Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Developer runs WebKit on Chumby to bypass Flash]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/developer-runs-webkit-on-chumby/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/developer-runs-webkit-on-chumby/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/developer-runs-webkit-on-chumby/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Developer runs WebKit on Chumby to bypass Flash

Things haven't been looking so good for Chumby recently -- in April, the company stopped hardware sales, and that was pretty much its bread and butter. Though the device may be well past its prime, at least it has some worth to the hackers among us. Take Huan Troung, who decided to use the Chumby as the starting point for making a temperature logger. To be fair, he ended up using the Insignia Infocast, a rebranded Chumby, and while the device was a good fit for his project, he wanted more freedom than the Flash framework allowed him. So Huan decided to run WebKit on the gadget. The result is a more app-friendly interface with support for a wide range of coding languages. Check out the video below for a look at the device running the temperature app.

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]]> chumbychumby hackChumbyHackflashhackhacksprogrammingvideowebkitWebkit hackWebkitHack Thu, 31 May 2012 07:54:00 -0400 21|20247145 <![CDATA[Chumby halts hardware sales, long-term support looking mighty unlikely]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/19/chumby-halts-hardware-sales-out-of-business/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/19/chumby-halts-hardware-sales-out-of-business/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/19/chumby-halts-hardware-sales-out-of-business/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments dead chumby

"The site is closed temporarily." Never a good sign, indeed, and particularly not when it's plastered across Chumby's own webstore. For over two days now, that's the message given to anyone attempting to buy hardware from the company, and it looks as if the Chumby we knew may be counting down its final days. A scrappy upstart attempting to bring its Chumby OS to the masses via injections into larger OEMs, the outfit saw little to no uptake across a wide variety of products; Sony nixed the Dash earlier this year, and Insignia turned its back quite some time ago. To be fair, Chumby had stopped manufacturing its own branded hardware in 2011, with the outfit's Duane Maxwell confirming the outright death of Chumby's store in a forum posting today. According to him, there was "no point in keeping the store around once inventory was exhausted," though hardcore loyalists can still snag a NeTV from adafruit.

Other forum members have noted that all support emails now seem to be headed into the Great Beyond, and while the actual network that Chumby OS relies on remains alive at the moment, there's no guarantee it'll last. Interestingly, at least two individuals instrumental in the building of Chumby are now working at Media Navi -- both Alison Fay and Michael Coleman have moved Chumby-related job listings to "Past" in their LinkedIn profiles. We'll be reporting more as we get it, but in the meanwhile, we'd recommend giving your favorite Chum a warm hug. His / her heart may not be beating for too much longer.

[Thanks, Jonathan]

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]]> chumbyChumby OSChumbyOsdeadkillkilledliquidationout of businessOutOfBusinessriprobot Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:02:00 -0400 21|20219988 <![CDATA[Bunnie Huang builds open-source geiger counter to help Japanese civilians]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/16/bunnie-huang-geiger-counter/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/16/bunnie-huang-geiger-counter/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/16/bunnie-huang-geiger-counter/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Chumby co-creator Andrew "Bunnie" Huang was so moved by the Japanese Earthquake and Fukushima meltdown that he felt compelled to help out. Teaming up with nonprofit organization Safecast, he started work on a radiation monitor that was suitable for everyday civilian use, rather than it remain the sole province of officials. As well as its readings being able to stand up to scientific scrutiny, Huang's counter had to remain functional after a natural disaster, last for ages and be small enough for people to carry around. When he had finished building the reference design, he open-sourced the design so companies like Medcom and individuals could build their own. If you'd like to dabble in the arts of radiation monitoring, head on down to the source link for a fascinating insight into how it's done.

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]]> Andrew Bunnie HuangAndrew HuangAndrewBunnieHuangAndrewHuangBunnie HuangBunnieHuangChumbyDevsEarthquakeFukushimaFukushima DaiichiFukushimaDaiichiJapanJapanese EarthquakeJapaneseEarthquakeOpen-SourceRadiationSafecast Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:04:00 -0400 21|20194822 <![CDATA[IRL: Chumby 8, LaCie Rugged Triple USB 3.0 and a duo of Nikkor lenses]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/irl-chumby-8-lacie-rugged-nikkor-lenses/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/irl-chumby-8-lacie-rugged-nikkor-lenses/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/irl-chumby-8-lacie-rugged-nikkor-lenses/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.



You know what we're sick of talking about? (Okay, sick is a strong word, but you catch our drift.) Phones. Also, the iPad. Fortunately, this week's IRL touches on neither of the above. Instead, our audio guy Joe takes a different tack and explains his choice of Nikkor lenses, while Andy and Billy get hands-on with a rugged hard drive and Chumby 8, respectively. Head on past the break to see how we rate this stuff after spending more than a little time with all of it.

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]]> andy bowenAndyBowenbilly steeleBillySteelechumbyengadgetirlirlJoe PollicinoJoePollicinolacielacie ruggedlacie rugged triple usb 3.0LacieRuggedLacieRuggedTripleUsb3.0nikkorNikonprime lensPrimeLens Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:00:00 -0500 21|20189058 <![CDATA[Sony dashes Dash development: is Bieber's favorite tablet on the way out?]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/sony-dashes-dash-development-is-biebers-favorite-tablet-on-the/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/sony-dashes-dash-development-is-biebers-favorite-tablet-on-the/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/sony-dashes-dash-development-is-biebers-favorite-tablet-on-the/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
The towering cultural colossus that is Justin Bieber giveth, yet he must also taketh away. Merely days after appearing as the pitchman for dancing crotch-speaker robot Tosy mRobo, the last tech-product he was tasked with selling might have been quietly put to sleep behind Sony's barn. The Dash was a pseudo-tablet powered by Chumby OS that, perhaps inexplicably, never caught on, angering the floppy-haired Canadian infant. A developer who was signed up to produce apps for the platform received the following email from Sony's HQ, which subsequently appeared on the Dash Developer's website:

Beginning February 29th, 2012, the Sony Dash developer website will close and no longer support development of new applications. This closure includes the Dash developer forum and Dash developer support, which will close on March 31st. Sony Dash applications will remain available. Thank you for your contributions and we encourage you to continue your development activity on Sony's other platforms available at SonyDeveloper.com

Again, thank you very much,

Team Dash

There's been no official word (yet) if this is the end for the device, but it doesn't augur well for future revisions. If you'll excuse us, we're going to go pour one out for the beloved little, erm tablet-thing.

[Thanks, Darwin]

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]]> ChumbyJustin BieberJustinBieberSonySony DashSonyDash Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:50:00 -0500 21|20151223 <![CDATA[Archos 35 home connect hands-on]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/archos-35-home-connect-hands-on/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/archos-35-home-connect-hands-on/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/archos-35-home-connect-hands-on/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Though we didn't have the Archos 35 home connect to wake us up personally during CES, we had a chance to get hands-on with the Android-based alarm clock on the floor and it did not disappoint. The Archos 35 home connect is the company's entrance into the world of feature-filled alarm clocks, joining the already established Sony Dash and Chumby. In terms of functionality, it's a morning talk show all rolled up into one, providing weather, real time traffic, news, sports, movies, music, TuneIn radio, social networking and much more through the built-in WiFi. You'll also find a webcam on the front, supporting apps like Tango for video calling, a rechargeable battery to take the party with you, and a 3.5 headphone jack for more personal use.

The overall device is solid and has a very curvy and nightstand-friendly footprint -- which is important for folks like us who sleep with other bedside gadgets. The volume controls are touch sensitive and the unit itself has a decent enough range. Archos is not only pushing this as a fully-featured Alarm Clock, but also a portable Android 2.2 media device -- supporting over 30,000-or-so apps in Archos' non-Android-Market, Appslib. While the 35 home connect's features make it compelling enough to make it a viable option, we feel there's nothing to push it past its aforementioned competition, especially with the $149 price tag. Check out all the angles and interface of the 35 home connect in the gallery below.

Gallery: Archos 35 home connect hands-on

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]]> 35 home connect35HomeConnectalarmalarm clockAlarmClockandroidandroid alarm clockAndroidAlarmClockArchosArchos 35 home connectArchos35HomeConnectCESCES 2012ces2012chumbyclockfeatured clockFeaturedClockhands-onhome connectHomeConnectradioSony DashSonyDashTuneINTuneIn RadioTuneinRadiowake-up Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:17:00 -0500 21|20146253 <![CDATA[Chumby brings app network to LG Smart TV platform, more living rooms]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/chumby-brings-app-network-to-lg-smart-tv-platform-more-living-r/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/chumby-brings-app-network-to-lg-smart-tv-platform-more-living-r/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/chumby-brings-app-network-to-lg-smart-tv-platform-more-living-r/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Chumby's app ecosystem expanded to yet another platform last week, thanks to a new partnership with LG. Under the deal, owners of LG's Smart TV-enabled devices will now be able to access more than 1,000 applications available on the Chumby app network, including a variety of news-, entertainment- and music-based tools. The Smart TV crowd can access the ecosystem right now; everyone else, meanwhile, will have to wait a bit longer.

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]]> appapplicationchumbychumby app networkChumbyAppNetworkdisplayentertainmenthdpostminiLGLG Smart TVLgSmartTvliving roomLivingRoomsoftwarestreamingTV Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:09:00 -0500 21|20120569 <![CDATA[Still awake? There's a Chumby FunBox app for that]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/still-awake-theres-a-chumby-funbox-app-for-that/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/still-awake-theres-a-chumby-funbox-app-for-that/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/still-awake-theres-a-chumby-funbox-app-for-that/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments The FunBox is a bedside alarm clock but it's also a widget-running Chumby, which means it'll let you check your twitter feeds, load up a track on Pandora or do other inappropriately stimulating activities right before catching some Zs. The device has just passed through the FCC and its paperwork reveals a 3.5-inch (possibly resistive) touch screen, a 454MHz processor, 1GB DDR memory, SD card slot and a USB port for an external drive. We couldn't tell you price or availability at this stage, but with top smartphones increasingly coming with night dock accessories the FunBox is hardly likely to find a guaranteed perch beside our pillow.

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]]> 3.5-inchalarmalarm clockAlarmClockbedsideChumbyChumby FunboxChumbyFunboxFCCFunboxnightsleepsleeping Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:38:00 -0400 21|20070436 <![CDATA[Sony's Dash gets a new lease on life, we stop to wonder why]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/sonys-dash-gets-a-new-lease-on-life-begs-the-question-why/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/sonys-dash-gets-a-new-lease-on-life-begs-the-question-why/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/sonys-dash-gets-a-new-lease-on-life-begs-the-question-why/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Sony Dash Remember Sony's Dash? That little pseudo tablet powered by Chumby OS that started making the rounds at last year's CES? No, well we almost forgot about it too. But, just as it was finally fading from memory, Sony hit us with an update to the Internet Viewer. Not much has changed, save a rearrangement of the ports and buttons. It's still got the same pile of widgets and channels, but now sports a (very) basic web browser for those with a bit of a masochistic streak. The ability to register your Dash without having to first hook up to a PC is also a welcome addition. The black-only HID-B7 will ship for $130, while the HID-B70 comes in brown, blue and orange while adding a battery to the mix for $170. Both will hit shelves in October. Check out the gallery below and the full, if brief, PR after the break.

Gallery: Sony Dash 2011

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]]> chumbychumby osChumbyOsdashdash hid-b7dash hid-b70dash internet viewerDashHid-b7DashHid-b70DashInternetViewerhid-b7hid-b70sonysony dashsony dash hid-b7sony dash hid-b70sony dash internet viewerSonyDashSonyDashHid-b7SonyDashHid-b70SonyDashInternetViewertablettablets Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:22:00 -0400 21|20042616 <![CDATA[Chumby NeTV unfurls its web-connected tentacles for the FCC]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/chumby-netv-unfurls-its-web-connected-tentacles-for-the-fcc/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/chumby-netv-unfurls-its-web-connected-tentacles-for-the-fcc/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/chumby-netv-unfurls-its-web-connected-tentacles-for-the-fcc/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments FCC appearances are usually a good indication of a product's imminent arrival. And with Chumby's NeTV already headed to developers' hands later this month, this Commission filing isn't exactly catching us off guard. Now, a firm retail date is all that's missing to complete the once huggable platform's official outing. Those unfamiliar with the Flash-based, WiFi-enabled device can look forward to a webified HDTV experience that'll stream online content, as well as texts and photos from your Android phone, to a flat panel display. Sure, there are plenty of other options to bring the net to your livingroom, but how many of them can claim an octopus as their mascot? Check out the source link below if emissions testing and user manuals tickle your fancy.

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]]> AndroidAndroid PhotoAndroid Photo SharingAndroidPhotoAndroidPhotoSharingChumbyChumby NeTVChumbyNetvEmailFCCFlash LiteFlashLitehdpostcrossHDTVInterfacemobilepostcrossPhoto SharingPhotoSharingSecond DisplaySecondDisplaySmart TVSmartTvSMSTvTV BrowserTvBrowservideoWeb TVWebKitWebTv Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:28:00 -0400 21|20040593 <![CDATA[Chumby NeTV turns any HDTV into a Chumby that's hard to hug (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/chumby-netv-turns-any-hdtv-into-a-chumby-thats-hard-to-hug-vid/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/chumby-netv-turns-any-hdtv-into-a-chumby-thats-hard-to-hug-vid/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/chumby-netv-turns-any-hdtv-into-a-chumby-thats-hard-to-hug-vid/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Existing HDTV owners cursing because they don't have a Smart TV will soon catch a break from Chumby. It's developing the NeTV, turning any TV (geddit?) into a giant, unhuggable Chumby that connects in-line between source and TV, overlaying the interface on top of your picture. It ships with a seven button remote, but most people should consider using their Android phones to get the most out of the on-board WebKit browser, seamless photo sharing and notifications that put your SMS messages and emails onto the big screen. Developers are gonna get their mitts on the device later this month, but you can catch a sneak peek after the break

[Thanks, Torin]

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]]> AndroidAndroid PhotoAndroid Photo SharingAndroidPhotoAndroidPhotoSharingChumbyChumby NeTVChumbyNetvEmailFlash LiteFlashLitehdpostcrossHDTVInterfacePhoto SharingPhotoSharingSecond DisplaySecondDisplaySmart TVSmartTvSMSTvTV BrowserTvBrowservideoWeb TVWebKitWebTv Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:42:00 -0400 21|20037462 <![CDATA[Sony support site leaks S1 and S2 tablet screens, may run Honeycomb 3.2 (update: pulled!)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/sony-support-site-leaks-s1-and-s2-tablet-screens-may-run-honeyc/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/sony-support-site-leaks-s1-and-s2-tablet-screens-may-run-honeyc/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/sony-support-site-leaks-s1-and-s2-tablet-screens-may-run-honeyc/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Ready to shed a little light on those baffling tablet teasers? Well, it looks like someone over at the company's eSupport site uploaded a troubleshooting doc for the yet-to-be released S1 and S2 tablets, and we have the leaked screens to prove it. Listed under the very helpful heading of "How to find the Android Honeycomb operating system version installed on this tablet," conflicting pics of the "About tablet" screen point to both a 3.1 and 3.2 software destiny. Also on board for this illicit peek, is a shot of the slates' space-tastic homescreen, in addition to its app drawer where we can clearly see bundled Sony apps like Chumby, Crash Bandicoot and Crackle. While we're inclined to believe Honeycomb's latest and greatest will ship on the pair of black beauties, the site offered no other confirmation of the OS goods. Head on past the break for an extended look, and place your bets in comments below.

Update: The page has been removed from Sony's site.

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]]> androidAndroid 3.1Android 3.2Android3.1Android3.2ChumbyCrackleCrash BandicootCrashBandicoothoneycombhoneycomb 3.1honeycomb 3.2honeycomb tabletHoneycomb3.1Honeycomb3.2HoneycombTabletS1S2slateSonySony tabletsSonyTabletstablettablets Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:49:00 -0400 21|20008637 <![CDATA[Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/best-buy-launches-insignia-connected-tvs-with-dvr-less-tivo/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/best-buy-launches-insignia-connected-tvs-with-dvr-less-tivo/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/best-buy-launches-insignia-connected-tvs-with-dvr-less-tivo/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Right on schedule, Best Buy's announced it's good and ready to ship two Insignia-branded connected televisions with TiVo's UI -- minus the whole DVR thing, that is. The two 1080p sets, available in 32- and 42-inch flavors, are landing months after the retailer said it was buddying up with TiVo to borrow its user interface -- and only that, there's no indication these will play nicely with Premiere DVRs and their multiroom streaming at launch -- for searching content and also just getting up and running easily. As you'd expect, folks perusing these sets can watch movies from Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube, as well as stream from Pandora and Napster. Rounding out the list of apps are Facebook, Twitter, Photobucket, and Chumby, with more to come, Best Buy tells us. In addition to the easy access to content, the story here is that the UI plays nice with existing cable boxes, making the installation easy even if the person holding the remote doesn't happen to have a lengthy serial number on hand. Look for the 32-inch number for $499, with the 42-incher fetching $699. Find the full PR and some b-roll video after the break, along with a smattering of hands-on shots of what should be an all-too-familiar interface.

Gallery: Insignia TVs with TiVo's UI

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]]> Best BuyBestBuyChumbyCinemaNowHDTVHDTVsInsigniaNapsterNetflixPandoraPhotobucketTelevisiontelevisionsTiVoTVUIuser interfaceUserInterfacevideoYouTube Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 -0400 21|20004907 <![CDATA[Box pics, price and features leak out for the Best Buy Insignia cTV with TiVo]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/box-pics-price-and-features-leak-out-for-the-best-buy-insignia/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/box-pics-price-and-features-leak-out-for-the-best-buy-insignia/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/box-pics-price-and-features-leak-out-for-the-best-buy-insignia/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments As we close in on the purported release date for Best Buy's Insignia cTV, more details have come to light about the TiVo menu system (but not DVR) powered HDTV. Zatz Not Funny reports the 32- and 42-inch models available initially will cost $599 and $999, respectively, with a pretty standard list of features including built-in 802.11n WiFi, 4 HDMI ports, etc. More interesting however are these box shots that reveal unannounced apps on the way including Chumby widgets -- destined to replace the late FrameChannel? -- as well as Twitter and Facebook, which were integrated via the iPad app but not the box, yet. So far we still don't know for sure if these TVs will be able to serve as multiroom extenders and stream video from a TiVo Premiere (whenever TiVo brings the feature back) but until there's some official word you can get more pictures and details at the source below.

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]]> 1080p31-inch42-inchappsbest buyBestBuychumbychumby widgetsChumbyWidgetsctvfacebookhdtvinsignialcdmultiroomtivotivo premiereTivoPremieretwitterwidgets Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:28:00 -0400 21|20002570 <![CDATA[Chumby 8 gets reviewed, dubbed 'best and biggest Chumby yet']]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/chumby-8-gets-reviewed-dubbed-best-and-biggest-chumby-yet/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/chumby-8-gets-reviewed-dubbed-best-and-biggest-chumby-yet/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/chumby-8-gets-reviewed-dubbed-best-and-biggest-chumby-yet/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments The Chumby has never exactly been a device for everyone, and that's not likely to change with the new Chumby 8 that's recently started shipping. Those that do want a Chumby, however, aren't likely to be disappointed by the new 8-inch model. According to CNET's review of the device, the Chumby 8 is simply the "best and biggest Chumby yet," with the larger display and additional USB ports making it better suited for use as a photo frame or media player, while the plethora of apps available make it as versatile as ever. Of course, it is still a Chumby, which CNET notes makes for an increasingly difficult sell in a world filled with tablets, smartphones, and widget-filled TVs. Hit up the source link below for the full review.

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]]> chumbychumby 8chumby industriesChumby8ChumbyIndustriesglanceablewidgetwidgets Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:21:00 -0400 21|19910507 <![CDATA[Chumby 8 set to ship on April 5th for $199; pre-orders open today]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/chumby-8-set-to-ship-on-april-5th-for-199-pre-orders-open-toda/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/chumby-8-set-to-ship-on-april-5th-for-199-pre-orders-open-toda/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/chumby-8-set-to-ship-on-april-5th-for-199-pre-orders-open-toda/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Remember that newfangled widget display we peeked back at CES? Looks as if Chumby Industries is good and ready to get official with a ship date and price, which means that your disposable income account is fixing to shrink by two Benjamins. The outfit has just revealed an April 5th ship date and a $199 retail price for its latest and greatest display, with that sum netting you an 8-inch (800 x 600) touchscreen, access to over 1,500 free apps and a multifaceted personality that handles digital photos and music, too. Have a peek at our earlier hands-on with the device if you're still curious, and if you're eager to get in line, the source link's the place to be if you need to secure a pre-order.

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]]> chumbychumby 8chumby8pricepricedpricingship dateShipDateshipping Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:31:00 -0400 21|19889184 <![CDATA[Chumby 8 announced: like a Chumby, but more normal (hands-on with video!)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/chumby-8-announced-like-a-chumby-but-more-normal-hands-on-wit/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/chumby-8-announced-like-a-chumby-but-more-normal-hands-on-wit/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/chumby-8-announced-like-a-chumby-but-more-normal-hands-on-wit/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments The original Chumby will always hold a special place in our hearts, but let's be real: the average human doesn't know what to do with a plush, huggable touchscreen that runs Flash Lite. The new Chumby 8 -- leaked not long ago -- is now official, featuring a revamped user interface that allows you to access music from the home screen, manage apps without using the web-based portal, and use internet radio stations as alarm sounds. Where does the "8" in the name come from, exactly? That'd be the 8-inch 800 x 600 resistive touchscreen, a heck of a lot bigger than the 3.5 inches on that Chumby One you've got kicking around.

The core of the Chumby 8, of course, remains the Flash Lite-based apps, and those remain unchanged and totally compatible so that you've got access to the existing lineup of 1,500-plus options. You've got a pair of USB ports, a stereo headset jack, and both CF and SD slots for powering your little desk-dwelling sidekick with media of your choosing. No word on pricing or availability, but it looks like Chumby will be offering these to third parties looking to customize and deploy or resell them -- so our dream of an Engadget-branded photo frame might yet become a reality. Follow the break for our video hands-on!

Gallery: Chumby 8 announced: like a Chumby, but more normal

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]]> cesces 2011ces2011chumbychumby 8Chumby8hands-onvideo Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:10:00 -0500 21|19790636 <![CDATA[Chumby grows up, gains competitors' Dashing good looks?]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/24/chumby-grows-up-gains-competitors-dashing-good-looks/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/24/chumby-grows-up-gains-competitors-dashing-good-looks/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/24/chumby-grows-up-gains-competitors-dashing-good-looks/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments There's not much to go on here -- just a picture of a small-screened device we've never seen before -- but if that six-fingered squid is the real deal, there's a brand-new Chumby on the way. Gizmodo says the T-shaped unit's working codename is "Chumby Opus," and we wonder if that might actually refer to song; If that grille on the left's also duplicated on the right, perhaps we'll get some stereo speakers this time around. Wouldn't that be nice? Either way, it looks like black, slightly leaning flat-panel displays are still in style.

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]]> chumbychumby 2chumby opuschumby twoChumby2ChumbyOpusChumbyTwodigital photo frameDigitalPhotoFrameinternet media displayInternetMediaDisplayopus Fri, 24 Dec 2010 07:19:00 -0500 21|19775741 <![CDATA[Chumby releases Android app, not quite as plush as the original]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/chumby-releases-android-app-not-quite-as-plush-as-the-original/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/chumby-releases-android-app-not-quite-as-plush-as-the-original/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/chumby-releases-android-app-not-quite-as-plush-as-the-original/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Chumby isn't just taking its platform to dedicated devices from other manufacturers, it's also moving to software -- a strategy that right out of Amazon's playbook now that Kindle is available on just about every computer and handheld under the sun. The company's new Android app simply connects to your Chumby account and lets you view and use the same Flash-based apps that you would on any other Chumby device, a testament to the fact that pretty much every Android handset hitting the market these days comes Flash-capable out of the box. Chumby says that the app works best for tablets and docked devices -- which makes sense when you think of how you'd use a Sony Dash or Chumby One -- and conveniently, you can set it to automatically show up as a screen saver whenever your phone is docked. Look for it in the Market right now for $4.99; follow the break for the full press release.

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]]> androidchumbychumby for androidchumby todayChumbyForAndroidChumbyTodaygoogle Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:05:00 -0500 21|19766289 <![CDATA[Chumby sprouts legs, walks, fails at feline amusement (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/13/chumby-sprouts-legs-walks-fails-at-feline-amusement-video/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/13/chumby-sprouts-legs-walks-fails-at-feline-amusement-video/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/13/chumby-sprouts-legs-walks-fails-at-feline-amusement-video/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Chumby sprouts legs, walks, fails at feline amusement By default Chumbys are cuddly but not exactly mobile. Then along came the Chumby One, not even cuddly and exactly zero percent more mobile. EMGRobotics is here to solve that issue with a Chumbified port of RobotSee, a robotics-specific language developed by Eric Gregori. The One here is paired with a Freescale accelerometer and manages to walk all by its lonesome without falling over. Mind you, it doesn't walk very quickly, but if it were any faster it'd run the risk of scaring away the cat, and we wouldn't want that. Oh, and make sure you skip ahead to the 1:45 mark in the video if you want to skip the PowerPoint and get straight to the staggering action.

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]]> accelerometerchumbychumby oneChumbyOneemgroboticseric gregoriEricGregorifreescalelinuxrobot seeRobotSeevideo Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:36:00 -0400 21|19672075 <![CDATA[Insignia's Infocast gains a web browser, a little dignity in the process]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/insignias-infocast-gains-a-web-browser-a-little-dignity-in-the/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/insignias-infocast-gains-a-web-browser-a-little-dignity-in-the/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/insignias-infocast-gains-a-web-browser-a-little-dignity-in-the/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Nah, it's not an officially supported browser, but it's a browser nonetheless. Chumby founder Andrew Huang has recently posted up instructions (along with a prebuilt file for those stretched thin) on how to port a WebKit-based browser onto Best Buy's self-proclaimed Internet Media Device. Currently, the browser requires a USB keyboard for text input, though the touch panel still functions just fine when it comes to window management / navigation. Hit the links below if you're looking for good reason to dust your Infocast off and put it to better use. Or don't, and just become more bitter at the world around you for no good reason at all. Your choice.

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]]> browserchumbydiyhackinfocastInsigniaInsignia infocastInsigniaInfocastinternetinternet media displayInternetMediaDisplaymodqtSilvermoonsoftwareweb browserWebBrowserwebkitwidgetwidgets Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:18:00 -0400 21|19639935 <![CDATA[Sony Dash update brings Shoutcast, app shortcuts and the true meaning of life]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/sony-dash-update-brings-shoutcast-app-shortcuts-and-the-true-me/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/sony-dash-update-brings-shoutcast-app-shortcuts-and-the-true-me/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/sony-dash-update-brings-shoutcast-app-shortcuts-and-the-true-me/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Got yourself a Sony Dash, did you? If so, right about now would be a beautiful time to unplug it and plug it back in, as that'll trigger a minty fresh update to download and apply. This newfangled software build will not only add Shoutcast as an available internet radio station, but it also brings app shortcuts and a hastened add / delete app process. It ain't much, but it ain't costly, either. Let us know in comments how it all works out for you, cool?

[Thanks, Dave]

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]]> alarm clockAlarmClockchumbyclockdashfirmwareInternet RadioInternetRadioshoutcastsoftwaresonySony DashSonyDashupdatewidgetwidgets Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:34:00 -0400 21|19590986 <![CDATA[Open Source Hardware community finally gets its Constitution]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/open-source-hardware-community-finally-gets-its-constitution/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/open-source-hardware-community-finally-gets-its-constitution/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/open-source-hardware-community-finally-gets-its-constitution/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Open Source Hardware movement finally gets its Constitution They, the people of the open source hardware movement, in order to form a more peaceful community for sharing, establish bigger and cuddlier Chumbies, ensure continued Arduino creativity, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of hackery to ourselves and our posterity, have established the Open Source Hardware Draft. It's a sort of 11 commandments for those who would share or use an open source hardware design, indicating what documentation is required, how derived works must be allowed and, perhaps most importantly, that each use must include attribution to those founding engineers who came before. Its current version, 0.3, was ratified yesterday by a group of dignitaries including folks behind the Arduino, Adafruit, and Chumby, along with plenty of other underground industry big-wigs. Now that this bit of official business is out of the way, hopefully they can all get back to crafting homemade coilguns.

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]]> adafruitadafruit industriesAdafruitIndustriesarduinoattributionchumbylicenseopen source hardwareopen source hardware draftOpenSourceHardwareOpenSourceHardwareDraft Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:35:00 -0400 21|19553615 <![CDATA[Sony Dash is ready to travel the globe if you're ready to pay the import duties]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/sony-dash-is-ready-to-travel-the-globe-if-youre-ready-to-pay-th/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/sony-dash-is-ready-to-travel-the-globe-if-youre-ready-to-pay-th/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/sony-dash-is-ready-to-travel-the-globe-if-youre-ready-to-pay-th/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments International readers, your day has come: the Dash will finally work for you. Sony has lifted restrictions on the device that prevented it from being used outside the US of A, meaning you can wake up with that company's most advanced alarm clock ever regardless whether your bedding down in Belarus or shacking up in Shanghai. However, the company warns that "many providers automatically geo-filter their content so your experience with your Dash may vary depending on your location." And, this not-so-cuddly Chumby is still being sold exclusively in the States, so it's up to you to figure out how to import yours.

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]]> chumbydashinternationalinternet viewerInternetViewersonysony dashSonyDash Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:15:00 -0400 21|19538282 <![CDATA[Ask Engadget: best media display / internet viewer for bedside?]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/ask-engadget-best-media-display-internet-viewer-for-bedside/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/ask-engadget-best-media-display-internet-viewer-for-bedside/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/ask-engadget-best-media-display-internet-viewer-for-bedside/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Jon, who just needs something to give him loads of glanceable information moments before he drifts off into the land of fairies, unicorns and deep-friend cotton candy. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"I've been trying to buy a new alarm clock lately and am completely appalled at the selection available online or elsewhere. Most are basically docks for your iPod / PMP and have a pre-turn of the century LCD digital clock display and some shoddy speakers. They also range in price from $40 to $200. After seeing things like the Sony Dash and the new Insignia Infocast, I could see those as viable alarm clock solutions (with weather, music, maybe an RSS feed). Are there other items out there that have a great display that you can dim and would be able to serve this purpose? Or or either of those the one to get?"
So, sweet-dreamers, what'll it be? Do you have a Chumby-infused widget display on your own night stand? Go on, don't be shy -- help a brother out in comments below.

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]]> askAsk EngadgetAskEngadgetchumbydashinfocastinsigniainternet viewerInternetViewersony dashSonyDashwidgets Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:59:00 -0400 21|19529384