Promotion -- Engadget

Windows 7 Whopper claims its first victim (video)

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 23rd 2009 at 9:09AM

Few brave souls will even attempt to consume the Windows 7 Whopper, and fewer still will achieve that first dyspepsic bite -- as you can plainly see in this video. Indeed, we were sure that this was some sort of promotional stunt for Microsoft in Japan, but now reports are filtering in that these have been available in Texas for years now. Of course, in the Lone Star State it's not called the Windows 7 Whopper, it's called "lunch."

[Via Pocket-lint]

Continue reading Windows 7 Whopper claims its first victim (video)

Burger King selling a Windows 7 Whopper in Japan

by Vladislav Savov posted Oct 22nd 2009 at 8:22AM

Confirming our belief that Japan is at once among the coolest and craziest places on this planet we all call home is Burger King's exclusive Windows 7 Whopper. Seven stacked beef patties extend your usual Whopper to over five inches in height and the whole thing costs an appropriate ¥777 (or $8.55). It'll be available for one week only -- or seven days, get it? Join us past the break to see the full towering size of this meaty monstrosity.

[Via Electronista]

Update: Andy Yang, our Engadget Chinese editor, has read the smallprint and noted that in fact only the first 30 customers each day will get the Win 7 Whopper at ¥777, with the rest shelling out a cool ¥1,450 ($17.10) for the privilege. Way to break with the number 7 theme, guys.

Continue reading Burger King selling a Windows 7 Whopper in Japan

Motorola Droid ads invading mailboxes, too?

by Ross Miller posted Oct 20th 2009 at 10:32PM

Because television and the internet can't be the only media feeling the touch of the Droid's marketing blitz, it looks like promotional mailers are being sent out. No new details or screenshots, but you can't get enough of Motorola / Verizon's Android device anyway, can you? A few more pics past the read link.

Microsoft opening café in Paris to build excitement for Windows 7

by Laura June posted Sep 24th 2009 at 1:36PM

You know what the French love? Cafés. They love them so much, apparently, that Microsoft has decided to open one in the heart of Paris to drum up excitement about Windows 7. The Windows café will serve coffee and pastries (it is a café, after all), and will also have Microsoft products -- such as the Xbox -- on hand for customers to play with, but it won't actually sell any Microsoft wares. The shop, which is currently being built at 47 Boulevard Sebastopol, will be open from October 22nd onward, so if you're in the area you should check it out before it's gone for good -- we hear it'll only be there for a few short weeks. Finally, a reason to go to Paris!

Mitsubishi TVs to come with free Vudu boxes as of July 16th

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 15th 2009 at 12:44PM

Getting a free DVD or Blu-ray player with an HDTV purchase is nothing new, but Mitsubishi's taking things to the next level: starting July 16th, authorized retailers will throw in a free Vudu box and $50 service credit with every Mitsu TV. Right, we know it's only a $150 box, but remember Vudu is really the only player out there offering 1080p HDX video rentals right now, and it also supports Pandora, Flickr, YouTube and local streaming, so bundling the box is a pretty easy way for Mitsubishi to jump into the connected TV market without having to reinvent the wheel. Well played, we'd say -- it's just too bad the last Mitsu TV we played with was less than impressive. LaserVue, anyone?

[Via High-Def Digest]

Apple quietly updates $999 MacBook, again -- goes back to school with free iPod touch

by Thomas Ricker posted May 27th 2009 at 6:52AM

Shh, don't tell the press but Apple just bumped the specs on its entry-level white MacBook again. The bump measures in at just 0.13GHz on the processor, 133MHz more oomph from the DDR2 SDRAM, and an extra 40GB of disk space. Still more is more better especially when it's ~~free~~ $999. Apple also took the wraps off its back-to-school deal which nabs a decent discount on Macs (up to $200 off MacBook Pro) and tosses in a 8GB iPod touch (after $229 on-line rebate) to sweeten the deal.

Update: Looks like the battery might have been given a nudge to a rated 5-hours, up from 4.5.

[Thanks, Jasper K., Daniel, and Anshu P.]

Read -- MacBook white
Read -- back to school

Video: LG's LGenius presentation lays out totally fake, remarkable TV advancements

by Darren Murph posted Mar 28th 2009 at 3:01AM

Not that we haven't seen completely off-the-wall viral marketing ads before (including one from LG, in fact), but this one just takes the proverbial cake. In a perfectly staged LGenius presentation, we're informed about a few astounding up and coming TV advancements. The first one intelligently replaces all swear words with baby laughter or eerie silence, while the "Happy Time" feature automatically detects when a program is too sad for one's health and adds random images of cute puppies and kittens. Finally, the "Family Time" feature turns any sensual scene into one with cartoon characters, making even the steamiest bedroom romance seem perfectly acceptable for innocent eyes. Seriously, this one has to be seen to be believed -- mash that play button and have a gander.

[Thanks, Kellen]

Norwegian ski billboard gets snowy when texted

by Darren Murph posted Mar 25th 2009 at 2:19AM

We've certainly seen mobile-activated bus stop ads before, but the cool factor on this one was just too impressive to overlook. Tryvann Winter Park, a ski resort that sits just 15 minutes away from downtown Oslo, was searching high and low for ways to better market itself to residents of the bustling Norwegian city. In order to do so, it turned to JCDecaux, who conjured up the brilliant idea you see to the right. Essentially, this advertisement packs a few internal fans and a bucketful of faux snow; whenever it starts snowing up at the ski resort, someone sends a text to the billboard and the flurries start to fly. This way, residents and workers in Oslo can easily see when conditions are good some 500 meters up. We're told that Tryvann "loved" the campaign and the resulting crowds that came, though there's no mention of whether it'll be implemented next season or elsewhere in the world.

[Via textually, thanks Charles]

Smartfish Pro:Motion Keyboard prevents carpal tunnel syndrome, bops 'round your desk

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jan 14th 2009 at 8:03AM

Take it from us, kids. Computer use -- with its carpal tunnel-wrecking input devices, spine-bending office chairs and eye-straining displays -- can wreak havoc on the body of even the healthiest young blogger. And even though there are a million products out there to help us work in a more ergonomically correct fashion, many of them seem just plain silly. If you're looking for something that actually looks like it belongs on a desk, however, be sure to check out the Smartfish Pro:Motion Keyboard. Pretty standard gear, except that it's outfitted with motors that subtly shift the keyboard's angle throughout the day -- ostensibly eliminating the cause of repetitive stress injuries. If this weren't enough, the device can track your typing speed and self-adjusts its angle and separation according to your needs. There have been no clinical trials for the device yet, but if you're desperate for relief -- or feeling daredevilish -- you're not gonna let that stop ya, right?

[Via Everything USB]

Read: Pro:Motion Peripherals [caution: PDF]

Takara Tomy Xiao printer-camera excretes prints

by Darren Murph posted Dec 27th 2008 at 3:38PM

We never knew that cameras could be constipated, nor that excrement could be framed, but apparently Takara Tomy knows better than us.

VUDU price dramatically slashed to $99* for the holidays

by Darren Murph posted Dec 23rd 2008 at 8:15AM

We know it's a touch late to be ordering up a gift for unwrapping on the 25th, but this one just might be worth the IOU you'll likely be forced to give. VUDU's movie set-top-box, which typically goes for $299, is now priced at just $99 for a limited time. Of course, VUDU forces you to purchase $50 in movie credits along with it (thus the asterisk being applicable here), but it's not like you're just going to buy this and never watch anything, right? There's also a bundle that includes a Wireless Kit at 50% off (now just $49), making the grand total for a VUDU, $50 in movie credits and a Wireless Kit only $198. Let's just say now is about the time to buy if you've been holding off on a VUDU -- we hear those HDX titles are mighty tasty!

[Thanks, Rob]

Microsoft to push cool factor with retro-inspired clothing line

by Darren Murph posted Dec 6th 2008 at 2:26PM

It's actually kind of amazing how much dough Microsoft has spent over the past little while in an attempt to polish its image in the minds of the general populace, and as if those "I'm proud to be a PC" and completely incomprehensible Gates / Seinfeld spots weren't enough, the Redmond-based outfit is about to roll out its own clothing line (dubbed "Softwear") this month. And no, we're not kidding. Not even a little. Microsoft has purchased the assistance of Crispin Porter & Bogusky in order to ensure the results are actually desirable, and it has also hired rapper Common as a spokesman. We can't definitively say the shirt you see above is as fly as Pharrell's Gizmondo Enzo tee, but we'd rock it. We'd rock it hard.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Mildly frightening Verizon promo video gets employees hype for BlackBerry Storm

by Darren Murph posted Sep 15th 2008 at 10:46PM

Hey, bet you'd like to know that Verizon Wireless' Mike (you know, from Minute with Mike) thinks the BlackBerry Storm is going to "crush the competition." He also expects his sales team to "take the world by storm." He also states that this handset's screen is "built to be the most responsive of its time." Oh, but he totally neglects to mention a price and / or release date. Thanks Mike. Thanks a lot. Full mind-numbing episode is after the jump.

Continue reading Mildly frightening Verizon promo video gets employees hype for BlackBerry Storm

Maria Sharapova and Canon to give away diamond-clad SD1100 ISs

by Darren Murph posted Aug 21st 2008 at 5:31PM

Maria Sharapova has already had her greatness spread over a number of Motorola handsets, but now the tennis queen is partnering up with long-time associate Canon in order to make five lucky individuals extraordinarily happy. As part of an elaborate marketing scheme, Canon and Maria (but mostly Canon) are cranking up a contest in which five Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS's are given away. But these aren't just any SD1100 ISs -- these are diamond-encrusted editions worth around $12,000 apiece. No word on whether Maria will actually touch the cameras before they're shipped out, but a boy can dream.

[Via Luxist]

Elephantine BlackBerry Bold promo kit arrives for Rogers

by Darren Murph posted Aug 13th 2008 at 1:08PM

We understand the need to catch eyes these days, and while Rogers will certainly not be the first nor last to promote a new piece of kit with an obscenely large version of said kit, this one just takes brobdingnagian marketing to a new plateau. The absolutely gigantic Rogers Bold launch kit includes a plethora of Bold flyers, informational pamphlets and all sorts of other goodies that'll be handed out to prospective buyers shortly. The real question is: who gets to take this thing home once the buzz dies down?

[Thanks, Michael]