Engadget

Cybook prepping Odyssey reader with High Speed Ink System screen

Terrence O'Brien — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:07:00 EST

It looks like Bookeen may finally be through teasing us -- the company is preparing to unleash the Odyssey, a reader sporting its High Speed Ink System. The modified Pearl E Ink screen has been shown off multiple times, playing back video and browsing the web. Now it will finally make the transition from interesting tech demo to actual product. Better yet, the 6-inch, full motion-capable screen has been paired with a touch layer, which means it could deliver a tablet-like experience with battery life closer to a traditional e-reader. Underneath the hood is a an 800MHz Cortex A8 processor from Texas Instruments and a WiFi radio, presumably for downloading content and browsing the web. The Odyssey is expect to start shipping in Europe in the next few weeks, but Bookeen has yet to reveal a price. You can check out the machine translated PR at the source link.

Cybook prepping Odyssey reader with High Speed Ink System screen originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's new internet TV box, projector and Blu-ray player make an appearance at IFA

Richard Lawler — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:03:00 EST

They didn't earn highlights during Sony's IFA 2011 keynote, but it did slip out a few more pieces of home theater hardware that are more likely to end up in your living room than its outlandish 3D helmet. The SMP-N200 replaces the earlier Netbox that debuted last year with a refreshed design and support for HD and 3D. Unsurprisingly, this Blu-ray player (without the Blu-ray) also supports DLNA "throwing" of content, making it a natural Apple TV-style tie-in for the Tablet S and Tablet P once they launch. Moving on, the VPL-VW95ES is a proper replacement for last year's VPL-VW90ES that we'll probably get more properly acquainted with later this week at CEDIA. For 2011 it's been refreshed with 3D conversion capabilities, an integrated 3D emitter to sync the glasses and the ability to set and memorize different lens positions to switch seamlessly between 16:9 and ultrawidescreen projecting. Finally, the BDP-S185 Blu-ray player was announced, with compact size and power consumption that Sony claims is 47 percent less than the previous year's models as its most notable features. All should start shipping in October, no specific word on pricing yet.

Continue reading Sony's new internet TV box, projector and Blu-ray player make an appearance at IFA

Sony's new internet TV box, projector and Blu-ray player make an appearance at IFA originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with the Sony Reader Wi-Fi (video)

Brian Heater — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:07:00 EST

The Sony Reader doesn't have all that large a presence here in the States, where the market is largely dominated by Amazon, and, to a lesser extent, Barnes & Noble. The Sony Reader Wi-Fi does go a ways toward keeping up with the competition, offering up WiFi (as advertised), an infrared touchscreen, and the Pearl E-Ink display seen on past versions. The hardware is nice, though it doesn't feel quite as natural in the hand as the Nook or Kobo -- it did indeed feel light, as advertised, though it's hard to get a final judgement, seeing as how the demo product on the show room floor was all wired up. The software also zips along quite nicely, and pinch to zoom functionality is certainly a welcome addition in the e-reader market. Unlike many other Sony Readers, the thing also does well for itself pricewise, at $149. Hands-on video after the break.

Gallery: Sony Reader WiFi hands-on

Continue reading Hands-on with the Sony Reader Wi-Fi (video)

Hands-on with the Sony Reader Wi-Fi (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's new Reader Wi-Fi is the world's lightest 6-inch e-reader with multitouch screen (update: powered by Android)

Richard Lai — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:12:00 EST

Sony's just been showing off its Reader Store for the Android-powered Tablet S and Tablet P, but it hasn't forgotten its more eye-friendly options. Announced at IFA just now, the self-explanatory Reader Wi-Fi (PRS-T1) claims to be the world's lightest 6-inch e-reader with an "enhanced" touchscreen -- the "enhanced" bit referring to its "Clear Touch Infrared" technology that supports multitouch for pinch-to-zoom, though it's also bundled with a stylus. At 168 grams (5.93 ounces) light and 8.9mm thin, this device packs a 600 x 800, 16-level gray scale E Ink Pearl display, along with 1.3 GB of usable internal storage plus microSD expansion of up to 32GB.

The built-in 802.11b/g/n WiFi connectivity also lets users wirelessly borrow eBooks from public libraries -- a first for e-readers, apparently -- in the UK, US, and Canada. As for battery life, a single battery charge will keep digital bookworms busy for up to three weeks with WiFi enabled, or up to a month without WiFi (based on a half-hour reading time per day). Expect this ePub-compatible Reader Wi-Fi to hit the US and Europe in October for around $149, and it'll come in a color choice of either red, white or black. Press release after the break.

Update: We now have confirmation that this reader is running on a heavily disguised Android (which is somewhat hinted by the buttons, anyway), so yeah, let the rooting begin!

Continue reading Sony's new Reader Wi-Fi is the world's lightest 6-inch e-reader with multitouch screen (update: powered by Android)

Sony's new Reader Wi-Fi is the world's lightest 6-inch e-reader with multitouch screen (update: powered by Android) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BeBook Club 'S' boosts speed, contrast, leaves off nothing for savings

Terrence O'Brien — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:06:00 EST

The respectable, if not exactly mind-blowing, BeBook Club e-reader is getting an update and adding an "S." So, what exactly does the BeBook Club 'S' bring to the party? Well, one of them fancy Pearl e-ink screens for starters, but also storage (it now sports 1GB of internal flash) and speed (it's got a beefy new 800MHz CPU). The design remains the same, but we're hoping the price doesn't. At $179 the original BeBook Club was always a tough sell, and with the price of the Kindle and Nook tumbling fast the 'S' here better also stand for savings.

Gallery: BeBook Club 'S'

Continue reading BeBook Club 'S' boosts speed, contrast, leaves off nothing for savings

BeBook Club 'S' boosts speed, contrast, leaves off nothing for savings originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gresso flaunts $30,000 white iPhone 4, holds more ice than a skating rink

Billy Steele — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:45:00 EST

Sure, you probably waited longer than you should have to get the elusive white iPhone 4. But, you know what's better than a boring regular model? One with diamonds, crystals and pearls... of course! Known for its ridiculous custom mobile devices, Gresso may force you to refinance your house and hock a kidney to afford its latest creation, the Lady Blanche. A solid diamond-coated mineral glass backing, three independent Swiss clocks and pearl dials replace the usual body on this iced-out iPhone. If the $30k diamond model is a bit out of your price range, the much more affordable Swarovski crystal version will only set you back 7,000 bones. Release details are unclear at this point, but when they drop you better act fast -- only 150 of these gems will be available. Heck, if you have that kind of cash lying around, just get the salesman to throw in one of these for your iPad, too.

Gresso flaunts $30,000 white iPhone 4, holds more ice than a skating rink originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony reveals midrange VPL-HW30ES 3D projector on the way (Update: US pricing)

Richard Lawler — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:04:00 EST

We all know you deserve to live the projector lifestyle, but fitting Sony's first home projector with 3D -- the $10k (MSRP) VPL-VW90ES that launched last fall -- into one's budget might be a little tough. Now the company is launching the "affordable" VPL-HW30ES for the rest of us this year, featuring some of the same 240Hz SXRD tech in a cheaper package. There's no word yet on pricing or a ship date here in the US, but Europe and Japan get it next month with a pricetag of 370,000 yen ($4,626 US) in the latter. That lower price nabs specs like a claimed 70,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,300 lumens of brightness and all the picture adjustment settings befitting a product rocking the Elevated Standard tag, along with an upgraded 3D system to reduce crosstalk. 3D compatibility is achieved with Sony's new lighter active shutter 3D glasses and an add-on IR sync device that are both sold separately -- no complex lens switching necessary.

Update: Sony sent over the US press release with pricing ($3,699) and other information, check it out here.

Continue reading Sony reveals midrange VPL-HW30ES 3D projector on the way (Update: US pricing)

Sony reveals midrange VPL-HW30ES 3D projector on the way (Update: US pricing) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola leaks Xoom 2 tablet, Tracy XL watchphone, and Slimline, Zaha, Targa, and Pearl handsets

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:35:00 EST

So here's the story: Pocketnow was able to snatch some screengrabs from a Motorola Mobility site redesign. The image above (and two more after the break) is what they saw. In addition to the Tracy XL homage to the Dick Tracy watchphone, we can also see the back of the Slimline handset and the front of the Zaha. The grabs also show a bit of the "Xoom 2" tablet and Pearl handset along the bottom of the screen in addition to a fleeting glimpse of the previously rumored Verizon LTE handset known as Targa. And you know what makes this all truly compelling? The fact that Motorola made Pocketnow remove the images from its site.

Continue reading Motorola leaks Xoom 2 tablet, Tracy XL watchphone, and Slimline, Zaha, Targa, and Pearl handsets

Motorola leaks Xoom 2 tablet, Tracy XL watchphone, and Slimline, Zaha, Targa, and Pearl handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E Ink dashes hopes of a next gen display in 2011, but pencils in full-motion video for 2012

Sharif Sakr — Tue, 03 May 2011 09:03:00 EST

E Ink Holdings is brazenly making us wait until 2012 before producing a successor to its popular Pearl electronic paper display. One of the company's VPs dropped into CNET's offices to spill the bad news: developing and testing a next-generation display "takes some time", apparently, and it is sticking to a two year product cycle. Perhaps E Ink has shifted its focus to the LCD screen in Amazon's rumoured tablet. Or maybe it's still working on the Triton color e-ink display that left us so underwhelmed at CES. Either way, the monochrome Pearl has been knocking around in the Kindle and other e-readers for a while now and although it has better contrast than earlier iterations, it is still ripe for a revamp -- especially a faster refresh rate. But the E Ink VP did hint at some brighter news: the next-gen display, when it does finally arrive, could sport full-motion video. So far e-ink video has failed to go beyond a slightly jittery 10-15fps, so full-motion 24fps or 30fps could definitely be worth the wait.

E Ink dashes hopes of a next gen display in 2011, but pencils in full-motion video for 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video)

Tim Stevens — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:03:00 EST

The details are few with this one but really it's the highlights that matter here: Bookeen has managed to get smooth full-motion video to play on an E Ink Pearl display. Yes, the same sort that delivers agonizingly slow refreshes on the latest Kindles and such. It's a simple H.264-encoded clip (the same one with the chubby rabbit you've probably seen a dozen times before) played on a TI OMAP3621 processor. Power consumption in this mode is said to be no more than a non-backlit LCD, which is quite frugal indeed. No word on which actual readers this will debuting in, but according to E-Ink-Info.com it will be "available on the next-gen e-readers to appear soon." Check out the demo embedded below.

Continue reading Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video)

Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry 6 shows up on Bold 9700, Pearl 3G -- and we check it out

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:47:00 EST

To the untrained eye, you might think you're looking at a garden variety Bold 9700 here -- but you'd be wrong. So wrong! It's actually running BlackBerry 6, something that no device other than the touchscreen-equipped Torch has managed to do in public (in an official capacity, anyway) so far. We're not convinced that the multiple home screen navigation bar concept translates very well here -- you've got to scroll up then left or right to move between bars, which seems like too much trouble when you can just get to your entire list of apps with approximately the same amount of effort. The WebKit browser is unquestionably a huge improvement over what BlackBerry OS 5.0 users are used to, but we still witnessed it bog down significantly when checking out ye olde standby engadget.com, to the point where other UI actions in the OS were impacted. We guess it's going to take another generation of hardware or two with quicker cores (and more RAM) to fix up that stuff... hopefully. In addition to the 9700, we also checked out the re-upped Pearl 3G, which is exactly what you'd expect in practice: the same user experience, just narrower. A rep told us that the updates are expected to launch within a few weeks, though it'll depend on your carrier. Follow the break for some quick videos!

Gallery: BlackBerry 6 shows up on Bold 9700, Pearl 3G -- and we check it out

Continue reading BlackBerry 6 shows up on Bold 9700, Pearl 3G -- and we check it out

BlackBerry 6 shows up on Bold 9700, Pearl 3G -- and we check it out originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Colorware freshens up BlackBerry Pearl 3G and Flip UltraHD with bodacious new paintjobs

Vlad Savov — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:38:00 EST

Say, are you finding your 3G-equipped BlackBerry isn't looking quite so Pearlescent now that the Curve has also gone 3G and BlackBerry 6 seems to have moved things along (a bit)? Maybe it's time you gave that zany bunch at Colorware a call, as they've just started taking orders for repainting Pearl 3G (aka 9100) handsets into whatever shade of awesome you desire. Prices are still ludicrous, starting out at $165 for a respray or $640 for a brand new phone, though if you want some more affordable customization, you can opt to send in your Flip UltraHD for a $50 change of hue (or grab a new one for $260). Sure, none of it makes much fiscal sense, but then blinging out your gear was never about rationality anyway.

Continue reading Colorware freshens up BlackBerry Pearl 3G and Flip UltraHD with bodacious new paintjobs

Colorware freshens up BlackBerry Pearl 3G and Flip UltraHD with bodacious new paintjobs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 3G turns up on Cincinnati Bell

Donald Melanson — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:51:00 EST

Wondering what ever happened to the BlackBerry Pearl 3G that made its debut way back in April and then all but disappeared? Well, we've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that you can now actually buy one in the US. The bad news is that it's seemingly only available on Cincinnati Bell at the moment. If that happens to be your carrier of choice, however, you can get your order in right now for $99.99 on a two-year contract, or simply snag the slim, SureType device outright for $349.99. Still no word on when other carriers will be getting the phone but, if the FCC is any indication, it should be headed elsewhere sooner or later.

[Thanks, Adam]

BlackBerry Pearl 3G turns up on Cincinnati Bell originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon's graphite Kindle DX now shipping

Donald Melanson — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:57:00 EST

Amazon promised that its new, Pearl display-equipped graphite Kindle DX would start shipping today and, as a helpful tipster informs us, the first shipping notices are now indeed going out. What's more, unlike some past Kindle debuts, the e-reader is also still listed as in stock, so it looks like you're not out of luck if you didn't get your pre-order in. Of course, it's not clear if that's due to increased supply or reduced demand -- although, at $379, we'd have to guess it's moving a bit slower than the regular $189 Kindle.

Amazon's graphite Kindle DX now shipping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E Ink explains the new Pearl display used in the updated Kindle DX

Donald Melanson — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:59:00 EST

Amazon has already boasted that the display in its updated Kindle DX has a 50% improved contrast, but E Ink has now thankfully come out and provided a few more details on the new display technology used. Dubbed Pearl, the new display builds upon E Ink's previous Vizplex displays, and not only promises enhanced readability and text that "pops from the page," but the lowest power consumption of any display used in e-readers today (something also claimed about E Ink's previous displays). Of course, the display technology isn't limited to just the Kindle DX -- E Ink currently has five different Pearl displays ranging from 5-inch to 9.7-inch, all of which boast 16 levels of gray, and resolutions ranging from 800 x 600 to 1,200 x 825 (and 200 to 150 DPI).

Continue reading E Ink explains the new Pearl display used in the updated Kindle DX

E Ink explains the new Pearl display used in the updated Kindle DX originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Novero's Bluetooth headset doubles as neckwear, savings destroyer

Darren Murph — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:48:00 EST

Can't say we've ever heard of Novero before today, but after watching the undoubtedly mesmerizing homescreen loop linked there in the source, we can safely say we'll never (ever) forget about 'em. From what we can gather, this company specializes in overpriced jewelry, and given that Bluetooth headset use is rising stratospherically, seeing a new necklace-slash-BT headset hit the market just makes perfect sense. All sarcasm aside, the new Victoria line actually is fairly edgy, and if the light hits you right, it's actually palatable. The collection consists of the Victoria Lapis, Pearl, Stripes, Wave and Victor, all of which purportedly boast the same innards but different exteriors. Specifications are unsurprisingly hard to come by, but considering some of the more blinged out models are priced at around $120,000, it's not likely to matter. Video's past the break, richy.

Continue reading Novero's Bluetooth headset doubles as neckwear, savings destroyer

Novero's Bluetooth headset doubles as neckwear, savings destroyer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 May 2010 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 3G scoops FCC approvals in two flavors

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:33:00 EST

RIM thought it'd save everyone some time (us included) by bundling both the 14- and 20-key variants of its upcoming Pearl 3G in a single FCC filing, which is awfully nice of them. The phones you're looking at here are both operating on WCDMA Bands II and V, which means they'll work swimmingly on Bell, Telus, Rogers, and AT&T (though Telus and Rogers have both announced the 20-key version alone, and neither Bell nor AT&T have said a peep on the matter). At any rate -- considering that RIM has promised a May release window -- we can't imagine it'll be long before we get the rest of the details (read: your move, AT&T).

BlackBerry Pearl 3G scoops FCC approvals in two flavors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM converts BMW's iDrive into 'a remote control for your BlackBerry' (video)

Vlad Savov — Mon, 03 May 2010 04:11:00 EST

If there's one thing business types love more than their BlackBerry, it's their BMW -- or so we're told. It makes all sorts of sense, therefore, that the two companies would partner up to help the things they sell communicate with each other more effortlessly. Using Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile), BlackBerry devices can now beam emails and contacts over to BMW's iDrive dash system, where the driver can listen to his messages via a text-to-speech option or make calls using the car's speakerphone. The first supported handset is the newly minted Pearl 3G, and we're told this functionality will come as an integrated part of BlackBerry 6. To see how it works on a 335is, click past the break for the video.

[Thanks, Horatiu]

Continue reading RIM converts BMW's iDrive into 'a remote control for your BlackBerry' (video)

RIM converts BMW's iDrive into 'a remote control for your BlackBerry' (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 3G video hands-on

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:43:00 EST

Observe, the rare BlackBerry Pearl 3G feeding in its natural habitat. Just look at the majestic display of vibrant colors as it attempts to court the journalist in a mating dance never before captured on camera! All kidding aside though, here's a quick look at the user interface on the 20-key version of the Pearl 3G; it's stock OS 5.0, so you're not really going to notice anything fresh here, but what we did see worked smoothly and without delay -- the delightful result of pairing a responsive optical pad, 624MHz processor, and what we would assume is a pretty well-optimized build of the platform. As we mentioned earlier, we're pretty sure the keyboards on these things are going to be a polarizing experience for users -- some will love them, others will hate them, still others will tolerate them at first and grow used to them over time. To be fair, the peak-shaped keys are probably an improvement over flat keyboards of Pearls gone by; when you've got five keys per row on a fairly narrow body, you need all the tactile help you can get. For some reason, we weren't able to connect to RIM's open WiFi network with the particular unit we were given -- the Bold 9650 next to it fared just fine, so we're not sure if the 802.11n-capable radio in this bad boy is a little dodgier than its cousin, but it's definitely something to keep an eye on. Follow the break for the video.

Continue reading BlackBerry Pearl 3G video hands-on

BlackBerry Pearl 3G video hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 3G first hands-on!

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:21:00 EST

We just wrapped up a quick play with RIM's just-announced BlackBerry Pearl 3G, and our initial impression is a positive one -- if you've currently got a Pearl 8100 series (or even an 8200 series flip, for that matter), this looks like a must-have upgrade. The phone's UI is lightning fast, the optical pad is plenty responsive (as RIM's optical pads tend to be), and 802.11n and HSDPA are obviously both welcome additions. The keyboards are a little funny, but that's nothing new -- Pearls have always had polarizing keyboards, dating back to the early days -- but we think we prefer the 14-key just a smidge over the traditional 20-key. For whatever reason, RIM has chosen to give the 14-key version more rounded, curved keys, whereas the buttons on the 20-key version have angled tops that put a little more pressure on the fingertips (we're sure you could handily get used to either version, of course). The company is quick to note that the numeric keypad is not using T9 -- it's using a flavor of SurePress -- so... you know, don't get it twisted. Hit up the gallery below!

Gallery: BlackBerry Pearl 3G first hands-on!

Gallery: BlackBerry Pearl 3G hands-on 2

BlackBerry Pearl 3G first hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 3G revealed: two keypad styles and 802.11n WiFi

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST

As smartphones go, the original BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series' longevity is nothing short of astounding -- with some minor tweaks, the phone has lasted essentially unchanged for well over three years. Needless to say, it's time for the granddaddy of consumer-grade BlackBerrys to start collecting pension, so it's an awfully good thing that RIM has chosen its WES conference this week to announce the all-new Pearl 3G. Rumored as the Pearl 9100, the phone becomes RIM's very first with 802.11n WiFi support (in addition to 802.11b and g, naturally) and features a 3.2 megapixel camera, 256MB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 32GB, GPS, triband HSDPA with quadband GSM / EDGE, and a 360 x 400 display. RIM is making the Pearl 3G available in "several lustrous colors" and two different keypad configurations -- numeric 14-key and the more traditional SurePress 20-key -- though there's no indication that the rumored QWERTY version will make it to retail (at least, not yet) or that the company intends for users to be able to swap modules themselves. Expect the phone to launch with "various carriers" in May -- and considering that they've got both AWS and 850 / 1900MHz 3G versions in the mix, we'd expect to see it launch on AT&T and T-Mobile alike. Follow the break for RIM's full press release.

Update: RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis just showed off a white version of the Pearl 3G during his WES talk. We haven't seen one floating around, but it looks pretty hot -- and considering the number of colors the original Pearl came in during its lifetime, we'd expect it to be just the start. Pic after the break.

Continue reading BlackBerry Pearl 3G revealed: two keypad styles and 802.11n WiFi

BlackBerry Pearl 3G revealed: two keypad styles and 802.11n WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Bold 9650 and Pearl 3G outed

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:25:00 EST

Oops, looks like The Street leaked RIM's big unveil for later this morning at its WES show: the BlackBerry Bold 9650 (pictured left looking very Tour like) and BlackBerry Pearl 3G. The Bold 9650 boasts 802.11b/g WiFi, a 3.2 megapixel cam, GPS, and support for US EV-DO Rev A networks or UMTS/HSPDA when abroad -- look for it to launch next month on Sprint. The Pearl 3G is headed to Bell, Telus, and Rogers in Canada with a 3.2 megapixel camera, 802.11n WiFi, GPS, and triband HSDPA data with quadband GSM / EDGE. Both feature RIM's new optical trackpad. Hold tight while we wait for more detail from RIM.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

BlackBerry Bold 9650 and Pearl 3G outed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 9100 dummies showing up in Rogers stores

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:07:00 EST

It's basically open knowledge at this point that RIM finally has a new candybar Pearl just around the corner -- the Pearl 9100, to be exact -- and we've been sent a new shot of a dummy gussied up in Rogers branding. Rogers has been one of RIM's most loyal partners over the years, often being among the first carriers around the world to launch new BlackBerry models, so it'd certainly make sense that Canada's old GSM giant would be gearing up to offer this bad boy on the double -- and the fact that dummies exist suggests that the phone should be launching any week now. What do you want to bet we see it at WES next week?

[Thanks, John]

BlackBerry Pearl 9100 dummies showing up in Rogers stores originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 9100 to come in SureType and QWERTY flavors?

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:43:00 EST

Remember Nokia's E52 and E55? Espoo took an interesting tactic with these two: start with the same basic phone and operating system, but offer it with two different keypad layouts (in fact, HTC did the same with its Touch Dual). It's not a bad idea -- different strokes for different folks, right? Indeed, not everyone can really get into RIM's SureType layout, but the Pearls that usually underpin it have a distinct opportunity to appeal to a wider audience. To that end, an OEM full QWERTY module for the unannounced Pearl 9100 has made an appearance on Chinese accessory reseller TrueSupplier's site that suggests RIM's learned this lesson and might be prepping to offer the newest model in two different versions. What'd be tragic here is if only one flavor was offered on each carrier that picked it up -- and given RIM's history, that wouldn't surprise us -- but for now, we sticking with the "choice is a good thing" line.

BlackBerry Pearl 9100 to come in SureType and QWERTY flavors? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry OS seemingly ported to Nokia 5700 for some strange reason

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:40:00 EST

First, a disclaimer: we don't really know what's going on here. That said, there's a video accompanying the images posted on the forum Maxpda that have us believing some really, really smart dude with considerably too much time on his hands has managed to shove the BlackBerry Pearl 8220's build of OS 4.6 onto a Nokia XpressMusic 5700. Why you'd want to do that is anyone's guess -- we're assuming "because it was there" is a possible answer -- but as far as we can tell, the result is at least semi-functional. So if you've always dreamed of a BlackBerry / Nokia Frankenstein, hey, at least you know who to ring now. Follow the break for some quick video "proof."

Continue reading BlackBerry OS seemingly ported to Nokia 5700 for some strange reason

BlackBerry OS seemingly ported to Nokia 5700 for some strange reason originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile USA offers free BlackBerry Pearl trackball replacement

Sean Cooper — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:43:00 EST

If you're Pearl's pearl has lost some of its luster -- and indeed some of its control -- we've heard that T-Mobile USA is stepping in to help sort that out. As of the 15th February, BlackBerry Pearl 8100, 8120, and 8320 owners can apparently pop into a T-Mo shop and have it replaced for $free. The only catch is your device has to have been purchased from T-Mobile -- and, we assume, have troubles. Sadly other BB owners with problems can't get this in-store service -- as they require more than a simple pin for the same service -- but we'd imagine enough noise to customer support could help your cause if you're having trouble. We're liking the trend we've seen of late with carriers offering up these random acts of kindness and do hope we'll continue to see more.

T-Mobile USA offers free BlackBerry Pearl trackball replacement originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry 8130 vs. BlackBerry 9100... fight!

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:12:00 EST

Some of us at Engadget HQ won't ever be sold on the merits of SureType over good, old-fashioned QWERTY, but there's clearly a market for it -- RIM's BlackBerry Pearl series almost singlehandedly catapulted Waterloo into the consumer market, after all, and the upcoming 9100 looks to refine the formula to a crisp, golden brown perfection. Here, we've got one of the originals -- the 8130 -- beaming proudly next to its offspring, and RIM seems to have done a commendable job updating the package in all the right ways (optical trackpad, Bold 9700-esque design elements) while carrying over most of what the old model great. And knowing these guys, you'll be able to get it in a billion colors and special edition designs -- but for now, you can have these comparo shots in any color you want, as long as it's black.

BlackBerry 8130 vs. BlackBerry 9100... fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 9100 revealed, has lost its gemstone but not its luster

Tim Stevens — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:54:00 EST

The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 was, and still is, a lovely little phone, ~~QWERTYfied,~~ pocketable, and rocking that little milky trackball that gave it its name. There's finally a true successor coming down the pipeline (the flippy 8230 not really counting) though it ditches the iconic pearl for a now-standard (and hopefully more reliable) touchpad. There's a similarly swoopy SureType keyboard and the overall dimensions look very much the same, meaning this should fill the tiny BlackBerry void once again -- whenever it ships.

Update: But of course the original 8100 also had SureType, not QWERTY.

[Thanks, Alex T]

BlackBerry Pearl 9100 revealed, has lost its gemstone but not its luster originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FPS hopelessly leaps into pocket projector game with Pearl M3

Darren Murph — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:39:00 EST

The world needs another VGA pico projector about like it needs another ton of plastic goop swirling in the Pacific, but thanks to FPS, that's exactly what we're getting. (The former, just so we're clear.) The LCoS-based beamer puts out an image between 5- and 66-inches and packs a native resolution of 640 x 360; there's a composite input, stereo output, USB socket and a microSD expansion slot. You'll also find a one-watt internal speaker and a 2,500mAh battery for projecting on the go, while most every file format you can think of is supported. If, for whatever reason, you've found yourself overcome with want (and you can't hold off for Microvision's laser-based SHOW WX), it's available to purchase right now for $219.

[Via PicoProjector-Info]

Filed under: Displays

FPS hopelessly leaps into pocket projector game with Pearl M3 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 now available through Verizon

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:18:00 EST

Seemingly as though it wasn't just totally pulling the claim of June 19 availability out of thin air back at the announcement, Verizon has gone ahead and started offering the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 online today. It's no Tour by any stretch, but the consumer-friendly phone comes in at a palatable $79.99 after discounts on contract and offers a 2 megapixel camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, EV-DO Rev. 0, and the 20-key layout made famous by the original Pearl -- if you're into that sort of thing. And hey, it looks pretty good in silver, doesn't it?

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA, BlackBerry OS

BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 now available through Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon Pearl Flip dummy in the wild, release this month?

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:02:00 EST

This thing's been all over Canada for a while now, but the CDMA version of the BlackBerry 8230 hasn't managed to find its way out of Alltel's clutches in the States. Of course, we've been waiting on Verizon to do its thing for a while -- and it looks like we might finally see a release in the next few weeks A poster over on CrackBerry's forums notes that dummy units are now arriving in stores, and goes on to say that the arrival of dummies usually means that the real things can be expected within three weeks, give or take. We know that most Verizon customers waiting for a new BlackBerry probably have their eyes focused solely on the Tour, but hey, it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA, BlackBerry OS

Verizon Pearl Flip dummy in the wild, release this month? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blackberry Magnum, Onyx, Pearl 3G, and Gemini to harmonize on AT&T

Ross Miller — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:54:00 EST

BlackBerry lovers, AT&T beckons. Looks like the just-reviewed Onyx is heading to AT&T and, as rumored before, so is the Magnum. We've got no pics of the latter device, but it's being touted here as the "BlackBerry Bold portfolio evolution" and uses the same processor as the Bold. It's also got a HVGA touchscreen, QWERTY pad, quad-band GSM / GRS / EDGE, GPS, and WiFi. Want more? How about an apparently non-flip Pearl 3G with 3.6 Mbps of HSDPA goodness, Bluetooth, 3.5mm headset jack, trackball and SureType, and aGPS. Rounding out this quartet is the Gemini, with a 512MHz processor, 256MB flash memory, 128MB RAM, Bluetooth, QVGA LCD, 2 megapixel sans flash, trackball, QWERTY keyboard, 3.5mm headset jack, a microSD slot, possibly GPS, and sadly, no 3G. There's no release date in sight, but hey, knowing they're on the way is half the battle, right?

Gallery: Blackberry Magnum, Onyx, Pearl 3G, and Gemini to harmonize on AT&T

Filed under: Handsets, Features, RIM, ATT, BlackBerry OS

Blackberry Magnum, Onyx, Pearl 3G, and Gemini to harmonize on AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 May 2009 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blackberry Magnum, Onyx, Pearl 3G, and Gemini to harmonize on AT&T

Ross Miller — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:54:00 EST

BlackBerry lovers, AT&T beckons. Looks like the just-reviewed Onyx is heading to AT&T and, as rumored before, so is the Magnum. We've got no pics of the latter device, but it's being touted here as the "BlackBerry Bold portfolio evolution" and uses the same processor as the Bold. It's also got a HVGA touchscreen, QWERTY pad, quad-band GSM / GRS / EDGE, GPS, and WiFi. Want more? How about an apparently non-flip Pearl 3G with 3.6 Mbps of HSDPA goodness, Bluetooth, 3.5mm headset jack, trackball, SureType, and aGPS. Rounding out this quartet is the Gemini, with a 512MHz processor, 256MB flash memory, 128MB RAM, Bluetooth, QVGA LCD, 2 megapixel sans flash, trackball, QWERTY keyboard, 3.5mm headset jack, a microSD slot, possibly GPS, and sadly, no 3G. There's no release date in sight, but hey, knowing they're on the way is half the battle, right?

Gallery: Blackberry Magnum, Onyx, Pearl 3G, and Gemini to harmonize on AT&T

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Blackberry Magnum, Onyx, Pearl 3G, and Gemini to harmonize on AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 May 2009 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marantz KI Pearl SACD player and integrated amp -- audiophile tested, Ken Ishiwata-approved

Steven Kim — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:22:00 EST

One reason we keep a place in our hearts for high-end audio is that there is still room for a single designer's vision, and this is no more apparent than in components with designer initials etched right into the faceplate. Right in line with NAD's stereo components wearing Bjorn Erik Edvardsen's initials, Marantz has issued the KI (Ken Ishiwata) Pearl stereo SACD player (model SA-KI) and matching integrated amplifier (model PM-KI). As with any signature gear, top-notch build is expected, and the Marantz KI Pearls don't disappoint; toroidal transformers, copper plated chassis and hand-picked components make the grade. Of course, you also expect high prices, and the KI Pearl pieces also deliver on that front -- the limited run of 500 pieces (each) of the SACD player and integrated amp will go for £2,499 ($3,769) each, and no US availability or pricing has been released yet. Painful, yes, but you might take some small comfort in knowing this is exactly the kind of gear that will appreciate in value. Audio geeks can go past the break for more glamor shots.

Continue reading Marantz KI Pearl SACD player and integrated amp -- audiophile tested, Ken Ishiwata-approved

Filed under: Other hardware, Players, Others

Marantz KI Pearl SACD player and integrated amp -- audiophile tested, Ken Ishiwata-approved originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 May 2009 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Curve 83XX overtakes iPhone 3G in US smartphone rankings

Paul Miller — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:34:00 EST

The handset might've been surpassed in functionality and looks by its Curve 8900 successor, but nothing's got an edge on the BlackBerry Curve 83XX series in smartphone sales. According to NPD, the handset overtook the erstwhile champ iPhone 3G in the category for the first quarter of 2009, while BlackBerry's own Storm and Pearl handsets took the third and fourth slots, with the T-Mobile G1 rounding out the ranks in fifth place. Overall the smartphone market has grown from 17 percent of handset sales in Q1 2008 to 23 percent in Q1 2009. Compared to the previous quarter, RIM's gained a whopping 15 percent share of the US market -- owning nearly half of the entire scene -- while Apple and Palm both dropped 10 percent as they prep for their heroic mid-year launches.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

BlackBerry Curve 83XX overtakes iPhone 3G in US smartphone rankings originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 May 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Curve 83XX overtakes iPhone 3G in US smartphone rankings

Paul Miller — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:34:00 EST

Filed under: Handsets, RIM

BlackBerry Curve 83XX overtakes iPhone 3G in US smartphone rankings originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 May 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile UK rolling out annual data plan for BlackBerry

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:57:00 EST

We can think of a wide variety of BlackBerrys we'd rather have, but let's take a good, hard look at what T-Mobile UK is proposing here: basically, it wants you to shell out £179.99 (about $265), and in exchange, you get the venerable BlackBerry Pearl 8110 plus a full year of unlimited email and web access. That works out to something like $22 a month for unlimited on-device data -- and on top of that, you'll be paying as you go for voice minutes, texts, and MMS messages. Not a terrible deal by any stretch, but we'd characterize this one less as blowout pricing and more as creative deal packaging. Oh, and we'll take a Curve 8900 with that, T-Mobile, thankyouverymuch.

Filed under: RIM, T-Mobile

T-Mobile UK rolling out annual data plan for BlackBerry originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alltel pulls BlackBerry Pearl 8230 into the fold, $79.99 in early May

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:54:00 EST

Here we thought that Verizon was going to ace out the US CDMA market by announcing the 8230 first, but alas, it ends up being Alltel -- the divested chunks of it post-acquisition -- that becomes the first American carrier to trumpet the device. Unlike its GSM sibling over on T-Mobile, the 8230 is a 3G handset equipped with EV-DO, but otherwise, it looks pretty much the same with a QVGA primary display, love-it-or-hate-it SureType keypad, and 2 megapixel cam. It'll hit the "new" Alltel's 2.2 million subscribers in 91 markets come early May for a seemingly reasonable $79.99.

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, Alltel, EV-DO

Alltel pulls BlackBerry Pearl 8230 into the fold, $79.99 in early May originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 8230 comes to Telus

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:25:00 EST

Alright, Telus, you can dial down the that envy-induced shade of green you've developed while pining for Bell's BlackBerry 8230. Actually, you can't -- green is a part of your color scheme -- so allows us to rephrase: the Pearl Flip is now available on both CDMA nationals in Canada. It'll run you $49.99 CAD on a three-year deal, which delivers the promise of the $50 KickStart we'd hoped for before the GSM version was originally announced; it's just a damn shame it's going to take a three-year contract to get down to that level (of course, the $449.99 contract-free option is always available, too). Grab it now in your choice of black or pink.

[Via Howard Chui]

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, Telus Mobility, EV-DO, CDMA, BlackBerry OS

BlackBerry Pearl 8230 comes to Telus originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Telus' BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 appears on site, launch imminent

Sean Cooper — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:41:00 EST

So with Bell's 8230 launch out of the way, Telus has now stepped up and dropped this set on the web. While it's not talking specifics just yet, seeing the flippy thing heralded as "coming soon" should at least whet a few fan's appetites. We had heard the set's price was originally set at $99 on a three year, but Telus may have spiked that in favor of a more reasonable $50 or $449 off-contract price. While we wait for the official news out of Telus, feel free to peruse the tiny gallery we've cobbled together or hit the read link to learn a little bit more.

[Thanks, RileyFreeman]

Gallery: Telus' BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 appears on site, launch imminent

Filed under: Handsets, Telus Mobility, EV-DO, CDMA, BlackBerry OS

Telus' BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 appears on site, launch imminent originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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