PeterRojas

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  • The Engadget Show 47: Insert Coin - New Challengers

    by 
    Brian Heater
    Brian Heater
    11.12.2013

    We got to hang with Spike Lee, LeVar Burton, Reggie Watts, Ayah Bdeir, David Gerrold, Bens Heck and Huh and Rachel Haot. We played around with Occulus Rift, some electric skateboards, a surgical robot and a few 3D scanners. Once again, however, our Insert Coin competition was arguably the highlight of the whole Expand event. Ten products competing for two big prizes, to help jumpstart their crowdfunding campaigns. Once again, the diversity of the projects was staggering -- a fact that no doubt made it all the more difficult for our panel of illustrious judges to pick just one winner. In this second of two Engadget Show Expand specials, we follow the journey of our top five finalists, MyBell, GrowCubes, Smart Power Strip, DiWire and Blink Scan. Huge congrats as always to all the semi-finalists and a big ole thanks to co-host Mark Frauenfelder and our four-judge panel.

  • Meet the judges for Expand NY's Insert Coin competition: Ryan Block, Ben Heck, Hilary Mason and Peter Rojas

    by 
    Michael Gorman
    Michael Gorman
    09.26.2013

    There are but two days left (including today) for all you makers and would-be entrepreneurs to submit your projects for our Insert Coin competition for Expand NY. And, you may be wondering, who, exactly will be judging the worthiness of your work? Well, MAKE Magazine Editor-in-Chief Mark Frauenfelder will once again be helping present the five finalists on stage, and we've got quartet of tech industry insiders who will decide which project gets our $10,000 Judge's Choice prize. (There's also a $15,000 winner chosen by you, our dear readers.) Our judges are: Ryan Block, VP of Product, Aol; Editor Emeritus, Engadget Ben Heck, Master Modder on element14's, The Ben Heck Show Hilary Mason, Data Scientist in Residence, Accel Partners Peter Rojas, VP, Strategy, Aol Brand Group So, if you've got a bright idea, but haven't already signed up for the chance to put it in front of our judges panel, what are you waiting for? Head past the break for all the pertinent info, then fill out this form -- YOU could wind up winning!

  • It's good to be back

    by 
    Peter Rojas
    Peter Rojas
    02.13.2013

    You may have seen the announcement earlier today that AOL is acquiring gdgt and that Ryan Block and I are going to be rejoining the company. A lot of you may have no idea who I am, but I'm the guy who created Engadget and for a while there was the only person who wrote for it. When we left Engadget in 2008 to start gdgt we left on exceptionally good terms. AOL even invested in our new company. But even though the relationship has been good all these years, I never honestly expected we'd have the chance to return, and I can say that it feels good to be part of the family again. I'm insanely proud of the work that Tim Stevens and the Engadget team have done to grow the site into a tech news powerhouse that it is today. The Engadget of 2013 far exceeds anything I could have hoped for it when it launched back in 2004.

  • Aol acquires gdgt: get those engdgt puns out of your system today

    by 
    Engadget
    Engadget
    02.13.2013

    Yes, the rumors are true! The gadget database and website launched by Engadget founder Peter Rojas and founding editor Ryan Block, gdgt, has been purchased by our parent company, Aol. On gdgt's blog, Block explains that the site will bring its community and core technologies to web properties like, erm, this one -- in addition to its comprehensive product database, which we've been embedding since 2011. It'll also team up with Engadget on live events throughout the year, which means more gadget-filled fests in cities like Austin, Boston and San Diego, along with the usual suspects, such as our inaugural Expand conference in March. We'll have plenty more details to fill you in on later today, but you can hit up the post at our source link to see what we're able to share right now. Let's give Peter, Ryan and the rest of the gdgt team a warm Engadget welcome!

  • The Engadget Show 39: Holiday Spectacular with Jonathan Coulton, John Roderick and Ben Heck

    by 
    Brian Heater
    Brian Heater
    12.18.2012

    It's the most wonderful time of year. There's stockings hung above the fireplace, overflowing hot cocoa on the table, a MakerBot Replicator 2 printing ornaments beneath the tree and a sampling of the year's most exciting gadgets strewn about. Yes, friends, it's time for the Engadget Holiday Spectacular! We're kicking off this very special holiday episode with a visit to Ben Heck's private workshop in Madison, Wisconsin to watch the construction of his holiday creation, the Naughty or Nice Meter. Also on the docket is a trip to NORAD's headquarters on a base in Colorado Springs, to find out how the military will be hard at work tracking Santa Claus later this month. Of course, not even Saint Nick can deliver all of the presents this year, so we've paid a visit to UPS's massive 5.2 million square foot Worldport shipping facility in Louisville, Kentucky to get a behind the scenes look at its late night operations. Speaking of gifts, we've got two huge presents in the form of songsters Jonathan Coulton and John Roderick, who will be playing a trio of brand new holiday classics off their new record, One Christmas at a Time. We've also got a visit from Engadget founder Peter Rojas, who will be helping us make a twice-checked list of some of the year's top gadgets. And as if that weren't enough, we've got an appearance by a very familiar looking Santa Claus and a special holiday animation. So light a fire, get cozy and prepare for a very special -- and very spectacular -- episode of The Engadget Show.

  • The Engadget Show - 022: Gadgets get smashed, Rick Karr talks broadband, Peter Rojas and Ryan Block tell us what moved them

    by 
    Tim Stevens
    Tim Stevens
    06.28.2011

    The Engadget Show is back! Last time it was gaming, this time we go for something with a bit more variety. The show starts with Tim and Brian taking a quick look over some of the month's biggest gadgets, like the Samsung Chromebook Series 5, the HTC EVO 3D, and a pair of new readers: the Barnes & Noble Nook WiFi and the Kobo eReader Touch Edition. After that it's sledgehammer time, where Brian and Terrence work through some pent-up frustrations by beating the silicon out of a series of durable gadgets, all captured in delicious slow motion. Some survived, some did not. Then, we all learn a lesson as Rick Karr stops by to talk about the (sorry) state of US broadband compared to the rest of the world. Next, we take it to the streets to ask you what your most important gadgets are before being joined in the studio by the Engadget founder Peter Rojas and Editor Emeritus Ryan Block, the duo behind gdgt, to talk about the gadgets that most affected them in their time at the site and beyond, also taking some questions from eager audience members about, well, gadgety things. Finally, we all get carried deep into the aural environment of Chrome Canyon. It's a tech-heavy, action-packed show this week that you won't want to miss. So what are you waiting for? Watch it now! The video stream is above, or download the show in HD below!%Gallery-127329% Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater Special guests: Terrence O'Brien, Rick Karr, Peter Rojas, Ryan Block Producer: Guy Streit Director: Michelle Stahl Executive Producers: Joshua Fruhlinger and Michael Rubens Broadband Segment Producers: Chad Mumm, Rick Karr, and Betsy Rate Broadband Segment Animation and Editing: Danny Madden Music and visuals by: Chrome Canyon Taped live at AOL Studios Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 022 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 022 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show - 022 (Small) Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (MP4). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (MP4). [RSS MP4] Add the Engadget Show feed (MP4) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically. [HD RSS] Get the Engadget Show delivered automatically in HD. [iPad RSS] Get the Engadget Show in iPad-friendly adaptive format.

  • The Engadget Show - 020: RIM's Ryan Bidan, gdgt's Peter Rojas, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, lots of tablets, Shredder test-drive

    by 
    Chad Mumm
    Chad Mumm
    04.25.2011

    Welcome to the latest episode of the The Engadget Show, in which we change things up just a little bit. Everything starts with a trip to the New Mexico desert for a ride on the Shredder, love child of a tank and a skateboard. Next, Tim and Associate Editor Jacob Schulman sit down with RIM's Ryan Bidan to talk about the BlackBerry PlayBook. Then, Tim has a chat with Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally about the future of transportation, and just what'll be driving you in to work in 20 years. After that, Engadget founder Peter Rojas joins Tim and Managing Editor Darren Murph to look at a plethora of tablets. Favorites are chosen, lines are drawn, and allegiances pledged. There's also talk of Amazon's next play in the tablet space, the death of Flip, and what's up next for gdgt. It's an action-packed show and it's ready for you. What are you waiting for? Watch it now! The video stream is above, or download the show in HD below! Hosts: Tim Stevens, Darren Murph, Jacob Schulman Special guests: Ryan Bidan, Alan Mulally, Peter Rojas Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm Executive Producer: Joshua Fruhlinger Edited by: Danny Madden Music by: Sabrepulse Visuals by: Paris and Outpt Shredder segment music: Minusbaby Taped live at AOL Studios Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 020 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 020 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show - 020 (Small) Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (MP4). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (MP4). [RSS MP4] Add the Engadget Show feed (MP4) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically. [HD RSS] Get the Engadget Show delivered automatically in HD. [iPad RSS] Get the Engadget Show in iPad-friendly adaptive format.

  • Amazon to take on Apple this summer with Samsung-built tablet?

    by 
    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    04.21.2011

    You really should pay attention when Engadget's founder, Peter Rojas speaks about the tech industry. Especially when he leads into a story like this: It's something of an open secret that Amazon is working on an Android tablet and I am 99 percent certain they are having Samsung build one for them. The gdgt piece goes on to present a very reasoned argument that paints Amazon, not Samsung or the rest of the traditional consumer electronics industry, as Apple's chief competition in the near-term tablet space. An idea that'll be tough to argue against if Amazon -- with its combined music (downloadable and streaming), video, book, and app ecosystem -- can actually launch a dirt-cheap, highly-customized, 7-inch Android tablet this summer as Pete predicts. Oh, and the fact that Amazon already has our credit card details will certainly make for easy adoption. Hit the source below for the full read or, better yet, stay tuned for the next Engadget Show where we'll be nerding-out with the son of the father of the father of Engadget.

  • The Engadget Show - 004: The decade in gadgets, with special guest Peter Rojas!

    by 
    Joshua Topolsky
    Joshua Topolsky
    12.23.2009

    What a crazy 10 years, right guys? It's really flown past; the highs, the lows, the stuff in the middle that didn't seem very impressive one way or another. For our final Engadget Show of the decade, we asked site founder Peter Rojas to join us for a look back at our picks for the most important and / or interesting gadget developments since 2000. A hardcore crowd came out just after a gigantic snowstorm to witness the proceedings, and now you get your chance to see how it all went down. This is a long one folks, so grab some popcorn and settle in for the show! Update: The HD download is now live! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, Nilay Patel Special guest: Peter Rojas Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm Executive Producer: Josh Fruhlinger Edited by: Tony Chen Music by: Bubblyfish Visuals by: CJ Opening titles by: Julien Nantiec Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 004 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 004 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

  • Peter Rojas and Ryan Block launch gdgt -- the Swiss Army knife of tech sites

    by 
    Joshua Topolsky
    Joshua Topolsky
    07.01.2009

    When Ryan Block (our former Editor-in-chief) and Peter Rojas (founder of Engadget, Gizmodo, and RCRD LBL) announced last year that they were embarking on a new project together, alarm bells went off across the interblogs. Following nearly 12 months of rampant speculation, the duo's hard work is finally revealed. Combining the best of social networking, forums, news aggregation, and wiki-based sites, gdgt presents a fairly awe-inspiring range of tools for the hardcore gadget lover.Imagine if Facebook, Wikipedia, your favorite forum, and Google Reader all got mashed into one gigantic, delicious smoothie, and you might begin to get the idea of gdgt. Instead of retreading territory in which they've already blazed a path, Ryan and Peter present a logical step forward for the gadget community -- a place where you can discuss, dissect, and grow your passion with other like minded individuals. It's an ambitious project with lots of really cool stuff to discover, like product comparison tools, the ability to track gadgets you own (or used to own, or want), news from top gadget sites (wink wink), and embeddable widgets.Look, we've found the best way in life to learn about something is to scuttle the user manual and dive right in -- we highly suggest you do the same and take gdgt out for a spin. We think you'll like what you find.Congrats Peter and Ryan!

  • Engadget Podcast 142 - 04.18.2009: 5th birthday edition

    by 
    Trent Wolbe
    Trent Wolbe
    04.18.2009

    We don't really get too reflective here at Engadget -- usually we're too busy getting news up to think much about ourselves. Still, when you hit your 5th birthday, you tend to want to look back and review how far you've come. We thought there'd be no better way to celebrate the milestone than by having the site's founder Peter Rojas, and instrumental architect Ryan Block on the show to discuss the early days of Engadget. So without further ado -- sit back and enjoy our 5th birthday podcast! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller Guests: Peter Rojas, Ryan Block Producer: Trent Wolbe Song: Glomag - Pocket Calculator 00:18:45 - Phantom Controller Rebranded Saitek 01:03:12 - Engadget 1985 01:07:00 - Would you sell your kidney(s) for a Hush? 01:10:38 - PSP vs. DS 01:12:13 - The Engadget Interview: Bill Gates, Part 1 Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.

  • A quick note about the Engadget Podcast this week

    by 
    Joshua Topolsky
    Joshua Topolsky
    04.17.2009

    We just wanted to give you guys a heads-up and let you know that while you won't see a new Engadget Podcast today -- don't worry -- it's not going anywhere! We had to shuffle our schedules a little bit to have on some very special guests, namely, Peter Rojas and Ryan Block. We decided it would be fun to celebrate Engadget's 5th birthday with a chat about how the site got its start. So... you should see the new podcast pop up in your queue sometime tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!

  • Peter Rojas and Ryan Block introduce gdgt, gdgt weekly

    by 
    Joshua Topolsky
    Joshua Topolsky
    09.04.2008

    If you've been wondering what former editor-in-chief (but current editor-at-large) Ryan Block has been up to since he left the site, wonder no more! He and Engadget founder Peter Rojas have just soft-launched their latest foray into the world of gadgets, fittingly (and simply) named... gdgt. Right now they're just getting off the ground, but they've got a new podcast up, and we expect some great content to follow. It should be noted that Peter and Ryan have reached out to various voices in the tech community (yours truly included, along with Gizmodo editor Brian Lam) to advise and input on the new property, which should provide for spirited mashups about all the technology you know (or don't know yet) and love. Hit the read link to check it all out!

  • Apple Matters interviews Peter Rojas

    by 
    David Chartier
    David Chartier
    01.24.2007

    I have to admit: it's virtually impossible to keep up with our own Peter Rojas of Engadget and Weblogs, Inc. I swear the guy must have ripped off Michael Keaton's idea from Multiplicity to get around the way he does. Hadley Stern at Apple Matters recently snagged some time with Peter to wax poetic about the iPhone, Apple TV, and how there simply ain't no web like the Mac web. Peter brings an interesting perspective to Apple's recent announcements, pointing out that the iPhone and Apple TV aren't necessarily ground breaking products - but they *are* Apple's classic play of doing old, stagnant things in refreshing new ways. The interview is a good read, especially if you're looking for thoughts from someone whose job it is to report on similar products from tech companies across the entire industry.

  • Pete speaks at Design 2.0

    by 
    Ryan Block
    Ryan Block
    06.19.2006

    Yeah, we know it's a little late now, but if you happened to be in San Francisco last week you might have noticed our own Peter Rojas was one of the speakers at Design 2.0, a Core77 sponsored event that found Pete on the receiving end of a round of applause for sparing the audience the obligatory PowerPoint presentation. Oh, we also heard his Q&A session went over pretty well, too. Well done Pete!

  • Engadget Podcast 077 - 05.02.06

    by 
    Randall Bennett
    Randall Bennett
    05.02.2006

    It's our last pre-E3 podcast today, which means there's sure to be a little gaming news from Nintendo mixed in there for you to chew on, along with some Samsung Q1 UMPC goings on, our take on (and support of) Gary Shapiro and the CEA driving a stake in the ground for disenfranchised digital consumers everywhere, and some interesting news in the DVR space from TiVo and Yahoo. We'll take our usual cellphone related voicemails too (we can talk about other stuff -- promise), so listen up before the Engadget Podcast hits the mean streets of LA next week to play some games. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 54:33, 24.7 MB, MP3 Program 00:37 - Nintendo Wii -- the Revolution gets a real name 10:53 - Nintendo to announce DS Lite pricing / release dates on Thursday? 12:52 - Samsung Q1 UMPC to go on sale May 7th for $1,100 14:31 - Eye-Fi embeds WiFi into your SD flash 18:09 - Gary Shapiro and the CEA take a stand 24:00 - Apple trying to include iPod video content on Blu-ray discs? 28:00 - Yahoo Go TV takes Meedio and does it for free 31:31 - TiVo's Series2 DT 80 and 180hour dual tuner boxes 36:13 - Listener Voicemail LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com

  • Engadget Podcast 074 - 04.04.06

    by 
    Randall Bennett
    Randall Bennett
    04.04.2006

    We pumped out a quick podcast for you while we're out at CTIA -- so if you're trying to steer clear of all the cellphone news that's about to hit, you'll be cool with what we've got going on in the show this week. We're taking on Movielink's and CinemaNow's big online distribution announcement from Monday, initial UMPC pricing, Intel's community PC, the South Korean robot invasion, and, of course, Naomi Campbell -- back on Engadget for once again bludgeoning an assistant with a cellphone. We'll also do our usual call-ins and occasional on-air gadget review; up this week is the Moto Q. Care to see how Verizon's long delayed QWERTY handheld stands up to the Engadget test? Better listen up. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 52:41, 24.1 MB, MP3 Program 00:19 - Seven major studios line up to sell movies online 06:11 - TabletKiosk And Samsung reveal UMPC pricing 11:54 - Intel proposes "Community PC" for rural India 18:44 - South Korea wants 100% robot market penetration by 2020 22:01 - Naomi Campbell back in court for throwing another phone at assistant 24:01 - Hands on with Motorola Q 29:34 - Listener Voicemail 47:15 - CTIA and the week ahead LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com

  • Engadget Podcast 073 - 03.28.06

    by 
    Randall Bennett
    Randall Bennett
    03.28.2006

    The Podcast is back! We've been out of the action for a couple of weeks but we aren't going anywhere -- except to Vegas next week for CTIA. But we're catching up this week on all the video game news and rumors surrounding the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution (or should we say Go?), the first new TiVo we've seen in, well, a while, and Microsoft's latest delay for Vista, which puts us squarely back to January 2007. We also decided to snag a couple of those emails you've been sending in and give 'em some air time, so listen in to the latest ep, we'll do our best to make sure it's worth your wait. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 45:45, 20.9 MB, MP3 Program 01:50 - Vista delayed (for consumers) till early 2007 08:42 - Dell buying Alienware for undisclosed price 13:35 - Nintendo Revolution = Nintendo GO? 18:30 - Sony confirms PS3 controller redesign 22:32 - Dual tuner TiVo pic spotted? 25:27 - Cablevision to rollout remote-storge DVR service 31:58 - Palm's 10th anniversary 35:30 - Listener email LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com

  • Engadget Podcast 072 - 03.07.06

    by 
    Randall Bennett
    Randall Bennett
    03.07.2006

    We've been a little while since our last podcast, but we're back, and just in time, too. After last week's Apple non-announcements, we got some blockbuster business news: RIM and NTP finally settled? AT&T buying BellSouth (and thus the controlling stake of Cingular) for 67 billion dollars? Microsoft learns how to launch a buzz campaign with Origami? And if that wasn't enough Engadget turned two years old last Thursday. It's been loads of fun, but we're only getting started. Also, be sure to phone, Gizmo, or email in your usual questions and comments -- and especially your tech support horror stories for our support nightmare podcast later this week. Thanks for the last couple of years, here's to a couple more! Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 1:26:10, 39.7 MB, MP3 Program 01:48 - Engadget turns two! 06:16 - Steve Jobs Keynote 11:47 - Intel Mac Mini 12:14 - iPod Hi-Fi 15:28 - Microsoft's Oragami 27:26 - AT&T buys BellSouth, Ma Bell is back 35:11 - RIM & NTP settle for $612 million 40:59 - Former Gizmondo executive's wrecked Ferrari 47:34 - ROKR E3 exclusive 52:18 - Listener Voicemail 84:43 - SXSW, and the week ahead LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dot com