Posts from Engadget for 05/06/2010

TomTom strikes back with Darth Vader voice pack (video)

May 06, 2010 04:28 am | Vladislav Savov

We guess TomTom was listening when we said it had to respond to Nokia's Own Voice app for custom turn-by-turn navigation instructions, as the Dutch company has announced a new Darth Vader voice pack. Following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Homer Simpson and Burt Reynolds, the Sith Lord has contributed his vocal stylings to the cause of guiding the lost and confused down the right path. Though it wasn't without hiccups -- check out the video after the break for the recording session -- the pack is now complete and ready for download, provided you have $13 handy to smooth the transaction. Yoda, C3PO and Han Solo packs are set to follow in the coming months. May the farce be with you.

Continue reading TomTom strikes back with Darth Vader voice pack (video)

TomTom strikes back with Darth Vader voice pack (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 03:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ARM blames Flash, netbooks and tablets for smartbook delay, oh my

May 06, 2010 03:42 am | Sean Hollister

It's not easy to launch a new product category, especially if devices don't have a magically-delicious hook, but that's not why ARM thinks it's taken so long to deliver the smartbook. In an interview with ZDNet UK, VP Ian Drew said Adobe's blame was undeniable -- Flash didn't deliver ARM optimization in time for subnetbooks to be viable. Compounding the issue, the tablet craze has manufacturers all atwitter, he said, diverting smartbook resources to the iPad party instead. As far as netbooks are concerned, Drew cited poor adoption of Linux; he reminded us ARM smartbooks can't do x86. Asked if Atom (which can) might be the real reason for delay, he said absolutely, positively no way. The executive said manufacturers apparently hadn't brought up that idea even once. Guess we'll have to take his word on that one.

ARM blames Flash, netbooks and tablets for smartbook delay, oh my originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 02:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint HTC EVO pre-orders start this month at The Shack

May 06, 2010 02:43 am | Thomas Ricker

HTC's EVO 4G super-speced handset seems to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. That situation looks set to change soon based on the pic above nabbed off The Shack's internal website showing a big "coming soon" exclamation that translates to pre-orders starting "later this month." Remember, in addition to Android 2.1, an 8 megapixel camera, and 4.3-inch 480 x 800 display backed by fierce Snapdragon silicon, the Evo also comes packing WiMAX with built-in hotspot capability. We're still not sure if Sprint will charge for that or make it a freebie a la Verizon's Palm Pre and Pixi offering, but we can hope.

[Thanks, Erin and David]

Sprint HTC EVO pre-orders start this month at The Shack originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 01:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keepin' it real fake: HTC HD, too

May 06, 2010 01:39 am | Chris Ziegler

If you're going to rip off one of the more memorable Windows Mobile devices ever made, you'd think you'd want to at least clone its most notable feature -- but seriously, what do we know about the KIRF business? Yeah, well, this little number manufactured by a firm doing business as "iHTC" (no relation to HTC, we're sure) looks an awful lot like the HD2, but lacks that all-important 4.3-inch display, instead trading down for a more pedestrian 3.6-inch unit. On the upside, it's still WVGA and packs the latest and greatest Windows Mobile 6.5.3 (if "latest and greatest" really applies there) plus a 5 megapixel autofocus cam -- not bad specs for a device that eats copyrights for breakfast. Seems you can hunt one of these puppies down for about 1,580 yuan ($231), so start saving and packing for your Chinese adventure -- and in the meantime, follow the break for a comprehensive video demo of the finest technology iHTC has to offer.

Continue reading Keepin' it real fake: HTC HD, too

Keepin' it real fake: HTC HD, too originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 00:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone OS 4 unlocks 720p video capture, further solidifying iPhone HD?

May 05, 2010 11:52 pm | Sean Hollister

Last time on let's-speculate-about-Apple-products, the New iPhone rumor mill dug up dirt on video chat and a 5 megapixel camera. Now, it appears there might be one more reason to call it the iPhone HD. MacRumors reports that the iPhone SDK 4 beta includes the value "AVCaptureSessionPreset1280x720," leading some to believe Cupertino's next phone will record video in 720p. Mind you, the iPhone 3GS was technically already capable of that feat, so this might not have anything to do with a new handset, but honestly, at this point the iPhone's camera wouldn't be competitive recording in a smaller format anyhow.

iPhone OS 4 unlocks 720p video capture, further solidifying iPhone HD? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 22:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Archos Vision 3 with VGA cam arriving this summer

May 05, 2010 11:01 pm | Joanna Stern

Oh, we see what you're doing here with the updated Vision 3, Archos -- going straight for the $149 iPod Nano's jugular by pricing the 8GB, VGA cam-toting player under $100. Pretty clever, and after spending a few minutes with the small PMP, we have reason to believe that Archos may just have better luck than ever before. The 3-inch touchscreen on the Vision A30VC is responsive and the interface easy to navigate, and though the 640×480-resolution camera won't capture award-winning footage, you can tap to record video and snap some stills. Sure, the plastic body feels much cheaper than the iPod's anodized aluminum back, but at under $100 we're not complaining. Check out some hands-on pics of the gadget below, and look for the little guy to hit retailers in late summer.

Gallery: Archos Vision A30VC

Archos Vision 3 with VGA cam arriving this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with T-Mobile WebConnect is fast...depending on where you're standing

May 05, 2010 10:16 pm | Laura June

Laptop Mag's gotten its hands on one of those Dell Mini 10's with T-Mobile's WebConnect we'd heard about a few months back, and they've given it a pretty through once over. So, what's the verdict? Is it worth the $199.99 on contract price? Well, T-Mobile's offering is a bit cheaper than similar offers from AT&T and Verizon, so it's got that going for it straight off. Performance-wise, though, it comes out a bit ahead of the pack, too -- Laptop found this Mini 10's broadband to be "significantly" faster than previous offerings (though of course that all depends pretty heavily on whether or not you're in an area where the HSPA 7.2 upgrade has been completed). But everything's not roses here -- the Mini 10's still got all the same issues its always had -- crummy trackpad, and a high cost of overall ownership despite it faring better than the competition. Hit up the source link to check out the entire review.

Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with T-Mobile WebConnect is fast...depending on where you're standing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 21:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An eyeful of Adobe's Android / Tegra prototype tablet running Air

May 05, 2010 09:32 pm | Ross Miller

After getting a pretty great glimpse of Adobe's Tegra 2- and Android-powered prototype tablet yesterday, we decided to head over to the Web 2.0 Expo show floor ourselves to get some first-hand impressions. Unfortunately, the company couldn't get a single website to open (Flash-based or otherwise) given lackluster WiFi, leaving us with only a tease of its power via an Air-based slideshow. To drive home what we heard yesterday, this prototype isn't being prepped for release at any point in the future -- more so, this is to serve as a showcase for the future potential of Adobe on Tegra 2 tablets. We'll stop by again tomorrow morning and hope the show floor's connection will be better by then, but in the meantime, enjoy the smattering of pictures and video we managed to get this afternoon.

Gallery: Adobe's Android / Tegra prototype tablet running Air

Continue reading An eyeful of Adobe's Android / Tegra prototype tablet running Air

An eyeful of Adobe's Android / Tegra prototype tablet running Air originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ClamCase iPad case magically turns your tablet into a laptop

May 05, 2010 09:06 pm | Nilay Patel

The second we heard the iPad had Bluetooth keyboard support we knew we'd see a laptop-style case emerge, and here we are, watching a rendered product video for the ClamCase, which triples as case, a stand, and a keyboard. Sure, we have our doubts that the Iron Man 2 footage and AC/DC track being used were properly licensed and the product isn't actually real, but we've got a feeling iPad keyboard cases are going to be the playground for accessory manufacturers -- and the trend is just going to intensify when OS 4.0 brings keyboard support to the iPhone. We'll be honest, we can't wait to see what happens when some of these companies let their freak-flags fly -- check the ClamCase video and PR after the break.

Gallery: ClamCase iPad case magically turns your tablet into a laptop

Continue reading ClamCase iPad case magically turns your tablet into a laptop

ClamCase iPad case magically turns your tablet into a laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adobe decries Apple's 'walled garden,' yet pledges 'best tools' for HTML5

May 05, 2010 08:27 pm | Sean Hollister

Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch says Flash works just fine on the Apple iPhone, thank you very much -- and he thinks that's exactly why Apple keeps on denying it access. Speaking at the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco, he explained his belief that by eliminating Flash, Cupertino is forcing developers to build apps natively for iPhone OS rather than one of Adobe's cross-platform solutions, and thus creating a "walled garden" of applications that users must flock to an iDevice to be able to use. Lynch compared Apple's control over development formats to 19th century railroad lines that competed for customers by using differently sized rails, and pledged that Adobe would not be part of such a competition. "It's not HTML vs. Flash -- they've been co-existing for over a decade," he said, adding, "We're going to try and make the best tools in the world for HTML5." So, what do you think about that, Steve?

Adobe decries Apple's 'walled garden,' yet pledges 'best tools' for HTML5 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clearwire promises Clear-branded HTC and Samsung WiMAX phones this year

May 05, 2010 07:56 pm | Chris Ziegler

Without going into much detail, Clearwire mentioned on its first quarter earnings call today that WiMAX-capable phones bearing the Clear name from both Samsung and HTC are "expected" to be available before 2010's out, which is a pretty optimistic affirmation of comments the company made earlier this year. It describes the Sammy as "an Android-based 3G/4G/WiFi device optimized for heavy video and video communications use," while the HTC's language leaves out the platform -- it's just called "a 3G/4G/WiFi enabled phone," leading us to believe that this puppy could very well be running Windows Phone 7. If that's the case, we can understand why HTC wouldn't want Clearwire spilling the beans since they've yet to officially announce any plans for jumping into the WinPho 7 game. In fact, Clearwire went so far as to say on the call that the HTC device would not be the EVO 4G, so yeah, we can totally buy that there's some Microsoft action going on behind the scenes here.

As for Clearwire's health, it has seen a 94 percent year-over-year boost in total WiMAX subscribers for a total just shy of a million -- and interestingly, the overwhelming majority of those are retail, not wholesale, meaning that folks are running Clear-branded equipment. We expect that to change dramatically once Sprint's Overdrive gets a little more penetration and the EVO comes into play, but for now, some 814,000 customers are familiar with the Clear logo. They lost a hair over $94 million in the quarter, but hey, in the scheme of things, that's peanuts -- building out networks isn't a cheap endeavor, after all.

Clearwire promises Clear-branded HTC and Samsung WiMAX phones this year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wooden DSLR shoulder rig does follow focus with a twist

May 05, 2010 07:36 pm | Donald Melanson

We have to admit we have an affinity for finely hand-crafted gadget accessories -- be they iPad cases or PC chassis -- and we're especially impressed when they add some unique functionality to match their looks, like this wooden DSLR shoulder mount built by Jonathan Clifford Berqvist and his father Erik. In addition to being built from a single tree branch, the rig packs a nifty follow focus mechanism that lets you adjust the focus with just a twist of the handle. While there's unfortunately no step-by-step plans for building your own, it certainly seems to be straightforward enough for anyone with some basic woodworking skills, and you can get a glimpse of the build process in the video after the break.

Continue reading Wooden DSLR shoulder rig does follow focus with a twist

Wooden DSLR shoulder rig does follow focus with a twist originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC to re-regulate internet in order to enforce net neutrality

May 05, 2010 07:03 pm | Nilay Patel

Just as we predicted, the FCC is getting ready to take major steps to overcome that court decision ruling the agency doesn't currently have the ability to impose net neutrality under the agency's internet regulatory framework: the Wall Street Journal reports that FCC chairman Julius Genachowski has decided to "reregulate" internet service, thereby giving the agency the specific authority it needs to impose and enforce net neutrality. It's not clear exactly how the FCC will do that at this point; the easiest option would be to simply reclassify ISP as "common carriers" just like phone services, but we've heard that Genachowski has been searching for a "third way" in the past few weeks, and the WSJ says the current proposal will only enforce parts of the common carriage regulations to ISPs. We'll see what happens.

FCC to re-regulate internet in order to enforce net neutrality originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku teases revamped Netflix Channel user interface on video, coming in June

May 05, 2010 06:34 pm | Darren Murph

With the introduction of Netflix on so many devices, it's now up to everyone to battle it out for supremacy in user interfaces. We were actually duly impressed with the implementation on Nintendo's Wii, and it seems that the pressure has convinced Roku to retool their own UI. A new teaser has been released today by the company showing off the new Netflix Channel, and while the overall look and feel is certainly slick, it's a few key additions that have us most excited. According to the company, the update will allow users to search the entire Netflix Watch Instantly library right from their screen, as well as the ability to browse and add titles to one's queue for later playback. We're told that the update will be pushed out in "transparent" fashion to users in June, but an exact release date isn't yet available. Hop on past the break and mash play, won'tcha?

Continue reading Roku teases revamped Netflix Channel user interface on video, coming in June

Roku teases revamped Netflix Channel user interface on video, coming in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fujifilm's FinePix F80EXR reviewed: mo' megapixels mo' problems

May 05, 2010 05:59 pm | Tim Stevens

You all know the deal: the quest for higher numbers to put on stickers on the front of cameras hasn't necessarily resulted in a similarly exponential increase in image quality. If you needed more proof, check out Photography Blog's review of the Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR, an upgrade to last-year's compact 10x superzoom F70EXR. This year's revision get's a 20 percent boost in the all-important megapixel count, up to 12, but the sensor "delivers slightly worse image quality than its predecessor." That's not a good start, but the rest is better, with the camera's dynamic range shooting mode earning high marks, and the body's overall design and compactness scoring well too. It sounds like decent value for $299.99, but you'll want to read that full review before plunking down your digits.

Continue reading Fujifilm's FinePix F80EXR reviewed: mo' megapixels mo' problems

Fujifilm's FinePix F80EXR reviewed: mo' megapixels mo' problems originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Chrome: faster than a flying potato

May 05, 2010 05:36 pm | Donald Melanson

Google's never been shy to make claims that Chrome is the fastest browser on the planet, but it's truly pulled out all the stops to drive that point home for its latest beta. Rather than rely on some simple benchmarks, Google decided to test Chome against some other things that are fast -- namely, a potato cannon, sound waves, and lightning. We won't spoil all the surprise for you, but you can rest assured that Chrome comes out looking pretty good, and that everything else gets a little messy. Head on past the break to check out the speed tests for yourself, as well as the requisite making-of video.

Continue reading Google Chrome: faster than a flying potato

Google Chrome: faster than a flying potato originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia-Microsoft partnership bears first fruit: Communicator Mobile comes to E52 and E72

May 05, 2010 05:11 pm | Chris Ziegler

Last time we used "Nokia" and "Communicator" in the same sentence, we were talking about a giant QWERTY clamshell with roots dating back to the mid '90s -- but yeah, that's most definitely not what looking at here. Instead, we're seeing the first results of Nokia's newfound friendship with Microsoft, a build of Communicator Mobile that's all set up to run on the S60-based E52 and E72. Granted, an enterprise instant messaging utility isn't something we can all use, but that's just as well since it's limited to just two devices in Nokia's range at the moment; eventually, it'll be preinstalled on "select" devices and be available to a broader selection of phones already in the lineup. This is awesome, guys -- now let's get cracking on Office, shall we?

Nokia-Microsoft partnership bears first fruit: Communicator Mobile comes to E52 and E72 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OCZ's Enyo may be the sexiest USB 3.0 external SSD this world has ever seen

May 05, 2010 04:45 pm | Darren Murph

OCZ actually slipped this one into its CES 2010 reveal lineup, but at the time, no official product name was mentioned. All we knew was that an ultra-sleek external SSD was on tap, and we couldn't wait to wrap our sickeningly sweaty palms around it. Fast forward to today, and OCZ has finally slapped a certified moniker and even a shipping status onto the Enyo, a downright gorgeous portable SSD with a native SuperSpeed USB interface. Encased in aluminum, this beaut will ship in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB flavors, with speeds of up to 260MB/sec (read) and 200MB/sec (write) promised. The company says that these are making their way out today, but mum's the word so far on pricing. Not like it matters.

Update: We've received pricing direct from OCZ for the US market. The 64GB model will run $229.99, while the 128GB demands $409.99 and the 256GB version places a $819.99 dent in your credit limit.

Gallery: OCZ Enyo USB 3.0 solid state drive

Continue reading OCZ's Enyo may be the sexiest USB 3.0 external SSD this world has ever seen

OCZ's Enyo may be the sexiest USB 3.0 external SSD this world has ever seen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo's black Wii console arrives early at Best Buy and Sam's Club

May 05, 2010 04:19 pm | Darren Murph

Typical, isn't it? A full four days before these things are supposed to go on sale to the North American masses, an image of Nintendo's black Wii console has leaked from none other than Best Buy. This here shipment was actually received in the Great White North, but we're more than confident that similar packages are hitting the shipping docks of Best Buy stores everywhere here in the US, too. You'll notice that giant "Do Not Sell Before 05/09/2010" sticker there in the lower-right, but as we've seen in the past, all it takes is a pinch of airheadedness, a touch of charm and false sense of urgency to snag one early. Godspeed, Earthlings.

P.S. - The "old" Wii bundle is now on sale at Best Buy for $179.99 ($20 less than yesterday), and we suspect this will be a trend that continues to other retailers as the new packages roll out. Thanks, David!

Update: Seems these are arriving at Sam's Club locations as well, though they aren't to be sold until May 9th.

Gallery: Black Nintendo Wii leaked in Best Buy and Sam's Club

Nintendo's black Wii console arrives early at Best Buy and Sam's Club originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola rumored to have acquired Azingo, part of some grander OS plans?

May 05, 2010 03:54 pm | Donald Melanson

This one isn't official just yet, but if some changes in employment status on LinkedIn is any indication, it looks like Motorola may have recently acquired mobile Linux OS company Azingo. It may not exactly be a major player in the mobile OS field, but its Linux-based Azingo Mobile OS does look to be capable enough (complete with a Webkit-based browser and Flash runtime), and the acquisition is especially interesting in light of some recent comments made by Motorola co-CEO Sanjay Jha. Back during Moto's Q1 earnings call, he said that he has "always felt that owning your OS is important, provided you have an ecosystem, you have all the services and you have an ability and the scale to execute on keeping that OS at the leading edge," adding that he continues to believe "that at some point, if we have all of those attributes, that owning our own OS will be a very important thing." Is Azingo Mobile that OS? Probably not, but it'll certainly be interesting to see where this leads -- as long as it doesn't lead to something called MOTOZINGO.

Motorola rumored to have acquired Azingo, part of some grander OS plans? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel's Atom Z6xx series isn't targeting Windows Phone 7, but 'full Windows experience' still an Atom priority

May 05, 2010 03:31 pm | Chris Ziegler

As many times as Intel has tried and failed to shoehorn its way into the phone arena, you'd think it'd want to pimp as many notable platforms as it possibly could -- but strangely, Windows Phone 7 is notably absent from Intel's fact sheet on the just-announced, smartphone-focused Z6xx series of Atom cores. Instead, the wording of the paperwork clearly spells out that Android and MeeGo / Moblin are the focal points right now, which is leading everyone to wonder whether Intel's looking to steer clear of Microsoft's mobile strategy altogether. Granted, Microsoft's focus is clearly on ARM right now with its Qualcomm partnership having been announced back in February, but we're sure it wouldn't take too much pressure from Intel to get an x86 build of Windows Phone out there if these guys really wanted to play ball. We reached out to Intel to get some clarification on the issue and got this in response:

"Intel's goal is to ensure we offer our customers a choice of software that runs best on our processors. Yesterday's announcement was focused on Linux OSs, however our strategy is to also support a full Windows experience on Atom as we do with Menlow, Intel's first generation atom chip for mobile devices and Pinetrail, Intel's chip family for netbooks. Stay tuned."

What's getting us here is Intel's seemingly careful phrasing: "full Windows experience on Atom." Does that mean that Intel wants to keep Atom up in the Windows 7 end of the horsepower spectrum and avoid Windows Phone for the foreseeable future? It seems like a tough sell to say that Android is playing in an entirely different ballpark than Windows Phone is, and we're not sure that Intel can effectively argue that distinction -- but hey, with the Z6xx series' iffy power consumption stats, maybe it's for the best.

[Thanks, R2V2]

Intel's Atom Z6xx series isn't targeting Windows Phone 7, but 'full Windows experience' still an Atom priority originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SanDisk ships first licensed Xbox 360 USB flash drive

May 05, 2010 03:07 pm | Darren Murph

Seems that April 6th ship date that GameStop posted back in March was a bit off, but hey -- beggars can't be choosers, yeah? SanDisk has just announced that it's now shipping the planet's first licensed Xbox 360 USB flash drive, which just became useful for easily transferring gamertags, game saves, map packs, Arcade downloads, etc. from one console to another. The device is pre-configured for plug-and-play, and SanDisk is even throwing in a one-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold for good measure. Naturally, you'll be paying a premium for that Microsoft seal of approval, with the 8GB unit boasting an MSRP of $34.99 and the 16 gigger going for $69.99 (or £29.99 and £51.99 respectively in the UK). Hang tight if you can, though -- we get the impression that loads more are on the way from every other storage outfit, and you know what competition does to pricing. Don't you?

Continue reading SanDisk ships first licensed Xbox 360 USB flash drive

SanDisk ships first licensed Xbox 360 USB flash drive originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Survey says: most teens don't have a data plan, almost all send texts

May 05, 2010 02:43 pm | Nilay Patel

Microsoft and Verizon might think all the kids want to do with their new Kin phones is pay absurd data rates for a half-baked Twitter experience, but it turns out Generation Upload is still actually just Generation Text Message. That's at least the word according to a Pew Internet Research survey published on April 20th and neatly summed up by a new Flowlogic infographic published today -- only 23 percent of American teenagers with cellphones use social networks with their phones, while 72 percent of all teens use text messaging. You might argue that Kin seeks to flip that balance, but Pew found that 63 percent of teens with cell phones don't have data plans and the vast majority of teen cellphone plans are part of a larger family plan, so the Kin's $30 / month data rate might be a hard sell to Mom and Dad.

We also thought voice calling on the Kin seemed like an afterthought to texting and social networking, but it turns out more and more older kids simply turn to the phone: 77 percent of 17 year olds text each other, but 60 percent of them call each other's cell phones -- and only 33 percent of them connect over social networking sites. Perhaps most damningly, Pew says nearly half -- 46% -- of teens play games on their phones, but Kin has no games at all. The report is actually full of other interesting tidbits like this and the infographic is quite nice, so hit the read links to check 'em out -- perhaps Microsoft and Verizon should do the same.

Survey says: most teens don't have a data plan, almost all send texts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World struggles to find a reason for the existence of the Juke Boxee Box

May 05, 2010 02:19 pm | Joseph L. Flatley

Modders love making things really, really small -- or ridiculously large. It's arcade game consoles that fit on your bookshelf one day, and the Juke Boxee Box the next. When the interface designers at Feng GUI decided they couldn't wait for their Boxee Box, they built their own -- at five times the height. Essentially a PC, speakers, IR receiver, and monitor crammed into a wood box, this is definitely one of the more pointless mods we've encountered in a long time -- but we'll be damned if it doesn't look good! Hit the source link for plenty of glamor shots.

World struggles to find a reason for the existence of the Juke Boxee Box originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grace Digital Audio announces Solo WiFi internet radio tuner

May 05, 2010 01:56 pm | Donald Melanson

Interested in a WiFi internet radio but already have a perfectly good stereo? Then you're just the sort of person that Grace Digital Audio is after with its new Solo WiFi internet radio tuner, which simply turns any stereo (or set of speakers, for that matter) into an internet radio. Apart from the lack of speakers, the device is fairly similar to Grace's recently announced Allegro WiFi radio, with it packing the same support for services like Pandora and Sirius internet radio, the same backlit LCD display, and the same support for Grace's remote app for the iPhone / iPod touch (plus a standard remote, of course). Sold? Then you can snag this one directly from Grace right now for $124.99, or look for it to hit Best Buy, Sears and other retailers in July.

Continue reading Grace Digital Audio announces Solo WiFi internet radio tuner

Grace Digital Audio announces Solo WiFi internet radio tuner originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keepin' it real fake: GiPhone F98 is the KIRFiest next gen iPhone KIRF to ever KIRF

May 05, 2010 01:35 pm | Joseph L. Flatley

It's been nearly a month since a China Grabber employee drunkenly left his experimental prototype next gen GiPhone at a Sushi Bar in Shenzhen, where it was found and sold to Shanzai.com for several thousand Yuan -- and the gadget world hasn't been the same since. The GiPhone F98 features, as all of these KIRFs do, dual SIM cards, an FM Radio, an "iPhone style" UI, WiFi, Bluetooth, and compatibility with 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz GSM. And it's one of the thickest phones we've seen in a long time! (See for yourself after the break.) Available now for $150, if you dare.

Continue reading Keepin' it real fake: GiPhone F98 is the KIRFiest next gen iPhone KIRF to ever KIRF

Keepin' it real fake: GiPhone F98 is the KIRFiest next gen iPhone KIRF to ever KIRF originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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nPower's PEG Personal Energy Generator up for pre-order, starts kinetically recharging gadgets in June

May 05, 2010 01:13 pm | Tim Stevens

Charging battery-powered things while traveling has always been a challenge, and while there's no shortage of portable solar chargers on the market, none have exactly tickled our particular fancies. Maybe the PEG from nPower will enable us to get some juice on the go, a kinetic-based "personal energy generator" that pledges to recharge gadgets by harnessing your movement. Sadly, the company lists no actual specs for the device beyond USB 2.0 compatibility, leaving us guessing when it comes to the all-important question of "How far do I need to run with this thing to recharge my celly?" We'll find out in June when the $149 wunder-baton ships. Order now and you can get yourself a limited edition model with "First Mover" engraved on there. Better than "Late Bloomer," we suppose.

[Thanks, Daniel]

nPower's PEG Personal Energy Generator up for pre-order, starts kinetically recharging gadgets in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kin available online starting tomorrow, in Verizon stores on May 13

May 05, 2010 12:49 pm | Chris Ziegler

Dearest members of the Upload Generation: the wait to buy the Kin of your dreams is a short one -- provided Mommy and Daddy are willing to pony up the $30 a month in data charges, of course. Verizon will be selling both the Kin One and Kin Two online starting tomorrow, May 6, for $49.99 and $99.99 respectively, after you agree to a two-year contract and come to terms with the fact that you'll be paying $100 more upfront while you wait for your rebate to be mailed to you on a debit card (par for the course these days). If you'd rather play with the devices first, your wait isn't much longer -- you'll be able to score both of them in Verizon retail locations starting a week later on the 13th.

Continue reading Kin available online starting tomorrow, in Verizon stores on May 13

Kin available online starting tomorrow, in Verizon stores on May 13 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crucial issues RealSSD C300 firmware fix, bricks more drives

May 05, 2010 12:25 pm | Tim Stevens

Crucial's RealSSD C300 had a sizable problem coming out of the gate: price. Initially starting at $800 for 64GB 256GB it cost more than most laptops (it's now down to $700), but crazy people pay crazy amounts for crazy performance and so off to retail it went. Recently, Anand over at AnandTech indicated that his review sample "apparently bricked itself" before eventually coming back to life -- albeit at a ridiculously reduced speed. Yesterday Crucial issued an official firmware "fix" for his particular problem and, as you could probably tell by the use of quotes there, it isn't necessarily a good thing. Numerous people in the Crucial forums are reporting that this update has completely bricked their drives, while others are simply unable to apply it in the first place. This particular piece of firmware is still available on Crucial's site (version 0002), and we would definitely advise steering clear until at least version 0003 -- maybe 0004 for good measure.

Update: We heard from Kristin at Micron Technology, who passed along the following update:

We wanted to let you know that we're aware of the issues some users are experiencing with the firmware update tool. Initially, it sounds like there needs to be some additional steps in the process for their specific systems. As you know, aside from the issues experienced, there were/are several users that had success with their updates.

We'll post an update on the forum as soon as we have more information, and will keep you apprised with what we know.

Additionally, we had the pricing wrong on the initial C300. It was $800 for 256GB, not 64GB.

Crucial issues RealSSD C300 firmware fix, bricks more drives originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Ally gets its own website, details finally start to flow

May 05, 2010 12:01 pm | Darren Murph

LG's Ally recently got its stamp of approval from LG, but outside of a terse acknowledgment that the phone was real (and had a thing for iron-clad superheroes), little else was divulged. Today, we've stumbled upon the phone's dedicated product page over at the company's website, which not only plugs Iron Man 2 to the nth degree, but also informs us that it'll ship with a 3.2-inch touchscreen, Android 2.1, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a backside camera and a microSD card slot. There's also a link over there to jump into the LG Ally community, so feel free to do just that if this trickling of information is driving you up the wall.

LG Ally gets its own website, details finally start to flow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype to roll out five-way video calling next week, remote partying to surge

May 05, 2010 11:39 am | Joanna Stern

Well, it's taken long enough, Skype! Starting next week you will finally be able to video call with up to five people using the company's Group Video Calling feature. The beta, which will be available sometime for download during the week of May 10th, will initially be free, but Skype plans to start charging for the multi-party video fun later in the year. We're not sure if it will support HD calling, but you can bet your bottom dollar that corporations may consider replacing their surely complex videoconferencing setup with this. In other Skype news, the company is rolling out new calling plans to more than 170 countries -- from the looks of the PR after the break, it seems like it could end up saving you big time in comparison to the pay-as-you-go rates. We like savings, sure, but we'll be even more stoked should this ever land on camera-equipped smartphones and tablets.

Continue reading Skype to roll out five-way video calling next week, remote partying to surge

Skype to roll out five-way video calling next week, remote partying to surge originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clear security lanes storming back to airports, principled travelers high five one another

May 05, 2010 11:16 am | Darren Murph

Don't call it a comeback. Or do, because that's precisely what this is. After Clear shuffled its final incorruptible passenger through a speedy security lane in June of last year, the company closed up shop and forced even the nicest of travelers to re-join the herds. Thankfully for us all, Alclear has decided that life's simply no good without a hasty security option at airports, and it has plopped down $6 million in order to acquire the assets of Verified Identity Pass out of bankruptcy protection. According to our hombres at Gadling, that purchase price doesn't include individual airport contracts, so it'll be an uphill battle getting these lanes back into the places in which they're needed. If all goes well, we could see the first Clear avenues reopen this fall, with pricing set at $179 per year for unlimited individual use or $229 per year for unlimited family use. Head on past the break for more details on reactivating old subscriptions and the full presser.

Continue reading Clear security lanes storming back to airports, principled travelers high five one another

Clear security lanes storming back to airports, principled travelers high five one another originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM's BlackBerry T slider pictured again, shows off OS 6 infusion

May 05, 2010 10:52 am | Tim Stevens

It's escaped again, the mysterious BlackBerry 'T' (for Talladega) slider that we've seen making the rounds over the past few months. These new pictures from Mr. Blurrycam (courtesy of BBLeaks) don't show us anything new on the hardware, but do show the phone running OS 6. Assuming it's scheduled to launch alongside that latest flavor of OS we should be seeing it before the third quarter is through -- probably about the same time that godawful 9670 crawls to retail. Deciding between the two? That should not be difficult.

RIM's BlackBerry T slider pictured again, shows off OS 6 infusion originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robovie R3 all set to assist, freak out elderly and handicapped shoppers this November (video)

May 05, 2010 10:24 am | Vladislav Savov

The Robovie R3 is the latest in a distinguished line of humanoid bots developed for the purposes of research, discovery, and (a tiny bit of) geeky fun. Following its predecessor's footsteps -- the R2 secured employment as a guide to lost shoppers -- the R3 will be making its mall debut in November of this year, where it'll assist people by carrying their shopping, providing information about nearby products, and holding their hand as it guides them through the crowds. Intended as a way to get elderly and handicapped people back out into the community, this is part of a viability study for the robot's usefulness, and if it finds success maybe its anime eyes and dalek form factor will find their way outside Japan as well. Video of the R3 after the break.

Continue reading Robovie R3 all set to assist, freak out elderly and handicapped shoppers this November (video)

Robovie R3 all set to assist, freak out elderly and handicapped shoppers this November (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid Incredible versus Nexus One: cameraphone showdown

May 05, 2010 09:56 am | Vladislav Savov

With all this talk of the Droid Incredible ousting the Nexus One from Verizon Wireless, having a better multitouch implementation, and just being newer and shinier, you might think this comparison of cameras is just mercilessly piling on the pain for the original Googlephone. After all, the Nexus One and its 5 megapixel sensor came out a good few months ahead of the 8 megapixel Droid Incredible, so surely this battle would be over before it's even begun? Not so fast, says Android and Me, whose diligent testers have put the two HTC handsets through a side-by-side shootout. As it turns out, the Nexus One rather swept the contest in both naturally and flash-lit shots, while the Incredible habitually exhibited a blue hue in less than perfectly lit photos. Both cameras were adept at taking excellent daylight photos, as is to be expected, but the devil is as usual in the details -- and you can find all of them at the source link below.

[Thanks, Matt]

Droid Incredible versus Nexus One: cameraphone showdown originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson X10 family to get Android 2.1 in 'Q4 2010'

May 05, 2010 09:24 am | Vladislav Savov

The Xperia X10, one of the big mindshare-grabbing devices of the smartphone world, made us wait a cool six months between its November announcement and wide retail availability in April. One of the secret hopes while all that waiting was going on was that perhaps SE would surprise us and upgrade the dusty old Android 1.6 base installation to a fresh and creamy Eclair (2.1) or even a frosty Froyo (2.2) treat shortly after launch. Time to lay those dreams to rest, dear friends, as Sony Ericsson has come with an official schedule for upgrading the firmware on the Xperia X10 and its X10 mini and X10 mini pro siblings, which places the Android 2.1 delivery in the fourth quarter of 2010 -- and knowing the company that probably means closer to Christmas than Halloween. All we can say is you'd better really like that UX platform a great deal, because it'll be the only thing you'll be seeing for quite a while on Sony Ericsson's Googlephones.

Sony Ericsson X10 family to get Android 2.1 in 'Q4 2010' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NPD: 75 percent of US iPhone, iPod touch users download content, other 25 percent think Opera Mini is a tiny concert

May 05, 2010 08:58 am | Sean Hollister

While we can't honestly imagine an iDevice user going about their life without connecting to the iTunes App Store at least once in a blue moon -- if not on a semi-permanent basis -- the statistically-significant NPD Group decided to look into the matter regardless. Sure enough, the org reports that a full three-quarters of iPhone and iPod touch users in the US do indeed download apps and entertainment content from the internet. In case you're wondering, that figure beats the pants off those connecting from their video game consoles (19 percent) or Blu-ray players (17 percent), but both of those are obviously biased towards physical, disc-based media. Before you dismiss these findings as obvious, however, let's read between the lines -- if 75 percent of Apple's touchscreen devices are pulling content from the web, that means the other one-quarter have gone without. If not apps, what the heck are those devices being used for?

NPD: 75 percent of US iPhone, iPod touch users download content, other 25 percent think Opera Mini is a tiny concert originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic gifts Toughbook CF-T8 and CF-52 with much-needed spec bump

May 05, 2010 08:26 am | Darren Murph

We've witnessed Panasonic update its Toughbook C1 and H1 Field earlier in the year, but two of the line's long-standing stalwarts have been hobbling along on last year's latest and greatest for far too long. Today, all that changes. Panny announced that the Toughbook CF-52 and business-minded Toughbook CF-T8 were both seeing long-overdue refreshes today, with the former being equipped with a 2.53GHz Core i5 processor, 2GB of RAM on the baseline model and up to a 250GB shock-mounted hard drive with quick release. It's also packing WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, internal 3G (from Gobi, so it rolls both ways) and a magnesium alloy case that's immune to basic bumps, bruises, shocks and splatters. As for the 12.1-inch CF-T8? That one's getting served a 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 CPU, Windows 7 Professional, Bluetooth 2.1 and a battery good for some eight hours of use. Both machines are available now across the pond, with special bundles including your own personal David Hasslehoff knockoff to parade around with for the day.

Continue reading Panasonic gifts Toughbook CF-T8 and CF-52 with much-needed spec bump

Panasonic gifts Toughbook CF-T8 and CF-52 with much-needed spec bump originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Razer rolls out Abyssus Mirror Special Edition gaming mouse

May 05, 2010 07:53 am | Donald Melanson

Razer just rolled out its basic Abyssus gaming mouse in November of last year, but it's now already back with a followup: the Abyssus Mirror Special Edition. This one packs the same 3.5G 3500dpi infrared sensor and other internals as before, but adds a new black chrome mirror finish to the exterior of the mouse that Razer says "adds a certain stylistic sensibility to the desktop." It also hangs on to the same $50 price tag as the standard Abyssus, and it's available in the US directly from Razer right now -- a worldwide release is promised "soon." Hit up the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Razer Abyssus Mirror Special Edition gaming mouse

Razer rolls out Abyssus Mirror Special Edition gaming mouse originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP Mini 210 updated with trippy lids, Pavilion dm1 with new AMD processors

May 05, 2010 07:12 am | Joanna Stern

Aww, HP, so nice of you guys to think of the little guys amidst your massive unleash of mainstream laptops. While the Mini 210 was just released at CES, the 10-inch netbook will be available starting June 15th for a couple extra bucks -- $355 to be exact -- with some "fashionable" new lids. We definitely prefer the "crystal white" to "preppy pink" covering, but both use a pretty cool in-mold layering technique -- when you look closely at the lid and matching underside there's a 3D-like effect where some colors and shades appear above or below others. HP's also expanding its netbook line with the Mini 110, which at $280 buys you a six-cell battery and standard Atom parts. The netbooks don't get any internal updates -- nope, all the new performance parts go to the 11.6-inch Pavilion dm1. Though it still sports the same chassis as the Mini 311, the dm1 will grab AMD's newest Turion II Neo dual core and Athlon Neo processors, which promise improved performance and battery life over the previous generation. We're hoping that's the case, because our experience with those chips haven't exactly been peaches and cream. That's all we got for you, but if you are in a pink mood head on down below for some hands-on pics, or after the break for the sort of "Pretty in Pink" we don't mind rocking.

Gallery: HP Mini 210 preppy pink, crystal press shots

Gallery: HP Mini 210 preppy pink hands-on

Continue reading HP Mini 210 updated with trippy lids, Pavilion dm1 with new AMD processors

HP Mini 210 updated with trippy lids, Pavilion dm1 with new AMD processors originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 06:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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