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T-Mobile Prism from Huawei lands at FCC

Zachary Lutz — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:01:00 EST

Thanks to leaked inventory documents, we've already known that Huawei's Prism would grace its way onto T-Mobile's shores. Now that its certification papers have been put through the wringers at the FCC, we can plainly see that the handset will be marketed as the T-Mobile Prism. While little is known about the device -- dubbed internally as the U8651T (or Astro) -- we're able to glean that it supports quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE, along with UMTS/HSPA connectivity on the 1900MHz, 1700MHz and 850MHz bands. We also discovered AGPS, 802.11b/g/n (WiFi) and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR thrown in for good measure, along with microSD support and a 1,400mAh battery -- that last tidbit safely excludes this handset from being a rebadge of one of Huawei's high-end offerings.

T-Mobile Prism from Huawei lands at FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro MixAmp 5.8 review

Michael Gorman — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:09:00 EST

We all know that cabled cans are king when it comes to tonal accuracy. The convenience of cord cutting can't be denied, however, and there are ways to free your headphones from their physical bonds. Astro's Mixamp 5.8 is a system designed to make your wired 'phones wireless, but does it sacrifice sound quality for the sake of convenience? And is it worth $130? Click on through to find out.

Gallery: Astro MixAmp 5.8

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Astro MixAmp 5.8 review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition

Richard Lai — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:17:00 EST

Ah, April 1st. It's that time of the year again when the internet is rife with odd news and pranks. As before, news sites like us end up with a healthy stream of tips throughout April Fools' Day (thanks, by the way), so let us round up some of the best findings for your comedic appetite. Contenders include the usual suspects like Google and ThinkGeek, the former of which dominating the gigglesphere this year with some new "features." We also have some interesting submissions from Hulu, a font company, and probably plenty more to come as the day progresses, so keep watching this space as we add new entries to this post. Right, let the fun commence after the break.

Continue reading April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition

April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin upgrades its doggone Astro tracking system with DC 40 collar GPS tracker

Tim Stevens — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:16:00 EST

Chances are the closest you've come to hunting with a pooch is swearing at that giggle-happy mutt who shames your every miss in Duck Hunt. In the real world, dogs are sent out to flush game and track down new things to shoot at, often way out of sight. Garmin's Astro receiver, combined with the DC 30 collar tracker ~~(pictured above)~~, made it easy to keep the all seeing eye on your very own mutt even when miles away, and now the DC 40 makes it even easier. The DC 40 sports a redesign that should make it a more reliable companion, including a new charging connector that won't get clogged with mud. Also new is the ability to create a PIN so that other Astro users can't spy (and possibly even steal) your pooches. The Astro receiver can track up to 10 hounds at once at seven miles of range, and will even let hunters mark where their companions scurried up some prey for future reconnaissance. The price? Garmin isn't saying just yet, but the current DC 30 and Astro receiver package goes for $599, and we'd expect this to cost about the same, though the DC 40 collar unit itself is also said to be available separately if you just want to make sure your hound has the latest couture.

Update: Garmin was kind enough to send us a picture of the new DC 40, above.

Continue reading Garmin upgrades its doggone Astro tracking system with DC 40 collar GPS tracker

Garmin upgrades its doggone Astro tracking system with DC 40 collar GPS tracker originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro pleads for street cred with $150 A30 Cross-Gaming headset

Darren Murph — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:52:00 EST

Ah, Astro Gaming. It's been awhile, hasn't it? After going on a year-long hiatus from crafting new hardware, the company is hitting back with an all-new headset based around the same DNA found in its A40. Rather than cranking out yet another pair of mic-infused headphones that do users little good outside of the LAN party setting, the A30 Cross-Gaming actually boasts a street-style design that enables them to double as vanilla headphones. The boom mic is removable (though an in-line mic allows for communication in any situation), and you'll find interchangeable speaker tags if you're scouting a way to "be yourself." It's up for order today at $149.95, but if you're looking to pick up a Dolby-powered Astro MixAmp -- which is said to "seamlessly blend voice and game sounds" -- you'll be looking at a grand total of $229.95.

Gallery: Astro A30 Cross-Gaming headset

Astro pleads for street cred with $150 A30 Cross-Gaming headset originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro Gaming's Headset Hanger needs little explanation

Darren Murph — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:44:00 EST

Astro Gaming may not produce the most invigorating products out there, but you'd never know it by its marketing approach. In fact, we dare any HP Blackbird owner to give the read link a look and not have even the slightest desire to pick this here gizmo up. The Headset Hanger, contrary to popular belief, actually isn't a makeshift racing wheel; rather, it's designed to be the first (and only, probably) accessory to bolt directly onto the Blackbird's built-in VESA-compliant hardpoint. The purpose? To hold your gaming headphones, which would obviously be the A40s if Astro had any say in the matter. You could spend $19.95 on this just to satisfy your curiosity, but we'd recommend just glancing through the gallery a time or two until you're over it.

Gallery: Astro Gaming's Headset Hanger needs little explanation

Filed under: Peripherals

Astro Gaming's Headset Hanger needs little explanation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASTRO's Roadie / Mission fake instrument gig bags are way too serious

Darren Murph — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

ASTRO Gaming, the same outfit responsible for the A40 gaming headset, is dishing out a new pair of gig bags that'll go perfectly with your Rock Band drum bag. Up first is the Roadie, which is designed to hold a pair of Rock Band / Guitar Hero axes with enough room for a slim PlayStation 2 or a few of your musical video game titles. The Mission complete system gear bag is built to carry any current-generation game console (though we don't see any reason why an Atari Jaguar wouldn't fit in as well) along with most every accessory you can think of -- spare Wiimote straps and Salt & Vinegar chips included. Both pieces are available for pre-order right now, though we can't imagine too many of you buying in with the absolutely ludicrous $99.95 / $129.95 prices. Seriously, can you not buy a real Fender hardshell for less than that? Full release is after the break.

Gallery: ASTRO's Roadie / Mission fake instrument gig bags are way too serious

Continue reading ASTRO's Roadie / Mission fake instrument gig bags are way too serious

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

ASTRO's Roadie / Mission fake instrument gig bags are way too serious originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro's A40 Audio System headset detailed on video

Darren Murph — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:29:00 EST

We're closing in on one year since we first heard about Astro's A40 gaming headset, and for those of you who've held off in anticipation of these changing your life, here's a few more details you'll surely want to know. Astro founder Brett Lovelady sat down with Core77 in order to talk about the company and the headset in detail, and he gives us a first hand look at what the A40s are all about. We'll warn you, he does ramble on for a solid four minutes, but it's good stuff if that's what you're into. Check the vid just after the break.

Continue reading Astro's A40 Audio System headset detailed on video

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Astro's A40 Audio System headset detailed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro Systems introduces 56-inch 4K x 2K LCD monitor

Darren Murph — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:04:00 EST

If you thought a 4K x 2K resolution was a bit much for an 82-inch display, imagine what 3,840 x 2,160 pixels looks like on a 56-incher. Astro Systems is apparently gearing up to launch the DM-3400 to appease the "needs" (read: extravagant desires) of its digital cinema and broadcast studio clients, and by the looks of it, we doubt it'll have any issues accomplishing that. This bad boy also supports four channels of DVI and HD-SDI for some of that quad-view action, and there's even contrast, gamma and brightness adjustments for each RGB channel. Unfortunately, we've no idea how much coinage this beast will demand, but there's ~~little~~ no doubt that this is one of those "if you have to ask..." type scenarios.

[Via StudioDaily]

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Astro Systems introduces 56-inch 4K x 2K LCD monitor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro Systems introduces 56-inch 4K x 2K LCD monitor

Darren Murph — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:04:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, Others, LCD

Astro Systems introduces 56-inch 4K x 2K LCD monitor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro's slick new A40 gaming audio headset

Nilay Patel — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:16:00 EST

Gamers always seem to get the hottest gear, and the A40 gaming headphone system from Astro is no exception. Sold as a complete kit with a headset and matching mixer, the $249 package lets you mix 5.1 game audio and communications audio independently to your liking, all without waking up your roommates. The daisy-chainable Dolby Digital processor / mixer also enables some other interesting features, like private comm channels for in-person Xbox 360 teams, and outboard surround processing from a PC. The headset itself features an adjustable boom mic and interchangeable faceplates. Each is also available separately: the A40 headset is $199, while the mixer is $129, and it's all available on the 17th.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio

Astro's slick new A40 gaming audio headset originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASTRO, NextSat reunite once more as Orbital Express concludes

Darren Murph — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 08:12:00 EST

It seems like it was just yesterday when ASTRO and NextSat took to the ~~skies~~ galaxy in hopes of making their creators proud, but now the time has come for the two to wind down and sip exotic liquids from an umbrella-adorned glass. Thankfully, this story has somewhat of a gleeful ending, though it wasn't looking so rosy just days ago; on June 27th, the two parted ways and managed to drift some seven-kilometers apart before ASTRO used its onboard camera system (and a bit of help from ground control) to navigate back to NextSat, where it then proceeded to give its space-bound buddy a theoretical noogie. Sadly, this final scenario marks the final test in DARPA's Orbital Express demonstration, which means that the two machines now have an ominous decommission plan to look forward to.

[Via NewScientist]

Filed under: Robots

ASTRO, NextSat reunite once more as Orbital Express concludes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASTRO satellite to autonomously move objects to NextSat

Darren Murph — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:01:00 EST

Don't say we didn't warn you, as just days after ASTRO and NextSat successfully completed an autonomous fuel transfer whilst orbiting, the thoughtful duo is already looking forward to the next big challenge. As Scenario 0 operation trials continue, the ASTRO satellite will utilize its "ten-foot-long robotic arm to move objects to NextSat," the first of which will purportedly be a "spare battery transfer" that will be "snatched from ASTRO and plugged into NextSat." Reportedly, this very battery will be the focal point of a number of future handoffs, and a "secondary sensor processing computer" will eventually be offloaded to NextSat as well if the arm cooperates. Of course, these relatively minor exchanges don't mark the end of the work week for these two, as a number of future scenarios look to provide increasingly difficult challenges for "mating" the two machines. Hey, we've already got robotic rights in the works, so we're looking that way for guidance about handling these newfangled (and slightly awkward) mechanical relationships, cool?

[Via Slashdot]

Filed under: Robots

ASTRO satellite to autonomously move objects to NextSat originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASTRO satellite hooks spacecraft up with fuel whilst orbiting

Darren Murph — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 12:20:00 EST

Launching a few birds into space is quite a feat in its own right, but pumping hydrazine fuel into an orbiting counterpart autonomously is really something to be proud of. Just about a month after launching the two unmanned crafts into space, the ASTRO satellite "successfully pumped vital hydrazine fuel into its NextSat counterpart as part of Scenario 0-1, the first in a series of increasingly challenging tests." The machines are currently taking part in the series of Orbital Express missions, and apparently, things are on the up and up thus far. Future tests are slated to include "autonomous undocking, proximity operations and re-docking," as well as installing a battery on NextSat with its robotic arm. We can't wait to see what happens when one of the two gets testy about refueling after hours, but we sure hope the galactic battle is somehow caught on tape.

[Via Digg]

Filed under: Robots

ASTRO satellite hooks spacecraft up with fuel whilst orbiting originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Apr 2007 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autonomous repair robots launched into space

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:06:00 EST

Few things set our geek pulses a-purrin' like DARPA sponsored projects, robots, and outer space. So combining the three into last night's launch of the Orbital Express had us hopping and clapping like little girls in pink party dresses. Built for DARPA, the pair of satellites were launched to demonstrate the feasibility of autonomously servicing satellites in space. Yeah, autonomous as in no human interaction, unless there's a problem with the sensors, passive detection systems, and computer software requiring mission control to intervene. Both the robotic-arm equipped ASTRO servicing satellite and smaller NextSat target will be orbiting our blue planet for the next three months testing autonomous rendezvous, refueling, and component replacement. A successful mission would pave the way for a fleet of both commercial and military vehicles for use in repairing or providing an orbital boost to general-use spacecraft while allowing recon satellites to maintain position longer. We're pretty sure that last bit has some generals jumping and clapping as well.

Read -- Satellite launch
Read -- Orbital Express

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Robots

Autonomous repair robots launched into space originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three new ones from Garmin: the c580, nuvi 680 and dog-tracking Astro

Paul Miller — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:54:00 EST

Garmin seems to have missed out on the holidays, but that doesn't mean they can't provide a few snappy little presents to the lost ones among us. Most interesting is Garmin's new Astro dog tracking system (pictured). The gadget is designed for hunters looking to keep track of, you guessed it, hunting dogs, and seems to provide quite a bit of innovation in a market we hardly knew existed. The system includes the DC 20 transmitter, which is strapped to the dog, and the Astro 220 receiver, which receives location data from the dog up to five miles away, and can double as a regular ol' handheld GPS unit when hunting season's over. The software allows you to mark coveys, measure acreage, track where the dog has been, and even lets you know if the dog is sitting or running or just generally slacking off. Up to ten dogs can be tracked simultaneously, and the system should be available in June for $650. Back to the beaten path, Garmin's new c580 has the traditional looks of a vehicle mounted GPS device, with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, while the nuvi 680 does it on the slim, with a 4.3-inch touchscreen to play with. Both players feature FM, and it appears at least the 680 has Bluetooth for handsfree interoperability with your phone, but most interesting is the MSN Direct functionality that Garmin has stuffed into these things, bringing movie showtimes, weather and other fun info to the portables. Unfortunately, all this fancy stuff doesn't come cheap: with the c580 hitting the streets in February for $800, while the nuvi 680 should hit in "early" '07 for a whoppin' $1000. Check out these two navigators after the break.

[Via Uber-Review, GPS Tracklog]

Read - 680 and c580
Read - Astro

Continue reading Three new ones from Garmin: the c580, nuvi 680 and dog-tracking Astro

Filed under: GPS

Three new ones from Garmin: the c580, nuvi 680 and dog-tracking Astro originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monster's Linux-based network media and automation devices

Erik Hanson — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 13:54:00 EST

Monster Cable, the company best known for its, um, cabling, has announced more information about its network media and home automation devices recently displayed at CEDIA. Everything in the Monster Einstein system is controlled by the Nucleus head-end, which runs the home automation and control elements, using Z-Wave and Bluetooth to control sensors and devices throughout the home, as well as interfacing with the media devices on the network. It has gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n network capabilities as well as a VOIP interface, and should retail for around $4000. The $2500 Electron components are the client end points and connect to the televisions and receivers on the network. You'll want at least one Photon 200-disc DVD changer in the system, because even though they're $2400 they have dual transports, meaning two different discs can be played simultaneously over the network. Also plan on attaching one or more of the $4900 Neutron RAID5-capable storage boxes -- each comes with 960 gigs of storage standard but can scale up to 7.2 terabytes. Other devices in the chain include the $1500 Astro Sirius satellite radio tuner with three zones, and the $1300 Tron seven-inch touch panel. Keep reading for more specifics, as well as another shot of the "monster" Photon changer...

Continue reading Monster's Linux-based network media and automation devices

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wireless, Networking

Monster's Linux-based network media and automation devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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