That delectable G-Slate we just reviewed is today shaking off the cobwebs from its long journey westward and is making itself available for purchase directly through T-Mobile. The price is still a daunting $530 with a two-year contract and there’s a suggested retail price of $750, though we’re not seeing any option to obtain it that way. Then again, why would you want to, it’s a 4G tablet designed to ride T-Mobile’s HSPA+ airwaves anyhow. In more budget-conscious news, the Sidekick 4G is also making its retail debut today, at $99 on contract, bringing all the goods of a Galaxy S handset, combined with a QWERTY slider keyboard and a tricked-out Android UI. Hit the links to learn more about both, though don’t blame us if you end up doing damage to your bank balance in the process. T-Mobile G-Slate and Sidekick 4G now on sale, Android overload imminent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The Sony PSP Go is today being reported to have “completed” its production and shipment in Japan, seemingly foreshadowing a worldwide discontinuation of sales. Such is the word from Impress Watch , which cites an official statement from Sony Computer Entertainment that promises support, firmware updates, and repairs for the PSP Go, but no further stock of the handheld. We doubt it’ll be missed too much, what with its high price and inability to play UMD games, but if you’re afraid this signals a similar demise for the PSP-3000 , worry not. Sony has said it’ll focus on shifting as many units of that classic device as possible until the NGP strides in and revolutionizes everything . Confirmed: The PSP Go is no more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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For many travelers, stealing hotel towels or bathrobes is more pastime than petty crime. Hotels, on the other hand, apparently take it more seriously. So seriously, in fact, that some have begun embedding specially crafted RFID tags within their linens, just to help us avoid “accidentally” stuffing them in our suitcases before heading to the check-out desk. The chips, designed by Miami-based Linen Technology Tracking, can be sewn directly into towels, bathrobes or bed sheets, and can reportedly withstand up to 300 wash cycles. If a tagged item ever leaves a hotel’s premises, the RFID chip will trip an alarm that will instantly alert the staff, and comprehensively humiliate the guilty party. The system has already paid dividends for one Honolulu hotel, which claims to have saved about $15,000 worth of linens since adopting the system last summer. But small-time crooks needn’t get too paranoid. In addition to the hotel in Hawaii, only two other establishments have begun tagging their towels — one in Manhattan, and one in Miami. All three, however, have chosen to remain anonymous, so swipe at your own (minimal) risk. That hotel towel you’re stealing might have an RFID chip in it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …ARM predicts dual-core Cortex-A15 devices in late 2012, quad-core variants ‘later on’
April 20, 2011 No Comment
Smartphones and tablets, the two hottest categories of consumer devices right now, are dominated by ARM processor designs, so when the company speaks up about its product roadmap, we’re inclined to listen in close. The next generation of ARM system-on-chip has been dubbed Cortex-A15 and was expected to ship in 2013 , but that’s now been accelerated slightly to late 2012, which is when we’re told to expect actual devices on sale with A15 silicon on board. Single- and dual-core variants will get us started, before quad-core options start filtering through in 2013. ARM promises a stunning fivefold improvement in performance over current Cortex-A9 SOCs and already has NVIDIA , Samsung, ST-Ericsson, and Texas Instruments signed up as licensees for that new hotness. So now even Samsung’s “desktop-class” 2GHz dual-core chip that’s slated for 2012 has a reason to look over its shoulder. Happy times! ARM predicts dual-core Cortex-A15 devices in late 2012, quad-core variants ‘later on’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Corporate earnings calls can be tedious affairs. But sometimes, if you listen closely enough, you’ll be treated to a nugget of product strategy in between those bursts of mind-numbing financial data. Intel’s call was just such an affair, with chief Paul S. Otellini providing a quick update on Intel’s tablet and smartphone plans. Regarding the emerging tablet market, Otellini said that Intel will have “quite a bit of tablet demonstrations” at Computex running MeeGo, Windows, and Android operating systems. “We’re heads down on a number of designs on tablets on all three of those operating systems,” he added. Regarding Android, Intel’s fifth CEO said, “We’ve received Android code – the Honeycomb version of Android source code – from Google, and we’re actively doing the port on that, and expect to be able to ramp those machines over the course of this year for a number of customers.” Yes, we’re looking at you right now Acer — wink, wink . Regarding smarpthones, Otellini told reporters and analysts, “In terms of phones, obviously, we lost Nokia , which took a lot of the wind out of the sails for phones this year. We’ve redirected those resources onto a number of other major accounts focusing on carriers who want their own devices and also own handset manufacturers. They are all based on Medfield .” With regards to timing, Otellini observed, “The limit in terms of them getting to market is going to be the interoperability testing of the networks at this point in time. I would be very disappointed if we didn’t see Intel-based phones for sale 12 months from now.” Us too Paul, us too… ARM’s not exactly stranding still . Intel porting Honeycomb to its tablets, laments loss of Nokia originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …YouTube starts transcoding all new uploads to WebM, already has a third of its library ready
April 20, 2011 No Comment
Google’s resolve to bring WebM video streaming to the masses doesn’t seem to have been weakened by a general lack of interest from the rest of the tech world, and the company’s announced that each and every new YouTube upload will now be automatically transcoded into a WebM version. Nearly a third of YouTube’s archives have already made the transition to the open source format, though if you think that’s a small proportion, you should probably know that those 30 percent account for 99 percent of all views on the site. Apparently, we all have a narrower set of interests than we like to believe. So, with all popular vids encoded and every incoming one getting the transcoding treatment, all you really need now is a compatible browser — Chrome (naturally), Firefox 4, Opera, or IE9 with a plug-in — and to enroll in YouTube’s HTML5 trial linked below to get rolling with WebM playback. Appending “&webm=1″ to a search string or a video’s URL will also help you ensure you’re getting the good stuff. YouTube starts transcoding all new uploads to WebM, already has a third of its library ready originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 04:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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While the folks “familiar with the matter” continue to debate over whether or not we’ll actually see a real life iPhone nano at some point in our lifetime, the crafty KIRFers in China have taken matters into their own — apparently undersized — hands. Yes people, what you see above is a Shanzhai-crafted shrunken iPhone 4 running an iOS rip-off based on Java, garnished with a 1.3 megapixel camera. All it takes is a measly
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Ok, so you won’t be getting an iPhone refresh this summer. But according to a trio of sources speaking to Reuters , the next-generation iPhone should be shipping in September — as we’ve heard before — with production starting in July. One source said that the iPhone will feature a faster processor, naturally, and look largely similar to the iPhone 4. If true then prepare to see it unveiled at Apple’s fall event , usually held in early September. Next-generation iPhone coming in September? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Meet the latest in Korg’s analog revival, dubbed the Monotribe — a portable, battery-powered groovebox with an old heart. This eight step sequencer expands on last year’s Monotron , using the same classic Korg M-10 plus M-20 analog filters and ribbon keyboard as its older, pocket-sized brother. The new unit kicks it up a notch with expanded VCO, VCA, VCF, and LFO controls, as well as three-part analog drums. It’s also said to last up to 14 hours on six AA batteries, so you can take your beats to the beach or simply drive your neighbors batty; it’s nice to have options. Check out the demo video above, or the hit press release after the break for details. Continue reading Korg Monotribe has 1978 sound, modern mobility (video) Korg Monotribe has 1978 sound, modern mobility (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …ASUS’ bamboo-plated U43SD laptop graduates to Sandy Bridge, so does plain-jane U41SV
April 19, 2011 No Comment
When we reviewed ASUS’ first bamboo laptop , we raved about more than just its unconventional looks — we were also impressed with its solid performance. So we’re pleased, although not at all surprised, that ASUS is refreshing the line with Intel’s latest Sandy Bridge processors. The U43SD doesn’t appear to stray from its predecessor’s industrial design (save for its bigger 14-inch screen), but it steps up to the latest Core i3 and Core i5 processors, along with NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M graphics with 1GB of video memory. You can also choose from 5,400RPM and 7,200RPM hard drive options and either a six- or eight-cell battery. While the company was at it, it also quietly unveiled another Sandy Bridge laptop, the U41SV, which offers the same configuration options as the U43SD — and a plainer design. No word on pricing, and a cursory search turned up no availability. For now, though, you can have a gander at some official photos lifted from ASUS’ own product pages. Gallery: ASUS U43SD Gallery: ASUS U41SV [Thanks, Jon and Danijel] ASUS’ bamboo-plated U43SD laptop graduates to Sandy Bridge, so does plain-jane U41SV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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