In case you needed any more evidence that Sony is ramping up to launch a gaming system on a phone in the next few months, here you go: Japanese rag Asahi Shimbun says that the PlayStation Phone — which could be known as the Zeus Z1 , Xperia Play , or something else altogether by the time it’s on store shelves — is expected in the spring of 2011 for a North American and European release. That lines up with virtually everything we’ve been hearing lately, and it’s also fortuitous timing considering that both CES and MWC are right around the corner; we don’t know what Sony Ericsson might have on tap for CES, but we definitely know they’re planning some new Xperia-branded models for MWC . There are many questions left unanswered — how (and if) any of this ties into the standalone PSP2, how gaming titles will be purchased, and how many models will be available that support the platform, just to name a few — but hopefully Sony can clear all that up here within the next few weeks. Japanese paper pegs PlayStation Phone for spring launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Olympus E-PL2 camera leaked, Penpal Bluetooth dongle to share photos via smartphone
December 28, 2010 No Comment
CES 2011 is just around the bend, and while LG’s 72-inch monstrosity will undoubtedly see its fair share of attention, Olympus is hoping to shake things up in the camera realm. Or so we’re led to believe. The shot above is purportedly the first leaked image of the outfit’s forthcoming E-PL2, the Micro Four Thirds followup to the E-PL1 . The real question here is this: did Olympus’ engineers take your advice on how to change it? According to 43 Rumors , this guy will ship with a new 14-42mm f/3.5 – 5.6 kit lens, a ‘direct movie’ button, high-res 3-inch display, an ISO ceiling of 6400 and an intriguing Bluetooth module as an option. Cleverly dubbed Penpal, this is essentially the most sensible method of sending photos you snap on your camera to the web, be it on Facebook, Flickr or any other social network. If you’ve got the apparatus plugged into the hot shoe, you can sync it with your BT-enabled smartphone (Android or “Windows Mobile,” we’re told) and use its cellular connection to complete the upload. Definitely a more logical approach than shoving a 3G chip into a digicam, and undoubtedly a trend we expect to see take off in 2011. Regrettably, there’s no pricing or release information to share, but all should be revealed in a matter of days. Olympus E-PL2 camera leaked, Penpal Bluetooth dongle to share photos via smartphone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Someone must really like you — otherwise, how did you end up with an iPhone this holiday season? Yeah, we know, iPads don’t really fit into stockings. Besides, your parent or significant other got you an arguably better gift in the cheaper (with two-year contract, of course), more compact, and more recently updated iPhone 4. We’ve given you some app suggestions before when the device first launched, but that was six months ago, and in technology time, that’s like seven years. Want a run-down of the best apps, our favorite accessories, and the essential tips and tricks? Just follow along after the break! Hey Android friends, we got you covered , too! Did you get an iPad? Check out our guide here! Continue reading Just got an iPhone? The best apps, accessories, and tips Just got an iPhone? The best apps, accessories, and tips originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Toshiba Folio 100 Android tablet gains responsiveness, dignity via new firmware update
December 28, 2010 No Comment
Hard to say if this injection of code will be enough to get Toshiba’s Folio 100 back on PC World shelves , but for those who already snatched one off of there, it’s bound to improve morale. Word on the street has it that Tosh has just issued a new firmware update (v2.2.5.0053) to the aforesaid device, and while it doesn’t include Adobe’s Flash Player 10.1, it does aim to improve the screen / touch responsiveness, issues with lag, pinch-to-zoom capabilities and audio / video processing. We’re also getting the impression that the genuine Android Market is staying far, far away from this build, but we’d love to hear if your slate is acting any nicer post-update. Hit us up in comments below, won’t you? Continue reading Toshiba Folio 100 Android tablet gains responsiveness, dignity via new firmware update Toshiba Folio 100 Android tablet gains responsiveness, dignity via new firmware update originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …ASUS looks set to release five Sandy Bridge laptops, all with serious horsepower
December 28, 2010 No Comment
ASUS is already down with Sandy Bridge on the desktop side , but you had to know the company would be finding room for Intel’s latest in it’s mobile offerings, too. Notebook Italia has what looks to be solid confirmation of four separate models, starting with a big honkin’ gaming rig, the G73SW. It has an Intel Core i7-2630QM processor, 8GB of DDR3, Geforce GTX 460M graphics, USB 3.0, dual storage bays (enabling mixing and matching of SSD and platter), and a 17.3-inch LCD that manages the full 1920 x 1080 resolution. Price looks set to start around $2,500. Also unveiled are four somewhat less gamer-oriented but still might fast models, grouped in the N53SV and N73SV series. All feature the same 2GHz processor and all have the new GeForce GT 540M processor that was recently seen rocking Acer’s 5742G , which will drive either a 15.6-inch, 1366 x 768 display or the larger 17.3-inch, 1080p display depending on which model you go for. Prices on this series are said to start at just $1,200 and go way up from there when they ship in January. ASUS looks set to release five Sandy Bridge laptops, all with serious horsepower originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …AT&T launches WiFi initiative with new zones in Times Square, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral
December 28, 2010 No Comment
AT&T has promised to launch several new WiFi spots in the coming months, and it’s starting off with new zones of connectivity in New York’s Times Square, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral — all major tourist traps. Times Square already boasts free AT&T WiFi ( lauched in May ) but it’s making the area larger as part of its new initiative. The company has also announced that it plans to launch free WiFi spots in San Francisco as well, starting with the Embarcadero Center, sometime later this year. The embellished Times Square WiFi and the two new zones will launch “in the coming days,” which we know isn’t very specific but hey: it’s the best we can do. Full press release is after the break. Continue reading AT&T launches WiFi initiative with new zones in Times Square, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral AT&T launches WiFi initiative with new zones in Times Square, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Retro gamers, take note — The Legend of Zelda is back, and this version’s more intriguing than ever. From the pits of a mythical, magical unknown lair has arisen an early build of the original FDS version of Zelda, and thanks to the wonders of the internet (along with a few dedicated Earthlings), we’re able to break down the differences between the prototype and the retail edition, download the FDS image and pore over the disk scans. From what we’ve been able to gather thus far, the early version is quite a bit easier to beat than the final build, with fewer enemies, easier money and more gullible partners. Sounds like our kind of place. Hit the links below to nerd out in fantastic fashion. The Legend of Zelda prototype surfaces, makes itself readily available originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Ever tried writing a text message or an urgent work e-mail with gloves on? Chances are what you planned to type and what came out couldn’t look more different…if anything came out at all. Digits are a $14 set of four conductive pins that, like the Dots iPhone gloves , were designed to make cold weather touchscreen use easy, and hopefully error free. Unlike Dots and other pre-made touchscreen products, however, Digits allow you to use your own gloves, provided they’re knit (unfortunately, they’re not leather-friendly). Each pin comes in two parts: one piece sticks through from inside your glove, and the other, which sports silicone caps, attaches from outside, using the same concept as this DIY set . Digits should keep your touchscreen free of scratches and your texts and e-mails free of error, even when it’s freezing out. Hopefully now you won’t end up firing when you should be filing. Digits conductive pins won’t make a fool of you in the cold originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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World of Warcraft is a lot of things to a lot of people, a whole lot of people, but it’s never been much of an immersive gameplay experience — casting Plague Strike doesn’t seem all that unholy when it’s triggered by frantically tapping a key on a keyboard. Moving an arm would be at least a bit more involving, and with the Flexible Action and Articulated Toolkit, or FAAST, from the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, that’s just what you can do. It’s basically a software layer over your Kinect , built over OpenNI , that recognizes a skeleton and enables about 20 different motions to be mapped to key presses. This means you can lean forward to walk, raise your right arm to perform an action, and then sit down to take a breather after all that exertion. It’s currently versioned .03, so don’t expect miracles, but it is available for free at the other end of the source link. It’s also demonstrated below, but don’t tarry too long: guild meeting starts in five. [Thanks, Tommy] Continue reading Free Kinect keyboard emulator lets you WoW while AFK (video) Free Kinect keyboard emulator lets you WoW while AFK (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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After Wal-mart , Best Buy and Amazon jumped on the digital delivery bandwagon it’s clearly evident that just offering discs for sale isn’t enough, and right on schedule Sears and Kmart are launching Alphaline Entertainment, a new venture created for the sole purpose of selling downloadable movies online. Powered by Sonic’s RoxioNow backend just like Best Buy and Blockbuster, it’s all very familiar, down to the $3.99 rent / $19.99 new release purchase pricing that we love to hate (with the Blu-ray version often on sale for less, why bother?) with plans to embed the service in a variety of connected Blu-ray players, mobile devices, TVs and more. It doesn’t appear that Sonic’s sale to Rovi or the addition of DivX to the company’s fold has affected the deal at all, but here’s hoping they plan on introducing a Blue Light Special pack-in like VUDU or Disc+ to make things a little more appealing. Continue reading Sears, Kmart launch Alphaline Entertainment movie download service Sears, Kmart launch Alphaline Entertainment movie download service originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 07:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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