Microsoft’s Ashley Highfield says no dedicated tablet OS until the time is right
April 19, 2011 No Comment
In an interview with Pocket-lint , Microsoft UK’s Ashley Highfield said the company won’t be delivering a dedicated OS for tablets anytime soon. “We won’t do anything in the tablet market unless we can be distinctive,” he said. Given, we’ve already seen a number of slates rocking Windows 7 , but Highfield was apparently tight-lipped about any solid plans to move into the tablet market in any substantial way, saying Microsoft sees itself as an underdog in certain areas. As far as we know, Highfield made no mention of how this relates to Windows Compact 7 , which we’ve seen in prototype form in the past. Of course, all of this is coming from the guy who warned of the impending death of television as we know it, but we’re inclined to believe him on this one. On another note, Microsoft’s UK managing director said he gets his tablet fix on a Dell Inspiron Duo — we suppose it’s a good sign he’s not rocking an Android or iOS tab. Microsoft’s Ashley Highfield says no dedicated tablet OS until the time is right originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Now that Alienware’s latest gaming notebooks have broken free from their classified captivity , perhaps you’d like to know how their form factors stack up? Well, we just so happen to have gotten our grubby paws on the extraterrestrials, and they’re looking mighty fine. We’ll warn you though, that the chart-topping M18x is a beast in more ways than one — it may not be a literal 600-pound gorilla, but after one heft of its 16-pound frame we started wondering if luggables were back in vogue. While the M18x’s factory-overclocked 4GHz processor and HDMI-input sorely tempted us, we were rather more taken with the Alienware M14x’s svelte frame, which should prove quite tempting for those who dig its more petite profile. While it doesn’t have the anodized aluminum shell of its big brother the M18x, its red matte plastic exterior has a high-quality feel to it, though we spotted an unsightly seam along the right edge of the prototype unit. We briefly played Call of Duty: Black Ops on the M14x, and found the keys to have plenty of travel and provided a satisfying click with each press as we wandered Cuban streets, and the touchpad was quite responsive as well (though we didn’t have a chance to test its multitouch capabilities). It’s heavier than other laptops with similar screen real-estate, but it’s still an totally totable PC — and the heft is a welcome tradeoff in exchange for the added horsepower under the hood as compared to its Jenny Craig competition . Gallery: Alienware M14x, M18x and M11x R3 hands-on Sean Hollister contributed to this report. Alienware M18x and M14x first hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Acer’s Jim Wong named Corporate President, will head new Touch Business Group
April 19, 2011 No Comment
The changes just keep on coming at Acer these days — following a shakeup at the top and a new, friendlier logo , the company has now announced that longtime company exec Jim Wong will be stepping up to the role of Corporate President. What’s more, he’ll also be heading up Acer’s brand new Touch Business Group, which combines the company’s former tablet PC and smartphone teams, and promises to help Acer “make significant inroads” in the mobile device business — or so it hopes, at least. Elsewhere in the company, Acer’s traditional PC Global Operations business will be led by the former VP of its handheld business unit, Campbell Kan, while a number of other Acer execs have also been appointed to some new positions, including Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Technology Officer. Head on past the break for the official word from Acer itself. Continue reading Acer’s Jim Wong named Corporate President, will head new Touch Business Group Acer’s Jim Wong named Corporate President, will head new Touch Business Group originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sprint to pay at least $1 billion to use Clearwire’s 4G network through 2012
April 19, 2011 No Comment
Although it might not make a difference to consumers, the 4G network ripping through Sprint-branded devices such as the EVO 4G doesn’t actually belong to the carrier. Rather, Sprint rents use of Clearwire’s network, and the two have been duking it out for months over just how much that service is worth. That battle finally came to an end today when Sprint, which happens to be Clearwire’s majority owner, agreed to pay at least $1.03 billion this year and next to run its WiMAX devices on the network. The two companies also agreed to mutual wholesale rights, meaning they can sell access to each other’s 3G and 4G networks to other providers. And they reached a pricing agreement for phones that offer both 3G and 4G connectivity — a bone of contention for Sprint, whose customers can’t all take advantage of 4G speeds, depending on where they live. Then again, Clearwire needs those billions precisely so that it can expand its network. As for Sprint, it can now blow less cash on legal fees — and instead gird itself for a potential three-horse race against Verizon and AT&T&T . [Image courtesy of Mobiledia ] Continue reading Sprint to pay at least $1 billion to use Clearwire’s 4G network through 2012 Sprint to pay at least $1 billion to use Clearwire’s 4G network through 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Bang & Olfusen’s BeoVision 4-85 TV combines 3D and Full HD with superfluous sleekness
April 19, 2011 No Comment
Bang & Olfusen ‘s new BeoVision 4-85 isn’t just another run-of-the-mill 3D TV for the unwashed masses. It’s a really pretty 3D TV, for the refined and the opulent. The 85-inch plasma screen comes encased in a high-grade aluminum frame, and combines anti-reflection coating with automated image controls, to guarantee crystal clear, Full HD viewing at any time of day. B&O’s first foray into the 3D/Full HD realm also features a BeoLab 10 central loudspeaker, which uses Acoustic Lens Technology to deliver consistently high-frequency sounds, regardless of where you’re sitting in relation to the speaker. And, much like its 103-inch brethren , this 85-incher comes with a motorized stand, which automatically elevates and tilts the screen to ideal viewing position whenever the system is turned on. Once you’ve finished marveling at the BeoVision 4-85′s robust design, you can turn it off and watch in awe, as the display magically lowers itself to “within inches” of the floor (where, incidentally, you’ll also be able to find your jaw). No word yet on the price of this experience, but we’re gonna go out on a limb and assume that it’s pretty steep. The beast is set to be unleashed in Moscow tomorrow, but you can check out an appropriately slick car commercial video on the BeoVision 4 family, after the break. Continue reading Bang & Olfusen’s BeoVision 4-85 TV combines 3D and Full HD with superfluous sleekness Bang & Olfusen’s BeoVision 4-85 TV combines 3D and Full HD with superfluous sleekness originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …BlackBerry Bridge not available for PlayBook users on AT&T, unofficial workaround available
April 19, 2011 No Comment
We’re not sure why this was never mentioned before the BlackBerry Playbook launch, but it looks like AT&T customers opting for RIM’s new tablet won’t be able to take advantage of one key feature, at least officially. For reasons yet unknown, AT&T is blocking folks from downloading BlackBerry Bridge to their BlackBerry smartphone, with the speculation being that it doesn’t like the free tethering the Playbook enables. As the folks at CrackBerry have discovered, however, AT&T is only blocking the Bridge app, not the actual Bridge process — which means you can still download the app though unofficial means and Bridge your AT&T BlackBerry to your Playbook. Here’s hoping AT&T figures out a workaround of its own sooner rather than later. BlackBerry Bridge not available for PlayBook users on AT&T, unofficial workaround available originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …White iPhone 4 used to demo new multitasking, Spotlight search in ‘test version’ of iOS? (video)
April 19, 2011 No Comment
We’ve just laid eyes on a video from the prolific leaksters over at Tinhte , who claim they not only have a white iPhone 4 from Apple , but it’s one with a “test version” of iOS that nobody else has yet seen. It’s difficult to ascertain how legitimate this software is — it could just be a neatly done jailbreak mod — but that site has a track record of getting its hands on Apple gear ahead of the pack. With that said, the multitasking menu shown here substitutes the current use of apps’ icons to represent them with a visual of each app’s open window. You can tap on a window to expand it (replete with animation) to fill the screen or long-press on it to bring up the familiar “x” button for shutting it down. This is all accompanied by a new “Search iPhone” dialog at the very top, which sends you into Spotlight search that looks very much the way it currently does (though it seems to no longer be accessible with a left swipe from the first homescreen as on previous versions of iOS). Jump past the break for the video. Continue reading White iPhone 4 used to demo new multitasking, Spotlight search in ‘test version’ of iOS? (video) White iPhone 4 used to demo new multitasking, Spotlight search in ‘test version’ of iOS? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’ve seen some rather homely cans in our time — wireless and otherwise — which is why we were delighted to see that Sony’s latest set of 7.1 channel headphones doesn’t sacrifice form for function — at least not on paper. The MDR-DS6500 setup offers up a slew of surround sound modes, including Dolby Digital , Sony’s Virtualphones Technology, a 100-meter (330-foot) operating range, and automatic tuning. Sony’s also promising 20 hours of listening for every three hours the things spend on their charging dock. We’re not sure how much they’ll set you back, but they are set for release sometime this May. Of course, we’ll hold our judgment until we actually hear how they stack up. Full PR after the break. Continue reading Sony’s MDR-DS6500 wireless headphones serve up surround sound in style Sony’s MDR-DS6500 wireless headphones serve up surround sound in style originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Samsung Galaxy S Gingerbread update pulled ‘by Google,’ needs a little more work
April 19, 2011 No Comment
Come on, this is Samsung we’re talking about here — you didn’t think a software update from Korea’s leading smartphone maker would go without a hitch, did you? The Gingerbread build that made its way out to European Galaxy S handsets over the weekend has now been halted, on account of an unspecified issue that has been identified after release. Vodafone reports that it’s Google who’s actually responsible for temporarily suspending the Android 2.3 delivery over Kies, although the problem is apparently not universal — Voda’s Galaxy S devices are said to be unaffected, which is why the carrier’s working hard to get things rolling again as soon as possible. Oh Samsung, when will it end? [Thanks, Jake] Samsung Galaxy S Gingerbread update pulled ‘by Google,’ needs a little more work originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Oh, what tangled webs of non-denials we all weave. A Japanese blogger working for an official Sony retail partner has reported intel from the Japanese company that production of its PSP Go handheld has been halted. Moreover, the official Sony online store no longer lists the portable and searching for it provides no results. You can only access its product page with a direct link (provided below), but even that shows it as out of stock. So, what has Sony got to say on the matter to allay fears that its troubled console lives on? Well, demand for “current generation PSPs” will continue to be met, apparently, and the NGP is going be really, really awesome when it launches at the end of the year. Hey, if there’s zero demand for the PSP Go and you produce zero PSP Go units, then you are technically matching supply to demand. Well played, Sony, well played. Sony said to have stopped PSP Go production, curiously fails to deny it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 07:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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