Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[iPhone 3.0 beta firmware FAQ]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/iphone-3-0-beta-firmware-faq/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/iphone-3-0-beta-firmware-faq/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/iphone-3-0-beta-firmware-faq/#comments
While most people would probably agree that 3.0 doesn't represent a revolutionary upgrade for iPhone users, it's still large (and interesting) enough to warrant tons of questions, which we've been collecting to answer in a FAQ about the beta. Feel free to submit some more below! Just remember that just about anything can change between now and the final launch of 3.0 -- it is a beta, after all.

So, how do I get this thing?
Well, unfortunately you need to be part of the developer program (which costs $99).

Whatevs, I just got it off of BitTorrent!
Okay, but it may not work. Your iPhone's unique ID must be authorized for the 3.0 upgrade, and Apple checks that. So until someone cracks the 3.0 beta firmware image, you have to be a registered developer, or know somebody who can hook you up, pretty much.

How did installation go? From Miqal
Running it on a non-jailbroken device, it went smoothly. Took about as much time as your traditional restore. Just be warned: from what I've been hearing, once you go to 3.0, you can't go back to 2.0. (Apple must have changed some of the baseband firmware or something, no real surprise.) Update: been hearing it IS possible to go back to 2.0 from 3.0, but be warned, it could require some baseband hacking and god knows what else, so it'd be wise to prepare for the worst.

How's performance been? I heard it's really sluggish.
Actually, it's been pretty good for me so far! Spotlight is actually faster than I expected and the rest of the common interactions feels the same as 2.2. I'm going to continue to keep an eye out for issues, but so far things have been humming along nicely. [Interestingly, Nilay, Ross, and Chris have all reported occasional slowness, proof that Ryan's zen-like patience is a virtue. -Ed.]

Do all of your apps sync? Do they work okay? From Kwarren and davidiom
So far, yes, I haven't seen anything really go missing. 3.0 isn't a fundamental architectural change, so I don't think most apps need to be re-worked to function. Granted, there have been a few apps which have definitely given me some trouble when running in 3.0 (like the Peanut Butter Jelly Time! app -- don't you judge me), but so far I've run into very few problems and apps have been working mostly without much issue. As always, with something like this your mileage may vary.

Continue reading iPhone 3.0 beta firmware FAQ

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iPhone 3.0 beta firmware FAQ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefeaturesiphoneiphone 3.0iphone 3giphone osiphone os 3iphone os 3.0Iphone3.0Iphone3gIphoneOsIphoneOs3IphoneOs3.0Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[On Virgin America's inaugural GoGo WiFi flight: this post published from 35,000 feet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/22/on-virgin-americas-inaugural-gogo-wifi-flight-this-post-publis/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/22/on-virgin-americas-inaugural-gogo-wifi-flight-this-post-publis/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/22/on-virgin-americas-inaugural-gogo-wifi-flight-this-post-publis/#comments
So I took a little a break from working on gdgt to get on Virgin America's inaugural Aircell GoGo WiFi party flight, posting this at altitude. If you haven't already caught one of the early Aircell flights on Delta, American, or Air Canada, their now-active GoGo service provides in-flight internet. So far, as far as party planes go, this one hasn't been too raucous -- probably because everyone's been geeking out on their laptops.
Quick facts:
  • The service is a shared high-power EV-DO Rev. A connection, at 3.6Mbps downstream and 1.8Mbps upstream.
  • By April, 100% of Virgin America's flights will have GoGo service. Dayumn! All GoGo service is $10 for short flights (under 3 hours) and $13 for longer flights (over 3 hours).
  • So far I've been getting about 1Mbps down, and 200Kbps up -- pretty good considering that this is about as pinned as the system is going to get. There are only about 150 people on it right now, you know?
  • Latency is between 200-500ms, sometimes higher. Reasonable latency, though.
  • The system uses 802.11a/b/g, although it's an open AP (i.e. no encryption).
  • Speaking of which, GoGo claims they'll support VPN, so expect that to work. SSH is iffy though -- it worked for us, but they don't really want people SSH tunneling (especially to do stuff like VoIP).
  • Aircell intends to block voice and video chat to keep things less obnoxious for travelers. It's working in flight though -- people are doing iChat sessions. But part of this inaugural flight will have live YouTube streaming, so one should expect to have this cut off later.
  • BitTorrent works! It's not crazy fast, but I'm peering with about 8 nodes. I wouldn't expect this to work when the service launches.
  • GoGo has a built-in traffic shaper that keeps an eye out for those using more traffic than others. If you're consuming too much, it'll scale you back (although no one has a hard cap). If you're the only one on GoGo (say, on a red-eye at 4am) then you can go crazy, you won't be scaled back. Still, I'm sitting next to my old pal Brian Lam from Giz, and I'd wager the two of us are somehow taking up about 80% of the plane's bandwidth.
  • Virgin America isn't filtering content, so feel free to cast a glance over your shoulder and engage your browser's private mode.

Any thing else you want to know?

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On Virgin America's inaugural GoGo WiFi flight: this post published from 35,000 feet originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircellgogovirgin americaVirginAmericawifiSat, 22 Nov 2008 19:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple MacBook aluminum and glass super-shiny hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/apple-macbook-aluminum-and-glass-super-shiny-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/apple-macbook-aluminum-and-glass-super-shiny-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/apple-macbook-aluminum-and-glass-super-shiny-hands-on/#comments
We just got our grubby, oily hands all over this pristine, all glass and aluminum MacBook. We sullied it on your behalf, but our initial impressions mostly positive: it's small, incredibly, ridiculously solid feeling, and we actually don't hate the all-clicking trackpad much at all. (If your thumb muscle memory makes you click at the bottom where the button used to be, it works and feels pretty much the same.) Of course, the glare of the glass screen is a MAJOR issue for us, and will be pretty much forever. There's just no way we'll be able to love it, so our eyes will be peeled for after-market add-ons to cut that down a bit. But in terms of the rest, it's pretty clear this is the best MacBook -- and best mainstream consumer laptop -- Apple's made to date.

Gallery: Apple MacBook aluminum and glass super-shiny hands-on

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Apple MacBook aluminum and glass super-shiny hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefeatureshands-onmacbookTue, 14 Oct 2008 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget Cares: save us from Apple's groundbreaking, developer-shackling App Store]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/25/engadget-cares-save-us-from-apples-groundbreaking-developer-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/25/engadget-cares-save-us-from-apples-groundbreaking-developer-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/25/engadget-cares-save-us-from-apples-groundbreaking-developer-s/#commentsEngadget editor-at-large and gdgt co-founder Ryan Block contributes Engadget Cares, a friendly advice column for the people who make your technology.


It's not hard to argue that the App Store's inspired success for the mobile software world, with over 100 million programs downloaded on only a few million phones in just a matter of months. Palm, Nokia, Microsoft must all be simmering (and understandably so). But Apple, if you're having trouble getting buy-in from passionate developers with a serious creative vision for iPhone apps beyond the dozens of me-too calculators and to-do lists -- and you know you are -- the writing's on the wall, and you're the one who put it there.

But it's not just about the draconian SDK agreement (which we'll get to in a minute), or the uncertainty that runs through every developer -- large and small -- as they wonder whether you'll give the all-important thumbs-up to the app they've just invested all that blood / sweat / tears / money into (we'll get to that, too). What seems to the rest of us like nefarious intent may simply be Apple coming to grips with its own successes by reacting with the same kneejerk response it plies to most everything else: control and micromanagement.

Let's rewind for a moment though, and go back to what Steve said at this Spring's iPhone roadmap event, where the SDK was introduced for the first time. As Steve's introduction reached its crescendo, he excitedly declared, "The developers and us have the same exact interest, which is to get as many apps out in front of as many iPhone users as possible," but "there are going to be some apps we're not going to distribute: porn, malicious apps, apps that invade your privacy..." The slide listed "malicious," "illegal," "porn," "privacy," "bandwidth hog," and "unforeseen." Ah, unforeseen -- glorious wiggle room. I suppose "apps that might compete with our own" wouldn't have gone over as well with the crowd. Read on.

Continue reading Engadget Cares: save us from Apple's groundbreaking, developer-shackling App Store

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Engadget Cares: save us from Apple's groundbreaking, developer-shackling App Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeappleAppStoreengadget caresEngadgetCaresfeaturesiphonesoftwareThu, 25 Sep 2008 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[iPod touch 2G - first hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/09/ipod-touch-2g-first-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/09/ipod-touch-2g-first-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/09/ipod-touch-2g-first-hands-on/#comments
We just got some hands-on time with the new iPod touch, and we're really feeling this one. Jury's still out on the new nano, but the second-gen touch is a marked improvement over the first gen model. The WiFi antenna looks much better integrated, the speaker doesn't sound like complete trash despite not even having any speaker holes, and the thing is crazy thin. Like, really, really thin.

Gallery: iPod touch 2G - first hands-on

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iPod touch 2G - first hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefeatureshands-onipod touchIpodTouchTue, 09 Sep 2008 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple event for next Tuesday, the 9th]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/02/apple-event-for-next-tuesday-the-9th/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/02/apple-event-for-next-tuesday-the-9th/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/02/apple-event-for-next-tuesday-the-9th/#comments
Looks like that Apple event for the Tuesday, the 9th of this month is on. We know it'll be new iPods (they always do iPods for the fall / holidays), but hopefully they'll have a little something special for us. Whatever, just as long as it's not that round, awful looking nano. Go on, hit the comments and get speculating.

Filed under: ,

Apple event for next Tuesday, the 9th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsBreakingNewsTue, 02 Sep 2008 12:27:00 EST<![CDATA[A stroll through the MVNO graveyard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/26/a-stroll-through-the-mvno-graveyard/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/26/a-stroll-through-the-mvno-graveyard/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/26/a-stroll-through-the-mvno-graveyard/#comments
Back in the early days of Engadget, everyone -- including us -- thought mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) were totally poised to be the next big thing. And why not? You get to be a wireless carrier without having to operate your own infrastructure (which is by far the most expensive, difficult part). Just what the doctor ordered for the big, stodgy wireless carriers, each struggling to balance differentiating themselves while trapping their customers in their walled content and services gardens.

What we got instead was failed business model after spectacular failed business model, leading to a domino effect of collapses that left just a precious few companies standing. Let's take a look at the carnage over on Engadget Mobile, shall we?

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A stroll through the MVNO graveyard originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ampddisney mobileDisneyMobileespnfeaturesheliomobile espnMobileEspnmvnomvnossonopiavocexe mobileXeMobileTue, 26 Aug 2008 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget Cares: The state of Palm - checking in a year later]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/22/engadget-cares-the-state-of-palm-checking-in-a-year-later/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/22/engadget-cares-the-state-of-palm-checking-in-a-year-later/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/22/engadget-cares-the-state-of-palm-checking-in-a-year-later/#commentsOutgoing Engadget editor-in-chief Ryan Block contributes Engadget Cares, a friendly advice column for the people who make your technology.


Hard to believe, but it's been a year and a day since Peter, Josh, and I published our intervention letter to Palm, wherein we rattled off a number of (admittedly unsolicited) suggestions on how we thought they might best turn things around at a time when Microsoft, RIM, and Apple were really eating into their slice of the smartphone pie.

Palm CEO Ed Colligan took the time to publicly reply, letting everyone know that he "forwarded [our letter] to [Palm's] entire executive staff and many others at Palm have read it. ...We are attacking almost every challenge [Engadget] noted, so stay tuned." When the dust settled, we were cautiously optimistic, if not a little hopeful.

In some ways that letter inspired Engadget Cares. And since it's my last day here at Engadget as editor-in-chief and all, it seems only appropriate to check in on things and see whether Palm really did "attack every challenge" from a year ago. Read on.

Continue reading Engadget Cares: The state of Palm - checking in a year later

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Engadget Cares: The state of Palm - checking in a year later originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>engadget caresEngadgetCaresfeaturespalmFri, 22 Aug 2008 13:24:00 EST<![CDATA[i.engadget.com - Engadget for your iPhone or iPod touch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/20/i-engadget-com-engadget-for-your-iphone-or-ipod-touch/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/20/i-engadget-com-engadget-for-your-iphone-or-ipod-touch/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/20/i-engadget-com-engadget-for-your-iphone-or-ipod-touch/#comments
For obvious reasons, we're not really big believers in optimizing Engadget for individual devices or platforms. Despite the unrelenting number of requests for an iPhone-optimized version of Engadget, we thought we'd let Apple stand by its whole "the real internet in your pocket" thing. And then we ran the numbers. We could hardly believe it.

So far in 2008, the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPod touch account for some 95.8% of all mobile views on the full site. We're not even kidding. That doesn't factor the visitors who hit our current mobile version of the site, but it's pretty hard to argue with any number like that, so we're rolling out a new beta version of Engadget optimized for the iPhone at i.engadget.com. (Don't worry, we'll still be keeping original mobile site active at m.engadget.com.) Please feel free to let us know what you think in comments!

Oh, and for the stats nerds in the audience, you can check out Engadget's mobile device breakdown after the break.

Continue reading i.engadget.com - Engadget for your iPhone or iPod touch

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i.engadget.com - Engadget for your iPhone or iPod touch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleengadgetiphoneipod touchIpodTouchWed, 20 Aug 2008 13:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Segway hits car at full speed, results unsurprisingly painful looking]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/segway-hits-car-at-full-speed-results-unsurprisingly-painful-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/segway-hits-car-at-full-speed-results-unsurprisingly-painful-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/segway-hits-car-at-full-speed-results-unsurprisingly-painful-lo/#comments
Our Deutsch is a little rusty, but Spiegel's got a hard-hitting, um, sounding story on Segway safety -- specifically regarding what happens when one hits a stationary object or falls off of one while riding it at full speed. Hey der Spiegel, why don't you try the same test with one of those bicycle contraptions we hear Europeans are so in love with? We have a feeling you might be slightly more horrified by the results.

[Via AutoblogGreen, thanks Nate]

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Segway hits car at full speed, results unsurprisingly painful looking originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>safetysegwaySat, 16 Aug 2008 05:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft prepping Feature Pack for Storage with Blu-ray for XP and Vista]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/microsoft-prepping-feature-pack-for-storage-with-blu-ray-for-xp/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/microsoft-prepping-feature-pack-for-storage-with-blu-ray-for-xp/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/microsoft-prepping-feature-pack-for-storage-with-blu-ray-for-xp/#comments
We're not going to get back into the Xbox 360 + Blu-ray debate, but Sony's HD format is clearly on Microsoft's collective mind, as it's begun prepping a new Windows add-on dubbed Feature Pack for Storage. The kit's set to contain modules for portable drive recognition and restriction, ICCD and CCID Smartcard drivers, but most notably an image mastering API for Blu-ray that enables "master style optical burning on Blu-Ray [sic] media." Expect it soon on Windows Vista, XP SP2+, Server 2008, and Server 2003 SP1+ -- or really soon if you get in on the beta.

[Via ZDnet]

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Microsoft prepping Feature Pack for Storage with Blu-ray for XP and Vista originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Feature Pack for StorageFeaturePackForStoragemicrosoftwindowsSat, 16 Aug 2008 03:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Next-gen NASA spacesuit contract mothballed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/next-gen-nasa-spacesuit-contract-mothballed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/next-gen-nasa-spacesuit-contract-mothballed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/16/next-gen-nasa-spacesuit-contract-mothballed/#comments
It may be true that no one can hear you scream in space, but we'd be wagering that a whole lot of people can hear the yelling coming out of Houston-based Oceaneering International, Inc., who just lost their two month old $745 million NASA contract to build the next-gen space suit. Of course, the bid was not without its fair share of bitching and moaning by competing contractors (apparently long time space suit-makers Hamilton Sundstrand and ILC Dover made a big stink after the contract was awarded to their upstart competitor), but them's the breaks when your gear's headed to space. Too bad though, we were really looking forward to the gear -- especially since now we have absolutely nothing to wear to the astro-prom.

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Next-gen NASA spacesuit contract mothballed originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 01:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>moonnasaOceaneering InternationalOceaneeringInternationalorionspacespace suitSpaceSuitSat, 16 Aug 2008 01:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Colbert's top threat of the week: killer iPhones. Solution: buy a Zune.]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/15/colberts-top-threat-of-the-week-killer-iphones-solution-buy-a-zu/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/15/colberts-top-threat-of-the-week-killer-iphones-solution-buy-a-zu/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/15/colberts-top-threat-of-the-week-killer-iphones-solution-buy-a-zu/#comments
Of course, it all seems so obvious now! How did we not interpret El Jobso's true meaning of the iPhone kill-switch -- it actually kills you. We have noted iPhone expert Stephen Colbert to thank not just for this brilliant deduction, but also for sticking up for the lot of us and giving the iPhone 3G a cold staredown -- but not before declaring, "I knew I should have gotten a Zune! They can't kill me... or do anything else." Zing! Clip after the break (iPhone at 5:45).

[Thanks, Matt]

Continue reading Colbert's top threat of the week: killer iPhones. Solution: buy a Zune.

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Colbert's top threat of the week: killer iPhones. Solution: buy a Zune. originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphonemicrosoftstephen colbertStephenColbertzuneFri, 15 Aug 2008 22:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell Precision and Latitude E series hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/dell-precision-and-latitude-e-series-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/dell-precision-and-latitude-e-series-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/dell-precision-and-latitude-e-series-hands-on/#comments
Tons of pics of Dell's new Precision and Latitude E series machines? You got 'em, including shots of the crazy-small E4200, which really takes us back to the days of the hot little Samsung-built X1. Hit the gallery below, marvel at some of the machines your IT department may be rolling out in the next 6-18 months.

Gallery: Dell Precision and Latitude E series hands-on

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Dell Precision and Latitude E series hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dellE4200E4400E5400E5500E6400E6500featureshands-onlatitudelatitude eLatitudeEM2400M4400M6400precisionTue, 12 Aug 2008 14:17:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Touch Pro hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/11/htc-touch-pro-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/11/htc-touch-pro-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/11/htc-touch-pro-hands-on/#comments
After spending a few minutes with it, there's no question to us that the Touch Pro is HTC's most impressive handset to date (even if you count the Xperia X1). Okay, the phone is still a bit thick (roughly the same as a Tilt), and there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, but it's got a very small footprint and a very comfortably proportioned keyboard. We can also really definitely appreciate the lengths HTC is going to trying to make Windows Mobile a bit less doggish these days -- but were they to spice up the Touch Pro with a capacitive touchscreen and Android, HTC might just have a game-changer on their hands.

Gallery: HTC Touch Pro hands-on

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HTC Touch Pro hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featureshands-onhtctouch proTouchProMon, 11 Aug 2008 17:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Beijing National Stadium no longer just a stadium, now also a crappy MP3 player]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/11/beijing-national-stadium-no-longer-just-a-stadium-now-also-a-cr/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/11/beijing-national-stadium-no-longer-just-a-stadium-now-also-a-cr/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/11/beijing-national-stadium-no-longer-just-a-stadium-now-also-a-cr/#comments
Like so many other devices made in China, we're convinced this Bird's Nest Stadium, um, "inspired" device is totally, completely authorized and legit. And hey, unlike Chinese bird's nest soup, it not only comes in capacities up to 4GB, but doesn't even appear to be assembled with avian saliva. Difficulty: 1.2, execution: 3.55.

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Beijing National Stadium no longer just a stadium, now also a crappy MP3 player originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijing national stadiumBeijingNationalStadiumbirds nestBirdsNestMon, 11 Aug 2008 00:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Autosub6000 to explore deep undersea volcanoes as only a robot could]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/10/autosub6000-to-explore-deep-undersea-volcanoes-as-only-a-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/10/autosub6000-to-explore-deep-undersea-volcanoes-as-only-a-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/10/autosub6000-to-explore-deep-undersea-volcanoes-as-only-a-robot-c/#comments
The UK's National Oceanography Center in Southampton is prepping to launch a new autonomous underwater vehicle (also known as a robo-sub, landlubber) capable of exploring undersea volcanoes in the Cayman Trough up to 20,000 feet deep. It'll only run for about a kilometer at a time though, so while it does have quickly replaceable lithium polymer battery packs, it still won't exactly be roaming the briny deep for months on end without human supervision. And you know how we feel about unsupervised self-directing machines.

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Autosub6000 to explore deep undersea volcanoes as only a robot could originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Autosub6000auvsubmarineSun, 10 Aug 2008 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel: oh yeah, and we're calling Nehalem Core i7 ]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/10/intel-oh-yeah-and-were-calling-nehalem-core-i7/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/10/intel-oh-yeah-and-were-calling-nehalem-core-i7/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/10/intel-oh-yeah-and-were-calling-nehalem-core-i7/#comments Just an FYI to the CPU geeks in the house: if you've been following Nehalem, you can officially start calling it Core i7 (which means that it's not getting the code name we all thought it'd carry: Core 3 Trio Quad Duo Pro Extreme Edition). Everyone else can feel free to continue scratching their head.

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Intel: oh yeah, and we're calling Nehalem Core i7 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>core i7CoreI7intelnehalemSun, 10 Aug 2008 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Current conditions favorable for ElectraFlyer C's electric flight]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/current-conditions-favorable-for-electraflyer-cs-electric-fligh/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/current-conditions-favorable-for-electraflyer-cs-electric-fligh/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/current-conditions-favorable-for-electraflyer-cs-electric-fligh/#comments
What with all this electric car business going on down on terra firma, it was clearly about time we all got to work flying the negatively-charged skies as well. The ElectraFlyer C, built by the Electric Aircraft Corporation, recently got some extended hang time on its maiden flight, powered by a 5.6 kWh lithium battery capable of flying for between 1.5 to two hours at a cruising speed of about 70 mph (and topping out at 90). Presumably close to silently. Read link hits EAC's site, more photos of the ElectraFlyer C here.

[Via Autopia, thanks Sam]

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Current conditions favorable for ElectraFlyer C's electric flight originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electraflyer cElectraflyerCElectric Aircraft CorporationElectricAircraftCorporationSat, 09 Aug 2008 07:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Pwnage 2.0.2 released, for reals this time]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/pwnage-2-0-2-released-for-reals-this-time/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/pwnage-2-0-2-released-for-reals-this-time/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/pwnage-2-0-2-released-for-reals-this-time/#commentsWell, judging by the dozens of tips we just got, it's time to once again get your Pwnage on with version 2.0.2 (which was released to counter the, um, "fixes" in iPhone firmware 2.0.1). As usual, hit up the read link.

Update: WinPwn 2.0.0.4 is out as well.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Pwnage 2.0.2 released, for reals this time originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphonepwnagesoftwareSat, 09 Aug 2008 04:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony says goodnight to PSP Extended Life Battery Kit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/sony-says-goodnight-to-psp-extended-life-battery-kit/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/sony-says-goodnight-to-psp-extended-life-battery-kit/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/sony-says-goodnight-to-psp-extended-life-battery-kit/#comments
Sony, where's the justice? How could you mercilessly kill the nine month old PSP Extended Life Battery Kit -- capable of boosting the PSP's play time by up to 80% -- while UMDs continue to be the preferred method of distribution for the system's games and video content (thereby also heavily contributing to the device's juice-drain)? Worse still for Sony, why are we not surprised?

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Sony says goodnight to PSP Extended Life Battery Kit originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>psppsp extend life battery kitPspExtendLifeBatteryKitsonySat, 09 Aug 2008 00:14:00 EST<![CDATA[diNovo Edge Mac vs. PC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/08/dinovo-edge-mac-vs-dinovo-pc/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/08/dinovo-edge-mac-vs-dinovo-pc/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/08/dinovo-edge-mac-vs-dinovo-pc/#comments
Unless you've got a couple thou to shell out for an Optimus Maximus, Logitech's diNovo Edge is about as slick a keyboard as anyone makes right now. We just cracked open the forthcoming diNovo Edge for Mac -- comparison shots are below, but the differences aren't too stunning.
  • Mac keys, and lots of 'em. Not just command, option/alt, etc., they've got the full complement, including Dashboard, Spaces, Quick Look, Front Row, iTunes (plus media controls), brightness up/down, and so on.
  • Unfortunately, unlike its PC counterpart, those media and shortcut buttons are not hidden behind the black mirror finish until lit up.
  • The keyboard font's changed to something a little thinner and larger. Definitely easier to see, but we'd still like a backlight.
  • There's no Bluetooth connect button anymore -- it's smart enough to automatically go into discoverable mode if it's not paired.
  • The Mac keyboard stack makes all those shortcuts configurable if you're using the function keys as, well, function keys.
Is it worth $159? We definitely like the way the keys feel (both in shape and in resistance / tactility) much more than Apple's latest boards. No qualms here if you're looking for a recommendation -- whether you've got a PC or a Mac, the Edge is a damn fine piece of kit for getting your type on.

Gallery: diNovo Edge Mac vs. PC

Light up function keys (PC version)PC versionMac versionMac version

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diNovo Edge Mac vs. PC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appledinovodinovo edgeDinovoEdgelogitechFri, 08 Aug 2008 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Sonos gets official on ZP120 and ZP90, but no new controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/05/sonos-gets-official-on-zp120-and-zp90-but-no-new-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/05/sonos-gets-official-on-zp120-and-zp90-but-no-new-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/05/sonos-gets-official-on-zp120-and-zp90-but-no-new-controller/#comments
It's been a while since Sonos last had a significant hardware announcement, so welcome into the world their new ZP120 ($500) and Z90 ($350), as well as the $1,000 BU150 bundle (which includes both the new devices and the same original controller). The main difference, which we'd already heard: they now both support SonosNet 2.0, which uses MIMO to double the wireless distance between nodes. Also clear to those paying close attention, the amp-enabled aluminum-clad flagship model (ZP120) has undergone an intense weight loss treatment, leaving it significantly smaller than its predecessor (but still capable of driving 55W of sound).

Sonos is also launching the 2.6 version of its desktop software, which indexes more music than before (65k tracks total) and, surprisingly enough, gives new AND existing users $200 in free music from sites like eMusic and Livedownloads. Of course, the one piece of Sonos gear we've been most longing to see updated -- the $400 controller -- has gone totally untouched, and won't even be getting SonosNet 2.0. Maybe they'll throw us a bone and hook us up with an iPod touch / iPhone controller app in the mean time, but we're not holding our breath. Photos and unboxing / hands-on shots below.

Gallery: Sonos gets official on ZP120 and ZP90, but no new controller



Gallery: Sonos ZP120 and ZP90 hands-on

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Sonos gets official on ZP120 and ZP90, but no new controller originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsBU150sonoszp120zp90Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MobileMe gets new leadership, Jobs admits Apple made a big mistake]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/04/mobileme-gets-new-leadership-jobs-admits-apple-made-a-big-mista/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/04/mobileme-gets-new-leadership-jobs-admits-apple-made-a-big-mista/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/04/mobileme-gets-new-leadership-jobs-admits-apple-made-a-big-mista/#commentsNot that anyone could really dance around the facts of the matter at this point, but in an email to Apple employees sent today, apparently Steve said, "It was a mistake to launch MobileMe at the same time as iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store. We all had more than enough to do, and MobileMe could have been delayed without consequence." Apple exec Eddie Cue appears to taking the much maligned service under his wing (as well as the App Store, adding to his original gig as VP of iTunes), hopefully making good on the other bit in El Jobso's email where he resets Apple's call to action on .Mac's replacement: "The MobileMe launch clearly demonstrates that we have more to learn about Internet services. And learn we will. The vision of MobileMe is both exciting and ambitious, and we will press on to make it a service we are all proud of by the end of this year." We'll see about that!

Update: You can check out the actual here email here, if you're looking to see how Jobs uses em-dashes as bullets.

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MobileMe gets new leadership, Jobs admits Apple made a big mistake originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eddie cueEddieCuemobilemesteve jobsSteveJobsMon, 04 Aug 2008 23:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Teeny, tiny BeRobot promised for release, still not quite gray goo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/02/teeny-tiny-berobot-promised-for-release-still-not-quite-gray-g/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/02/teeny-tiny-berobot-promised-for-release-still-not-quite-gray-g/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/02/teeny-tiny-berobot-promised-for-release-still-not-quite-gray-g/#comments
We can appreciate the fact that BeRobot is supposedly going to be the smallest functional commercially available humanoid robot when it's released this September. Really, we can, even despite the fact that each successive machine brings us one step closer to the day the robots have mastered humanity, and our lowly race of meatbags lives on only as the amusing anachronisms kept alive to opulently feed them oil-covered grapes at laser-gunpoint. But BeRobot's creator GeStream -- and the rest of Japan, for that matter -- really have to really put the pedal to the metal if we're going to miniaturize these suckers small enough for gray goo in this lifetime. We're waiting!

[Thanks, Frankie, via Hobby Media]

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Teeny, tiny BeRobot promised for release, still not quite gray goo originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeRobotgestreamgray gooGrayGooSat, 02 Aug 2008 07:10:00 EST<![CDATA[NYPD implores citizens to submit photo and video evidence]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/02/nypd-implores-citizens-to-submit-photo-and-video-evidence/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/02/nypd-implores-citizens-to-submit-photo-and-video-evidence/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/02/nypd-implores-citizens-to-submit-photo-and-video-evidence/#comments
Tired of the fuzz body-checking you right off your bike during Critical Mass rides? Well lucky you, New York Police Commish Ray Kelly is responding by flipping the switch on user-generated crime reports, enabling ordinary citizens to submit photos and video as evidence of criminal activity. Granted, we think it's always been the case that people could dial-a-detective if they've got a hot lead on a crime, but here Kelly specifically referred to the "fact of life" that nowadays "everybody has a camera in their telephones. When people can record an event taking place that helps us during an investigation, it's helpful." Details are not yet clear, like how much manpower it's going to take to weed through the billions of tattle-tale clips that will inevitably be sent in of Sbux line-cutters, or what codecs the NYPD will support (fingers crossed for motion-JPEG and 3GPP).

[Via The Raw Feed]

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NYPD implores citizens to submit photo and video evidence originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimeevidencenypdSat, 02 Aug 2008 05:22:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone roundup: Apple seeds 2.1 with new GPS features, possible copy/paste, also completely out of phones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/25/iphone-roundup-apple-seeds-2-1-with-new-gps-features-possible/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/25/iphone-roundup-apple-seeds-2-1-with-new-gps-features-possible/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/25/iphone-roundup-apple-seeds-2-1-with-new-gps-features-possible/#comments
Your morning iPhone news fix: looks like Apple's seeded a beta of firmware 2.1 (not to be confused with the supposed 2.0.1 that will fix the myriad bugs and issues with 2.0), which may have some new GPS features that would imply turn-by-turn directions. No argument from us if Apple really is including new Core Location hooks for tracking your direction and speed, which would both be needed for doing proper GPS navigation.

Another bit which may or may not make it into 2.1 is copy/paste. We're still both hopeful and skeptical, but supposedly in the new version of the WebKit framework exists commands for "plugins," "copy," "paste," "cut," and some others. We can't confirm if these really exist (and if they do, we don't know how they've actually been there, or if they're simply holdovers from the desktop WebKit frameworks), so don't hold your breath. Also supposedly making its first appearance in the 2.1 beta code: Apple's push notification service.

Oh, and by the way, if all this has whet your appetite for the device, sounds like today will be a bad day to try and snag one. Apple's retail site shows absolutely zero iPhone availability in the US, so if you're jonesing then check out eBay or the seedy looking dude on the corner with the overstuffed trenchcoat.

Update: Looks like the stores have been updated in the last hour, many have stock. Game on!

[Thanks to Cameron and everyone who sent these in]

Read - Apple all out of stock
Read - New GPS features seeded?
Read - 2.1 getting background push?

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iPhone roundup: Apple seeds 2.1 with new GPS features, possible copy/paste, also completely out of phones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefirmwareiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gsoftwarestockupdateFri, 25 Jul 2008 08:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative announces Zen Mosaic, looks like bad Mondrian]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/24/creative-announces-zen-mosaic-looks-like-bad-mondrian/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/24/creative-announces-zen-mosaic-looks-like-bad-mondrian/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/24/creative-announces-zen-mosaic-looks-like-bad-mondrian/#comments
Creative's got yet another on the way: the Zen Mosaic, which will have a 1.8-inch display, 2, 4, or 8GB capacities, FM tuner, speakers, MP3 / WMA / WAV / Audible codec support, and 32 hours of battery life. They're apparently starting in Singapore and working their way over, but they shouldn't top $200 when they're eventually announced for the US.

[Thanks, Rube]

Read - Announced details on the player [Via EpiZenter]
Read - First hands-on

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Creative announces Zen Mosaic, looks like bad Mondrian originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativemosaiczenzen mosaicZenMosaicThu, 24 Jul 2008 02:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Some news from the editor's desk]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/some-news-from-the-editors-desk/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/some-news-from-the-editors-desk/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/some-news-from-the-editors-desk/#commentsFor most of us here, at some point the sensation of breaking the news takes hold and turns into something else, something much more like an addiction. It really gets into you, keeps you up at night, makes you stay in on weekends. It's in Engadget's DNA, and it's what's kept me glued to the site most waking hours of most days for over four years now.

But fresh challenges can also be addictive, which is why I've decided to step down as editor of this publication in late August so as to start a new company. I'm extremely excited -- but there's also simply no way I can give up working with Engadget that easily, so I'll remain on as editor-at-large, where I'll have a longer-term advisory role to the site (and do some writing from time to time, as well).

I'll be leaving Engadget in the immensely talented hands of Josh Topolsky, whose vision and voice will ensure the site lives up to its legacy as gadget publication nonpareil. Also, Engadget's current Managing Editor Joshua Fruhlinger will soon begin to formally oversee the AOL Tech network, including Switched, TUAW, Download Squad, and the Engadget network. With Josh Topolsky at the helm and Joshua Fruhlinger's stewardship, I have no doubt that Engadget won't just carry on, but will become even better than ever. Read on.

Continue reading Some news from the editor's desk

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Some news from the editor's desk originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative ZEN X-Fi reviewed, but mostly just taken apart]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/21/creative-zen-x-fi-reviewed-but-mostly-just-taken-apart/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/21/creative-zen-x-fi-reviewed-but-mostly-just-taken-apart/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/21/creative-zen-x-fi-reviewed-but-mostly-just-taken-apart/#comments
Not a ton's changed with Creative's ZEN X-Fi -- which we all well know at this point -- so for right now we're just paying closer attention to its innards all broken out like a science fair project. Careful, the teardown link below contains graphic representations of disrobed consumer electronics.

[Thanks, Josh and Mindy]

Read - Zen X-Fi teardown
Read - Anything But iPod's review
Read - Pocketables review

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Creative ZEN X-Fi reviewed, but mostly just taken apart originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativeteardownx-fizenzen x-fiZenX-fiMon, 21 Jul 2008 03:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft takes in $60b, sells 180m Vista licenses since launch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/microsoft-nets-60b-sells-180m-vista-licenses-since-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/microsoft-nets-60b-sells-180m-vista-licenses-since-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/microsoft-nets-60b-sells-180m-vista-licenses-since-launch/#comments
Microsoft's been touting its "fastest annual revenue growth since 1999," which resulted in a princely $60.42 billion dollars in its last fiscal year, but the number that has us rapt? Vista licenses sold since launch about 18 months ago: 180m. Damn, not too shabby a clip -- especially considering that they moved 20m licenses moved in month one, 40m licenses moved after the first 100 days, and 140m licenses by last April. But at roughly 10m licenses per month, that means Vista's still a couple years out before it surpasses XP, and with a bit of luck, by then we'll have already moved on to Windows 7.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Microsoft takes in $60b, sells 180m Vista licenses since launch originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftsalesvistawindowsSat, 19 Jul 2008 06:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic throws down 6 and 12GB SDHC cards]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/panasonic-throws-down-6-and-12gb-sdhc-cards/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/panasonic-throws-down-6-and-12gb-sdhc-cards/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/panasonic-throws-down-6-and-12gb-sdhc-cards/#commentsLaunching 6 and 12GB SDHC cards seems a little boring at this point, especially when your company has already gone way, way larger. Which is why Panasonic's got the 6 and 12GB RP-SDM06G and RP-SDM12G class 4 (10MBps) SDHC cards which are apparently "designed for HD recording." Love when they do that.

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Panasonic throws down 6 and 12GB SDHC cards originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>panasonicRP-SDM06GRP-SDM12GsdsdhcSat, 19 Jul 2008 04:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft launching SideWinder X6 keyboard this fall?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/microsoft-launching-sidewinder-keyboard-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/microsoft-launching-sidewinder-keyboard-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/19/microsoft-launching-sidewinder-keyboard-this-fall/#comments
Say, is this a Microsoft SideWinder-branded keyboard? Looks like it might just be. It looks like it'll go by the name of SideWinder X6, and feature a detachable numeric keypad, programmable keys, and "cruise control" (don't quote us, this is from a translation) which emulates a steady keypress. It'll run $80 in September -- that is, if this doesn't just turn out to be pure rumor.

[Thanks, Husar]

Update: Reader RainMotorsports points out that the side profile looks, well, unconvincing. Certainly right, especially when you ask yourself where those giant knobs went. Hey, we never said this was a sure thing!

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Microsoft launching SideWinder X6 keyboard this fall? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>keyboardmicrosoftsidewinderSat, 19 Jul 2008 01:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Worlds collide: YouTube comes to TiVo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/17/worlds-collide-youtube-comes-to-tivo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/17/worlds-collide-youtube-comes-to-tivo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/17/worlds-collide-youtube-comes-to-tivo/#commentsJust in case you weren't already watching enough YouTube at work and on your home computer, on your iPhone, Ocean, etc., or on your Apple TV, now TiVo's getting in on the action as well. Originally announced earlier this year, TiVo users can finally expect the update to pop over your TiVo's regularly scheduled updates over the next couple of weeks. Oh, and our man Dave Zatz shot some video of the new feature and put it up on (where else?) YouTube -- check it out after the break.

Continue reading Worlds collide: YouTube comes to TiVo

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Worlds collide: YouTube comes to TiVo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewssoftwaretivoupdateyoutubeThu, 17 Jul 2008 03:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo MotionPlus hands-on: blah.]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/nintendo-motionplus-hands-on-blah/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/nintendo-motionplus-hands-on-blah/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/nintendo-motionplus-hands-on-blah/#comments
So yeah, we got a chance to check out Nintendo's new MotionPlus accessory. Wii Sports Resort is the only title announced right now that requires (or supports) MotionPlus, and we gave a couple of the games a run (like sword fighting and jet-skiing). Basically we're a little at a loss as to how this does anything truly differently or more effectively than current controllers. We get that it's got additional MEMS accelerometers that supposedly bring the relationship of motion and gameplay to a more 1:1 ratio, and for the motion types we tested, it did seem to work -- but the experience and level of immersion felt basically the same. So what's the deal? More after the break.

Gallery: Nintendo MotionPlus hands-on: blah.

Continue reading Nintendo MotionPlus hands-on: blah.

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Nintendo MotionPlus hands-on: blah. originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>motionplusnintendowiiwii sports resortWiiSportsResortWed, 16 Jul 2008 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[SCEA CEO Jack Tretton dishes: DRM is in, backwards compatibility is out, and video UMD lives on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/scea-ceo-jack-tretton-dishes/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/scea-ceo-jack-tretton-dishes/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/scea-ceo-jack-tretton-dishes/#commentsWe got a chance to sit down with Sony Computer Entertainment of America's CEO Jack Tretton, who gave us the lowdown about a few things we've had on our minds.

PS3
On backwards compatibility: Jack explained that Sony looked at how to "not take a greater hit on production cost, without losing PlayStation's heritage ... Hardware / software for backwards compat wasn't all that expensive. ... but we're selling PS2 software to PS2 customers, and selling PS3 software to PS3 consumers." Still, Jack seems to feel like it may have been the wrong move. "I would like to have had it in there, but Sony's collective strategy determined we could afford to lose it. We've now gone down that road, and we're not going back."

On DRM and the video store: As of right now, Tretton is a firm supporter of the need to DRM content on the PlayStation platforms, and Sony believes that "the drm for a song maybe isn't as important for a movie and a game... this is way too hard a business to make money in to allow people to own multiple copies for the price of one." (That's what they all say!) "I'm all for allowing an individual consumer having the freedom to do with their content what they want," but Sony has no intention of opening its video up any more than it has to.

PSP
On drive or flash storage: Sony has "definitely thought about storage on the PSP," and understands the inevitable "march towards digital content delivery device." But in terms of a drive-based PSP, they have "nothing that's imminent." (Read: don't hold your breath.)

On how downloadable video affects the already sad state of UMD: UMD "has struggled, and it wasn't handled effectively from the beginning. ... I firmly believe in a digital model" as they're rolling out, but Sony is "still going to support UMD" as a device for movies.

What's preventing PSP software sales: Three things. Title ports from PS2 games (people don't want to buy the same title twice), and the PSP's media functions. But Jack put the most emphasis on "piracy in the hundreds of thousands of units are preventing software sales. it's a problem that affects our software sales right now."

Continue reading SCEA CEO Jack Tretton dishes: DRM is in, backwards compatibility is out, and video UMD lives on

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SCEA CEO Jack Tretton dishes: DRM is in, backwards compatibility is out, and video UMD lives on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresjack trettonJackTrettonplaystation 3Playstation3ps3pspsonyWed, 16 Jul 2008 15:18:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 3G review supplemental: battery life and MobileMe tests]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/iphone-3g-review-supplemental-battery-life-and-mobileme-tests/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/iphone-3g-review-supplemental-battery-life-and-mobileme-tests/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/iphone-3g-review-supplemental-battery-life-and-mobileme-tests/#commentsWe spent most of the weekend putting the iPhone 3G's battery life (and to a lesser extent, MobileMe implementation) to the test, and we've got far more encouraging results to report back than we had on day one. Pretty much everything we've found thus far jibes with Apple's claims, if not exceeds them. (Our video results early on skewed low because we had mistakenly left on push and fetch data, which dropped the battery life by almost 25%. After re-testing, they're back up to spec.)

All tested with 3G on, WiFi on (not connected), Bluetooth off, no data fetching enabled (unless specified otherwise). Media tested with stock headphones, medium volume, and medium screen brightness, auto-brightness disabled.
  • Music (continuous playback, large library, occasionally turning on screen): 31h 23m
  • Video (continuous playback, no push/fetch data): 7h 5m
  • Video (continuous playback, with push and 15 minute fetch data): 5h 24m
  • Daily data use (browsing, email, and GPS / maps): ~6h 30m
Those numbers definitely are not bad, but if you're anything like us and you kill time on your phone reading feeds and checking email like a fiend, by 3 or 4pm you'll likely be wondering if you'll even make it home with any power left -- especially if you leave on the 3G. Just be warned, the kind of prolonged usage on the original iPhone you used to get away with probably isn't possible with the iPhone 3G. For some, this may be an issue, while others may never notice. Click on for more on our MobileMe testing and enterprise stuff, and, of course, check out the full iPhone 3G review.

Continue reading iPhone 3G review supplemental: battery life and MobileMe tests

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iPhone 3G review supplemental: battery life and MobileMe tests originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefeaturesiphone 3gIphone3gWed, 16 Jul 2008 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft doing two new Xbox 360 colors: bright red and green]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/microsoft-doing-two-new-xbox-360-colors-bright-red-and-green/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/microsoft-doing-two-new-xbox-360-colors-bright-red-and-green/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/microsoft-doing-two-new-xbox-360-colors-bright-red-and-green/#comments
Come September 30th you'll be able to yourself some Microsoft Xbox 360 controllers in limited edition bright red and green colors. The packages will be slightly different, however, with the red including a Play & Charge Kit (i.e. rechargeable battery and USB cable) for $65, while the green (and how -- shown above) comes straight for $55. Unapologetically, Microsoft lists the "SKU role" for each controller as "profit driver." Indeed.

Gallery: Microsoft doing two new Xbox 360 colors: bright red and green

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Microsoft doing two new Xbox 360 colors: bright red and green originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllermicrosoftxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:54:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 3G launch coverage roundup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/iphone-3g-launch-coverage-roundup/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/iphone-3g-launch-coverage-roundup/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/iphone-3g-launch-coverage-roundup/#comments
Even though the dust ought to have settled three and a half days later, people all over the country (and world?) are still spending hours in line for an iPhone 3G. It's a tall order for a phone, but clearly people are ravenous -- so here's all the news you need to catch yourself up on the goings on of the past few days.

P.S. -Sick of the iPhone news? Don't sweat it, we'll be live from the Sony and Nintendo E3 keynotes later this morning!

Review!
Hands-on coverage
Activation fiasco
News and roundups
More after the break.

Continue reading iPhone 3G launch coverage roundup

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iPhone 3G launch coverage roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneiphone 3gIphone3groundupTue, 15 Jul 2008 05:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360's overhauled Dashboard: the gallery]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/xbox-360s-overhauled-dashboard-the-gallery/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/xbox-360s-overhauled-dashboard-the-gallery/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/xbox-360s-overhauled-dashboard-the-gallery/#comments
Oh yeah, we almost forgot that we have shots of the new Xbox 360 Dashboard -- check 'em out below. Hit up here and here for more on the big fall overhaul that will make your Xbox 360 Dashboard experience basically unrecognizable, for better or worse.

Gallery: Xbox 360's overhauled Dashboard: the gallery

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Xbox 360's overhauled Dashboard: the gallery originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarsmicrosoftxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:12:00 EST