Here’s a trend we can get behind: ASUS and others are remixing existing, yet-to-be-released Android tablets with Honeycomb where it makes sense to do so. The Eee Pad MeMO, for instance, is now being promised with a Qualcomm port of the platform in time for its June launch — and along those same lines, the company is showing its Eee Pad Transformer here at CeBIT with a Honeycomb upgrade. Unlike the MeMO, the Transformer is just a straight Tegra 2 setup like the already-launched Xoom , which is likely why they were able to get it loaded on here and functioning relatively well in time for the show. The build ASUS has here doesn’t appear to be final — the Android Market is missing, for example — but what was there seemed to be running smoothly; considering the internals, we’d expect no less. Follow the break for video (pardon the lack of audio — there was some talking going on that we found distracting). Gallery: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer running Honeycomb at CeBIT Continue reading ASUS Eee Pad Transformer shows up wearing Honeycomb to CeBIT (video) ASUS Eee Pad Transformer shows up wearing Honeycomb to CeBIT (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Motorola’s Sanjay Jha hints at a 7-inch tablet before the end of the year, foresees tablet prices dropping
February 28, 2011 No Comment
Motorola’s CEO Sanjay Jha had hinted once before that there would be a family of Motorola tablets, but speaking at Morgan Stanley’s Technology, Media & Telecom Conference today, he promised that those other Moto tablets would hit before the end of the year. Naturally, Jha wasn’t talking specifics, but we’re betting that next tablet is a 7-incher — he mentioned that 7-inch form factor a number of times and said that size was more “fun” and “portable.” Similar to what he said on the Moto earnings call, he implied that the 10-inch size was more for professionals. Jha also spent a bit of time talking about pricing, and stated that he expects the price on the Xoom and other tablets to come down in price in the second half of the year, especially as component prices decrease. So, how’s the Xoom doing at that $599 starting price? Well, it’s only been a couple of days, but he assured the interviewer that “sales have started relatively well.” Motorola’s Sanjay Jha hints at a 7-inch tablet before the end of the year, foresees tablet prices dropping originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …PlayStation 3 shipments to Europe now being seized after LG wins injunction against Sony
February 28, 2011 No Comment
Sony and LG have been going toe to toe with allegations of patent infringement for over a year now, but Sony’s now been dealt what’s surely its biggest setback to date in Europe. The civil court of justice in the Hague has just granted LG a preliminary injunction that will see all new PlayStation 3s imported into Europe confiscated by customs for at least ten days. Those are apparently now already being stockpiled in Dutch warehouses while the drama plays out, and there remains a possibility that the injunction will be extended even further, which would almost certainly lead to a shortage of PS3s on store shelves — as the Guardian notes, retailers generally have two to three weeks worth of stock on hand across the continent. Not surprisingly, Sony is said to be “frantically” trying to get the ban lifted, but it isn’t making any public comments on the matter at the moment. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] PlayStation 3 shipments to Europe now being seized after LG wins injunction against Sony originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s been a good year or so since the TI-Nspire line of graphing calculators got a refresh, but that was nothing compared to what the company’s planning for this year. Possibly responding to changing times (or the Casio Prizm ), the new Nspire devices are getting a WiFi dongle for communication with TI-Navigator workstations, a 16-bit (320 x 240) full color display, and a number of new functions, including the ability to load images and analyze images for such things as curve fitting functions and regressions. Perhaps even more exciting, the new Nspire OS 3.0 features 3D functions — and, yes, the original grayscale TI-Nspire models will be able to upgrade to the new OS when it becomes available this spring. Tech Powered Math is reporting a mid-April release date, for an MSRP of $165. Totally psyched? We bet you are! See the PR after the break for more info. Continue reading TI-Nspire graphing calcs get full color displays, 3D, WiFi, and new OS TI-Nspire graphing calcs get full color displays, 3D, WiFi, and new OS originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Joining its Intel-powered 100W cousin at CeBIT this week is MSI’s WindPad 110W, basically an AMD Brazos -powered remix of the original with a slightly different design. You’ve got an optical pad on the upper part of the right bezel that controls a mouse pointer — if you’re into that sort of thing — but hopefully you’ll be touching the lovely 10.1-inch IPS display (which it shares with the 100W) directly most of the time. We would’ve liked to have taken the skinned load of Windows 7 for a spin, but MSI had its demo unit set up on a looping video and kept it under glass or in employees’ gentle hands for the entirety of our time at the booth, so we didn’t get a great sense for performance; they’re targeting mid-year for release, though, so they’ve got some time left on the clock to put some spit and polish on the package. There’ll also be a dock available that plugs into a connector in the bottom of the tablet — it wasn’t on-hand, but the company had some prototype docks connected to WindPad 100A dummy units (showing Honeycomb on their fake displays, interestingly, even though live 100As at the show are running Froyo). Follow the break for a quick video from all angles. Gallery: MSI WindPad 110W eyes-on Continue reading MSI WindPad 110W eyes-on (video) MSI WindPad 110W eyes-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Though enterprise software and infrastructure tend to be the focus of the event, CeBIT always yields a few consumer-focused gems — and with all the tablet action lately, we’d be shocked if we didn’t see a few slates break cover here. We’ll be canvassing the fairgrounds all week looking for said gems… so be sure to join us on this magical journey, won’t you? Tip: Keep an eye on the CeBIT 2011 tag for all the news from the show! We’re live from CeBIT 2011 in Hannover, Germany! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Dell Venue Pro arrives in the UK at long last: £459 off contract, shipping in 10 days (update: Germany also)
February 28, 2011 No Comment
Time for a quick memory check: remember the WP7 slider that Dell announced some months ago? That’s right, it’s the Venue Pro — the one that’s been struggling to meet demand in the US due to some mysterious reworking . Well, here’s some good news for the folks on the other side of the pond: starting today, Dell’s UK store is taking orders for this unlocked slider for a hefty
Continue reading …Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was delayed into 2011… by ‘virtual engine sound’ system
February 28, 2011 No Comment
Remember how at the end of last year the US legislature decided to make it mandatory for EVs to churn out an audible noise while in motion? It was all in the name of saving pesky pedestrians from getting in the way of your gliding electro-car, but the new law itself has managed to create a bump in the road for at least one company. Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid was all set to launch in late 2010, equipped with a “virtual engine sound” system that the user could toggle on and off, however the government’s request that it be kept permanently on required modifications to the vehicle’s wiring harnesses, UI software and user manuals, delaying its debut into late January. These tweaks had to be done “amazingly late in the process,” according to Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik, but the delay will at least ensure that all of Hyundai’s Sonatas will sound the same. Which is something, we guess. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was delayed into 2011… by ‘virtual engine sound’ system originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …AT&T will start selling Kindle 3G e-reader in its retail stores from March 6th
February 28, 2011 No Comment
AT&T is adding the first e-reader to its catalog of connected devices and, unsurprisingly, it’s the 3G version of Amazon’s latest-generation Kindle. There’s nothing peculiar about this agreement, the 3G Kindle will cost $189, the same as it does on Amazon’s online portal, and there are no special content or add-on deals in place. It’s just another locale where you’ll be able to “test drive” and purchase Amazon’s all-time best-selling product . Stock should be arriving shortly for a March 6th launch, though if you’re looking for the WiFi-only Kindle, you’ll have to look elsewhere, AT&T will only be selling the 3G-equipped 6-incher. Continue reading AT&T will start selling Kindle 3G e-reader in its retail stores from March 6th AT&T will start selling Kindle 3G e-reader in its retail stores from March 6th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video)
February 28, 2011 No Comment
For whatever reason, the paths of paintball and robotics development have tended to converge . Latest in maintaining this fine tradition is the Mega Hurtz drone you see above, designed by a chap named Chris Rogers. It features a reconfigurable weapon platform — so yes, you can spruce it up into a modern-day ED-209 — equipped with a night-vision camera, a thermal imaging camera, and a laser scope. The paintball gun Chris has installed on the Mega Hurtz can rip through 20 rounds each second and tilt both vertically and horizontally for more refined aiming. It comes with a remote control feeding video of what the drone sees to the user, so all you’ll really need to dominate your next wargame with the Mega Hurtz will be a generous helping of ruthlessness. Video after the break. Continue reading Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video) Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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