ from its European counterpart? Does the phone’s 3D match up against Sprint’s contribution? And how does this handset perform apart from that extra D? Join us as we dig through all three dimensions to get to the root of the Thrill 4G. Gallery: LG Thrill 4G Review Continue reading LG Thrill 4G review LG Thrill 4G review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We love mobile wireless hotspots , and we especially love when they work internationally — which until today, has left Sprint’s CDMA/WiMAX devices out of the mix. This latest variant gives some love to the world traveling crowd, however, with domestic support for EVDO Rev A, and international support for GSM/GRPS/EDGE as well as WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA. There’s no word on what you’ll expect to pay for your data abroad, but Sprint does include an “unlocked SIM” in the box, along with international power adapters. A built-in display indicates battery life and connectivity, so you know when the device is ready to beam the web to up to five WiFi devices on CDMA, or a single device while roaming on GSM. Available now, the hotspot will run you $50 after a $50 rebate and with a two-year contract, provides a range of up to 130 feet, and can pump out a wireless signal for up to four hours (sadly WiMAX is not supported). Jump past the break for the lowdown from Sprint. Continue reading ZTE Sprint International Mobile Hotspot does CDMA in US, GSM abroad ZTE Sprint International Mobile Hotspot does CDMA in US, GSM abroad originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol’ Federal Communications Commission’s site. Since we couldn’t possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we’ve gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don’t need). Enjoy! Phones Read – Samsung T679 Read – Samsung GT-S5360B Read – Samsung GT-S5360L Read – Samsung GT-S7250D (Wave M) Read – Samsung GT-E3217B Read – Samsung SCH-I405 (Stratosphere) Read – Huawei C2835 Read – Amgoo AM85 Read – Mobo Colore Read – Kyocera C5121 (Milano) Peripherals Read – Huawei K3773 FCC Fridays: September 9, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sprint rumored to retain unlimited data with iPhone 5 launch, prove unicorns are indeed legit
September 9, 2011 No Comment
Here’s the word straight from Bloomberg ‘s unnamed sources: Sprint’s not only getting the elusive iPhone 5. It’s keeping an unlimited data plan around just to sway buyers who may otherwise spring for the AT&T / Verizon Wireless variants. Furthermore, these folks in-the-know have good reason to believe that it’ll be launched “next month,” which gives Apple a shockingly small amount of time to invite us over for a west coast reveal. As it stands, the only folks who’ll get limitless data with an iPhone 5 on its existing US carriers are those with grandfathered plans; any new customers on Ma Bell or Big Red will be forced to select one of many tiered options. [Thanks, Prhime] Developing… Sprint rumored to retain unlimited data with iPhone 5 launch, prove unicorns are indeed legit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Droid Bionic gets extended battery treatment, proudly struts its freshman 15 (video)
September 9, 2011 No Comment
As you’re aware, the Droid Bionic features a 1735mAh battery that provides a slight bump in capacity over its competition — namely the Droid Charge and Thunderbolt . Still, if you plan to push this LTE powerhouse beyond moderate usage, you’ll likely find yourself in a feverish hunt for wall outlets before the day is through. Now, Android Central gives us a peek at the Bionic’s extended battery, and so long as you’re willing to live with the (super obvious) protrusion, you’ll find the latest Droid riding high with a 2760mAh cell. Perhaps it’s not the sleekest solution in the world, but hey, at least it’s not quite so insulting as the extended battery on Verizon’s first LTE handset — take a peek at the video after the break for a comparison. Continue reading Droid Bionic gets extended battery treatment, proudly struts its freshman 15 (video) Droid Bionic gets extended battery treatment, proudly struts its freshman 15 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …German court upholds injunction against Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Apple wins nationwide ban
September 9, 2011 No Comment
A German court has weighed in on Apple’s seemingly interminable patent battle against Samsung, and it isn’t looking good for Galaxy Tab users. In a ruling issued today, a D
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