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Friday, January 13, 2012

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WOWee and MicroVision offer 200-inch viewing and 'booming sound' on your mobile

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 11:04 AM PST

Despite all the product rivalry at CES, a little romance was inevitable -- and not just in the Engadget trailer. WOWee, purveyor of the ONE portable speaker, has paired up with MicroVision and its dashing PicoP laser projector technology (shown above) to create a "marriage of sight and sound." It looks like the two companies will start out by simply bundling their respective wares, which will be available together in 120 countries from this quarter, rather than rushing to announce a hybrid device straight away. A wise decision, no doubt.

Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Blue

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 11:00 AM PST

Blue's been making some noise, crystal clear noise that is, here at CES with its mobile trio of mics, following up on the fan favorite Yeti line. Blue stops by, live at 3:30PM ET.

*** You can also stream the show live on your iPhone or iPad by clicking here.

Samsung Series 9 monitor and all-in-one eyes-on

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 10:53 AM PST

After spotting a powered-off Series 9 display at a CES press event earlier this week, we told you we'd revisit it if we could actually show you that 27-inch, 2560 x 1440 panel in all its billion-color glory. Well, folks, here she is. Samsung's first PLS display for the consumer market is arriving in March or April for $1,199, and is arriving with a refreshed design that trades last year's slick surfaces for an aluminum base. We'll let those hands-on photos speak for themselves, but hopefully from where you're sitting you can still appreciate those wide viewing angles, deep blacks and rich colors.

And what of last year's Series 9 monitor? Samsung recycled the glossy, asymmetrical design, added a slot-loading Blu-ray drive and turned it into a high-end all-in-one. The 27-inch display has 1080p resolution, and the same kind of Ultra Clear panel Samsung uses in its televisions to make sure that glossy finish isn't too reflective. And though Samsung doesn't have too many specs to share, we know it has a quad-core Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a TV tuner and an unspecified AMD graphics card with 1GB of video memory. As you'd expect, it also comes with a wireless mouse and keyboard, the latter of which has some surprisingly cushy keys, given the island layout and all. No word on pricing or availability, though a Samsung rep told us the company has no plans to bring this stateside.

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Engadget rides the Board of Awesomeness, results are... awesome (video)

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 10:49 AM PST

We showed it to you a few days ago, and now we finally got to ride Chaotic Moon's Board of Awesomeness. For those who missed it the first time around, it's an electric skateboard rigged up with a 36 volt battery and an 800 watt motor capable of hurtling you down the road at up to 32mph. It's controlled by a Kinect sensor bar and one of Samsung's Windows 8 developers tablets strapped to the deck. Interestingly enough, Chaotic Moon built the thing with little hackery -- the only hardware mod was made to connect the Kinect's power cord to the battery. You control the throttle by pushing your hand closer or further away from the Kinect, which is made possible using the sensor bar's Beta 2 SDK. A pressure switch is on the deck to kill the motor should you fall off, which is nice since the thing has no brakes -- it stops via the motor's natural drag. Kinect controls were also initially used for steering, but folks found it to be counter-intuitive, so now it turns like any other skateboard.


As you can see from the video above, our skateboarding skills aren't quite on par with Tony Hawk, but that 800 watt motor puts out a ton of torque, so starting it up took some getting used to. The control system is easy and intuitive to use and is like pushing an invisible gas pedal with your hand, though since we were riding it in a parking lot here at CES, we got nowhere near its 32mph top speed. However, we eventually got the hang of riding it at lower speeds, and would love to spend a few days learning how to properly ride it and really see what it can do. The best part? This is only version one of the Board of Awesomeness, and the company plans to create a faster one in the future -- we'll be practicing our riding skills in the meantime to get ready. We hope you enjoyed watching us get awesome, but if you want to see someone who can shred asphalt on the Board of Awesomeness, hit the video after the break.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Lumia 900 and 710 commercials hit the web, Nokia fans rejoice

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 10:36 AM PST

Looking to see more of latest handsets out of Espoo? Good news Nokia peoples, we've got web commercials for the Nokia Lumia 900 and Lumia 710 showcasing the Finnish phones in beautiful, rendered glory. As you can see, the 900 spot above touts the handset's gorgeous polycarbonate unibody chassis and LTE radio, and the 710 video after the break highlights its 5 megapixel camera and software features like Local Scout and navigation. If you're looking for footage of the phone's that's a little more real, check out our hands-on videos with each here and here.

Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Toshiba

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 10:30 AM PST

Toshiba's senior product manager swings by to talk about Toshiba's ever growing product line and the future of their brand. Join us live at 3:00PM ET.


*** You can also stream the show live on your iPhone or iPad by clicking here.

Google, LG to team up on 'Google TV Nexus' edition for next release?

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 09:48 AM PST

While not all of Google's aims to change cellphones with its Nexus brand program may have been achieved, it has created some admirable devices in cooperation with HTC and Samsung (way to pass on that one Sony Ericsson). According to Bloomberg, its next step may be to do the same with LG for TVs. As product manager Rishi Chandra mentioned in an interview with us, the next focus for Google TV will center around increasing its ability to personalize the user experience and further enhance content discovery, and anonymous sources indicate LG could get first crack at it later this year. What's odd about this development is that on TVs, so far the two versions of hardware that have debuted already featured software largely free of manufacturer customizations, unlike phones. At this year's CES LG, along with Vizio, is among the first to show a custom skin for the software, along with its new remote. However, the original aim of the Nexus was to work "even more closely with our partners to bring devices to the market that are going to help showcase very quickly the we're working on" so if this can help cut down the long window we saw before the last Google TV update, we're all for it.

Skype for Mac Beta update adds revamped call UI, incoming video calls

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 09:43 AM PST

Skype's Mac Beta software was anointed with another update this morning, adding an "improved" user interface and new voice call support. With version 5.5, users will be able to accept incoming calls with or without video, while taking advantage of the program's streamlined layout, which has apparently made it easier for them to mute, transmit videos, share screens and add others on to their calls. Skype is currently asking for feedback on the new build, so if you wanna give it a spin for yourself, check out the source link below.
Show full PR text
Skype 5.5 for Mac Beta Provides Improved Call UI and More

Today, we're pleased to announce an update to Skype for Mac with the launch of Skype 5.5 for Mac Beta. This update includes improved Call UI, the ability to accept incoming calls with or without video and improvements in call quality and stabilization. The improved discoverability of Skype's Call allows Mac users to easily mute their microphone, send video, share their screen, send files and even add more people during a call.

We would like to encourage our most frequent users to try this build and provide feedback on the new call functionality - your ongoing feedback plays a significant role in helping us drive continuous product improvement.

To try out this update, download the latest version Skype 5.5 for Mac Beta today and share your feedback with us. Please report any issues to our Support Network or on our public issue tracker so we can help make the Skype experience as smooth as possible for our users.

iLuv ArtStation Pro for Samsung Galaxy Tabs hands-on (video)

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 08:53 AM PST

The options for Samsung Galaxy Tab speaker docks are a bit limited, especially if you're looking to make use of its proprietary dock port instead of a Bluetooth connection. Earlier this year, iLuv outted its iMM514 for Sammy slates, enabling you to jam some Kelly Clarkson and charge the device at the same time. For $149.99, we weren't expecting to be blown away but we're hoping it'll be a serviceable kit for at least a few Android tablets. We spent a few minutes with the iMM514 and we walked away with some observations.

Right off, there are noticeable differences between the ArtStation Pro and some of the high-end speaker docks that we've handled recently. Lacking a top-side LED, there is no visual indication as to whether or not the peripheral is powered on, which was a bit perplexing. Once docked, you'll have the option of portrait or landscape orientations coupled with the ability to make minor tilt adjustments. Controls were pretty standard for playback and responded quickly to our finger commands. As far as sound quality goes, the iMM514 was about what you'd expect from a sub-$200 dock -- it's serviceable and we didn't notice a ton of distortion at maximum volume. Granted, we were smack dab in the middle of CES so our keen hearing could've been slightly thrown off. Oddly, the dock can also be paired with a Bluetooth keyboard if you're into that, however it was nowhere to be found during our demo. Looking for a quick tour? Hit the video after the break. It'll make you stronger, we promise.



Dante Cesa contributed to this report.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Apple wants to be responsible, progress report details changes to worker conditions and environmental practices

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 08:42 AM PST

Apple had a few issues with its suppliers this year and has published its annual Supplier Responsibility Progress Report today. The company has apparently schooled more than a million "supply chain employees" on rights and health and safety, while it has also began a specific environmental compliance program for some of its suppliers in China, having spotted several violations last year -- which it's now working on. Perhaps more interestingly, this notes the first time that Apple has revealed all 156 of its suppliers in full. The report (unsurprisingly) reads like exercise in backslapping, but if you're into that sort of thing, you can check the whole report at the source.

Engadget Podcast 274: CES 2012 Day 4 - 01.12.2012

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 08:34 AM PST


Another day in the jungle. This one features an editor-in-chief on a motorized jungle-ready skateboard and a revolving cast of some of the jungle's best explorers. We're starting to think we're going to miss this jungle when we have to go back into civilization.

Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater, Darren Murph
Guests: Scott Steinberg (TechSavvy Global), Mat Smith, Amar Toor
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Baby

00:00:20 - Scott Steinberg, CEO of TechSavvy Global
00:01:15 - NVIDIA and ASUS tease 7-inch Tegra 3 tablet with ICS and $249 price tag
00:02:28 - Microsoft tops Yahoo in US search results for first time, according to ComScore
00:08:45 - A behind the scenes look at the Engadget CES stage!
00:09:35 - Live from the Engadget CES Stage: taking the PlayStation Vita for a spin (update: video embedded)
00:14:45 - Chaotic Moon shows Xbox Kinect / Windows 8-powered electric skateboard (video)
00:15:35 - Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with RIM (update: video embedded)
00:16:05 - BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 hands-on (video)
00:23:30 - NVIDIA Windows 8 developer tablet eyes-on
00:29:55 - HTC Titan II coming to AT&T, finally delivers LTE to Mango lovers
00:30:00 - AT&T Galaxy Note with LTE hands-on at CES 2012 (video)
00:34:55 - The Engadget Interview: Nokia CEO Stephen Elop at CES 2012 (video)
00:36:15 - Live from Las Vegas, it's Engadget Distro's CES Special Edition
00:38:35 - Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with NXP's Jeff Miles (update: video embedded)
00:39:00 - Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with TransferJet
00:42:15 - TOSY and Justin Bieber announce mRobo: we go hands-on, dance-off (video)
00:49:45 - Qualcomm shows off new Hanvon Mirasol e-reader, juggles video and tex
00:51:50 - Crapgadget CES 2012, round two: Mugtuk's child-scaring hugging iPhone case
00:53:25 - Fujifilm X-Pro1 interchangeable lens camera preview (video)
00:55:05 - Microsoft's CES 2013 floor space sells in record time
01:03:00 - Aurasma Virtual Browser and virtual world hands-on
01:04:05 - Hands-on with NVIDIA-powered Audi Connect
01:04:30 - Transformer Prime gets a fresh serving of Ice Cream Sandwich, we go hands-on
01:07:50 - Sprint Samsung Galaxy Nexus with LTE hands-on (video)


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This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Romotive (update: video embedded)

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 08:30 AM PST

Last year Romotive managed to add more mobile to the mobile experience with their Romo tank bot and RomoRemote app. This year, I'm sure, promises even more in the innovative bot business. We talk robotic with Peter Seid, Romotive co-founder at 1:00PM ET.

Update: Interview video now embedded.

2013 Dodge Dart digital dash display hands-on (video)

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 08:15 AM PST

Sure, we've seen digital instrument panels before, but the one outfitted for the upcoming Dodge Dart re-birth caught our eye. Instead of a regular ol' speedometer in the center of the driver side dash, you'll encounter a 7-inch instrument cluster that you'll be able to customize based on your specific auto info needs. This of course will be the second screen on the dash, as the vehicle will also feature Chrysler's 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system in the center. Just how useful is the new feature? We took it for a test drive of sorts, and hopped out with a few thoughts.


First, the amount of information that can be delivered to the driver's screen was pretty comprehensive. You'll be able to check gas mileage / fuel economy, odometer details, tire pressure, burned out lights, follow the navigation system and sort out your music choices. The color and image quality were both great, something that gets overlooked from time to time with on-board vehicle screens. While some simple animations take place on the screen for things like driving directions, the folks at Dodge affirm that the monitor won't pose a distraction while you're on the road. For a look at the new display in action and a quick refresher on the Uconnect system, hit the gallery below or the video on the backside of the break.



This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Ringtone causes New York Philharmonic mid-performance strike

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 07:58 AM PST

A classical music fan who thought the rules didn't apply to them wound up in a sticky situation when his iPhone's ringtone blared out during Tuesday's performance of Mahler's Ninth at the Avery Fisher hall. The New York Philharmonic's musical director Alan Gilbert heard the disturbance and after a few aggressive looks, stopped his orchestra partway through the final movement until the phone was silenced. Hopefully that person learned a very valuable lesson, and everyone else will remember that there's a special circle of hell reserved for those who don't mute their phone at the theater.

SiriusXM Lynx satellite radio receiver hands-on

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 07:19 AM PST

It's been a few months since we first caught wind of Sirius XM's $250 Lynx satellite radio receiver, and today at CES we finally got to see it in person. It's a solidly-built device that's about the same size as a 5th generation iPod, has an 1150 mAh battery with a microSD slot underneath a soft touch plastic back cover. The Lynx runs a heavily modified version of Android, but when we inquired about the possibility of Android Market access or non-Sirius XM apps making their way onto the Lynx, we were told that there were no such plans -- so sorry folks, no Angry Birds or Gmail to be had here. Unfortunately, Sirius XM was coy about what silicon lies beneath its touchscreen, so full specs remain a mystery. We also had a chance to see the Lynx's Bluetooth-equipped home dock and remote and a speaker dock (with remote) that works with both the Lynx SiriusXM's other sat radio units.

The interface is fairly simple. There's a pair of home screens with six self-explanatory options: Satellite, Internet, My Library, Show Finder, Bluetooth Connect and Settings options. Because of all the wireless interference on the show floor, we weren't able to fully test its functionality, but we did get a tour of some of the radio's musical features. Users can have up to 15 preset stations and set up alerts attuned to recurring shows, songs and artists to receive notifications when the content you want next plays. When connected to WiFi, you can record up to 200 hours of content from your favorite stations. Additionally, your presets have a rolling buffer so that you can always start songs from the beginning no matter when you tune in. Want to know more? Check out the Lynx in action in the video after the break.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Plextor's new external DVD burner works with TVs, no computer required

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:47 AM PST

Plextor's been plenty busy this week, announcing its new M3 Pro SSD and PlexEasy external DVD burner, but the company's not done unveiling new products just yet. Plextor's newest offering is another external DVD burner, the easily remembered PX-612U. Like the PlexEasy, it connects via USB and works with TVs and media streamers without needing a PC. That's possible thanks to some secret sauce called PlexTV (not to be confused with the media client), which acts as a code translator to make the PX-612U's output mimic a HDD. It'll be available the first quarter of this year, for an as-yet-unknown number of dollars.
Show full PR text
Plextor Introduces New DVD/CD Writer with PlexTV

The PlexTV feature enables TV Compatibility via USB connection.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fremont, CA, January 12, 2012- Plextor (www.goplextor.com), leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media and storage equipment, announces the release of its latest External Slim DVD/CD Writer, PX-612U, with PlexTV at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas today.

PlexTV is a new feature enabling Plextor's DVD/CD drive to work with televisions, media players, and other USB-enabled devices. The external drive connects directly to the desired display via USB cable and the user is able to access information stored on a CD or DVD without a PC. PlexTV will be available exclusively with the PX-612U during the first quarter of 2012.

Currently, HDTVs are compatible with a wide variety of devices via USB connection, including hard drives, cameras, and flash drives, but they do not support optical disk drives built for computers. PlexTV enables the use of Plextor's PX-612U drive with these previously unsupported devices by translating signal output to mimic a hard drive.

"It seems counter-intuitive that a USB-supported DVD Drive wouldn't work with a TV, but it has to do with the code that the devices use to communicate," explains Kathy Huynh, Product Marketing Manager. "PlexTV uses a code translator to make the PX-612U appear as a hard drive to the television, making the two devices compatible."

Developing a head-turning innovation such as PlexTV is a Plextor tradition. Plextor has delivered generations of best-in-class and award-winning products since the early Nineties, including CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW and Blu-ray optical disk drives, digital video converters and multimedia products, and solid state drives.

Plantronics Clarity Fortissimo speakerphone hands-on (video)

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:10 AM PST

Music aficionados will recognize the term "fortissimo." It's used to signify belting out the tunes as loud as humanly possible, which is exactly what Clarity is hoping to achieve with its speakerphone that uses the name. The Clarity Fortissimo is geared toward those who are mobility-challenged, offering a massively loud 95dB speaker, huge buttons, voice activation, Bluetooth and DECT connectivity, and a large touchscreen display. The Fortissimo offers Plantronics' Vocalyst technology, which has the ability to push emails, messages and even social network updates. It also has a dedicated button that automatically dials Clarity's support center, where a rep can then program the phone remotely for you. Expect to see the Fortissimo available this spring -- we were quoted April / May -- and will retail for $500. We have images and video after the break.


Brad Molen contributed to this post.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

LG Marquee comes to Boost Mobile on January 23rd for $279

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 05:45 AM PST

Having raided the smartphone coffers of its parent just a few days ago, today Sprint subsidiary, Boost Mobile, is at it again. Today's plunder comes in the form of the LG Marquee -- the Now Network's version of the Optimus Black -- which we first espied in carrier grab back in September. Setting you back $279, it'll be offered in Boost Mobile stores January 23rd, followed by everywhere else come February. PR on the 4-inch Gingerbread-totin' smartphone is after the break.
Show full PR text
Feel Svelte this New Year Without Going to the Gym with the
Ultra-thin LG Marquee Combined with Shrinking Payments from Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile starts off 2012 by continuing to add versatility and range to its growing handset lineup

IRVINE, Calif. – Boost Mobile, ranked Highest in Customer Service Performance and Purchase Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers by J.D. Power and Associates1, and LG Mobile today announced the upcoming release of the sleek and stylish Android™ smartphone, LG Marquee™. LG Marquee, previously available only with a two-year contract, will now be paired with Boost Mobile's award-winning, no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinkage, which includes unlimited nationwide talk, text messaging, Web, email and calls to 411.

This ultra-thin smartphone is only 0.36 inches thick, yet it packs an aggressive list of features that quickly make other no-contract Android phones last year's news. The LG Marquee features an impressive 4-inch clear and bright 700-nit NOVA display. The 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and the 2-megapixel front-facing camera offer maximum versatility in creating and sharing photos or videos with family and friends. Equipped with a 1GHz processor and 4GB of internal storage, LG Marquee makes downloading, posting, commenting, watching and playing faster and easier than ever.

"We are thrilled to partner with LG to add one of the best-kept secrets in the Android smartphone category to Boost Mobile's device family," said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. "The LG Marquee demonstrates the growing evolution of no-contract device options and pairs perfectly with Boost Mobile's award-winning monthly plans where the longer you stay, the less you pay."

LG Marquee features include:
• Android 2.3 with access to Android Market™
• 4-inch clear and bright 700-nit NOVA touchscreen
• 5MP rear-facing camera with 3x zoom and 720p video capability
• 2MP front-facing camera
• 1GHz processor with 4GB of internal storage
• GPS-enabled
• Stereo Bluetooth® technology
• Easy Access to Gmail™ and Google Talk™

Boost Mobile and LG present "Party Like a Celebrity" sweepstakes
To celebrate the launch of LG Marquee, Boost Mobile and LG today announce the "Party Like a Celebrity" sweepstakes (official rules at www.PartyLikeACelebrity.com). Beginning Jan. 18 through Feb. 2, consumers can enter for a chance to win two grand prizes, which include a trip to Los Angeles, an LG Marquee with two months of Android Monthly Unlimited no-contract service, a celebrity makeover, and a Hollywood shopping spree (see official rules for entry details and conditions).

Pricing and availability
LG Marquee will be available Jan. 23 for $279.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile's exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations across the country and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. LG Marquee will be available in additional national retailers by the end of the February.

LG Marquee customers also have the opportunity to take advantage of Boost Mobile's $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinkage. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile's Android Monthly Unlimited plan will shrink by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month for unlimited nationwide talk, text messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.

Customers can also protect their LG Marquee with Phone Insurance that is now available for Boost Monthly Unlimited customers. For $5 per month customers are covered if their device breaks, is lost, stolen or damaged – even by liquid.

Mobile ID and Boost Zone
LG Marquee also comes preloaded with Mobile ID, an exclusive service from Boost that allows customers to download and install "ID packs." The packs deliver a complete mobile experience, including applications, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers, in a few simple clicks. ID packs are designed to meet a customer's individual lifestyle or interests, such as sports, entertainment or music. ID packs that can be loaded on the device include MTV Music Pack, E!, Socially Connected, Professional, Entertainment, Lo2Yo Latino, Lo2Yo Mujer and Lo2Yo Futbol.

Additionally, LG Marquee features 'Boost Zone,' a centralized place on the device where Boost Mobile customers can access their account, pay their bill, get assistance with their phone, and stay up-to-date on Boost Mobile's products and services. Boost Zone will be coming soon to all Boost Mobile Android devices.

Nokia Lumia 900 coming to retail on March 18?

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 05:22 AM PST

Did the "next few months" announcement from the unveiling of the Nokia Lumia 900 leave you wanting? Perhaps a March 18th pronouncement will sate your own personal gadget knowledgebase. That's the date being tossed around by Windows gurus Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley, who joined forces on TWiT to discuss the presence of a March date in the latest Nokia developer newsletter. But that wasn't good enough for Paul, who said the specific date is March 18. Go ahead and mark your calendars, but we'd recommend you use pencil -- just to be safe.

Samsung to release Galaxy Tab 7.0N in Germany, with new form factor

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 04:53 AM PST

Samsung has yet to receive a verdict on its lawsuit-circumventing Galaxy Tab 10.1N, but the manufacturer apparently feels pretty confident about its chances. Today, Samsung announced a new, Germany-specific version of its Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, with the launch of the Galaxy Tab 7.0N. Slated to hit the market later this month, this seven-inch slate features many of the same specs you'll find on its Honeycomb-coated predecessor, save for a front-facing speaker upgrade and, of course, a redesigned form factor. For now, it's only slated to launch in Germany, where it'll retail for about €600 (about $770).

Roll up, roll up for the magical mystery Arduino tour

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 04:44 AM PST

If this news isn't as obvious as John Obvious: Professor of Obvious studies at Cambridge University: we love Arduino 'round these parts. Phil and Limor of Adafruit Industries took a tour of the Italian foundry's Turin factory and took a gallery of pics (and video!) on the way. It's a great insight into how the building process works for the modding tool, and you can head on down to our source link to check out the gallery in full -- we've also included a direct link to the video as the guys walk down the production line in our more coverage link. We're so good to you, you know.

AMD strikes CES with brand new APUs and Lightning Bolt

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 04:18 AM PST

AMD Trinity APUs
AMD decided to steer clear of the show floor this year, instead choosing to stick to a briefing room upstairs, where they gave us a quick tour of their current offerings as well as a sneak peek at some upcoming projects. There were two big stars, though, the first of which is the upcoming Trinity APUs, based on its Piledriver core. There will be three different versions: desktop, laptop and "thin and light." The latter of which is clearly aimed at Ultrabook-like form factors and draws just 17W, while promising similar performance to current generation 35W chips. To show off just how powerful its next-gen architecture is AMD demoed a machine playing DiRT 3 (at low quality mind you) on one display, transcoding video on another and playing a clip of a kata on third. Oh, and that third display was attached to the laptop that was driving the whole thing without stuttering.

The other big news, though we sadly don't have accompanying visuals, was a backroom demo of Lightning Bolt -- AMD's answer to Thunderbolt. The protocol is capable of driving up to four displays and several USB 3.0 ports while providing power. It can only drive two at 1080p and it won't reach the full speed of USB 3.0, but AMD did say it will be faster than 2.0. Supposedly the tech will be incredibly cheap in integrate into a PC, and a single cord running from a DisplayPort to a hub was able to handle playing back a Blu-ray and transferring files from a thumb drive while pushing two 1366 x 768 monitors -- not bad for an early prototype. Check the gallery above for a few shots of the latest AMD APUs and, for more technical details, hit the more coverage links.

Henge Docks for the MacBook Air hands-on (video)

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 03:57 AM PST

We were a little giddy when Henge Docks announced their desktop resting spot for the MacBook Pro, and perhaps even more so when they unveiled the MacBook Air model earlier this week. We paid the company a visit on the CES floor to catch a peek at products first-hand. Sure, the white, plastic exterior may a bit off-putting for some but we didn't mind it -- especially for a dock that you can snag for around $50. While the device is pretty straightforward, the rubber padding that hugs the docked laptop provided more security that we'd initially thought. One thing you'll want to keep in mind though: the peripheral does make the USB port on the machine's docked end usable on its backside, but the Thunderbolt socket is reduced to display-only functionality. The outfit assured us that it's working on a solution that maximizes that Intel potential and we're anxious to see that become a reality. An express tour awaits the curious, right after the break.



Dante Cesa contributed to this report.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Wi3 Wipnet may solve your connectivity complications at home, for a price

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 03:28 AM PST

The Moca (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) standards haven't yet solved our home networking problems, but things may be about to change. Wi3 is here at the CES 2012 to exhibit its Wipnet technology, which can use your home's coax backbone to transmit data at a speed of up to 175Mbps. The devices should go for sale in April, with four different configurations with one or two Ethernet ports (Wip1000 and Wip1500), Ethernet and WiFi (Wip2000) or Ethernet and HDMI (for client / server services – Wip2500), and with a price of about $175 without WiFi, and additional $50 for the wireless option. They may also be included in wall sockets, on wall mounts or even on standalone boxes for small New York apartments that can't be reconfigured.

The Wi3 people are also developing a box that can send the power over coax, beside additional services (like internet connectivity), but for now each box needs to be powered independently, and they also have a different filter to make sure your data does not leave your home using the neighborhood coax lines. Like what you see? Don't judge till you peek the shots below.


Apple stops selling iPhone 4S in China to protect its staff

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 02:38 AM PST

Apple says it's suspending iPhone 4S sales in mainland China following the violence we reported earlier, in which angry customers threw eggs at the company's flagship store in Beijing. The crowd had queued in freezing temperatures to purchase the newly-arrived 4S, but were subsequently told the store would not be opening for business -- hence their angry response. It seems that many in the mob weren't normal consumers, but were workers put in place by resellers who wanted to buy up devices and sell them on at a profit. There was similar disorder when the iPad 2 went on sale in China, and now an Apple spokesperson has said the risk to its staff is too great, forcing it to halt 4S sales "for the time being."

HP's TouchPad running Ice Cream Sandwich? Mmmm, thanks CM9 (video)

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 02:10 AM PST

Another smote at the hearts of those who failed to reach the fire sale in time: CyanogenMod 9 is bringing some ICS flavor to the TouchPad and it's apparently not far off. The video after the break gives us a glimpse of some remarkably stable operation, especially considering how tricky it was bringing CM7 to HP's slate. It looks like everything functions except the camera and video playback, and the team behind the port promises it'll give us "something to play with soon."

[Thanks, Pedro]

CTL refreshes 2go Classmate PC range with new convertible tablet, laptop models

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 01:16 AM PST

It's been quite a while since we've seen a new Classmate PC from the folks at CTL, but the company's now back at CES with a pair of new models. Those include the 2go Classmate PC NL3 convertible tablet (above), and the 2go Classmate PC E12, which takes on a more traditional laptop form-factor. Both models pack a 10.1-inch screen (with the NL3 employing a resistive touchscreen to accommodate a stylus), and each boast some relatively similar specs across the board, including a 1.6GHz Atom N2600 processor, 1GB of RAM, and your choice of either a standard hard drive or SSD for storage -- plus the same ruggedness found on the company's earlier Classmate PCs. Look for both to be available early next month, with the NL3 starting at $499 and the E12 coming in at $349. Videos of each are after the break.




Hulu CEO recaps the year 2011: 1.5 million on Hulu Plus, no new owner

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 12:18 AM PST

2011 has come to an end and somewhat surprisingly, Hulu has not changed owners. Following what has become a quarterly habit, CEO Jason Kilar has taken up his blogging pen to recount the company's successes. Hulu Plus has grown to include 1.5 million paying subscribers, which he expects will make up more than half of Hulu's business later this year, while adding 105 percent more content. Expect that trend to continue, with plans to invest $500 million or so in content next year. Of course, this may not do much for those dissatisfied with its ad-supported business model and windowing of content, but right now the focus seems to be on pleasing content owners, who he claims can profit more per subscriber with Hulu than any other service. Check the post for more details and feel free to speculate in the comments what 2012 may hold for the video streaming site -- our money is still on a surprise buyout by Lycos.

Motorola starts rolling out its Xoom project, opens up a big ole box of Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 10:54 PM PST

Motorola's been a bit cagey about its whole "project" for the Motorola Xoom, but it may finally be time to roll back the curtain to reveal, get this, a big ole pile of Ice Cream Sandwich. According to Engadget tipsters, the update has begun rolling out the mobile OS to a select group of Xoom owners -- both the WiFi and 4G LTE varieties. It seems like the roll out begins tonight and continues over the weekend, bringing Android 4.0 to the star of CES 2011.

Dish Network to close more Blockbusters than originally anticipated, CEO confirms

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 10:50 PM PST

Dish Network's curious Blockbuster project appears to be sputtering a bit, now that the company has confirmed that it will shutter more stores than originally anticipated. Speaking to Reuters at CES today, Dish Network CEO Joe Clayton confirmed that his company plans to close all Blockbuster shops that aren't turning a profit, and that some of the remaining stores will be converted into Dish customer service outlets. Back in July, the company announced plans to keep about 1,500 stores open, along with about 90 percent of Blockbuster employees, but those aspirations have since been derailed. "We are committed to keeping the profitable stores open that are generating positive cash flow, but there are ones that aren't going to make it," Clayton explained. "We will close unprofitable stores. We will close additional stores." The exec did not specify how many stores would be closed, nor did he offer any sort of timeline, but spokesman Marc Lumpkin said that the decisions would be made on a "case by case" basis.

OnLive Desktop hits the iTunes app store

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 10:33 PM PST

Not satisfied with iOS? No problem, OnLive has a hefty helping of Windows waiting for you in the iTunes app store. Palo Alto announced the streaming Office app earlier this week, touting it as a no-compromise enterprise experience. The free app is fairly basic, giving iPad users hungry for a dose of Microsoft Office limited access to Windows' premiere word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software -- though the outfit has said that it will intro "pro" and "enterprise" versions of the service with more features in the future. Go ahead, now you can be a Mac and a PC. We won't tell.

Able Planet reveals BT500 Bluetooth headset, NC1200 noise-cancelling headphones (first look and ears-on)

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 08:53 PM PST

Looking for your next set of utilitarian headphones with a touch of aural-spice? While we were roaming the halls of CES, Able Planet (known for its hearing-aid-based Linx sound-clarifying technology) has given us a behind the scenes look some hand-built, pre-production models set to release later this year. Join us past the break for our overview and initial impressions. (Pro Tip: you'll want to read-on if wireless or noise-cancelling headphones pique your interest.)


Fans of wireless audio will be able to pick up Able Planet's first over-the-head Bluetooth headset in Q3 of this year. Dubbed, BT500, this Bluetooth stereo headset sports a supra-aural design with a 40mm transducers. There's a directional microphone and a battery compartment for two AAAs housed within the left earcup, which will keep the cans running for eight to ten hours. On the outside of the right cup, you'll find a quartet of playback and syncing controls. The buttons are placed in an intuitive layout, but the button feel was rather hollow -- thankfully, we're told that the buttons will be improved before shipping. When it comes to the fit we really couldn't complain. To put it simply, the headphones felt light and well balanced, and the memory foam filled faux-leather pads countered to our ears nicely. We couldn't test sound, but if the final unit sounds as good as they felt, we think that the $150 asking price will be more than fair for the overall package. Notably, we're told an RF-based variant is slated for Q4.


Next up, Able Planet also let us in on its NC1200 noise-cancelling headphones. While the company is well known for circum-aural, ANC cans, we're told that is the first time its ever produced a surpa-aural variant. The headphones feature a detachable 3.5mm cable, and a MicroUSB connection for charging a built-in battery pack. There's no word battery life, but Able Planet is hoping to land somewhere between 50 and 100 hours of playback time. The NC1200's fit was pleasantly similar to the BT500, leaving us with no initial concerns for extended-listening comfort. We briefly demoed some tracks of of Weezer's "Green album," and found the the voicing of the headphones to be bright and clear -- the use of vibrato in Rivers Cuomo's vocals were especially intelligible, as were the guitars and cymbals. The bass sections were also perceptible, but if you like an added amount of oomph, we're not sure that these would be the ones for you. Also worth note, while the headphones can be used sans' power, the audio quality was terribly muddy once the ANC was turned out. The NC1200's are set to sell for $350 once they hit shelves, and you can be sure that we'll keep you posted when both it and the BT500 start shipping to retailers. For now, keep it posted to our CES coverage for even more audio-wares, and check out the gallery above for even more up-close-and-personal shots with this ear-gear.

Kid Icarus: Uprising flies too close to the 3DS, gets bundled with a stand

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 08:26 PM PST

D'ya know what'd make up for a nineteen-year wait? Well, Project Sora thinks the answer is a plastic peripheral. Yes the long, long awaited Kid Icarus: Uprising looks like it'll be bundled with an official "Nintendo 3DS Stand," according to a tweet by the game's maker. It's no doubt a practical addition, as those analog-plus-touchscreen controls look like they'd make your arms tired -- which is probably what got Icarus in trouble in the first place. No word on price for the goods at this time or even if it'll travel across the pacific, but we're keeping our primary feathers crossed.

Update: We've gotten word that the stand will only be available in the bundle, at least for now. We'll let you know if we hear otherwise, but don't hold your breath for a standalone purchase option.

Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Texas Instruments (update: video embedded)

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 07:33 PM PST


If you heard that Engadget would be scoring some one on one time here on stage with TI, you would be right. Texas Instruments has been in the gadget industry longer than most, and we've got a lot of catching up to do. Join us here live at 8:30PM ET.

Update: Interview video is now embedded.

Archos 35 home connect hands-on

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 07:17 PM PST

Though we didn't have the Archos 35 home connect to wake us up personally during CES, we had a chance to get hands-on with the Android-based alarm clock on the floor and it did not disappoint. The Archos 35 home connect is the company's entrance into the world of feature-filled alarm clocks, joining the already established Sony Dash and Chumby. In terms of functionality, it's a morning talk show all rolled up into one, providing weather, real time traffic, news, sports, movies, music, TuneIn radio, social networking and much more through the built-in WiFi. You'll also find a webcam on the front, supporting apps like Tango for video calling, a rechargeable battery to take the party with you, and a 3.5 headphone jack for more personal use.

The overall device is solid and has a very curvy and nightstand-friendly footprint -- which is important for folks like us who sleep with other bedside gadgets. The volume controls are touch sensitive and the unit itself has a decent enough range. Archos is not only pushing this as a fully-featured Alarm Clock, but also a portable Android 2.2 media device -- supporting over 30,000-or-so apps in Archos' non-Android-Market, Appslib. While the 35 home connect's features make it compelling enough to make it a viable option, we feel there's nothing to push it past its aforementioned competition, especially with the $149 price tag. Check out all the angles and interface of the 35 home connect in the gallery below.

Gigabyte's CES 2012 lineup: tablets, laptops and netvertibles, oh my!

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 07:09 PM PST

Gigabyte's CES suite is something of an alternate universe. It's a place where Ultrabooks and ICS tablets don't exist, and Windows 7 slates, netvertibles and dockable systems are the norm. On display, of course, you'll find the S1081 Windows 7 tablet ($649), a refresh of the S1080 that steps up to a Cedar Trail CPU and adds an HDMI port in the process, but otherwise has the same specs and design. That'll land sometime this quarter. That netvertible of the nostalgic '90s variety would be the 10-inch T1006M ($559), which has Cedar Trail innards, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB or 500GB HDD and is "3.5G-ready." Availability details are hazy, as Gigabyte can't specify timing until Intel reveals when Cedar Trail will ship. Suffice to say, Gigabyte expects it to hit the US this quarter.

Other than that, the fare on display includes previously announced models just making their way to the states. These include the Booktop M2432 ($1,049 and up), a 14-inch, Core i5-powered laptop that can be plugged into a dock loaded with NVIDIA's desktop-grade GT 440 GPU. The M2432, meanwhile, is a more imposing sort of machine, with a 15.6-inch, 1080p display, Blu-ray drive, 750GB 7,200RPM HDD and Core i7 CPU paired with a 2GB GeForce GT555M card. Lastly, there's the dockable T1132N tablet ($1,169), which looks awfully familiar.

All told, we found ourselves primarily gravitating toward the Booktop, whose GPU-in-a-dock reminds us of the Sony VAIO Z, only with desktop-caliber graphics, and without the skinny laptop to go with it. We also looked twice at the T1132N, just because convertibles seem to be having their moment, though if you've seen the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga's 1600 x 900 IPS display, Gigabyte's entry seems common. Other than that, we were too busy taking photos of all the gear. Obviously.

Telus launching Samsung Galaxy Nexus January 13th

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 07:08 PM PST

Telus does a me too and follows Bell to market with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Starting tomorrow, January 13th, Telusites can grab Google's newest pure Android dev. set for a cool $99.99 on a 3-year contract, $549.99 for 2-years, $599.99 for one and $649.99 off-contract. In case you've been away from civilization for the last little while and missed what this set is all about, feel free to check the facts and figures followed by our review.

Update: The Galaxy Nexus just popped up on Telus' site for an introductory price of $99 on a 3-year deal. The sale starts today and carries on until the 26th of Jan. Happy days!

Crapgadget CES, round six: 4D Vibestar vibrating lumbar speaker system

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 06:58 PM PST

Combining two of our favorite things, massages and LOUD noises. Feel the sound... in your lower-back.

The Engadget HD Video Podcast is live from CES at 11:00PM ET!

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 06:25 PM PST

More live video fun from the Engadget stage in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. This time out, Ben Drawbaugh and Richard Lawler will host the Ceton dev team to discuss the Q and Echo as well as the impressions of the HD news at the show so far. Follow along live after the break.



*** You can also stream the show live on your iPhone or iPad by clicking here.

Vuzix augmented reality Smart Glasses prototype hands-on (video)

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 05:59 PM PST

Remember those wicked holographic augmented reality glasses that DARPA was so hot to build? They're almost here. Hiding out at Vuzix's CES booth we found a functional prototype for its Smart Glasses industrial class monocular display -- a special lens attached to a proprietary display driver that produces a bright, 1.4mm holographic picture for one of your peepers. Vuzix told us the lenses were the fruit of a DARPA project, and could allow soldiers involved in air-to-surface operations to track jets, check their ordinance and mark targets for destruction. The military / industrial monocle will go on sale in Q3 of 2012 for somewhere between $2500-3000.

Want to look a little more, well, normal while you're augmenting your reality? You're covered -- or at least you will be in 2013. Not only will Vuzix's consumer facing smart glasses offer you the same holographic heads-up technology that'll power its military bound brother, it'll cost you a bundle less, too: between $350-600. The unit we saw wasn't final, but were told the final unit will be able to accept connections over HDMI, and may even be capable of displaying stereoscopic 3D content -- you know, in case the real world wasn't real enough. Hopefully, we'll be able to tell you those fit next year. Ready to see how you'll be gussying up reality in the future? Hit the break for our hands-on video coverage.



Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.

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