Xi3′s Z3RO terminal connects with Modular Computer, kills the need for another PC
January 6, 2011 No Comment
We’ve always thought that Xi3′s Modular Computer was a downright brilliant design, but up until now, we’ve had no real understanding of how it would be exploited. Here at CES , the company has answered that very question, and answered it well. The new Z3RO is little more than a dumb terminal, but if you’re considering a second household PC for the most mundane of tasks, it just might be the solution you’re looking for. You’ll need one of the firm’s Modular Computers to start, and from there you can connect up to three Z3RO terminals. Each one is equipped with a VGA port, USB sockets and audio jacks; once it’s connected to the mothership (read: the Modular Computer), each Z3RO taps into its 2.0GHz computer and creates an entirely new instance on whatever monitor it’s connected to. It’s generally meant for small businesses and libraries, but we’re certain the educational world could benefit from the setup as well. It’s expected to hit mass production at the end of March, but we’re told that it’s available today for an undisclosed amount in limited quantities. If you’re interested in doing the math, a single Modular Computer along with three Z3ROs will net you a per-seat price of $350. A shot of the rear awaits you after the break. Continue reading Xi3′s Z3RO terminal connects with Modular Computer, kills the need for another PC Xi3′s Z3RO terminal connects with Modular Computer, kills the need for another PC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It may not have a dual-core processor, but the 4.3-inch HTC Thunderbolt is a beauty to behold — not to mention a speed demon with Verizon LTE on board. We just got our paws on the 1GHz Snapdragon-powered Android 2.2 handset at CES 2011, and immediately fired off packets in an online speedtest. While we’re not entirely certain Verizon’s building-penetrating 700Mhz frequencies would typically work deep in the heart of Las Vegas’ Venetian Hotel, it definitely did here, delivering nearly 18Mbps and loading full websites in a snap. The Desire HD-inspired hardware itself is no slouch either, with a solid if oh-so-slightly hollow build, a responsive glass touchpanel, and positively lovely colors from the 4.3-inch Super LCD screen — a coup for HTC in and of itself — and the strong, EVO 4G-like kickstand that hides the speakerphone is a nice touch. Here’s hoping Verizon doesn’t ask for internal organs or first-born children to turn this beast into an LTE hotspot. Find video after the break, and loads of pics below. Gallery: HTC Thunderbolt first hands-on! Myriam Joire and Darren Murph contributed heavily to this report. Continue reading HTC Thunderbolt first hands-on (update: video!) HTC Thunderbolt first hands-on (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Gateway Media Console with CableCARD and Windows Embedded Standard 7 hands-on
January 6, 2011 No Comment
Microsoft’s working hard to get people believing in its Windows Embedded Standard platform as a real set-top box contender and one of its vanguard devices is the above Gateway Media Console. It’s still a concept product in the Acer / Gateway labs, but what it promises to deliver makes us wish it hurries up and makes the leap to retail nice and quickly. Based around a Sandy Bridge Intel CPU, this machine runs Windows Media Center and gives you access all the internet-connected content that you can enjoy on your Windows 7 Home Premium-equipped PC, but it also boasts a Ceton CableCARD tuner that permits up to six broadcast TV streams at a time. Those can then be networked out throughout your house — whether over a wireless or wired connection — and then recorded on whatever laptops, desktops or other Windows devices you have lying around the house. The end result is that the kids can be recording a pair of channels upstairs in their bedroom while you watch the football game in the living room and your mother-in-law enjoys whatever she’s into down in the basement — all coming in from the same, single coax cable plugged into the Media Console. There’s a hidden optical drive as well and Microsoft tells us this thing could range between $500 and $700 when it does eventually make its way out for sale. Gallery: Gateway Media Console with CableCARD and Windows Embedded Standard 7 hands-on Gateway Media Console with CableCARD and Windows Embedded Standard 7 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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LG said it’d be unleashing its LTE-rocking Revolution promptly at 2PM local time, and well, we were ready. The phone is pretty snappy in its current form, and DLNA SmartShare worked like a charm, the menu was snappy, and the hardware felt pretty sturdy. We didn’t get a chance to try out the camera, unfortunately, and LG’s still unsure to what extent it’ll skin over the Android OS. Check out the pics (update: and video) below! Gallery: LG Revolution hands-on Continue reading LG Revolution hands-on (update: video) LG Revolution hands-on (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We happen to think the future of the car dashboard is a gradual path to obsolescence, dying and getting replaced by a mobile device. Visteon also think there’s a future for mobile devices in a dash — but not for actually replacing the car stereo. Visteon showed off its Consumer Electronics Device to Vehicle HMI (human/machine interface), which is basically a stupidly long name for a system enabling device integration of the sort we haven’t seen yet. Yes, you can stream tunes through the car’s stereo but, more impressively, actually change the channel that it is tuned to. That’s just the beginning, with a navigation display and even simplified web browsing, but most impressive is the ability to manage the rest of the car’s interior. You can change seat positions, adjust climate controls, and probably much, much more than the semi-functional demo unit we got our hands on can do. There is a dock connector for the iPad but that’s just for providing power: the connectivity is entirely wireless, meaning people in the back seat can change the channel — or push up the seat of the person in front of them. The box that handles all this is going into production soon and so should start showing up in cars sometime over the next year. Which cars? Your guess is as good as ours, as Visteon works with more car marques than it doesn’t. Gallery: Visteon iPad dash hands-on Continue reading Visteon puts an iPad in a car dashboard, we go hands-on (video) Visteon puts an iPad in a car dashboard, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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There’s no shortage of applications out there to demonstrate the potential of Verizon’s 4G LTE network, but Electronic Arts’ just showed off one of the more impressive ones to date at its CES 2011 press conference . It demoed its forthcoming Rock Band Mobile game for Android, which will let up to four players “jam together over the network,” making it the first game that can be played with friends over the network at launch. Not much more than that to go on at the moment, but we’re certainly eager to try this one out for ourselves. Update: Press release is after the break with the complete track listing. Jethro Tull is headed to 4G. Continue reading Rock Band Mobile will let four players jam over Verizon’s 4G LTE network Rock Band Mobile will let four players jam over Verizon’s 4G LTE network originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Pandigital isn’t beating around the bush with the two tablets it’s showing here at CES — they run Android 2.1, they’re not getting Froyo, and they’re most certainly not getting Honeycomb. These slates come in 7 and 9-inch varieties, and the 9-inch Novel comes in both AT&T 3G and WiFi-only models. To rub salt in the wound, these guys don’t have any Android Market support, and they won’t be getting it any time soon (or ever, for that matter). On the bright side though, you get B&N’s Nook app pre-installed on the Novel (get it?). Unfortunately, we’re most upset that Pandigital hasn’t seemed to change any of the things we disliked so much with the first version — the screens aren’t glamorous and the performance is still painfully sluggish. If you’re looking for a cheap Android tablet, we’d probably suggest waiting for something with a little bit lot more flare. Gallery: Pandigital 7- and 9-inch Android tablets hands-on Pandigital 7- and 9-inch Android tablets hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The white curtains just lifted here at the Samsung booth at CES to unveil the Samsung 4G LTE Smartphone . This Verizon LTE-ready beast touts a Super AMOLED Plus display, runs Android 2.2 with TouchWiz and features a front-facing cam. On the rear it’s got an 8 megapixel auto-focus shooter and mini HDMI on the hip. We’re busy sorting out details and grabbing pics more. Stay tuned! Update: We’ve added the gallery with hands-on shots for your viewing pleasure! Update 2 : Samsung nor Verizon were willing to talk labels, but it’s a pretty safe bet this phone is the SCH-i520 we peeked earlier in the week. Gallery: Samsung 4G LTE Smartphone hands-on Samsung 4G LTE smartphone for Verizon (SCH-i520) first hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …ASUS tablet lineup preview: Slider, Transformer, MeMO, and Slate EP121 go wild (with video!)
January 6, 2011 No Comment
We just played with A SUS whole new tablet lineup , which is truly impressive not only in scope, but also for the fact that ASUS didn’t just pick a few capacitive screen sizes and call it a day. Each of the four tablets (three Android-based Eee Pads and one Windows-based Eee Slate) has its own “twist” on what’s come to seem traditional in modern day tablets, while also maintaining significant hardware and screen quality. We’re not crazy about the ‘MyWave’ ASUS software skin on its Android models, but they at least seem serious about providing UI and apps for the entire experience — they’re not kidding around, is what we’re saying. We’ve got a ton of pictures and impressions, so follow after the break as we break it all down! Update: We’ve added video as well. You’d be a fool not to click. Continue reading ASUS tablet lineup preview: Slider, Transformer, MeMO, and Slate EP121 go wild (with video!) ASUS tablet lineup preview: Slider, Transformer, MeMO, and Slate EP121 go wild (with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Novatel? Yes. Sierra Wireless? Sure. Pantech? Definitely — but one company we didn’t really expect to be launching a pocketable mobile hotspot on an American carrier was Samsung. Sure enough, Sammy is hooking up with Verizon to rock the carrier’s very first mobile hotspot product to be announced with LTE compatibility, a crucial feature that should give the Sprint Overdrives and 3G / 4G MiFis of the world a run for their collective money. Though it lacks a creative name, the so-called 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot is precisely as described with a dash of CDMA / EV-DO compatibility thrown in for those rare occasions when you stray outside your local LTE footprint. We don’t have a price or date yet, but there’s not a lot of rocket science here compared to… say, the Inspiration , so hopefully it won’t be long. Though we didn’t have a chance to put it through a live test, we’ve had our hands on this little device already and we can say it’s basically a dead ringer for the CDMA version of the first-generation Novatel MiFi as sold on Verizon, Sprint, and others. The only change, really, is that it feels a bit thicker, a bit more “solid,” and a bit heavier, but not nearly enough to make a practical difference — you’ll still gladly throw this thing in your pocket when you need a cloud of steamy hot WiFi in your vicinity. Follow the break for the full press release. Continue reading Samsung bringing 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot to Verizon Samsung bringing 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot to Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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