Actor Jeff Bridges talks about the wonders of technology turning him into his young self in ‘TRON:Legacy,’ while co-star Olivia Wilde praises the merits of physical transformation for her role.(Dec.16)
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You know what they say about a trip to the FCC ‘s database, right? Why, it’s much like the step just prior to achieving manhood — one more leap from here, and you’ll be ripe for the pickin’. Just a few months after Hannspree teased us with a formal introduction of its (then unnamed) 10.1-inch multitouch Froyo tablet, it looks as if that very device has now found a moniker. The 1.6-pound HSG1164 will eventually bring a fairly impressive build of materials to light, offering a 1GHz Tegra 2 chip, 16GB of internal storage, 512MB of NAND Flash, a microSD slot, Android 2.2, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, mini USB / HDMI connector, an inbuilt light sensor, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a Li-ion battery of unspecified size. There’s obviously no direct mention of a ship date in the documentation here, but we’re putting our money on an early 2011 release. Care to wager, too? Hannspree’s HSG1164 10.1-inch Froyo tablet drops by the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Looking for a little zip in your next portable hard drive ? Look no further than Super Talent’s latest, the svelte USB 3.0 Storage Pod. As you’ve likely pieced together by now, that ultraslim black box above contains a 500GB hard drive and the appropriate circuity to transfer files using SuperSpeed USB, or right around ten times faster than USB 2.0. It’s completely bus-powered, too, so don’t bother packing an AC adapter. The company claims that it’ll pass along files at up to 90MB/sec (vid’s after the break as proof), and if you’re already sold, you can fetch one yourself next month. Continue reading Super Talent intros 500GB USB 3.0 Storage Pod, wants $99 for it Super Talent intros 500GB USB 3.0 Storage Pod, wants $99 for it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Microsoft admits ‘failure’ with Xbox 360 faceplates, says nobody bought them
December 16, 2010 No Comment
This one’s strictly for the record, the one that documents failed aesthetic experiments. Microsoft’s Albert Penello has been cornered for an interview by the British Official Xbox Magazine — mostly to discuss the console’s five-year anniversary — and their discourse touched on the ill-fated frontal accessory for the original 360. Penello admitted that although “faceplates were what everybody wanted to do” five years ago, they pretty much fell flat in terms of retail success, which led Microsoft to kill them off pretty quickly. We can’t say we ever developed strong feelings either way about these plastic prettifiers, let’s just be happy that Microsoft’s latest console peripheral probably won’t be subject to similar mea culpa admissions five years from now. Microsoft admits ‘failure’ with Xbox 360 faceplates, says nobody bought them originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Christmas lights hack puts your IM contacts on the wall above your desk (video)
December 16, 2010 No Comment
As you well know, if it exists it can be hacked. And what better way to ring in the holidays than by taking a string of GE Color Effects G-35 lights and — thanks to some hand-crafted drivers and a Microsoft . NET Micro Framework embedded controller — turning it into a IM notifier? Of course, these aren’t any old Christmas lights: between the ability to change colors and the preset light shows, these guys boast a feature set that Clark Griswold would die for. And that’s where a Microsoft employee named Andrej Kyselica comes in: using the Microsoft Lync 2010 Office Communications Server, our man has rigged a system that allows him to assign each of his instant messenger contacts to a particular bulb, which changes color according to each contact’s status (for instance, green indicates that someone’s available, white means away, and purple means out of the office). Pretty sweet, eh? Check out the video after the break for a closer look. Continue reading Christmas lights hack puts your IM contacts on the wall above your desk (video) Christmas lights hack puts your IM contacts on the wall above your desk (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Consider the rumors quelled. Despite whispers that Apple would be starting up the Mac App Store in the final year of this decade (or the first of the next, depending on perspective), the Cupertino giant has just affirmed that it’ll be 2011 before the general populace gets to dig their hands into it. January 6th is the opening date for the Mac App Store , and unfortunately for those still humming along on OS X 10.5, it’ll be a Snow Leopard-only affair. Smack dab in the middle of CES, Apple plans to unleash the store in 90 countries, and it’ll feature “paid and free apps in categories like Education, Games, Graphics & Design, Lifestyle, Productivity and Utilities.” Naturally, it’ll be a free update, and it’ll work more or less exactly like the App Store does on your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. As with those outlets, developers are able to set their own prices and then keep 70 percent of the revenue (provided it’s a paid app). So, who’s ready to blow a little Santa cash to ring in the new year? Continue reading Apple Mac App Store: open for business starting January 6th Apple Mac App Store: open for business starting January 6th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s so fresh, so new, and so comfortably shaped we don’t know how anyone could resist getting their own Nexus S to have and to hold this holiday season. Well, there is one reason: getting up on a cold Thursday morning at 8am is no fun. If you’re dedicated enough, Best Buy is selling them right this very moment, and again the up-front cost is $199 on contract, $250 for adding a line, or $529 if you roll restriction-free. Still on the fence? Maybe our review will help you to fall on one side or the other. Nexus S now available, get to your nearest Best Buy post-haste originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nokia ups the ante on Apple, adds 13 more patents to the 24 already asserted
December 16, 2010 No Comment
We told you that this would likely go on forever. Nokia just announced that the company has filed claims in the UK, Germany, and The Netherlands alleging that Apple’s iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad are infringing upon Nokia’s patents. This adds 13 more patents to the 24 already asserted in the ITC and US federal claims. Here’s a particularly snippy remark made Paul Melin, vice president, Intellectual Property at Nokia: “The Nokia inventions protected by these patents include several which enable compelling user experiences. For example, using a wiping gesture on a touch screen to navigate content, or enabling access to constantly changing services with an on-device app store, both filed more than ten years before the launch of the iPhone.” Garowel. Continue reading Nokia ups the ante on Apple, adds 13 more patents to the 24 already asserted Nokia ups the ante on Apple, adds 13 more patents to the 24 already asserted originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The observant among you will have noticed that we’re a week past December 9th , yet Venue Pros are still conspicuously absent from their pre-orderers’ hands. Dell’s ever-changing shipping date was last bumped back to early January , though the company itself said it was hopeful that some units will ship out this week. And guess what? At least one did. Our tipster placed his order for the 8GB Venue Pro on December 2nd, and according to FedEx’s online tracking service, his shipment has been picked up from El Paso, Texas, and is currently en route to him. What say you, brave Windows Phone buyers, has your Venue Pro broken out of the warehouses ahead of its (delayed) release? [Thanks, John] Dell ships at least one Venue Pro, the saga continues originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …BMW uses bright lights, subliminal messages to sell motorcycles (video)
December 16, 2010 No Comment
The BMW S1000R is fast enough and sexy enough (other than that one lazy eye) to sell itself, and you’d think a commercial showing World Superbike rider Ruben Xaus flogging one around the track would be quite enough to get people inclined to buy the things. Not enough for BMW . The company used the optical illusion of afterimage to temporarily imprint “BMW” onto the retinas of theater-goers. Behind the screen was a giant cut-out backed by an even bigger light (a Profoto Pro-7B, we’re told). It flashed for an instant during the commercial and, while all the spectators noticed was a quick pop, when they were asked to close their eyes they saw the logo hovering in their vision. Subliminal? Possibly. Illegal? Maybe. Ingenious? Absolutely . Continue reading BMW uses bright lights, subliminal messages to sell motorcycles (video) BMW uses bright lights, subliminal messages to sell motorcycles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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