excalibur
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US' new stealth destroyer may finally have affordable ammo
To put it mildly, the US screwed up when it decided to carry on with its Zumwalt-class stealth destroyers when they depended on smart ammo the Navy couldn't afford. However, it might have a clever workaround. Officials speaking to USNI News say the Navy is looking at Raytheon's Excalibur, a GPS-guided artillery round, as a substitute for the custom LRLAP (Long Range Land Attack Projectile) shells the Zumwalt's main guns were designed to use. Excalibur has roughly half the range at about 30 miles, but it costs much less -- about a quarter of the $800,000-plus cost per round of LRLAP. It can also hit moving targets where LRLAP couldn't.
MMObility: Excalibur provides old-school arcade action
Excalibur, a new mobile MMO by R2Games, promises to provide fun side-scrolling action that is sure to remind you of older arcade classics like Golden Axe. I can't help but giggle when I think of the actual playerbase for many mobile titles and how the average age is not sufficient enough for any of them to have ever stepped foot in an actual arcade, but nostalgia always makes for good PR. The game is set in the King Arthur world of knights and magic and even promises intense co-op action and many hours of gameplay. I did play it for many hours and enjoyed most of my time, but the game's issues pop up almost immediately.
Excalibur's sidescrolling action now available on iOS
Last month, Android users got to taunt Apple owners with a nyeener nyeener when the sidescrolling action-brawler Excalibur's beta became available for Android devices only. But as of today, Apple users are no longer out of the loop; the iOS version is available for download free from the App Store. So now, no matter your device, you can adventure together in the realm of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table while on the go. To celebrate, R2Games and 337.com are planning some contests to give players a chance to earn some in-game goodies. With the beta release on both mobile platforms out of the way, devs can start to turn their focus on future game content, including the fourth playable class: the Archer. [Source: R2Games press release]
Sidescrolling MMO Excalibur available for download on Android devices
Have you recently found yourself playing a fantasy MMO while thinking that it would be better as a sidescrolling brawler on your Android device? Really? Because that's kind of specific. But, as it turns out, you are in luck. Excalibur has opened the beta gates to Android players, allowing anyone who wants to kill and loot in a sidescrolling environment a chance to do just that. The game is also aiming at an iOS release in October. Regardless of what images the terms "sidescrolling free-to-play fantasy brawler" might conjure in your head, the team at R2Games and Elex emphasize that the game features more than simply action combat. Players choose between three classes and can take part in both group and solo content, join guilds, and engage in PvP. It might be just the thing for anyone looking for a bit of a break from the norm on the go.
Excalibur takes Arthurian action to mobile devices
Claiming to be the world's first mobile sidescrolling MMO, Excalibur is obviously hoping that Guinness Book of World Records will be calling soon, although it might have to wait until the title actually releases. R2Games is preparing to unleash the title on both Android and iOS mobile platforms. Excalibur puts players in the role of a Knight, Wizard, Archer, or Assassin and tasks them to kill all the things. While it looks like a standard button-masher on the surface, R2Games claims that it's got many of the deeper MMO features that players have come to expect. These include a gear enhancement system, a buff system based on the zodiac, a guild system, co-op play, and other customization options. We've got the trailer for Excalibur after the jump, so give it a look and see if the knight life is right for you.
The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: The history
After a two-week hiatus to recover from rattlesnake bites and a bear to the face, the Game Archeologist returns to travel to England, but not the England we know today. No, this is the England-That-Could-Have-Been, the England of King Arthur, Excalibur and pointy-hatted Vikings. This is the England of fairy tales and legends and blocky 2001-era polygon models. It is the England of three realms constantly jockeying for supremacy and power. It is Dark Age of Camelot. It's a pretty awesome place to live, even though the property values are way, way down after the last 18 marauding hordes trampled through the neighborhood. This month, the Game Archaeologist is trading in his copyright-infringement fedora and whip for a sturdy suit of armor and a fiery sword as he slashes his way into Dark Age of Camelot. It doesn't matter if it's only a model -- it still inspires him to break out into song anyway.
The soul still burns? Namco Bandai registers EXCALIBUR trademark
Companies like to keep secrets, hiding their upcoming projects from the general public until the marketing and PR stars align. However, leaks can come from a variety of sources: ESRB database listings, early achievement reveals, and trademark registrations. NeoGAF's Stormbringer has compiled a list of new Japanese trademarks and one entry in particular caught our attention: Namco Bandai's EXCALIBUR.While the trademark in question could be a reference to the classic story of King Arthur, we can't help but remember another popular Namco Bandai franchise: Soulcalibur (yes, it's one word). Could Namco Bandai be looking into creating a spin-off series of the popular fighting game? An even more dramatic possibility: the franchise will be donning an entirely new name. Let's not forget, the first game in the franchise was called Soul Edge, not Soulcalibur.
New T-Mobile Dash spotted in the wild, nothing really new about it
Remember that wild, all-black Dash we peeped a couple days ago? We have no intention of scuttling your hopes and dreams, but aside from a few cosmetic differences (they removed the aluminum front piece, the keyboard has been spaced out a little bit, and the OS has been bumped up to Windows Mobile 6.1) it looks like the 'new' Dash isn't all that new after all. But who cares if there's nothing revolutionary here? Just take a look at the bright side -- maybe this means we'll be seeing a new Manhattan sometime soon.
Rogers shows Motorola Q9h, WM6 upgrade for HTC s621
Using and loving Windows Mobile isn't always sunshine and roses -- sometimes your favorite carrier doesn't carry the phone you're looking for, sometimes your manufacturer doesn't release the WM6 upgrade in a timely fashion, sometimes the next-gen platform arrives years later than you'd hoped. But every once in a while, all the stars align just right. This is just such a week for Rogers, which is starting to get real with the Motorola Q9h (though it's not for sale just yet) and has finally released a Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for its own version of the HTC Excalibur, the s621. The only question, then, is just when can we get that Kaiser, Rogers?[Via Mobile In Canada and Smartphone Thoughts]Read - Motorola Q9hRead - HTC s621 Windows Mobile 6 upgrade
Dopod's C720W curiously left out of WM6 upgrade plans
We applaud Dopod's effort (or should we say HTC's effort?) in keeping its devices updated with all that warm, buttery Windows Mobile 6 goodness, but one rather notable handset has strangely been left out in the cold: the C720W, Dopod's flavor of the HTC Excalibur. We know there aren't any technical limitations to making it happen on account of T-Mobile's valiant effort to get the upgrade out for its Dash, so this all smells a little funny. One nefarious theory is that Dopod is looking to nudge folks into dropping their Excaliburs in favor of a shiny new C730 (the Cavalier, in HTC parlance). Whatever the reason -- come on, Dopod, do the right thing here.[Thanks, James]
Dopod announces HTC Vox and Cavalier as C500, C730
HTC's Asian outpost Dopod has officially announced two of its corporate parent's more hotly-anticipated models today -- the Vox and the Cavalier -- in the form of the C500 and C730, respectively. The C500, which has already seen retail duty in Europe as the Orange SPV E650, is arguably the more unique of the two with a spring-loaded QWERTY slide to accompany a full numeric keypad up front; sadly, 3G data is left entirely out of the equation. The C730 is the HSDPA follow-on to the Excalibur with a 2 megapixel cam and a rather comely (in our humblest of opinions) black shell. Thankfully, both come loaded with Windows Mobile 6 Standard. Look for the C500 this month for about $490, while C730 fans will have to wait until next month and shell out another hundred at $590.Read - Dopod C500Read - Dopod C730
Hands-on with T-Mobile's WM6-ified Dash
Kudos to T-Mobile for rushing (in relative terms) Windows Mobile 6 to its Dash, an honorable move that makes it the first carrier to launch a Windows Mobile 6 device in the US. We've had a chance to run through the re-upped device today, and, well, what can we say: it's a faithful implementation of Windows Mobile 6 Standard. As we've said before, Windows Mobile 6 is an extraordinarily incremental upgrade; the new operating system alone probably doesn't warrant rushing out tomorrow and picking up a shiny new Dash, but for existing owners, we can't think of a better way to close out the week. Click on for the glorious visuals. Gallery: Hands-on with T-Mobile's WM6 update for the Dash
HTC S621 (Excalibur) now official on Rogers
Every once in a while, the anticipatory wait for that new handset to launch is blissfully short, and we're delighted to report that this is one of those cases. The S621 from HTC is now available all official-like through Canada's Rogers Wireless, offering the same glorious QWERTY experience (and somewhat controversial "JOGGR" touch strip experience) that T-Mobile customers have been enjoying for a little while now. Grab it now for a cool $250 CDN (about $213) on three-year agreement.[Thanks, psxp]
Rogers to get HTC Excalibur as "S621"
Seeing how a user's guide for HTC's most QWERTY of smartphones -- the Excalibur -- has shown up on Rogers' site, we take that as a pretty strong indication that the carrier's Windows Mobile lineup is about to get one device stronger. We haven't gotten a date on just when this thing might get a "buy" link next to its picture, but with the 3G-capabile Cavalier waiting in the wings and Rogers' nascent HSDPA network slowly taking shape, we're thinking they're going to want to push it out the door sooner rather than later. Anyway, whenever the 1.3 megapixel Smartphone does drop, it'll do so as the "S621," sporting the same 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, and quadband EDGE radio as the rest of the world's various renditions. Not a bad foil for the Nokia E62 already in Rogers' stable, if we do say so ourselves. [Warning: PDF link][Thanks, treatz]
Hands-on with the HTC Cavalier
Unboxing plain ol' released products is so 2006. The hip new thing is unboxing products that have yet to be released, like this here HTC Cavalier, and to a lesser extent, the iPhone. Boy Genius, international man of mystery, does the honors on this one, and while we don't see a box anywhere in sight, he makes up for it with a myriad of pics, so we're going to take his word for it that there was a box somewhere in these proceedings. As for the phone, that 400MHz processor, side mounted touch-wheel and 2 megapixel camera look just as promising in the flesh as they do on those oft-leaked spec sheets. Unfortunately, the phone seems to share its progenitor's curse of looking odd for the camera, but if it's as good in person as the Excalibur, we could still have a winner here. Unfortunately, HTC has sent out word that the phone is currently "postponed indefinitely," so we'll have to see what's up with that before we get our hopes too high for this little HSDPA number. Check another pic after the break, or peep the read link for the whole collection.
Got cash in the new phone budget? Do some good
'Tis the season for giving, which leaves the rabid phone fans among us in a tight spot: how do we get in on a little new mobile tech for ourselves and help those less fortunate at the same time? Our friends over at Phone Scoop are hoping to fill the bill by auctioning off a handful of hot, current handsets graciously provided by carriers and manufacturers with all proceeds going to benefit The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria -- the same fund (RED) benefits. Loot includes a T-Mobile Dash, LRG Sidekick 3, Motorola MOTOKRZR K1, unlocked Samsung i320, M500 for Sprint, and BlackJack, and a Helio Drift (see, we told you the goods were hot). Bidding will take place via Phone Scoops' forums, with all auctions ending this Friday. Bid generously, and bid to win!
Engadget Black Friday giveaways (part 3): T-Mobile Dash!
It's Black Friday, which for many people means long lines, money lost, and war with your fellow man over this and that gadget. Hopefully not here at Engadget though, we're just gonna give some gear away. This time it's a T-Mobile Dash, just about the hottest smartphone on the US market right now. It features: 2.4-inch transflective TFT display Quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE WiFi and Bluetooth 128MB flash, 64MB SDRAM, microSD slot 1.3 megapixel camera myFaves support 960mAh battery (vs 1130mAh on the Moto Q) 4.4 x 2.5 x 0.5-inch body (vs 4.57 x 2.5 x 0.47-inches on Q) 4.2 ounces (vs 4.06 ounces on Q) Just leave us a comment below, and later today we'll announce the winners. Oh, and do mind the rules: You may only enter for this prize today. You may enter other Engadget contests, however... You may only enter this contest once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests though! You can only win once. Contest is open ot US residents only. P.S. -Just in case you miss your chance to win the Dash here, T-Mobile's giving one away every day through Christmas. Check it out over at T-Mobile Dash-a-Day (no relation to hack a day).P.P.S -Oh, by the way, we were thinking of making this our last Black Friday giveaway. But if we can get to 7,000 entries on the Dash by, say, 11:00PM EST tonight we might be convinced to throw in another Nikon D40 to give away before Black Friday comes to a close. So get entering!
The HTC Cavalier: followup to the Excalibur
Right on cue, now that everyone's got an Excalibur (i.e. T-Mobile Dash), HTC's latest creation shows up online. Obviously the successor to the sleek Excalibur, the Cavalier doesn't look as refined to these jaded eyes, but it's certainly got the horsepower under the hood to make up for its sharper, more Blackberry-esque lines. For starters, that 200MHz OMAP is now a 400MHz, which is just what's needed to power the UMTS / HSDPA. It's also got a higher capacity battery (though not by much -- 1050mAh over 960), a 2 megapixel camera, and the requisite 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0. Don't worry about it though, it won't make it to America until late spring by our wholly unscientific estimates, so your investment is safe for at least a couple months before importers make you miserable with longing.
HTC "Cavalier" to succeed Excalibur?
Sorry to take the wind out of your sails just weeks after plunking down the cash for that T-Mobile Dash, folks, but you know how we roll: we gotta call it like we see it. If the rumors prove accurate, the updated Excalibur -- codenamed "Cavalier," it seems -- looks to make good on all the Excalibur's shortcomings by bundling UMTS, HSDPA, a shiny new 400MHz Samsung core (up from 200MHz), and a 2 megapixel cam (an extra 700,000 pixels to play with by our count, give or take), all of which should allegedly fit into a package that looks like a slightly porkier Excalibur. But the best part? This thing should be coming soon. Like, real soon; a few months at most. No word on carriers or pricing, but you can bet your Dash we'll be keeping a close eye on this one.
T-Mobile Dash review
Even though Boy Genius managed to get his hands on the HTC Excalibur and the T-Mobile Dash like, way before we did, we still got a unit to take around the block ourselves. It's safe to say the Dash is probably the most T-Mobile anticipated device of the second half of this year, and with good reason. We've loved this thing ever since we laid hands on it -- don't let the pictures fool you, it's way smaller and sleeker than most photos let on. In all reality, the Dash is a fairly unphotogenic device -- which is why we had to make sure to take some bigger and better than usual photos of it. Those angled corners off the screen and the thinning metal bezel on the face makes it look pear-shaped and odd. But once you wrap your hands around it, you'll understand why this is the hottest Smartphone on the American market.
