IDC says 100.9M smartphones sold in fourth quarter, PCs outsold for first time
February 8, 2011 No Comment
In case you had any lingering doubt that the smartphone is the new personal computer, just take a glance at IDC’s new global smartphone sales numbers for the fourth quarter of 2010 where we learn that some 100.9 million units were pushed in the three-month period — up a whopping 87.9 percent year over year. That figure compares to 92.1 million PCs sold during the same quarter , which, though a record for the PC industry, was left in the dust of the smartphone’s stratospheric rise. This marks the very first quarter in history that smartphones have outsold traditional computers — and considering the trajectories that both industries are in, we’d be surprised if they ever flip-flopped again. If anything, IDC and other analysis firms might need to readjust the nomenclature in their reports in a few years if (or when) convergence platforms like the Atrix 4G with its Laptop Dock start to gain traction. Of course, to Bill Gates and others, this technological cross-pollination comes as no surprise — and really, who can argue with a handheld that’s packing PC power? IDC says 100.9M smartphones sold in fourth quarter, PCs outsold for first time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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When last we saw a Tachyon XC helmet cam it was clinging futilely onto the side of another, stuck together so that the footage coming from the two could be combined to create 3D — something GoPro is now trying to do much more expensively . We weren’t particularly convinced at the time, largely in part because the resolution of each of those XC cameras was only VGA. Now there’s an HD model we’ve been given to try, and while we’ve happily ditched the Siamese action to go solo this time, some issues remain here that keep us from giving the new, $179.99 Tachyon XC HD our universal recommendation. Gallery: Tachyon XC HD Continue reading Tachyon XC HD helmet camera review Tachyon XC HD helmet camera review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If we’ve learned one thing over the years it’s that Barco doesn’t do small — whether it’s 3D CAD systems or even projectors . The company’s latest mammoth offering is the NX4 3D LED videowall, measuring 10.453 meters wide by 2.352 meters tall — about 35 feet wide and eight feet tall. It has a total resolution of 2240 x 504 with a 4.66mm pixel pitch, making this a definite candidate for a place where volume is more important than pixel density. A brightness of over 2000 nits and a 4000:1 contrast ratio means outdoor work is a possibility, though if you want 3D you’ll have to BYO active-shutter glasses. Continue reading Barco’s NX4 3D video wall does LED on a decidedly large scale (video) Barco’s NX4 3D video wall does LED on a decidedly large scale (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nissan backs off 2011 Leaf delivery promises, expects ‘a few hundred’ sold in February
February 8, 2011 No Comment
Bad news for Leaf lovers. Back in December Nissan representative Tim Gallagher said “By the end of summer, our goal is to have everyone in their car.” That would have meant 20,000-odd Leafs shipped before leaves start falling from trees, but now Nissan North America’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing Brian Carolin thinks we won’t even see that many until next year. “I think 20,000 will be too high,” he said, referring to total deliveries for 2011. “You just have to make this launch absolutely perfect. It’s not a numbers game.” Indeed it isn’t, it’s an expectations game, and how much lower can they go? Nissan backs off 2011 Leaf delivery promises, expects ‘a few hundred’ sold in February originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Study: 802.11ac devices to hit the one billion mark in 2015, get certified in 2048
February 8, 2011 No Comment
Okay, so there’s a good chance that the developing 802.11ac Gigabit wireless standard will receive its official seal of approval long before 2048, but by 2015? Given that it took 802.11n a full seven years to move on from Draft N status, we aren’t holding our collective breath. Regardless, there’s obviously a need for a far faster interface than what we’re using now, and the Wi-Fi Alliance is obviously doing everything it can to keep on keeping on. According to a loose study by In-Stat, Planet Earth will go from zero 802.11ac devices in 2010 to one billion by 2015, with Vice President of Research Frank Dickson noting that a draft of 802.11ac should be cleared at some point in 2011. As for backwards compatibility? Looks like you’ll just have to wait and see. Continue reading Study: 802.11ac devices to hit the one billion mark in 2015, get certified in 2048 Study: 802.11ac devices to hit the one billion mark in 2015, get certified in 2048 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The iControlPad hasn’t been flirting with vaporware status for quite as long as Duke Nukem Forever but certainly long enough to make us wonder if we’d ever be able to use it to kick some in-game butt before we ran out of bubblegum. We’ve been tantalized by this formerly iPhone-exclusive adapter since way back in 2008 , when it was going to be a simple case with a dock connector that would let you control those emulators with greater ease. It’s grown significantly since then, the latest version shown above — the final version, as it happens. It’s now available for order at a cost of $74.99, and we’re happy to say that ditching that dock connector and going for Bluetooth has expanded support well past the iDevice crowd, including things like the Motorola Blackflip , Blackberry Touch , and the now-classic G1 . However, we’re told not all games and emulators will work with the thing, so your mileage may vary. First devices ship next week, so make with the clicking. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] iControlPad finally available for order, shipping next week originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Zero Motorcycles unveils faster-charging, even quieter 2011 motorcycle lineup (video)
February 8, 2011 No Comment
To those who are still convinced that loud motorcycles make you more safe: it’s best you look away now. The quietest bikes in the business just got even more silent. Zero Motorcycles just has unveiled its 2011 lineup of electric motorcycles and among a suite of generally tidy enhancements comes a change to belt drive. This means no more chains, no more chain lube, and no more rattling and grating noises. There’s nothing but the sound of the wind and the faint scream of the motor, which you can hear for yourself in the video below. Also new is a 12.5 percent boost in battery capacity and a quick-charge option that drops charging times in half — but does so at an up-front cost of $595. That’s on top of the $9,995 for a road-going Zero S. Meanwhile the dual-sport Zero DS starts at $10,495, off-road Zero X at $7,995, and the higher-spec Zero MX $9,495. All are available for order right now. Gallery: 2011 Zero S electric motorcycle [Thanks, Darius ] Continue reading Zero Motorcycles unveils faster-charging, even quieter 2011 motorcycle lineup (video) Zero Motorcycles unveils faster-charging, even quieter 2011 motorcycle lineup (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony releases specifications for E-mount lenses, desperately wants you to build some
February 8, 2011 No Comment
Some interchangeable lens standards have been around for ages. Others, however, are rather more modern contrivances, and Sony’s E-mount definitely falls in that latter category. We’ve seen it hit HD camcorders as well as the NEX-3 and NEX-5 compacts, but so far the greatest selections of lenses we’ve yet seen has come courtesy of a simple adapter . Sony wants that to change, releasing the “basic” specifications for its E-mount interchangeable lens system and doing so for free, a move that lens makers like Carl Zeiss and Sigma have all lauded — though none went so far as to say they’d actually start making this particular flavor of glass. Oh, and the specs for the NEX-5 Lego viewfinder ? Still totally free. Continue reading Sony releases specifications for E-mount lenses, desperately wants you to build some Sony releases specifications for E-mount lenses, desperately wants you to build some originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …SWIGZ electric racing bike bests internal combustion competition, mostly (video)
February 8, 2011 No Comment
Make room, Brammo , MotoCzysz , and Mission Motors , there’s a new motorcycle from Chip Yates and SWIGZ Pro Racing looking to join the electric bi-wheeled racing elite. The bike is doing its best to hasten the demise of the ICE with a 194hp DC motor (50+hp more than its EV brethren), putting down 295 ft-lbs of torque, which carried it to second- and third-place finishes against gas-powered competition in the WERA Heavyweight Twins Superstock and Superbike races at Auto Club Speedway in California on January 9th. Also on board is a first-of-its-kind front wheel KERS system that recharges the batteries en route to give the motor the juice it needs to hit racing speeds of up to 158mph. For those who’d like to own such an engineering marvel, keep dreaming, as Mr. Yates states the bike is a technical showcase that’s not meant for production. However, patents are pending on the KERS technology and the plan is to license it out — so gearheads can have a similar bike eventually — for a not-so-insignificant sum, we’d imagine. See the bike in action after the break. Continue reading SWIGZ electric racing bike bests internal combustion competition, mostly (video) SWIGZ electric racing bike bests internal combustion competition, mostly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s no Bill Paxton Pinball , but Ben Heck’s portable Sega Genesis CDX is certainly up there in terms of superfluous gaming mods. As Heck points out, a lot of the console’s games were “FMV nonsense,” but, like most gaming systems, the 1994-released CDX had its ardent supporters. For those of you who fit the description, Heck’s combined the CD drive and motherboard from an old CDX with a chopped six-button Genesis controller, an old camcorder battery, and a four-inch LCD screen to bring you a bulky but portable console. Now you can enjoy a game of Snatcher at the laundromat while your Sonic the Hedgehog Underoos hit the spin cycle. Check out the video after the jump. Continue reading Sega Genesis CDX now portable thanks to Ben Heck (video) Sega Genesis CDX now portable thanks to Ben Heck (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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