There’s not much to go on here — just a picture of a small-screened device we’ve never seen before — but if that six-fingered squid is the real deal, there’s a brand-new Chumby on the way. Gizmodo says the T-shaped unit’s working codename is “Chumby Opus,” and we wonder if that might actually refer to song; If that grille on the left’s also duplicated on the right, perhaps we’ll get some stereo speakers this time around. Wouldn’t that be nice? Either way, it looks like black, slightly leaning flat-panel displays are still in style . Chumby grows up, gains competitors’ Dashing good looks? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
Google and NORAD should rethink their annual Santa tracking service. Do we really want the evil doers to know the exact whereabouts of Mr. Claus on Google Maps and Earth from any PC or smartphone? A man so old that he’s ineligible for a driver’s license in some states yet pilots a 353,000-ton missile around the globe at a rate of about 650 miles per second ? For shame. Google and NORAD’s Santa tracker is another victory for terrorists originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 06:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
Chances are that we’ll find out for sure next month at CES, but PC World has it on authority that BenQ will be throwing its hat into the overcrowded Android tablet ring early next year. The so-called R100 will be a 10.1-inch device, complete with a 1024 x 600 resolution touchscreen, an unspecified flavor of Android and a Samsung-built ARM CPU humming along at 833MHz. Moreover, we’re told that the battery will run for a solid 12 hours before begging for mercy (and calling it a night), and it can also be used with a stylus — you know, for handling both simplified and traditional Chinese handwriting. 8GB of internal storage, an SD slot, mini-USB port, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a mini-HDMI socket are also marked for inclusion, and of course, an 802.11b/g/n radio will be planted right alongside a Bluetooth module. There’s no mention of a price just yet, and a company representative noted that images wouldn’t be available until the device “was officially launched.” Bah! Humbug! BenQ rumored to debut 10.1-inch R100 Android tablet in early 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nokia N8 earns its fashion wings, fills in for DSLR on magazine cover shoot
December 24, 2010 No Comment
There’s really no higher compliment a cameraphone can receive than when a professional team of photographers is blown away by the results they’re able to achieve when using it, so Nokia’s N8 gets a well-earned tip of the hat for shooting the December / January cover of South African photography mag PiX. In the team’s own words, “we wanted to show that it is not the hardware that makes a good photographer but rather the technical execution of an idea” — very true, we think, but it obviously doesn’t hurt when you know your way around Photoshop and you’re using just about the best-equipped camera on the smartphone market today. See the pretty stunning final result (and the making-of video) after the break. Continue reading Nokia N8 earns its fashion wings, fills in for DSLR on magazine cover shoot Nokia N8 earns its fashion wings, fills in for DSLR on magazine cover shoot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 03:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony buying back Cell chip fabrication facilities from Toshiba, it’s official
December 24, 2010 No Comment
It’s official . Sony and Toshiba just issued a press release saying that the two companies have signed a binding memorandum of understanding to transfer Tosh’s fabrication facilities, operated by Nagasaki Semiconductor Manufacturing, back to Sony. A deal that is rumored to cost Sony some 50 billion yen (about $835 million) — a bargain considering that Sony sold the facilities that manufacture the Cell Broadband Engine, RSX graphics engine, and other SoCs to Toshiba for 90 billion Yen back in 2008 . Unfortunately, Sony’s being coy about its plans for the new facilities. The two hope to complete the transfer sometime in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. Continue reading Sony buying back Cell chip fabrication facilities from Toshiba, it’s official Sony buying back Cell chip fabrication facilities from Toshiba, it’s official originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 01:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Ask Engadget: best high-capacity (250GB or more) portable media player?
December 24, 2010 No CommentWe know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Dhruv, who needs to live about 20 years in the future, where all PMPs start at 160GB. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com . “So I’m a music lover of sorts and my (already compressed) iTunes library is nearing 150GB. I used to have an iPod Classic 160GB, but that doesn’t allow for much growing room. Seeing as Apple has pretty much given up on the Classic’s future, I was hoping there was another player out there that would have higher capacity drives in it. I know Toshiba makes a 240GB and 320GB 1.8″ drive, but I see nothing using it. Also, I would love for it to have physical buttons. And like the Classic, it should be portable. I saw the Archos 5 online and it’s a mammoth. Basically, my ideal player is an iPod Classic with at least a 250GB HDD inside. Thanks!” It’s a shame that Cowon’s gorgeous X7 tops out at 160GB, else that’d be a solid solution. Outside of the Archos 5, does anyone have any solid, high-capacity solutions? Looks like your best bet may be to snag a lower-end PMP that’ll hold a 1.8-inch drive, and then hack a larger one in yourself. Ask Engadget: best high-capacity (250GB or more) portable media player? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Cambridge developing ‘mind reading’ computer interface with the countenance of Charles Babbage (video)
December 24, 2010 No Comment
For years now, researchers have been exploring ways to create devices that understand the nonverbal cues that we take for granted in human-human interaction. One of the more interesting projects we’ve seen of late is led by Professor Peter Robinson at the Computer Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, who is working on what he calls “mind-reading machines,” which can infer mental states of people from their body language. By analyzing faces, gestures, and tone of voice, it is hoped that machines could be made to be more helpful (hell, we’d settle for “less frustrating”). Peep the video after the break to see Robinson using a traditional (and annoying) satnav device, versus one that features both the Cambridge “mind-reading” interface and a humanoid head modeled on that of Charles Babbage. “The way that Charles and I can communicate,” Robinson says, “shows us the future of how people will interact with machines.” Next stop: uncanny valley ! Continue reading Cambridge developing ‘mind reading’ computer interface with the countenance of Charles Babbage (video) Cambridge developing ‘mind reading’ computer interface with the countenance of Charles Babbage (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Acer Aspire One 522 falls from the clouds, sporting dual-core 1GHz Ontario APU?
December 23, 2010 No Comment
AMD Fusion’s taken its sweet, sweet time getting here, but we’re hearing you’ll be able to get your hands on some Atom-beating netbook chips soon — for instance, in this Acer Aspire One 522, which will reportedly drive its oh-so-glossy 10.1-inch, 720p screen with a 1GHz AMD C-50 Ontario APU. In case you need a brief refresher, Ontario’s the chip rated at just nine watts , meaning we should expect some fairly decent battery life here, though possibly not the heroic performance of its 1.6GHz Zacate cousin. Aside from those specs, the Acer’s mostly your standard netbook — three USB ports, VGA-out, a webcam and 802.11 b/g/n WiFi — though it does have HDMI out, something you won’t find on the otherwise similar Aspire One D255 . It’s hard to say what it’ll cost stateside, but a Thai e-tailer’s ringing up a version right now with 2GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive for 12,829 baht (about $425). Wonder if it runs Android ? Acer Aspire One 522 falls from the clouds, sporting dual-core 1GHz Ontario APU? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Volvo turns the C30 hatchback into an EV, loans it out for a short test drive
December 23, 2010 No Comment
In many ways, Volvo ‘s C30 is the perfect blend of modern styling and retro sensibility with its aggressive front-end and that oversized glass hatch on the back. Now, with the EV model, it’s looking better than ever. Okay, so we could do without the obligatory graphics up the side, but the wing on the back (shown below) gives it a smooth profile and, oh yeah, did we mention it’s an EV ? The car has been graced with a 110hp equivalent electric motor and 24kWh battery pack that’s expected to deliver an average of 100 miles worth of range along with performance that, according to The Truth About Cars , matches the current petrol-powered version’s. Handling too is said to still be taught despite a 260lb weight disadvantage. Volvo is pledging the car will be making an appearance as a 2012 model, though we’re guessing lucky Swedish drivers will be getting a first crack at this one. Continue reading Volvo turns the C30 hatchback into an EV, loans it out for a short test drive Volvo turns the C30 hatchback into an EV, loans it out for a short test drive originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Mighty Car Mods details the rigors of zombie-proofing your auto (video)
December 23, 2010 No Comment
Sure, there are plenty of folks who will teach you how to mod your car for speed, power, or aesthetics — but what about the things that really matter? A recent episode of Mighty Car Mods detailed the re-tooling of a 1987 Nissan Pathfinder into a vehicle suitable for survival in the event of a zombie apocalypse (although we think it would help in case of a robot apocalypse as well). What are you waiting for? An ounce or prevention is worth a pound of cure, after all. Check it out the video — and get prepared — after the break. Continue reading Mighty Car Mods details the rigors of zombie-proofing your auto (video) Mighty Car Mods details the rigors of zombie-proofing your auto (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …