The T-Mobile G-Slate may have a jump on the (red and cyan) 3D tablet market, but we can do better, and while strolling past Toshiba’s SID 2011 setup, we may have found the slate of the future’s killer component: an 8-inch, glasses-free 3D display. Tablet sized? Yes, indeed. We couldn’t get a Toshiba representative to admit the depth perceptive display was destined for any upcoming devices, but we were told that the screen certainly “made sense” for a tablet device. The technology seems to be designed with a smaller form factor in mind, as the firm warned that larger versions of the screen, while possible, would suffer a drop in image quality. At 8-inches however, it looks mighty fine — although you’ll still need to look on from a centered sweet-spot to catch the 3D effect, a plague it shares with its glasses-free brethren . Check out our hands-on video (sans 3D, of course) after the break. Gallery: Toshiba’s 8-inch glasses-free 3D display eyes-on at SID 2011 Continue reading Toshiba’s tablet-ready, glasses-free 3D display debuts at SID 2011 (video) Toshiba’s tablet-ready, glasses-free 3D display debuts at SID 2011 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 07:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Next Issue Media brings magazine subscriptions to Samsung Galaxy Tabs, but not all of them
May 18, 2011 No Comment
It’s been a busy month in the world of e-publishing. First, Time Inc . inked a deal to bring magazine subscriptions to the iPad, with both Hearst and Conde Nast following suit. And now, a consortium of publishing powerhouses known as Next Issue Media is looking to expand its tablet-based readership to Android users, as well. Beginning tomorrow, people who bought a wireless-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab from Verizon will be able to purchase single copies of, or monthly subscriptions to seven magazines from the so-called “Hulu of Magazines,” which includes Conde Nast, Hearst, Meredith, Time Inc., and News Corp. Users already subscribing to print editions will receive free digital subscriptions, though they won’t be able to purchase both print and digital combo packages (that’s on the way). Publishers, meanwhile, will be able to set their own prices and, according to Next Issue CEO Morgan Guenther, will receive “at least” 70-percent of all transactions — the same percentage that Apple offers. Under this new Android deal, however, all of Next Issue’s members will be able to freely access their subscribers’ credit card information and other personal data — something that Apple has steadfastly denied them. Obviously, it’s far too early to tell whether or not this deal will give publishers more leverage in their negotiations with Cupertino, as the service will only be available to a small slice of Android tablet users. But Guenther says his organization is planning on releasing more titles for more devices this fall, with at least 40 magazines due out by year’s end, along with an app for HP’s WebOS. Next Issue Media brings magazine subscriptions to Samsung Galaxy Tabs, but not all of them originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 06:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Bill Gates considers Skype ‘a great purchase’ for Microsoft, helped make it happen
May 18, 2011 No Comment
The aftermath of Microsoft’s announcement that it’ll buy Skype for $8.5 billion was filled with speculation about why the price was so high, who Microsoft was bidding against , and who inside Redmond was the driving force behind such a large expenditure. At least one of those queries has been demystified today, thanks to Bill Gates asserting himself as “a strong proponent at the board level for the deal being done.” Microsoft’s Chairman of the Board expressed his enthusiasm for gobbling up Skype in an interview with the BBC — one which UK residents may see in full at the iPlayer link below — and concluded that “it’s a great purchase that a lot of innovation will come out of.” Adding his support to Steve Ballmer’s already public excitement about the Skype takeover, Bill stresses that “the importance of software is higher today than ever,” while also predicting that video conferencing is set to become much better and bigger than we’ve yet seen. We’ve got our webcams at the ready, Bill! Bill Gates considers Skype ‘a great purchase’ for Microsoft, helped make it happen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 03:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Intel promises more than 10 new tablets at Computex, including Android and MeeGo versions
May 18, 2011 No Comment
For all its processing might , Intel is a non-player in the booming tablet space . Consumers, no longer trapped in the WinTel PC juggernaut, are increasingly opting for devices running software experiences optimized for more power efficient ARM processors. Intel hopes to break back into the market it once dominated with the release of “more than ten new tablets” at Computex later this month. Navin Shenoy, Intel general manager for Asia Pacific, elaborated saying “more than 35″ tablets equipped with Intel chipsets are on track to ship this year. Of course, Intel chief Paul Otellini already told us that he’d have MeeGo, Windows, and Android tablets on display at the big Taiwan event. Just imagine it: Honeycomb on an Oak Trail tablet. We’ll be bringing it to you live when Computex kicks off on May 31st. Intel promises more than 10 new tablets at Computex, including Android and MeeGo versions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 04:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Galaxy Tab 10.1 goes up for pre-order at J&R, makes June 8th seem oh so close
May 18, 2011 No Comment
Remember that little GT-P7510 project Samsung seems to have on the backburner? You know, the ultraslim Tegra 2 tablet that makes Honeycomb finally feel ready for public consumption ? Yeah, well, that’s gotten its pre-order papers now, courtesy of J&R. Pricing of the WiFi-only Galaxy Tab 10.1 matches the $500 for 16GB and $600 for 32GB that Samsung announced in March , and though delivery dates aren’t listed, we’ll go ahead and assume the promised June 8th launch remains on track. Also ready for pre-order at J&R today are Samsung’s 8GB Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 and 4.0 media players , priced at $270 and $220, respectively, though the only info about availability that’s provided is a boilerplate “coming soon” note. Check out the source links for more details. Galaxy Tab 10.1 goes up for pre-order at J&R, makes June 8th seem oh so close originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 03:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Vienna University of Technology builds a 3D printer, 3D prints the key to our hearts
May 17, 2011 No Comment
We’ve all spent a good portion of the past few years imagining what we’ll do as soon as we get our hands on our very own 3D printer . Of course, if you’re of the particularly crafty, Make Magazine -subscribing sort, you’ve probably already built a few of your own. For those who don’t know a soldering iron from a freshly-burned hole in their hand, however, it’s been a matter of waiting for the technology to come down in size and price. A machine designed by professors at the Vienna University of Technology still has a ways to go on the roughly €1,200 (about $1,700) price, but it weigh in at a bit over three pounds, and that’s not for your run-of-the-mill extruder — this breadbox-sized machine uses lasers to harden plastics, allegedly with enough precision to produce medical parts. Looks like picking out the perfect gift for your professor friends in Vienna just got a lot harder. Vienna University of Technology builds a 3D printer, 3D prints the key to our hearts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 01:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …iDVM Digital Multimeter collects voltage readings on your iDevice, shares them with whoever cares
May 17, 2011 No Comment
This, dear reader, is the iDVM Digital Multimeter — the world’s very first iDevice-enabled voltmeter, from Redfish Instruments. Designed with auto technicians, electricians and engineers in mind, the iDVM uses an ad hoc wireless network to connect to any iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, allowing users to record voltage, resistance and current directly from their palms. Once you’ve purchased the multimeter and downloaded the accompanying iDVM app, you’ll be able to gather electrical measurements from up to 30 yards away from your target, log data over extended periods of time and export your findings in spreadsheet or graph displays. The rechargeable battery-powered device can also read your measurements back to you, which should make you feel slightly less lonely while digging around your car’s engine at 3 am. We’re still not sure why anyone would want to juggle their iPhone while chasing down a shorted wire, but if you do, the iDVM starts shipping on June 1st, for $220 — which could buy you about 40 less complicated multimeters from Harbor Freight. Full PR after the break. Continue reading iDVM Digital Multimeter collects voltage readings on your iDevice, shares them with whoever cares iDVM Digital Multimeter collects voltage readings on your iDevice, shares them with whoever cares originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 21:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Android-based Cellular printer writes text messages on your wall (your real-life one)
May 17, 2011 No Comment
Ever wish you could write on people’s walls in real life ? Behold the Cellular Wall Printer, a collection of felt markers that receives messages via Facebook, Twitter, and SMS, and then transcribes them across any flat surface. Here’s how it works: seven individually controlled servo motors push the felt pens up and down to leave dots and dashes in their wake. The contraption is manually operated, and Liat Segal, the inventor, adds that there’s a timing system to ensure the printer transcribes neatly, even if you are in motion. Most interesting, perhaps, is the fact that the rig is controlled by an Android application, and uses an IOIO board to connect the electronic components to an Android device. (Our resident mobile expert Myriam Joire is pretty sure we’re looking at a skinned Nexus One.) Check out a whimsical video demonstration after the break, with a couple more at the source link. Continue reading Android-based Cellular printer writes text messages on your wall (your real-life one) Android-based Cellular printer writes text messages on your wall (your real-life one) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 23:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Xperia Play shipment to New Zealand stolen, Vodafone launch delayed (update: fake)
May 17, 2011 No Comment
As if Sony Ericsson hasn’t already had enough headaches with the Xperia Play . here comes Vodafone New Zealand with the announcement that its launch shipment of the gamer-friendly smartphone has been… stolen! We don’t know how many Xperia Plays were in those crates, but it must take a pretty sophisticated operation to snatch up all of Voda’s supply for an entire country. This slight hitch in transportation blatant lie follows an unexplained delay in shipments reaching the UK last month, and will compound shortages already caused by limited production capacity in Japan. Man, imagine how terrible this news might have been if the Play actually had any games worth playing. Update: It’s all fake. Vodafone recently released some “security footage” of the “theft” in action, which only served to immediately incite outrage in viewers of the clip, and a Vodafone New Zealand spokesperson admitted to The Australian that the company made up the whole thing . For shame. Xperia Play shipment to New Zealand stolen, Vodafone launch delayed (update: fake) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 22:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Uh oh, according to the handful of tips we’ve received, it appears that Sprint is currently having some technical problems on its cellular network nationwide. Specifically, customers aren’t having much luck with sending text messages, while some are also not able to make voice calls. But don’t worry, the carrier’s certainly aware of this issue and is already working on a fix, so hang tight and let your fingers take a break — we’ll let you know when things are up and running again. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Sprint network is down, no SMS and voice calls for some of you originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 22:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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