Angelenos are so eager to have a non-bumper-to-bumper way of getting around town that they approved a sales tax increase, but the actual building of a light rail line, with an original completion date of 2036, has left something to be desired. New federal funds could bring that date closer to 2024. We’ll be sure to notice from our Martian colony.
Continue reading …Chumby 8 announced: like a Chumby, but more normal (hands-on with video!)
January 6, 2011 No Comment
The original plush Chumby will always hold a special place in our hearts, but let’s be real: the average human doesn’t know what to do with a plush, huggable touchscreen that runs Flash Lite . The new Chumby 8 — leaked not long ago — is now official, featuring a revamped user interface that allows you to access music from the home screen, manage apps without using the web-based portal, and use internet radio stations as alarm sounds. Where does the “8″ in the name come from, exactly? That’d be the 8-inch 800 x 600 resistive touchscreen, a heck of a lot bigger than the 3.5 inches on that Chumby One you’ve got kicking around. The core of the Chumby 8, of course, remains the Flash Lite-based apps, and those remain unchanged and totally compatible so that you’ve got access to the existing lineup of 1,500-plus options. You’ve got a pair of USB ports, a stereo headset jack, and both CF and SD slots for powering your little desk-dwelling sidekick with media of your choosing. No word on pricing or availability, but it looks like Chumby will be offering these to third parties looking to customize and deploy or resell them — so our dream of an Engadget-branded photo frame might yet become a reality. Follow the break for our video hands-on! Gallery: Chumby 8 announced: like a Chumby, but more normal Continue reading Chumby 8 announced: like a Chumby, but more normal (hands-on with video!) Chumby 8 announced: like a Chumby, but more normal (hands-on with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …From Jed at Daily KOS — New GOP rep: Sick kids shouldn’t get health insurance : Meet Diane Black, the new GOP congresswoman from Tennessee’s sixth congressional district. Like most all of her GOP colleagues, she’s eager to repeal health care reform. Why? Because she thinks it’s a really bad idea to require insurance companies to provide coverage for sick children: There is a mandate there that insurance companies must insure children up to the age of 24, and what we have found is that there are a lot of insurance companies that are just saying we’re not going to be in this business any longer, because we know that we can’t survive if that’s what we’re going to do. And the second piece of that was to insure children regardless of their health care history, and as a result of that, I know several health care insurance agents in my district who have said we’re just dropping any insurance for children whatsoever. More there so go read the rest. Here are your compassionate conservatives, folks.
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The people who keep track of these things report that global spam traffic dropped from 200 billion messages in August to just 50 billion in December. Unfortunately it appears that the spammers may have decided to pause their activity before a relaunch. Which is just as well because we’re running low on Canadian Viagra.
Continue reading …Verizon’s 4G LTE line: Samsung and Novatel MiFi, 4G Galaxy Tab, netbooks (hands-on)
January 6, 2011 No Comment
The LG Revolution , HTC Thunderbolt and Samsung’s SCH-i520 were the obvious stars of Verizon’s 4G LTE presser today, but a truckload of lesser devices are sure to delight end users when they ship later in the year. 4G mobile hotspots were on hand from both Novatel Wireless and Samsung (with the former working on both 3G and 4G networks), as were a pair of netbooks from HP and the LTE-enabled (and Hummingbird -powered) Galaxy Tab . The MiFi devices were decidedly thicker than our existing MiFi 2200 (shown left, above), but it’s a price we’d be willing to pay for the ability to surf on both of VZW’s networks. Gallery’s below for those seeking a closer look, and you should expect the whole lot to hit your local VZW store between March and July. Myriam Joire contributed to this report. Gallery: Verizon’s 4G LTE line: Samsung and Novatel MiFi, 4G Galaxy Tab, netbooks (hands-on) Verizon’s 4G LTE line: Samsung and Novatel MiFi, 4G Galaxy Tab, netbooks (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Xi3′s Z3RO terminal connects with Modular Computer, kills the need for another PC
January 6, 2011 No Comment
We’ve always thought that Xi3′s Modular Computer was a downright brilliant design, but up until now, we’ve had no real understanding of how it would be exploited. Here at CES , the company has answered that very question, and answered it well. The new Z3RO is little more than a dumb terminal, but if you’re considering a second household PC for the most mundane of tasks, it just might be the solution you’re looking for. You’ll need one of the firm’s Modular Computers to start, and from there you can connect up to three Z3RO terminals. Each one is equipped with a VGA port, USB sockets and audio jacks; once it’s connected to the mothership (read: the Modular Computer), each Z3RO taps into its 2.0GHz computer and creates an entirely new instance on whatever monitor it’s connected to. It’s generally meant for small businesses and libraries, but we’re certain the educational world could benefit from the setup as well. It’s expected to hit mass production at the end of March, but we’re told that it’s available today for an undisclosed amount in limited quantities. If you’re interested in doing the math, a single Modular Computer along with three Z3ROs will net you a per-seat price of $350. A shot of the rear awaits you after the break. Continue reading Xi3′s Z3RO terminal connects with Modular Computer, kills the need for another PC Xi3′s Z3RO terminal connects with Modular Computer, kills the need for another PC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Men diagnosed with prostate cancer may be able to reduce their risk of death not just from prostate cancer but from any cause by exercising vigorously for at least three hours per week, new research indicates.
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It may not have a dual-core processor, but the 4.3-inch HTC Thunderbolt is a beauty to behold — not to mention a speed demon with Verizon LTE on board. We just got our paws on the 1GHz Snapdragon-powered Android 2.2 handset at CES 2011, and immediately fired off packets in an online speedtest. While we’re not entirely certain Verizon’s building-penetrating 700Mhz frequencies would typically work deep in the heart of Las Vegas’ Venetian Hotel, it definitely did here, delivering nearly 18Mbps and loading full websites in a snap. The Desire HD-inspired hardware itself is no slouch either, with a solid if oh-so-slightly hollow build, a responsive glass touchpanel, and positively lovely colors from the 4.3-inch Super LCD screen — a coup for HTC in and of itself — and the strong, EVO 4G-like kickstand that hides the speakerphone is a nice touch. Here’s hoping Verizon doesn’t ask for internal organs or first-born children to turn this beast into an LTE hotspot. Find video after the break, and loads of pics below. Gallery: HTC Thunderbolt first hands-on! Myriam Joire and Darren Murph contributed heavily to this report. Continue reading HTC Thunderbolt first hands-on (update: video!) HTC Thunderbolt first hands-on (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Photo: GM Other EVs to Follow Not to be outdone by its competitor Hertz, which announced that many models of electric cars will be available in 2011 , Enterprise car rental says that it will have Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids on offer for daily and weekly rentals later this month, though at first only at the Mark Christopher Auto Center in Ontario, California. … Read the full story on TreeHugger
Continue reading …Gateway Media Console with CableCARD and Windows Embedded Standard 7 hands-on
January 6, 2011 No Comment
Microsoft’s working hard to get people believing in its Windows Embedded Standard platform as a real set-top box contender and one of its vanguard devices is the above Gateway Media Console. It’s still a concept product in the Acer / Gateway labs, but what it promises to deliver makes us wish it hurries up and makes the leap to retail nice and quickly. Based around a Sandy Bridge Intel CPU, this machine runs Windows Media Center and gives you access all the internet-connected content that you can enjoy on your Windows 7 Home Premium-equipped PC, but it also boasts a Ceton CableCARD tuner that permits up to six broadcast TV streams at a time. Those can then be networked out throughout your house — whether over a wireless or wired connection — and then recorded on whatever laptops, desktops or other Windows devices you have lying around the house. The end result is that the kids can be recording a pair of channels upstairs in their bedroom while you watch the football game in the living room and your mother-in-law enjoys whatever she’s into down in the basement — all coming in from the same, single coax cable plugged into the Media Console. There’s a hidden optical drive as well and Microsoft tells us this thing could range between $500 and $700 when it does eventually make its way out for sale. Gallery: Gateway Media Console with CableCARD and Windows Embedded Standard 7 hands-on Gateway Media Console with CableCARD and Windows Embedded Standard 7 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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