Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[North Korea makes using a cellphone a war crime during 100 day mourning period]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/north-korea-makes-using-a-cellphone-a-war-crime-during-100-day-m/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/north-korea-makes-using-a-cellphone-a-war-crime-during-100-day-m/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/north-korea-makes-using-a-cellphone-a-war-crime-during-100-day-m/#comments North KoreaDear Leader may have blessed his subjects with the gift of 3G in 2008, but in his death he is taking it back... at least temporarily. As part of the country's 100 days of mourning, cellphones have been banned within its borders. If you're caught pulling out a portable to make a call, send a text or get directions to the nearest statue of the departed dictator you'll be charged as a war criminal -- that means serious time in a labor camp or death. Fun! Then again, in a nation where the average income is about $1 a month and cellphone ownership is a highly restricted privilege, we can't imagine too many people have anything to worry about. Sadly, this also means there's one less way to get information out of the already hard to crack territory.

North Korea makes using a cellphone a war crime during 100 day mourning period originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bancrimedemocratic peoples republic of koreaDemocraticPeoplesRepublicOfKoreaDPRKkim jong ilkim jong unKim Jong-Ilkim jong-unKimJong-ilKimJong-unKimJongIlKimJongUnkoreamourningnorth koreaNorthKoreaFri, 27 Jan 2012 05:15:00 EST<![CDATA[North Korea apparently pumping out state-sponsored PCs (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/north-korea-apparently-pumping-out-state-sponsored-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/north-korea-apparently-pumping-out-state-sponsored-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/north-korea-apparently-pumping-out-state-sponsored-pcs/#comments North Korea has already made its mark on the tablet market -- albeit a rather unimpressive attempt -- and even produced a supreme leader-approved OS, and now the DPRK is further proving its tech ambitions with the production of three different PC models. In a post published to PCWorld today, Martyn Williams reports on a March 10th state TV broadcast that revealed a North Korean factory where workers are busily assembling the machines by hand. According to Williams, the models in production include a desktop PC and a netbook-sized laptop, designed for educational use. The third variant, an enterprise laptop, boasts dual USB ports, internet connectivity, and two and half hours of battery life. That's about it in the way of specs, but from what we've seen, we doubt these machines are set for world domination. For a series of screen shots from the broadcast, check out Williams' blog at the coverage link below.

Update: Surprise! The North Korean netbook, pictured above left, is an identical clone of $99.99 Sylvania model sold at CVS pharmacies in the US, both presumably sourced from the same Chinese OEM.

North Korea apparently pumping out state-sponsored PCs (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessdemocratic peoples republic of koreaDemocraticPeoplesRepublicOfKoreadprkeducationeducationalenterprisekorealaptoplaptopsnetbooknetbooksnorth koreaNorth Korea: North KoreanNorth Korean computersNorth Korean PCsNorthKoreaNorthKorea:NorthKoreanNorthKoreanComputersNorthKoreanPcspc factoryPC productionPcFactoryPcProductionpcsPyongyangs Korea Computer CePyongyangsKoreaComputerCeWed, 25 May 2011 15:11:00 EST<![CDATA[North Korea gets a PDA befitting its Dear Leader]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/05/north-korea-gets-a-pda-befitting-its-dear-leader/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/05/north-korea-gets-a-pda-befitting-its-dear-leader/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/05/north-korea-gets-a-pda-befitting-its-dear-leader/#comments The DPRK's not exactly the world's healthiest economy. So it's with some surprise that we're now presenting you with North Korea's newest (only?) touchscreen slab. Apparently, it's available "in all the computer shops" and is being touted locally as something of a big deal by a Russian blog operating within Pyongyang. Unfortunately, it's void of any radios of any kind -- no GPS, no WiFi, no cellular, no Bluetooth. So really, it's just an old school Windows CE (judging by the icons) PDA with an electronic dictionary, map of the country, games, media player, and word processor. It also features a handy stylus for poking about the resistive touchscreen and to identify enemies of the state in a crowded room. The high-end 8GB model with microSD slot is said to cost $140 in a country where the average worker is estimated to earn about $1 per month. And here we thought that our gadget addiction was bad.

North Korea gets a PDA befitting its Dear Leader originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 05:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dprknorth koreaNorthKoreapdatouchscreenFri, 05 Nov 2010 05:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Charlie Miller and Kim Jong-Il could pwn the Internet with two years, $100 million]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/charlie-miller-and-kim-jong-il-could-pwn-the-internet-with-two-y/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/charlie-miller-and-kim-jong-il-could-pwn-the-internet-with-two-y/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/charlie-miller-and-kim-jong-il-could-pwn-the-internet-with-two-y/#comments
Well there's one thing we can say about Charlie Miller -- he sure is an ambitious rascal. When not busy exposing security holes in OS X, our fave security expert (aside from Angelina Jolie in Hackers, of course) has laid out a shocking expose based on the following premise: if Kim Jong-Il had a budget of $100 million and a timeline of two years could North Korea's de facto leader (and sunglasses model) take down the United States in a cyberwar? It seems that the answer is yes. Using a thousand or so hackers, "ranging from elite computer commandos to basic college trained geeks," according to AFP, the country could target specific elements of a country's infrastructure (including smart grids, banks, and communications) and create "beacheads" by compromising systems up to two years before they pulled the trigger. Speaking at DEFCON this weekend, Miller mentioned that such an attack could be carried out by anyone, although North Korea has a few advantages, including the fact that its infrastructure is so low tech that even destroying the entire Internet would leave it pretty much unscathed. That said, we're not worried in the least bit: if the diminutive despot brings down the entire Internet, how is he ever going to see Twilight: Eclipse?

Charlie Miller and Kim Jong-Il could pwn the Internet with two years, $100 million originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charlie millerCharlieMillercyberwarCyberWarfaredefconDEFCON 2010Defcon2010defensehackhackershackingInternetkim jong ilKimJongIlnorth koreaNorthKoreawargadgetMon, 02 Aug 2010 11:53:00 EST<![CDATA[South Korea enlists armed sentry robots to patrol DMZ]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/south-korea-enlists-armed-sentry-robots-to-patrol-dmz/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/south-korea-enlists-armed-sentry-robots-to-patrol-dmz/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/south-korea-enlists-armed-sentry-robots-to-patrol-dmz/#comments
South Korea has been working on deploying armed sentry robots along the border with North Korea since at least as far back as 2006, and it looks like it's still keeping at it. While complete details are a bit light, they country apparently put a pair of new sentry robots in place in the Demilitarized Zone last month, which pack both a machine gun and a grenade launcher to ward off intruders. Those would of course be controlled by humans, but the robots apparently use heat and motion sensors to do all the monitoring on their own, and simply alert a command center if they spots a trespasser. Of course, they are still just in the testing phase, and the military says it's waiting to see how things work out before it begins a more widespread deployment.

Update: According to Stars and Stripes, the gun-toting robot in question is a Samsung Techwin SGR-1 (now pictured above). If the video after the break is any indication, South Korea certainly seems to have made the right choice.

Continue reading South Korea enlists armed sentry robots to patrol DMZ

South Korea enlists armed sentry robots to patrol DMZ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Demilitarized ZoneDemilitarizedZonedmzkoreamilitarynorth koreaNorthKorearobot sentryRobotSentrysamsungsamsung techwinSamsungTechwinsentrysentry robotSentryRobotsgr-1sgr1south koreaSouthKoreatechwinvideoTue, 13 Jul 2010 14:49:00 EST<![CDATA[North Korea's Red Star OS takes the 'open' out of 'open source']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/north-koreas-red-star-os-takes-the-open-out-of-open-source/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/north-koreas-red-star-os-takes-the-open-out-of-open-source/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/north-koreas-red-star-os-takes-the-open-out-of-open-source/#comments
You know, Tux always seemed so harmless... little did we know that he is actually a Che Guevara-type figure who's been traveling around the world, fighting the good fight on any number of fronts. First, Cuba announces its national Linux variant, Nova, and now? Red Star is North Korea's very own Linux-based operating system, featuring a desktop very similar to Windows -- but for the red star that replaces the Start button. It first came to light when Mikhail, a Russian blogger living in Pyongyang, picked up a copy for $5 near Kim Il-sung University. The install disk apparently features a quote from Kim Jong-il about the importance of an operating system "compatible with Korean traditions," and the system requirements are a Pentium III 800MHz with 256MB RAM and 3GB hard drive space (North Korea's version of Minesweeper must take up a lot of room). Of course, this bad boy has Firefox -- except here it's called My Country, and it will only connect you to something called "My Country BBS," a web portal on North Korea's own (restricted) version of the Internet. Where will the plucky penguin turn up next? We don't know, but we bet it'll be one hell of a ride.

Gallery: North Korea's Red Star OS

North Korea's Red Star OS takes the 'open' out of 'open source' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>korealinuxmy countrymy country bbsMyCountryMyCountryBbsnorth koreaNorthKoreaopen sourceOpenSourceosPyongyangred starRedStarThu, 04 Mar 2010 15:14:00 EST<![CDATA[North Koreans love their spotty cellphone service]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/north-koreans-love-their-spotty-cellphone-service/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/north-koreans-love-their-spotty-cellphone-service/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/north-koreans-love-their-spotty-cellphone-service/#comments
It's been nary a year since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (aka "the North") got its very own 3G network, and now the Daily NK is reporting that -- no surprise -- cellphone use has taken the capital by storm. "Demand for mobile phones has been increasing" said one source. "Almost 30 percent of Pyongyang citizens seem to be using them." Still, this is the same country that refers to Kim Jong-Il as "Dear Leader," so while things are certainly looking up for Pyongyangites, there are any number of restrictions. For instance, not just anybody with disposable income can pick up one of these things -- the devices are still off-limits to cadres in the Central Committee of the Party and foreigners. In addition, using two phones simultaneously is illegal, as well as using a phone in someone else's name. And you thought the T-Mobile store was a pain in the ass? When an individual or a group of workers buy a phone, they must get a stamp from their home village, and then submit an application to the Communications Center -- all this for the privilege of having the government listen to their phone calls. There is no word on what phone / phones are available, but we do know that one will cost you between $90 and $120. Charges are reportedly ₩3,000 (around $20) a month for eight hours of talk time, with an additional €15 (also around $20) surcharge if you go over. Service is currently only available in Pyongyang and Sariwon, but apparently the service in Sariwon "kinda sucks." So really, service is only available in Pyongyang. And you know what? If you're reading this, you're probably not in Pyongyang.

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North Koreans love their spotty cellphone service originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cell phoneCellPhoneglobalkim jong-ilKimJong-ilmobilenorth koreaNorthKoreaorascomorascom telecomOrascomTelecompyongyangTue, 18 Aug 2009 15:36:00 EST<![CDATA[North Koreans love their spotty cellphone service]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/north-koreans-love-their-spotty-cellphone-service/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/north-koreans-love-their-spotty-cellphone-service/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/north-koreans-love-their-spotty-cellphone-service/#comments
It's been nary a year since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (aka "the North") got its very own 3G network, and now the Daily NK is reporting that -- no surprise -- cellphone use has taken the capital by storm. "Demand for mobile phones has been increasing" said one source. "Almost 30 percent of Pyongyang citizens seem to be using them." Still, this is the same country that refers to Kim Jong-Il as "Dear Leader," so while things are certainly looking up for Pyongyangites, there are any number of restrictions. For instance, not just anybody with disposable income can pick up one of these things -- the devices are still off-limits to cadres in the Central Committee of the Party and foreigners. In addition, using two phones simultaneously is illegal, as well as using a phone in someone else's name. And you thought the T-Mobile store was a pain in the ass? When an individual or a group of workers buy a phone, they must get a stamp from their home village, and then submit an application to the Communications Center -- all this for the privilege of having the government listen to their phone calls. There is no word on what phone / phones are available, but we do know that one will cost you between $90 and $120. Charges are reportedly ₩3,000 (around $20) a month for eight hours of talk time, with an additional €15 (also around $20) surcharge if you go over. Service is currently only available in Pyongyang and Sariwon, but apparently the service in Sariwon "kinda sucks." So really, service is only available in Pyongyang. And you know what? If you're reading this, you're probably not in Pyongyang.

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North Koreans love their spotty cellphone service originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cell phoneCellPhoneglobalkim jong-ilKimJong-ilnorth koreaNorthKoreaorascomorascom telecomOrascomTelecompyongyangTue, 18 Aug 2009 15:36:00 EST<![CDATA[North Korea to allow limited access to "the internet" on cellphones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/23/north-korea-to-allow-limited-access-to-the-internet-on-cellpho/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/23/north-korea-to-allow-limited-access-to-the-internet-on-cellpho/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/23/north-korea-to-allow-limited-access-to-the-internet-on-cellpho/#comments
Looks like North Korea -- a place not known for its liberal attitudes toward communication of information -- may slowly be taking another baby step toward the 21st century. The country, which only began allowing limited access to cell phones last December, has announced that now, limited access to the internet will be available on mobiles as well. Apparently about 20,000 of North Korea's estimated 23 million citizens now have cell phones, and though there is scant detail about what the internet access will constitute, an estimated 400 million dollars was spent to construct the 3G network in the country. So while there's no real bright side to the story, at least those lucky few who can look at Kim Jong Il's official website will have a decent connection.

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North Korea to allow limited access to "the internet" on cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 May 2009 02:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gcellphonesinternetmobilemobile internetMobileInternetnorth koreaNorthKoreaorascom telecomOrascomTelecomSat, 23 May 2009 02:24:00 EST<![CDATA[North Korea to allow limited access to "the internet" on cellphones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/23/north-korea-to-allow-limited-access-to-the-internet-on-cellpho/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/23/north-korea-to-allow-limited-access-to-the-internet-on-cellpho/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/23/north-korea-to-allow-limited-access-to-the-internet-on-cellpho/#comments
Looks like North Korea -- a place not known for its liberal attitudes toward communication of information -- may slowly be taking another baby step toward the 21st century. The country, which only began allowing limited access to cell phones last December, has announced that now, limited access to the internet will be available on mobiles as well. Apparently about 20,000 of North Korea's estimated 23 million citizens now have cell phones, and though there is scant detail about what the internet access will constitute, an estimated 400 million dollars was spent to construct the 3G network in the country. So while there's no real bright side to the story, at least those lucky few who can look at Kim Jong Il's official website will have a decent connection.

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North Korea to allow limited access to "the internet" on cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 May 2009 02:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gcellhonesinternetmobilemobile internetMobileInternetnorth koreaNorthKoreaSat, 23 May 2009 02:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Orascom flips on 3G network in North Korea]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/orascom-flips-on-3g-network-in-north-korea/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/orascom-flips-on-3g-network-in-north-korea/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/orascom-flips-on-3g-network-in-north-korea/#comments
North Korea can't even figure out how to sufficiently feed all of its citizens, yet Kim Jong Il and his comrades are about to read this on 3G speeds while throwing back a fifth of SoCo and catching a pirated Bollywood flick on BetaMax. Egypt's Orascom Telecom is about to flip the switch on the first 3G network in the nation, which was announced back in May. The outfit is expected to invest a staggering $400 million building it out over the next three years, thought it's expected to really only benefit the evil elite. Too bad it's easier to get out of a maximum security prison than it is to hop a flight into Pyongyang and see if this is more than some elaborate hoax to show the world how much life in the Hermit Kingdom is improving.

[Via textually]

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Orascom flips on 3G network in North Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Gglobalkim jong ilKimJongIlmobileNorth KoreaNorthKoreaOrascomMon, 15 Dec 2008 00:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony, others pitted in a Japan vs. S.Korea OLED showdown]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/10/sony-others-pitted-in-a-japan-vs-S-korea-oled-showdown/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/10/sony-others-pitted-in-a-japan-vs-S-korea-oled-showdown/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/10/sony-others-pitted-in-a-japan-vs-S-korea-oled-showdown/#commentsSeveral Japanese tech giants are teaming together today in a quest to make 40-inch and larger OLED panels for televisions. Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp and others will participate under a joint development project initiated by the Japanese government. All of this is of course meant to help the Japanese companies compete with South Korea's chaebols, particularly Samsung and LG, as the industry giants maneuver for an advantage over the next, next-generation flat panel technology to dominate the living room.

[Via OLED-info]

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Sony, others pitted in a Japan vs. S.Korea OLED showdown originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chaeboljapankorealgnorth koreaNorthKoreaoledpanasonicsamsungsharpsonytoshibaThu, 10 Jul 2008 03:07:00 EST<![CDATA[North Korea gets 3G]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/23/north-korea-gets-3g/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/23/north-korea-gets-3g/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/23/north-korea-gets-3g/#commentsNorth Korea gets 3G (not iPhone)
Around these parts, mention "3G" and you'll get an earful of the latest speculation on just when Apple's retooled iPhone will be making its first official appearance. Mention the same in North Korea, though, and you're likely to get some curious glances. Until just a few months ago, the simple act of making a mobile call within the nation's borders was a crime punishable by public execution. Via hanging. Seriously. With the ban dropped, Orascom Telecom, the only such company to be allowed to open up shop there, has completed its first 3G call. The Egyptian-based carrier is still setting up its nation-wide network, with hopes of going live coast-to-coast by the end of the year. Take that, China.

[Via IntoMobile]

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North Korea gets 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 May 2008 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gmobilenorth koreaNorthKoreaorascom telecomOrascomTelecomFri, 23 May 2008 21:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Kim Jong Il: tiny tyrant, self-proclaimed internet expert]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/05/kim-jong-il-tiny-tyrant-self-proclaimed-internet-expert/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/05/kim-jong-il-tiny-tyrant-self-proclaimed-internet-expert/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/05/kim-jong-il-tiny-tyrant-self-proclaimed-internet-expert/#commentsWhile a great many individuals have an (understandable) beef with North Korea's polarizing leader, there's a decent chance that even more people would scoff at his latest comment. During summit talks this week with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, Kim Jong Il called himself an "internet expert," after which we assume the entire room erupted with laughter. Granted, the guy must have some sort of outside connection to still receive his tunes and booze once the US got involved, but suggesting that "only the industrial zone" be wired for web access is questionable at best.

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Kim Jong Il: tiny tyrant, self-proclaimed internet expert originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>internetinternet expertInternetExpertkim jong ilKimJongIlnorth koreaNorthKoreapoliticsweirdFri, 05 Oct 2007 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Kim Jong-Il's iPod, wine orders to get denied by US]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/28/kim-jong-ils-ipod-wine-orders-to-get-denied-by-us/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/28/kim-jong-ils-ipod-wine-orders-to-get-denied-by-us/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/28/kim-jong-ils-ipod-wine-orders-to-get-denied-by-us/#commentsIf you've ever wondered what happens when you run an entire nation into the ground, bar almost every type of contact with the outside world, launch nuclear bomb tests against the orders of outsiders, and still try to order an iPod, well, now you know. North Korea's highly dodgy Kim Jong-Il will reportedly be "doing without luxuries" such as iPods, jet skis (saywha?), jewelery, designer clothes, and fine wines as the US implements an all-out ban against selling these goods to the power-trippin' leader. The nation's elite often enjoy lavish luxuries of first-world countries while the vast majority of its people are left without bare necessities, and apparently, new sanctions are trying to put an end to it. While this case has certainly been made before, individual countries were previously allowed to "make their own decisions," however the United States has now taken a stand by barring all luxury sales to Mr. Kim and his constituents -- which will probably do nothing outside of producing a sudden swell in iPod knockoff orders to the DPRK, unfortunately.

[Thanks, SRW985]

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Kim Jong-Il's iPod, wine orders to get denied by US originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Jan 2007 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clothesdesignergovernmentipodkim jong-ilKimJong-illawnorth koreaNorthKoreanuclearpoliticalpoliticsportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideosanctionususawarwinewinesSun, 28 Jan 2007 22:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung partners with SK Telecom, launches Q40-HSDPA]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/30/samsung-partners-with-sk-telecom-launches-q40-hsdpa/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/30/samsung-partners-with-sk-telecom-launches-q40-hsdpa/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/30/samsung-partners-with-sk-telecom-launches-q40-hsdpa/#comments
While it hasn't been too awfully long since Samsung doused its Q40 ultraportable in pink, the company is now looking to grab the attention of HSDPA fans by shoving such support into the lappie (and toning down the color scheme, too). Partnering with SK Telecom, the Q40-HSDPA will offer T-Login connectivity throughout South Korea (unless Kim Jong Il illegally snags one just North of the divide), and will also pack a 12.1-inch WXGA display, Intel's U1400 Core Solo processor, 1GB of RAM, a smallish 60GB hard drive, and a T-DMB receiver to boot. The machine will weigh in at just 2.6 pounds, and should be hitting the streets of Seoul soon for a slightly painful 2,300,000 KRW ($2,472).

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Samsung partners with SK Telecom, launches Q40-HSDPA originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hsdpakim jong ilKimJongIlkoreanorth koreaNorthKoreaq40samsungsk telecomSkTelecomsouth koreaSouthKoreat-dmbtv tunerTvTunerultraportableThu, 30 Nov 2006 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[US to block sale of major electronics to Kim Jong Il]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/29/us-to-block-sale-of-major-electronics-to-kim-jong-il/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/29/us-to-block-sale-of-major-electronics-to-kim-jong-il/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/29/us-to-block-sale-of-major-electronics-to-kim-jong-il/#commentsWe're not sure which is funnier, that Kim Jong Il is a fan of "luxury items" ranging from cognac to "iPods, plasma televisions and Segway electric scooters" (Yo, Mr. Kim, let's talk shop sometime, ok?) or the fact that the US really thinks its measures, which will likely be ineffective, can stop the Dear Leader's ability to buy these items. In an Associated Press article, William Reinsch, a former senior Commerce Department official, said that iPods and laptops (we're assuming he means in North Korea) are "untraceable and available all over the place." If that's true, then the government's plan is definitely screwed, and perhaps Secretary Rice should give us a call instead. Here's why: if in 2000, then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright can present Mr. Kim with a signed basketball by Michael Jordan, and then get a state dinner in Pyongyang as a thank you, imagine what a Steve Jobs-signed iPod delivered by the editors of Engadget would do for foreign relations. Seriously, Secretary Rice and President Bush, we await your call.

[Thanks, Mack S.]

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US to block sale of major electronics to Kim Jong Il originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dprkhdtvipodkim jong ilKimJongIlnorth koreaNorthKoreaportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoWed, 29 Nov 2006 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[South Korean "gun-toting sentries" to protect, serve]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/28/south-korean-gun-toting-sentries-to-protect-serve/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/28/south-korean-gun-toting-sentries-to-protect-serve/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/28/south-korean-gun-toting-sentries-to-protect-serve/#commentsSouth Korea has unveiled the latest piece of evidence that the future is finally upon us: it's supplementing its soldiers manning the border with North Korea with "gun-toting sentries" that can detect baddies and kill them. Or as Lee Jae-Hoon, deputy minister of commerce, industry and energy told the Agence France Press: "The Intelligent Surveillance and Guard Robot has surveillance, tracking, firing, and voice recognition systems built into a single unit." The South Korean government is expected to buy 1,000 of these robots at the cost of $200,000 apiece and will deploy them along its northern border, coastal regions and military airfileds. However, it's unclear what would happen if Kim Jong Il were to send in a legion of pilfered remote-controlled domestic robots as a countermeasure -- that is, if these robotic sentries would be willing to fire on their own kind.

Update: Eagle-eyed reader (and likely Korean speaker) Jihan J. happened upon a Korean site with pics and an actual video of this bot in action. Go on and check it out -- that is, if you like watching robots shoot automatic weapons wildly in every direction.

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South Korean "gun-toting sentries" to protect, serve originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderdmzlee jae-hoonLeeJae-hoonnorth koreaNorthKorearobotssentriessentrysouth koreaSouthKoreaThu, 28 Sep 2006 16:59:00 EST