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In & Out Door concept keeps you from pushing when you should pull, vice-versa
Door handles are a simple concept, but not so simple that they don't require instructions. Lovely, minimalist doors worldwide are made less strikingly beautiful by the application of crude "PUSH" and "PULL" stickers, distractions that could be done away with if we all used the In & Out Door, a concept by Korean student Jeon Hwan Soo. On one side it has a handle for pulling. On the other? A pad for pushing. Either activates the latch as shown below, making it reasonably simple to figure out what you're supposed to do. It's just a concept now so it's only capable of opening up theoretical portals, but we expect to see these showing up at the Midvale School for the Gifted very soon.
Amazon app store for Android confirmed by WSJ
Amazon's always worked hard to make sure it's in the digital goods business as well as its obviously successful physical one, but this might be one of its boldest steps yet: another app store for Android. We heard the rumor a couple weeks ago through TechCrunch, and The Wall Street Journal is now claiming to have proof, including an Amazon document explaining some of the terms to the developers. It's apparently still unclear when the store will be launched or even what it'll be called, and since so far it seems like Amazon is mainly talking to developers about this behind closed doors, some of the specifics might still be in the air. According to the WSJ, Amazon stipulates an app can't be sold for less anywhere else (which was hinted at in the earlier leak), and there's a stranger requirement that the app can't be on offer anywhere else for more than two weeks before it's given to Amazon. We're guessing that's an Android only stipulation -- or else a bit of a high barrier for iOS ports -- but that just brings up more to worry about: is Amazon building a store just a first in an onslaught? And is this indeed part of an Android tablet launch for Amazon?
Amazon launching its own Android app store? (update: tablet too?)
This sounds like madness to us, but take it for what you will: TechCrunch is reporting via some tipsters that Amazon is preparing to launch its own Android app store, of all things. Revenue split is rumored to be "the greater of 70 percent of the purchase price or 20 percent of the List Price as of the purchase date," which is pretty strange wording -- this "List Price" concept is apparently designed to prevent you from undercutting pricing with other services -- and there'll be a $99 fee to gain entry, which is pretty standard. Apps will be required to use Amazon DRM and could be featured on Amazon's site, which is potentially a pretty big upside considering the kind of traffic that bad boy gets. As TechCrunch notes, a particularly interesting blurb in the alleged terms states that "[Amazon has] sole discretion to determine all features and operations of [programs] and to set the retail price and other terms on which [they] sell Apps," implying that pricing is their call -- not yours -- and they've got some say in how your app's going to work and what it's going to do. Clearly we're missing something here, since they're starting with zero market share, the Android Market is the obvious choice for consumers, and there are some really odd terms -- and Bezos isn't a dummy -- so we'll hold out and see where this goes. After all, with Google apparently actively reigning in devices by lording Market access over manufacturers' heads, there might actually be some room for third parties to get some traction here over the long term. Update: TechCrunch is now throwing in a rumored Amazon tablet at no extra charge. Could launch beside the app store if its source is correct. If.
Viewsonic ViewPad is an OlivePad rebadge?
Remember when Viewsonic was a respectable company? It made modest but reputable monitors that seemed to define the product category. Now the company is slapping its colorful finches onto just about any OEM device it can grab. Next on the agenda is the 7-inch Viewsonic ViewPad tablet, expected to launch at the big IFA show next week with an Android OS and 3G and WiFi connectivity. Thing is, the device leaked to Pocket-lint (pictured above) is the very same tablet known since July as the Olive Pad VT00, aka, "India's first 3.5G Pad." So line up now if you like your seconds served stale and without originality.
Apple Magic Trackpad official, shipping now for $69
It's not like Apple could very well keep it a secret anymore, so today we're being treated to the official unveiling of the Magic Trackpad. This wireless touch input receptacle -- already thoroughly leaked, trademarked, and FCC-approved -- has just made its debut in, of all places, Apple's Store app for iOS 4. It's basically exactly what you'd expect: a glass-covered, aluminum-shelled replicator of the glorious multitouch experience on offer in Apple's MacBooks, only for the desktop. The Trackpad is battery-powered, communicates via Bluetooth fairy dust, and is ready to ship out right this minute for a dollar under 70 bucks.%Gallery-98271%
HP files for 'PalmPad' trademark -- a webOS tablet, perhaps?
HP's been extremely direct in saying that it plans to release webOS tablets and other devices in the future, and now that the Palm acquisition is complete, it looks like those plans are starting to move forward -- the company just filed a trademark application for "PalmPad," which certainly sounds like a webOS tablet to us. We don't know much apart from that, but it's certainly an encouraging sign -- and we can't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for a name that harkens back to the glory days of the PalmPilot. Now we're just wondering when (this fall?), how much, and -- as usual -- what this means for the HP Slate. We'll keep our eyes open.
Kaossonome rears its head; Guitar Center changes name to Arduino Center
Every time we turn around, there's another amazing new blinking, knobby, button-pressy little sound-maker making cute-weird-alien noises, lacing up our shoes or controlling our remote control cars for us, and it all seems to be Arduino's fault. That's fine by us. Alexander Randon (his awesome, real name) has brought a devastatingly charming monster to the MIDI controller game in the Kaossonome - inspired, not-so-surprisingly, by Korg's Kaoss family and the minimalist Monome. It's a touchscreen laid on top of 256 LEDs, encased in a aluminum-wood-plexiglass box 8 chunky, push-button laced knobs. While none of these elements is particularly new, the whole package and execution just seems to kick things up a notch or two. Check out the green-glow mutant bassline after the break.
I-O Data TransferJet USB dongle announced in Japan
Been dying to get in on some TransferJet high-speed low-range wireless data transfer action since Sony made such a big fuss of it at CES? Well you can go the all-Sony route and pick up a VAIO F or one of Sony's Cyber-Shot bundles with a reader, or you can head to Japan and snag this I-O Data USB2-TJC reader, when it comes out later this month for ¥10,000 ($115). It works with Windows and Mac OS X, and you'll still need to have that special TransferJet Memory Stick or a compatible Cyber-Shot camera on the other end of the equation for the time being, so it looks like you'll still be kicking it Sony Style for a while. Good thing Toshiba has promised TransferJet stuff by the end of the year, right?
WirelessIris brings follow focus to your DLSR via iPhone app (video)
If you're shooting with movie cameras (or HD-enabled DSLRs like the Canon 5DMkII), being able to make your adjustments digitally is "epic" (or so says Engadget Show Producer Chad Mumm, who just declared this particular hardware "awesome"). The fStop Wireless Receiver is an affordable WiFi receiver that's compatible with most remote focus systems (common in the world of professional cinematography). Featuring multiple wireless channels and integration with the WirelessIris iPhone app, this bad boy will have you fussing with your camera's controls from your spacious (and convenient) Apple touchscreen device in no time! That is, once you shell out $1,389 (or find a friend with very deep pockets). Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Videos after the break.
Apple rejecting apps with "Pad" in the title
Apple is extremely protective of its trademarks, and has begun rejecting App Store submissions with "Pad" in the main title. 9to5 Mac notes that Jesse Waites, the developer behind ContactPad, has recently had an update for his app rejected because of its name (note that ContactPad is currently available; it's the update that was rejected). Apple has established a policy meant to eliminate confusion over which products were actually produced by Apple. Among the criteria is "...You may use Apple, iPad or any other word mark provided that...the Apple word mark is not part of the product name." True, "Pad" isn't "iPad," but it's close enough in Apple's opinion. This isn't the first time we've seen Apple request such a change. Website iLounge was previously named iPodLounge, and several years ago the makers of the iPed iPod stand were asked to reconsider their device's name (in no uncertain terms). More recently, the Little App Factory were told to change the name of iPodRip; a fix that Steve Jobs suggested was "Not that big of a deal."
Dost thine iPad trouble thee?
You know us, we like to keep an ear to the ground and, while our own iPads have been purring along with no more than the occasional crashed app, we're hearing others have not been so fortunate. A number of persistent issues have been reported by anxious iPadites across the USA, including weak or intermittent WiFi signal, overheating, broken PDF exports from Pages, and the iPad completely forgetting your network settings and password. So we figured what better way to see how widespread these problemos are than to ask the collective Engadget brain trust? Have you experienced any of these symptoms? Found a fix? Returned the iPad, bought a skateboard, and started a new gadget-free lifestyle? Vote in the poll, pretty please, and drop by in the comments to let us know how it's working out for you. %Poll-44007% [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iiView Vpad enters today's tablet fray with yesterday's netbook specs
iiView's already shown that it's not one to avoid a trend, and it's now hopped on the biggest one going with its new 10.2-inch Vpad tablet. Unfortunately, it seems that the company isn't as quick to update the specs as the form factor, as this one only packs some of the most basic, netbook-like internals, including an Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and Windows 7 Starter Edition for an OS. That will set you back $499, while $699 will buy you a slightly upgraded model with built-in 3G, an extra gig of RAM, and a 320GB hard drive. A bit of a tough sell in today's tablet market, to be sure, but you can place your order for one right now if it happens to strike your fancy.
Notepod+ helps you sketch your iPad ideas
From the makers of the Notepod comes the Notepod+, which does for the iPad what the original paper version of the iPhone accomplished. It allows you to sketch out any app ideas or UI insights you might happen to have laying around. One of the refrains we heard from at Macworld last week was that the iPad was a completely different animal -- apps on the new device won't (and shouldn't) be the same as apps already running on the iPhone (even though iPhone apps will work on both devices). So if you want an iPad-sized, erm, pad to draw your ideas on, Notepod+ is it. And as you can see in the picture above, it doubles as a mousepad and/or a plain old pen-and-paper notetaker as well. The pad itself is US$19.95, and wireless filesharing comes free -- just rip the top page off and mail it out to anyone you want to share it with!
Razer's dual-sided Vespula mousepad: for smooth, seductive mood-swingers
Not that we haven't seen multifaceted mousepads before, but there's something quite delectable about Razer's latest. The craftily-named Vespula is the company's first (update: we forgot about the Exactmat!) dual-sided gaming surface, complete with "speed" and "control" sides that supposedly give you the best of both worlds when switching from one genre to the next. Essentially, the speed side is as smooth as a baby's bottom, while the control side adds a textured layer to pick up on the finest wrist twists. There's also a bundled gel-filled wrist rest to keep the ergonomists happy, and if you're interested, you can get yours right now for $34.99 (or €34.99 elsewhere).
ASUS Eee Pad coming soon?
ASUS is said to be quietly working on the launch of a new pad device, between four and seven inches in diagonal breadth, which should offer a combination of MID and tablet PC capabilities. That's the short, sweet and uncorroborated whole of what we know so far, though we might reasonably expect to see some variant of the Eee PC Touch UI making an appearance. For an indication of what to expect from an ASUS touchscreen device, you can check out our T91 review right here, and the comments are the place to unload all your wild and wacky theories about just what might be inside an Eee Pad. Get to it.
eviGroup's Pad is a 10-inch 3G tablet with personality
Time to freshen up the old netbook market with a dash of Windows 7, a pinch of touchscreen functionality, and a generous helping of... Seline10? eviGroup, the crew responsible for the attractive 5-inch Wallet MID, has announced the 10.2-inch Pad, whose pièce de résistance is the Seline10 artificial intelligence software that's been in development for a decade, if you can believe it. Its purpose is to act as your secretary / assistant, and while the novelty's good, we all know how well Clippy worked out. Fret not though, it's just an optional extra and shouldn't detract from the appeal of a device that offers 3G and a/b/g WiFi connectivity, one VGA and three USB ports, multicard reader, webcam, microphone, and the old faithful 1.6GHz of Atom power. A price of under €500 is being touted, with further details set to emerge over the coming days.
Elecom's USB numeric touch keypad does touch gestures on the side
Elecom's USB-powered numeric touch keypad is pretty simple. You plug it into your machine, tap your digits on the board and watch the numbers appear in your calculator app. Once that gets boring, you can also use this as a secondary trackpad. And given that it supports a variety of multi gesture functions (zoom in / out, shift up / down, etc.), we'd say the secondary features here may just be more enticing than the primary. Suddenly overcome with a feeling of want? Get yours later this month for ¥6,500 ($72).[Via Akihabara News]
Razer Naga MMO mouse (and Megasoma mat) unboxing and hands-on
Razer's got a knack for cranking out the unusual, and from the First Edition Boomslang, the outfit has also had a thing for developing gaming mice that demanded respect. The recently announced Naga (which is now shipping out to customers, by the way) is one of the most bizarre mice yet, boasting no fewer than 12 buttons on the left side and a promise of making your MMO gaming a more enjoyable experience. Alongside the wired USB critter, Razer also introduced a patently gigantic gaming surface, the $49.99 Mesasoma. We were able to spend some time with each of these peripherals, so hop on down to the gallery for a closer look and on past the break for a few impressions. %Gallery-73385%
Scratch-n-Scroll noteable mousepad puts the "do" back in "To Do" list
Can't seem to keep an unused stack of sticky notes near your dear mouse? Fret not, as the geniuses over at Quirky have popped out yet another 'well duh / must-have' product in the Scratch-n-Scroll. Rather than promising that its newest surface can help you frag more intently, smell better or just appear more heroic, this 'noteable mousepad' is apt to be one of the poorer mousing mats on the market. But frankly, that's not the point. The point is that you can jot down vital notes with just a fingertip right on the pad, and once you've transferred 'em over to something a touch more permanent, you simply lift up the semi-transparent top sheet, let it fall flat and marvel at the vanishing act. It's all yours for just $9.49, so really, why aren't you giving that read link some love?
Razer adds a dozen keys to Naga MMO mouse, intros rollable gaming surface
Who says MMO gamers are alienated by everyone accessory makers? Across the pond in Germany, Razer has stepped up to serve the needs of basement-dwelling World of Warcraft players with its first dedicated MMO mouse. The Naga, as it's so beautifully called, gives users a dozen customizable buttons on the side in order to take some of those keyboard macros (or just the 1 - 12 number keys) and put them within thumb's reach. The mouse (shown in video after the break) also ships with a robust software suite that can save unlimited profiles and program "thousands of different in-game commands for each character you choose to play." In case that's not enough to get your juices flowing, the company also outed an all new gaming surface (the Megasoma) that can be rolled up and tucked away for easy transport between LAN parties. Check the read link for all the nitty-gritty details, and get ready to hand over $79.99 for the critter and $49.99 for the mouse when they ship worldwide later this year.
